"The most important things in organizing a funeral are buying the coffin and paper money. Since you three uncles and aunts are the only ones with money, this cost will be divided among your three families..."
Before Zhao Tingzhang could finish speaking, the eldest aunt became somewhat displeased.
"What? Chief, why should we pay for this? Wealthy families must have their own savings!"
My second aunt casually remarked, "With the wealthy family gone, the ten coins my sister-in-law borrowed from us last year are nowhere to be found..."
Zhao Tingzhang has divided up so many households in the village and done so many things. Of course, he saw through the ulterior motives of each of the three families from the very beginning.
He continued, feigning ignorance, "Whether the wealthy family has this secret stash of money or not, the adults in the family are all gone, so who knows where the money is! I'll take charge of this matter; the three of you will split it."
"After the funeral is over, if we find any private savings belonging to a wealthy family, we will give you the money. Right now, one coffin costs eleven coins, so four coffins would cost forty-four coins. Add in the paper money and other expenses, and it will cost about sixty coins, which is exactly twenty coins for your family."
Twenty coins...that's quite a lot for poor people.
The three uncles and aunts felt a pang of heartache upon hearing this; twenty coins! It wasn't easy for their family to save money.
Besides, didn't they come so early hoping to make a quick buck? Why are they having to pay upfront instead of getting anything?
Just as the eldest uncle was about to refuse, he heard Yulan's mother shout from the crowd.
"It's really good that Zhao Youcai's family has three cousins helping them! These cousins are good people, kind-hearted people..."
Although Yulan's mother's words were somewhat awkwardly inserted, the villagers understood them.
Immediately, everyone began praising the three uncles and aunts...
If this happened in any other family, they would probably be waiting to be plundered and extorted, and wouldn't be willing to part with any money.
"Alright, with everyone here as witnesses, we need to get this done quickly."
Funerals in the village are simpler than weddings, mainly because people are too poor these days and no one can afford to host a meal.
The three wealthy aunts eventually handed over twenty coins each to Zhao Tingzhang, enough to buy four coffins, some paper money, and candles.
The other ceremonies were kept simple, and all the able-bodied young men in the village came to help carry the coffin.
The funeral arrangements for Zhao Youcai's family were completed in a day and a half.
In this funeral, the most pitiful one was none other than Lingdang.
A six-year-old child doesn't know what death means. All they know is that their parents are buried underground and they'll never see them again.
Zhao Lingdang cried until her voice was hoarse and her face was flushed.
Fortunately, Qian Shuishui has been taking care of Lingdang these past two days, cooking for her and bringing her water.
The sudden turn of events occurred on the very day the funeral ended. Zhao Youcai's family had barely even settled into their coffins when three of his cousins stormed into the house like wolves and tigers.
The six men ransacked Zhao Youcai's house, hoping to find some of his money.
But after searching every corner of all three rooms, they still couldn't find it.
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