Chapter 10: Separate Property and Joint Property

It is good to separate the family; it should have been done long ago

Old Four, you should take a look as well

The greatest obstacle to the division of the family was Wang Liangxun. Suddenly, the couple agreed, and Uncle Wang Lianggui naturally consented wholeheartedly, encouraging everyone. Although Father Wang Liangjing was reluctant, he had no choice.

Wang Liangjing reached out to take it, his face darkened as he said, "I can't read, so it would be pointless to look at it." He looked up at Wang Liangxun, "Second brother, let's think of another way. By the way, didn't you go to the yamen to report the case? What did the authorities say? If we can recover the money, perhaps..."

Do not rush just yet

He was filled with doubt and hesitated to put pen to paper. Cui said with a cold smile, "Your fourth uncle, are you willing to pay for us?"

Bai made a few sharp remarks, causing Wang Liangjing to turn red in the face, looking up with his head held high, and after a long while, he shook his head in pain.

Uncle, according to the court's regulations, grandparents and parents who order their children to separate their household registration will be punished, but there is no penalty for the younger generation who inherit wealth. It is possible to divide the assets without separating the household; each branch can independently bear its own expenses, and of course, any profits earned will also belong to oneself. After all, since the third uncle is not at home, it would be unwise to hastily divide the family, as his share of the family assets would also be difficult to handle.

After a moment of silence, Wang Liangjing said, "Second brother has encountered difficulties; no matter what, during the division of the family assets, we should give him a little more consideration. What do you think?"

Wang Liangjing found himself in a more difficult position, "No matter how bad he is, he is still my second brother. If I can help, I should still help him..."

Wang Liangxun was scolded until his face turned crimson. After studying for over ten years, he was well aware of the "Separate Property and Wealth Law." Based on the principle of governing the country with benevolence and filial piety, there have been strict restrictions on the division of family property throughout the ages. Especially when some children, after their parents' death, fight for inheritance, they even disregard the mourning rites for the elderly, showing no filial piety at all. There have also been brothers who have fought over property, leading to loss of life.

In order to prevent such situations, the "Song Code of Criminal Law" contains strict regulations regarding the separation of property and accounts. Of course, regulations are just regulations; as the saying goes, it is difficult for an honest official to adjudicate family matters, and the phenomenon of family divisions remains quite common, with the authorities often turning a blind eye.

"Elder brother, please take a look. This is the division document drafted by your younger brother. If you agree, please affix your seal." Wang Lianggui held it in his hand. He was not very literate and barely understood the main idea after reading it once. He wanted to affix his seal but hesitated.

Wang Liangjing, perplexed, hurriedly pulled his son and scolded, "Ning An, what nonsense are you talking about?"

However, illegal is illegal, and although they have only interacted for a few days, Wang Ning'an does not hesitate to speculate on the worst possible intentions of his second uncle's family.

Second brother, indeed both elder brother and I find it inconvenient to propose a division of the family estate

The Wang family gathered once again in the ancestral hall. In just two or three days, Old Lady Wang had become much more haggard, with more age spots on her face, and her hair was sparse and disheveled, causing Wang Liangjing's eyes to redden.

Bai was so angry that he couldn't sleep all night, and his eyelids were swollen and red

Sigh! Wang Liangjing sighed heavily, "Don't be angry anymore. Second Brother has had a stroke of bad luck this time, owing so much money, and he doesn't even know how to repay it."

Wang Liangjing felt hesitant; initially, when he informed his second brother to go to the yamen to file a complaint, he was extremely grateful, as if he had grasped a lifeline. How could it be that within just two days, his attitude had changed so drastically, becoming exceedingly impatient? It was truly strange

Wang Ning'an has had enough of his second uncle's family and wishes to separate quickly to avoid being implicated by them

Old Lady Wang remained silent for a long time, then glanced at her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Xu. Mrs. Xu, also in her fifties, appeared to be in worse spirits compared to Old Lady Wang.

Wang Ning'an certainly does not believe that his second uncle has any hope of achieving success in the imperial examination; he is merely planning for himself. After all, he has written historical texts in his previous life and is somewhat aware of certain ancient customs.

Mother, there is not much to say about the daughter-in-law. Although the second son has made mistakes, he still shows some sense of responsibility. We cannot let the child suffer too much

Wang Liangjing would not use such malicious intent to speculate about the second brother, yet he also knows that it is wise to be cautious

Old Lady Wang nodded and said helplessly, "Let it be divided, let it be divided, let it all be divided cleanly"

Wang Ning'an finished speaking, threw the document onto the table, and retreated behind Wang Liangjing. Without needing to say much, Wang Lianggui jumped up, furious and gritting his teeth

Wang Liangxun, filled with anger, said, "Is there a place for you to interrupt when the master is speaking?"

Wang Ning'an did not know what they were plotting, but being cautious can never be a mistake

Where are there so many intricacies? Over the years, how many families have been divided? When has the government ever intervened?

Wang Liangxun and his wife exchanged a glance, took out a document from their bosom, and smilingly presented it in front of their elder uncle

Returning from Second Brother's room, Wang Liangjing wore a frown of distress

At this point, can the Bai family refute it? They can only angrily say: "Anyway, I am an outsider and cannot share in your family's wealth. Those two shops are enough for the children, and I will not concern myself with your family's matters"

Wang Liangjing's face flushed red, and he had no choice but to pick up the pen. Just as he was about to affix his seal, he noticed a hand gripping his wrist.

After listening to his words, Wang Lianggui slapped his thigh and said: "Let's do it this way, let's quickly divide the inheritance! I can hardly wait!"

I am not speaking nonsense. Do not separate the family wealth. The court has its own regulations. If the parents and elders are alive, any descendants who separate the family wealth will face a penalty of three years. If the grandparents or parents order the separation, the penalty is two years, and it does not concern the descendants. Now, both my great-grandmother and grandmother are alive. If my father and uncle sign, it means they are both requesting to separate the family wealth, but that comes with a penalty of three years!

Moreover, didn't Wang Ning'an just say that even if the elders order a division of the family, it will still take two years

Fourth brother, if you are unwilling, then we can only have grandmother sign the agreement

They suddenly behaved unusually, organizing a division of the family assets; there must be something suspicious behind this

Wang Liangjing hesitated, constantly stealing glances at his wife, as if there were words lingering on the tip of his tongue that he could not bring himself to say, his face a picture of indecision

Wang Liangxun waved his hand and said impatiently: "Fourth brother, the entrance to the yamen faces south. If you have a legitimate case but no money, don't come in. Do you think it's possible to have the officials help us? That's just a dream! You should hurry up and sign it!"

Grandmother, it is the unfilial behavior of the grandchildren that has caused our elders to worry for us

Wang Liangxun and Cui looked at each other, and Cui couldn't help but start to sob, "Grandmother, we certainly do not wish to split the family, but the elder brother and the fourth younger brother are forcing us, and we have no choice..."

Wang Liangxun was furious, glaring fiercely at Wang Ning'an, who, undaunted, met his gaze with an air of nonchalance.

"No!" Bai raised his voice by an octave, tears streaming down his face in desperation. "Home, home! You only care about your brothers, what about us women! Ning An has suffered so much this time, just thinking about it makes my heart feel like it's being cut by a knife. These two shops were left to my grandson by my father. In a few days, I will send Ning An to school. If he can study, he should; if not, we should quickly find him a wife so he can start a family and establish himself. Ning Ze is already four or five years old; if he were in a wealthy family, he would have started to understand things by now. Can you bear to let your own son suffer in poverty for a lifetime?" These two shops were left to my grandson by my father. In a few days, I will send Ning An to school. If he can study, he should; if not, we should quickly find him a wife so he can start a family and establish himself. Ning Ze is already four or five years old; if he were in a wealthy family, he would have started to understand things by now. Can you bear to let your own son suffer in poverty for a lifetime?

The pot fell on the heads of Wang Liangjing and Wang Lianggui. Wang Lianggui, with a dark expression, thought to himself, "Is it really possible to split the family?" He looked up and saw Wang Ning'an. Right, this kid had just been talking non-stop; perhaps he has an idea.

"Alas, I have hardly lived a few days of comfort in my entire life!" She looked up at her second uncle, Wang Liangxun, and said in an almost pleading tone, "Second, is it really necessary to divide the family?"

A good family is about to be torn apart, I truly am unfilial!" Wang Liangjing pounded his chest vigorously, producing a thudding sound, filled with deep remorse

"Second son, do you want to kill your grandmother?" Old Lady Wang sighed deeply, filled with sorrow, "What has happened? What sins have I committed?"

Wang Liangxun gritted his teeth and said, "Grandmother, this is unavoidable. Both elder brother and fourth brother are unwilling to help me repay the debt, and I do not wish to implicate them either. A man should bear his own burdens, so it is better to part ways!"

Having lived with her husband for over ten years, Bai was well aware of what he was thinking. Her face instantly darkened, and she said angrily, "I must tell you, do not entertain any improper thoughts!"

Wang Ning'an held the document in his hand, read it once, and suddenly chuckled, "Second Uncle, do you want my father and elder uncle to end up in prison?"

"That is quite different!" Wang Ning'an chuckled and said, "Isn't Second Uncle still preparing for the imperial examination, aiming to bring glory to the family? The stigma of a division in the family would be a lifelong blemish. If it were to be discovered by the censors, a lifetime of achievements would be ruined. One must be cautious!"

What? Old Lady Wang was so enraged that she slammed the table and said, if you want to split the family, it is already generous enough not to stop you, yet you still want to take the initiative to issue orders, dream on!

Is it Ning'an

Wife Bai's expression was also not pleasant; it was not that she was unwilling to separate the family, but rather that she felt sorry for the children. In the evening, she held Wang Luoxiang's hand and, after some hesitation, spent over an hour clarifying the events that had occurred since leaving home

Forget it, forget it, if we must part, then let it be!

Ning'an, what do you think we should do

... ...

"You old rascal, what are you plotting? We are not helping you with your bad debts, yet you want to frame us. How can your heart be so cruel! Fortunately, Ning An is clever and saw through the problem; otherwise, we would have all been deceived by you"