"One, two, one! One, two, one! Put some effort in, brothers!"
"Good!"
The chant echoes thunderously.
The Martial Hall disciples, wrapped in burlap with yellow spots on their pant legs, exert themselves in unison, clearing the silt from the water channels. Initially muddy, the water becomes clear and gushes out, irrigating the fields. Villagers lean on their hoes, standing on the ridges, pointing and commenting.
"Young guys, such strength! Stronger than young bulls!"
"Lads, drink some water! I know you like to drink boiled and cooled water. The bucket is filled with clean water!"
A few young men who don't understand the dialect catch the meaning, pick up gourds, and drink heartily, then wave their hands and rush to the next spot.
"Work the fields in April, plant seedlings in May, get to work! We must surpass the two dormitories in the neighboring county! They're progressing faster than us."
"That must be Pingyang—Jianshui started a bit earlier."
