Chapter 113: 113 requests Clan Leader to bear witness
Similarly, the most anxious people about the family division were the two of them.
As of now, the entire family lived together, and they at least had a small place of their own; Mrs. Li had no biological sons, and if the family were to separate, the future of her and her daughter would indeed become problematic.
Soon, Ye Gaosheng invited the Ye Family Clan Leader over, and upon entering, he immediately asked Old Man Ye, “Uncle Cheng, I hear your family is splitting up, is that true?”
The Ye Family Clan Leader was the legitimate bloodline of the Ye Family, passed down from generation to generation. The current Clan Leader happened to be from the same generation as Ye Jiu, which is why he addressed Old Man Ye as ‘Uncle’.
“A big tree branches out; it was bound to happen sooner or later. It appears I have given the Clan Leader a laugh,” Old Man Ye stood and welcomed him.
“The fourth son is yet to be married, and these days, I’ve heard that his aunt is busy arranging a match for him. If the family is divided at this time, I’m afraid it might hinder the marriage. Have you thought this through, Uncle Cheng?” the Clan Leader reminded kindly, while also giving a warning glance to Ye Gaoshi and Ye Gaoshui.
If they waited until Ye Gaosheng was married before making a fuss about division, no one would have anything to say, but making a fuss before his marriage was something that wouldn’t make sense anywhere.
Moreover, the customs in Wangshan Village were considered progressive. Many other villages still held to the tradition that parents shouldn’t divide their property while alive. Only as sons and daughters-in-law who wished to stand out would they really need to endure the slow passage of days.
“I’ve thought it through, thank you for your concern, Clan Leader. We already have plans for the fourth son’s matters as well. It’s better to divide the family before the new year, to have a peaceful holiday,” Old Man Ye said nonchalantly, yet his tone was full of helplessness.
Since Old Man Ye himself did not complain, it wasn’t for the Clan Leader to meddle, “Since Uncle Cheng you have made your plans, then let’s begin.”
The Clan Leader was invited by Old Man Ye to sit at the head of the table, while the three brothers Ye Gaoshi stood below. Except for Madam He, not a single woman was present in the room. Even Madam He could only stay due to her age, but she had no say in the matter of the division.
Old Man Ye asked Madam He to bring the cash box, and she obediently sat down to one side.
Old Man Ye opened the box and divided the land deeds on the table into four parts; as for the silver, it was clear how poor they were, clinking wretchedly—the only money being the wages Ye Gaoshi and Ye Gaoshui had brought back from the town yesterday.
Old Man Ye began arranging, “Our family, including the wasteland we’ve developed over the years, has a total of 42 mu, with eight mu of paddy fields, sixteen mu of good land, and eighteen mu of inferior land.
We, the old couple, along with your sister, will take two mu of paddy fields plus two mu of inferior land. For the filial piety fee, each household will give five hundred wen annually, and the rest will be as they wish.
Erya has grown up and will be at most with us for two more years. She and Mrs. Li will have one mu of good land and two mu of inferior land for food. It will still be registered under my name for now, but once Erya marries, I will take back one mu of good land, and Mrs. Li can use the two mu of inferior land for her old age, to be reclaimed after she passes.
The remaining six mu of paddy fields, fifteen mu of good land, and fourteen mu of inferior land will be divided into three parts. All lands will be equally divided, and one share will have one mu less of inferior land. Later on, in accordance with the price, I will make up for it with the livestock.
As for the lands still registered in my name, once both your mother and I are gone, you three brothers can divide them equally.
If there are no problems, then we’ll divide the main assets just . Let the Clan Leader witness it, the other small items will be sorted out slowly afterwards.”
Ye Gaoshi and Ye Gaoshui both shook their heads, “Father has the final say.”