Chapter Sixteen
THE MONK，Clear Moon，again took a message to Rey Shuan.“To go is dangerous.Not to go is also dangerous.I only hope that you will find new life since the old road has come to a dead end.In war one must take sides.To stand in the middle is perhaps worse than to be a traitor.”
When Rey Shuan read this letter that had no head or tail or signature he could not help smiling. He waited calmly for the document of invitation from the school. He decided that when it came he would go and teach even if it should become his execution ground.
There had been four years of war and this was the first time that he had felt decisive，and also happy.He was standing side by side with Old Three，and even if this should involve the whole family，and they should all die together，he would not retreat.
The invitation came. Lan the Eastern Sun's signature and seal were on it.If this had happened in the past Rey Shuan would have felt the greatest shame and humiliation.He would rather have starved than call Eastern Sun “Headmaster.” But on this day he was elated.
The family， learning the good news，pushed forward to ask all about the new post.Rey Shuan told them only that he had a new job and that there was hope for grain.He did not say how he got the job or who was the headmaster of the school.
When Old Man Chi heard the good news he twisted his white eyebrows and nodded his head continuously，and smacked his lips.“Ai，the Old Heaven has eyes，the Old Heaven has eyes.”
Rey Shuan looked at his grandfather and felt that he was no longer on the borer line between Yin and Yang — between the shades and life — but that he was alive again.He did not know whether he should laugh or cry.
Fat Chrysanthemum hoped that she could with politeness and patience appease Rey Shuan so that he would understand that she still regarded him as her eldest brother，and would forget that matter of the Second.She hoped that the Chi family would become friendly with the Lan family，that Eastern Sun could still keep the position of headmaster in the school，and that she could still keep the key of the treasury.
She felt that her plan was entirely reasonable and righteous.When Rey Tang had slapped her，her first thought had been for revenge.She had told Eastern Sun to go at once and report，and have the gates of the city closed to catch Rey Tang，and then to have the whole Chi family put to death.The pain and insult to her fat face could only be washed clean by the blood of the Chi family.
But as soon as Eastern Sun saw the cartridge and Meydee's ring he was so frightened that he wet his trousers.Eastern Sun's success depended on two things:his own shamelessness and the tameness of the people of Peiping.Now as he looked at that cartridge he saw a man of Peiping who dared to risk his life.A white frost covered his green face，both his eyeballs rolled up.He saw danger and death and he was afraid of death.
He quickly shut the gate and had the door of his room and the windows bolted and locked.After he had closed the door and the windows tightly he put his trem fingers to his lips and cruelly bit his nails.His first thought was to ask the Japanese to protect him. Suppose a squad，or better still a company， of infantry were around his house he could probably lie on his high pillows without worry. But could that be done？If he should ask for protection and the Japanese sent only one or two members of the secret service — of what use would that be？
He thought it over and over and decided that the best way was:first，to ask for a few days' sick leave and lock himself in his room;second，to think of a way to make a compromise with Rey Tang;third，if Rey Tang would not compromise he would think up a way to get to Japan.He could not always stay in Peiping waiting for a bullet.
Fat Chrysanthemum seeing that Eastern Sun was so frightened could only rub her face and think of delaying tactics.She must go to the Chi family.If she bought some gifts for the old and young they would surely be grateful to her，and perhaps in the course of the conversation she would get some real news about Old Three.Even if they were very careful and did not talk about Old Three she could at least watch their words and expressions and look through the crevices. Even if she saw nothing at all it would do no harm to restore “good relations between the two nations，”and after the restoration of relations she would gradually persuade them to co-operate with her.
She bought two or three gifts and took them herself to the Chi family.She thought herself both courageous and intelligent.
Entering the Little Sheep Fold she looked all around.Everything in the Little Sheep Fold was the same except that the walls and gates were older and shabbier and looked like the slums in the movies. She felt that she had been very intelligent to have escaped from this slum;otherwise she would have been no more than a flower stuck in a pile of dog's dung.
Since the sunshine was warm Mrs.Tien Yiu was sitting on the threshold of her room enjoying the sun. The two children were in front of the steps. Little Niu Niu was so undernourished she seemed to have forgotten how to play and was standing idly watching her brother. Little Precious was also very thin but he could still jump about and play.
The two children saw Chrysanthemum first.They did not remember her very well.In their daily chatter they still spoke of their “fat aunt” but her appearance had gradually blurred in their little minds.Little Precious said only，“Yo！” and nothing else.
Mrs.Tien Yiu slowly opened her eyes and recognized Chrysanthemum at a glance.She stood up and said，“Little Precious，Niu Niu，come in， both of you.” Then taking the hands of the two children she went into her room. The old lady knew how to maintain good feeling in the four generations in the same house，but she could not tolerate a loose woman like Fat Chrysanthemum.Fat Chrysanthemum became angry.She had thought that the old lady would accept the face she offered.
No，she must not be angry. A diplomat could not afford to be angry，and she had come to restore diplomatic relations.She called，“Eldest Sister-in-law.” She knew that the sister-in-law was easier to deal with.
Yun Mei was in the kitchen and without looking out had already recognized Chrysanthemum by her voice.The color of her face changed immediately.She never wanted to offend anyone but she also made a clear distinction between right and wrong.Should she or should she not go out and greet that fat sister-in-law？
She also knew that “when the owl comes to the house it is not for nothing” applied to Fat Chrysanthemum，but what the business was she could not guess.She decided not to make any sound.If Fat Chrysanthemum had come to make trouble she would be greeting a shameless woman and at the same time getting herself involved in the trouble.
Old Man Chi heard that “Eldest Sister-in-law”and thinking that guests had come slowly opened the door of his room.When the old man saw Chrysanthemum he looked quickly at the sky as if to ask the Old Heavenly Grandfather for instructions as to how to deal with this woman.
“Grandfather，I have brought you a present.”Fat Chrysanthemum was determined to control her anger and display her diplomatic skill.
The old man's bearded mouth moved several times without being able to say anything.
Fat Chrysanthemum started to go into the old man's room.She held the gifts in front of her to attract his attention.
The old man stopped her. With a loud voice he said，“Roll！”Then his speech spurted like water from a pump，“Roll away！Get out！You have the face to come here and bring gifts to me. If I should accept your presents my ancestors could not lie quietly in their graves.Roll！”
At this moment Yun Mei came out of the kitchen.She was afraid the fat woman would say something that the old man could not endure. Standing in the door of the kitchen she said in a loud voice，“You haven't gone yet？Go！”
Fat Chrysanthemum had no choice but to turn around.She first thought to throw the presents on the ground as an insult，but she hesitated and then held them more tightly.
Yun Mei came quickly over and said to the grandfather，“Grandfather，you'd better rest a bit.”
The old man still had much he wanted to say，but he was so angry and confused he said not a word.
When Rey Shuan came home and heard the report from the family he said to himself，“Not bad，the Chi family have bones after all.”