Chapter 8 Gift Giving
Together with Su Zhaoshi, Bai Yiniang Zao'er and Madam Wei, they quickly packed up the gifts sent by Steward Ding. They kept those they could use and put away those they couldn't use, dividing them into dozens of portions according to the closeness of their relationship.
Su Zhao pointed to two of them and said, "One of these is for your second uncle's family, one is for the village chief's family, and the others are for the villagers who helped us before. Feng'er, please take Sanlang and deliver them to each family one by one."
After hesitating for a moment, Su Zhaoshi still instructed: "Feng'er, go to the village chief's house first and say something nice when you deliver the gifts."
Su Fengzhang nodded, understanding what Su Zhaoshi didn't mean. In the future, their family must live in the village. Although Uncle Su's family is there, the person who calls the shots in the village is the village chief.
"Let's go." Su Fengzhang picked up the two gifts with the most items, and Su Lanzhang obediently carried the two smaller ones.
These cured meats and salted fish were not precious, but they were rare in the village. Su Zhaoshi tied them up with hemp ropes, which made it very convenient to carry. However, Su Fengzhang was not very strong, and his hands were soon left with red marks.
Su Lanzhang walked beside him with a grunt. As soon as he left the house, he said, "Second brother, why should we give the meat to the village chief? Even if we can't eat it ourselves, we can just give it to my second uncle's family. I don't like the village chief."
Su Zongzhan was so angry that he died. Su Dianli was so angry that he said he would go to the government office to file a complaint.
At that time, it was the village chief Su Wenzhong who brought people to stop him, fearing that he would really go to the government office and get into trouble.
Su Dianli was so angry that he lost his mind. Before his death, he cursed the village chief Su Wenzhong at home, saying that he was a softie and had no backbone. It would have been fine if he didn't stand up for the villagers, but he didn't know whether he said good things because he accepted money from the Chen family.
It was because of what her father said that Su Lanzhang always had a bad impression of the village chief.
However, in Su Fengzhang's opinion, Su Wenzhong did a good thing. Even if he had gone to file a complaint at that time, the county magistrate Cai was not there, and he could not explain the matter of marriage. Moreover, before this, everyone thought that Su Dianli had offended the county magistrate Cai.
"Lan Zhang, we will live in the village from now on. The village chief is the boss here, do you understand?" Su Fengzhang did not say those words of understanding, but just said this.
When Su Lanzhang heard this, he said gloomily: "Second brother, I know. In the county, Mr. Cai is the most powerful, and in this village, the chief is the most powerful."
Seeing his droopy look, Su Fengzhang wanted to reach out and touch his head to comfort him, but unfortunately he was carrying something in his hands. He could only say, "Don't worry, my second brother is here."
The Su family's house was in a very good location, only a few steps away from the village chief's house, and they soon arrived at the door.
It was not customary for people in the countryside to lock their doors during the day. Su Fengzhang stood at the door and called out, "Uncle, are you home?"
Soon someone came out to greet them. It was the village chief's wife, Liu: "Boss, it's the second son of the Su family who's here."
Su Wenzhong is a few years older than their biological father and is also a member of the Su clan, but the blood relationship between the two families is not close.
He had been squatting on the porch smoking a pipe, but when he heard this he stood up and asked, "Why is Erlang here in such a cold weather?"
There are not many rules for mourning in the countryside, but their family is still in mourning, so they probably won’t go out for a walk if there is nothing to do, especially since the two of them, one big and one small, are carrying things in their hands.
"It's like this. Just now, the County Magistrate, Lord Cai, remembered the old friendship and sent his steward to pay tribute to my father. He also gave him a lot of gifts. However, we can't eat these meats, such as bacon and salted fish, at home now. So my mother asked me to give them to the villagers to try."
Su Fengzhang smiled and handed over the thing in his hand.
Su Wenzhong frowned and said, "These are such good things, how can we give them away for free? The bacon and salted fish can be stored well, just keep them at home and eat them when the time comes."
"Although it's pickled, it's easy to spoil in hot weather." Su Fengzhang insisted on handing it over. "It can't rot at home, uncle. My father's funeral is thanks to you. Please don't be polite."
After much persuasion, Su Wenzhong finally accepted it.
After accepting the things, Su Wenzhong said frankly: "Just live in the village with peace of mind. If you need anything, just come to me. If anyone bullies you, I will tell you how to deal with them. Apart from anything else, I think your words are still effective in this small piece of land."
"Thank you, uncle. We feel relieved with your words." Su Fengzhang said with a smile.
Su Wenzhong added, "Your grandfather, father, and elder brother are all scholars. Erlang, the Su family will depend on you in the future. You must study hard and pass the imperial examinations as soon as possible. Only when they know this can they rest in peace."
Su Fengzhang felt bitter when talking about studying, but he could only agree at this moment. Su Wenzhong asked for more food.
Su Fengzhang said goodbye quickly: "Then we'll leave first. We still have to go to my second uncle's house."
"Hey, why don't you sit down and have a cup of tea." Liu had just brought out the tea when she saw that everyone had left.
But as soon as she saw the food on the table, she felt happy. Bacon and salted fish were all good things. This much was enough for their family to eat for a long time. "I didn't expect that this kid from the Su family is better at dealing with people than his father."
Su Wenzhong rolled his eyes at her and cursed, "Women are long on hair but short on knowledge. Do you think he's just here to give a gift?"
Liu was unhappy: "The things are all here. If they are not gifts, then what is it? They will live in the village in the future. Isn't it natural for them to please you?"
"Giving gifts is giving gifts, but it is also a warning." Su Wenzhong sighed and tapped his pipe.
Look at how well the child spoke. He mentioned both the County Magistrate Cai and the Steward Ding. Isn’t it obvious that he was telling him that although Su Dianli was gone, his connections were still there.
Once these bacon are sent out, those who think that the orphans and widows in this family are easy to bully and want to step on them will have to think twice. After all, not everyone who dies will have the county magistrate remember to send a cart of things to your family.
Su Fengzhang and his brother walked for a whole morning before they finished delivering all the gifts. The villagers who received the gifts were naturally very happy and treated them very kindly.
On the way back, Su Fengzhang suddenly remembered something. His family was in mourning, and the county magistrate could not have been unaware of it. Steward Ding was very thorough in his work and was not a careless person.
So, among the gifts he sent, there were a lot of bacon and salted fish. Was that intentional?
After all, the most likely reason for the Su family to give these things away is to give them away. Once they give them away, the origin of the things will naturally be revealed.
Could it be that the magistrate, Lord Cai, is so thoughtful that he expressed his protection for the Su family in this subtle way?
However, all this was Su Fengzhang's own guess. He couldn't possibly ask Lord Cai about the truth.
Out of Su Fengzhang's sight, Steward Ding returned to the county government office and immediately met with Lord Cai to report the matter.
He explained everything in detail, without revealing a single detail from beginning to end.
Master Cai stroked his goatee and nodded with satisfaction: "I am always at ease with you in your work."
Lord Cai sighed, not knowing what he was thinking of. He revealed a hint of worry, "If I had known this would happen, I probably wouldn't have let Su Dianli take the responsibility. In the end, it cost him his life."
Steward Ding quickly said, "This is all a fluke. Who could have imagined the Chen family would be so ruthless, rushing to attack someone else, and the Su family's eldest son... All this can only be blamed on fate. Otherwise, Su Dianli would still be back a year later."
"The Chen family, huh." Lord Cai's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness as he sneered, "They thought they were climbing up the social ladder, but they never imagined they were just a purchasing agent. If we send this young lady from the Chen family over, we don't know how long she can survive."
Steward Ding also said, "How many people, for the sake of fame and wealth, have even disregarded propriety, integrity, and the lives of their children. After all, they were born into the merchant family."
"The Chen family will suffer the consequences sooner or later, so you don't have to worry about it, sir."
Lord Cai looked down upon the Chen family and thought to himself that Su Dianli's vision was really poor. It would have been fine if he was born into a merchant family, but he was so narrow-minded. What was even more hateful was that he had no sense of friendship at all. It was really disgusting.
Magistrate Cai sighed again, "It's a pity that the deceased is gone. I'm afraid the Su family will have no one left in the future."
Steward Ding was understanding and said, "Sir, that's not necessarily the case. Apart from anything else, I saw today that the second young master of the Su family was very convincing and capable. He does have some skills."
"Oh, really?" Lord Cai thought for a moment, but couldn't recall Su Fengzhang. "I've never heard Su Dianli mention him before. I only knew that his eldest son passed the imperial examination."
"I saw it clearly. The second young master also said that he would remember your kindness. It's a pity that he couldn't come to your house to express his gratitude." Butler Ding said.
Lord Cai stroked his beard again, and he seemed to be somewhat interested. "He is indeed thoughtful. If this is the case, the Su family will not decline. If this kid wants to take the imperial examination in the future, I can also support him."
As soon as Steward Ding heard this, he knew that Lord Cai felt guilty towards Su Dianli and wanted to protect the second son of the Su family. Although he didn't know whether the second son would take the imperial examination, he kept this in mind.
Lord Cai did not hide the fact that he sent Steward Ding out of the city to offer sacrifices from others, and soon everyone who should know knew about it.
The officials under him who had come to pay their respects were naturally relieved, but those who had not gone were regretful. They originally thought that Su Dianli was abandoned, but who would have thought that Lord Cai still cared about him. In this case, they had to send someone to express their gratitude.
The officials were fine, but the Chen family frowned when they heard the news.
Mr. Chen was so frightened that he dropped the teacup, feeling extremely regretful. If he had offended the magistrate because of this, it would be more trouble than it would take.
If I had known earlier that even if the Su family didn't want to accept it, I should have forced them to keep the fifty taels of silver.
Originally, he was thinking of finding an opportunity to teach Su Er a lesson, but now he has given up the idea. Not only does he not dare to take action, but he is also afraid that the magistrate, Mr. Cai, will cause trouble for them.
The next day, he hurriedly took his daughter to Qingzhou Prefecture, fearing that the night would be too long and more complications would arise.
The author has something to say:
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My son is very good at dealing with people.
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