Their transportation was a jeep. A corporal was taking two deserters to the military jail in Changsha; he’d happily agreed to the professor’s request, glad for some extra company and conversation. He gave Professor Kang the passenger seat beside the driver, while he sat in the back with Lian and the deserters. The jeep jolted over potholed roads, the driver pressing on the horn at any excuse. It was thirty-five miles to Changsha and the jeep could’ve gotten there in less than two hours if only the roads were less crowded. Lian thought of how long it had taken them to walk that distance. Two nights.

The deserters crouched on the floor with their knees up, hands tied together. They were no older than Lian, dirty and despondent. The young men didn’t say a word, but the corporal talked the entire time.

“You stupid turtle eggs,” the corporal said, addressing the two. His tone, however, was amiable. “Went off to join the bandits, did you? You’ll be shot for deserting now. Instead of dying in glorious battle you’ll be executed as cowards. A shame to your parents and your ancestors.”

One of the young men sniffled. Snot dripped from his upper lip down to a receding chin.

“They’re not bad boys, Professor,” the corporal said. “I know these two here. Farmers, sons of farmers. They hide in the mountains and when the army leaves town, they sneak back to work their fields, see their families again. But they should’ve done that before they enlisted. Leave home, they’re just missing. Leave the army, they’re deserters. But they’re none too bright, these boys.”

The jeep hit a pothole and the deserters, unable to brace themselves, bounced and fell against each other.

“We make this trip to Changsha once a week, with or without deserters,” the corporal said. He hauled one of the boys to an upright position. “Your Mr. Lee asked us to pick up Minghua’s mail at the Changsha post office every week. And also take your outgoing mail to the post office.”

“I hope he compensates you for the inconvenience,” Professor Kang said.

“Ha ha, cigarette money, that’s all,” the corporal said with a laugh. “Happy to help our universities. But I tell you, mail delivery is not very reliable at the moment. When the folks in Shangtan find out I agreed to this, I’m going to be taking all sorts of mail to the Changsha post office, not just yours.”

When they reached Changsha, the jeep stopped at the police station to let the professor and Lian get out. The corporal climbed in again, in the seat beside the driver. As they drove away, Lian could hear him berating the deserters.