Chapter 11 chapter Ten

The sun had already set.James was anxious to go.It was only a little past eight.In dim light, you can still see the road clearly.After saying goodbye to the old fisherman, they went ashore.Ah Xue followed, insisting on carrying the little black bag.Only then did James see clearly how small she was; she had a quiet, sad face, as if years and vicissitudes had run over her face, smoothing out all the joys, sorrows, and sorrows of life. Ever since he boarded the boat, the grandfather's hand has never left the little grandson.Now Axue is coming to take care of the child. Along the way, I saw only a few farmers returning home.Evening is peaceful and pleasant.They walked slowly.Yi Su pointed to the water well potter's wheel that could be discerned in the distance and said, "The three camphor trees are over there."

We should be there by nine o'clock.James said. They walked in front, and the old grandfather, A Xue and the child followed closely behind.Isu and James held hands, their waists were straight, their steps were brisk and full of life.She looked nothing like she was fleeing.Looking at the scenery in the countryside, she said happily: I really can't believe that we will be in Hong Kong in a few days. She glanced at James and curled her mouth into a satisfied smile. are you happy?James asked. certainly.This reminds me of the three days we used to play in Mingling?Or four days?It's that simple sometimes.If you want to go, just go.

James found it interesting.He followed up dubiously, if you want to go for a walk.It's that simple, isn't it? Yi Su whistled a soft tune. Oh come on!James said in a low voice.Yisu, remember, we are not on an outing! I know.I think the human legs are wonderful.We just swayed our legs like this, swinging and swinging until we reached the boundary. Or until someone stops us. Let's worry about it when someone blocks us.Do you think we will be successful? Of course it will work.real.All animals, he said, have legs, or wings, or flippers, which enable them to leave an environment they dislike for another environment they like.

So, they walk until someone gets in their way.However, if they don't go, how do you know that someone will stop them? Yeah, I don't think they'll know.James said suspiciously.However, you can't run away humming a song all the way like this. That's how we are, what's wrong?It's just a matter of opinion.You, either succeed, or fail.Anyway, no matter whether it succeeds or not, it's better to sing happily like this, are you worried? no.I just care about that gun.Did Fan Shitian get it? He told me he did get it. Sanzhangshu is next to a small river in the middle of the village.There are several roads leading here.At the intersection, there is a small red brick earth temple, about three feet high.James looked up at the tops of the trees, which must be over a hundred years old.It was getting dark.In a shadowy place they saw a small pond overgrown with thistles and rushes.

Fan Shitian has not arrived yet.About a quarter of an hour later, they vaguely saw two black figures coming towards them from the city. They were not sure if it was Fan Shitian. It's Fan Shitian.Mr. Duan said softly. However, there is another woman.James said.Who is it then? That's the woman he brought. When Fan Shitian approached, he raised his head and hurriedly checked the place where they were hiding behind the bushes. It's Fan Shitian, that's right.Yisu said in a low voice.That woman is his friend, Lihua. No one told James about it.It seems that there are more and more people.

At this time, Xiao Ya'er rushed out screaming. We are here!What about Ah Zhao? Fan Shitian motioned for Xiao Ya'er to calm down, and then walked towards the crowd. Is everything here?Pear Blossom asked. Lihua was wearing a homemade shirt and trousers, holding a coat in her hand.Even so, she still showed her graceful figure.The tight trousers made her even more curvaceous.She greeted Mr. Duan and Yi Su, and took a quick glance at James. We are all here.Mr. Duan replied. I hope you didn't draw attention to yourself on the way.Fan Shitian said. I don't think so.Yi Su replied.We slipped out of town by boat and got here after dark.

Then, you are Mr. Dai, and I am Lihua.As she spoke, she stretched out her hand without waiting for others to introduce. Nice to meet you. you are British.Ishida told me. Yes.James stuttered a little, not knowing why. She was standing right next to him, and when they turned and walked behind the tree, Ewha put an arm around his, like they'd known each other for years.James hadn't expected her to be like this.His British solemnity was shaken a second time, but Li Hua's attitude was rather casual, and she acted so naturally, he liked this kind of informality very much. Have you eaten yet?Mr. Duan asked.

they told him. He looked at the watch on his wrist with a flashlight and said: It was just nine o'clock.We don't have to be too early.After we set off on the road, there may still be people walking on the road.If you guys want something to eat, do it now.I won't eat anything tonight. Ah Zhao going or not?Xiao Yaer asked again. I have no idea.I hope he can make it.Let me see, how many of us are here?He counts people. who is she?Fan Shitian pointed to A Xue and asked, his face full of doubts. James explained: I asked her to come with us.On the day of the shooting in the street, her family was gone.I hope you will not object to this matter.

Fan Shitian showed up, and James felt relieved. Well, we're all here, all ready.He said.I want to thank you for your willingness to come with us, it's over the top. It's nothing.I am very happy to help myself, and at the same time help Mr. Duan and his family. Yes, he said, he took out a heavy thing wrapped in black cloth from a small rattan box the size of a rice basket, and handed it to him. to james. I promised you that I would bring you something like this.He said succinctly, with a bit of complacency in his voice. How did you get it? Ah Zhao got it, and he didn't even forget the bullet.

I think you probably got it when the party committee caught fire. No, it was in my house before that happened.That kid I hope he succeeds.I know he has been released and is now in town.I hope he got the instructions right. I told him to take a bus at Xiaxu at 10:30 tonight.Ewha said.I hope he knows when the curfew is and gets out of town in time. Fan Shitian began to order everyone. Now we have a total of seven people. If Ah Zhao comes, there will be eight people.The car might be a little tighter, but that's okay.There are a few things you must understand.First, no one is allowed to act alone.I have a good map and my men know what's going on along the way.After passing Pingshan, after Longgang, from Puxi and Shenzhen, there are border police patrols.Moreover, there are militiamen on both sides of the railway.So, if someone gets lost, don't run west.Just remember to avoid the railway range.We set out for Wutong Mountain, which is about a thousand feet high.The three main peaks can be seen from any direction.If I get a chance, I'll point it out to you.However, we all had to be nocturnal along the way.Don't forget, we must be together, or we will be separated.How much we should walk every day has been carefully calculated, so that we can reach a hidden place before dawn.No one is allowed to act alone, do you understand?

Second, we are a group, however, in the car, or other places where others can see, we have to separate.Mr. Duan, of course you and your family are together.When people ask, they say that you live in Pingshanxu.I'll give you your resident card later.You don't need it yet.You are going to Longgang.Don't talk about what to do, no one else cares. Third, try not to talk in the car.You'd better watch Xiao Ya'er.When you open your mouth, your accent will be recognized. I will speak Hirayama's words.There used to be a maid in my family who was from Pingshan.Isu said. It's better not to say anything.Also, what about Axue, do you have a resident card? A Xue took out a piece of paper from her pocket, and Fan Shitian looked at it with a flashlight. I don't know how to arrange you.I'll see.Maybe it's better for you to still say that you are from Boluo; just say that you are going to help Mr. Pingshan Duan's house, I am worried about Ah Zhao. He will never betray us, Lihua said: I bet. The night is very quiet, only the sound of frogs coming from the pond, and occasionally disturbed birds flying around on the branches.About three miles away, the lights of people in the suburbs can be seen faintly. Hit the road and everyone has a sense of adventure.Even Mr. Duan felt that he was leading the whole family on a meaningful journey. Dad, can you see it?Yi Su asked. I can see it. Even so, she went around and stayed by her father's side.Before long they came upon a gravel road, about four or five feet wide, with irrigation ditches on either side.The fields have just been harvested and are mostly dry.They naturally walked in a line.Yi Su and her father were walking together, and Ah Xue held Xiao Ya'er tightly.Lihua walked in front of them, closely following Fan Shitian and James. How far is it?James asked, raincoat in hand.He fumbled for the heavy item in his pocket over and over to make sure it was still there. Almost half an hour's journey.Fan Shitian turned around and asked Lihua, saying: Are you okay? Nothing could be better.Today is Monday.Do you think we'll be there on Friday night? Friday or Saturday, as the case may be. Come to think of it, I could have a crab dinner on a Saturday night!Pear Blossom's voice is mellow and hearty. Fan Shitian is very happy that Lihua can have this kind of spirit from the beginning.He was in high spirits himself. Hong Kong, he said, I haven't been to ten years!Come to think of it, Hong Kong is just over the hill, and I never wanted to go there.I heard that Hong Kong can eat the best Yangqing Lake crabs, but Suzhou people have never even seen them. Is it true?I've heard people say that. I don't know.James said.I heard that an old woman who escaped from Shandong was surprised to see fat and big Shandong peanuts at her relatives' house.She said that she had not seen such good peanuts in Shandong for several years. James is glad to have this opportunity to know more about Fan Shitian.He has been in China for many years and has many Chinese friends. The average tourist has a rash and general view of a place, but James has already passed this stage.He no longer has general opinions.Fan Shitian was alone. From what Yi Su told him and his own understanding, Fan Shitian was in the business of smuggling people out of the country these days.At the same time, he also knew that Fan Shitian came from a scholarly family.He tried to understand his personality.Although Fan Shitian is forty-five or six years old, he walks steadily and vigorously. We're going too fast, I'm afraid they won't be able to keep up.Fan Shitian said. ah!I keep forgetting. Mr. Dai, in restaurants in Hong Kong, you can call whatever you like, and you don’t need to give food stamps. Is it true?Pear Blossom's voice sounded behind her. Of course it is true. I've pretty much forgotten it. Do you really know Hong Kong? I went there a few times when I was a little girl. Then you know Hong Kong. I still can't believe it. What do you believe? I believe that people can go to any restaurant in Hong Kong and order any dish they like.Mr. Dai, we will invite you to eat crabs, just this Saturday night. Just call me James. I'd love to call you that.Pear Blossom said nonchalantly, in fact, she really likes such small talk. James?Is that what Yi Su called you?I can't learn it all the time. What a wonderful companion this woman was, James thought.He had heard stories about the dangers and hardships when fleeing, but he never thought that the fleeing people were still full of joy, hope, and even dreamed of eating crabs.Of course, he reminded himself, pilgrims have hopes and dreams, otherwise they wouldn't be pilgrims.Ewha speaks in a friendly tone.Although he knows that Chinese people are approachable and informal, but he has never met a person like Lihua.Women like showgirls usually speak in this light and sharp way, and they have been like this throughout their lives. After you got in the car, Lihua said, you'd better pull down your hat and turn up your coat collar.No matter how I think about it, I can't imagine that you can pretend to be Chinese and get away with it.And, James, when you get into the car, you'd better look angry and keep your mouth shut. I mean it.I can pretend to sleep. Wherever it is, we Chinese can always recognize an Englishman at a glance. How do you recognize the law? The British are big and have high noses.Everyone recognizes a Caucasian by their nose. The content of the conversation gradually became intimate.Moreover, Ewha joked about James' dangerous situation.It was very oriental, and James accepted it as the speaker meant it.He said: I'm so sorry, but now I can't cut my nose off. Tell them a little joke to get their spirits up.If a showgirl's job is to entertain the masses, she does.Mr. Duan and the others were a few yards behind, and they stopped to wait for them.After they caught up, Yi Su walked over to Lihua and asked what they were laughing at.Ewha told her. Don't tell anyone, I think your friend has a beautiful nose.Ewha said. Did you hear that?Yisu said to James in front.She is so envious of your straight nose. oh thank you. Fan Shitian didn't relax at all, at least he didn't appear to be relaxed.In his heart, he thought it would be a foolish thing to take a foreigner with him on this kind of journey.However, he also wanted to win the favor of the foreigner. do you like my friendhe asked James. She's irresistible, she's so vivacious. She was eighteen years old when I met her.When she came to Huiyang, every man fell for her.A party wouldn't be a party without her.At that time, I was still young, but she always talked.I often go to see her, just to hear her talk.Do white women talk like her too? It's the same! In this way, all women in the world are the same.Still, I like her that way. Take English women, James said, their freedom of speech is guaranteed by law, so it's a divine right, isn't it? This is the first time I have heard such a funny term.Freedom of belief, freedom of religion, freedom of conscience, I understand all of these.However, why even the freedom of speech needs to be protected by law?To me, it doesn't seem to be that important.What good is the freedom to speak unless you have something to say? James listened and thought it was very interesting.But he only replied briefly: Do you really think so? Maybe it's the relationship of living under the Communist Party.They won't let you say what you want to say.So you don't say anything.This is not the most difficult thing.All I want is peace and freedom.Don't be disturbed, go my own way, think my own mind, don't be like a monkey, follow the slogan.I had an experience once.At that time, I was put on public trial, with my hands tied behind my back and kneeling on the ground.The crowd shouted yes and no like a pack of howling coyotes, following the instructions of the Communist Party committee members.I bought my freedom back with money and joined the party.What else can I do? What was your crime at the time? Oh, it's not the same way of oppressing the people, lending usury, and abusing employees.Of course, this is all a fabrication.My grandfather was Daotai, and my family has three shops and a big house.That is my sin.So I joined the party. Like they Americans say, you can't beat them, join them.Are you not sad? No.Why be sad?I do my best in the face of adversity and, I bide my time. Has your heart not changed? No one can change someone's heart Tell me, do you know there is a place in America called Illinois? oh yes. Do you know Illinois State University? I have heard.How about it? My son graduated from the University of Illinois.Is the University of Illinois big and famous? Yes, it's big, and it's famous. I just wanted to let you know that if I was in Hong Kong, he might be able to visit me in Hong Kong. What do you want to do in Hong Kong? I have no idea.I have friends there and I have saved some money too.I'll see. Are you married? No.I am a bachelor.My wife died before the Communist Party came.She has spared all these sins of the past ten years. They had reached the road to Qingjiang, turned south, and it was a country road parallel to the road.There are no lights on the highway.There is a small stop before the car turns over a small hill, and from here the road slopes up several feet above the country road.The hill was now gray under the starlight.Small saplings are sparsely planted on the road. They stood on the road, looking cautiously at the road above.There was no one around.Not even a passenger waiting station. Do you think the car will come up on time?James asked. I think I'll be there on time.Apart from the curfew, the army wants it to be business as usual.The funny thing is that the local party committee disappeared after the riot, and Zeng Kai, the provincial party committee, took the train back to Guangzhou to report the incident.Nor does he feel that he is obliged to take on local administrative responsibilities.The troops from Dongguan were dispatched to restore order and tranquility.For you, this might not be a bad thing.The day-to-day work of the party committee has come to a standstill, and by the time the newcomers figure things out, you may already be in Hong Kong. Will we be searched in the car? Won't.At the next stop, Qingjiang, sometimes a policeman would get on the bus to take a look.Don't worry about it, everything is up to me.They don't bother us too much.When we get to Longgang, we have to be careful.We must get off the bus before we arrive at Longgang.That's when we're really on our way! Soon, the lights of a car appeared in the distance, and the car turned a corner and headed in their direction.The lights didn't seem to move because the car was coming straight toward them. This is the bus!Fan Shitian said in a low voice.They withdrew together into the darkness by the roadside. Isu and James became nervous.She felt his hand hold hers tightly. Let them go first.Isu said. I see no lights in this car.That's the best. The rumble of cars was already audible.The car stopped quickly, and the driver came down with a flashlight. How many of you are there?the driver asked. seven people.Is there a little boy in the car? There were several children in the car. I am waiting for a fourteen-year-old boy who is very delicate. I did not see such a boy.There is enough space for you to sit in the car.Because of the curfew in town; half the seats in the car were empty. They got into the car one by one.The driver shone a flashlight and told them to take their seats.Some of the passengers looked up at them, but most of the others were asleep in the wooden chairs with their heads down or leaning on others. Ah Zhao!Pear Blossom called softly.She called out again. No one agreed. Hearing the woman's soft voice, some people opened their eyes to look around, but then closed their eyes again. They sat on two chairs.James leaned against Isu and sat by the window.He pulled his hat low, curled up, and leaned on Isu's shoulder.If someone comes over, his face can be hidden. The car started and moved on, the engine made a loud noise, and slowly crawled between the two mountains.A few people in the back were already snoring.A baby began to cry, and his mother patted him to sleep. Everything seemed to be settled, James sat up, staring at the gray mountain shadow outside the window.He lit a cigarette and stared at the driver's back. Every time the car turned, the headlights of the car reflected the driver's back.Sitting next to him was Fan Shitian.His stout body was leaning over a crossbar, talking to the driver in a low voice. The car began to go downhill, and soon, it stopped in a small town with dim street lights.A policeman was waiting there, and he went up to the door and asked the driver how many people were in the car and what was going on in the city.Fan Shitian watched from the side of the car door, and the police might get in the car to take a look at any time. Fan Shitian got out of the car and leaned against the door.He took out a pack of cigarettes and handed it to the policeman. Have a cigarette.I am from the party. The policeman looked at him and saw that he was wearing a Lenin suit and a pair of tortoiseshell glasses. The situation in the city is chaotic.However, they are all ignorant mobs.We arrested twenty or thirty people.It has now been taken over by the military and law and order have been restored. Are you going to Longgang? No, I'm going to Hirayama State Farm.There were country folks in the car.If you want to go up and see, go and see.However, please take your steps lightly, so as not to wake up my wife and family members. If that's the case, I won't disturb them.said the policeman softly. Fan Shitian threw the cigarette butt on the ground, turned around and got into the car.At the car door, he tossed a half-smoked pack of cigarettes to the policeman and whispered goodbye.The policeman smiled and waved, and the car moved on. Fan Shitian returned to his seat and said: You can sleep now.In two and a half hours, we can arrive at Longgang. James breathed a sigh of relief again. Does the car stop all the way?Fan Shitian asked the driver. Unless someone gets off at Xinxu; it is so late, probably not many people get off. James hugged Isu in his arms, feeling very happy in his heart.Mr. Duan fell asleep, and his little grandson was sleeping on his lap.Fan Shitian and Lihua sat in the front row, snuggling up to each other. Night, as cool as water.Not long after, James felt Isu's head drooping, leaning on his shoulder.He moved slightly, and pulled off his raincoat to cover Isu's legs. For a long time, he stared at the flying shadows outside the window.The car moved forward with a rumbling sound.They were now passing through a canyon between two hills.The moon has quietly climbed up the mountain on the left, mysterious and serene.He thought to himself that his aunt should have arrived in Hong Kong this afternoon.Mr. Duan was sleeping quietly beside him.Under the moonlight, Lihua put her legs in black trousers outstretched on the chair, and her head rested comfortably on Fan Shitian's legs. Isu moved a little.The arm dropped and James took it.Rubbing his neck with her hair, there was a light fragrance from her hair, and a warmth from her body. Soon, James also fell asleep peacefully. When Yi Su shook him awake, he had no idea where he was.Yi Su whispered: We are going to get off here. He sat up and looked around.The car has stopped.Everyone else is ready to get off. He got out of the car and asked Yi Su: What is this place? I don't know either.