A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 35: One Family in Mourning, Hundreds Rejoicing
"Last night, there was a thunderstorm all night, I wonder which wealthy family in Black River County has sinned, causing the Heavenly Lord to be so angry."
Early in the morning, Xiaotou came to the mud brick house, bringing two eggs for Bai Qi as breakfast.
"My mom said you’re working hard on training, specially cooked them for you, a total of four, my dad and you shared them... I didn’t even get a bite, sigh, my mom doesn’t care for me anymore."
Bai Qi had just finished brushing his teeth with a willow twig, and after taking a few gulps of water, he said:
"Help me thank Aunt Zhou, I’ll just have one of the eggs.
Later, we’re going to the East Market, get a couple of baskets of meat buns.
Lately, my appetite has been big, always getting hungry easily."
Xiaotou held the boiled egg, thinking Bai Qi would share it with him:
"Ah Qi, you’re so loyal, remembering your brother..."
Bai Qi shook his head and chuckled:
"What are you thinking, the leftover one is for my Ah Di, there’s none for you."
Xiaotou’s shoulders instantly slumped, his face showing a pitiful expression of having been tricked:
"Ah Qi!"
Bai Qi didn’t continue to tease his little friend, generously waved his hand:
"Boiled eggs can’t compare to oily meat dishes! I’ll arrange a pot of stewed lamb for you, with freshly steamed buns, once you taste it, you’ll know, the flavor is truly amazing!"
Xiaotou was listening to this description, almost drooling:
"Let’s hurry and go, I just heard my dad say, Brother Sanshui from the East Market Shop is going to be promoted to Steward.
If we get there early and say a few good words, maybe we’ll get some benefits!"
His family only gets to taste some meat during festivals.
Beef and lamb dishes are rarely seen at ordinary times.
Bai Qi peeled off the eggshell, took two big bites, and swallowed:
"What’s the hurry, wait for my Ah Di to freshen up, then we can take him to catch the early market, and get a good cotton coat.
Winter is approaching, we must dress warmly."
Xiaotou’s eyes showed a hint of envy:
"Ah Qi, being your Ah Di is truly a blessing.
I haven’t seen my eldest and second sisters for a long time... I’ve almost forgotten what they look like."
When he was very young, his two elder sisters had already sold themselves into servitude.
The eldest sister became a maid in a wealthy county household, the second sister worked as a cook at Chai Market.
Each year, they would send some scattered silver coins, but visiting home was out of the question.
Once the contract is signed, everything is dictated by their employers, leaving no personal freedom.
"Once you become successful, you can redeem your eldest and second sisters."
Bai Qi patted Xiaotou’s shoulder, giving a word of encouragement:
"You joined the Songshan Sect the day before yesterday and served tea.
How are your martial arts skills coming along?"
Upon hearing this, Xiaotou felt like a poor student being asked about his exam results, his face turned sour:
"At the initial stage, Senior Brother Cao only teaches us stance and moves, it’s too difficult, Ah Qi.
We have to recite the formulas and remember the moves, if the posture is wrong, we get scolded, every day we hold the horse stance for an hour... Those apprentices from wealthy families can afford the Bone-Strengthening Powder, they make progress faster.
I’m slow-witted, barely getting the stance right after several days, still far from mastering the moves."
Bai Qi understood Xiaotou’s struggles well, for ordinary people with mediocre talent, learning is indeed tough.
Many things need to be pondered seven or eight times before you fully grasp the meaning.
The limited energy quickly exhausts in this tedious process.
Over time, the will to strive is entirely lost.
Liang Sanshui is a case in point.
Feeling his talent is poor, he sees training and martial arts as a waste of time, and therefore, had no choice but to give up.
"Senior Brother Cao said, if you can master the stance within three months and get the moves proficient, then you can stay on.
Ah Qi, I think I might not be able to learn the ’Iron Crotch Skill’.
Even though I practice diligently every day, there’s just no progress."
Xiaotou lowered his head, looking a bit dispirited.
Previously working at the dock, he hadn’t realized the significant differences between people.
It was only after joining the Martial Arts Hall and seeing the civilian disciples living outside the city.
Did he become aware that apart from family background, talent is also a huge gap dividing upper and lower classes.
"Resting now and then, come practice with me, actually the stance work isn’t that hard.
The main focus is on the waist, hips, and lower body, the body shouldn’t be too tense.
Standing the relaxed stance is less tiring and more comfortable, standing stiff doesn’t work..."
Bai Qi casually gave a few pointers, every bit of progress reflected through the Nameless Ink Talisman brings some insight.
"Ah Qi, your explanations are so clear! Senior Brother Cao only recites formulas, doesn’t explain them to us.
Things like ’proper frame like a full bow, large shape reveals completeness’... make me almost break my head trying to understand."
Xiaotou’s eyes shone, filled with admiration and the awe of a poor student looking up to a brilliant one.
"Ah Di, let’s go."
Bai Qi untied the sampan and called Ah Di Bai Ming to come aboard.
Raising the long pole, carrying a few people, they drifted down the river straight to East Market.
Last night, a torrential rain poured nonstop, causing Black Water River to rise considerably, its waters now muddy and yellow, littered with fallen branches and leaves.
The East Market Shop generally opened at 5:00 AM, but by the time Bai Qi and others docked and came ashore, it was already 7:00 AM.
A crowd of laborers and fishermen on the wharf were drawn to the public notice board.
A young clerk was specifically assigned to ring a copper gong, striking it every so often, loudly reading the notice:
"The steward of East Market Shop, Chen Ze, accidentally drowned. In recognition of his service, the owner is generously awarding a hundred taels of pension silver, while waiving private school fees for his two sons..."
Upon hearing this, the fishermen clapped in approval, praising Mr. He the Great Benefactor for his generosity.
Everyone knew Chen the Lame was taken by a Demon Fish while drunk on flower wine, yet he still received a pension.
Clearly, the owner was benevolent.
"Liang Sanshui, who handled affairs efficiently, has been specially promoted to fill the vacant steward position!"
Dong Dong!
Dong Dong Dong!
The clerk picked up a wooden mallet and struck the copper gong again, emphasizing the last sentence.
"Brother Sanshui became the steward? That’s wonderful!"
"Glad it’s not Yangquan, he’s ruthless in exploitation!"
"Brother Shui is indeed good-natured..."
The fishermen were also pleased, each wearing a smile.
To them, Yangquan was no different than the Living Yama.
When fishermen went out to the river, they didn’t always make a catch.
Occasionally, they borrowed silver coins from the shops, which was common.
But Yangquan treated it like a lending business, with interest rolling like a gambling den, doubling in just three to five days.
How could anyone bear that!
Many fishermen couldn’t repay debts and were forced to sell their sampans, then sell themselves into the Fishery as laborers.
"Brother Shui has specifically said that the demand for Ghost Pattern Fish is canceled for everyone, let’s act like it never happened.
For those who have paid, their stall fees will be waived for three months."
The clerk struck the gong again, eliciting cheers from the crowd.
This time, it was genuine, with absolutely no pretense.
Only a thin, weak man suddenly covered his face and wept.
"Just because Shuanzidu couldn’t deliver the Ghost Pattern Fish, Yangquan used it as an excuse to take his wife... Alas!"
A familiar neighbor explained.
"Truly wicked! Damn Yangquan!"
"With such loud thunder last night, why didn’t it strike him dead!"
"We humble folks can’t fight him. Tell Shuanzidu to move on, and live well henceforth..."
The fishermen’s high spirits fell instantly.
The rabbit dies, the fox grieves, unavoidable sorrow.
Shuanzidu’s fate was just a reflection of thousands of fishermen in Black Water River.
Amidst the slightly oppressive atmosphere, the funeral music suddenly drew close from afar, carried by the wind to the wharf’s edge.
Everyone craned their necks and stood on tiptoe, barely making out a dragon-like funeral procession emerging on the street.
As many as twenty men and women in mourning, wailing without stopping.
"Who passed away? Such a grand funeral!"
"The Yang family!"
"Which Yang family?"
"You don’t know? Yangquan is dead! Just fished out from Mihun Bay!
"They say there’s not much left of the body! His father arranged this grand funeral! Bringing the clothes for the ceremony!"
"Oh my goodness, could Heaven truly have sensed it? When I have a chance, I must go to the temple and bow!"
"Good riddance!"
Bai Qi parked the sampan, witnessing the fishermen’s transition from sorrow to joy.
Distant mournful funeral tunes rose to the sky, while the nearby cheer and excitement remained.
One family mourns, a hundred families rejoice!
Indeed, he died well!
"Yangquan is really gone?"
Xiaotou scratched the back of his head:
"How did he suddenly drop dead? His martial skills were outstanding, he could have ruled East Market. Could he have drowned in Black Water River?"
Bai Qi frowned slightly, puzzled yet unworried:
"Overall, it’s a good thing, deserves celebration!
Let’s visit the morning market and have breakfast.
Today, I feel particularly hungry, I’ll have two bowls of stewed lamb!"
