CHAPTER 139: CHAPTER 139 THE SERF TURNED OVER AND SANG (PART 1)

Mr. Mu’s words once again circled back to the issue of not dividing the family.

He thought about giving less land to the third branch to keep them from leaving.

An acre and a half of paddy fields, if fully planted with crops, yield only about six hundred jin of grain per year, depending on the fertility of the land.

If the land is too poor, it might only produce three hundred jin, which is not enough for the third branch’s family of five, post-tax, as staple food.

As for the dry land, five mu of land, at most, can grow some cotton, and by the next spring, planting rapeseed, it is still uncertain if it will be enough for the third branch to eat.

This time, Mr. Mu was certain that the third branch would not separate because of such strict conditions.

However, whether the family splits is not something he can stop with just these harsh terms.

Mu Shuangshuang thought about it, and for the land, what Mr. Mu could give was already quite a bit, asking for more, the Old Mu Family wouldn’t give it.

Mu Dashan had similar thoughts as Mu Shuangshuang; although the land could not sustain a family of five, he had hands and feet. Once he’s better, he’ll go to town to carry cargo.

"Dad, let’s split. With me and Si Niang at home, the three children won’t starve."

Mu Dashan spoke somewhat weakly, as Zhang Huai Shu was out on a visit in the afternoon and wouldn’t return until evening, so he hadn’t been examined by a doctor yet.

Mu Shuangshuang had Lu Yuanfeng tell Zhang Huai Shu’s wife that as soon as he returned, to come to the Old Mu Family to help with the diagnosis.

The situation was no longer in their favor, and Mr. Mu sighed heavily before continuing to speak.

"The family has a total of fifteen taels of silver left, which is all for your eldest brother’s exam expenses. As for the expenses mentioned by the second brother...

In theory, all these years, the eldest was supported by you brothers; you should bear the responsibility to the end.

But I know the situation of the third branch, Shuang still owes Zhang Huai Shu twenty taels, and it’s unknown when that will be paid back.

To ask you for it again is impractical, so you don’t need to bear it."

Upon hearing Mr. Mu’s words, Mu Shuangshuang was overjoyed, knowing she wouldn’t pay this silver, but if Mr. Mu insisted, it would take some effort to resolve.

"Dad, it’s not right to say that; if the third brother doesn’t bear it, how can we be the ones to shoulder it?"

Mu Danian was somewhat displeased, thinking it could have been a good opportunity to extort, but how could it be let go just like that?

Mu Shuangshuang didn’t want to deal with this Fifth Uncle. Over the years, her father had done the most work in the fields; if he didn’t speak up, why should Mu Danian?

Just as Mu Shuangshuang was complaining silently, Mr. Mu spoke up.

"Fifth, this isn’t your place to speak, stay aside."

"Dad, we agreed from the start that we brothers would support the eldest together. Now that the third wants to separate, trying to shirk this responsibility, we can’t agree." Mu Dazhong shouted.

"That’s right, Dad, the eldest needs fifty taels, and you only have fifteen.

There’s still a shortage of thirty-five taels, and the eldest is about to take the exam; where will we get the money?" Mrs. Lin echoed.

"Everyone shut up, I’ve already said, the family splitting is my decision.

Since the third doesn’t want to give Shuang in marriage, it has nothing to do with him regarding the eldest’s matters."

As soon as Mr. Mu said this, the others quieted down, knowing they didn’t have the authority to decide and just wanted to make things difficult for the third branch.

Realizing that the third branch didn’t get anything good, they settled down.

"Alright, the decision is made; tomorrow morning, we’ll invite the village chief and a few village elders to sign the documents.

Currently, with double cropping, you in the third branch will temporarily eat in the main house, but during the day, you must work in the fields. Before officially separating, you should prepare some tools yourselves."

Mr. Mu meant that, given the immediate separation, the third branch lacked rice and pots, and it would take time to prepare. Meanwhile, their family would be short a few laborers, so they’d separate after the double cropping and transplanting.

Mu Dashan nodded upon hearing this.

Mu Shuangshuang initially thought she wouldn’t work for the Old Mu Family, but setting up a stove, buying pots, and building a kitchen also took time.

Moreover, as Mu Dashan couldn’t work recently, they, the third branch, with five mouths to feed, wouldn’t lose out.

The rest of the family had no particular opinions, considering the family meeting concluded.

Mu Shuangshuang and Yu Si Niang helped Mu Dashan back to the room. In the process, Mu Shuangshuang accidentally touched Yu Si Niang and felt her body trembling, not knowing if it was from nervousness or excitement.

Having been oppressed for so long, suddenly feeling relieved, Yu Si Niang felt as if she were dreaming.

Soon after Mu Dashan lay down, Zhang Huai Shu arrived; after carefully checking Mu Dashan’s pulse, his expression was somewhat heavy, but when he spoke, it was calm.

"I’ve checked Dashan’s injury. I’ll write a few prescriptions and personally deliver them tomorrow. Dashan should rest well tonight."

Zhang Huai Shu signaled to Mu Shuangshuang with his eyes, and Mu Shuangshuang immediately understood.

"Mom, I’ll see Grandpa Zhang off, take good care of Dad."

Zhang Huai Shu chose not to discuss Mu Dashan’s condition in the courtyard with Mu Shuangshuang but waited until they were outside, ensuring no one was following, before speaking.

"Shuangshuang, I know you have a good rapport with Feng, and he specifically asked me to take good care of Dashan; otherwise, I wouldn’t have come so late at night.

Don’t think I’m being practical, but I really don’t want to come to the Old Mu Family; your grandparent is the only person I’ve never wanted to treat in all these years."

"Grandpa Zhang, my dad... is it serious?"

Mu Shuangshuang felt a bit scared, a bit apprehensive, especially since Mu Dashan had just coughed up blood that day.

The entire afternoon without timely treatment could have delayed the condition.

"Shuangshuang, I won’t beat around the bush; Dashan’s illness isn’t serious per se but is due to long-term fatigue.

Don’t be fooled by his current normal appearance, just slightly pale; however, his internal organs have all suffered varying degrees of damage."

Understanding flashed in Mu Shuangshuang’s eyes at Zhang Huai Shu’s words!

For all these years, Mu Dashan worked tirelessly without distinction of day or night, coupled with inadequate nutrition and untreated ailments, this outcome seemed inevitable.

"Then... is it fatal?"

After all, Mu Shuangshuang wasn’t a doctor, possessing only the basic modern medical knowledge, but truly lacking in medical skills.

"No, actually... Dashan coughing up blood today isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

At least, for him, his condition was detected before he completely deteriorated, becoming utterly exhausted and depleted.

However, for some time to come, he may need to rest in bed and rely on a lot of good things to recuperate..."

Words left unsaid by Zhang Huai Shu.

He thought, Shuangshuang understood, knowing certain truths, even if unpleasant, were inevitable.

"Grandpa Zhang, you can tell me straight, what will it cost to fully recuperate my dad?"

"Ten taels, and that’s just the cost of the medicine; there will still need to be nutritious food to supplement him. If followed my approach, he should be fully recovered in about six months."

In Zhang Huai Shu’s mind, ten taels of silver, while perhaps trivial for wealthy families, but for the third branch...

"I’ll figure out the money issue, just prescribe whatever medicine is necessary."

Money, ultimately, is not more valuable than a person!