Chapter 62

Liu left his partner’s coal mine. It was the fourth day for him to stay away from the ugly couple. On the way, he found the checking less strict than before. The militiamen at the entrance of each village did not question the passers-by. The PLA soldiers were fewer in the county town than before. Liu was dressed as a coal seller of Miao nationality. He mixed with those coal-cart drivers on the way to Guiyang. Those people got coal to Guiyang at night.

Liu looked like a real coal seller. About four kilometers away from Guiyang, Liu told the others he needed to go to the toilet. Then, he hid in a forest, watching the others passing before him. Finally he picked a cart with a lame and old horse. He asked the driver in Guizhou dialect, “Dear brother, where is the coal from?”

“Xiao Jing.” The driver answered without looking up. He did not want to lose his business.

“Can you stop here? I can offer you a good price. How much do you sell your coal for?”

“At least two dollars.” The driver replied.

“Ok. Please stop and have a rest. I don’t think the horse is well.”

“It fell down two days ago. But it can manage to pull coal up and down.”

Liu stopped the driver, saying, “Let’s settle down to business. I’ll pay you with silver coins. How much are the horse and coal?”

The driver was amazed at the transaction. He paused and smoked some tobacco with his pipe. He thought a horse should sell 20 dollars or 10 silver coins. Maybe he should ask for 25 silver coins for the coal and horse. After bargaining, maybe he could get half the price at most. Then, he said:

“Do you really want to buy the horse and coal with silver coins? Don’t play with me in the morning.”

Liu patted the silver coins in his pocket, replying, “How could I cheat you? I just want to buy an old lame horse like yours. As long as it can carry some coal, that would be ok. Guess why I buy it.”

The driver answered at once, “As compensations to another person.”

Liu patted him on the back, “How wise you’re!”

The driver bargained with Liu, “26 silver coins.”

Liu knew the price was almost the same as he planned to pay. But he must bargain, or others would be suspicious. Thus, he shouted, “Dear me! Do you plan to rob me or make me bankrupt? 13 silver coins. Ok?”

“13 silver coins? The horse meat will be more expensive than this.” The driver was delighted, nevertheless. He did not dare to expose his feelings. Thus, he spat on the ground and scraped it with his straw shoes. Then he shouted, “20 silver coins. If you don’t want to pay this sum, I’ll go.”

Liu said, “I’ll pay you cash. Do you still want 20 silver coins?”

The driver looked at him suspiciously, remarking, “How daring you are in keeping silver!”

Liu cursed him, “Fuck! If I pay you silver coins, will you change them into currency? Damn!”

The driver pretended not to be interested in silver coins, saying, “Sure. If you don’t believe me…But I don’t think you can give me silver coins.”

Another team of coal cart drivers passed by. The driver stopped bargaining with Liu. Liu also pretended to be examining the coal. It was dawn. The other drivers left them.

Liu did not want to bargain on. Then he said, “Ok. 15 silver coins. Let’s not waste the time.” He took out the silver coins and gave them to the driver one by one.

The driver checked the coins one by one. He made sure that every one of them was genuine. Then, he gave the horse-whip to Liu.

Liu got it and asked, “Guess what I look like.”

The man hid the silver coins and stared at Liu, who looked shabby with his uncombed long hair and fatigue. Then, he said, “I guess you’re a coal seller.”

“How old do I look like?”

“At least 50.”

Liu was shocked at the estimation. He was only 35. He wondered if he was too sick to look young. Could Dai Min still recognize him? Then he asked the driver:

“Are there bandits on the way? Are there any checkpoints at Bridge No. 1 and Bridge No.2?”

The man looked at Liu in a strange way, answering, “Bandits? No. They guarded against the bandits for only a few months. Now it’s ok.”

Liu found the man suspect him. He said at once, “I feel regretful for buying your horse and coal. Get away or I’ll get back my money!”

The horse driver left in a hurry. He turned back from time to time. Liu yelled, “Come back!” The man ran away. Liu felt happy. He was aware that he looked shabby, and nobody would recognize him. Thus, he sang Miao songs and drove the horse to the northern gate of the city. He entered the stadium.

Liu tied his horse to a phoenix tree. He walked to a basketball court made of stones. He found the signal of danger in the Zhang’s house. Obviously, it did not work if he entered the Zhang’s house at night. He felt glad that he had made this arrangement of warning with Dai.

Liu missed Dai very much. He was aware that Dai might not be able to recognize him. He suddenly wanted to meet her in the daytime as a surprise and to tell her he loved her at any cost. Thus, Liu drove his horse out of the stadium and claps on the stone streets were audible in the morning. Liu was excited.

Liu stopped on a flatland opposite to the Zhang’s house. He tied his horse there. Then he acted like a horse driver: he smoked and fed the horse with fodder. This place was a construction site that had not been completed. It was full of grass. Liu leaned against a phoenix tree there, thinking that he might be able to see Dai. Liu was excited at this thought.

Some people came for the coal. Liu offered a high price, which frightened them away. Liu did not want to sell the coal. It was a camouflage for him. But if Daio came out, he would pretend to ask her to buy the coal.

Liu found Zhang and Yang busy with decorating the yard. He did not know Christmas. Nor did he know Christianity or Catholics. He wondered why people prepared for the New Year so early. Damn!

The horse gave a sneeze. Liu turned back and found the horse unwell. It lay on the ground with tears and nose-water. Liu was tired, and fell into sleep against the tree.