The land officer’s wife, who had been hiding in the house, had heard every word from outside and couldn’t help bursting out, "You’re all shameless, all the same, all just looking out for your own interests."
"Shameless creatures, when you wanted to share in the benefits of Dachuan’s household, how come you weren’t afraid? Now you’re scared over such a trivial matter? Ridiculous! Even though each of you has made some money thanks to Xiaxia, you didn’t give those few bandits a second thought. Even if the bandits really do come again, they will raid Dachuan’s household first, then the Ye family’s, and after that, mine. Will it even be your turn?"
Auntie Li, who had stubbornly followed, then raised her voice and said, "Auntie, we all know you’ve made quite a bit of money these past years by following the third branch of the family, and you are wealthy. We can’t compare with you, but you can’t say that, can you? Is it necessary to look down on us ? We may be a bit poor, but we value our lives."
"You stupid woman, shut your mouth," the land officer’s wife scolded. "In my house, since when do you, a worthless creature, have the right to speak?"
"Enough, even you should hold back a few words," said Land Officer Yang, seeing the land officer’s wife flushed with rage. He then looked at the others and asked, "You’ve said so much, so what exactly do you want?"
One of the patriarchs then said, "Our meaning, us few old folks, is simple. Since the third branch has plenty of money, why not move to the town to live? After all, there are constables in the town, and more wealthy families. The third branch won’t stick out as much in town. And there’s an academy; even if bandits come again, they most likely wouldn’t cause trouble in town. By doing this, whether the person who lured the bandits is caught or not, the third branch will be safe, and so will the rest of us."
As soon as the patriarch finished speaking, others echoed his sentiments.
Upon hearing this, a hint of mockery appeared on Land Officer Yang’s lips. Wasn’t this just driving them out? He then heard himself snort coldly, "If that’s the case, the third branch’s shrimp and crab workshops would also move to the town."
"That’s all right; we can work in town," one of them said, seemingly understanding what Land Officer Yang was getting at and quickly chiming in.
Land Officer Yang looked over, and the man was from the Li family, a clansman nonetheless. Land Officer Yang scoffed inwardly; indeed, as the elders say, those who are not of our kind must have a different heart—just look at them, not from the Yang family, they are so selfish.
As soon as the land officer’s wife heard this, she became furious and cursed again, "Go to hell with your nonsense. If we really move to town, with so many people there, won’t they find others to work? People in town ask for lower wages. Why would they bother with you trouble-makers? Let me lay it out for you—if the third branch really does as you wish, moving to town, let your chickpea and sweet potato fields rot in the ground. Sure, you can sell to someone else, but don’t forget, you get your seeds from the third branch every year."
The more she cursed, the more exhilarated the land officer’s wife became as she moved to the center of the hall, pointing and scolding each of the patriarchs in turn, sparing none of them.
"And those pine cones you’ve picked recently, and next year’s shrimp and crabs, and the beans and potatoes from your farms—go sell them to ghosts. Every single one of you has no brains. Do you really think if Xiaxia’s family moves to town, they will still care about your welfare? I tell you, there’s not even a door. Moving to town now, that would mean that you drove them out of the village, just like what happened with Ms. Hua Junior and her son. After you’ve driven someone out, do you still expect them to help you? Must have worms in your brains."