Mo Sang – CH 182

Chapter 182. Fireworks

Heading north from Pingjing Pass, the journey was swift but not rushed.

Evenings, whether early or late, regardless of the size or condition of the inn, the group would always find a place to rest, enjoying a warm bed and a good night’s sleep.

Although they set off early in the morning, they would always have a hot breakfast before continuing their journey.

At noon and in the evening, they would stop wherever there was a place to eat, where there would be meat, vegetables, soup, and water. If there was no place to eat, they would dig a fire pit and set up their own pot. Most of the time, Da Chang would cook, but occasionally Li Sangrou would also cook once or twice.

After eating Li Sangrou’s cooking once, Song Qiming realized that this boss wasn’t entirely bad; at least her cooking was truly delicious.

The group traveled in three large carts, one and a half of which were used for luggage. They replenished their supplies at each county town they reached.

The carts carried numerous bamboo flasks and warm stoves, including incense burners, hand warmers, and foot warmers, ensuring there was always hot tea to drink. All the stoves were filled with glowing red charcoal.

Song Qiming had to admit that, despite being a prisoner, this journey was far more comfortable than when she and her fellow disciples had traveled to Jiangling City.

After traveling for over ten days, Cheng Shan remained well-behaved, neither taking an extra step nor uttering a word. Li Sangrou had Hei Ma buy clothes and shoes for Cheng Shan and Luo Qiwen.

Although they wore only light clothing and shoes, they stayed warm as long as they didn’t venture outside.

Having clothes was the best thing ever. At least Luo Qiwen’s eyes welled up with tears when he received his clothes.

Li Sangrou continued on her journey, checking the relay stations along the way.

Along this northward route, only the Shunfeng post station was operated by Shunfeng. Other delivery stations were managed by the Qing’an Old Firm. Li Sangrou would occasionally listen in and glance at each station, but didn’t interfere much.

In mid-twelfth month, the group entered Tang County.

Tang County wasn’t large, but Shunfeng Post Station outside the county was the largest among the five or six counties in the surrounding two prefectures.

Hei Ma drove the cart, bypassing the county town and heading straight for Xing’an Town, where the post station was located.

Xing’an Town was having its market day, and it was the twelfth month; the hustle and bustle spilled out of the town and spread to its surroundings.

Fortunately, Shunfeng Post Stations were all located on the edge of the town, outside the county seat.

After traveling slowly for a while, Hei Ma led the cart into the courtyard of Shunfeng Post Station.

Old Bao, the manager of the post station, saw Da Chang and exclaimed with delight, throwing down the hay he was carrying. He rushed to greet Da Chang. “It’s Master Chang? It really is Master Chang! Master Chang, I could see your physique from afar! Master Chang, what brings you here?

And Master Ma, Master Ma, you’re here too! Master Chang, Master Ma, please come in and have a seat!”

“Master Ma? Are you talking about me?” Hei Ma pointed to himself. “How does he know me?”

“It’s me, Mazha, or Master Ma.” Mazha rolled his eyes at Hei Ma and raised his chin.

Hei Ma was uncharacteristically dumbfounded. “What?? Master Ma? Calling you Master? Hey! His surname is Li! Not Master Ma! Master Ma is me!”

“Old Bao, my surname is Li, my name is Li Huang. And don’t call me Master Li or Master Ma, just call me Mazha,” Mazha, Li Huang, patted Manager Old Bao.

“This is our boss.” Da Chang solemnly introduced Li Sangrou.

Li Sangrou smiled at Old Bao, bowing slightly. “Da Chang is a man of few words, rarely praising someone more than two sentences. But when he does praise someone, he goes on for four.

It’s because of this that Da Chang placed the main post stations for both the front and rear prefectures in our Tang County.”

“I dare not accept such praise; I dare not accept such praise, Boss.” Old Bao sized up Li Sangrou, somewhat incredulous.

He often heard stories about their Boss from passing riders, like tales from a storybook—truly extraordinary.

But this Boss before him seemed no different from the young ladies in their town, well, even prettier.

Then, seeing Song Qiming stepping down from the cart in a bright green coat over a bright red skirt and Cheng Shan and Luo Qiwen in only light clothing, Old Bao was utterly bewildered. There were too many strange people!

Seeing Cheng Shan and Luo Qiwen dressed only in thin clothes, Old Bao didn’t hesitate and quickly ushered everyone into the small courtyard within the main courtyard.

The courtyard was decorated with hanging cured meat and chicken around the perimeter, along with a dozen or so large fish, each about two feet long.

Li Sangrou looked around before lifting the curtain and entering the house.

The house was very warm. Cheng Shan and Luo Qiwen quickly sat on the kang. Song Qiming took off her bright green overcoat, took a teapot from the tea rack at the head of the kang, poured two cups of tea, and handed them to her uncle and senior brother.

Old Bao went in and out several times, bringing a large basket of roasted peanuts in their shells, a large plate of homemade roasted melon seeds, a large plate of walnuts and red dates, and then a plate of dried persimmons and a plate of sesame candy.

Old Bao’s wife followed behind, carrying a stack of bowls and a ceramic pot. She set the bowls out, scooped out fried noodles from the pot, and made oil broth in each bowl.

The aroma of fried noodles filled the room. Li Sangrou took a bowl, carefully sipped it, and praised repeatedly, “So fragrant! This fried noodle is so well-made, so thin and even, and the sesame seeds and peanuts are so fragrant and crunchy.”

“I’m glad the boss likes it,” Old Bao’s wife, who seemed not to be good with words, mumbled, wiping the fine sweat from her forehead, her eyes narrowing into slits with a smile.

The Old Bao couple bustled about. Everyone had eaten and drunk their fill. Da Chang and Old Bao went to check the accounts, while Hei Ma, with Xiao Lu and Datou, went to inspect the horses, warehouse, and other areas. Mazha and Chuantiao went to town to buy supplies.

Li Sangrou sat on the porch, facing a charcoal brazier, cracking sunflower seeds, watching the lively scene in the courtyard.

A sturdy shed stood in the courtyard, under which sat a large stove and a large earthen pot. Several copper kettles boiled water on charcoal stoves nearby.

Old Bao’s wife and four or five other women helping in the kitchen were busy kneading dough, chopping fillings, killing and scalding chickens, cutting pork and mutton, scraping the fine hairs off pig heads, picking and washing vegetables, soaking dried vegetables, and preparing cured meat and fish. They chatted and laughed intermittently, busily preparing dinner for Li Sangrou and the others.

Song Qiming peeked through the curtain for a moment, hesitated, then came out of the house, found a chair, and sat down next to Li Sangrou.

A moment later, Cheng Shan and Luo Qiwen, wrapped in the two sheepskin coats Old Bao had brought in, came out one after the other.

Song Qiming quickly stood up, handed her chair to her uncle, and then went to the courtyard to fetch two more chairs.

Cheng Shan and Luo Qiwen sat down obsequiously beside the charcoal brazier. Li Sangrou shifted, offering the brazier to them, but didn’t look at them, instead continuing to eat sunflower seeds and watch the bustling activity in the courtyard.

A thin, petite woman hurried in.

“Sister Tao is here,” a woman sitting at the far end, peeling scallions, said with a smile.

“Oh, didn’t you move to town? Why are you so late?” The woman chopping meat with a knife in both hands spoke as briskly as she chopped the meat.

“The Zhang family, mother and daughters, blocked our way,” Sister Tao said, shaking the apron she was holding vigorously towards the gate, as if trying to shake off her anger and bad luck.

“Didn’t we already explain everything to them? Why did they still come to block us?” the woman chopping meat replied the quickest.

“They insist on a marriage exchange; it has to be! Two years ago, when our Shunfeng shop first opened, I told them that. I made it clear.

Because our villages are next to each other, their whole family clings to us whenever they see us. One time, their son even dragged our Xiao Cui into the woods. If her brother hadn’t arrived in time, who knows what would have happened?

If it weren’t for this, I wouldn’t have been in such a hurry to move to town. We just moved here, and their whole family is blocking the door! It’s infuriating!” Sister Tao shook out her apron, put it on, and sat down at the chopping board, carefully slicing a piece of cured meat.

“Is their daughter here too?” The woman peeling scallions, carrying a basket and a small stool, moved next to Sister Tao.

“Yes! It’s infuriating!”

“Where’s Dawang? Don’t let that girl block him and tear off his clothes or something.” The woman chopping the meat filling gave a concerned instruction.

“Dawang’s fine; he’s tending the horses with his father in the back.

Dawang is very sensible. Even a few years ago, if he caught a glimpse of that girl, he’d stay far away, afraid she’d cling to him and become impossible to get rid of!

Dawang is a good boy.

Dawang said he doesn’t dislike that girl, and I don’t dislike her either, but that girl is being kept for her brother’s arranged marriage. If Dawang gets involved with her, what will happen to Cui’er?” Sister Tao said, slicing cured meat, laying out slices of perfect thickness, a beautiful mix of fat and lean.

“This family is a never-ending mess. How did you end up associating with such a family?” the woman kneading dough nearby asked, frowning.

“Back then, they were poor, and so were we. We were about the same age, both with an eldest son, a second daughter, and then two more sons.

The talk of an arranged marriage was just idle gossip.

Their eldest son seemed alright as a child—quiet, hardworking, and attentive. But as he grew older, his temper grew worse. He beat his sister mercilessly.

Once, my daughter Cui’er was delivering shoe patterns to their house when she caught him beating his sister. Cui’er was terrified; she threw away the patterns and came home crying, saying she couldn’t bear such beatings.

In our family, everyone knows how good-natured our husband is. Our Dawang is strong, tall, and sturdy; have you ever seen him hit anyone?

First, this beating terrified my Cui’er. We were still poor then, and the arranged marriage still had to happen. But at that time, I didn’t want to go through with the arranged marriage anymore. I told them that.

Six months later, our Shunfeng shop opened. Oh, my Cui’er, you all see it. In our shop, no matter what the job, is there anyone more hardworking and resilient than my Cui’er?”

“This isn’t my opinion; it’s what our shopkeeper Bao said, and Auntie said it too, didn’t she?”

Sister Tao leaned back and tugged at Old Bao’s wife.

“The most hardworking one is our Cui’er, and she’s so smart,” Old Bao’s wife replied with a smile.

“My Cui’er works herself to the bone, without spending a single penny, not even buying a hair tie, which she gives to me to save.

Cui’er told me that if she could save enough money for her brother’s wedding, she’d ask me not to use her for the marriage exchange, saying she’s not afraid of working but afraid of being beaten,” Sister Tao said, wiping away tears.

“Let’s not talk about this anymore; it’ll only bring tears to our eyes, especially during the New Year.

How’s it going with Cui’er’s in-laws? What about Dawang?” The woman washing the pig’s head stood up, adding hot water to the basin as she spoke with a smile.

“Manager Niu from the delivery shop in town arranged a marriage for him. His surname is Wu. Old Man Wu works as a gatekeeper at the county school, doing odd jobs.

Young Master Wu attended the county school for six or seven years. Later, he said the teachers there said he had a talent for studying, but it was limited. If the family were very wealthy, they could afford to send him to school.

His father asked someone to send him to Physician Huang’s pharmacy in the county town. Originally, he wanted him to learn how to dispense medicine, but Physician Huang took a liking to him and took him on as an apprentice. Now, he’s been learning from Physician Huang for three or four years, and they say he can prescribe one or two prescriptions already.”

Sister Tao’s face lit up with joy as she spoke of her daughter’s marriage.

“Oh, this is a truly excellent family. Families like this are very selective when it comes to choosing a wife.” The woman chopping the filling paused, her knife pausing.

“When Manager Niu mentioned it to me, I was shocked. How could we possibly be worthy of such a family?

Manager Niu said that once, while collecting money for newspapers at the county school, he was chatting with Old Man Wu. He mentioned my Cui’er, saying she learned to read and write quickly, and whatever she was taught, she grasped it immediately. She is also very capable; a girl like her could do the work of a man, and she is beautiful, too.

Manager Niu said that Old Man Wu was immediately interested and pulled him aside to inquire about our family. When he heard that our boss was the foreman of our Shunfeng Express Shop, he immediately suggested that Manager Niu ask around.” Sister Tao spoke with a smile.

“They’ve taken a liking to Cui’er first.

Cui’er is a good girl, and she’s beautiful, much prettier than when she was young.

If she marries into a family like that, Cui’er will be so lucky!” The woman peeling onions said enviously.

“This morning, Cui’er and I went into town. We walked back and forth in front of Physician Huang’s clinic three or four times. The young man from the Wu family was with Physician Huang, speaking softly and very kindly. Oh, and he was even wearing a long robe!” Sister Tao laughed.

“Cui’er has taken a liking?” the woman chopping meat asked with a smile.

“Yes, she has! I really have a liking for him, too. I even went to see Manager Niu. Manager Niu said the Wu family has been looking for someone for four or five years, and they’re in a hurry. They say they want to arrange a marriage before the New Year.” Sister Tao finished slicing the cured meat, carefully arranged it on a large plate, added some green garlic, and handed it to Old Bao’s wife.

……………………

Li Sangrou listened intently, cracking sunflower seeds.

Song Qiming, sitting next to Li Sangrou, propped her chin on her hand and seemed to understand a little. She frowned, hesitated, and looked at Li Sangrou, asking, “Is this considered being materialistic and snobbish?”

“What Cui’er dislikes most isn’t poverty; it’s being beaten. Do you like being beaten?” Li Sangrou glanced at Song Qiming.

Song Qiming quickly shook her head.

“So what if she is materialistic and snobbish? Does she have to dislike the rich and prefer the poor?

If everyone were not materialistic and snobbish, whoever was rich and lived a comfortable life would be despised and looked down upon. Would anyone still work hard and earn money?

If the poorest family was considered the best and most enviable, what kind of world would that be?”

Li Sangrou asked, glancing at Song Qiming.

Song Qiming stammered, blinking seven or eight times, momentarily speechless.

“She promised them,” Luo Qiwen said cautiously.

“Yes, back then, both families were equally poor. The sons were too poor to afford wives, so they had to trade their daughters for one.

Now that they’re rich, they don’t need to trade daughters for wives anymore, so that plan is no longer valid,” Li Sangrou said casually.

“They say a promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold,” Song Qiming muttered.

“A promise from Ji Bu is worth more than a hundred pounds of gold. That’s where the saying ‘a promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold’ comes from, right?” Li Sangrou glanced at Song Qiming.

Song Qiming nodded.

“This is from the history books, right? Why is this promise from Ji Bu recorded in the history books? Why does it become a phrase like ‘a promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold’? Why is it remembered for centuries? Why has it been sung as a folk song for hundreds or thousands of years?”

Li Sangrou looked at Song Qiming, bombarding her with questions.

Song Qiming leaned back, stung by Li Sangrou’s question.

“Because this is the act of a sage, because it’s so rare, so incredibly rare—like cutting flesh to serve one’s lord, keeping one’s promise for a thousand pieces of gold—that’s why it’s recorded in history books, made into opera excerpts, and sung everywhere.

Now, you feel that they aren’t like sages, that they aren’t keeping their promises worth a thousand pieces of gold?

Do you think that every person should be a person of absolute integrity, willing to sacrifice their life for righteousness, fearless, selfless, open to all, and impervious to greed and anger?”

“I don’t mean…” Song Qiming’s face flushed crimson.

“They, in this town, in that county, within this radius of hundreds, thousands, even tens of thousands of li, ninety-nine percent of the people, are illiterate; they don’t know what a sage is. They can pray to a big tree or to a stone as if it were a god.

They toil their whole lives, thinking only of one thing: to live, to live well, to have enough to eat and wear.

Among them, there is only the mundane, not the sages.” Li Sangrou leaned back in her chair.

She loved the mundane, only loved the mundane.

……………………

“Lu Chengfeng, Li Huang, Li Yu, Li Shou! Get up! Get up now!”

Hei Ma, hands on his hips, shouted with full confidence and a powerful voice.

Da Chang, dressed in new clothes, watched Hei Ma shouting with a smile.

“What is it?” Xiao Lu rushed out first. “It’s just dawn…”

“Get up now! Wash your face, wipe your teeth, and change into your new clothes! Quickly!” Hei Ma shouted again.

“Coming! Coming!” Mazha and Chuantiao rushed out one after the other.

“Coming!” Datou followed at the back, tightening his belt as he rushed out. “Brother Ma, Brother Chang, what’s up?”

“Stand up straight! The boss said we should all wish everyone a Happy New Year!” Hei Ma pointed at everyone. “Datou, what’s up with your clothes? Everyone else is wearing bright red, this…”

“The boss picked this out for me. She said it’s called ‘red to the point of turning purple,’ which is auspicious!” Datou clutched his collar, looking proud.

“Then stand at the front, stand straight; we’re going to wish everyone a Happy New Year! Come on, follow me.”

Hei Ma stood at the front, his face serious.

“Brother Chang…” Xiao Lu muttered.

“This is the boss’s order. The boss said I’m popular, popular. Do you understand? You just don’t!” Before Xiao Lu could finish, Hei Ma retorted arrogantly.

“Dear sisters and cousins, brothers and sisters-in-law, uncles and aunts, all you benefactors, Ma Shaoqing, Changshan, Lu Chengfeng, Li Huang, Li Yu, and Li Shou, wish you all a Happy New Year!

May you all have good fortune and prosperity!”

“Big Brother, Big Sister, please give me some lucky money!” Datou clasped his hands to his chest, looking pitiful.

“This is a New Year’s greeting, not begging!” Hei Ma slapped Datou’s hand. “You have to be respectable! Watch me! Brothers and Sisters, if you have money, please give me some…”

Hei Ma’s words were interrupted by a chorus of boos.

“Look at you all, on New Year’s Day…” Hei Ma pointed at Xiao Lu and the others.

“We’re already here,” Xiao Lu chimed in seamlessly.

“He’s still a child,” Da Chang said, patting Datou’s head.

“Give him some money!” Chuantiao and Mazha said in unison.

…Sang Sang, along with the Beggars’ Clan, looking at the elders, wishes everyone a Happy New Year!