Chapter Thirty: The Village Elder

After their conversation, the two men exchanged a knowing smile. Zhou Yi spoke up, "Let's go. No matter what, we should first look for the keys to the Two Red Banners." Without further delay, the two of them set off southwest with Bei Qiao.

The leaders of the Plain Red Banner and the Bordered Red Banner had been Nurhaci’s second son, Dai Shan. The two keys should have been buried with him as funeral objects. If they were not placed in his tomb, then they would be in the hands of his descendants. Dai Shan had been stationed in Zhuolu County, Hebei Province, which had once been the main battlefield of the ancient Battle of Zhuolu.

Zhou Yi and his companion headed south, and after five days arrived at a village. The villagers were friendly—most would nod in greeting when they saw Zhou Yi—suggesting that outsiders rarely came to this place.

“Let’s find a house and get something cooked. I’m about to be sick of roasted meat,” Baozi complained. For the past few days, the two had been traveling non-stop. When they found an inn, they would have a quick bowl of noodles before moving on. Most of their meals consisted of dry rations and wild pheasants or rabbits caught in the mountains. Even the best game grows tiresome when eaten too often.

Zhou Yi nodded. They searched for a suitable house, choosing one in the center of the village with a large courtyard and brick walls. Above the main gate hung a plaque inscribed with “Jin Residence.” If such a courtyard were in a town, it would be nothing out of the ordinary, but here, in this remote village, it made Zhou Yi and Baozi rather curious.

The two exchanged glances. “Shall we go in?” Baozi looked to Zhou Yi for his opinion.

After a moment’s thought, Zhou Yi stepped forward and rapped the knocker clenched in the mouth of the lion head on the gate. His action made his choice clear. No sooner had he knocked than a woman in her forties appeared. She was quite hospitable, and upon hearing Zhou Yi’s request, she promptly invited the travelers into the courtyard.

As soon as they entered, an elderly man, supported by a young girl, came out to greet them. Zhou Yi felt a bit uneasy. They were only passing through and had merely asked to use the kitchen; yet the old man, despite his advanced age, came out to welcome them himself. Though puzzled, the warm hospitality made Zhou Yi and Baozi feel honored.

Zhou Yi hurried forward and clasped his fists in a respectful gesture, bowing as a junior would to an elder. “Good day, sir. We are just passing through and would like to borrow your kitchen to prepare a meal. Once we have eaten, we will be on our way.”

The old man nodded, spoke a few words in the local dialect, but Zhou Yi could not understand. The girl supporting him quickly interpreted, “My grandfather wants to know where you’ve come from and where you are going.”

Zhou Yi smiled at the girl to express his gratitude, then replied, “We came from Changbai Mountain and are heading to Zhuolu County. After our meal, we’ll continue on and should reach Zhuolu by nightfall.”

The old man seemed slightly surprised at this, then said something more to the girl. Though he could not speak the common tongue, he understood it well enough.

The girl conversed with her grandfather for a moment more in the local dialect. Zhou Yi and Baozi, unable to follow, felt uncomfortable being discussed in a language they did not understand. Fortunately, the conversation did not last long. The old man said something else, and the girl, pouting, pinched her nose at him before reluctantly turning to Zhou Yi.

“My grandfather asks you to rest in the guest room for now. The food will be brought to you soon.” With that, she helped the old man back inside.

Baozi grinned, “Such a nice family! At last we don’t have to eat that dry, tasteless food.”

Baozi was pleased, but Zhou Yi could not share his cheerfulness. He found the old man and the girl’s behavior somewhat strange. While he was still pondering this, the middle-aged woman led Zhou Yi and Baozi to the east wing’s guest room.

“Honored guests, please wait here a while. Your meal will be served soon.” With this, the woman left.

There was a bed in the room, thick quilts neatly laid over it. Baozi, seeing the bed, could not help but lick his lips. “I wish I could sleep in that bed for once.”

Zhou Yi laughed at Baozi’s expression. “I told you not to come with me. You knew we’d have a hard time on the road, but you insisted on joining me and suffering through it all.”

Baozi retorted, “We’re the only ones of our age in the village. If you left, I’d be bored at home. I’d rather travel with you and see the world.”

Zhou Yi opened his pack and tossed the wild pheasant they had caught the night before to Bei Qiao. The dog trotted outside with the pheasant to eat, and Zhou Yi said, “We’re not out here for fun, you know. I told you that before we left.”

Baozi shrugged indifferently, “I know. Aren’t we here to look for those eight keys?” He spoke so quickly that by the time Zhou Yi tried to hush him, it was too late.

Seeing Zhou Yi’s expression, Baozi instantly realized his mistake and covered his mouth.

At that moment, the middle-aged woman entered, smiling kindly at Zhou Yi. “The master wishes to ask you a few questions. Please come to the main hall.”

Zhou Yi knew Baozi’s words must have been overheard, or else the old man would not be so eager to question them. Zhou Yi shot Baozi a reproachful glance, while Baozi dropped his head in guilt.

With the woman present, Zhou Yi could say nothing more. He followed her to the main hall, the room reserved for receiving guests of importance, unlike the guest rooms meant for travelers like themselves. According to custom, people passing through would not be invited to the main hall; such formality was reserved for significant visitors. In grand households, there were many rules for receiving guests.

As Zhou Yi entered, the old man rose to greet him. “You have come seeking the relics of our ancestors?” The old man spoke much more slowly now, making himself just intelligible to Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi hesitated. “We’re simply passing through, visiting friends in Zhuolu County. I’m not sure what you mean, sir.” He dared not reveal the truth, for the matter was grave and touched many interests. He could not be certain of the old man’s intentions.

The old man was unconcerned with Zhou Yi’s evasions, and smiled. “The ancestral relics are Xun Wind and Li Fire. As unworthy descendants, we failed to protect them, and have no face to meet our forebears.” It is said that age brings wisdom, and this old man, well into his seventies, could surely see through Zhou Yi’s thoughts.

Zhou Yi was taken aback. How did the old man know their purpose? With such openness, he seemed certain that Zhou Yi was seeking the eight keys—or rather, he was sure of it, not merely suspecting. The fact that the old man had come out to greet them at the gate suggested he had known of their arrival in advance.

“You need not worry, young friend. I mean you no harm,” the old man reassured Zhou Yi, sensing his unease.

By then, the middle-aged woman had already brought out the food and wine.

With a gentle smile, the old man invited, “If you don’t mind, young friend, would you share a cup with me?”

Two chapters today; another will follow tonight.