Zhou Sanfeng

Biodata

Background / History

Marriage and family hardship

Zhou Sanfeng is Grandmother Zhou’s third son. He and his husband, Lin Jin, were both under twenty when their son Zhou Jinian was born. Shortly afterward, Sanfeng’s father became ill, leaving Lin Jin responsible for the household chores before he had properly recovered from childbirth. Sanfeng helped him wash clothes in the river during winter, not understanding the harm the cold and exertion could cause. He later deeply regretted their lack of knowledge about recovery and health 27.

About ten years before the household division, Sanfeng broke his leg rescuing his younger brother, Zhou Liufeng, and carrying him home. The injury left him permanently lame. Liufeng initially swore to treat Zhou Jinian as his own son in repayment, but distanced himself from Sanfeng’s family after marrying half a year later 1 34.

Despite his disability, Sanfeng continued farming. His slower pace meant he often remained in the fields beneath the midday sun while others rested. Nevertheless, Grandmother Zhou accused his branch of consuming household resources without contributing enough. Although the wider Zhou family was prosperous by village standards, Sanfeng’s branch was known for its poverty 1 2.

Xie Ning joins the family

When Zhou Jinian announced his intention to marry Xie Ning, Sanfeng blamed his own supposed inadequacy for the family’s poverty. Jinian instead described his father’s kindness as an example he wished to follow 2.

After the marriage, Sanfeng urged patience toward Xie Ning and reminded Jinian to look after him. When Xie Ning brought home a snake, Sanfeng’s first concern was whether he had been bitten. The family kept its gallbladder to steep in wine for Sanfeng’s leg ailment; no recovery from the disability is documented 9 10 13.

Avoiding the wild-boar hunt

Zhou Dafeng invited Sanfeng to help catch a wild boar. Before he could leave, Xie Ning asked him to investigate noises in the grain storeroom. Sanfeng discovered a feral cat giving birth rather than the rats Xie Ning had suspected 17.

Lin Jin then stopped him from joining the hunt, fearing that his bad leg would prevent him from escaping danger. Sanfeng explained that he had wanted to bring home boar meat because Lin Jin had enjoyed it the previous year. That night, Zhou Dafeng returned badly injured after three boars charged the hunting party. Sanfeng helped clean him and later promised Lin Jin that he would not join another boar hunt 18 19.

Seeking household independence

With Zhou Dafeng and Zhou Sifeng away seeking treatment, most of the farmwork fell to Sanfeng because Zhou Liufeng would not help. Lin Jin also worked in the fields until his chronic back condition worsened so severely that he could not get up. Physician Hu prescribed half a year of rest, making the household’s existing arrangement untenable 21 23 24.

Sanfeng came to support dividing the household so that he could care for Lin Jin. He told Jinian that his son’s growing steadiness had eased his former worries, while his mother’s treatment of their branch had disheartened him. Father and son discussed moving to town, where Jinian could copy books and his parents could sell food 26 27.

When Grandmother Zhou threatened Lin Jin with a broom during an argument over dried-eggplant earnings, Sanfeng took it from her and demanded a division. He endured her blows and finally spoke openly about the leg he had sacrificed to rescue Liufeng. His mother offered to return the disputed money and begged him to reconsider; unable to resist her pleading, he fell silent, leaving the dispute unresolved 33 34.

The household eventually divided after Liufeng demanded separation for his own reasons. Sanfeng and Lin Jin stayed out of the arguments over property because they intended to leave farming and move to town. The branches ultimately received equal shares 38 39.

Life and business in town

At the family’s new courtyard, Sanfeng arranged grains and an incense burner for the moving-in observance and thanked the relatives who helped them settle. He also ordered tables, chairs, and a stove, becoming familiar with Qingshui Town while making preparations 41 43.

Sanfeng, Lin Jin, and Xie Ning opened a fish wonton stall at the entrance to Upper North Alley. Initially anxious about their first business, Sanfeng greeted customers, served bowls, collected payment, and tended the fire. Their filling sold out on the first day. He later reflected that town life was more comfortable than village life and appreciated being treated respectfully by customers 44 46.

When Zhu Dachang’s attendant demanded that Xie Ning peel garlic, Sanfeng first offered to do it himself. Once the attendant insisted on Xie Ning, Sanfeng dropped his smile and objected that Xie Ning was his son’s spouse and should not be treated that way 45.

After six months of serving the townspeople, Xie Ning proposed opening a permanent shop. Sanfeng initially preferred to wait until they moved to the prefectural city, but accepted the plan when the rest of the family supported it. He suggested hiring Zhou Sifeng to manage the town shop 50.

Appearance

• Dark, sun-tanned complexion from years of outdoor farmwork 2.
• A persistent limp caused by the leg injury sustained while rescuing Zhou Liufeng; it becomes more pronounced when he hurries 2 34.
• Coarse-cloth clothing while working in the fields 27.

Personality

Sanfeng is gentle and easygoing, with sincere smiles for his family despite years of hardship. He is inclined to blame himself for their poverty rather than resent them for depending on him. Zhou Jinian explicitly praises his kindness 2.

His affection is practical: he massages Lin Jin’s aching back, takes over work that could worsen his condition, and repeatedly checks on Xie Ning’s safety. He and Lin Jin also allow people to warm themselves at the stall’s brazier even when they are not buying food 13 18 29 33 45.

His filial devotion makes confrontation difficult. For years, he avoids mentioning his sacrifice for Liufeng because he does not want his mother to feel guilty. Even after finally demanding independence, her tears prevent him from pressing the matter. His willingness to divide the household develops chiefly from concern for Lin Jin and confidence in Jinian’s maturity 27 34.

He is not domineering: although doubtful about opening a town shop, he accepts the family’s majority decision. He also remains uncomfortable with elevated social treatment, insisting that he is an ordinary commoner when townspeople address him as “Master Zhou” 50.

Abilities & Skills

Farming

• Continues fieldwork despite his impaired leg, compensating for his slower pace by working through others’ rest periods 1.
• Helps harvest peanuts and prepares them for drying by shaking soil from the plants 26 27.
• Recognizes that the sustained noises in the grain storeroom do not match the quick movements of rats 17.

Bamboo Craftwork

• Weaves winnowing baskets at home 9 10.
• Makes a bamboo chair by lamplight after the family moves to town 43.

Food Preparation and Stallkeeping

• Kills, bones, and minces fish for wonton filling 44.
• Handles customer greetings, serving, payments, and stove tending 44.
• Learns sales techniques from Xie Ning and gives the stall’s first customer a two-wen discount 44.
• Cannot read; he must wait for Jinian to interpret the invitation from Plum Blossom Manor 50.

Relationships

• Lin Jin — Husband, affectionately called “Jinlang.” Protecting his health becomes Sanfeng’s strongest reason for seeking a separate household 18 23 27.
• Zhou Jinian — Son. Sanfeng notices his growing maturity without knowing about his rebirth; trust in Jinian’s judgment helps him consider independence 2 27.
• Xie Ning — Son-in-law and business partner. Sanfeng values his resourcefulness, worries about his safety, and defends him against disrespectful customers 13 29 44 45.
• Grandmother Zhou — Mother. Her favoritism marginalizes his branch, but his longstanding filial respect makes it difficult to oppose her 1 33 34.
• Zhou Liufeng — Younger brother whose rescue cost Sanfeng the use of his leg. Liufeng’s failure to honor his promise of support contributes to Sanfeng’s accumulated disappointment 34.
• Zhou Dafeng — Eldest brother. Invites him on the dangerous boar hunt; Sanfeng later helps clean him after the resulting injury 17 19.
• Zhou Sifeng — Fourth brother. Shares agricultural work with him and is Sanfeng’s proposed choice to look after the family’s planned town shop 33 50.

Notable Quotes

“If our Zhou family stays forcibly bundled together like firewood, won't we all turn to ash when the fire starts?” 27

“You must be joking, honored guest. He is my son's spouse. There are distinctions to be observed.” 45