Hunger for a hundred years

Chapter 7 (7)
Xu Lian's mother was quite embarrassed, saying that her daughter was in poor health these days, often dizzy and vomited, and she left without saying goodbye because she was afraid of losing herself in front of Aunt Zhong.But Mrs. Zhong was not embarrassed at all, she raised her voice and said: "For a family like Yang Guangwu, it's good if he doesn't have a young lady. In other words, it's not too many for him to marry three or four. Now he wants to marry fifteen or sixteen." It's no problem for a [-]-year-old Huanghua girl. If you Xu Lian can marry him, it will be a blessing for ten thousand lives! Even if he raises a child in the future, you will be a big one. How wonderful! A remarried wife with two young children Nose, whether people agree or not depends on my witty tricks!" After saying that, he got up and wanted to leave.She kept talking about "remarried sister-in-law", which made Xu Lian's mother sad and unhappy, but she knew Mrs. Zhong was very powerful, and if the matchmaker couldn't make it up, she made up bad things about you and spread it everywhere. The daughter was already in the mouth of Hejiapo people If the Gulou watchmen spit at her again, she will have no choice but to die.Mother kept Aunt Zhong, cooked her two poached eggs and ate them, and then Aunt Zhong wiped her sweet and greasy mouth, and left bitterly.

Xu's mother went into the back room and saw her daughter touching the heads of the two children, sobbing sadly.When the two children saw their mother crying, snot and tears flowed down their thin faces; He Da wiped his snot horizontally, then raised his little hand to wipe away the tears for his mother.Xu's mother threw herself down in front of her daughter, embraced her two grandchildren, and cried out, "Where is my sinful son?"
The three generations of a family hugged tightly into a ball.

After the matchmaker entered the house, Xu Lian's father went up the mountain to pull birch turf (someone in Dongba field bought dried birch turf at a very low price), but he did not see this tragic scene; Their belongings were smashed like pots and jars.He has a very violent temper, and he vents his anger and sadness by smashing things.

When the sun covered the mountains, Xu Lian wanted to leave.The mother grabbed her tightly, like this will be a forever farewell.Mother said: "You are leaving today, don't you want your mother's life? It's getting dark, can you walk? Your father has not come back from the mountain!" Xu Lian also heard the meaning of her mother's words, and she was inevitably sad stand up.She promised to leave tomorrow.Mother was a little happier, and hurriedly went to make food.At this time, they hadn't had lunch yet.The child went to play in the fir grove behind the house, so Xu Lian went to the stove to help her mother.Perhaps because of the fire, the house became a little angry, and the mood of the mother and daughter calmed down a lot. They chatted while cooking.

No matter how far it goes, the mother's heart is still thinking about her daughter's marriage. She said cautiously: "Lian, what your Aunt Zhong said is ugly, but it makes sense when you think about it. Marrying a man, dressing and eating, since the Yang family If you are so rich, you won’t be poor if you go there; besides, according to your Aunt Zhong, he is so sincere.” Xu Lian was adding firewood to the stove hole, blushing, and whispered back to her mother: “Aunt Zhong’s words are like tender Tofu, once the water is squeezed, there will be nothing left." The firelight jumped, revealing her mouth full of white and jade-like teeth, and the mole on the corner of her mouth reflected her tearful eyes, which was charming.Mother said: "Her words are flying, but she also said that she has been a matchmaker several times." Xu Lian lowered her eyes and whispered: "I have walked so far, what will you and Dad do?" Throw it into the boiling water, and said angrily: "Silly girl, don't say that we are still in good health, but we can't move. What do your sisters do? They all live not far away, and they will be here as soon as you call." Mother laughed: "Didn't you ask to talk further!" Xu Lian was embarrassed, and laughed too.

After dark, Xu Lian's father came back with a large bundle of birch turf on his back. After the family had eaten, He Dahe Er's sleepiness was already heavy on his eyelids. Xu Lian carried them to the bed to sleep, and then Go back to the kitchen, because there are some things that need to be told to her dad.

Her father listened quietly to Xu Lian's mother, smoking one pot after another, without saying a word from the beginning to the end.

The next day, Xu Lian returned to Hejiapo.

A few days later, Xu Lian found out that not long after she set foot, her father raised an ax and smashed a stone water tank that he had worked so hard to build.

I don't know where such good ears come from, the people of Hejiapo have already known Xu Lian's intention to return to her natal family.This can make those few bachelors anxious.When Xu Lian went to work in the field, one of them came over with a hoe and helped her hoe the ground. Soon, the other three came one after another, bowing silently and shoveling the weeds in the field.

Even at this time, Xu Lian's laboring posture is still moving.It's almost charming.Her sadness is stored in her eyes, hanging on her forehead, hanging on the tips of her hair, and sticking to the cuffs of her clothes.She is a person made of sorrow, but her labor posture is still so beautiful!In the field, she seems to lose her own outline, and at the same time reveal her outline more subtly.

The few bachelors couldn't see the beauty of her labor, and they were so heavy with their hearts that they only knew how to wield their hoes mechanically.

Knowing their feelings, Xu Lian suddenly turned around and knelt down towards them: "Brothers," Xu Lian said with tears in her eyes, "It's not that I despise you, I really can't stay in Hejiapo anymore. I also It's not that I'm afraid of anyone, it's just that I can't see the grave of your brothers anywhere. He was just a little bit old, and he died, and he died so terribly." In front of these good people, Xu Lian spoke from the bottom of her heart.Several men, who usually have black corns to black corns, are suspicious of each other, and now they all have the same mood, you look at me, I look at you, and want to pull Xu Lian up, but feel inconvenient, and say together: "Sister, you If you want to go to court, go to court." There is no more words.Xu Lian said: "These days, it's all up to you to help me with the work. Otherwise, I'm a woman, how can I do it! No matter where I go, my sister will never forget your kindness, and it will be turned into ashes, so I have to repay it." you."
After speaking, Xu Lian got up and said that she would go back first, let them shovel the grass for a while, and then come to her house after finishing.

She has never entertained them, and she will cook a meal for them anyway today.

Several men complied obediently, and they all worked extremely hard and sadly.

That meal was extremely rich, Xu Lian took out the best things at home, and even brought out the old wine that had been stored for several years.Xu Lian said: "Brother Xiangzhan, just persuade a few brothers to drink. I will not persuade you to drink." This man named He Xiangzhan is the oldest among them. With a mustache all over his face, he is extremely loyal.What Xu Lian said in the field clearly indicated that she was really going to go to court. The men were both sad and tolerant, and they raised the cup without persuasion.

Before the wine was finished, He Xingxiao stepped in, shaking his two long and thin legs. Seeing the table full of delicious food, he was furious.After He Di's death, when did Xu Lian invite him and the Yan family like this?He shook his beard and said, "Hey, you're still at ease!" and squeezed onto the table.Xu Lian handed him a pair of chopsticks, poured another full cup of wine and put it in front of him, and said happily: "Where is the third wife? I'll call the third wife to eat." Before Xu Lian moved away, He Xingxiao put the A cup of wine was poured on her face: "Is this a dog? Do you want to eat what others left?" Xu Lian was so wronged that she wanted to cry, but she held back, wiped the wine off her face, and said righteously: "I didn't invite you here. If you want to eat, you can eat, and if you don't eat, you can go out." Then he greeted a few men: "Just drink it, this is my wine!" The bachelors are usually afraid of He Xingxiao's tricks Weird, how dare you bring the cup to your lips?Putting down their wine glasses, they laughed and got up and left.

He Xingxiao overturned the table with one palm, and cursed: "Selling mother, why did you enter He's house? Didn't I risk my life to be a cow and a horse for that dead ghost He Zhi! He Parents are dead, and I didn't help bury them! Raising the family for you, it's fine if you don't remember my kindness, and you have to raise wild men under the beams of He's house. "
Xu Lian let him scold her, took the child with her, carried the flower basket, and went uphill without locking the door.

For the next few days, He Xingxiao and Yan Shi took turns to fight, scolding unceasingly.

Xu Lian decided to go to court.

Determined, she ignored those curses that could not be trampled on.

He Xingxiao saw that scolding could not bring Xu Lian down, so he came up with a poisonous plan.

He is going to get his son back.He went to Dongbachangkou, searched countless teahouses, but failed, and then went to a prostitute's house, and finally found his eldest son He Dong'er in the prostitute's bed.He knew his son's temper, and he didn't dare to do anything to him, so he just told Dong'er to go back with him quickly.He Dong'er was very annoyed, and reluctantly said goodbye to the prostitute, and left with his father.After returning home, He Xingxiao locked the door and went into another room.Yan Shi will tell He Donger the rest of the matter.Yan Shi stammered and told their son their plan, but He Donger was so angry that his teeth were blaring, he went into the room and caught He Xingxiao out like a chicken, and pointed him and Yan Shi on the bridge of the nose and said: "I Let me ask you, are you human or animal?" He Xingxiao was tongue-tied.He Dong'er continued to scold: "Xu Lian is my brother's wife, how could I rape her? It's her blessing that she grows up good-looking, why should I pour water on her face? I don't know about it so I won't say it." Now that I already know, if there is something wrong with Lianmeizi, don't blame me for not recognizing you as parents! You said that people want to go to court, why don't you go to court at a young age? It's her right to marry or not. You guys have nothing to do with it!" After saying that, He Donger went straight to the Dongba field.Since they were ten years old, the He Donger brothers would rather be wandering outside to talk, rather than stay at home for a day and a half.He Xingxiao and Yan's faces were green and black, and they sighed in vain.I wanted to find my second son, He Min, but some said he was at Qingxichangkou (a town in the lower reaches of Qingxi River), and some said he was at Yonglechangkou. Where can I find him?

With He Donger's warning, He Xingxiao and Yan Shi no longer dared to embarrass Xu Lian.But their hatred of Xu Lian continued unabated, and they wished to peel off her "sauce skin" and hang it on the yellow jue tree.

One day, He Xingxiao and He Huaqiang happened to meet under the Jue tree. He Huaqiang glanced at He Xingxiao, his eyes seemed to be full of concern.He Huaqiang has always been aloof and never looked at people directly, especially with He Xingneng and He Xingxiao brothers. Although he had never fought openly, it seemed that knives could fly out of his eyes.He Xingxiao was greatly surprised by today's performance, and greeted: "Brother Huaqiang, have you eaten?" The ball?" He Xingxiao was so moved that he wiped his face twice, and couldn't wait to pour out his troubles.

He Huaqiang said flatly: "As long as she repairs the grave of the Xingneng couple, let her go."
He Xingxiao's eyes lit up, he thanked him, and hurriedly ran back.

What a reasonable request to build graves for dead parents!However, to build a cemetery, you need to invite Fengshui masters to look at the ground, people who are proficient in writing and ink to write inscriptions, and then ask mountain craftsmen to dig stones in Dahegou two or three miles away.The stones in Dahegou are scoured by long flowing water and are extremely hard. When the surface layer is peeled off, the stones are as white as snow. How much effort does it take to create such stones?Get the stone back and ask the stonemason to work.After several months, a cemetery can barely be built.But this does not mean that the work is completed, and highly skilled craftsmen are also invited to chisel the inscriptions. On the front of the tomb, the painters are invited to trace various graphics, such as the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, and the Heavenly Palace. Afterwards, the ones who pay more attention need to be painted. One cemetery requires such complicated procedures, let alone two cemeteries!Spending money is the second thing. How can a woman and a family survive such a toss?

It was still those bachelors who helped.He Xiangzhan said: "Sister Lian, it's not too difficult, we will repair the tomb for you, but you pawn the land to us, and when you want to go back to Hejiapo, we just pawn the paper to you. "Xu Lian almost knelt down to them again when she heard that.

He Xiangzhan and others invited two groups of people, and quickly repaired the two graves.

He Xingxiao had nothing to say, so my grandma Xu Lian went up to the Drum Tower knowingly, found Mrs. Zhong, and agreed to go down to Yang Guangwu from Lijiagou.

He Huaqiang said: "Damn it, I've never seen such a hard-hearted woman!"
At this time, Yang Guangwu was hiding at home to recover from his injuries.

He was bitten by a huge wild boar.More than half a year ago, Yang Guangwu took his son, nicknamed Jackal, to hunt in Wanyuan Mountain. There is an arc-shaped ridge here. The south of the ridge belongs to Nixichang in Sichuan, and the north belongs to Langao in southern Shaanxi. In the big forest with dead vines hanging upside down, the most domineering residents in it are wild boars weighing hundreds of catties; in the southern part of Shaanxi, there is a gentle slope called Pingluo, where there are foot-high yellow grasses growing on the gentle slope, occasionally dotted with bushes It is a natural place for wild animals such as hares and pigs to move.After entering the mountain, Yang Guangwu divided the work with his son. He guarded the Nixi Farm to hunt wild boars, while Jackal went to Pingluo to hunt small animals.

The jackal walked towards the mountain ridge without saying goodbye to his father.After his mother ran away, he and his father were secretly hostile. A few days ago, he heard that his father was going to find another woman!After finding that woman, what should be the identity of his mother who ran away?Although Jackal is only 13 years old, he is just a cowherd boy at home, but from the perspective of body shape and temperament, he is a very mature man.On this day, carrying a single-barreled shotgun (he dared to fire it when he was just ten years old), he climbed over the mountain ridge to Pingluo in silence.It was a piece of cake for him to shoot pigs and hares, but Jackal had no intention of hunting today. He threw the gun aside and lay down in the yellow grass in a "big" shape, missing his mother.His mother ran away five years ago, when he was only eight years old.

He remembered that day he was herding cows on the mountain, and the cows were grazing, and he was playing with two ants with a branch. Suddenly, his father ran up the mountain and said angrily, "Your mother has run away, go after her!" Not understanding the meaning of "run", he looked up at his father, who kicked his pointed butt and told him to hurry to the village entrance, or it would be too late.He ran towards the entrance of the village, but he only caught up with the loess on the beam, a neem tree growing on the loess plateau, and the cold wind blowing from the neem tree. After running away, the mother never came back. Pass!The jackal felt that the reason why his mother ran away must be related to his family and his father Yang Guangwu. Yang Guangwu knew that he had run away, so why didn't he chase him himself, and even ran all the way to the mountain for him to chase?This proves that the mother hated Yang Guangwu, and Yang Guangwu persuaded her not to go back, so she let her son go.The mother hated Yang Guangwu, and the jackal also hated Yang Guangwu, not only hated Yang Guangwu, but also hated the neem tree at the entrance of the village for no reason, hated the ants he played with; he pulled out his machete and chopped down the tree, From then on, whenever I saw ants, I would always snap off their thin legs one by one, and then cut off their heads.

"Hmph, I still want to find another woman, bah!" Jackal stood up and yelled at Nixichang on the other side of the mountain ridge.

(End of this chapter)