Chapter 62 Stop Dreaming

When Chen Zhanliang heard that the land was going to be sold, he was so angry that he jumped up and down, pointing at Chen Zhancai's nose and cursing.

"You unfilial son, what a stupid idea you came up with! You even want to sell the land. You are really getting more and more outrageous.

If you keep going like this, sooner or later our family will be ruined by you. You incompetent thing, aren't you afraid that our ancestors will crawl out from the ground and slap you in the face?"

Sun was furious. "Third brother, you are so shameless and hopeless. Do you have any conscience? Land is the lifeblood of farmers. We all rely on digging in the soil and farming to support our families. Are you crazy or have you been kicked by a donkey? You actually want to sell the land. Why don't you just eat shit?"

"I don't think his brain is filled with water or kicked by a donkey, but is covered with shit." After saying this, Chen Zhanliang glared at Chen Zhancai fiercely.

Chen Zhancai's face flushed red, and he gritted his teeth, "Stop lecturing me here. If you have the ability, come up with a solution. The matter at hand is urgent. The only valuable thing in our family is the land. What else can we do if we don't sell it?

Are we just going to wait for someone to come to our house and cause trouble? Have someone go to the county government and sue us for marriage fraud?

When that happens, none of us can escape and we will all be brought to court to face punishment. Not only will we have to pay back the money owed, but at the very least, each of us will receive twenty lashes of the cane. At the worst, men will be exiled to the army, and women will be enslaved for generations. You can decide for yourself what is more serious or less severe."

Chen Zhanliang and his wife were frightened by these words and lowered their heads without saying anything.

Old Man Chen shook his head and sighed, "Third Brother, you're right, but land is the foundation of farmers' survival. It's the wealth left by our ancestors, passed down from generation to generation. If I sell it, I won't be able to face them in the future!"

"Dad, to be honest, I'm reluctant to sell the land, but there's no other way now. You have to think long-term. As the saying goes, if you're willing to give up an acre of land, you'll win a bright future. We're saving the country now, not wasting money.

As long as I can get over this hurdle now, I have a 120% chance of passing the examination to become a scholar next year. Not only can our taxes be reduced, but I will also have the opportunity to take the imperial examination.

If I am lucky and work harder to pass the imperial examination next year, then our family will no longer be a small family, but a family of high-ranking officials.

If you like farming, your son can easily get you a hundred or eighty acres of land.

Then you can hire a few farmhands and sit down at the edge of the field, drinking tea and cracking melon seeds.

If you were to have two maids to serve you, you would look like a wealthy man!"

Chen Zhancai spoke eloquently and painted a rosy picture for Old Man Chen.

After hearing this, Old Man Chen's frown gradually relaxed, a smile appeared on his face, and he waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no, Dad has suffered for most of his life, and I dare not order a pretty girl around. I can just hire a few more farmhands when the time comes."

Seeing that Old Man Chen was almost flattered by his deception, Chen Zhanliang laughed coldly, "Dad, these are all nonsense. Wake up and stop dreaming."

"Shut up, what do you mean by 'nonsense'? Since the third brother said that he has a 120% chance of passing the imperial examination next year, then our family will soon have a good life. Just enjoy it with us."

"Okay, Dad, stop making empty promises and do something practical." Chen Zhanliang really wanted to swear.

Old Man Chen was so angry that he was speechless. He looked at Old Lady Chen and said, "Old woman, don't be so reserved. You are the one who makes the decisions in our family. What are we going to do? Just tell us straight out."

Old Mrs. Chen was still struggling, but when she heard the big pie that Chen Zhancai had just painted, she was immediately intoxicated and excited.

Although it is a bit hard now, my son’s future is the most important.

When the third son becomes successful, the Chen family will be prosperous, and they will no longer bend over backwards for money or for rice.

By then, she will be free from her status as a prostitute, live in a big house, wear fine clothes, eat delicacies from land and sea, and have maids to serve her. Why not?

The more she thought about it, the more beautiful it became. She couldn't help but burst out laughing, "Okay, listen to the third brother, it's settled."

Old man Chen smiled and nodded, "Yes, listen to the third brother."

"Dad, Mom, we can't sell the land!" Chen Zhanliang was so angry that he objected. "Think about it carefully. We have a large family. If we really sell the land, how will we make a living in the future? This is not a joke."

Old Lady Chen glared at him impatiently. "Shut up, second brother! Didn't you hear what your third brother just said? Wait until the third brother brings honor to the family, and you'll have everything you want. Why are you still fussing over such trivial matters? It's settled. Sell the four mu of land and fill that fifty taels of silver hole first."

"Mom, you believe what the third brother said. What if he still fails to pass the exam?"

Old Mrs. Chen was furious. "Bah! You have a bad mouth. If the third child fails the exam, I will sew your mouth shut with a needle so that you can keep talking nonsense."

"Just spoil him. Sooner or later, he'll make you a loser." Chen Zhanliang rolled his eyes.

Chen Zhancai raised his eyebrows, looking very proud. "Second brother, don't always look at me with disdain. Let me tell you, I am your brother and I have great ambitions. Sooner or later, I will show you how I can make the Chen family live in luxury."

Chen Zhanliang waved his hands impatiently, "Alright, alright, stop making promises. If you're really capable, stop plotting against your family members. Don't sell off other people's daughters or squander the little inheritance our ancestors left behind. If you can do this, I, your second brother, will be very happy."

"You, you, you, don't look down on me." Chen Zhancai's face turned red with shame, and he was embarrassed to the extreme.

Old Mrs. Chen couldn't stand it any longer and glared at him, "Second brother, don't always say such harsh words. Third brother is right. If our family wants to live a good life, the responsibility lies with him."

Sun frowned and said, "Alright, Zhanliang, we are just two people with little influence. Mother won't believe anything you say. Let her do whatever she wants. We won't get involved. At worst, we can just split up and live separately. That will save us a lot of trouble."

Chen Zhanliang was worried because all the money had been taken away by the third brother. Now he had to sell the land because the hole was not filled.

This year was originally a disaster year. After paying taxes, the remaining grain was not enough to last through the winter.

If I sell a few acres of land now, I am afraid my family will go hungry in the winter.

But what can he do if his parents insist on doing so?

"Wife, you're right." Chen Zhanliang glared at Chen Zhancai, "Third brother, for you, this family has sold everything it can and can't sell. Since your parents are counting on you, you'd better not let them down."

He vented his dissatisfaction and stopped talking...