Chapter 10, Half Barrel

After that incident with the ghost wall, I have become thoroughly convinced of the existence of ghosts and spirits! To put it in contemporary terms, it has completely transformed my worldview and outlook on life

After some time had passed, we, having nothing to do, resumed our old activities—catching fish, shrimp, and eels! However, we only caught fish and touched shrimp, while the task of selling them at the market was left to our parents, elders, or older brothers

The so-called "half-cut barrel" is merely a colloquial term that refers to a headless corpse. It is said that Huang Dafu from the neighboring village encountered one such case in the past

Since then, we have never returned to Broken Head Ridge, and that group of half-buried jars at Broken Head Ridge still occasionally awakens me from nightmares

"Brother Yanzhen, if we do this a few more times, we should be able to buy a shotgun, right? It would be great to have a shotgun; I've wanted one for a long time, it's really a good thing!" Dogdan asked me while working.

Since then, no family in the area of Duantou Ridge has planted tall crops such as corn or sorghum; instead, they have all switched to growing wheat, millet, and sweet potatoes. The fields are expansive and one can see far into the distance, and no one dares to tend to the crops there alone anymore

Speaking of the Execution Hill, it is essentially the place where criminals are executed after the autumn interrogation. According to the older generation, since the Qing Dynasty, that location has been the traditional site where executioners wielded their knives. Countless individuals, whether guilty of heinous crimes or wrongfully accused, bid farewell to the world there

The reason why there are relatively few people fishing there is that it is quite remote, and relying solely on one's legs in this era is indeed not very convenient; the more significant reason, however, is that it is said that there is a half-tank lurking in that area

Such places, of course, existed in the sparsely populated area before liberation, and there was a large pond nearby. This is Duantou Ridge, located ten miles away from the village, with no village in front and no shop behind.

Just as we were dreaming of the wonderful prospect of catching fish to exchange for money to buy a hunting rifle, filled with excitement and joy, a fierce wind suddenly blew, and dark clouds gathered. The summer sky can change its mood faster than one can turn a page; just a moment ago it was sunny and pleasant, and now it is so overcast that one could wring water from it

The three of us stood there, unable to advance or retreat, our legs trembling uncontrollably as if they had a mind of their own, not knowing what to do

I wiped the rainwater off my face to see clearly. Upon closer inspection, the fish in my hand fell to the ground with a thud. It turned out that just dozens of meters away from us, there was a group of people in the rain, raising their hands high, jumping up and down. The most terrifying thing was that these people had hands, feet, and bodies, but they had no heads

No way to open a path, no harmony - image - calligraphy ideas! After discussing with Dog Egg and Big Fool, we concluded that this approach is not feasible. The fish are wild; anyone can catch them, and no one can control it! The only solution is that we should avoid the rivers and ponds close to the village and instead choose places that are sparsely populated, remote, and desolate!

The weather is getting hotter, which is also more suitable for our activities. However, there are more and more people in our line of work, and the fish and shrimp are getting smaller and harder to catch. By the end of the day, the harvest is not even as much as what we used to catch in one hour.

No problem! As long as we catch some big fish, we can earn quite a bit of money. By then, the three of us will each have a hunting rifle. When we go hunting, it won't just be for pheasants or hares; even if we encounter foxes, wolves, or wild boars, we can take them down!" I encouraged Dog Dan.

"It is... it is... it is a half-cylinder!" The big fool also saw it clearly, so frightened that he became incoherent

Hurry and bring the tools up, it seems this rain won't be light, let's get home quickly and come back another time

Not far along, I heard Dog Egg fearfully say to me, "Yan Zhen Ge, Big Fool, what do you see happening up ahead?"

At that time, the fields near Duantou Ridge were primarily planted with tall crops such as corn and sorghum. Three to five people were working in the fields, and it was impossible for anyone nearby to see or find them

As for the bodies of the criminals, if they are utterly heinous and no one comes to claim them, they are thrown into the large pond nearby. Over time, the water there becomes very rich, nurturing the fish and shrimp within, each one large and meaty, ... full of vitality ...

Of course, that was a long time ago. Moreover, the surroundings were filled with wheat, and one could see for ten miles at a glance. It was broad daylight, so there was certainly no problem with the three of us together

That autumn, the diligent Huang Dafu went alone to the cornfield at Duantou Ridge to harvest the crops. Usually, Huang Dafu would work in the fields until dark, but unexpectedly, less than an hour after he started, he hurried back in a panic, covered in dirt, as if he had lost his soul, bewildered and with a vacant stare

Certainly, the direct consequence of changing one's worldview and outlook on life is that one becomes increasingly timid, especially when it comes to walking at night. There is a deep-seated fear and aversion towards places like abandoned graveyards and both old and new cemeteries.

I, along with Dog Egg and Big Fool, excitedly set off towards Duantou Ridge with our gear for catching fish, shrimp, and eels, ready to catch more big fish to sell for money to buy a hunting rifle, making future hunting both easier and more courageous

By the time we arrived there, it was almost noon. The three of us quickly entered the water and coordinated with each other. Before long, we caught seven or eight large catfish, each weighing no less than 5 pounds and measuring about 2 feet long!

Upon witnessing this scene, we abandoned the fish, took off running, and dashed home as if our lives depended on it

At that time, the primary method of execution was beheading! When the executioner struck with his blade, the head was severed, and blood gushed forth like a fountain! It is said that many years ago, there was a man who was wrongfully sentenced to death. During the execution at Executioner's Ridge, as the executioner brought down his knife, the man's head rolled several feet away, yet his eyes remained wide open, and he shouted in protest. The headless body, with blood spurting from the neck, stubbornly refused to fall! Even the execution supervisor was so frightened that he lost control of himself... It is said that many years ago, there was a man who was wrongfully sentenced to death. During the execution at Executioner's Ridge, as the executioner brought down his knife, the man's head rolled several feet away, yet his eyes remained wide open, and he shouted in protest. The headless body, with blood spurting from the neck, stubbornly refused to fall! Even the execution supervisor was so frightened that he lost control of himself...

Just as we were filled with regret and fear, a flash of lightning in the low sky cleaved through the rain and mist like a sword, followed by a deafening clap of thunder! The group of half-barrels in front of us vanished in an instant!

"This time we really came to the right place, there are so many big fish!" said the big fool excitedly while busy.

Indeed, if it were not for the purpose of purchasing some worthless gun, how could we knowingly head towards a place that is clearly suspicious and biased towards the underworld

Later, I heard Huang Dafu recount that when he had just arrived in the fields to start working, he heard a rustling sound not far away. He thought to himself, who is that, getting to work even earlier than me? He quietly approached and, after taking a few steps, saw a person with their back to him, squatting there busy with something. Just as he was about to greet them, that person suddenly stood up, and to his shock, he saw that the figure had arms and legs but no head! This is what is referred to in rural areas as a half-barrel.

This dreadful weather, be careful, don't slip! By the way, take good care of the things, don't forget the fish here, hurry back! I wiped the rainwater off my face, holding the fish, and left the pond with Dog Dan and Big Fool, slipping every few steps, preparing to head home

The wind howls more fiercely, and the rain falls more densely! We stand foolishly in the rain, allowing the wind to blow and the rain to beat down upon us, unable to take a step forward... The feelings of regret and fear in my heart gradually rise...

Huang Dafu took advantage of the moment when the half-bucket had not yet turned around, and quickly ran away. Along the way, he stumbled countless times, not daring to look back, and disregarding the pain. He rushed into the village in one breath, only to realize that he was drenched all over. Sweat mixed with dust clung to his body like mud, and his heart was pounding as if it were about to leap out, thumping loudly.

Indeed, oh—hurry up, there is a big fellow next to you. Good, that's right, it's still a catfish. Where have all the carp gone?" I said while pointing out to the big fool that there was another large fish nearby.

Before the words had even settled, Dog Egg and the other had not yet arrived, when raindrops the size of beans began to pour down. In an instant, a fierce wind and torrential rain enveloped everything, and the world turned gray, as if it had suddenly become evening.