Chapter 19 18

Except for the arrival of their natal family and the Qian family's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law crying hard again, they didn't cry any more.Mrs. Qian's temples and cheeks were sunken so deeply that her nose and cheekbones were particularly hard and angular.There must be one of the two: either she has shed all her tears, or she has made up her mind not to cry anymore.Probably the latter, because there was a little light in her sunken eyeballs.This light is as fierce as the most gentle female cat afraid of naughty children touching her kittens with eyes closed, as brave as a hen with her chicks feeling the eagle coming from the sky, as brave as a caught sparrow. It bit off the cage stick so firmly with its small mouth.She stopped crying and didn't talk much, but only radiated the light in her eyes for a while, and put it away for a while; stored it for a while and then radiated it out.

Everyone is very worried about this light. Fourth Master Li began to like Mrs. Qian because she was so simple and happy, as soon as he came up with an idea, she would immediately nod without giving him any trouble or frustration.On the one hand, she seemed to know nothing about the price of everything and where to buy it, so she nodded when he suggested it.On the other hand, she seemed to have some plans in her heart, so she nodded without thinking about it.For example: Si Ye said that the coffin only needs to be strong, regardless of whether the style is good-looking or not; she nodded.The fourth master said that the coffin only stays at home for five days, and the funeral requires only sixteen bars and a group of voiceless drummers; she nodded again.However, when he mentioned asking a monk to put a flame on his mouth, she shook her head, because neither Mr. Qian nor the young masters believed in Buddhism, and the family had never burned incense to any god or Buddha.This, taught Fourth Master Li to think it was very strange.He really wanted to know whether the Qian family was a "dumb boy" who believed in foreign religions.But he didn't dare to ask, because he couldn't think of a time when the Qian family had attended church, and no matter where the family was, the family didn't have the slightest trace of foreign style.Fourth Master Li couldn't understand her, and felt a little uncomfortable - he thought, no matter how much a non-Buddhist, chanting scriptures after death is always beneficial and harmless.Mrs. Qian was very determined, she shook her head twice in succession.

Fourth Master Li could also see that her objection to chanting must not be to save some money, because when he suggested buying a coffin and other things, although he intended to save her money, he didn't say so; She nodded, but didn't ask: "How much will it cost?" She seemed to understand very well that Fourth Master Li would definitely save money, and also seemed to not care about spending as much as she wanted.On the one hand, Fourth Master Li liked her simplicity and cheerfulness.On the other hand, I am a little worried-how much money does she have? For the sake of prudence, Fourth Master Li avoided Mrs. Qian and went to listen to the tone of the young mistress.She didn't have any opinions, and she could do whatever her mother-in-law said.The fourth master also specifically asked monks to recite scriptures. She said: "My father-in-law and Meng Shi both love to write poems, and they don't believe in any gods and Buddhas."He had no choice but to give up his idea, although he had calculated in his heart that he would invite them five well-behaved and cheap monks.He asked Mrs. Qian how much money she had, and the young lady replied without hesitation: "Not a single amount!"

Fourth Master Li scratched his head.Yes, he himself was ready to do his duty in full, and lead Poon out of town.However, even though he could try to save money for leverage, coffin money, and other expenses, he had to raise money immediately!He pulled Ruixuan aside and bit his ear. According to Si Ye's plan, Ruixuan first made a rough budget in his mind, and then said: "I know that most people in our alley are willing to help. But Mrs. Qian never likes us going out to beg for her Fundraising. As for ourselves, we can only spend ten or eight yuan at most, which is much worse than the total! Should we ask their natal families?"

"You should ask!" The old man nodded. "In these days, you have to pay in cash for everything you buy! If it weren't for the Japanese devils, I would guarantee that I could get a coffin on credit; now, I can't even get a catty of rice on credit, let alone a coffin!" Mrs. Qian's younger brother and young mistress' father are both here.Mrs. Qian's younger brother, Chen Yeqiu, is a middle-aged thin man who is quite educated and has a very good heart.The face is thin, so the eyes appear particularly large.When his eyes are fixed, he seems to be very deep and has a strong personality.But he doesn't always keep his eyeballs fixed; on the contrary, his eyeballs always move around "unnecessarily". It seems that he is very impetuous, which is a good thing.With such a pair of eyes, plus two lips that are as thin as a knife blade, which can be opened and closed very well (he can't find anyone to talk to, he can chat very lively himself), he is always so light and light, Like a chicken feather flying in the air, it is regarded as insignificant.In fact, he is neither deep nor impetuous.His good eyeballs are just a habit, and his good words are designed to please others.He is a good man.If it weren't for the fact that he had a wife who was lying in the cemetery and a wife who was lying on the bed, and these two wives gave him eight children, he would not always be regarded as a chicken feather flying in the air.As long as he exerts a little force, he can become a scholar.However, eight small locust-like mouths and sixteen iron plow feet deprived him of his scholarly qualifications forever.No matter how hard he tries, the shoes and socks of eight children will always teach him helplessness!

He and Qian Moyin are close relatives and best friends.Sister-in-law and uncle learn differently, but when it comes to learning, there is a need for mutual respect.As for the enjoyment of life, Yeqiu is very envious of Moyin; Moyin has poems, paintings, flowers, trees and wine, while Yeqiu only has children who quarrel like a pack of hungry wolves.He likes to see his sister and brother-in-law very much, because even if his sister-in-law has run out of food, after all, they can still gossip about the past and the present-he calls this gossip "grinding the rust on my heart".However, he couldn't come often. Eight children and a wife who was often sick tied him to firewood, rice, oil and salt.

When Sun Qi delivered the message, he was eating dinner—or it should be said that he was competing with the children for dinner.After Sun Qi finished speaking, Ye Qiu spit out all the things in his mouth on the ground.Without looking for his hat, he yelled into the room, and ran out; weeping as he went. It was him who spent the first night with Ruixuan.Ruixuan liked this person very much.The thing that brought the hearts of the two of them together most was their worries about state affairs. Although they were worried, they couldn't do their best to serve the country.He told Ruixuan: "Looking at the long history, there is nothing shameful about being a Chinese. However, from the perspective of only caring about selfishness and not public affairs, only talking about fighting the heart and not daring to do it with real swords and guns, I really don’t admire the Chinese people. After so many days in Peking, I haven’t seen a single person who dared to fight the enemy! The Chinese people deserve to be cursed for their life and humiliation! Having said that, but you and I..." He was very Stop quickly and correct yourself: "No, I shouldn't have said that!"

"It's okay!" Ruixuan smiled bitterly: "You and I are probably about the same!" "Really? I'll just talk about myself! Eight children and an old and sick wife! I'm like someone stuck on flypaper A fly, wants to fly, but can't move its body!" Fearing that Ruixuan would open his mouth, he rushed to say: "Yes, I know that even Xiaoyan couldn't bear to give up a nest of yellow-billed youngsters, and went to Nanhai by herself. Go up and fly. But, on the other hand, Yue Wumu and Wen Tianxiang also have families! We, oops, please forgive me! I am not us! I am simply a woman, not a man! Let’s look at the culture of Peking , I can say that our culture can only produce mediocre guys like me, but not strong and fierce heroes! I am ashamed of myself, and at the same time I am also worried about our culture!" Ruixuan sighed: "Me too woman!"

Even Chen Yeqiu, who loves talking the most, has nothing to say for a long time. Now, Ruixuan and Fourth Master Li came to Xiangye for advice.Noqiu's eyes froze.His thin face, which was easily blemished, slowly darkened—his face could not blush because of anemia.He opened his mouth a few times before he could speak: "I have no money! My sister is probably the same as me!" Fearing Ye Qiu's embarrassment, Ruixuan muttered: "We are all poor together!" They went to find the young grandma's father, Kim Sanye.He's a big guy.Although not as tall as Li Siye, but much wider than Li Siye.Broad shoulders, thick neck, his head is almost square.The head and face are all red, there is no beard on the face, and only dozens of gray hairs are left on the head.The reddest part is his broad nose, he can drink half a catty of sorghum wine in one meal.When he was young, he kicked plum blossom piles, wrestled privately, threw stone locks, and practiced Xingyi boxing, but he never read a book.After fifty-eight years, although his work has been put aside, his body is still as strong as a yellow ox.

Jin Sanye's office is in a small teahouse.He soaked a pot of incense tablets he brought and smoked two bags of Kanto leaf tobacco. He watched the people coming out and in, listened to the words in his ears, and thought about his own money in his heart.Seeing a suitable person, or hearing an inspired word, he squeezes his way into business like a wooden wedge.He said matchmaking, pulling fiber, and letting go!There is not a square character in his mind, but a piece of numbers arranged very neatly.He loves money very much, and money is his "four books" or "four uncles" - he can't tell the difference between "book" and "uncle".However, he can also be generous.When it's time to buy face, he will cruelly take out the money, so as not to teach his red nose to lose its brilliance.If someone gave him a bottle of good wine, his nose would turn red and he would want to shine more.

He and Mr. Mo Yin were neighbors in the same courtyard.Mr. Mo Yin never lent him money, but often gave him some Yinchen wine, so the two became good friends.Mr. Mo Yin was full of poems, and the third master was full of accounts, but when they blushed without mentioning poems and accounts, the two discovered that they were both "human beings". Because of their friendship, they came and went and became relatives of their sons and daughters.After his daughter left the cabinet, Mr. Jin really regretted it a bit, because the Qian family would never settle accounts, and there was no account to settle.But, if you take a closer look, first, the daughter is not angry with her parents-in-law; , and it seems that they don't know what money is at all; fourth, my father-in-law's Yinchen wine is still so fragrant, and it can be drunk for free.So, he put away his regrets, and secretly handed over some money to his daughter from time to time, sacrificing all capital and profit. When he came to Qian's house this time, he must have known that it would be his responsibility to buy the coffin.However, he was inconvenient to volunteer.He must spend his money somewhere bright.He didn't ask his mother-in-law's financial situation, and she didn't show any hint of asking for help.He waited patiently; his money, like a famous star on a stage, would not come out unless the gongs and drums were beating. Fourth Master Li and Ruixuan came to beat the gongs and drums, and he agreed with great benevolence, "I'll take it for less than two hundred yuan! If it's over two hundred yuan, I don't care about the odds! It's not convenient for anyone to hold it these days! "After finishing speaking, he and Fourth Master Li discussed a few more words; he nodded to the methods of Fourth Master Li; from a few words, he could see that Fourth Master Li was an expert, and he would never take his "donation" casually. Earned by others.He didn't say hello to Ruixuan, he felt that Ruixuan was too elegant and would not be able to handle affairs. Fourth Master Li went for a walk.Ruixuan, since the "fund" for the funeral has been settled, he chatted with Mr. Noqiu.As if there was a secret understanding, none of them dared to mention Mr. Moyin.In their hearts, they all know that this is the most worthwhile thing to talk about, because Meng Shizhongshi is dead, and Mr. Qian is still alive and dead; they hope that the old man is still alive and can regain his freedom, so that the family can find a solution .However, none of them opened their mouths to talk, because they couldn't do their best to rescue Mr. Qian, so what's the use of empty talk?Therefore, although they were not idle in their mouths, they were very sad in their hearts, and their eyes told each other: "We are the most useless idiots!" They talked and talked about the life of the Qian family's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.Ruixuan suddenly had an idea: "Do you know, do they have any valuable things in their collection? Calligraphy and paintings, or rare books? If there are such things, we will be responsible for selling them. money?" "I don't know!" Ye Qiu rolled his eyes very quickly, as if he was willing to find one or two treasures soon, enough to save his sister from hunger and cold. "That's right, who is willing to pay for calligraphy and painting books now? Our thoughts are only applicable to peaceful years, but today..." His thin lips were tightly closed, and a piece of his anemic brain was empty, like a resting place. Like an old egg. "Ask Mrs. Qian how?" Ruixuan was anxious to get some money for her. "That," Noqiu rolled his eyes a few more times. "You don't know my sister's temper! She adores my brother-in-law!" Carefully, he avoided calling out her name. "I know my sister-in-law is a person who would not offend even a fly. He must have never forced my sister to obey him. But his words, even a little hobby, are regarded by my sister as sacrosanct and inviolable. She would rather starve for a day than be short of his wine; if he wants to buy books, she will immediately take off the silver hairpin on her head. You see, if he really has a few good things in his collection, she will not dare to touch them Move it, let alone sell it for money!" "And what shall we do after the funeral?" Noqiu didn't reply for a long time, even though he was such a talkative person.After being stunned enough, he said slowly, "I have a care for them, I can move here. They need the care of their relatives, can you see that there is no look in my sister's eyes?" Ruixuan nodded. "The light in her eyes is not right! Who knows what she is going to do? Her husband was arrested, and her two sons died together. I am afraid she has made up her mind. She is the most honest person, but the bound one Is the chicken also struggling? I am very worried! I should take care of her! But then again, I am too busy to take care of myself, how can I raise two more people? Just to take care of them and watch them Starving, what is the solution? If this was before the war, no matter what, I could find some part-time jobs and provide them with some simple food. Now, where can I find part-time jobs? If the country dies, so will the relatives Kindness and kindness between friends! The conqueror is the wolf, and the conquered is a group of sheep fleeing for their lives! Besides, they are used to being quiet, and I will bring eight children. Deafening their ears, they probably can't take it! Simply put, I can't help it! My heart is breaking, but I can't think of a way!" The coffin arrived. It was a very heavy, strong, and ugly coffin!It was unpainted, and all the defects of the wood were exposed, giving it a menacing look. Meng Shi was only wearing old clothes, and was put into the big white box without any emotion by everyone. Mr. Jin beat the coffin twice with his big fist, the red light on his face suddenly dimmed, and he yelled loudly: "Meng Shi! Meng Shi! You just have the heart to leave?" Mrs. Qian still didn't cry.When the coffin was about to be closed, she tremblingly took out a small roll of unframed, gray-yellow paper from her bosom, and placed it beside her son's hand. Ruixuan gave Yeqiu a look.They both guessed that it must be one or two calligraphy and paintings.But none of them dared to ask, the big stupid white box made their throats choked up, and they couldn't speak.They have all seen coffins before, but this one seems to be different, it makes them think that the whole of Beiping is also a coffin! The young lady burst into tears.Jin Sanye's tears did not fall easily, but his daughter's crying made his eyes lose the ability to control the tears.This aroused his irritability; he went to hold his daughter's hand, and shouted sharply: "Don't cry! Don't cry!" The daughter continued to wail, and he stopped crying, and tears fell. The day of the funeral was the saddest day in the whole alley.Sixteen poor men without cassock clothes, under the command of Fourth Master Li's loud ruler, very slowly and carefully put the white and spicy coffin on the bar under the big locust tree.There is no death, the young mistress has her hair loose and wears a very long coarse filial robe to collect the soul in front of the coffin.She is like a female ghost.Grieving, irritable, and helpless, Mr. Jin held her by the arm; tears hung from his red nose.At the time of the bar, he stomped his two big feet.A group of voiceless, began to play simple music.Fourth Master Li yelled "add money" for "routine" in his crisp voice, and he only yelled half a sentence.His ruler could not miss a beat, for it was the barman's eyes and ears, but it did not strike loudly; he should never have been tempted, but he was.A dilapidated sedan with a thin mule that looked slow even behind the coffin was pulling Mrs. Qian.Her eyes were dry, with a strange light, pinned to the back of the coffin; when the car moved, her head moved slightly.Old man Qi, who was still sick, supported Xiao Shun'er and looked out from the door.He dare not come out.The little girl was about to come out, but was pulled back by her mother.Mrs. Ruixuan has the softest heart.After dragging Xiao Niuzi to the courtyard, she heard her mother-in-law asking her in the south room: "Is the Qian family going to have a funeral today?" She only agreed "Yes!" Then she walked to the kitchen very quickly, cutting vegetables and putting down tears. Rui Xuan, Xiao Cui, and Sun Qi all went to attend the funeral.Except for Guan's family, all the neighbors stood outside the door and watched with tears in their eyes.Seeing Young Mistress Qian, Widow Ma almost cried out, but Chang Shun helped her back: "Grandma! Don't cry!" Persuading Grandma, his nose also became sour.Mrs. Xiaowen pawed at the street door, took one look, then turned and went in.The responsibility of the four mothers is to look after the house of the Qian family.She kept chasing the coffin, crying all the way to the entrance of the alley, only to be scolded back by the fourth master. Death is the easiest thing to encounter when a country is subjugated.The tragic scene of the Qian family entered everyone's hearts from their eyes; in their hearts, they recalled their own safety.Living in a land deprived of sovereignty, death is their close neighbor!