Two days later.
After making some inquiries, Gu Wei finally found the Xiaobei Village, located below Antai County, that Gu Jianguo had mentioned.
He took the bus, which only ran once a day, and got off at the road near the village.
When we reached the village entrance, we found a large, old locust tree with lush foliage. The trunk was over a meter in diameter, and a bell was hanging on it.
Not far away, a middle-aged woman with her hair tied up in a bun at the back of her head was pushing a millstone while constantly sweeping it with a broom.
In those days, the millstone was an indispensable tool for villagers to process grain.
I reckon every village has a few of these.
Nearby, several men, women, and children chatted and laughed about Zhang's or Li's family.
Gu Wei's appearance instantly attracted everyone's attention.
They all stopped chatting and looked him up and down with curiosity.
Because this clean-cut and handsome young man didn't look like he was from around here at first glance.
An old man with completely white hair tapped his pipe on the soles of his feet and walked over with a hunched back.
"Young man, you're from the city, aren't you? Are you here to see someone or to do something?"
Gu Wei had already prepared a reason, so he blurted out, "I collect old things, sir."
What kind of old items do you collect?
The old man asked the question that everyone else wanted to ask.
Gu Wei looked at everyone and said with a smile, "Silver dollars, copper coins, old plates, old bowls, old teapots, silver hairpins, and the like, I'll take them all..."
The old man's eyes lit up. "I have copper coins at home!"
An old lady excitedly slapped her thigh and exclaimed, "Oh my, I have silver dollars!"
"Young man, do you want this big bowl?"
"..."
People immediately surrounded Gu Wei.
They all chattered about the old items they owned.
Gu Wei smiled and gestured, "Everyone, please don't rush. I'll know whether or not we'll accept it after I've seen it."
“Alright, you can come to my house, it's nearby. You all go home and find your things too.”
The old man must be a highly respected figure in the village.
After he finished speaking, no one else objected.
Some people ran away immediately, while others stayed put to watch the excitement.
Gu Wei's purpose was to take the opportunity to strike up a conversation with someone, so he naturally followed the old man's lead.
Zhong Province is located in the north and is one of the country's major production areas for crops such as grain, peanuts, vegetables, fruits, and cotton.
Not only can crops be grown twice a year, but the layout of the adobe houses and the windows are also different from those in the rural areas of Northeast China.
I saw several houses I passed by with slogans painted in red on white backgrounds on their exterior walls:
"If one person has an extra child, the whole village will be sterilized."
"If you don't let it flow when it should, we'll tear down your house and take your cattle."
Gu Wei felt deeply shocked.
I have to say, that's ruthless!
Who could have imagined that years later, the three-child policy would be relaxed, allowing anyone to have three children?
Unfortunately, the pressures involved make many people unwilling to have any children.
They still constantly proclaim that children and grandchildren have their own blessings, and that they themselves enjoy happiness even without children and grandchildren.
At this moment, the old man pointed ahead and said, "That area with the old locust tree is my home."
Gu Wei snapped out of his reverie and asked curiously, "Grandpa, how many years has the old locust tree in front of your house been around?"
After he arrived here, he discovered that many families seemed to like planting locust trees.
It really is true that every place has its own customs.
Some people believe that planting locust trees in the yard is auspicious, as it can bring good fortune, official promotions, and wealth.
Some people believe that locust trees have too much yin energy and should not be planted in the yard, as it will affect the health of the family and the feng shui.
The old man said proudly, "It's been a proper tree for many years. Moreover, this old locust tree in my family has a spirit; the red ribbon tied to its branches can protect people's safety and health."
Although Gu Wei did not believe it, he maintained a sense of respect and awe.
When I got close to the old locust tree, I slowed down and took a closer look.
The tree trunk is as thick as two people can hug.
The tree bark, riddled with ravines, was as hard as armor.
I don't know if it's just psychological.
It was exceptionally cool under the shade of the trees.
The old man walked into the courtyard with a brisk pace.
He said to the old woman who was chopping vegetables while wearing an apron, "Stop working and go find the copper coins in the house. This young man wants to buy them."
The old lady squinted and glanced at Gu Wei, who was walking behind her husband. She responded and quickly put down the kitchen knife, got up, and went into the main room.
The old man placed his pipe on the windowsill, turned around and said, "Young man, you've come all this way, you must be thirsty. Let me get you some water."
Gu Wei quickly stopped him, "No need, sir, I'm not thirsty."
The old man waved his hand, "Don't be so polite with me."
While the two elderly people were inside, Gu Wei casually looked around and observed the situation in the house.
Overall, they seemed like a clean and efficient family.
But poverty is evident everywhere.
Soon, the old man came out carrying a large, rough pottery bowl.
Gu Wei quickly accepted it and thanked him again.
At this point, it's unclear whether the water was unpolluted or what.
Anyway, it tastes sweet even when drunk raw, without any strange flavor.
There were sounds of something being rummaged through inside the house; it probably wouldn't be found anytime soon.
The old man pulled Gu Wei to sit down on a small stool nearby.
The two started chatting.
"Young man, what is your surname?"
"My surname is Gu."
"Your surname is Gu? Half the people in our village have the surname Gu."
"Really? Then maybe we were one family five hundred years ago."
"That's quite possible."
Upon hearing that he was from the same clan as him, the old man became even more enthusiastic: "Where are you from?"
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