Chapter 18 Chapter Seventeen

Hearing a commotion upstairs, James turned over in his chair.Fan Shitian was still lying on the table snoring heavily, and the tip of his beard was twitching rhythmically.Light streams in from a side window.James, who had spent the night slumped in chairs and stools, felt pain in every bone in his body. The maid brought a basin of water, carefully passed between the two lying people, and went upstairs.James heard Ashe talking to a man outside. He lifted off the windbreaker and stood up, rubbing his waist with his hands, he felt like his back was about to break.Any posture is better than him lying crookedly like this.The maid came back, hurried past them, and he opened the door.

He saw a moving scene head on.Ashe stood in front of her tall husband, trying to shake the white lime off his shoulders.Zhang Fu also picked fine lime particles in Ah Xue's hair.They slept in the kiln house last night. For the first time James saw Ashley smile; her face seemed different, radiant, as if no trace of that dreadful afternoon had been left.They noticed someone watching them, and she quickly patted Zhang Fu's hand and took it off. Good morning, did you sleep well last night?James asked. very good.Zhang Fu replied in a deep and sonorous voice. A Xue bit her lip, and stood aside, as if embarrassed.

Ah Zhao ran towards them bouncing around, his hair and body were covered with a lot of white powder.He came from the kiln house by a narrow rocky path. Hey, little bud, come down! James looked up.Yi Su and her little nephew stood at the window watching them. Did you sleep well last night?James asked loudly. There are bedbugs. Two people disappeared from the window.They go into the house.Fan Shitian was already up, and the maid was cleaning the table. Old Mr. Duan had a fever, Yi Su had already come downstairs to give him hot tea. is it serious?James asked. Nothing serious.He just felt too tired and weak.I think this is because yesterday I walked too much in a day and my relationship was tense.

Fan Shitian was planning the next stage of his journey, thinking that now they had four men, three women and two children, not counting professional scalpers. If your father is ill, we will not start today.He said to Isu.I'll come and talk to him. He went upstairs and saw Lihua, who was painting her lips with a lipstick.They lay naked all night last night. Sunlight came in from the window, Mr. Duan's face was haggard and pale, but he looked very peaceful.Seeing Fan Shitian walk in, a peaceful smile slowly appeared on his face, and his eyes flickered. what do you think?Fan Shitian asked.

not so good.But I'll be fine.Mr. Duan coughed lightly as he spoke. If you feel like you won't be able to walk today, we can take a day off here. I'm sorry, an old bone is getting hard, but I can still walk.Give me a break and I'll be on my way.How far do we have to go? Don't worry, Yisu and I can serve you.In fact, Liberty City was only twelve or fifteen kilometers away.We have traveled a lot in the past two or three days.It doesn't matter if we rest for a day or two.With any luck, we'll be there on Saturday night. Yi Su brought up a pot of hot tea.She touched old Mr. Duan's forehead, and then tried his pulse.

You'll be well soon, Dad.Isu said.We don't have a thermometer, but I know you're fine. I need to rest for a while.Just take care of little Ya'er.Someone has to follow him everywhere. He paused for a moment, looking at his friend and daughter.The situation last night made me think of many things.Along the way, anything can happen.Fan Shitian, Yi Su, my only hope now is that child.Can you promise me that you will definitely bring up Xiao Ya'er and let him receive a good education? Stop thinking about it.Fan Shitian said.We'll be in Hong Kong by Saturday night, or, at the latest, Sunday.

I'm thinking, the last two or three days are the most difficult two or three days and then it's the border. do not worry.Scalpers know how to go.Nothing to worry about. Cai Shan came in from the kitchen, and they happened to come down the stairs too.Cai Shan knew that Mr. Duan was not feeling well. I don't want you to leave today either.There are still some things that I have to arrange first.This section of the road hates the little three pomelo and the big three pomelo.And there are children and women with you.It's dangerous to sneak past at night.It's hard if there's only two or three men

Can you consult with the patrol?Fan Shitian asked. I can try it.The patrols change shifts from time to time.I know several of them.It all depends on who the captain is.I know a lot of people have sneaked past.There is a trail to the north, which bypasses the patrol; but it is not easy, and it will take another day. You'd better go see if there are any acquaintances. They are all about the same, as long as the money is enough.However, if you meet friends, it will be easier to talk. Where did the farmers from Boluo go? have no idea.They must have traveled all night.They are so stupid.Come here, I will show you Mount Wutong.

They followed him, and when they came to the side of the road about a hundred yards, they could distinctly see a mountain with a watchtower on top of it.There is a peak to the west, which is a little lower. Going down from Wutong Mountain is the boundary.Do you want me to accompany you all the way to the border? want. You all have passes, right? What pass? Border Pass, or Bao'an County Resident Card. Fan Shitian said that everyone has, except Azhao, Axue and her husband, they have Huiyang and Boluo's resident certificates. What about your white friends?Cai Shan gave James a worried look.

He has his papers and a good gun. The guide didn't like what he meant. He won't use that gun.Isu said: If you could make a deal with the patrol, he wouldn't need to use that gun at all. Cai Shan held his chin with one hand.Finally he said: I hope you will take my advice.There's a path leading north, where there are no patrols.This Englishman, Zhao, Xue, Husband of Xue, go that way.I just need to tell them where to stop and where to wait for us, I believe they will be able to walk there.In this way, we will only have four or five people with resident certificates left, which will be much easier for me to arrange.The patrols just had to look away as we passed.

James was a little uneasy.His eyes stopped on Yi Su, and then on Fan Shitian, wanting to hear their opinions. Save your bullets.On this stretch of the road, we have to avoid alerting the border guards across the border. Yi Su faces a conundrum.She couldn't ask her father to take the arduous and potentially dangerous journey that would take an extra day.However, it would have been much better if James' passport had not been checked and he had not been questioned by the police. She decided to go with her father. I'll go with you, if you need anything, I can help you.Ah Xue said: You take care of your father, and I can take care of the children on the road. Can you separate from your husband?Yi Su asked her with a smile. If you can separate from your husband, of course I can too.I can be your servant.That's the original meaning, isn't it? In the end, it was decided that James, Ah Zhao, and Zhang Fu would take a long detour, and the rest would go straight down the mountain. At the foot of the mountain is the Sanyoutian Reservoir, shining in the sun.They saw a winding road near the reservoir, and in the valley between the two mountains, they could see a section of the Henggang Highway. Before Cai Shan left, he asked them not to leave the inn too far.There may be people coming and going at the inn.It was safer to be near the kilns, or, if necessary, to hide in disused lime kilns. James and his party set off after dark, walked along the foot of the mountain, and reunited with everyone the next day. After everyone talked, Cai Shan set off, and he told everyone that he would be back at two or three in the afternoon.Now they have nothing to do but wait. Cai Shan brings back discouraging news.The patrol man is in a bad mood today.Something happened last night.The Boro peasants attempted to rush across the border, armed with nothing but a few sticks.They really want to work hard. The reservoir is guarded and well lit at night.Apparently, the peasants were told that as long as they climbed over a mountain, they were at the border, and there was a nearby river running along the border.After they climbed a mountain, they found a river.The lights on the other side of the reservoir were brightly lit, and they mistakenly thought it was the lights of Hong Kong.When there are four or five people, they jump into the water.The guard fired a shot.Several swam to the opposite bank and were shot dead by guards as soon as they got ashore.The rest swam in other directions, and seven or eight guards ran along the bank of the reservoir and fought.Two guards were wounded and most of the peasants fled.Afterwards, five bodies were found dumped on the shore of the reservoir. I don't even want to meet the captain, I just talk to a few guards and pretend I'm a passerby.I heard that the captain's surname is Wu.If he is Old Wu, I can discuss with him. Fan Shitian tapped his hands on the table. What shall we do? Let's do it according to our plan, and they will be calm by tomorrow.One, we might be able to steal it without anyone seeing it.This road is densely forested and there are many forks along the way.Second, if you are questioned, you all have a residence card.Third, I think we can bribe them. If the captain is Old Wu, then there will be no problem.I just hope you don't carry guns with you. I will not be with you.James said with a wry smile. Oh, that's true. Under Cai Shan's persuasion, James, Zhang Fu, and Ah Zhao set off before sunset.They didn't care about the extra walk in the woods.The rest stayed and set out on the road tomorrow. Because it was very warm in the house, they stayed in the big room downstairs.Mr. Duan went downstairs to have lunch, and after the meal, he went upstairs to rest.Cai Shan went out to chat with the neighbors nearby, and it seemed that there would be no other guests coming.The boss asked them if they wanted to play cards. Playing poker or Pai Gow?Fan Shitian asked Lihua. I like to play Pai Gow.Lihua said it was an ancient Chinese game. Oh, I have Pai Gow.The boss says.Sometimes, soldiers come here to play Pai Gow to pass the time. Then bring Pai Gow and some sorghum wine.Do you want to play?Fan Shitian turned around and asked Yi Su. I won't.She graduated from a Catholic school. Yi Su went back upstairs.Her father is gazing at an old family photo.Little Ya'er, no one was playing with him, he was lying upside down, his feet were hanging on the headboard of the bed, and his head was resting on his grandfather's belly. Hey, you can't sleep on Grandpa like this.Come, come downstairs with me, let Grandpa have a good rest. Don't chase him away, just let him lie down like this, it's fine.You stay too.What are they doing downstairs? They are playing Pai Gow. I think you'd better not get too intimate with Ewha, she's a showgirl. I know. I made you a Christian, and you will be a Christian forever.Sit down, I want to talk to you. The photo just now fell out of Mr. Duan's hands, and now Xiaoya'er is playing with it.The surface of this photo is smooth, but it has faded and yellowed over time.Yi Su in the photo is only six years old, and there are two older brothers and parents with her.It's a family photo. Yi Su sat obliquely on the edge of the bed. Mr. Duan squeezed his daughter's hand tightly and said: Yisu, I never thought that one day I would rely on you so much.You have been a good girl and I am so proud of you.Before James came, I was not at ease.After all these years, you finally survived.I want to bless you, but I don't know how to do it.Come here, come closer. He put his hand on Yi Su's head, and then put it on Xiao Ya'er's head and said: May God bless and protect you forever. He was so excited that his voice was choked up.He raised a finger and wiped his eyes. Dad, everything will be fine. Mr. Duan's nose twitched.I was looking at that old photo just now.His eyes wandered into the distance.Don't we have a happy family? Yes, we had a wonderful childhood. Your mother passed away.I had many big plans before, and your two brothers passed away again.The ancients said: Do your best and obey the destiny.I have done my best for you.But the result is still the same.Little Ya'er is my lifeblood.When I'm gone, take good care of him.Everything is up to you. Dad, where do you want to go? Mr. Duan slowly said word by word: I want you to promise me. Dad, I promise you. In this way, I am satisfied. They heard noises downstairs.There are strangers talking to the boss.They told Xiao Ya'er to go downstairs to have a look, and he came up and said that two soldiers had come. What are they doing here? They want a drink. Are they Border Patrol? I have no idea.They carried guns at their waists. Downstairs, Fan Shitian and Lihua were pushing Pai Gow on a nearby table. Two guards came in and stepped on the stool next to the middle table. They continued to play. From time to time they stole glances at the middle table.In front of the two soldiers, each had a glass of wine.One of them stood up, undid his belt, and with a sigh of relief dropped the belt and gun on the table, sat down again, and looked around.The other, took off his hat, put it on the table, and scratched his head. Fan Shitian and Lihua continued to play cards without saying a word.Fan Shitian's face was tense.On the other hand, the two soldiers looked relaxed. The innkeeper swayed to the center of the room and asked: What else do you two want?playing cards?or something else? don't want anything.We just went back for a drink.Have any rogues from Boro pass by? I don't know that. A soldier looked at the silhouette of Lihua, and the soft afternoon sun shone lightly on her hair and face. Don't look at them.Fan Shitian said in a low voice. The taller soldier picked up the cup and said: Hi, please!I see you guys are having a good time. Fan Shitian stood up, picked up his wine glass, and walked towards them. I wish you health!cheers!He said. I wish you health too!Cheers to that beautiful lady too! They cheer. What are you doing here? We are from Pingshan.It's very comfortable here.Do you know Cai Shan? know.Is that lady your lover? No, it's my friend. The soldiers winked. After a while, the soldiers left and waved a friendly goodbye to them. The door was open, and Yi Su had been listening to the conversations and actions downstairs, feeling nervous and scared. Yi Su, Mr. Duan and Xiao Ya'er quickly came downstairs together. Who are they?Mr. Duan asked. patrol. Did they ask any questions? They thought it was just the two of us.I told them we were from Pingshan. Did you not ask anything else? No. At dinner, Cai Shan and A Xue ate with everyone.Fan Shitian told them about the two soldiers. I know.They often come here for a drink.I have good news for you all.The captain is Lao Wu.I have already talked with a soldier, and we will definitely be able to talk tomorrow.Don't hide it either, they've heard all about us from the neighbors, or from the innkeeper. After dinner, Fan Shitian and Lihua continued to play Pai Gow on the middle table, and no one could persuade the Duan family to join in. Why not play?Are you scared? No, we never play Pai Gow.Just play your game and leave us alone. It was always around nine o'clock.Clocks do not exist in the mountains.Years in the mountains, only sunrise and sunset, no time. There was a knock at the door, and before the door could be answered, an officer in uniform entered, of medium build, with prominent cheekbones, thin lips, and a neatly trimmed beard.He had a determined face, with eyes that slanted into his forehead.Walking, quite majestic, looked at the people around the table with surprised eyes.I don't know if it's an artificial surprise?Or genuine surprise?Everyone can't see it. Hi!Cai Shan called out and walked towards him. Hi!He patted Cai Shan on the back and shook him.He looked very sincere. Yi Su bit her lip, while Li Hua stared openly at him.Fan Shitian's eyes glanced uneasily behind tortoiseshell glasses. I met Captain Wu.Cai Shan said. Come, let's have a drink, I treat you!The captain's voice was pleasant. The captain came alone?asked the innkeeper. Yes, just me.He noticed the Pai Gow on the table and said: Keep playing. You play too, okay? The captain looked around in a circle.Yi Su has already retreated to the hiding place, standing behind the table.He glanced at Yi Su and said: don't you play No, neither my dad nor I play. Xiao Ya'er timidly hid behind and grabbed his grandfather's clothes. Why don't you play? We are Christians. Bah, then watch us play. When they started playing Pai Gow, the atmosphere eased a bit.Ewha is the only one who feels at ease.Whenever she got a good deal of cards, she let out a series of crisp, soft, triumphant laughs. You're unlucky, Captain. The captain had a good time, took off his hat and unbuttoned his jacket. After playing for a while, the captain stopped.Several times.He raised his eyes, looked at Fan Shitian, and met Fan Shitian's gaze.Neither of them spoke, but they pondered each other's thoughts. enough.said the captain.Stretched out both hands, yawned: I still want to have a drink. Does this place belong to you?Fan Shitian asked. Yes.Little three pomelo, big three pomelo, and the area below.We take turns and adjust every half a month.This is the rule above.In the first few days, I still felt that the scenery was beautiful and the air was fresh, but after that I got tired of chasing smugglers and people who wanted to escape. Do you know what happened yesterday?What a bunch of donkey eggs.Like monkeys, they jumped into the reservoir one by one, thinking they had arrived in Hong Kong.Two of my men were seriously injured.What a fool.We soldiers are out to protect them, not to hurt them. Did you arrest some people? No.Five of them remained by the reservoir, either injured or killed.The rest fled in the dark.We didn't want to kill them, they wanted ours.Never seen such a fool.If they are honest people and want to take a pass here, what is there to discuss and arrange? He called the boss, and the boss hurried over. Hello, don't you have a room upstairs?I want to take a break. Without waiting for a reply, he picked up his hat and stood up. The innkeeper lit a candle, and accompanied him upstairs himself. Fan Shitian and Mr. Duan exchanged heavy glances. Go upstairs and help us arrange it.Fan Shitian said to Cai Shan.He has hinted to us that he is negotiable.Ask him how much?We take what we pay. However, this is no longer necessary, the innkeeper has come down to tell Cai Shan that the captain wants to see him. tell me.The guys downstairs want to cross the border, don't they?The captain leaned against the head of the bed and asked. Cai Shan nodded. How many people are there? Cai Shan counted and said, there are five people in total, and there is also a child. Do you know who they are?They seemed to be a well-to-do family, and there were two beautiful women.How much do they pay you? Cai Shan hesitated for a moment.One hundred dollars per person. oh? Old Wu, they are all well-behaved people.I'll give you two hundred dollars if you let them pass. Wait a minute, you didn't tell me the whole truth.The report I got was that eight or nine people were here last night.That means you can get 900 yuan.Business is good! Old Wu, you have helped me before.I'll tell you the truth.They are all kind people.The gentleman downstairs is an old friend of mine.Can you get them all to cross the Yokohama Highway?Don't embarrass me. He held out three fingers, then four, and finally five. The captain nodded, and Cai Shan smiled. Wait a moment.Don't mention money to them. He pointed to the scarf Yi Su left on the other bed, glanced at it maliciously, and then whispered something in Cai Shan's ear. let me try.I don't know if she wants to. She would be willing if they wanted to pass.understand? Cai Shan came downstairs, turned his head to signal, and told Fan Shitian and Mr. Duan to follow him aside. How much?Fan Shitian asked. Cai Shan stretched out five fingers, and said something to Mr. Duan in a low voice.He bowed his head and said: What a pity.I think you have to think about it, he has seen your daughter. Mr. Duan's eyes showed anger that they had never seen before.Yi Su and Li Hua walked over. Mr. Duan said to his daughter: This beast!I know you will never go, and I will never agree. What not to do?Yi Su asked puzzledly. In the tense silence, there were only sighs. Cai Shan pulled Fan Shitian aside and said in a low voice: The captain wants Miss Duan to accompany him.We'd better say yes.You ask your girlfriend to persuade her. By this time, the meaning of the words has been understood, and the price they have to pay is also very obvious. Yi Su cried.I do not want!I do not want!Ewha wants to talk to her. Yi Su sat down?He lowered his head, stretched his arms straight on the table, clenched his fists tightly, and his hair fell over his shoulders.Little Ya'er, not knowing what happened, sobbed and cried.Yi Su cried sadly. Suddenly, Lihua stood up abruptly, glanced at Fan Shitian, and cursed angrily: "Damn it, I'll go!"If the animal wants it, I will give it to him. Without looking at anyone else, she held her head up, walked past them, and walked upstairs.Upstairs, she paused for a moment to straighten her clothes, then went into the room. Ewha's actions surprised everyone.Yisu didn't know that Lihua had already arrived upstairs, so she continued to sob, her head buried in her hands, her shoulders trembled along with her crying. The others sat down together and waited in silence, paying attention to the movement upstairs. Five minutes passed, everything was quiet, and the pear blossoms did not come down.They sat down, expecting and waiting in silence, and each of them looked at the ceiling in turn, with regularity, rhythm, and no rush.Fan Shitian went out and sat alone on the rattan chair, leaning forward, bent at ninety degrees.His eyes were fixed and glazed, as if the anger in his eyes might explode at any moment.The muscles of his jaw twitched from time to time. Ten minutes, fifteen minutes passed.Yi Su had calmed down, and vaguely began to realize what had happened. She didn't come down, so she was probably fine.Ashe said to the proprietress in such a loud voice that everyone could hear her. Fan Shitian stopped her from talking with gloomy eyes. The laughter from upstairs came down through the ceiling. Mr. Duan blocked his mouth with his fist, showing a dazed expression.Since Lihua went upstairs, no one has said a word. Half an hour passed, and there were hurried footsteps upstairs.The floor creaked. The captain, in neat attire, came down the stairs slowly and at a leisurely pace.He nodded to the innkeeper, tightened his chin, raised his head and walked towards the door proudly, Cai Shan opened the door for him. The captain tilted his head, and Cai Shan followed him out. Here is my business card, tell them to take this card to the patrol tomorrow and I will leave two soldiers to escort them across the road. He stopped, lit a cigarette, took a few steps, and staggered onto the road.