Chapter 3 Directions_1
Ma Mian was unhappy and snorted, "This family was not easy for me to find, and yet you're still being picky. If you don't like it, forget it, and roam as a lonely ghost." Saying that, he was about to drift away.
Qian Yixiu panicked and hurriedly said, "Master Ma, don't be angry, ah. If you're unwilling, then let it be this family. But can you give me some kind of golden finger or something, heh heh, so that I won't have too hard a time?"
Ma Mian's face grew longer as he said indignantly, "Golden fingers are a privilege of transmigration gods. I'm just a low-level errand runner, where would I get that thing from. Hmph, I've been slogging away for thousands of years, still stuck in this grueling entry-level position, unable to even shift my station..."
After listening to his complaints, Qian Yixiu sympathized deeply, "Sigh, it's true that the good horse gets ridden, and the kindhearted gets bullied. It's not only in the human world but also true in the netherworld. If you ask me, it's because you, Master Ma, are a good person. So many injustices have happened to you, yet you've not taken out your frustrations on your work. Instead, you sincerely help us ghosts, and you have accompanied me on such a long journey. You are truly a good person, and I hope good people like you will always be safe and sound."
A trace of emotion appeared on the elongated horse-like face, "Your words are the greatest affirmation of my work. As long as you all see my efforts, my hard work hasn't been in vain. Alright, since you're empathetic, I'll let you in on a secret—the next ruler of the Great Qian Kingdom will be Prince Ning."
The Great Qian Kingdom? Never heard of it, seems like I've arrived in a fictional dynasty.
Qian Yixiu said with a smile, "Yo, Master Ma, the emperor is too far removed from us ordinary folks, that's not my concern. What I'm most concerned about right now is how to fill my own stomach and that of this family's, and maybe become a landlord or something. Can you tell me how to adapt to local conditions to make a quick fortune?"
Ma Mian huffed coldly, "There's a saying among you mortals that goes, 'long hair but short on wit,' only seeing the two acres of land in front of you. You want to adapt to the local conditions, right? There are countless treasures hidden in these mountains."
Qian Yixiu cursed inwardly, isn't that what those transmigration stories have been preaching all along? But she smilingly said, "I wasn't some special forces soldier in my past life, how dare I venture into the deep mountains? I might get eaten by wild beasts before finding any treasure."
Ma Mian looked down on her, "Then you can't blame me. It's not that I didn't tell you, but that you lack the capability." He then added seriously, "Young person, you have to be down-to-earth. Don't think you can get fat in one bite. Always hoping for windfalls, where are all those good things?"
Qian Yixiu was so annoyed she wanted to roll her eyes. With such an unlikable mouth, no wonder she couldn't get a promotion.
She had to hold back her frustration and continued to flatter, "What Master Ma said is truly words of wisdom, and I will always remember your teachings. I will definitely stay grounded, toil in farming and business to reach a comfortable life. Hehe, it's just that this family is too poor, and the only able-bodied laborer they have might not even survive to return home. Would you please give me some guidance, Master Ma, so I have a goal to strive for in my efforts? Oh and, will this child live to return home?"
Ma Mian's expression brightened up a little as he looked inside the house and said, "This kid's fate is hard to predict, seems like he has longevity, but a small scar on his forehead has severed this fate of long life. It means he has a major tribulation to face, and if he gets through it, he will have a long life, otherwise, he's just another short-lived ghost." Seeing Qian Xiu's flattering "gaze," he continued, "I've been working for so many years, and rarely have I met a soul who understands my difficulties like you do. Alright, I'll give you another hint, remember this—the verdant mountains can provide the creatures with fertile soil to thrive on, but even barren lands can yield unexpected surprises."
Seeing that he was unwilling to say more, Qian Yixiu turned her gaze towards the inside of the house. She noticed that the little girl, although wearing tattered clothes, was extremely pretty and smart-looking. She smiled and said, "This child will surely grow up to be a beauty, possessing her wouldn't be a loss." Saying that, she tried to jump through the window towards the girl.
Ma Mian quickly stopped her and said, "Not her, this girl has a long life ahead of her, she will die at seventy-seven. The person you'll possess hasn't been born yet—it's that youth's child, so you'll need to wait here a few more years."
Qian Yixiu exclaimed in surprise, "But isn't that boy going off to join the military? He doesn't even have a wife yet, how can he have any children?"
Ma Mian said, "Having no wife now doesn't mean he won't have one tomorrow. Just wait here peacefully, the child will die at the age of six, and as soon as his soul leaves, you must take the opportunity to slip in. If you delay, you'll end up as a lonely ghost."
Facing the prospect of possessing someone not even conceived yet, Qian Yixiu felt like crying without tears.
Considering one possibility, Qian Yixiu asked again, "What if he has a boy? I'm used to being a woman, I don't want to be a man."
Ma Mian replied, "Don't worry, his wife will give birth to a girl."
After saying this, Ma Mian drifted away. He was already floating in midair when he loudly said, "Remember, keep your distance from that cripple. His body is weak, and his soul is unstable; if you get too close, you might push out his own soul. In that case, your fate as a man this lifetime would be sealed."
Qian Yixiu felt a shiver run down her spine upon hearing this and shuddered again as she looked at the frail man who was on the brink of death. Keep your distance, stay away from danger.
Qian Yixiu passed through the window and entered the main house, staying in the corner farthest from the man with the crippled leg and listening to their conversation.
After listening to the conversations of a few people and making some mental deductions, Qian Xiu learned some information.
This young man's name was Qian Manjiang, and he was about to join the army. The one crying in distress was his mother, Lady Wu, and the man with the crippled leg was his father, Qian Sangui.
A few months ago, the Imperial Court declared war on the neighboring Dajin Country and began conscripting soldiers en masse. Their village was tasked with providing thirty strong men, and the Qian family was allocated one spot.
Old man Qian had four sons, and the family had divided their assets five years ago. According to customary practice, since the elderly couple was still alive, they should not have had to divide their property. The author then took a moment to explain the reason for the division.
Six years ago, Qian Sangui, who was an escort in the Armed Escort Bureau, had an accident while escorting a convoy; his right leg was chopped off, and his internal organs were injured. Even the doctors in the provincial city couldn't cure him, claiming he was unlikely to survive.
The head of the Armed Escort Bureau then fed Qian Sangui a concoction of strengthening herbs and sent the barely breathing Qian Sangui home to see his parents one last time.
Unexpectedly, Qian Sangui's life wasn't destined to end at that time. It so happened that an Old Monk came to their home asking for water, and he ended up saving Qian Sangui. To treat his injuries, the family bought many expensive medicinal ingredients like ginseng, Lingzhi mushrooms, and sanqi, not only using up the hundred taels of silver provided as compensation by the Armed Escort Bureau but also exhausting all the savings of the Old Qian Family. Still not enough, they sold five mu of paddy fields and a cow.
Qian Sangui did survive, but he was like a living dead man—half of his leg was gone, and he lay in bed, breathing more out than in. Old man Qian pained for his third son and wanted to sell a few more mu of the paddy fields to continue his son's treatment and recovery, but his daughter-in-law was not willing.
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Thank you to Qian Yi Yi Ren Yan, Yi Chong Hong Zhuang, and Hera@Qianlin for the rewards; thank you to those who pretend to be strong even when they are not, for their purses; and thank you to all the readers for their comments.
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