Chapter 22: The Ill-Fated Pan Jinlian

The two of them came out together and sat at a table with everyone, introducing Lu Lvzi and Er Tun to the others. They simply said they were friends who had broken their arms and were here to recover from their injuries. No one suspected anything, and they all ate and drank together. By now the sky was completely dark, the evening drum sounded, and Liu Minyou went to hang up the lanterns.

Listening to the bell, Chen Xin asked Tan Zongjia, "Tan Zongjia, won't we be violating the curfew like this?"

"It's no problem. The curfew only forbids walking outside the ward; inside the ward it's not restricted."

"Oh, so that's how it is. Then today we must drink to our hearts' content."

Deng Keshan immediately cut in, "Right! It's rare for our Erdaojie to get new neighbors, and all of them dragons and phoenixes among men. Look — Brother Lu is mighty, Brother Er Tun is filial, Brother Liu is steady, and Brother Chen, needless to say, is both learned and magnanimous. Let's all toast them together. Come, bottoms up."

This Deng Keshan spoke nothing but flattery. Lu Lvzi was a bit strong, so he was "mighty." Er Tun was unremarkable in appearance and had no learning, so Deng casually labeled him "filial." His attitude was so enthusiastic that everyone had no choice but to go along and drink together.

After two rounds of drinking like this, Chen and Liu began going around toasting people one by one. What they were drinking was rice wine, very low in alcohol. During the meal, someone again asked about the two men's experiences in Liaodong. Riding the wine's momentum, Chen Xin told the story once more. He was growing more and more practiced at telling this tale, so much so that even Liu Minyou, when not paying close attention, began to feel it had really happened.

When everyone had finished listening, there was another round of sighs and laments. Hearing Chen Xin say the two had killed a Tatar sentry, Deng Keshan raised his cup to them and said, "I toast you two elder brothers. This little brother respects most the heroes who kill Tatars. It's a pity the Tatars can't fight their way to Tianjin, or else I'd have to go kill a couple myself."

Zhou Shifa turned his head aside and said, "Brother Chen and Brother Liu may be scholars, but they're tall and strong. With that puny frame of yours, trying to kill Tatars — even if someone tied one up for you, you couldn't finish it off. With your character, it'd be impressive enough if you didn't end up a Tatar collaborator."

Deng Keshan still grinned cheerfully. "Brother Zhou jokes again. No matter how worthless I am, I still understand the great divide between Chinese and barbarians. Even if I can't kill Tatars, I can at least get up on the city wall and throw a couple of rocks. Whenever Brother Zhou decides it's time to kill Tatars, this little brother will sharpen your blade and hold your horse."

Zhou Shifa cursed, "Aren't you afraid of wagging your tongue off? The Jianzhou bandits took the Korean king's capital just last month. Who's to say they won't really fight their way to Tianjin one day? I'd like to see whether you'd dare get up on that wall then."

Hearing that the Tatars might actually come, Deng Keshan was so frightened his mouth hung open and he stood there dumbstruck. Only after a moment did he tug at Zhou Shifa and ask, "Brother Zhou, don't scare me. You know I can't take a scare. Shanhai Pass is the greatest pass under heaven — how could it be so easy to break through?"

Zhou Shifa gave a snort and ignored him.

Chen Xin was not entirely clear on the timing of the Later Jin's attack on Korea, but the core of Dongjiang was on both sides of the Yalu River. Since the Korean king's capital had fallen, Dongjiang had likely suffered considerable losses as well, and in the short term might not be able to effectively contain the Jianzhou bandits.

But that was too big a matter for him to manage right now. He raised his wine bowl and consoled Deng Keshan, "The Jianzhou bandits have been causing trouble for more than a day or two. Brother Deng, when have you ever seen them actually break through the pass? With Shanhai Pass there, not to mention the Chahar Khan and Marshal Mao at his flanks — if he really dared run this far to Tianjin, those two would have already run to Shenyang to plunder. So Brother Deng need not worry at all."

Hearing this, Deng Keshan finally felt at ease. His face broke into a smile and he drained a bowl with Chen Xin.

Beside them, Tan Zongjia was clearly uninterested in these distant affairs, caring only about his own little patch of Erdaojie. He cut off their topic: "Deng Er, I hear you've rented to another household?"

"Yes, I was just about to tell Tan Zongjia about it."

"Is it that Shen Lou family from Liye Fang?"

"Exactly. Didn't they owe money? They sold their old house and rented a room and a shopfront from me. It was Uncle Wu from Liye Fang who came to speak about it."

Liu Minyou heard this and knew the "Uncle Wu" he referred to was the house broker Wu Yue.

Zhou Laifu cut in, "I heard he's a petty thief, and he even stole from his master's household. You'd rent to someone like that?"

Zhou Shifa flared up again at this: "If anything goes missing in the ward from now on, we're coming to you, Deng Er."

Deng Er cried out in protest, "Don't everyone come after me! When Uncle Wu came to talk about it, I refused at first too. Uncle Wu insisted this family was pitiful and desperate to find a rental. I'm soft-hearted — helping people and doing good deeds, that's all. That's why I agreed. Besides, Shen Lou's legs are broken — can he really jump out and steal anything?"

Tan Shunlin thought for a moment and then said, "Your place already has one household. With them coming, that's three households in your courtyard. You only have four rooms in total — how can you fit them all?"

"It fits just right. My family takes one room, the Wang family two rooms, the Shen Lou family one room — isn't that perfect? I was even thinking of filling in the latrine and building another room, so I could take in one more household."

Tan Shunlin's eyebrows shot up. "Don't you dare. If you fill in the latrine, where will you dump all your filth? Erdaojie, if nothing else, is cleaner than the other streets. If you do it, others will follow your example — what will this street become? If you dare build it, I'll dare bring the neighbors to tear it down."

"Count me, Zhou Shifa, in. Let's see if he dares."

The others also denounced him one after another. Seeing this, Deng Keshan had no choice but to agree to abandon the plan.

Only then did Tan Shunlin let him off. After a moment, he sighed, "This Wu Yue — the people you don't want in Liye Fang, why send them over to Jingdong Fang? Forget it. Deng Er, keep a close eye on them normally, but don't bully them either. Shen Lou's mother has it hard enough. Petty thief or not, don't ruin the goodwill between neighbors."

"Yes, Tan Zongjia speaks reason. I, Deng Er, may have no other skills, but I value loyalty and friendship..."

"Alright, enough of your empty talk. Everyone, drink up."

Only then did Chen Xin and Liu Minyou learn that the Shen family had also moved here. While Tan Shunlin and the others discussed the matter, the two had been unable to get a word in for quite a while. Now they hurriedly raised their cups again and drank with everyone.

They ate and talked like this, drinking straight through until the second watch. The dishes had been reheated twice before everyone finally finished. By the time they left, all were slightly tipsy. That Deng Keshan was still pestering Zhou Shifa the whole way, trying to persuade him to join in a "fire pit trap" tomorrow.

Once they had all dispersed, the group began cleaning up. Liu Minyou found a moment and asked Chen Xin, "What does Deng Keshan mean by always wanting to 'set a fire pit trap'? Is it something like masonry work?"

Chen Xin chuckled. "What masonry work? I just asked Zhou Laifu. A 'fire pit trap' is what we call a badger game."

"Ah, no wonder Zhou Shifa says he swindles and cheats. Then why do they only look down on Shen Lou, but aren't too bothered by Deng Keshan?"

"Probably because Shen Lou stole from his master — that's a major taboo. Deng Keshan, on the other hand, always targets outsiders. According to Zhou Laifu, Deng Keshan seeks Zhou Shifa out for backing. The person who shows up at the end of a badger game needs to have an imposing presence. Zhou Shifa has a blade and a uniform, and he's fairly tall and big — he can scare the fat sheep."

Liu Minyou shook his head. "I thought Zhou Shifa was an upright man. Turns out his scolding of Deng Keshan is just about an unfair split of the loot."

Just as they were speaking, a timid voice suddenly came from beside them. "I — we've come late. Could we get some food to take away?"

They turned to look. It was none other than Shen Niangzi, standing to the side with her head lowered, holding a bowl in her hand. The two exchanged a glance, understanding that she was too embarrassed to come eat and had only dared emerge after everyone had left. It was clear she must usually endure a great deal of gossip.

Seeing the two men silent, Shen Niangzi grew even more flustered and said, "If there really isn't any, that's fine. Th-thank you."

Liu Minyou hurriedly said, "There is. Wait just a moment, Shen Niangzi. Give me the bowl and I'll fill it for you."

Shen Niangzi quickly handed the bowl to Liu Minyou. Liu Minyou went into the courtyard and filled it to the brim with meat. After a moment's thought, he took another bowl and filled that too, then brought both back to Shen Niangzi.

Seeing the extra bowl, Shen Niangzi thanked them, "Thank you, young masters."

Chen Xin had seen her several times now, always with a haggard expression, and the people around them spoke of her with clear contempt. Feeling some sympathy in his heart after all, he asked her, "Has your husband's injury healed fully?"

Shen Niangzi's voice was somewhat low. "Thank you for asking, young master. The wounds have scabbed over, but as for when he can get out of bed, I don't know."

"Oh, what did the physician say?"

"He — he didn't say much."

Seeing she was reluctant to say more, Liu Minyou could only say, "Then take care on the road, Shen Niangzi. Go back soon and heat it up to eat. The weather's hot — whatever you do, don't leave it sitting too long."

"Thank you, young masters. I'll return the bowls tomorrow." Shen Niangzi finished speaking, gave a curtsey, and left. Watching her go, she still walked with a slight limp.

Zhou Laifu had not yet left. Watching from the side, he said to the two, "This Shen Niangzi was originally surnamed Li, a daughter from an official family. During the Wanli reign, her family ran afoul of the law and their household was confiscated. She was first sold to Master Liu's household. Later, when she grew up and had some looks, it was said Master Liu had certain intentions, but then his wives and concubines all raised a ruckus and forced her to be sold again. Shen Lou was working as a servant in the Liu household and happened to be unmarried. For a few taels of silver, he got a bargain. When he brought her home, everyone around here laughed behind their backs, saying Master Liu had already ruined her. After a long time, seeing that this woman was honest and kind-hearted, the talk gradually stopped. At first, Shen Lou treated her decently too. Then after a few years, when her belly showed no sign of stirring, it's said the Shen mother and son began to treat her coldly, often beating and cursing her. Later still, Shen Lou — who knows what got into him — got obsessed with gambling. How is that something small households like ours can afford to play? When this business happened, it dragged this woman down with him."

"Isn't that pretty much like Pan Jinlian?"

"It really is about the same. But this woman is an honest person."

Just as they were speaking, they heard the sound of a man roaring and a woman screaming miserably from over there. In the deep stillness of the night, the sound carried far. Listening carefully, it seemed to be the voices of Shen Lou and Shen Niangzi. Zhou Laifu was someone who loved excitement. As soon as he heard it, he said, "Look, we were just talking about them and now trouble's broken out. Let's go take a look quickly."

With that, he headed off in that direction first. Chen Xin said to Liu Minyou, "This ill-fated Pan Jinlian — Brother Liu, come quickly with me to Wu Dalang's house to take a look."

Liu Minyou had no time to respond to him and followed Zhou Laifu over. Outside Deng Keshan's courtyard, the gate was tightly shut. Inside, it was indeed the Shen family quarreling. They could hear Shen Lou roaring inside, "You shameless wretch, shameless! You still dare hide? Stand over here, come here!!"

Then came the smacking sound of a club striking flesh. Shen Niangzi screamed twice, followed by low sobbing. The Shen mother made no sound, and Deng Keshan said nothing either.

"Speak! Why is there an extra bowl? Why did he give you an extra bowl?"

"That Young Master Liu is a kind-hearted person..."

"Some kind soul. What did you do with him to get an extra bowl? You're so cheap you'd do shameless things for a bowl of meat. Beat her to death, beat her, beat her."

The moment he shouted "beat her," the sound of a club came from inside. Shen Niangzi only let out a few stifled grunts this time, probably clenching her teeth and enduring it.

Chen Xin and Liu Minyou looked at each other. An extra bowl of meat had stirred up trouble, and now not only could the two of them forget about mediating, they couldn't even defend themselves. Lu Lvzi and Zhang Dahui had followed them over and happened to hear those words. They were so angry they wanted to kick the courtyard gate, but Liu Minyou held them back firmly.

By now, many nearby households had opened their doors and come out. Hearing Shen Lou's words, they were discussing it in the street. Chen Xin saw things were going badly and quickly nudged Zhou Laifu beside him. Zhou Laifu was stunned for a moment before reacting and cursing into the courtyard, "Shen Lou, stop slandering people. Your wife was only here for a moment. I saw it from the side — she just stood outside the door for a bit. What could she have done? Young Master Liu was being kind, knowing you're injured, and gave you extra meat. You're like a dog biting Lü Dongbin."

Deng Keshan's voice also came from inside, "Exactly. I've seen that Young Master Liu — he's educated and well-mannered. You, Shen Lou, if you love beating your wife, just beat her. What does it have to do with Young Master Liu? If you keep spouting nonsense, I'll slap you across the face myself."

The neighbors nearby had all just eaten at Liu Minyou's place and had a good impression of the two men. Hearing Zhou Laifu's testimony, they all spoke up to condemn Shen Lou...

Although Shen Lou had been irritable lately, he didn't dare provoke public anger. He fell silent at once. Only after a long while did they hear him curse at Shen Niangzi, "Get into the courtyard." Then the door banged once, and there was no more sound.

The crowd in the street heard this and discussed it for a while longer. Some kind-hearted ones even came over to console Liu Minyou, telling him not to meddle in the Shen family's affairs in the future. After a while, seeing there was no more excitement, they all went back inside. Liu Minyou and his group also headed home. Liu Minyou was in low spirits the whole way. Lu Lvzi, Er Tun, and the others cursed Shen Lou nonstop along the road, but they only cursed him for being ungrateful — no one said he was wrong to beat his wife.

Back inside, everyone pitched in to tidy up the courtyard. They were all exhausted today, and after cleaning up, each went back to their own room. The courtyard fell quiet, with only the chirping of insects remaining. Liu Minyou brought a stool over and sat dazed by the stone table. Chen Xin also came over, sat down, and said, "Don't overthink it. We didn't do anything wrong in this."

"It's not that I mind, it's just..." Liu Minyou thought for a long time. "Just thinking that Shen Niangzi has had a hard life. Today she got beaten for no reason and then chased into the courtyard. What must she be feeling tonight?"

Chen Xin smiled faintly. "What could she be feeling? I think her heart died long ago. A few days ago, she came to the Japanese dried seafood shop wanting to buy some seafood for Shen Lou, and the Cai father and son mocked her."

"Ah, how come we've been here so long and haven't seen many happy people..."

Seeing his expression, Chen Xin didn't feel right joking with him and could only change the subject. "We're just office workers, our level's too low, we just don't come into contact with them."

"You're an office worker. I'm an unemployed youth. Seriously, what do you keep busy with at work every day?"

Chen Xin laughed. "There really isn't much to do, much easier than at the old company. Every day it's just bookkeeping and odd jobs. I've long since learned the little there is to the accounting room. Oh, by the way, after working these past few days, guess what I saw at the Japanese dried seafood shop."

"What did you see?"

"Two side rooms are full of raw silk. I caught a glimpse when Old Cai opened the door. The proprietor and Old Cai are also often gone for half a day at a time. No idea where they go."

"Your proprietor is in the silk business too?"

"It's definitely shipped to Japan. Didn't Old Cai say the proprietor goes there twice a year?"

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

"Of course it does. I want to go along on a trip to Japan too, find out the details, and then later we can buy our own boat and make money doing sea trade. If the Tatars ever come, we'll have a boat to escape on."

"Mm, alright. Tomorrow I'll also look for an accounting room job, save up more silver. Otherwise, what would we buy a boat with?"

"Fine, but then who'll supervise Hai Gouzi and the others' training?"

"What's there to supervise? Just walking a bit is enough. Later we'll have them find jobs too."

"Walking a bit? What about their push-ups and sit-ups?"

"The Zhang brothers both say they're tired. Erhui can manage five sets, Dahui two. Only Hai Gouzi insists on doing ten sets himself. Relying on self-discipline is fine."

"What?! Rely on self-discipline?!!"