Chapter 88 Family Law Awaits
Only Wang Laozhu’s expression was exceptionally lucid as he took a puff from his tobacco pipe and knocked on the table, "What’s all this senseless babble? Can’t even a meal shut your mouths? Haven’t you heard the saying, ’A tall tree catches the wind, a big name brings trouble’? Jinshao, you and your brothers listen up, don’t you go spreading rumors, saying that your old auntie is so lucky that she can dig up a patch of yams with just a casual point. Keep it all to yourselves! You hear me?"
Jinshao and his brothers looked at each other in confusion, not understanding Wang Laozhu.
Even Old Granny Zhang looked at her husband with doubt, "Head of the house, have you gone senile? This is a great opportunity to promote our daughter’s reputation. With this reputation, will she ever have to worry about finding a good family to marry into? Why are you stopping this? Not only should Jinshao and the others talk about it, but I was planning to spread the word even more tomorrow."
Having been accused by others of spoiling her daughter over the years, Old Granny Zhang had been holding back her frustration. Now that her daughter had made them proud, why should they not talk about it and boast? Wasn’t it the same as wearing a nice piece of clothing but not being allowed to show it off, instead having to stay cooped up at home in it? What was the fun in that?
Wang Laozhu glared at Old Granny Zhang, "It’s you who’s muddled! Is this kind of reputation something you can just desire casually? You say our Zhuzhu is lucky, and if people take it seriously, they’ll come to her for a share of her fortune in everything they do. If it works out, all’s well, but if it doesn’t, what will they whisper behind her back? What reputation will Zhuzhu have then? Moreover, Qili Slope is only so big, and our entire village, apart from tilling the fields, relies on these mountain goods. The villagers work hard all year, and the mountain goods they gather aren’t even as much as what our Zhuzhu leads people to collect in just one trip. Once or twice might be okay, but if it becomes a habit, who wouldn’t notice? If we gather more, it means others will have less. In the long run, who would be content with that? No matter how many family members we have, if we incur the wrath of the community, forget about the five families with different surnames; even our own relatives will likely not accommodate us. Then, do you think we’ll still have a place in Qilidun? You can’t see past the end of your nose, blinded by the trivial gains right before you! Keep your mouths shut, and once you leave this door, you tell no one, or the family discipline will be enforced!"
As soon as the supreme law of family discipline was mentioned, everyone, except for Wang Yongzhu, couldn’t help but shiver.
In peasant families, what could family discipline be but a beating, with the only difference being the instrument? Using a board about two palms wide, a score of lashes on the back were enough to prevent movement off one’s bed for ten days to half a month before being able to work the fields again.
Seeing that Wang Laozhu was serious and not just jesting, even Old Granny Zhang felt embarrassed, knowing it was unwise to make a nest on a tiger’s head. The room, which had been filled with laughter and merriment, fell silent at once. Little Jinshao, although not quite understanding what grandfather was saying, sensed the change in atmosphere as everyone stopped laughing and talking, and he quietly hid behind Lady Jiang, timidly peeking out.
Old Granny Zhang felt put in her place in front of the children by Wang Laozhu, and although she was slightly disgruntled, upon further reflection, she realized that what the head of the household said was right.