Chapter Thirty-Three: Farewell

Father was utterly resolute, and from the look of him, if Zhou Zhi pressed further, it would surely bring another storm of thunder and lightning. Zhou Zhi had no choice but to give up. Yet he still voiced his concern softly, “Father, your back has only just recovered. Please take care on this journey.”

“Hmph! Why do you worry? Just mind your own affairs,” Zhou Tiehuan snapped, his eyes glaring.

Though his father’s words were still tinged with anger, Zhou Zhi could hear that the storm of wrath from earlier had faded considerably, replaced now by genuine concern. In Zhou Tie’s eyes, Zhou Zhi was still a child—growing and not fit for the hard labor demanded by conscripted service.

Tomorrow, they would have to set out for the town at dawn, so preparations had to be made today. Zhou Tie promptly turned to his wife, Zhou He, and said, “Mother of my children, prepare the winter clothes well. The conscription came early this year, so it’s likely to last quite some time.”

There was no need for his instruction—Zhou He had already hurried inside to begin preparations. No one knew how long this year’s conscription would last, nor where it would take them, so she needed to ensure her husband would be ready.

At supper, the family made a special dish of fried eggs. It was clear Zhou He had cooked them especially for her husband’s departure. Though the authorities provided food during conscription, the fare was meager—worse even than the pumpkin porridge the Zhou family ate daily.

The five of them gathered around the small, low table. Zhou Tie glanced at the plate of eggs, and his face darkened once more. He said to Zhou He, “Mother of my children, why fry eggs now? I’ll be eating well with the authorities. Hmph! That plate must have used at least five or six eggs. I’ve told you time and again to save eggs and trade them for silver. If we keep living like this, how will our family survive?”

Before the children, Zhou He could not bear to voice her concern for her husband, so she merely said softly, “Father, your back isn’t fully healed yet. Since the eggs are cooked, please eat them.”

“Hmph!” Zhou Tie grunted again, saying nothing more.

Little brother Zhou Shaocheng looked longingly at the eggs, but hearing his parents’ words, quickly averted his gaze and busied himself with the rice in his bowl. Though still a child, he was learning to be sensible.

No one touched the plate of eggs during the meal. Zhou Tie could never bring himself to eat them; he was saving them for the children.

The night passed quietly. At dawn, the family rose early. Zhou Tie was already prepared, his bedding rolled up in hand, two worn winter coats bundled and slung across his back, stepping out into the courtyard.

Elder sister Zhou Lüyun stayed behind to watch the house, while Zhou Zhi, little brother Zhou Shaocheng, and their mother followed closely behind Zhou Tie. They were to see him off at the village entrance.

By then, a number of villagers had gathered at the entrance—poor farmers of Baiyue Village. Among them was Uncle Wang, the husband of Aunt Li next door, whose name was Wang Ren; he was a straightforward, honest farmer.

Seeing Zhou Tie arrive, everyone greeted him.

“Brother Zhou, what’s this? So many coming to see you off—are you reluctant to leave your wife?” someone joked.

Zhou Tie’s face flushed. Truth be told, he disliked having his family see him off. The villagers’ teasing left him tongue-tied, and he could only smile awkwardly.

Zhou He softly reminded him, “Father, be careful when you work—watch out for the officials. Don’t overexert yourself when they’re not around. It’s all government work; steal a bit of rest when you can.”

Not knowing how long he would be gone, Zhou Tie felt a pang of reluctance to leave his family, and nodded gently. He glanced back at Zhou Zhi, his tone gruff but caring, “Unfilial son, once I’m gone, you must not cause trouble. Take good care of your mother and our household.

And see to ‘Grandpa Ma’—make sure nothing goes wrong.

As for you, I’m not trying to keep you from your studies. I just know our family won’t produce a scholar. When you study, don’t neglect the house. If, when I return, you’ve caused harm to the family, I won’t let you off lightly.”

How could leaving half an acre of unplanted wheat be considered bringing harm to the family? His father’s words felt harsh, yet Zhou Zhi could sense the underlying affection. At least now, having demanded he return his books the day before, today his father no longer insisted. It seemed he was not so opposed to Zhou Zhi’s studies after all.

Zhou Zhi hurried to nod his assent.

This year’s conscription was for repairing the Tang River levee within Tang County. Tang County lay some seventy or eighty li from Baiyue Village. The Tang River, the largest flooding stream in the region, originated from Qiangfeng Ridge of Mount Heng in Shanxi, winding through mountains before reaching Tang County, where its waters grew swift and posed a major threat of flooding.

For several years, the weather had been favorable and the river calm, so the authorities had not bothered to repair the levee. But over time, the embankments had weakened, and a sudden flood could bring disaster. Now, the government had finally decided to reinforce the levee as a precaution, which was for the benefit of Tang County, Qingdu County, and Wan County alike.

After a while, all those conscripted from Baiyue Village had assembled. They set out first for Gaochang Town to join others, then to Qingdu County, where they would finally be led to Tang County by officials.

The autumn wind was bleak. Zhou Zhi, his mother Zhou He, and little brother Zhou Shaocheng stood at the village entrance, watching the distant figure of Zhou Tie departing. Each felt a heaviness in their hearts.

Tears welled in Zhou He’s eyes. Yes, their family was poor, but so long as they lived in peace together, that was happiness. She was only a simple village woman, her wishes were modest. Now, with her husband gone and uncertain when he would return, she could only pray silently for his safety.

With his father gone, life might be easier for Zhou Zhi—at least he could pursue what he wished. He hoped that by the time his father returned, the vegetable greenhouse would be built and flourishing with green crops. Surely then, his father would see he was not neglecting his duties nor bringing harm to the family, but striving for their prosperity.

Seeing his mother’s tearful eyes, Zhou Zhi gently reassured her, “Mother, father has always been honest and upright. He’ll be fine. Don’t worry too much—it’s bad for your health.”

Zhou He nodded sadly, and the three of them slowly returned home.

There was no time for reading that morning. From now on, Zhou Zhi would be busy for several days. The bricks laid out in the threshing yard had dried completely, and he needed to transport them to the fields to build the walls for the vegetable greenhouse—now was the time to begin its construction.