Chapter 9: Finding the Group

Chapter 9: Finding the Organization

As the People's Liberation Army entered the city, the southern district was fully taken over by the PLA. Many people hid at home in fear, but those who kept up with current events knew that the PLA treated civilians well, so they waited outside openly. Some even brought out snacks and eggs from home to give to the soldiers.

"Uncle, I can't accept this. It breaks discipline and I'd be punished. Please take it back." A tall, thin soldier held the old man's hand back and refused to take his gifts no matter what.

"Just a few eggs, it's fine. If your leader punishes you, I'll vouch for you and say I forced them on you." The old man continued pushing the eggs into the soldier's hands.

"Uncle, I can't understand your southern dialect. I really can't take these things. I need to go now—falling behind is against the rules too." The tall, thin soldier saluted the old man and jogged away.

"What a good kid. Why can't he accept just a few eggs?" The old man watched the soldiers march past in neat formation and wiped away his tears. "The Communist Party is good to us. From now on, we can live in peace."

Lin Zhijin had already returned to the Chen residence, but the house was eerily quiet, as if a storm were brewing.

"Ninth Concubine, the First Madam asked me to wait for you here. She said to come see her when you return." Chunlan was waiting by the ornamental gate for Lin Zhijin.

"Let's go." Lin Zhijin nodded in agreement.

Having been there many times now, Lin Zhijin was no longer as timid as before, even occasionally chatting and laughing with the First Madam.

"I heard Fifth Master came to see you?" The First Madam asked as she copied scriptures.

"He didn't come just for me, but Fifth Master wants to buy my mountain. He said there's a hot spring there and he wants to build a hot spring retreat." Lin Zhijin didn't hide anything from the First Madam.

The First Madam's hand paused briefly as she held the brush before she continued writing. "So there's a hot spring on it. No wonder they're all after it. What do you think?"

"I don't know. What do you think I ought to do?" Lin Zhijin asked, looking a bit lost.

The First Madam looked up at her. "Tempted, are you? If you really want to sell, why not sell it to me? That way you'd actually see the money."

What did she mean? Was she saying that selling to others wouldn't get her real money?

Tsk tsk, they were all trying to scare her, but she wasn't afraid. The PLA had entered the city, and she could soon latch onto the motherland's coattails.

"No, no, I'm just a little nervous. By the way, Madam, have you heard about the PLA coming into the city?" Lin Zhijin deliberately changed the subject.

Whether or not there was gold on Jinshi Mountain, she'd hand it over to the state. If there was gold, it could save a lot of lives.

"I already know. That's also why I asked you to come. Don't leave the house for now. The Master's hundred-day mourning period isn't over yet, and it doesn't look right for you to be leaving so often. Since you can't read, learn to chant scriptures and fold some spirit money for the Master. The Master was good to you, and he can watch over you from below." The First Madam handed Lin Zhijin a copy of Buddhist scriptures she'd transcribed herself, telling her to study them when she got back.

"I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Madam. I'll be heading back now." Lin Zhijin took the scriptures and left, followed by a literate maid the First Madam had sent to teach her to read the Buddhist texts.

If she remembered right, for concubines taken before 1952, if they chose to leave voluntarily, the state would recognize their marriages as legal, and if they wanted to leave, the state would help. The Women's Federation handled that, and if anyone refused to cooperate, the police would be called in.

But registration wouldn't happen for a few more months, right? Maybe even next year. She couldn't wait that long.

She had to find a way out of the Chen residence and find the Women's Federation. Did the military even have a Women's Federation?

Forget it—she'd go to the PLA first. Given her situation, the state would definitely help her out.

After chanting scriptures all afternoon, Lin Zhijin's head was about to explode. Luckily, the woman the First Madam sent confirmed she'd learned it and went back to report, without sticking around to watch her.

"Xiaohong, do you know what's happening outside now?" Lin Zhijin put down the scriptures and asked in a low voice.

"Those soldiers out there are different from the ones before. Not only do they not loot, they won't even take things people offer them. They say taking things breaks discipline and they'd get in trouble." Xiaohong spoke while continuing her work. "Ninth Concubine, my dad said that once the PLA comes, we can get our indentured contracts back. I don't know if that's true."

Lin Zhijin wanted to say it was true, but thinking about the original owner's limited knowledge, she shook her head. "I don't know either. By the way, did Concubine Hu come looking for me?"

"Yes, I forgot to tell you. Concubine Hu came by this morning saying she had something to discuss. I think she just wanted to brag. Hmph, she's lucky—she actually got pregnant with the Master's kid, and a posthumous one at that." Xiaohong looked around to make sure Old Lady Zhang wasn't nearby before whispering in Lin Zhijin's ear, "The First Madam and Second Master will protect that child to save face."

The original owner did carry to term, but died in childbirth, unfortunately. Whether it was an accident or on purpose, nobody knew.

"Tell Old Lady Zhang that if Hu Xiaoyue comes looking for me again, just send her packing. She's in a delicate condition now. If anything happens to her in our courtyard, I couldn't clear my name even if I jumped in the Yellow River." Lin Zhijin didn't want to get anywhere near Hu Xiaoyue.

She stayed put in the Bamboo Courtyard for five days. Given how fast the PLA worked, the southern district's military and political affairs must have been fully taken over by now. It was time to go see them.

After breakfast, Lin Zhijin headed to the main courtyard to see the First Madam.

"Madam, the Ninth Concubine is here." Chunlan said in a low voice.

"What does she want? Let her in." The First Madam was picking through newly arrived fabrics. Seeing Lin Zhijin enter, she waved her over. "Take a look and see if anything catches your eye. Pick two bolts."

"No need, no need. I've already got plenty of clothes." Lin Zhijin waved her hands repeatedly.

"A woman can never have enough clothes. You're young with fair skin—this pink and this light yellow both look good on you." The First Madam picked out two bolts for her directly.

Lin Zhijin did like them, but she couldn't be too direct. "Better save them for Miss Wan'er. She'd love them too."

"Wan'er already picked hers. Take these, don't worry about it." The First Madam curved her lips into a smile.

Lin Zhijin naturally knew that Chen Wan'er was Chen Lishi's own granddaughter and the only direct blood relative she had left. She'd never be shortchanged.

"Then thank you, Madam. You're too kind." Lin Zhijin hesitated for a moment. "Madam, I'd like to go check on the house in the eastern district. Is that alright?"

The First Madam frowned, as if she wanted to say something, but held it back. "You can go if you must, but Fourth Master specifically said our family needs to keep a low profile these days. The car's off limits, and the family rickshaw's already in use. If you want to go, you'll have to make your own arrangements."

"That's fine. I'll just grab a rickshaw on the street. Thanks, Madam. I'll be back early." Lin Zhijin left the residence happily with Xiaohong.

The PLA had been in the city for five days now, and the southern district's residents had discovered they were completely different from the soldiers before. They were strictly disciplined—not only did they not bully civilians, they helped them wherever they could. So people grew bolder and dared to step outside. The city had already returned to normal, and with the PLA around, even the local thugs had thinned out.

This time when she left, Lin Zhijin packed two trunks of stuff—all clothes and jewelry. No one knew except Xiaohong; everyone else thought they were just ornaments.

She'd actually already moved quite a few things to the eastern district. At first just a few clothes, then small pieces of jewelry. Once she confirmed Xiaohong wouldn't rat her out, she went all out.

"Xiaohong, I won't go to the eastern district. You take these things over there for me. I'll browse around the department store." Lin Zhijin sent Xiaohong off.

"By yourself?" Xiaohong asked worriedly.

"Yeah, don't worry. I know this area well now and won't get lost. Wait for me at the Splendid Fabric Store." Lin Zhijin took two silver dollars out of her bag and handed them to her. "If I don't show, get yourself something to eat. I'll definitely be back before dark."

Xiaohong hesitated, but before she could say anything, Lin Zhijin had already told the rickshaw driver to take her to the house in the eastern district.

Once she confirmed Xiaohong was gone, Lin Zhijin hailed another rickshaw. "To the Military Administration Office."

Author's Note:

Posting the first half now, the rest will come later. Mwah (づ￣3￣)づ╭❤～