第二十章 (Chapter Twenty)

"Rain makes it an inkstone, wind a censer." This is how foreigners succinctly describe Beijing. Upon hearing this, the Chinese only praise the aptness of the description, without finding it improper for a capital to resemble an inkstone and a censer. Indeed, why must a capital not be like a censer and an inkstone? Why should the world not be like a censer and an inkstone?

Li Jing asked her aunt's husband for a dollar, bought some snacks and the like, and went out of the city to visit her uncle.

As she left her aunt's door, the north wind that came daily in winter had already begun to blow, starting softly and growing fierce.

First came whistling sounds from the sky, like countless arrows shot from heaven.

Then the yellow sand from the fields and the black soil from the road rolled into a gray tide, sweeping through every porous thing like a draft.

It lifted the heels of those walking with the wind, urging them into involuntary haste. It pressed down on the feet of those walking against the wind, pinning them like stone stakes driven into the ground.

After a gust, the sky all around was shrouded in a ring of sand mist. Sunlight filtered through, as if a layer of yellow snow were floating.

Then the sound came again, from far to near. The tall trees in the distance nodded gently first, then everything movable nearby gradually began to sway.

Next, the furious tide surged forth like an avalanche. Things far and near, above and below, merged into an indistinguishable turmoil of waves and tumult amidst the roar.

Gust after gust after gust. Branches snapped, thin earthen walls collapsed, the manure on the roads was blown clean. Only at sunset did the wind rest, bleak and desolate, for a moment, waiting to assault everything on earth again at night.

Li Jing gripped her woolen scarf, half-closed her eyes, and rushed forward, taking three steps and stopping for two.

It took her a long while to reach Desheng Gate.

The wind in the gate tunnel was even more extraordinary. It was like countless wild bulls, burning with rage, scrambling to squeeze out of the tunnel. Their sharp horns stabbed at people's faces, bringing more chill than a sharp blade, not just pain.

The gate tunnel ceaselessly swelled with an invisible, audible waterfall. Its furious waves struck people, turning them around repeatedly, like small fish swimming against the current.

Li Jing backed out, pressed against the city wall, mustering all her strength. It took her five minutes to squeeze through.

Outside the city gate, the wind grew even wilder. Yet the yellow sand it brought was much cleaner than the foul black soil inside the city.

She struggled on and finally reached home. Only, the sand in the hollows of her nose had accumulated more than half an inch thick.

The fence creaked and groaned in the wind. The broken millstone, in her eyes, rose and fell as if about to be blown away.

Apart from these sounds, not even a cough could be heard in the room.

It was as if she had entered a cold, silent cave.

"Uncle! I'm back!"

"Ah? Jing'er? Come in quickly!"

Her uncle was sitting by a small stove, reading a book.

Seeing Li Jing, he was as delighted as a bee blown into a greenhouse full of flowers.

But his voice remained very soft and low. When the wind howled, no one could make out what he said.

"Uncle! It's me!"

"Sit down quickly and warm your hands!"

"I'll wash my face first." She touched her cheeks with her frost-reddened fingers.

"No need! Sit down first, let me look at you!"

"Uncle, I bought you some snacks." She showed the package to her uncle. The paper wrapping was already covered in sand.

"Did you ask your aunt's husband for money again? Don't ever ask him for money in the future. His money isn't easily come by!"

"Yes! Uncle, how have you been lately?"

"Me? Same as ever. Good, go wash your face! You've put on a little weight, I'm relieved!"

After washing her face, she took two dollars from her bag. "Uncle, this is from Li Ying."

"Good! Put it on the table."

"Uncle, what are you eating? I'll cook for you!" Li Jing saw a piece of frozen tofu and some scallions and garlic on the table.

"Good! Cook for me. I'm tired of cooking for myself! If I don't eat, it feels like something's missing. But eating is such a bother!"

Li Jing tidied up while talking to her uncle about Li Ying and Wang De. Her uncle nodded more often than he spoke.

The meal was prepared, and uncle and niece ate happily together.

"Jing'er, how old are you this year?" her uncle asked softly.

"Uncle, you've forgotten my age too. I'll be twenty-two by year's end!" Li Jing half-smiled, truly saddened that her uncle had lost his memory.

"Uncle is old!" He rested his head in his hands and was silent for a long while. Then he asked, "So you're twenty-two. What about your own affairs?"

"What do you mean by my own affairs, Uncle?"

"Women have no affairs of their own. People don't allow women to have their own affairs. But I permit you to decide your own affairs!"

"Do you mean for me to find some work in the city?"

"What work is there for you to do! I mean your own marriage. Jing'er, treat your uncle as you would your mother. Whatever you have to say, say it!"

"This matter--"

"Jing'er! Let me speak first! Now someone wants to buy you as a concubine. If you have someone suitable in mind, decide quickly. Once you have a place to rely on, I can die content, however it happens!"

Li Jing understood whom her uncle referred to, for Wang De had given her some hints.

"Uncle! Is there any other way besides death?" She knit her beautiful eyebrows together.

"No! No! Come closer, I'll tell you in detail!" Li Jing moved her stool closer. Her uncle's voice was like half-withered yellow leaves, making a sorrowful whisper in the quiet cold wind. "Let me speak plainly: Lao Zhang wants to buy you! I planned to rescue Mrs. Zhang when he proposed marriage, but that has already failed-no need to elaborate. With the first step failed, the second cannot be delayed. If you have a suitable person, I'll quickly arrange a marriage contract for you. As for me, I have wronged Lao Zhang, so I must die!"

"Uncle, do you think if Li Ying and I had any heart, we could let you die?" Li Jing's voice trembled!

"Jing'er! Calm down! How is my living any better than dying? If such a useless person dies, aside from you and Li Ying weeping for me, it has no other effect. I'd rather die than see Lao Zhang. Last time he came, he brought two soldiers in earth-colored uniforms. He said, 'If you don't repay the money or send your niece, both, I'll have you sent to prison right now!' Those two gray things stood outside the window shouting, 'Tie him up and take him away, no need for words!' ... Jing'er! Death is better than this!"

"I can't watch you die, neither can Li Ying! No! No! No!" Her face turned gray!

"Listen! Children should enjoy their own lives, not live for the old! If you don't understand my heart and fall into Lao Zhang's hands, think, even if I live, wouldn't it be worse than death? To ruin a half-dead old man and a young person, which is cheaper? Why not do the cheaper thing? I just want to hear about your affairs, tell me!"

"My aunt controls me strictly. I don't get to see strangers, except for Wang De."

"Wang De is a good lad!"

"We are both young."

"Love is for the young to speak of! Good! Jing'er! I'll go discuss with your Uncle Wang."

"But I can't listen to you seeking death, Uncle!"

"Jing'er! The wind has died down a little, go back to the city! I understand you, but you don't understand me! Go back, girl, give my regards to your aunt and her husband!" The old man stood up, trembling, placed his hands on her shoulders, and gazed at her intently. She couldn't help but cry.

"Jing'er, go now! Ah! ..."