Chapter 38.1

Translated by Aviana

The room was pin-drop silent; no one opened their mouth.

At this moment, whosoever opened their mouth first would be the first one to bear the brunt, totally unfruitful endeavor. As such no one in the room tried to speak.

The sound caused by Yang laoyezi drawing tobacco at once became amplified in the room. The entire air around seemed to have been congealed. Gradually, even a person’s breathing sound could be heard.

He-shi’s breathing became heavier and heavier, gradually it became huff.

“Why are you not saying anything?!” Her sharp voice was like a thunderclap in the quiet room.

All the sons and daughters-in-law sitting below had an appearance of you-look-at-me-I-look-at-you.

Yang laoyezi silently tapped his tobacco pipe against the table for quite a while before he eventually opened his mouth: “Lao da, you tell me.”

Yang Tieshuan, unable to avoid any longer, sat up straight, and with all smiles, he asked, “Father, what do you want me to say? ”

laoyezi: appellation used to address elderly man.

Lao da: appellation used to address the eldest child in the family

“How do you see this matter? Is this feasible or not? “

Right now, Yang laoyezi was also momentarily unsure. After all, the silver involved was massive. They were not a wealthy family and merely are countryfolk who depend on the soil to feed themselves. This amount is not something can take out even after saving all year round. 50 taels of silver – this amount can only be squeezed out, tightening their bellies, with neither food nor water for few years.

Before Yang Tieshuan could open his mouth, He-shi rushed to interrupt, her voice carrying usual overbearing and arbitrariness.

“What is there to see or not see! The matters pertaining to lao si are our family’s most important matters. This matter surely needs to be done.”

Another spell of silence. Since He-shi said so, what can others even say.

lao si: appellation used by parents to address the fourth child in the family.

Silence continued-

Looking at her sons and daughters-in-law, who didn’t utter a word for half a day, He-shi finally lost her cool. “What do you all mean? Each and every one of you, why are you not saying anything? Are you protesting against this old woman?”

Yang Tieshuan felt vexed by this sort of situation playing in front of his eyes. By this time, he could have had gone out and played cards. Losing his patience, he replied: “Mother, whatever you could say, you said all. What else do you want us to say?”

Yeah, what more do you want others to say? This was the inner voice of most of the people in the room.

Lin Qingwan, upon hearing this, immediately felt pleased. Exactly! You, yourself, said that matters pertaining to Yang Xuezhang are the most important affairs of the family and also said there is no need for others to see into the matter? Then what is even there for others to say?

He-shi was left speechless by her eldest son’s sudden outburst. Not speaking superfluous words anymore, she straightforwardly asked, “50 taels of silver, you can see how much your family can squeeze out!”

This was Yang laoyezi’s and He-shi’s main intention for gathering everyone.

The room suddenly exploded, no one would be willing when it comes to money. Truly speaking, it was Yang Tieshuan and Wang’-shi, this husband and wife, who exploded. Even when He-shi said that each branch would have to bear part of the cost, others still didn’t utter sound.

Whoever loses their cool first would be the one to bear the brunt.

The eldest branch couple was very well known for their poor temper. As soon as Wang-shi heard He-shi’s words, she jumped up.

“Mother, do you want our lives? Three branches have to bear the part of 50 taels of silver? Where do we have so much money?!”

Yang Tieshuan anxiously stood up and kicked the stool he was sitting on.

“Mother, you might as well just go sell our whole family!”

Seeing her eldest son’s and eldest daughter-in-law’s appearance, He-shi seethed with rage as she heavily panted while pointing her finger at them being unable to say a word for a while.

At this time, Yang laoyezi opened his mouth. Clearing his throat first, he looked at the second branch and third branch.

“lao er, and lao san, what is your opinion?”

lao er: appellation used to address the second child in the family.

lao san: appellation used to address the third child in the family.

Yang Tiezhu glanced at Yang laoyezi, and muttered, “Father, I got married only recently. From where can I get more silver?”

Yang Tiegen, seeing his second elder brother reply, also followed behind and vaguely responded.

“Father, whether I have silver or not, don’t you know clearly?” Yang laoyezi sighed. He was also well aware. The last time when lao er married, he didn’t even get a single penny from the family. All the silver came from himself.

As for lao san, this husband and wife’s financial situation is even poorer.

Yang Tiegen was honest and was tightly grasped by He-shi. Initially, she had said the half of the extra income earned should be handed over, but every time Yang Tiegen returned after doing odd jobs, He-shi would take away more than half of the silver. The same was the case with Yang Tiezhu too. But, at that time, Yang Tiezhu wasn’t married and didn’t have any burdens; thus his situation was much better than Yang Tiegen. Among all the three sons on Yang jia, only Yang Tieshuan had the ability to get money right under He-shi’s nose. However, during the leisure time after harvest, Yang Tieshuan’s part-time jobs would be like a fisherman fishing for three days and sun-drying the nets for two days. As such, the money he earned would also be pitifully low.

三天打 鱼两天晒网 (sāntiāndǎyú, liǎngtiānshàiwǎng): lit. to fish for three days and sun-dry the nets for two days (proverb) / fig. not to persevere in doing sth / to do sth by fits and starts

Yang laoyezi heavily sighed and became silent.

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