"My goodness, Dad, where did you get all this fabric?"
"You wouldn't have gone to the textile factory to steal things behind our backs, would you?"
"Dad, you're so old, you can't do anything foolish!"
After finishing work, Zhao's sons also rushed home.
They heard in the afternoon that their father had brought back a cartload of cloth, but they had too much farm work to do today, and the team leader was watching them and wouldn't let them leave. So they suppressed their curiosity and ran back as soon as they finished work.
Seeing that there was not only a large pile of fabric in the house, but also two new sets of clothes made by his sister-in-law, he was shocked and his eyes widened.
Hearing his sons spouting nonsense in front of him, Zhao Youcai grabbed a shoe and threw it at them, cursing as he said:
"Do you think I'd stole chickens and dogs like the third brother? I got all these things through my connections at the textile factory. I was just hoping to make some money to improve my family's life, but you all made such assumptions about me. It's like my sincerity was wasted!"
"Since you think this cloth is of dubious origin, don't spend the money from selling it later, and don't eat anything I buy with the money I earn! So that if I get arrested and imprisoned later, it won't affect you!"
The Zhao family's sons dodged the flying shoe, and seeing that their father seemed genuinely angry, they couldn't help but exchange bewildered glances.
At this moment, the third brother quickly picked up the shoe that Zhao Youcai had thrown over and went over with a grin.
"No, Dad, they may look down on me, but I don't. I'm your most beloved son, of course I'll stand with you."
Then the third brother pointed at his older brothers and said, "What's wrong with stolen things? What's shameful about things you steal with your own abilities? If I let you steal, could you steal as many good things as Dad?"
After saying that, he turned to Zhao Youcai and said, "Dad, our family still needs you. No wonder you used to scold me for being useless. It turns out you looked down on my petty theft. I understand now. From now on, your son will be like you. If I'm going to do something, I'll do something big!"
At this moment, Zhao Youcai was completely exasperated. He slapped the third brother on the forehead, making a loud noise.
"I'll let you steal, I'll let you steal!"
"Trying to pull off something big? So you didn't listen to a word I said! If you ever dare to steal again, I'm severing all ties with you!"
The third son clutched his forehead and let out a wail, "Stop hitting him! Stop hitting him! You're trying to murder your own child!"
Seeing that the third brother had made such a mess of the house, the others were speechless, but no one dared to say that the cloth was of dubious origin anymore.
Zhao Youcai looked at the group and said, "Later, when the fourth brother's wife sells cloth, you guys help out and keep order. Whether our family can live a good life in the future depends on this. You all need to keep your eyes open and don't let anyone take the opportunity to cause trouble."
It was his first time selling cloth, so it was impossible not to be nervous. That's why he called his sons and daughters-in-law to help. After all, they were family, which was better than strangers.
The sons and daughters-in-law were all surprised to hear Zhao Youcai's words. Everyone knew that the fourth son and his wife were the least noticeable people in the family. What was wrong with their father today? Why would he entrust such an important task to the fourth son's wife?
However, they opened their mouths, as if they wanted to say something.
At this moment, the third son, clutching his still-aching head, immediately protested, "Dad, why didn't you entrust such an important task to me? I'm your most beloved son!"
"Once I make money selling cloth, I'll buy you a big pork knuckle as a gift!"
Zhao Youcai spat, "My most beloved son sent the whole family to college, and after graduation he wanted to split up the family property. What, you want to split up the family property too?"
When Zhao Youcai mentioned the ungrateful youngest son, everyone else fell silent, but they were still clearly dissatisfied with the fact that the fourth son's wife had sold cloth.
At this moment, the eldest son spoke up, “Dad, in principle, it doesn’t matter who sells the cloth in our family, since it’s all for the sake of this family, right? But you know what kind of person the fourth son’s wife is, this kind of work is not suitable for her.”
Zhao Youcai glanced at him and the others who looked eager to try, and said indifferently, "Then tell me, who is suitable?"
"If you ask me, when it comes to fighting tigers, brothers are close together; when it comes to selling cloth, it's something we men have to do ourselves. I'm perfect for it!" the eldest brother said, patting his chest.
“Me too, I can sell too!” The second brother also stepped forward.
"Me too!"
The second brother shouted, "If all else fails, let's fight! Whoever wins sells!"
Seeing that his brothers were about to make their move, Zhao Youcai slammed his hand on the table, creating a loud bang that instantly silenced the room.
Zhao Youcai pointed at his sons and cursed, "I'm still alive, and you little bastards think you can rebel?"
“I brought this cloth back myself. Whoever I say can sell it, can sell it. Any one of you who dares to say no is unfilial and won’t get a single penny after the cloth is sold!”
"I'm definitely selling this old man's wife today, unless you beat me up. But judging by the time, the villagers will probably be here soon. Then they'll see how an unfilial son beats his father!"
Upon hearing this, the family immediately became obedient. In this era, filial piety is highly valued, and no one wants to bear the stigma of being unfilial, which would lead to being criticized behind their back for the rest of their lives.
Furthermore, in this family, Zhao Youcai had always been the sole ruler. None of his sons dared to disobey him, and he had complete control over the family finances and everyone's work points. Therefore, no one doubted his words.
After all, his father had done even worse things before. Once, his second son got into a fight and injured someone. Zhao Youcai had to pay a lot of money in compensation, and after beating his second son, he made him kneel for a whole day.
Seeing that the whole family had become obedient and docile like lambs, Zhao Youcai sighed and slowly said:
"I know what you're up to. You just want to make money selling cloth."
“Any one of you is more suited to selling fabric than the fourth son’s wife, but don’t you know why I chose her to sell fabric?”
"Let me just tell you straight, it's because the fourth son and his wife are more filial than you. Apart from them, which of you has ever truly cared about this old man? You probably wish I would die of anger so you could divide the family property!"
"Today I'm having my fourth son's wife sell cloth as a way of acknowledging her filial piety. From now on, whoever wants a good life in this family has to listen to me, or get out like the youngest son!"
After Zhao Youcai finished speaking, the others looked at each other, and no one dared to say anything more, but their changing expressions revealed that they were not at peace.
Seeing the somewhat heavy atmosphere, Zhao Youcai coughed. "Alright, family scandals shouldn't be aired in public. I reckon the villagers will all be here soon. Remember, as long as our family is united, we'll definitely live a good life!"
...
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