Chapter 63: Military Family

Chapter 63: Military Family

Qiu Huanian had Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng stay at home to study, while he and Du Yunse prepared and went with Bao Yi's family to the village head's house.

When they arrived, the village head's house was lively. Last night, a wolf pack had entered the village, and as soon as dawn broke, the village head had personally led his family to check on each household. Villagers who suffered losses came to report them to the village head, which would later be submitted to the county magistrate.

For those villagers who truly couldn't survive, the village head decided to provide them with grain for the winter, interest-free, to be repaid after the autumn harvest next year.

Though he sometimes fumbled small matters and showed favoritism within the family, as the village head of a village of a single lineage, Du Zhenhe was still better than many others.

A traditional leader in an ancient clan-based society—this was Qiu Huanian's first impression of the village head when he met him, and looking back, it truly fit.

Bao Ren was busy in the courtyard when he saw them. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he came over and said, "Fortunately, we inspected the walls of each house a few days ago. This time, when the wolf pack entered the village, no one was injured, only some outdoor livestock were killed."

"It's also thanks to Bao Yi and Yunse killing three wolves last night. After that, the wolf pack must have been scared and quickly retreated. We barely heard any wolf howls when we returned home last night."

Hearing that no one was injured, Qiu Huanian sighed in relief. Though the livestock loss was hard on many struggling farmers, as long as people were alive, there was hope for recovery.

Bao Ren smiled and said, "Bao Yi, you came back just in time. Father just told me to hurry to Brother Hua's house to call you. Returning before the New Year finally eased his worries."

Bao Yi gave a curt "Hmm," his face blank. Bao Ren was taken aback and turned to look at Ye Taohong, only to find that his sister-in-law's eyes were red and brimming with anger.

Looking at Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse, who had come with them, Bao Ren realized that something big must have gone down.

The incident of Yunying running outside to climb a tree last night was full of odd and suspicious details upon closer thought. Given the tensions between family branches and the expressions on Bao Yi and his wife's faces, Bao Ren's heart sank.

He opened his mouth and said helplessly, "Father is in the main hall. You ought to see him first."

Bao Yi coldly shook his head, "Where is Bao Li?"

"...Third sister-in-law complained of a stomachache, so Bao Li stayed in their room with her."

This meant that when the village head led the family to inspect the village this morning, Bao Li didn't go.

At this moment, only Bao Ren, Meng Fuyue, and Yuncheng were working in the yard.

After Yunying went missing last night, the village head immediately sent his eldest and third sons to look for the child. Not long after, Bao Li returned, and then his wife began complaining of stomach pain.

Bao Li immediately decided to stay with his wife and stopped searching, even saying, "We did what we could. It's late, and wolves are everywhere. Who could survive?"

Fortunately, Ye Taohong had already gone out to search for the child by then, or she would have surely rushed forward to tear his face off.

At that time, Bao Li's wife was holding her stomach, crying and causing a fuss, giving the village head a headache. In the end, Yuncheng stepped forward and said he would go out to search for Yunying in place of his third uncle, and the matter was reluctantly dropped.

That was why Du Yunse encountered Bao Ren and Yuncheng last night.

Ye Taohong had known about this since last night. Hearing that her sister-in-law's stomach was acting up again, she sneered, "Out of thirty days in a month, she has a stomachache for over twenty days. She can't do any work, demands the best food, and yet never seems to have any real issues."

Her tone was biting, causing the villagers still at the village head's house to turn and look.

Even if there was discord in private, for the sake of the family's reputation, Ye Taohong would never have spoken like this in front of outsiders.

"Brother, please call Bao Li and that beast Yunzhe to the main hall. I want to settle accounts with them properly."

After saying this, Bao Yi supported his wife and walked toward the main hall, with Cunlan running over and following them closely.

Bao Ren and Meng Fuyue exchanged glances and finally shook their heads.

"I'll go to the main hall to keep an eye on things. You go and call them."

Yun Cheng was still weighing grain and keeping accounts for the villagers who had come to borrow grain. Many of them, while pretending to look at the grain, had already turned their eyes toward the main house at the other end of the courtyard.

The clan leader, hearing his second son's voice, had just started to feel joy when he saw his second son and his family walk in, their faces filled with anger.

"Bao Yi, what is this?"

"Father, your son is disrespectful. Today, I must burden you. But if I don’t get an explanation for this, I, Du Bao Yi, don’t deserve to be called a father."

The clan leader, filled with doubt and unease, stood up with the help of his cane, his mind already filled with dark suspicions.

Yet, he refused to entertain those thoughts or even admit them.

"You've come a long way. Go rest for a while, prepare a proper feast, and pay respects to our ancestors. Can’t we talk about this later?"

Bao Yi stood his ground. "No need for the fuss. If this isn’t settled first, nothing else matters."

"You... sigh..."

The clan leader noticed that Bao Yi’s whole demeanor had changed dramatically after his journey. He had become so unyielding that no one could easily sway him.

Looking at the scar that nearly split Bao Yi’s eye, the clan leader felt a pang of sorrow and did not press further.

Soon, Bao Ren arrived with Yun Zhe and Bao Li.

Upon seeing this "nephew," who at the tender age of ten had already shown a shocking level of malice, Bao Yi didn’t hesitate and kicked Yun Zhe in the stomach.

The tremendous force sent Yun Zhe flying out the door, flying two to three meters through the air before crashing down with a loud thud below the platform.

"Second brother, what are you doing?!"

Bao Li, shocked and furious, shouted.

Yun Zhe curled up, clutching his stomach, doubled over in pain on the dirt courtyard, unable to stand for a long time.

Bao Li wanted to rush out to help his son but was grabbed by Bao Yi.

Bao Li, who had always been lazy, though younger than Bao Yi, had never been as strong.

Now, after spending months at the border and being hardened by battle, Bao Li was no match for Bao Yi.

Bao Yi twisted Bao Li's arm sharply behind his back and kicked him in the shin, causing him such pain that he couldn't resist.

"One kick and you’re upset? When he lured Yun Ying out at night, left her in a tree, and nearly got her killed by wolves, why didn’t you care then?"

"You... what are you talking about?" Bao Li's eyes widened.

"Don't know, or pretending not to know? Ask your dear son, he surely knows."

The clan leader was stunned by Bao Yi’s sudden outburst. He felt increasingly that his second son had become a stranger.

So decisive, so ruthless, quick to resort to violence—was this really Bao Yi?

The actions of Yun Zhe, as revealed by Bao Yi's words, filled the clan leader with both shock and fury.

"Bao Yi, are you telling the truth?"

"Yun Ying said it herself when she woke up this morning. She's just a three-year-old child, would she make this up?" Ye Taohong, holding her son, angrily retorted, "Besides, how could Yun Ying have climbed the tree herself? There are only so many people in the house. If it wasn't Yun Zhe, then find me someone else!"

Qiu Huanian added in support, "Yun Ying said it herself, no one coached her."

The clan leader frowned and personally questioned Yun Ying, "Yun Ying, tell Grandpa, how did you go out last night?"

Yun Ying, remembering the previous night's events, cowered timidly in Ye Taohong's arms and said, "Brother Yun Zhe said climbing trees would be fun, and he took me to climb one at night."

"Why didn't you tell an adult and went quietly?"

Yun Ying bit her finger, puzzled, "But Brother Yun Zhe is an adult, isn't he?"

Confronted with Yun Ying's innocent yet fearful gaze, the clan leader didn't know what else to ask.

Yun Cheng, who had overheard everything outside, didn't send away the villagers who had come to borrow grain, despite the potential for family shame. Instead, he strode directly over to Yun Zhe.

Yun Zhe, clutching his stomach, felt a searing pain as if his insides were on fire. He struggled to lift his head, wanting to beg for mercy from his usually lenient cousin.

He froze, his words dying in his throat upon seeing the anger and coldness in Yun Cheng's eyes.

He had never seen such an expression on his cousin's face before.

Yun Cheng bent down, scooped up Yun Zhe like a chick, and carried him into the room.

He glared down at Yun Zhe, "You tell it yourself."

The clan leader hesitated but did not intervene.

In his view, Yun Cheng, as the eldest son and grandson, was responsible for disciplining all his younger siblings.

"Tell what?"

"Begin with what you were up to last night."

"I stayed in my room all night; my brothers can vouch for me, I didn't go out!"

Bao Yi snapped, "Bring those two little ones here for questioning!"

Bao Li hesitated, thinking Bao Yi was acting irrationally, and calling the two younger sons might only result in another beating.

Yun Cheng eyed Yun Zhe skeptically and asked him word by word, "Your brothers' room is directly opposite my study. Tell me, when did I turn the light on and off last night?"

Yun Zhe hesitated briefly before quickly replying, "The light was turned on at the first quarter past the Si hour, and it was turned off after hearing that Yun Ying was missing."

Yun Cheng shook his head, "No, I usually read at the first quarter past the Si hour. Last night, concerned about wolves entering the village, I patrolled the courtyard. I didn't enter the study to turn on the light until the third quarter of the Si hour."

Yun Zhe hurriedly said, "Then it was the third quarter of the Si hour, just a difference of two quarters, I didn't remember clearly."

Yun Cheng looked at him quietly.

"Are you sure?"

Yun Zhe wanted to seek help from those around him, but Bao Yi fiercely twisted Bao Li's arm again, causing a cracking sound. Bao Li's face twisted in pain, leaving him no time to give his son any hints.

"Are you sure?" Yun Cheng asked again.

Yun Zhe trembled twice, unable to withstand the pressure, and gritted his teeth, "Yes, it was the third quarter of the Si hour!"

Yun Cheng sighed, unable to hide his disappointment and coldness, "You're wrong. Earlier, experienced people in the village said that the wolves' tracks entering the village would be within a day or two. Last night, I had no intention of reading and never went to the study."

He sternly asked, "Yun Zhe, where were you last night, what are you trying to hide, that you so confidently lied repeatedly about seeing the study light on?"

"I, I...!"

Yun Zhe, though somewhat clever and having studied for a little over half a year, was still young and inexperienced. He was caught off guard by Yun Cheng's logically clear trap and couldn't respond immediately.

His face flushed red, his eyes darted nervously, and he stammered, unable to utter a single word. Glancing at Bao Yi, his second uncle, he trembled with fear.

Qiu Huanian, who was observing, had never seen Yun Cheng like this before and raised an eyebrow in surprise, planning to tell Meng Yuanling about it later. Du Yunse nodded slightly.

The clan leader was about 80-90% certain in his heart. He banged his cane hard and scolded sternly, "Go and tie up this beast who dared to harm his own brother and hang him from the rafters. Let's see if he talks then."

This was one of the harshest forms of private punishment in the rural areas of Zhang County. If it were an adult, their arms would be ruined after being hung for less than half an hour. For a child, though less severe, it was still no small ordeal.

Yun Zhe had only heard adults tell cautionary tales, warning that misbehaving children would be hung from the rafters. He had also seen a disabled man who couldn't lift his arms after being hung from the rafters in his youth.

He still wanted to study and make a name for himself. What would happen if his arms were ruined?

Overwhelmed by immense fear and despair, his mental defenses completely crumbled.

He wailed and clung to Bao Yi's leg, pleading, "Second Uncle, please spare me, please! I know I was wrong, I'm young and foolish, I'll never dare again, please!"

Bao Yi kicked him away, "Get lost! Now you're scared? You little brat, why weren't you scared when you harmed my son?!"

Yun Zhe trembled and tried to struggle, inadvertently rolling next to Cun Lan in the corner. Seeing no one was paying attention, Cun Lan casually lifted her head and stomped her embroidered shoe hard on Yun Zhe's right hand, grinding it back and forth.

Yun Zhe let out another scream, but he had already screamed so much earlier that no one paid much attention.

The clan leader's face was stern, showing no mercy. Bao Ren sighed and went to fetch a rope on his own.

Just then, Yun Zhe's two younger brothers suddenly ran over, saying their mother's stomach was acting up.

Ye Taohong didn't buy it and sneered, "Her stomach has been 'acting up' since she got pregnant. Now that her son's misdeeds are exposed, she's pulling this trick again."

Meng Fuyue also didn't fully believe it. She had some idea whether the third sister-in-law's stomach issues were real or fake.

No one heeded the younger brothers' words. Bao Ren looked around and prepared to tie up Yun Zhe.

A scream erupted from the third sister-in-law's room. The clan leader's third daughter-in-law, unable to stay put any longer, stumbled out clutching her belly.

Having overeaten and avoided work during her pregnancy, her body had become excessively plump. As she hurried to the platform in front of the main house, she suddenly tripped and fell with a loud thud, her belly hitting the platform hard.

The dull thud startled everyone in the yard.

Meng Fuyue hurried out to check the situation. Ye Taohong, though she hated the entire family, muttered a prayer in her heart.

Meng Fuyue carefully helped the third sister-in-law lie flat and turn over. Villagers in the yard also came to assist. Bao Yi let go of Bao Li, who hurried over.

Qiu Huanian saw blood seeping through the thick winter clothes of the clan leader's third daughter-in-law and gasped, his heart racing.

Du Yunse held his hand tightly, shielding his eyes from the horrifying scene, but the gradually spreading smell of blood still permeated the air.

The third daughter-in-law, who had been faking stomach issues for months, finally screamed in genuine pain. Her wails echoed far and wide.

She was carried back to her room, where a few experienced midwives attended to her. Someone had already rushed to town on a mule cart to fetch a doctor urgently.

With such a major incident, it was impossible to keep it hidden. Yun Zhe's attempt to kill his three-year-old cousin was shocking enough, and his mother's fall added to the tragedy.

Many villagers were paying attention to the clan leader's family, curious about how he would handle the situation.

Everyone felt that retribution was due, and Yun Zhe's family deserved it. Some thought that since Yun Zhe's mother was already in such a state, it balanced the wrongdoing, while others believed the matter couldn't be settled so easily and Yun Zhe still needed to be punished.

However, until the third daughter-in-law's condition stabilized, the clan leader would likely postpone dealing with Yun Zhe's case.

The third daughter-in-law wailed in her room until almost noon, with basin after basin of blood being carried out. The doctor from the town had been called, but there was little that could be done.

Qiu Huanian went home to eat, feeling uneasy. After changing his clothes, he came back with a hand stove to check on the situation.

"How is it inside now? What did the doctor say?" Qiu Huanian asked Meng Fuyue in the courtyard.

Meng Fuyue sighed, "The doctor said the baby might not survive. They're trying to deliver it."

Qiu Huanian frowned, "The baby isn't full term yet, is it?"

"Only seven months. Even if it's born alive, it's..."

Qiu Huanian shook his head, feeling heavy-hearted. In modern times, premature babies could be placed in medical incubators that simulate the mother's womb until they reach full term, but such conditions didn't exist in ancient times.

It was the dead of winter, and with the baby being born prematurely amidst this crisis, the chances of survival were slim.

Bao Li paced outside the room, muttering threats. He said that if his son didn't make it, he would make everyone pay. No one paid him any attention.

The clan leader sat in the main residence, puffing on his pipe. He had been silent since the third daughter-in-law was carried back, deep in thought.

After another half an hour, the doctor and midwife came out with both good and bad news.

The good news was that the third daughter-in-law had survived. The bad news was that the seven-month-old fetus had not survived. The embryo had formed, and it was a young lad with visible limbs.

Qiu Huanian sighed, mourning the life that never saw the light of day.

In another light, perhaps it was a blessing that the child wouldn't have to suffer under such parents and in such a family.

When Bao Li heard the child was gone, he was heartbroken. But when the midwife said it was a boy, he felt a bit better.

With the third daughter-in-law out of danger, it seemed like everything had settled. But Bao Yi wasn't finished; he still had to settle the score for his daughter Yun Ying.

Bao Yi grabbed the hiding Yun Zhe like a chicken and tossed him into the main house.

"Let's get back to it. Where's the rope? We're hanging him up."

Yun Zhe trembled, and Bao Li ran over to stand where Bao Yi couldn't reach him, shielding his son. "Du Laoer, can't you just drop it? My wife is in bad shape, what more do you want?"

"Your wife wasn't pushed by me; it's your own bad karma. The debt for Yun Ying hasn't been settled, and you think you can escape it?"

As the two were about to argue again, the clan leader, who had been silent, coughed heavily.

He lowered his head and, in the silence, let out a long sigh. "I'm really old. I always laughed at others' family troubles, but look at my own family—haven't I raised a bunch of beasts?"

"Father, you..."

The clan leader waved his hand to stop Bao Ren's attempt to console him, feeling disheartened. "Don't say anything. Let's divide the family."

This statement took everyone by surprise.

It was well known that the clan leader valued the extended family above all else. In the past, even a slight mention of dividing the family would provoke his fury.

The clan leader remained silent.

What else could he do? The situation had escalated to this point, largely due to his favoritism towards boys. If they didn't divide the family now, it would turn brothers into enemies for generations.

Children and grandchildren have their own fortunes; let them be.

Bao Yi was the first to react, saying directly, "The eldest brother is the firstborn and should take care of our father. According to the rules, the main house should go to him, and he should also get a larger share of the family property."

"In all these years, both inside and outside the house, we have relied on the eldest brother and his wife to take care of everything. Yun Cheng's continued education also requires a significant amount of money. I suggest the eldest brother take seventy percent. Dad, what do you think?"

Upon hearing this division, Bao Li's eyes widened in shock. If Bao Ren took seventy percent, only thirty percent would be left for the rest of them. To make things difficult for Bao Li, Bao Yi was cutting off his nose to spite his face.

"Second brother, this matter can't be..." Bao Ren disagreed with taking so much.

Bao Yi shook his head and continued, "Of the remaining thirty percent, twenty percent goes to me, and ten percent to the third household. This is what they owe our second household."

"Bao Yi, you have no shame!" Bao Li cursed in anger.

What's the difference between getting only ten percent and being left with nothing? He still has three sons and a sickly wife to support!

Bao Yi stood his ground, refusing to give the third household even a penny more.

The clan leader was quiet for a bit, then asked his second son in a tone he'd never used before, "If we divide it this way, will you stop causing trouble for Yun Zhe and the third household?"

Bao Yi pursed his lips, and only after Bao Ren nudged him from behind did he mutter, "If they provoke me again in the future, don't blame me for being even less polite."

The clan leader took a deep drag of his pipe and said, "Alright, let's divide the family then. Eldest son's household, go to the storeroom and fetch the account books and silver. Let's settle this before the New Year. After the New Year, Yun Cheng will be marrying, and we don't want the new bride to walk into a mess."

...

Qiu Huanian did not witness the division process, as it was handled privately by the clan leader's family.

The next day, the third household bought an unused thatched house in the village and moved out.

The family that originally lived in the thatched house had moved to the town. Their family was doing well, and the house was in better shape than the one Qiu Huanian had when she first got here. However, in the freezing cold, the third household, accustomed to living in bright brick-and-tile houses, still suffered.

Later, Qiu Huanian heard from Meng Fuyue that the third household had indeed only received ten percent of the family assets. The silver was nearly all spent on buying the thatched house, and they were given one acre of paddy field and three acres of dry land. With careful farming, it would be just enough to feed their family of five.

"Truth be told, the father-in-law couldn't stand it. Since we're all in the same village, if they really couldn't make ends meet, he wouldn't refuse to help. This is just to make them realize their mistakes and correct them," Meng Fuyue saw things clearly.

"Is Bao Yi's household still living in the ancestral house?" Qiu Huanian hadn't heard any news about them moving out.

Meng Fuyue shook her head and said, "Bao Yi seems to have made some kind of contribution at the border and gained the favor of his superior, who recommended he join the military. He plans to move his family to the border after the New Year. My father-in-law doesn't agree, and they're at a standstill over it."

"Joining the military? Doesn't that mean becoming a military-registered household?"

According to the Yu Dynasty's household registration system, once a family becomes a military household, it is not easy to withdraw. Each household must have at least one person serving in the military, with sons replacing fathers and younger brothers replacing older brothers, until the family can no longer provide a qualified male.

"Yes, being a military household is no joke. Our area isn't too far from the border, and there are a few military households in neighboring villages and towns. Once a war breaks out, people are conscripted one after another."

"Unless you can rise to become a proper ranked military officer, you're just cannon fodder!"