Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity
Chapter 74 - 70 Announcing Reading

Chapter 74: Chapter 70 Announcing Reading

After everyone finished eating, Mr. Gu instructed Mrs. Lv to take the two daughters-in-law and clean up the dishes, to wash them later. He had something important to announce, and everyone needed to be present because it was a major issue for the Gu Family.

Everyone in the Gu Family was quite surprised. Could there be some big news? Gu Chengyi thought it must be about selling honeysuckle in the county. The idea made his blood boil because it could determine whether the third brother would have to perform corvée labor. If they could sell the honeysuckle for money, they’d be able to gather the tax, and the third brother wouldn’t have to do the labor, sparing him the guilt. If they couldn’t gather it... he didn’t know what he would do, but he knew he couldn’t go since he had two sons.

If Gu Chengyu knew his second brother’s thoughts, he would surely say he was overthinking it. Even before going to the county, Doctor Li had already confirmed that honeysuckle could be sold for money, and he even bought five pounds.

"Ahem!" Mr. Gu cleared his throat when everyone was seated. Gu Chengyi felt his heart tighten; it was time!

"There are a few things to discuss today. First, the honeysuckle picked a few days ago has been sold for silver coins. It was sold this morning in the county. Doctor Li knows Manager Liu from Huichun Hall. Out of respect for Doctor Li, coupled with the fact that this batch of honeysuckle was of good quality, Manager Liu offered a hundred copper coins per pound. In total, there were forty-one pounds. Five pounds were reserved for Doctor Li, and the rest were sold, fetching three taels and seven hundred copper coins. Doctor Li’s portion was sold for ninety-five copper coins per pound, earning four hundred and seventy-five copper coins. The money is all accounted for, and I’ve saved it. Xiao Bao said we can harvest two more batches of honeysuckle, though the quality later might not be as good, nor the quantity as large, but it would still earn a good amount of silver coins. Everyone keeps your mouth shut about it, don’t go around gossiping." Mr. Gu first reported on the honeysuckle sales, preparing for the main announcement.

Gu Chengyu was also excited to hear that the honeysuckle sold for silver coins, totaling over four taels. He thought they could sell another seven or eight taels with the next harvests, which should cover the corvée tax. Knowing the outcome, he relaxed. Who knew that the next piece of news would almost break him.

"One more thing, Xiao Bao will turn five this year. We, the old ones, have discussed and decided to send Xiao Bao to school." Mr. Gu spoke without hesitation about Xiao Bao’s education, not wanting to delay any longer.

Since Mr. Gu started talking, Mrs. Lv hadn’t said a word, sitting in bed lost in thought. Gu Chengyu had anticipated that this news would surely spark conflict.

The news was like pouring boiling water into a pot of oil, causing an uproar. He was most impatient, "What? Dad, our family hasn’t even gathered enough tax for corvée, and you say you want to send his little uncle to school? Where would we find the silver for schooling? Oh! This is life-draining! With a stepmother comes a stepfather! This is bleeding the family dry! I can’t live like this! Just let me die! The whole family will be slaves to the ones coming after! When will these days end?" He shouted while sitting on the ground, slapping his thighs.

Gu Chengyu felt this decision was unwise and suggested speaking about selling ginseng first. That way, people wouldn’t react so strongly. He didn’t want to test his second brother; no matter the result, it would hurt their feelings. He looked up to see even Er Ya and the others showing resentment, took a deep breath, and wanted to say that studying was his own affair and that he would earn the silver, having no need to use theirs.

Gu Chengli already knew about this and was aware of the five hundred taels of silver. Therefore, the news didn’t shock him. However, Mrs. Fang wasn’t aware! Mrs. Fang felt a cold weight across her body, filled with despair about the future. The Gu family’s life was already tight, even Gu Xing’s rations came from her savings. If the little uncle was to go to school, the future silver made by the Gu family would be for him. Her father-in-law’s earnings weren’t enough to cover schooling, and with so many kids behind, wouldn’t they depend on her father-in-law and second brother? As the second sister-in-law said, when will these days end? They couldn’t even split households, and after so many years in the Gu family, she never even touched a copper coin. Mrs. Fang sat on a stool, dazed and lifeless, her tired spine slumping even more.

After speaking, Mr. Gu didn’t address anyone but stared directly at Gu Chengyi. At this moment, Gu Chengyi was surprisingly calm, looking down without showing any expression.

"Father, have you and mother already decided?" After a long silence, Gu Chengyi finally spoke, though his voice was raspy and trembling.

"Yes, Xiao Bao is frail and unsuitable for labor in the fields. Your mother and I want to send him to school. What’s your opinion? Your elder brother has already agreed. Third and Fourth, you may also express your thoughts." Mr. Gu believed that the third and fourth brothers shouldn’t oppose, but even if they had thoughts, he couldn’t manage them all; this wasn’t a time to consider such matters.

"Father!" Gu Chengyi looked up, shouting at Mr. Gu while standing up, eyes filled with uncontrollable rage, "I just want to ask, are me and elder brother truly your sons? Have you ever considered us?"

His loud outburst shook Mr. Gu’s hand, which was holding the smoking pipe, and agitated Gu Chengyu too. Not wanting to continue listening, he decided to intervene, "Second Brother!"

He barely called out the second brother before continuing to say not to worry about the silver. However, Gu Chengyi turned suddenly, his distorted expression startling Gu Chengyu, "What do you know, child! This is grown-up talk, when do brats get to interrupt?"

Gu Chengyu was at a loss for words, stunned by seeing jealousy and even hatred in his second brother’s eyes. Such a gaze, focused directly on him, sent shivers down his spine.

Mrs. Lv had initially chosen not to interrupt, but when her youngest son was scolded by the second, she intervened. "Second, how are you speaking? Are you going to eat your brother alive? Why so fierce? Is this the way you speak to your father?"

Gu Chengyi didn’t want to acknowledge Mrs. Lv. He just wanted to know how this situation would be resolved, though he knew he would never agree.

Mr. Gu calmed his heart. The second one had begun to resent them, suggesting that keeping him around might lead to trouble. "Second, does this mean you disagree?"

"Father, you know our family’s situation. How much does it cost brother Hua to study each year at Uncle’s house? This isn’t even counting exam fees, which would cost more. I calculated, and we already have no silver, so where would we find the silver for the fifth to study? Is it through borrowing?" At this point, Gu Chengyi coolly analyzed, recognizing that even if Mrs. Lv wanted the fifth to study, without silver, how could Father agree? You can’t borrow every time you need silver. Everyone understands that borrowing is for emergencies, not for poverty. Considering today’s trip to the county, Gu Chengyi became suspicious. Was there something he didn’t know about, or had Father found a new way to make money? His suspicious gaze fell on Mr. Gu, then shifted to Gu Chengyu.

Seeing his previously furious second brother suddenly calm, glancing between him and Father, Gu Chengyu recognized the second brother’s suspicion. Alas, he should have advised Father against probing, so as not to create friction within the family. Nevertheless, he admired his second brother’s sharpness. With such acuity, he would be someone notable in the future, yet bearing the grudge of such a person could always catch one off guard.