Book excerpt: When the provincial government learns of the weather tower, it takes steps to appropriate if for the state and establish a weather bureau to run it. The results - incessantly "beautiful" sunny weather, without rain - are disastrous for the farm economy. Moreover, the government's bullying tactics as it seizes the weather tower harm the farmers' sense of dignity as well. In the end, facing economic ruin, the farmers overcome their meekness and recapture the tower.