Transmigrated as a Peasant Girl with Prophetic Dreams: Using My Space to Become the Richest Person - Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Don’t Be Fooled by Yang San

“Everyone, please quiet down and listen to me first!”

The murmuring gradually subsided.

“I know you probably think what I’m saying is absurd,” the Village Chief continued, “but I didn’t come here to cause unnecessary worry based on a whim. In fact, after hearing this news yesterday, I went to the town and the county seat to ask around.”

“People who have lived through floods told me that, given the current weather patterns, it is not impossible for one to occur. Look up at the sky.”

Everyone instinctively looked up. The sky was clear; the sun was bright. It looked like a perfect summer day.

“There’s nothing special, Chief. What are you trying to say?”

“You think the weather is good, but look at those clouds in the distance.”

The crowd looked toward where the Chief was pointing. Massive, thick clouds were huddling together in heavy clusters.

“Eh? Those clouds do look a bit strange.”

“Maybe a little, but that doesn’t prove a flood is coming.”

The elders in the village, however, began to see the signs. “Hmm… those clouds… there’s a chance of a sudden, violent change in weather.”

The younger ones remained hopeful. “Surely not?”

The Chief pressed on: “Besides the abnormal cloud formations, think about the last two days. Hasn’t it been exceptionally stifling? There hasn’t been a breath of wind.”

The villagers thought about it. It was true, but since it was summer, “stifling and windless” didn’t seem that odd.

“Think again,” the Chief urged. “While you were working lately, haven’t the birds above been flying in chaotic circles? And look down at the insects and ants—aren’t they all frantically moving their nests?”

“A flood is a life-and-death matter. Since there is a possibility, I believe we must prepare in advance.”

At this, the villagers finally began to feel a sense of unease.

…

The Scapegoat

“Chief, where did you get this news? You’re not lying to us, are you? You’ve got me worried sick.”

Hearing this, the Chief’s gaze fell on Yang San. “I wasn’t the first to hear it.”

“It was Yang San. While he was selling firewood in town the day before yesterday, he overheard a master of the stars talking about it.”

The moment the Chief said this, a wave of mocking laughter erupted from the crowd. “Hahaha! Chief, are you playing us for fools?”

“Come on, Yang San! You tell us—did you really meet some ‘master’ who told you we’d have a flood?”

All eyes turned to Yang San. Terrified, he couldn’t even bring himself to lift his head.

“Speak up, Yang San! Did you really hear it?”

Seeing him freeze, Yang Xue nudged his arm. “Don’t be afraid. Just tell them you heard it.”

Yang San slowly raised his head. “Yes… I heard it. The master said it.”

The village bullies burst into laughter. “Hahaha, Yang San, you’re hilarious! I bet you just made the whole thing up.”

“Exactly, Chief! It’s one thing for Yang San to talk nonsense, but why are you playing along with him? You wasted our time and gave us a scare for nothing!”

Fortunately, there were still many rational people in the village. They knew Yang San was traditionally an honest man who wouldn’t tell such a bold lie. Furthermore, the Chief wouldn’t risk his reputation unless he had verified the signs himself. For them, it was better to be safe than sorry. If the flood didn’t come, no harm was done; if it did, they wouldn’t be caught unprepared.

The Chief had mentioned Yang San’s name hoping the villagers would be grateful to him after the disaster. He hadn’t expected their prejudice against the “useless” third son to be so deep that they’d dismiss a life-saving warning.

“I’ve made the situation clear,” the Chief said firmly. “This isn’t just a rumor. If you believe me, follow me these next two days to reinforce your houses and move your grain. If you don’t, then do as you please.”

“Chief, I didn’t think you were old enough to be senile yet,” shouted the village loafer. “You lot can go ahead and tire yourselves out. I’m going home to take a nap.”

Others followed suit, and the mockers began to disperse. The Chief didn’t stop them—he knew it was useless to argue with those who refused to see.

…

Family Betrayal

“Chief, don’t let my good-for-nothing son trick you,” Old Man Yang said, his voice dripping with disdain. “Just don’t come blaming my family when this turns out to be a lie.”

He turned to Yang San. “San’er, you’re being ridiculous. Making jokes about a flood? You’d better tell everyone the truth right now before you get found out and bring shame to this house.”

Wang Dani stood with her hands on her hips, looking at her son with pure contempt. “I thought you couldn’t squeeze out a fart all day, but here you are making up stories about floods. I must have been cursed for eight lifetimes to give birth to such a jinx.”

She shouted to the remaining neighbors, “Don’t listen to this loser’s nonsense! When you find out you’ve been fooled, don’t come looking for trouble at my door. If you want someone to blame, find this waste of space!”

Yang San looked humiliated, dropping his head in silence.

A neighbor couldn’t stand it anymore. “Wang Dani, that’s your son! You’re being too heartless. Besides, I don’t think Yang San would joke about this. I suggest you all start preparing, too.”

“Bah! If you want to waste your time, go ahead. We don’t have time for this nonsense.” She glared at Yang San’s family. “What are you standing around for? Get back to the fields!”

“Grandma,” Yang Xue said, “you might not believe Dad, but we do. Our family plans to follow the Chief’s lead and prepare for the flood.”

Wang Dani pointed a shaking finger at her. “You… you brat! You’re rebelling! You won’t even listen to me now?”

“Grandma, we’re scared,” Yang Xue said piteously. She gave the two younger ones a look, and they immediately began to cry.

“Grandma, we’re scared of the flood! we want to hide with the Chief!”

Wang Dani was livid. She rolled up her sleeves to lunge at them, but Old Man Yang grabbed her arm. He cursed her stupidity—he had told her a thousand times to save the beatings for when they were behind closed doors.