The Garlic Ballads

year!”
    Out came the rest—he couldn’t help himself. “It was a near riot,” he said. “The scales were smashed, the table set on fire, windows broke—they even torched an official sedan.”
    “Do you mean to say the masses rose up in revolt?” the young man asked excitedly.
    “I don’t know about a revolt,” Gao Yang replied with a sigh, “but it was a riot for sure. Some didn’t seem to care what happened to them.”
    “My father and one of my brothers went to town to sell our garlic. I wonder if they’re okay.”
    Gao Yang’s gaze fell on the young mans white, even teeth, and he could tell he was trying to disguise his northern accent. “There’s something special about you, Elder Brother,” he commented. “I can tell.”
    “I’m in the army, nothing special,” the young man said.
    “I can see you’re a decent man. No matter how well life is treating you, you still come home to help your father. That tells me you’re bound to have a bright future.”
    The young man took out a pack of cigarettes, which looked like a fresh flower in the lamplight. He offered one to Gao Yang. “I don’t smoke,” Gao Yang said, “but a friend of mine is waiting for me back on the road. I’m sure he’s never smoked a cigarette this good before.” He tucked it behind his ear, picked up his pail, and retraced his steps back to the road.
    “Where’d you go for that water, the East Ocean?”. Fourth Uncle grumbled. The donkey stood there stupidly. Fourth Uncle’s cow was lying on the road beside the cart.
    “Here, have some water,” Gao Yang said. “I’ll take care of the animals.”
    Burying his face in the pail, Fourth Uncle drank his fill, then stood up and belched several times. Gao Yang removed the cigarette from behind his ear and handed it to him. “I met someone special,” he said. “He said he was just a soldier, but I could see right off he was an officer. When he offered me a cigarette, I said I don’t smoke, but I brought it back for you.”
    Fourth Uncle accepted it and held it up under his nose. “It smells pretty ordinary.”
    “He came home to help his father in the field, even though he’s an officer. Not bad, hm? Most people nowadays can’t wait to throw away their beggar’s staff and beat up on the next person with one. Look at our own Wang Tai. He pretends he doesnt even know us.
    “Had enough?” Gao Yang asked. “I’ll water the cow.”
    “Start with the donkey. This cow of mine wont chew her cud. I’m afraid she might be sick. She’s pregnant, and if I lose her on top of not selling my garlic, I’m in bad shape.”
    The donkey, having gotten wind of the water, began to snort, but Gao Yang walked up to the cow. She tried to get to her feet, but couldn’t manage without Fourth Uncle’s help. A bluish light emerged from her large, sad eyes. Gao Yang held the pail under her nose, but she only lapped up a swallow or two before raising her head and licking her lips and nose with her long tongue.
    “Is that all she’s going to drink?” Gao Yang asked.
    “She’s picky. The only way Fourth Aunt can get her to drink is by spreading bran on top of the water.”
    “A life of ease, even the cow you please,” Gao Yang quipped. “Not many years ago
people
went without bran, let alone cows.”
    “Quit dawdling and water your donkey.”
    The donkey strained at the bit as it lapped up every last drop in the pail, then shook its head to show it wanted more.
    “Let’s get moving,” Fourth Uncle said. “The animals will get sick if they don’t work up a sweat after that cold water.”
    “How much did she cost you, Fourth Uncle?”
    “Nine hundred thirty, not counting the tax.”
    “That much?” Gao Yang clicked his tongue. “You could cover her from head to hoof with that many bills.”
    “Money’s worthless these days,” Fourth Uncle said. “Pork has gone up ninety fen in six months—ninety fen a pound! We can’t afford more than a few pounds a year.”
    “But you make out okay, Fourth Uncle, since you can count on a calf every year. If the first one’s a female, you break even right there. Raising cows is a lot better than planting garlic.”
    “You only see one side of things,” Fourth Uncle protested. “Do you suppose all a cow needs is the northwest wind? Where do you think the hay and mash come from?”
    Their conversation waned as the night deepened. Both carts rocked lightly from side to side. A weary Gao Yang jumped onto his cart—donkey