Although Xiao Yuanhang disgusted her, she was no longer in a hurry. She planned to go back and check on Sun Chongren, give him a good boost, and get him back to normal life as soon as possible. She would just sit back and wait to see Xiao Yuanhang get into trouble!
After resting for a night, the group originally planned to return to Jinyang City. However, Xie Tianlin's wedding was now over, and Xie Tianqi and the others' leave was almost up.
Before the group could even set off, several clan elders arrived at their door.
Although Xie Baotian had fallen out with Xie Dafu, he didn't have any open conflicts with the elders of the Xie family. In fact, two of them even sent their grandsons to help the Xie family the day before Xie Tianlin's wedding.
Although I didn't know why they suddenly came to my door together, I still treated them warmly.
The elders sat for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before they finally spoke.
"Our clan has not been at peace for the past six months, especially since Yu Shu returned from the Xiao family."
Now, our once harmonious family has been torn apart because of this incident. As elders of the clan, we feel deeply ashamed before our ancestors.
Yu Shu was indeed partly to blame, and of course, she was innocent. But that's just how the world is, and with Xie Dafu leading the coercion, we didn't speak up for our own daughters. We were just being narrow-minded!
Today, a few of us elders have come to apologize to you, swallowing our pride. You see, our family has been through thick and thin together for over a hundred years, how can we let it be divided up in our generation!
Moreover, Yu Shu was granted the title of Township Lady, which is a great honor for our Xie family. Although you moved your father away, your grandfather and great-grandfather are still ancestors of the Xie family. In the end, they are all descendants of the same bloodline. This is not just an honor for your family and your father alone!
This is the glory of the entire clan! The glory of all the ancestors of the Xie clan!
So we discussed it and decided that your family should come back, and we would hold a formal ancestral worship ceremony in the ancestral hall. Yu Shu's imperial edict of investiture would be enshrined in the ancestral hall.
Yu Shu's name will have a place in the ancestral hall, regardless of whether she gets married or not.
As for Xie Dafu, as the clan leader, he acted unfairly, abused his power for personal gain, and sowed discord among his relatives. He was not worthy of his position and was not qualified to serve as the clan leader. We discussed it privately and decided to revoke Xie Dafu's position as clan leader.
However, Yu Shu and Bao Tian, you led your people into the mountains to find a way to survive during the crisis. You are also upright and warm-hearted people who always lend a helping hand to anyone in need. It is people like you who can lead the people.
Moreover, we have already consulted the clansmen, and everyone agrees that you should be the clan leader.
Baotian, what do you mean by this?
Xie Baotian was completely bewildered by this series of messages and looked at Xie Yushu with some confusion.
Xie Yushu said
“Father, I will support you no matter what you choose. Anyway, what the elders said is true. If you are willing to go back and become the head of the Xie family, then the fifty acres of land that the court gave me will be used as the family’s sacrificial land. You can keep half of the profits and use the other half to establish a family school. We can then hire a teacher to teach the children in the family to read and write.”
Those with talent could take the imperial examinations, while those without could learn to read or write, or learn accounting, which would provide them with another means of making a living.
If you don't want to be one, then we can just live our own quiet lives, which is quite peaceful!
Upon hearing Xie Yushu's words, before Xie Baotian could say anything, several clan elders were so moved they almost cried.
"Yu Shu, are you really willing to use the harvest from twenty-five acres of land to open a clan school in the house?"
Twenty-five mu of land, that's at least twenty-five taels of silver a year!
Xie Yushu smiled
"If we look at the yield from your corn, it would indeed be around 25 taels. But if we grow medicinal herbs, I guarantee that the yield from these 25 mu of land would be at least three to five times higher, which means at least 100 taels."
Hiring a tutor or a student to teach you basics would be enough. It would cost two taels of silver a month, which would amount to twenty taels a year. That means you could save at least eighty taels a year.
Of these eighty taels, twenty taels can be used to buy writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones for the children in the clan, and the remaining sixty taels can be saved to establish a special scholarship fund specifically for children with learning talents to take the imperial examinations.
Whether one passes the imperial examinations to become a scholar or a provincial graduate, completing their studies will allow them to elevate their clan to a higher level.
"This, this is wonderful! Oh, Yu Shu is truly kind-hearted!"
In this way, the children in the clan will have a way out!
Even if you're at your worst, if you can recognize some characters and use an abacus, you can still find a job as an accountant or shop manager!
Thank goodness, our ancestors have blessed us! They've given our clan such a wonderful daughter as Yu Shu!
"Elders, don't be too happy yet, after all, my father hasn't agreed yet!"
Xie Yushu was actually hoping Xie Baotian would agree.
Firstly, Xie Dafu has been bullying Xie Baotian and Lu Shi for so many years. If we don't bring him down, it would be a disservice to all the humiliation they've endured over the years!
Xie Dafu loves fame and power, so let's take away what he loves most and let him taste the bitterness of isolation.
Secondly, Xie Baotian was reluctant to give up this family business anyway. Since he had to live here, he naturally had to establish a solid foundation.
Another point is that one tree cannot support a forest. The strength of a family is different from that of a clan. Although not every member of the clan is successful, having three or five good ones is enough. As long as the others do not hold them back, they will not hinder their progress.
Moreover, once a clan school is established, the entire clan becomes a community of shared interests, and any few bad apples will be kicked out.
In this way, Xie Baotian and his group's position here became even more secure.
Xie Baotian was certainly tempted. After all, men in this era had a very strong sense of clan, and separating was out of necessity. He was happy to go back and become the clan leader!
However, he was always dutiful and hesitant, fearing that he might not be able to fulfill his role as clan leader well.
Seeing that Xie Baotian remained silent for so long, the clan elders grew increasingly anxious. One of them, with a short temper, even stood up and said...
“Baotian, we old folks came here today with the best intentions. We consulted the clan before we came. If you're still angry with us for not standing up for you a few days ago, I can kneel down and beg for forgiveness. But look at the younger generation in the clan, give them a chance!”
The others also stood up and kindly persuaded Xie Baotian.
Xie Baoshu immediately understood Xie Yushu's meaning from her words. Seeing his elder brother still hesitant and scratching his head in anxiety, he simply spoke directly to Xie Baotian.
“Brother, since the elders are all sincere, don’t be stubborn. Your niece is willing to give up her land to support you, what are you afraid of?”
Besides, it's not easy for the children out there. If more people from our clan become successful, we can look after each other!
"Yes, yes, yes! Baoshu is right. Baotian, you should just agree. If we let Xie Dafu continue like this, our Xie family will really fall apart!"
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