Chapter 4

Grandpa spoke, and Uncle, who never dared to go against Grandpa's wishes, added, "When we let you and Yanshou study, we didn't expect anyone from the Lin family to rise to prominence or become a scholar. We just wanted it to be convenient, so we wouldn't have to spend money on wine and food to hire a middleman for writing documents, and we wouldn't have to trouble outsiders for literacy and accounting."

"Study for two years, and when your grandpa retires from the express delivery office, we can talk to the government and get you a position. This way, you'll have a stable job for life. Although it won't make you rich, it will ensure a steady income. It will also sound good when you talk about it. When the time comes, you can marry Qianqian with some style."

Uncle glanced at Grandpa's expression, and seeing that he didn't object, knew that what he said was in line with his wishes.

Lin Qianqian spoke up, "Uncle, Third Uncle, you promised that Chao would study for three years, but it's only been two years. Why not let Chao finish his studies?"

Third Uncle replied, "Qianqian, you don't know. Things are different now. After the autumn harvest, the corvée labor will start immediately. The house was flooded recently, and the summer taxes are still owed. The whole family needs money."

Lin Qianqian said anxiously, "If there aren't enough people, we can hire temporary workers. I can help in the fields too. Chao is only twelve years old."

"Twelve is old enough to do a lot of work. I started working in the fields when I was ten..." Aunt also chimed in.

Lin Yanchao quietly ate his meal, and the whole family chattered, but no one stood up for him or Lin Qianqian.

Aunt smiled and said, "Qianqian, you can hide for a while, but not forever. Do you think you can avoid the farm work by using the excuse of studying? Our Lin family doesn't raise lazy people."

Lin Yanchao then said, "Aunt, what you said is wrong. I study at the private school to seek knowledge, which is not necessarily easier than working in the fields. If it doesn't work, my cousin is a year older and stronger than me. I'm still recovering from my illness. If we need to help the family, why not let him work in the fields?"

After hearing this, Uncle and Third Uncle didn't say anything. Uncle added, "Chao, you just recovered, so..."

Before Uncle could finish, Aunt stepped on his foot hard, and he yelped, knowing better than to continue.

Aunt looked at Lin Yanchao and said with a smile, "You want to be lazy, but you can't use your illness as an excuse. You've been wandering around the village entrance these days, so you're fine. Besides, Third Uncle works in the fields every day, rain or shine, and he rarely gets sick. You, on the other hand, can't even carry a load. I think it's because of your pampered life."

Aunt, feeling superior, continued, "You and Qianqian can't use Yanshou as an excuse. Yanshou is the eldest son, and you can't compare. Our Yanshou is smarter and studies better than you. If he becomes a scholar, it will bring glory to our Lin family and he can help you too. But you don't know what's good for you and even forget about seniority. It's a shame that our head of the family still wants to let you take Grandpa's position."

"Grandma, my father is a scholar, and your family for eight generations couldn't read or write. What makes you think I'm not as good as my cousin!" Lin Yanchao retorted.

Aunt, feeling both angry and hurt by Lin Yanchao's words, was furious. Her father was a village head, but he didn't read much. Her family, except for distant relatives, had no scholars. She married into the Lin family because of the scholar. Originally, she was supposed to marry Lin Yanchao's father, but Lin Gao said that the eldest son must marry first. So, she married the eldest son of the Lin family.

Aunt was so angry that she trembled. Then Grandpa said, "Enough, stop talking. Chao, I know you want to study, but the family can't be ignored. Ask the teacher for a leave, and after the autumn harvest, you can go back to school. Tomorrow, you'll work in the fields with Third Uncle. Do what you can!"

When Grandpa spoke, it was final. Aunt, seeing that Grandpa agreed, felt less humiliated and looked at Lin Yanchao with satisfaction.

Lin Yanchao finished his meal and returned to his room.

Lin Qianqian threw herself on the bed and cried, "Chao, Uncle and Aunt take advantage of Grandpa's favor and their position as the eldest branch, competing and grabbing for everything. Uncle is idle and gambles all day, and Aunt doesn't do any housework, leaving everything to me. But when it comes to benefits, she claims to be the eldest daughter-in-law and takes the lead."

"In the end, Aunt and Third Uncle are trying to squeeze us out to reduce the number of people sharing the family property. Chao, it's better to go anywhere than to stay here and suffer."

Lin Yanchao shook his head and said, "If we leave in anger, we'll just fulfill Aunt's wish to take over the family property. If she wants to fight, we'll fight back!"

Lin Qianqian looked up with tears still on her face and said, "Chao, we can't win against Aunt. Just bear with it for now. When you become successful through your studies, you can take revenge."

"A gentleman takes revenge after ten years; a petty person takes revenge from morning to night. I am neither a gentleman nor a petty person. I'll take revenge tomorrow. Just wait and see how I drive Aunt out of our family!"

The next morning, Lin Yanchao got up early, ate breakfast without a word, and followed Third Uncle to the fields. Uncle and Aunt thought Lin Yanchao would find an excuse to delay, but they didn't expect him to be so quick. Aunt thought Lin Yanchao had given in and felt satisfied.

Lin Yanchao and Third Uncle walked along the field paths to the west mountain. Near the north of the village, there were several plots of land. The Lin family had ten acres of paddy fields, which were given to the family when Lin Yanchao's father became a scholar. Nearby, Aunt had brought five acres of dowry land.

The paddy fields were planted with late rice, which was a major crop in many穿越novels. However, in Fujian, it was common. In the Northern Song Dynasty, during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong, due to a drought in Huai and Zhejiang, the court ordered 30,000 hu of rice from Fujian to be distributed to Huai and Zhejiang. The biggest advantage of this rice was its early maturity, known as "hundred-day yellow" in Fujian. Besides rice, the fields also grew many Chinese cabbages. Chinese cabbage has short stems, moist leaves, and is thick and fatty. It was brought to Qujiang by Tang Chancellor Zhang Jiuling and is known as "Zhang Chancellor's cabbage" in Fujian.

The rice in the fields was a source of income, and Third Uncle often sold Chinese cabbages at the market. Unfortunately, a typhoon reduced the harvest, making the family's expenses tight.

The day was long, and by the time they reached the fields, it was already bright. Lin Yanchao and Third Uncle each carried a hoe. Third Uncle was in his early twenties, only about eight or nine years older than Lin Yanchao. They used to be close, but in the past two years, they had grown distant. They walked for a long time without saying a word.

As they approached the fields, Lin Yanchao pointed to the Chinese cabbages and said, "Third Uncle, although the rice fields were damaged by the typhoon, the Chinese cabbages are growing well. In a few days, we can sell them at the market for a good price."

Third Uncle shook his head and said, "It's not that easy."

"Why not, Third Uncle? Are they hard to sell?" Lin Yanchao asked deliberately.

"Why wouldn't they sell? After the flood, many vegetable fields in the village were damaged. Fortunately, our fields are higher. If we sell them at the market, we can sell a whole basket in half a day. If we take them to the city, we can get even more."

"Then why can't we sell them?"

"It's because Aunt said that we shouldn't let the benefits go to outsiders. She said her brother-in-law has a vegetable shop in the city and will buy all the vegetables. The price Aunt brings back is only half of what we can get outside."

Lin Yanchao pretended to be angry and said, "Is that true? Isn't this just benefiting her family at our expense?"

Third Uncle shook his head helplessly and said, "What can we do? Just focus on farming and don't cause trouble."

Lin Yanchao didn't want to drop the topic and said, "Third Uncle, was it Aunt's idea or yours to make me drop out of school and work in the fields?"

Third Uncle leaned on his hoe and said, "To be honest, it was Aunt's idea. She said that if you don't go to school, the family can save the tuition and have an extra laborer to help me farm. Don't blame Aunt."

Third Uncle then tried to smooth things over, saying that Aunt was doing it for his own good.

"Is that true, Third Uncle?" Lin Yanchao looked at Third Uncle.

Third Uncle, displeased, said, "Chao, why do you doubt me?"

Lin Yanchao shook his head and said, "Third Uncle, I heard that Aunt told you that I have the intention to divide the family property and take the ten acres of paddy fields that my father earned for the family. That's why you agreed to divide the property."

Third Uncle's expression changed and said, "Where did you hear that?"

Indeed, Aunt had used the idea of dividing the property to manipulate Third Uncle. It was easy to guess. If Aunt didn't do this, she wouldn't be Aunt. Third Uncle valued the ten acres of land the most. He had put a lot of effort into the fields, and Lin Yanchao taking the land would be a significant loss for him.

Third Uncle remained silent. Lin Yanchao then said, "Third Uncle, you've been deceived by Aunt."

"How did she deceive me? Don't you want the land?"

Lin Yanchao said, "Third Uncle, we've been farming this ten acres for ten years. I have my heart set on a career and won't farm. If we divide the property in the future, I won't take a single inch of this land."

"How can that be?" Third Uncle hesitated. If he really took the ten acres from his nephew, he wouldn't feel right. "At least one share for each branch."

According to Ming Dynasty law, property was divided equally among the sons.

Lin Yanchao smiled. As a farmer, land was very important, but to a modern person, it wasn't a big deal. His future wouldn't be limited to this small village.

"Third Uncle, I said I won't take a single inch, and I mean it. If I were over sixteen, I would write a contract for you. But if you don't think it through, you might not get the ten acres in the future."

Lin Yanchao's well-intentioned advice made Third Uncle frown and say, "Why are you talking about this instead of working in the fields? Don't talk nonsense."

"Third Uncle, if you don't believe me, don't regret it later." Lin Yanchao pretended to pick up the hoe.

Third Uncle said, "Wait, explain yourself."

Lin Yanchao smiled and put down the hoe, "Third Uncle, if you think I'm just a kid and don't believe me, it will only cause trouble. I won't say it."

Third Uncle laughed and said, "Chao, you seem much smarter after your illness. To be honest."

"Then I'll say it."

"Go ahead."

"Third Uncle, I only ask you one question. If our branch doesn't take the ten acres, who will get them in the future, Aunt or you?"

Third Uncle was silent for a moment and said, "Her family is powerful, and my brother listens to her. I can't compete with Aunt."

"Exactly. Have you thought about why she is spreading bad words about me to you?"

Third Uncle thought for a moment, his eyes brightened, and he clapped his hands, "Yes, this wicked woman is afraid that we, uncle and nephew, will get too close."

"Exactly. Aunt has been plotting to get the ten acres of paddy fields. Uncle is easily manipulated, and Grandpa is often away. As for us two, she tries to divide and conquer."

Third Uncle held the hoe and said, "I'm not stupid, but Aunt is powerful. When she bullies you and Qianqian, I don't dare to speak up. Chao, I know you're upset, but you can't win against Aunt, even if I help you."

Lin Yanchao said, "Third Uncle, a man needs to stand up for himself. Even if my father is gone, we can't let Aunt bully us. You don't have to help me, just don't stand with Uncle and Aunt."

Third Uncle held the hoe and said, "How can that be?"

"Third Uncle, just do as I say, and I'll make Aunt pay today..."

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