Explore Chapter 101 of 'The Story of the Golden Powder Family' with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
Following the Jin Family's calamity with the fire god's visit, Jin Quan and his wife, once the initial shock had subsided, went in person to survey the scene of the fire. All they saw was a field of debris, with wisps of smoke still rising. The former splendor and prosperity were now but a vanished dream. Mrs. Jin could not help but weep openly, and Jin Quan too shed silent tears.
Jin Quan sighed and said, "Such is the will of Heaven. What more is there to say? Yet the accumulated wealth of our Jin Family for generations has turned to ashes in a single day. How can this not break one's heart?" Mrs. Jin cried, "My lord, the fire's origin is so unclear. Has our family's destined fortune truly run its course?" Jin Quan shook his head without a word, merely ordering the servants to carefully manage the aftermath.
Jin Fengju was the first to speak. "This great fire has caused no small loss. Father and Mother, please do not grieve too deeply. Preserving your health is of utmost importance." Jin Hesun chimed in, "Elder Brother speaks rightly. Yet the fire's origin is suspicious. We must investigate who is responsible for the negligence that caused it." Jin Pengzhen sneered coldly. "Investigate responsibility? What use is that now? What's burnt is burnt. We should think instead about how to manage from now on. Although our family property was vast, this fire has likely dealt a severe blow to our vitality." Jin Yanxi stood to one side, silent. His thoughts turned to Leng Qingqiu. Witnessing the family in such a state plunged him deeper into gloom.
Hearing her children's words, Mrs. Jin felt even more heartbroken. Weeping, she said, "Your father and I are advanced in years. We had always hoped you brothers would live in harmony and uphold the family estate. Now our home lies in ashes. Instead of comforting your parents, your first thoughts are of gains and losses!"
Jin Fengju quickly said, "Mother, please calm your anger. Your sons are not calculating gains and losses. We are merely discussing how to manage the aftermath." Jin Hesun, however, retorted, "Mother is mistaken in saying this. The burning of the family home is a grave matter. If we do not devise a plan, how shall we live in the days to come? Are we to sit idly and consume our remaining resources?"
Hearing this, Jin Quan flew into a rage. He shouted, "Silence! You unfilial sons! Dressed in fine silks and feasting on sumptuous meals daily, when have you ever considered your parents' toil? Now, faced with this great calamity, instead of uniting in common purpose, you utter such resentful words! You are utterly heartless!" Seeing their father's fury, all the children dared not speak further. Only Jin Hesun muttered under his breath, "Father, why such anger? I merely speak the plain truth."
Witnessing her children thus, Mrs. Jin felt grief well up anew. She cried, "How did our Jin Family produce such offspring? My lord, let us leave. Out of sight is out of mind." Jin Quan supported his wife, heaving a long sigh. "Enough, enough," he said. "You may all go. There is no need for you to concern yourselves here." Having said this, he slowly helped his wife away.
The children exchanged uneasy glances. Only after their parents had gone some distance did Jin Fengju finally say, "Father and Mother are still upset. Let us disperse for now and discuss this another day." Jin Hesun said indignantly, "Disperse? The fire site still needs clearing. The accounts must also be examined. Are we to simply ignore it all?" Jin Pengzhen remarked, "Since Second Brother is so keen, perhaps he should oversee the cleanup." With that, he flicked his sleeve and left. The remaining siblings, each lost in their own thoughts, gradually drifted away.
Only a few old family servants remained, sifting through the debris and salvaging what they could. Jin Yanxi stood alone before the ruins. The sun was setting in the west. The embers were still warm. He recalled the once lively scenes of the household, now feeling as if they belonged to a past life. An inexplicable sense of loss settled over him.