Chapters 19-21 Summary

In Chapter 19, the younger people take a boat ride in the evening. The moon is large and bright, and they feel relaxed and calm. Chin and Shu-chen talk about school. After a while, Cheuh-hui gets impatient and gets the others to turn the boat around by saying there are sweet dumplings waiting for them at home. When they emerge from the garden, two of the younger boys are running to find them. There has been a newspaper extra announcing that fighting has begin: the "governor has ordered a punitive campaign against General Chang."

In Chapter 20, the mood shifts dramatically. That very evening, they begin to hear military fire, and Chueh-min sees wounded soldiers being carried on stretchers into the city. Cheuh-hsin's wife Jui-chueh gets very upset and worried. Everyone speaks in quieter tones. At about ten o'clock, the firing becomes louder...