PCJ – Chapter 83 Business comes to your door

On the first day, Zhang Jiaohua was still pondering ways to make money, and on the second day, business came. The Talisman made Zhang Jiaohua famous. Although he was still a brat, the people in the village had already stopped treating him like a child.

Zhang Qigao’s wife, Xie Chune, had been married to Meizi Village for two or three years, and still hadn’t conceived. Rumors started spreading in Meizi Village, saying this wife was useless, unable to bear children. The pressure on the couple was immense. After a check-up at the hospital, they found no issues. The doctor said it was just stress and advised them not to worry too much. Just let things happen naturally. The problem was, it had been going on naturally for almost three years.

There are three unfilial acts, and having no descendants is the greatest. The countryside still adheres to tradition. If a family doesn’t have the next generation to consolidate its lineage, it cannot achieve permanent stability. Although the relationship between Zhang Qigao and his wife was good, under the pressure from both sides of the family, their days were somewhat rough.

At this time, some old folks in the village gave Zhang Qigao and his wife some advice: build a Yin Bridge.

Crossing the bridge was a custom in the Meizi area. People in Meizi Village had a traditional saying: if a child’s fate had obstacles, they needed to cross a bridge. They would find a ditch in the village, then cut down a small pine tree and nail a bridge across the ditch, symbolizing overcoming obstacles. This way, the child’s growth would proceed smoothly.

Large coins were nailed to the bridge. Nowadays, large coins were hard to come by, so they used coins instead, usually five-cent coins, with several layers of red cloth underneath, and four coins nailed at each end of the bridge.

There were both Yang Bridges and Yin Bridges. Yang Bridges were for children who were already born, while Yin Bridges were for those who couldn’t conceive. The reason for not conceiving was that when the child was supposed to reincarnate, they couldn’t overcome an obstacle and needed a bridge to be built before they could come over.

There was a fixed ceremony for crossing the bridge, usually performed by water artisans. After all, they needed to find a suitable ditch and choose an auspicious time. Additionally, they needed to recite water-manipulating spells. Only then could the bridge-crossing ceremony be successful.

In the past, this kind of business was done by Master Ma. But now, Zhang Jiaohua’s apprentice status had clearly overshadowed Master Ma’s. Although Zhang Jiaohua had never done this kind of business before, the villagers didn’t believe he was fully capable. After all, for a genuine Meishan water artisan, this kind of bridge-crossing ceremony was basic. Zhang Jiaohua’s skills were solid, at least that’s what the villagers thought. Otherwise, how could he have crafted such powerful Talisman?

Although the snake disaster had passed some time ago, the villagers still felt lingering fear. They didn’t have any thoughts about the five yuan spent on bringing home the Talisman because it was still effective.

After bringing back the Talisman, the villagers found that their quality of sleep had greatly improved. There were also no inexplicable noises in their houses. Even the mice, which used to come out to cause trouble at night, were much quieter.

Xie Chune felt embarrassed to come to Zhang Jiaohua’s house to talk about this matter. Instead, it was Xie Chune’s mother-in-law, Chen Meijuan, who came.

“Aiya, this matter requires Jiaohua’s help. Chune has been back (meaning married) for three years now, and still no sign of a child. We went to the hospital for a check-up, and there’s nothing wrong with either of us. The elders in the village say we need to build a Yin Bridge to bring the child over.” Chen Meijuan arrived at Zhang Jiaohua’s house early in the morning.

“Sister-in-law, it’s not that I don’t want to help. My boy is only seven years old this year. Do you think it’s reliable to have him do this? Let’s think of other solutions?” It wasn’t that Liu Qiaoye didn’t believe in her son, but the idea of building a Yin Bridge sounded awkward.

“How can it not be reliable? When the village was in trouble with the snakes, it was Jiaohua’s Talisman that helped us through. My family was the first to come and get a Talisman from him. I said at the time, the Talisman made by Jiaohua must be reliable.” Chen Meijuan knew what Liu Qiaoye and her husband were thinking.

“Sister-in-law, my boy knows a bit of Meishan’s spells. But he hasn’t done this bridge-building before. He lacks experience. Having a child is a big deal. I’m afraid it will delay your important matter.” Zhang Youping also didn’t want his son to get involved in this mess.

“Where would there be any delay? Chune has been back for three years, and it’s not reliant on this time. I trust Jiaohua this time. Even if it doesn’t work this time, I won’t blame Jiaohua for it. Let Jiaohua give it a try. You know what kind of people we are in the village, me and your uncle Xingliang. Even if this matter doesn’t succeed, we won’t be stingy towards Jiaohua. If it succeeds, there will be a thank-you gift in due time. We have shame in our eyes. Unlike some people in the village, whom Jiaohua saved, yet they gossip behind his back. I can’t stand such people.” Chen Meijuan knew the concerns of Zhang Youping and Liu Qiaoye.

This kind of thing couldn’t be refused. With Chen Meijuan’s firm attitude, Zhang Youping and Liu Qiaoye hesitated for a moment and could only wake up Zhang Jiaohua.

Zhang Jiaohua was still half-asleep, rubbing his eyes, and seeing Chen Meijuan clearly, he said, “Auntie. What’s the matter?”

“Jiaohua, Granny has something to ask of you.” Chen Meijuan looked at Zhang Jiaohua, with a smile on her face.

“What’s the matter?” Zhang Jiaohua asked.

“Can you build a Yin Bridge? Your Uncle Qigao and Aunt Chune have been married for three years, and still haven’t had a child. Your Uncle Qigao is only a couple of years younger than your dad. The elders in the village say we need to build a Yin Bridge to bring the child over.” Chen Meijuan explained the situation.

“A Yin Bridge, huh?” Zhang Jiaohua nodded. Of course, he could build a Yin Bridge. After running around with the old Taoist for so long, he often encountered such things. When a wife wasn’t happy, one had to come find the old Taoist. The old Taoist would say, “Build a Yin Bridge.” Whether it had any effect, Zhang Jiaohua didn’t seem to dream about it. But he remembered the bridge-building ceremony clearly.

“Do you know how?” Chen Meijuan’s face lit up with joy. From Zhang Jiaohua’s tone, she could tell he must know.

“I definitely know how. But if your daughter-in-law can’t conceive, it must be because your family’s karma is bad. If I’m going to build a Yin Bridge for you, I’ll be at a loss.” Zhang Jiaohua imitated the old Taoist’s tone.

Actually, this was a trick water artisans used to negotiate prices with customers. First, they had to tell others that it was very difficult, so that when the main family paid, they would be more generous. Secondly, it was also a kind of threat. Don’t be stingy, or else the Daoist would have to serve you. Find someone else if you want.

Chen Meijuan had lived for decades, and she was very savvy in this regard. “Jiaohua, you can rest assured. Granny won’t let you suffer. I’ve prepared two sets of gifts. One is for building the Yin Bridge, and the other will be a thank-you gift when your Aunt Chune has a child.”

Zhang Jiaohua wasn’t an old Taoist, but as soon as he heard there was a thank-you gift, his eyes lit up. “That’s great, I’ll do it.”