PCJ – Chapter 84 Building a Yin Bridge

Whether it’s a Yin Bridge or a Yang Bridge, bridge-building is a serious matter. Even though the ditches aren’t very wide, adults can easily cross them with a little effort. But even if it’s just a small ditch in a rice field, the bridge still has to be sturdy. It has to be something people can actually walk on. Otherwise, if someone steps on it and it collapses, people will curse. That wouldn’t be good. Building a bridge to accumulate virtue could end up harming someone and inviting curses, ultimately damaging one’s accumulated virtue.

Seven-year-old Zhang Jiaohua obviously couldn’t build a sturdy bridge. But Chen Meijuan’s family had already thought everything through. They specially hired a helper for Zhang Jiaohua. Old carpenter Zhang Jiwang was responsible for the carpentry work. Even though it was wet wood, in Zhang Jiwang’s hands, it could still become a beautiful little wooden bridge. Zhang Jiwang was quite remarkable; this older generation of carpenters also had to understand a bit of Meishan’s spells. Zhang Jiwang’s skill level wasn’t high enough to preside over the bridge-building ceremony for Zhang Qigao’s family.

When Zhang Jiwang saw Zhang Jiaohua, he chuckled, “Jiaohua, Grandpa will help you today. Whatever you need, just ask.”

“Grandpa Jiwang, if you’ve smoked, then no candy for you. The cigarettes Uncle Qigao’s family offered, I also get a share. I’ve taken them all for you, and you’re still stuffing candy into your pockets, which is unacceptable.” Zhang Jiaohua immediately divided the spoils with Zhang Jiwang as soon as he arrived.

Zhang Jiwang laughed heartily, “You’re quite something, kid. At such a young age, you already know how to grab things.”

“Of course. I’m the master now, and you’re just the assistant. So, these snacks should go to me first.” Zhang Jiaohua spread his hands and gathered all the snacks on the table to his side.

Naturally, there was no lack of spectators for this bridge-building ceremony. Crossing the bridge could be considered a rare traditional event in Meizi Village. Whenever a family held such a ceremony, everyone in the village would turn out.

Seeing Zhang Jiaohua’s antics at the table, the villagers couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“Jiaohua, eat all you want, but make sure you get the job done. We must make sure Qigao’s wife conceives. Otherwise, you might end up being their child.” Zhang Enzhong, carrying a load of tofu, was selling it everywhere. When he arrived at Zhang Qigao’s house, he put down the load and sat on the pole, enjoying the spectacle. People who did business all had a way with words; they were all eloquent.

“Enzhong, don’t laugh. Believe it or not, I’ll make your tofu pot produce only water and no tofu.” Zhang Jiaohua threatened jokingly, his face flushed with embarrassment.

“Hey, hey, hey. I’m just teasing you.” Zhang Enzhong panicked. As the saying goes, don’t play with fire if you don’t want to get burned. If Zhang Jiaohua really cursed him, Zhang Enzhong’s business would be ruined. Don’t underestimate the tofu-making business; the profit margin is at least fifty percent, not to mention the tofu residue. Tofu residue can also be used as a dish in Meizi VIllage. It can even be made into moldy tofu residue, which has its own unique flavor. Of course, most of it is used to feed pigs. Zhang Enzhong makes two batches of tofu every day, and the tofu residue can feed two or three fat pigs throughout the year.

The villagers immediately started teasing him.

“Jiaohua, Enzhong said something bad about you. You better curse him and make him unable to produce tofu.”

Zhang Enzhong quickly said, “Why are you all like this? Can’t stand me, huh? Jiaohua, don’t listen to them. When I get back, I’ll leave you a bowl of fresh tofu, and you can add as much sugar as you want.”

“Forget it. You’ve tricked me so many times. Every time I go to your place to eat, you say the tofu is old and not good. From now on, your tofu won’t produce any tofu, only residue.” Zhang Jiaohua said casually.

“Oh my ancestors, why would you say that?” Zhang Enzhong knew Zhang Jiaohua was just joking, but Zhang Jiaohua had already set up the incense table and invited the gods. If the gods took this seriously, Zhang Enzhong would be in big trouble. Every time the tofu wouldn’t cook properly and wouldn’t filter, turning it all into tofu residue.

Zhang Jiwang burst into laughter, “Enzhong, you deserve it for messing with Jiaohua. Can’t you see he’s busy with important matters? You just couldn’t help but run your mouth. I think you should take a break for a few days. After some time, Jiaohua can help you lift the curse. Otherwise, your pigs will overeat and die.”

The villagers also laughed at Zhang Enzhong’s wit for provoking Jiaohua, only to end up hurting himself.

“Uncle Jiwang, will it really work?” Zhang Enzhong was a little worried. Losing a day meant a considerable loss. And without tofu, he would have to feed the pigs with grain. This back and forth would result in a significant loss every day.

“Will it work? Go back and try, and you’ll find out. Jiaohua, I’ve finished my part. It’s time for you, master, to do your thing.” Zhang Jiwang had already prepared a beautiful wooden bridge. Zhang Jiaohua took out several five-cent coins from the incense table.

“Before starting a battle, first move your food supply. Thousands of troops descend upon the altar. The treasure throne in the divine gold hall, the halo illuminates the jade clamor, and the ten thousand saints face the emperor. The saint visits the temple, the holy mother, the child Buddha, the harmonious fairy, the yellow-robed Taoist, the white-robed immortal, searching through the temple. Delivering men to succeed, women to pair up, both hands transform into thousand-year-old willow wood, cutting at tiger time and born at rabbit time…”

After reciting the spell, Zhang Jiaohua picked up a small axe and nailed the four five-cent coins into the four intersections of the small wooden bridge. Underneath the coins were several layers of various colored cloth pieces. These coins were actually a toll fee, meaning they were buying a path for Zhang Qigao’s future child. This way, Zhang Qigao’s future child could smoothly reincarnate into Zhang Qigao’s wife Xie Chune’s womb.

With this action, Zhang Jiaohua truly became a master of Meishan Water Division, without a trace of childishness left. It was as if he had suddenly transformed into an enlightened master of Meishan Water Division.

“Wow, Jiaohua is amazing. At such a young age, he’s already mastered the Meishan spells to this extent.”

“That’s right. Zhang Qigao’s wife is probably going to conceive this time, right?”

“Who knows? I heard a joke before. A couple had been married for years without conceiving. When they finally went to the hospital, it turned out that after all those years, they had never hit the right spot…”

The villagers were quite outspoken, even bringing up jokes.

“Qigao, do you want your brother to give you a demonstration?” someone said loudly.

Zhang Qigao wasn’t one to back down from a challenge either and laughed, “Brother Xian, you’re busy grilling wine every day. It wouldn’t be polite to trouble you. Let Sister-in-law teach me instead.”

The crowd was amused by Zhang Qigao’s wit and burst into laughter. Everyone took advantage of each other’s verbal slip-ups, but they rarely got into serious conflicts. Of course, sometimes jokes could go too far, and verbal arguments could escalate into physical fights. Young people are hot-tempered, and there’s always a need for an outlet to vent their frustration in the village.