Chapter Ten: Brothers Confer

Before he had a chance to make a request to the clan chief, Li Yanqing hurried back to the village and begged Uncle Hu to make a trip to the county seat to inform his father that Liu Chenghong had been expelled from the Li residence and that they should no longer acknowledge the so-called "medical expenses." Li Yanqing feared that his father, unaware of the situation, might be deceived by Liu Chenghong into handing over money.

Liu Chenghong, desperate and at the end of his rope, would seize any opportunity to profit. He would never let such a chance slip away.

Without a word, Uncle Hu took his baton and set off for the county seat. Having arranged this crucial matter, the utterly exhausted Li Yanqing collapsed into the pit and sank into a deep, dark sleep.

While Li Yanqing had finally set his mind at ease and slept peacefully, the clan chief Li Wenyou was at the mansion handling the aftermath of the ancestral hall incident with his brothers.

Li Wenyou was not only the Li clan chief but also a respected gentry of Tangyin County and a distinguished guest of the county magistrate Liu Zhen. His third younger brother, Li Wengui, served as the township constable of Xiaohe Village.

His importance stemmed from having a brother in the capital serving as an official—his second younger brother Li Wensi.

Li Wensi held a seventh-rank official position in the capital. Though seventh rank was often dismissed as minor, in reality, the county magistrate of Tangyin was only eighth rank, making a seventh-rank official in the countryside an immensely influential figure.

According to tradition, with an official in the capital, Li Wensi had built a sprawling eight-acre mansion in Lushan Town for his father. After their father's passing last year, the mansion became the residence of the eldest brother, Li Wenyou, thus becoming the true seat of the clan chief.

That night, Li Wenyou caught a slight chill and felt better after a cup of hot tea. Gently stroking the large ancestral spirit tablet on the small table, he said to his third brother Li Wengui, “Don’t plead for him anymore. Collecting taxes can be done by others; it doesn’t have to be Liu Chenghong. He has caused countless troubles, and many clan branches hold strong resentment against him. Our father indulged him and let him run wild, but since father passed, not only has he shown no restraint, he’s worsened his oppression of the clan. This time, his son even set fire to the ancestral hall. If we spare him again, I fear I won’t hold the clan chief position long. I’m determined to expel him. It’s not just because of the ancestral hall. Please don’t make this difficult for me.”

One of Li Wengui’s duties as township constable was to collect local taxes. The imperial taxes were heavy and oppressive, causing great resistance among the people. Local officials found tax collection difficult. Though Liu Chenghong was ruthless and brutal, he was effective at tax collection and had long been Li Wengui’s right-hand man and chief tax enforcer.

Having just rushed back from the county seat and learning of the ancestral hall fire and his brother’s plan to expel Liu Chenghong, Li Wengui was anxious. Forgetting about the ancestral hall, he hurried to find his eldest brother to plead on Liu Chenghong’s behalf.

Seeing his brother so resolute, Li Wengui sighed quietly and forced a wry smile. “I’ll follow your lead. Liu Chenghong has indeed offended too many people. It’s better he leaves. What do you think about having Steward Sun take his place?”

Steward Sun was also one of Li Wengui’s trusted aides. Since Liu Chenghong’s expulsion was inevitable, Li Wengui could only settle for promoting Steward Sun to become the chief steward of the Li residence.

Li Wenyou sighed, “Something major happened tonight, and my mind is in turmoil. We’ll discuss Steward Sun’s matter in a few days.”

Li Wengui glanced at the large ancestral spirit tablet and whispered, “Brother, is the major event you mentioned the manifestation of the great ancestor’s spirit?”

“You’ve heard too?”

Li Wengui nodded. “The whole mansion is talking about it, but I find it strange. Nothing like this has ever happened before. Why tonight?”

Li Wenyou glared at his younger brother in slight irritation. “Because the ancestral hall has never been burned, and the spirit tablet has never been touched by fire. The great ancestor’s spirit would not appear otherwise. How many times do you want this to happen before you believe it?”

Embarrassed, Li Wengui hastened to explain, “Brother, don’t be angry. That’s not what I meant…”

“I know what you mean!” Li Wenyou softened his tone, “You weren’t there tonight and don’t know what happened. I saw it with my own eyes. Other children were scared off, but that child rushed into the fire. In the thick smoke and raging flames, without the great ancestor’s guidance, how could he have found that spirit tablet? Without that guidance, how could he have escaped the fire?”

“But… it’s too coincidental!”

Such an event was hard to believe without witnessing it firsthand. Li Wengui’s skepticism was only natural, given his sharp mind.

But Li Wenyou was a witness and believed without doubt. He waved his hand to cut off Li Wengui’s doubts. “I know what you’re suspecting, but he’s just a six-year-old country child. Do you think he would set fire to the ancestral hall?”

Realizing his suspicion was harsh, Li Wengui apologized quickly, “You’re right, brother. I shouldn’t have doubted so recklessly.”

Li Wenyou tapped the table lightly with his stubby finger, his eyes shining with an excitement he tried to conceal. In a low voice, he said, “Third brother, you still don’t understand. The key is that the great ancestor’s spirit manifested. If the Li family in the capital and the south learn of this, our Xiangzhou Li clan can finally hold our heads high.”

Li Wenyou was, after all, just a local landowner with limited vision, concerned only with his own small domain. He did not consider what consequences might follow if the imperial court or the emperor learned of the great ancestor’s manifestation.

“I understand. What do you plan to do next?”

Li Wenyou thought for a moment. “Tomorrow morning, you’ll go to the ancestral hall and consider plans for rebuilding. I will personally visit Liwen Village.”

...

In his sleep, Li Yanqing dreamed he was catching fish in the small stream outside the ancestral hall. Suddenly, the water deepened and submerged him. He struggled desperately but could grasp no lifeline. Just as he was about to suffocate, he awoke, gasping heavily.

Opening his eyes, he saw a mischievous round face smiling down at him, and two small fingers pinching his nose—no wonder he dreamt of drowning.

“Second Brother is awake!” Xiao Qing’er clapped happily, and Li Yanqing’s breathing eased. He quickly sat up. The big black dog beside him had slipped away unnoticed, and dawn was breaking outside.

“Xiao Qing’er, why are you here?” Li Yanqing smiled, patting her little head.

“Grandmother told me to bring you some food.”

Xiao Qing’er placed a small basket before him containing several coarse flour buns. Li Yanqing was starving and immediately bit into one, mumbling through his mouthful, “Aren’t you going to call me Silly Second Brother anymore?”

“Hmm!” Xiao Qing’er nodded firmly and imitated her father’s tone seriously. “Xiao Qing’er thinks you’re a clever boy; don’t call you Silly Second Brother anymore.”

Li Yanqing laughed heartily. Suddenly remembering something, he reached into a corner and pulled out a treat, saying, “Close your eyes; Second Brother will give you something delicious.”

Xiao Qing’er covered her eyes with both hands but peeked through a small gap. “What’s the treat?”

Li Yanqing broke off a small piece of white jade cake and stuffed it into her mouth—he had set this piece aside especially for her.

“So sweet! Second Brother, what is it?” she asked, eyes wide and shining.

Li Yanqing placed the rest of the cake in her hand and said, “Let’s eat together—you have the cake, I’ll eat the buns!”

Xiao Qing’er nibbled daintily on the white jade cake, reluctantly watching it grow smaller.

“Tastes good?”

“Hmm! Delicious! Second Brother, what kind of cake is this?”

“This is... Victory Cake. I bought it in the small town.” Li Yanqing dared not tell her it was called white jade cake.

At that moment, Aunt Hu’s voice rang out from outside, “Xiao Qing’er!”

Quickly, Xiao Qing’er shoved the last bite of cake into Li Yanqing’s mouth, grabbed the empty basket, and darted off. “Second Brother, I’ll come find you to play later!”

After a refreshing sleep and three buns, Li Yanqing felt rejuvenated. He dressed and went out to the courtyard, drawing a bucket of water from the well to wash his face and brush his teeth, when he heard Aunt Hu outside say, “Da Qi isn’t home; only the child is here.”

“Heh heh! We’re here to find Qing’er.”

Li Yanqing recognized the voice as his Fourth Uncle, Li Daguang. Hastily washing his face roughly and tidying his clothes, the courtyard gate creaked open, and several people entered.