These chapters continue to show how Wang Lung becomes a wealthy and powerful man. This wealth is accomplished as a result of several factors. First, a great flood comes at a time when Wang Lung had given over the entire management to Ching and "had scarcely thought whether [he] had land or not these days except to bury the dead in." As Wang Lung goes out to inspect the land, he again curses the evil of the gods. This frightens Ching, who seems to be more in awe of the gods than Wang Lung.
As the waters cover the land, famine sets in. There is only a small portion of the land that can be planted. And as the waters remain, there is no chance to plant land for the next season; "everywhere people starved and were hungry and were angry at what had befallen them." When the waters do not recede in time to plant the wheat for winter, it is evident that there will be no harvest next year. For the first time in ages, Wang Lung takes control and begins to ration out what is needed for the household. Only to Lotus Flower will he allow more than the bare essentials.
Wang Lung, however, has more wealth than most people suspect: there is silver hid in many places about the house. And he is able to deceive everyone — except his uncle. Wang Lung is constantly annoyed that he is under such strict obligations to his uncle because he knows that if it had not been for his uncle's power with the robbers that his house would have been ransacked long ago. Never has he so resented having to give out silver. The resentment is so strong that the eldest son suggests they drown the uncle. But Wang Lung is a very honorable man and cannot tolerate such an act. They discover a ploy whereby they will keep the uncle and his wife there but will render them helpless — they will buy opium for them and, once addicted, neither will be a nuisance. This decision points out that once one is a great family corruption begins to enter in. We should remember the description of the Ancient Mistress when Wang Lung went to get O-lan. She was literally consumed by opium, as eventually the uncle and his wife will be.
