imperial psychologist

Chapter 33 The Way of the World

There were people coming and going on the street, and there was a lot of noise everywhere, but both of them fell into a brief silence.

Not long after walking in this bustling environment, Bai Yi suddenly stopped in front of an inconspicuous alley, and said to Bai Ling, "This way."

Bo Ling followed the sound and turned the corner with Bai Yi.At the beginning of this road, there were three or two shops like the previous wonton shop, but the further you go, the deeper the alley, and the more dilapidated the street scene is.

In the end, this alley could barely accommodate one person to pass through. The stone bricks on the ground were broken and in disrepair. It was only when you stepped on it that you found that they were moving. If you were not careful, you would splash dirty water on the hem of your clothes.

Bai Yi slowed down his pace and directed Bo Ling to follow his pace. He walked through the rocks nimbly, obviously very familiar with this area.

After going back dozens of steps, the vision in front of him suddenly widened.

This is a large piece of muddy land, with scattered stone bricks everywhere, and as far as the eye can see, it is full of temporary cloth sheds and grass sheds.Many children are short and brown and wear knots, and even run and play around in their naked clothes.

There was a subtle smell of food in the air, and it smelled of rancidity.

Burling covered his nose with his sleeves.

Who would have thought that there would be such a slum just across the alley from Chaotian Street.Compared with the previous singing, laughing and dancing, this is another world.

Bai Yi turned his head while walking, "The land here was surrounded by a member of the public a few years ago, saying that a restaurant was to be built, but I don't know what happened, so it was abandoned here. It's close to Chaotian Street, so it's convenient to beg. Gathered a lot of poor families."

Bo Ling nodded in response and looked around.

Every shed was crowded with people, mostly women and children.The clothes on their bodies were full of holes and holes, and they couldn't even mend the stitches, so most of them stayed in the shed when it was still bright.

Occasionally some mending would fall here, and the women would work under the shed.

Even the matter of defecation can only be solved after nightfall.

Bo Ling followed closely behind Bai Yi, a little unbelievable.

"How can there be so many homeless people?"

"Some are from nearby counties, and some have fled from the north."

Bo Ling was even more surprised, "A nearby county? Then why..."

Bai Yi said softly, "Most of them were men who went to the front line before but didn't come back. The house and land at home were all wiped out by relatives. If they had no place to go, they could only go to the city to beg."

Bo Ling was at a loss, "...what is 'eating a huge household'?"

"That's right..." Boyi paused, "If the man in a family dies and the woman doesn't have a son, then the man's relatives can share all the family's property, ranging from houses and fields to small things. Pots, bowls and pans... a group of people eat up the households that have been wiped out, which is called 'eat the households'."

Bai Ling was slightly startled, and when he looked at the situation in the shed, there was more pity in his eyes.

Bai Yi glanced at Bai Ling, "Don't sympathize with them. Nine out of ten of these women don't think there is anything wrong with it. Even if they complain, they will only blame themselves for their hard life and not being able to have a son. If they want to eat other people's poor families, they will not be soft.

"Also, don't look at so many people who came to our house last night to repay the kindness of dripping water, and feel that they are all simple and kind farmers. The productivity here is low, and there are not so many resources for everyone to live well and eat well. It is a matter of course that Juehu is here, and it must be presided over by the village elders in the ancestral hall and notarized by the whole village. If a woman has no son, she is nothing and has nothing."

Berlin was silent.

"Women here, having sons is one way of living, and not having sons is another way of life." Bai Yi glanced at Bai Ling with complicated eyes, "We are not the same as them after all. Sympathy will only give Make trouble for yourself, don't make trouble for it, you won't be able to explain it when the time comes."

"understand……"

After walking another 200 meters, Bai Yi stopped, "A Li!"

No one agreed.

Bai Yi took a breath and raised his voice a little bit.

"A Li, come out! I've brought you something!"

As soon as the words fell, seven or eight children with disheveled hair suddenly appeared on the broken wall beside them. The young ones looked five or six years old, and the older ones were no more than eleven or twelve years old.The face of the leading child was covered with mud and dust, but his eyes were bright, like two black jade falling into the mud, and he said strangely, "Brother Bai Yi!"

Bai Yi waved his hand, "Come down quickly, there are good things for you!"

The kid named A Li had a playful smile on his face, and quickly turned over from the wall, "On weekdays, not many people come to look for me. I just heard the sound, and I thought it was someone looking for trouble... Eh, who is this sister?"

"It's Berlin."

"Ah!" A look of sudden realization appeared on A Li's face, "I always heard from Brother Bai that my sister is so beautiful!"

Before Bai Ling had time to be polite, Ah Li started to move, and unloaded the four baskets on Bai Yi's shoulders into his own hands, then turned his head and said fiercely, "What are you dawdling about! Come here!"

The other children behind the wall slowly poked their heads out again, and turned over to carry things.

Except for Ah Li who was wearing a pair of worn-out boots and cotton trousers, the other children were only wearing a very ill-fitting long-sleeved gown. A little shy.

A Li waved his hand and introduced to Bai Yi, "These are newcomers, I'll take them with me first, Brother Bai will take care of those who are not sensible—" "Fuck you." Bai Yi smiled and stretched out his hand To A Li's head, "Don't be fussy here, take a look at these things, can you keep them?"

Ah Li squatted down to look, and several children also came around with their heads around. When the basket hat was opened, everyone's eyes shone brightly.

Ah Li quickly put the cap on the basket, and looked around vigilantly, some people were obviously already looking this way.

"Are the four baskets the same?" A Li raised his head and asked.

Bai Yi nodded, "Yes, they're all about the same." "Hold on!" Ah Li's voice lowered a little, with a sincere smile on his face, "Don't talk about just a few baskets of mountain goods, you just brought me a golden mountain to me. I can bear it~"

Bai Yi clapped his hands, "I still have a lot at my place, you can ask some capable people to come with me to get them at home."

"Now?"

"Yes, now."

Ah Li pondered for a while, then shook his head and said, "It's not convenient now, Brother Bai, let's make a later date, I'll take someone to your place in person later, do you think it's okay?"

"Okay, let's do this. Don't be too late, just call me in the old way when you come, don't be so bluff and bring a group of people to surround me in front of my yard."

"It's up to you to say that! Don't worry!"

The children watched Bo Ling and Bai Yi leave, and when they walked back to the alley that was only one person wide, Bo Ling turned his head again.The wall that was surrounded by people just now was quiet again, and the things piled on the ground were completely gone.Only then did Bai Yi say, "These are all orphans on Chaotian Street. I met the one in the lead when I was in Baiweilou. Boss Shen is kind-hearted, and keeps the leftovers for the people here."

Bo Ling lowered his eyes, shook his head lightly and said, "This world...why does it seem to be getting worse?"

"The war in the north has been fought for ten years." Bai Yi's face was a little emotional, "How can this world be better?"

(End of this chapter)