Shu-shu wandered about the village chief’s home holding her sweet drink until she eventually reached the backyard. It was an expanse of bare earth their household private plot. Once thick with crops everything had been harvested with the summer reaping. Unlike collective fields these private plots remained collectively owned they could not be sold privately or used for purposes other than farming.
Yet all produce grown there belonged entirely to the household free of tax. That was why families short on grain always planted food crops on their plots. But no matter how scarce supplies grew most still set aside a small patch for vegetables so there might be something green on the table. The village chief’s family however grew no vegetables in their plot at all. Only in nooks and crannies around the front yard in flower pots and troughs cobbled together from scrap planks had they scattered soil and planted a handful of greens.
By all logic this should not have been such a frugal household. The village chief had several able-bodied working adults in his family none of whom shirked labour and he drew a regular state salary as village head. Yet however much he earned he gave away still more in aid to others. Fortunately his wife and children fully supported him and never uttered a word of complaint.
Out in the empty backyard a man stood hammering away at a pile of timber. Shu-shu spotted him and piped up politely “Uncle Zhen-xing!”
“Ah there’s little Shu-shu! Just in time I’ve something to show you. Come here.”
Chen Zhen-xing looked up at the sound of her voice. A warm smile spread across his sun-darkened face. He waved the little girl over then turned to fetch something from the storehouse.
“What is it?” Shu-shu trotted over eagerly craning her round head to see what he carried out. It was a large horse-shaped object crafted from wood. The head rose proudly with ears shaped like convenient handholds on either side. The broad back formed a smooth seat just large enough to sit upon. Instead of four legs the base curved into a single solid rocking arc.
“This is a rocking horse. It’s great fun.” Chen Zhen-xing set it gently on the ground lifted Shu-shu up and settled her carefully atop the seat. She looked tiny perched there round and soft as a little dumpling utterly adorable.
“Hold on here with both little hands. Rest your feet there. Rock gently, that’s it exactly.” He guided her patiently through every motion until she could play on her own. Then he stepped back standing by with her half-empty sweet drink bowl in hand watching her with a tender smile.
He had made this rocking horse especially for her, finishing it days earlier and waiting only for her visit today. Chen Zhen-xing had been a carpenter in his past life and he continued the trade in this new life. With two lifetimes of skill behind him his workmanship might not be masterly but it was more than fine enough to fashion children’s toys.
Long before this rocking horse Uncle Zhen-xing had been making her all manner of wooden things. Her very own little bed at the village chief’s house was his handiwork. So too were the carved wooden figures arranged upon her bedside. She even had a pair of wooden dolls that could fight each other.
“Father! You finished a rocking horse and didn’t tell me?” A little girl with twin buns about Shu-shu’s age came hurrying over staring at him in mock accusation. “I want a turn too!”
“You’re such a big girl now are you really going to fight a toddler for a toy?” Chen Zhen-xing spoke with feigned disapproval yet anyone glancing at the half-finished rocking horse on the ground would have seen the truth: another was already taking shape and its future owner was obvious.
The girl spotted the unfinished horse too and beamed instantly. “Hehe I knew Father loves me most!”
An uncompleted horse was far less fun than one ready to ride however. So she walked straight over to Shu-shu with perfect composure and asked if she might borrow the toy for a while.
“Let’s ride it together Sister Ning!” Shu-shu had only just received her new treasure and was reluctant to climb down. Instead she shuffled backward on the seat making space for Chen You-ning to sit behind her. It seemed Chen Zhen-xing had planned for this all along or perhaps he had intended for Shu-shu to enjoy it as she grew for the seat had been carved longer than strictly necessary. There was ample room for two toddlers under three to ride together comfortably.
“Shu-shu is so generous and kind to share!” Chen You-ning praised her. Then she swung one leg over the front of the seat and set them both rocking. “Giddy-up Giddy-up!”
“Giddy-up!” Shu-shu echoed in her sweet babyish voice, found the sound delightful and dissolved into giggles. Two together made twice the fun. By the time they finally climbed down their foreheads were damp with perspiration. Aunt He noticed and wiped them both dry with soft cloths.
“Now then You-ning take Shu-shu to wash her hands. It’s nearly time for dinner.” After wiping the sweat from both children Aunt He sent her niece off and turned toward the kitchen to bring out the food.
“Coming!” You-ning answered obediently. She led Shu-shu to the courtyard water jar where they drew water and washed their hands then waited side by side by the table.
The village chief’s large family made mealtimes lively. They ate together at one great table as had always been their custom. Fortunately the generations-old octagonal table was more than large enough to seat them all. Shu-shu sat between the village chief and his wife who together looked after her during the meal. The dishes were already set out.
The centrepiece and most eagerly awaited was braised pork slow-cooked in rich well-seasoned sauce until fragrant and glistening with tender chunks of potato and whole hard-boiled eggs stewed alongside. Both vegetables and eggs had soaked deep in savoury juices one needed only to look to know how delicious they must taste. Beside it sat a clear greens-and-egg-drop soup, a plate of fresh cucumber sticks and a small dish of pickled vegetables. Simple fare yet in this era it was the finest meal most could hope to eat.
“Eat well little Shu-shu.” The village chief raised his chopsticks first, placing a generous slice of braised pork and a braised egg into her bowl.
“Grandpa poured a spoonful of sauce over it too!” suggested Chen You-ning. “It tastes best mixed with rice.” She had already dressed her own rice generously with meat juices.
The village chief nodded at the sensible suggestion and ladled two spoonfuls of rich sauce over Shu-shu’s rice. Shu-shu was still unsteady with chopsticks but handled her spoon deftly. With others kindly serving her food she simply tucked her head down and ate happily barely pausing for breath. Seeing this the rest of the family picked up their chopsticks and began eating in earnest.
Between mouthfuls the chief’s eldest son Chen Fa-zhan turned to his father with village business. “Father, has the new allotment of fertilizer arrived from the commune yet? Did they say how much we’re to receive?”
“I asked when I delivered the grain tax,” the chief replied. “They say it will be another two days. But word is that the county has increased our allocation this year and we ought to receive more than usual.”
“That is good news. More fields will benefit from it.” Chen Fa-zhan’s mind was already racing, calculating how much extra grain might be yielded with improved fertilizer. More grain meant fuller bellies for everyone.
“Even with the increase the commune’s annual supply will scarcely cover three-tenths of our fields. We must rely chiefly on our own efforts. These next few days while the fields lie fallow take several able hands up the mountain. Collect all accumulated chicken manure and pile it to ferment that makes excellent fertilizer.
And while you are there gather any eggs as well we shall take them to market to trade for supplies.” The village chief spoke carefully, giving his son clear instructions. Seedlings would be transplanted in a few days and every measure of nourishment must be ready beforehand. Fertiliser determined harvest yields and harvest yields sustained the entire village; nothing could be left to chance.
“I understand Father.” Chen Fa-zhan nodded gravely.
“I want greens too!” While adults discussed serious matters, children cared only about their plates. Shu-shu had eaten several pieces of rich meat and now felt in need of something fresh. She tugged at her grandmother’s sleeve and pointed to the soup. She found raw cucumber tasteless but loved the soft green vegetables steeped in broth.
“What a good girl asking for vegetables on her own!” Grandmother Zou Fang-fang ladled leafy greens into her bowl generously. “Is that enough? Shall I give you more?”
“It is plenty, thank you!” Shu-shu’s bowl was nearly full to the brim and she dared not ask for more. She was in fact quite full already. She ate more slowly now picking gently at her vegetables with chopsticks listening to the adults talk. When she heard her grandfather speak of sending people up the mountain to collect chicken manure she lifted her head at once and announced earnestly “Shu-shu wants to go too! And gather eggs!”
“Me too!” Chen You-ning chimed in immediately beside her only to receive a sharp look from her mother.
“Absolutely not!” said Chen Fa-zhan playfully, adopting a stern tone. “There are wolves up there. And great tigers. Little girls who wander off get eaten.”
In truth no large wild animals had been seen in these hills since the great famine. Even well into the twenty-first century none had ever been sighted. It was exactly because the mountains were safe that they could raise free-range chickens there. Yet the children went anyway.
Shu-shu rode tucked inside a wicker basket lined thickly with quilts. She peered over the rim with both hands waving playfully at Chen You-ning and Ke Xiao-hua riding in baskets nearby. “Hi!”
When the two girls turned at the sound she ducked back instantly, hiding her head and pretending she had vanished. Her playmates played along. “Where has Shu-shu gone? We cannot see her anywhere!”
“Here!” She popped up again with a giggle. The three little girls caught each other’s eyes and dissolved into laughter merry and bright.