A New Dawn for the Whitlocks Chapter 1

In 1904, winter came earlier than usual in Zhangqiu, Shandong. Zhangqiu was a place of outstanding people and beautiful scenery. It was the hometown of Li Qingzhao, a female poet in the Song Dynasty. It was rich in springs and had outstanding scenery. However, the nest was overturned and the eggs were broken. Due to successive disasters, the crops failed, banditry was rampant, and starving people were everywhere. The north wind whistled across the empty fields, making the gloomy sky even more bleak. On the simple roads between villages, groups of people with their families pushed wheelbarrows and walked away in silence and exhaustion. They were all refugees going to Guandong. Although they were reluctant to leave their hometown, they had to eat their fill to survive. They didn't know what the outside of the pass was like, whether it was fertile fields or frozen snow. They only knew that there was a vast land in the distance that might accept them and allow them to ask for food.

In such weather, perhaps only young people can forget their sorrows. The courtyard of Connor Whitlock's house in Zhujiayu Village was noisy. The second oldest brother Ethan Whitlock and the third brother Caleb Whitlock were wrestling. Although it was cold, they were only wearing trousers and a wrestling suit. They were sweating and their heads were steaming. Ethan Whitlock was 18 years old and Caleb Whitlock was 14 years old. They were a little different in height, but their eyebrows and eyes were similar. After another round of fighting, the two simply threw their wrestling suits to the ground with a snap.

Ethan Whitlock, with his strong upper body naked, hugged his shoulders, squinted his eyes and said to his brother: "San'er, come on, today, second brother will teach you the third move, the big back cross!" Caleb Whitlock shook his head weakly: "Second brother, forget it today, I'm so hungry that I don't have any strength, this belly is sticking to the back spine, you can play by yourself if you want." Ethan Whitlock squinted his eyes: "You look like an old man at the age of three, you have been a person who can't hold a baby since you were a child! Our mother spoils you, but I won't tolerate your childish habits. Practicing martial arts three times a day is the rule set by our father. Although our father is not at home, this rule cannot be changed! Open your eyes, I'm going to start!"

Ethan Whitlock said as he turned sideways and took a step, carrying Caleb Whitlock on his back with a big bag. Caleb Whitlock screamed, and finally got up, saying: "Second brother, you are really cruel!" Ethan Whitlock didn't respond, but jumped forward like a tiger, and threw Caleb Whitlock, who had just stood up, to the ground again. Caleb Whitlock was furious, jumped up and hugged Ethan Whitlock, but Ethan Whitlock was happy: "Yes, that's right, this is how a man should act. Our father said: Stand facing the wind even if you freeze to death, and don't bow your head even if you starve to death. As long as you have a breath, you must practice this skill! You will never suffer a loss in your life! Step forward, take out your sleeves, lean sideways, put your legs in, use your waist... Carry, carry hard!" Caleb Whitlock panted, but he couldn't carry him. Ethan Whitlock took out a dried vegetable cake from his arms like a magic trick, put it in front of his brother's nose and smelled it, and said: "If you carry me over, this vegetable cake will be given to you." Caleb Whitlock widened his eyes: "Second brother, give me a bite, and I will carry you over if you take a bite."

Ethan Whitlock asked Caleb Whitlock to take a bite: "Back!" Caleb Whitlock said: "Take another bite." Ethan Whitlock handed him the cake: "Take a bite." Caleb Whitlock said while eating: "Second brother, do you think that eldest brother can marry Sister Lily Summers?" Ethan Whitlock said: "I don't know!" Caleb Whitlock said: "I think it's very difficult. Until now, we haven't collected enough food to marry her..." Ethan Whitlock frowned and said: "Why do you care so much?"

"I met Sister Lily Summers that day. Oh, she is getting prettier and prettier, and her voice is getting better and better. She speaks like she is singing an opera..." Caleb Whitlock pinched his throat to imitate Lily Summers, "Third brother, tell the second brother that you two must come together on the day I marry you. Is your second brother still so naughty? Tell him that I will slowly comb his fur after I get married. --- Second brother, will you go on the day I marry Sister Lily Summers?"

Ethan Whitlock scratched his head and asked, "What should I do?"

"Go ahead. Hey, what are you going to wear that day?" Caleb Whitlock said as he swallowed the last bite of cake.

Ethan Whitlock's eyes suddenly widened: "You are lying to me, where is my vegetable pancake?" Caleb Whitlock laughed: "Just eat it!" Ethan Whitlock was anxious and pushed Caleb Whitlock to the ground again.

Their mother's voice came from inside the room: "Stop making trouble, both of you. Come in!"

Ethan Whitlock twisted Caleb Whitlock's arm and went into the house. Their mother was fiddling with an old loom and said to them, "Your brother has been at your grandpa's house to borrow grain for almost three days. It's time for him to come back. The streets are not quiet. You two brothers should go to the village to greet him." The two agreed and were about to go, but their mother called them back, "Slow down. There's almost no food at home. Don't forget to bring the water gourd. Drink some water when you're hungry or thirsty. Be polite when you meet people and ask, 'Have you seen my brother?'"

After sending the two brothers away, the mother sighed and cursed in her heart: You damn ghost, you should have sent a letter at least! Her head, Connor Whitlock, went to Guandong and has been gone for four years without any news. She is both a father and a mother, and she has been working hard to raise three children. Fortunately, the children are still doing well. But she didn't expect such a bad harvest. Seeing that the family was about to run out of food, the third child was already skinny, the eldest child was about to get married, and the second child was still growing. The three boys were at the age of eating!

Just as she was thinking, her future in-law, Lily Summers's father, Samuel Harper, entered the room through the curtain. Ethan Whitlock's mother stood up quickly: "Uncle, you are here, please sit down." Samuel Harper said: "I came to see you on the way." Ethan Whitlock's mother smiled faintly: "Just tell me what you want to say, no need to beat around the bush."   Samuel Harper smiled awkwardly: "What else could it be? It's about your Aiden Whitlock and my Lily Summers." Ethan Whitlock's mother frowned: "Their matter? Isn't it settled? Uncle, what else do you have to say?"

Samuel Harper said, "I don't have much to say, I just want to see how you are doing. There have been disasters for three consecutive years, and we can't afford to delay it. I'm not in a hurry to marry my daughter off, and there's nothing I can do if I get caught up. Hurry up and get their affairs done. Lily Summers will be your daughter-in-law sooner or later, so we can forget about the old etiquette, but we can't forget about the bushel of millet."

Ethan Whitlock's mother laughed and said, "Uncle, who has extra grain these days? I'm not afraid of you laughing at me, but my family barely has enough grain to fill a bushel. You don't have to worry about it, I'll send Aiden Whitlock to his grandfather's house to borrow some, and what we have agreed on cannot be changed!"

Samuel Harper nodded quickly: "That's great. It's normal that you shouldn't get married in such a disaster year, but our Lily Summers has been waiting for three years. You said you would get married this year, and next year, but you didn't get married in the end. You said you would wait for Connor Whitlock to come back, but it seems that he won't be back for a while. Alas, we won't wait any longer."

Ethan Whitlock's wife sighed, "Uncle, it's not that I don't want to get married, but ever since the Boxer Rebellion, my family has been busy all the time, so how can I take care of these things? You know that too."

Samuel Harper also sighed: "Alas, how could he not know? When the Boxer Rebellion broke out, Connor Whitlock opened a temple to kill foreigners and made a big fuss. The court turned against him and wanted to sentence him to death, but he just ran away to Guandong. He has been on the run for several years, right? There has been no news since then?"

Ethan Whitlock's mother shook her head and got up: "Alas, this old man still doesn't know whether he is alive or dead. There is nothing to eat at home. I'll go boil a pot of water and make some porridge for you." Samuel Harper hurriedly got up: "No need, I just said hello to urge you. You go to sleep, I'm leaving." As he said that, he had already walked out the door.

The Ethan Whitlock brothers had not walked far when they met their elder brother Aiden Whitlock at the entrance of the village. Aiden Whitlock was surrounded by a group of beggars who were begging for food by beating cow bone sticks and singing lotus songs. The beggars were begging for food. One of them said, "Hey, this brother looks so kind. We met at the Peach Banquet. He has kind eyes and a kind heart. We are brothers with a good fate." Another said, "Hey, it's fate. Brother, come and help us. We still need to go north. Give us some food to help us out. Kindness will be rewarded. I guarantee you will have a good marriage." Another said, "Your wife is as beautiful as Chang'e, and she will have many children, good fortune, and a long life. She wears gold and silver and rides a fine horse. She will be a high official for generations."

Aiden Whitlock struggled to get away, shouting at the top of his lungs: "Don't bother me, I'm hungry too, I have something urgent to do!" Ethan Whitlock and Caleb Whitlock rushed over and pushed away several beggars. Ethan Whitlock grabbed his eldest brother and said: "Let's go, mother is waiting anxiously." Caleb Whitlock looked at his brother's sallow and haggard face, then looked at his empty hands, and asked: "Brother, where is the food you borrowed?" Aiden Whitlock didn't say anything, and took the opportunity to break through the crowd and ran home, with Ethan Whitlock and Caleb Whitlock following closely behind.

Aiden Whitlock rushed into the house, yelled "Mom", and fell to the ground. Ethan Whitlock's mother jumped to the ground, pinched Aiden Whitlock's philtrum, and ordered Ethan Whitlock and Caleb Whitlock who followed in: "What are you two still doing? Go boil some water!"

After drinking the hot water his mother poured for him, Aiden Whitlock finally woke up. When he saw his mother in front of him, he burst into tears and grabbed her hand tightly, saying, "Mom, this is terrible. My grandpa and grandma, they..."

Chuan Wu Niang asked anxiously: "Tell me quickly, what happened to them?"

"I walked sixty miles along the mountain road, and when I arrived at my grandmother's house and opened the door, I saw that my mother and her family had hanged themselves!"

Ethan Whitlock's mother was struck by lightning and burst into tears: "Dad, Mom, what happened to you? Did you encounter any difficulties? Why can't you survive? Oh my God!" Aiden Whitlock cried: "The neighbors said that my uncle led the villagers to eat at the rich man's house. Three days ago, someone covered his head with a sack and threw him into the well. He can't live like this anymore."

Ethan Whitlock's mother cried enough and remained silent for a long time. Suddenly, she stood up and was about to leave. Caleb Whitlock saw her and hurriedly stopped her, asking, "Mother, where are you going?"

Ethan Whitlock's mother wiped her tears and said, "Go to your grandmother's house, send my father and mother off. My Wei family has become extinct..." Before she finished her words, she was overwhelmed with grief, choked with sobs, and fell down again.

Aiden Whitlock said, "Mom, you are so sick, how can you go? Besides, what can you take to send grandpa and grandma off?" Ethan Whitlock's mother wiped her tears and said, "Aiden Whitlock, Ethan Whitlock, you two go to Grandpa Zhang's house to borrow a sharp knife and kill the old poplar tree in the yard. Caleb Whitlock, you go ask Huang the carpenter to make two thin wooden coffins. You can't let your grandpa and grandma die like this." Aiden Whitlock cried, "Mom, you can't do that. Those are what you and my father kept for your own funeral. No one can touch them!" Ethan Whitlock's mother closed her eyes and said, "Don't worry about it. Kill them!"

After sending her parents to the grave, Ethan Whitlock's mother fell seriously ill, but she had to go on with her life no matter how difficult it was. Seeing her three children like eggplants hit by frost, even the youngest Caleb Whitlock was no longer as noisy as before, she couldn't help but think of her husband who was far away in Guandong: Guandong, Guandong, what on earth is there in Guandong that makes people obsessed, so obsessed that they don't know where to go, and so obsessed that they don't care about the life and death of the old and the young at home. She understands her husband, she knows he is a responsible man, but after four years, her thoughts have become empty hopes, her expectations have become disappointments, and she has shed dry tears at night.

Early in the morning, Ethan Whitlock's mother pulled herself together and called Aiden Whitlock over: "Aiden Whitlock, have you done what I asked you to do? Lily Summers's father is here to urge us to get married again." Aiden Whitlock said bitterly: "Mom, I have run all over the village but I can't get a bushel of rice. Every family is struggling to make ends meet. Who has food?" Ethan Whitlock's mother sighed: "Aiden Whitlock, there is really no other way. Go and talk to Uncle Tan. Can you give us two liters less rice? We can only get eight liters by scraping the bottom of the jar. There is really no other way."

"Mom, we have already agreed to do something, but we can't do it properly. I can't open my mouth!"

Ethan Whitlock's mother scolded: "Aiden Whitlock, when will you be able to hold up the pot lid? Caleb Whitlock, accompany your brother to the Tan family to beg for mercy." Caleb Whitlock was very crisp: "Well, I'll go."

Chuan Wu Niang was angry again: "You said your dead father, he got into a big trouble and was kicked out of the pass. It's been four years, and this heartless man hasn't sent any news until now! It is said that Guandong is a treasure land. Who knows, he has bought houses and land, has a lot of cattle and horses, three wives and four Concub!nes, and has forgotten us women! Don't you believe it? Now he is drinking wine, burping, farting loudly, smoking Guandong cigarettes, and squatting on the roof to cool off!"

Caleb Whitlock winked and pushed his brother out of the house. Aiden Whitlock said, "San'er, this is something we agreed on, but you changed your mind. How can I ask you to do this when you are at Lily Summers's house? You are the only one in our family who has studied in a private school for a few years. The Book of Songs has been taught. You can teach your brother."

Caleb Whitlock pouted: "Your mouth is under your nose, how can you not open it? Look at what I say." He said and gestured, "When you meet Lily Summers's father, you should bow and say: Your Excellency Taishan, your son-in-law Aiden Whitlock is here to pay his respects."

Aiden Whitlock said: "It's not right, it's not right, why does it sound like a play? Don't scare me, I know that Taishan old man calls me father-in-law, Lily Summers hasn't married yet, so you can't say that."

"Then you should bow first and say this: Uncle Tan, I have something to say to you on the orders of my mother. Men should get married when they are old enough and women should get married when they are old enough, there is no doubt about that. It is also common sense to give a bride price when getting married. Now we are in a famine year, so some things need to be discussed. My family has managed to scrape together eight liters of millet, so you should accept it with a smile. We will make it up to you when we have a good year. A gentleman's word is as good as gold." Caleb Whitlock was very knowledgeable at a young age.

Aiden Whitlock shook his head: "I don't understand some of the words. Can you translate them into farmer's language?"

Caleb Whitlock also shook his head: "A rotten tree cannot be carved! Forget it, you just say: Uncle Tan, my mother said that our family's food supply is almost gone, just raise your hand and let Lily Summers marry! Isn't it enough for me to kowtow to you?" Aiden Whitlock was stunned: "Is it necessary to kowtow again? No, I am too embarrassed." Caleb Whitlock said disdainfully: "Why should I be ashamed to kowtow to my father-in-law? It is true that I brought my sister-in-law Wu home. Just do as I say, it's right."

Samuel Harper was chatting with an old man at home while smoking. Samuel Harper said, "What are you talking about in the past? In the past, were there no carriages and horses in front of our gate? Forget about anything else, who dares to set up a stage in the yard to perform opera during the New Year? My family has that kind of power. Lily Summers even performed on stage. Have you ever heard her singing "Wang Dingbao Borrows Pawn" or "Xiao Gu Xian"? If I hadn't stopped her from performing, she would have become an opera star by now."

The old man echoed, "You said your family was a big family back then, so why did you marry Lily Summers to Connor Whitlock's son? They are not a good match!"

Samuel Harper said, "Isn't it just to see how good his family's reputation is? Who doesn't know Connor Whitlock in our Zhujia Town? He is also a man. He has no rivals in Baguaquan, and he is famous for helping the weak and suppressing the strong."

The old man nodded and sighed, "That's true. It's a pity that you followed the Boxer Rebellion and got into trouble, and your family is ruined. Do you regret this marriage?"

"What's the point of regretting? The marriage is set in stone. How can I live my life if I regret it? Besides, Lily Summers has already said that I belong to the Zhu family no matter what."

The old man nodded again: "Lily Summers and Aiden Whitlock are a good match. She has been learning martial arts from Connor Whitlock since she was a child, and her martial arts are not inferior to Aiden Whitlock. The two children are very good. So let's get married earlier. If the girl stays at home, she will get a lot of food every year." Samuel Harper said: "I have urged them several times, but I didn't ask them for any dowry, just a bushel of millet. Is it too much?" The old man said: "It's not too much to say."

"But even this request is difficult for them."

"Alas, what is the most precious thing now? It is food. A bushel of millet can be exchanged for a good coffin."

Samuel Harper shook his head: "I don't think so, it's for Guier. Guier is engaged, the daughter of Sun Dashou, the spoon head, she didn't ask for a dowry, just a bushel of millet."

"Yes, these days everyone is keeping their eyes on food." The old man was talking, and suddenly pointed to the distance, "Hey, who's coming over from the village?"

Samuel Harper squinted his eyes and leaned out. At the head of the village, the Aiden Whitlock brothers were walking towards this side. He slapped his thigh and said, "Oh no! It's Connor Whitlock's eldest brother and his third son. They come empty-handed. They probably haven't collected enough food. I don't want to see them." Then he tiptoed out and closed the gate.

Aiden Whitlock and Caleb Whitlock went to the door of the Tan family and saw that it was closed, so they knocked hard. After knocking for a long time, no one answered, and they only heard dogs barking. Coincidentally, Samuel Harper's son Gui'er came home and saw Aiden Whitlock and his brothers and asked, "Why are you knocking on my door?" Aiden Whitlock quickly replied, "I'm talking to your father." Gui'er asked again, "Hey, when are you going to marry my sister? Hurry up and marry her. If you can't, I can't either. My father said that if your family sends food to him, he will find me a wife right away."

Aiden Whitlock said, "Your father doesn't want to see me." Gui'er smiled and said, "I'll help you break it down." Then he banged on the door, "Dad, open the door, my brother-in-law is here!"

Suddenly, two lumps of earth fell at Aiden Whitlock's feet. He looked up and saw Lily Summers climbing on the pomegranate tree in the yard and smiling at him. Gui'er also saw it and hurriedly shouted: "Lily Summers, open the door." Lily Summers said: "Go play, I'm talking to him." Aiden Whitlock said: "It's you? You scared me! Are you born in the year of the monkey? Whose daughter is climbing a tree? Come down, don't fall!" Lily Summers smiled and said: "Brother Aiden Whitlock, I can't come down! Carry me down."

"Your door is tightly closed, how can I get in?"

"You can't jump over the wall?"

Aiden Whitlock pouted and said, "If I dare to jump over the wall, won't your father break my legs when he finds out? Hey, can I ask your father to give me two liters less? My mother only gave me eight liters." Lily Summers said, "That won't work. My family is counting on this little grain to help my brother get married."

Caleb Whitlock came over to interrupt and joked: "Sister-in-law, my good sister-in-law, please don't make things difficult for me. If you get married, we will be stirring the ladles in the same pot. If you make things difficult for my brother, wait until you get married and see how I will tease you! I will put sand in your bowl and wet your flowery quilt!"

Lily Summers was happy: "You dare! Then I will strip you naked and make you sleep in the bed until you pee. I will let you go only when my bed is dry!"

Caleb Whitlock smiled evilly: "I can't let you sleep in my bed."

Lily Summers said, "Okay, I'll talk to Dad, you two wait." Then she got down from the pomegranate tree and walked lightly into the main hall. Samuel Harper heard it and saw his daughter coming in, but he said sternly, "Lily Summers, who are you talking to on the pomegranate tree? You are becoming less and less like a daughter." Lily Summers smiled and said, "Dad, don't play dumb. His family has eight liters of millet, just agree to it." Samuel Harper slammed the table and said, "Okay, you're speaking for your husband's family before you even get married. I've raised you for nothing! Go and tell him that one dou of millet is not enough!"

Lily Summers stuck out her tongue, went out again and climbed up the pomegranate tree, and said to the two brothers outside the door: "My father said that we cannot have one less grain of millet." Aiden Whitlock was anxious: "What should I do? The marriage will not be successful." Lily Summers said: "Brother Aiden Whitlock, don't worry, think of other ways, you will find a way."

"What can I do? It's too late even if I pull it now!"

Lily Summers giggled: "Then you can pull golden beans and use them to pay off the debt." Then she got down from the pomegranate tree. Aiden Whitlock peeked into the yard through the crack of the door and saw Lily Summers's big eyes. He asked: "Lily Summers, do you miss me?" Lily Summers asked back: "What about you? Do you miss me?" Aiden Whitlock said: "Yes, I miss you even in my dreams. I dreamed that you were sitting in a big sedan chair coming to my house, and I was riding a big red horse behind you. You were shameless and secretly lifted the red veil to look at me."

Lily Summers's eyes were gone, and her voice like a silver bell could be heard from the courtyard: "I heard a lot of noise outside the door. I thought it must be my brother. I hurriedly put my needlework on the wool thread and wanted to unlock the door for him, but I was afraid that my parents would complain..."

Aiden Whitlock shouted excitedly outside: "Lily Summers, wait, I'll ask you to sing, and I'll show you how I'll deal with you after you pass the door!" Then he walked away in a daze. Caleb Whitlock grabbed him and said: "Brother, are you leaving just like that?" Aiden Whitlock glared at him: "What can I do if I don't leave? They won't open the door!"

The two brothers returned home with their heads down. Their mother asked, "Aiden Whitlock, you are back? What did your uncle say?" Aiden Whitlock said dejectedly, "My uncle said that even a grain of millet cannot be missing." Ethan Whitlock's mother asked, "Did he say that?" Aiden Whitlock said, "My uncle refused to see me and would not let me in. He would let Lily Summers in."

Ethan Whitlock's mother sighed: "What should I do?" Caleb Whitlock imitated her: "Mom, my brother only said shameless things to my sister-in-law, how could he say anything serious? On the way back, he was still shaking his head and singing opera, and he had long forgotten what you told him!" Ethan Whitlock's mother glared at her eldest son angrily: "I have known for a long time that your brother is a piece of junk! No one can help him. I will go to Samuel Harper, the stubborn old man, in person." Caleb Whitlock said: "Mom, should I go with you?"

They went back to the Tan family. This time the gate was unlocked. Caleb Whitlock and his mother were hesitating at the gate when Lily Summers's mother came out and said, "Oh, it's Old Zhu's wife. Come in quickly." Ethan Whitlock's mother said sarcastically, "The threshold of your house is too high. How can I step over it?" Lily Summers's mother laughed and said, "You are so clever that you are as clever as a spider. You can make silk."

Ethan Whitlock's mother asked, "Where is his uncle?" Lily Summers's mother said, "He is collecting manure in the backyard. He has something to tell me." Then she welcomed Ethan Whitlock's mother into the house.

Caleb Whitlock didn't go into the house. Seeing Lily Summers sitting in the yard braiding corn, he went up to her and whispered, "Sister-in-law, you have really skillful hands. Look at the braids you made. They are so thin and even. They are really attractive." Lily Summers smiled and said, "Really? You really know how to flatter someone. After you get married, I will braid your hair and make a nice straw hat for you." Caleb Whitlock said obediently, "Then I would like to thank you, sister-in-law." Lily Summers said, "Don't call me sister-in-law all the time. You haven't even got married yet." Caleb Whitlock said, "It's only a matter of time. You are showing your affection by saying so."

Ethan Whitlock's mother looked around in the main hall and said, "Look at your house, it's so tidy, you can tell you're a well-to-do family." Lily Summers's mother said, "You're just looking for trouble, and if you have something to say, just talk about it. You can't fill your stomach with rice soup." Ethan Whitlock's mother laughed and said, "You have a sharp mouth, you won't change it even if you're given a knife. If Lily Summers is like you, she'll cut me to pieces with her mouth after she gets married!" Lily Summers's mother pouted and said, "Weigh two pounds of cotton and spin it. Who doesn't know you, Connor Whitlock's old woman? When the red light is on, you can fly to the sky with chicken feathers. Ten Xian'ers are no match for you."

Ethan Whitlock's mother said, "Jokes aside, I have something to discuss with you. Well, I promised that Lily Summers would give you a bushel of millet when she married. We scraped the bottom of the storehouse and only got eight liters. We can't send Aiden Whitlock to borrow from his grandmother's house, so I thought you would have heard about it..." She couldn't help crying again, "Well, it's our turn to burn incense and pray to the Buddha. Can't your family be more flexible? If there is any way, I won't be so shameless to beg you."

Lily Summers's mother's tears also fell: "Alas, if it was left in the past, my family would not be able to hold back their eyes for a bushel of millet, but in this famine year, grain is more expensive than gold. You know, Lily Summers's grandfather has ruined the family since smoking opium, and our house and land have been tossed clean. Lily Summers's brother, Gui'er, is also going to marry a wife, and the girl's family insists on this bushel of millet. If I don't come to you, who else can I go to? There is really no other way."

Ethan Whitlock's mother whispered: "It's just two liters. You can't marry a daughter-in-law without spending a lot of money. You should discuss it with his uncle." Women are soft-hearted after all. Lily Summers's mother nodded: "Okay, I'll go and talk to her. You sit here and wait." Then she left the house. After a while, Lily Summers's mother came back: "Her aunt, we have talked a lot. The old man has opened the dough. Eight liters is eight liters. I will find a way to get the remaining two liters myself." Ethan Whitlock's mother held her in-law's hand tightly, nodded and could not speak, tears welled up again.

Caleb Whitlock was still talking to Lily Summers in the yard. Caleb Whitlock said, "Sister-in-law, my brother really misses you. Sister-in-law, really! Every night when my brother goes to sleep, he hugs his pillow and keeps saying, Lily Summers, I really miss you, when will you come to my house, I can't wait, I hug you and K!ss you. Your lips are so red, your braids are so thick, and you look so handsome..."

Lily Summers blushed: "You are talking nonsense, you have no shame!" Caleb Whitlock became more and more excited: "Sister-in-law, I am not ashamed. Listen to me, I have read the Book of Songs, and the teacher has started to lecture. What do you think is the first chapter? "Guanju". I will recite it to you: 'Guanju, on the island in the river, the fair lady is the ideal match for the gentleman. The water chestnuts are uneven, flowing left and right. The fair lady, I yearn for her day and night. I cannot get her, I think of her day and night. I am so leisurely, tossing and turning...'"

Lily Summers said, "Don't recite it, I don't understand." Caleb Whitlock said, "It doesn't matter, I'll tell you. Jujiu is a turtledove, which is about a male and a female turtledove on a sandbar in the river, croaking and seducing each other. The teacher said that this is arousal. A gentleman loves a beautiful lady, which means a beautiful young lady is pursued by a young man..." Lily Summers covered her face, "Don't say it, don't say it, it's so embarrassing! I don't believe it, the teacher still said these things? You made them up."

As they were laughing and joking, Lily Summers's mother escorted Ethan Whitlock's mother out the door. Caleb Whitlock quickly straightened his face and stood up. Samuel Harper also came out from the back of the courtyard and said politely, "Aunt, are you leaving now?" Ethan Whitlock's mother said, "You didn't even leave us a meal, so why are you not leaving?"

Lily Summers's mother nodded at Caleb Whitlock: "Look at them, they are talking very warmly." Samuel Harper stroked Caleb Whitlock's head: "This child is smart and gentle, and he is likable. If I have another daughter, I will marry him as my daughter-in-law." Ethan Whitlock's mother looked at Caleb Whitlock lovingly: "I don't have a maid at home, so I raised San'er as a maid. He has read a lot of books and knows a lot."

Caleb Whitlock climbed up the pole and bowed repeatedly to the elders of the Tan family to express his gratitude: "Thank you, uncle and aunt. My mother can sleep well this time. We will be relatives in the future and we should visit each other more often. How can I be impolite? Please give me more advice. There is no need to be polite. We are all family."

Samuel Harper said happily: "Lily Summers, look at Caleb Whitlock, he is so good at talking! Learn from your brother in the future." Lily Summers giggled: "You guys, he fooled you. Don't look down on him because he is small, he has a lot of tricks!"

It was dark early. A candle was lit at Connor Whitlock's house. Aiden Whitlock and his brothers sat around their mother, looking very happy. Ethan Whitlock's mother told the eldest brother: "Aiden Whitlock, keep a good account of the rice you borrowed. When the harvest is good, return it double." Aiden Whitlock replied: "Mom, I borrowed this rice from many families. I can't remember it. Besides, I can't write many of their names." Caleb Whitlock showed off: "Mom, I can remember it. Two liters from Tan Chunzao's family, two liters from Fu Fawu's family, one liter from Liu Sichun's family, one and a half liters from the third uncle's family..."

Ethan Whitlock's mother interrupted him: "Okay, stop talking, just keep an account. Alas, these are all losses, and they will have to be repaid in the future." Caleb Whitlock held his pockets: "Mom, I can't do it, let my second brother grind ink for me." Ethan Whitlock was indignant: "To keep an account, someone needs to serve the pen and ink, you are so happy." Ethan Whitlock's mother scolded Aiden Whitlock and Ethan Whitlock: "You two brothers can't even keep an account, you eat for nothing." Aiden Whitlock said: "What else are you talking about? He is the most educated among the three brothers, so shouldn't he keep an account?" Caleb Whitlock also said hurriedly: "Mom, don't blame my eldest brother, he asked me to write down this list."

The four of them were busy, and they could vaguely hear opera voices coming from outside the house: "My cousin is studying in Nanjing. His classmates asked him to gamble, and he lost eight strings of money in one go. He came to Zhangjiawan to borrow money and asked me to borrow money. I had no money, so he came to my sister to borrow money. My sister lent the money to him to avoid embarrassing my cousin. Sister, you have money, lend it to me quickly..."

Caleb Whitlock pricked up his ears and listened for a while: "Brother, it's Sister Lily Summers, why don't you go and greet her?" Ethan Whitlock's mother looked unhappy: "This girl is always so cheerful and only knows how to sing. I don't think she can live a good life in the future." Aiden Whitlock ignored his mother's expression, hummed along with the opera, jumped up and went to open the door. The door opened, and Lily Summers walked in with a smile: "Oh, no wonder I heard the rustling sound in the room, it turned out that she was measuring rice!" Ethan Whitlock's mother looked stern: "You haven't married yet, and you come to your husband's house so late, aren't you afraid of gossip?"

Lily Summers smiled generously: "I'm not afraid. I will be a member of your family in a few days. Now I will call you mother---mother." Ethan Whitlock's mother burst out laughing, but deliberately kept a straight face: "I didn't hear it."

Lily Summers said mischievously, "Then I'll shout louder, Mom! Mom!! Mom!!!" This finally made Ethan Whitlock's mother laugh, and she said, "Okay, I heard it, the loud voice at the gate is catching up with the donkey. What are you doing here?"

Lily Summers put her hands behind her back and said, "I'm going to bring you something. Can you guess what it is?"

Aiden Whitlock interrupted and said, "If I had to guess, it must be made for me."

Xian Er shook her head: "No---right. Chuan Wu, guess what."

Ethan Whitlock said: "That is the cloth shirt I made for my brother."

Lily Summers still shook her head: "No---right. Caleb Whitlock, guess again."

Caleb Whitlock thought for a while and joked, "If I had to guess, you must have embroidered a pair of pillows with your own hands, each with a pair of turtledoves on it." Lily Summers rolled her eyes at him and said, "That's even more wrong." She held up a bag and said, "I brought some millet to your home."

Ethan Whitlock's mother was shocked: "This is terrible, where did you get the rice? Did you steal it from your father? Now you are selling it to my house, and after you get married, you are selling it to your house. Aren't you a rat?" Lily Summers giggled: "Mom, my surname is Zhu, and I only sell it here."

Ethan Whitlock's mother said with a fierce face: "That won't work either. If your father finds out, he will break your legs."

Lily Summers put the millet on the kang and said proudly, "Mom, this is the rice I bought with the private money I saved from cutting my braids. My father and mother don't even know about it."

Ethan Whitlock's mother stroked Lily Summers's rough hands, her eyes reddened: "Lily Summers, my good daughter-in-law, you are truly a member of my Zhu family. Aiden Whitlock, take Lily Summers to that room to talk for a while, don't leave it too late."

Aiden Whitlock was waiting for this sentence, and happily agreed. He took Lily Summers's hand and went into the inner room. He closed the door and said with a smile: "Lily Summers, my mother has touched your hands, I want to touch them too." Lily Summers put her hands behind her back and said: "No, you are a man. I won't let you touch them before we get married. They are worthless if you touch them!" Aiden Whitlock said with a drooling face: "Who said that? Won't you be mine sooner or later? Touch, just touch." Lily Summers stretched out her hand: "It's agreed, just touch." Aiden Whitlock touched Lily Summers's hand and asked: "Lily Summers, your hands are really small, can you do hard work?" Lily Summers said: "Why not? When the time comes, we will compete. I won't let you fall behind in any work except holding the plow."

Aiden Whitlock touched Lily Summers's hand and was reluctant to let go: "Let's compare. Lily Summers, you are good in every way except your big feet. My mother, you are so big. You said that on the day of your wedding, when you stepped off the sedan chair, your two big feet poked the ground like this. Wouldn't people laugh out loud? Your father and mother really let you do whatever you want. Wouldn't they let you not bind your feet?"

Lily Summers said, "I am the only girl in my family. When I was young, my mother didn't force me to bind my feet because she didn't want me to suffer. But when I grew up, she wanted to bind my feet, but I refused to do so. Have you forgotten? One time, my father tied me up and wanted to bind my feet. I screamed like a pig being slaughtered. Your father kicked the door of my house open and untied the rope for me. My father jumped up and said, 'Connor Whitlock, if my daughter doesn't bind her feet, she won't be able to get married and will be sent to your family!' Your father patted his chest and said, 'Give me a letter to marry you. Anyone who regrets it is a fool.' That's how our two families got married."

Aiden Whitlock laughed: "Others use flowers as matchmakers, we use feet as matchmakers, so we can go on stage. Let me touch your two big fat hooves, can you?" Lily Summers glared at him: "You are putting your nose in my face, I won't let you touch it." Aiden Whitlock deliberately put on a stern face: "If you don't want to touch it, then forget it, it's the smelly ones that are not wet." Lily Summers burst out laughing: "I just washed my feet, they don't stink. You can touch them if you want."

It was late at night, and the cold moonlight cast a layer of white shadows on the kang. The three Zhu brothers were sleeping soundly. Aiden Whitlock, who had just met his lover, still had a smile on his face, and in his dream he was savoring the happiness of getting married.

At this moment, several masked men climbed over the wall and crouched to the door. One of them came forward and took out a single-edged sword, and the door was pried open with a creak. Chuan Wu Niang was old and a light sleeper. When she heard the door open, she was about to get up, but she found that a knife had been pointed at her forehead. Chuan Wu Niang had heard a lot of such rural banditry, but she was still calm. She put on her clothes and asked: "Heroes, did we have any grievances in the past?"

A sturdy man said in a rough voice: "It's not unfair."

Ethan Whitlock Niang asked again: "Are you here for money?" The man shook his head: "Not for money." Ethan Whitlock Niang was puzzled: "Then why?" The man said: "To live!" Ethan Whitlock Niang laughed: "That's strange, the road is facing the sun, we don't interfere with each other, we don't want your life." The man said: "These days, if you don't have food, you will die. Stop talking nonsense and take out your family's food." Ethan Whitlock Niang said: "Every family doesn't have overnight food, and we don't have food either."

"You can't hide it from the ears of our brothers. Your son is getting married, so prepare food. Take out eight liters of millet. Do you want food or your life? Tell me." The masked man sneered a few times and waved his hand. His brothers pushed Aiden Whitlock and Caleb Whitlock from another room. Ethan Whitlock was the only one missing.

Aiden Whitlock knelt down with a plop: "Brother, my food is borrowed, please let us go." Caleb Whitlock said sweetly: "Brother hero, we have heroes in Shandong since ancient times. Heroes are generous and righteous, robbing the rich to help the poor. What you did is ruined the reputation of heroes. Brother hero, please show mercy, I will build a monument for you to spread your reputation in the future, but don't dare to break the rules of the green forest." The leading big man kicked Caleb Whitlock down: "Stop talking nonsense! We are not heroes, but robbers. If we don't give us food, none of you can survive!"

Seeing this, Ethan Whitlock's mother thought for a moment and said, "I can give you food. I'll ask someone for your help. Do you know him?" The masked man said, "Who? Tell me!" Ethan Whitlock's mother said in a clear voice, "Connor Whitlock, who opened a temple during the Boxer Rebellion." The masked man nodded, "I've heard a little about him." Ethan Whitlock's mother smiled, "I'm from his family." The masked man sneered, "It's no use mentioning anyone. We are not on the same side as him. There will be no tomorrow after today. Stop talking nonsense and bring the food!" Ethan Whitlock's mother laughed, "That's great! Caleb Whitlock, bring out the food. The tiger wants to eat people, why bother talking to them?"

A few masked men took the food, whistled, and left.

Aiden Whitlock cried inside the house, "Mother, how can we get married if we don't have any food?"

"Don't you see? If we don't provide food today, our family will be wiped out. These people can do anything. Just admit it." Chuan Wu's mother comforted her son, but she was also sad in her heart.

The family was feeling miserable when Ethan Whitlock ran into the house breathlessly holding something and asked, "Mom, look, what is this?" Ethan Whitlock's mother took the object and was shocked, "My mother, isn't this a gold ingot? Where did you get it from?" Ethan Whitlock said, "I slipped out when they were robbing food, and found it in their saddlebags outside the yard."

Aiden Whitlock was happy: "That's great! This thing can be exchanged for seven or eight dou of rice even in this year!" Ethan Whitlock's mother's face changed drastically: "Ethan Whitlock, you are asking for trouble! They will come back, and if they come back, our whole family will die!"

Before she finished her words, the door was kicked open again, and the masked man in the lead grabbed Ethan Whitlock's ear and said, "You little B@st@ard, you dare to steal my wealth, you are looking for death!" Ethan Whitlock struggled hard and said, "You robbed and I stole, we are even now."

Another masked man said viciously: "Brother, kill this kid!"

Ethan Whitlock showed no fear: "Kill him if you want. Twenty years later, he will be a hero again!"

Chuan Wu Niang took two steps forward and said, "My dear, don't blame the child. I, an old woman, have not taught him well. I have done dirty things and have broken the rules of your underworld. You must kill me."

The leading man laughed: "We bandits have no rules. Just return the things." He patted Ethan Whitlock on the shoulder and said, "You are a small man with a huge courage. You will be a big man in the future! Well, it's not easy for you. Leave two liters of rice." After that, he led the bandits away, leaving the Zhu family staring at the two liters of rice in a daze.

Aiden Whitlock cried, "Mother, there is no food left. Can I still marry you?"

The bridal sedan was on its way. Although the year was not good, the necessary pomp and ceremony was necessary. The sedan was a small sedan for four people. The bright red color was a little faded, but it still looked festive in the gloomy countryside in winter. In front of the sedan were eight drummers playing the tune of "A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix". Ethan Whitlock's wife was wearing a clean cotton jacket and her hair was dipped in water, which made her look particularly energetic. Ethan Whitlock and Caleb Whitlock were jumping up and down in front of the sedan, very busy. But the groom Aiden Whitlock was riding a horse, wearing a red cross, with his head drooping. Ethan Whitlock's wife couldn't stand it: "Aiden Whitlock, is your head hit by frost? Lift it up for me!" Caleb Whitlock said with a smile: "Brother, the book says that getting a wife is a small success, there is no time to laugh. Look at you, crying. Smile!" Aiden Whitlock said impatiently: "Go away, go away, how can this be called getting married? It's simply robbing the bride."

The front of Samuel Harper's house was already bustling with people from all over the neighborhood, men, women, young and old, more than 50 people, waiting to see the excitement. Samuel Harper and his wife also crowded at the door and kept looking around. Early in the morning, a villager came to tell them that Aiden Whitlock had set off with the wedding procession. The old couple wondered why they wanted to get married without informing them in advance. They were afraid of delaying the event, so they asked Lily Summers to make preparations while tidying up the house and inviting relatives and friends. They were busy for a while, but they didn't know what their in-laws were up to.

Seeing the bridal sedan coming from afar, Samuel Harper grabbed his wife and said, "Lily Summers's mother, my eyesight is not good, look, is it really Lily Summers's in-laws who are here to get married?" A neighbor nearby was sharp-eyed and quick-mouthed: "Why not? Didn't you see it? Ethan Whitlock's mother came in person!" Samuel Harper was even more puzzled: "What's going on? The bride was not greeted, and his mother came too. Isn't this against the rules? Is this how things are done? This old woman, I think she is out of her mind!"

As they were talking, the wedding procession came over and the sedan stopped. Chuan Wu Niang clasped her fists towards her father-in-law and said, "My dear, I came to welcome you personally today. I caught you off guard and broke the rules. I am not afraid of being laughed at in this year. In a word, I can't care about so many things! I really have no choice. My dear, today you let me take my wife away first, and we can talk later, is that okay?"

Samuel Harper said coldly, "We can discuss this. What about the eight liters of millet? Just bring the millet and you can take it away, my girl. I won't stop you. It doesn't matter if it's a day earlier or later."

Chuan Wu Niang said with tears in her eyes, "My dear, I will tell you the truth. Last night, my family was robbed. Six liters of the eight liters of millet were taken away, leaving only two liters. I brought them all with me. The rest is what I owe you. I will sign a written agreement and I will pay you double after the disaster. Please help me."

When Samuel Harper understood, he shook his head like a rattle: "Survive the disaster? That won't work! What's a bushel of millet worth by then? You said we were attacked by bandits? Who saw it? I said my family was attacked by bandits, but who believed me? If you don't give me food today, I won't let my daughter get married no matter what you say. Go back."

Chuan Wu Niang said: "My dear, you can't talk like that. Is my Zhu family that kind of people? We have been robbed. If I tell a lie, I will be struck by lightning!"

Samuel Harper looked at the villagers who were watching and said angrily, "You don't have to swear or curse. I won't release the eagle until I see the rabbit. Go back. It's useless to say anything else."

Chuan Wu Niang forced a smile and said, "My dear, please give me some face. You can't be so unkind and unjust. Aren't you afraid that the villagers will laugh at you?"

Samuel Harper was even more anxious: "Who are you kidding? I think you are the one who should be kidding! You said that your family has been trying to marry Lily Summers over and over again in the past few years, and the date has been changed again and again! Is it too much to ask you for some food? How much food did I need to raise Lily Summers to this age? You turned one dou into eight liters, and eight liters into two liters. Are you kidding me? You are so dishonest, so dishonest! How can my daughter marry a family like you!"

Chuan Wu Niang pleaded, "Uncle, which family doesn't have its share of disasters? Even tigers have toothaches! Just raise your hand, can you regret this marriage?"

Samuel Harper slapped his thigh and said, "Who said you're breaking off the engagement? Huh? Tell the villagers to tell them. I've said it before, Lily Summers will belong to your Zhu family sooner or later. But then again, I can't raise her up for nothing! Her mother, close the door. You're not going to marry my daughter off for nothing! " After saying that, he and Lily Summers's mother flashed back to the yard and slammed the door.

Aiden Whitlock cried, "Mom, let's go back, this marriage is not going to happen!" Ethan Whitlock's mother said with a sullen face, "I just don't believe it!" She looked at the crowd and bowed to the percussion band, "Gentlemen, show your strength today! The gongs, drums and suonas sounded, today I'm going to marry my wife!" The drums and music sounded, and the street was boiling. Ethan Whitlock took the opportunity to light a string of firecrackers and shouted, "It's a wedding, it's a wedding, Connor Whitlock's family is getting married!" The sound of firecrackers attracted a group of children, and more and more people gathered in front of the Tan family. Ethan Whitlock's mother looked at the closed door quietly.

In the yard, Lily Summers heard the sound of firecrackers and laughter outside, and knelt down in front of her father, crying: "Dad, please, please let me go out. I don't want mountains of gold and silver, I don't want a pen full of cattle and sheep, I just want a real family, even if I have to squat under a cold stove and drink cold water, as long as Aiden Whitlock is by my side, I will accept it in my heart! Dad, Aiden Whitlock and I have been connected since childhood, and we can't be separated in this life..."

Samuel Harper burst into tears: "Lily Summers, it's not that Dad is cruel. Dad knows that you and Aiden Whitlock are inseparable, but if I send you away like this, what will happen to your brother? They have urged us several times. How can we find a wife for your brother if we don't have food? Can you watch your brother being a bachelor? I have no other choice!"

Lily Summers begged, "Dad, I know his family is really out of food. Even if I don't marry, my brother won't be able to get married. Please let me go." Samuel Harper gritted his teeth and said, "No, if I let you go, your brother will have even less hope. I can't give up this idea!" Lily Summers frowned and said, "Dad, will you agree or not?" Samuel Harper stamped his feet and said, "No! I won't agree no matter what I say!"

Lily Summers suddenly stood up and said, "Okay, I will die in front of you today!" Then she threw her head against the table. Lily Summers's mother hugged her daughter tightly and cried, "Lily Summers, you stubborn thing, are you going to force your father to death?" Lily Summers lay on her mother's arms, "Mom, it's my father who forced me to die, I won't live anymore!" Samuel Harper yelled, "Let her die! I don't have this daughter, she is a traitor, I love her in vain!"

Gui'er ran in anxiously and said to Samuel Harper, "Dad, it's bad. Aiden Whitlock has knelt down at the gate. The trumpet maker has knocked down several people. If this continues, someone will die. You should go out and take a look!"

Samuel Harper sighed, stamped his feet, and walked out angrily to open the door. Guier picked up a big stick from the corner of the yard and followed him. Samuel Harper opened the door, looked straight at Ethan Whitlock Niang and said, "Connor Whitlock's family, what do you want to do?" Ethan Whitlock Niang said confidently, "I'm here to marry a wife."

Samuel Harper said: "Give up on this idea. You can't get married without food!"

Ethan Whitlock came up and said, "I don't believe it! If he is not kind, then we are not righteous either. Let's rush in and ask Sister Lily Summers. If she doesn't want to go with us, we will go back. If she wants to, no one can stop her!" He was about to lead his men to rush in. Suddenly, Gui'er started waving his big stick. Ethan Whitlock was not willing to be humiliated, so he rolled up his sleeves and prepared to fight.

Ethan Whitlock's mother yelled, "Stop it! Old Brother Tan, as the saying goes, you can only release your horse if you can see the mountain. Our mountain is still there, and his father will be back soon after four years in Guandong. When he comes back, we will repay you together! Just agree to it."

Samuel Harper kept silent with a sullen face.

At this moment, Mr. Tan Sanye, an elder of the Tan family who was watching, suddenly said, "Don't dream! Samuel Harper, don't dream either. For four years, I have been holding this sentence in my heart and dare not tell you that Connor Whitlock is not in Guandong! Haven't you heard? Connor Whitlock was beheaded by the government four years ago. Someone saw it with their own eyes. His head was hung on the Qianmen Tower in Beijing, and his body could not be found!"

Samuel Harper was so frightened that he opened his mouth but could not speak. Ethan Whitlock's mother was struck by lightning and cried out "Oh my God!" and fainted. Aiden Whitlock felt dizzy and shouted "Dad!" and bumped his head against the gate.