"Father, that old count mentioned there's a Longshi Town not far ahead. Shall we enter the town? Let's not hurry on this afternoon and rest there for the night!" Mo Yan was gulping down water from the bamboo tube as he relayed to Mo Qingze the information he had just learned from an old count passing by.
Mo Qingze looked at his listless young daughter and son sitting on the ground, then glanced up at the sky and nodded, "It seems like the weather is going to change tonight. We shall stay in the town for a couple of days and continue our journey after the heavy rain has passed."
Mo Yan had great faith in his father's ability to predict the weather. Looking at the piercing white sunlight outside the shade, he couldn't help but wipe the hot sweat from his forehead! Since their arrival half a month ago, they had been traveling non-stop. Fortunately, the journey had been smooth so far; aside from encountering some people fleeing northward for refuge, they had not met with any calamities such as robbery or child abduction.
The last couple of days had been unbearably hot, and the young ones could no longer withstand it. If they were to continue on in the rain, they would probably fall ill.
...
"Please, kind sirs, show some mercy. My grandfather is critically ill. Let us in to find a doctor!"
At the entrance of Longshi Town, Liyan knelt on the ground in agony, pleading desperately with the government official guarding the gate. Clinging tightly to her grandfather, who was lying on the ground with barely audible breaths, she couldn't hold back her tears. Her parents were already gone; she could not afford to lose her grandfather, her last remaining relative.
"You, a pauper who can't even come up with twenty wen money, want to enter Longshi Town? You must be daydreaming!" One of the broad-faced government officials, apparently the leader, waved his hand impatiently, shoving Liyan. The young girl lost her balance and fell to the ground.
Ignoring the pain of the abrasions on her palms, she climbed back up, knelt on the ground again, and latched onto the official's robe, sobbing, "Our family was traveling to the capital to seek relatives and was robbed by bandits. Both my parents were killed, and all our silver was taken. I truly can't come up with twenty wen money. My grandfather is my only relative left. Please, kind sir, let us into the town to find a doctor!"
After speaking, she forcefully knocked her forehead against the ground repeatedly, thudding loudly. In a short while, her forehead became bruised and muddied, mingling with the dirt.
The broad-faced official wore an expression of impatience and remained unmoved, showing no intention of letting her in.
An official with a weasel-like face and sneaky eyes rolled his eyeballs with ill intent, then sycophantically added, "Boss, this young girl has a fair complexion. Why not take her in for Dazhuang as a child bride? Bring her up yourself, and you can save a hefty bride price!"
"I think that's a great idea too, boss. People will only praise you for having the heart of a Buddha!"
"Yeah, yeah, the girl seems docile. She'll definitely be obedient under your Dazhuang's control!"
The other officials began to egg him on by nodding and jeering.
Thinking of his grown son at home—irascible, prone to anger, and inclined to violence—the broad-faced government official was indeed tempted, but if he did so, others might mock his son as an imbecile who couldn't find a bride, resorting to taking in a pauper as a child bride.
With this thought, his expression darkened. He kicked out at the young girl, berating, "The town chief has rules: anyone from outside wishing to enter must pay ten wen money per person. Without money, even if you break the ground with your knocking, I won't let you in."
His kick was fierce, sending Liyan's small body tumbling to the ground, struggling unsuccessfully to rise.
Onlookers nearby watched with open eyes but no one dared to speak up for justice, nor did anyone dare to step forward to help her up.
The broad-faced government official scoffed disdainfully at her, snorted coldly, and turned to leave. The other officials, realizing their flattery had backfired, looked at each other helplessly; none dared follow him. They continued to stand at the gate collecting the "crossing fee".