A century of poverty

Chapter 2 The Fate of the Nation and the Family is Unfavorable

Third Master Zhang Litian runs an oil mill in Changli. Upon receiving a letter from home, he called over his apprentice: "Young man, keep a close eye on things these next few days. I have some business to attend to at home and will be back in a couple of days."

Young man: "Hey! Don't worry, I promise I'll keep a close eye on things."

Third Master slung his bundle over his shoulder and walked out of the town. After noon, he arrived at his home, where Third Grandmother greeted him, took the bundle, and led it into her room.

When the third uncle came to his father's room, the old master said to him, "Your second brother is sick, and the land can't wait. Stay home for a few days and finish the work in the fields."

The next morning, he went to visit his second brother in his second uncle's room. He stood directly above his second brother's head and said, "Second brother, are you feeling better? I'll do the work in the fields for you. Don't worry about me doing the work; I'll be fine. I'm going to the fields now. You take good care of yourself." After saying that, he turned and left.

Upon seeing his third brother, the second uncle felt a pang of sorrow, recalling the days when his eldest brother was home. Back then, whether it was planting or hoeing, the two brothers would chat and laugh, competing to see who could do the work best. Since his departure and disappearance without a trace, he had no idea how his brother was doing. If he were home this time, he wouldn't be able to go to the fields alone in the middle of the day. With his eldest brother always there, he felt at ease and relaxed, unlike now. He couldn't help but sigh, turning over and closing his eyes.

It's been several days and there's been no improvement; my appetite is getting smaller and smaller.

"Tsk—tsk—, what should we do?" Second Grandma clicked her tongue, feeling anxious. "How about we go to the Horse God Temple to offer incense tomorrow?" she said to her husband.

The next morning, after finishing the housework, I put the incense offering supplies in the cage. I covered it with a towel, slung the cage over my shoulder, and walked south along the street. Just as I reached the back of the watchtower, I saw my cousin—whom I called "Moo-Tooth Mom"—coming from the west.

Moo-tou's mother and Second Grandma were cousins, both girls from Diaoyutai. In their thirties, they lived in Xidang Street, north of the millstone. Her husband, addicted to opium, had bankrupted the family. Two winters ago, he died of opium addiction in a sand pit in the East River, leaving behind a daughter and a son. They eked out a living by washing and mending clothes. The daughter, around eleven or twelve years old, often helped her at home. The son was a few years younger than her.

She was tall and slender, neat and efficient, and always cheerful and talkative, never troubled by life's hardships. She frequently traveled the streets within the five mountain areas to pick up and deliver jobs.

"Cousin, where are you going? I heard your husband is sick and I wanted to visit him but haven't had a chance yet. I just happened to run into you here," she said as she approached.

"That's all for now. Your brother-in-law is sick, and I'm so worried about him. I thought I'd go to the temple to burn incense and pray to the Horse Goddess to bless him so he can get better soon!" Second Madam Zhang Li replied, pointing to the Horse God Temple in front of her.

Moo-tou's mother said, "I have a few peaches here. I just got them from Diaoyutai. Take them back for Xiutian to eat." As she spoke, she put them into Second Grandma's cage.

Second Grandma tried to stop her, saying, "No, no, you should keep it for the children!"

Moo-tou's mother said, "I still have some at home. I was just about to deliver them to your house, but I ran into you here. I asked around and decided not to go. I was busy thinking about delivering clothes to Wang Dewan's family." With that, she turned and headed west back.

Second Grandma watched her walk away, then turned around and went into the temple. She lifted the handkerchief covering her hand, took out incense, lit it, and placed it in the incense burner on the table. She knelt down and kowtowed three times, silently praying to the Horse Goddess to bless Xiutian so that he could recover soon and make offerings to her during the New Year.

Then he stood up and went home.

One day, two days, five days, seven days, more than a month passed, and Second Master showed no improvement. He gradually became unable to get out of bed.

"Father, shall we find someone to take a look at your health?" Second Grandmother asked.

"Who are you looking for?"

"I heard there's a new 'old lady' outside Dongshankou. She's not crazy, she can read incense, and she's good at it."

"If you think it's useful, give it a try," the Second Master replied.

Second Madam didn't delay. She asked someone to invite the old woman from the incense-watching spot outside Dongshankou. The woman who came was a steady and composed woman in her fifties. She entered the house and placed the bundle she was carrying on her arm on the cabinet lid on the floor. After chatting for a few words, Second Madam brought over a bowl of rice and placed it on the cabinet lid behind the door. The old woman opened the bundle and prepared to watch the incense.

Mr. Zhang Zhenru was a tall and robust man. He wore a blue robe, still had his thin braid, a knotted hat, and three strands of beard that flowed down to his chest. He carried some green vegetables in his hand as he entered through the west gate.

Third Grandma wore a bluish-purple overcoat and black trousers with leggings, and turned-down shoes. She was of medium build with a large face, large double-lidded eyes, and a downturned mouth.

Seeing the old man come in, she quickly stepped forward and asked, "Did your second sister-in-law tell you?"

"What?"

"Knowing you're annoyed and want to leave her, she's still looking for someone else. The old lady is in that room being cleaned up by my second brother!" she said, rolling her two big, disgusted eyes.

Upon hearing this, the old man's braid trembled, his beard twitched, his back straightened, and he walked towards his second son, shouting loudly, "You weasel, you bean rat! What kind of evil spirits are you...?"

Grandma San, secretly pleased with the vegetables in Grandpa's hands, listened at the door.

Before the old man could even reach the east room, the old woman lowered her head, composed herself, and went out to the north, heading towards the street.

From then on, Second Grandma never dared to ask anyone to look after her again.

After this incident, Second Master's illness worsened. He agreed to this treatment because he was frightened, and he hoped it might work. Besides, even if it didn't work, we should at least try something that might be effective! He had been ill for so long, from summer to autumn, and hadn't even consulted a doctor yet.

The old man's scolding only deepened his resentment and sadness. His mother had passed away years ago, and the old man, with his straightforward and unyielding nature, had driven his eldest brother away with a slap, leaving him destitute and alone. Now, he had no one to confide in. His third brother was away most of the year, and his fourth brother was disabled and relied on crutches, unable to help with anything.

The inner bitterness and depression remained unspoken, and the illness worsened.

The old man felt uneasy about disturbing his son's medical appointment. His second son had been bedridden for many days, and he had always thought that his son, in the prime of his life, would recover after some rest, but his condition had worsened. It seemed he had to find a way to get him examined, but there wasn't a single proper doctor or pharmacy in these five mountain villages. The old man carried a basket from the shed, leaned on his cane, and went to the east side of the main gate. He placed the basket on the ground and sat down. He stretched out his cane and watched the passersby on the street.

Mr. Zhang Zhenru was born in the first year of the Tongzhi reign of the late Qing Dynasty. In his youth, he was a passionate young man. He and several close colleagues, filled with patriotic fervor, joined the "local militia" supported by high-ranking officials.

After returning home from evening practice, his wife was putting their youngest son to bed. Seeing him come home so late, she said, "You people from the Imperial Observatory went to militia training; isn't that neglecting your duties?"

Zhang Zhenru: "Don't say that. When we go to the militia training, the officials say it's allowed by higher-ups. We'll be pulled in when we need them."

Daughter-in-law: "You guys really don't earn much money, but you manage a lot of things."

Zhang Zhenru: "Don't talk nonsense! What do you know, you're just a woman."

Not long after, the team leader gathered them together: "Brothers! The foreigners have invaded our home! We must take up arms and fight them to the death!"

Hundreds of people shouted, "Strike back against the foreign powers! Support the Qing Dynasty and destroy the foreigners!" and rushed towards the street corner, brandishing spears and broadswords. They built fortifications, preparing for a final battle with the enemy.

The enemy's muskets and artillery bombarded them, pinning them down, and the troops suffered heavy casualties. The surrounding area was engulfed in flames, and when the enemy advanced, they fought desperately, engaging in hand-to-hand combat.

Another loud bang, and Zhang Zhenru and his comrades fell to the ground...

He didn't know how much time had passed when he woke up to find everything quiet. The group was gone, and the surroundings were a mess. He wiped the blood from his forehead, stood up, and thankfully, his injuries weren't serious. He went to his front door and entered the yard to find the smoke still rising, his wife lying on the ground, and his children crying around her.

He called out, "Honey!" and rushed over.

The children cried out, "Daddy! Daddy!" and surrounded him.

His wife had stopped breathing, and his young son sat beside her, crying and unable to move, his injuries severe. He painfully buried his wife and took his son to various places for treatment, managing to save his life, but his legs were left crippled.

Soon after, the Qing court received orders from the foreign powers to severely punish the militia members and to arrest them.

Left with no other choice, he led his children to flee the capital and returned to his hometown after hiding there for several years.

Twenty years have passed. The eldest son has run away and there has been no news of him. The daughter, the second son, and the third son have all started their own families. The youngest son is disabled and has not been able to find a wife.

My current worry is about my second son's illness...

At that moment, the girl from the East Well came from the east.

He stepped forward seriously and asked, "Wait a minute, where are you going?"

"Shangmou Toujia"

"What are you going to do at Moo Tou's house?"

"Go to his house and find a shoe pattern."

"Oh—go ahead, but come back quickly. Don't go visiting other people's homes unless you have something important to do. A young lady should uphold traditional virtues."

The old man still has the same temper. No matter whose daughter or daughter-in-law he happens to run into while visiting, he will tell them to go home without any politeness.

Just then, a traveling doctor came up from the bottom of the east slope, ringing a bell and calling out: "Treat the sick and cure the disease—no charge if you can't cure it—" Ring ring—a string of bells rang.

"Today's visit wasn't a waste!" the old man thought to himself. As the visitor drew closer, he said, "Come on, let's go to my house and take a look."

The visitor asked, "Do you have a sick person at home?"

The old man: "Hmm!"