Chapter 7, Struggle

Cheng's mother felt uneasy and secretly sighed—her eldest son was mature beyond his years, shouldering the family responsibilities at such a young age, almost resembling the head of the household. Yet, when faced with difficult matters, she had to seek his advice, which made it difficult for her to assert her authority.

Mother Cheng knew that this was true; the Wan family next door was indeed one of the prominent families in the local state and county. General Wan's deceased father left behind a substantial amount of wealth, land, and several subordinates, which constituted the foundation of General Wan's fortune

Cheng began in a low voice: "Er'er passed away before she was even two years old, yet she, after giving birth to the second daughter, named her Wan. Day and night, it's 'Wan'er, Wan'er' being called. What peace of mind does she have?"

Speaking of the benefits of having a wife, Cheng was indeed filled with both anger and reason: "The Wan family is the foremost noble clan in Sui County. Not counting General Wan's troops, Lady Wan herself has over a hundred household guards and protectors, making it impossible for ordinary bandits and thieves to approach. The protection of the female family members is sufficient. Yuan Yi advised her son that since he has formed a brotherhood alliance with General Wan, it would be wise to entrust his family to him. This would not only ensure their safety but also demonstrate sincerity, achieving a win-win situation.

The mother and child share the same temperament and appearance, and when they shout, each one is as formidable as the other

Cheng stood up and paced back and forth in the room, his voice growing louder: "At that time, every penny had to be carefully calculated for expenditure, to repair weapons and city walls, to care for the wounded, and to recruit capable individuals from all around! Our family does not have much prestige; why would heroes and talented people come to us? Isn’t it just based on a good reputation for benevolence, cherishing the people, and loving soldiers like one’s own children? Yuan Yi himself is reluctant to eat or wear anything nice, even the silk and brocade collected must be exchanged for provisions. Our family does not have much prestige; why would heroes and talented people come to us? Isn’t it just based on a good reputation for benevolence, cherishing the people, and loving soldiers like one’s own children? Yuan Yi himself is reluctant to eat or wear anything nice, even the silk and brocade collected must be exchanged for provisions... If it were not for this, A'er... A'er would not..."

Cheng did not hold back and replied: "In the same field, others can harvest ten dou of millet, while my uncle only gets three or four dou. It is well known that good harvests in farming rely on hard work. My uncle himself is afraid of heavy labor, yet he insists on having fine meals every day. After just one meal of wild vegetables and coarse grains, he comes to my mother to complain, and he still has the face to blame others!"

Cheng smiled and said, "I do want to write a few words to my mother, but she cannot read. " At this point, his expression darkened, "I am unwilling to let Ge read aloud what I write to my mother."

Cheng's voice also rose: "When the Xiao family had their incident, Ah Feng was only a few years old, even younger than the third brother. At that time, our family at least didn't have to worry about hunger. I couldn't bear to make the third brother work, let alone ask Ah Feng to do chores! But how old was Uncle then, and how old was Ah Yong's cousin? They were lazy and good-for-nothing, probably wouldn't even recognize the seedlings!"

Cheng Shi still felt that he was very magnanimous, saying: "Mother need not feel embarrassed. You have worked hard for the Cheng family, and the children have all seen it. If you wish to remarry, my brothers and I will have no objections. Moreover, the Cheng family has few members; if the gods bless us and you give birth to new siblings in the future, it would also be a good thing, and I will treat them as my own brothers and sisters!"

Since the usurpation of the throne by Emperor Li and the subsequent rebellion of various heroes, in just over a decade, countless factions that raised their banners in revolt have been extinguished without a trace. Just yesterday, they were feasting and drinking, surrounded by beautiful women, and today their heads hang beneath the city gates or atop flagpoles. Their wives, children, and elderly have either been abandoned in the chaos of war or have met untimely deaths. Yuan Yi told his son, we must not emulate the actions of thieves and bandits, seeking only momentary pleasure; there are grand ways to create disturbances and smaller methods to ensure survival.

He felt that he had already made his position clear, but to his surprise, Cheng's mother patiently listened to her son praise the new bride for a long time. She could no longer hold back; she had always been a person with a stubborn nature and despised being pressured by grand principles. Even if she had already accepted it in her heart, she was unwilling to yield verbally.

You are your mother's firstborn son, flesh that fell from her body. How could she not think of you! Yet your heart is entirely given to your wife, leaving not a shred for me, this old woman!" Mother Cheng grew increasingly sorrowful, "In these ten years, how many bamboo slips have you brought back? They are either filled with thoughts of the Fourth Lady or filled with incomprehensible ramblings. Do you... do you know how I have been living..."

When mentioning the youngest daughter, Cheng's mother felt disheartened, left only with a sigh.

Cheng's mother was coarse, and it took many years for her to gradually realize the hidden pain in her son's heart. However, upon further reflection, it is astonishing that Mrs. Xiao, such an intelligent woman, said nothing and deliberately allowed the Ge family to provoke a great disaster, which shows just how formidable and patient this woman can be

"Yes, yes, yes, the sky is good, the earth is good, only you, the bride, are the best!" Cheng's mother said sulkily, even though she knew it was the truth, she was unwilling to admit this cowardice

Tears almost welled up in Mother Cheng's eyes: "Among my five children, I love Sanlang and you the most. However, after you both got married, you only care for your new wives, speaking only to them and no longer paying attention to your mother. I am left with an empty lap and an empty heart. How can I endure this?"

"Eating well and dressing well, enjoying wealth and honor, what is there for mother to be dissatisfied with?" Unfortunately, Cheng Shi has devoted all his tenderness and delicate thoughts in this lifetime solely to Xiao Yuanyi, completely failing to understand what exactly his mother is unhappy about.

Cheng Shi interrupted, saying: "Not being talkative does not mean being lifeless! Although he was taciturn in his childhood, he was also active in climbing trees and shooting birds. When I started my endeavors, he was also involved in various connections. How is he inferior to others?" As the saying goes, an elder brother is like a father; several younger siblings are like Cheng Shi's own children. One can scold them, but how can others look down on them?

... ...

Cheng's mother was aware of this matter, and the name 'Yuan' sounds similar. The Ge family was foolish, believing that a man must value his son (in fact, Cheng's mother originally thought the same). It was merely intended to pierce the heart of Lady Xiao, but little did they know that the one who was truly heartbroken was Cheng Shi

Cheng initially found his mother's complaints to be quite incomprehensible: "It is only natural for a man to establish a family. Even a hundred years later, when mother and father are buried together, the sons will also be buried with their wives in the same chamber."

Changing the subject, he said, "Mother, do not speak such cheap words. Although the Xiao family has fallen into decline, there were still those who wished to marry Yuan Yi back then. Do you think she is like Axi, who could go out after being given so much dowry once or twice?"

This is the last sentence of the heartfelt conversation between the mother and son who had not seen each other for ten years

I have always cherished her!" Cheng began to cover his slightly aching shoulder, speaking nonchalantly, "From the first time I saw her at the Xiao family mansion when I was a child, I have cherished her. Apart from her, I have no desire to marry anyone else. It is fortunate that the world is in chaos; otherwise, I would not have this stroke of luck!"

Over there, Qing Cong was gently massaging Lady Xiao's shoulders when she heard distant, indistinct shouts. She smiled and said, "The master and the old lady both have loud voices; I wonder what they are discussing. I only hope the old lady can change her mind, as it is best for the family to be harmonious."

Mother Cheng, in a fit of anger, pointed at her son and said: "You, you ... ... "

Madam Xiao had taught the gentle tone of this introductory phrase seven or eight times, and he felt that he had already mastered it quite well

It is all my mother's fault. At that time, I was still hesitating, saying that I wanted to observe the character of the Ge family daughter, and my mother immediately agreed. Cheng began to feel a surge of anger at the thought; at that time, he was already in trouble for marrying Madam Xiao, which displeased his mother, so he did not dare to insist too much on the marriage with the Ge family.

Mother Cheng's difficult defense: "Your uncle has never worked since childhood, and he is weak, how can ... ... "

At this moment, Cheng's mother was filled with jealousy, forgetting even Uncle Dong, and resentfully said: "You keep mentioning Yuan Yi, what about your mother? Have you ever thought about how well your mother is doing?"

"There is no need to say anything more, Mother!" Cheng interrupted sharply, "It must be that Ge has been talking to you again, that gossiping woman!"

As soon as the younger brother was mentioned, Mother Cheng raised her voice: "Are we just going to watch your uncle's family starve to death?"

In a family with difficult circumstances, the ones who suffer the most are inevitably the eldest son and daughter. Cheng's mother had no arguments left to make, but in her fluster, she seized upon one point: "What about Xiao Feng? He also eats without working, yet you still raised him and even provided for his education and marriage!"

Mother Cheng could no longer endure it and lifted the black wooden small table, striking it heavily towards Cheng Shi: "You insolent child, get out of my sight! If you leave first in the future, I will definitely find a good man for your wife to remarry and bear a whole new set of children!"

She comes from a farming background and is not afraid of hard work and toil. However, ever since her son started his endeavors, she has been kept in the dark about everything he does. In contrast, Madam Xiao is always by his side, knowing everything, which makes her feel like an outsider.

After a moment of silence, Cheng began to notice the sorrowful expression on his mother's face and cleverly deduced that her thoughts were elsewhere: "Since my father passed away, my mother has often felt lonely, and I am aware of that. I wonder if there is someone she cares for; if so, what harm would there be in remarrying?" He thought to himself that as long as his mother was happy, it would be worth it to provide additional dowry, as ensuring her happiness in her later years was what truly mattered.

I spoke with your sister-in-law, but she said that name means the same as Ge Taigong, and it would not be proper to go against the wishes of our elders. Cheng's mother could not help but speak up for the Ge family; although she did not particularly like this daughter-in-law, it was she who had made the decision regarding this marriage

Cheng let out a cold snort: "She can only use her old father as a shield. If it weren't for Ge Taigong's loyalty and honesty, and the assistance he provided me back then, I would have long advised my second brother to divorce her"

Cheng stared at his mother and said: "Fortunately, Yuan Yi is vigilant and has always been on guard. She told me, 'It is easy to charge into battle, but it is difficult to choose a good lord.' Therefore, I must not easily entrust my family. That is why I have kept you, my mother, hidden in the countryside all this time. If things go awry, Yuan Yi and I can immediately ride away on horseback. Yet, despite this, you still complain every day that I only bring Yuan Yi with me to enjoy the comforts while leaving my parents and brothers to suffer in the countryside! Later, when I befriended General Wan, did I not hastily ride to bring you all from the countryside?"

Cheng's mother was not actually greedy for money; rather, it was after Madam Xiao entered the household and she saw her son entrusting everything to Madam Xiao for management that she felt a pang of jealousy. She had heard such remarks before, but always felt that her son was making excuses, being so generous with the new wife while being evasive with his own mother, which only fueled her anger. This time, seeing her son with tears in his eyes, she felt he was almost convincing. Cheng's mother hesitantly said, "Did not several renowned generals come to recruit you later?"

Mother Cheng's eyes, which were originally as moist as the rainforests of South America, instantly dried up like the Sahara, glaring at her son with fiery anger

Mother Cheng, wiping her tears, said: "Is she really so unworthy of your attention? Is it just because of... that kind of name?"

Upon hearing these words, Cheng's mother immediately burst into tears, her hands trembling as she reached out to touch her son's rough, weathered face, feeling both heartache and resentment: "You... you... ungrateful wretch!"

The lady is wise, and this time the gentleman will surely succeed

Madam Xiao slightly curved her lips and said: "It's just some old stories and trivial matters. After being tough at first, it is time to soften up now. I ask you to praise Aunt Jun for her hard work back in the day, to talk more about how the mother and son relied on each other to get through life, and to mention less about me and the Xiao family. There is nothing that the mother and son cannot overcome together."

I know that my mother is looking at the dowry of my aunt to support my uncle! My aunt even thought it was Yuan Yi who used it. Hmph, I, Cheng Shi, stand tall and proud; I would never use my aunt's dowry to support a new wife!" Cheng Shi continued to enumerate one thing after another, "For the sake of the Dong family's reputation, I have not exposed it, and my uncle has even benefited from it!"

"Recruiting? Hmph, just a dead man's substitute!" Cheng said coldly, "Before encountering General Wan, I have suffered many losses. Those so-called great generals, upon knowing my humble origins, do not take me seriously. Those who speak kindly will even use gold, silver, and jewels to say it is to 'invite you to discuss important matters.' The more grandiose ones only fill their mouths with empty words, yet they have not a single grain of provisions and still expect me to go and follow their orders!"

Cheng's mother turned her head, avoiding her son's gaze. Cheng Shi disdainfully said: "I am not afraid to tell you, Mother, that not only have I helped A Feng rebuild the Xiao family mansion, but I have also bought back a considerable amount of the land that the Xiao family sold off back in the day. I have redeemed every old servant of the Xiao family that I could find!"

Mother Cheng, frustrated that her son was not living up to expectations, raised her fist and struck his shoulder with force: "You good-for-nothing! A twice-married woman, with a broken family and all her possessions sold off, and you still hold her in such high regard! If she won't marry a fool like you, who else could she possibly marry?"

Whenever he thinks of his eldest daughter, Cheng Shi cannot help but feel choked up: "In this way, while fending off bandits and the remnants of foreign marauders, and at the same time soothing the local gentry and common people from several surrounding counties who are willing to acknowledge my name, I gradually established my foundation, preventing myself from meeting the same fate as those bandits. My mother always feels that I have money and refuses to take it out for her own use, yet she does not know how difficult it is for me!"

"He has a nagging wife who points her finger at him every day, criticizing him for this and that. What can the second brother achieve?" Cheng slapped a small table beside the stool, which let out a creaking sound. "At that time, I should not have been greedy for the wealth of the Ge family, which harmed the second brother!"

Mother Cheng interjected, "Er Lang has never been fond of speaking; in his childhood..."

Yuan Yi is indeed good!" Cheng Shi said loudly, "Mother raised her head to look outside. Among those generals and marquises who have achieved great success today, seven out of ten are originally local powerful families. They are either wealthy merchants or come from noble lineages. The remaining three, although born into poverty, had pledged their loyalty to His Majesty early on and contributed significantly to his success. But what about our family?

Hmph, this kind of woman, always stirring up trouble when there is nothing to do, inciting discord with her incessant chatter, wishing for families to be in turmoil, only then does she feel satisfied. A perfectly good family is being ruined by such a person!" Cheng was increasingly infuriated as he thought, "A few days ago, I went to see my second brother, and he was completely listless, indifferent to everything, as if he were an old man..."

What does one rely on to start a rebellion? People and money. Even if one can rally a few young men with a call to arms, what about military pay? What about provisions? If the soldiers are injured or disabled, they need compensation and care. Should we just watch their orphans and widows starve to death? Wouldn't that chill the hearts of others? We were originally just a farming household with a little surplus grain; how could we possibly provide that!" Cheng began to recall the hardships of the past, his voice choked with emotion. "Even if we capture the city and receive contributions from wealthy households, we cannot exhaust all our resources. Once our reputation is tarnished, how are we any different from bandits and robbers?" We were originally just a farming household with a little surplus grain; how could we possibly provide that!" Cheng began to recall the hardships of the past, his voice choked with emotion. "Even if we capture the city and receive contributions from wealthy households, we cannot exhaust all our resources. Once our reputation is tarnished, how are we any different from bandits and robbers?"

Cheng Shisong relaxed his tightly clenched arms, respectfully helped his mother to sit on the stool, and, changing from his earlier cold demeanor, spoke gently: "Mother, you haven't seen your son for ten years. Please take a look at your child; I have changed quite a bit."

Cheng's mother raised her head in a daze, watching her daughter-in-law leave, and securely closed the doors and windows. Inside the house, only Cheng and his mother remained, while the fire coals in the golden bronze basin, shaped like a chicken's head and a snake's body, emitted a faint cracking sound.

Mother Cheng's thick skin finally showed a hint of blush, and she awkwardly said: "No wonder over the years, Da Lang has always settled our family next to the Wan family"

Unfortunately, our hometown lacks the aura of dragons; neither Your Majesty nor the few heroes who gallop across the world are anywhere near. Regarding the geographical location of his hometown, Cheng Shiya also felt quite frustrated. He was not an ambitious person; he merely wanted to quickly find a reliable leader to follow, serve diligently, and secure a future. Clearly, his hometown is blessed with beautiful mountains and rivers, so why is it that no prominent leader emerges from there?

The little girl, delicate and exquisite, resembled both Madam Xiao with her beautiful bright eyes and Cheng Shi with his thick eyebrows and broad forehead. At that time, Cheng Shi had just become a father, and he was so enamored that he did not know how to express it. Madam Xiao was weak after childbirth, and there were not many servants in the household, so whenever Cheng Shi had a moment to spare, he would bind the swaddled baby to himself and carry her around. However, it was a particularly difficult time for the Cheng family, and they could barely afford basic sustenance, let alone the various nourishing items; many matters were neglected, alas.

The world is in chaos, and the states and counties outside are resorting to cannibalism. Yet, my uncle is still precious! How old were we when we started working?" Cheng said coldly, "A Xu was only four or five years old when he went up the mountain to dig wild vegetables. There was one time he nearly got taken away by a wild wolf, and all ten of his fingers were injured, not a single one unhurt. At night, he still had to learn to use a needle, and it hurt so much he couldn't even sleep, yet I didn't see our mother feeling sorry for him!

Yuan Yi has discernment. Among the few so-called 'Great Generals of Thieves' she observed for only a few days, she concluded that they were either overly ambitious yet lacking in capability, or ruthless and unkind, treating their subordinates as mere tools. Only General Wan stands out; although his talents may not be the best in the world, he is generous and magnanimous, kind-hearted and broad-minded. With mutual support, they can combine their strengths and carve out a path in this chaotic world. If it were not for such qualities, how could one expect to wait for the day of loyalty to His Majesty?

Seeing that his son's temples had already grayed, he recalled that when he left, he was still a bright young man in his twenties, but upon his return, he had become a dignified and unfamiliar middle-aged general; thus, he asked with great concern how things had been during this time, whether he had suffered any injuries or pains. For a moment, the mother and son exchanged many intimate words, yet there was little comfort offered, and Mrs. Cheng could not help but begin to express her grievances.

Cheng Shi said with a sense of accomplishment: "At the beginning, Yuan Yi said that she wanted to marry a man who could help her revitalize the Xiao family, willing to work hard no matter what. If I cannot do it, she would seek another to marry! I agreed without hesitation." Remembering the hardships his wife faced back then, Cheng Shi's expression softened, and his voice became gentle: "Yuan Yi is truly pitiful, a dignified young lady of the Xiao family, yet she was forced into such a situation."

At this point, Cheng paused for a moment, gazing intently at Cheng's mother, and said: "The Cheng family owes its present circumstances to Yuan Yi's great contributions. On that day, I made a solemn vow in the military tent: if I ever betray Yuan Yi in this life, may I not die a good death!"

Mother Cheng looked at the slightly swaying black crane-patterned lacquered wooden table, which she had made exactly the same as the one in the room of the old lady Wan next door, crafted by a carpenter. Every time the old lady Wan slammed the table, even the imposing General Wan would shrink into a ball, kneeling on the ground, repeatedly bowing his head and pleading with his mother. She had witnessed the old lady Wan lose her temper several times and felt a deep envy, wishing she could also have such control over her son. Unfortunately, she had never had the opportunity to use the table, and now her son was the one using it.

Cheng's mother swallowed hard with resentment and said, "Fine, that's all well and good, but you still want to help rebuild the Xiao family! Look at how the Xiao family has fallen; the grand residence was burned down by thieves, and you still want to restore it..."

Cheng began to speak: "Yuan Yi is a heroine among women, and she is a woman of her word. Over the years, she has stood by her son through thick and thin, facing countless dangers and life-threatening situations. It is thanks to Yuan Yi that he has managed to pull through all this!"