Despite the South-North Water Transfer Project bringing much-needed water to the arid northwest, Chance realized it wasn't enough to cover the high-altitude areas. Some regions were still suffering from drought.

"What could be better than the South-North Water Transfer?" Chance pondered as he looked at the balloon. "Hot air balloons, yes, we can use hot air balloons for cloud seeding."

Determined to find a solution, Chance devised a second plan: cloud seeding.

One evening, Chance sat in his study, poring over his old physics and meteorology textbooks. He recalled the concept of cloud seeding—a technique that stimulates precipitation by dispersing substances into the air to form cloud condensation or ice nuclei, causing rain to fall where it was most needed.

"Cloud seeding," he muttered. "If we can make it rain, we can cover all the fields and ensure every part of this land gets water."

Excited by this prospect, Chance began drafting a detailed plan. He outlined the necessary steps and materials for cloud seeding. The key ingredient was silver iodide and a method to disperse it into the clouds. Considering the technological limitations of the time, he decided to use hot air balloons for the task.

The next morning, Chance convened his advisors and local leaders once again. "Our South-North Water Transfer Project has been a great success," he began. "But we need to do more. I propose a second plan—cloud seeding. By artificially inducing rain, we can ensure every field gets the water it needs."

The villagers listened intently, though some were skeptical. "Your Highness, how can we make it rain? It sounds like magic. Do we have to climb into the sky?" one of them asked.

Chance smiled. "It's not magic, but science. We will use silver iodide to seed the clouds. This will promote the formation of raindrops, bringing much-needed precipitation to our fields."

He explained the entire process in detail, and their skepticism gradually turned into curiosity and enthusiasm. They agreed to support his plan and began preparations immediately.

"What is a hot air balloon?" Villager Jack asked, scratching his head in confusion.

Chance smiled and began to explain, "A hot air balloon is a flying vessel that uses the principle of hot air rising. Here's how it works:

"A large colorful balloon is filled with air. Underneath the balloon is a burner that heats the air inside. When the air inside the balloon gets hot, its density becomes lower than the cooler air outside. This difference in density makes the balloon rise. It's like a bubble floating to the top of a glass of water.

"Attached to the bottom of the balloon is a basket or gondola where people can stand. By controlling the temperature of the air inside the balloon with the burner, you can make the balloon go up or down. To descend, you simply let the air cool down, and the balloon will slowly come down to the ground."

As Jack imagined Chance's description, his eyes widened in amazement. "So, it's like riding on a giant hot bubble?" he asked.

"Exactly," Chance replied. "If the wind is right, you can travel quite far. Hot air balloons were one of the earliest successful forms of human flight, even before airplanes."

Jack nodded slowly, starting to grasp the idea. "That sounds incredible! Floating high above and looking down at everything must be wonderful."

"It truly is," Chance said with a smile. "And today, you get to experience it firsthand."

The villagers eagerly gathered the materials needed to make the hot air balloon, working tirelessly under Chance's guidance for two days. Strips of cloth, ropes, and a large wicker basket began to take shape. Finally, the hot air balloon was ready, standing tall in the village square with its colorful fabric billowing in the wind, everything set for the mission.

Chance decided to personally oversee the first flight and the cloud seeding. He called out to Jack, the once-skeptical villager, inviting him to join the journey. Jack's eyes widened with fear, but he nodded, determined to face his fear.

"Are you sure?" Jack asked, his voice trembling.

"Absolutely," Chance replied, his voice steady and reassuring. "Trust me, the view from up there is worth it. Plus, we have important work to do for the sake of this land."

As they climbed into the basket, the villagers held their breath, watching. The burner roared to life, filling the balloon with hot air. Slowly, the balloon began to rise, lifting off the ground and soaring into the sky. Jack gripped the ropes tightly, his knuckles white.

"Relax, Jack," Chance said with a smile. "Look around. Isn't it beautiful?"

Jack cautiously opened his eyes and peered over the edge of the basket. As he gazed at the vast landscape below, his fear slowly turned into awe. From this height, the fields, winding rivers, and the villagers looked so small. The sky stretched endlessly above them, a canvas of blue and white.

"This... this is amazing," Jack whispered, a smile spreading across his face.

As they climbed higher, Chance explained their mission. "We need to seed the clouds to help our crops grow. I'll use the reservoir we've attached to the basket. When we reach the right height, I'll release the water, and if we're lucky, it'll simulate rain."

Jack nodded, understanding the plan. They continued to ascend until they reached the designated altitude. Below, the villagers looked like ants, their faces filled with anticipation.

Chance signaled to Jack, and together they operated the mechanism to release the water. A fine mist sprayed from the reservoir, gradually turning into droplets that fell towards the ground. The effect was almost immediate; the water droplets merged with the cooler air below, forming darkening, thickening clouds.

"Look! It's working!" Jack exclaimed, his fear overshadowed by excitement.

As the first raindrops fell, the villagers below erupted in cheers. They danced in the rain, faces alight with joy and relief. The parched land eagerly absorbed the water, and the withered crops seemed to spring back to life.

Chance and Jack gently descended, the balloon touching down in the village square. The villagers greeted them with hugs and cheers, lifting them onto their shoulders in celebration.

"Fourth Prince, you did it! You brought the rain!" an elder exclaimed with tears of gratitude.

"This was a team effort," Chance humbly replied, smiling at Jack. "We couldn't have done it without each other."

Jack beamed with pride. "I never thought I'd fly up to the sky and make it rain one day."

Amidst the celebrations, with people singing and dancing in the rain, Chance felt a sense of pride. He knew that while cloud seeding required time to perfect, it would soon become a regular practice. His hope was to advance the project quickly so that the people could grow their crops and no longer suffer from hunger.