Raising the Young Grand Secretary – 024

Chapter 024

Author: Feast of Masks

Raws: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=3185016

Translated by Gumihou

Proofread by Pillbug

 

For a moment, silence filled the room. Old Man Xue’s face was ash white, his lips pressed tight, clearly unsure what to say.

Xue Qingshan flushed red as he started to curse and shout at people, “Old Third and Fourth, good on you, ah. Your wings have hardened a lot, hasn’t it? Are you not afraid of driving Father mad with anger? And you! You stinky little brat, you haven’t even grown a full coat of hair yet, but dare to stir up trouble! Has all your studying gone to the dogs? All you do is cause chaos wherever you go! If not for you, this family would not be in this situation!”

He raised his hand, clearly intending to strike. Zhao’er quickly pulled Xue Tingxiang away and even seized the raised hand.

“Uncle, even if you want to scold, just use your words. Why resort to violence? Are you not a scholar? Why do you blame Gou’er for the trouble in the house? Do you really not know why the family is in such a state?” Zhao’er retorted.

Thanks to good food and good genes, Xue Qingshan was both tall and stout, especially in his later years. Zhao’er, with her much smaller stature, looked like a praying mantis trying to block a cart. Even so, try as he might, he could not wrench his hand away even after several tries. “Let go! Who do you think you are? When did it become your turn to speak in this Xue family?”

Zhao’er sneered, “I am nothing. I am so inconsequential that I never felt entitled to any of the hard-earned money in this family!”

“You…”

“Enough! Quiet! Both of you!” Old Man Xue shouted, almost hysterical as he pounded the kang table.

When all was quiet again, Old Man Xue remained silent on the kang bed, as stiff as a stone.

After a while, he slowly reached into his tobacco pouch, extracted some tobacco, filled his pipe and lit it up.

Zhao’er released her grip. Xue Qingshan quickly withdrew his hand. He took a deep breath and rolled up his sleeves. Sure enough, there was a visible handprint on his wrist.

Just where did this brat of a wench get her strength from?

Old Man Xue puffed on his pipe to calm down. His gaze fell upon the people before him. These were his children and grandchildren – all of whom were making a fuss over money, of all things.

Just whose fault was it?

Old Man Xue felt a little shocked. He was ready to admit that the family favoured the main branch the most. However, surely that was perfectly natural since they were the ones who would go on to carry the family name and be the foundation of the family, right? His eldest, Shan’zi, had been smart and bright from a young age. He excelled in his studies and was talented, he was the pride of the family.

If a small family like theirs wish to get ahead, they must focus all of their resources on supporting the most promising individual who could pull the entire family out of poverty. That was how his grandfather came to become a successful Xiu Cai and brought benefit to the entire Xue clan. Therefore, he had always believed that this was the best way to do things, but now… he was not so sure.

For a moment, Old Man Xue was in a state of confusion with many, many images flashing through his mind.

The joy he felt when Eldest started school, the pride of having a Tong Sheng in the family… the extraordinary intelligence displayed by his eldest grandson, ready and able to inherit his father’s mantle. There were also the fleeting envious looks from Second as well as the subtle worry and reluctance on his second son’s face before he died…

There were many other scenes, but these all froze within his mind as he looked at the faces before him, all wearing different kinds of expressions.

Old Man Xue pursed his lips once before speaking in a hoarse, dry voice. “Very well, if you wish to separate, I will let you separate!”

“Father!” Xue Qingshan could not believe his ears.

Yang’shi also did not know what to do. She looked at her husband, then at Old Man Xue. When it looked like Old Man Xue was not jesting, she suddenly made a move and shouted at one of the inner rooms, “Mother, are you not going to say anything?!”

Old Man Xue felt a sudden unbearable sense of annoyance and angrily screamed, “Shut up! This family is still under this old man’s charge!”

Immediately, everyone fell silent again. The door curtain which had lifted temporarily fell back down again.

“Speak, how do you want to divide?”

The people from the third and fourth branches looked at each other and then at Xue Tingxiang, but this time, Xue Tingxiang remained silent.

Sun’shi, fearing that this opportunity would slip through her fingers again, stepped forward to say, “Let us do as Gou’er suggested just now and divide the land accordingly. Since there are separate branch families, each family should get their own.”

Zhao’er suddenly spoke up, “What about our room? Are we to stay in the current room or do we get to move into the old [1] family room?”

 

Let us speak of this [1] ‘family room’ now that it has been brought up. In fact, the room that the second branch family was staying in was not their original room.

The Xue family residence was built in the courtyard style, a popular form in the countryside. [1] Three rooms on the north side were designated as the ‘main family rooms,’ where Old Man Xue, Old Zhao, and their youngest daughter Xue Cui’e lived together. There was also a building that was used as a granary and for storing some of the more valuable items.

The rooms were further divided into east and west wings, with the kitchen, cowshed, barn, pigsty, chicken coop and vegetable garden located in the back of the courtyard past the [1] north wing.

The Xue family residence used to be quite spacious. However, after Xue Qingshan and his brothers got married with children of their own, the courtyard suddenly felt rather cramped.

At that time, the Xue family was still rather well off. The eldest son, Xue Qingshan, built himself an extension on the [1] east side after he got married. It was the same for the second son, Xue Qinghuai, who built his room on the east side. When the third son got married, the Xue family finances started to become tight and spending had to be monitored, which was why the expected extra room was delayed.

And this delay continued for many years.

When the second branch couple departed from this world, Xue Qinghuai had not yet married and was living in his own room by himself. After getting married and having a son, the room was no longer sufficient for a family of three. That was when Old Man Xue decided to let the fourth branch family have the second branch house’s room while the two children moved into Xue Qinghuai’s small room.

This arrangement had worked for the moment, but now that they were discussing how to divide the family wealth, such things had to be made clear.

Naturally, Sun’shi’s expression immediately turned sour.

On the side, the corner of Yang’shi’s mouth hooked up. That’s right, let these unruly dogs bite each other, bite until all of you have nothing but a mouthful of fur in your mouth-

However, while she was smiling to herself, Sun’shi gritted her teeth and said, “Zhao’er, if you want the family room. Fourth Aunt will give it back to you.”

After that, Zhao’er’s opinion of Sun’shi changed a little.

Even though Sun’shi usually flattered the main branch family and enjoyed belittling and taking advantage of the other two branches, when it came to really important matters, she suddenly dug her heels and refused to be swayed.

Zhao’er shook her head and said, “Fourth Aunt, I am not going to ask for your house. However, since we are talking about dividing the house and land, it’s best to make things clear. You have many people in your household, therefore, we won’t take that room back. However, we would like the land at the back of the house.”

The piece of land behind the house was something that the Xue family had bought quite some time ago. It was 2 mu of residential land, something that was fairly inexpensive within the village and cost the family just a little over 2 silver taels. The plan was to build a house. However, even though the family talked about building a new house each year, it was postponed year after year due to the lack of money. In the end, all they did was turn the land into a vegetable plot.

“This…” Sun’shi hesitated before saying, “How can a mere room and land be considered the same?”

“Fourth Aunt, the land is what I want, not the room. After all, it’s not like Gou’er or I need a [1] family room now. Once we have the money, we will build our own house.”

“Very well, let’s just say that your Fourth Aunt and Uncle have taken advantage of you. The land is supposed to be divided among the family anyway with each family getting one piece, so, the Second branch family may take the Fourth family’s residential land. When you build your house in the future, your Fourth Uncle and I shall help you-”

“Add 2 silver taels,” said Xue Qinghuai suddenly.

Sun’shi was taken aback for a moment. However, she gritted her teeth and said, “Fine, add 2 silver taels. Your Fourth Uncle and I shall give that money to you once we have saved up enough.”

Zhao’er quickly refused, “How can we take Fourth Aunt and Uncle’s money? No, no, we can’t take your money.”

“Things that should be given must be given. You listen to Fourth Uncle,” said Xue Qinghuai decisively.

After that, it was difficult for Zhao’er to decline anymore and she reluctantly agreed.

As the two branch families continue to negotiate back and forth, Old Man Xue’s face grows grimmer and grimmer.

After growing up, these children no longer seem human any more. Maybe it’s better to divide, ah. The quicker the better!

“What about the livestock in the house, like cows, pigs, and chickens…”

Xue Qinghuai grabbed Sun’shi by the arm, “Let’s not count these things.”

“How do you expect us to farm without a cow?”

“There is only one cow…”

Old Man Xue slapped the kang once again, “Have you talked enough? If you have, it is now my turn to speak.”

He propped himself up on the kang table and sat up straighter, “Your mother and I are not dead yet. Cui’e will be getting married at the end of the year and her dowry has not been paid yet. According to tradition, your mother and I should follow the main branch, however, we two old ones still need to eat and drink. Therefore, the land shall not be divided into 4 parts, but 5.

The family has 32 mu of land. When divided by 5, each family shall receive 6 mu. The remaining 2 mu shall go to the second branch. Second and Eldest are close in age and Second have started working in the fields from an early age to help the family. Later, Second learned carpentry and his skills were well-known within nearby villages, earning quite a lot of money for the family. You should also know that the few mu of land we acquired later was acquired thanks to the efforts of Second.

As for the 6 mu of land that is our share, so long as your mother and I are alive, it shall remain in our hands. It shall be divided equally among the four families once we pass away. The family cow is the communal property. The two pigs we have are still young, so the meat shall be divided later once they are slaughtered at the end of the year. The same goes for the chickens. If you wish to keep them together, you may do so. If not, you may raise them separately. As for the grains, it should be sufficient until this year’s harvest.”

While it was true that everyone had their reasons for wanting the family to separate, when Old Man Xue started talking as though he was settling debts and accounts, a lot of people felt uncomfortable.

“However, I shall make one thing clear. Since you all make such a fuss about dividing the family, your mother and I will no longer concern ourselves with the marriage matters of the branch families in the future.”

Sun’shi smiled flatteringly, saying, “Of course, it is not right to bother Mother and Father about these matters.”

“As for Cui’e, on the day of her marriage, as her older brothers and sisters-in-law, you may contribute as you wish. Those who do not care to contribute may refrain as you like. Your mother and I do not need any support from you so long as we have this 6 mu of land. We can talk about this matter again once I’m too old and unable to work anymore.”

At that moment, a door curtain was flung back with a sudden swish, and someone rushed into the hall.

It was Old Zhao who could no longer hold herself back anymore.

“What’s this about support or no support? Did we raise all these grown-up sons for nothing? Each of you are nothing but blood-sucking leeches and white-eyed wolves! You want to settle scores with your old mother? Has this old mother birthed you wretches in vain? What about all the pee and shit that I had wiped up until now? Now that you’ve grown up and want to divide up the family, you want to take everything of value and not support your father and mother? Even if I, your old mother can forgive you, your ancestors will never forgive this crime!!”

Old Zhao’s words were so sharp that Xue Qingbai and his two other brothers hung their heads in shame. All kinds of emotions churned inside them, a mix of shame, guilt, and resentment.

Xue Qingbai had always been the most filial and obedient among all the sons. Therefore, these accusations made him feel uneasy and he started regretting ever talking about dividing the family.

“Mother, how about we-”

Zhou’shi’s voice suddenly cut through his words, “Mother, what are you talking about not supporting? Even if Father said that we should not give anything, we will still hand it over. We shall give our support according to the village customs. Even though the family is now divided, we still live in the same house. Therefore, we shall continue to be filial to you and Father. The reason why we want to divide is not out of unwillingness to show filial piety to you or Father, but it’s because the family is not well off. Each family has to decide who their priority is, isn’t it so?”

These words managed to silence Xue Qingbai. That’s right, it is only natural for children to support their parents. However, in what twisted world is it right for a younger brother to support not just his older brother but this older brother’s entire family as well?

“Just say it! Each and every one of you thinks that the main branch spends too much money!” Old Zhao sneered.

The people facing her remained silent. Isn’t this obvious? Do they even have to say it out loud?

Old Zhao’s sneer grew even colder, “Fine, if you have the ability, go ahead and live your own lives. If you think that the main branch is spending too much of the family money, once the main branch becomes successful in the future, don’t ever dream of crawling back or begging for benefits!”

Old Zhao’s words made everyone feel awkward.

Yang’shi simpered from the side, “Since our Juncai has no ability, he is looked down on by his uncles and aunts. How could they possibly come to us for benefits…”

Now that these words had been thrown out, if they continued to remain silent, it would look like they wanted to remain quiet so they could still seek benefits in the future.

Zhao’er sneered, “Eldest Aunt, please rest assured. Even if Gou’er and I became so poor that we have to beg for food in the streets, we will not come begging at your doorstep.”

Zhou’shi added, “Eldest Sister-in-law may rest assured. We know our place. We are nothing but people who would spend the rest of our lives working in the dirt. We are not fated to be rich and will never ask to be more than what we are.”

At this, Sun’shi also could not remain silent. In the end, the third branch and the second branch were in the same boat, and no matter how materialistic she was, she could not face the shame of being seen as someone clinging to a future connection.

Just as she was about to say something equally cutting, a loud bang interrupted her.

Old Man Xue had just overturned the small table on the kang.

 

[Gumihou: These shitty relatives…]

 

[1] Okay, let me say this first. The words used in connection to these buildings: north side, east side, west side as well as ‘family room’ were all created by the translator to give readers a clearer picture of the Xue family residence based on the traditional farming courtyard-style house that ancient Chinese like.

The original description was rather inadequate and misleading. The word ‘fang’ or ‘room’ could be interpreted as room or house, which just makes things tricky when Zhao’er and Sun’shi started talking about ‘this room’ and ‘old room’ as though it makes any difference…

 

TL Notes:

1 mu – 0.165 acres or 666.67 sq meters

 

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