Chapter 25: The Announcement

More than half of the chicken soup was consumed; Meiniang decided to make noodles with the remainder the next morning.

Wan Changsheng went to the clan elder’s home as the sky grew dark.

The clan elder and his son were shocked by Wan Changsheng’s news.

The clan elder said, “The fields have already been planted. You say you want the clan to farm the land and your brother to farm your plot? You’re going out to work, but your wife and child will go with you?”

Wan Changsheng nodded. “Elder Uncle, our family of three is going out together, and we won’t be back for a while. If one day we can settle down elsewhere, I will give the field to the clan, but not yet.”

Wan Changshou said, “Changsheng, try it out first. If things don’t work out, come back immediately. While you’re away, the clan will farm the land, and the harvest will be used to repair the ancestral hall. But as long as you return, the land will be returned to your family. For country folk, land is more important than anything.”

“I’ll listen to Uncle Village Head. I’ll leave early tomorrow morning and need to visit my elder brother’s home as well.”

The clan elder stood up. “Go ahead. Work hard while you’re out there. If you do well, don’t forget the clan. This is your root. If you’re unhappy, come home immediately.  It’s enough that you are safe and sound.”

Wan Changsheng bowed deeply. “I won’t bid farewell to Elder Aunt and Sister-in-law. I will remember your words.”

Wan Changshou watched Changsheng’s departing figure. “Father, why didn’t you ask them where they’re going and what they’re doing?”

The clan elder shook his head. “If he doesn’t want to say, we don’t ask. If he wants to say, he will have already said it.”

Wan Yu Shi came out. “Your father is right. Changsheng must be scared. Wan Taohua is a scoundrel, constantly bothering Changsheng. He has a stepson, and he’ll soon have his own child. Why should he help her raise her grandson? Isn’t she just bullying him? She’s an elder, so what? She’s not his real father or mother; they’re four generations apart! What kind of kinship is that?”

“And his sister-in-law took half the house and didn’t give him a single grain of rent for seven years. I gave instructions to them before her mother-in-law passed away. Changgang is selfish, letting his wife do as she pleases. She’s driven a wedge between two good brothers.”

Wan Changshou sneered. “That woman is taking advantage of Changsheng’s kind nature. Father, do you think Changsheng will succeed?”

The clan elder sighed. “Changsheng has strong perseverance. I’ve met his wife and child twice. That child, especially, is clever and composed at such a young age, like a young master from a wealthy family. He will surely succeed. I’ve already agreed that regardless of whether they return or not, the child will be recorded in our Wan family’s genealogy next New Year’s Day.”

…

Wan Changsheng called his elder brother outside.

“Brother, I’ve run into an old friend who asked for my help. I’ll be leaving early tomorrow morning. I just came from the clan elder’s place. I’ve given the one mu of land to the clan. While I’m away, the harvest will go to the clan; it’s not much, just one mu of land.

The one mu of land next to the house is actually one and a half mu. Sweet potatoes and vegetables have already been planted. While I’m away, you can farm that land, and the harvest will help you a little.”

“Second Brother, I’ll farm it for you, but the harvest is still yours. I don’t need it.”

Wan Changsheng shook his head. “Brother, I’ll be gone for several years. I’ve left the house key under the stone slab by the courtyard gate. If it rains while you’re working, go inside to take shelter. Take care of yourself while I’m gone.”

“Second Brother…”

…

Wan Xu Shi came out. “I heard you talking about land. What’s going on?”

Changgang felt uncomfortable and went into the house. In the dim room, his eyes gradually reddened. The brothers used to be so close, but now everything had changed; they were like strangers.

He should have been the one to serve in the military back then. He was twenty-two years old and already a father of two. Second Brother was under seventeen and hadn’t even married yet.

That was fine.

He had promised his mother half the money from the house, but he didn’t give her a cent. He also didn’t give her any rent for the seven years he farmed the land.

What was wrong with him? Was he out of his mind?

He got on the kang and curled up in the quilt, finally feeling more composed.

“Husband, what did Second Brother come for?”

Changgang briefly explained the situation.

“What?” Xu Shi’s voice cracked. “Is Second Brother stupid? The fields are planted, just waiting to be watered and weeded, ready for harvest. At least three hundred kilograms of rice a year! That’s a lot of broken rice and brown rice! Husband, you must get it back from the clan. We are his closest family.”

Wan Changgang’s blood boiled, and he sat up. “What kind of closest brother am I? I forced him to serve in the military when he was young and unmarried, and I didn’t help him at all when he returned. I didn’t give him any rent for seven years. I said I would give it to him, and you threatened to hang yourself. Who in the village respects me?”

Xu Shi lowered her eyes. “Didn’t you help him build the house? I’m not asking for the land just for myself. We have three sons; how much money will we need in the future? Husband, do you think he’ll come back? If he doesn’t, can you get the house back? His house is well-built; it’s worth at least twenty taels.”

“Shut up,” Wan Changgang got off the kang. “Xu Shi, I’ve been foolish for all these years, always giving in to you. Are you even speaking human words? He’s going out to work, and you want to take his house and land? Are you cursing my younger brother?

Xu Shi, our family’s conditions are what they are. If you can’t stand it anymore, I can give you divorce papers. Go back to your family home tomorrow.”

He put on his clothes and went to the west room, where his son’s room was.

Xu Shi was stunned. Divorce? What had she done to deserve a divorce?

Everything she had done was for the family. Was it all for herself?

Was being a soldier easy? They could die at any moment. What would happen to her and her children?

In the darkness, she wept until a small hand reached out. “Mother, don’t cry. Qin’er is scared.”

It was her four-year-old daughter.

“Qin’er, don’t be afraid. Mother is just playing around with Father. Go to sleep now.”

Xu Shi hugged her daughter and gradually calmed down. She would apologize to her husband tomorrow. After all, she had done it for the family.

If her younger brother-in-law’s family did well, they could borrow the house eventually. She had been too hasty tonight.

Wan Changsheng, even if you have objections to me, Changgang is your elder brother, and Qing’er, Xiang’er, and Xi’er are your nephews. You shouldn’t have given that land to the clan.

Three hundred kilograms of harvest a year, and if it continues for five or seven years… how much would that be?  Xu Shi couldn’t sleep, sitting up and looking out at the darkness. Her heart felt cold.

But her husband wasn’t on her side. If she insisted, she would really be sent back to her family home. Her sister-in-law was in charge now. If she took a lot of things, she might get a smile. If she didn’t, she might not even get food or drink.