Family meeting
Su Wan's rationalization proposal was ultimately abandoned.
With the autumn harvest season approaching, Ling Zhan was about to take Xiao Shitou back to Kaoshan Village.
Upon hearing this, Shen Yan immediately became agitated—
It's good to be back in the village! The mountains are high and my wife is far away, but freedom is right before my eyes!
He waved his hand grandly, exclaiming with boundless enthusiasm: "Except for Su Wan and Da Niu minding the shop, the whole family will return to the village! To experience the joy of the harvest!"
Some of the brick and tile houses in the village were used as workshop managers, and the vegetables in the vegetable gardens were almost completely harvested.
Shen Yan put down her luggage and rushed to the vegetable garden, looting the few remaining leafy greens like a locust plague and cooking them.
During the autumn harvest season, even murderers in prison have to come out to work, let alone go to the market.
He didn't even consider what he would do tomorrow if he ate like this!
The entire family of over twenty (mostly children) gathered in the spacious main room, the atmosphere should have been joyful. However, as Shen Yan, with his obsequious manner, poured everyone a glass of cold water—a gesture meant to commemorate a triumphant return—Ling Zhan slammed his hand on the table, making Ling Zhan's heart skip a beat—
An ominous premonition instantly enveloped them.
"Family meeting, officially beginning! Topic: Reading to Understand Principles, Establishing Oneself and a Family!"
Ling Zhan's gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Shen Yan.
Shen Yan's heart skipped a beat.
Having just been recognized for progress, are they going to bring up past mistakes? That shouldn't be the case!
Ling Zhan gave him an approving look for the first time, and Shen Yan immediately shuddered.
"Patriarch Shen Yan! In view of your recent actions... well, they're starting to look a little better. The family has decided to upgrade your strategy! After the autumn harvest, you will return to the academy! Study with Little Stone! Key objective: Master the laws of the Great Yin Dynasty! Understand the rules and abide by them!"
"Pfft—!" Little Stone sprayed the water he had just drunk all over the ground.
He looked at his father blankly: "Father, are you going back to the private school to be punished with a ruler?"
Two smaller children next to them imitated them, blowing bubbles into the bowl.
Being disgusted is like a cat whose tail has been stepped on.
He sprang to his feet, yelling, "Wife! Have you...have you lost your mind?! Or have you been sunburned?! Study the law? Why would I study that stuff? It's not like it can put food on the table!"
He suspiciously reached out to touch Ling Zhan's forehead.
"Smack!"
Ling Zhan reacted quickly, slapping his hand away.
"Sit down! Be serious!!"
"Can't be eaten? How disgusting! The garment workshops and factories are producing better and better products. Aren't there plenty of envious people? Can you protect this family business forever by relying on those petty tricks and swindles, or by the wood-chopping knife in my hand?"
She said seriously, "Street thugs want to steal blueprints, competitors want to poach craftsmen and steal their techniques, and petty officials in the county government are trying every trick in the book to squeeze more money out of us! The Ministry of Works has already sent people up the mountain to take action. We can only drive away the obvious ones with our fists. What about the scheming behind the scenes? What about the official harassment? What if one day we are swallowed whole, bones and skin, by someone using 'legal' means?!"
Shen Yan was speechless when asked the question, and felt uneasy as she thought about the recent events.
Seeing this, Ling Zhan slowly reached out his hand, and Douya quickly handed her a small notebook.
"Fine, even if you don't care about the family business, let's settle your own accounts!"
"My bill?!"
Shen Yan's face immediately turned red.
This is a classic example of settling scores after the fact!
Where is the understanding and approval I thought I had?
So that's what was waiting for me here!
Ling Zhan opened his notebook and began calmly reading out the detailed account of Chen Yan's "consumption upgrade".
Making expensive, gorgeous clothes for myself every month…
I treated the thugs to dinner and drinks...
I helped my younger brother pay off his gambling debts...
I paid the medical expenses for both the sycophant's mother and wife...
Even when buying storybooks, they did it by the stack...
A long list of cases involving the misuse of public funds to satisfy personal desires.
Ling Zhan snapped the ledger shut.
"Master Shen, your debts—are you really so deep that you're just throwing caution to the wind? Are you planning to give up entirely?"
Shen Yan's jaw dropped to the ground, and her heart shattered into pieces.
"These brats, I've raised them for nothing! They all listen to this woman, and they really remember everything! They even remember it so clearly!"
Seeing that he was speechless, Ling Zhan continued: "Rely on your annual dividends? These accounts would have to be split over thirty years!"
"After that, you can choose to go out and work on your own, but you cannot operate products related to the family business; otherwise, your legs will be broken."
"Also, your handwriting looks like a dog's paddle; you have to start practicing from scratch!"
After a brief moment of shock and embarrassment, Chen Yan stiffened his neck, trying to regain his "dignity" as the head of the household.
"Ahem! My wife! This... what's the big deal? I'm the head of the family! I'm your husband! What's wrong with using some public funds? That... isn't it just to maintain appearances and make outsiders respect the Shen family? Besides—"
His voice suddenly rose, carrying a hint of self-righteous indignation, "So many kids at home need someone to look after them! Bean Sprout's gone to cultivate, Eldest Daughter's at the shop, Daya's farming, and you're busy with important matters at the workshop! I... I, the dignified head of the family, will sacrifice myself and stay home to look after the kids! Is that alright? It saves on tuition fees and also saves on writing materials! A win-win situation! As for the debt... I'll pay it back slowly! I never said I wouldn't!"
The more he talked, the more he felt he had found the perfect solution!
She even straightened her back, looking at Ling Zhan with a sense of tragic heroism, as if she were sacrificing herself for her family.
Staying home to take care of the kids is much better than suffering at the academy! Plus, you get to be free!
Ling Zhan looked at his "I'm so great" attitude, but instead of getting angry, he slowly sat back down.
He picked up the glass of cool boiled water, took a sip, and even had a faint smile on his lips.
"oh?"
She put down the bowl, her tone calm and even, "What you say, my husband, is very reasonable."
Shen Yan was overjoyed! Was there a chance?!
Ling Zhan changed the subject, his eyes becoming incredibly "kind".
"The head of the family is very understanding and willing to condescend to stay at home to take care of the young children. As his wife, I am deeply gratified."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over Shen Yan's expensive, exquisitely embroidered silk outer garment like a searchlight.
“In that case, let’s follow the standard of ‘the head of the family taking care of the young children’.”
She held up a finger, her voice so clear it sent chills down Shen Yan's spine:
"First, since you're 'sacrificing' yourself at home, you should do it properly. From today onwards, all your silks, satins, and embroidered clothes will be put away in the warehouse for safekeeping. We'll discuss whether to display or sell them later."
Shen Yan's smug expression froze instantly.
Ling Zhan raised his second finger:
"Secondly, to avoid the head of the household from working too hard to 'maintain appearances,' from now on, the head of the household will only be provided with one set of coarse cotton clothing per season. It is durable, stain-resistant, and convenient for holding children and playing with them, which is just right!"
"Coarse...coarse cotton clothes?! And...and you only have four sets for all four seasons?!"
Shen Yan was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on; his voice changed, and his eyes were filled with terror at the sight of "coarse cloth." He looked down at the smooth silk he was wearing, and then at the rough, dull cloth, and it was worse than death for him!
Ling Zhan seemed oblivious to his distorted expression and continued slowly:
"Third, since it's about taking care of children, the children should naturally be the priority. Those 'saving face' expenses, like drinking with hooligans, paying off gambling debts, and buying extravagant storybooks, can naturally be... wiped out. The head of the household can stay at home, take care of his wife and children, eat simple meals, wear plain clothes and hairpins... oh no, plain clothes and shoes, and he will surely be able to better understand the true meaning of being diligent and thrifty in managing a household."
Shen Yan's vision went black, and he seemed to see himself covered in dirt, wearing faded coarse cloth clothes, surrounded by a group of little mud monkeys tugging at his sleeves and wiping his nose in a miserable future.
No fancy clothes, no fine wine, no sycophantic entourage...
What's the point of living like this?!
What dignity is left in being a "head of the family"?!
"No! No way! Absolutely not!" Shen Yan almost screamed.
The sense of tragic sacrifice that I had felt earlier vanished, leaving only an infinite fear of the "hell of the common people".
He suddenly lunged at the table in front of Ling Zhan, crying out urgently, "Wife! Wife! I was wrong! I'll go to the academy! I'll study law! Right now! Immediately! Coarse cloth... is that... is that even fit for human wear?!"
Little Stone covered his mouth and chuckled to himself, his shoulders swaying.
A triumphant smile flashed in Ling Zhan's eyes.
But her expression remained serious: "Oh? My husband has changed his mind? He's not going to 'sacrifice' himself by staying home to take care of the kids?"
"No more sacrifices! Absolutely no more sacrifices!"
Shen Yan shook his head vigorously, "Watching children...that's a waste of talent! A waste of ability! I...I'd rather go to the academy to shine and protect the family! Commoners...commoners are an insult to scholarship! They tarnish the reputation of the Shen family!"
"Heh." Ling Zhan snorted softly.
Only then did he slowly pick up the "document" again.
"In that case, let's stick to the original plan—go to the academy! Learn the law! Understand the rules! Wash away this banditry!"
Shen Yan was a little dizzy, but the first two points Ling Zhan made, especially the point about protecting the family business, did touch a nerve with him.
Moreover... studying law sounds more down-to-earth than taking the imperial examinations?
More importantly, the promise that "his expenses will not be reduced" is simply too tempting!
"Then... what about the money?" Shen Yan asked cautiously.
Ling Zhan transformed into a shrewd strategist: "The tuition at the county academy is three taels a year, and you don't need to pay for lodging at home. Two taels are for writing materials, so that's five taels a year! For the first year, your living expenses will remain the same, and the cost of entertaining guests will be waived. You must not repeat this offense!"
"What about the second year? I have to keep busy with the workshop and go to school, so my expenses must be restored."
Ling Zhan: "We'll talk about next year next year! As long as you're willing to learn and pass the assessment, money won't be a problem!"
Upon hearing that the expenses might be reinstated, a small joy grew wildly in Chen You's heart!
Studying law sounds respectable, doesn't it? And it's not that difficult compared to cutting corners!
"My lady! Really? Is it really just about learning the law?" Shen Yan's eyes lit up.
Ling Zhan nodded solemnly: "Absolutely true! Are you willing?"
"Would I? Only a fool wouldn't!"
Shen Yan nodded repeatedly, then asked cautiously, "Does learning the law have to start from a very young age?"
"Relax!"
Ling Zhan's emotions were not obvious, but he slapped Shen Yan until she grinned and said, "I've found out everything! The county school has a special 'Law Enrollment School,' which admits many literate adults! The neighbor's son of the Ding family's accountant's second maternal uncle is over thirty and still studying hard there! You're only twenty-two, considered 'young and promising'! Perfect for laying a foundation!"
"but…"
Ling Zhan abruptly changed the subject, and Shen Yan's scalp immediately tingled, "Before setting off, you need to sign a small—code of conduct contract."
"A...contract?" Shen Yan felt a chill run down his spine.
"certainly!"
Ling Zhan: "I'm doing the work of two people, this is real support and investment! High risk deserves high security and high return! Fair and reasonable, no deception of the young or old!"
Her writing flowed effortlessly, and the clauses went straight to the heart of the matter:
Core Clause 1: Contract Term!
[After completing his studies, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to serving the Shen family business like a slave!]
Handles all paperwork, lawsuits, and official documents! 30% off wages to pay off debts.
[Dare to switch jobs or help the rival? A broken leg is the least of your worries; you'll be bankrupt!]
[Not even within five years, let alone ten years from now!]
Core Clause Two: Risk Your Life and Fortune!
Every penny you earn now and in the future (dividends, savings, assets) must be pledged to me to pay off your debts!
Before the debt is fully repaid, I have to approve even the smallest change!
[Dare to transfer or squander funds? Your assets will be frozen immediately! Repayment will be expedited!]
[During school, besides the money for survival and necessities, what about wearing silk, drinking at brothels, and buying novels! Any extra expenses? Ask me for approval! Dare to squander them? I'll double the amount and put you in debt!]
Core Clause Three: Study diligently and don't try anything funny!
[Objective: Proficient in the laws of the Great Yin Dynasty (with a focus on commerce, contracts, and litigation), capable of handling tasks independently! Regular reports required!]
[Dare to fight, gamble, or skip classes at the academy and get expelled? That's a major breach of contract! You must immediately repay all tuition fees (at the highest rate)! You also have to compensate for any losses!]
[Dare to use the laws you've learned to commit despicable acts of fraud and deception (excluding self-defense)? Pay up! Pay a huge sum! Pay off all debts immediately!]
Core Clause Four: I reserve the right of final interpretation!
I'm in charge of this contract!
[We reserve the right to add or modify this as needed (we'll notify you). You have the right to suggest changes, but not the right to veto them!]
[Dare to breach the contract? Get ready for lawsuits, debt collectors raiding your home, and seizing your dividends!]
Dozens of strict regulations, each word like a knife, each chain like a shackle!
"Alright! Let's put it in black and white!"
Ling Zhan pushed the Pro Max (Business Edition) over, its ink still wet and filled with business jargon and cold, restrictive terms.
"Scholar Shen, please! This is a big deal, think it through before you sign."
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