VESSEL - Extinction Countdown 951: Money Draws the First Incense

Touxiang Village nestles deep in the mountains of central Jiangnan Province, a small county under a prefectural city, roughly a thousand kilometers from Yingtian City.

In the thirties and forties, it thrived. A copper mine unearthed a Clay Buddha, drawing pilgrims from nearby villages on the first and fifteenth lunar days to burn the first incense.

Thus, Touxiang—First Incense—earned its name.

But the new government’s anti-superstition push and scientific focus dimmed its light. With the mine depleted, low productivity, and its mountainous isolation—hard to access, reliant on crops—it became one of the region’s poorest villages.

A dirt road now connects Touxiang to the township, but with farming as the sole income and no other prospects, it lags. Electricity arrived, yet most villagers use oil lamps at night. The wealthiest own a motorbike.

As young laborers left, Touxiang was left with elders and children, their lives grueling. Save for New Year’s supply runs to town, the village remains cut off.

Only the elders visit the mine to pray, mourning the Clay Buddha—razed in frenzied times—and the days when pilgrims trampled the village path.

At Touxiang’s edge, a pond draws kids to gather pigweed. That day, as some played and worked, an engine’s rumble from the dirt road sparked a stir.

“Look! A car!”“Is it a boss hiring?”“Run, tell everyone! A big shot’s here!”

Years ago, a southern boss’s car dazzled Touxiang, luring dozens of youths to factory jobs.

As the kids scattered, a mud-streaked Jeep parked at the village edge.

Ye Shisan stepped out, stretching lazily. Touxiang felt unchanged from twenty years ago, save for the dirt road beneath his feet.

The road ended there, giving way to a muddy path that turned swamp-like in rain—no car could pass.

Even Yi Qing’s four-wheel-drive Jeep stopped short. Sheer wasn’t risking a tow—help wasn’t cheap here.

She killed the engine and shot Ye Shisan a mock glare. “You slept like a king in the back! You Long’er and I drove those rugged mountain roads all night!”

You Long’er, despite dark circles, was lively, likely pleased from trouncing Master Hao the night before. She poked around, curious.

Vanilla, half-asleep, wasn’t safe alone in the Jeep, so Ye Shisan carried her on his back. The group followed him into the village.

Just inside, a dozen youths and elders approached, led by a short Village Chief in a worn army coat over a dated blue suit. He waved at Ye Shisan: “Boss, where you’re from?”

Ye Shisan opened his mouth, but Yi Qing jumped in: “We’re road-tripping through the mountains, saw this village, and thought we’d explore.”

The Village Chief, puzzled, blinked: “Road-tripping? What’s that? I’m the village chief. Our village’s known for its Clay Buddha. Here to burn incense, right?”

Yi Qing nodded eagerly: “Yes, that’s us!”

She nudged You Long’er, who caught on, pulling out a stack of bills, handing them over: “Grandpa Chief, this place’s stunning. We’d like to stay a few days. Got a place to stay?”

The chief’s eyes gleamed at the thousands—more than a farmer’s earnings in a year. These city folks tossed money like dust!

“No need for so much!” he said. “Two or three hundred’s enough. I’ll get folks to clean a house. Touxiang’s got empty homes aplenty—young ones all left for work…”

He trailed off as a swarthy stout auntie barged in, snatching the cash from You Long’er’s hand.

She snapped at the chief: “Father-in-law, you’re daft! These city bosses want luxury! This cash’s nothing, right, bosses?”

Yi Qing smiled: “Just keep it clean. We’ll stay three or four days, then leave when we’re done.”

Big auntie pocketed the bills, grinning: “Got it! We’re honest mountain folk. You’ll be comfy! Er Yazi! …Shitou! Gouwa! Clean up Aunt Liu’s place east end! You, Handan! Grab two chickens to stew!”

Kids swarmed around Vanilla, who handed out candies and chocolates. Big auntie noticed, swinging her stout leg to kick each kid’s rear, scattering them.

She barked at the chief: “Father-in-law, take these folks to the Clay Buddha temple. I’ll fix the house and lunch, then join you! Bosses, follow him!”

The Village Chief, used to daughter-in-law’s commands, waved casually.

Used to her orders, he waved: “Come on, folks, I’ll show you the village.”

The group trailed, playing tourists.

Ye Shisan grumbled to Yi Qing: “Why not let me speak plain? This sneaking’s a hassle!”

Yi Qing hissed: “What do you know? If your grandfather’s formula matters and someone here knows something, we can’t spook the snake!”

You Long’er, for once, backed Yi Qing: “Darling, she’s right. Leave it to us! If money can solve it, it's not a problem.”

Rather, Vanilla sulked, grumbling to herself: “A headless Clay Buddha? So creepy! I won’t sleep tonight!”