Chapter 3: The Virtue of Filial Piety and Brotherhood

Our Su family is a hereditary gentry, receiving a monthly stipend of one or two taels of silver from the government. My father passed away nine years ago, and in one year, that amounts to one hundred and eight taels of silver. Over these nine years, you have provided for my siblings and me with only thin porridge and plain steamed buns, and our clothing has been made of coarse fabric and rags, totaling less than ten taels of silver. I will count this as fifty-eight taels of silver, and you still owe my Su family fifty taels. Furthermore, for the future, you need not collect my monthly stipend; I will collect it myself.

The Su family was originally a prominent gentry clan in the State of Wu. However, the lineage of Su Lin's father had already become a minor branch. Fortunately, at the age of thirty, he passed the provincial examination and obtained the status of a scholar, which revitalized the family's fortunes. Additionally, by marrying Liu Guizhu, the daughter of the wealthy grain merchant Liu Shuncai from Fengle County, and with the support of his father-in-law, the family's wealth began to flourish.

"Young Master Su, this marriage proposal was indeed... indeed personally agreed upon by Madam Su..."

Soo Liu, in my youth, I was repeatedly subjected to your oppression and humiliation. My sister, Ru'er, was similarly mistreated. Today, although I am still a minor, according to the laws of Wu, a man of fifteen may manage a household. From this day forward, all matters of the Su family will be under my authority. You are to promptly hand over the keys to the accounts room; I intend to take stock of all the assets of the Su family

Mother, over the years, I have observed how you have treated my elder brother and sister. Although they are not your biological children, I have always felt that your behavior is inappropriate. I have read the "Analects," where Confucius states, "When outside, a disciple should be filial; when inside, he should be respectful to his siblings." This has resonated with me, though I did not fully understand it until today. After repeatedly reciting the explanation by Master Lu regarding this sacred saying, I have finally come to a realization. The thoughts of filial piety and brotherly respect must arise from the heart to truly open the mind's wisdom. "To serve one's parents well is called filial piety; to be friendly among brothers and respectful to younger siblings is called brotherly respect." Su Lin is my half-brother, yet I have remained indifferent while witnessing his suffering under your mistreatment for so many years. This is a lack of brotherly respect, and it is my fault!

Wang the butcher was a burly man with dark skin, dressed in coarse cloth, though he appeared shiny due to frequent exposure to pig fat. Standing next to Wang was a young man with sunken eyes and uneven brows, his mouth slightly crooked; he was Wang's gambling son, Wang Tiezhu. At twenty-one years old, he had yet to find a wife, spending his days idly. He had stolen money from Wang's pork shop to gamble at the gaming house, earning a notorious reputation as a scoundrel in Fengle County.

Although Su Wen is only ten years old, he is exceptionally intelligent, with a well-rounded forehead and bright eyes. He speaks to his mother, Su Liu, articulating each word clearly.

Seeing that ten-year-old Su Wen had already awakened his intelligence, Su Lin's heart was filled with eagerness. He clenched his fists and thought to himself: "I must also awaken my intelligence as soon as possible"

Although Su Liu spoke cheerfully on the surface, her heart was filled with venomous curses: "Well, you Su Lin, I don't know what madness has possessed you today, to dare to smash the porridge bowl and stain my dress. Now I shall marry your dear younger sister to the son of the butcher!"

Su Liu was quite pleased and did not forget to mock Su Lin a bit, venting her recent frustrations. Her own son, at just ten years old, had already shown signs of intelligence, and it was based on the words of a grand scholar. In contrast, Su Lin had not demonstrated any signs of intelligence even at the age of fifteen, creating a stark comparison. Reflecting on this, the gloom in Su Liu's heart was completely dispelled

At this moment, Su Wen's words were like pearls, each carrying a hint of subtle authority. This was the effect of the divine power bestowed upon him. Although it was but a faint trace, it could pierce the soul, far more powerful than Su Lin's earlier denunciation of the Su Liu family. On the surface, he was speaking of his own "lack of filial piety," but in essence, he was indirectly condemning the harsh and abusive treatment that the Su Liu family had inflicted upon the Su Lin siblings. Each word seemed to strike at the heart of the Su Liu family.

As soon as he entered the main hall, Su Lin threw half a roast chicken in his hand at Wang Tiezhu, angrily saying, "To hell with your roast chicken! With your kind of appearance, do you think you can marry Su Lin's sister?"

There is no need for that! Although Su Ru is the daughter of the Su family, once she marries into your Wang family, she will be like a daughter married off, a stream of water poured out, and she will belong to the Wang family. Is the daughter of a scholar's family not also a woman? She can be directed as one pleases... Before Su Liu could finish her words, she saw Su Lin angrily pulling Su Ru and directly barging into the main hall.

Su Liu, aware of his own shortcomings, found himself unable to argue against Su Lin. A surge of frustration welled up within him, prompting him to unleash harsh words towards Su Lin. Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, Wang the butcher and his son Wang Tiezhu quickly made an excuse to take their leave, not daring to get involved.

Good, good, good... My son, at the age of ten, has already shown wisdom beyond his years, as evidenced by his status as a university scholar. This clearly indicates his extraordinary talent. Even if he cannot pass the imperial examination in the future, he is certain to become a juren. Unlike certain individuals who, at the age of fifteen, still display dull wits and remain unenlightened.

However, before Su Liu could revel in her success for a few moments, Su Wen instead bowed deeply to Su Lin and, feeling guilty, said: "Elder brother, I would like to apologize to you and sister on behalf of our mother. Over the years, mother has not fulfilled her responsibilities as a mother towards you both and has made things difficult for you."

What about books? Wen'er, have you become enlightened? What kind of discourse led to your enlightenment? Was it that of a great Confucian or that of a Hanlin scholar?

At this moment, in the main hall of the Su family, Su Liu was dressed in a new green silk gown, sitting upright in the main seat, engaging in lively conversation with the butcher Wang in the guest seat, nodding repeatedly.

"What a blessing! What a blessing! To be able to marry the daughter of a scholar is a fortune our family has earned over eight generations," exclaimed Wang the butcher, his face brimming with excitement. He quickly slapped his son Wang Tiezhu on the backside and called out, "Hurry! Tiezhu, why aren't you thanking Madam Su for her kind intentions?"

Su Lin spoke with reason and evidence, even calculating the precise numbers, leaving the Su Liu family speechless and infuriated. At that moment, a burst of cheers and excitement came from the back hall. Su Liu's son, ten-year-old Su Wen, ran up with an excited expression and said to Su Liu, "Mother, Mother, I have become enlightened"

Madam Su, I am just a rough man who slaughters pigs. Originally, I did not dare to aspire to the daughter of a scholar, but since Madam Su has the intention, I, Old Wang, will spare no effort to gather the fifty taels of silver as a betrothal gift for this foolish son of mine, even if it means exhausting my entire fortune

This illustrates the role of imparting thought. Su Wen was inspired by the "Analects" and further enlightened by the words of Scholar Lu, which in essence is an awakening through the principles of filial piety and brotherly love. Naturally, one can discern right from wrong and criticize the faults of the Su and Liu families, even if he is only ten years old

"Elder brother, I... I do not want to marry far away, as I might never see you again." Su Liu was furious, and Su Ru was so frightened that she burrowed into Su Lin's embrace. However, Su Lin gently comforted her, saying: "Ru'er, do not worry. With your elder brother here, no one can force you to marry."

"How ridiculous! What family wealth does the Su family have left? From the smallest pots and pans to the largest houses and courtyards, which of these did I not bring from my maternal family, the Liu family? Su Lin and the others, tell me, after all these years of providing for you siblings' food, clothing, and other needs, where did the Su family get any surplus wealth?" Su Liu said with a loud laugh.

Wang the butcher, fearing the status of the Su Lin clan, could only turn his gaze towards Madam Su Liu and say, "Madam Su, what do you think about this..."

Su Lin, stop messing around! I have already agreed to this marriage. Su Ru must marry Wang Tiezhu

"Yes, yes, yes... Madam Su, I assure you that after Su Ru marries into our Wang family, she will be treated well, and I will absolutely not let her suffer even a little bit," said Wang the butcher, happily and eagerly making his promise.

Su Liu stood up aggressively, glaring at Su Lin.

I would like to see who dares to instruct my sister Su Ru with me, Su Lin present

Good deeds towards one's parents are called filial piety, and being friendly to one's elder brothers and respectful to younger siblings is called brotherly love. Children gain wisdom through these teachings, as stated by the great scholar Lu Ji of our country

Mother! Mother...

Su Lin was unyielding, arguing with reason. There was no need for anything else; simply pointing out his status as the legitimate eldest son of a noble family left the Su Liu family speechless. The Tianren Continent is a Confucian and Daoist world, adhering to the Three Cardinal Guides and the Five Constant Virtues. Within a family, the head of the household with noble status holds the highest authority. Although Su Lin has not yet reached adulthood, he is the legitimate eldest son, and his noble status makes him the head of this family in both sentiment and reason. Even though Su Liu is his stepmother, she cannot act on her own accord against the words of the head of the household.

Su Linyi spoke with righteous indignation, each word resonating powerfully, as he advanced towards the Su Liu family. With every step he took, the Su Liu family retreated a step back.

"Wen'er, what nonsense are you talking about? Why should you apologize to those two? Haven't you also become foolish from studying too much?" Su Liu's voice rose sharply, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

Thank you very much... Thank you, Mrs. Su, for your support. I, Wang Tiezhu, will definitely... treat Su Ru well. Wang Tiezhu grinned widely, laughing heartily, almost drooling.

"Well said! Well said! Although my Su family is a family of scholars, as long as Tie Zhu has this intention towards my daughter Su Ru, I, as her stepmother, will naturally agree to this marriage."

Su Wen did not expect that the heartfelt words he had kept bottled up inside would cause his mother, Su Liu, to faint. He quickly set aside concerns for Su Lin and Su Ru, hurriedly supporting her and urgently calling for the servants to carry her into the house, and then immediately went to summon a doctor

Su Lin, you... are doing well. Your wings have grown strong, and you think you can use your noble status to pressure me. I will see how long you can be so proud. When you come of age next year, once my son Su Wen takes your noble status, I will marry off Su Ru far away, so that you will never see her again

"Wen'er, how can you speak of your mother in front of outsiders?" Su Liu's stance became unsteady, and she felt a wave of dizziness. No matter how Su Lin spoke to her, Su Liu would only be angered to the point of distress. However, now even her biological son Su Wen was targeting her in such a manner; this was a direct slap in the face from her own son in front of Su Lin. Su Liu found it hard to accept, and suddenly everything went dark before her eyes, causing her to faint.

Originally, Su Liu, who was being relentlessly pressured by Su Lin and was sweating profusely, immediately felt overjoyed upon hearing that her son Su Wen had become enlightened. She cast aside all other concerns and hurriedly embraced her ten-year-old son Su Wen, asking him questions.

The identity of the Su family gentry rests upon me; in this family, my word is final. Su Liu, you are merely a woman. Ru'er is my biological sister; as the eldest brother, I am like a father to her. What qualifications do you have to dictate her marriage? I do not agree, and no one shall force Ru'er to marry!

"Elder brother, what is going on with Su Wen? Why has he suddenly turned against us and instead accused our stepmother of wrongdoing?" Su Ru asked in confusion