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垦荒记 A Cultivating Virgin

时间:2016-12-17 18:52散文来源:散文在线 散文作者: 文磊点击:
        

  
  1)挺进荒滩
  1)GototheVirginMoor
  Comingtotheyearof1961,onemoremiserableyearinChinesemodernhistory,Chinesepeopleweretighteningtheirbeltsupandhobblingintoanewfamineyear.
  公元1961年,在中国近代史上,是一个更为为悲凉的年代。中国人民勒紧裤腰带,蹒跚着步入了第二个饥馑年头。
  ThehorriblesituationwasattributedtonaturaldisastersandSovietUnion’sdun.Anyhow,inwhateverreasons,thefactwasthequotatoourfoodsupplywasdeducteddailyandwehadtostopourroutineworkandmanagetofindsomefoodtofeedourstomachs.
  Thestoryof“CultivatingaVirginMoor”washappenedinthoseharshdaysinthemiddleschoolofGanYuecounty.
  据说,由于遍布全国的天灾加上大家心照不宣的人祸,干越县人民的盘中餐日见减少。可“节减口粮指标”的指令还在不断地下发。于是,人们不得不中断正常的工作、学习秩序,转而全力以赴去挖掘充饥裹腹的潜力。是年初夏,发生在干越中学高中部的“鄱湖垦荒”的故事就是在这样的背景下出台的。
  Tosolvestudents’moreandmoreseverefood-shortage,theauthorityofschoolorganizedsomechefstosetupa“SchoolFarm”andsettledownacampinthebeachofPoHuLake.Cultivatinginadesertreed-moorforsupplementaryfoodwasitstopurgenttask.Actually,thechefsweremainlyengagedindinnerpreparationandlabor’sarrangement.Thefarmingroutineworkwasresponsiblebystudentsonduty.
  为了解决学生们日见减少的口粮问题,校党总支组织了总务科几个伙夫,在鄱湖东岸的湖浜草洲安营扎寨,建立“越中农场”;向芦苇荡开荒要粮。师傅们苦守荒滩,做些春播秋收的组织工作及伙食供应。具体的耕耘则靠各年级的学生轮流当值。
  ItwasaboutthemiddleMay,whenItogetherwithabout20classmateswalkedalonetheDykeofPoHuLakeandwaitedforaferrytoourfarm.Justbesidethedyke,therewereashoalofprisonerswithblack,oilyfacesanddirtyclothesworkinghardundersecurityguide’sbayonet.Withsuspiciouseye-signsbeneaththeirdustyhats,theywerewanderingaroundus,theveryoddguestsinsuchremotearea.
  Acrosstherivertherewasavirginmoorwithendlessflourishingreeds.Itwasourpotentialfarmwhichwasyearlysubmergedbyabundantwildbushes.
  大约在那年五月中旬,我和20多个同班男同学一道,步行几十里,来到县珠湖农场边的鄱湖大堤上,侯船过渡。堤下就是当地遐尔闻名的劳改农场。一队队蓬头垢面的劳改犯在枪杆子底下惶恐地劳动着,不时透过草帽沿,朝我们投来一道道狐疑的目光。芦篙漫漫的堤对岸,就是我们的“越中农场”。极目远眺,原本白浪滔天,横无际涯的湖水被冥冥漠漠,“风吹草低”的芦苇所代替。
  Inearlysummer,theregularmonsoonseasonnotarrivedyet.ThePoHuLakewasstillindryperiod.However,undertheembankment,theroaringriverwithturbidwaveswasclearlyshowingtheearliermassageofflooding.
  时届初夏,尚未进入霉雨天。鄱阳湖仍处于枯水季节。但堤下,一道宽阔的江河,挟带着滚滚而下的浊浪,仍清晰地给人们带来鄱湖的早汛信息。
  “AiYaLai,Iamcomingwithalittleboatrowing....”,suddenlyafolksongwassoundedfromthewaves,whichbroughtanunusualsilenceonthedyke.“Haha,itisShrimp,theveryShrimp!Heiscomingtopickusup.”ourteamleadercheerfullyshoutedup.
  Sureenough,asthesong’sstopping,amiddleagemanabout30appearedinfrontofus.Heisscrawnywithapairofsliceeyes.Heslowlyanchoredtheboat,then,steppedforwardtous,withafullfaceofchildishsmilingandperiodicalnodding.
  “Areyouready,sir?Pleaseallofyoubeboarding.”,hesaid.“Haha,dearShrimp,youarehidingheretodoyourmonkbusinessagain!Is‘ntit?”.“Yes,itis..Iamaccustomedtoitnow,nomatteritisatahillorhereinalake.”Shrimpansweredwithfunnysmiling.
  “哎呀唻,哥哥吾(音ya)撑船浪里来也。……”突然,从江心传来一声响亮的号子声。喧闹的堤上顿时鸦寂。一个领队的越中老同学欢快地喊道:“虾公来了!虾公来接我们了!”。果然,歌声止处,一个30开外,身材瘦削,弓腰驮背的工友拢了岸。他缓缓地系好缆绳,眯缝着双眼;憨笑着,一弓一弓地朝我们走来。“都到齐了吗?上船吧。”“虾公,你这不又躲到湖里来做和尚了?”老同学边领我们上船,边同他打趣道。“可不?湖里山上都一样。我早习惯了。”……
  ThemancalledasShrimpwasaseniorkitchenworker.Hisoriginaltaskwastoknocktheclassbellandsupplyfreshwater.Therewasnotapwateravailableinmyhometownatthattime.Therefore,allwaterforseveralhundredsstudentsandfaculty’sdailylifewasbornbyShrimp’sshoulders.Allyeararound,youcouldonlyseehisshoulderredandswollen,neverheardhisanycomplaint.
  Hewasapoorguywithtoomuchmisfortune.Helosthisparentseversincehischildhood.AnoldtemplemasterinDongShanHillgavehimamercyandpickedhimupasajuniormonk.Afterliberation,noreligionservicewaspermitted.Hehadtorecoveranormallife.Uptillnow,therewasanarrayof9littlescarsonhishead.Sincehehadabentfigurejustlikeashrimp,therefore,anicknameof“Shrimp”wasaddeduponhim.Withtimebeing,nooneevenknewwhathisrealnamewas.
  虾公是学校厨房的老工友。原本负责敲钟和担水。当时干越无自来水供应。全校几百师生的餐饮用水,全靠虾公的双肩。一年到头,只见他肩头红红肿肿,从不见他哼哼过半声。他生来命苦,自小父母双亡,衣食无着。后被东山岭上城隍庙的老主持收作小和尚。解放后,破除迷信;才还的俗。至今头上还顶着9个剃度时留下的疤痕。他上身弓曲,活似河虾。人们给他一个绰号叫“虾公”。时间久了,人们居然连他的官名都忘了。
  Shrimpwassingleuntilrecentdays,whensomeonehelpedhimtomarryafemalebagger.ThegirlwasabitsillybutmuchyoungerthanShrimp.Itwassaid,immediatelyafterweddingceremony,thebridewasinsuchanxietythatshetookoffallherclothsandlaidonthebedwithherthighs’openandbreasterection,eagerlywaitingforhergroom’scomingin.Facingonbride’slustynude,thegroomwassoshy,thatheneverdaretolookedatherbodydirectly.Coveringhisfacewithpalms,hecontinuouslywhispered:“Oh,whatashame!HowshyIam!”.
  Foundnoresponseyet,thegirlcouldnotwithstand,shecamedownfromthebedandpulledhistrousersoff.TheShrimpwasscaredandtightlyclosedhislegswithmiscibleshiveringandmuttering:“ForBudda’sMercy!ForBudda’sMercy!”.Hissuchpoorbehaviormadesillygirlcryingallnightalong.
  Allofthisstorywasdiscoveredbysomepiquantstudentswhowerelurkingbehindthedoororwindowpeepingandeavesdroppingwholenight.Afterthat,somepeoplealwaysmadefuntohim:“Hi,Shrimp,doyouhappentoknowhowtodothefair?”“Doyouwanttometogetherwithyourwifetoteachyouonyourbed?”Withsuchhumiliatorytaunting,hewasneveroffendedandcouldonlysay:“Whatasin!Whatasin.”
  Exactlyashortwhileafterhiswedding,hewassenttothisFarminPoHuLake.
  虾公鳏居至30多岁。新近才由人们撮合着与一个外地来要饭的傻女孩结了婚。据说,新婚之夜,新娘激情澎湃,一进房就急忙上床,脱光衣裤,叉开双腿,挺起巨乳,静侯新郎的光临.但此时虾公,面对那欲火中烧着的胴体;却不敢多看一眼,只会埋头掩面,吃吃地笑个不止。还不住地念叨:“羞死了!羞死了!”。姑娘见半天没有动静,耐不住,光着身子下床。她一把扯下他的牛头裤,急急地拉他上床。没想到,虾公居然吓得紧夹住双腿,浑身象筛糠般地战慄不止。口中还紧一声慢一声地念佛。为此,傻姑娘气得哭了老半夜。这一切都被趴在宿舍门外的调皮学生看了个一清二楚。事后,人们常同他搞笑:“虾公你懂不懂得那个?要不要我去你家,示范示范,再手把手教你?”虾公忙不迭地回答:“罪过!罪过!”。也就在这次新婚不久,他就被派来鄱湖农场。
  Theboatwasfluctuatingintheriver.Thesurgingwaveswereconstantlychargingtothebowwithsplashingdropletsrashtoourfacesandcloths.Itwasveryquiet,sinceweallheldourbreathbyscareevenpanic.“Haha,”suddenly,Shrimp’sgruffvoicebrokenthedeadlysilence.“itisyourgentlemen’sfortune”heshoutedashisrowingspedup.“Yousee,”hepointedtotheupreachwithhisoar,“Thereissomethinginthewater!”.Sureenough,withhisdirection,wefoundablackitemwasupsanddownsinthewaves.”Therewasafloodinourupreach.Thatmattermustbeadrownedpig.We’llhaveadeliciousmealwithporkdishestoday!”hecheerfullyannounced.Hisexcitementlargelyawakenourdesiretowardtoforgettentasteofmeatandremindedourpainfulhungeryinouremptystamaches.Heskillfullyturnedthebowbacktoblocktheitem’sswiftfloating.Then,hefiercelypickitupwithhisoar.”Wow!MyGod!”weallshoutedoutsimultaneously,sincewefoundthecapturewasnothingbutablackandswollenbody!“damn,damn!”Shrimpquiklyspittothecorpsefordrivingawaytheunlucknessbroughtbyit.
  船朝江心吃力地爬行着。一个个浪花猛力地撞击着船舷,飞濺起无数的水珠;洒了我们一身一脸。见此情景,我们静息屏气,吓得大气不敢出。“哈哈,”又响起了虾公的大嗓门,“你们学生哥们果然有口福!”虾公猛然加快桨速,急急地朝上游方向划去。我们朝他示意的方向望去,只见前方的浪峰里隐隐地飘来一个黑影,半隐半现。“上边发了水,那肯定是一只浸死的猪。我们有猪肉打牙际了!”,虾公津津乐道地比划着,激起了我们这些饥肠碌碌的年青人的极大的食欲。不久,他熟练地将船打横,把时沉时浮的猎物截住。然后,用浆猛地一挑。“哎呀!我的妈呀!”同学们不约而同地发出了一阵惊呼。原来,被虾公挑翻的是一具发黑发涨的男尸。“呸!呸!……”虾公连连朝江中吐口水,以驱除男尸带来的霉气。……
  Afterourdisembarkation,Shrimparrangedustoareedmadecamp.Dozenstudentscrowdedinsuchnarrowspaceandlaidonfreshreed-rodfloor,wecouldhardlywithstandtheterriblemoistandsmell.But,nosooner,withteenagers’optimisticnature,wegotusedtoitandmadealotoffuninit.
  上岸后,虾公把我们安置进一座用芦苇搭成的窝蓬。地下铺的也是芦苇竿。十几人摩肩接踵,席地而卧。棚子里黑乎乎的,又潮又闷。一股呛鼻的霉臭味扑面而来。年轻人“浑然不知愁滋味”,照样在窝棚里打闹逗乐。……
  “Dang,dang,dang.....”afterawhile,adullsoundcamefromShirmp’skitchen.ItwasShrimp’sbell,aninnovationtoimitateschool’sfacility.Hehangabrokenhoeheadinfrontofhistentknockedwiththebackofachoptogeneratemetallicsounds,whichbroughtussomeacademicatmosphereinthisdesertmoorwithfunnysenseinsomehow.
  不久,从虾公的“厨房”里传来了一阵阵低沉的“钟声”。那是虾公模仿着学校的设施,在他的棚边用一段草绳吊起的一把断柄的镢头。用刀背敲起来,“叮噹”有声。颇有些上课的韵味。给这片荒原带来了一点点“经院”气息。
  “Dinerisready!”Shrimpheraldedasknockingthebellandwithachildishsmiling.“Haha,dearShrimp,youaredoingthesamejobhere.”“Yes,sinceitisapartofourschool.Is’ntit?”heseriouslyexplainedwithaself-enjoyableproud.
  Maybeforfireprevention,hiscookingsets,apileofdrymudsupportingahugericecooker,weredeliberatelylocatedinoutsidethedoorofhiskitchen.Insidethecooker,amixtureofcongeeandvegetableswasaluxurymealtousatthattime.“Iamsosorrytoallofyouforsuchahumblergreetingmeal,”Squattingbesidethecooker,hecarefullydistributedthefoodtous.“Notall!”werepliedinstantly.“Sincethereisnotanymeatorcookingstuffavailablehere.”Shrimpadded.“Maythismixtureserveyouasbothstaplefoodanddishes,canIt?”Hemumbledwithafunnylookingandendlessregret.”Whynot?”werepliedandeagerlystartedourfirstpicnic.
  “开饭了!开饭了!”虾公一边敲“钟”,一边吆喝;脸上堆满了调皮的笑容。“哈哈,虾公在这儿也干起你的老本行来了。”同学们纷纷逗他。“没错!没错!这里也是干越中学的一部份么。”他认真地解释着,一脸满足和自豪。虾公的灶台设在户外。“厨房”边,一丘隆起的干湖泥,支着一口3尺大锅。锅里半干湿的菜粥,在当时已是奢侈品了。“对不起,这里买不到肉、菜;这菜粥就又当饭又当菜了。请同学们将就些吃吧!”虾公小心翼翼地朝我们碗里匀粥,嘴里不住地念叨,十分抱憾。
  二十八.餮蚊奇遇
  2)FightingtoMosquitoes
  Aftersupper,it’sgettingdewfall.Thespectacularsunsetappearedupontheendlessreedflowers,whitemistwasslowlyrisingfromthemoorandlightlyfloatingbetweenthevastskyandwavingreeds.Itcameacrossthewelkinandreflectingtheloftysunglow.Theshiningandcolorfulcloudswereholdingthefallingsunandcastingtheraysintothewaterbesidemoor.Boththelakeandtheskysharedthesamecolor,andjustlikeaharmoniclandscapeexhibitinginfrontofus.Wewerestrollingonthebankandcompletelyinebriatedbythisbreathtakingscene.“Hi!Gentlemen,”soundedupagainShrimp’scoarsevoice.“Gotoyourbedsplease,otherwiseyou’regettinglost.”Itwastrue.Forsomereasons(freefromfireormosquitoes),nolightwasavailableinthecamp.Enlightenedbyhisadvice,wecameintothetentinhurryandfoundourownlocation.Then,madeourbeds,whichweresosimple,thatjustoneoverlappedquiltlayingonthereedfloor.Thepillowunderourheadswerenothingbuttheclothsandshoesjusttookoff.Atthattime,onlyafewpeoplecouldaffordtobuyamosquitonet.Nosooner,wecompletelyrealizedwhat’stherealmeaningofthepoverty.
  吃过饭后,已是薄暮时分。这时,火一样的夕阳在芦花尖上渐渐下沉。一阵阵暮靄\从荒滩上冉冉升起,烘托着斜阳,发出万丈霞光。晚霞、落日倒映在江中的波涛里,真儿个云蒸霞蔚,水天一色的绝妙风光!我们漫步堤岸,完全陶醉在这诗一般的“夕阳黄昏”的意境之中。“喂,同学们叻,”宁静中又响起了虾公的声音,“快回屋睡觉去!等会天黑了,你们会找不到自己的铺位的。”他说的完全是真情。不知是怕惹火还是怕招蚊,窝棚里从不配灯。被他点悟后,我们慌忙入内,对号入座,迭被铺床。我们的床铺简陋得无以复加。芦苇杆上,一条薄被迭成长条。一边作垫,一边作盖。头上的枕头,也只不过是刚刚脱下的衣裤,草草团了团,加上鞋袜,塞在脑下。在当时的经济条件下,我们大多数人买不起蚊帐。但不久,我们就发现,贫困带给我们这些穷书生的痛苦,是多么的难于想象!
  Atthenightsofearliersummer,mayafewmosquitoes’bitesoccurtoresidentsdowntown.However,inthisvastmoorthereweresomanypitswithdirtyseeperwhereprocreatedcountlesswigglers.Therefore,theboundlessmoorwastheheavenformosquitoestomultiply.Here,nobirdsflightover,nobeastsrunningabouteither.Thosemosquitoeshardlyfoundtheirfoodsupply.Undoubtedly,ourarrivalmeanttheirprovisionofavaluablefoodresource.Theseevilinsectsimmediateassaultedtousinclusters.Theirhummingwasasloudasroaringthunder,wheneverandwherever.“Oh,oh,myGod!”wewereasflappingasshouting.Someofusevencriedandaskedmumdadforhelpe.Oneortwostudentswithmosquitonetbecamethesubjectfornetsharing.Insidethesmallnettherewere2-3personssqueezingtogetheralready.Theheadsstillkeptintruding.Peoplewhofoundnoroomavailableinthesenetshadtodivetheirheadsintoquilts.However,intheearliersummer,howpeoplecouldstandthestuffymugginessinside?Theyhadtocameoutfromtimetotimeforbreathing.Insuchrepeatway,peoplehadnowaytosleep.Suddenly,aloudcryburstout.AstudentnamedYuanwasyelling,afterseveralhorriblemosquitobites.”Mum,Dad,howcanIsurviveandfreefromthedamningevil?Howcanyoubesocrueltoenjoyyourselvesathomeandleavemealoneheretofeedmosquitoes?”.Thisunfilialsonreallycouldnotunderstanditwasbynomeansofparents’intentiontosendhimhereforsufferingfrominsects’attacks.
  初夏之夜,在城区的住房里,人们只不过会偶遭一、两只饿蚊的袭击。但在这漠漠的荒野中,到处积水汪汪,孑孓滋生。无边无涯的芦荡,成了蚊蚋生殖繁衍的天堂。在这上不见飞禽,下不见走兽的地方,这些虫孽们突然发现我们这些宝贵的食物资源;便成团成簇地朝我们袭来。其营营声如同响雷,身前身后不绝于耳。“哎哟!我的妈呀!”同学们一边猛力拍打,一边喊爷叫娘。前后左右骂声不绝。个别带了蚊帐的同学成了大家共产的对象。小蚊帐内已挤入了2、3个人,还不断有头探入。挤不进桩的则把头朝自己被窝内钻。但时届初夏,那经得起棉被蒙头?只好时不时钻出来透透气。如此反反复复,实在无法入眠。有个袁姓的同学被咬得大哭起来,在半夜里大骂:“爹呀!娘呀!这日子怎么过呀!你们倒好,在家里好吃好睡。把我留在这儿受苦。”逆子忘了,让儿子在这儿餮蚊,哪是父母花那血汗钱的初衷!
  Iamverysensitiveandnervoustomosquitobiteeversincemychildhood.Thepests’continuousattacksmademehavenowaytosleep.Ihadtogetupmysteamandsatupformosquitohunting.Oncethehummingclosed,animmediatelyflapmayresultanevillife’scost.Thebloodymoistandslipperyfeelingamongthefingerswasreallyakindofenjoyment.Nosooner,mypalmbecamestickyforhuntingharvestofpests..
  我自幼怕蚊,恶蚊的阵阵侵袭,使我毫无办法。干脆打起精神来狩猎。不待蚊虫贴面,稍闻“嗡嗡”声入耳,即刻拍打。不久就双手鲜血淋漓,收获甚丰。“李文磊,”旁边响起了一声轻轻的呼唤,那是一个姓张的同学。见我全无睡意,他主动同我搭话。“呃,你好!咏峰同学。”我知道这位来自县城近郊的同学家境也十分清贫。母亲以做保姆为营生,攒钱供他上学。但他十分聪明好学。画得一手好画。书本内内外外,画满了惟妙惟肖的公仔头,武士相。“你家住在县城中心地带是吧?”他问。“不错。”“你是否有个在外头做医生的哥哥,叫李唏兮?”他继续问。我为他对我家情况的了解而颇感吃惊。“是呀!我哥哥确实在贵州就医。不过,他真名不叫唏兮,叫文鸣。小时候,在外婆家人家见他穿着斯文,象个小夫子,故送他个诨号,戏称他为唏兮。不过,这些你是怎么知道的?”我急切地问。“哈哈!”咏峰得意地笑了起来。“这么说来,你妈就是我姑母了!”他情绪十分高涨。“真的?”我也激动得坐了起来。一把紧握住我这位在鄱湖荒滩上结识的表兄长的粗手。“没错!”表兄深情地说。于是,我们这对相见不相识的表亲,顿时忘了蚊孽带来的恼恨,起身促膝长谈,度过了一个难忘的无眠之夜…。
  我外婆家位于城东北3公里外的何家墩村。与其它单一姓氏的自然村不同,此村住有张、彭等多种杂姓居民。其中,张、彭两姓联姻的居多。我有个姨娘就下嫁给同村的彭家。不幸少年寡居。咏峰的妈妈就是我这苦命姨娘的小姑子。他的爸爸又是我妈妈的堂兄弟。所以,咏峰与我既是姨表又是姑表亲。
  外婆家男丁不旺,故而那怕是隔代的堂亲也十分地亲近。记得很小就听见我母亲念叨她那“友老三”哥哥,以及他在解放前夕,被国民党抓壮丁后,生死不明的故事母亲也曾谈起过这位堂兄有个遗腹子被我的四姨带去改嫁后杳无音信的憾事。想不到,上苍在这个奇特的时间和地点给我们安排了这么个戏剧性的重逢。
  二十九.芦荡“火种”
  3)ACultivatingbyFire
  Thefirstnightaccompaniedbymosquitoclusterswashorriblylong.ThanktomyGod.Itfinallygotover.Thedesireddawncomingwiththesignofshiningsunlightscastinourcamp.Freefrommosquitoassaulting,weallfelltosoundsleep.But,oursweetdreamsjustlastabout1hour,Shrimp’snauseousbellsoundedagainandwakedusup.Hazilygotup,wereluctantlyteeteredtotheriverforwashingwithnumerousmutteringcomplaints.Afteronemoremixtureofcongeeandvegetablemealtorefreshourstrength,weheldhoesandwenttothemoortostartthebarrencultivation.
  好不容易捱过了蚊群侵袭的长夜,大地重光。青春年少的学生们刚刚进入梦乡,又被虾公的“钟声”吵醒。同学们睡眼惺忪,步履蹒跚。嘟嚷着离开窝棚,走到江边洗漱。又一顿青菜稀粥果腹后,才扛起锄头进入工地劳作。
  Ourtaskwastocultivateagardenfromthereedmoor.Thereedrodshadalreadybeencutawayforfirewoodbylocalfarmers.Somenewlygrownseedlingswerescarcelydistributinghereandthere.Shrimpadvisedustocutallshootsdownaroundourtargetedgardentocreateafire-prooflane,then,settheremaindersonfire.Inthiswaynotonlycouldsavecuttingworkbutalsogotfire-ashasnaturalfertilizerforcrops’glowing.Itwastrue,however,afterfiring,thereweresomanyrootstubblesremained,whichwereassharpasspearheads.Atthattime,almostallofuswerewithbarefeet.Steppingontheseremainedstubbles,thesoleswereimmediatelybleeding.Evenworsethanthat,thebankofPoHuLackwasfamousepidemicareaofschistosomedisease.ChairmanMaowroteafamouspoemtitledby“SayGoodBytoMasterPlague”,avividdescriptionexhibitedthenatureoftoughplagueandthemiserablesituation.“NowaytothepestevenHuaTuo,TheChinesesupernaturaldoctor!””Thousandsfamiliesemptyhall,Justghostswanderingwithhowl”
  我们的任务是从芦苇丛中开出一块块园地。工地上的芦苇已被伐薪的农民砍过一遍,稀拉拉地只剩下一些新生苗。一把火燎过,地下只留下利如刀矛箭簇的根茬。当时,同学们大都赤着脚。一踩上了芦苇茬,脚掌立即鲜血直流。尤为糟糕的是,鄱阳湖滨是闻名于世的血吸虫疫区。毛泽东的“送瘟神”一诗就生动地描绘出这一带瘟疫盛行,“华陀无奈小虫何”和患病后“万户萧疏鬼唱歌”的严重后果。
  Asmentionedbefore,therewerethousandsofwaterpitsinthemoor.Millionsofnail-likesnailsweregrowingandmultiplyingthere.Thesnailsbreedthedeadlyepidemicmedia,secondgenerationoflarva.Thesepestsintrudetohumanbodyeitherthroughhairporesorthroughcutsonskin.Assoonastheircoming,theylurkintohumanliversandspleenstosuckthebloodinsidewithpatients’symptomsofhighfever,leanfigureandpot-bellies.Atthattime,theonlywaytothemwasgoingtothelowerworld,becameasingingghostaspoetizedbyChairmanMao.ThepenetratingportrayvisualizedthewillfulpersecutionbyplagueinlowandmiddlereachofYangtzeRiver.However,thesameasthosehistoricillusions,suchas“GreatLeaping”,”SatellitesLaunching”,ItwasalsoregrettablethathisfirmpredictiontoPlagueMaster’soffandtheexcitementforitscelebrationweremiserablyremainedempty.Hisimaginationwastoofarawayfromtherealitythen.Andeven3yearsafterhiscelebration,wewerestilljitteringundertheMaster’sshadow.
  沼泽地里,积水汪汪,遍布钉螺。一粒粒细长的钉螺内,藏匿着致命的血吸虫传播媒体—二次毛蚴。这孽瘴或直接从人体毛孔或通过身体上的创口进入人体。一旦中招,则发烧发冷,腹大体瘦。顾名思义,血吸虫一旦进入人体,潜入肝脾,这种病虫就拼命吸吮人体内的血液。直至脾大肝硬,命归黄泉。成了毛氏笔下长歌当哭的冤鬼。伟人的一首诗把肆虐于长江中下游流域的疾病描绘得入木三分。只可惜,三年前,他言之确确,并为之亢奋不已的“送瘟神”的事实,如同当初盛行于神州大地的“大跃进”“放卫星”的神话一样,只不过是那个热昏年代的谄媚罔上的产物。与现实相差太远,以致于三年后,我们还不得不在“瘟君”的魔影下战战兢兢。
  Wehadsomeclassmateswhocamefromtheplaguearea.Theyknewtoomuchfromtheirbrothersorparents,thepatientsofplague.Theyconstantlywarnedandwiselysuggestedtous,afewyoungerclassmatesfromtownship,reporttoschoolauthorityandaskforwithdrawfromthisarea.However,wewereallcowardsandneverdaretosayasinglewordtothosebigpotatoes.Everyday,thesameastotraveltoghosthauntingcemeteryortramptominefield,wewereholdingthehoeswithbackchillingandfeetshiveringanddidwhatwedidn’twanttodoorshouldn’tdo.
  同班同学中,有不少来自下干越诸乡。他们的父兄中,多有血吸虫患者。深知其中的利害。不断地给我们发出警告和蹿掇。我们这些胆小怕事的学生,哪有违命犯上的勇气?只好硬着头皮,知不可为而为之。因此,每天上工,都有如游阴曹地府,闯地雷阵般两股战战,背脊发冷。此次,鄱阳湖一转,同班同学中有几人中招,不得不自认晦气,中途辍学。
  Besidetheplagure’sthreat,thestrengthofcultivationworkwasalsobeyondourimagination.Thereedsdeeplyrootedthemselvesintoearthforyears.Therootsnetworkwassodenseandthickthatthehoesimmediatelyreboundedbackafterourdigging,whichalwaysresultedtoaninvalidworkafterlongtime’sstruggling.Occasionally,mighthoedigalittlebitdepthtotheroots,butstillhardlyplowedtheearthover.Moreover,sincethereed’seasyandfastgrowingnature,wejustplowedacleanlandyesterday,anditwascoveredbyreedshootstoday.Therefore,ourcultivatingprogresswasveryslow…….
  除了瘟疫的威胁外,开荒的劳动强度之大也是难以想象的。地下遍布千百年积聚的芦根,密密扎扎,盘根错节。一镢头刨下去,草根把锄头都弹了起来。往往锄上几下,也不奏效。偶尔,锄头吃进草根里,也很难翻出土来。这样,开荒进度十分缓慢。更何况,荒原上的野草是“春风吹又生”的贱物。随除随长。今天还是干干净净的一片沃土,明早又稀疏地长上了芦苗。……
  Oneearlydawn,ourteamleadercameoutthecampforsmoking.Hewassoworryaboutthescheduleandsquattedonbanksilentlyandmorosely.”Thatisallrightsir.,don’tworry!”,justcompletedmealpreparation,Shrimpcameuptohimkindly.”Iwontreporttoanyone.”hefurtherexplainedtocomforthim.“Thatisverykindofyou!”theteamleaderstoodupandheldhishandsthankfully.“Anyway,asyoumaysee,we’vedoneourbest.Didwe?“hesaidwithalowprofile.”Yes,youdid.Theworkisreallyhardand……””Ah,ah,mygod!......”,ahorribleshoutinginsidethetentinterruptedtheirconversation.Theyimmediatelyrunintothecamptoseewhatwashappened.
  Inthefarendofourtent,onestudentsittingandcryingthereforhiscockbeingbittenbyanunknowninsect,itcametoredandswollennow.Thefrontheadofhispenislookedlikeheldwithalifebuoy.Hewassopainfulandpanic,thatcouldnotkeeptocrying.“Don’tscare!don’tscare,sir!”,Shrimpsaid.”Ihaveasecretfolkprescriptiontocureyou.”Hesaidandspurtedintohiskitchen.Where,aspertemplemaster’sinstruction,hemixedcookingashwithvegetableoil.Then,hecarefullypastethetemplemedicinetomypoorclassmate’sliferingwithamysterioussmiling……
  Justundersuchterribleenvironment,ourdovelikestudentshonestlyworkedandlivedthereformorethanonemonth;wejustsatdownwithoutalamsterneitheranycomplainttoschoolauthority.
  Morethan40yeaspast,allthosepeoplearegettingold.Ourlovelyfriend,Shrimpisstillaliveandenjoyshishappyretirementwithhissillywife.
  我们这些天真无邪的学生们居然就在这样恶劣的环境中逆来顺受,生活劳作了近一个月。没有对学校当局的半句怨言,也没有一个逃兵。就连一个被小虫钻进裤裆,把生殖器咬得又红又肿的同学,也只是吓得直哭。没敢要求返城就医。好心的虾公,弄来禅房的偏方,用菜油调锅底灰,仔细地朝他那“救生圈”上涂抹。……
  writtenbyWenleiwithallpropertyrightsreserved
  

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