In troubled times, human lives were worth less than grass.
Jiang Hao knew this was only the beginning. Over the following years, China would endure wars and flames, and tens of millions would die before victory was finally won.
Jiang Hao said to Luohan, "Let Er Ga and San Dan stay and work at the distillery. They're both experienced old hands, and they'll be paid the same wages as you."
"I'll arrange it," Luohan replied.
Er Ga and San Dan hurriedly thanked him. "Thank you, boss, for taking us in. We'll work hard from now on."
Jiu'er cried for a long while, then had someone buy joss paper. She drove outside the city and burned it in worship toward her hometown.
Born into such chaotic times, her father's bones might never even be found. This was all she could do to express a daughter's devotion.
Jiu'er was strong-willed. After returning, she felt somewhat better. Having cried it out, she went home and said to Jiang Hao,
"My father was greedy and loved gambling. When I was only a few years old, he sold my mother. If my uncle hadn't stopped him, he would have sold me too. My mother died young from depression. I hated him, but he was still my father. Now that he's dead, I still feel sad."
She wiped away her tears. "I've cried, and I've burned the paper. I hope my father becomes a good person in his next life."
Jiang Hao held Jiu'er as they went to sleep.
Although Jiu'er said she had let it go, she still began sobbing in her dreams. Jiang Hao patted her back and comforted her for a long time before she fell asleep again.
Jiang Hao did not sleep. He was thinking.
What could he do in this era?