Chapter 3: The Village Chief
The warmth of the meal still lingered in Lin Yuer's body as she stood, ready to leave the small cottage. The elderly woman, who had introduced herself as Grandma Liu, watched her with a mixture of curiosity and caution.
"You must be cautious when speaking to the village chief," Grandma Liu advised, her voice low but serious. "Though his heart is good, he is a man of tradition. The ways of the old world run deep in this village, and change is often feared."
Lin Yuer nodded solemnly, understanding the weight of Grandma Liu's words. She had only just begun to grasp how different things were here—how stuck in time the people of Yunshui Village appeared to be. They were hardworking, humble, and traditional, yet something told her that they were hungry for knowledge. Perhaps they just needed someone to show them a different way, someone from a different world.
After a brief walk through the village—a small, peaceful place with neatly built homes, fields stretching out in all directions, and simple but hardworking people—Grandma Liu led Lin Yuer to a modest building in the heart of the village. The roof was made of thatched straw, and the walls were constructed of sturdy wood. It was evident that this building was where the villagers gathered to discuss matters of importance.
"This is the chief's house," Grandma Liu said as she gently pushed open the door, revealing a small room filled with an older man seated at a wooden table. His face was weathered, his dark hair streaked with gray, but his eyes were sharp and calculating. There was something commanding about him, despite his simple appearance.
The village chief, whose name was Li Jun, looked up as they entered, his gaze briefly lingering on Lin Yuer before moving to Grandma Liu.
"Grandma Liu, you bring a stranger to my home?" Chief Li asked, his tone cautious but polite.
"This young one came from beyond the mountains," Grandma Liu said, motioning toward Lin Yuer. "She has... strange ideas. Ideas that might help us here in the village. She claims to know of better ways to farm and live, ways that may improve our lives."
The chief eyed Lin Yuer curiously, his gaze piercing but not unkind.
"And what is it that you know, child?" he asked, his voice deep and commanding. "What is it that you say can help us?"
Lin Yuer took a deep breath, gathering her courage. She wasn't entirely sure how much of her world she should reveal, but she knew she had to start somewhere. If she could make a difference in even one small way, perhaps she could earn their trust.
"I come from a distant land," Lin Yuer began, her voice steady but humble. "In my world, we use new methods to improve farming—irrigation systems that bring water to crops more efficiently, crop rotation to ensure the soil stays fertile, and planting methods that help produce more food from the land."
Chief Li did not respond immediately. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing as he considered her words. There was a long pause, as though he were weighing the merits of her claim.
"You speak of methods I do not understand," Chief Li said finally. "But this village has lived by the same ways for many generations. Our ancestors planted their crops by hand, worked the soil with the sweat of their brows. Why should we trust you, a stranger, with our way of life?"
Lin Yuer's heart pounded. She had expected resistance, but now that it was here, she wasn't sure how to overcome it. Still, she couldn't back down. She had seen the struggles of the people, their long hours in the fields and the slow pace of progress. If she could show them a better way, they could improve their lives and perhaps even transform the village into something more prosperous.
"I understand that this is a village of tradition, Chief Li," Lin Yuer said carefully. "But even traditions need to evolve if we are to survive and thrive. My world—our world—has learned much about how to use the land in better ways. I am not asking you to abandon the past, but to build on it. To make the future a better place for your children and grandchildren."
Grandma Liu watched her closely, her expression unreadable. Chief Li, however, seemed deep in thought. The silence in the room grew thick as he processed Lin Yuer's words. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke.
"Perhaps you are not entirely wrong," Chief Li said slowly. "But before I trust you with such important matters, I need to see for myself whether these ideas of yours can work. I cannot risk the village's food supply on a foreigner's promises."
Lin Yuer held her breath, waiting for his decision. She knew this was a critical moment. If she couldn't convince him now, her ideas—her future in this world—might be lost forever.
"I will work with you," Lin Yuer said firmly, locking eyes with Chief Li. "I will show you. Let me try these methods on a small section of the fields. If they do not improve the harvest, then you may cast me out. But if they do, I ask only for your permission to teach the others."
Chief Li studied her for a long moment, then sighed deeply, as though the weight of his decision was a heavy burden. Finally, he nodded.
"Very well," he said. "We will give you a chance. But if your ideas fail, you will leave this village, and no one will listen to you again. Do not take this lightly, young one."
Lin Yuer felt a surge of relief and determination. "I understand, Chief Li. Thank you."
Grandma Liu, who had been quietly observing the exchange, smiled approvingly. "We will start tomorrow, then," she said, rising to her feet. "There is no time to waste."
As Lin Yuer left the chief's house, her heart swelled with purpose. This was only the beginning, but it was a crucial first step. If she could prove her methods worked, she could change not just Yunshui Village, but the entire world around her. She could bring knowledge and innovation to an era that had never known them.
As the sun began to set over the mountains, Lin Yuer felt a renewed sense of hope. She wasn't just an outsider anymore. She was a part of something bigger, something that could change the course of history.
The journey ahead was long, and the challenges would be many. But Lin Yuer was ready. This world would not remain unchanged for long.