Chapter 20: Zhuyoushu

Jiang Li gave Li Changping the talisman and left, carrying her grain. She had decided to help; first, because the child was pitiful, and second, because Li Changping was the brigade leader; helping him would create a debt of gratitude.  If she had his favor, her life in the countryside would be easier. Li Changping, holding the talisman, fell into thought.  China was wary of superstition.

But Li Changping, having lived through the feudal era, had encountered many supernatural phenomena. He had heard of using talisman water to cure illnesses. As a child, he had been ill, and talisman water had cured him.

He believed in such things, but the current political climate made it impossible to openly discuss superstition, especially as the brigade leader. Seeing Li Changping lost in thought, Wu Meixia said, “What are you thinking? We should take Zhian to the county hospital.” Li Changping, remembering Jiang Li’s words, felt inclined to believe her. Holding the talisman, he told his family what Jiang Li had said.

The family also found Li Zhian’s condition unusual.  If it were a normal illness, the medicine should have worked.  If he had been scared and afflicted by evil spirits, it would explain it. Wu Meixia said, “I think Jiang Zhiqing might be right. Let’s try giving him the talisman water; it won’t hurt.

” Xu Hongmei, anxious to save her son, decided to try it. The child’s condition was serious; they couldn’t delay.  Going to the county by ox cart would take over an hour; the child would suffer. They could give him the talisman water immediately. If it didn’t work, they could take him to the hospital. The family decided to try it.

Jiang Li was a new educated youth; she wouldn’t harm them. Wu Meixia burned the talisman into water and gave it to her grandson. They waited anxiously to see if it worked.  Miraculously, the child’s fever subsided. His expression was less painful; his face turned from red to normal. The child, who had been sleeping, slowly woke up and opened his eyes.  The family was overjoyed.

 They were curious why Jiang Li knew about these things.  Li Changping, though grateful, knew they couldn’t talk about this openly; it could cause trouble for Jiang Li. He told his family not to mention it. The family understood and agreed.  They wouldn’t need to take the child to the hospital.

 Wu Meixia said, “Old man, we owe Jiang Zhiqing a debt of gratitude. We should repay her.” Li Changping agreed.  “We have some eggs. I’ll give them to her,” Li Changping said. Wu Meixia agreed. She took ten eggs, some vegetables, pickled vegetables, and a small jar of homemade soybean paste. Jiang Li was making her bed.

The room was clean; she needed to make the bed. The weather wasn’t cold; she didn’t need to heat the kang.  It would get cold in November.

Jiang Li saw that the walls were made of rammed earth, prone to dust. She would buy some newspapers in the county town to cover the walls.  Just as she finished making the bed and was about to meditate, she heard a knock. 

She opened the door to see Wu Meixia.  Guessing her purpose, Jiang Li smiled and asked, “Auntie, is your grandson okay?” Wu Meixia smiled. “Yes, Jiang Zhiqing, thank you so much!  My grandson is fine now.  My husband and I are very grateful for your help. This is a little something from us; please accept it.

” Wu Meixia handed Jiang Li a basket. Jiang Li saw vegetables, pickled vegetables, and soybean paste; the ten eggs were precious in the countryside. Seeing Jiang Li hesitate, Wu Meixia said, “Jiang Zhiqing, if you don’t accept this, you’ll be insulting me.

We owe you a great debt of gratitude; we can only offer this; please don’t refuse.” Jiang Li smiled and accepted the basket.  If she refused, it would make them uncomfortable.