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Chapter 323: First Lick of Respect

Old and young, their clothes patched all over, the hands exposed were thick and rough. Their heads and faces were kept relatively clean, but their eyes held a heavy, weathered look.

Even the children’s eyes lacked the innocence typical of their age.

Timid, fearful, they shrank their bodies cautiously, heads bowed so low they seemed about to bury themselves in the ground. They endured the scrutiny of the people around them, not even daring to hide.

Yan Lao’er got a good look at them, then first escorted Li Xuemei back inside the house.

It was too crowded outside; he didn’t want her getting jostled.

The several yamen runners who had escorted the people here saw him and their eyes crinkled into smiles.

“Yan Er! We’ve all heard, brother. The Magistrate ate so well at your place on the fifteenth. Today, we’re shamelessly begging for a meal and some tea. You can’t hold back, gotta whip up a couple of good dishes. Hehe, see? We even brought our own wine!”

Yan Lao’er saw they were indeed carrying several wine jars and laughed. “Easy, easy. Brothers, just make yourselves at home. I’ll cook personally… Are all these people to be settled in our village?”

“Settled? These folks are all sent by the Magistrate to work for you lot. Just find them a place to sleep and give them enough food so they don’t starve to death. Don’t say we brothers don’t look out for you. See those few? Don’t mind they look sickly now. Once they recover, they’re all strong laborers. These people are tough as nails. Let them rest a few days to recover, then see if what we say isn’t true…”

“There’s just one thing you and your villagers need to remember. These sick ones, they all have old folks above and little ones below. Though they probably don’t have the guts to run, it’s best to keep a hold on their families, just in case. That way, using them will put everyone at ease. Otherwise, if someone really does run, it’s not just your village that’ll be in trouble; our yamen and the Magistrate will also bear responsibility.”

“Don’t worry, the old and the young might look weak, but they’ve got some strength. They can carry stones.”

“Right, where’s Registrar Yan?”

“My brother probably took the kids out for a walk. He should be back soon. Brothers, come with me, this is our courtyard…” Yan Lao’er led them into his home.

Village Chief Luo and several village elders were huddled together, muttering.

“Didn’t think they’d come so fast. Where are we going to put them?”

Old Man Song smacked his lips. “They look pitiful, but they’re still convicted criminals¹, after all. I’m telling you, don’t go being blindly kind-hearted. We can manage their food and lodging, but don’t get chatty beyond that. Keep your distance. Everyone remember, they’re just here to work for us.”

Old Wang glared at him. “We don’t need you to tell us that, you old codger. We know what’s what.”

“But… the adults are one thing. What fault do those children have? Just bad luck with their birth, born into the wrong families. A few of them are sick too. We should at least get them some medicine. Otherwise, kids that small might not pull through.”

Several of the old men nodded, agreeing with him.

By the time Yan Huaiwen returned with Yan Xiangheng and Yan Yu, the villagers still hadn’t dispersed.

They were curious about what these exiled people looked like, and even more concerned about where they would be placed.

Currently, Xiao’an Village had no empty houses. It was very likely these people would end up staying in their homes.

Everyone was so preoccupied they couldn’t even focus on their work, just standing there staring.

They wanted to judge from their faces which ones would be less troublesome, easier to manage, and more agreeable.

Seeing Yan Huaiwen return, Liang Manshan stepped forward and pulled him aside.

Yan Yu and her eldest brother exchanged a glance and tacitly followed.

“Those Fast Runners² said we can use the people, but their names are still registered under the quarry. We also shouldn’t publicize this.”

Yan Huaiwen nodded. “I leave tomorrow. I’ll trouble you, Manshan, to put more thought into how these people are settled.”

Liang Manshan: “That’s all manageable. I’m just worried they won’t submit to management and think about running…”

Yan Huaiwen chuckled lightly. “Manshan, don’t worry. Without household registration, where could they run to? Guanzhou isn’t like Leshan; going into the mountains there offered a chance of survival. The mountains around here? If they run into them, it’s certain death. Not to mention they’re either old or weak; they likely lack the courage. Furthermore, Magistrate Tian wouldn’t dare send them here if he didn’t have some leverage.”

“With you saying that, I feel relieved.” Liang Manshan let out a sigh. After a moment’s thought, he said, “I’m thinking of placing the sick ones in households with more able-bodied men. What do you think?”

“Excellent.” Yan Huaiwen’s gaze fell on the little girl who looked familiar. He said slowly, “My house is spacious; it can also accommodate people.”

Liang Manshan disapproved. “Not suitable, not suitable. Once you leave, there will only be Brother Huai’an and Heng’er as men in the household. If those two also have business outside, only women and children would remain…”

“It’s fine. The neighbors nearby are quite capable. Accommodating two or three children is feasible.”

Besides, their Xiao Er was the equal of any able-bodied man.

Yan Lao’er was busy in the kitchen. The yamen runners didn’t go anywhere else, keeping him company. Several grown men had taken over the kitchen, happily slaughtering chickens and fish.

The villagers waited for a long time before the village elders finally decided on where to place these people.

Those who didn’t have to take anyone home breathed a sigh of relief. The households assigned to host people didn’t have much objection either.

They wouldn’t be staying long anyway.

The Scholar had just explained clearly: they were to build their own houses when they weren’t busy. The village would at most lend a hand.

Their food rations and all other necessities would be recorded on account first. They would earn Work Points for each day’s labor, which would later offset their debts.

Hearing that these people would be earning Work Points gave everyone a clear idea of what attitude to adopt towards them.

Just treat them like hired help.

Once the decision was made, the people were divided up and led to their respective homes.

Yan Huaiwen also brought one back. No, he carried one back.

Among these people, the one most seriously ill was this little girl. She had just recovered from a major illness and hadn’t fully regained her strength. Her body was as soft as noodles; she could collapse just from standing.

Yan Yu recognized her as the one she had seen back in Crouching Tiger. Whether it was her uncle, her brother, or her, they had all left an extremely deep impression on Yan Yu.

After placing the girl on the kang in her room, Yan Yu turned and went out to light the heating wall for her own room.

When she returned, she was wearing a mask.

“What’s your name?” Yan Yu asked.

“Qing… er…” the little girl whispered softly.

She looked timidly at this pretty little big brother, not daring to move a muscle.

“That’s a really nice name,” Yan Yu praised with a smile.

“Don’t be afraid. Everyone in our village is good. They won’t make you do overly hard work either; it’s much easier than the quarry. You’ll probably stay here until spring next year. Use these few months to properly recover your health.”

She felt the kang; the temperature hadn’t risen yet. She helped tuck in the quilt.

“We have a doctor in our village, but he’s probably overwhelmed right now. I’ll go ask someone to come see you later.”

The little girl stared blankly at her.

Yan Yu knew she had just arrived in a new place, likely filled with fear and unease. Getting her to comfort someone gently… that really wasn’t her strong suit. She could only chatter on like an old nanny, hoping to ease the little girl’s fear a bit.

“My mother is pregnant, so it’s not convenient for her to come. My older sister and I agreed; we’ll take turns looking after you…”

Just as she was speaking, Daya came in with water.

Seeing her awkwardly trying to make conversation, Daya couldn’t help but find it amusing.

“Xiao Er, come here, give me a hand.” Daya tested the water temperature, dampened a cloth, and prepared to wipe the little girl’s face and head.

Yan Yu finally found her rhythm in caring for someone. She hurried over to help the girl sit up.

Unexpectedly, the little girl softly said no, tears pattering down.

She even cried out in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum, “Brother… Wuwu… Brother…”

A bolt of lightning struck Yan Yu’s mind.

Instant realization!

Right! She was a “little brother” now!

“Little sister, take a good look at me. I’m a sister,” she said, leaning her face closer and pointing at herself.

The little girl looked at her with tear-filled eyes, clearly not believing her.

The two sisters took turns, explaining for a long time. Only after Yan Yu let her hair all down did the little girl finally believe her, becoming embarrassed, her face turning red. She said softly, “Thank you, sister…”

She let the two sisters clean her up.

The little girl kept thanking them, afraid she might miss saying it even once.

Yan Yu compared their heights and asked her, “Qing’er, how old are you?”

“Qing’er is five.”

Good. Following the local custom of counting nominal age³, that meant she was actually three or four.

Such a young child, exiled to the border… what a sin!

“Did your brother come with you?” Yan Yu thought of the boy who had hidden the money pouch.

“Brother… moving stones…” Qing’er’s mood, which had just improved, immediately sank again.

Daya went out and came back, holding clothes Yan Yu had outgrown.

She planned to change her into them first, take the dirty set to wash, and change back after they dried.

It wasn’t that they were unwilling to give her clothes to wear. It was just that even Yan Yu’s outgrown clothes were too big for her, hanging loosely and looking a mess.

Yan Yu was ignoring the child’s protests and stripping off her clothes when she suddenly felt a familiar texture.

Silver!

Qing’er’s eyes welled up with tears. She didn’t dare cry loudly, her little body trembling with fear.

Wuwu, she hadn’t managed to keep the money her brother gave her.

Yan Yu’s expression remained unchanged. She pulled out a crudely made money pouch, took out the silver shards inside, cleaned them with the remaining water in the basin, tucked them into Qing’er’s bedding, then bundled up the pouch along with the dirty clothes and took them away.

Daya thoughtfully gave Qing’er a few sips of warm water.

She patted her head and told her to rest for a while, saying she’d come check on her later.

The two sisters left the room and looked at each other, smiling.

Having one more little patient in the household didn’t have much impact on the Yan family.

Qing’er was too well-behaved. She didn’t cry or make a fuss. If no one asked, she wouldn’t even make a sound when she needed to use the bathroom.

Fortunately, they lived in the same courtyard. It wasn’t much trouble to go check on her often.

For dinner, the Yan family set up two tables. One table was for Yan Huaiwen and Yan Lao’er to host the several yamen runners. The women had a separate table in Li Xuemei’s room.

When Yan Huaiwen was present, the yamen runners were clearly restrained. Once he left the table, good heavens, Yan Lao’er was almost drunk under the table.

The wine they brought wasn’t anything good. Though the taste was light, it went straight to the head.

Yan Lao’er didn’t feel much while drinking it, being all hearty and bold. But after a while, he felt the heavens and earth spinning, people’s figures turning upside down.

“The universe primordial⁴… Zhou, Wu, Zheng, Wang… Hic… I can recite… The Master once said:… He said too much! Wuwu! Why did he have to say so much! That record-keeper, you, come out! Tell me, why couldn’t you just be a good disciple, why did you have to be a record-keeper! You must down this cup! As the old saying goes, deep feelings, bottoms up; shallow feelings, just a sip… I’ll sip first, you do as you please…”

(End of Chapter)

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Translator’s Notes

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1. convicted criminals: Refers to people sentenced to exile (liu) or penal servitude (tu). In this context, they are likely families of criminals or political offenders sent to the border for labor. ↩
2. Fast Runners: A colloquial term (kuai-shou) for a specific class of yamen runners who specialized in making arrests and serving warrants, often used as a general term for bailiffs. ↩
3. nominal age: The ‘xusui’ system where a child is considered one year old at birth and gains a year at each Lunar New Year, often making them 1-2 years older than their Western age. ↩
4. The universe primordial: The opening line of the Thousand Character Classic (Qianziwen), a foundational primer for literacy in ancient China. Yan Lao’er is drunkenly reciting his studies. ↩