Chapter 16: The Wretched Pan Jinlian

  Two people came out together and sat at a table with the crowd, introducing Lu Zizi and Er Tun to others, just saying they were friends who broke their hands and were recuperating here. The crowd didn't suspect anything, eating and drinking together. At this time, the sky was completely dark, and the evening drum sounded. Liu Minyou went to light up the lanterns again.

  Chen Xin listened to the bell and asked Tan Zongjia: "Tan Zongjia, will we violate the curfew by doing this?"

  "It doesn't matter, the curfew prohibits going out of the city, but it's also allowed inside the city."

  "Oh, I see! In that case, let's get drunk today!"

  "Right, it's rare for us to gather in the second street again. We're all extraordinary people. Look, Brother Lu is majestic, Brother Er Tun is filial, Brother Liu is calm and composed, and Brother Chen is not only knowledgeable but also magnanimous. Let's toast to them together! Come on, let's drink up!"

  Deng Kuo Shan was all talk, Lu Zizong was strong and majestic, Er Tun looked unimpressive and had no learning, but he casually gave him a filial title. His attitude was also very enthusiastic, so everyone could only follow along and do it together.

  After drinking two rounds, Chen and Liu started to toast each other. They were drinking rice wine with a low alcohol content. Someone at the table asked about their experiences in Liaodong again, and Chen Xinxin, fueled by the wine, retold the story once more. The more he told it, the more fluent he became, and even Liu Min sometimes felt that it was true.

  The crowd heard and sighed again, Deng Ke Shan listened to Chen Xin say that the two killed a Tartar sentinel, raised his cup to the two and said: "I respect the two brothers, my younger brother respects the good men who kill Tartars, unfortunately the Tartars can't reach Tianjin, otherwise I will go and kill two."

  Zhou Shifa turned his head to one side and said, "Although Chen and Liu are scholars, they have a strong physique. With your small build, you can't even kill a single Tartar, let alone tie one up for me. It's fortunate that you don't become a second-rate Tartar with this kind of moral character."

  Deng Keshan was still smiling, "Brother Zhou is joking again, I may not be a good fighter, but I understand the importance of defending against the enemy, even if I can't kill them, I can at least throw two stones from the city wall. When Brother Zhou wants to kill the enemy, I'll help you sharpen your knife and hold your horse."

  Zhou Shifa scolded: "You're not afraid of getting your tongue cut off, Jian Nu occupied the capital of Joseon last month. If we can't say that day will really fight to Tianjin, I'd like to see if you dare to climb the city wall."

  Deng Keshan heard that the Tartars might really come, and was so frightened that he stood there with his mouth agape. After a while, he pulled at Zhou Shifa and asked: "Brother Zhou, don't scare me, you know I'm not one to be easily scared. That Shanhai Pass is the strongest pass under heaven, it's not something that can be taken down so easily."

  Zhou Shifa hummed and ignored him.

  Chen Xin is not very clear about the time when Houjin took Korea, but the core of Dongjiang Town is on both sides of the Yalu River. Since the capital of Joseon has been lost, it is likely that Dongjiang has also suffered significant losses and may not be able to effectively contain Jian Nu in the short term.

  He can't control such a big thing now, and he picked up his wine bowl to advise Deng Keshan: "Jian Nu is not just a fuss for one or two days. Brother Deng, when have you seen them being able to get through the pass? Not to mention Shanhai Pass, there are also Cha Qun and Mao Da Shuai by his side. He really dares to run so far to Tianjin. These two people should go to Shenyang to enjoy the autumn breeze. So Brother Deng doesn't have to worry."

  Deng Keshan felt relieved after hearing this, and with a smile on his face, he had a bowl of wine with Chen Xin.

  Tang Zongjia, who was standing beside him, clearly had no interest in these distant matters and only cared about the two streets of Erdao Street. He interrupted several people's conversations: "Deng Er, I heard that you rented another household there?"

  "Yes, I was just about to talk to General Tan about it."

  "Is it Shen Lou's family from Li Ye Fang?"

  "It's true, they owed money, sold the old house and rented a room and a shop here, it was Wu Shu from Liji Fang who said so."

  Liu Min had heard and knew that the Wu Shu he was talking about was none other than Wu Yue of Fang Ya.

  Zhou Lai Fu added a sentence: "I heard that it's just a small gain, but you're still stealing from the master's house. Can I rent to someone like you?"

  Zhou Shifa was furious again: "From now on, whenever something is lost in the village, go find Deng Er."

  "Deng Er shouted at Qu to come over: 'You all can't rush me, when Wu Shu said it I didn't agree either. Wu Shu said this family is pitiful and urgently needs a place to rent, my heart is soft, helping people do good deeds, that's why I agreed. Besides, Shen Lou's leg is broken, how can he jump out to steal things?"

  Tan Shunlin thought for a moment and said: "Your family has already lived in one household, they came to your yard and it became three households. You only have four rooms, how can you live in them?"

  "It's just right, I live in one room, the Wang family lives in two rooms, and the Shenlou family lives in one room, isn't it just right? I was thinking of filling up the outhouse and building another room, so we can accommodate another household."

  Tan Shunlin's eyebrows shot up: "You dare, you filled the toilet with those filthy things, where did they go? This street is not as dirty as other streets. You fill it up, others will follow suit, and this street will become a mess. You dare to fix it, I'll bring the neighbors to tear it down."

  "Let me send him a message, and see if he dares."

  Others also voiced their opposition, and Deng Keshan had no choice but to agree to abandon the plan.

  Tan Shunlin spared him, and after a while, he sighed: "This Wu Yue is also, you don't want to set up an industry in the workshop, what are you doing by coming to Jingdong Workshop? Alright, Deng Er, you usually pay attention, but don't bully others either. Shen Lou's mother is also having a hard time, small profits belong to small profits, and the friendship between neighbors shouldn't be ruined."

  "Yes, General Tan is right, I, Deng Er, have no other pursuits, only a strong sense of loyalty and righteousness."

  "Alright, you don't come to these empty things either, let's just drink."

  Chen Xin and Liu Min only then learned that the Shen family had also moved, Tan Shunlin and others said this matter, two people half a day can't get in word, at this time hurriedly again raised cup with everyone same drink.

  They ate and chatted, drinking until the second watch, with the dishes being warmed up twice. The crowd didn't finish drinking until they were all slightly tipsy. As they walked away, Deng Keshan still followed Zhou Shifa, persuading him to help build a fire pit together the next day.

  When they all dispersed, the crowd began to clean up. Liu Min found an opportunity to ask Chen Xin: "What did Deng Keshan mean by setting up a fire pit? Is it like being a construction worker?"

  Chen Xin smiled slyly: "What mud and water workers, I just asked Zhou Laifu, zha huotang is what we call the immortal jump."

  "Ah, no wonder Zhou Shifang said he was deceived. Why do they look down on Shen Lou but not care about Deng Keshan?"

  "It must be because Shen Lou is the thief's master, which is a big taboo. Deng Ke and Shan are all outsiders, according to Zhou Lai Fu, Deng Ke found Zhou Shi Fa to back him up. The last person to come out of the fire pit has to have prestige, Zhou Shi Fa has a knife and a uniform, he's also tall and can intimidate Fat Sheep."

  Liu Min shook his head and said: "I thought Zhou Shifang was an honest man, but it turns out he scolded Deng Keshan just because of uneven distribution of spoils."

  Just as they were talking, a timid voice suddenly came from beside them: "We're late, can we have some food to take away."

  Turning to look, it was indeed the Shen family's daughter, standing at the side with her head down, still holding a bowl in her hand. The two exchanged a glance, knowing that she was too embarrassed to come and eat, only daring to come out after everyone had dispersed, showing that she must have suffered from many idle remarks on ordinary days.

  Shen Niangzi saw that the two were not speaking and felt even more embarrassed, saying: "If there really isn't any then forget it, thank you, thank you."

  Liu Min hurriedly said: "Got it, Shen's wife, wait a moment, you hand me the bowl and I'll fill it for you."

  Shen Niangzi quickly handed the bowl to Liu Minyou, who filled a full bowl of meat in the courtyard. After thinking for a moment, he took another bowl and filled it up as well, then brought both bowls back to Shen Niangzi.

  Shen Niangzi took another bowl and thanked them: "Thank you, two young masters."

  Chen Xin met her several times, each time with a haggard expression, and the people around her were also discriminatory in their conversations. In his heart, he couldn't help but feel some sympathy for her, so he asked: "Has your husband's injury healed?"

  "Thank you for asking, Young Master," Shen Niangzi said in a slightly low tone. "The wound has scabbed over, but as for when I can get out of bed, I have no idea."

  "Oh, what did the doctor say."

  "No, nothing to say."

  Liu Min saw that she didn't want to say much, so he could only say: "Then Shen Niangzi, take your time on the road, go back early and eat something warm, it's hot outside, don't leave for too long."

  "Thank you, young masters. I'll return the bowl tomorrow." Shen's wife said, bowing and walking away with a slight limp.

  "Zhou Lai Fu hasn't left yet, and he looks at the two of them and says: 'This Shen Niangzi originally had the surname Li, and was a daughter of an official family. During the Wanli era, her family got into trouble and their house was confiscated. She was first sold to the Liu family, and later when she grew up and became somewhat pretty, it's said that Old Man Liu had some ideas about her. But his wives and concubines made a fuss, and they forced him to sell her again. Shen Lou was working as a servant in the Liu household, and he hadn't married yet, so he picked up a bargain for a few taels of silver. When he brought her back, everyone around here was laughing behind their backs, saying that she had been ruined by Old Man Liu. But after a while, they saw that this daughter-in-law was kind-hearted and virtuous, and slowly they stopped talking about it. At first, Shen Lou treated her well, but later on, for several years, there wasn't any sign of pregnancy, and it's said that the Shen family started to mistreat her, often beating and scolding her. Later on, Shen Lou somehow got into gambling, which is not something our small household can afford to do. This matter ended up harming this daughter-in-law as well.'"

  "That's almost like Pan Jinlian."

  "It's really about right, but this woman is a decent person."

  Just as they were talking, they heard a man shouting and a woman screaming from the other side. The night was quiet, and the sound carried far, so several people listened carefully, and it seemed to be Shen Lou's and Shen Niangzi's voices. Zhou Laifu was a person who loved excitement, and as soon as he heard this, he said: "Look, something has happened just as we were talking about it. Let's go take a look."

  Having said that, he rushed to the other side. Chen Xing said to Liu Min: "This poor Pan Jinlian, Brother Liu, let's go take a look at Wu Dalang's house."

  Liu Min also followed Zhou Lai Fu to the past, arrived at Deng Ke Shan Yuan outside, the gate was closed tightly, inside really is Shen family in noisy, only hear that Shen Lou in inside roar: "You this do not want face, do not want face, you still dare hide, stand come over, come over!!"

  Then there was the sound of a stick hitting her body, Shen Niangzi let out two sharp cries, followed by low sobbing. Shen Mu didn't make any noise, and Deng Keshan also remained silent.

  "You said, why did he give you an extra bowl, and why did he want to give you an extra bowl."

  "That Mr. Liu is a kind-hearted person..."

  "You're a good-for-nothing person, what did you do with him? You should be given an extra bowl. You're so cheap that you'd do something shameful for just one bowl of meat. I'll beat you to death, beat you, beat you."

  He shouted a loud "hit", and inside was the sound of a stick, Shen Niangzi this time only suppressed a few hums, probably biting her teeth to endure.

  Chen Xin and Liu Min were at a loss for words, and this made things even more complicated. Not only was it hard to mediate the situation, but even explaining themselves was difficult. Lu Zi and Zhang Da Hui followed them, just in time to hear these few sentences. They were so angry that they wanted to kick down the courtyard gate, but Liu Min tightly held them back.

  At this time, many households around had opened their doors and came out to listen to Shen Lou's words, discussing them in the street. Chen Xin saw that things were not going well, so he quickly nudged Zhou Laifu beside him. Zhou Laifu was taken aback before reacting, shouting towards the courtyard: "Shen Lou, you dare to spout nonsense! Your wife just arrived a short while ago, I saw her standing at the door for a moment, what could she have done? Liu Gongzi is kind-hearted and knows you're injured, so he's giving you more meat. You're biting the hand that feeds you!"

  Inside, Deng Keshan's voice also came, "Not that, I've seen Liu Gongzi, knowledgeable and reasonable, you Shen Lou love to beat your wife, just take care of yourself, what does it have to do with Liu Gongzi? You're talking nonsense again, I'll slap you with my big ear."

  The neighbors nearby all had dinner at Liu Minyou's place and had a good impression of the couple. After hearing Zhou Laifu's testimony, they all spoke out to condemn Shen Lou.

  Although Shen Lou had a bad temper recently, he didn't dare to offend everyone. He fell silent for a while before cursing Shen Niangzi: "Get out of the house!" Then the door creaked and there was no more noise.

  The crowd on the street listened and discussed it for a while, with some kind-hearted people coming over to advise Liu Minyou not to interfere in Shen's family affairs again. After a while, when there was no more excitement, they all returned home one after another. Liu Minyou and a few others also headed back to their own homes. Along the way, Liu Minyou felt downhearted. Lu Louzi and Er Tun and others kept scolding Shen Lou along the way, but only for being ungrateful, and no one said that he shouldn't have beaten his wife.

  After returning home, everyone worked together to clean up the yard. Today, everyone was exhausted and returned to their rooms after finishing. The yard became quiet, with only some insects chirping left. Liu Min sat on a stool at the stone table, staring blankly. Chen Xin came over and sat down, saying, "Don't think too much about it, we didn't do anything wrong."

  "I don't have much to say, I just think...". Liu Min thought for half a day, "I think that Shen's wife has had a hard life, today she was beaten for no reason and chased into the courtyard, what kind of mood will she be in tonight?"

  Chen Xin smiled and said, "What mood can she have? I think her heart has been dead for a long time. The other day, she went to the seafood store to buy some seafood for Shen Lou, but was ridiculed by Cai's father and son."

  "Hey, we've been here for so long and haven't seen many happy ones..."

  Chen Xin looked at him like that and didn't dare to tease him, so he changed the subject: "We're just office workers, our level is too low, we can't get in touch with each other."

  "You're a working professional, I'm an unemployed youth, honestly, what's so busy about your daily work?"

  Chen Xin smiled: "Things are really not many, compared to the original company, it's much more relaxing, every day is just accounting and doing chores, I learned about the account room a long time ago. By the way, you know what I saw in that grocery store over the past few days."

  "What did you see?"

  "There are two rooms full of raw silk, I saw them secretly when Old Cai opened the door. The master and Old Cai often disappear for half a day at a time, who knows where they go."

  "Is your host still in the silk business?"

  "It must be going to Japan, Old Cai didn't say that Dongjia goes there twice a year?"

  Liu Minyou still didn't quite understand, "What does that have to do with us?"

  "Of course, it's related. I'd like to go to Japan too, and get a clear understanding of things. Then we can buy our own boat and make money from sea trade. If the Tartars come, we can also use the boat to escape."

  "Uh-huh, okay then. Tomorrow I'll also go find some odd jobs to do for the accountant's office, save up some more silver coins, otherwise what will we use to buy a boat?"

  "Good, but who will guard the sea dog children when they train later."

  "There's nothing good to guard, anyway just walking around is fine. Let them go find something to do in the future."

  "Want to take a walk? What about their push-ups and sit-ups?"

  "Zhang family brothers all said they were tired, Er Hui could only do five sets, Da Hui could only do two sets, and Hai Gouzi insisted on doing ten sets. It's up to their own consciousness."

  "What? Relying on self-awareness?!!"