Chapter 108: 108. Defacing RMB is illegal_1
Song Sancheng also nodded affirmatively from the side, “Zhang Wang’s fields have always been the best maintained. Back when we used to grow rice, he would harvest over a hundred pounds more per acre on average than the rest of us. Who within ten miles didn’t envy him?!”
“Just go and have a look at their vegetable garden; their veggies taste better than what most people normally eat.”
“When you were little, Zhang Auntie would pass by our door every morning at three o’clock, carrying her basket to the market town to sell vegetables. You were so envious when you heard her that you couldn’t stand it.”
Song Sancheng wasn’t just speaking pleasantries—if he had been, he wouldn’t have invited Song Tan in the first place.
Inviting her now meant he already had this idea in mind.
If Zhang Wang’s family weren’t so capable, how could they afford to send three kids to school just by farming?
Mentioning this, Song Tan also vaguely remembered.
All children in the countryside long to go to the market when they’re young. Yet, from their place to the town, it’s nearly a two-hour trek through the mountains.
Adults might manage, but a kid would likely give up halfway. Therefore, if a child gets to go to the market, it’s a dreamy affair they look forward to even in their sleep.
Nowadays, with supermarkets everywhere, the hardship of selling vegetables seems incomprehensible, but many years ago, it was just a common occurrence.
At this moment, looking at Zhang Wang’s family’s faces filled with hope and anxiety, she suddenly felt an impulse—
Their veggies were good quality and would eventually become well known in the village. Besides the blessings of the God of Soil, shouldn’t there be some scientific support as well?
If Zhang Wang’s fertilizer was so famous, then…
With that thought, she nodded, “Alright! Uncle Zhang, your timing is perfect; I was just wondering where to find someone to look after my orchard!”
“Your house is nearby, which is convenient and suitable. I just don’t know what your salary expectations are?”
Zhang Wang’s family broke into a happy smile, the distress in their brows lessening considerably:
“No demands, no demands. But I…”
He thought for a moment, then spoke with difficulty, “Tantan, if you’re willing, give me two thousand RMB a month, and I won’t only tend to the orchard for you, but I’ll also pile up all the fertilizer needed for the fields and the mountains.”
Song Tan was a bit puzzled.
Yes, Zhang Wang was getting on in years, a man in his fifties or sixties, not so easy to find work outside. But it depended on the kind of work.
Just any factory would value men of their age. As long as they’re willing to work, they could earn at least five or six thousand a month outside, and that includes food and accommodation.
Staying in the mountains, not to mention other things, just tending to the orchard was no light task.
Now asking for a salary of two thousand, not to mention anything else, the tea-picking aunties could earn that amount in just ten days.
Song Tan didn’t respond.
Even Song Sancheng became serious, “Brother Zhang, do you have any other requirements? Spit it all out now, so we know whether it’s doable or not and everything’s clear.”
Zhang Wang fell silent as well.
Then suddenly, he fumbled on his body and after a long time, shakily took out a pack of cigarettes, offering one first to Song Sancheng. Song Sancheng carefully glanced at Song Tan’s expression before accepting it.
The two men lit up their cigarettes, and it seemed the conversation became much easier—
“Little Brother Song, you know my current situation. I reckon the whole ten-mile radius is watching me like a joke.”
“All my life, hard work and toil, raised three ingrates, I just can’t figure it out…”
As he spoke, he began to choke up, “I just can’t figure out, is it really that hard to earn money now? My old lady hasn’t enjoyed a day of happiness, and now, now she’s been driven to her death by her children’s greed for money!”
“I don’t see them as my children anymore, but when I went to the town to cancel our household registration, I asked by the way, and was told that the law doesn’t support severing relations…”
He said, his face full of hatred, “Brother Song, I mean no offense, I alone, how could I not survive!”
“But I refuse to! I just want a fixed salary, to live well, and to let them know I have money!”
“Tantan, you farm the land well, I’ve seen the crops in your fields, and they’re really good; sooner or later you’ll have to expand. Look at this hill of mine, it connects right here, I’ll reserve it for you, as long as I live, you can lease it for as many years as you want!”
“When I’m old, I will return the land to the state, and then you can lease it again, the village will definitely favor its own people.”
“When the time comes, I will withdraw all this money, set fire to it, and cushion my coffin with it! I’ll also give ten thousand RMB to the Village Department so everyone can give me a proper funeral, bury me, and I will be satisfied with my life!”
He didn’t say the rest, but Song Sancheng and Song Tan exchanged glances, both knowing that if he went through with this, how much discord it would sow among his three children, how much regret it would spawn…
Is Zhang Wang’s family so radical?
Does it solve his bitterness?
Even after Song Sancheng playfully admonished “Don’t be rash,” his tone abruptly changed:
“If you ask me, you’re still too soft. You should simply sue them, make them pay you a monthly allowance! Who cares if it’s one hundred or two hundred, you have to get the money out of their pockets! Make them pay for ten years, and you’ll see, wouldn’t that cover my sister-in-law’s medical expenses?”
“If any month they dare to fall behind, aren’t they all city dwellers? With jobs and residences? Just shout in their residential area and everyone will know!”
The two middle-aged men spoke with a passionate tearfulness, as though a bright future lay at their feet, with the three ungrateful descendants ready to kneel and beg for forgiveness at any moment, tearfully repenting…
Song Tan cleared his throat, one should not act impulsively.
Who would have thought that Zhang Wang’s family, usually so well-regarded in the village for their honesty, when pushed too far, even honest people can cause serious trouble!
As for whether he might regret it and be swayed by his children again… even a deity couldn’t predict that.
But even if he softened again, chances are he wouldn’t part with his money anymore.
If her father continued this kind of talk, it would be like persuading someone to get a divorce, with the risk of ending up displeasing both sides.
But Song Tan also realized that, honesty might indeed mean being genuinely honest, but being honest doesn’t mean one is foolish. On the contrary, they can see things quite clearly.
Take the recent remarks of the Zhang Wang family, not to mention the lease of the mountain land, just consider the matter of a salary: why doesn’t he go out to work?
One reason is that he can’t bear to leave his hometown and wants to stay to accompany his wife.
On the other hand, he needs to stay in his hometown, making sure the news can always be spread by the neighbors; two thousand a month doesn’t sound like much, but the stability is a treasure!
Song Tan cleared his throat, “That… Uncle Zhang, it’s illegal to destroy money, you can’t burn it.”
Watching as the spirit that had been so hard for Zhang Wang to raise sank in an instant: “That’s real money, if I put it in my coffin when I’m gone… you never know if someone will get ideas…”
Death ends all, what’s the point in taboos when having tangible money matters more?
He understood that well.
Song Tan quickly added, “However, you can it to charity.”