The two brothers caught up with Master Ding San, both knowing that their father had called them to discuss who would go and who would stay. They both wanted to go; anyone who didn't want to go was a bastard! They both knew that if they followed Ding Youtian, they would be Beijing residents, and their descendants would be able to take root in the capital and become authentic Beijing residents.
Who wouldn't want such a good thing? The farthest the two brothers had ever been in their lives was Jin County, and it was only when they followed their father to deliver wine that they realized the world was not just as big as Baisha Town.
In the past, Uncle Ding San often told them that life requires a purpose; only then can there be hope. His brothers' dream was to reach further afield. As for how far further afield was, in their minds, the capital was their ultimate goal.
But Ding Youtian said that he only needs one person, and both sides of the hand are made of flesh and blood. It is up to God to decide who will go and who will stay!
When he arrived at Chang's house, he had already moved in with Chang. Ding Sheng was the only one home. After eating at Jian Ning's, he returned to the back of the house to chop grass for the pigs. Their family still owed Lu Huaian's family money, so Chang had asked Master Ding San to buy two pigs and raise them. Now Ding Sheng did most of the work, feeding the pigs, growing and selling vegetables.
The stupid Ding Sheng would still run to school early every morning, stand outside for half an hour before going back, and then walk alone to the town to pick up vegetables to sell. Over the years, he developed a pair of strong feet.
Uncle Ding San picked up two sweet potato stalks from the wooden basin at his feet, one long and one short, rubbed them between his palms, and then held them in his hands. Then he pulled out the ends, making sure the ends exposed outside the palms were even. He came out and said to the brothers Ding Yang and Ding Jian, "The ones who get the longest ones will go. It depends on your fate. If you live well in the future, don't blame me, your father, for being partial. It all depends on your own fate!"
"Go ahead." He held out his fist.
"Brother, you smoke first."
"Brother should go first. How can a younger brother take the lead from his older brother?"
"Then I'll go first." Ding Yang closed his eyes and took out one cigarette. Uncle Ding San gave the remaining one to Ding Jian. The brothers took them together and compared them. Ding Yang's was a little longer. He grinned and was about to laugh, but held it back.
Seeing Ding Jian's face fall, Uncle Ding San glared at him and cursed, "Who are you crying for? If you lose your energy to work because of this, I will beat you to death! What's wrong with staying at home? How many people in the village can leave? Are you going to die if you stay in the village?"
"I understand, Dad." Ding Jian said in a muffled voice.
Master Ding San glared at Ding Yang again, "You too, work hard for me until the day I die, and do it well. If you slack off even a little, I'll break your legs."
"Don't worry, Dad. I know." The two brothers didn't dare to disobey Master Ding San and agreed honestly and respectfully.
The night in the countryside is dotted with stars, like a vast painting of the Milky Way, decorating the night sky with dazzling brilliance.
Mr. Ding Sanye emerged from the room with his hands behind his back, looking up at the starry sky above him. He strode towards the Ding family's old house, hearing the hearty laughter of Ding Youtian and the others from afar. He entered the yard, greeted Ding Youtian and the village head, and then, as usual, headed towards the stables.
In the past, at this time he would go to add hay to Lieyan and talk to it in the stable. Today was the same. Even if Lieyan recognized his old master and wanted to leave him, he had to go and check on the horses, including Lieyan, to feel at ease.
As a result, before he reached the stable, Lieyan screamed at the sound of his footsteps. His heart warmed and he quickened his pace and walked over.
"Uncle, I'm here." Tong Bajin had already added hay to the horses. Seeing Master Ding San coming, he smiled and stroked Ji Feng, "You are so lucky to have your uncle take such good care of you."
Ji Feng seemed to know that he wouldn't be with Mr. Ding San for long. As soon as Mr. Ding San came over, he rubbed against him affectionately, just like he did when he met Tong Bajin yesterday.
"Horses are more understanding than humans." Master Ding San stroked Jifeng, feeling both relieved and happy for him. "Old buddy, there aren't many horses in this world that can reunite with their old masters after leaving them. You're lucky. Follow your nephew and my eldest nephew to his post. Just don't forget me, an old country boy. Think of me when you have free time, old buddy!"
"That's something I can't forget." Tong Bajin said with a smile, "Jifeng, is he called Lieyan now? He's the most human-like and will definitely not forget my uncle. If he's not a swift horse, and he can be useful in the future, I will definitely give him to a horse lover like my uncle."
Master Ding waved his hand and said, "I appreciate your kindness. Whether it's Gale or Blaze, they're both its names. Both of them sound good."
"If you really can't bear to part with Jifeng, I'll send him out for breeding when Master Sui arrives. Jifeng should be eight years old this year. If he produces a good colt, I'll give it to you, uncle."
Jifeng is a male horse. Mr. Ding Sanye didn't want to let it mate with inferior horses, so it has never reproduced offspring. He was very happy to hear what Tong Bajin said, but the price of a horse is not low, even a foal.
"That's impossible. Even if I mate with a good horse and produce a fine colt, leaving it in the countryside to haul wine and people would be far more useful if it were with you."
The two people who love and understand horses got more and more interested in the conversation. Ding Youtian and the head of the village were also chatting animatedly. After leaving his hometown for a few years, he returned here again, sitting under the starry sky, looking at the familiar faces around him, listening to the familiar local accent, he was in particularly high spirits.
The head of the village, the clan leader and several elders, during their casual chats, intentionally or unintentionally informed him of the situation of Old Dingtou and Meng. The head of the village said that Old Dingtou was becoming more and more evil. In the spring of this year, he would rather rent out the acres of land owned by the fifth and sixth brothers to outsiders than give it to the eldest brother and his friends, causing the daughters-in-law of several families to dislike the two old men.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
