Wu Baoan knew that the fields in Xishan were indeed second-rate fields in previous years.
But things are different now. Qingya has already started diverting water down the mountain, and it won't be long before it becomes top-quality farmland.
Although this matter has not been publicly announced, it is highly likely to be true.
He squinted, feigning displeasure, "Auntie, the harvest from that field was poor; it might not be appropriate to give it to Zhanliang!"
"Why not? You dare say that's not farmland?"
Old Mrs. Chen gave him a cold glance.
“We only have about ten acres of land left. Giving him four acres is already more than enough. What are you complaining about? If you don’t want it, then forget it.”
Wu Baoan sighed, feigning helplessness, "Since that's the case, then that piece of land belongs to Zhan Liang. Zhan Cai has no objections, right?"
"I have no objection; let my parents decide everything."
Although Chen Zhancai did not work in the fields, he knew that Xishan was arid and that the land there could not grow crops at all, so even if the land was sold, it would not be worth much.
Wu Baoan nodded, "Alright, then it's decided that the four acres of land in Xishan will belong to Zhanliang."
Upon hearing this, Chen Zhanliang's eyes widened. "Village head, that land has been failing to yield a harvest every year. The entire year's harvest isn't even enough to feed one person. How can you agree to this?"
“Zhanliang, I think that piece of land is quite good. Besides, your family only has about ten mu of land left. It would be a lot if your parents could give you four mu. What are you still complaining about?”
"This...this..." Chen Zhanliang was speechless for a moment.
He couldn't figure out what Wu Baoan was up to. Just moments ago he'd been saying nice things, offering to fight for his interests.
Now look what's happened! They've been given four acres of land that nobody wanted. Isn't this a rip-off?
I wanted to argue my point, but then I remembered that my older brother's family had only received two mu of land back then, so giving him four mu today was indeed quite a lot.
Never mind, let's leave it at that!
Chen Zhanliang waved his hand weakly, "Then I'll trouble the village head to help write a document for the division of the family property."
Wu Baoan wanted to try again for Chen Zhanliang, so he looked at Old Lady Chen and said, "Auntie, now that the land has been divided, shouldn't the house be divided as well? Otherwise, Zhanliang and his family will have nowhere to live!"
“I’ve already said that I definitely won’t give them the house. They can live wherever they want; it’s none of my business.”
Before Wu Baoan could speak, Chen Zhanliang became stubborn and said, "I don't want the house anymore. Village head, you'd better hurry up and write the paperwork!"
Knowing that Old Lady Chen was unwilling to compromise any further, Wu Baoan could only sigh and say, "Alright, then I'll write the family division documents for you right now."
Da Bao had prepared paper, ink, brush, and inkstone. Just as he picked up the brush, Old Lady Chen stopped him.
"Wait a minute. Since they want to split up the family, I have to put forward some conditions."
Chen Zhanliang frowned upon hearing this. "What are your conditions?"
“Chen Zhanliang, I am the mother who gave birth to you and raised you. You owe me for the rest of your life. Don’t think that you’re off the hook just because you’ve separated from the family. You have to give me money for my old age.”
"Retirement money?" Chen Zhanliang was taken aback, then asked coldly, "How much do you want?"
"How much?" Old Mrs. Chen snorted. "I know you don't have any great abilities, so I, as your mother, won't make things difficult for you. Just give me two hundred coins a year as a filial piety allowance."
Upon hearing this, Madam Sun immediately jumped up and down, "You really dare to ask for that much! The grain from our four acres of dilapidated land can't even be sold for two hundred coins, and you're asking for two hundred coins? I don't have any."
"Shut up! It's only right for a son to be filial to his father. I only asked for two hundred coins and you're already complaining that it's too much. Go ask around and see which family supports their parents and doesn't give them three to five hundred coins a year. I only asked for this little and you're still yelling at me. If you yell again, I'll go to the government and sue you for being unfilial!" Old Mrs. Chen shouted, spitting as she spoke.
Wu Baoan quickly intervened to mediate, "Second daughter-in-law, please say less. The Great Ning Dynasty is founded on filial piety, so you should pay for this."
Sun was unwilling, but gritted her teeth and said, "Fine, I can give you the money, but everything else is none of my business."
Old Mrs. Chen snorted coldly, "Of course, I have a filial son, I don't need anyone else to be filial to me at my bedside."
"Okay, great, remember what you said today."
Sun ignored her and said to Wu Baoan, "Village head, you heard everything just now, so please write it down to prevent anyone from trying to renege later."
"Don't worry, I'll write it out clearly."
Seeing that they had no objections, Wu Baoan picked up his pen and wrote down the family division document. Both parties pressed their fingerprints on it, and the family division was considered complete.
Seeing the worried expressions on Chen Zhanliang and his wife's faces, Wu Baoan knew their predicament and said, "Zhanliang, you two should quickly make your own arrangements and move to my old house for a while before we discuss things further."
"Good, good, thank you so much, village head." Chen Zhanliang's face lit up with joy as he looked at Sun Shi, "Cuiqin, you and Dabao hurry back to your room and pack up, we'll move out now."
“Okay, I’ll go right away.” As soon as Madam Sun turned and went into the house, Old Madam Chen followed closely behind, snorting coldly, “Let me tell you, you can take your things if they belong to you, but don’t even think about taking anything out of this house that doesn’t belong to you.”
Sun ignored her and quickly started packing.
Just as she was about to carry the half-bag of grain out of the house, Old Mrs. Chen rushed forward and snatched it away fiercely, saying, "Put it down, don't touch my grain."
"Are you even being reasonable? This grain was bought with money Da Bao earned. Why can't we take it with us?"
"You ask why? Because this is my home. Let me tell you, you can't take anything else with you except the clothes you're wearing."
"You've really gone too far!" Madam Sun could no longer hold back and snatched it away. "I have to take my things."
Grandma Chen was stunned at first, then reacted and rushed over to hug the rice bag tightly, shouting at the top of her lungs, "Old man, come quick! Someone is trying to steal our grain, come and help us!"
Upon hearing this, Old Man Chen grabbed a wooden stick and rushed in, yelling, "Second son, what are you doing? Let go right now, or I'll fight you to the death!"
Wu, who was following closely behind, pulled Old Man Chen outside, saying, "Uncle Zhonghou, you should go outside and stay there. Don't cause trouble here."
After saying that, he sternly scolded Old Lady Chen, "Auntie, people are packing their things, why are you making trouble? Let go right now."
"Why should I? This is my family's grain, and no one is allowed to take it away."
"How can you be so unreasonable!" Wu Baoan was speechless as he looked at the old lady Chen, who was throwing a tantrum.
Old Mrs. Chen craned her neck, glared, and loudly questioned Wu Baoan, "What are you saying? What do you mean I'm being unreasonable? Let me tell you, I'm the most reasonable person. Chen Dabao works for Qingya, and I heard he earns ten coins a day, which is three hundred coins a month. It's been more than half a year now, so he should have earned at least two taels of silver!"
But he hadn't handed over a single penny. Now, if they wanted to take the grain, they had to take out the money Da Bao had earned and divide it equally; otherwise, they wouldn't be able to take this bag of millet.
“I have no right to control the money Da Bao earns, and as for the grain, we don’t want it.” Chen Zhanliang said, waving his hand at Sun Shi. “Cuiqin, let’s not be angry about this, let’s go.”
......
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