Goldfield
Chapter 64: Dividing the Family (2)

“Dad, separated from the main family and living apart was my idea! It had nothing to do with the situation involving Mother and Eldest Brother-in-law! ” Yu Hai spoke again as he looked at Old Yu.

Old Yu's frown deepened as he scolded, “What do you mean split from family? Stop making a fuss! As your legs improve, we can discuss this again !! ”

Yu Xiaocao suddenly interrupted, “If we don't part from the main family, then the entire second branch will be sold! Grandfather, if Father doesn't come out to save us, Xiaolian and I won't be here anymore. We have to separate from the family now so that no one else gets the idea to sell us anymore! ”

“Selling people? Old Yu's usually turbid eyes suddenly revealed a chill that made people shiver. He remembered his wife had come out early and then connected the dots. He glared at Madam Zhang and Madam Li angrily and growled, “I am not dead yet. Let's see who has the guts to sell you !! The Yu family will not do something as shameful as selling our sons and daughters !! ”

Old Yu was rarely angry, so Madam Li lowered her head in surprise and hid behind her mother-in-law's back. Madam Zhang curled up but still strongly denied, “What's wrong with being a servant girl in the Zhou Family? They do not have to worry about food or clothing and can even be paid one to two taels a month. Where else can you find good deals? We spent more than half of our money caring for the Second Child's wounds. Back then, we didn't even know when he would wake up from his coma. The treatment consumes some silver a day. Lately the family income has also decreased.I'm just trying to think about the future of our whole family, ah! ”

“Isn't Second Son awake now? Never talk about family divisions again! ” Old Yu is well aware of Madam Zhang's original personality. When his first wife died, how did he make the wrong decision and decide to marry a shitty person?

In the past, he had also fought with Madam Zhang when he treated Second Son badly. However, he always makes a massive tantrum and will lament his own family problems and difficulties. Sometimes, he agreed to change at that moment, but in an instant would always return to his old ways.

Back when Yu Hai was eight years old, he almost drowned while trying to catch fish in the river because he was so hungry. At that moment, Old Yu had made a firm decision to divorce her. However, she did not expect Madam Zhang to tell her that she was pregnant with her child. After quarreling with her, she decided to make him her wife. Unexpectedly, after she gave birth to the Third Son, Madam Zhang became even more violent and ruthless. She was only preoccupied with her own biological children and no longer cared for the sons and daughters from Old Yu's first marriage.

Years passed, every time he reprimanded her, she always made a fuss and went berserk. Gradually, the children grew up. For the sake of maintaining peace in the family, he could only turn a blind eye to his actions.

Old Yu had always felt somewhat guilty inside about his kind and capable second son. Doctor Sun has said that his right leg will likely not be worth using in the future and if it is serious enough, he may even have to amputate it. The Second Son's family had sick and weak members. If they do not separate the family, as long as he is there, there will always be food for them to eat…

Contrary to his expectations, Yu Hai had made up his mind and sincerely said, “Dad! If you truly love me as your son, then you will separate my branch from the family! Your son begged you !! ”

Seeing the sincere look in his son's eyes, Old Yu felt a sharp pain in his heart. When his first wife was dying, he repeatedly requested that he take good care of their son and daughter. However, he was unable to keep his promise. Her eldest daughter had married someone who lived far away. The return trip takes about four to five days of travel. Since her daughter gave birth to her own child, she rarely returned to visit her parents' home. As for his first wife's favorite son? He is now paralysed — when he died, how could he face his first wife?

Lost in his mind, Old Yu thought he could once again see the beautiful young girl in the green vegetable field smiling sweetly at him again …

With Madam Zhang's bad personality and the fact that Second Son would stay at home like a parasite in the future, Old Yu couldn't even imagine how cruel and violent he was. Forget it, if the Second Son wants to separate from the main family then he should leave. In the future, he would personally help them a little and they could still go about their days …

Afterwards, Old Yu told Dashan to invite his older brother and the village chief to come discuss the details of their family separation.

Yu's eldest brother, Yu Lichun, was furious on behalf of his nephew, “I say, Third Brother! Dahai is the most hardworking person in your family! Try to find your conscience and think a little! Isn't Dahai's hard work the reason why your whole family can live like this? He just got out of his coma, and you want to push him out. Can you face her dead mother now? ”

“Oldest Sister-in-law, Second Son is a person who wants to part ways. What does that have to do with us? ” Mrs Zhang is not happy. All these irrelevant people are here to criticize and be stubborn when separating branches is only a matter of their own family. ‘It's okay to talk but getting things done is another matter. If we don't part, will one of you take care of the Second Son's family? ‘

Yu Hai's second uncle, Yu Lixia, who lived outside the village and rarely visited had a rather fiery personality. He glared at her and growled, “Men are talking here, how can a woman like you interrupt official affairs?

Madam Zhang grumbled in annoyance, “Our family is the only one who separated, how could it have nothing to do with me?

Old Yu sucked his firing pipe, thought for a moment, and said, “I already have a plan. We will divide the family assets into four. Dashan and his other brothers will get each part, then my wife and I will get the part .. ”

“It's not good! Caidie is not married and should also get a share! Otherwise, who would give him the dowry? The Zhan family offered eight taels as an engagement gift for her! Also, Third Son will participate in the imperial examination preliminary round in the future. His spending will be a lot. Are you saying that his brother who has left the family will raise some money for him? ” As soon as she heard the proposal, Madam Zhang instantly became displeased and said her complaint to show her objection.

Old Yu tapped his pipe under the table and said, “Then we will divide it into five equally large parts and Caidie will get one piece! After we separate the family, your mother and I will live with one of you and in the future our part will go to that person's branch when we die. Once we reach an agreement, it doesn't mean that family divisions will lead to family disengagement. The Second Child's family could still live in the main residence with us, so we could live in harmony and not be separated. Dahai gets most of the money for his family's new boat, and his legs are not healthy anymore, so the boat will go to him. In the future, renting it can be one form of income. ”.

Before she could finish what she said, Madam Li forcefully pulled on her husband's arm. Seeing he didn't say anything, he immediately spoke, “Dad, Dashan and Heizi are the first sons and first grandchildren of the family, he said, so it is their duty to take care of their parents and grandparents. Sure, you two should stay with us. However, my husband only knows how to go to sea to earn an income. If the boat was given to Second Sister-in-law, would we have to eat and drink only from the wind itself ah? ”

Madam Zhang had long held back her grievances and this time they finally came out, “The Eldest Son's family is right! As the head of the household, you are obviously too biased! Without fishing boats, how can we make a living? Do you still want the Third Son to take his test? Do you still want Caidie to get married in the future? What about Heizi's future marriage? You really want our whole life ah! I disagree, I strongly disagree! ”

“Don't we also have three plots of land? My Eldest Son and I can go to the city and do some temporary work again.Are we not living that kind of life before? ” Old Yu was silent for a while before he finally replied because he thought of the diligent and talented Third Son.

Madam Zhang's loud voice pierced through the ears of everyone in the room as she shouted, “The number of plants produced by three plots of sandy soil in one year is just enough to feed our household for six months. In the past we had fewer children, I did not dare to eat too much or get new clothes in an effort to save. We can only collect this much property with great difficulty. But you, you gave it all to the Second Son! Yes, the Eldest Son of my first marriage, if you don't care about him, then whatever! But isn't the Third Son and Caidie your flesh and blood? You parents, you didn't give us a way of life! This is no good! The fishing boat absolutely cannot be given to the Second Son unless you want to strangle us all to death! ”

Slow talk and honest Eldest Son, Yu Dashan, also timidly interrupted after being pinched by his wife several times, “Father, besides fishing, I do not know how to do anything else. If I go to the city, I will not be able to find any work ... I also do not agree to give the boat to Second Brother .. ”

“True, that's true! Mom and Dad live with us, while Brother-in-law Bungsu is not married. The third sister-in-law is still in school and still has to be with the family. So, fishing boats simply cannot be given! ” Mistress Li hastily agreed and looked at Old Yu sadly.

Both Yu Bo and Yu Caidie remained silent with their heads lowered. No one knows what they think of all this.

Yu Hai calmly listened to everyone and only now did he speak, “Dad, the doctor told me that my leg will never heal. It remains unclear if I can stand above them in the future. Even if I had a fishing boat, I would not be able to go out to sea and catch fish. I don't want a fishing boat. As for the three plots of land, there was a decent amount of harvest to be obtained from them in a year. So just give us the land and we will ask my wife and children to farm. ”

Yu Xiaocao did not know how to catch fish so he really did not care much about the fishing boat. He is currently thinking about the future. If they're still living together, it's still not perfect. If their branch suddenly started living well, with the temperaments of Madam Zhang and Madam Li, wouldn't they still cause trouble for them every few days? What do they have to do to live further away from this pack of wolves?

Just when he thought, his father spoke again, “The son of Eldest Brother will grow up and Third Brother can only enter into a small room in the west when he visits. If our entire family still lived together, it would definitely be crowded. How about you give the old residence of the Yu Family to us? After cleaning a little, it should be livable. ”.

The old residence of the Yu Family was at the foot of the Western Mountains and it was a three-room house made of mud bricks. It also had a decent sized courtyard and behind the room was a large pool. Back when Yu Hai's mother was alive, the whole family once lived there. Later, as their situation improved, the whole family moved to a village closer to the sea.

No one had stayed in the old residence for the past ten years. Although every year they would come back and do some minor repairs, no one knew how much damage had been done to the house. Madam Zhang thought for a moment, deciding not to make a fuss, but hoping that she could still guard the three plots of sandy soil. Although the land did not produce much, not having it meant in the future they would need to spend money to eat grains and starches. No wonder Madam Zhang wanted to keep it. But when compared with fishing vessels, the three areas of land are actually not so important.

In the end, in addition to the old shabby residence and the three plots of land, the Xiaocao family also got a cooking pot, some bowls and dishes, as well as some agricultural implements. When Old Yu raised the matter of dividing the money into five pieces, Madam Zhang's face turned so dark that someone might think her mother had died.

However, with the village chief and the other elders of the Yu Family present, no one would believe him if he said that there was no money. He reluctantly took some copper strings and some silver pieces from the jar and threw them onto the bed. He hastily said, “When Second Son was injured, we spent almost all our money. Look, here's what's left! ”

Xiaocao observed the money and estimated that the coins and bits together were at most about ten taels, and they needed to split it in five ways. His family could only earn at most two taels. That's not even enough to fix their new home!