70 When great difficulties loom ahead, one's true character can be seen (Part 2) Marriage Matters
Actually, Fang's family wealth was not a big deal for that amount of silver. He Shiyi's hands and feet were quick, taking many valuable items from the warehouse to sell outside, exchanging them for cash, and finally gathering 40,000 taels of silver. Then, he spread the word through people who knew the rules, that anyone who had bought rice at Zhang's grain store and got sick would be treated and compensated with 20-50 taels of silver each.
50 taels of silver may not be a big deal for the rich, but for the poor and ordinary people, it's a staggering figure. It can almost buy thousands of bushels of fine rice flour. Moreover, with frugal living, a family of five can use it for several years.
As expected, as soon as the news of Zhang's death spread, many people gathered in front of Fang's mansion, all with their families, all looking like they were on the verge of dying. They all claimed to have been poisoned by eating rice bought from Zhang.
As I looked at the crowded entrance, I was worried that there might be swindlers or scammers among them, wouldn't it be a waste of my silver?
But it seemed that Li had made early preparations, and somehow managed to invite the Imperial Guards and officials to come. They set up a canopy at the entrance of Fang's residence, where the Imperial Guards and officials sat inside to diagnose and treat each person who claimed to have been poisoned. If someone really showed symptoms of poisoning, they would be given silver; if not, they would first investigate whether they had bought rice from Zhang's shop before doing anything else.
Several imperial guards with a fierce and murderous aura, the common people had also heard of the reputation of the Imperial Guards. These men were also honest and respectful, having a natural awe for those in power. They had bought poisoned rice from Zhang's family and naturally hated them to the bone, but seeing Fang's family generously offering compensation, their anger had dissipated. They all swarmed into the Fang residence.
But these common people saw that the several brocade-clad guards were all muscular and imposing, with faces devoid of expression and an aura of killing intent. Those who were timid didn't dare to make anything up, and they truthfully told everything: how much rice they had bought, how much they had eaten, how much was left over, what symptoms there were, and they said it all without leaving out a single word. They even signed their names and affixed their seals. This big-headed block of a man also shouted in a loud voice, "If you make anything up, your heads will be chopped off!" These honest people didn't understand how to make things up after being intimidated like this, nor did they dare to make things up.
As a result, hundreds of victims came to the scene, and were first treated by doctors. Those who were seriously injured received the highest compensation of 50 taels of silver, while others received decreasing amounts accordingly.
According to the price of rice at that time in Daqing, one stone of white rice was worth 8 coins and 3 cents. One stone of rice is equivalent to about 180 catties (a unit of weight), which is roughly around 800 coins. However, it takes 1000 coins to exchange for 1 tael of silver. With 50 taels of silver, you can buy approximately 2777 stones of rice. Calculating this with modern prices, 2777 stones multiplied by 180 catties is nearly 5 million catties of rice. Even at a moderate price of 2.5 yuan per catty, the value would be around 1 million yuan. In the early 21st century, the highest compensation standard for a car accident was also around 300,000 yuan. If there were elderly and young dependents, the compensation standard would not exceed 2 million yuan. Therefore, the compensation standard offered by Fang Fu is quite generous.
Let Zhang Yiniang go in, it's not considered a punishment, just let her labor and cultivate personally, and experience it herself. Her days in Fangfu are also a paradise on earth, but she is still not satisfied. Then go to the temple to experience what a bitter day is like.
Zhili didn't move, calmly saying: "Grandmother handled it well. Although Zhang Shi is hateful, she is still the birth mother of Third Brother. Sending her to Guanli to cultivate and nurture herself is also good. Besides, Zhang Shi isn't the only culprit."
Meeting the gaze of Zhang's eldest son, Fang Jinglan felt a surge of indignation, but couldn't refute it. The fact that Zhang had caused such trouble was indeed due to his own overindulgence and soft-heartedness.
The old lady looked at Zhili with a satisfied gaze, nodded and said, "Very well, let's do it this way. The rest will be taken care of by Zhili's wife."
Mr. He said: "Don't worry, old lady, I'll take care of it."
Although life in the White Edge Temple was austere, it was far better than being skinned alive like Copper Cauldron Temple. Zhi Lian let out a sigh of relief and cast a grateful glance at Zhi Li. He then bowed his head to Old Lady Zheng with a loud thud.
The old lady said calmly, "No need to thank me. Although Zhang's actions were despicable, she did teach us a bloody lesson. If wives and concubines are not distinguished, the household will be in disarray; if legitimate and illegitimate children are not distinguished, the clan will be in disarray; if brothers do not get along, disaster will arise from within. One person, Zhang, was able to stir up such a big disturbance in the inner courtyard, first with the Ruyi case and now with the poisonous rice case, implicating the entire family. Now, who still dares to think that a mere concubine cannot stir up a storm?"
Everyone was silent, deeply shocked, and bowed their heads in contemplation. On the other hand, Fang Jinglan's face turned red with embarrassment. Earlier, when Zhangshi had been making a scene in the inner courtyard, he hadn't known about it, but he had thought that even if a concubine made a fuss, she wouldn't be able to stir up any waves, so he had just turned a blind eye. Who would have thought that things would turn out like this today?
……
Finally, the old lady asked Zhi Lian to get up and sent him back to his room. Then she took the opportunity to educate everyone again, with a bitter tone and a heavy heart: "Although this time the Fang family was almost defeated, fortunately, heaven blessed our Fang family. Although the master lost his official position and demoted, and the property was reduced by nearly half, however, the careers of several brothers were not affected, which is a great blessing in misfortune. Moreover, the children are united, brotherly love, knowing courtesy, considering the overall situation, bravely taking on responsibilities, putting aside personal grudges, and working together to make up for their mistakes. They also went around, scattering money like sand, just to prevent the master from losing his official position and being punished. Zhi Lian's couple is also reasonable, although Zhang Shi is indeed hateful, but it's not easy for Lian Ge either, let's not blame him anymore. Moreover, Zhu Niang and Qing Yaotou, in order to make up for the silver, they took out all their private belongings, if I hadn't stopped them, maybe even the last hairpin on their heads would have been taken down for Zhi Li's wife."
The old lady looked at Fang Jinglan with a tone that was not without sarcasm, "A virtuous and wise wife who understands the overall situation can make the clan prosper. And a peaceful concubine can bring peace to the family. Now, Master should understand what a peaceful concubine is, shouldn't he?"
Fang Jinglan smiled wryly, bowed to the old lady and said in a hoarse tone, "Mother is right, it's all because of my son's foolishness. In the past, I gave him face and consideration, but unexpectedly, it led to disaster, harming others and himself. It also brought shame to our family and implicated Mother, making her suffer along with me. It's all my fault. Please, Mother, for the sake of the sensible children, let bygones be bygones."
Up until now, Fang Jinglan has gone through the anger and heartache of losing his official position, sincerely repenting for his dereliction of duty.
The old lady saw that he finally recognized his own mistakes, so she changed the subject, "Alright, things have already happened, and it's useless to blame now. At this point, we still have to make do with our current situation. The master is about to take office, and it's a done deal that can't be changed. Now, let's talk about the marriages of the two girls."
