Village Chief Zhang and the village elders were summoned in haste by Zhao Wei. They knew the Zhao Family intended to split the household but were unaware of the reasons why.
Though Madam Chen was usually sharp-tongued and petty, she was genuinely intimidated by the village elders and the Village Chief. While she might scream at anyone indiscriminately at home, she dared not act recklessly in their presence.
As soon as the Village Chief and the elders entered, they were promptly invited to take their seats. Younger Mrs. Li, breaking from her usual behavior, became uncharacteristically diligent; she went to the kitchen to brew the tea kept only for guests during the Lunar New Year. Madam Chen then took over, fawning over the Village Chief and the elders with great hospitality.
"Dahe, why on earth are you splitting the household? It’s so early in the morning, and you're in such a rush—Zhao Wei didn't even give us a clear explanation," the Village Chief said. Being of the same generation as Zhao Dahe and a few years his senior, he spoke without much ceremony.
"Brother Zhang, it is truly because I have such unfilial descendants. It's one thing to talk back to their elders, but they even slander my Dalang. You know my Dalang is destined to become a government official; how could I let the Second Branch ruin his reputation?" Zhao Dahe began by desperately splashing mud on the Second Branch.
The Village Chief’s full name was Zhang Zheng. In Zhao Yan’s memories, this village chief was a man of integrity, well-respected by the villagers. Like Madam Chen, Zhao Dahe feared him. Thus, Zhao Dahe chose to play the victim, leading the Village Chief and elders to believe that the Second Branch, led by Zhao Gao, was unfilial, forcing his hand to split the family.
"Dahe, you must think this through. Once the Second Branch is separated, all the labor of the Zhao Family will fall on the First Branch and you two old folks. Furthermore, Zhao Gao has been honest and filial since he was a child—everyone has seen it. Zhao Yan studies hard and is already a student; you shouldn't misunderstand the Second Branch," the Village Chief urged earnestly.
A son who was honest, steadfast, and hardworking, a grandson who had earned the title of student at such a young age—a bright future lay ahead. Most families would pray for such things, yet Zhao Dahe not only failed to cherish them but actually wanted to cast the Second Branch out. The Village Chief could not fathom what had gone wrong in Zhao Dahe’s head.
The Village Chief offered a few more words of advice, but Zhao Dahe refused to hear a single one. Worse, hearing the Chief praise the Second Branch only fueled his defiance.
"Village Chief, you don't know—the Second Branch is driving the old man and me to our graves! The Zhao Family cannot afford to keep them here any longer. This entire branch is a curse upon us; we are so miserable!" Madam Chen began to wail and throw a tantrum on the floor.
Villagers gathered at the doorway began to whisper, gossiping about Zhao Gao and his family.
"Who would have thought that Zhao Gao, who always looks so honest, acts like this at home? He's practically driving his own parents to their deaths! And Zhao Yan, a student? So unfilial—all those books have gone to waste. The whole Second Branch is nothing but bad news."
There was never a shortage of people in the village who loved to watch a spectacle. Since the fire didn't burn them, they only hoped the chaos would grow.
"Who doesn't know what kind of person Madam Chen is? She doesn't even love her own son. Zhao Gao is such an honest man, working from dawn till dusk. Zhao Yan had already earned his title as a student, yet Madam Chen was still so cruel to him. The last time Zhao Yan had a high fever and was near death, Madam Chen refused to pay for medicine. If Zhao Gao hadn't knelt and begged, Zhao Yan wouldn't have made it," said Mrs. Cao, the wife of Zhang Guo, who had saved Zhao Yan last time. Disgusted by the gossips slandering the family, she spoke up for them.
"Enough, enough! Stop bickering, you’re drowning out the sound inside. Listen, listen—Madam Chen is wailing again." The villagers outside fell quiet, listening to the sounds coming from within. In any age, people love a good piece of gossip.
Zhao Yan watched this farcical split with cold, detached eyes, feeling truly speechless.
"Village Chief, it is this junior who has been unfilial. Ever since I was born, I have been sickly, causing my parents to worry. I spoke the truth about my eldest cousin pushing me into the river, which angered my grandparents—it is all my fault. Please, Village Chief and elders, consider my grandfather's proposal to split the household. My grandparents grow angry at the very sight of me, and I fear they might be driven to illness because of it. If that were to happen, I would not be worth saving. Though my heart is filled with great sorrow, I hope to fulfill my grandparents' wishes. This is the last thing I can do for them." Zhao Yan hung his head, projecting an image of utter weakness and helplessness.
Playing the weakling? Zhao Yan found it effortless—he had mastered the act in an instant. Zhao Dahe and Madam Chen knew how to put on a front, but Zhao Yan was no slouch either. Let’s see who could play the "green tea" better.
The Zhao clan elders were on Zhao Dahe’s side; they believed the Second Branch was wrong to be unfilial and that they should be absolutely obedient to their parents. However, they were wary of Zhao Yan’s status as a student. In these times, scholars were highly respected. Even though they looked down on Zhao Gao and Madam Chen, they had to give Zhao Yan some face. So, they simply stayed silent, leaving the decision to the Village Chief.
"Sanlang, I watched you grow up. I know what kind of character you have. You must realize that life after the split will be much harder than it is now," the Village Chief pleaded.
Zhao Yan thought to himself that no matter how hard life outside might be, it would be a thousand times better than staying in the Zhao house. With Zhao Dahe and Madam Chen, whose hearts were tilted to the edge of the sky, and Younger Mrs. Li constantly looking for trouble, Zhao Yan wished only to be as far away as possible.
"Village Chief, I know. But my grandparents no longer wish to see me or my parents, and I do not want to keep them in such a state of anger. I have hands and feet; I will be able to support my family in the future."
Under Zhao Yan’s persistent entreaties, the Village Chief finally nodded. "Very well. Since you all agree to the split, we shall proceed according to the rules."
Madam Chen and Younger Mrs. Li were overjoyed at these words.
"According to custom, the First Branch receives seventy percent and takes responsibility for the elderly, while the Second Branch receives thirty percent—" The Village Chief was interrupted halfway through by Younger Mrs. Li.
"No way! Why give the Second Branch thirty percent? The entire estate of the Zhao Family is meant for my Dalang and Erlang! The Second Branch shouldn't get a single thing!" she shrieked.
Upon hearing this, the Village Chief’s face turned black. It was one thing to see such a ridiculous family division, but for a junior like Younger Mrs. Li to interrupt him like this showed he was held in no regard.
"Dahe, is this the upbringing of your daughter-in-law? To spout such nonsense on such a formal occasion!" The Village Chief couldn't lecture someone else's daughter-in-law directly, so he directed his words at Zhao Dahe.
Zhao Dahe was displeased and glared at Madam Chen. It was all because that old woman spoiled her that Younger Mrs. Li had become so lawless. Seeing her husband glare at her, Madam Chen quickly tugged at Younger Mrs. Li’s clothes, trying to make her shut up.
To her surprise, Younger Mrs. Li refused to stop and made an even greater scene. "Mother, you said this wasn't just a split, it was a severance of ties! Once ties are severed, what relationship do they have with us? Why should we give them any property? You told me yourself that everything was for Dalang and Erlang! Mother, you can't go back on your word! Besides, you said the Second Branch deserved to die, and if it weren't for needing them to work, you would have kicked them out long ago!"
Younger Mrs. Li grew more and more excited, spilling all the things Madam Chen had said in private. The Village Chief was stunned; he never imagined Madam Chen would speak of her own son this way. If he hadn't watched Madam Chen carry Zhao Gao and give birth to him, he would have thought Zhao Gao was picked up off the street—after all, even tigers do not eat their own cubs.
Madam Chen hastily slapped Younger Mrs. Li across the face. "What are you babbling about? When did I ever say such things?" Although she denied it vehemently, her guilty expression could not hide the truth from those present. Younger Mrs. Li tried to continue, but another slap from Madam Chen finally silenced her.
Zhao Dahe didn't see anything wrong with Madam Chen’s thoughts; he only felt that the two women were causing him to lose face, especially in front of the Village Chief and the elders. His face grew dark.
Zhao Yan stood beside Zhao Gao, watching as Zhao Gao’s hands clenched into tight fists and his back molars ground together. Zhao Yan understood: hearing one’s own mother speak like that, anyone would be furious.
Suddenly, Zhao Gao stepped forward and knelt before Zhao Dahe and Madam Chen.