1. To Qiuniang Master He is teaching me to write. I did not want to learn. He said learning a few characters w…
1. To Qiuniang
Master He is teaching me to write. I did not want to learn. He said learning a few characters would be useful, said then I could write to people. Qiuniang, then I will write to you. I miss you. I keep thinking... it would have been better if I had gone with you...
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2. To Miao
I dream of you all the time, Miao. You and your mother are both gone. Why am I still here, still alive... I worked the fields all my life. How did I still let your mother and you starve? What kind of farming is that?
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3. To Miao
Miao, I failed you. I did not keep watch over you... that dirt was not to be eaten, not that much... I know you were hungry. I know you were hungry...
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4. To Miao
I have learned a few more characters now. If only I could have taught them to you. They even gave me a proper name, Liu Sinong. Heh... I have a real name now. No one calls me Gouzi anymore. They say they are studying farming. Farming... what is there to study?
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5. To Qiuniang
This place is full of strange people. They call me "Master Farmer." They want me to write a book. We who work the fields were always treated like dogs. Since when could people like us be called "master"? If only you and Miao were still here... Back in the village, the fortune teller used to say people are born again in another life. In your next life, I hope you both be born into a good family, with full bellies every day. And if the place you go is no better... they say one day everyone will have enough to eat... Can that really happen? Can there really be a day when no one goes hungry?