Chapter 9, Chen Xiliang
In fact, Sanlang was just sleeping with his two younger brothers, and the three brothers were merely startled by Chen Xiliang's sudden action
I!" Chen Xiliang said in a deep voice
What kind of mistake warrants a punishment of forty days? Chen Xiliang felt a surge of anger within him, and he had to exert himself to keep it in check, battling the impulse to set this place ablaze.
"How could they be here?" Chen Xiliang asked
"Second Uncle, in the woodshed in the backyard," Chen Yu replied respectfully
Entering the inner courtyard, he arrived at the tightly locked woodshed door. Chen Xiliang swung his baton vigorously and struck down hard, causing the copper lock on the door to fall with a clatter
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"Let us go together, let us go together," responded several of Uncle Lu's companions. "That wicked woman, Mother Big Bug, must be dealt with severely!"
Chen Xiliang listened coldly to what everyone had said, remaining silent for a long time. Finally, he took a deep breath and said: "Brothers, what was just said is indeed true in every word?"
The father and son arrived at the dock and inquired; the last boat of the day had just departed. To return to Qingshen by boat, they would have to wait until early tomorrow morning
We do not know this, but from that day on, Sanlang and Wulang had to fetch water every day. They had to collect enough for the kiln to ensure they had food to eat, which was the same as ours: either rice husk cakes or bran buns. Even so, there were often times when there was no food to eat
Chen Xiliang took out all the small change he had on him, hoping to hire a fast boat back to Qingshen. However, it was unclear whether it was because he did not have enough money or if night sailing was truly dangerous; in any case, no boatman was willing to take on this job
"Who is it?" came the voice of the maid, Cuihua
Yet his resolve was exceptionally strong. He took out the tattered tiger-head shoes from his bosom, glanced at them, and then strode towards the courtyard that he could not be more familiar with
The door that had been tightly shut for several days finally opened, and Chen Xiliang saw his two nephews, who were also students he had taught for many years, Chen Yu and Chen Yong, in the courtyard. The kind of person who teaches reflects in their students; Chen Yu and Chen Yong bore little resemblance to the offspring of his elder brother and sister-in-law, but rather resembled him.
Chen Xiliang walked straight to the backyard; he needed to see his son's condition before he could feel at ease
Then I will go with you
This startled Chen Xishi, who was peering out from the main house, along with his two nephews; they had never seen this violent side of him
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As everyone was engaged in lively conversation, someone suddenly spotted Chen Xiliang entering and quickly halted the discussion, standing up to greet him: "Brother Chen Er has arrived"
"No, you are moving too slowly," Chen Xiliang said. "I must hurry back! I cannot take care of you!" After saying this, he took off the book box and handed it to his son, saying, "I need to rush to close the gate and leave the city. You can find something to eat by yourself tonight." With that, he left like a gust of wind.
"Report to the authorities? It is often said that family shame should not be aired in public. Is she really so respectable?" The man, known as Uncle Lu by Hei Wulang, indignantly remarked, "Is there such a stepmother in the world who would force children to such an extent?"
Perhaps it was for Wulang and Liulang. Everyone said: "When we arrived, we found Wulang and Liulang unconscious on the ground. Later, after pinching their acupoints and splashing them with cold water, we finally managed to wake the two children up"
On the road, he encountered neighbors who all cast sympathetic glances at him. Chen Xiliang did not look sideways and went straight to his own front door
"Father..." Upon recognizing the visitor, Xiao Liulang and Hei Wulang burst into tears and threw themselves into each other's arms, leaving Sanlang feeling quite embarrassed
We asked your sister-in-law, and she said that the three children made mistakes and should be punished a little
In the residence, apart from the Chen family members, there were only two maids and an old woman. Seeing him holding a whistle stick, they did not dare to step forward and obstruct him
His eyes, usually filled with a restrained brilliance, now shot forth like arrows, piercing the hearts of those present, making them feel as if any lie would be seen through by him. They couldn't help but inwardly exclaim: "Is this still the same gullible Chen Laor Er from the past?"
Chen Xiliang's gaze was as firm as ice: "I will walk back!"
"It's nothing, I have this!" Chen Xiliang said as he pulled out a whistle from the bottom of the bookcase, "I have killed a wolf before."
"Father, what should we do?" Chen Chen asked anxiously
So soon? The two of them exchanged a glance, both feeling quite surprised
Yet his spirit remained vigorous, as he washed the dust and sweat from his face by the lake, but instead of returning home first, he headed towards his family's charcoal yard
When we arrived, your sister-in-law was already lying on the ground, being violently kicked by your third brother. Everyone spoke in unison to Chen Xiliang: "We shouted for him to stop, but he jumped up, pressing one knee on your sister-in-law, and knocked her out directly..."
The next day, as the red sun rose, Chen Xiliang's weary and emaciated figure truly appeared outside Shiwancun. From the beginning of the hour of the Rooster yesterday until now, five hours have passed, and he has walked a full eighty li of mountain roads. His originally neat green silk robe was torn in seven or eight places, and the entire hem had become a series of frayed tassels. ... The sandals on his feet ... ... were wooden clogs. ... ... The clean socks inside had already turned gray. From the beginning of the hour of the Rooster yesterday until now, five hours have passed, and he has walked a full eighty li of mountain roads. His originally neat green silk robe was torn in seven or eight places, and the entire hem had become a series of frayed tassels. ... The sandals on his feet ... ... were wooden clogs. ... ... The clean socks inside had already turned gray.
The two brothers are waiting here to communicate with him, but Chen Xiliang has already clarified the case and naturally does not wish to waste words. He simply nods at the two and asks, "Where is my son?"
What? Chen Xiliang walked quickly into the shed, pushing the door open. Although it was broad daylight, the inside was dark and damp. Apart from a bamboo bed and a few broken bowls and chopsticks, there was nothing else.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am Xi Liang. " Chen Xi Liang clasped his fists towards the crowd and said, "You must have guessed my intention for coming here. " After a pause, he looked around at everyone and continued, "I have heard that the incident occurred here. I only want to know what exactly happened that day... You need not shield my family’s Sanlang; I only wish to know the truth!
Father, there are jackals on the mountain at night. Chen Chen said with concern: Let's wait until tomorrow
Of course it is true, there are so many of us here. Everyone nodded and said: "How could we possibly fabricate a lie together"
The main door of the house was tightly shut, and he knocked heavily on the door knocker
Chen Xiliang tightly clutched the small shoe, his voice chillingly cold: "How could they live here? Why don't they stay at home?!"
Seeing a small child's shoe on the ground, Chen Xiliang bent down to pick it up and examined it closely. He realized that this was indeed the shoe he had bought for Xiao Liulang from the Wang Qiaopo Shoe Store in Qingshen County during the New Year.
"Is the second brother back?" Cuihua hurriedly ran back to report.
Chen Xiliang looked at the distant green mountains and made up his mind, saying: "Erlang, you will have to make do on the boat for one night. Tomorrow, take the earliest boat back."
Then what about you? At that time, there was no "you" in the formal sense; even between father and son, they referred to each other as "you" and "I".
Ah, what a pity about that child Sanlang, so clever and understanding. Would he have done such a thing if he hadn't been pushed to the brink?
"Saburo, why would he... commit such an act of violence?" Chen Xiliang said with a dark expression.
Thus, the crowd arrived at the account room, where there were ready pens and ink. Chen Xiliang had an excellent memory; his writing was fluid and swift, and he quickly completed a several-page record. After finishing, among the crowd, there were those with basic literacy who took it to read. Fortunately, Chen Xiliang had recounted everything in spoken language, without any complex phrases, making it understandable.
After the person finished reading, he nodded slightly and then picked up the pen to sign. The so-called "drawing a seal," also known as "floral seal," is a symbol or drawing created based on personal habits and creativity to signify trust. Since only the individual knows the basis for the creation, it is difficult for others to forge it. Therefore, it serves a similar function to a seal in demonstrating trustworthiness.
A gentleman possesses an inner brilliance and does not deceive or mistreat others, yet is regarded as someone who can be taken advantage of by the petty-minded. Is this what is referred to as "a gentleman can be deceived by the foolish"?
In the charcoal yard, the laborers had just risen. For the past two days, there had been no rooster crowing at dawn, nor the clamor of the old hag, so they naturally took the opportunity to be lazy. At this moment, they were leisurely eating and chatting. The topic, of course, revolved around the tragic human incident that had occurred the day before.
Because they live right here. Old Lu pointed to the shack and said, They have been living here for more than forty days. The day before the incident, I came to see them; their living conditions are truly... too pitiful
The reason for his careful examination is not due to poor memory, but because these once exquisitely crafted, vividly colored tiger-head shoes are now riddled with holes, the soles are nearly coming off, and the original colors have long since faded. The tears he had been holding back finally fell.
Then, may I take down a record of this for all of you to sign
Chen Xiliang pushed open the woodshed and saw his three sons huddled there, their clothes tattered, faces pale and emaciated, and expressions filled with panic, tears streaming down his face
After everyone had signed, Chen Xiliang gently blew dry the ink on the paper, carefully tucked it into his bosom, then stood up and cupped his fists in a gesture of respect towards the crowd, saying: "Thank you." Having said that, he turned and strode away.
It is said: "Seeing how severely 'Mother Big Worm' has been injured, with her temperament of never letting herself be wronged, she will surely report this to the authorities. The Chen family will be quite lively now." The Chinese have a fondness for nicknames, a tradition that has been passed down since the Song Dynasty.
No problem at all, everyone replied without hesitation. In the view of the Song people, being accountable for what one has said is a matter of course
"This child is spirited," Liu Houzi remarked with deep appreciation. "Seeing both of his younger brothers lying on the ground, unaware of their fate, it would be strange if he didn't go mad." He then looked at the crowd and said, "If Mother Big Worm truly accuses him, I would have to speak a few words of justice."
What is meant to come will eventually come. Chen Xishi said: Let him in.
On ordinary days, Hou had offended everyone, and the hired workers, without any hesitation, brought Chen Xiliang to the shed by the viewing area.
Indeed, two days before the incident, Sanlang accidentally fell into the water while fetching water, and the next day he fell ill. Your sister-in-law refused to feed them. Early that morning, your sister-in-law was shouting that the chicken was missing, and then she found her way here; we did not follow. Later, when she started screaming, we came over and witnessed the scene described at the beginning. Everyone paused for a moment and said, "However, there is indeed a chicken leg on the ground, so it should not be your sister-in-law framing anyone..." Later, when she started screaming, we came over and witnessed the scene described at the beginning. Everyone paused for a moment and said, "However, there is indeed a chicken leg on the ground, so it should not be your sister-in-law framing anyone..."
As soon as Chen Xiliang stepped out of the charcoal factory, his pace came to a halt. Gazing at the familiar white walls and dark tiles in the distance, his heart felt extremely heavy, wishing he could collapse by the lakeside and cry his heart out