Farmer's Wife Has Magic Skills

Chu Yiping generously said, “Sure, you can use them however you like.

“Thank you.” Using Chu Yiping’s tools, Chu Qingzhi crafted a spout for a watering can, then attached it directly to the side of a wooden barrel. With a slight tilt, water flowed out just as it would from a watering can, effectively replicating its function.

Chu Qingzhi then inquired, “Uncle Yiping, how much does one of these barrels cost?”

With a smile, Chu Yiping replied, “Give them to you for free, no charge!

However, Chu Qingzhi insisted, “I need more than these two; I plan to take ten.

Please, let me pay for them; otherwise, I’d feel uncomfortable accepting them

for free.”

After some thought, Chu Yiping scratched his head and suggested, “If you want ten, then how about one qian of silver for each?”

“That works for me,” Chu Qingzhi agreed, handing over the silver to Chu Yiping, “Could you please bring out the barrels for me?

Quickly, Chu Yiping presented ten small barrels in front of Chu Qingzhi, dusting off his hands, “Do you need any more? I have two left.”

After a glance at the well-crafted and adorable barrels, Chu Qingzhi decided,

“I’ll take those two as well.”

“Alright, I’ll fetch them,” Chu Yiping said, soon returning with the remaining barrels.

With a total of twelve barrels now in front of her, Chu Qingzhi inspected them one by one. The barrels were impeccably made, not leaking a single drop, indicative of excellent craftsmanship.

Chu Yiping, holding up the barrel that Chu Qingzhi had fitted with a spout, asked, “Do you plan to install these on all the barrels?”

Chu Qingzhi nodded, “Yes, I intend to use these barrels for watering, so each one will need one.”

Intrigued by the spout, Chu Yiping offered his assistance, “Let me help you with that.”

“Thankyou, that would be great,” Chu Qingzhi politely responded.

Chu Yiping carefully observed Chu Qingzhi’s method and then began replicating it on the remaining barrels. With his help, they completed the task in half an hour.

Chu Qingzhi meticulously measured and marked the exact position for each spout before attaching them securely to the barrels.

Observing the sturdy installation, Chu Yiping marveled at Chu Qingzhi’s handiwork. Her martial skills certainly made the difficult steps seem effortless.

“Would it be better to apply some pigskin glue for added stability?” Chu

Qingzhi considered his suggestion valuable.

“If you have some, let’s apply it,” she agreed.

Chu Yiping fetched the warmed pigskin glue he had prepared earlier and helped

Chu Qingzhi apply it around the spouts.

After the glue application, Chu Qingzhi picked a bamboo leaf and blew on it gently. Moments later, a group of robust monkeys arrived, surrounding her, making her seem like a revered Monkey King.

She selected the twelve strongest monkeys and assigned each a barrel, then led them to the medicine workshop.

Upon reaching the workshop, Chu Junbao was heading home. Chu Qingzhi stopped him, “Junbao, could you send a message to my mother? Ask her to steam about twenty buns and bring some apples from the cellar for the monkeys.”

Chu Junbao happily agreed, “Sure, Sister Qingzhi. I’ll tell Auntie Chu right

away.”

With gratitude, Chu Qingzhi continued, “Thankyou.”

Chu Junbao waved and ran off towards the village.

Carrying a large pot and accompanied by the monkeys, Chu Qingzhi headed to the wheat fields.

This spectacle drew the attention of the villagers, who watched in fascination, discussing the remarkable sight.

“Qingzhi truly is extraordinarily strong. Such a large pot, difficult for even two men to carry, seems effortless for her,” one remarked.

Indeed, Chu Qingzhi’s strength and her ability to command the animals underscored her unique abilities, further enhancing her status in the village.

Chu Qingzhi placed the large pot next to a water channel, mixed in a liang of medicinal powder with a hundred jin of water, and stirred it until evenly distributed. She then called the monkeys over, instructing them to line up and place their barrels in front of them.

Filling each barrel with five jin of the medicated water, Chu Qingzhi demonstrated to the monkeys how to water the fields. After showing them the process, she refilled her barrel and handed the task over to the monkeys.

The monkeys, adeptly imitating Chu Qingzhi, efficiently watered the fields without harming the crops, their work commendable.

After some time, Chu Qingzhi inspected the treated area, uncovering the roots to check for dead pests. The potent medicinal powder was effective, killing the pests upon contact.

Satisfied with the outcome, Chu Qingzhi planned to distribute the medicine to the leaders of the four villages, ensuring everyone could treat their fields. She informed the village leaders to calculate how much land they had cultivated and to take only as much medicine as needed, emphasizing that excess medicine would be wasteful.

Recognizing the urgency, the village leaders quickly gathered the required information and reported back to Chu Qingzhi, who distributed the medicine accordingly.

Village Chief Sun expressed his gratitude, “Miss Chu, thankyou very much. Without your help, our hearts would have been heavy with worry.”

Chu Qingzhi responded, “If there’s anything you need in the future, feel free to come tome.”

Village Chief Sun nodded in agreement, “Certainly.”

With the medicine in hand, the village leaders returned to their respective villages and immediately began distributing it among the villagers, who then worked through the night to save their crops.

Meanwhile, under the diligent efforts of the monkeys, the first field was successfully treated. As night fell, Chu Qingzhi instructed everyone to stop working and led the monkeys back home.

Li Qingyu had received Chu Junbao’s message and prepared a generous feast for the monkeys, including steamed buns and washed apples, placed at the courtyard entrance.

“Thankyou, Mother,” Chu Qingzhi said, turning to address the monkeys, “These are for you. Each monkey gets two buns and an apple. Help yourselves, and we’ll water the fields again early tomorrow. There will be more treats.” The monkeys, understanding her, looked at Chu Qingzhi with their round, adorable eyes.

After stepping back to give them space, the monkeys orderly picked up their buns and apples. Each took a bun to eat on the spot, then grabbed another bun and an apple to take away, content with their rewards.

Chu Qingzhi watched the monkeys leave, feeling a sense of accomplishment for utilizing every resource at her disposal to its fullest potential.