“Make way, let the scholar through.” When the crowd saw Brian Cooper approaching, they hurriedly cleared a path, their eyes following him with admiration. As for Emily Scott, she was already surrounded by a group of women showering her with compliments. Though Emily Scott spoke modestly, her face was already streaked with tears.

“Master Xie, how is it going?” Brian Cooper squeezed to the edge of the well and asked the craftsman leader Edward Harris.

“Scholar, you are truly talented. We struck water exactly at 60 feet, not a bit off.” Edward Harris respectfully cupped his hands to Brian Cooper, a craftsman’s gesture of reverence for knowledge.

“How is the water flow?” Brian Cooper continued.

“The water is gushing out quickly. Just as you said, 400 dan per hour, if not more.” Edward Harris replied.

If not more… isn’t that just flattering me? Brian Cooper thought to himself. With my expertise as a geologist, my estimate of the water output should be spot on—that’s what’s impressive. If the actual output is higher than my estimate, it would mean I wasn’t skilled enough.

However, he also knew that Edward Harris couldn’t really tell the current water output; the calculation of 400 dan per hour could only be confirmed by actually measuring with buckets. Edward Harris was just praising him, since in a time of drought, everyone hoped for as much water as possible from the well.

“Scholar, you have saved my life. Please accept a bow from William Carter.”

William Carter stepped forward, straightened his robe, and gave Brian Cooper a deep bow. He had already let go of the incident yesterday when Brian Cooper kicked him to the ground. In the eyes of the villagers, county clerks were quite imposing, but to scholars, they were nothing special. Now, all he could think about was how to win over this scholar and have him point out a few more well sites. If every well Brian Cooper indicated turned out like this one, he would really shine in front of the county magistrate.

“Officer Carter, you’re too kind. You’re digging wells for the benefit of my fellow villagers. How could I accept such a grand gesture?” Brian Cooper replied.

You don’t hit a smiling face. Since William Carter had already bowed his head, Brian Cooper didn’t mind and returned the courtesy.

“William Carter humbly asks if the scholar could help point out a few more well sites. Would you be willing to lend a hand?” William Carter asked respectfully.

“It is my duty,” Brian Cooper replied in a lofty tone.

Village head Mark Cooper also came forward, lavishly praising Brian Cooper with emotional words. But between the lines, he implied that Brian Cooper’s achievements were all thanks to his own care and leadership as the village head. Brian Cooper didn’t mind this kind of praise or self-praise; he had received countless honors in his previous life and had no interest in fussing over what a village official said.

“Uncle Zhong, now that the well has water, could you please arrange the order in which each household draws water? My family is short on labor—could I trouble you to look after us a bit?” Brian Cooper said to Mark Cooper.

“Of course! Are you trying to embarrass your uncle by even asking?” Mark Cooper feigned annoyance. “Without your guidance on the well site, how could we have this sweet spring? Your family’s water use naturally comes first. The whole village is here—ask anyone, who would dare object?”

With the village head’s word, the villagers naturally chimed in:

“Scholar, say no more. We’ll take care of all the water your fields need!”

“Sister Gendi, just rest. Each of us will carry a load of water for your family.”

“Auntie, with my brother Brian Cooper here, you can just enjoy life at home—no need to work anymore.”

Emily Scott nodded to one person, thanked another, busy and overjoyed. She knew this was everyone’s way of showing respect for her son. In this time of drought, anyone who could help dig a well was worthy of the whole village’s respect.

Chapter 010: Bringing Good News

“Magistrate, great news! Great news!”

The yamen runner Andrew Thompson stumbled into the county office, gasping for breath as he loudly reported to the worried magistrate David Clark sitting in the main hall.

Andrew Thompson was William Carter’s subordinate. After Brian Cooper pointed out a few more well sites and guaranteed they would all yield water, William Carter was overjoyed and immediately sent Andrew Thompson back to the county to report. From Zheguishe Township to the county seat was more than ten li, and under William Carter’s strict orders, Andrew Thompson ran the whole way, so exhausted that he was foaming at the mouth.

“Andrew Thompson? So, William Carter finally managed to dig a well?” David Clark looked up at the kneeling Andrew Thompson and asked calmly.

“We struck water! Four hundred dan per hour—a great well!” Andrew Thompson shouted hoarsely.

“How many wells has William Carter dug so far?” David Clark continued.

“This is…” Andrew Thompson hesitated, “the sixteenth well.”

“Sixteen wells, and only one with water, and he still has the nerve to report good news!” David Clark said angrily.

“Please forgive me, Magistrate.” Andrew Thompson kowtowed repeatedly. “Officer Carter said that the previous failures were because the local people offended the Dragon King. Yesterday, he led all the men of Longkou Village to worship the Dragon King, and then the very first well produced water.”