On the fifth of this month, your father received a letter from you, my eldest son, and had your youngest broth…
On the fifth of this month, your father received a letter from you, my eldest son, and had your youngest brother read it to me. The youngest only knows a few characters, so today I am dictating my response and asking the young village scholar to write it down to tell you this:
The repair and construction manual you sent has been delivered to Carpenter Wang at the edge of the village. Carpenter Wang was exceedingly delighted to receive it. There are no major affairs at home; we are all safe and healthy here. I only wish to tell you not to worry.
(On the back, written in a crooked, small scrawl:
Yur yungest brother speeks:
Big bruther, a few munths ago, while Muther was cuting weeds in the feild, she looked up at the sun which was very lite, and accidently fell down the slope. Now Muther canot see anithing, and she only thinks of you. The new yeer is almost here. Yur yungest brother asks, will you cum home?)