Chapter 42 Chapter 42 Fair Division
Except for the brothers Yu Jingde and Yu Jingli who are studying in the county town, everyone in the Yu family is here.
Although the Yu Jingde brothers are not here, their father Yu Lao Da is here, so there is no need for them to come back to divide the family business.
The head of the village asked Yu Lao Da and his three brothers whether they were sure they wanted to split up the family business.
If their parents want to divide the family business, all the brothers must agree. Otherwise, if everyone disagrees, mediation will have to continue.
This is the process of dividing up the family property in the village. The head of the village is an impartial person, so naturally he has to ask.
The eldest brother Yu said nothing with a gloomy face. The second brother Yu was hesitant and didn't know what to say. Only the third brother Yu expressed his affirmative intention to divide the family.
He said righteously: "Since Dad said he wanted to split up, we can't let him down, so let's split up."
Hearing this, Mr. Yu and his wife, as well as the eldest wife and others, almost vomited blood.
Everyone in the Yu family knows the reason for the division, and they understand that the old man doesn't actually want to divide the family. Aren't you deliberately trying to hurt the old man's feelings by saying this?
Old Mrs. Yu glared at him fiercely. If the head of the village and her fifth uncle had not been watching here, she would have wanted to pounce on him and scratch his face.
At this moment, she felt that the third brother was so hateful, even more hateful than the people in the second wife's house.
Yu Lao San didn't care. No matter what happened today, the family was divided.
He didn't want to support the first wife unconditionally anymore, and he would wait and see whether he could benefit from it in the future. In order to support the education of the two nephews of the first wife, they had tightened their belts and lived frugally over the years. What benefit could the third wife get?
It's not his sons who are studying, so why should he continue to put himself and his sons in a difficult position just for an uncertain future?
The head of the village naturally noticed that Mr. Yu and Mrs. Yu looked unhappy, but adhering to the principle of less trouble is better, he did not investigate further.
Once we confirm that the Yu family has no objection to dividing the family, then let’s do it.
The next step is to discuss how to divide it.
This matter still depends on Grandpa Yu. He is the oldest in the Yu family, so it is still him who has to decide how to divide the property. The head of the village and the fifth uncle and others are just here to be witnesses. If the division is unfair, they will give corrections and advice.
This is also the process of dividing the family in the village.
Old Man Yu had a sullen face and asked Old Lady Yu to get the land deeds and money from the family.
This is the most important thing in a home, and it is well kept in the hands of the old couple.
Old Mrs. Yu went back to her room to get it. When she came back with the land deed and silver, her hands were shaking.
In her mind, all these things were to be given to the first wife to support the education of her two grandsons. If the family were to split up, these things would also have to be given partly to the second and third wives. In the future, the first wife would have less money to spend, which might even affect the future of her grandsons. How could she not feel heartbroken?
Everyone looked at the box in Old Lady Yu's hand, where the land deeds and silver were.
Chen felt like her heart was bleeding and she pinched her palms hard.
She really didn't want to split up. Thinking about the separation today, she felt like the sky was falling. She could already foresee how difficult the eldest wife would have in the days to come.
Only Yu Qin and Yu Jingzong have not yet realized what the separation means.
They felt that their grandparents were partial to them, so even if the family split up, there shouldn't be much change. The eldest branch wouldn't suffer any loss anyway, and at most everyone wouldn't be eating from the same pot.
This is good. I don't have to follow the second and third wives to eat pickled cabbage dumplings every time I go back to the village. They don't have any greasy smell and are really disgusting. It's better to eat them in the county town.
Old Master Yu took the box, opened it, and said to everyone, "There are 17 acres of paddy fields, 10 acres of dry fields, 30 acres of mountain land, and 90 taels of silver in our family. I decided to divide it into four parts. My wife and I will get one part, and the first, second, and third wives will each get one part. What do you think?"
The village head and my fifth uncle both nodded, saying this was very reasonable.
After all, Mr. Yu and his wife were still alive, and they would need to take care of themselves after the family split up, so they needed a piece of land to rely on. According to the custom in the village, when the time came, they would give their land to whichever son they wanted to live with.
Judging from the situation, the old man and his wife definitely want to live with the eldest wife.
Boss Yu and the others naturally had no objections. The village head and the others were watching, so how could they have any objections?
However, Yu Lao San and his wife suspected that there must be more than 90 taels of silver in the family. Maybe the two elders kept some of it for the eldest wife. What made them frustrated was that they really didn't know how much silver there was in the family. Only the old couple knew.
So they say whatever money they have is whatever they want. Even if they hide the money, they can't go in and search for it, right?
Old Man Yu continued, "The 17 acres of paddy fields will be divided into four parts. The first, second and third wives will each get 5 acres. My wife and I will suffer a loss and take 2 acres. The 10 acres of dry land will be divided into two acres each. The remaining 4 acres will be divided into two acres for me and my wife. The 30 acres of mountain land will be divided into 10 acres for each wife. We are old and don't want them anymore."
Mountain land is the least valuable and is distributed to villagers for free. Every family has mountain land, and it is also a place for each family to go into the mountains to chop firewood and plant trees.
Hearing this, the village head and others were a little surprised.
Grandpa Yu divided the family property very fairly. He did not show favoritism to the first wife. The first, second and third wives all got the same.
Paddy fields are naturally better than dry fields. The old man did not ask for more paddy fields, nor did he give more to the eldest wife. Even if they took away four acres of dry fields, it was actually nothing. Instead, it felt like Old Man Yu would rather suffer a loss himself and let his sons divide the property fairly.
Is it true that Mr. Yu is such a fair and just parent?
Are the rumors circulating in the village about his favoritism towards the eldest wife just misunderstandings of him?
Old Master Yu saw the expressions of the head of the village and the others. He frowned and his fingers trembled almost imperceptibly.
In fact, he really didn't want to divide it this way, but Yu Li was sitting in the corner of the main room, an inconspicuous place. He could see her as long as he looked up. Facing her cold eyes, he didn't dare to divide it unfairly.
What if she feels that it is unfair and wants to turn against him and go to the county town to break the legs of Yu Jingde and the others?
Old Master Yu could only endure the discomfort and continue to distribute the money.
There were ninety taels of silver in total, divided into four parts, twenty taels for each family, and thirty taels for Old Man Yu and his wife. After all, they were old and needed some money to support themselves. In addition, when the paddy fields were divided just now, they only wanted two acres, so they were indeed at a loss.
It still sounds fair.
The head of the village and others continued to nod, realizing that they were here just to witness the division of the Yu family today. Old Master Yu was too fair, and they didn't need to say anything.
After dividing up the bulk of the land deeds and money, the next thing to go was the houses, food, and some household items.
Mr. Yu said that the houses should be divided according to where everyone lives now, and there is no need to move anything.
In this way, the second branch actually suffered the most, because the west room where the second branch lived was the most dilapidated place in the Yu family. It was located in a secluded area, the house was dark and narrow, and the roof was covered with thatch, and it would leak when it rained.
Unlike the other rooms, the tiles are covered with yellow mud and orange stalks, so it does not leak water in rainy days and does not leak wind in winter.
Their house is much better than the second room.
The first and third wives had no objections, but they subconsciously looked at the second wife.
It should be said that the one being looked at is Yu Li.
The head of the village didn't know. They thought that the first and third wives would actually consider the second wife's mood. Did they want to see if the people in the second wife minded or felt guilty towards them?
Looking at Yu Laoer and his wife, they just sat there like dumb people, not saying a word. They looked like honest people who wouldn't say a word even if they suffered a loss, which made people shake their heads secretly.
Fortunately, Grandpa Yu divided the property fairly, otherwise, given the personalities of Yu Laoer and his wife, they would have suffered greatly.
Yu Li said nothing and looked back at them calmly.
Seeing this, everyone felt more at ease, even Grandpa Yu's trembling fingers stabilized a little.
Only Boss Yu took a quick look and quickly looked away, his heart once again filled with a strong sense of shame. He clenched his teeth so tightly that he could taste the salty and rusty taste in his mouth.
Old Master Yu was still afraid that Yu Li would get angry, so after deciding that each room would still have their own room, he gave more to the second room, including the big iron pot for cooking.
Wang wanted to say something, but held back when she thought of Yu Li.
In fact, she really wanted the big iron pot for cooking and frying. It was very useful.
Chen said, "Dad, give the iron pot to my second brother and his family. What will we use to cook?"
That iron pot is a good pot and very valuable. With it, they don’t have to spend money to buy another one. How great is that.
Old Master Yu said sternly, "Of course you guys go buy the pots. I've divided the money among you. Go buy whatever you need."
Chen was choked and felt very uncomfortable.
In the past, when Mr. Yu talked to her, he was always gentle, not only because of her family background, but also because she gave birth to two outstanding sons. Because of Mr. Yu's attitude, her status in the Yu family was not low. Compared with the two sisters-in-law, she could stay in the house easily and did not need to work much.
Now that Old Man Yu had spoken harshly to her, how would her two sisters-in-law view her?
Old Master Yu didn't have the time to take care of her little emotions and continued to divide the family property.
It was obvious that he had considered it carefully last night, so he could talk about how to divide the things in the house, big and small.
Because he was fair, the division was completed quickly.
Everyone had no objection.
Of course, the people in the first house might have some opinions, but because Boss Yu remained silent, Yu Qin and Yu Jingzong didn’t understand at all. Only Chen had some concerns in her heart, but unfortunately no one helped her.
She felt very uncomfortable. If her eldest and second sons were here, they would definitely help her fight for it. Maybe the old man loved them and would be partial to them. The village head and others would also turn a blind eye and let the old man favor the eldest wife because Jingde and his friends were scholars.
The head of the village and others confirmed the opinions of the several branches of the Yu family. Seeing that they had no objection, they wrote down the written evidence of the division of the family, and specified on it how much pension and food the three sons of the Yu family should give to the two elders every year.
There are precedents in these villages. The village head can just write it down directly, and it will also prevent some elderly people from being disrespectful and asking for exorbitant amounts of pension money and food from their sons.
The villagers have enough wealth to support their elderly parents. It is impossible for them to starve themselves and their children to death, right?
The head of the village wrote several copies, each branch of the Yu family held one copy, and the head of the village also held another copy.
So the separation ended.
The village head, fifth uncle and others left with a certificate.
The fifth uncle was old and was the last to leave. He glanced at the eldest brother Yu who was sitting there silently, and said to the old man Yu: "The division of your family today is fair. Don't be too partial in the future. Since the family is divided, it should be done in a proper manner."
Although my fifth uncle is old, he is not blind.
The atmosphere of the Yu family's division this time was very strange, and the sudden division was also very strange. Although he didn't know the reason, he could feel that Grandpa Yu and Boss Yu didn't really want to divide.
I’m afraid that Mr. Yu will regret it in the future and do something.
Old Master Yu said with a stiff face: "Don't worry, Fifth Uncle, I won't worry about it."
"That's fine."
Fifth Uncle said nothing more and left slowly.
The gate of the Yu family's courtyard was open, and many villagers were looking out the door and eavesdropping by leaning on the wall.
It was not until this time that they finally knew what had happened to the Yu family today. It turned out that they were splitting up.
What? The Yu family split up? ! !
Everyone was shocked. They had never thought that the Yu family would split up while Mr. Yu and his wife were still alive.
There has never been any rumor of the Yu family splitting up.
When they learned that the Yu family's division of the property was actually very fair this time, they were shocked again.
There was no way. In the past, Mr. Yu and his wife were so obviously partial to the eldest wife that everyone felt that if the Yu family were to split up one day, they would definitely favor the eldest wife.
Aunt Guihua and others who wanted to see the Yu family make a fool of themselves were all disappointed.
She grumbled, "The old man and old woman in the Yu family don't look fair at ordinary times, so how come they are fair after the division of the family property?"
It's really boring.
**
After seeing the division of the Yu family, Yu Li was also ready to leave.
She had no objection to the division of the Yu family this time, which was generally fair. As for the fact that Mr. Yu and his wife might have hidden some silver, she didn't want to care.
It's normal for people to want to hide some money for themselves when they get old. As long as they don't come in front of her, she won't interfere in everything.
The Yu Jin sisters were very happy.
They suppressed the joy on their faces and saw Yu Li out.
"Sister, after we have sorted everything out in a few days, come to my house and I will make you something delicious." Yu Jin said happily.
After the family split up, each room would cook for themselves instead of eating from the same pot. They could cook whatever they wanted and no longer had to run to the old lady for food and look at her face. If they ate one more grain of rice, they would be scolded as a reincarnated glutton.
Each family in the Yu family still lives in their own room, but they can no longer share the kitchen. The current kitchen is reserved for Grandpa Yu and his family. If each family wants to cook, they have to set up a separate kitchen.
The west room where the second room is located is the most remote place in the Yu family, but there is a lot of usable space there, and a shed can be built next to it to build a simple kitchen.
In comparison, the big room and the third room are adjacent to the main room and are rather cramped. There is not much usable space, and if you want to cook, you have to set up a stove on the east side.
Of course, only the third wife needs it. Just now, Mr. Yu and his wife have made it clear that they want to live with the first wife, and the first wife will take care of them in their old age.
Therefore, the big room can use the ready-made kitchen.
Yu Yin and Yu Zhu also looked at her with shining eyes.
When they saw their uncle come back yesterday at noon, they were afraid that their eldest sister would be punished, but they didn't expect that the family would be separated in just one day.
After the separation, they can keep the money they earn in their own hands, buy whatever they want to eat, and don’t have to worry about other people’s opinions when eating.
It’s really…great!
"Big sister, I'm so happy!" Yu Zhu rushed over and hugged Yu Li's waist, pressing her face against her, "Big sister, come back whenever you want, and we'll make you something delicious."
She likes her eldest sister the most and hopes that she can always have enough to eat in the future.
The sisters should never go hungry again.
Yu Li patted her head and said, "I will also bring you some delicious food."
Now that she has a job in the county town and has no shortage of meat to eat, she naturally wants to bring some for her sisters.
Before the family split up, she didn't want to bring it with her. Even if she did, she would wait until the Yu family had finished dinner and then send it to the west room for her sisters to taste. Now, she doesn't have this worry. Even if the second room eats meat every day, the others can only watch and can't come to eat.
Yu Li touched the heads of her three sisters one by one and told them to go back to their rooms and gather themselves. If they had any problems, they could come to Fu's house to find her.
The three sisters nodded obediently and stood at the door to watch her leave, looking eagerly like three baby birds.
After she left, they happily went to find their parents and asked them to quickly move the things that belonged to the second room and build a simple stove next to the west room.
"Dad, hurry up." Yu Zhu urged, "Let's make delicious food tonight."
Yu Lao Er was a little dumbfounded, as if he hadn't reacted yet, and asked hesitantly: "Jin Niang, are we splitting up now?"
He turned and asked his second daughter, who was usually the most opinionated and completely different from him and his wife.
"Of course!" Yu Jin urged, "Okay, Dad, Mom, hurry up and move the things, and then build a simple stove, otherwise we won't have any food to eat in the evening and will be hungry all day."
After the division of the family business, it was actually almost noon.
No one was in the mood to cook, and there was no stove to cook, so they could only skip one meal and eat at night.
Liu said: "The crops in the field..."
She thought that after the division of the family property, she would go to work on the crops in the fields.
"The crops in the field won't die if we don't take care of them for a day." Yu Jin said, "Okay, okay, let's hurry up."
Yu Laoer and his wife were urged by their daughter. They looked at each other and then went to work silently.
The three sisters Yu Jin also worked happily. Even though they were tired and hungry, they did not feel uncomfortable. If they were really hungry, they could secretly eat the meat buns that their eldest sister brought this morning.
The meat buns are so delicious!
-
The atmosphere in the third room was similar to that in the second room. Everyone had a happy look on their faces and didn't feel tired while working.
Only the big room was the dullest.
Although after the family division, Mr. Yu said that he wanted to live with the eldest wife and let the eldest wife take care of them in their old age, and the land, money, etc. they got would be brought to the eldest wife...
But the eldest wife was still not very happy.
Boss Yu couldn't stay even for a moment.
As soon as the village head and others left, he immediately stood up and said he wanted to return to the county town.
"Boss, don't you want to take a break?" Old Madam Yu felt sorry for him. "Didn't you ask for two days off? You can go to the county town tomorrow."
It was a rare occasion that her eldest son came back, and she wanted to nourish him.
Thinking of his kneeling yesterday, the old lady felt that her son really needed some training, otherwise it would be too easy for him to kneel. It must be that the scholar had no strength, so he was forced to kneel by Yu Li.
Fortunately, Boss Yu didn’t know what she was thinking, otherwise she would have been so ashamed that she would have wanted to jump into the river.
He frowned and said stiffly: "No, I'm going back to the county to rest." He couldn't stay in this place for a moment and didn't want to come back in his life.
With that he went straight out the door.
Chen was dumbfounded.
The family had just been divided and there were still a lot of things to do at home. He just left like that, leaving them, mother and son, here?
Yu Jingzong chased after his father, shouting, "Dad, I want to go to the county town with you. I don't want to stay in the village. I want to go with you!"
Naturally, Boss Yu did not take Yu Jingzong away and left him in the village.
Yu Jingzong was very unhappy.
Old Master Yu was upset about the division of the family property, so he went back to his room to rest. Only Old Madam Yu shouted to Chen, "Eldest Wife, it's almost noon, hurry up and cook."
Chen: “…”
In the past, Chen had never been involved in cooking.
When she came in, Old Lady Yu was very polite to her because she was the daughter of a scholar and did not let her do housework. She waited until Liu and Wang came in and let them do the housework.
Later, when the sisters Yu Jin from the second house grew up, she took over the job.
She only cooked for her husband and children when she was in the county town, and never did so in the village.
This also symbolizes her different identity from those village women.
But now, she is asked to cook?
Chen felt that her previous premonition was correct. The division of the family was indeed the most disadvantageous to their eldest branch.
Suddenly she thought of the land allocated to the eldest wife. No one from the second or third wife went to cultivate it. Would she be asked to work in the fields in the future?
When she thought of this, her face froze.
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