Old Chen frowned as he listened. Although he also hoped for that day to come, his third son had taken the exam year after year, only to be disappointed each time. How could he dare to make a fuss?
Before his third son passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, he thought it was better to keep a low profile.
"Old woman, please stop talking. If our son really gets into university, you can brag all you want, even if you go out and brag every day. But it's still uncertain, and hearing you say this makes me want to throw up. What if our son still doesn't get in? If you keep showing off like this, people will laugh at us behind our backs and say we're crazy."
Although Old Man Chen was telling the truth, Old Woman Chen just didn't like to hear it. In her heart, her third son was the best. She believed that he would pass the imperial examinations and become a scholar one day. With his filial piety, she was sure he would take her to live a life of luxury and wealth.
"You're so stupid! I think you're the one who's sick. What do you mean by 'can't pass the exam'? Our son will definitely pass!" Old Mrs. Chen was so angry that she was panting heavily. "Fine, I'm not going to talk to you with your stubborn head. If you feel ashamed, stay at home. I'll go find Wu Baoan myself."
"Old woman, I'm afraid you really can't handle this without my intervention." A smug glint flashed in Old Chen's eyes.
Old Mrs. Chen looked embarrassed. What the old man said was indeed true; the man was in charge of external affairs, and the woman was in charge of internal affairs.
Although the people of the Great Ning Dynasty were open-minded and women could go out to do business, as long as there were men in the house, she could not make decisions on public matters. No matter how strong she was, she still had to give men some face.
With a cold face, she said irritably, "Then hurry up and stop dawdling."
"Okay, let's go."
The two left their house and headed straight for Wu Baoan's house.
Before long, they arrived at the gate of the Wu family's house. Old Man Chen cleared his throat and called out, "Village head, is he home?"
Wu Baoan was chopping firewood in the yard when he looked up and saw Old Man Chen and his wife walking in with smiles on their faces.
"Uncle, Aunt, you are such rare guests, please come in and have a seat." Wu Baoan was taken aback, and quickly stood up to greet them.
Grandma Chen smiled and waved her hand, "Don't be so polite with your auntie, it's cool in the yard, it's fine to sit here."
"Okay, then sit down and rest for a while." Wu Baoan then brought over two wooden stools.
After everyone sat down, Old Man Chen, somewhat reserved, tried to make conversation, saying, "You've come at a really bad time, I've kept you from getting to work."
"Uncle, you're too kind. I was just chopping some firewood since I had nothing else to do."
As the saying goes, no one visits a temple without a reason, so Wu Baoan was somewhat surprised by the couple's arrival.
He asked with a smile, "Auntie, is there something you need?"
Old Mrs. Chen didn't want to waste any more words and directly stated her purpose, "Village head, here's the thing, I want to sell a few acres of land."
"What? Selling land?" Wu Baoan was taken aback, thinking he had misheard, and asked again, "Auntie, did you just say you were selling land?"
"Yes, I'm thinking of selling those four acres of sandy land in the west of the village. I came to talk to you about it and see who wants to buy it."
"Auntie, you're not kidding, are you?" Wu Baoan stared wide-eyed in disbelief.
Old Mrs. Chen had anticipated his reaction and said in a nonchalant tone, "Village head, I'm telling the truth. You should know my family's current situation. Butcher Li is forcing me to give him three days. If I don't return the money to him, he'll not only sue me at the county government, but also cause trouble at Lao San's academy. How can Lao San study in town then?"
Old Chen sighed and chimed in, "To be honest, my family is now at our wits' end. What else can we do but sell the land? It's the only option we have."
“Every household in our Nanshan Village relies on farming for a living, and they cherish their land as if it were their life. If you sell your land, your family will probably have a hard time in the future!”
Wu Baoan frowned, seemingly considering something, and after a while spoke again.
“I know Butcher Li gave your family fifty taels of silver. How much do you have left? If you're short three or five taels, I'll lend it to you first, so we can at least get rid of Butcher Li. Is that alright?”
Old Mrs. Chen's face stiffened. "Oh dear nephew, there's no money left at home. Zhan Cai took all fifty taels of silver. This isn't enough!"
A look of surprise flashed in Wu Baoan's eyes, somewhat incredulous. "Auntie, Zhancai's school expenses are huge. At most, twenty taels of silver a year would be enough, but it wouldn't cost fifty taels. Besides, they've only been in town for a few days!"
Hearing this, Old Lady Chen was somewhat displeased. "Village head, you are ignorant. Studying is not like it used to be. You have to spend money on everything. Take my third son for example. After deducting the cost of the academy, the rent, and other miscellaneous expenses, it costs at least fifty taels of silver a year. I won't feel at ease if I don't give him all of it. So right now, my family doesn't have a single penny left."
Wu Baoan was speechless. A doting mother often spoils her son. Chen Zhancai was a complete disappointment. He didn't study hard and his expenses kept increasing. If he were even slightly sensible, he wouldn't have to drag his whole family to town to study. He was just wasting his family's hard-earned money!
Old Chen was getting anxious when he saw that Chen hadn't said anything for a while. "Village head, I know you're doing this for our family's good, but we don't want to get into a lawsuit. Could you please help us ask around and see who wants to buy the land? Ideally, we could get the money tomorrow so we can return the silver to Butcher Li as soon as possible."
"Uncle, Aunt, I know you're in a difficult situation right now, but the land is the lifeblood of us farmers. If we sell it, it's gone. Your family has so many people; what will you eat in the future? How will you survive? Have you thought about these things?"
Wu Baoan made a final effort to try to change the mind of Mr. and Mrs. Chen about selling the land.
Old Mrs. Chen curled her lip without any appreciation, "Village head, we understand what you're saying, but what can I do with a knife to my throat? Besides, if Zhancai in our family passes the imperial examination next year, his taxes will be reduced, and the harvest from the remaining fields will be enough for our whole family to eat."
"Are you really sure?" Wu Baoan asked solemnly, confirming again.
"I've made up my mind, I'll sell the land."
"Alright." Wu Baoan shook his head and sighed. He knew some people couldn't be persuaded; they could only be awakened through painful experience.
As the village head, he had done what he was supposed to do and said what he was supposed to say. Since they were determined to do things their own way, he couldn't stop them any longer.
"Auntie, which piece of land are you planning to sell?"
"Those four acres of sandy land west of the village," Old Mrs. Chen hurriedly said, "I don't need much, just fifty taels of silver will do."
“Based on the market price of land, fifty taels of silver is indeed reasonable, but the harvest of the four mu of sandy land in the west of the village is average and it cannot be considered good land. It is estimated that it will be difficult to sell in the short term.”
"Village head, please ask around. I need to raise fifty taels of silver by the day after tomorrow at the latest," Old Mrs. Chen said anxiously.
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