Chapter 3, Dispersing Wealth

Just as Wu Yang was thinking this, a clear voice from the bedroom came through, "Uncle Wu, Ping Yu, Shang Sou"

seventy-three

As Uncle Wu walked forward with a stiff gait, Old Sun's long sigh echoed behind him, "Wu Yang, Wu Yang, even a young girl regards wealth as mere dirt, why does your countenance change so drastically? Your movements are rigid, and your eyes are clouded? Alas, you are far inferior to her!"

Chen Rong looked at him, slowly smiled, her eyes narrowed. She said in a clear voice: "Uncle Wu, you are a literate person, and all the people of Pingcheng praise your fairness. Please step forward and lend a helping hand to A Rong."

As she spoke, she lazily walked towards the bedroom

The gaze of the crowd finally brought Uncle Wu back to his senses

At this moment, the bedroom door creaked open, and at the same time, a brilliant, translucent, and exquisitely beautiful treasure appeared before everyone's eyes

Chen Rong nodded slightly, lifted her wine glass, and slowly took a sip—though she was only fifteen, at this moment, the air of nobility cultivated over the years in her past life made her every gesture appear dignified and graceful

Uncle Wu was taken aback, and he couldn't help but step forward. However, despite lifting his foot high, he found himself unable to take that step—what right did he have to intervene

Oh my! Not a single one of that group is a vegetarian. These things wouldn't even be enough to fill their gaps between teeth. If they start blaming me, what am I to do?

After half a day of silence, Chen Rong turned to Ping Yu, furrowing her brow as she called out, "Yu?" her voice slightly raised

At this point, Chen Rong raised her eyebrows and exclaimed in surprise, "Uncle Wu, Uncle Wu? Why are you still in a daze? Do you not wish to?"

Shaking her head, Chen Rong said淡淡地说道: "Wealth, my dear, is merely a material possession. In such chaotic times, having these silks and rice will make your lives a bit better."

Putting down his pen, Wu Yang stood up amidst the laughter of the servants, staring blankly at the wealth that had transformed from a great mountain into a small mound of earth, feeling as if his feet were weighed down by a thousand pounds

Chen Rong knelt and sat on the couch prepared for her by Ping Yu. She casually glanced at the crowd and asked those around her, "How many people are there in the residence?"

Uncle Wu asked in a dazed manner: "To lend you a helping hand?"

However, however, there are only these family assets in the residence. With so many people to share them, the Chen family's wealth will be reduced to less than one-fifth!" Ping Yu was somewhat anxious, and she shouted sharply: "This journey spans thousands of miles, with many changes along the way. Even if the journey goes smoothly and we reach the south, how will the young ladies survive without any wealth? A Rong, the master and your brother have yet to send any news, you must not deplete the family assets completely!"

Although there were only a little over seventy people, it still took Wu Yang two hours to send them off one by one

Wu Yang slowly made his way to Chen Rong's side

In this era, whether it is gold or the five-zhu coins, both are difficult to circulate widely. The currency that truly commands the faith of the people consists of items such as cloth, silk, and food. During this time of uncertainty and frequent warfare, the barter system is the most prevalent form of trade

Chen Rong glanced over the crowd of servants, and in that moment, she spotted seven or eight faces among them that were as worried as Ping Yu's. As for the other maids, they were suppressing their joy and anxiously watching her, fearing that she might have a change of heart

Whoosh, all eyes were focused on Uncle Wu

The words of the gentlewoman are indeed heartfelt and reflect the words of a loyal servant. However, she fails to consider that as a frail woman without dozens of brave guards in her household, how can she possibly protect her wealth? Even if they do not disperse today, this journey south spans nearly a thousand miles. With so few helpers and dozens of carriages traveling ostentatiously, she cannot know how many people and forces will set their sights on her. By that time, let alone her wealth, her very life may not be guaranteed

Uncle Wu quickly forced a smile. He swallowed hard and, with a pale face, stammered, "I am indeed willing, willing."

Although there is only Chen Rong as the sole master in the Chen residence, over the years, her father has served as a magistrate in Pingcheng. Although he held only an eighth-rank official position, he accumulated considerable wealth. When Chen Rong's father and brothers departed, they took away a large amount of property. However, even the remaining portion is enough to fill the entire courtyard.

Chen Rong pondered for a moment, then raised his head and said to those around him: "Summon all the servants and maids in the residence, and tell them I have matters to attend to."

Ping Yu stared blankly at Chen Rong, and only after she repeated herself did she respond: "Yes." At that moment, her heart was filled with astonishment: the young lady had changed so much in just a few days that she could no longer understand her at all

At this moment, Uncle Wu had a particularly strange expression. His face was a shade of purple, filled with anger yet tinged with a hint of panic, and his left foot was raised in the air. It was unclear whether he intended to step forward or retreat. How odd; standing on one foot like that, wasn't he tired?

She was unwilling to say anything more, and with a wave of her right hand, she called out loudly: "Uncle Wu!"

Indeed. I have an extraordinary item here that I would like you three to lead those fifteen individuals to deliver to the royal residence. Please say: My father and brothers are not at home, and as a weak woman, I am truly incapable of bearing this responsibility. I wish to present this rare treasure left by my late father, hoping that my Chen family can be included in the ranks of the royal family and accompany them.

When Chen Rong withdrew her gaze, she briefly glanced over Uncle Wu and a few young servants among the attendants

Chen Rong took a sip of wine, casually glancing over the crowd in the courtyard, and said softly: "War is imminent, the Chen family will migrate south as a whole. Those who wish to leave the Chen family and seek their own path will receive one piece of cloth and five dou of rice each! Those who wish to accompany me will also receive one piece of cloth and five dou of rice."

The three of them were taken aback and responded in unison: "Here."

Chen Rong joyfully exclaimed with a clear and spirited tone: "Indeed, A Rong invites Uncle Wu to take the lead in distributing these assets. Uncle is a fair man and will surely win the hearts of everyone with his equitable division"

Last time, just carrying those gold leaves made me a target for criminals due to a few instances of showing off my wealth, which nearly led to a fatal outcome

Old Sun nodded to himself in surprise, thinking: I have heard that the Chen family is a prestigious family of officials for a hundred years, and it is indeed true. A Rong, being a daughter of a branch family and so young, possesses a certain noble air reminiscent of a golden horse and jade hall, which is attributed to the noble lineage of the Chen family

At this sight, many people frowned, and Ping Yu shouted at the top of her voice: "Uncle Wu, A Rong is calling for you"

In this case, why hasn't Uncle come forward yet? It is already late.

At this moment, people enjoy commenting on others, and the evaluations made by elders often have the power to influence a person's entire life. As soon as Elder Sun spoke these words, Wu Yang's thin, elongated face turned pale with a hint of darkness.

"Yes, yes, I came forward."

Upon hearing what Old Sun said, everyone who had been busy in the courtyard stopped their actions. They looked up at Chen Rong, waiting for her instructions

He stared blankly into Chen Rong's eyes

Upon seeing this object, Wu Yang felt a darkness before his eyes and nearly fainted on the ground

As soon as these words were spoken, the surroundings fell into an instant silence

"Ping Yu, you bring people to move all the valuables to the courtyard."

The matron stared blankly at Chen Rong with her mouth agape. When she met her bottomless black eyes, she suddenly came to her senses, hurriedly stepped forward, and exclaimed: "No, no, A Rong, there is already little rice and cloth left in the manor, it cannot be distributed evenly."

Chen Rong's eyes squinted even more, and she laughed heartily, a joy that was completely different from before. This made Sun, who prided himself on being a man of distinction and looked down upon wealth, nod repeatedly: Only when faced with significant matters can one truly see a person's nature. I used to think that A Rong's act of distributing wealth was foolishness, but now seeing her so happy, it turns out she is genuinely indifferent to material possessions! This child truly lives up to the Chen surname!

Yes

He, feeling dejected, did not even notice when Old Sun took his leave.

How many people have not left yet

With this sweep, a trace of coldness flashed across her face

In just a quarter of an hour, the courtyard was filled with servants and maidservants. Old Sun had not yet departed; he and Uncle Wu stood under a tall banyan tree, curiously gazing at Chen Rong.

fifteen people

Chen Rong stood up, covering her mouth with her sleeve, and yawned nonchalantly, saying: "After the distribution of wealth is completed, everyone is free to come and go as they please"

In the midst of anxiety, Wu Yang's eyes brightened: it is said that there is another rare treasure in the Chen residence, perhaps that item could satisfy them

Chen Rong said淡淡地: "If it is lacking, then use silk and millet as a substitute"