Firmament

The water is not as deep as a woman's love.

- Oroqen proverb

Abbas's wife's name was A'ishher. Her ancestors were noble Arab sages who migrated from place to place due to years of war, and finally settled in the city of Mulu in northern Iran.

Aisha was born in Mulu City and grew up in Mulu City. She grew up to be strong, virtuous and capable, and when she grew up, she married Abbas, a goldsmith who was a talented man, and was affectionately called Aunt Ayisha.

Ayisha and Abbas lived happily for 6 years and gave birth to two lovely sons. Unexpectedly, the army of the Grassland State of the Western Expedition suddenly swept in. Fortunately, Aisha was quick and hurriedly pulled the two children to hide in the cellar to avoid the soldiers, saving the lives of the mother and son. However, her husband, Abbas, was captured by the Prairie Army.

When Ayisha heard that Abbas was going to join the army, she feared that her husband would starve and freeze outside, so she cut new wool overnight and twisted it into long thin threads. With tears of sadness in her eyes, she knitted a woolen long woolen robe (Khorezm language, long tunics) for her husband.

Early the next morning, Ayisha made a dozen naan cakes mixed with wheat flour and cornmeal, wrapped them in a woolen jacket, and sent them to the military camp where Abbas was being held.

Abbas was moved to tears when he received the package from Ayisha. He had no way to stay and take care of his wife and children, so he soon set off with the army of the steppe country.

Aisha strode to the Murghab River and sadly called Abbas's name. Two young children threw themselves into her arms and wept sadly.

Abbas has been gone for several years and has not been heard from.

Ayisha ran around every day to inquire about Abbas's whereabouts, but he did not get any news from him. Every morning and evening, she would stand on the high slope at the head of the village, looking at the road leading to the horizon in a daze, fervently hoping that Abbas would one day be on the road, healthy and energetic, and happy to be reunited with mother and son.

Ayisha kept chanting, "Abbas, Abbas, if you have time, come back to see Ayisha." If you don't have time, you should bring a letter. You brought back a greeting alive, and if you are impermanent, you will give me a dream, so that I can die of this heart. "

Ayisha survived 6 or 7 years of waiting day after day. The two children also grew up taller and became smart and sensible, sharing their worries and sorrows for Aisha.

When the matchmaker from the neighboring village heard of Ayisha's plight, she felt pity for her, and hurried to the village of Burak (Khorezm, Quanshui Village) and eagerly wanted to match Ayisha.

She said to Aisha courteously: "Your man has been out for so many years, and there is still no news, no one knows whether he is dead or alive. You are waiting for him with all your heart, why should you spoil yourself and your children? In the era of war and chaos, the life of orphans and widows is really difficult. I advise you to make a good idea and marry another man for a peaceful life. "

Ayisha couldn't help but feel angry in her heart when she heard Gurlei's persuasion.

She immediately replied with a straight face, "Sister Gurlei, please stop talking nonsense. Abbas will be safe. I can't afford your idea of getting married. I have my own ideas. Please go home after this cup of hot tea and do something serious. "

Gullei felt that her kindness had not been rewarded by Ayisha, so she stood up with an annoyed face, walked to the door angrily and turned back and blamed: "Aunt Ayisha, a good person who whips not beats a diligent horse, and who does not hurt his heart with good words." I really have a good heart for you. Now everywhere there are many widows and few men. If you don't hurry up, you won't find the right good man. "

Ayisha felt that Gullei was indeed kind, and nodded to her gratefully.

The villagers of Burak Village are very sympathetic to Ayishe's mother and son. They often came to her home to shed tears with her, and at the same time kindly comforted her: "Alfalfa grass is moistened by the rain from heaven, and Abbas is blessed by the almighty Huda! Abbas will come back one day. "

Let's talk about Abbas's case.

He stayed in River State as he wished, working as a cook in the army of the Steppe Country that stayed behind. While working in the barracks, he secretly looked for an opportunity to break away from the army.

One day, Abbas, accompanied by soldiers, went to the bazaar to buy food. He deliberately found a few Khwarazm merchants and used the opportunity of bargaining to ask them about the situation in his hometown of Mulu.

A merchant named Akbar told Abbas: "I have purchased a shipment of silk and tea in River State to return to Mulu in the near future. You tell me the name and address of your family, and I can bring you a message back. "

Abbas said happily: "When I left Mulu, Ada and Grandma went out to visit relatives. The wife and children live in the village of Burak outside Mulu City. The house where they lived was directly opposite the gate of the mosque. There is a pomegranate tree growing at the entrance of the yard. My wife's name is Aisha. The eldest son's name is Adan and he is 12 years old. The youngest son is called Hani and he is 8 years old. I miss them all day long, and I look forward to being reunited with them one day sooner. "

Two days later, Akbar left River State with the goods he had purchased. After a long journey of several months, he returned to Mulu City. He hurried to finish the business at hand and took time to go to the village of Burak outside the city.

At Abbas's orders, Akbar first went to the mosque in the middle of the village. He stood at the gate of the monastery and looked directly opposite, and sure enough, he saw a small courtyard in front of him, and a pomegranate tree with a lot of fruit grew in the courtyard.

Akbar stepped forward happily and knocked lightly on the sky-blue wooden door.

On this day, Ayisha was cooking lunch for the child in the house, when he suddenly heard a knock on the door and hurriedly greeted him, and saw a strange man standing at the door, and his face couldn't help but show a look of surprise.

Ayisha looked to be about 30 years old, dressed as an ordinary woman in Khorezm, with an apricot-yellow scarf on her head, a floral dress with a light blue background, a green sleeveless jacket on top, and a pair of black cowhide shoes on her feet.

Akbar politely asked, "Is this the home of Aunt Ayishe?"

Aisha replied vigilantly, "I am Aisha." What are you looking for me?".

Akbar replied, "I am Akbar, a businessman in Mulu City, doing business in Dongfang Gozhu, and I met your husband Abbas. He has been concerned about you, mother and son, and asked me to go to Burak Village to look for you. "

When Ayisha heard Akbar's greeting from Abbas, it was as if he had seen a bright light in the dark night when he couldn't see his fingers, and it was like rain falling from the desert for a long time, and it was more like sweet honey added to mellow milk. She was so happy that she didn't know what to say, and tears of excitement couldn't stop flowing down.

Aisha choked up for a long time before he spoke: "Thank you to the almighty Huda! Abbas is still alive in Dunya (Khorezm, the world). Our hard days have finally come to an end. Akbar, how is Abbas's health, when will he come home?".

Akbar smiled and said, "Abbas is in very good health, he can eat three naan in one meal, and he can do his work very neatly, and it is no problem to carry a sack of wheat." He now works as a cook for the officers and soldiers of the army in the city of Gozhu. The army is very strictly managed, and I am afraid that it will not be possible to return for three or five years. "

When Aisha heard this, her fiery heart suddenly cooled by half.

She hurriedly said: "If Abbas can't come back for a while, I'll take my two children to find him." The family must live together, and they will never be separated. "

Akbar was embarrassed and said: "Aunt Ayishe, you have to think carefully, Guozhu City is far away in the east, and you can only go once in half a year, and the road is really hard and desolate." "

Aisha said firmly, "My Ga has decided. Brother Akbar, when are you going back to Gozhu? Tell me before you leave, and take us on a trip. "

Akbar's heart was touched by this strong woman, and he repeatedly agreed to her request.

Ayisha saw Akbar off and began to prepare for the rest of the long journey. She took out what she could not take with her and sold it, and with the money she used to buy back a bag of flour, and baked two full coats of naan cakes, and used the rest of the money to pay for the hotel.

Twenty days later, Ayisha and his two children set out for the east with Akbar.

One of them rode a mule and drove a caravan of cattle carrying goods down a wide avenue. Ayisha looked at the tall and straight poplar trees on both sides of the road, and her joy flew into the blue sky and white clouds. Adan and Hani were as happy as little magpies bouncing in the treetops at the thought of going to a distant country and meeting Ada after a long absence.

They walked for about 40 days until they reached Shule City (today's Kashgar, Xinjiang), the hometown of the Qarakhanid Kingdom, and encountered a group of bandits and robbers disguised as merchants.

The

bandits, armed with sharp knives in their hands, drove Ayisha and her son off their mules, forced them to retreat to the side of the road, and forced Akbar to take the loaded mules and horses to the nearby villages to trade.

Walking to a remote place, the bandits reveal the truth about the robbers. Not only did they rob Akbar of his belongings, but they also pushed him into a great river. The bandits wanted to kill people, so they turned their heads and ran to find Aisha's mother and son.

Ayisha noticed from a distance that the bandits had returned in a hurry, but they did not see Akbar, and immediately felt something strange in his heart. She quickly took the child to hide behind a pile of rocks and saved the lives of the mother and child.

Ayisha lost Akbar as a guide, and lost the mule and horse he was riding, and he did not move forward or backward. After discussing it with her son, she decided to inquire about the way to Goju and set her foot on Goju, where Abbas lived.

The mother and son went from midsummer to autumn and from autumn to winter.

The number nine cold winter blows a biting northwest wind. The wind carried the snowflakes in the face. Their faces were red from the cold. There is no human population in the Gobi Desert for hundreds of miles, and there are piles of white bones everywhere, and I don't know whether they are people or livestock. When you are hungry, you can brew fried noodles with bitter spring water to satisfy your hunger. When you are tired, lie down in the leeward sunny slope for a while.

Along the way, Ayisha told the children stories of legendary heroes, hummed Khorezm folk songs, and encouraged the children to have a strong will to overcome difficulties

The cattle who plough the land work harder

Camels in the desert eat a lot of salt.

The soft-insect centipede has many claws

Aunt Mulu has had many tribulations.

Gold is buried deep in the mountains

It takes a lot of hard work to make a product.

After a lot of hardships and hardships,

Only then can we have a happy life!

They trekked along the ancient Silk Road route, over the snow-capped Tianshan Mountains, through the vast, arid Tarim Basin, into the long Hexi Corridor, and across the rolling Yellow River. They met some well-meaning travelers and merchants along the way, and received their generous help.

In the autumn of the following year, Ayisha mother and son finally walked to the small city in the middle of the river valley basin, the city of Gozhu, which they longed for day and night.

Ayisha and the children looked like 3 beggars. The clothes were in tatters. The body is emaciated and weak. The face is black with yellow in it. A pair of big eyes flashed with longing, and there was some spirit.

Aisha asked a Khwarazmian merchant on the street, "Brother, where is the town guard's mansion?"

The merchant pointed to a tall and majestic house in the distance, and asked puzzledly, "The town guard official mansion is in front of Nanguan." What are you doing when a woman comes to the town guard's mansion?"

Ayisha replied, "My man, Abbas, came to Goju from Mulu and is now working as a military craftsman in the palace of the town guard. My child and I are going to visit him now. "

The merchant advised: "The gate of the town guard is very strict. Ordinary people can't get in at all. "

Aisha stubbornly took the child to the heavily guarded town guard's mansion.

She pleaded with the guards guarding the door: "Our mother and son have traveled all the way to find Abbas. Please let us in. "

The guard looked at the ragged Ayisha mother and son and shook their heads resolutely.

Aisha continued to plead, "If you don't let us in, I won't embarrass you." Could you please send me a message for Abbas?".

The guard still did not speak, but stretched out his palm to Aisha, meaning to bring gold and silver money.

Ayisha couldn't eat at this time, where did he have gold, silver, money, and some guards? Along the way, he went through a lot of hardships to come to Guozhu, but when he arrived in Guozhu, he had no way to meet his relatives. Aisha was originally hungry and thirsty, but now he was so angry that he couldn't help crying hoarsely, and soon fainted in front of the gate of the town guard's mansion.

Adan and Hani cried and helped Grandma up. They found a nearby inn and begged for a long time before the owner allowed them to stay.

The story of Ayisha's mother and son searching for their relatives soon spread in the city of Hezhou, resonating with the merchants of Khorezm. Everyone generously donated money to help poor Ayisha mother and son.

The story of Aisha's mother and son was passed on to a theater troupe. The owner of the troupe is also from a poor background. He combined his own life experience, invested deep and sincere feelings, and compiled this story into a record book and performed it everywhere in the city and countryside, which moved many ordinary people very much.

The twenty-third day of the lunar month celebrates the New Year. The town guard official was in a very happy mood, and ordered the house slave to invite the troupe to the house, intending to celebrate with relatives and friends.

The boss of the troupe received an invitation from the town guard and knew that the opportunity to help Aishe's mother and son had come. He immediately called Aishe's mother and son to the troupe, dressed them up as actors in the troupe, and walked into the fortified town guard mansion together.

The palatial hall was filled with officials of all sizes in Hezhou City and their families. They drank a bowl of tea while eating sunflower melon seeds, and waited with great interest to watch the play.

The troupe performed several cheerful and festive banquet songs according to the program pre-booked with the town guard government, bringing the atmosphere in the lobby to a joyful climax.

Seeing that the time had come, the troupe boss arranged for the actors of the troupe to retreat behind the scenes, and then gave Ayisha a look.

Although Ayisha is not a professional actor, he often sings folk songs with his sisters when he is in Mulu, and he is not stage frightened even when he comes to a crowded place. She held a musical instrument from the Western Regions in her arms, Dutar, and walked onto the stage with broken steps.

Ayishe bowed to the black-pressed audience, then sat down on a small bench and sang "Looking for a Husband" emotionally in Khorezm

Looking forward to the sun on a cloudy day,

In the dry day, I hope that good rain will come

I bounced Dutar up

Gentlemen, listen to me sing.

......

The first cry husband,

No news for seven years

I heard that I went to Guozhu with the army

It's so cold and hard to leave home after leaving your wife.

Two, crying, Gawa,

I haven't seen a big guy for seven years

I've never enjoyed a single day

Poor like a page title (Khorezm, orphan).

Three, crying at home,

The young widow was widowed alive

The husband left home and Ga Waga,

The pimple in my heart is big.

Ask for grace from the officials

The wish of the pair is fulfilled

The reunion of a family of four,

Great kindness and great virtue are always grateful.

Ayishe's "Looking for a Husband" has not yet been sung, and the guests have already heard tears rippling in their eyes. Although they could not understand the lyrics, they were deeply moved by Aisha's desolate and mournful singing.

Seeing that the conditions were ripe to uncover the mystery, the troupe owner summoned up the courage to step onto the stage and tell the guests about the arduous experience of Sarta's aunt Ayisha who had traveled thousands of miles to find her husband.

After listening to the introduction of the owner of the troupe, the guests were once again moved by the touching story. The town guard officials who were five big and three thick also cried into tears, and kept wiping their tears with hand towels.