Chapter 195: Chapter 29: Separation of Households
Actually, Gu Chengyu had already considered this point, so he never brought up the idea of family division.
Firstly, when he and his third brother and fourth brother were young, the family relied on the eldest and second brother, so he wanted to make up for it a bit; secondly, if he could earn silver but proposed dividing the family, he would inevitably be seen as heartless; even Mr. Gu might think so, after all, they are his own sons; thirdly, as a scholar, he had to consider his own reputation.
Therefore, no matter what, he couldn’t be the one to propose the family division.
When Lin Lize mentioned it, Mr. Gu also thought about it. The second son was the one who brought up dividing the family, so Xiao Bao shouldn’t take the blame for this! By this time, everyone had arrived, and Mr. Gu decided to explain the reason for the family division.
"I really apologize for bothering everyone so late, today is the day our Gu Family is dividing, that’s why we invited everyone. We won’t have time for dinner today, but in the coming days, we’ll set a table at home, and everyone must join us!" Mr. Gu was a person of experience and could say a few formalities.
"As the saying goes, a big tree splits its branches, a large family divides. With many people in the family, division is common. Before the year-end, the family discussed dividing, and now that everyone is here, let’s proceed! His mother and I are not young anymore, and we don’t have the energy to manage such a big family, so dividing it is better!"
Mr. Gu spoke with some sadness, for who wouldn’t want a house full of children and grandchildren? Which family in the village doesn’t live together?
"Changqing said it well, everyone has different personalities, and there will always be disagreements between brothers. Dividing the family is better, so everyone can handle their own affairs and avoid troubles! What do you all say?" Uncle Gu, although puzzled as to why Mr. Gu was in such a hurry to divide the family, supported his third brother; after all, living together, especially when they were not born of the same mother, was sure to cause conflicts, so it was better to divide early!
The other three had no comments either, as it was the family’s business, and even the head of the family wanted to divide, what more could they say? Besides, who didn’t know the situation of the Gu Family?
"I see Third Uncle Gu and Uncle Lin have no objections either, so tell us how your family plans to divide? We can witness." Lin Lize was curious about the Gu Family’s assets; this was a rightful opportunity to know them, since the villagers said the Gu Family was wealthy.
"That’s fine! Xiao Bao! Show the document to the village chief!"
After that, Mr. Gu listed out the household items and placed the silver notes back on the kang bed.
Lin Lize and Uncle Gu were dumbfounded. Wow! How much silver is this? Over three thousand taels? They’ve never seen such an amount in their lifetime.
Upon seeing so much silver, the village chief nearly couldn’t suppress his greed, and upon hearing about the soap business, he became even more envious. He knew about the soap; even the worst soap in town sold for five silver coins a piece, let alone the expensive ones, no wonder the Gu Family had so much silver.
How great it’d be if he had a share in the soap business? The village chief felt he could hardly control his greed, amazed that it was kept such a secret without a whisper in the village.
"The soap earnings will be split at year-end according to the house count. If anyone wants to borrow silver, they can withdraw in advance, but it can’t exceed five hundred taels. The farmland will be used for soap making, not given to anyone for now. It’s agreed that everyone must participate in making soap, no laziness allowed. Whoever doesn’t participate won’t earn silver!"
Mr. Gu asked Gu Chengyu to add these points to the document, better to write it down now to avoid troubles later.
"Father! The soap business can’t guarantee good profits every year! We have given Mr. Wang a share. If Mr. Wang wants to bring in other influential people, our earnings might decrease! Borrowing five hundred taels annually seems too much!"
Gu Chengyu saw that Lin Lize’s expression twisted upon hearing that the soap was made by the Gu Family, and the greed in his eyes was obvious, probably plotting to steal the soap recipe. Hence, he promptly brought up Mr. Wang and other influential people to deter Lin Lize.
No way, having a village chief always scheming against their family is too dangerous. This village chief is aware of the times but incredibly greedy. A plan is needed to pull him down. Better worry about a thief targeting than a thief stealing!
"Right! Let’s make it three hundred taels then! Only when there’s soap income. If the soap business ceases, everyone stops expecting."
Gu Chengyi was a bit dissatisfied, how could there be no profit, was the fifth brother planning to keep it all to himself? Hmph! He would have the third son keep a close eye on them.
Upon hearing that there were influential people involved, Lin Lize had second thoughts, yet he couldn’t resist the temptation of silver; he planned to find an opportunity to insert himself into it!
Third Uncle Gu and Uncle Lin, both old, were shocked by the Gu Family’s wealth, but that was someone else’s assets, so they could only admire it. They didn’t go to town, and nobody at home could afford it; they didn’t know soap sold for such high prices! They didn’t even understand what soap was!
"Changqing! The assets are divided, but you can keep some silver for yourself, who knows what the future holds? You should at least save some for retirement or extra food!" Third Uncle Gu, as a member of the Gu clan, sincerely cared about Mr. Gu and his wife.
"Third Uncle Gu! I’ve saved silver for retirement. How about this? Each household will give a hundred pounds of food annually after this year. For the fourth and fifth brothers, after they marry."
Mr. Gu thought it over, silver could eventually run out, but food was reliable, with food, there was no fear of starving!
"As long as you’re willing, that’s fine!" Third Uncle Gu nodded.
"Xiao Bao! Add this point too, then we’re done. Do any of you have anything else to say?" Mr. Gu glanced at his sons, focusing particularly on Gu Chengyi.
"Father! Shouldn’t the family division be filed with the government?" Gu Chengyi took a deep breath and decided to suggest it outright.
Uncle Lin and the rest were a bit surprised; why did the Gu Family want such a thorough division? Generally, village households divided but didn’t separate completely. Though the Dayan Dynasty’s tax was based on household members and land quantity, during labor servitude, only one person was needed per household, which was more economical than splitting households.
Uncle Lin was Lin Lize’s actual family, and he exchanged a look with Lin Lize, thinking the Gu Family must be wealthy beyond measure.
Upon hearing this, Third Uncle Gu struck the floor tiles with his cane, for it’s inevitable that dividing early would be criticized when word got out, and now a youngster was bringing up splitting households? It seemed he neither respected his father nor the whole Gu Family!