Chapter 3 third chapter

The ship went all the way north, except that the weather was getting colder and colder every day, the road was calm.When approaching Dalian, the captain of the ship lowered his voice and said, "You are not allowed to speak, there is a war on the shore!" The sailors explained narrowly, "Women with small children quickly put their nipples on the children's mouths. A little movement, we are all finished!" Everyone on the boat breathed a sigh of relief. After all, the destination was coming soon. Some whispered: "It went smoothly! There was no wind or waves along the way. Thank you, Goddess of the Sea!" Chuanwu couldn't hold his breath, and asked : "Why is it so quiet? Mother, it's a little scary." The boss of the boat listened, and lowered his voice and scolded: "Who is still talking?"

Wen Ta Niang hugged her two sons tightly, and tied the wrists of the three of them together with a rope.The cries of seagulls came into the cabin, and looking out through the small window, seagulls were flying over the blue sea, and in the distance, the land was already faintly visible.The people in the cabin couldn't restrain the excitement in their hearts, they left the cabin one after another, stood on the deck and looked towards the shore.The shore is getting closer, and the expectant faces are getting more and more excited. Suddenly, there was a scream over the sea.A shell exploded on the sea, setting off a huge wave.The boss of the ship shouted for everyone to return to the cabin, and ordered the helmsman to turn around, but there was no way to hide.Cannonballs roared in, and the originally calm sea seemed to be boiling. The waves slapped the wooden boat, and the wooden boat was heaving and falling, and it was crumbling.

The three members of Zhu's family held on tightly to the rope, and they fell to and fro, but they refused to let go.Seeing that some of the ships with them were blown in half and sank straight to the bottom of the sea, some caught fire and smoke billowed.Chuanjie couldn't help crying and said: "Mom, we can't go ashore anymore." Chuanwu scolded: "It's worthless, why cry, our boat is fine." Before he finished speaking, there was a sudden loud noise, followed by a shake of the hull, and the people in the cabin fell into a ball.The boss of the boat could only hear him scolding: "Grandma, blow up the rudder cabin."

The big ship was like a drunk who had drunk too much wine, circling in the rolling waves, but completely lost its direction.Coincidentally, the boat swung back and forth and was blown out of the shore by the waves stirred up by the shells, and returned to the deep sea area.Everyone was terrified for the rest of their lives after the catastrophe.The boss of the boat sighed: "Oh, this is really the Goddess of the sea. But if you can't steer the rudder, you can't sail the boat, and you can't help yourself in the future. Everyone lives and dies." At this time, people who walk on dry roads have another kind of hardship.Chuanwen and Xian'er were holding hands, shoulder to shoulder, sweetness was naturally sweet, but the long journey made people lose their tenderness.Xian'er is well-behaved, seeing that the old man who led the way was unusual, so He Chuanwen followed him closely along the way, always asking him questions, and gradually learned that the old man had a nickname called Lao Yaozi, and he had crossed the Kanto and then Those who came back to look for relatives did not find them, so they had to go back to Kanto alone.After walking with him like this for about five or six days, when they reached the bank of the Yellow River, they were suddenly robbed by river bandits. The large army dispersed.

As the sky darkened, the two hid in a ruined temple.Chuanwen brought a handful of hay and spread it on the ground.Xian'er stood there rubbing her heart and panting.Chuanwen said: "Xian'er, take a rest." Xian'er sat on the haystack and said softly, "Brother Chuanwen, you also rest." Seeing that Chuanwen sat down far away, she chuckled, Asked: "Am I biting? Why are you so far away?" Chuanwen smiled and North Korea'er leaned in. He flipped through his package and said in surprise: "Xian'er, I lost my dry food!" After rummaging through her own parcel for a long time, she shouted in horror: "Brother Chuanwen, I lost my dry food!" Chuanwen shamed her and said, "I still have the face to criticize me. Forget it, don't eat, you are hungry." .Take a nap, and have to hurry tomorrow.”

Xian'er tossed and turned: "Brother Chuanwen, I'm so hungry that I can't sleep." Chuanwen said: "Get up if you can't sleep, and talk can also relieve hunger. I don't know if my mother and my brother have arrived in Dalian. Be the boss, throw away my mother and brothers, and when I see my father, he won't spare me." Xian'er asked, "Why, can your father still beat you?" Chuanwen said, "It's not that you can't beat me. The question is whether I can live or not." Xian'er asked: "Is your father so powerful?"

Chuanwen nodded and said, "Yes. His hands are as big as palm-leaf fans, like two tiger paws. If he slaps me, I will basically be disabled." The two were silent for a while, and Chuanwen looked at the temple. Suddenly, the spirit came again and said, "Xian'er, do you know what temple this is?" Xian'er shook his head and said, "I don't know." Chuanwen said, "So stupid, this is the Niangniang Temple. Didn't you see it? There are goddesses and immortals here." Xian'er looked at the shrine and said, "Well, it's a woman. It's Miss Songzi. Look, she's holding a doll in her arms. Who is it if it's not Miss Songzi? Brother Chuanwen, even gods should be respected. Let's make a promise." Make a wish.” Chuanwen said: “Success.” The two knelt down in front of the shrine, clasped their hands together, and prayed silently, devoutly and earnestly.After making promises, the two went back to the haystack and sat down.Chuanwen asked, "Xian'er, what wish did you make?" Xian'er said, "Tell me first."

Chuanwen smiled and said: "I have had a wish since I was a child. In the future, I can buy ten acres of good land, raise two bullocks, and a pen of fat pigs. If only I can hire two long-term laborers. At that time, I will be able to Standing in the yard with his waist bent, pointing here and there, talking about this and that, and making them work." Xian'er giggled and said, "You want to be a rich man? Dream it." Chuanwen said: "I'm dreaming , I must realize this dream when I get to Kanto, and then you will be the young mistress of the host family." Xian'er said, "Won't you burn me to death?"

The text said: "You can't die from burning. You haven't heard that there is a crime that you can't suffer, but there is no blessing that you can't enjoy." He lay down, resting his head on his arms, and continued with infinite yearning, "At that time, in time for such a day In the morning, it was freezing cold, so I covered my ears, sent the long-term workers to work in the yard, and sent away two carts. What are the carts doing? Pulling dung rumblingly. I put my hands behind my back Strolling in the yard. At this time, you opened the window and said to me..." He squeezed his throat to imitate: "Master, I have cooked the vegetables and the wine is hot, why don't I go to the kang to drink? Sitting on the hot kang in a warm room, you fill up my pipe pot and pass it over. I smoke Kanto cigarettes and drink the old pot, and you sing me "Little Borrowing Years" again, sing We sang, sang, we couldn't hold our hands anymore, our legs became soft and our bones became crisp—have you slept yet?" Xian'er said, "I haven't slept, listen..."

Chuanwen's voice gradually weakened and said: "You said this day is so beautiful, this day... have you slept?" Xian'er said in a daze: "No, listen..." Chuanwen fell asleep with a smile Yes, snoring... The boat had been at sea for five days and nights.Every day someone falls down because of hunger or fatigue.The fallen people can only sink their bodies into the sea amidst the wailing of their relatives, and freeze their heavy dreams of breaking through the Guandong on the cold seabed.The anguish and horror of the initial death have turned to numbness after witnessing one death after another.This reminds me of the words of the old kite, the graves along the road from Shandong to Shanhaiguan are all folks with unfulfilled ambitions, but how good is the sea road?

Even the burly Chuan Boss hunched over, with sunken eye sockets.Although all the people who were going to venture outside the customs had brought enough dry food, but no one could stand such wastage.Xia Yuanzhang was dying of hunger, his eyes wandering around.He feebly crawled up to Chuanjie, and begged in a low voice, "Chuanjie, do you have anything to eat? I'm starving to death." Chuanjie asked him, "Did you bring any dry food?" Xia Yuanzhang said, "Oh, I It’s been a few days, I haven’t touched a grain of food on my teeth, I haven’t drank a drop of water, it’s over.” Chuanjie said: “That’s not okay, I’m saving my life, what can I do if I give it to you? manage?" Xia Yuanzhang nodded and said, "Oh, that's what you said." But he couldn't hold on anymore, and begged again: "Chuanjie, you can give me half, half is fine, I really can't resist. Chuanjie, good brother , you will save my life, if I can survive, I will take you to Lushunkou, where I opened a warehouse, and I will hire you as a clerk and treat you as my son, do you think this is good?" Jie said: "I'm not going to be your buddy, I want to find my father outside the pass." Xia Yuanzhang was a little desperate, lying on the splint and looking at the sky quietly, he really wanted to jump into the sea and die happily, but he didn't even have the strength to do so.Mother Wen couldn't see it, sighed, and said to Chuanjie: "San'er, give him your pancake! Save his life." Chuanjie asked, "Mother, are you convinced?" Mother Wen nodded and said, "Yeah, it's important to save people." Chuanjie said, "Okay then." He walked up to Xia Yuanzhang, who blinked and watched Chuanjie take out pancakes from his arms. Xia Yuanzhang's mouth squirmed, and tears filled his sunken eye sockets.He swallowed the pancake with Chuanjie's water.After a while, he sat up, held Chuanjie's hand tightly and said, "Chuanjie, you saved my life, thank you." Chuanjie said, "Master Xia, I want to thank you and my mother. It was my mother who asked me to save you." Xia Yuanzhang came to Wen Ta Niang and knelt down and said, "Sister-in-law, thank you, I will repay you for saving my life in the future!" Wen Ta Niang quickly helped him up, and said with a sad smile: " Shopkeeper Xia, don’t dare to do it, as long as you survive, you are not allowed to mention saving your life in the future, this is what should be done, and everyone should do it.” After another two days of drifting like this, the boat finally docked, and the boatmen struggled to help everyone off the boat.Everyone recalled the experience of the past few days, especially this one was the only one left among the dozens of sailing boats, and the rest were missing. After getting off the boat, Xia Yuanzhang asked a boatman: "Man, where is this?" The boatman said: "Zhuanghe." Xia Yuanzhang was speechless after hearing this.Wen Ta Niang asked, "Master Xia, how far is it from Dalian?" Xia Yuanzhang said, "It's about three hundred miles away." Chuanwu stuck out his tongue in shock and said, "It's so far! It takes several days to walk. Right?" Xia Yuanzhang said, "It's easy to talk about when we get here, I'll hire a car, and you just follow me." Wen Ta Niang wanted to let her go, but Xia Yuanzhang said: "Sister-in-law, you are a life-saving grace to me. Besides, I have to go home. I happened to be on the way. Aren't you going to Yuanbao Town in Sanjiangkou? What a coincidence, my father happened to be there. Doing business in Yuanbao Town, maybe I still know your eldest brother. How about this, you come to Lushun with me to settle down first, and I will go with you after I settle down. I just want to go to Yuanbao Town to visit my father. Don't be polite." Wen Ta Niang no longer refuses.Xia Yuanzhang gave Chuanwu some money and asked him to rent a carriage in the city, and the four of them drove northward.The battle in the city was over, so the horse-drawn carriage had to choose the dirt road in the country, bumped and walked for about two days, and arrived at the yard of a farmer in the mountains and forests in the outskirts of Lushun City on this day.Xia Yuanzhang quit the carriage and led the Zhu family into the yard. An old man came out to greet him and exclaimed: "Master Xia, what's wrong? You ran out alone? Where are your family members?" Xia Yuanzhang said, "Don't mention it. No, I just rushed back." The old man said: "Oh, it was the wind just before? I heard that many boats capsized, and you saved your life." Xia Yuanzhang asked: "I heard that there was a cannon on the Jinshan Mountain. Japan and Russia are at war again?" The old man replied: "It's hard, I heard that the Japanese captured Lushun and killed countless people. I am worried about you. Well, you are fine, but I don't know how your family is doing. gone." Xia Yuanzhang said anxiously: "No, I have to go home and have a look." The old man stopped: "No, it's too dangerous! Wait until tomorrow." Xia Yuanzhang said: "No, I can't sit still." He pointed at Zhu The three members of the family confessed, "This family is my savior. If you want to go to Kanto, you should settle them down first, and I have to go back to the city." The old man nodded and said, "Alright, let's go and have a look." Lushunkou is surrounded by the sea on three sides. It is also a good natural port. The port is divided into east and west.The port area is surrounded by mountains, the entrance is located in the southeast, and the waterway is narrow.On both sides of the entrance, there is Jinjin Mountain in the east and Tiger Tail Peninsula in the west, which is shaped like crab claws.Baiyu Mountain, Chair Mountain, Erlong Mountain, and Jiguan Mountain stand behind them, overlooking the port area, and the situation is dangerous.Even so, they also suffered repeated hardships, so that the city was destroyed and the people were displaced.This time, the Russo-Japanese War was even more tragic. The city of Lushun was already empty, and the prosperity of the past was no longer there. Xia Yuanzhang couldn't believe his eyes. Although he knew a thing or two about the war, he felt very sad when he faced the ruins.The streets and alleys were terribly quiet, the smoke left by the shells was still dispersing, and the bodies of the compatriots who died could be seen everywhere, and what was even more shocking were the broken arms and limbs hanging on the walls or bushes.Xia Yuanzhang didn't dare to look any more, and hurried home with his head bowed amidst the rubble.Before he entered the house, he saw the scorched courtyard wall. Xia Yuanzhang secretly called out "No!" He shivered and pushed open the half-closed courtyard door, tentatively calling his wife and children by name: "Shufang, Yuqing, Yushu... " The main room was pitch black, and no one responded.Xia Yuanzhang struck a match, and couldn't help but turn pale with fright. The room was in a mess, and the corpses of his wife, son and father-in-law lay lying in a pool of blood!Xia Yuanzhang caressed the corpse and wept bitterly, feeling dizzy and unable to support himself, he fell to the ground. After a long time, Xia Yuanzhang woke up in a daze. He heard a rustling sound. He followed the sound and saw his daughter Xia Yushu stood up from the rice jar in the corner of the room with a jar cover on her head, looking at her in horror. He opened his mouth but didn't cry out.Xia Yuanzhang stumbled over, hugged his daughter and said, "Yushu, you're still alive!" Then Xia Yushu burst into tears, beating his father while crying and saying, "Dad, why did you come back? The whole family is dead, Japan People have massacred the city, all the people in the city have been killed, oh..." She suddenly remembered something, opened her skirt and said, "Dad, look, this is what my mother left for you when she was dying, let me Leave it to you." Xia Yuanzhang saw it, and tears welled up in his eyes - Xia Yushu had a bag of money tied around his waist. Chuanwen and Xian'er hadn't found the old kite. Fortunately, there were many people crossing the Guandong, so it was easy to find a large team, so they wouldn't go in the wrong direction.On this day, they crossed the Yellow River and came to a big fork in the road.Chuanwen pointed to one of the roads and said, "This is the way home. I'd better send you back." Xian'er asked, "What about you?" Go forward." Xian'er said: "You want to get rid of me? How can I explain to my parents when I go back without knowing why? Wait for you or not? What if Dad asks me to remarry?" Chuanwen was embarrassed and said: "Hey, my mother's money is all there, how can you go forward with me?" Xian'er asked him, "Can you go?" Chuanwen said: "I can go, no I can’t leave, I have to ask for food and go.” Xian’er said crisply: “Then I’ll beg for food from you too.” Chuanwen asked, “You don’t regret it?” Xian’er thumped him and said, “You haven’t Seventy and eighty-year-old, what are you talking about! Go, keep up with the flow!" At noon, the flow of people dispersed, each looking for a place to rest.Chuanwen and Xian'er entered a farmer's household.An old lady is tidying up the yard.Xian'er asked sweetly: "Ma'am, I want to ask for a bowl of water, is it okay?" The aunt asked: "You two are fleeing famine, right? Breaking through the gate?" Xian'er agreed, went over to take the broom from the aunt's hand, and started cleaning the yard.The aunt smiled, went to scoop up a ladle of water, but threw a handful of grass clippings into the ladle.Chuanwen was stunned and said, "Ma'am, what are you doing? How can you drink this?" Xian'er kicked Chuanwen and said, "Don't understand if you don't understand. Thank you, Ma'am." Seeing Chuanwen, she still brags He stared blankly at the grass clippings, and explained: "Brother, Madam is afraid that we will get angry when we walk, and drinking cold water will stimulate the lungs, so I deliberately told you to drink it slowly." Chuanwen suddenly realized: "Auntie, I don't know anything, please forgive me." The aunt said: "It's okay. Remember it in the future, don't drink cold water when you are thirsty, or you will easily fall ill." Xianer took the transmission Wen's ladle drank some water and said, "Ma'am, we want to go outside the pass, and the waterway is impassable, so we take the dry road." The aunt sighed: "Oh, it's a good day to be at home. It's hard to go out. Is there no place to stay tonight? My house is empty. If you don't dislike it, let's make do for the night." Xian'er hurriedly said: "Thank you, aunt !" The early winter in Kanto is already very cold.Passengers coming and going from the outside station of the small train station, those who were about to board the train, and those who had just got off the train, many of them had already put on cotton-padded jackets and dog fur hats.At the exit of the overpass outside the train station, a teenage boy selling newspapers yelled loudly: "Extra, extra, the Russo-Japanese War was brutal, the Japanese army captured Lushun and slaughtered the city for three days, blood flowed like a river... read the newspaper!" Xia Yuanzhang took his daughter and the Zhu family out of the station along the steps at the exit.Since getting out of the car, Chuanjie kept covering his ears and said, "Hey, it's quite cold, my ears are freezing." Seeing that Xia Yuanzhang was still looking sad, Chuanwu deliberately interrupted, "Master Xia, where is the gold? Why can’t you see gold diggers?” Xia Yuanzhang said: “Gold is not found everywhere in the Kanto region, and you have to go to deep mountains with gold veins to pan for gold.” Chuanwu asked again: “Where is the stick? Where is the stick? Beat roe deer with a stick. Why can’t we see the fish?” Xia Yuanzhang said patiently, “The Kanto region is huge, and the sticks and mallets grow in deep mountains and old forests. something happened..." While talking, they walked up to the newspaper seller. Xia Yuanzhang bought a newspaper, and couldn't help shedding tears while reading it, crying: "The great Qing Dynasty is over. It's a shame to be bullied like this!" Want to persuade, but don't know what to say.Just as he was hesitating, an old man hurried over from a long distance. Yushu saw her and pulled the corner of his father's clothes and said, "Father, grandpa is here." After hearing this, Xia Yuanzhang raised his head quickly, and saw his father, Mr. Xia, approaching. The father and son met each other. Mr. Xia hugged his son and said, "Yuanzhang, don't dare to cry! I have received your letter, so don't say anything." Now, let’s go home.” Xia Yuanzhang said with tears streaming down his face: “Little Japan is too vicious. The two countries are at war. It is unreasonable to fight at our door. We captured Lushun, massacred the city for three days, and killed the entire Lushun people! Do they still have human nature? They are pure animals. From now on, Little Japan is our old Xia’s family, no, we are the enemy of the Qing Dynasty, this account must be remembered, and it will be remembered from generation to generation!" Mr. Xia caressed his son and said, "Hey, they are animals. Sooner or later, this revenge will be avenged! Let's not talk about them, let's talk about you. You came at the right time. I am old and I can't do it anymore. Our Spring He Sheng, you can push it up." The jade book on the side called out obediently: "Grandpa!" Grandpa Xia nodded and said, "Hey, good granddaughter, you are already this old. Get in the car." Xia Yuanzhang remembered and pointed at Zhu's house. The three said: "Father, I still have a few companions who are from Fangniugou in Yuanbao Town." Mr. Xia said: "Then let's get in the car together." By coincidence, a strong man wearing a big dog fur hat came over and said, "Mr. You girls, get in the car." Chuanjie spoke smartly, and hurriedly said, "Thank you uncle! Mother, let's get in the car." His mother Wen was a little worried, but seeing Chuanwu brothers, they got in the car anyway. The brawny man flicked his whip, and drove the pony cart at a gallop, with vast wilderness on both sides of the road.It seemed that Chuanjie and Chuanwu's eyes were not strong enough, but Mrs. Wen still stared nervously at the man driving the car. The man spoke Kanto dialect and asked, "Sister-in-law, who are you looking for in the corner of Fangniugou?" Wen Ta Niang said, "Zhu Kaishan, do you recognize him?" The man said, "Why are you looking for that bear? Relatives Wen Ta Niang said: "That's my head of the family." The man seemed to be taken aback, and said loudly: "Zhu Kaishan has a wife? I haven't heard of it! It's a bear, you don't care, it's worth crossing the river." Hai came to look for it?" Wen Ta Niang heard the words, and asked: "Brother, what happened to Zhu Kaishan?" The man stopped talking.Wen Ta Niang asked: "Brother, what are you talking about? Why is he out of tune?" Asked: "Brother, what's going on, tell me!" "Come on, Zhu Kaishan, this old boy made a little fortune here, and he married a woman from the east of the Yangtze River. He's really capable. How long has it been? One litter a year, three big fat boys Wen Ta Niang was stunned for a long time like thunder, and shouted: "Brother, stop the station." The man reined in and asked, "Are you still looking for Zhu Kaishan?" Mrs. Wen thought for a while, then gritted her teeth and said, "Look for him! I'll kill him when I meet him!" The man laughed and said, "Let me tell you. I think you look good. You are tall, short, fat and thin, and have a thin waist. I can explain my face and face, and find another owner. It is really hard to find me to help you find it. We are out of stock in this old lady." Wen Ta Niang said through gritted teeth: "Look for it!" He slapped his butt hard and shouted, "Drive!" The carriage started to gallop again. After walking for about half an hour, the carriage stopped in front of a small courtyard with three mud houses and all kinds of farm tools.Chuanjie exclaimed: "Hey, mother, why is it the same as our hometown?" His mother Wen also looked familiar, thinking about what the man said, tears streaming down her face.She led the child out of the car and walked into the yard with complicated emotions.After a long time, she came out again with the child in a panic, and seeing that the man in the dog fur hat hadn't left, she stepped forward and asked, "Brother, is there anyone in Zhu Kaishan's family?" The man laughed and slowly took off the huge dog fur hat, staring intently at Wen Ta Niang.Mrs. Wen was stunned for a moment, this man is Zhu Kaishan, the man she misses day and night!Zhu Kaishan had a beard and tears all over his face.The two children looked at their father not daring to recognize each other.Wen Ta Niang stepped forward and punched the man, and scolded: "You are heartless, you still have the intention to make fun of, my girls almost can't see you!" After speaking, she fell into his arms and cried loudly, crying a few times , grabbed the hands of the two sons again, and said, "Hurry up and call daddy, this is the daddy you all think about every day! Look at how unlucky your daddy is! Does he look like an old horse monkey!" The two children laughed happily, followed their parents into the house, and sat down on the kang.Zhu Kaishan brought a big bamboo basket, poured out a kangshan product, and said, "Eat, and talk while eating. Where's the boss?" Mrs. Wen said, "It's a long story, we girls originally went together, When we got to Longkou, we got separated. We were all on the sailboat, but who knew that Xian'er came up again..." Zhu Kaishan said: "Stop it first! What's the matter with Xian'er? Is he married to Chuanwen?" Mrs. Wen said: "Not yet. I heard that our family has all gone to Kanto and followed them secretly. I went to bed." The boat saw her calling for Chuanwen on the shore. As soon as Chuanwen was in a hurry, he jumped into the sea to find his wife, and they were just scattered." As soon as Zhu Kaishan heard the fire, he said: "This animal!" Everyone looked at Zhu Kaishan in shock, Wen Ta Niang asked: "What's wrong with you?" Zhu Kaishan said: "What's wrong with you? He is the eldest, and the lives of the whole family rest on his shoulders, how dare he leave his mother behind for a daughter-in-law who has never been married, and go to his daughter-in-law!" Chuanjie chuckled.Zhu Kaishan asked, "What are you laughing at?" Chuanjie said, "Ask my second brother." Zhu Kaishan asked Chuanwu, "Tell me, what's going on?" Chuanwu hehe said, "My eldest brother?" There is that one who has the guts to jump into the sea! I kicked my elder brother off!" Zhu Kaishan was taken aback for a moment, then laughed out loud! Wen Ta Niang looked around, and if she was in a dream, she asked, "This house belongs to our family?" Zhu Kaishan said, "Whose house could it be? How big is this kang? Is it as big as our yard?" After a while, our family will have enough to eat and drink, let’s get on the kang and roll around!” Wen Ta Niang moved her butt off the kang and said, “Then I have to take a good look.” Zhu Kaishan said, “There are some time to watch, let’s cook and eat first. Bar." After a while, a small dining table was set up on the top of the hot kang. There were four hot dishes on the dining table, scrambled eggs with fungus, steamed tofu with miso, chicken stewed with mushrooms, boiled vermicelli with cabbage, and a pot of sorghum wine.Chuanwu was hungry, and he pretended to eat, so he suddenly asked his mother to stroke the chopsticks. The mother pointed to the stove, and the two brothers looked outside, and saw Zhu Kaishan cutting noodles with his hands and feet, and pulling the wind box.Wen Ta Niang looked at her husband's back for a long time, then hugged her two sons in her arms, and said softly: "But when I get home, I have no strength at all." As she spoke, tears rolled down her face. After dinner, brothers Chuanwu and Chuanjie were somersaulting on the big kang in the house, holding the big top, so excited that they seemed to have nowhere to use their energy.In the east room, Zhu Kaishan and Wen Ta Niang sat on the kang and looked at each other, speechless for a moment.There are old earthen cannons, coir raincoats, cracked sandals shoes, and animal skins hanging on the wall of the house... His mother Wen felt fresh and sad when she saw it. She knew that all the hardships of her man these years were condensed in these objects. , she couldn't help but threw herself into her husband's arms and cried, "Father, you have suffered a lot these years, and you are getting old." Zhu Kaishan smiled and said, "Why are you crying? I asked you to cross the river and cross the sea to watch you cry? Smile!" Wen Ta Niang forced a smile: "Should laugh, you have suffered all these years to buy such a big family business, That's enough for me." Zhu Kaishan smiled again, got off the kang, took out a small cloth bag from the cabinet, shook it in front of Wen Ta Niang, and asked, "His mother, do you know what this is?" Wen Ta Niang took it Come here, turn it on under the lamp and look carefully, saying: "Why does it look like sand?" Zhu Kaishan said: "Oh, this is my hard work for four years. Just this little thing can be placed on two farms!" Wen Ta Niang understood , Surprised and said: "It's alluvial gold?" Zhu Kaishan nodded and said: "In our Kanto, as long as you dare to work hard, there will be inexhaustible alluvial gold in the river. You should pay close attention to this, and don't let the children know. " Wen Ta Niang asked: "What are your plans for the future?" Zhu Kaishan said: "I plan to let Chuanwu and Chuanjie go to Chunhe Sheng to learn some business, but I don't know if they will accept apprentices." His mother said: "Chun He Sheng is shopkeeper Xia's father's business? I reckon it can do it, just because we saved shopkeeper Xia's life, his family can do the same. Okay, they are apprentices, then let's do it." farming." Zhu Kaishan shook his head and said: "I don't intend to tie myself to the field. There is an old golden ditch five hundred miles away from our Yuanbao Town. I plan to go there to pan for gold after the new year, and I will gamble! Set up good land in Wulong, and our whole family will be able to farm the land safely and survive." Mrs. Wen grabbed him, as if he was going to leave if she didn't hold on tightly, and said, "I won't let you go panning for gold anymore. I heard that panning for gold is like panning for life." Zhu Kaishan said, "You can't decide this matter. , I have certain rules.” Wen Ta Niang still didn’t let go, and said, “Are you willing to let me go?” Zhu Kaishan stroked his wife’s hand lightly, and said, “I don’t want to let go of what I mean, but before you came, Mr. He and I Si has an appointment, he has occupied a few gold pits there, and he is too busy to keep up, and he wants me to go there, and I agree. I can't change my promise." Wen Ta Niang asked: "Who is He Laosi?" Zhu Kaishan said in a low voice: "Those who fought with me in the Boxer, the life and death brothers who fled here together." Entering the twelfth lunar month, with several strong winds blowing, the sky is getting colder every day.Brother Chuanwu, however, ignored the wind and cold, their teeth were grinning from the cold, their cheeks were flushed, and they were still willing to run outside in the fields.Yes, how can the knee-deep snow be compared to the fine snow powder in my hometown?Zhu Kaishan is also willing to enjoy the family happiness that he thinks about day and night. He takes his son to ride horses, spear fish, shoot roe deer... so happy! In the twinkling of an eye, New Year's Eve came, just after a snowfall, the snow-covered ground became thicker and thicker, and the sound of firecrackers from time to time added to the peaceful atmosphere.In the small courtyard of Zhu's house, the light was cast through the thick paper windows into the yard, and the shadows were faint, reflecting a golden layer on the snow.The genealogy of Lao Zhu's family is hung in the main room, and a few offerings are placed on a small case.Zhu Kaishan stood respectfully in front of the genealogy and offered incense, kowtowed, and said in his mouth: "Father, mother, Kaishan kowtowed to the two elders. His mother Wen moved the two elders here from Hainan. This is our home, and we know the Tao." , Come back here every year to celebrate the New Year.” His mother Wen knelt down, and she also muttered: "Father, mother, please bless Chuanwen and Xian'er, and let the children go home early." The brothers Chuanwu also knelt down to kowtow to their ancestors with their buttocks pouted. , Said: "Old ancestors, I kowtow to you, and bless my family to live a good life in peace, and my parents are healthy." Zhu Kaishan waited for his family members to finish worshiping with a smile, then waved his hand and said, "Okay, let's eat dumplings on the kang." The family came to the east room and sat on the kang.Chuanjie was impatient, and regardless of the cleanliness, he picked up one and stuffed it into his mouth.Mrs. Wen stopped him and said: "Slow down, be careful of choking. Besides, we still have a money bag, what if you accidentally eat it?" Well, that money won’t escape to other people’s hands, so I’m sure I’ll give it away.” Chuanjie said, “You have a good idea, but it’s not certain who will get it.” The four of them ate while talking, but no one got a lot of money.Seeing that there was only the last game left, everyone was a little nervous.Seven, five, two... still nothing!There is only one dumpling left in the bowl.Chuanjie watched helplessly and wanted to stretch out his chopsticks but dared not.Wen Ta Niang said: "Father, this is the only one. The money is here. You can eat it." Zhu Kaishan was not polite, and opened his mouth to bite the dumpling.Everyone held their breath, ready to cheer.But Zhu Kaishan swallowed the dumplings with his mouth pursed, but he still didn't pay a lot of money!Zhu Kaishan put down his chopsticks and said, "Sui Sui is safe and sound, let's take a look at the pot." The three mothers rushed to the stove, looked at the bottom of the pot, and were stunned—it turned out that the dumplings wrapped with a lot of money were broken, and the big money was lying quietly on the bottom of the pot.Zhu Kaishan came out with his hands behind his back and said: "The knowledge of Guandong Mountain is great. The white noodles here are no better than those at home, and the muscles and bones are weak." Thousands of miles away, Chuanwen and Xian'er sat facing each other in a big mill.They stopped and stopped all the way, and it was even harder to travel after entering the twelfth lunar month.Seeing that Xian'er had lost a lot of weight, and Shui Lingling's big eyes lost their focus, Chuanwen felt distressed, and suggested finding a place to stay first, and the two of them found a big family in the Hebei area, and gave them a meal As a day laborer, I am going to earn some dry food and go on the road after the Spring Festival.Xian'er is well-behaved and has a wink, while the literati are a bit clumsy, but they work hard, and the two of them are very trustworthy by the master.On New Year's Eve, a bowl of soba dumplings was brought to them. Although it was dark, it also meant New Year's Eve. Xian'er pushed the dumplings to Chuanwen and said, "Brother Chuanwen, you eat, I'm not used to soba dumplings." Chuanwen then pushed the dumplings to Xian'er and said, "You eat, I don't have a good appetite, eat it." Buckwheat noodles burn your heart." Xian'er chuckled.Chuanwen was stunned and said, "What are you laughing at?" Xian'er said, "I'm laughing at the fact that both of us are maidservants. Come on, don't pretend to be big-tailed maggots, we are half of the family." The two began to eat.While eating, Chuanwen's eyes suddenly turned red.Xian'er glanced at him.Chuanwen choked up and couldn't eat anymore, and said, "I miss my mother..." Xian'er also cried and said, "I miss my father too..." Chuanwen said, "I'll kowtow to my mother! Happy New Year, old man." Xian'er said, "I'll also pay New Year's greetings to my father and mother." Two people each held a bowl of dumplings, one knelt down facing north and the other knelt down facing south.The two said to each other: "Father, mother, it's Chinese New Year, I don't know where this is, I wish you all New Year greetings! I wish your family safe and sound, and your parents are healthy and healthy. May we reach Kanto safely..." The two knelt down, their buttocks touching.Xian'er looked at Chuanwen vigilantly and said, "What do you want?" Chuanwen said, "Let me tell you, whose butt do I think it's so cute." It was a sunny day on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, and Xia Yuanzhang sent someone to call Zhu Kaishan to Yuanbao Town, where he called Niu Dejin, Jin Baotou and other guests to invite him to drink.Xia Yuanzhang said: "Brother Zhu, since I arrived in Yuanbao Town, I have been wanting to treat you to a glass of wine to thank your family for saving your life, but I didn't make the time. Today, on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, I will offer you a glass of thin wine to express my gratitude. done." Zhu Kaishan smiled and said: "You man, why do you always talk about life-saving grace? Isn't it just a pancake? What's the matter? You are not allowed to mention it in the future, do you hear me? If you mention it again, I will turn my face Already! Drink!" Niu Dejin stood up and said, "Master Xia, we don't drink this corner wine like you do, change to a bigger bowl." He waved his hand outside and said, "Man, bring the wine jar over here , change to a bigger bowl." The man moved the wine jar and changed the big bowl.While drinking, Zhu Kaishan praised and said: "Hey, nowhere does the wine taste as good as the sorghum made in the big pot of the Tang family in our town. It is strong and soft, and it flows into the throat like a stream Oil, so beautiful!" Niu Dejin nodded and said: "That is, our Yuanbao Town's 'Four Beauties' are well-known far and wide." Xia Yuanzhang heard this and asked: "Where are the 'Four Beauties'?" Niu Dejin said: “这你都不知道？我给你说说：唐家的烧锅，烟袋的嘴儿，烫人的被窝，大姑娘的腿儿。” 朱开山问牛得金：“你光知道'四大美'，还有'四大金贵'你知道不？”牛得金道：“没听说过，你说说，哪'四大金贵'？”朱开山说：“木匠的斧子，瓦匠的刀，光棍的行李，大姑娘的腰。” 一边的金把头微微冷笑，牛得金问道：“你这个外乡人，笑啥？”金把头道：“我笑你们是井底的蛤蟆没见过天儿。”牛得金火了，忽地站起来说：“你是哪旮旯来的？有啥资格笑话我们！”金把头依旧微笑说：“老哥别发火呀，听我说不好吗？我们那儿也有几个'四大'，不想听听？” 朱开山拉开牛得金说：“老牛兄弟，让他说，说不好别想出咱元宝镇。”金把头喝了口酒说：“那我就先说说我们那旮旯的'四大黄'：秋后的林子，老虎的身，大姐的肚皮，狗头金。”朱开山拍掌说：“好，果然是'四大黄'！还有吗？”金把头继续道：“有哇，多的是！'四大香'：狍蹄筋，飞龙鸟，猴头蘑菇，冻水饺。还有'四大欢'：大烟泡，金沟的旗，炕上的娘们儿，小叫驴。'四大白'：入冬的雪，羊皮袄，大姑娘屁股，经霜的草。'四大红'：枫树林，杀猪的盆，新媳妇的盖头，老爷府的门……” 朱开山哈哈大笑说：“好了，好了，够劲儿。听口气你是老金沟来的？”金把头一听抬头道：“这位大哥好眼力，正是从老金沟来的，那可是个宝地。”朱开山问道：“到元宝镇干啥？招淘金的？”金把头说：“正是。跟我走吧，老金沟别的没有，金子有的是，你随便找个地方一坐，坐那儿别动，用手抠地，一不小心就抠出个金疙瘩！” 牛得金撇撇嘴说：“你说的来玄。”金把头笑道：“不来玄，这都是早年间的事了。不过现在我们老金沟的金子还是不少，在那儿淘金的都发大财了。”朱开山问：“你们啥时候走？”金把头说：“说走就走，化了冻就过不了草甸子了，现在就有点晚了。”朱开山又问：“那为啥？”金把头说：“甸子一化冻就是大酱缸，要过大酱缸可不是闹着玩的。老弟有去的意思？要去早做准备。先给你号上？”朱开山说：“行，你给我号上。”牛得金也跟着嚷嚷说：“给我也号上。” 朱开山又问道：“你从老金沟来，打听个人，那儿有个领流的贺老四你认得？”金把头一愣说：“认得呀。你也认得？”朱开山忙摇头：“不认得。不过听说他可是个淘金的高人，他懂金脉，到了河套里用手一指，哪里有金，八九不离十！” 金把头反问道：“听说前两年贺老四和一个拜把兄弟一直在老金沟五道河子合伙淘沙金，这个人你认得吗？”朱开山心里一惊，摇头道：“不认得。这个人也有本事？” 金把头点头道：“有本事，他和贺老四都会看金脉。”朱开山说：“有贺老四就行了，贺老四不在老金沟？”金把头说：“在。出事了！”朱开山心里又一紧，说：“怎么回事？”金把头却笑了笑，不再说话。朱开山心急如焚，慢慢地喝着酒，却不便再问…… 朱开山微醺着回到家，点上火，抽着烟，默默地看着远处——冬末初春的关东田野，已经有了些许的绿色。文他娘若有所思地走近朱开山，小心地说：“打回来你总共没说几句话，到底怎么了？”朱开山说：“贺老四出事了。他肯定死了！”文他娘说：“那你就别去了！贺老四要是真的死了，你再跳进去，那不是跟贺老四一样的下场吗？” 朱开山轻声道：“贺老四要是真的死了，那也肯定是为我死的！”文他娘一愣说：“贺老四怎么会为你死呢？”朱开山说：“这你就不知道了。走，我得上老金沟去！”文他娘说：“你去干啥呀？”朱开山说：“我要去问个明白！要是贺老四真的死了，我要替他报仇！”文他娘说：“你这是干什么呀！” 朱开山说：“他是我兄弟！义和团的时候，他用身子替我挡过洋鬼子的子弹，我刚到关东没处落脚，是他在老金沟收留了我，教我淘金，教我看金脉，他之所以死，就是把金脉吞到了肚子里，为我留着。我不为这样的人报仇，我还有什么人味吗？”文他娘说：“你这血性，多少年也不改呀！”朱开山大吼一声说：“改了就不是我朱开山了！准备吧！” 朱开山在炕上忙活着捆绑行李，传武、传杰有些忙乱地帮着忙。文他娘坐在炕沿，眼里含泪说：“他爹，你真的要走？”朱开山说：“你这个人，咋就婆婆妈妈的了？当年闹义和团的时候你不是这样啊！”文他娘说：“俺就觉得刚过了几天安稳日子，还没过够你又要走，心里不舍。”传武说：“爹，你也领俺去呗？让俺也见识见识。”朱开山说：“算了吧，那也不是好玩的地方。你记住了，凡是能发财的地方一定缺不了风险，我这也是赌一把。” 行李收拾利落，朱开山拎着出了屋门，打量着院内，对文他娘说：“这家业虽说不大，挣来也不容易，你给我看紧了。传文要是找到了家，你务必叫传杰打封信给我。”文他娘轻声答应着。朱开山说：“马要按时喂，地要按时种，别误了节气，这儿的节气比咱那儿晚多了。传武和传杰嘛，我和夏掌柜的打过招呼，到他那儿学生意吧。你俩过来！”朱开山拖过来哥儿俩说：“我再嘱咐你们两句，夏掌柜的要是收了你们，要勤奋，早起早睡。咱不管咋说也是外来户，要是和屯子里的人有了疙瘩，要一忍再忍。记住了吗？”哥儿俩点头说：“爹，记住了，你就放心。”传杰说：“爹，俺娘你就放心，俺俩会照看好她老人家的。”朱开山笑了，摩挲着传杰的头说：“三儿就是会说话，还不知道谁照看谁呢。” 文他娘小声地说：“他爹……”“走了！”朱开山抬头望她一眼，却像没听见，转身蹽开大步朝前走去。一家人目送着他远去。他的身影渐渐地变成了苍茫大地中的小黑点…… 冬日初春的北国，白山黑水线条粗犷，天高地阔。马铃儿丁当响，在丘陵起伏的原野路上，三辆拉金夫的马车逶迤前行。有两辆马车从后面驶来。车上的人有开酒馆、烟馆的，缝穷的，还有妓女，都是些依附淘金人流徙四处的苦命人、挣命人。一个健壮女人挑逗着金夫们说：“你们是淘金的吧？媳妇放你们走吗？”牛得金说：“成天搂着娘们儿有啥意思？”健壮女人说：“意思大了，看样你是没搂过，滋味美呢。”金把头说：“拉倒吧，哪回不是忙活一腚沟子汗？哪回不后悔？” 又一个年近三十的女人对朱开山嚷道：“老哥，冷不？前边有个屯子，给你热热被窝儿？”朱开山笑骂：“算了吧，让你一贴身准能沾去一层皮，不敢。”女人笑道：“看样你是老轱辘棒子，没尝过女人滋味儿，童子鸡吧？咱身上溜滑着呢，不沾人。”朱开山哈哈大笑说：“透过羊皮袄都看见里边裹的是些啥，一只老家雀儿！”