Da Zhou Jing Yu Long Shan Zhao Jia Cun.

A group of people dressed in mourning clothes returned from the cemetery on the back mountain. The leading family member looked heartbroken, and a young girl of fourteen or fifteen years old held a tablet with tears streaming down her face.

Next to her, a woman was being supported by two village women. Her whole face was pale and ghastly, shaking slightly. Beside the little girl were two boys, her elder brothers. The one with a white bandage on his right wrist was Zhao Bin, and next to him was his younger brother, Zhao Yi.

Today, everyone is here for the funeral of Zhao Bin's father, Zhao Yan. People called him Zhao Lao Da. He was good at brewing wine and hunting. Who would have thought he died from a wild animal's claws while hunting? To say that the villagers all lament Zhao Lao Da's kindness and righteousness, he was a true man.

Zhao Laoda's eldest son, Zhao Bin, passed the imperial examination and became a scholar. It was supposed to be a joyous occasion, celebrated by the entire village. Everyone was happy for the child, and Zhaojia Village seemed to rise above all others.

...because he was in a good mood, Zhao Laoda took Zhao Bin and his nephew Zhao Ren to the back mountain for a walk, to see if they could hunt something to bring back. He planned to hunt some good game to present as a gift to the school master as a token of thanks...

Who would have thought that unforeseen circumstances could happen even when strolling in the back mountains? They encountered a tiger with flower-patterned fur, and just as their nephew was about to die under the tiger's claws, Zhao Lao Da desperately pulled his nephew away, saving him from being bitten.

...While Zhao Bin was trying to save his father, he himself was bitten by the tiger and seriously injured. In order to save his father, Zhao Bin also sprained his right wrist. Zhao Ren crawled back to report the news. When the villagers came to rescue them, Zhao Lao Da closed his eyes before they could carry him home. Seeing that there were many villagers, the tiger ran away, and Zhao Bin was only able to escape by a whisker.

A happy occasion turned into a tragedy. Though grief is unbearable, the deceased must be laid to rest. It has been seven days since he passed away, and in this hot weather, Zhao Xing asked the villagers to help bury his elder brother. Today, finally, they give him a proper burial.

Back home, the village head and several elders didn't rush to leave. They stayed behind and had more to say.

"Daying, your elder brother unfortunately met his demise to save your son. What are your plans for your sister-in-law and nephew now? Besides, Binzi's right hand got injured, which is crucial for him. We need to get that treated."

The village chief sat down and spoke first, for he knew best that the old woman favored her second son, Zhao Xing, and was never kind to the eldest.

The old woman, upon hearing this, quickly ran over and snatched the opportunity to speak first, with a grave expression on her face. "Since the eldest has passed away, we should discuss dividing up the family property. Before his death, the eldest had some money from brewing alcohol, but when it came to treating his illness, his mother paid for it herself."

What he said was not at all polite, as if it wasn't his son who had died, and there wasn't a hint of sadness on his face.

"What... breaking up the family? Damn it, do you still have a conscience? The eldest brother died for your grandson, his body is still cold… and you're kicking out your entire family? Aren't you afraid that my fourth uncle will climb out of the coffin and slap you?"

The village head was so angry that his whole body trembled. This old woman is simply heartless!

"Mother, you must speak with a conscience! Our father has only been gone for three years. We gave all the money we earned to you. Where could I have gotten money from? You are trying to get our whole family killed!"

Xu stood up, her eyes filled with tears of grief and indignation. In just seven days, she had lost so much weight that she looked skeletal.

"Who do you think you are to talk back? Get out of my sight! I'm splitting this family, and no one can stop me. This house is under my control."

The old woman, Madam Yan, glared fiercely at her eldest daughter-in-law, Mrs. Xu, with a sharp and cutting expression.

"Presumptuous! You, the fourth sister-in-law, do you think we brothers are dead?"

With a deafening bang, an elderly gentleman with snow-white hair slammed his palm on the table and stood up, pointing at Yan Shi as he angrily denounced her.

The little girl, still clutching her ranked card, glared at her grandmother, lips pursed tight. Her eyes burned with resentment, her thin and frail frame trembling slightly.

Zhao was his father's most beloved daughter. When the old man died, this little girl, just like her mother, became so thin that only bones remained. She hadn't eaten a bite in seven days since her father had passed away.

Zhao stepped forward, just about to speak, when Zhao Bin grabbed his shoulder.

"Grandpa, I agree to split the family."

The handsome youth stubbornly pursed his lips, tears brimming in his eyes.

"What? Binzi, don't be confused."

The elderly man who just pounded the table in anger was the fifth-ranked elder of the clan. His seniority is such that all the younger generations in the village call him Fifth Grandpa.

"Since this home no longer has room for our family, we might as well leave. If we're going to split up, let's do it cleanly and completely."

Zhao Bin stood straight with a resolute back, but his handsome face was etched with grief. He forced himself to stand tall and take charge, seeing this as an opportunity to separate from his selfish second uncle. Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad thing after all.

"What are you going to do now that you've split up? Your hand needs money for medical treatment."

Grandpa Wu was so angry that his eyebrows stood on end, and his lips moved up and down.

"Well, if it comes to that, I'll just stop reading. I can read and write anyway. This book wasn't worth the effort. There are other things I could do to support my mother and siblings."

Zhao Bin lowered his head and looked at his fractured right hand. He closed his eyes slightly, his heart aching like a knife. My father is gone, I am the eldest son, I must shoulder the responsibility of supporting my family, taking care of my younger siblings and mother.

"Big brother..."

Zhao's tears flowed uncontrollably down her cheeks, unwilling to accept it. Her brother was clearly capable; he had the greatest talent for studying.

Zhao Bin took a deep breath and patted his sister's shoulder. "Don't be afraid, little one. Big brother is here. There are plenty of good jobs outside. You can learn to be an apprentice in the accounting department or anything else that requires literacy. Besides, I still have my official title, so we'll manage."

"Look, Binzi agrees to split the family, then let's get it done."

The old woman's eyes lit up with joy, and she couldn't wait to speak. She didn't even bother to hide her excitement.

Five Grandpa glanced at the old lady, his expression unreadable.

The village head turned to Zhao Xing, "Da Xing, do you also want to split the family? Aren't you afraid of what people will say about your spine? Your older brother died saving your son!"

Zhao Xing bowed his head in silence for a moment, and was harshly tugged on the sleeve by his wife, Ma.

"The one in charge..."

Mas's eyes flashed mischievously at him, despite the onlookers' anxious presence, as if fearing he might change his mind.

"Alright then."

I held it in for so long, and finally managed to say this.

For a moment, Wu Ye's eyes went blurry, his head felt dizzy, and he swayed. Zhao Li, being closest to him, rushed forward and braced him with his shoulder, supporting his back so he wouldn't fall. He was still clutching his father's ranking plaque in his hand, unable to let go.

Wu YeYe opened his eyes to see the child holding him, sighed and patted him.

"Then let's split up. Don't regret it, you from the fourth family."

Grandfather Five stared deeply at the old woman, his words seeming to hold some hidden meaning.

The old woman dodged his gaze and muttered, “If that old man hadn't insisted, we should have gone our separate ways long ago.”

Zhao frowned, his face filled with anger and resentment.

"Your whole family is so heartless, don't you fear retribution from heaven?"

The neighbor's aunt gave a disgusted "spit" and said nothing.

Xu, seeing her eldest son's hands, felt a piercing pain.

Let's split up.

Zhao Bin stood up to take charge of the situation for the eldest wife.

"Well then, it's over."

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Old Master Five still agreed to the split. Judging by Old Madam's expression, she seemed determined. If they stayed at home any longer, it would only prolong their misery.

Sighing and looking up, Fourth Brother, your calculations have ultimately come to nothing. All your hard work has been in vain. So don't blame me for not remembering your past kindness.

"It's very simple. The five acres of wasteland behind my house and the house were bought by my family last year, they all belong to the eldest brother, the rest belongs to us."

The old woman once again stood up first and spoke about the things to be divided in the separation.

“You, you……what are you saying? You’re heartless! Worse than a pig or a dog! Your family has twenty mu of good farmland and a tavern in the county town, yet you only give your children five mu of wasteland? There's nothing there at all! Are you going to let your whole family starve?”

Five Elders and several other tribal elders also stood up, enraged to the extreme.

Mr. Zhao, the fourth oldest in his family, was known as Old Four Zhao. In his younger days, he was intelligent and resourceful. He went out to learn the art of winemaking and eventually built up a fortune. His family became one of the wealthiest households in the village.

Zhao Laosi is willing to help his neighbors, brothers, uncles, nephews, etc., and has accumulated a lot of good relationships throughout his life.

Zhao Laoda, as the eldest son, resembles his father in character. He is honest and helpful, hardworking and persevering. He learned the art of brewing from his father, surpassing even him. Through years of hard work, the father and son finally established a small tavern in the county town.

Zhao Laoda's character is considered one of the most honest and trustworthy men in the village. However, Zhao Xing... well, it's hard to say.

"This is my house, I'm the one in charge. I'm not stingy, these possessions were all earned by my father. I have the final say."

The old woman retorted with a stubborn neck, "I won't give it to that bastard. Even the bastards he has are nothing but little animals! They want my inheritance? No way!"

"Mother, give us some more provisions. That way, you can take all your own belongings and things from the house."

Zhao Xing looked at his sister-in-law and three children with compassion. He opened his mouth and spoke with great kindness.

"Daxing, you...you're doing well."

Wow, Grandfather Wu is furious! His eyes are blazing with anger. "You deserve to die, Yan Ge!" he exclaims, "How could someone be so cruel as to mistreat your wife and children!"

"Daxing, even if Binzi can't take the civil service exam anymore, he's still a Xiucai. Have you thought this through?"

Grandpa Eight was also furious and had to speak up. He couldn't stand it anymore.

"That's it, let's not argue. We're moving today."

Zhao Bin looked at each person individually: his grandmother, second uncle, second aunt, third brother, and fourth sister Zhao Ran. He carefully examined the face of each one.

A gentleman takes ten years to seek revenge, let's wait and see.

Zhao shoved the ranking list into his mother's hands and stepped forward, declaring, "Alright, we're taking everything from this big house."

Okay, you can move it.

At this point, things have completely fallen apart. I've already taken the biggest share, so I don't care about these small things anymore.

"Everyone, please help me move. It's getting dark, and we want to move immediately. We need to take everything out of our house."

The Zhao family is wealthy, and the eldest son of the Zhao family, Zhao Da, is a kind and honest person who loves his children dearly. Zhao Ke is the only child in the village to attend private school, making him unique.

Do you think that stingy, miserly old woman would agree? That was Zhao Lao Da using his skills to blackmail Gu for this opportunity. If she doesn't agree to let my child go to school, I'm done. You can find someone else to make wine, go ahead!

The old woman gritted her teeth and only agreed. Now that the eldest son is dead, she can't wait to kick them all out. Out of sight, out of mind, right?

The families of Yu and Xu lived next door to each other and were very familiar. She immediately invited Li, Qian, and others who had a good relationship in the past. The women, who were clean and quick-witted, went into the house to help.

"Second brother, move in with me. Chengzi and Huzi, go to my eldest brother's room and move the books."

Zhao was quick to jump out and arrange things, moving everything they could away, not leaving them even a thing.

(Editor in charge:novels)