Chapter 3329: Breaking off Relationship Part 2
"Elders, please calm down. The Zhou family is also facing difficulties," Bai Shan sighed. "The Zhou family may seem prosperous now, but as you can see, with so many people, no matter how large the family business may seem, it won't be much when it comes to the hands of our descendants."
The Zhang family elder looked up at the Zhou family across from him, remaining silent. A wealthy family might appear wealthy, but once the family business split into two or three parts, even a wealthy family could become impoverished, let alone the Zhou family, which had so many sons and grandchildren.
Bai Shan continued, "Look at the people in Qili Village and the families in other villages who are related to the Zhou family. We can help, and the Zhou family has done its best to help. When planting new rice and wheat seeds, no matter what the selling price is outside, we always give the lowest price to our neighbors and relatives. We don't make money, but we just don't lose money."
"When it comes to growing medicinal herbs, we give seeds to anyone who asks for them, and teach them how to grow them. We do our best to help them," Bai Shan continued. "And when the caravan under Brother Zhou needs help, we prioritize recruiting from the village and relatives. With this kind of help, it's impossible to say that the Zhou family is wealthy. We're just helping everyone get rich together."
"But life should be smooth and enjoyable. Otherwise, if you help someone and still get bullied, life would be too frustrating," Bai Shan said, pointing at Old Zhou, who had been staring blankly. "My father-in-law has been unhappy since he came back yesterday. The feud between the Zhang family and our Zhou family is no secret; it's common knowledge."
"But that's how it is. Yesterday, my uncles still politely welcomed them in. We originally thought that they were relatives after all, and since they had come to us for help, it wouldn't be a big deal to help them within the scope of what we are allowed to do. But the requests of these cousins and nephews of the Zhang family are too much." Bai Shan said, "My father-in-law was not very happy about helping the Zhang family in the first place. After this incident, he is even more unhappy about helping them. I think any of you would be unhappy too, right?"
That’s right, they are relatives, but the two families are almost like enemies. Who would be willing to help their enemies?
"But this is just one of the reasons. The most important thing is the future of our Zhou family," Bai Shan said. "The Zhou and Zhang families are not on good terms. Looking at the behavior of my cousins and nephews, we can tell that even if they receive benefits, they won't be grateful. And if they don't get any benefits, they will definitely resent it."
"Several of the Zhou family's grandsons are now serving as officials. Their reputation is very important. If the two families continue to be close, the Zhang family will say a few words about them, and the Zhou family's reputation will be damaged, and the future of my nephews will be affected."
"The relationship between the two families is already bad. If we become enemies because of this, it could become a feud between the two clans." Bai Shan said, "In-laws are not only between the two families, but also between the two clans. Breaking off the relationship, breaking off the relationship, can't sever the blood relationship, nor can it sever the existing feelings. If we meet in the future, will Manbao and I dare not call the clan elder "uncle"?"
The elders of the Zhang family were moved. This meant that they would cut off ties with Zhang Sanlang's family, but the relationship between the Zhou family and the Zhang family would not be affected.
"This..." The people of the Zhang family looked at each other and hesitated.
Village Chief Zhou said, "Uncle Zhang, several villages intermarry, so which family isn't related? This severing of ties only severs the ties between Uncle Jin and his maternal grandfather's family, not between the two families. Didn't Dahong from our village marry Sanniang from the Zhang family in your village? Doesn't this severance of ties between Uncle Jin and his maternal grandfather mean that their two families will also sever ties?"
Zhang Family: "Of course that's not possible."
Village Chief Zhou sighed and said, "It didn't have to get to this point. Just like our uncle said, the two families haven't interacted for over a decade. We don't have so many formalities in the countryside, and the blood relationship has become much weaker by the time of Li Zhong and his generation. If you meet children on the street, you might not recognize them. But people's words can be scary."
"We have officials in our Zhou family, and Uncle Jin is still alive. We're not too far-fetched by blood. If they spread rumors, even if people outside don't believe them, the Li Zhong officials won't be able to hold their positions securely." Village Chief Zhou said, "We only have these few promising descendants. If we ruin their future, we're ruining the future of our entire Zhou family. No one in Qili Village can agree to this."
The Zhou clan elders said, "That's right, old friend. Right now, this is just a conflict between two families. If it really affects Li Zhong and his family's future, it will become a matter between two families and two villages!"
The Zhang family elders exchanged glances. Zhang Sanlang, upon seeing this, shouted, "Uncle, don't listen to them. If our two families really sever ties, will they still be able to help us in the future?"
"Even if the two families are still close, they won't help you," Bai Shan said, "Just based on the scene your family caused at my father-in-law's funeral, do you think the two families still have friendship? As for other relatives..."
Bai Shan looked at the Zhang family elders and said, "Relatives are relatives. My father-in-law and my uncles know how close they are. As for helping each other, it's actually mutual. You can see the situation in our village. We don't help everyone who comes to us. We will help as much as we can, and it does not violate the law or our own interests."
Zhou Silang seized the opportunity to say, "That's right, uncle. We're all relatives. Although we haven't interacted much in the past, we don't have any grudges against each other. As long as it's appropriate, it's only natural for relatives to help each other."
Zhang Sanlang was anxious: "Uncle..."
"I've been wanting to talk about you for a long time," the Zhang family elder said with a dark expression. "Hasn't your family caused enough trouble in the village over the years? The weather is so good now. We have farmland and crops, and the yields are higher than before. As long as we're a little more diligent, who can live like you?"
"You've even gone to our relatives' house to ask for money. You've completely disgraced our Zhang family." The Zhang family elder said sullenly, "Since my in-laws have said so, and we haven't had any contact for years, let's sever the ties."
"No!" Zhang Sanlang shouted, "My uncle is still alive. My grandfather is his uncle, and my father is still alive. They are cousins. How can we sever the relationship?"
"If biological fathers and sons can sever ties, why can't cousins?" The Zhang family elder asked sternly, "Are you going to drag your family into enmity with the entire Zhang family?"
"Bah! It's obvious you're after the Zhou family's benefits. Don't think I didn't hear Zhou Silang just said he'd help you," Zhang Sanlang raged. "It's my great aunt who married into the Zhou family. What does that have to do with you? Even if there's any benefit, it should go to my family!"
Bai Shan was speechless and could not help but say, "Third cousin, be careful with your words. What's good about this? The Zhou family is just a farming family. It's just like the villagers helping each other harvest rice. It's about friendship, not blood ties that have been passed down for generations."
(End of this chapter)
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