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The village was buzzing with excitement. After the meeting where Li Wei had shared his knowledge about building houses with conveniences like running water, everyone wanted the same for their families. They had already experienced the ease of using the communal tap that was shared by the entire village, but now, the dream of having water running into their own homes was in their minds. The challenge, however, was clear—transforming their simple homes into something more advanced, like Li Wei's, would take time, effort, and resources.
A decision was made: the men of the village, about 200 healthy men in total, would unite and work together to clear a large piece of land. The plot they chose was vast, nearly one kilometer long and 200 meters wide, but it sat at the edge of the jungle. The land was not flat, and trees from the forest would need to be cut down, roots pulled out, and the earth leveled. It was closer to the heart of the village, which made it convenient, but the task ahead of them was immense.
One morning, as the first group of men stood ready to begin their work, the village elder addressed them.
"This land will become the foundation for the homes of our future. The work will not be easy, but if we work together, we can achieve what we set out to do."
The men nodded in agreement. They knew that this would not be a quick job. Many of them looked toward Li Wei's house on the hill, admiring the stone structure, the private tap water, and the comfort it provided. But they also knew it would take years of effort to have what Li Wei already had. Still, the idea of one day living with such ease pushed them forward.
Li Wei stood off to the side, watching as the villagers began their work. Though he had already created his own comfortable life, he respected their determination. He approached the elder and spoke in his usual calm manner. "It will take time, but with steady effort, the land can be cleared."
The elder nodded. "Yes, Lord Li Wei, we understand this is no small task. Many of the younger men believe they can finish quickly, but the reality is that this could take years."
Li Wei looked over the dense jungle that lay ahead of them. "Clearing this land is just the beginning. Once it's done, flattening it will take even more time. You will need to be patient. The comfort of a private water system, a sturdy home, and a place to live as I do is not built overnight."
As the villagers worked, they quickly realized the truth of Li Wei's words. Cutting down the trees was laborious, even with 200 men working in shifts. The forest was thick, and the ground was uneven. Roots ran deep into the soil, and many men struggled with pulling them out. Flattening the land was even harder. Large rocks had to be removed, and parts of the land were filled with hills that needed to be leveled.
Days passed into weeks, and progress was slow. Despite their best efforts, the villagers soon understood that this project would not be finished anytime soon. Some of the younger men, eager to build their homes quickly, became frustrated.
One evening, as the men gathered around a fire after a long day's work, one of the younger men spoke up. "At this rate, we won't have homes like Li Wei's for years. How much longer will it take to clear this land?"
The elder, who had been sitting quietly, looked up. "It will take as long as it takes. You cannot rush something this big."
Li Wei, who had joined them after finishing his own training, added, "You must remember that this is not just about clearing land. Once the land is ready, you will need the materials to build strong homes. You will need the knowledge to set up water systems, and that takes time to learn."
Another man, one of the older villagers, nodded in agreement. "The work is hard, yes, but think about what we are building for our children and their future. We've used the communal tap for so long, and now we have a chance to bring that water into our homes. But it won't come easily."
The villagers were silent, but slowly, they accepted the reality. They had committed to a long-term project, and it would take years before they could enjoy the same luxuries as Li Wei. Yet, despite the challenges, there was no backing down. Every day, they returned to the land, cutting away the jungle little by little, flattening the earth one step at a time.
The days turned into months, and the plot of land began to change. The trees were slowly being cleared, and the uneven ground was becoming more level. Though there was still a long way to go, the villagers could now see the future ahead of them—a future where their homes would have the same conveniences as Li Wei's. And while the work was hard, the vision of a better life kept them moving forward.
Dear readers,
Support me by listening to audiobook version of this fiction on youtube. The story is quite a few chapters ahead on youtube.
Click here to go to the playlist.
The playlist!
Thank you!