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050424 final

CHAPTER NINE

After a year of struggle and uncertainty, fortune finally smiled upon the Nam Diem brick factory. It
also coincided with a period of rapid expansion in Hanoi where businesses flourished, and shops
sprang up like mushrooms after the rain. The Public Works Department built more asphalt roads and
a tram line connecting the city from one end to the other, facilitating movements and transport.

People from the outlying districts poured into the city, eager to buy land and build homes. This
surge in demand pushed prices higher and strained the factory’s production ability.

The scrambling for bricks and tiles often forced Mr. Nam Diem to mediate disputes and make
difficult decisions about allocating his products.

Bricks and tiles produced with the Hoffman continuous kiln at stable temperature were of high
quality. His tiles smooth and flat and smooth from machine production and expertly fired in
Hoffman kiln emerged strong and free of warping. When tapped, it rang like a bell. Mr. Nam Diem
also advocated selling at reasonable prices with a small margin to gain prestige with customers.
Buyers came in droves; and orders stacked on the desk. He had to fire a second kiln which was still
in trial.

Early on in his career, Mr. Nam Diem relied heavily on the guidance of his French engineer. New to
the job, Nam Diem followed the engineer closely, absorbing everything he could about operating the
machinery and electrical systems. When something proved too complex, he'd have his eldest son,
Truong Lan, document it with detailed notes and diagrams for later review.

The biggest challenge? Mastering the firing process without the aid of machinery in a kiln with new
technology for Nam Diem. Operating a Hoffmann kiln demanded meticulous skill. Under firing
resulted in weak, porous bricks. Conversely, heating or cooling the bricks too quickly produced
cracked, warped, or twisted products. This learning process wasn't without its costs. Mr. Nam Diem
endured the spoilage of thousands of bricks and tiles. He even spent a month living at the kiln,
constantly monitoring the firing temperature, until he finally achieved minimal waste.

He has a deep-seated distrust of foreigners, yet he acknowledges the progress they bring roads,
bridges like the one over the Cai River, railways connecting the country. People say it's about
exploiting resources, and he can't deny there's always a cost. But life is a constant exchange. Why
not learn from their strengths – their technology, their efficient work ethic? We need to adapt.
Besides, good and bad people exist everywhere. That red-nosed engineer who works for him is
practically family. Mr. Nam Diem has never seen such dedication, kindness, and respect in his own
people. He'd gladly welcome him as a son-in-law, if only he were Vietnamese...

Once, over drinks, Mr. Nam Diem couldn't resist a playful question.
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- Why did you build this factory for me? Aren't you worried about people's resentment?

The engineer gave a relaxed smile.

- I'm paid well, so I do my job well. You're happy, I'm happy, everyone's happy… and Vietnam
gains a good factory. I'm not afraid of anyone's hate.

- And the other French, are they like you?

He shrugged, a smile still playing on his lips.

- Who knows? Doesn't matter to me, as long as they do their jobs.

Mr. Nam Diem pressed further.

- And other Vietnamese?" Are they like you?

Mr. Nam Diem smiled wryly.

- Probably not many...

The engineer threw his arms wide in a grand gesture.

- Voila! You see, we French are the same.

Three years after the factory's opening, business boomed. Bricks and tiles stamped with the "ND"
mark were sought after throughout the Northern provinces, boosting Nam Diem's reputation. Debts
vanished, and he acquired even more land in Hao Nam village, Nga Tu So intersection, and the
Thinh Hao area. With land prices still low, he purchased dozens of acres. He transformed the land
into large lakes, using the soil for bricks; people later called them the Ba Be Lakes. Stocking the
lakes with fish, he auctioned them off in three parts, earning a substantial profit.

Thanks to Mr. Tham De's assistance, he bought thousands of meters of decommissioned rail from the
Fire Department. This allowed him to construct a railway from Cat Linh to Giang Vo Street, greatly
easing the transport of soil for brickmaking.

Mr. Nam Diem, never content with the status quo, expanded his product line. He introduced
innovative bricks like six-holed ceiling bricks, glazed bricks, and drainage and roofing tiles. He even
ventured into ceramics, crafting figurines of sacred animals like dragons, unicorns, turtles, and
phoenixes, alongside beautiful, glazed bonsai pots.

With the factory running smoothly and business flourishing, a bright future seemed assured. Filled
with pride, Mr. Nam Diem sent his youngest son to the prestigious Paul Bert Boys' School on
Republique Street, near the Governor General's Palace. Similarly, he enrolled Ms. Ninh and Co Tam 1
in the girls' school on Felix-Faure Street. These schools, set up by the Protectorate Government,

1
Co Tam: the eighth child of the Nam Diem family. Ninh: alias Co Sau, meaning the 6th child of the family.
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catered specifically to the children of French officials, native mandarins, and a select group of
wealthy merchants.

At this time, Ninh was seventeen years old and in her first year of middle course (Cours moyen
première année). However, she was quite short, appearing as though she were only fourteen or
fifteen. Her classmates nicknamed her "Cork." Co Tam, meanwhile, was just fifteen and in third
grade (Cours élémentaire). She was taller than Ninh, leading people to often mistake Ninh as Co
Tam's younger sister.

"Demons first, ghosts second, games third!" Ninh was a mischievous force in class. From the
moment the French principal, Maumus, was introduced, Ninh started trouble. "This teacher is so ugly
and old, she's a mammoth," she whispered to her new friend. The nickname spread like wildfire.

Her next target was a Vietnamese Christian teacher. During recess, Ninh and a group of girls would
gather in the hallway to play a child game called "Sitting in a trance with the broom." 2 Mien, the
youngest, would close her eyes and hold a broom while the others sang in unison, guiding her
movements. The lyrics of the song were:
Besom Spirit
Broom dance, come alive,
Swirling winds, rise and thrive.
From all directions, gather nearby,
Chant and dance, let spirits hear.
Though doors be closed, we'll find a way
Break through barriers, come what may

It was harmless, until oneday Mien nearly tumbled down the stairs. Caught by the supervisor, the
group was scolded by the principal, earning them even more notoriety.

One day, Ninh brought a bowl of tangy Sau fruit [1] soaked in a spicy fish sauce mixture to share
with her friends before class. They huddled together, their eyes watering from the potent smell. Just
then, the teacher walked in, her nose wrinkling at the overpowering scent.

"Qui apporte quelque chose en classe ? (Who brings this into class?)” she demanded

Silence hung in the air as the students bowed their heads. When no one answered, the teacher grew
stern. "Si c’est cela je vais vous punir!" (If so, I will have to punish all of you!)

Ninh bravely stepped forward. "C'est moi, ma maîtresse... Excusez-moi !" (Miss... I'm sorry!)

The teacher was ready to expel Ninh and send a notice home, a severe punishment that would impact
her academic record. The entire class desperately pleaded for forgiveness. Fortunately, their
Vietnamese teacher, Ms. Chung, known for her kindness and understanding, interceded. Ninh was
spared expulsion, but the whole class spent recess writing one hundred times: "Il est défendu de
manger des... en classe" (No snacks are allowed in class).

2
Phụ đồng chổi in Vietnamese.
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Despite her mischievous antics, teachers and classmates loved Ninh. Her kind heart and enthusiasm
for friendship outshone her troublemaking. Academically, she excelled, consistently placing third or
fourth in her class. Math, French, and geography were her forte, where she'd easily score nines or
tens. Literature, however, was her nemesis. Essay writing sessions turned into pen-chewing
marathons, producing clumsy sentences that left her teacher baffled. "O lala... Je ne comprends pas
qu'est ce que tu écris !" (Oh dear... I can't understand what you wrote!)

Ninh, a girl of action, had little patience for lengthy novels. Whenever she received books like Victor
Hugo's "Les Misérables" or Hector Malot's "Sans Famille" as school prizes, she'd promptly sell them
to her sisters, stashing the coins in her piggy bank. This money would find its way into embroidery
supplies, earning her points in home economics. Geography was her true passion; she'd pepper her
teacher with questions about faraway lands, secretly dreaming of traveling the world.

"Parents may birth a child, but their personality is Heaven's gift," so the elders say. And true to this
while Ninh was bold and mischievous, Co Tam was gentle and shy. The school's proximity meant no
need for boarding, requiring the sisters to walk together four times a day. Initially, Mr. Nam Diem
arranged for someone to escort them, but the demands of his business left him short-staffed. As Ninh
grew older and the walk was short, he trusted the sisters to go on their own.

Though only a kilometer long, the walk to Felix Faure School took them through a maze of bustling
streets and unsettling places: the rowdy hamlet of singers, the chaotic bus station, the watchful girls'
camp, and dreaded Bao Anh Orphanage. Thankfully, the two-story houses on Hang Day Street, built
by Mr. Nam Diem for the families of petty officials, marked the journey's end. Their residents
recognized the girls, often offering a warm welcome, a slice of cake, or a drink. The sisters, ever
polite, always declined.

The walk home always meant passing Bao Anh Orphanage, a place that filled the sisters with dread.
While safe in a crowd, the orphanage children often harassed them when the streets were empty. One
scorching summer noon, the two sisters walked home, their white ao dai damp with sweat. Out of
nowhere, two older boys appeared, faces grimy and bald heads smeared with medicine. Shirtless and
menacing, they blocked the road. Co Tam clung to her sister, whimpering in terror. Fear gnawed at
Ninh too, but fueled by anger, she yelled, "What do you want? Leave us alone!"

The older boy scratched his head. "You take that one's bag," he ordered the younger one, "This one's
mine."

As they advanced, Co Tam hugged her bag and sank to the ground, sobbing. Fury drowned out
Ninh's fear. Tossing her own bag aside, she pulled a heavy ironwood ruler from it, and charged,
swinging wildly. "Back off! You want to fight? I'll fight!"

At first, the older boy tried to block the blows, but her ferocity was too much. He turned and fled,
Ninh right behind him, ruler in one hand, the waistband of her pants in the other, still shouting
threats. From that day on, the Bao Anh orphans knew better than to mess with her or her sister.
 5
The story of Ninh's street fight reached Mrs. Nam Diem's ears. Ninh had a reputation for her quick
temper, and this wasn't the first time she'd come home with a story her mother disapproved of. Mrs.
Nam Tiem called her over, scolding, "At such a young age, you still don't know what to keep in mind
and how to behave! A girl should be gentle, not brawling in public. What if no man will take you for
a wife?"

Ninh pouted, fire in her eyes. "But he tried to steal our school bags!"

- Then you should have shouted for help, not started a fight. What will people think?

- I don't know, but there was no one there...

Mrs. Nam Tiem sighed. "Don't argue. You know how it should be. A woman should be soft and
yielding..." Ninh grumbled under her breath, stomping off to her room.

She found Co Tam huddled under the covers and poked her forehead. "Look what your gossiping got
me in trouble for!"

Co Tam explained. "I'm sorry! I just told the other sisters; I didn't think Mom would know!"

Ninh softened, a familiar protectiveness rising within her. "It's fine, but next time, keep it to yourself,
okay?" Co Tam nodded, tears still clinging to her eyelashes. Ninh grinned, "We'll make a pact! Only
we know what really goes on."

Mr. Nam Diem, overhearing the story, smiled to himself. "That girl, she's got my spirit," he told his
wife. "Stubborn as an ox, and twice as strong-willed."

Mrs. Nam Diem shook her head. "You make it sound like a good thing! Who will ever marry such a
difficult girl?"

Mr. Nam Diem chuckled. "The right man, that's who. And he'll need a spine of steel to keep up with
her, mark my words!"

With the success of the business, the Nam Diem family's life transformed. Mr. Nam Diem
demolished the old house, replacing it with a grand mansion blending European and Asian styles. A
sprawling garden, bordered by intricate tilework, bloomed around the house, leading to a lake
adorned with rockeries. The cellar overflowed with wine, mostly the French reds and whites Mr.
Nam Diem favored. "A man has to enjoy the fruits of his labor," he'd declare, pouring himself a glass
before dinner. "Western food might not agree with us, but their wine? It’s a different story!"

Life for the children was a constant adventure. They turned the vast garden into their playground,
Ninh, even as she matured, never losing her mischievous streak. The grounds echoed with the sounds
of coin games, hide-and-seek, and Ninh leading her siblings in imaginative escapades.
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One day, the discovery of a dead stork sparked one of Ninh's elaborate games. A cardboard box
transformed into a makeshift coffin, its exterior adorned with red paper. Ninh led a solemn
procession of children, chanting a playful funeral song:
The Death of the Heron
Yesterday, a heron died,
The magpie opened the almanac to choose a burial day.
The Ca cuong3 got drunk and staggered,
The toad and frog jumped to claim their share.
Wail, wail, wail... The little ox pulls the cart...

Chi Tam, the eldest daughter, saw her siblings' antics and scolded Ninh, saying she was old enough
to know better. Despite this, Ninh's favorite game was "Listen to the chimney telling stories." On
moonlit nights, she and her siblings would circle the chimney's base, ears pressed close, listening to
its sounds. They would each try to decipher what the "chimney man" was saying, creating fantastical
stories. Ninh often told spooky tales of ghosts and vampires, scaring her younger sisters.

Ninh was a mischievous inventor of other games too, leading her siblings on adventures in the oven
and garden. She would take Co Chin (alias for the 9th sister) and Co Muoi (alias for the 10th sister)
to the garden's hidden corners, leaving them there until their frightened cries gave them away.
However, this mischievous streak once helped the family avoid a dangerous situation.

During summer vacation, Ninh and her siblings stumbled upon a square package, carefully wrapped
in banana leaves, hidden amongst the dense foliage and debris near the garden's edge. Curious, Ninh
unwrapped it, revealing a black substance with a strong odor. Remembering something her teacher
had taught her, she quickly re-wrapped the package, tucked it under her arm, and ran home, ignoring
her crying younger siblings. Mr. Nam Diem immediately recognized the substance as opium and
understood that someone wished him harm. He discarded opium and alerted authorities. From then
on, he had guards posted not only within the factory but around its perimeter, ensuring no further
incidents occurred.

It was the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, the day the Kitchen God ascended to heaven. Mr.
Nam Diem had given all his workers leave for the holiday. In addition to their salaries, he gifted each
person five kilos of rice and half a kilo of pork or buffalo meat to take home for their Tet
celebrations. Only those who didn't have families to return to or preferred not to travel would stay
and celebrate Tet with his family.

Preparations for Tet were in full swing. Some workers set up bamboo trees in front of the entrance,
while others noisily slaughtered pigs and cows in the backyard. Women and girls worked diligently,
washing Zong leaves to wrap the traditional Banh Chung (square sticky rice cakes). In the pond, a
group of workers braved the winter chill. Clad only in loincloths and warmed by sips of pure fish
sauce, they waded into the water and cast their nets. Their shouts and claps filled the air as carps –
silver, black, and common – wriggled helplessly on the shore, some of them weighing over ten
kilograms.

3
Belostomatidae, a giant water bug, an edible species in some Southeast Asian cuisines.
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Mr. Nam Diem chose dozens of large carp as Tet gifts for his in-laws and close friends. He
generously gave most of the remaining catch to his workers, keeping only about a dozen various carp
for his own family's feast. He explained his choices:

- Of all the fish perfect for salad, silver carp reigns supreme. Some say it's too fishy, but that's
only if you don't prepare it properly. Salad fish should be three to five kilograms, not too big or
too small, and still alive. Let it swim in clean water for half a day to expel impurities. Scrape off
the slime, dry it with paperbark, and then remove two filets from the belly. Peel away the black
lining, slice the filets thinly, and arrange them on a plate lined with paperbark again to absorb the
blood. Ginger, green banana, lemon, chili, and other spices add the perfect flavor... those who
like bolder tastes can simply squeeze drops of lemon juice over it. You will savor every bite.
Carp entrails are cooked in vinegar, while black carp is best braised... but creating a delicious pot
of braised fish is an art. The fish must have a thick body and thin intestines. Line the pot with
chopped sugarcane, layer the fish with galingale, and finally, add Phu Quoc fish sauce. No water
is needed. Then cover the pot with banana leaves and simmer for three days... The fish should
remain whole when served. Soft yet chewy, sweet, and fragrant... that's how you know it's perfect
braised fish."

When it comes to food, he is a true connoisseur. That is why he would say:

- One lifetime is enough to learn to eat, two lifetimes to learn to dress, but it takes three lifetimes
to learn to play. The ancients were right when they said that eating, dressing, and playing are not
ordinary matters!

Mr. Nam Diem's successful year meant a grand Tet celebration, and he used it as a chance to
evaluate his daughters' skills. He challenged them to prepare both savory and sweet dishes from
around the world. He also instructed them to arrange flowers and invite guests – even hinting at the
possibility of finding suitable husbands.

Five days before the Lunar New Year, the Nam Diem family held the Tet feast in the yard. Each girl
displayed her creations on a small table with a crisp white cloth and a floral centerpiece. Guests
admired the dishes, tasting and scoring each.

Ninh's bouillabaisse surprised everyone. Its delicate flavors drew whispers, and soon Mrs. Nam
Diem was asked by guests: 'So strange and delicious! Is this a Western dish? How do you prepare
it?”

For dessert, the servants brought out plates of fragrant golden caramel ice cream. The unique flavor
surprised and delighted the guests, and soon the girls and women gathered around Ninh, eager to
learn her recipe. The French engineer, particularly impressed, turned to Ninh with a flattering smile.

- Dear lady, in my country, a good chef is honored no less than a General, and especially a
beautiful young woman like you.

Ninh smiled mischievously and responded with a playful French phrase:

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- Thank you, sir... you are too kind!

The unexpected reply sent everyone into laughter. The Frenchman threw his hands, shaking with
amusement. Ninh, blushing slightly, retreated into the house. Mr. Nam Diem nudged his wife with a
twinkle in his eye.

- Did you see that? You keep criticizing our girl, and soon no man will be good enough for her!

Mrs. Nam Diem smiled, her eyes bright with pride. "Yes, our daughter is good..." Yet, a hint of
worry remained, "But where will we find a son-in-law who can keep up with this one?"

At the year-end party, a solitary figure caught Mr. Nam Diem's eye. A young man, 25 or 26, stood in
the corner of the room, dressed in an old-fashioned style at odds with the other guests. He held a
glass of wine, more for contemplation than drinking, and his thoughtful expression rarely slipped
into a smile. This, Mr. Nam Diem learned from Mr. Tham De, was Thuan – a man with a Confucius
Baccalaureate, a thirst for knowledge, and fluency in both Vietnamese and French. An asset, the
businessman's mind noted, particularly as the French influence grew.

Mr. Nam Diem, a sociable man by nature, always sought to expand his circle. Reputation was as
vital as capital. This Pho family, he had heard, was renowned in the traditional medicine trade. Mr.
Cuu Tien – Pho Gia Tuong, by formal name – owned prosperous stores, making him a merchant of
significant standing.

Still observing, Mr. Nam Diem noticed Thuan's gaze lingering on his daughter, Ninh, who was
engaged in lively conversation with the French engineer. A faint flicker of surprise crossed Thuan's
face – at the young woman's boldness, or her ease with a foreigner. Mr. Nam Diem found himself
intrigued. With a practiced smile, he approached Thuan.

- So, you are the son of Mr. Pho Gia Tuong? But I was under the impression he had only two
offspring managing those shops on Phuc Kien Street...

Thuan, startled for a moment, turned.

- Yes, sir, those are my elder brother and sister – though we share different mothers.

- Ah, I see. Then what path drew you away from your esteemed father's trade, and towards a
position in the government?

Thuan smiled, a touch of formality in his bearing.

- Forgive me, sir. Each man must carve his own way, should he not? Our family's legacy is secure
in their capable hands.

Mr. Nam Diem chuckled. "Just a bit of playful curiosity. Of course, ambition takes many forms. But
the life of a mandarin... it is fraught with complexities, is it not?"
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- Indeed, Sir. Your words ring true. To be a good man is a lifelong endeavor, yet to be a good
official... that is even more arduous. Still, a man must test his limits, I believe.

Mr. Nam Diem laughed aloud:

- Very well, very well spoken... But you must also be careful, because fame and fortune can easily
make people forget about morality and love, my boy.

Thuan smiled and said:

- Thank you for your advice, sir... My teacher always said: 'A good reputation is not as good as a
hidden reputation, and a hidden reputation is not as good as no reputation at all.' But how many
in this world can follow this? And what is wrong with fame and fortune? It is only those who
desire them who commit crimes...!

Mr. Nam Diem laughed loudly again, raising his wine glass and clinked it against Thuan’s

- Well said... Let us clink glasses to celebrate this reunion.

The two happily finished their glasses of wine and continued to chat with each other on good terms...
The party did not end until noon. Seeing off the guests, Mr. Nam Diem also gently patted Thuan's
shoulder and whispered:

- I like your personality. When you have free time, I invite you to call at our humble house again.

Thuan thanked him, politely clasped his hands, and bowed, then turned away. A moment of
vagueness appeared in his thoughts, Mr. Nam Diem smiled and turned back into the house.

On nights like this, nights when the adults were busy in their own preparations, the children found
freedom in the shadows. The Lunar New Year's Eve was bitterly cold, the darkness pressing in.
Ninh, never one for stillness, rallied her sisters and declared it time for singing games. She thrust a
flickering torch into Phu's reluctant hands, then marched out like a tiny general, the rest of the
children trailing behind. Their bronze gongs clanged, and voices rose in a familiar song:
Cutting dice,
Every house still ablaze with lights
Open the door to let us sisters in
Stepping up to the high bed, I saw a pair of dragons incubating
Stepping down from the low bed, the pair of dragons flanked me,
Step back and see a tile-roofed house,
His elephant I tie his horse I hold
He lived to be a hundred, less five years.
His wife bore good children,
who look like pictures, that look like drawings.
Cutting dice... Cutting dice...
 10
Just like that, the four children came to each house of the clerks in the neighborhood and knocked on
the doors asking for gifts... Every house had prepared people, then the family's sweets and cakes
would come out with envelopes of money and lucky coins for the children. Firecrackers exploded
wherever the children went, and the dogs in the area were barking at them.

Before midnight, everyone was present in the big house to prepare for the New Year's Eve
celebration. The house was beautifully decorated, with rows of red lanterns and Tet couplets written
on cashew paper hanging on the columns. In the middle of the yard is a Neu tree made from a
straight bamboo trunk, rolled with colorful paper strings up to four meters high. On top of the grove
is a bunch of broom-shaped grass spreading out around, below is a large bamboo circle hanging with
images of twelve zodiac animals glued with colorful golden paper strips, accompanied by long thin
copper bars. square... Every time the wind stops hitting each other, it makes a very pleasant tinkling
sound.

The whole family, dressed in their finest brocade clothes still faintly smelling of mothballs, gathered
in the front yard. Young and old, daughters-in-law and sons-in-law alike, they joined Mrs. Nam
Diem in eager anticipation. Here, at the base of the Neu tree, a protective bow was drawn in lime on
the tiled floor, its arrow pointing towards the gate to ward off evil spirits. The offerings platform
held a glowing incense burner, candles, votive objects, and a vibrant tray of five fruits. Just below, a
red cloth draped a table laden with traditional delicacies: Banh Chung, sticky rice crimson with Gac,
sausage, bamboo shoots, vermicelli, and a magnificent, boiled rooster, wings spread in flight and a
red rose in its beak.

Mr. Nam Diem, dressed in a blue brocade shirt and turban, leaned on his walking stick as he waited
outside the gate. He was preparing to enter his house at the exact moment of New Year's Eve, in
accordance with an ancient tradition. This custom, observed respectfully by families in the first hours
of the lunar new year, dictates that the first person to step into the home should have a compatible
birth year and month with the homeowner. This person can be a family member or a close friend.

The tradition represents a sincere wish for good fortune next year. However, Mr. Nam Diem chose to
ignore it. He declared:

- Nonsense... I will enter my own house, and I'll take responsibility for whatever comes. I won't
invite anyone, so whether it's good or bad, I can't blame someone else's luck.

Because of this, Mr. Nam Diem was always the first to enter his house on New Year's Eve, despite
the complaints from the female members in his family.

The New Year arrived. The large wooden gate swung open, and Mr. Nam Diem walked in slowly,
leaning on his cane. The strings of firecrackers hanging on both sides of the road exploded one after
another, shooting out small blue sparks and loud bangs that lit up the sky like lightning. The red glow
of the firecrackers spread across the dirt path leading from the gate to the house

On a row of flowery mats spread out in the large yard, Mr. and Mrs. Nam Diem and their children
and grandchildren, along with the remaining servants and workers, kneeled in front of the incense
 11
burner in order of oldest and youngest. Truong Lan (the eldest son of Mr. Nam Diem) knelt on one
side and read the prayer aloud:

- Respectfully bow down to the nine directions of heaven and the ten directions of earth. Buddhas
of the ten directions. The Holy Emperor of the East, the Black Emperor of the North, the White
Emperor of the South, and the Red Emperor of the West. Together with the Three Authorities,
the Divine Officials of the Dragon Veins. The Earth God, the Land God, and all the Gods of
Wealth. In the year of the Ox, at the sacred hour. The homeowner Nguyen Van Diem, Nguyen
Thi Ai, and the entire family, both inside and outside, respectfully worship.

Amid the vast sky and earth in the pitch-black night, incense candles and fireworks smoke drifted
into the cold mist, sporadic sounds of firecrackers exploding in the distance. The eldest boy's loud
voice read, everyone respectfully listened:

- With a sincere heart, we prepare offerings, incense, fruits, flowers, paper money, and prayers.
The holy New Year moment has arrived. Firecrackers resound to welcome the beginning of
spring. We pray for a new era of prosperity, for the three paths to open the palace of heaven and
earth with ritual, for the Supreme God to protect and bless us. We pray for the souls of our
ancestors to rest in peace, to bestow blessings upon their descendants on earth. From the
beginning to the end of the year, may everyone be unharmed. In the four seasons of spring,
summer, autumn, and winter, may our business prosper and be free from danger. May good
things come, may sad things go away, may the divine light shine upon and protect our
descendants.

As soon as the prayer ended, everyone bowed to heaven and earth three times to pray for favorable
weather, good health, and prosperous business.

After worshiping heaven and earth, everyone followed Mr. and Mrs. Nam Tiem into the lobby to
kneel in front of the altar to worship their ancestors. At this time, Mr. Nam Tiem knelt and recited
the prayer as if he had memorized it:

- In front of the ancestral altar, thanks to God of Earth inside and outside the house, in line with
our long-term aspirations, Winter passes and Spring returns... the house owner respectfully offers
incense and flowers, also produce of the seasons before and after. With a clear conscience and
heart, let us raise a request to our ancestors of both family lines.

On the innermost red and gold lacquered altar are a pair of Chinese porcelain vases with two tall
peach blossom branches. In the middle is a communal incense bowl, and behind it is a tray of five
fruits. A silver-plated three-mountain stand holds water and flowers. On either side of the incense
bowl are two large stands with a betel nut box and a wine tray. On the outside is the Five Utensils
set, which includes a censer, two candle holders, and a pair of cranes with their beaks holding a plate
of peanut oil lamps, smoking heavily.

All are bronze, about half a meter high. The youngest boy of the family, Cau Muoi, used rice husks
and ash to polish them a few days ago. Two yellow lipstick tubes filled with incense sticks spread on
 12
both sides. A pair of large white candles are on a burning candle stand. From the ceiling, the
hexagonal electric lamp that Mr. and Mrs. Nam Tiem bought from Hong Kong last year hang by a
small chain and dropped down into the middle of the house, radiating white light, highlighting the
drawings of colorful fairies on the glass. A respectful atmosphere enveloped the large room, Mr.
Nam Diem's voice rose and fell

- [I, the head of family] respectfully invite aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters to come together
to this family shrine. I bow down to ask all to receive our humble offerings and grant us blessings
for health and strength for the whole family. Respectfully.

The light reflected from the copper, porcelain, and red-lacquered and gold-plated worship objects
shone strangely brightly. The smoke from the incense sticks gathered into a cloud that hovered above
the altar before slowly rising up like the departed souls returning to witness the ceremony and then
reluctantly leaving.

After the sentence: "Respectfully." Everyone kowtowed three times, then stood up for a long bow...
The sound of whispers and laughter began to rise. They carried two large chairs next to the altar for
Mr. and Mrs. Nam Tiem to sit. The children and grandchildren of the workers lined up in front of the
grandparents to extend wishes for their longevity.

There are still just wishes and congratulations that everyone repeats repeatedly:

- Wishing you and your mother a long life to be a hundred years old

- Happy 100-year-old grandparents... Profitable Business Profitable Business

- Wishing you both a hundred years of age, happiness for your children and grandchildren, all the
best for you.

For each person who came to wish them a happy Tet, their grandparents took out a red envelope. In
it were new banknotes that still smelled of ink, which Mr. Nam Diem had to take the trouble to go to
the treasury to get them last month. ...The sound of congratulations and laughter was as loud as a
bustling market, people turned out to exchange Tet greetings...that was the custom, the younger
person wished the adult a long life, the adult wished a happy new year to the younger...An envelope
again, giving lucky money to children is the most fun, but after Tet, the piggy bank's stomach is
full...

On the morning of the first day, per custom, the feast table was set for all members of the family.
The servants and workers eating on the porch, while inside the house were the children and
grandchildren. Everyone ate and drank happily, the sound of toasts, congratulations, loud laughter
filled the air. In the yard, firecrackers again exploded signaling the arrival of some supervisors and
clerks coming for Tet greetings…

Right now, the children could not care less about eating or drinking! They were absorbed in their
card games, focused on winning even a few small coins from their New Year's lucky money. What a
difference from the usual nosebleeds or flicked ears they play on other days! As for the adults, some
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are playing cards while the workers are engrossed in dice, their arguments and cheers rising like a
ruckus. It truly is as lively as New Year's Day!

An old proverb goes: "As hungry as your father's death anniversary but as full as during Tet
holidays." Indeed, Mr. Nam Diem gave his workers three days off, filled with feasting, drinking, and
merriment. On the evening of the fourth day of the new year, he even hired the traditional opera
(Cheo) troupe from Ha village to perform at his home. The performance drew huge crowds of
workers returning from their Tet celebrations, and people from neighboring areas. The troupe's
renditions of classic Cheo play like Luu Binh Duong Le and Quan Am Thi Kinh were exceptional.
The rhythms of drums and flutes, combined with the singers' melodies, captivated the audience. At
times, the watchers fell silent with emotion; at others, they erupted into joyous laughter. The Cheo
performance typically lasted late into the night. Returning in the chilly winds and spring drizzle, the
audience huddled together, still buzzing with praise for singer Chi's sweet voice, her skilled
performance, and the haunting music of musician Ben's two-stringed violin.

Work at the Nam Diem brick factory returned to its usual rhythm on the 5th day of Tet. The machine
hummed, the furnace roared... Bricks and tiles flowed in and out, the air buzzing with the renewed
effort after ten relaxed days of Tet holiday. Occasionally, a worker would shirk their duties, still
feeling the lingering effects of drink or the disappointment of lost wagers. Mr. Nam Diem would
summon the man to the center of the yard, in full view of the others, for questioning. Minor offenses
earned three sharp lashes from Cai Sinh's whip, more serious ones a doubled punishment. The most
severe infractions led to docked wages and immediate dismissal. Nam Diem's voice boomed:

- Drinking and gambling are vices that ruin a man, leading him to sell his own roof and rot in cell!
If you have a family, parents to care for, how can you justify squandering your life on such
wickedness?

The workers knew Nam Diem's reputation for unwavering discipline, and few dared defy him. They
respected him, even feared him a little. He would often tell his children:

- A leader must command authority. If your subordinates disrespect you, your work will suffer.
This requires measured words, firm actions, and absolute fairness in reward and punishment. Yet,
you must also show compassion for those under your care. To force obedience is easy; to win
loyalty is the true test of leadership.

Driven by an ambition to succeed and a love for his work and given favorable environments, he
found himself steadily growing his wealth. After overcoming challenges, Mr. Nam Diem has built a
substantial fortune. He takes pride in his accomplishments, earned through his own effort and
reputation, and remains confident in his future growth and prosperity.

(end)