Return to 1983 Hunting Xing'an Mountains

Chapter 368: Meeting Lao Hu at the Mountain God Festival
April 1984, 4, the 16th day of the third lunar month. Lao Batou Festival, also known as Mountain God Festival and Mu Ba Festival.

In the morning, the temperature is cool, the air is fresh, and there is no wind or clouds.

The Xu family had just finished their meal and were all busy with their work.

Wang Shujuan was washing dishes and pots in the outer room, Liu Lizhen was sweeping the floor with a broom, Xu Laonian was sitting on the edge of the kang in the east room folding red cloth, and Xu Feng was sharpening the inkstone and preparing brushes and red paper, as Xu Laonian was going to write a couplet later.

After Xu Ning fed the dogs, he and Wang Hu, who had climbed over the wall, lifted the little yellow pig that had been prepared in the lower room onto the wooden board. The lantern hanging of the yellow pig had been taken out, and the pig's hair had been shaved, and it was deliberately placed in a lying position.

In the past, pig heads, pig trotters and pig tails were used to offer sacrifices to the mountain god. Now that Old Xu's family is relatively wealthy, what they have the most is wild boar meat, so they chose a small yellow pig.

At this time, Wang Erli and Wang Biao came in from the gate carrying a lid of steamed cake, two bottles of Daqu and a handful of incense, and put the things in their hands on the sled.

Less than two minutes after they entered the door, Li Fuqiang and Liu Daming also hurried into the courtyard. Neither of them was empty-handed. Li Fuqiang was holding a small basin filled with snow-white bean paste, and in one hand he was holding half a bag of ma leizi and shuangxiangzi.

Liu Daming was holding two cans of food in his hands. Now he had almost everything he needed to offer sacrifices, including a whole pig, cakes, fruits, firecrackers, incense, cigarettes, and wine...

Wang Erli took out the red cloth folded into a flower shape by Xu Laonian from the house, came to the molting yellow pig, and tied it behind the pig's neck and buttocks.

Inside the house, Xu Laonian held a brush and wrote a couplet. In fact, there is no need to write couplets when offering sacrifices to the mountain god, because there are wooden carved couplets and door plaques at the entrance of the mountain god temple. Unfortunately, the mountain god temple is too far away from Qing'antun, and the place Xu Ning and others are going to is only at the foot of Dongshan Mountain. When the time comes, they can find a sheltered slope and temporarily build a small temple with three stones. At this time, the couplets will come in handy.

After everything was ready, Xu Laonian started to head to Dongshan. It was already 7:30, and they had to arrive before 8:30, as the event would officially begin at 9 o'clock...

Xu Laonian asked casually, "Why didn't Lao Jiang come?"

"He's cooking eggs at home. He said he'll be waiting for us at the entrance of the village."

Xu Laonian nodded, walked out of the house, and said to Liu Lizhen who was standing outside the house, "Zhen, Erli and I will go directly to the forest farm after we are done."

"I know. We are the only old ladies left at home."

Xu Laonian was stunned, "Why don't you stay at home, little bastard?"

"Taiping Lao Hu called them over for lunch."

"Ah, what about Daming?"

Liu Daming said with a smile: "Lao Jiang and I will go to 28 Lengchang to have a meal."

Outside, Xu Ning called out, "Dad, uncle, you two hurry up, or you'll be late."

"What are you shouting about? You are the most diligent. Are you carrying the pig?"

Xu Ning grinned and said, "You carry it. You are the most pious."

Liu Lizhen stood at the door and asked, "Are you coming back after you're done? Are you going directly to Taiping?"

"Ah, go straight to Taiping! I'll be back in the afternoon."

After that, Li Fuqiang, Liu Daming, Wang Hu and Xu Laonian, who were standing in the courtyard, stood at the four corners and carried the yellow pig lying on the wooden board, while Xu Ning, Guan Lei, Wang Biao and Liu Tianen pulled the sled, carried cloth bags and guns, and followed the four people out the door.

Xu Long did not come back. He called yesterday and said that Yang Yusheng was assigned a task to preside over the city's Batou Festival. The whole process had to last for a whole day. It was not like here in the countryside, where people would offer sacrifices to the mountain god in the morning and then eat and drink until dark.

I heard from the old people in the village that in the past, the Lao Batou Festival basically consisted of a lunch at noon and continued until the evening. After lighting the bonfire, everyone sang and danced around the fire! At one stage, someone even invited several groups of duo singers to play the divine tune with the Wenwang drum...

On the way, everyone talked about Hu Zhiyong from Taipingtun. He had been picked up by Hu Zhibin. He just arrived home at around four o'clock yesterday afternoon and was now lying on the kang at home.

Da Laba also went home with them, but just as he got home and changed into clean clothes, Hu Zhibin called the three of them to go to Old Hu's house for dinner. At the same time, Liu Shu'e and Zhang Guifang had a good chat, as they were not much different in age.

So today Da Laba is going to go into the mountains with Lao Hu, Lan Guodong and others to worship the mountain god. After all, he is a Taiping person and it is impossible for him to go to Qing'an and join Xu Ning.

Zhang Guifang also had to go to Old Hu's house to help prepare lunch with Liu Shu'e and Zhao Yuefang.

After everyone arrived at the foot of Dongshan Mountain, Xu Laonian found a good place. It was a flat ground with a stone wall directly opposite and oak trees on both sides. There was a small amount of snow on the open space and the ground was a little wet. It was about twenty square meters.

Xu Ning and Guan Lei threw down their sled and cloth bag, walked to the front, found three stones, and built a small temple against the stone wall.

Lao Jiang cut two branches, placed them on the stone wall, and then hung the couplet on the branches.

Xu Laonian and the others put down the yellow-haired pig and placed it under the temple. Then they placed various offerings, steamed cakes, canned food, snow-covered bean paste...

"Dad, it's time."

After finishing these things, Xu Ning looked down at the time. It was exactly nine o'clock, so he opened his mouth to remind himself.

Xu Laonian nodded, walked to the front and clasped his hands together. Standing behind him were Xu Ning, Liu Daming, Lao Jiang, Wang Erli and others.

"The Xu family in Qing'an Village today (Xu Chunlin...)" Everyone said their family and name.

"Celebrating the birthday of the mountain god, Lao Batou. I hope he will bless us with safe passages in and out of the mountains, good weather, good harvests, and longevity..."

Afterwards, everyone knelt on the ground and kowtowed. After they stood up, Xu Laonian, Wang Erli and Lao Jiang stepped forward to light the yellow paper, while Xu Ning was busy setting off firecrackers.

First there was a string of whips as the opening blast, followed by thunder blasts and double-blast blasts. The clanging sound echoed in the forest, scaring away the birds and animals.

Xu Ning held up a 56-and-a-half, and together with Wang Hu, Guan Lei, Lao Jiang and others held up old dippers, and fired them towards the sky, bang bang bang... the sound was endless.

After offering sacrifices to the mountain god, everyone packed up and left only when the fire was completely extinguished. However, no one took the offerings because they were reserved for the old headman, who would give them to the livestock in the mountains even if he didn't eat them.

When we were on the mountain, we heard the sound of continuous artillery fire. After we got down the mountain, the sound of firecrackers continued to explode.

People from both Qing'an and Taiping villages have to come to Dongshan to offer sacrifices, basically in groups. Everyone brings some offerings from home, and some yellow paper, and while burning them they mutter a few words, begging the mountain god for blessings.

As soon as the Xu family gang reached the woods near the railway track, they saw Lao Hu, Da Laba, Lan Guodong and others, a total of eight people walking down the East Mountain.

It was pure coincidence that I met the Xu family, because the place where Lao Hu went was the place he reserved every year, and the place where Xu Laonian took him was also a place he often went in previous years.

Since they met head-on, they had to say hello. Besides, Xu Laonian, Wang Erli and Lao Hu had known each other for many years. They had worked together in the production team to harvest grain and helped people build houses...

Both sides greeted each other warmly, and there was no awkwardness in the meeting. Xu Laonian, Li Fuqiang, Lao Hu and Lan Guodong took out cigarettes from their pockets, went around when they saw each other, lit a cigarette and chatted, which made them feel much more comfortable.

Old Hu patted Xu Laonian's shoulder and said, "Dalin, we haven't seen each other for a while. I remember it was last autumn when we had a drink at Old Du's house."

Xu Laonian smiled and said, "Not really, I haven't seen him for a while. I heard that Zhiyong brought him back?"

"Well, he was just brought back yesterday and has been lying at home. There's a piece of flesh missing from his calf, three scratches on his face, and two fingers are broken, but he's alive anyway. We have your Erning to thank for that." Xu Laonian grinned and waved his hand: "Why should I thank him? It's my duty! He's famous in our area, who else would I help if he doesn't?"

Old Hu took a puff of his cigarette and smiled, "You are still the same as always, acting like a good kid when you get something for nothing. Dalin, I have to ask Erning and the others to come to my place for lunch this afternoon, so don't argue. It's not that I didn't call you, I just know you have to go to the forest farm at noon."

"Hey, why should I complain? You guys eat your food. When you and Zhibin come over tonight, you can hang out with me. Then my eldest brother and his family will come over too. We can have a good drink together. How about that?"

"Dalin, it's not that I don't want to go. You know Zhiyong has just been brought back, and he's feeling very uncomfortable right now..."

Xu Chunlin said solemnly: "Brother Hu, I am not being polite. You said that I work all day, how can I have time to get together with you? Isn't this a holiday? Besides, you and my eldest brother are relatives, so we are a family. Don't be polite! Let's set up four tables at home tonight and have a good drink!"

After hearing this, Lao Hu nodded and said, "Okay, I'll save some food for lunch, and we won't go home until we're drunk tonight!"

"Okay, that's what I've been waiting for."

On the side, Xu Ning had a very pleasant chat with Da Laba, Lan Guodong and others, mainly because these people really praised him. They said that Le Baozi had come up with a surprising trick, and that his previous use of Ma Leizi to blow up Xiongcang was also quite powerful.

After standing there and chatting for five or six minutes, Xu Laonian called out to Wang Biao and Liu Tianen to go to the forest farm with him, but Lao Hu stopped them when he heard it.

"No way! I made an agreement with the kids here yesterday and asked them to eat at my place. It's just right for them to sit at the same table with Guoxing's son. You should leave if you want to. We'll meet again in the evening!"

Xu Laonian took a look and said with a smile, "Okay, these two little calves are quite popular."

"Uncle, I'm thinking of looking for Jiang Qiuer." Wang Biao came over and said.

Lao Jiang was standing nearby. He frowned when he heard this. Seeing Xu Laonian looking at him, he said, "I'll let Xiao Qiu go to your uncle's house. You can go back after lunch."

"Ah, Uncle Jiang, have you arranged everything? Oh, I thought you went to the 28th floor with my uncle to eat and drink, and left Jiang Qiuer behind."

Old Jiang didn't say anything. Wang Erli continued, "Was that something your uncle Jiang did? Your uncle Jiang wanted to starve himself so much that he didn't miss a bite from his daughter..."

"Well, Uncle Jiang, don't worry. We have Feng'er at home. She will definitely be able to take care of Jiang Qiu'er."

Xu Ning patted Wang Biao on the shoulder and commented: "This guy talks very maturely."

Lao Hu asked: "Where are Jiang and Daming going? To the forest farm as well?"

Liu Daming shook his head: "No, we two will go to the 28th field. The head of the 28th field called us over half a month ago."

The loud speaker answered, "Yes, Uncle Hu, we worked together in the field before, and he told us all about it at that time."

"Oh, fine then. Let's get together again in the evening. I won't leave until I'm drunk!"

"okay."

Then, the two gangs went their separate ways.

Xu Laonian, Wang Erli, Liu Daming and Lao Jiang went into the forest and walked along the railway track towards the 28th Lengchang. Then Xu Laonian and Wang Erli had to cross two mountains to reach the timber yard behind the forest farm, and then go to the forest farm...

Xu Ning, Lao Hu and others all took the same path and headed straight for Taipingtun.

On the way, everyone was chatting and even though the conversation was not very interesting, it was fun.

People here like to find joy in adversity. In the words of Lao Hu: Even if something terrible happens, you still have to smile. You can’t let others laugh at you or say you have a droopy face…

According to Old Hu, Hu Zhibin will not be back until around noon. He is very busy with his work in the county compound. Today is the New Year's Day, so he has to run around.

He was able to come back at noon because he had guests at home, otherwise his leader would definitely not let him come back. After all, he was also a fierce fighter on the street and he drank at least two kilograms of alcohol every time.

But there is a certain gap compared to Yang Yusheng. The two had a competition in a big restaurant on the street some time ago. Xu Long said that his uncle drank more than three kilograms, while after Hu Zhibin drank three kilograms, his feet were shaking and his eyes were dizzy.

A group of people walked into Lao Hu's yard. Liu Shu'e, Zhao Yuefang and Zhang Guifang, who were swinging kitchen knives in the outer room, heard the noise, put down their work and went out to greet them.

Xu Ning and others greeted everyone one by one. There were a few old ladies in the outer room whom he had never seen before. After Lao Hu introduced them, Xu Ning realized that they were Lao Han's wife, Lao Deng's daughter-in-law, and Li Ye's wife.

There were several plates of vegetables on the stove in the outer room, filled with beans, potatoes, onions, fungus, cabbage, pork and other ingredients. These were brought back by Hu Zhibin from the street. An ordinary person would not be able to easily bring back so many vegetables, but with his status, it was easy for him to get some green vegetables.

"I heard from Guoxing that you like to eat dried pig ears. Your brother Bin specially bought a pair of ears for you. Mix them with some cucumbers and eat them. Is that okay?"

"Uncle, you are still thinking about me. You won't dare to pick up your chopsticks later."

"Hahaha, what nonsense! This is just for the festival, otherwise I would have to call you over separately. Come on, let's go inside first..."

Just as he reached the door of the east room and before he lifted the door curtain, Li Ye opened it with one hand, nodded warmly to Xu Ning, and then greeted Li Fuqiang, Wang Hu and others behind him.

It's nothing more than: Come on, big brother! Hey, come in quickly...

When I entered the room, I saw a man lying at the end of the kang. His face was wrapped in gauze, his left hand was wrapped in gauze, and his right calf and ankle were also wrapped in gauze. However, when he turned his head, his eyes seemed empty and lifeless.

When Xu Ning saw Hu Zhiyong's eyes, he felt a sense of déjà vu. He believed that if Hu Zhiyong was not guided properly, it would be easy for him to go astray, because he had suddenly become a disabled person and would not be able to accept this fact, so he would become extreme and irritable.

"Zhiyong! Look who this is?"

When Xu Ning left the health center, Hu Zhiyong had not woken up yet, so he had not seen Xu Ning.

"Who?" The voice was a little hoarse.

It’s not that his vocal cords were damaged, but when he spoke, his chin would pull the skin on his face, causing pain in the wound.

"Xu Ning! Xu Erning! Didn't you always want to thank him in person? He's right in front of you, why didn't you recognize him?"

Hu Zhiyong was stunned when he heard the words, blinked his eyes, and tried to struggle to get up.

Seeing this, Da Laba and Li Ye rushed forward and helped him up.

"Xu Ning...thank you, thank you for saving my life."

There was almost no emotion in these words, but Xu Ning could feel that Hu Zhiyong was sincerely grateful to him, but there was also an indescribable feeling.

Xu Ning said: "Why thank you? It's all my duty."

(End of this chapter)