Chapter 171: The God Farmers Planting the Five Grains (2/2)
After returning to his tribe, he contemplated his master's words. Shortly after, he called several strong men and ordered them to start digging in an open ground. When the men dug about 17 meters beneath the ground, water suddenly gushed.
The God Farmer was elated to see the gushing water and he introduced the method to his tribesmen. So he gradually strengthened his tribe by teaching his tribesmen to dig a well and irrigate the crops. The other tribes nearby theirs joined him, thus expanding the Jiang Tribe.
The God Farmer built his reputation by his deeds and his name became well-known in the Human Tribe. Over in Chen Du, Fuxi soon learned of his name and became very interested in him because he had unexpectedly solved the sustenance problem that had plagued Fuxi for so long. It seemed like the God Farmer was a real Great Sage.
By now, Fuxi had been the Human Sovereign of the Human Tribe for about half a century. He knew that his merit was fulfilled after creating the Eight Trigrams. This meant he didn't have much time left in the tribe, so he had begun looking for his successor.
Fuxi decided to meet the God Farmer to see if he was dedicated to the Human Tribe and if he had what it took to be the new Human Sovereign. He left Chen Du for the Jiang Tribe. Those in the Jiang Tribe heard of the sovereign's visit and couldn't hold back their excitement and sense of honor.
Fuxi met the God Farmer and pulled him aside right after the former paid his respect. He asked the God Farmer questions about the administration of the Jiang Tribe and observed his behavior at the same time. His answers satisfied Fuxi and indicated that he was truly a Great Sage. Fuxi thought the God Farmer had a better understanding of administration than he did.
Fuxi said, ”God Farmer, your comprehension of administrative affairs surprised me. Come to Chen Du with me. Having sat on the throne for almost a century, I'm now too old for all this work.After you familiarize yourself with the works of the Human Tribe, I'll pass the crown to you. I hope you'll lead the Human Tribe to a brilliant future.”
God Farmer was astonished and hurried to say, ”I'm no more than a farmer. How can I take the throne as the sovereign? My lord, please find a qualified person to carry such burden which I can't deal with.”
Fuxi smiled. ”Don't underestimate yourself, son! Solving the food problem has always been the cardinal task for us, which I have no idea how to cope in the past. Now, you've succeeded! What a contribution! You're capable of what I do. There's no need to decline my offer.”
The God Farmer was of reverence and awe to hear that from Fuxi. He determined that the sovereign had made his mind and eventually agreed to leave for Chen Du and succeed the crown after thinking over the situation.
Before he left, he thought of Kong Xuan and went to bid his master farewell with the sorrow of departure.
Kong Xuan noticed his sorrow and smiled. ”Son, don't be sad. You can leave for Chen Du now. I'll meet you there someday.” The God Farmer was delighted and his worries were expelled. He left with Fuxi upon returning to his tribe.
He went to Chen Du with Fuxi, but the abdication of the Human Sovereign wasn't a casual affair that could be done easily. Besides, he had yet to familiarize himself with the administrative affairs of the Human Tribe. So Fuxi made the God Farmer his assistant, paving the way for him to be the future Human Sovereign.
No one in the Human Tribe opposed Fuxi's decision to name the God Farmer as his successor. After all, they were only able to fend for themselves and eliminate starvation thanks to the God Farmer and his Five Grains. They thought it was a good idea to name the God Farmer as the sovereign.
Considering the God Farmer had been accepted by the chiefs of the other tribes and his solid reputation, Fuxi declared in public his decision to pass the crown to the God Farmer in three years. He then sent his men to invite the other chiefs of the Human Tribes to attend the ceremony.
The God Farmer felt the pressure on his shoulders once he was informed of Fuxi's declaration and became more diligent than ever. Fuxi was gratified by God Farmer's deeds and he was right about the God Farmer. He believed the Human Tribe would grow stronger under the God Farmer's leadership.