Chinese Literature

In.only half an hour, the hired hands and the men were all gone. The chia chang slowly stepped out of the barn, and with his eyes on the committeeman, said: “It’s all gone. After Ho and Li took the rent and the payment due to the Dyke Administration, that left us short of 3.385 piculs for the taxes.”

“Then give him three days’ time limit to have the shortage brought to town. You notify him.”

“Shao-pu, remember to tell your Dad that he’s short of 3.35 piculs for taxes. He must send it to the Bureau himself within three days, otherwise soldiers will come to arrest him,” the chia chang said fiercely.

“Oh!”

They disappeared before Shao-pu’s hazy eyes. He turned towards the barn door. There was nothing left but the thin bare boards of the floor. His head felt dizzy, and the whole world seemed to be going in circles.

“Ni, Omni! , 5 3”

“Dad, oh Dad! .. .”

IX

Li-chiu came back at midnight.

“So there really are robbers who steal grain, just as I said.’ Uncle Yun-pu had been in a coma on and off. He took hold of Li-chiu’s wrist in a tight grip and said tremulously: “Li-chiu, where is our grain? This year, this year, we’ve had an unusually rich harvest.”

Li-chiu’s heart was heavy. He set his teeth, and in an effort to comfort his father, said: “Never mind, Dad, why feel so bad? Didn’t I tell you it would happen like this? Sooner or later there’s going to be a day of reckoning, as long as we don’t allow ourselves to be fooled again. Up until now most of the people in the village have decided not to pay any rent or taxes. There’s no doubt but that it will lead to a real struggle. Tonight I must go to a meeting.”

“Ah! .. .”

Dimly, Uncle Yun-pu felt as if he’d come through a horrible nightmare. Vaguely he seemed to understand why his son Li-chiu had been absent from home so often. The thought of the Peasants’ Association formed in 1926-1927 suddenly came into his head. With much effort he opened his eyes and with a bitter smile said hesitatingly: “Well, good, good! You go. And I hope Heaven will bless all of you.”

Translated by Tang Sheng

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