Xie Yan pressed close to him. “Stop talking, let’s go home.”
Pack up and return to Sanshui County!
……………………………
With the Dragon Boat Festival approaching, Shun had gone up the mountain to gather plenty of oak leaves for wrapping zongzi.
Being near the hills, their village primarily used oak leaves and bamboo sheathes for zongzi. Bamboo required soaking, which was a bit of a hassle.
They could also go a bit farther, to the new village, to find reed marshes and pick reed leaves.
This year, Shun had gone to the new village. The two villages weren’t far apart. Being lively and full of friends, he ran up the mountain twice, carrying his basket along to pick reed leaves with companions.
The reed marshes sometimes had wild ducks—maybe even duck eggs.
Lu Liu had watched him scamper about for days, always returning with a haul, and felt envious.
Seeing Lu Liu’s longing, Li Feng thought, “He hasn’t been out for a while,” and quickly hitched up the mule cart to take him to the reed marsh in the new village. Lu Liu was overjoyed!
Lu Liu was prone to insect bites, leaving red welts that looked painful. Li Feng had him wear a scented pouch to reduce suffering. They took it along to pick reed leaves as well. For the Dragon Boat Festival, he would make more pouches. Mountain villagers weren’t particular about this, so Lu Liu sewed together small scraps of cloth into a makeshift pouch—ugly but functional.
The reeds grew thick. Even Li Feng, tall as he was, only had his head visible when stepping inside. Lu Liu, small as he was, wouldn’t dare venture in alone.
He told Li Feng about past trips: “The reeds by Lujiatun were next to a small river. Go too far, and you might step into the water. I wanted to find duck eggs, but where were wild ducks? They’d already been picked clean. The grass was so dense, patch after patch, I couldn’t see anyone. I only picked leaves on the edges, going early each year—later, the outer leaves were gone, and I couldn’t go deeper. I never dared.”
Li Feng said, “Not going was smart. Today I’ll take you inside.”
Some lowlifes targeted isolated children, ruining reputations and forcing marriage without dowries. In their village, anyone going to the mountains or reed marshes—even to deliver food or water—went in groups. No child went alone.
The reed marshes near the new village were several patches on wasteland, connected, stretching to the river. Without a boat, and with Lu Liu pregnant, Li Feng didn’t risk the waters; they explored the marshes on dry land.
It was the perfect season. The reeds had white tips and green leaves, looking beautiful from afar.
Arriving, they heard laughter and chatter. Usually, few men came this way. Li Feng brought his husband along, earning teasing remarks.
People remembered his sharp tongue when doing laundry but didn’t mock this time—just said he cared for his husband.
Li Feng planned to collect zongzi leaves to sell in the county. Lu Yang’s shop sold food; how could he not have zongzi for the festival?
Even if Lu Yang didn’t want them, Li Feng could sell them on the street.
He said, “If you have time, gather more reed leaves. I’ll buy them for one wen per three jin.”
A low price, but no one complained. Zongzi sold for more; leaves alone went for only one wen per two jin. Li Feng paying slightly more was reasonable; no one wanted a wasted trip.
Besides, reed leaves cost nothing—they weren’t homegrown.
It was late April; most households were busy with farm work. Wives and husbands wouldn’t linger here. Mostly, older children earned a few coins while playing.
Hearing he was sending leaves to his older brother, Lu Liu became more enthusiastic.
They hadn’t been to the county recently, unsure if his brother and brother-in-law had returned. Lu Liu also wanted to wrap more zongzi to send—like birthday buns. His brother could make them, and his effort showed his care.
They said the Dragon Boat Festival required “five yellow” foods, like Laba Festival required porridge. Lu Liu had never gathered all five—usually just cucumbers, some soybeans, maybe duck eggs (the yolk counted), or chicken eggs if ducks weren’t available. Also included were yellow croaker, yellow eel, and realgar wine.
The last three were usually absent in his household.
In fact, he had hardly ever eaten salted duck eggs.
He had never found duck eggs!
Salted duck eggs were salted and more expensive than chicken eggs, so the family rarely bought them.
Talking about it today, Lu Liu’s mouth watered.
He parted the reeds with both hands, scanning the ground—but saw no eggs.
The area was noisy; wild ducks had surely fled. He wondered if Shun and friends would find any.
Li Feng, noticing his desire, glanced around, then found Er Jun’s husband. “Wait a moment. I’ll speak to Er Jun and have his husband carry a message.”
Er Jun’s full name was Li Jun. He had helped during the rice cake making and often went to the mountains with Li Feng.
Lu Liu obediently waited, standing in place, shifting slightly, picking any visible large reed leaves.
Li Feng walked ahead, found Er Jun’s husband, and asked for a few duck eggs.
Few households raised ducks; Er Jun’s was one of them. Lu Liu rarely visited their home and hadn’t thought to ask before.
Li Feng requested a few eggs to stash; later, he’d bring Lu Liu to collect them.
Village life was uneventful; home chores abundant. Rarely did they go out to play, so outings were meant to be enjoyed.
Er Jun’s husband glanced at Lu Liu and laughed, “You’re really caring—why don’t you teach my Er Jun?”
Li Feng, who hadn’t seen Er Jun much lately, replied, “If your household has many eggs, keep them. Next time I go to the county, I’ll collect them and sell together.”
The two villages were nearby, but busy schedules limited meetings.
Recently, three or so were pregnant, three Miao went with Da Qiang to poke bee nests. Wang Meng hadn’t gone deep in the mountains for a while due to his hunting sources. Li Feng had been busy with business. Only two of the usual five companions were left; venturing deep was unwise.
Li Feng, as the leader, wanted his brothers to eat, and said the main thing: “Come to my house for wine on Dragon Boat Festival. My four good brothers will be there. Let’s talk business.”
Er Jun’s husband, smiling genuinely, said, “Alright, I’ll tell him later.”
After settling business, Li Feng returned to Lu Liu, speaking smoothly:
“For Dragon Boat, I’ll host wine for my four good brothers at the small shop—the tables are big enough.”
Lu Liu agreed. “Okay, I’ll shell peanuts at home and roast some for the wine.”
They continued deeper into the reeds.
Nothing much to see—reeds in every direction quickly grew monotonous.
Lu Liu kept busy, wanting to gather more leaves for his brother and find duck eggs.
He praised along the way: “Da Feng, it’s great to have you. You’re so reliable. If I were alone, I’d never dare go this deep in the reeds. I can just play and follow you—so relaxing, it makes me feel safe!”
Business sharpened skills—even in village trade.
Lu Liu’s compliments flowed more smoothly than before, stringing sentences together instead of piling words.
Li Feng said, “Hearing you say that makes me comfortable too.”
Lu Liu grinned immediately—he knew Da Feng liked to hear that!
Reeds were deep; skin shouldn’t be exposed. His gloves kept his hands busy. Occasionally, Li Feng moved reeds aside to protect him from scratches.
Lu Liu chuckled again.
So reassuring—so solid.
Soon, Li Feng spotted Er Jun’s husband placing duck eggs where fewer people were. He waited, then told Lu Liu, “Let’s go over there—fewer people. Maybe we’ll find eggs.”
