“This was a decision we made together,” Old Man Huang said seriously. “I didn’t get involved when it was necessary to avoid it, and I didn’t have any selfish motives.”
"Second Uncle," Huang Sheng continued, "I can accept all of what you've said, but I just want to ask how that bastard Huang Shicheng will be dealt with? It's not just going to be a few days of light punishment, is it?"
"Don't rush, we'll get to that soon." Old Man Huang straightened his face before speaking. "We're all family here, so there's no need to hold back. Huang Shicheng's actions have exceeded our tolerance, but ultimately, it's the eldest branch of the family that's suffering, so the impact on us is ultimately limited."
"Now, let's talk about how to deal with him."
"First, strip him of his position as clan chief and take back his clan genealogy, seal, and ancestral land."
"Secondly, five mu of paddy fields and five mu of dry land were confiscated. Of these, 60% was taken to the county to apologize, and the remaining 40% was divided equally among the 22 households to compensate for today's losses."
"Finally, all the adult males of Huang Shicheng’s family moved to the back mountain to guard the ancestral graves and repent to their ancestors. For the next ten years, the eldest son’s lineage was not allowed to step into the ancestral hall."
"It still doesn't feel like anything's wrong," Huang Sheng said with some dissatisfaction. "It would be better to just hand the person over to the authorities."
“What nonsense are you talking about?” Huang Sige, who had just taken over, immediately rebuked. “If you have a grudge against him, take revenge on your own. No one will say a word. But if you want to drag the whole village down with you, I will be the first to object.”
Fools, what good will they get from laying this out on the table?
It would be better to take the position now and at least get a share of the money.
"That's the decision. Does anyone disagree?"
“I disagree,” Huang Shixin said, mustering his courage. “You can’t treat our elder brother like this. He is the clan leader. How can our ancestors rest in peace if you seize power in the ancestral hall?”
Old Man Huang didn't respond. Instead, he had someone bring out the Huang clan chief. "You heard what I just said. What do you have to say?"
At this moment, Chief Huang was unusually calm.
He remained unmoved by the whispers and pointing fingers at him.
After a long silence, he finally spoke with his eyes closed, "I have no objection; it's entirely up to the clan to decide."
"Brother, have you gone mad?" Huang Shixin asked incredulously. "How can you not become the clan leader? How can you face our deceased parents?"
“Shut up,” Huang Shicheng glared at his younger brother. “Behave yourself and do whatever the clan tells you to do.”
"Oh!" Although Huang Shixin was reluctant, he dared not disobey his elder brother's instructions.
“Since no one objects,” Old Man Huang nodded, “that’s settled then. We’ll talk about one last thing and then everyone can leave.”
"The second branch becoming the clan leader was a last resort, not an intentional overstepping of authority. To prove my innocence, I will say a few things."
First, we won't need to pay a fee for adding entries to the family genealogy in the future.
Secondly, regarding the income from the sacrificial fields, my family only receives 30%, which is half less than before. The remaining 30% is distributed among all households in the village.
Third, after the corvée labor was completed, the village built a school. Villagers didn't need to contribute money; they only needed to lend a hand.
After Old Man Huang finished speaking, the crowd was silent for a moment, and then immediately cheered.
"Second Uncle," Huang Sheng's voice trembled slightly, "are we really going to build a school in Huangjiakou?"
“Really,” Old Man Huang said slowly, “The second branch of the family acts with a clear conscience. Putting aside today’s events, everyone should know how the second branch has been handling things these days.”
“I believe it,” Brother Huang said excitedly. “When the corvée labor began, my fifth sister-in-law brought out all kinds of meat and vegetables. If it weren’t for that, I don’t know how many people would have fallen ill.”
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