Chapter 25 The Feast

I

Corporal Zhang promised to do as he was bid. He had his dinner, got things ready, and left for the temple.

That night mother and son packed their bedding and clothing, their silks and silver, and placed them in containers to be carried on a shoulder−pole. They also filled two saddle−bags with fodder for the horse.

At the fifth watch before dawn Wang Jin summoned Corporal Li and said: “Take these silver coins to the temple. You and Corporal Zhang buy and cook the three kinds of sacrificial meat, and wait for me. I'll join you just as soon as I've bought some sacrificial paper ingots and candles.”

Corporal Li took the silver and departed for the temple. Wang Jin got the horse ready, loaded on the saddle−bags, tied them firmly in place, led the animal outside the rear gate and helped his mother mount. All the heavier household belongings they left behind. Wang Jin locked the front and rear gates, raised the carrying−pole