Chapter 1: Heaven Above

The cold weather was bitterly chilly, but the soup in the pot was boiling and the bamboo shoots were cooked.

Clang, clang, clang—beside the pot sat three bowls, all empty, looking like two little bird beaks pointing skyward, chirping “ah, ah, ahwah” waiting to be fed. The little birds’ bellies were hungry, and the soup ladle understood the little birds’ feelings best. It scooped into the pot and brought up a fragrant tender chicken leg, heading straight for the first porcelain bowl. The soup ladle knew this bowl was prepared for his wife—a woman in confinement after childbirth must have nourishment. The empty bowl gradually filled with rich soup, two tender chicken legs, plus a ladle of bamboo shoots. That should be enough to eat. The spoon searched all around, this time scooping up a large ladle of chicken feet, turning toward the second empty bowl. This bowl was for mother. The old lady had been coughing these past two days—her health was important. The soup ladle scooped and searched, then found the chicken head, chicken rump, and chicken neck, leaving all these for his daughter to eat. A growing, well-behaved little girl must have meat.

Three women, three bowls—wife, mother, little girl—and they had emptied the pot. Pitifully, there was still one person standing there. This person was surnamed Wang, named Yitong, thirty-five years old, and he was the father of this household.

The soup ladle swayed back and forth. Little Wang’s mouth watered—poor fellow, he was hungry too and just wanted to steal a sip of chicken soup. Whose should he steal?

Steal his wife’s? She had just given birth and was in confinement. No matter how base and shameless he might be a hundred times over, he still couldn’t steal hers. Try his daughter’s then? As a father, to actually bully his beloved daughter—how could he face his ancestors?

Steal mother’s? Of the three unfilial acts, stealing from parents—who knows how serious that was? Probably even worse than having no descendants.

Damn it… waves of fragrant aroma wafted over. Little Wang stood there like a wooden statue. He suddenly scratched his head, secretly fuming: “Damn it… why aren’t roosters like centipedes…”

Then there would be a hundred chicken legs, and everyone could eat their fill…

The more Little Wang thought, the more annoyed he became. The more annoyed, the hungrier. Finally, regardless of everything, he bent his head toward the table—swoosh, swoosh, swoosh—three sounds, stealing one sip of rich chicken soup from each bowl. Nothing could be fairer.

Mmm… Little Wang’s mouth corners twitched, eyes closed, savoring the taste as if his spirit was wandering in the great void.

“Come! Come! Come!” The kitchen curtain lifted, and Wang Yitong came rushing out carrying a wooden tray, laughing and shouting: “Look what’s here!”

“Chicken soup!” On this Lantern Festival morning, a cheer erupted from the Copper Gong Alley, Green Bamboo Lane in Beijing. In the humble dwelling, the family of three all turned their heads and cheered in unison. Wang Yitong looked at the lovely, snow-white little girl and smiled: “Look, what’s this?”

“Chicken butt!” The little girl took the soup bowl from daddy’s hands, her face beaming as she cried: “Hot! Hot! Hot!” The little girl jumped from the heat, but her heart was also jumping with joy. Taking three steps as two, ignoring her red hands, she picked up chopsticks and sat at the table to eat heartily.

Little Wang smiled, took up the second soup bowl and handed it to mother, hearing aged laughter ring out: “Ah, chicken feet! How long has it been since I’ve eaten these?” After laughing, besides the slurping and sucking sounds, there were only “mmm, mmm” sounds of appreciation, and nothing else.

Morning light shone universally. Little Wang wore a sapphire blue printed long robe. He gently sat beside the bed, smiling at the last woman in the household, nodding gently and saying softly: “Come, let me serve you the soup—”

The third soup bowl was offered and met by a pair of jade arms. His beautiful wife sat up, holding the newborn baby, smiling softly: “It smells so good. I didn’t expect you to have such good cooking skills.”

Little Wang smiled slightly, bringing a spoonful of chicken soup and blowing on it to cool it for his wife. But his wife didn’t open her mouth to eat, only asking gently: “What about yourself? Have you eaten?”

Little Wang laughed dryly: “I ate—I was already full in the kitchen.” Seeing his wife about to ask more questions, he quickly raised his hand and forcibly pushed the soup spoon into her mouth.

The bamboo shoot and fresh soup, slowly stewed black-bone chicken, made the whole family harmonious and happy. Mother was seen sucking chicken feet, daughter gnawing chicken mouth, and even his wife was fed until she was sweating all over and couldn’t make another sound.

Little Wang watched with a smile. From behind the door, he picked up a bundle, saying: “You all eat slowly. I have to go.” Mother and little daughter were busy and had no time to pay attention, but his wife set down the soup bowl in surprise: “Isn’t today the Lantern Festival? Your pharmacy is still open?”

“Yes.” Little Wang laughed heartily: “At the turn of spring and winter, many people have colds and coughs. These past two days have been incredibly busy.”

His wife’s beautiful eyes blinked, softly saying “eh” once. She was about to ask more, but Little Wang turned his head away and hurried out the door.

“Reading is good, reading is wonderful. In Green Bamboo Lane, ask for characters—find Yitong and you’ll know how to read.”

Just like many mornings in the past years, Wang Yitong got up early, first settling the food and drink for the old and young at home, then striding with head held high, humming a tune as he headed toward Beijing’s number one pharmacy.

Rain or shine for twenty years—since reaching adulthood, Wang Yitong had worked at the pharmacy. Except for the second and sixteenth days of each month when the shop closed for rest, every day at dawn was work time, and he had to walk a long five-li journey to reach his workplace.

Five li wasn’t close, but the scenery along these five li was quite good—walking it wasn’t tiring at all.

“Hey, Yitong!” Looking back, he saw eastern neighbor Feng Niang turning back with a smile, straightening her willow waist and sending autumn waves. Before Wang Yitong could even cup his hands in greeting, he heard another soft sigh: “Hey, Brother Wang!” Turning his head again, he saw a maid at the western window pushing open the window frame, full of tender feelings, shyly sighing.

“Good morning! Good morning everyone!” Wang Yitong was in high spirits, greeting the girls from the neighboring households, his eyes full of smiles.

Wang Yitong was very popular with women. This wasn’t just because of his good looks, nor because of his sweet tongue, but because he could “take care of his family.” Everyone knew that the best man in Copper Gong Alley was Wang Yitong.

A good man isn’t self-proclaimed—to be a good man, one must take care of the old and young in the family. Speaking of this point, Wang Yitong deeply understood the essentials. He had elderly parents above and wife and children below. To let them live peacefully, first he needed heart, second he needed money, third he needed leisure time—none could be lacking. Wang Yitong had been filial since childhood, naturally having the heart. He wasn’t some high official or noble, so he also had free time. The only thing he lacked was money. However, though he didn’t have vast wealth, he still had something to rely on.

“Da Hong Hall? You… you work at Da Hong Hall?” Every time neighbors heard about this, they would first take a breath, then from their chests drum out a big word: “Good!”

“Da Hong Hall” wasn’t an ordinary place, but the nation’s number one pharmacy. The shop clerks had clean family backgrounds, were eloquent, and each had skills—first they could read, second they could keep accounts, third they had to understand medicine… Legend had it that if “Da Hong Hall” clerks took the imperial examinations, five out of ten could pass and become scholars.

Because of this, every time Brother Yitong passed by neighbors’ doors, he would make the young ladies puff up angrily and glare at the cupboards in the back kitchen. No help for it—who told them to store piles of “late” in the cupboards?

“Reading is good, reading is wonderful. In Green Bamboo Lane, ask for characters—find Yitong and you’ll know how to read.”

Wang Yitong was smugly proud, just feeling the endless joy of reading, when suddenly he saw the sun high in the sky and couldn’t help exclaiming: “Late! Late… I’d better walk faster…” It was also because he was too popular with women—along the way he only cared about greeting the girls, unconsciously delaying work time. Momentarily panicked, he was half-walking, half-running when suddenly he saw an old man coming toward him with an unfriendly expression.

Wang Yitong saw this old man looked like a poor beggar and quickly stopped to give way, avoiding entanglement.

The old beggar walked by with his head down, suddenly noticed Wang Yitong, shouted once and quickly ran over calling: “Don’t leave! Don’t think you can leave!” The old beggar blocked the road, apparently hating rich people. Wang Yitong had to cough once and turn his head away. That old man heavily humped once, left hand grabbing Wang Yitong’s shoulder, then stretching out his right hand palm up, saying grimly: “Hand it over.”

Hand over what? Wang Yitong was kind-hearted by nature. He sighed, first raised his hand to sweep away the old man’s five fingers, then pulled out a worn copper coin from his pocket and dropped it into the old man’s palm.

“Fuck your mother!” The copper coin was given but these three words came back. That old man was angry: “You really take me for a beggar?”

In times of backbone, beggars don’t eat food given in contempt. Wang Yitong blinked, and before he could apologize, his collar was grabbed by the old man, who said through gritted teeth: “Stinking brat! What are you thinking? Owing me three months’ rent and thinking you can get by with a worn copper coin? Old man specially came to collect rent from you… don’t you think you’re detestable?”

Ah, no wonder he looked somewhat familiar… so the landlord had come.

Wang Yitong recognized the person and quickly smiled apologetically: “Oh my, so it’s the worthy elder! This is interest money, interest money.”

“Interest your big head!” The old man was indignant. He picked up the worn copper coin and angrily smashed it on the ground, furious: “My eldest son is marrying next month and we’re worried about not having a house to live in. You give me the rent money today, or careful that this old man throws your whole family out the door!”

Hearing the old landlord speak so harshly, Wang Yitong wasn’t alarmed but angry, immediately roaring: “Old sir! Forgive Wang’s poor hearing! Please say that again!”

When the tiger shows no might, do you really think he’s become a sick cat? The master of “Da Hong Hall” was angry, frightening the old man into stepping back.

Da Hong Hall! Da Hong Hall! The finest prescriptions not sold outside! This was the pharmacy Da Hong Hall that awed the capital region. Hearing the pharmacy’s illustrious reputation, the old man came to his senses, knowing he had spoken too harshly, and quickly smiled apologetically: “Sorry, sorry—it’s all because this old man is short of money and urgent, so I spoke without restraint…”

The situation reversed. Wang Yitong said coldly: “Enough! This month my wife gave birth. Family affairs were busy, so I forgot to give you the rent. Tonight after dinner, remember to come collect rent—I’ll add three qian of silver as a tip for you.”

The word “tip” was drawn out long, and it made the old man stand respectfully as he said loudly: “Thank you, Brother Yitong. Take your time.”

“Snob!” Wang Yitong glanced at him sideways, snorted arrogantly, and turned to leave. Getting bad luck on Lantern Festival—full of fire from early morning, Wang Yitong cursed as he walked away. He passed through Chongwen Gate and came to a main street called “Dong Chang Alley,” then saw the inner city gate called “Chaoyang Gate.” He passed under the gate, stopped and looked up at the large pharmacy before him.

The golden signboard shone brilliantly, clearly showing this place was “Da Hong Hall”—also the place where Wang Yitong had worked since childhood.

Wang Yitong smiled at the corners of his mouth, about to step through the main door to work, when suddenly he heard thunderous roaring from inside the pharmacy: “You’re new here! You’ve been working for half a year and still can’t brew medicine properly?”

The old manager cursed furiously with harsh language. Wang Yitong stopped and sniffed hard—a burnt stench drifted over, and he knew the medicinal herbs had been burned. No wonder the old manager was furious. In this dry weather with poor harvests and difficult farming, medicinal materials were doubly precious—how could they be wasted like this? But hearing the frequent roaring—left a “drink, li, ha, chou,” right a “mama, wa, ah”—cane whipping sounds continued. The old manager brought out his special skills, fiercely whipping legs in the cold weather, making the young clerk jump so high he might hit the roof beams.

Wang Yitong shook his head, thinking: “The old won’t teach, the young won’t learn—I should go save someone.” He solemnly closed his eyes and arranged his clothing. Before he could take a step, he heard the old manager cursing and actually cursing out his own name.

“Stinking brat! Look at your behavior—are you trying to learn from Wang Yitong?”

The old manager spoke harshly and severely, beating the young clerk while scolding. That child was originally still grinning cheekily, but hearing the three words “Wang Yitong,” he was actually scared into tears, crying in panic: “No! No! I don’t want to learn from Brother Wang! He’s so pitiful! So pitiful!”

“You still know it’s pitiful! If you don’t want the same fate, then be obedient and listen! Otherwise, if you anger the young master, don’t blame him for throwing you out just like he threw out Wang Yitong—making you never able to return for a lifetime!” The old manager raised his cane and beat wildly. The young clerk’s crying continued: “I don’t dare! I don’t dare! Please have mercy, manager! This small person doesn’t dare anymore! Doesn’t dare anymore!”

Don’t dare anymore… don’t dare anymore… Wang Yitong’s eyes were blurred with tears. He hung his head low, lips murmuring as if also pleading in a low voice.

Three months ago, because of an injustice, he had slammed the table and roared angrily at the big boss’s son, and was immediately thrown out. Since then, he was no longer a clerk at Beijing’s number one pharmacy, but a passerby outside the door.

Wang Yitong silently listened to the young clerk’s crying. His appearance was still bright, but his eyes had long been confused. Not knowing how much time passed, he finally turned and left with hunched back and lowered head.

Starting from age fifteen until now at thirty-five, Wang Yitong had for twenty years, day after day, risen at dawn and arrived punctually for work, coming to Da Hong Hall every day. Even though he was no longer a clerk there, he still had to make this trip, as if not coming for a day meant the day hadn’t begun.

In these times of desperation, one punch on the table—bang!—a loud sound, and then everything was gone. The young clerk’s crying gradually faded as Wang Yitong’s feet slowly, leisurely carried him away from Da Hong Hall.

A new day had begun. Two months had passed without finding a single job, but he had toured all of Beijing—how should he pass time today? The day before yesterday he went to enjoy scenery by the Yongding River bank, yesterday he slipped under the bell tower to sleep—today he really didn’t know what to do.

Wang Yitong sighed, knowing he would idle away another day. He walked silently back to Chaoyang Gate Street. It was still early, with few pedestrians on Chaoyang Gate Street, looking empty and desolate. Little Wang now had his freedom but didn’t know what to do, so he could only lean against a wall corner and stare blankly. He slowly sat down, laughing: “What the hell? Why bow down for five dou of rice? Look how leisurely I am!” He lazily yawned, and just as he was about to sleep with an “ah,” suddenly the “ah” became sharp and turned into a scream.

Terrible, terrible… how could he forget that tonight the landlord was coming to collect three taels of silver!

Three taels of silver—monthly rent was one tael of silver. But Little Wang had no money. Yesterday when his son completed his first month, Little Wang scraped together all ten copper coins on his body and finally managed to stew a chicken for his family. Now counting all over his body, only one broken copper coin remained. What to do?

Thinking of the old landlord’s pointed head and sharp face, Wang Yitong hurriedly thought to himself: “No good! Today I must seriously work!” He looked left and right, seeing no one on the street, quickly hid in a dark alley, first taking off his bright clothing, then opening his bundle. Left hand pinching his nose, right hand trembling as he picked up a complete set of tattered shirt and pants.

Torn clothes and ragged pants, patches all over, a foul stench hitting his nose—in an instant, Little Wang had revealed his true identity. He was no longer the great clerk of Da Hong Hall, but Beijing’s famous beggar “Wang A’tong.”

For three months he couldn’t find work, but at home there were old ones who were old and young ones who were young, all waiting to eat. The situation before him was extremely dangerous. Wang Yitong had not only spent all his savings but also owed three months’ rent. If he didn’t go to the streets to pick up copper coins, what else could he do?

Wang Yitong shook his head, cursed a few times, picked up mud from the ground and slapped it on his face. In an instant, his face was covered with mud, his whole body black and smelly, as if he’d become a different person.

La la la, reading is good, reading is wonderful, the joy of reading—how can it compare to stinking worse than a ghost?

Unknowingly, two lines of hot tears rolled down his cheeks, also washing out Wang Yitong’s originally pure white skin. He gritted his teeth, picked up black mud from the ground again and vigorously slapped his cheeks: “Brother Wang! There’s nothing shameful about this! Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid! It’s just begging—not stealing or robbing!” Saying this, he waved his fists and feet to boost morale: “Wife! Daughter! Mother! Watch me! Today I will definitely get back three taels of silver for you! Otherwise I swear I’m not human!”

“Three taels of silver, three taels of silver…” Spring sleep doesn’t notice dawn, but begging should be done early. Wang Yitong pulled himself together, mouth chattering, feet hurrying as he quickly slipped onto the main street. While the sky was still early, he wanted to grab the number one begging position on the street for great profit.

Coming to Dongzhi Gate, he glanced and saw an old beggar already lying on the ground, snoring in deep sleep. Wang Yitong pinched his nose and frowned: “Old sir, excuse me.” He moved the smelly mud feet aside and sat down on the spot. He arranged the black mud on his face, then coughed and took out his broken bowl, clearing his throat to sing: “Three, taels, of silver…” Wang Yitong tapped his bowl in a test song, quite pleased, then cleared his throat and sang loudly: “Kind-hearted master, please do good, saving people and lives should be done early. One tael of reward silver isn’t too much, one wen coin isn’t too little. Accumulating virtue and doing good can’t be wrong, can’t be wrong…”

In the lotus-fall song, all the beggars on the street heard Wang Yitong’s call and also yawned and got up. Wang Yitong was slightly surprised: “Hey, one mountain is higher than another…”

The sun gradually rose, and colleagues in the same trade sprouted up like bamboo shoots after rain. He saw old ones who were old, young ones who were young, lying ones lying, fallen ones fallen—the whole street was full of ragged beggars. Looking along the road, there were several hundred people.

These beggars were all from the countryside. With drought and poor harvests, if farmers didn’t want to become bandits, they could only live like this. As beggars in the capital became more and more numerous, the court issued a regulation: henceforth, beggars who wanted to beg could only gather on Dongzhi Gate Street. Other places—if they saw beggars big or small, they would all be served with mighty clubs.

This regulation made quite good sense. Long-time Beijing residents all understood that Dongzhi Gate was where the court’s Six Ministries offices were located. First, there were many officials making patrols convenient; second, beggars living together in one place wouldn’t easily disturb good citizens—it could be said to achieve multiple goals. For this reason, if Wang Yitong wanted to enter the trade, he had to come here to register.

Chen hour arrived, the yamen opened court, and all the beggars had gotten up too. Looking at these people lazily—some upon waking immediately grabbed broken wine bottles and glugged stinking wine, others just defecated and urinated on the spot, making the whole street stink. A few were beaten by their beggar neighbors. The entire Dongzhi Gate Street was noisy and chaotic. Wang Yitong also had no mind to look more, just lazily sat on the ground waiting for business to come.

In the midst of all the noise, the street suddenly quieted down. Every beggar was breathing through their nostrils, all watching a pedestrian at the head of the street.

Today’s first business had arrived. Looking at that pedestrian holding a thick stack of official documents—he was a common citizen here on official business. He stood at the head of the street, first looking at the Six Ministries offices at the corner of the street end, then looking at the beggars on both sides of the street, his expression timid as if he dared not come over.

“Come on, come on…” The beggars laughed and beckoned: “Don’t be afraid! If you want to do business at the Six Ministries offices, you have to pass through here!”

The court’s number one virtuous policy was to gather beggars at the Six Ministries offices—who knows which bastard official came up with this rotten idea. That pedestrian’s face was pale, but having business to attend to, he had no choice but to go. He hesitated for a long time, finally gave a shout, lowered his head and walked straight down the street.

Three taels of silver! Give me three taels of silver! Wang Yitong was the first to cry out pitifully, but couldn’t stop that person. The old beggars beside him shared common hatred, crying and shouting: “Don’t leave! Can’t you see how pitiful we are? Quick, bring out your conscience!” The street rolled with crying and shouting—some beggars beat their chests and stamped the ground, some fell to the ground wailing, and even more batches of children stepped out running, constantly chasing that person’s trouser legs.

“Help!” The pedestrian screamed. They say in good years pockets are full and there are few beggars on the road; in bad years belts tighten and the streets are full of beggars. This person was probably also poor—seeing beggars chasing him, he quickly used all his strength to escape into the Ministry of Works offices.

Dong! The great door closed. All the beggars rolled and crawled and fell—seeing the money god leave, they lazily lay down again. Wang Yitong spat viciously and cursed: “Stingy ghost!”

In early years not knowing life’s hardships, Wang Yitong had once been prosperous. Back then when he passed Dongzhi Gate, every time he saw beggars by the roadside, he would always laugh at their laziness, hate their appearance, and look down on them with contempt. Who would have thought that fortune’s wheel turns, and today it was his turn to beg for food—only then did he know that beggars weren’t lazy at all and weren’t easy to be.

Alas and alack! The sun had risen to its peak—it was already lunch time. Several hundred pedestrians had passed by, some running away with their legs, others covering their faces as they passed. The beggars shouted until their mouths were dry and tongues parched, but couldn’t get even a few coins. Seeing that business was bad today, smoke was actually drifting from the distance—who knows which inconsiderate household was steaming buns. The steamer’s rice and flour fragrance wafted over, making all the beggars drool. Instantly the big ones cried, the small ones wailed, the whole street filled with crying and shouting, frightening pedestrians into fleeing even more desperately.

The beggars were hungry, and Wang Yitong was hungry too. Today he had only drunk three sips of soup, so he couldn’t help feeling dizzy and seeing stars. Holding his empty belly and panting, he looked at the old beggar beside him. Worthy of being a veteran, he had actually prepared a steamed corn bun, looking black as a stick.

That old beggar was quite generous. Seeing Wang Yitong looking at him, he smiled: “Little brother, want to eat some together?”

Wang Yitong looked bashful and couldn’t help lowering his head. As the saying goes: “There are people beyond people, heaven beyond heaven.” Look—he was already a beggar, yet he still wanted to beg food from other beggars. What should that be called?

Just as he was pondering his new identity, that old beggar had already picked up a brick from the ground and fiercely smashed it down on the corn bun.

Rumble! The brick shattered while the corn bun remained unmoved. The old beggar unhurriedly raised his black bare foot and trampled it chaotically, breaking it into two pieces. He bent down to pick up a smaller piece and handed it to Wang Yitong, smiling: “Eat up, it’s very fragrant.”

Wang Yitong felt afraid in his heart and didn’t quite dare eat, but if he acted arrogant and didn’t accept it, he would surely anger the old beggar. So he cupped it with both hands and smiled bitterly in a low voice: “Thank you, old sir.”

Seeing that old beggar laughing “hehe” while stroking his grizzled beard and eating his corn bun, Wang Yitong laughed dryly: “Old sir, are you here alone? Where are your family members?”

That old beggar accepted fate cheerfully, just laughing “haha”: “Don’t mention it—having them is like not having them. Let them go die.” Wang Yitong saw his open-mindedness and actually admired him in his heart, thinking to himself: “So he’s a solitary man—no wonder he’s so carefree.”

Holding the corn bun and looking left and right, he suddenly noticed that among the beggars on the street—old and young, big and small—they were all men, not a single woman. Wang Yitong sighed secretly: “These people had foresight, knowing they would become beggars sooner or later, so they never married. Not like me, dragging along a snail shell with old and young…”

Wang Yitong was thinking lazily, but he couldn’t resist his hungry belly, so he bit into the corn bun. A foul stench hit him, making him involuntarily “retch.” Just as he was about to cry sadly, someone beside him started crying first. A beggar child was seen walking with his head down, covering his face and crying: “Mama… baby’s belly is hungry, baby wants to find mama… mama…”

The crying infected nearby children, who all started crying, each one wailing for their mother. This angered their fathers into shouting and scolding, but they couldn’t stop the children’s crying.

“Strange…” Wang Yitong blinked, looking at the beggars on the street. Since there were children, presumably they also had mothers. But where had these women gone? Why were all the beggars’ wives nowhere to be seen?

Wang Yitong was thinking blankly when suddenly he cried “Ah!” and the crumbs of corn bun in his mouth fell out, but this also made him understand the reasoning.

He understood—these beggars weren’t all bachelors, but since they had fallen to this state, their wives wouldn’t come to this street. To support their families, they would silently go to another street next door—that street seemed to be called something Flower… something Willow…

In his confusion, seeing his wife’s fate, Wang Yitong also started screaming: “Three taels of silver! Damn it, three taels of silver!”

Wang Yitong was like a madman. He threw away the corn bun and rushed straight onto the main street. Whenever he met someone, he would spit out six words: “Damn it! Three taels of silver!”

The situation before him was all too clear—once he couldn’t pay the rent, the whole family would be homeless. At that time, to feed the old and young, with his wife’s virtue and beauty, she would surely step forward and sell herself into prostitution for the family.

“Quick! Quick! Who will quickly give me three taels of silver! Quick!”

Wang Yitong ran and shouted. An incompetent husband, a useless father, an unfilial son—three great crimes pressed down on him, forcing him to frantically chase around for money in desperate anxiety.

Three taels of silver wasn’t a small amount. The more anxious Wang Yitong became, the more he frightened pedestrians into fleeing. After chasing and running for half an hour, Wang Yitong was exhausted. He knelt on the ground, looking at the pedestrians on the street and crying: “Honorable gentlemen, please, quickly hand over your silver! Carrying too much money… isn’t it… isn’t it… heavy?”

Dong! His head hit the ground. Just as he was about to collapse, he suddenly heard a “clatter” and countless copper coins flew up into the sky, scattering all over the ground. Wang Yitong was greatly surprised, thinking: “What happened? Is someone really finding money heavy?”

Just as he was puzzled, he heard rough shouting from the middle of the street: “Prime Minister… on tour! Lantern Festival… rewards!”

A high official had come. Mighty official guards led the way, followed by a long line of sedan chairs. Those two hands waved toward the sky, scattering copper coins that flew up like flowers, causing groups of beggars to cheer and jump up, competing for the copper coins like grabbing silk balls.

Wang Yitong was overjoyed. His begging experience was shallow, so he didn’t know there were such benefits every Lantern Festival. He squeezed into the crowd, about to jump up, when “Ouch!”—he was pushed down by someone. Seeing a copper coin roll before him, just as he was about to reach out and grab it, “Oh ah!”—his hand was painfully stepped on and the copper coin was taken away.

Clang, clang, clang went the copper coins, and Wang Yitong’s head also “bloomed.” He struggled for a long time, running east and west, but still couldn’t get half a coin. Instead, he took quite a few punches. Finally, a copper coin flew straight at his forehead—it should surely be his! He used his head to block it down to his feet, and just as he was about to reach down and pick it up, the old beggar beside him got there first and snatched it away.

Poor old beggar—helpless and alone, with weak strength, naturally couldn’t compete with others for things. Watching him tremblingly pick up the copper coin and smilingly put it in his mouth—apparently his whole body was in torn clothes and ragged pants, but only this mouth was reliable. Seeing that the other person was ten times more pitiful than himself, Wang Yitong couldn’t bear to snatch it from him. He looked at the beggars crying and shouting all over the street, couldn’t help shaking his head and sighing.

Forget it… even if he picked up ten copper coins, what good would it do? Right now he didn’t need a few reward coins to buy steamed buns, but a full three taels of rent silver. If he couldn’t raise it, his family wouldn’t be secure. As the only man in the family, he had to find a way out for the old and young.

The official guards’ footsteps drew closer and closer. The Prime Minister’s sedan chair was right before his eyes. Wang Yitong bit his silver teeth and, regardless of everything, threw himself onto the road, blocking the sedan chair and shouting: “My lord! This commoner has grievances to report! Please, you must save my whole family!”

The sedan chair bearers were startled and couldn’t help stumbling. The high official in the curtain seemed to be drinking wine and was splashed all over. Before Wang Yitong could kneel down, mighty clubs swept out and knocked him to the ground. Wang Yitong knew his whole family’s lives depended on this moment, so naturally he ignored the pain and looked up calling: “My lord! Reward me with three taels of silver! Please! This is my family’s life-saving money!”

Bang! A heavy club struck from behind, hitting Wang Yitong so his spine nearly broke. He heard the official guard angrily say: “Base commoner! Road-blocking dead monkey begging from everyone! There are copper coins all over the ground—can’t you pick them up yourself?”

Wang Yitong cried loudly: “Not enough! Not enough! This humble person has a wife and children at home—I must gather three taels of silver! If you gentlemen don’t save me, my wife will fall into the world of prostitution!”

“Go to hell!” The official guard above kicked down, cursing: “If your wife doesn’t become a prostitute, who will all the bachelors in the world sleep with?”

This cold remark truly chilled to the bone. Wang Yitong’s face turned pale green as he cried in shock: “You… what did you say?”

“What did I say?” An official guard beside him raised his mighty club and cursed: “I said you don’t know what’s good for you! Want your wife to hang up her sign and enter the trade early! So we brothers can go patronize her!”

In the loud laughter, Wang Yitong was so angry his eyes saw golden stars and his chest pounded like drums. He lunged toward the official guard’s chest. All the official guards were greatly surprised: “This kid’s gone mad from poverty!”

Everyone shouted once, and over ten mighty clubs struck down in reverse—they could make Little Wang’s brains flow at any moment.

At this moment of life and death, a palm came across the sky. Pale white fingers lightly flicked—the first one spun and flew out. With the remaining force, the second, third… bringing over ten clubs all flying up to the sky together, like magic.

Saved! A noble person had arrived, a benefactor had come! On Lantern Festival, with so much celebration, surely he had met a great good person!

Whimpering and panting, a pair of black official boots appeared before him. Following the boots upward, first he saw a bright red official robe. In the densely gathered clouds, on the official robe cranes stood prominently among the group, extending their dharma eyes from the clouds to look down on the floating mortal earth.

First rank crane, second rank golden pheasant, third rank peacock—without doubt, standing before him was a first-rank civil official. Looking at him wearing a black gauze cap, face like jade, lips sporting a short mustache—he was a handsome man not yet forty years old.

“Lord Yang!” All the official guards straightened their forms and shouted out the newcomer’s identity. As soon as the shout came out, the Prime Minister hurriedly lifted the sedan curtain and said in panic: “Oh my, Lord Yang Wu Fu, why did you get out of the sedan?”

That young official shook his head: “Nothing much. Just saw the road was blocked, so I got down to take a look.”

All the official guards glared at Wang Yitong and roared: “Stinking brat! Look what you’ve done!”

Wang Yitong was startled and quickly turned back to look, shocked to see the entire street was completely blocked. One official sedan after another couldn’t move—all blocked by him. Before he could beg for mercy, all the official guards surrounded him again, planning to beat the evil beggar who blocked sedan chairs to death.

“Stop.” That young official’s light words had already stopped all the guards.

As the saying goes, officials don’t show might, but their claws and teeth do. When a first-rank cabinet minister gave an order, all the guards shouted once and retreated backward. Wang Yitong’s heart was uneasy, not knowing whether it was good or bad fortune. While he was worrying, that young official had already crouched down and said: “Those who block sedan chairs on the street must have grievances. Tell me, have you encountered some injustice?”

Rarely meeting a noble person making inquiries, Wang Yitong was naturally overjoyed and quickly said: “Injustice! Injustice! This commoner was formerly a pharmacy clerk. Three months ago I innocently lost my job. Unfortunately, a child was also added to the family, and we’re really short of silver to use. Please, my lord, do a good deed and reward this commoner with three taels of silver…”

Babies need milk, mothers in confinement need money. That young official heard the tearful complaint and had some understanding in his heart, saying calmly: “Alright, how many clubs did you take from them?”

Wang Yitong touched his aching back and held back tears: “Five or six, I suppose.”

That young official understood the meaning and reached into his robe to take out a golden silk money pouch. Wang Yitong knew he would get money. His heart was pounding as he knelt on both knees, raised both hands high, and for a moment smiled through tears, saying in a low voice: “Thank you, my lord.”

One, two, three…

Four, five, six…

Six copper coins were placed in his palm, arranged neatly in two rows. Wang Yitong opened his mouth wide, staring blankly at the six copper coins in his hand, shocked: “What… what is this?”

That official said calmly: “You blocked the sedan to appeal your grievance—your situation is pitiable. The court shouldn’t have beaten you.”

Wang Yitong said in surprise: “Shouldn’t have beaten me? So what?”

That official said: “So one club, one coin, to compensate for your physical suffering.” As he spoke, he helped Wang Yitong up, brushed the mud and ash from his knees, and turned to leave.

“Don’t go!” Wang Yitong hugged the noble person’s leg and cried excitedly: “Please! You must give me three taels of silver! If this humble person can’t raise the money tonight, my wife will fall into prostitution! Three taels of silver! Quickly give me three taels of silver!”

How could a beggar assault an official? The official guards on both sides roared once, each one taking courage as their banner, loyal to serve the country, keeping propriety, righteousness, integrity and shame in their hearts, and were about to come beat the evil beggar again. That official shook his head: “Stop! Can the court’s clubs be used like this?”

All the official guards shouted once and retreated again. This time Wang Yitong wasn’t afraid. He threw himself over and grabbed the trouser legs of all the official guards, screaming: “Don’t leave! Isn’t it one club, one coin? Go ahead and hit me! Wang here will give you all a bargain today—let you beat three hundred clubs hard and earn three taels of silver! Quick! Quick, do it! Don’t be polite!”

Wang Yitong was fantasizing wildly and wouldn’t let go no matter what. The official guards didn’t dare strike instead. Wang Yitong crawled before that official and panted: “My lord, you… you must save me.”

One standing, one kneeling, that official looked down and asked back: “First, you and I are neither relatives nor old friends; second, I don’t owe you anything either. Why should I save you?”

That made sense—everyone lives their own life, so why should others save him? Wang Yitong was slightly stunned and for a moment couldn’t speak. He looked up at that person, seeing blue sky and white clouds above, drifting past from behind that official. Sunlight reflected on his jade face—this person was pale and handsome, full of radiance, with especially beautiful eyes.

If there were gods in the world, they should look this good, right? In an instant, Wang Yitong found the answer in his heart. He hugged that person’s leg and said loudly: “Because you’re an official! I’m a commoner! So you must help save me!”

The court’s authority above, the people’s suffering below—there should be no shirking. That official heard these words and nodded: “Well said.” He nodded, and that jade-white finger slowly reached into his robe, gently taking out something shining. Looking at the curved sides of that precious thing, wasn’t it exactly what he had been dreaming of day and night…

“Three taels of silver!” Official silver dragon appeared. Wang Yitong cried “wa” in joy, like a starving dog pouncing on meat or flies on dung, about to rush forward when that official blocked him and said softly: “Wait a moment. Friend, looking at your appearance, you seem like a scholar—can you use an abacus?”

Wang Yitong said happily: “Yes, yes, yes! How could I not? I use it in the shop every day…”

That official beckoned and received a red wood abacus from his attendant, saying: “Good. Before this official gives you silver, I must first ask you to help me add some numbers, alright?”

Wang Yitong was overjoyed. At this time, never mind one math problem—even a hundred difficult problems or three riddles would be sweet as honey. He quickly said: “Fine! Fine! Fine! However many thousands or millions you want to add, this humble person will accompany you to the end!”

That official gave the abacus a “hua la la” flip and handed it to Wang Yitong, actually starting to call out numbers: “Two thousand four hundred ninety-nine plus one.”

Wang Yitong took the abacus without thinking, using decimal notation happily: “That’s two thousand five hundred.”

That official stroked the short beard on his lips and smiled: “Next is two thousand five hundred times two thousand one hundred thirty-nine.”

A pile of big numbers came out. Wang Yitong couldn’t help crying out softly, slowly working the abacus and calculating: “That’s… five million three hundred forty thousand and… and…”

Before the final digits were calculated, that official had already computed mentally and answered: “It’s five million three hundred forty-seven thousand five hundred.”

Wang Yitong laughed dryly: “Yes, yes, you can really calculate.” Before his words finished, that official said again: “Add twelve million four hundred ten thousand.”

Wang Yitong hurriedly added the total and frowned: “Altogether it’s… seventeen million seven hundred fifty thousand and… and…”

Before his words finished, that official said directly: “And seven thousand five hundred… beggars.”

Hearing the word “beggars,” Wang Yitong couldn’t help crying out, finally understanding the origin of these numbers. That official looked toward the beggars on the street and explained: “Two thousand four hundred ninety-nine is the beggars on Dongzhi Gate Street. As for that ‘one’…” He looked at Wang Yitong: “That’s you.”

Wang Yitong smiled bitterly a few times: “Pretty good—the more people, the livelier it gets.”

That official continued quietly: “Nationwide, there are two thousand one hundred thirty-nine such beggar dens. Multiplying the two gives five million three hundred forty-seven thousand five hundred beggars. Those twelve million four hundred ten thousand people are disaster victims from the northwest.”

That official crouched down, left hand on Wang Yitong’s shoulder, pointing at the beggars all over the street and saying softly: “Friend, hundreds of millions of beings cry out for food, but with drought and no rain, Heaven has only given me this much grain… If I favor you alone, would that be fair to them?”

Wang Yitong listened blankly. What he saw before him was Dongzhi Gate full of crying, shouting, poor beggars, one by one like ants still competing for a few rotten coins on the ground. Little Wang sighed, realizing the world was in deep water and hot fire. For him alone to live well indeed had no reasoning. He shook his head and said in a low voice: “This… this is indeed unfair.”

That official shrugged and said calmly: “Then what should I do?”

Wang Yitong thought for a long while, suddenly clapped his hands and laughed: “That’s easy! My lord, you just need to remember ‘universal salvation’! You make everyone happy, then won’t there be peace under heaven?”

That official suddenly understood and also clapped his hands in joy: “Yes! How didn’t I think of it? Come, come, quickly receive your reward.”

After all that back and forth, finally he could receive his pay! Wang Yitong cheered joyfully, raising both hands high with palms up to respectfully receive the great ingot. That official smiled and nodded, directly extending his fingernail to scrape the ingot a bit, as if scratching it for an itch.

Wang Yitong smiled: “Benefactor, the ingot is bright enough—you don’t need to polish it. Quickly give the money.”

That official smiled and lightly flicked his fingernail. A bit of silver powder slowly drifted down like heavenly maidens scattering flowers. Wang Yitong said “Eh?” and looked down at his palm, shocked to see his hand had gained a bit of shimmering powder. He said in alarm: “What… what is this?”

That official said calmly: “Three taels of silver.”

Wang Yitong was furious: “Nonsense! What you gave me is silver powder—not even one thousandth of a tael!”

That official shook his head: “Don’t be angry. You asked this official to achieve universal salvation. These three taels of silver divided into seventeen million seven hundred fifty thousand parts gives this amount.”

In the midst of shock, a light breeze came and almost sent the silver powder up to the ninth heaven, where it disappeared. Wang Yitong sat on the ground in shock, not knowing what to say. That official bent down again and said gently: “Friend, in the six paths of reincarnation, all beings suffer. To achieve universal salvation, don’t forget two phrases: ‘If I don’t enter hell, who will enter hell’… Amitabha Buddha, congratulations—your whole household has entered… the hell realm.”

Immediately spreading both hands in a welcoming gesture, he turned and left.

In Wang Yitong’s shock, seeing that official about to leave, he shouted and tightly grabbed the man’s ankle, gritting his teeth: “Wait… why is it ‘I enter hell’ and not ‘you enter hell’? You bastard… quickly hand over the silver you’ve embezzled! Otherwise don’t think of leaving!”

Wang Yitong had torn off all pretense and had the intention of risking his life to offend his superior. The official guards on both sides were about to step forward and beat him, but that official crouched down again and said: “Don’t be angry. My Buddha established this reincarnation cycle—it’s always been this way, with not half a reason to speak of. How about this—though this official has no power to reform the six realms for you, I can point out a way out for you. Do you want to hear it?”

Hearing these words, Wang Yitong’s heart gave birth to hope again, and he quickly said: “Speak! Quickly speak!”

The common citizen was hoarse from shouting, and those pale white five fingers raised up, pointing toward the distant outskirts of the city. Wang Yitong looked blankly as that official leaned close to his ear and said softly: “Friend, you go out from Dongzhi Gate… pass through Dong Chang Alley, head south for about three li, and then you’ll see…”

“Yongding River!” Wang Yitong cried out joyfully. He had lived in Beijing all his life and knew the geography well. Hearing that there was buried treasure near Yongding River, his heart leaped with false joy as he hurriedly said: “Good, good! What next? After this humble person sees Yongding River, where should I dig?”

“No need to dig… no need to dig…” That official leaned close and whispered: “After you see Yongding River, just…” He made a gesture close to his ear.

“Jump down?” Wang Yitong couldn’t believe his own ears. Dumbstruck, he asked in a trembling voice: “Is… is the water there deep?”

That official nodded: “Very deep. Under the golden water river are swirling eddies—I’ve personally tested it.”

Wang Yitong’s heart shook with fury: “Good! And you still want me to jump! You want to harm me by drowning!”

That official sighed slightly: “Friend, you speak too harshly… The universe is divided into six realms, each with its own karmic retribution. Since you’re tired of the six realms of reincarnation, why not try this shortcut to liberation?” Seeing Wang Yitong’s mouth agape, he patted his shoulder and said quietly: “Only in life not clinging to life is life truly life; only in death not fearing death is death truly death…” He pressed his palms together, bowed slightly, and said quietly: “Farewell.”

That official’s tone was loving, but his actions were utterly cold. Accompanied by his attendants left and right, he stepped into his sedan chair and returned to the heavenly realm, leaving only Wang Yitong alone in hell, still dumbstruck.

The government, the government—how hard it works! It manages marriages while collecting land taxes, oversees commerce while selling houses. It manages monks, Taoists, and commoners; it governs the common people. Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—all under its control. From south to north, from west to east—in short, as long as people aren’t dead and beasts still defecate, all listen to the government’s control. But strangely, though the government manages all things under heaven, there’s only one thing it doesn’t manage.

“Damn it!” Wang Yitong wept with fury: “Really don’t care if I live or die?”

The more Wang Yitong thought, the more he hated. Thinking of how in the past he had paid every tael of land tax and tribute without fail, yet now when seeking three taels of silver from the court, they pushed and blocked him in every way. He rolled on the ground crying: “Treacherous minister! Return the tax silver I paid! Return it to me!” In his furious cursing, he chased after that sedan chair. Fortunately, his curses mixed with crying, so the official guards couldn’t hear clearly—otherwise this person’s slander of the government would surely land him in prison again.

Just as he was cursing loudly, sedan chair after sedan chair came in succession down the street, squeezing him to the roadside. Wang Yitong cried and cursed while chasing the sedan chairs, actually running out of Anding Gate. Heaven never cuts off all paths—Wang Yitong suddenly thought: “Wait! All these high officials coming out in full force—where are they going?”

He looked repeatedly and saw the sedan chairs passing in single file, all heading north. Wang Yitong suddenly understood: “Ah! How could I forget—today is the Lantern Festival! They’re going to Hongluo Temple!”

Hongluo Temple was no ordinary place, but the precious site where the court held rain prayer ceremonies. After three days of lantern festivals, all of Beijing’s high officials and nobles had gone to the temple. Wang Yitong’s mind flashed with inspiration, and his heart began pounding: “Saved! Saved! Why am I wasting time here? To find kind-hearted great gentlemen, I should go to Hongluo Temple!”

The common people on the streets were selfish and cold, but the devout men and women at Hongluo Temple were all good people. Soon, as long as he met kind-hearted court ladies or charitable young misses, how could he worry about not gathering three taels of silver? The more Wang Yitong thought, the more reasonable it seemed. He looked up at the sky and saw the red sun slanting west—it was already past noon. He rolled up his sleeves and shouted: “Three taels of silver! Wife! Mother! Daughter! Daddy’s going all out now!”

Little Wang had discovered a great secret, but the beggars on the street were still fighting each other for those three or two coins. In times when one couldn’t guarantee the next day, Wang Yitong had no leisure to care about others’ survival. He quickly put his broken bowl in his bundle and rushed straight toward the north gate.

Hongluo Temple was located north of the capital—quite a distance—but Wang Yitong had already staked his life on this. Along the way, he borrowed rides when meeting carriages, crossed rivers and bridges, just desperately hurrying on his way. The sun grew more and more slanted. By the time of the monkey hour, he finally saw Hongluo Pagoda.

Incense money was ahead, hope was ahead! Wang Yitong laughed heartily: “Three taels of silver! I come!” Without time to wipe his hot sweat, he was about to go up the mountain to beg.

“Stop!” Just as he reached the mountain path, suddenly a bald head came flying over and gave a strange roar right on the spot. Wang Yitong was startled and quickly looked—before him came a cold-eyed guest monk, who said grimly: “Beggars are not allowed to enter the temple.”

A fierce monk had come. Hongluo Temple was a sacred place of Northern Sect qigong—the monks inside were like Shaolin warrior monks, each with martial arts skills. Seeing that guest monk carrying a staff, Wang Yitong had no weapons and naturally didn’t dare force his way in. He smiled apologetically and thought: “You door-watching dog, always looking down on people.” Seeing the monk’s fierce and cold appearance, he didn’t beg for mercy but slipped to the trees by the mountain to take out his fine clothes and change.

On his second expedition, Wang Yitong was no longer a beggar. Look at him wearing a long robe, graceful as a jade tree in the wind—he had transformed back into the distinguished manner of a Da Hong Hall manager. That monk still guarded the path. Suddenly seeing a pilgrim swaggering toward him, his face looked quite familiar, so he quickly blocked the road and said coldly: “What do you do?”

“What do I do?” Wang Yitong smiled arrogantly and waved his hand. With “clang, clang” sounds, all six copper coins in his hand rolled into the alms bowl, verifying his identity.

“Please enter, benefactor.” The guest monk put down his staff and bowed: “Today pilgrims gather like clouds, the excitement and beautiful lanterns are magnificent. Please walk around more, sir.”

Wang Yitong smiled and returned the courtesy, but silently cursed in his heart: “Dead bald donkey, your father sleeps with your mother—that’s six feet total.” People have two legs, dogs have four feet—added together that’s six. Wang Yitong laughed happily, sweeping away three months of pent-up frustration, finally having some smile.

Walking and walking, he came to the mountain gate. Wang Yitong was full of joy, standing at the mountain gate looking left and right. He saw lanterns hanging high all around, the temple gate square full of vendors—selling flower lanterns, spinning tops, cooking noodles, brewing tea—incredibly lively, but he saw no beggars. Wang Yitong smiled slightly and thought: “Today I’m doing exclusive business—I’m going to get rich soon.”

No matter what you do, you need some cleverness. With the road money obtained through skin and flesh pain, today Wang Yitong openly went up the mountain and entered the temple, becoming the sole beggar in the entire mountain. Looking at the countless believers in Hongluo Temple, soon this one would give three coins in relief, that one would give five coins in charity—gathering sand into a tower, not only could he get through tonight’s crisis, but maybe even next month’s meal money would be secured.

Wang Yitong laughed heartily, growing more pleased with his thoughts. He saw a spot under a tree that was quite spacious, with especially soft grass—it seemed suitable for rolling around and crying. He smiled as he came under the tree, planning to disguise himself as a beggar.

Taking out his broken bowl and about to take out dirty clothes to change into, he heard someone behind him laugh: “Isn’t this Wang Yitong from Green Bamboo Lane? Also here to see the flower lanterns?”

Hearing familiar words, Wang Yitong turned back to look and saw a man standing before him, pointing at him. This person had a crooked mouth and collapsed nose, frighteningly ugly—who else could it be but Dong Laowu from Flower Cat Lane?

When the house leaks, it rains all night. He had finally reached Hongluo Temple, but who knew—instead of the God of Wealth coming, he first met a beast viewing lanterns. This Dong Laowu lived in Flower Cat Lane and spent his days thinking about neighbors’ wives—quite the local rogue. Thinking of Dong Laowu’s usual shameless behavior, cold sweat broke out on Wang Yitong’s forehead as he quickly raised his sleeve to cover his face, pretending not to recognize him.

Dong Laowu became suspicious: “Wang Yitong! Don’t you recognize me?”

Seeing Wang Yitong desperately avoiding him, Dong Laowu became even more puzzled. He looked down and suddenly saw a broken bowl, crying out in shock: “Damn it, you dead boy, what are you doing with a broken bowl? Are you begging?”

Hearing his beggar identity exposed, Wang Yitong was greatly frightened, cold sweat streaming down his entire body.

The reasoning before him was all too clear—people’s hearts were cold and薄, sending charcoal in snow was absolutely rare, but finding those who would kick you when you’re down was truly everywhere. His own downfall was a small matter, but if Dong Laowu learned of his family’s miserable situation, this rogue would surely try every method to seduce his wife and daughter. At this critical moment, he absolutely couldn’t admit his identity. He immediately shouted: “Go away! What Wang Yitong, Wang Ertong! This master is surnamed Huang, not Wang!”

“Bullshit!” Although Wang Yitong firmly claimed not to know him, Dong Laowu seemed to have identified him completely and immediately shouted: “My mouth is crooked and my nose is collapsed, but these eyes aren’t crooked one bit. You are Wang Yitong.” He looked east and west, frowning: “I heard Da Hong Hall’s business was bad and they fired several clerks to go home—you wouldn’t be one of them, would you?”

Wang Yitong didn’t dare speak anymore and quickly packed his bundle, wanting to change places to beg. But Dong Laowu had become suspicious and clung relentlessly—the two circled around the tree, and he couldn’t shake him off no matter what.

The sun overhead gradually set, time flowing away inch by inch. Poor Green Bamboo Lane’s handsome man, the pharmacy’s good clerk, was now covered in hot sweat but couldn’t come up with any solution.

Once night fell and the landlord came to collect rent, he couldn’t keep his house. If they became homeless, his beloved daughter would be sent to wealthy households as a maid, his beautiful wife would fall into brothels to sell smiles, and even that wretch Dong Laowu could visit her…

No! At this moment of life and death, he could only call to all beings under heaven for help. Wang Yitong bit his silver teeth, clenched his fists, puffed out his chest, and knelt on the ground, raising both hands high: “Kind-hearted young ladies and madams, handsome young masters and gentlemen, please reward this humble person with one coin…”

Evening clouds filled the sky. Amid Dong Laowu’s loud laughter, Wang Yitong shouted loudly, calling to all beings in the four directions for rescue. Magnificent sedan chairs came one after another, high officials and nobles stepped onto the high platform. He heard a “clang” as coins flew into incense oil tubes, another “clang” as copper coins were presented to vendors’ tables. Strangely, though the devout men and women were quite compassionate, Wang Yitong’s bowl contained not the slightest thing.

The sun set bit by bit, Wang Yitong kowtowed one head after another desperately. But somehow, pedestrians came and went, looking at Yitong with eyes full of surprise and puzzlement, but without the slightest trace of pity.

What was happening? What was happening? Evening clouds shone on the Wang family’s male head, warm and cozy, but Yitong’s heart was ice cold. He didn’t understand why no one gave him charity… Perhaps because he shouted too softly, perhaps his appearance wasn’t pitiful enough, perhaps tears had smeared the fake black mud. In any case, besides Dong Laowu’s cold laughter and mockery, no one pitied him.

The last ray of evening glow disappeared, the sun finally set. “Dong!”—Wang Yitong also kowtowed his final head.

The earth was dark, but the bowl before him was still empty. This wretched performance was finally over. Yitong collapsed on the ground, blankly murmuring: “What’s happening? What’s happening?” Just as he was about to raise his sleeve to wipe tears, he suddenly was greatly shocked, finally realizing his sleeves were still sapphire blue.

So that was it… No wonder no one paid attention to him… He was still wearing that sapphire blue long robe and hadn’t changed into dirty clothes at all. Who would pity him?

So that was… it… ah… Earlier, disturbed by Dong Laowu, he had forgotten everything. Poor fellow—in his lifetime he had brewed thousands of medicine prescriptions without a single error, but today he had capsized in the gutter. Wang Yitong wanted to protect his wife and children. He waved both hands toward heaven and murmured: “Don’t do this… spare me, give me another chance… I beg you…”

As if responding to his sorrowful cry, there was a “bang” in the distance—firecrackers sounded from the mountain gate, and all the people around became like beggars, kneeling on the ground with Wang Yitong. He heard everyone shouting in unison: “Long live! Long live! Long live the Emperor!”

By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor had arrived. Dong Laowu also knelt down with the situation. He stole a glance at Little Wang and smiled: “Little Wang, don’t cry. If you have any difficulties, just have your wife come talk to me—why be polite? Hehe?”

Amid the laughter, the Emperor smiled graciously, the people cheered, everyone squeezed toward the mountain gate to celebrate the Lantern Festival. In the deserted square, even Dong Laowu left—only one beggar and one empty bowl remained on the ground.

The Wang family’s male head had fought a great defeat. He lowered his face and asked softly: “Heaven… Heaven…” He raised his face, clenched his fists in resentment, and cried sorrowfully to the sky above: “Please! Let my family live!”

Clang…

Heavenly music sounded—Heaven had finally shown favor. Little Wang cried “Ah!” and quickly looked in the bowl, couldn’t help opening his mouth wide.

There was no money in the bowl, but a knife had been thrown in. It crushed the broken bowl and stood quietly on the ground like a proud little soldier.

“Are you the one…”

A deep, masculine voice sounded, asking: “Calling for help?”

A strange person had come…

An iron foot appeared before him, standing coldly beside the knife. Little Wang trembled all over and looked up, first seeing a pair of fiery eyes, then seeing that head of mixed black and white hair—black as char, white as ash. This person’s entire body seemed to have been burned by fire, those two thick eyebrows even more like flames leaping upward, extremely domineering.

Wang Yitong’s heart shook greatly. Though he didn’t recognize this person, he knew the man before him was definitely not one of the gods who save all beings—he was more like a demon.

Whether god or demon, as long as he could save the old and young of his family, he would be like a grandfather. Wang Yitong threw away the steel knife and grabbed that person’s iron foot with both hands, crying: “Grandfather! Grandfather! This humble person doesn’t want a knife—I want money! Three taels of silver!”

Money, money, money—money was reason, money was the elixir of life. A penniless family couldn’t live past three days.

Wang Yitong cried for money, but that magnificent man didn’t answer. He quietly looked at Wang Yitong, and in his silent contemplation seemed about to leave. Little Wang didn’t know where his courage came from—he quickly grabbed that person’s palm and panted: “Can’t leave, can’t leave! Sir, listen—you must give this humble person three taels of silver… otherwise you absolutely cannot leave… cannot leave…”

The words “cannot” carried the meaning of threatening. Wang Yitong, facing desperate straits, had reasons why he couldn’t let go. At this moment, he had to seize the opportunity before him—even if he died, he had to get back three taels of silver…

The magnificent man said nothing and didn’t move. He didn’t shake off Wang Yitong, nor did he scold him aloud. He just squinted those fiery eyes, gazing at the pitiful common citizen before him.

It was impossible to describe what kind of gaze that was—it seemed to harbor anger, yet also carried a trace of sorrow. In any case, when Wang Yitong saw those fiery eyes, he felt his body gradually growing hot and his eye sockets gradually becoming moist and red…

In this heartless, ungrateful human world, past events flashed before his eyes scene by scene. Thinking back to the pharmacy owner’s cold ruthlessness, the shop manager’s snobbish coldness, and just now Dong Laowu’s shameless cold laughter… Wang Yitong cried “wu” and two lines of hot tears finally rolled down his cheeks.

After struggling all day, he finally cried—sorrow urged the tears, and those tears fueled his anger. In his whole body’s fury, Wang Yitong gritted his teeth: “Sir! Have you seen my suffering? Give me three taels of silver… three taels of silver! Please! Quickly…”

The more Wang Yitong pleaded, the more contemptuous that person’s expression became. He saw the corners of his mouth turn to one side, and with a “pu” sound, he actually spat out saliva. Suddenly seeing this attitude, Wang Yitong finally roared. He picked up the steel knife from the ground and shouted fiercely: “I’ll kill you!”

The steel knife stabbed out, hitting that person’s belly right in the center. Wang Yitong’s whole body shook greatly—only then did he realize he was committing murder. He cried “Ah!” as if awakening from a great dream, hurriedly threw down the knife handle and cried: “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it, I’m sorry… Grandfather… I… I’ll pay with my life…”

Wang Yitong’s face was full of guilt, but that person seemed to feel neither pain nor itch. He raised two fingers, smiled, and looked at that knife—it was perfectly fine, clamped between his fingers, not having hurt him one bit.

The opponent possessed supreme skills. Wang Yitong was naturally shocked and delighted, couldn’t help crying again. Just as he was about to kneel and beg forgiveness, that person pulled him up with one grab, then his left hand embraced the poor man’s shoulder while his right index finger pointed out toward the distant Buddhist temple mountain gate.

Following that person’s fingertip, he saw two monks approaching the mountain gate, four hands carrying a large wooden box together. The box was heavy, making the monks’ steps unsteady, but the surrounding people didn’t sympathize with their hardship and still continuously threw in copper coins.

Clang, clang, clang—needless to say, the box was full of incense money.

Wang Yitong stared blankly at the magnificent man, his throat hoarse and sandy, unable to speak. That person didn’t try to persuade him much, just patted the good citizen’s head with his back hand, showing approval, then turned and left.

Despair descended, hope also descended. Wang Yitong no longer knelt on the ground, no longer cried out. He gazed at Hongluo Temple and saw fireworks bursting in the distance, lighting up the night sky. The people before the temple clapped and laughed, all celebrating the arrival of the Lantern Festival. Looking at that Dong Laowu, still cowering in the crowd laughing, apparently still planning some wishful scheme.

The wheel of fate was about to turn. Having been a good citizen all his life, now he had come to the boundary line. Wang Yitong lowered his head, took a deep breath, then suddenly raised his head high to look at that endless brilliant three-thousand-li night sky.

The bright moon hung high at the zenith. In this heartless earth, she was the only sentient being—that moon sister who had watched him grow up since childhood was still following step by step, protecting Yitong. She hadn’t abandoned him.

Person and moon looked at each other. Wang Yitong looked at beautiful moon sister, tears couldn’t help flowing out. He wanted to explain to moon sister, to make her understand his difficulties. But he had little education and couldn’t express any great principles about serving country and people. His eyes reddened, he lowered his head, pursed his lips, and suddenly his heart flashed bright, thinking of four words.

“Heaven above!”

Wang Yitong clenched both fists tightly and cried mournfully to the firmament above.

Heaven above… Heaven above… Wang Yitong’s chest heaved as he gasped for breath. All around he heard not a single echo—only the hundred billion pores in his body knew his suffering, struggling and moaning with him, screaming and wailing with him.

“Heaven above, earth below… I am a husband and also a father…”

The steel knife rose from the ground and came to his hand. That cold blade was so crystal bright—it reflected the moonlight and also reflected Little Wang’s solemn expression.

Impossible to say who he resembled—the Wang family’s male head in the knife’s reflection wasn’t gritting his teeth or showing anger. At this moment he appeared very solemn, very dignified. In those thirty-five years of proud life, not one moment had been more sacred than this.

The bright moon covered her face, heaven and earth became pitch black. In the limitless darkness came sobbing: “Heaven… You won’t let me live…”

“Then I’ll live by myself!”

The steel knife spun like mad. The frenzied Wang family head let out the greatest roar of his life. He gripped the cold steel knife and had already killed toward the joyous Hongluo Mountain…