Lin Zeguang, now thirty-two, was a scholar, though he had only passed the elementary examination and repeatedly failed the exam to become a licentiate. Regardless, he always carried himself as a man of letters.
Lin Zeguang glanced at Lin Zezu, who stood before him trembling in his Confucian robes and acting with exaggerated subservience. Disgust welled up within him; cursing "son of a whore" under his breath, he turned his eyes away.
"Fourth brother, now that Father has been gone for over a week, Mother’s mind has been far from peaceful."
"For the sake of Mother’s health, I fear that with so many adults and children in this house, the noise will disturb her rest."
"I have thought long and hard about this, and it would be better for us four brothers to live separately. Of course, this is a matter of necessity. What are your thoughts?"
After finishing, Lin Zeguang turned and looked out the window, finding it easier to ignore what he did not have to see.
Lin Zezu cast a quick glance his way, thinking to himself that his original persona was truly an eyesore to this man—he couldn't even stand to look at him. Yet, this indifference provided him with a chance.
"I defer to my elder brother’s decision," Lin Zezu replied, his voice trembling slightly.
"Father didn't leave much behind—mostly just some farmland. The funeral arrangements have already cost the household a significant amount of silver."
"Mother is still with us, so the ancestral home cannot be divided. What remains to be distributed are the fields on the estate."
"According to custom, the eldest grandson should receive a share, but since Minju is not yet married, he will not be participating this time."
"Following ancestral rites and customs, the eldest son takes seventy percent. The remaining thirty percent is split equally among the three of you."
"Simply put, you will receive twenty mu of paddy fields and thirty mu of dry land. As it happens, there is a connected plot of paddy and dry land at the West Village End; it’s easy to manage, so that will be allocated to you."
"There is not much cash on hand, so you will receive thirty taels. Oh, and the three cottages at the West Village End will also be assigned to you."
Lin Zeguang’s tone was cold and monotonous, offering no room for negotiation.
Lin Zezu calculated the numbers in his mind and understood immediately. This wasn't a family division; it was an eviction. What he was being given was merely hush money—not to silence him, but to satisfy the curiosity of the clan and the villagers.
"I will do as my brother arranges. After the division, may I still live in the ancestral home?"
They were in such a hurry to kick him out, but he was in no such rush. He had to squeeze as much as he could out of them.
"Once the family is divided, how would it look for you to still live in the ancestral home? You shall stay in those three houses at the West Village End."
Lin Zeguang’s tone grew impatient.
"I have already instructed Steward Zhao to prepare a set of pots, bowls, and ladles for you, along with rice, flour, and grain. As long as you don't squander things, you will have enough to last until the autumn harvest."
"Elder brother... is this the division... do you not want me anymore? ...Are we... are we severing family ties?"
Lin Zezu said this with a whimper, feigning grievance.
Internally, he looked down on himself with disdain. *I should have added a few tears to make it perfect.*
"Severing ties!"
Lin Zeguang barked sharply and spun around.
"No... I... I—I—Brother... Elder Brother..."
Lin Zezu acted as if he had been terrified by his brother’s outburst, unable to even utter a coherent sentence.
"Severing ties! That was your own suggestion. It’s not impossible. You are young, and life outside will be difficult, so I will provide an additional twenty taels of silver. Fourth brother, don't come crying to me later."
A gleam of triumph flashed in Lin Zeguang’s eyes. Once the ties were severed, his sons Minju and Minjin would no longer have to worry about the stain of being associated with a "son of a whore" in their future examinations, and Mother would never have to be reminded of that bastard again.
What was this? *If you are looking for a pretext to condemn, you can always find a reason.*
But I like it!
"Elder Brother... I... I... I... Zezu is young, and my studies are already draining me, and I know nothing of farming. Could you allow Fugui to come with me after we move? He’s been with me since we were children; at least I’ll have some company."
"Very well!"
"He is just a servant."
"Those three houses at the West Village End are dilapidated; I fear they are not currently habitable. Could you ask Steward Zhao to assist with some repairs? I am young and ignorant, and I know nothing of such things."
Lin Zezu stuttered and stammered, acting as if he had gathered all his courage to make the request.
Lin Zeguang saw this fool was still only concerned with his immediate food and housing, not realizing the gravity of severing ties. His heart, which had been hanging in the balance, finally settled. If this bastard had refused to sever ties, he would have been truly stuck; forcing it would only invite public criticism.
"Steward Zhao is busy and has no time for such trivial matters. I will give you another five taels of silver; that should be enough for you to find someone to fix it yourself."
"Elder Brother, farming and working the land requires an ox. Might I have the ox?"
...
"Insolent! Lin Zezu, don't push your luck! Even if I gave you an ox, could you afford to keep it? Every draft ox is registered with the county yamen. If it gets sick, goes missing, or dies, it’s a capital offense!"
Lin Zeguang was furious.
*Hehehe...*
*That’s exactly what I wanted.*
*The Master said: 'Aim high, and you may hit the middle; aim for the middle, and you may hit the low; aim for the low, and you get nothing.'*
"Elder Brother..."
"No more! I will give you a mule at most."
"Elder Brother, I often hear Fugui say that farming requires many tools. I wonder..."
"You are obsessed with such trivial trifles. Tell Steward Zhao to procure some for you. If the household budget falls short, he can use the remaining silver. Now go, I am weary."
Lin Zeguang had lost all interest in continuing the conversation.
"Elder Brother, please take care of yourself. Zezu takes his leave."
Lin Zezu finished speaking, his body trembling as he shrank away, backing out of the study and gently pulling the door shut.
He kept his head low, wearing a mournful expression as he walked toward the front courtyard. He knew that behind every window in the middle courtyard, countless eyes were likely watching the study—and him as he emerged from it.
He had gained what he could. His only regret was failing to secure the ox.
But after thinking about it, Lin Zeguang was right. In this era, a draft ox was no laughing matter; the life of an ox was worth far more than his own. *Sigh, I’m an embarrassment to all those who have traveled through time before me!*