"I'll lead Chen Brothers' horse. You just go on ahead." Zhang Xianmin, whose family ran a brick kiln, volunteered with a broad smile, reaching for the horse's reins.
"No need, no need. Be careful not to get kicked," Chen Ku said hastily.
"It's alright, it's alright! We have a mule at home; I know how to lead one. Don't worry, don't worry, you just go on..." Zhang Xianmin, his face flushed, insisted on taking the reins. He then struck up a conversation, "I heard from my son, when he went to town, that on your opening day, you were taken as a disciple by Old Master Yang Luochen from Baojiao County? And he gave you a robe—is this it?"
Chen Ku keenly felt the subtle pride and sheer pleasure of returning home prosperous.
Zhang Xianmin's behavior was quite common in the village; people did such things so they could later boast about having led the horse for some prominent figure.
Chen Ku was now considered one of the most important figures in Dachen Village.
