Chapter 9 There’s Chicken to Eat

Cheng Huang temple was covered with spider webs and dust. Originally, it was not a very popular temple, now it is even worse with the times as it is. Lin Yuan used a rag to wipe at the table then set up the offerings. The offerings were made by Si Niang, a few white buns and a plate of cabbages, nothing else. Normally there would be roasted chicken but Lin Yuan was even unwilling to spend on it for himself, let alone as offerings.

“Ai.” Brother Dao let out a sigh:”In the past Cheng Huang temple was not this bleak.”

Jiang Gui used a wooden stick to sweep up the spider webs, hearing brother Dao he chuckles:”Actually it is about the same, only you didn’t come the years before.”

After saying so Jiang Gui took a scroll of painting and hung it up next to Lord Cheng Huang (TN: Shing Wong, deity in Chinese mythology).

Lin Yuan examines it for awhile but still could not recognize the abstract looking person in the painting.

Jiang Gui:”How can you not recognize, this is second lord Guan Yu (TN: military general under warlord Liu Bei).”

Lin Yuan nods, expressing his understandment.

Just as Lin Yuan thought everything was ready, the voice of one of brother Dao’s guys came from outside:”Brother Dao! I caught a chicken!”

Brother Dao went outside and brought the chicken in by its wings.

Jiang Gui sighs:”It’s a pity the times are not good, otherwise we must prepare san sheng (TN: literally translates to three sacrificial animals).”

Lin Yuan asks:”What is the san sheng?” Although he likes to read historical novels but in relation to swearing brotherhood he is not too clear.

Jiang Gui:”Pig meat, fish, and eggs are the san sheng.”

Lin Yuan:”……”

If swearing brotherhood must require this many offerings, then forget it, after all in the ancient times the offerings are not taken back and eaten after they cool down instead it remains there until it spoils then it is thrown away.

They remain busy for another while, brother Dao poured the wine in the bowl, made a cut on the chicken’s neck and let the blood into the wine. Then he took out the knife he always carries on him and gave his finger a cut, dripping a few drops into the wine bowl.

“Here.” He handed the knife to Jiang Gui.

Jiang Gui looks a bit timid at the prospect, trying several times before making the cut, looking as his blood dripped into the bowl with heartache.

Using a knife on yourself does require courage.

Lin Yuan tried when he was young, if not careful even a piece of metal strip can cut your finger but if intentionally then it is more difficult as your brain will control your body to not harm yourself.

As a result Lin Yuan decides decisively:”Brother Jiang, I have never used a knife on myself before, help me out.”

Saying so he stretched a finger forward.

Jiang Gui while saying:”How can I possibly.” Gave Lin Yuan a cut in the finger without hesitation.

Lin Yuan:”……” Why do I see that particular expression of joy at other’s misfortune on Jiang Gui’s face.

The three of them then separated the bowl of wine and blood concoction into three separate bowls, one person holding one bowl and knelt in front of Lord Guan’s painting.

Brother Dao with a solemn expression announced:”Let us begin.”

“The skies above, I, Li Congrong with Jiang Gui and Lin Yuan from this day forth will be friends close as brothers.”

“The skies above, I, Jiang Gui with Li Congrong and Lin Yuan from this day forth will be friends close as brothers.”

It was only now that Lin Yuan finally knows brother Dao’s true name.

So he was a pause late before speaking:”The skies above, I, Lin Yuan with Li Congrong and Jiang Gui from this day forth will be friends close as brothers.”

“Henceforth, we shall enjoy the same blessings and withstand the same difficulties. Do not beseech to be born on the same year, same month, and same day, but we beseech to die on the same year, same month, and same day. If violate this vow then let the heavens rain thunder upon me.”

Saying so, the three of them drank the wine and blood concoction in one gulp.

As he was drinking, Lin Yuan thought, drinking blood is truly not hygienic, what if someone has harmful bacteria? Then wouldn’t that mean misfortune for three?

“Third brother, fourth brother.” Brother Dao is in a good mood, grasping Lin Yuan’s and Jiang Gui’s hands.

Lin Yuan asks in a quiet voice:”And the second brother?”

Your order starts with the third number?

Brother Dao pats Lin Yuan’s shoulder intimately:”Yang Zi’an is also my sworn brother.”

Lin Yuan says sincerely:”Big brother, you have quite a few brothers.”

Brother Dao laughed loudly:”Just giving me some face (TN: to give respect/appreciation). That second brother is also a straightforward fellow and is also working with us, you guys call him second brother will not lose out.”

Lin Yuan/Jiang Gui:”……”

“We should find a day to drink together.” Brother Dao said with a smile. These times, sworn brothers are even closer than blood brothers.

“Big brother.” Lin Yuan says to brother Dao, “second brother Yang is still on my land.”

Brother Dao rubs at his nose:”Then we can wait until he comes back.”

Yang Zi’an is an honest fellow. He took his guys to Lin Yuan’s land which is conpletely new fertile land. The land becomes thinner the more you farm it since farming families don’t have enough fertilizer so they must sow in cycles.

Sow for a year then leave it for half a year, let the earth recover itself.

They found a flat land to build grass huts, using mud and hay to reinforce the walls whuch can be dried in one to two days. At night they sleep on hay, 40 men squeezing in together, at least this way the cold is not felt.

Food supply is prepared by Lin Yuan and is carried with them when they left for his land.

There are coarse grains and fine grains but they usually eat the coarse grains. The fine grains are eaten every three days, if still hungry then combine it with coarse grains.

“Compared to before it is much better.” A man holds a bowl of porridge which is rather thin but at leaat there is white rice. He drinks it carefully, sighing in satisfaction, “before there was no white porridge, only bran.”

The person next to him is eating a bun:”Drink it quickly, my bowl is already finished.”

The man ignores him, patting the earth:”Tomorrow is the beginning of harvesting. Boss truly said 50% of harvest?”

Yang Zi’an came out from the grass hut, blowing warm air into his palms:”Boss said it, I expext he also dare not lie to us.”

The man nods:”Right, we have so many of us, even if he were to lie then he must think it over.”

There was also a youngster eating buns with their porridge nearby, saying with hope:”I don’t have excessive hope for receiving that many grains, just looking forward to eating my fill everyday. Being tired is nothing, in the past at my old home the boss only gives 20% to us and we must farm on an empty stomach.”

“My mama saved her portion for me and my brothers, she then starved to death.”

“After mama died, dad fell and broke his leg in the mountains, with no money to buy medicine, he also died.”

The man sighs:”Who doesn’t have a similar past.”

Everyone has a painful past, saying it out loud, are they competing on who is more miserable?

The youngster smiles at the man:”As long as everyday I eat my full.”

Yang Zi’an took up a hoe and farmed along with his guys. He was born in a family that worked the land and also undertook academic studies so he recognizes some words as well as farming. He never speaks of his past to anyone though.

His family in his old hometown was a wealthy family but they don’t have tenant farmers. The land was farmed by his family’s servants instead.

Later a group of bandits passed by. Yang Zi’an at the time was at his friend’s place in the neighboring town. When he came back he found himself to be orphaned and ruined.

His whole family massacred, even his two year old baby brother did not escape.

Even now he wants revenge, but what can he use for revenge? Have these guys go fight for their lives with those bandits?

He can ignore his own life and death but what basis does he have to request the same of his guys who are like friends to him?

Over time, the idea of revenge buried itself deep in his heart. He never says anything nor does he bring it up.

Just as they finished breakfast and prepare to work, a group of people rush towards their direction.

Yang Zi’an:”Don’t be anxious! Take your hoes! Pick up anything heavy!”

If these are bandits, then they must prepare to fight, at least they should have weapons on hand.

The crowd moved in closer, Yang Zi’an then discovers Li Congrong at the head of the crowd.

“All of you put down the weapons, it is brother Dao.” Yang Zi’an shouts out.

Hearing this the people at his side then puts down the heavy objects they planned to use as weapons.

Brother Dao arrived first, behind him is a group of artisans in tight sleeved shirts. And behind those are refugees barely dressed in rags all of them malnourished and shivering in the cold. Their faces showed their uncertainty and loss of what to do.

Yesterday morning, a tall muscular man arrived suddenly, saying that he has work for them, a meal for a day’s work. Hearing this, they arrived since they have nothing else to lose. The most is wealthy families tricking them to become family servants with a slave contract. But being a servant is better than the days they are currently living.

As long as they don’t starve then doing anything is fine.

“These people are here to build a house.” Brother Dao says, “both farming and building will not be affected.”

Yang Zi’an looks at the refugees:”And you are here to manage them?”

Brother Dao grins, showing white teeth:”Can’t leave them alone. With no strength they listen, with strength and food in their bellies who knows.”

Yang Zi’an:”That is the truth.”

Brother Dao suddenly shifts closer, whispering:”I brought a roasted chicken and some wine. We can enjoy a cuppa later.”

Yang Zi’an hears roasted chicken and couldn’t help swallowing profusely. He is already craving it, he can’t remember the last time he tasted roasted chicken.

These years, don’t even mention meat, he ate whatever was at hand, even tree bark and grass roots.

When fleeing, a lot of people ate the wrong thing and slowly their bodies become unwell. That he has lived till now is fortunate.

At the moment, the artisans had the refugees first build grass huts, next to the ones already built by Yang Zi’an’s guys. Although artisans do not have high status but they are still respected for having true skills. Even the grass huts they built are better than the huts Yang Zi’an and his guys built.

Yang Zi’an was pulled away by brother Dao to eat roast chicken.

With a cup of wine and a chicken leg, brother Dao says with a wide smile:”Gege found you two younger brothers.”

Yang Zi’an:”…..”

Back then, he was tricked into swearing brotherhood with brother Dao. He guesses those two unlucky fellows had a similar experience as him.

Brother Dao:”You know them, one is Jiang Gui and the other is Lin Yuan. Later when you see them, you must call them third brother and fourth brother, don’t forget.”

Yang Zi’an took a bite of chicken leg, thinking privately, based on Li Congrong’s hobby, he estimates that he will have a fifth brother sixth brother, seventh brother eigth brother. Maybe even a eightieth brother.

Forget it, there’s roast chicken to eat, it’s better not to think of worrisome thoughts.

If everytime brother Dao swears brotherhood there’s chicken to eat, then this business is still acceptable.

AN: Yang Zi’an:”This fellow just likes to swear brotherhood all over the place, I, Yang Zi’an will rather starve to death, or jump to my death than admit that I have N numbers of little brothers.”

Li Congrong:”Come, have a piece of chicken.”

Yang Zi’an:”Zhen xiang.” (TN: literally translates to ‘truly savory’. It is a popular phrase used in Chinese internet language that is used to describe slapping your own face, or going back on your own words. It came from a movie where the MC goes to the countryside but all he wants is to go back to the city and claims he will rather die and jump to death than eat the food there. Several hours later he eats the food and says “Zhen xiang.” LOL)