CH 6

Chapter 6 – Ideas

The group of young companions laboured together until the sun was high. Everyone was too hungry to continue working. They estimated it was time for breakfast, so they carried their things and wanted to head home.

Wu Lang crouched down and wanted to carry Man Bao.

However, Man Bao felt distressed for her brother, mainly because she was dirty, sweaty, and smelly. So, she asserted she would walk home by herself.

Wu Lang thought for a while. In any case, Man Bao should be able to make it home by herself as they would be walking on mostly flat ground. Even if mother saw this, she was not likely to punish him. So, he felt at ease, took Man Bao’s hand, and led her home.

Along the way, they met many villagers who were returning home for breakfast after working in the fields. Now the Zhou’s, especially Si Lang, was the most popular conversation topic in the village.

When the villagers saw them, they firstly, glanced at Si Lang’s bum with concern, and then advised with sincere words and earnest wishes, “Si Lang, it’s not good to gamble. That thing (used contemptuously) would destroy and exterminate families.”

“Si Lang, you are still young, don’t make such mistakes again in the future.”

One after another of the villagers whom he met along the way admonished him. Si Lang’s face turned green, and he was totally silent. Wu Lang and Liu Lang also felt ashamed.

Only Man Bao who was still young didn’t feel embarrassed. She really felt the advice given by the uncles and brothers in the village was completely appropriate.

So, she replied to everyone along the journey home, “You are right, sixth uncle. In the future, if you see my fourth brother hanging around in the casino, just beat him up on my father’s behalf. When you get home, my father will definitely treat you to lots of meat.”

“That’s absolutely correct, brother Da Zhu! The next time you go to town, don’t let my fourth brother out of your sight. If he is not honest, tie him up and bring him home. My mother will surely thank you.”

When Man Boa noted her fourth brother was pulling a long face and keeping silent, she even hit him, “So rude. Didn’t you see your uncles and brothers talking to you? Are your regrets insincere, and you still want to gamble?”

With a gloomy look, Si Lang could only thank them. He had to thank each person who advised him and each villager who admonished him.

When the villagers saw this, they privately said, he exemplified the return of the prodigal son. In fact, he was still young. It was just a moment of folly where he couldn’t withstand temptation.

So, the villagers who wanted to play matchmakers, but then dismissed the idea, started to reconsider.

If Si Lang, this boy, truly repented, he would be a promising young man. He looked strong and worked well.  He had many brothers with great prospects.

The villagers unanimously agreed the three married brothers had good prospects, did a good job farming, and were hardworking.

When they had time, they would work part-time for Master Bai, the landlord so that they can make money. Their diligence was top of the class. For that same reason, Si Lang should not be far off the mark.

Everyone became more tolerant of Si Lang.

Si Lang didn’t realize this because as soon as he got home, his mother ordered him to chop wood.

Now that the autumn harvest was over, the family had to prepare firewood for winter. In the past, these tasks were managed by the three older brothers. The heavy task of chopping firewood was always done by the third brother as he was strong.

The single brothers’ responsibilities were to gather firewood from the mountain and to store the chopped firewood in the shack.

However, because Si Lang gambled and lost money, his parents discussed and transferred the labour of chopping firewood to him. This was his punishment. It was also imposed so the sons and daughters-in-law could see that Si Lang was punished.

There were many children in the family, and it was difficult to be fair to everyone. Mrs Zhou was unable to be totally impartial but, on the surface, she must be perceived as impartial. Otherwise, if one of them kicked up a fuss, they wouldn’t be able to live in peace.

Old man Zhou, frowned, crouched down on the threshold of the door, and stared at his fourth son who went to fetch the axe. Only then did he snort and looked away.

When he noticed his daughter, he smiled, “Man Bao is home. Did you have a good time?”

She nodded merrily, “Happy! Father, it’s a lot of fun on the mountain. There are many flowers and much grass. I want to go this afternoon!”

“It will be too hot in the afternoon. Stay at home and take a nap. Let your fourth brother and the others go.

Old man Zhou added, “If you like flowers, just get your nieces to pick them home for you. You can’t stay out in the sun. Otherwise, too much sun will make you sick and you’ll need to take medicine.”

When Man Bao thought of the black juice that her mother drank as medicine, she wrinkled her nose and grimaced as if she was suffering.

Old man Zhou looked happy, and he finally felt better. He asked his daughter to take a seat in the house in anticipation of breakfast.  

Farmers eat two meals a day, and they take their breakfast after completing the morning’s work in the fields.

The first meal was taken between 9am to 10.59am (巳正) and the second meal, around 3pm to 4.59pm (申正). After dinner, they would clean up, and go to bed once it was dark.

Adults adhere to the practice, but the children’s mealtimes were different. For example, during summer and autumn. As the days were longer, the family would cook some porridge for the kids to eat in the evenings, so that they wouldn’t feel too hungry.

Man Bao entered the main room. Mrs Zhou was in poor health. She was frightened, angry and was startled yesterday. Today, she remained in bed.

She couldn’t help laughing when she saw her daughter who was covered in grass clippings, “Did you have a good time?”

Man Bao said, “m-hm, m-hm”, sat on the edge of the bed and looked very cute, “Mother, I want to go with my second brother when we next go to the market.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I also want to learn to do business.”

Mrs Zhou couldn’t help laughing, “You just want to go and play, right?”

She thought for a while. At the beginning of spring, there was a temple fair, but Man Bao didn’t go. This was the best time to go as the autumn harvest was over, and they wouldn’t leave home during wintertime.

Subsequently, she agreed, “Let your second sister-in-law take you there. Da Tou and the rest will also go. Everyone was startled yesterday. Go, have fun and calm down.”

Mrs Zhou didn’t take what Man Bao said about doing business, to heart. In her opinion, these was silly childish talk.

Man Bao doesn’t think so. She was very serious.

So, after breakfast, she didn’t go to school but got her fifth brother, six brother, nephews and nieces to pool their wisdom and efforts.

Fifth brother stretched out his hand and touched his younger sister’s forehead. “There’s no fever. Why are you spouting nonsense?”

Sixth brother smiled and said, “Are there things in the family which we can sell?

Man Bao shook her head, “No, but there are some outside.”

She pointed outside and said, “There are so many beautiful grass and flowers outside, we can gather and sell them.”

Everyone, “…”

This time, even San Tou said, “No one would buy!”

“Why wouldn’t people buy?” Since even Keke which was so smart and all powerful liked these weeds and wildflowers, other people should like them too.

Man Bao was particularly dictatorial, and waved her hand, “Decision made. We’re going to pick flowers, and we’re going to pull weeds to sell.”

Wu Lang wanted to dissuade her, so Liu Lang stopped him and said, “Consider it done.”

“Yao Mei is dumb, are you also an idiot?”

Liu Lang, “I’m not stupid, but if we don’t listen to her, can we still go to the market?”

Wu Lang thought about it. Yes, Liu Lang made sense.

The market was quite far from their village. It was more than an hour’s walk. The last time they went was in spring for the temple fair.

The two of them immediately winked at the others. Everyone understood it and happily agreed to Man Bao’s decision. On market day, they would bring many beautiful weeds and wildflowers to the market.

Anyway, let us all get to the market first.