LGSLAW : Chapter 2 – Yang Dalang

 

“Dalang is back from the mountains! Looks like a good haul. What are you selling this time?”

 

“Any deer? I’ll buy as much as you have! The meat last time was delicious!”

 

“I’m just asking if you have any pheasants. Pheasant stew with mushrooms is so fresh.”

 

To the west of Miao’s village lies a series of gradually rising hills known as the Xilong Mountains. The village is situated at the southeastern foot of these hills.

 

When Yang Dalang returned home from hunting, he had to pass by the ancestral hall of the Miao family, which is also the village center. When there was no farm work to be done, people often gathered here, pulling out low stools to chat. Today, a village meeting was being held to allocate labor for spring plowing, so all work was on hold. After the meeting, a crowd of old and young folks stayed behind, taking advantage of this rare opportunity for some greasy food outside of the New Year celebrations, which was always welcome and contributed to the Yang family’s quick establishment in the Miao family village.

 

Therefore, despite Yang Dalang’s tall stature, with muscles knotted from years of hunting, and three menacing scars on his left cheek from hunting injuries, giving him an intimidating presence akin to a mountain bandit as described by the oil merchant, many people were still willing to greet him warmly, hoping to buy meat.

 

“This time, I have nothing to sell,” Yang Dalang replied, pausing briefly before intending to leave.

 

A sharp voice stopped him, “Hey, how can you have nothing? Look at that heavy basket on your back and the two rabbits hanging from your waist. Auntie wants those two, five strings of cash should be enough, right? I’ll bring the money later.”

 

In this area, the smallest currency unit is a cash. Ten cash make a string of cash, ten strings make a tenth of a silver, and ten tenths make a tael of silver. So, a thousand cash equal one tael of silver. Buying a single rabbit would cost five strings of cash.

 

“Aunt Hua, this isn’t your home; it’s in front of the ancestral hall. If you want to take advantage, at least do it with some shame! Two rabbits for five strings? If that’s the price, I’ll buy from you every day!” Miao Ping shouted. Several men around him laughed in agreement.

 

Yang Dalang wasn’t just a good hunter; he was willing to take others into the mountains and teach them. When wild boars came down the mountain to damage the crops, he was a significant force in dealing with them. Even though he spoke little, he was well-liked among the men.

 

Aunt Hua, the wife of Miao You, was known for her sense of entitlement. She stood with her hands on her hips, unafraid, “Buying and selling is mutual consent! As long as Dalang is willing to sell, who can say otherwise? Besides, who doesn’t know how good our family has been to Dalang? Wasn’t it our family who arranged his marriage? Otherwise, where would Dalang, at twenty-three or twenty-four and with a scarred face, find such a beautiful ger to marry?”

 

Miao Ping’s younger brother, Miao Gao, laughed and spoke without thinking, “Are you talking about that Miao He? Didn’t he—” Before he could finish, Miao Ping punched him hard, making him realize his mistake. “Hey, Dalang, I didn’t mean anything. I just wanted to say that Miao He must be stupid and blind—”

 

Miao Ping punched his brother again to shut him up, but it was too late; laughter erupted around them. Everyone knew that Miao He’s attempted escape had been a great insult to Yang Dalang.

 

However, when Yang Dalang’s cold gaze swept over those laughing, the laughter quickly died down. The scent of blood was stronger on hunters than on farmers, and Yang Dalang’s imposing figure and stern expression made him look fierce. Few dared to provoke him easily. Even Aunt Hua, who had tried to take advantage earlier, didn’t dare to speak again.

 

When it was quiet, and it seemed no one else would speak, Yang Dalang resumed walking.

 

Once he was out of earshot, a man muttered, “So what if his husband cheated? Is he afraid of people talking? No matter how fierce he is, is it wrong to tell the truth? Scaring people for nothing.”

 

Some who felt they had lost face under Yang Dalang’s glare tried to regain their dignity by gossiping.

 

Another man chimed in mockingly, “Right, I’d say this marriage was well-matched. A rejected man and a despised ger together; why run away? They should just make do.”

 

An aunt nearby retorted, “Miao Er, what nonsense are you spouting? Our Yuan Zi and Miao He are innocent! Miao He misunderstood, but don’t tarnish Yuan Zi’s name.”

 

“Ah, Aunt Ying, you really have the nerve to say that. So earlier, when Miao Yuan and Miao He were always seen together, were we all blind? If you want to talk about disdain for the poor and love for the rich, just say it. Why step on someone already down?” Miao Er, known for being a bully, now spoke freely.

 

Aunt Ying’s face reddened, but she remained firm, “Our Yuan Zi is polite to everyone. It’s you who misunderstand! Besides, what’s wrong with bumping into each other near the village? There was no engagement or betrothal, nothing to say! If you keep slandering Yuan Zi, we’ll take it up with the village chief!”

 

Mentioning the village chief had a sobering effect. Since the chief had a good relationship with Miao Yuan’s family, some decided to drop the matter.

 

Still, everyone in the village had their own judgment about Miao He and Miao Yuan.

 

To elaborate, Miao Yuan came from the only scholarly family in Miao’s village. For generations, his family had earned their living through literacy, writing letters, and teaching. Their status was nearly as high as the village chief’s. Whenever there was a village meeting, it wouldn’t start until someone from Miao Yuan’s family was present. Twenty years ago, Miao Yuan’s grandfather, Miao Jue, passed the local exam, further elevating their status.

 

Miao Jue had three sons and two daughters. The third son, Miao Wen Shu, continued the scholarly path. Studying was costly, requiring expensive materials and exam fees. Even with the tax exemptions granted by his scholar status, Miao Jue could only afford to educate one talented child.

 

Miao Yuan, the eldest son of Miao Wen Zhong from the second branch, wasn’t initially considered. He helped with farm work until half a year ago when he unexpectedly passed the local exam, surprising everyone.

 

The second branch claimed Miao Yuan had often read his cousin Miao Chuo’s old books. Miao Chuo, Miao Jue’s chosen grandson and the eldest son of the third branch, was the one being groomed for success. When Miao Chuo became nervous about the exams, Miao Yuan volunteered to accompany him, encouraged by his hopeful mother. Her private savings and sacrifices enabled him to take the exam, leading to his success.

 

The Miao family saw this as a great opportunity. Miao Yuan’s newfound status increased their standing. As for Miao He’s family, with connections in the town teahouse, they enjoyed moderate prosperity. 

 

If Miao Yuan married Miao He, his family would benefit from Miao He’s family’s support, easing future financial worries for their children’s education. The two families lived close by, and the young couple seemed interested in each other, so their elders didn’t object. Talks were only delayed by Miao He’s grandfather’s death and the subsequent mourning period.

 

When Miao Yuan passed the exam, his family looked down on Miao He and sought to separate him from Miao He by moving him to town and spreading rumors of an engagement with the registrar’s daughter. This betrayal, despite denials, left a bad taste in the villagers’ mouths.

 

Ultimately, Miao He married before Miao Yuan, orchestrated by the village chief.

 

Miao Yuan’s success boosted the chief’s reputation. To protect Miao Yuan’s name and his own interests, he pressured Aunt Hua to find Miao He a husband quickly. If Miao Yuan married the registrar’s daughter, the chief would benefit. Meanwhile, Miao He’s family was persuaded to agree, pushing Miao He into a reluctant marriage with Yang Dalang. This led to the current village gossip.

 

Returning to the present, Yang Dalang, having left the ancestral hall, went to visit his second aunt.

 

Second Aunt Yang, his second uncle’s wife, was the highest-ranking elder in the Yang family. Twelve years ago, Yang Dalang’s father, second uncle, and third uncle were killed in a dangerous hunt. His third uncle’s body was never found, taken by a beast. Only Yang Dalang’s father and second uncle returned severely injured, and his father eventually succumbed. The trauma also took the lives of Yang Dalang’s grandparents. His second uncle, crippled in both leg and hand, died a few years later.

 

The Yang family’s fortunes plummeted. Once able to live in brick houses, they fell into poverty. Yang Dalang’s mother, devastated by the losses, suffered a miscarriage and poor health, spending the family’s savings on medicine for herself and Yang Dalang’s second uncle.

 

Yang Dalang was deeply grateful to his second aunt. During the family’s toughest times, she used her embroidery skills to support them until Yang Dalang could stand on his own.

 

A few days ago, after his mother passed away, his cousin, the second aunt’s eldest son, had a child,

 

 and the second son was preparing to build a new house. Yang Dalang left the old family home to the second branch, despite his aunt’s objections. He moved out, leaving the old home to his cousins as the Yang family’s root.

 

“Second Aunt, thank you for your help these past few days.” Yang Dalang handed over the rabbits tied to his waist.

 

With a child on her back, his second aunt disagreed, “Why bring these? Take them back! I helped look after your ger for the Yang family, it’s what I should do. These rabbits are fat, take them to town to sell for silver, pay off the debt. Owing money for medicine is unlucky, it brings bad fortune to the family.”

 

Yang Dalang simply bent down and placed the rabbits on the ground. The two tightly bound rabbits couldn’t escape. “There are more in the basket. If you don’t take them, I won’t dare come for food in the future.”

 

Since moving out, Yang Dalang had been trading his game for food with his second aunt. His insistence left her no choice but to accept, although she continued to grumble.

 

“It’s not that I like to nag, but your ger still has the birthmark on his wrist, right? Is it that you haven’t truly been with him? You’ve been married for over a month. Even if you married to ease your mother’s mind, the deed is done. Whether he’s willing or not doesn’t matter; most marriages in the village are like this. If you win him over, he won’t think of running.”

 

Faced with his aunt’s earnest advice, Yang Dalang only responded with a grunt.

 

His aunt hesitated, “Or is it that you still…”

 

“No,” Yang Dalang immediately interrupted.

 

“Sigh, I know you’re a good man. Don’t listen to what others say; living a good life is the most important thing, understand?”

 

Seeing his continued silence, she could only shake her head in resignation.

 

She had advised him many times, but this eldest nephew was as stubborn as his father, who couldn’t be swayed once his mind was made up. He even gave up the family home without hesitation. Thinking that she would keep a close eye on things herself, she waved him off to hurry home and look after his little ger.