Chapter 16 Preaching

Seeing that more and more people were surrounding Su Fengzhang, wanting to talk to him, Wang Pozi turned the tide and pushed the old women away, shouting, "Erlang, you promised to take my Tiezhu first."

"Of course." Su Fengzhang smiled and looked down at Wang Tiezhu again. "Tiezhu, I will be your teacher from now on. Today, I will teach you a lesson."

Wang Tiezhu felt that the look in the eyes of Su Jia Erlang was extremely terrifying, and he subconsciously looked at his grandmother for help.

Mrs. Wang failed to understand her grandson's panic and pushed him: "Look at what I am doing. From now on, you will listen to your husband."

Su Fengzhang smiled and said, "Do you know what you did wrong today?"

Wang Tiezhu shuddered and mumbled, "I, I shouldn't have scolded Su San."

"Wrong, absolutely wrong." Su Fengzhang shook his head. "Your mistake lies in not knowing right from wrong. As a man, you listen to women's words without thinking and spread them widely. You lack the ability to distinguish."

"Remember, when you hear something, first think deeply about whether it's true or false, right or wrong. Don't just believe everything someone says. Otherwise, when you grow up and become the head of a family, won't you be easily fooled?"

Originally, Su Fengzhang said that Wang Tiezhu was not good, and Wang Po was unhappy, but after hearing this, she felt that there seemed to be some truth in it.

Su Fengzhang continued, "There are many good people in this world, but there are also many bad people. Some people use sweet words and deceit to deceive people for money and sex, and it is not uncommon for them to defraud people and make them lose everything. So it's not just Wang Tiezhu who does this, the villagers should also be more careful in their daily lives."

As soon as this was said, everyone around thought it was right. Some even said, "That's right. Just look at the Zhang family in the next village. A distant relative wanted to borrow money for business and asked Zhang Lao Da to be the guarantor. Now look what happened. Zhang Lao Da is involved in the lawsuit as well."

Wang Tiezhu nodded quickly: "I, I know I was wrong."

Su Fengzhang pulled him in front of Su Lanzhang and said, "Today you believed the rumors and insulted Lanzhang to his face. A real man should admit his mistakes and correct them. Shouldn't you apologize to him?"

"Su San, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have scolded you." After Wang Tiezhu said this, he felt indescribably aggrieved and burst into tears.

Mrs. Wang was so distressed that she was about to step forward and say something, but she saw Su Fengzhang looking at Su Lanzhang again.

"Third brother, do you know you are wrong?" Su Fengzhang spoke.

Su Lanzhang was originally happy to hear the apology, but after hearing this, she lowered her head again.

Su Fengzhang said, "Although Tiezhu was at fault, it's always better to admit your mistakes and then improve. It was also wrong for you to hit him. Shouldn't you also apologize to Tiezhu?"

Su Lanzhang was a little embarrassed, but still said obediently: "Tiezhu, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have hit you."

Su Fengzhang finally nodded, put the two children's hands together, and said loudly: "Remember, you are all from Yuexi Village, sharing the same roots and bloodline. It doesn't matter if you quarrel with each other, but you must not harbor any rifts."

"We all grew up drinking from the same stream. We must work together to make Yuexi Village better and better."

"Well said!" a voice came through the crowd.

Village chief Su Wenhui had a strange look of excitement on his face, and everyone else made way for him.

When he walked up to Su Fengzhang, he patted him on the shoulder and said, "Erlang, I didn't expect to hear such words today. They are shocking and enlightening. You are a good boy!"

"Listen up, fellow villagers! Remember, only when Yuexi Village is doing well can everyone else's lives be better. I don't care about your petty quarrels and arguments, but we must be united and tightly bound together. This way, others will be wary of us, and Yuexi Village will have some respect in this area."

The villagers around were confused. They just came to watch the fun, it was just a quarrel between children, how could it be escalated into a big issue?

The village chief, however, was still not satisfied: "Erlang, it's good that you teach your children to read, but will it affect your own studies?"

"A quarter of an hour every day is no problem. I also want to do something for the village." Su Fengzhang said with a smile.

"Then I won't stop you." The village chief, not knowing what he was thinking, gave him a meaningful look, waved his hand and said, "If you have nothing to do, go back quickly. There's no farm work at home. Don't try to join in on everything."

After he said this, everyone dispersed, and Mrs. Wang hurriedly carried her grandson away.

After everyone had left, the village chief looked at Su Fengzhang, patted him on the shoulder and said, "I was worried about your youthful impetuosity, but I didn't expect... well, with you in the Su family, we'll be able to make a comeback sooner or later."

After saying this, the village chief left with a smile, seeming very satisfied with Su Fengzhang.

All of them left at once, and then Su Zhaoshi said, "These old women are so talkative."

If her son had not used the law to suppress that old woman Wang, it would have been difficult to resolve the situation if a quarrel broke out. Their family might even have to pay for the patient's medical expenses. Su Zhaoshi was powerless to fight back against this shrew.

"Mom, how could such a rumor spread?" Su Fengzhang asked with a frown.

Su Zhaoshi had already figured out the lawsuit and said, "I guess it's because I asked your uncle to return a few pieces of cloth a few days ago. Someone saw it, and when word got out, things got distorted."

Maybe it was because of her brother's wife, but Su Zhaoshi didn't want to talk about her elders in front of her son.

"Erlang, do you really want to teach those children in the future?" Su Zhaoshi was still unwilling in her heart.

"Yes, this isn't a sudden idea." Su Fengzhang explained, "We can't stay indoors all the time during the three years of mourning. We should communicate with the villagers from time to time. This is a good idea."

Although the villagers are rough, they generally respect scholars. This can be seen from the fact that Wang Po dares to yell at Su Zhaoshi, but is polite to Su Fengzhang.

It is impossible for their family to live in seclusion forever. Such an isolated environment is not good for adults or children. Especially since the two children are still young, such a closed environment is even more detrimental to their growth.

It only takes a quarter of an hour every day to graze two sheep or a flock of sheep, and you can also gain the respect of the villagers. Why not do it?

Su Zhaoshi also thought of this, sighed and said, "It's just hard work for you."

"What's so hard about this?" Su Fengzhang said with a smile.

He looked at the people in the yard and said, "While everyone is here, I'd like to say a few words. Although my father and eldest brother are gone, the Su family's days are far from being that difficult."

"Even if I fail the exam and live a life of poverty, I will never sell you out. Madam Wei and Zao'er have been with the Su family for many years. Even if you haven't made any contributions, you've worked hard. If that day ever comes, we will return your indentures and let you find your own way to make a living."

Su Zhao's eyes flashed, and she reached out to hold Zao'er's hand, saying, "We have been master and servant for many years. Although we are not mother and daughter, we are better than mother and daughter. Zao'er, you can rest assured. Our family will never sell anyone out."

Zao'er started to cry when she heard this. She was actually a little scared after hearing the rumors these past two days. Madam Wei was old, Madam Bai was at least the master's concubine, and Sanlang Huihui was the child of the family.

If we want to sell people, we have to sell her first.

"Madam, Master, Zao'er can't speak, but she knows the word loyalty. I will be a servant of the Su family all my life."

Madam Wei also shouted at the top of her voice: "Where else can we find a master as good as the Su family? We both signed an indenture to sell ourselves. Even if the mistress or the young master chases us away, we will not leave. We will stay in the Su family for the rest of our lives."

After saying this, the three of them actually hugged each other and burst into tears.

Aunt Bai also wiped the corners of her eyes, her voice a little hoarse: "It is our blessing to meet Madam."

Seeing that Aunt Bai was about to start crying, Su Fengzhang quickly said, "Alright, stop crying. We still have a long life ahead of us, and there will always be a time to enjoy happiness. Don't you have confidence that I can pass the exam?"

"Pooh, pooh, pooh, children speak without restraint." Su Zhao said hurriedly.

After finally coaxing them into silence, Madam Wei and Zao'er went about their business. Madam Bai was about to go too but was stopped.

Su Zhao took them back to the main room and took out a small box from the bedside.

When the box was opened, there were two rows of silver ingots inside, not counting the gold and silver jewelry, and it was estimated that there were about two hundred taels of silver.

Su Zhao patted Aunt Bai's hand and said, "I was only thinking about whether there was enough money at home, but I forgot to inform everyone. It's my fault that you are worried."

Aunt Bai quickly said, "Madam, what you said is wrong. I know the situation at home. It's all because of Sanlang that he believes everything he hears. He even got into a fight with someone because of this. It's really..."

"Sanlang is a man of courage. It's a good thing that he is willing to support you as his mother." Su Zhaoshi felt that Su Lanzhang did a good job. Although he was a little rough, if a child was scolded by his mother and sister without any reaction, she would be afraid that she would raise an ungrateful child.

Su Fengzhang also patted his brother's head and said with a smile, "Don't worry now, there's still money at home."

Su Lanzhang smiled awkwardly and was too shy to speak.

After Aunt Bai took the two children out, Su Zhao grabbed her son and pulled him back to sit.

Su Fengzhang was about to ask her what was the matter, but he saw Su Zhao turned around, knocked out a space from the bed floor, and took out two silver notes from it, each with a face value of one hundred taels.

"Mom, where are you from?" The Su family was not well-off, and they had held two funerals before.

Su Zhao sighed and said, "Your father brought it back before he was dismissed from his post. I don't know if he was found out for embezzling this little money, so... well, it's silver after all."

Su Fengzhang thought it was unlikely. If Su Dianli was a corrupt person, the Su family wouldn't be so poor. Compared to corruption, hush money was more likely.

Su Zhaoshi adjusted her thoughts and said, "So Feng'er, don't worry about money. We still have enough money for your studies. As long as you study wholeheartedly and pass the imperial examination, I will have done my best to repay my ancestors."

"Before, Mom was thinking that if you really didn't want to study, you could exchange this money for farmland, so that you could at least support the family."

Well, he actually missed a good opportunity to become the local landlord. I guess even if he changed his mind now, Su Zhaoshi would not agree.

However, Su Fengzhang asked curiously, "Mom, my father has been an official for so many years, how come he hasn't acquired many acres of land?"

Su Zhao sighed: "It's all because of lack of money."

"When the family was divided, the old man left the old house to us and gave most of the good farmland to your second uncle. He thought that your father had achieved fame and was an official in the government, so he would be able to save enough to buy another property."

"Who knew fate would play such a trick on us? In the first few years, your father's salary wasn't even enough to cover the expenses, and the family had to contribute money. Although things got better later, your father still hadn't given up and wanted to go to Beijing to take the imperial examinations, which also made the family's expenses very high."

"Year after year passed, and there wasn't even a single profit. I always said your father didn't know how to adapt as an official, and he was obsessed with face. He wanted everything that others had. There were three scholars in the family, and later we had a concubine named Bai..."

"I've started saving money in recent years, but your eldest brother is looking for a marriage, so I have to spend money as a betrothal gift. Paddy fields in the village are not easy to buy, so this has delayed it."

"Hey, who would have thought that after your father died, the family would have extra money."

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Today's update is late~~~ But I will keep updating every day~