Chapter Eighty: Pulling the Firewood from Beneath the Cauldron

Zhibin Tower once again hung out the "Full" sign. Although people pointed and whispered, there was no repeat of the mob violence from last time. After all, the establishment was inanimate while people were living; if this place would not keep them, there were other places to go. In just a few days, nearly half of Zhibin Tower’s old clientele had been snatched away by other inns. Zhan Ting, however, was not worried. He no longer had any sentimental attachment to Zhibin Tower; he was solely focused on defecting to the Celestial Master Dao, pinning all his hopes on his dream of becoming a Daoist official.

In the same house where they had held their previous meeting, Zhan Ting sat in the seat of honor, his demeanor calm and composed, as if he had everything under control. Zhan Wenjun sat in the secondary seat, while Zhan Liang, Zhan Tian, Zhan Xi, and Zhan Hong sat in order along the sides. Zhu Rui, however, sat alone by the entrance, staring at the ceiling with listless boredom, his eyes flickering between open and closed as he drifted in and out of a nap.

As for the Celestial Master Dao’s Disaster-Relieving Officer, Xi Yuanda, perhaps due to the shame and anger from his defeat by Zhu Rui last time, he did not appear at Zhibin Tower today.

"Officer Xi gave me an ultimatum last night. It has been seven days since the deer jerky went missing, and Libationer Du is very displeased. If we cannot reach a consensus today, the Celestial Master Dao will report us to the Governor’s office tomorrow to make arrests... I am not making empty threats. Master Guo’s fate is currently unknown, and the combined strength of the Zhan and Guo clans is no match for the Celestial Master Dao. Rather than waiting to be raided and wiped out, it is better to settle the compensation now. Wealth is merely an external possession; as long as we keep our lives, there will always be a day for a comeback. Seventh Uncle, what do you think?"

Zhan Liang’s lips trembled. He turned his head to the side, not daring to look at Zhan Wenjun. His voice was thick with phlegm and fraught with uneasy stuttering. After a long moment, he said, "What you say... makes sense. The Celestial Master Dao is a massive power, not something our humble Zhan clan can contend with. For the sake of the family’s longevity, the loss of the deer jerky... let us pay for it."

Zhan Ting cast a triumphant glance at Zhan Wenjun. He had spared no effort in the past few days to convince Zhan Liang. Although the old man was stubborn, he had a fatal weakness: his only son, Zhan Yun. Having had him late in life, he doted on him excessively. His previous attempt had been too hasty; kidnapping people had put him on the moral low ground and stirred up resentment. This time, he changed his tactics: first, he sent people to loiter around the courtyard at night, throwing dead chickens and ducks over the walls; then, he intentionally let the old man discover a poisoned silver needle in Zhan Yun’s food; and subsequently, he threatened that he would never let Zhan Yun live in peace. Threats were secondary, but breaking his spirit was primary. Unless one was a reckless vagabond, no one could endure such relentless, long-term torment. The result was predictable. After Zhan Ting offered a significant price, Zhan Liang finally nodded in agreement to stand on his side.

Having won over Zhan Liang, Zhan Tian and Zhan Xi—who were as dim-witted as pigs—were even easier to handle. Only Zhan Hong, that one-eyed old dog, remained impervious to his influence and stubbornly followed Zhan Wenjun. But alone, he could not turn the tide, so Zhan Ting chose to ignore him.

Thus, Zhan Ting was confident of victory in today’s meeting.

"Since Seventh Uncle agrees, I assume no one else has any objections. The document is on the table. I have already drafted it. Everyone, please press your thumbprint, and this matter will be settled."

Zhan Wenjun had long anticipated Zhan Liang’s betrayal. Just as she had told Xu You, Zhan Liang was old and no longer possessed his former vigor; he had neither the energy nor the confidence to continue fighting Zhan Ting. Actually, this was for the best—at least Zhan Yun would not be harmed further because of this.

"Is that so? You might want to ask Third Brother and Fifth Brother for their thoughts."

"Hmm? You still refuse to give up?" Zhan Ting sneered. "Third Brother, Fifth Brother, state your positions."

Zhan Xi and Zhan Tian exchanged glances. Zhan Xi shrank into his chair, remaining silent. Zhan Tian cleared his throat and said, "Well, regarding that... Wuqu, the two of us went back and thought about it. Although the deer jerky was lost at Zhibin Tower, whether it should be compensated for by all of us remains open to discussion..."

Zhan Ting’s temple throbbed violently, a rush of anger surging to his head. His smile almost froze on his face. "Third Brother, what... what are you saying?"

Once Zhan Tian started, Zhan Xi spoke up directly: "Wuqu, before the meeting today, our elder sister talked to us. We plan to divide the Zhan clan into eight shares. Third Brother, Sister, myself, Eighth Brother, Seventh Uncle, and you will each get one share, with the remaining two shares divided equally among the rest of the family. Don't worry, you have always managed Zhibin Tower; this most profitable asset in the family will be yours. None of us will take it."

"That’s right, Wuqu. You have contributed the most to the family over these years, and we cannot let you suffer a loss. Zhibin Tower will be yours, along with several plots of land, houses, and other valuable assets that have been separated. You can say you are getting the biggest share of us all. Of course, even among brothers, accounts must be clear. Since the deer jerky was lost at your Zhibin Tower... this, this... should also be your responsibility to compensate..."

"What?" Zhan Ting’s face turned leaden. He slammed his palm on the table. "Third Brother, what kind of nonsense are you spouting? How valuable is the jerky made from the Divine Deer? How could I possibly afford to compensate for it alone?"

Zhan Xi, addicted to gambling and accustomed to associating with wanderers, was a rowdy character. He glared, stood up abruptly, and scolded, "That is your problem! The division of the family hasn't shortchanged you, has it? Zhibin Tower is yours, the largest house is yours, the best land is yours—what more do you want? As for the deer jerky, that is your affair. Who told you not to manage those servants properly? They were light-fingered and dared to steal from the Celestial Master Dao. If they don't look for you to settle the score, who else would they look for?"

Zhan Tian pulled Zhan Xi back down, complaining, "We are all brothers, why are you shouting? Wuqu, you are a reasonable man. Father passed away early; the Zhan clan should have split up long ago. It was only because we brothers barely managed to keep it together these past few years that we stumbled to where we are today. Now that everyone agrees to divide the family, let it be divided. It’s not just because of the deer jerky, so don’t take it the wrong way. However, one thing at a time: Zhibin Tower has always been yours, so we naturally cannot take it, but since you are keeping it, you must resolve the trouble with the deer jerky yourself. Tell me, does Third Brother’s logic hold up?"

Zhan Hong, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke: "Third Brother is right. The Zhan clan should have gone their separate ways long ago. Staying together has served no purpose other than internal strife. Sister is a married woman, and by custom, she shouldn't receive a share, but were it not for her these years, the Zhan clan would not have reached such a peak of prosperity. So, after discussing it with Third Brother and Fifth Brother, we decided that giving her a share is well-deserved!"

"Yes, yes, Fourth Sister has also worked hard these years. Once the family is divided today, she can focus on managing the Guo clan and stop worrying about the affairs of the Zhan clan." Zhan Tian was grinning from ear to ear. With this division, he would obtain tens of millions in wealth and become his own master. Compared to the meager crumbs Zhan Ting had promised him, this was far better.

They spoke one after another, creating an atmosphere of harmony, and finalized the division of the family. Zhan Ting had never been quick-witted; he stared blankly at the scene before him, his mind a void, completely incapable of finding a countermeasure.

Should he simply resort to force and compel them to press their prints?

Zhan Ting glanced at Zhu Rui sitting by the door and immediately dismissed the stupid idea. Even if Xi Yuanda were here, let alone absent, there would be no way to deal with this martial arts fanatic. Just as he was at a loss, Zhan Tian produced a document detailing the specific terms of the division, complete with property deeds, land deeds, and servant registers. It seemed they had come fully prepared.

"Wuqu, take a look. If you have no questions, let’s press our prints today. From now on, we will each live our own lives and not disturb one another. Isn't that a happy ending for everyone?"

"Yes, come, come, sign quickly! I have friends waiting for me to gamble!" Zhan Xi was the first to press his print, followed by Zhan Tian and Zhan Hong. When it was Zhan Wenjun’s turn, she took the document to Zhan Liang and said, "Seventh Uncle, you sign as well. With this share of the assets, A-Ke will be able to live without worry in the future."

Zhan Liang was too ashamed to lift his head. Zhan Wenjun said softly, "Seventh Uncle, I understand you. If you hadn't been backed into a corner, you wouldn't have gone along with Zhan Ting. A-Ke is my brother too; if anything happens to him, I would be just as heartbroken. Now that the family is divided, other matters will have nothing to do with you. Rest assured!"

Two lines of murky tears flowed from Zhan Liang’s dim eyes. He pressed his print on the paper and let out a long sigh. "A-Wu, it is Seventh Uncle who has failed you! It is good to divide, it is better to be clear. Let it be, just let it be!"

Watching Zhan Liang’s aged back as he departed, Zhan Wenjun felt a pang of pain in her heart. When her father was dying, he held her hands and begged her not to let the Zhan clan fall apart. She never expected that after only a few years, she herself would be the one orchestrating this outcome!

Perhaps, in the afterlife, her father had long foreseen this day.

It was the daughter who was unfilial. Once this crisis was resolved, she would ask for her father’s forgiveness. The Zhan clan would surely rise again!

I promise!

Zhan Wenjun also pressed her print. Zhan Tian took the document and handed it to Zhan Ting. Zhan Ting roared, "Don't think you can walk away clean! The deer jerky was lost—it is the responsibility of the entire Zhan clan! No one is allowed to—"

"Alright, alright, why say so much? There are six of us, and five have already pressed their prints. Your opposition is useless." Zhan Xi grabbed Zhan Ting’s hand, intending to press it onto the paper, but he forgot that Zhan Ting possessed martial arts skills. With a wave of his arm, Zhan Xi stumbled and fell to the side, crashing into Zhan Tian. The two rolled onto the floor in a heap.

Zhan Wenjun said calmly, "Zhan Ting, do you still wish to alert Magistrate Gu?"

Zhan Ting was startled. Gu Yun’s attitude last time was very clear: he upheld justice and relied on evidence. If he saw the five thumbprints on the document, he would certainly rule that the division was in accordance with the law. To make a scene would only be to invite humiliation.

"Ziyu!"

Zhu Rui stood up at the call and walked to Zhan Ting’s side. His mountain-like stature exuded an oppressive force. His eyes were like lightning, staring coldly at Zhan Ting, sending chills down his spine.

Zhan Ting’s body trembled. He looked around the room and realized with a shock that they were all surnamed Zhan—legitimate, noble—while he, in the end, would always be an outsider!

Just like the infant who had waited in the snow, desolate and dying, helpless and weak!

Twenty years had passed, and nothing had changed!

Zhan Ting suddenly felt a death-like despair in his heart. He collapsed into his chair, picked up his hand, and pressed his print onto his copy.

Zhan Wenjun turned and stopped at the door. She whispered, "Ninth Brother, from now on... take good care of yourself."