Chapter 78
The young man was reluctant to leave: "Auntie, you're talking as if I'm extorting money. How my father got injured and why he took the medicine, everyone knows it. What do you mean by asking my grandparents to pay? Could it be that my grandparents' money belongs to my uncle? If so, does that mean we're splitting up the family business?"
The eldest aunt's face was a little stiff: "Your grandparents' money is also given by your uncle and me..."
"What my aunt means is that my grandparents' money is not as good as my parents' filial piety?" The young man asked quickly, focusing on this point - where did the old people's money come from, and to whom does the public money belong?
If the public money is only considered to belong to the eldest family, then the two brothers are considered to be dividing the family property.
After listening for a long time, Gu Xinxin finally understood what was going on - the young man had two requests from beginning to end. Either the money was given by the eldest couple, or the plan to split up the family was confirmed.
She shook her head slightly, thinking that it might not be easy to divide the family business.
Well, the argument that the parents did not divide the family was actually the least serious reason. The key issue was the imperial service. The imperial court's rule on military service was one male adult per family, meaning that each family had to provide one male adult.
In the case of the Cheng family, if they split up, Dean Cheng, being a scholar, would have one exemption from military service. Both of his sons would then have to avoid military service, and this exemption would have no bearing on the Cheng family, who would then have to provide a man to serve. If they didn't split up, the exemption would have been shared by the entire family, and the Cheng family wouldn't have to provide anyone to serve.
Therefore, in order to have as few children as possible, most families in ancient times would not split up if possible.
Another thing is that the more brothers you have, the stronger your strength.
In ancient times, there were often disputes over resources, such as water sources, wasteland, mountains, etc. If you split up the family, gradually, the people in the clan will be scattered, and if you want to do something, you can't get together.
If the family is not divided, then one head of the family can take over. This is very advantageous in terms of competing for resources, as it occupies a convenient position.
Even in matters like marriage, the woman requires the man to have a large family. For a man who is just a lone child, it is actually very difficult to get married in ancient times.
Gu Xinxin also thought of the brothers Gu Xiangrong and Gu Wenshu. If the two got married in the future, according to her, it would be better for them to separate early. However, Gu Daniu and Gu Chen would definitely not be willing to do so.
In the moment Gu Xinxin was lost in thought, the young man had already obtained the silver from his aunt. He stuffed the silver into his sleeve while glancing at Gu Xinxin. Others watching the fun would hide their gazes, afraid of meeting the eyes of the people involved and being misunderstood as laughing at the joke. But this girl, on the other hand, was completely open and honest from beginning to end, even nodding her head as she watched, as if afraid others wouldn't notice.
Out of curiosity, the young man asked Gu Xinxin as he passed by, "Is it lively and interesting?"
Gu Xinxin nodded. "It's better than the ones on the stage." After all, the opera was full of babbling, which she couldn't understand. She wasn't old enough to appreciate opera yet. It was said that this could only be unlocked after the age of thirty-six, and she had only been thirty-two when she traveled through time.
The young man had intended to embarrass Gu Xinxin, but he hadn't expected her reaction to be this. After a moment's pause, he couldn't help but laugh, "That's right, the stage isn't as lively and interesting as me."
"Is Mr. Cheng okay?" Gu Xinxin changed the subject somewhat uncomfortably. It was a bit awkward to be asked what she thought while watching the fun...
The young man was surprised: "You know my father?"
"I have a younger brother who is studying in the academy." Gu Xinxin said, pursed her lips, and asked, "Why doesn't Mr. Cheng think of a way to divide the family business?"
The young man was silent for a moment before sighing, "My uncle once saved my father's life. He is so grateful for that..."
There is really no way to repay you.
But Dean Cheng was unwilling to hand the school over to Boss Cheng. He knew Boss Cheng's level very well. Handing the school over to him would be equivalent to delaying the students of that school.
Dean Cheng had thought about dividing the family, but the old couple of the Cheng family cried and begged. They were his biological parents. What could Dean Cheng do?
Gu Xinxin understood. If it was just Boss Cheng supporting Dean Cheng's studies, then the matter would be easy to handle. It was just a financial dispute. As long as the money was paid, anything could be solved. But when it came to saving someone's life, it was hard to say.
It seems that Dean Cheng is not timid and hesitant?
The young man asked again, "Why do you want to know so much?"
Gu Xinxin smiled and said, "Everyone has curiosity and gossip."
Gu Xinxin waved at the young man and said, "Alright, I've been delayed for a long time. It's time to go back. See you later, Master Cheng."
After saying this, he turned and left. The young man stayed where he was and also raised his hand and waved it. After waving it, he looked at his palm in confusion. What kind of new farewell etiquette was this? He had never seen it before.
However, it is quite simple, slightly simpler than clasping your fists, and you can understand it at a glance.
Gu Xinxin put her worries aside and walked back with a much lighter pace.
When I got home, Gu Daniu came over and said, "Xinxin, I have something to discuss with you."
Gu Xinxin nodded, and Gu Daniu said, "When I went to the county town before, Shopkeeper Su also inquired about your marriage. You..."
Before Gu Daniu could finish, Gu Xinxin waved her hand and said, "I told you I have no plans to get married for now. No matter who asks, just decline. If you really have nothing to do, go to a few more shops and ask who wants spicy strips. There's a lot of potential in the spicy strips business."
Gu Daniu stopped talking.
Who knew that a few days later, another matchmaker would come to the door. This time, the matchmaker was from the county town. As soon as he entered the Gu family's gate, he kept looking around. The look he gave Gu Xinxin was very impolite: "You are Miss Gu, right? Miss Gu whose family runs a workshop?"
Gu Xinxin nodded: "It's me. If you're here to propose marriage for me, I'm sorry to have made your trip in vain. I have no intention of getting married..."
Before Gu Xinxin could finish, the matchmaker said with a smile, "Miss Gu, please listen to me first about the other party's conditions. I guarantee that this is the best family you can find. Have you heard of the He family pickles?"
Of course Gu Xinxin had heard that some of the spicy strips were delivered to He’s pickle shop.
"The He family's pickles have a young manager. He's 26 years old this year, married for six years, and has only a three-year-old daughter at home. Now he wants to take a concubine..." The matchmaker said with a smile. Gu Xinxin was incredulous: "You want me to be a concubine?"
She looked at the matchmaker as if she were a fool: "A while ago, the shopkeeper Song from Songzhuang proposed marriage for his son, but I didn't agree."
Which girl has a problem with her brain? She doesn't want to be the wife but becomes a concubine?
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