Chapter 39: Silence (I)

Things in this world are truly strange.
Ever since people saw bags of grain from the Yang family being delivered along Zhuque Street to aid the disaster victims, the notoriously stingy Guanlong families opened their granaries, ordering their servants to take the grain outside the city walls and hand it over to the officers of the Tongwu Camp to cook into porridge for distribution.
The Wei, Liu, and Guo families—all knew that the private grain stored in these wealthy households in the capital could rival the national granaries. Under the leadership of the Lady of Guo, large amounts of grain were moved from their private stores to the shelters outside the city gates. Aside from the grain allocated for distribution, everyone also received a fair share of japonica rice.
“Hey, slow down, slow down! Everyone gets a share, everyone gets a share. Xiaochun, give them bigger buckets!”
Zhang Yanji was overjoyed to see those usually domineering servants obediently transporting the grain outside the city.
Though he came from a noble family, he hated it the most when people abused their status to act recklessly. After all, everyone was born and raised by their parents—what was the difference between them?
“Brother Zhang, don’t worry. I’ll make sure the weight is accurate! How could I possibly cheat our fellow villagers?”
Wang Xiaochun patted his chest and laughed loudly. He had long integrated into the cultural atmosphere of the Tang Dynasty, always smiling. But perhaps because he was used to the unrestrained life beyond the Great Wall, he felt oppressed and bored since returning to Chang’an. Life in the military camp was too monotonous; although he could rest for a day every ten days, he didn’t know what to do with that time.
It wasn’t until their military commander ordered the setup of porridge stalls to aid the disaster victims that they finally felt relieved. As the large wooden hammers stirred the grain in the black iron pots several times, the aroma of the porridge grew stronger. Ah, that scent stirred the appetite of all these men and boys.
Based on the total amount of grain collected, Li Kuo kept some for cooking porridge for distribution, while the rest was given directly to the disaster victims. After preliminary calculations, each person would receive two dou of japonica rice. Though not a huge amount, it temporarily solved the problem of food and shelter for the victims.
“Big brother, big brother! I want rice, I want rice…”
Erya had somehow approached Li Kuo and tugged at the hem of his clothes, speaking timidly.
“It’s Erya. Brother has prepared white rice for you—two dou per person.”
For some reason, seeing Erya’s innocent smile cleared all the gloom from Li Kuo’s heart. That smile was hope in the midst of disaster, the motivation to keep people going.
As long as hope lives, miracles can be created!
“Thank you, sir! Thank you so much!”

Erya’s grandfather also followed and kept bowing to Li Kuo in greeting. Li Kuo nodded at the middle-aged man, thought for a moment, then opened a bag of new rice and measured out four dou according to their shares. “Thank you so much, sir! You’re truly like the Goddess Guanyin—so merciful and kind.” The middle-aged man looked at his tattered bag, deeply moved. Li Kuo divided the rice into amounts suitable for two adults, filling the bag completely. Where else could one find such a kind person? “Don’t thank me. Just make sure Erya gets enough to eat. I believe the government will soon release grain from the granaries.” Li Kuo smiled and tied up the bag tightly for him. “Big brother, big brother, when can we go home?” Erya held up a finger and tilted her head as she stared at Li Kuo. Stunned by her gaze, Li Kuo knelt down and said, “Erya wants to go home? Hmm, let me think. The emperor is currently dealing with the disasters in Hedong. By the New Year, at the latest, Erya will be able to go home.” “Oh, let’s make a promise!” Erya looked at Li Kuo expectantly, her big, watery eyes blinking nonstop. “Liars are puppies.” “Mm.” Li Kuo’s eyes stung as he placed his right little finger on Erya’s small hand. “Old man, what are your plans for the future?” Li Kuo stood up and asked the middle-aged man gently. The Tang Dynasty strictly prohibited unauthorized migration, so staying outside Chang’an wasn’t a sustainable solution. After the drought, most victims would likely have to return to Hedong. “Sigh, what other plans can we have? Go home, of course. Hedong is suffering from famine now, and people fled here to Guanzhong because they couldn’t survive. Once the drought is over next year, I plan to take Erya back home. After all, we still have a dozen acres of poor-quality land. It’s hard to farm, but with hard work, we can at least support ourselves.” The man sighed and shared his plans. Li Kuo nodded and said, “If there’s any difficulty, just tell me. As long as I can help, I’ll do my best…” Before Li Kuo could finish, the man interrupted, “No, please don’t say that. Just giving us these destitute people some food is already a huge kindness. How could we dare to trouble you further? Don’t worry, I’m a capable man who can support myself and Erya!”

The burly man with Erya’s grandfather also said, “Yes, sir, we know you mean well. But we have our own hands and can support ourselves! I still have a few acres of poor-quality land at home. Even if we can’t plant wheat next year, growing some millet will still be enough to get by. As the old saying goes, ‘Only green mountains can kill bamboo; millet never dies from drought in the fields.’ As long as it’s not a severe drought like this year, we can make it through.” (Note 1)
“Hmm.”
Li Kuo nodded. Though these peasants lived in poverty, they had sturdier spirits than the nobles and were determined to make a living on their own. If he insisted on helping them any further, they might even get angry.
“Brother Kuo, brother Kuo, there’s a letter! Come…”
Zhang Yanji rushed over in a panic. Seeing many people gathered around Li Kuo, he immediately spoke in a lower voice.
“A letter? What letter?”
Li Kuo frowned, puzzled.
“The letter, the one I’m talking about!”
Zhang Yanji stared anxiously. After a while, he tapped his head and said, “Chongye Fang, the little Taoist priest!”
“Ah!”
Li Kuo was slightly shocked. “Really?”
“Absolutely. I’ve already had people lay a trap for him. I’m just waiting for you!”
“I’ll leave this to you. I’ll go take a look.”
Li Kuo gave Zhang Yanji a slight smile, then turned and headed toward the city gate.
Note 1: Millet refers to foxtail millet, which we in the north also call “guzi.” During the Tang Dynasty, millet and wheat were widely grown in the north, while rice was mainly produced in Huainan. Wheat in the north was usually sown from March to April, while millet was sown later in June. Moreover, foxtail millet is extremely drought-resistant—I specifically asked my grandfather about this. We still grow millet at home for our own consumption.