Daomu Biji: The Southern Archives

Side Story 5: Dirty Faces

Zhang Haiyan pressed Madisons knife down when saw that Wades musket had been placed on a branch close to him. In fact, there were a lot of broken logs in the logging yard. Can he speak Chinese?

No, Madison said.

Zhang Haiyan patted Madison. Put the knife down.

Why?

There are certain rules in this business. This kind of thing is done at night. Zhang Haiyan winked at Madison.

Wade heard someone talking and turned his head, but Zhang Haiyan blocked Madison in a way that was very natural. Wade figured it was two Chinese people, so he didnt pay them any mind.

Zhang Haiyan pushed Madison into the post office, which was a simple twenty-square-meter house built from local wood. There were transaction counters inside with windows on three sides. Benches and tables had been placed on both sides of the windows for people to drink beer and fill out envelopes.

There was a big canopy outside the post office that was full of packaged goods, including furs, herbs, and other things. Horse-drawn caravans were also coming in and out.

Madison stared at Wade through the window, hardly able to take his eyes off of him as he trembled in rage.

This wasnt good. Any person who wasnt slow would definitely feel this kind of burning gaze. Zhang Haiyan squeezed Madisons shoulders to try and get him to relax, but he found that it was completely useless. In the end, he ran his fingers across Madisons shoulder blades and squeezed his neck. Madisons body instantly softened and he passed out on the bench by the window.

Zhang Haiyan put the grass cocoon in Madisons arms and then took off his own shirt and covered Madisons face with it.

The topless Zhang Haiyan then poked his head out to look at Wade, who was staring at the little girls ankles from time to time with a smirk on his face. Wade made himself look like a very kind person, but Zhang Haiyan noticed that his crotch was bulging.

Zhang Haiyan put Nanres body on the bench outside the house, leaned her head on one side so that she looked like she was napping, and then swaggered towards Wade.

(The following conversation was all conducted in English.)

When Zhang Haiyan sat next to Wade, his body language had become that of the local people. The spirit in his eyes disappeared completely as he whispered in a perverted manner, Sir, do you have five shillings?

Wade turned to look at him in disgust, obviously blaming him for interrupting his lustful thoughts.

Zhang Haiyan looked into this persons demented eyes and found that they were a little blank. Zhang Haiyan immediately knew that this person wasnt particularly smart.

Get lost. The other party was very irritated.

Do you like girls who are eight years old, ten years old, or thirteen years old? Which age do you prefer? Zhang Haiyans fluent English made Wade freeze for a moment.

What are you talking about?

Zhang Haiyan moved his body so that Wade could see Nanres body.

This is my daughter, Zhang Haiyan said. Five shillings for one night.

Shes Chinese?

Yes.

Wade laughed, stood up, and hooked his arm around Zhang Haiyans shoulders. Friend, let me tell you something. Little Chinese bitches are only worth two shillings. Little Malay bitches are worth five shillings. With that said, he patted Zhang Haiyan. Do you know why?

I have no idea, sir.

Because you can always bargain with the parents of little Chinese bitches. The parents of Malay ones dont know the concept of bargaining. As a result, Chinese ones are only worth two shillings because I get to bargain with the parents. Wade laughed heartily and picked up his gun before getting up and moving to leave. Come find me again if you can do two shillings.

Two shillings, sir. Her voice sounds good when she cries. Zhang followed him. You wont regret it. Dont be stingy, sir. You wont find someone better than her after you enter the forest.

Wade stopped and looked at Zhang Haiyan. Im not entering the forest because Im missing my toenail. You know, the last little bitch caused me to knock my toenail off, so I cant walk properly until it grows back. Two shillings or get lost.

The two of them had arrived at the post office while they were talking. Wade pushed Zhang Haiyan away. At this time, he saw Nanres face and was taken aback.

Zhang Haiyan looked at him pervertedly. Five shillings. Shes attractive, sir.

Wade stared at Nanre for a full two minutes. He seemed to think that she looked familiar, but he couldnt remember where he had seen her before.

Zhang Haiyan knew very well that a little makeup on Chinese peoples faces would make it difficult for white people to identify them.

Wade looked back at Zhang Haiyan. Five shillings. Tonight.

*****

Madison was extremely exhausted and didnt wake up until evening. Under the sunset, all the gadflies (1) in the rainforest flew out and surrounded the whole logging yard, but none of them approached Madison.

When Madison was awakened by the buzzing sounds the swarming gadflies made, he realized that he was on top of a big tree. When he turned his head, he could see the rice fields and tropical rainforest that had turned a golden color in the suns dying rays.

He was taken aback when he discovered he was holding the grass cocoon.

Zhang Haiyan was combing Nanres hair quietly.

Wheres Wade? Madison asked him.

Zhang Haiyan looked up at him. Todays your big day.

My big day? Madison didnt understand.

Zhang Haiyan continued, You should pray to God right now. Youre going to kill your enemy tonight. Have you ever killed someone?

Madison understood what was going on, Were going to do it tonight?

Zhang Haiyan nodded and looked at the tent in the distance. He walks too slow because his toenail fell off. Herman didnt let him enter the forest, so he stayed here to help with the supplies.

Ive never killed anyone before, but Im ready. Madison looked at that tent. Ive killed turkeys before. Is killing turkeys the same as killing people?

Zhang Haiyan said, Dont worry. Ill teach you step by step. But I have something else that I need to discuss with you first.

What is it?

Do you know why people call me the plague god?

Madison shook his head and couldnt help but sit up straight, surprised that Zhang Haiyan started to sound serious.

Sometimes, my job requires me to do some very cruel things, Zhang Haiyan said to him. As a result, Im not able to truly believe that Im a good person. But you know, some people are naturally kind-hearted and born as good as angels. Im someone like that, but I have to accomplish something that only the plague god can do. This troubles me a lot, so my mother taught me a method.

What is it?

Dirty faces, Zhang Haiyan said. Ill dress myself up in a different way. That side of me is extremely vicious and can do anything. When I was in Penang, I always used my dirty face to meet people. Thats why you heard those rumors about me. The truth is that I havent let him out for a long time. Ill let my dirty face come out tonight, but you need to know that he may not be willing to go back.

Isnt thisisnt this a kind of illness? Madison looked at Zhang Haiyan pityingly.

No. Its just a kind of indulgence. Do you know that its much easier to be a bad guy than it is to be a good guy? Although youre aware youre doing something bad, your body will become addicted to it.

What are you trying to say?

My dirty face isnt as good-tempered as I am, Zhang Haiyan said. You have to give him what he wants no matter how outrageous his requests are. You must satisfy him. Otherwise, youll be miserable. He doesnt keep his word and has no sympathy. Well, I hope you can show your dirty face tonight. Dont suddenly regret it just as were about to kill him.

Madison nodded obediently. Do people really forgive their enemies as theyre about to kill them?

Youre the kind of person who might. Zhang Haiyan turned Nanres body over. This is why I brought her here. Shell be with us tonight.

Ill listen to your instructions.

Zhang Haiyan continued, Its easy for you to distinguish between my dirty face and my clean face. The tone of my dirty face is different and calls himself Little Brother Zang (2). Dont call him by the wrong name.

When Madison nodded, Zhang Haiyan sighed and thought to himself, this idiot is so fucking gullible.

What he said wasnt all lies. The two sides werent actually split personalities. Dirty faces and clean faces were indeed a method his mother had taught him. He could switch between both sides easily and freely. This training was actually related to another skill their family had. With this kind of skill, Zhang Haiyan could easily change his personality and adapt to different groups of people, but I wont get into the details for the time being.

The two of them climbed down from the tree and walked towards Wades tent with Nanre on Zhang Haiyans back.

It was completely dark now and there were more gadflies than before, which was a little abnormal.

At that time, Zhang Haiyan didnt know that he had underestimated Wade. Moreover, he had also underestimated this expedition teams purpose for going to the jungle.

In the tent, Wade took out four or five gunsall loadedand lit a cigarette. His previous blank expression had disappeared and now there was a strange look in his eyes.

****

TN Notes:

(1) A fly that bites livestock (think like horseflies, warble flies, or botflies).

(2) Zang () is the Chinese pronunciation of dirty, so it would literally translate as Little Brother Dirty. Since his nickname is Little Brother Zhang (), he deliberately put a different word there. Its a joke. He was messing with Madison lol.

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