Early in the morning, Tian Lao Si took Xiao Si and Xiao Wu to work in the fields. Zhang Shi was sent to her aunt's house by Tian Da and Tian Er last night so that it would be convenient to collect chicks today. They all stayed in Zhangjia Village tonight.
Old Fourth Tian wouldn't let Tian Sangui do the field work, because he was worried about her getting a tan, as the late summer heat was particularly harmful to the face.
After finishing his chores, Tian Sangui took a few roujiamo (Chinese hamburgers) and headed to the woods.
I sat down in the same spot yesterday and waited quietly, silently praying that Wang Erwazi would definitely show up.
Although there was no sun overhead, the dense forest kept the wind swirling in the air, leaving no breeze below.
The waiting was already frustrating, and the chirping of various insects in the forest made the already stuffy woods even hotter and more unbearable.
The noisy chirping of crickets and the croaking of frogs in the distant fields, as if they were competing to see who could be louder, were making Tian Sangui feel irritable and restless.
I took a sip of ice-cold boiled water, which swept away the heat in my heart and made me feel much cooler.
His eyes kept gazing down the path into the shadows, hoping to catch a glimpse of that figure.
However, apart from the butterflies and insects coming and going, there was no other activity.
He waited for most of the day, and when it was almost lunchtime, Tian Sangui simply left the food behind and went home to cook by himself.
When his family was taking a nap inside the house, Tian Sangui ran over expectantly.
Seeing the untouched steamed bun, I felt a deep sense of loss.
After waiting for four or five days without seeing Wang Erwazi appear, Tian Sangui was already extremely anxious and worried.
That evening, Wang Erwazi's mother and family searched for their son in the village. When the village head learned of this, he quickly gathered everyone to help with the search.
Tian Sangui was naturally the first to rush out and search everywhere.
The same applies to Zhao Family Village...
After a fruitless night, everyone was exhausted and went home to rest. Wang Er's mother cried all night, her eyes so red and swollen that she couldn't see where she was standing.
After being persuaded by everyone, she finally stayed home to rest, worried about her son's safety, and went out with everyone searching.
Tian Sangui was overwhelmed with guilt and appeared listless.
Just as she was about to take Yu Niang to Zhao Family Village to search for her, Tian Gouwa came running back from the direction leading to Ji Town.
"Oh no! Oh no! Wang Erwa has been arrested by the government and conscripted into the army, and the eldest son of the landlord Zhao is also in there. They are now heading to the frontier battlefield with the main force."
Wang Erwa's father didn't believe him and grabbed Gouwa's collar, shouting, "Are you telling the truth? Did you see Wang Erwa with your own eyes?"
Gouwazi wasn't annoyed. He wiped away a snot bubble from his nose and confirmed what he had seen: "It was me who saw it. Wang Erwazi also asked me to pass on a message to you: don't worry about him, he'll be back!"
"I also heard from the officials that each township was to conscript ten men into the army. When they caught me, our village already had enough, so they released me!"
When Wang heard that her son had almost been arrested as well, she hugged Gouwazi tightly, feeling extremely distressed.
"My son, I almost didn't get to see you again. How will I live after this!"
When the villagers who were searching heard this shocking news, they all fell silent, and the most worried were Tian Sangui's family.
Zhang was worried about her two sons in town, so she took the children and Tian Laosi back home.
"Dad, I'm worried about them. Please go to town and check on them..."
Before she could finish speaking, Zhang was already choked up, and tears streamed down her face.
Tian Sangui silently pulled Zhang Shi aside to comfort her, his heart filled with worry not only for his brothers but also for that reckless brat who had acted on his own initiative.
The battlefield is not a place for jokes or child's play; he actually protected her in this way.
Tomorrow she will go to town to find someone and do what little she can for him.
"Don't worry, I'll go check on her right away. San Gui, stay home and take good care of your mother!"
"Hey Dad, be careful on the road!"
When conscripting men, they don't care about age; they won't let any man go.
"Um!"
Tian Laosi set off wearing a bamboo-woven hat and carrying a glass of cold water.
The town was thrown into chaos, and students fled in panic upon hearing the news.
The villagers kept their doors tightly shut as soldiers brutally broke them in, taking away husbands and sons amidst cries of terror and pleas for mercy.
The ten men were quickly captured. The officers and soldiers were simply following the rules. Once the number was complete, they took the able-bodied men and dragged them along with the carriage to the main force.
Hiding behind the alley, Tian Laosi cleverly pulled down his veil and ran to the shop as the soldiers left.
The school was not in a crowded market, but fortunately the soldiers didn't need many people, and the area where Tian Da and Tian Er were located did not break through.
"Father, what brings you here? Come in quickly!"
Curious, Tian Er heard no more noise outside the shop and, to satisfy his curiosity, opened the door a crack. To his surprise, he saw a familiar face.
After Tian Laosi came in, Tian Er closed the door again and then used three tables to block the door.
"Are you and your older brother alright? Are your younger cousins alright?"
"Father, Uncle, we're all alright!"
Hearing the sound, the children all came out from the backyard, looking at Tian Laosi with smiles.
Seeing that they were all unharmed, Tian Laosi's tense dark face relaxed, and a relieved smile appeared on his face.
Back in Tianjia Village, Zhang was overjoyed to see her two sons standing safely before her.
Despite how Zhang usually beats and scolds them, she worries about the two boys' safety more than anyone else when she hears about conscription.
As long as she is taken away, Zhang will definitely faint.
Seeing his brothers return safely, Tian Sangui felt a little better, but then he thought of Wang Erwazi's strange words that day.
She guessed that Wang Erwazi had brought Zhao Yan to volunteer for the army. Only in this way would the landlord's family not cause trouble for Tian Sangui. A young master like Zhao Yan would only be cannon fodder on the battlefield.
After Yu Niang left, no one else knew about this incident.
So, Yu Niang... we need to think of a way to scare her and make her keep her mouth shut, then everything will be fine.
The next morning, the villagers were awakened by a series of screams and shouts.
When Tian Sangui came over, he saw that Yang was holding a woman whose body had turned white from being soaked in water.
Upon closer inspection, isn't that the beautiful Yu Niang?
Afterwards, the old lady and the women sat around under the big locust tree.
"I reckon Yu Niang learned that the landlord's eldest son had been conscripted and had no hope of returning, so she chose to jump into the river and take her own life!"
"I don't think so. The landlord's family is so rich. They could easily bribe the government and get the eldest son back!"
"That......"
"It must be that the eldest young master's mother felt that Yu Niang was unlucky, bringing her son a deadly disaster before even entering the family, so she secretly broke off the engagement!"
"So Yu Niang couldn't think straight and jumped into the river!"
"Yes, Aunt Wang is right!"
Tian Sangui was riding in his neighbor's oxcart when he passed by the big locust tree and heard the story intermittently.
In short, the cause of Yu Niang's death remains a mystery. Although Tian Sangui lamented the loss, it was a good thing for her.
Upon arriving in town, Tian Sangui, familiar with the area, arrived at the gate of a large mansion.
She mustered her courage and went up to knock on the heavy, black lacquered door.
"Knock knock knock!"
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