Chapter Nine: The Journey (Part One)

Han’s mother had specially made dumplings with meat filling; as the saying goes, dumplings when you set out, noodles when you return. Once he was out in the countryside, family would be out of reach, but at home they did their best to provide for him. Besides the family’s lunch, Han’s mother packed a lunch box brimming with dumplings.

“These dumplings in the lunch box must be eaten first. The weather’s hot; if you leave them until tomorrow, they’ll spoil. Then there are eggs. The steamed buns and sesame cakes I’ve wrapped tightly in oiled paper—they’ll last a few days without any problem.”

Amid Han’s mother’s endless reminders, the family finished their meal. Without even washing the dishes, everyone set out together. At the alley entrance they met up with several friends who’d come to see him off, waiting for the neighborhood committee to organize the trip to the train station.

Each person had a large red flower pinned to their chest, and with drums and firecrackers, the group set off. His friends helped carry his luggage all the way to the station platform. Only after entering the platform did his family and friends arm him with all his gear.

Now, Han Li carried a bedroll on his back, a military canteen slung over his left shoulder, and a green military satchel on his right. In one hand he held a net bag containing a washbasin, an enamel mug, and toiletries; in the other, a large travel bag. This was what remained after much streamlining—everything else had to be mailed ahead by post.

The platform was packed with families seeing their children off to the countryside—a sea of heads, black and dense. All the words that should be said had been said. Now was the time to hurry aboard and claim a seat. Though it was a special train for educated youth, many from other cities needed to change trains here; if you boarded late, there really would be no seats left.

Han Li was lucky, managing to grab a window seat, where he continued speaking with his family through the window. At this moment, his usually strong-willed mother’s eyes reddened and tears streamed down her face. She repeated her farewells and reminders; now, these fragments of advice tugged deeply at his heart.

His father’s eyes were bloodshot, but he remained silent. Both his older sisters and little sister were already sobbing, barely able to speak. Their tears nearly made Han Li’s own spill over; if not for his efforts to hold back, his own tears would have fallen.

Looking at his mother’s reluctant and sorrowful face, Han Li could only smile and nod repeatedly. When the train whistle blew and the train began to move forward, Han Li’s tears could no longer be restrained. He waved his arm high toward his family and shouted, “Go home now! I’ll write as soon as I arrive. You all be careful on your way back!”

By now, the train had picked up speed; Han Li could no longer hear what his mother was saying, as she was held in his father’s arms. He could only see his sisters running alongside the train, waving, until both sides could no longer see each other.

Hurriedly wiping his tears, Han Li noticed the carriage was subdued, most people bowed and dejected. After all, being sent to the countryside was no happy affair; it was natural for their hearts to feel heavy.

Across from him, two young women had sat down at some point and were stealing glances at him—probably having noticed his tears. They looked about his age, likely also high school graduates who had been "sent" to the countryside.

Next to Han Li sat a tall, gentle-looking young man dressed in the era’s most fashionable olive-green military suit—clothing only families with members in the army could obtain. Ordinary people could hardly get hold of such attire, and even if they managed, it was risky—someone could report you.

The two girls appeared to be together. From their appearance and clothes, it was clear their families were well-off. Fair-skinned, bright-eyed, lively and spirited—given a few more years, they would certainly grow into great beauties. Especially the girl by the window; though still young, her clothes were already more stylish than others.

But what would become of them in the countryside was hard to say. Never mind whether they could endure hardship—if they had a younger brother or older brother at home, their own situation would likely be unstable. In those days, boys were favored in families, and girls’ treatment depended on their family circumstances. Even if parents seemed to treat sons and daughters equally, there was still an important premise—that the daughter could not affect the son's opportunities or future, and so on.

Families that truly cherished their daughters were rare, mostly found in novels, or in the exceptionally progressive one-child families, which were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

Han Li cleared his throat softly, intending to greet his seatmates—after all, he would be traveling with them for several days. When he went to fetch water or use the restroom, it would be good to have someone to watch his seat and belongings. Never underestimate the trains of this era—there were all sorts of characters aboard. And these educated youth heading to the countryside were seen as easy pickings, since they all carried money and ration coupons; as long as someone made a move, it was unlikely they’d come away with nothing.

His eldest sister and father had warned him about this many times, having witnessed too many such incidents on city buses.

“Ahem, are you all educated youth heading to the countryside? I’m Han Li, from Cotton Alley in West City, Beijing. I’m being sent to Shanghe Village Production Brigade, Hongqi Commune, AA County, XX Region, Heilongjiang.”

The young man in olive-green next to him replied, “Hello everyone, I’m Hou Zhenxing, from SJS in Beijing. My posting is to Zhengyang Brigade, Shanglin Commune, AA County, XX Region, Heilongjiang.”

“Wow, you’re both from Beijing? Did you know each other before?” one of the girls across from them asked in surprise, her voice soft with a southern accent.

Both Han Li and Hou Zhenxing shook their heads, and the girl promptly said, “Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Yang Xiuying, from the shores of Lake Tai in Xishi, Jiangsu. I’m going to the same place as Comrade Han Li—Shanghe Village Production Brigade, Hongqi Commune.”

“The friend next to me is someone I met on the journey; she’s from Lushi, but I’ll let her introduce herself.”

The girl by the window, the one in the stylish clothes, smiled and said, “Hello everyone, I’m Hao Hongmin from Lushi. My posting is the same as Comrade Han Li and Comrade Xiuying—Shanghe Village Production Brigade, Hongqi Commune.”

What a coincidence—four people sitting together, all bound for the same county. And two of them would even be in the same production brigade as Han Li—a remarkable stroke of fate.

With the introductions done, conversation became more relaxed. The boy, Hou Zhenxing, clearly had something on his mind and spoke absentmindedly. But young people’s spirits recover quickly; soon, someone in the carriage started singing. Whether you wanted to or not, you had to join in—enthusiastically, loudly.

Otherwise...