A New Dawn for the Whitlocks Chapter 3

The ship sailed northwards, and the weather was calm except for the colder weather. When we were about to reach Dalian, the captain lowered his voice and said, "No one is allowed to talk, there is a war going on the shore!" The sailors said mischievously, "Women with children should quickly put their nipples in their children's mouths. If anyone makes any noise, we're all doomed!"

Everyone on the boat secretly breathed a sigh of relief, after all, the destination was almost reached. Some whispered: "It was so smooth! There was no wind or waves along the way, we really have to thank the Sea Goddess!" Ethan Whitlock couldn't hold back his anger and asked: "Why is it so quiet? My God, it's a little scary." The captain listened and lowered his voice to scold: "Who is still talking?"

Wen's mother hugged her two sons tightly and tied their wrists together with a rope. Waves of seagulls' cries came into the cabin. Looking out through the small window, seagulls were flying over the blue sea. In the distance, the land was faintly visible. Everyone in the cabin couldn't suppress their excitement. They left the cabin one after another and stood on the deck to look at the shore. The shore was getting closer and closer, and the expectant faces became more and more excited.

Suddenly, a scream passed over the sea. A cannonball exploded on the sea, creating a huge wave. The captain shouted for everyone to return to the cabin and ordered the helmsman to turn around, but there was no time to hide. Cannonballs whistled in, and the originally calm sea seemed to boil. The waves hit the wooden boat, which was heaving and swaying.

The three members of the Zhu family held the rope tightly, stumbling here and there, but they refused to let go. They saw that some of the ships they were sailing on were blown in half and sank to the bottom of the sea, while others caught fire and billowed with thick smoke. Caleb Whitlock couldn't help crying and said, "Mom, we can't get ashore." Ethan Whitlock scolded, "You are useless, why are you crying? Our ship is fine."

Before he finished speaking, there was a sudden loud noise, followed by a jolt to the ship, and the people in the cabin fell and rolled into a ball. The captain cursed: "Damn it, the steering cabin was blown up."

The big ship was like a drunkard, circling in the rolling waves, but completely lost its direction. Coincidentally, the ship was swayed by the waves stirred up by the shells and was pushed out of the shore and returned to the deep sea. Everyone was terrified after surviving the disaster. The captain sighed: "Alas, this is really the vision of the Sea Goddess. But I can't steer the rudder or sail the ship. From now on, I have no choice. Let's leave our lives to fate."

At this time, people who walked on dry roads had another kind of hardship. Aiden Whitlock and Lily Summers walked hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder. It was sweet, of course, but the long journey tortured them so much that they lost their tenderness and sweetness. Lily Summers was well-behaved and saw that the old man leading the way was unusual. She and Aiden Whitlock followed him closely along the way, always asking him questions. Gradually, they learned that the old man had a nickname called Old Harrier. He had gone to Guandong and came back to look for his relatives, but he didn't find them, so he had to go back to Guandong alone. After walking with him for about five or six days, when they reached the bank of the Yellow River, they were suddenly robbed by river bandits. Aiden Whitlock took advantage of the chaos to drag Lily Summers and ran away desperately. He was as flustered as a frightened bird and escaped a robbery, but he also got separated from the main force.

As the sky gradually darkened, the two hid in a dilapidated temple. Aiden Whitlock brought a bunch of hay and spread it on the ground. Lily Summers stood there, stroking her chest and breathing. Aiden Whitlock said, "Lily Summers, take a rest." Lily Summers sat in the haystack and said softly, "Brother Aiden Whitlock, you take a rest too." When she saw Aiden Whitlock sitting far away, she burst into laughter and asked, "I'm biting people? Why are you so far away?"

Aiden Whitlock smiled and Chao'er leaned over. He rummaged through his package and said in surprise: "Lily Summers, my dry food is lost!" Lily Summers said angrily: "You are so careless, eat mine." She opened her package, rummaged through it for a long time, and shouted in horror: "Brother Aiden Whitlock, my dry food is also lost!" Aiden Whitlock embarrassed her and said: "You still have the nerve to blame me. Forget it, I won't eat it. I'll go hungry. Have a good sleep. I have to travel tomorrow."

Lily Summers tossed and turned: "Brother Aiden Whitlock, I'm so hungry that I can't sleep." Aiden Whitlock said: "If you can't sleep, get up, and talk to fill your stomach. I don't know if my mother and my brother have arrived in Dalian. I am the eldest and I have abandoned my mother and brothers. When I see my father, he will not forgive me." Lily Summers asked: "Why, your father can still beat you?" Aiden Whitlock said: "It's not a question of whether to beat him or not, it's a question of whether I can survive."

Lily Summers asked: "Is your father so powerful?"

Aiden Whitlock nodded and said, "Yes. His hands are as big as a palm leaf fan, like two tiger claws. If he slaps me, I will basically be disabled." The two were silent for a while. Aiden Whitlock looked around the temple and suddenly became alert and said, "Lily Summers, do you know what temple this is?" Lily Summers shook her head and said, "I don't know." Aiden Whitlock said, "How stupid! This is the Goddess Temple. Can't you see? Goddesses are worshipped here."

Lily Summers looked at the shrine and said, "Yes, it's a woman. It's the Goddess of Childbirth. You see she is holding a baby in her arms. If not the Goddess of Childbirth, who else could it be? Brother Aiden Whitlock, we have to respect all gods. Let's make a wish." Aiden Whitlock said, "Okay." The two of them knelt down in front of the shrine, put their hands together, and prayed silently, devoutly and seriously. After making their wishes, the two returned to sit on the haystack. Aiden Whitlock asked, "Lily Summers, what wish did you make?" Lily Summers said, "You say it first."

Aiden Whitlock laughed and said, "I have had a dream since I was a child. In the future, I will be able to buy ten acres of good land, raise two bullocks, a pen of fat pigs, and hire two long-term workers. By then, I can stand in the yard, lean on my waist, point east and west, and order them to work." Lily Summers giggled and said, "You want to be a rich man? You are dreaming." Aiden Whitlock said, "I am dreaming. When I arrive in Guandong, I will definitely realize this dream. By then, you will be the young lady of the boss's family." Lily Summers said, "Won't I be burned to death?"

Aiden Whitlock said, "You won't be burned to death. Haven't you heard that there are only endless sufferings, but no endless happiness?" He lay down, resting his head on his arms, and continued with infinite yearning, "Then, one morning, it was freezing cold, I covered my ears, sent the farmhands to work in the yard, and sent away two carts. What were the carts doing? They were rumbling to pull manure. I walked around the yard with my hands behind my back. At this time, you opened the window and said to me..." He pinched his voice to imitate Lily Summers: "Boss, I have cooked the dishes and heated the wine, why don't you go up to the kang to have a drink? I went into the warm house and sat on the hot kang. You filled my pipe and handed it to me. I smoked Guandong tobacco and drank Lao Shaoguo, and you sang me a song "Little Borrowing Year". As we sang, we couldn't hold it anymore, our legs became soft and our bones became crispy---are you asleep?" Lily Summers said, "No, I'm listening..."

Aiden Whitlock's voice gradually faded away and he said, "You said this day is so beautiful, this day... Are you asleep?" Lily Summers said drowsily, "No, I was listening..." Aiden Whitlock fell asleep with a smile on his face and began to snore...

The boat had been drifting on the sea for five days and five nights. Every day, people could not hold on and fell down because of hunger or fatigue. The fallen people could only sink into the sea amid the wailing of their loved ones, and the heavy dream of crossing the Guandong was frozen in the cold seabed. The initial pain and fear brought by the death turned into numbness after witnessing the death one after another. This reminds me of the words of Lao Yaozi, the graves along the road from Shandong to Shanhaiguan are all the villagers whose ambitions were not fulfilled, but how good is the sea route?

Even the sturdy captain of the ship was hunched over, with sunken eye sockets. Although all those who were going to venture outside the Great Wall brought enough dry food, no one could withstand such a waste of time. Xia Yuanzhang was dying of hunger, and his eyes were darting around. He crawled to Caleb Whitlock weakly and begged in a low voice: "Caleb Whitlock, do you have any food? I'm starving to death." Caleb Whitlock asked him: "You didn't bring any dry food?" Xia Yuanzhang said: "Alas, my luggage was rolled into the sea. It's been a few days. I haven't had a grain of food or a drop of water. I can't stand it." Caleb Whitlock said: "That won't work. I'm keeping this to survive. What should I do if I give it to you?"

Xia Yuanzhang nodded and said, "Ah, you are right." But he couldn't hold on any longer and begged, "Caleb Whitlock, give me half, just half is enough, I really can't bear it anymore. Caleb Whitlock, good brother, please save my life. If I can survive, I will take you to Lushunkou. I have opened a warehouse there, and I will hire you as my clerk and treat you as my son. Do you think this is okay?" Caleb Whitlock said, "I won't be your clerk. I want to go outside the Great Wall to find my father."

Xia Yuanzhang was a little desperate, lying on the splint and looking at the sky quietly. He really wanted to jump into the sea and die, but he didn't even have the strength. Wen's mother couldn't bear it, sighed, and said to Caleb Whitlock: "San'er, give him your pancake! Save his life." Caleb Whitlock asked: "Mom, do you agree?" Wen's mother nodded and said: "Yes, saving lives is the most important thing." Caleb Whitlock said: "Okay then." He walked to Xia Yuanzhang, Xia Yuanzhang blinked, watching Caleb Whitlock take out the pancake from his arms.

Xia Yuanzhang's mouth moved, and tears suddenly filled his deep eye sockets. He swallowed the pancake with Caleb Whitlock's water. After a while, he sat up, held Caleb Whitlock's hand tightly and said: "Caleb Whitlock, you saved my life, thank you." Caleb Whitlock said: "Shopkeeper Xia, I have to thank you and my mother. It was my mother who asked me to save you." Xia Yuanzhang came to Wen's mother and knelt down and said: "Sister-in-law, thank you, I will repay you for saving my life in the future!" Wen's mother hurriedly helped him up, smiled sadly and said: "Shopkeeper Xia, I don't deserve it, I'm glad you survived, and you are not allowed to mention the word "saving my life" again in the future. This is what we should do, and everyone should do this."

After drifting for another two days, the boat finally reached the shore, and the boatmen helped everyone off the boat. Everyone recalled their experiences over the past few days, especially that only this one was left out of dozens of sailboats, and the rest were nowhere to be found. They felt both fortunate and sad, and those who had lost their loved ones could not help but cry miserably in front of the vast ocean.

After getting off the boat, Xia Yuanzhang asked a boatman, "Hey, where are we?" The boatman said, "Zhuanghe." Xia Yuanzhang was speechless. Wen's mother asked, "Boss Xia, how far is it from here to Dalian?" Xia Yuanzhang said, "About 300 miles." Ethan Whitlock was so surprised that he stuck out his tongue and said, "That far! It will take several days, right?" Xia Yuanzhang said, "It will be easy once we get here. I'll hire a car and you can just follow me."

Wen's mother wanted to give in, but Xia Yuanzhang said, "Sister-in-law, you saved my life. Besides, I want to go home too. It's just on the way. Aren't you going to Yuanbao Town in Sanjiangkou? What a coincidence. My father is doing business in Yuanbao Town. Maybe he knows your eldest brother. How about this, you can come with me to Lushun to settle down first. When I have settled my family, I will go with you. I just want to go to Yuanbao Town to see my father. Don't be polite."

Wen's mother no longer refused. Xia Yuanzhang gave Ethan Whitlock some money and asked him to rent a carriage in the city. The four of them rode north. The war in the city was not over yet, so the carriage had to take the dirt road in the countryside. After about two days of bumpy ride, they arrived at a farmer's yard in the mountains and forests near Lushun City. Xia Yuanzhang refused the carriage and led the Zhu family into the yard.

An old man came out and exclaimed: "Manager Xia, what happened? You ran out alone? Where are your family?" Xia Yuanzhang said: "Don't mention it. I came back from Hainan and encountered a war and a strong wind. I drifted to Zhuanghe and just got back." The old man said: "Oh, is it the wind the other day? I heard that many ships capsized. You saved your life." Xia Yuanzhang asked: "I heard that there was artillery fire at Huangjin Mountain. Did the Russo-Japanese war start again?" The old man replied: "You are in trouble. I heard that the Japanese captured Lushun and killed countless people. I was worried about you. Well, you are fine, but I don't know how your family is."

Xia Yuanzhang said anxiously: "No, I have to go home and take a look." The old man stopped him: "No, it's too dangerous! Wait until tomorrow." Xia Yuanzhang said: "No, I can't sit still." He pointed at the three people of the Zhu family and said, "This family is my lifesaver. They are going to Guandong. You settle them down first. I have to rush back to the city." The old man nodded and said: "Okay, go and take a look."

The Lushun Port is surrounded by the sea on three sides. It is a natural harbor. The port is divided into East and West Ports. The East Port is small and deep, while the West Port is wide and shallow. The port is surrounded by mountains. The entrance is located in the southeast, and the waterway is narrow. On both sides of the entrance, there is Huangjin Mountain in the east and Laohuwei Peninsula in the west, which is shaped like a crab claw. Baiyu Mountain, Yizi Mountain, Erlong Mountain, and Jiguan Mountain stand on the side and overlook the port. The situation is dangerous. Despite this, it has suffered many disasters, resulting in the destruction of the city and the people being displaced. This time, the Russo-Japanese War was even more tragic. The city of Lushun was already empty, and it was no longer prosperous as before.

Xia Yuanzhang simply couldn't believe his eyes. Although he knew a little about the war, he was filled with grief and sorrow when he saw the ruins. The streets were terribly quiet, the smoke from the shells was still spreading, the bodies of the dead compatriots were everywhere, and even more shocking were the broken arms and limbs hanging on the walls or bushes. Xia Yuanzhang didn't dare to look anymore, and hurried home in the rubble with his head down. Before entering the house, he saw the charred courtyard wall, and Xia Yuanzhang cried out "not good" inwardly. He pushed open the half-closed courtyard door with trembling hands, and tentatively called the names of his wife and children: "Shufang, Yuqing, Yushu..."

The main room was dark, and no one responded. Xia Yuanzhang struck a match and was shocked to see the room in a mess, with the bodies of his wife, son, and father-in-law and mother-in-law lying in a pool of blood! Xia Yuanzhang wept and felt dizzy, unable to hold on, and fell to the ground.

After a long time, Xia Yuanzhang woke up in a daze and heard a rustling sound. He looked in the direction of the sound and saw his daughter Xia Yushu standing up from the rice jar in the corner of the room with a jar cover on her head. She was looking at him in horror, but she opened her mouth but didn't cry. Xia Yuanzhang stumbled over, hugged his daughter and said, "Yushu, you are still alive!" Xia Yushu burst into tears, crying and beating her father and said, "Dad, why did you come back just now? The whole family is dead, the Japanese massacred the city, and everyone in the city was killed, woo..." She suddenly remembered something, lifted her clothes and said, "Dad, look, this is what my mother left for you when she died, and asked me to give it to you." Xia Yuanzhang took a look and tears burst out of his eyes---Xia Yushu had a bag of money tied around her waist.

3

Aiden Whitlock and Lily Summers never found Lao Yaozi, but fortunately there were many people crossing Guandong, so it was easy to find a large group and avoid going in the wrong direction. One day, they crossed the Yellow River and came to a big fork in the road. Aiden Whitlock pointed to one of the roads and said, "This is the way home, I'd better take you back." Lily Summers asked, "What about you?" Aiden Whitlock said, "I'll take you back and then go forward." Lily Summers said, "You want to get rid of me? How can I explain to my parents if I go back in such an unclear way? Should I wait for you or not? What if my father wants me to marry again?"

Aiden Whitlock was embarrassed and said, "Hey, the money is all with my mother, how can you go on with me?" Lily Summers asked him, "Can you go?" Aiden Whitlock said, "I can go. I have to go, I have to beg for food." Lily Summers said crisply, "Then I will beg for food from you too." Aiden Whitlock asked, "You won't regret it?" Lily Summers hit him and said, "You are not old yet, what are you talking about! Go, keep up with the crowd!"

At noon, the crowd dispersed and found places to rest. Aiden Whitlock and Lily Summers entered a farmer's house. An old lady was tidying up the yard. Lily Summers asked sweetly, "Auntie, I want to ask for a bowl of water, can I?" The old lady asked, "Are you two fleeing from famine? Are you trying to get out of the border?"

Lily Summers agreed, took the broom from the old lady, and started to clean the yard. The old lady smiled, scooped a bucket of water, but threw a handful of grass clippings into the bucket. Aiden Whitlock was stunned and said, "Auntie, what are you doing? How can I drink this?" Lily Summers kicked Aiden Whitlock and said, "Don't talk nonsense if you don't understand. Thank you, old lady." Seeing that Aiden Whitlock was still in a daze blowing away the grass clippings, she explained, "Brother, old lady is afraid that we will get angry from walking, and drinking cold water will irritate our lungs, so she deliberately asked you to drink slowly."

Aiden Whitlock suddenly realized and said, "Auntie, I am ignorant, please forgive me." Auntie said, "It's okay. Remember this in the future, don't drink cold water in large gulps when you are thirsty, it's easy to get sick." Lily Summers took Aiden Whitlock's gourd, drank the water and said, "Auntie, we want to get out of the border, so we took the land route because the water route is blocked."

The old lady sighed, "Alas, it's good to be at home for a thousand days, but it's hard to go out. Don't you have a place to stay tonight? My side room is empty, so you can stay here for one night if you don't mind." Lily Summers hurriedly said, "Thank you, old lady!"

The early winter in Kanto is already very cold. Outside the small train station, passengers are coming and going, waiting to board the train, or just getting off the train. Many of them have put on cotton-padded jackets and dog-skin hats. At the exit of the overpass outside the train station, a teenage newspaper seller shouted loudly: "Extra edition, Extra edition, the Russo-Japanese War is brutal, the Japanese army captured Port Arthur and massacred the city for three days, blood flowed like a river... Read the newspaper!"

Xia Yuanzhang took his daughter and Zhu's family out of the station along the steps at the exit. Ever since getting off the train, Caleb Whitlock has been covering his ears and saying, "Oh, it's quite cold, my ears are frozen." Ethan Whitlock saw that Xia Yuanzhang still had a sad face, and deliberately interrupted him, "Boss Xia, where is the gold? Why don't we see gold panners along the way?" Xia Yuanzhang said, "Gold is not everywhere in Guandong. To pan for gold, you have to go to the deep mountains with gold veins." Ethan Whitlock asked again, "Where is the club? Where is the club? Beating roe deer with a club and scooping fish with a ladle, why can't we see it?" Xia Yuanzhang said patiently, "Guandong is a big place. The club grows in the deep mountains and old forests. It is hard to find. Otherwise, why would it be so valuable? Beating roe deer with a club and scooping fish with a ladle are all things of the past..."

As they talked, they walked to the newspaper vendor. Xia Yuanzhang bought a newspaper and couldn't help shedding tears while reading it. He cried, "The great Qing Dynasty is over. Seeing others bully us like this, it's a great shame!" Wen's mother wanted to persuade him, but she didn't know what to say. While he was hesitating, an old man came quickly from a distance. Yu Shu saw him, pulled his father's clothes and said, "Dad, grandpa is here."

Xia Yuanzhang raised his head and saw that his father, Mr. Xia, was almost approaching. The father and son looked at each other. Mr. Xia hugged his son and said, "Yuanzhang, don't cry! I received your letter. Don't say anything and go home." Xia Yuanzhang said with tears in his eyes, "The Japanese are too vicious. It makes no sense for two countries to fight at our doorstep. They captured Lushun, massacred the city for three days, and killed all the people in Lushun! Do they still have humanity? They are pure beasts. From now on, the Japanese are the enemies of our Xia family, no, our Qing Dynasty. We must remember this account and remember it for generations!"

Grandpa Xia stroked his son and said, "Alas, they are beasts. This revenge will be avenged sooner or later! Let's not talk about them, let's talk about you. You came at the right time. I am old and can't work anymore. You should take over our Chunhesheng." Yushu on the side called out obediently, "Grandpa!" Grandpa Xia nodded and said, "Hey, my good granddaughter, you are so big now. Get in the car." Xia Yuanzhang remembered and pointed to the three members of the Zhu family and said, "Dad, I have a few companions. They are from the cattle grazing ditch in Yuanbao Town."

Grandpa Xia said, "Then let's get in the car together." Coincidentally, a sturdy man wearing a big dog-skin hat came over and said, "Grandpa, I'm going to Fangniugou and I'd like to give you a ride on the way. I won't bother you. Hey, you ladies, get in the car." Caleb Whitlock was smart and said quickly, "Thank you, uncle! Mom, let's get in the car." Wen's mother was a little worried, but when she looked at the brothers Ethan Whitlock, she got in the car anyway.

The strong man whipped the small horse-drawn carriage and galloped away. There were vast wildernesses on both sides of the road. Caleb Whitlock and Ethan Whitlock seemed to have insufficient eyesight, and Wen's mother was still staring at the man driving the carriage nervously.

The man spoke in Guandong dialect and asked, "Sister-in-law, who are you looking for in Fangniugou?" Wen's mother said, "Do you know Connor Whitlock?" The man said, "Why are you looking for that bear? A relative?" Wen's mother said, "He's my boss." The man seemed to be stunned and said loudly, "Connor Whitlock has a wife? I haven't heard of it! Such a bear, it's out of tune, is it worth it for you to cross the river and sea to find him?" Wen's mother heard the meaning of the words and asked, "Brother, what's wrong with Connor Whitlock?" The man didn't speak. Wen's mother asked, "Brother, say something, why is he out of tune?" The man said, "Hey, Connor Whitlock, it's hard to mention, listen to me, you should go back home." Wen's mother asked again, "Brother, what's going on, tell me!"

"Connor Whitlock, this old guy made some money here, and he's so proud of himself. He married a girl from Guandong. She's really capable. In just a few years, she gave birth to three big fat boys a year." Wen's mother was shocked. She was stunned for a long time and shouted, "Brother, stop the car." The man pulled the reins and asked, "Are you still going to look for Connor Whitlock?"

Wen's mother thought about it, gritted her teeth and said, "Look for him! I'll kill him when we see him!" The man chuckled and said, "Forget it. I think you look good. Your height, weight, waist and face are all good. Find another owner. If it's hard to find one, I can help you look for him. We're short of old women in this corner." Wen's mother gritted her teeth and said, "Look for him!" Then she slapped the horse's B*tt hard and shouted, "Gee!" The carriage started running happily again.

After walking for about half an hour, the carriage stopped in front of a courtyard. The courtyard was not big, with three mud houses and all kinds of farm tools. Caleb Whitlock shouted: "Hey, mother, why is it the same as our hometown?" Wen's mother also saw that the man looked familiar, and thinking about what the man said, tears flowed down her face. She led the child out of the carriage and walked into the yard with mixed feelings. After a long time, she walked out with the child in confusion, and saw that the man in the dog-skin hat had not left yet, so she stepped forward and asked: "Brother, is there no one at Connor Whitlock's home?"

The man laughed and slowly took off the huge dog-skin hat, staring at Wen's mother with his eyes. Wen's mother was stunned for a moment. This man was the man she thought about day and night, Connor Whitlock! Connor Whitlock's face was full of beard and tears. The two children looked at their father and dared not recognize him. Wen's mother stepped forward and punched the man, cursing: "You are so heartless, you still have the mind to make fun of us, women almost can't see you!" After that, she fell into his arms and cried loudly. After crying for a few times, she hurriedly grabbed the hands of her two sons and said: "Hurry up and call dad, this is the dad you think about every day! Look at your dad, how unlucky he is! Doesn't he look like an old monkey!"

The two children laughed happily, followed their parents into the house, and sat down on the kang. Connor Whitlock brought a large basket, poured a lot of mountain products on the kang, and said: "Eat, and talk while you eat. Where's the eldest brother?" Wen's mother said: "It's a long story. We were originally traveling together, but we got separated when we arrived at Longkou. We were originally on the sailboat, but who knew that Lily Summers caught up with us..."

Connor Whitlock said, "Stop it! What happened to Lily Summers? Did he marry Aiden Whitlock?" Wen's mother said, "No, she heard that our family had all gone to Guandong, so she followed us secretly. I got on the boat and saw her calling Aiden Whitlock on the shore. Aiden Whitlock jumped into the sea in a hurry to find his wife, and that's how we got separated."

Connor Whitlock got angry when he heard it, and said: "This beast!" Everyone looked at Connor Whitlock in shock. Wen's mother asked: "What's wrong with you?" Connor Whitlock said: "What do you think is wrong? He is the eldest son, and the lives of the whole family are on his shoulders. He dared to abandon his mother for a wife who has not yet married and run after her!" Caleb Whitlock chuckled. Connor Whitlock asked: "What are you laughing at?" Caleb Whitlock said: "Ask my second brother." Connor Whitlock asked Ethan Whitlock: "Tell me, what happened?" Ethan Whitlock said: "How could my eldest brother have the courage to jump into the sea! I kicked my eldest brother into the sea!" Connor Whitlock was stunned, and then laughed!

Wen's mother looked around, as if in a dream, and asked, "Is this house ours?" Connor Whitlock said, "Whose house could it be? Look at how big this kang is. Is it as big as our yard? When our family is full and satisfied, let's roll around on the kang!" Wen's mother got off the kang and said, "Then I have to take a good look." Connor Whitlock said, "There's plenty of time to look. Let's cook and eat first."

After a while, a small dining table was placed on the warm kang. There were four hot dishes on the table: scrambled eggs with black fungus, steamed tofu with soybean paste, stewed chicken with mushrooms, and vermicelli with Chinese cabbage, as well as a pot of sorghum liquor. Ethan Whitlock was hungry and was about to eat, but suddenly asked his mother to pick up a chopstick. His mother pointed to the kitchen. The two brothers looked outside and saw Connor Whitlock cutting noodles and pulling the bellows skillfully. Wen's mother looked at her husband's back for a long time, then hugged her two sons in her arms and said softly, "Now that we're home, I don't have any strength left in my body." As she spoke, tears rolled down her cheeks.

After dinner, the brothers Ethan Whitlock and Caleb Whitlock were doing somersaults and holding their heads high on the big kang in the room, so excited that they seemed to have no place to use their strength. In the east room, Connor Whitlock and Wen's mother sat on the kang and looked at each other, speechless for a moment. On the wall of the room were hanging old earth cannons, straw raincoats, cracked boots, animal skins... Wen's mother felt fresh and sad when she saw them. She knew that her husband's hardships over the years were condensed in these objects. She couldn't help but throw herself into her husband's arms and cry, "Dad, you have suffered a lot over the years and you are old."

Connor Whitlock said with a smile: "Why are you crying? Did I ask you to cross the river and the sea to see you cry? Smile!" Wen's mother forced a smile: "You should laugh. You have suffered so much over the years to build such a big family business. I am happy enough." Connor Whitlock smiled again, got off the kang, took out a small cloth bag from the cabinet and shook it in front of Wen's mother, and asked: "Mom, do you know what this is?" Wen's mother took it, opened it under the light and looked at it carefully and said: "Why does it look like sand?" Connor Whitlock said: "Alas, this is my four years of hard work. With just this little thing, I can buy two mu of land!" Wen's mother understood and said in surprise: "Is it alluvial gold?" Connor Whitlock nodded and said: "In our Guandong, as long as you dare to work hard, there is endless alluvial gold in the Hetao. You must keep an eye on this thing and don't let the children know."

Wen's mother asked, "What are your plans for the future?" Connor Whitlock said, "I plan to let Ethan Whitlock and Caleb Whitlock go to Chunhesheng to learn some business, but I don't know if they are willing to accept apprentices." Wen's mother said, "Chunhesheng is the business of Xia's father? I think it can work. Since I saved Xia's life, his family can also open this business. Okay, let them be apprentices, and we will farm."

Connor Whitlock shook his head and said, "I don't plan to tie myself to the land yet. There is a Laojingou 500 miles away from our Yuanbao Town. I plan to go there to pan for gold after the New Year and take another gamble! I will buy five mu of good land at the risk of my life. By then, our whole family can live a stable life by farming."

Wen's mother grabbed him, as if he would leave if she didn't hold him tightly, and said: "I won't let you go to pan for gold again. I heard that panning for gold is risking your life." Connor Whitlock said: "You can't decide this matter. I have certain rules." Wen's mother still didn't let go, saying: "Can you bear to let me go?" Connor Whitlock stroked his wife's hand and said: "To be honest, I don't want to let you go, but the day before you came, I had an appointment with He Laosi. He occupied several gold mines there and was too busy to come. He asked me to go over, and I agreed. Once you promise, you can't change your mind." Wen's mother asked: "Who is He Laosi?" Connor Whitlock whispered: "He and I were in the Boxer Rebellion, and we are brothers in life and death who fled here together."

Entering the twelfth lunar month, with several strong winds blowing, the weather became colder day by day. However, despite the cold wind, the two brothers Ethan Whitlock were willing to run outside to the fields, their teeth bared and cheeks red. Yes, the snow that buried them knee-deep was nothing compared to the fine snow powder in their hometown. Connor Whitlock was also happy to enjoy the family happiness that he had been thinking about day and night. He took his son to ride horses, spear fish, and hunt roe deer... How happy!

In a blink of an eye, it was New Year's Eve. It had just snowed, and the snow-covered ground looked even thicker. The occasional sound of firecrackers set off a peaceful atmosphere. In the Zhu family's courtyard, lights shone through the thick paper windows into the courtyard, casting a layer of golden shadows on the snow. The Zhu family's genealogy was hung in the main hall, and a few offerings were placed on a small table. Connor Whitlock stood respectfully in front of the genealogy, burning incense and kowtowing, muttering, "Dad, Mom, Kaishan kowtows to the two elders. Wen's mother moved the two elders here from Hainan, and this is our home. We know each other, so let's come back here every year to celebrate the New Year."

Wen's mother knelt down and muttered, "Dad, Mom, please bless Aiden Whitlock and Lily Summers to be safe and sound, and let the children return home early." The two brothers Ethan Whitlock also knelt down with their B*tts sticking out and kowtowed to the ancestors, saying, "Ancestors, I kowtow to you, please bless my family to live a good life in peace and good health, and my parents to be healthy."

Connor Whitlock waited for everyone to finish their greetings with a smile, then waved his hand and said, "Okay, let's go to the kang and eat dumplings." The family came to the east room and sat on the kang. Caleb Whitlock was anxious and didn't care about the dirtiness. He picked up a dumpling and stuffed it into his mouth. Wen's mother stopped him and said, "Slow down, be careful not to choke. Besides, we have a money bag, what if you accidentally eat it?" Ethan Whitlock said, "It's better to eat it, then the money won't go to others, and I will definitely be rich." Caleb Whitlock said, "You wish, who will eat it is still uncertain."

The four people ate while talking, but no one could taste the big money. Seeing that there was only one plate left, everyone was a little nervous. Seven, five, two...still nothing! There was only one dumpling left in the bowl. Caleb Whitlock looked at it eagerly and wanted to reach out for his chopsticks but didn't dare. Wen's mother said: "Dad, this is the only one, the money is here, you eat it." Connor Whitlock was not polite and opened his mouth to bite the dumpling. Everyone held their breath and prepared to cheer. But Connor Whitlock pursed his lips and swallowed the dumpling, but still couldn't taste the big money! Connor Whitlock put down his chopsticks and said: "Peace every year, look at the pot."

The mother and her two children rushed to the kitchen and looked at the bottom of the pot. They were stunned. It turned out that the dumplings with big coins in them were broken. The big coins were lying quietly at the bottom of the pot. Connor Whitlock came out with his hands behind his back and said, "Guan Dongshan has a lot of knowledge. The white flour here is not as good as the one at home. It's not as good."

Thousands of miles away, Aiden Whitlock and Lily Summers sat opposite each other in a large mill. They walked and stopped along the way, and it was even more tiring to travel after entering the twelfth lunar month. Seeing that Lily Summers had lost weight and her big, watery eyes were dull, Aiden Whitlock felt distressed and suggested that they find a place to stay first. The two of them found a wealthy family in Hebei and worked part-time as flour millers, preparing to earn some dry food and set off again after the Spring Festival. Lily Summers was well-behaved and had good eyesight, while Aiden Whitlock was a little dull, but he worked hard, and the two of them were trusted by their master. On New Year's Eve, they were given a bowl of buckwheat dumplings. Although they were dark, they also meant the New Year.

Lily Summers pushed the dumplings to Aiden Whitlock and said, "Brother Aiden Whitlock, you eat them. I'm not used to eating dumplings made with buckwheat flour." Aiden Whitlock pushed the dumplings to Lily Summers again and said, "You eat them. I don't have a good appetite. Eating buckwheat flour will give me heartburn." Lily Summers burst out laughing. Aiden Whitlock was stunned and said, "What are you laughing at?" Lily Summers said, "I'm laughing at the fact that we both have the bodies of ladies but the fate of maids. Okay, stop pretending to be so arrogant. Let's have half and half." The two of them started eating. As they were eating, Aiden Whitlock's eyes suddenly turned red. Lily Summers glanced at him. Aiden Whitlock choked up and couldn't eat anymore. He said, "I miss my mother..." Lily Summers also cried and said, "I miss my father too..." Aiden Whitlock said, "I'll kowtow to my mother! I'll wish her a happy new year." Lily Summers said, "I'll wish my father and mother a happy new year too."

The two people each held a bowl of dumplings, one knelt down facing north, and the other knelt down facing south. They each said, "Dad, Mom, it's New Year's Day, I don't know where this place is, I wish you a happy New Year! I wish our family peace and safety, and good health for Dad and Mom, and may we reach Guandong safely..." They knelt down, their B*tt0cks touching. Lily Summers looked at Aiden Whitlock warily and said, "What do you want to do?" Aiden Whitlock said, "I thought it was someone's B*tt0cks, so warm."

The fifteenth day of the first lunar month was a sunny day. Xia Yuanzhang sent someone to call Connor Whitlock to Yuanbao Town and invited Niu Dejin, Jin Baotou and other guests to invite him to drink. Xia Yuanzhang said, "Brother Zhu, since I arrived in Yuanbao Town, I have always wanted to invite you to drink a glass of wine to thank you for saving my life, but I have never had the time. Today is the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. I will offer you a glass of light wine to express my gratitude. I will drink it first."

Connor Whitlock said with a smile: "Why do you always mention the words of life-saving grace? It's just a pancake, isn't it? What's the big deal? Don't mention it again, do you hear me? If you mention it again, I will be angry! Drink!" Niu Dejin, who was present, stood up and said: "Boss Xia, we don't drink the wine in this place like you do, change to a bigger bowl." He waved his hand outside and said, "Hey, move the wine jar over here and change to a bigger bowl."

The waiter brought the wine jar and replaced it with a big bowl. Connor Whitlock drank and praised: "Wow, no wine anywhere is as delicious as the sorghum wine from the Tang family's big pot in our town. It is strong and mellow. It feels like oil flowing into your throat. It's really beautiful!" Niu Dejin nodded and said: "That's right, our Yuanbao Town's 'Four Beauties' are famous far and wide." Xia Yuanzhang asked: "What are the 'Four Beauties'?" Niu Dejin said: "You don't know this? Let me tell you: Tang's pot, the pipe mouth, the hot quilt, and the legs of the girls."

Connor Whitlock asked Niu Dejin: "You only know the 'four beauties', do you know the 'four precious things'?" Niu Dejin said: "I haven't heard of them. Tell me, what are the 'four precious things'?" Connor Whitlock said: "The carpenter's axe, the bricklayer's knife, the bachelor's luggage, and the girl's waist."

The head of the Jin family sneered. Niu Dejin asked, "What are you laughing at, you foreigner?" The head of the Jin family said, "I am laughing at you because you are frogs in a well and have never seen the sky." Niu Dejin got angry and suddenly stood up and said, "Where are you from? What qualifications do you have to laugh at us?" The head of the Jin family still smiled and said, "Brother, don't get angry. Why don't you listen to me? We have a few 'Four Bigs' there too. Don't you want to listen?"

Connor Whitlock pulled Niu Dejin aside and said, "Brother Niu, let him speak. If he doesn't speak well, don't even think about leaving Yuanbao Town." Jin Baotou took a sip of wine and said, "Then I'll talk about the 'Four Yellows' in our corner first: the forest after autumn, the body of a tiger, the belly of a big sister, and the dog-head gold." Connor Whitlock clapped his hands and said, "Okay, it's really the 'Four Yellows'! Are there any more?" Jin Baotou continued, "Yes, there are many! The 'Four Fragrants': roe deer tendons, flying dragon birds, monkey head mushrooms, and frozen dumplings. There are also the 'Four Joys': big opium bubbles, the flag of Jingou, the women on the kang, and the donkey. The 'Four Whites': snow in winter, sheepskin coats, big girls' B*tt0cks, and grass after frost. The 'Four Reds': maple forests, pig-killing basins, the veil of new brides, and the door of the master's house..."

Connor Whitlock laughed and said, "Okay, okay, that's great. From the tone of your voice, you are from Laojingou?" Jin Baotou looked up and said, "This big brother has a good eye. I am from Laojingou. It is a treasure land." Connor Whitlock asked, "What are you doing in Yuanbao Town? Are you recruiting gold diggers?" Jin Baotou said, "That's right. Come with me. Laojingou has nothing else but gold. Just find a place to sit down, sit there and don't move. Dig the ground with your hands, and you will accidentally dig out a gold nugget!"

Niu Dejin curled his lips and said, "You're right." Jin Baotou smiled and said, "No, it's all about the old days. But there's still a lot of gold in our old Jingou, and those who pan for gold there have made a fortune." Connor Whitlock asked, "When are you leaving?" Jin Baotou said, "We'll leave as soon as we say we'll leave. Once the ice thaws, we won't be able to cross the meadow. It's a little late now." Connor Whitlock asked again, "Why?" Jin Baotou said, "Once the meadow thaws, it will become a big jar of soy sauce. Crossing a big jar of soy sauce is no joke. Do you want to go, brother? If you want to go, make preparations early. Should I get a number first?" Connor Whitlock said, "Okay, you get a number for me." Niu Dejin also shouted, "Get a number for me too."

Connor Whitlock asked again: "You came from Laojingou, asking for someone. Do you know He Laosi, the leader of the stream?" Jin Baotou was stunned and said: "Yes, I know him. Do you know him too?" Connor Whitlock shook his head: "No, but I heard that he is a gold prospector. He knows the gold veins. When he gets to the Hetao, he can point to where the gold is and he is almost certain!"

The boss of the gold shop asked back: "I heard that He Laosi and a sworn brother have been panning for gold in Wudaohezi, Laojingou, in the past two years. Do you know this person?" Connor Whitlock was shocked and shook his head: "No. Does this person have any skills?"

Jin Baotou nodded and said, "If they are capable, he and He Laosi can both see the gold veins." Connor Whitlock said, "He Laosi is enough. Isn't He Laosi in Laojingou?" Jin Baotou said, "Yes. Something happened!" Connor Whitlock's heart tightened again and he said, "What happened?" Jin Baotou smiled and stopped talking. Connor Whitlock was anxious and drank slowly, but it was inconvenient to ask more questions...

Connor Whitlock came home tipsy, lit a cigarette, and silently looked into the distance - the fields of Guandong in late winter and early spring had already turned a little green. Wen's mother approached Connor Whitlock thoughtfully and said carefully: "You didn't say a few words when you came back, what happened?" Connor Whitlock said: "He Laosi is in trouble. He must be dead!" Wen's mother said: "Then don't go! If He Laosi is really dead, if you jump in, won't you end up like He Laosi?"

Connor Whitlock whispered: "If He Laosi is really dead, he must have died for me!" Wen's mother was stunned and said: "How could He Laosi die for you?" Connor Whitlock said: "You don't know this. Let's go, I have to go to Laojingou!" Wen's mother said: "What are you going to do?" Connor Whitlock said: "I want to find out! If He Laosi is really dead, I want to avenge him!" Wen's mother said: "What are you doing!"

Connor Whitlock said: "He is my brother! During the Boxer Rebellion, he used his body to block the foreign devils' bullets for me. When I first arrived in Guandong, I had nowhere to stay. He took me in in Laojingou and taught me how to pan for gold and how to read gold veins. The reason why he died was that he swallowed the gold veins into his stomach and saved them for me. If I don't avenge such a person, what kind of human nature am I?" Wen's mother said: "Your blood has not changed for many years!" Connor Whitlock roared: "If you change, you will not be Connor Whitlock anymore! Get ready!"

Connor Whitlock was busy tying up the luggage on the kang, while Ethan Whitlock and Caleb Whitlock were busy helping. Wen's mother sat on the kang, tears in her eyes and said, "Dad, are you really leaving?" Connor Whitlock said, "Why are you so fussy? You were not like this during the Boxer Rebellion!" Wen's mother said, "I just felt sad that you are leaving after a few days of peace and quiet." Ethan Whitlock said, "Dad, can you take me there too? Let me see what's going on." Connor Whitlock said, "Forget it, that's not a fun place. Remember, wherever you can make a fortune, there must be risks. I'm just taking a gamble."

Connor Whitlock packed his luggage neatly and walked out of the house. He looked around the yard and said to Wen's mother, "Although the business is not big, the money earned is not easy. You have to keep a close eye on it. If Aiden Whitlock finds a home, you must ask Caleb Whitlock to write a letter to me." Wen's mother agreed softly. Connor Whitlock said, "The horses must be fed on time, and the land must be planted on time. Don't miss the solar terms, which are much later here than ours. As for Ethan Whitlock and Caleb Whitlock, I have already said hello to Shopkeeper Xia, so go to him to learn business. Come here, both of you!" Connor Whitlock dragged the two brothers over and said, "I will tell you two more words. If Shopkeeper Xia accepts you, you must be diligent, get up early and go to bed early. We are outsiders no matter what, so if we have problems with the people in the village, we must be patient. Remember?" The two brothers nodded and said, "Dad, remember, don't worry." Caleb Whitlock said, "Dad, don't worry about my mother, we will take good care of her." Connor Whitlock smiled, stroked Caleb Whitlock's head and said, "San'er is good at talking, and we don't know who will take care of whom."

Wen's mother whispered, "His father..." "Gone!" Connor Whitlock looked up at her, but seemed not to hear her. He turned around and walked forward with big strides. The whole family watched him go away. His figure gradually turned into a small black dot in the vast land...

In the north of winter and early spring, the white mountains and black waters are rugged, the sky is high and the land is vast. Horse bells jingle, and three carriages of gold diggers are winding forward on the hilly road. Two carriages are coming from behind. The people in the carriages include taverns, opium dens, poor tailors, and prostitutes. They are all poor people who rely on gold diggers to wander around and make a living. A strong woman teased the gold diggers and said, "You are gold diggers, right? Will your wife let you go?" Niu Dejin said, "What's the point of hugging women all day long?" The strong woman said, "It's a big point. It seems that you have never hugged them. It tastes good." The head of the gold diggers said, "Forget it, every time you are busy and sweating, every time you don't regret it?"

Another woman in her thirties yelled to Connor Whitlock: "Brother, are you cold? There is a village ahead, can you get a warm bed?" Connor Whitlock laughed and scolded: "Forget it, I will definitely get a layer of skin off if you get close to me, I dare not." The woman laughed and said: "It seems that you are an old man, you have never tasted the taste of a woman, a virgin chicken, right? My body is slippery, I won't get on anyone." Connor Whitlock laughed and said: "I can see what is wrapped inside the sheepskin coat, an old sparrow!"