PCJ – Chapter 300 The Big Picture

While treating the injured macaques, Zhang Jiaohua couldn’t help but scold the wild boars a few times.

“These stupid pigs really should be slaughtered for meat. They don’t know how to go easy, and instead of just intimidating them, they’ve gone and broken limbs,” Zhang Jiaohua said, exhausted after treating the injuries of dozens of macaques. Fortunately, there were no severe injuries. Zhang Jiaohua’s semi-liquid water healing technique was sufficient, but to prevent permanent disabilities, he had even gathered some herbs from the mountains.

In the past, the primary role of the Meishan Water Masters was still to heal and save lives. Most of the water techniques used by the Meishan Water Masters were closely related to healing and first aid. They not only used water techniques but also medicine. While their methods were somewhat rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, they were notably different, focusing more on combining water techniques with medicinal remedies. This unique approach made their healing methods particularly effective. However, with societal upheavals and changes, the true tradition of Meishan Water Masters had vanished over time. Now, how many Water Masters could still use both water techniques and medicinal methods to save lives? The Meishan Water Masters had become a symbol of superstition in people’s minds.

Zhang Wenrong and the others felt sympathy for the wild boars furiously rooting up the land in the garden. In such a situation, who could care about being gentle? It wasn’t a dinner party; it was a fight. But they dared not voice this.

“Jiaohua, your water technique is even more effective than injections and medicine. You should consider becoming a doctor. No injections or medicines, just earn money and put it all in the bag,” Zhang Jiagen said, squatting on the ground. Seeing the macaques, who had been moaning in pain, become much more comfortable after the medication, it was clear the treatment was working.

Zhang Hangao tapped Zhang Jiagen on the head. “Jiaohua is a Meishan Water Master, hundreds of times better than those doctors. How can you compare him to regular doctors? There are thousands of doctors in the world, but how many Meishan Water Masters are there?”

Zhang Wenrong looked at Zhang Hangao curiously. “Hangao, that makes sense. This doesn’t sound like something you’d usually say. Did you come up with this yourself?”

Zhang Hangao scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. “I heard the villagers mention it. Grandpa Jiwang often says this.”

“No wonder,” Zhang Wenrong nodded.

“It seems the villagers are planning to go to Guangdong for work next year. What’s so good about big cities? Once you’re out there, there won’t be a place to cry,” Zhang Jiagen suddenly said. Though he spoke critically of working outside, his eyes revealed a deep yearning for the big city. These days, villagers were all heading to Guangdong, with letters and remittances arriving regularly, stirring up waves in the peaceful mountain village.

Zhang Wenrong and Zhang Hangao fell silent, lost in thoughts about life outside. However, leaving meant they wouldn’t be able to work with Zhang Jiaohua or learn from him. Yet, in these times, martial arts couldn’t be relied upon for sustenance. Though Zhang Jiaohua paid them every month, who would want to spend their whole life in a poor mountain village?

“If you want to go out, join everyone in going to Guangdong next year. Staying in Meizi’ao won’t get you anywhere,” Zhang Jiaohua suddenly appeared behind them.

“Jiaohua, that’s not what I meant. I was just talking about the villagers. They’re always rushing to Guangdong!” Zhang Jiagen hurriedly explained.

Zhang Jiaohua laughed. “Why are you so flustered? Do you think I’m a child who doesn’t understand these things? Since my parents went to Guangdong, I knew the villagers would eventually leave. If you don’t go now while you’re young, will you spend your life stuck in this mountain hole like my grandparents? You watch TV every day, don’t you? The outside world is developing so quickly, while Meizi’ao remains the same. Take this opportunity to go out. Martial arts won’t feed you. If you go out, you can still practice martial arts. I’ll teach you the Meishan post techniques. When you’re outside, practice when you have the energy.”

“Jiaohua, we’re actually quite happy here at the garden. You pay us every month. Why go through the trouble of working outside?” Zhang Wenrong said, his words betraying his true feelings.

“Enough of this nonsense. If you’re content staying at the garden feeding wild boars, I’d look down on you. Others can make a name for themselves outside; why should you stay here? It’s better to venture out. The world is vast, and your horizons will broaden. Don’t stay here just because I’m here. When I grow up, I’ll also go outside. My parents might even come back to take me to Guangdong. If I leave, what will you do here at the garden? Spend your life feeding pigs?” Zhang Jiaohua’s words and actions were increasingly unlike an eight-year-old child. But Zhang Wenrong and the others were not surprised; they were used to this little prodigy.

Hearing this, Zhang Wenrong and the others fell silent, their hearts conflicted about whether to stay or leave. Although they were older than Zhang Jiaohua, they were still only seventeen or eighteen, facing one of the most crucial decisions of their lives. How could they make such a decision so easily?

Stay? Could they truly ignore the allure of the vast city? Peers had already started sending money back from Guangdong. They didn’t want to spend their whole lives in the garden, cutting grass and feeding pigs.

Leave? Though the life at the garden was a bit hard, it was also one of the most exciting times in their lives. They had learned real skills and earned their own honor through their labor and sweat. They had unwittingly formed a strange bond with this child who was ten years younger than them, like a master and apprentice, or even family. How could they bear to part?

“If you’re silent, I’ll take it as agreement. Don’t worry about the garden. Not everyone from the village is going to Guangdong; some will stay behind. If anything happens, I’ll hire them to help. The wild boars need less attention now. They can even help with plowing. What’s there to worry about? You can go out and try for a year. If it doesn’t work out and you can’t make it outside, there will still be a place for you at the garden. Why wait until after the New Year? You can leave now, and you’ll be ready to join the harvest in Guangdong. My parents say there are factories everywhere in Guangdong. You’ll easily find work. Since you’ve all had middle school education, it’s even better for finding a job. My dad didn’t even finish elementary school but still managed to get into a factory.” Zhang Jiaohua made the decision for Zhang Wenrong and the others.

“This seems too sudden. Maybe we should wait until after the New Year,” Zhang Wenrong hesitated, wanting to delay the decision. Who knew the child was so decisive?

“Wait for what? If you’ve made up your mind, you need to commit! As for practicing martial arts, you should keep at it if you can. In this world, martial arts won’t ultimately be your bread and butter.” Zhang Jiaohua’s decisions were final.

A few days later, Zhang Wenrong and the others packed up and headed to Guangdong.

With their departure, the garden felt empty. Zhang Jiaohua suddenly felt a deep sadness and cried uncontrollably. He wasn’t sure whether he was crying because of their departure or because he hadn’t seen his parents for a long time.

After crying, Zhang Jiaohua sat alone on the garden’s terrace, gazing at the twinkling stars.

Zhang Manyin walked in, brought a stool, sat down, and began smoking a pipe. After a while, he spoke. “Wenrong and the others went to Guangdong?”

“This morning’s bus. I didn’t see them off,” Zhang Jiaohua said, secretly wiping away the tears from his eyes with his sleeve.

Zhang Manyin pretended not to see, understanding that this grandchild was different from other children and was sensitive about appearances. “Your uncle said if there’s any unfinished work at the garden, he can come over and do it. We’re family, so there’s no need to mention wages. But I think it’s fair to keep accounts clear. Whatever you paid Zhang Wenrong and the others, you should pay your uncle the same. If there’s work to be done, let him handle it. It’s reassuring to have family looking after things.”

“Got it,” Zhang Jiaohua nodded. He had already considered this. The family’s situation had improved a lot. The garden and pig farm had plenty of work, and he couldn’t handle it all alone once school started in September.

“Don’t stay alone at the garden all the time. If you want to eat something, come back to the old house and let grandma cook for you. Have you eaten yet?” This was Zhang Manyin’s main concern; he was worried about Zhang Jiaohua being alone at the garden, which was quite far from the village.

“I’ve eaten,” Zhang Jiaohua felt a renewed urge to cry.

“Grandma is worried about you, so I’m here to keep you company tonight.” Zhang Manyin finished his smoke, knocked the ashes out of the pipe, and set it aside.

The crouching mountain leopard seemed to dislike the smoke in the air, wrinkling its nose and moving its head, then suddenly leaping up and wandering around the garden.

“I’m not scared. If you’re out, grandma will be alone at home,” Zhang Jiaohua said, feeling warm inside.

“Our old house is in the middle of the village; a tiger won’t come and carry grandma away,” Zhang Manyin chuckled.

Zhang Jiaohua laughed as well. Youthful worries come and go quickly.

A gentle breeze stirred in Meizi’ao. The poplar trees by Meizi Creek rustled their leaves, and the stream murmured softly, as if whispering secrets.

The sky was changing.