One night without a good sleep, the next morning, Zeng Lao Ye Zi, Zeng Rui Qing and Yan Ren Da came to help. They borrowed Xiao Jias donkey cart and first sent over the boxes and trunks. Shen Shi followed to arrange them, Zi Fu held Zi Xi and put him on his bed, found two baskets to pack up the books, and another basket for pens, ink, paper and inkstone. The second cart was sent with Zi Fus things. Zeng Rui Xiang rolled up Zi Fus bedding, dismantled the bed, and sent the bedding and wooden boards onto the cart. He let Zi Fu and Zi Lu move the stools over, while he held Zi Xi, and Zi Qing took Zi Shou to wait at Tian Shis place.
Tian and his three daughters were talking in the house, Zeng Rui Xiang put down Zi Xi, Tian asked him how was the move going, he replied that there were still two trips left, mainly because the big bed was more troublesome, had to be disassembled first, after finishing speaking Rui Xiang left.
Tian heard and let Qiu Yu go find Lao Yezi to come over for discussion, Lao Yezi entered the door Tian went out to welcome him, the two went into Tians room to discuss, Zi Qing perked up his ears to listen, during which he heard one or two voices of dispute, something about no money, wooden board, but didnt hear clearly.
After a while, Tian asked Qiuyu to invite Sanpo and Sipo from the main house to come over. Sanpo lived close by, less than 100 meters away, and Sipo lived in Dongtang Village, also about half an hours walk. Qiuyu brought her back together with Zifu and Zilu, who happened to meet them on the way. Tian then instructed Zifu to go call Zeng Ruiqing and Zeng Ruixiang to come over as well. Zhou was busy in the kitchen and hurried out when she saw people arriving.
Ziying was curious about what Ah Po wanted to say, so she didnt leave either.
When everyone had gathered in the hall, Tian said: "Today I asked you two sisters to come over, theres nothing big going on. Its just that today my second son Rui Xiang is moving out and we need to make a clean split of the family property. Please come as witnesses. Actually, most things were divided last year, only some trivial matters are left, and there are still some things that need to be clarified." Having said this, he asked Rui Xiang: "Second son, do you think we should send Zi Fu to call his mother back?"
"Mother, dont worry about it. She cant leave that place anyway. Besides, she didnt come last time when we divided the family property, and nothing happened. Mother, you say something." Rui Xiang thought there was no big deal, besides he really couldnt get away.
At this time, Shen Jianren and his family arrived. Last time in Baotang Village, they said that after the Lantern Festival, they would come here to stay for two days before returning home. Its easier to get to Lishan County from Anzhou Prefecture, and Xiao Shi will definitely return to her maiden home for two days as well.
Xiao listened to Tians recount of the events and said, "Aunt, dividing the family property is a big deal. To avoid future grievances, its better to have everyone present. Ill go find my younger sister-in-law and substitute for her." He then asked Zi Fu to bring her over, and Shen Jianren followed as well. Tian had no choice but to wait, chatting idly with them.
About half an hour later, Shen and Zifu returned together. Its estimated that Zifu had already explained everything on the way, so when Shen entered the house, she didnt ask anything. She went into the room to feed milk to Zixi, and came out after a few minutes.
Before the division of the house, lets take care of one thing first. As we previously agreed, Eldest Brother Ruiqing will give six taels of silver per year, and Second Brother Ruizhang will give twelve taels of silver per year. Its not that I dont trust you, but just in case something unpleasant happens in the future, lets have Eldest and Second Brothers sign a written agreement first. As the saying goes, "Raise sons to protect against old age." Your father and I are getting older too, and we cant withstand any more turmoil. There are plenty of unfilial children out there - just look at your aunts family, or your big sisters family. You know what kind of situation theyre in: three sons, a bunch of grandsons and granddaughters, not one of them is any good, no one takes care of the elderly... my poor sister and brother-in-law are almost sixty years old, every day they have to scrounge around for food, relying on neighbors for support - thats not living, its suffering! As she spoke, Tian Shi choked back tears. The three wives looked at each other, no one saying a word.
"Mother, why is this necessary? Is it that I would deprive you and Father of your silver, and especially call in Third Wife and Fourth Wife? Those who dont know would think me an unfilial son!" Zeng Ruicheng said.
"Its not that your mother is heartless and forcing you, after the division of property, your father and I only have a few mu of land, nothing else. There are still two unmarried sisters at home, so please consider your parents feelings. Ruiqing, as the eldest son, you write first." It seems that Tian Shi had discussed this with Old Master earlier, but didnt mention it on the day of the division of property, and hadnt thought of it until now, bringing up this issue at this critical moment. Zi Qing guessed it was the result of her conversation with the three aunts earlier. Who specifically came up with the idea is unknown.
Zeng Ruiqing saw that his attempts to dissuade them were ineffective, so he wrote quickly with a dark face. Rui Xiang followed his older brothers brushstrokes and finished writing quickly as well. Tian Shi handed it over for the old master to see, and the old master nodded in approval. Tian Shi took it back and carefully put it away, completely ignoring Zeng Ruiqings dark face.
Tian looked at his two sons and daughters-in-law, saying: "Last years silver is all with me. After the division of the family property, you should also get some rice and farm tools. We dont need them anymore, just leave a few hoes to plant vegetables. However, the rice in our house is not enough for us to eat every year, so we have to buy it. Your father and I thought about it, and its better for each family to give you one tael of silver, and then you can buy it yourself."
"Mother, its still half a year until the autumn harvest, and our family only has one tael of silver. What can we do with that? One dan of early rice costs almost one tael of silver, and my family doesnt even have enough to eat. Let alone second brothers family with all those children."
"Yes, mother, weve just moved into a new house and there are still many things to buy. One tael of silver is indeed a bit less, besides, our family has more people, so its reasonable that the allowance should be increased."
"Its not like I have a choice, youre the ones who wanted to divide the family property. You cant blame me for this. You know how hard life has been at home, but instead of thinking of a solution, youve managed to buy land and build big houses. Whats lacking now?" Tians words made Zeng Rui Xiangs face turn dark as well.
Shens family didnt say another word, Zi Fu tightly held onto Zi Qings hand, afraid that she would talk nonsense and cause trouble.
Tian saw that everyone was silent, and said: "No one has any opinions? Then its settled. Ruiqing, go upstairs and bring down the basket and drying mat. Ruizheng, go to the outhouse and bring over the farm tools. At home, there is an old windmill, an old granary, and a grain-beating bucket. The old granary is leaning against the grain-beating bucket. Each family can only choose one thing, but the elderly should choose first."
As a result, the final distribution was: Zi Qings family got a rake, a hoe, a windmill (used for dusting), two bamboo mats (for drying things), a pair of baskets, a pair of wooden buckets (for carrying night soil), and two shoulder poles. Shen Shi didnt say anything, just waited for Zhou Shi to choose first, then took the leftovers. Tian Shi gave each family a string of copper coins, and that was it. The three wives and four wives left together.