Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“My son is—”
Village Chief Yan Zhongqing berated, “Alright, enough! Stop arguing!”
Then, he hollered to the crowd, “Is Yan Yaozong here yet?”
A thin, middle-aged man emerged from the crowd, with a rather imposing middle-aged woman beside him. “Uncle, I’m here.”
Yan Zhongqing really didn’t think much of this nephew of his. All he did was squander his family fortune and indulge himself. He was not young anymore, but had yet to accomplish anything much, and had even become so henpecked.
He was really an embarrassment for the Yan family.
“Ah Ze is your son. Now that he’s missing, you should at least show some concern and come up with a solution.”
Yan Yaozong disagreed and said, “Uncle, we’ll just do as you say. I have no opinions on this.”
Yan Zhongqing’s expression darkened. “That’s your son we’re talking about!”
He was almost angered to death by his nephew’s words. What was he even saying, that he had no opinions! How could there even be such a father!
Yan Yaozong smiled sheepishly. “I’m just saying that we should follow your instructions.”
Yan Zhongqing said in a low voice, “Then take out a silver coin as a thank you gift.”
The currency used throughout China of this time period was coins. A silver coin was equivalent to 10 yuan in the currency of China in the 40s and 50s, while a gold coin was equivalent to 100 yuan, and it was currently the largest coin denomination.
Apart from these, there were also various other coins of different values. This was similar to the way that coins were also used in the early days.
However, this time period in China did not have paper currency, and only coins were used throughout the country. Therefore, the purchasing power of one silver coin in this era was quite astonishing.
“No! Uh, isn’t one silver coin a little too much?”
The middle-aged woman beside Yan Yaozong immediately raised her objection. She then seemed to realize that she had been too obvious, instantly changing her tone and continuing more tactfully.
Yan Zhongqing gave her a stern look and in turn said to Yan Yaozong.
“Yaozong, tell me, are you going to fork out the money or not? Ah Ze is your eldest son and will be in charge of your family in the future. The villagers are willing to help search for him in the mountains out of a sense of fellowship. Even if they refused to go, it’s also reasonable and understandable.
Now that everyone is taking the risk to go up the mountain, I can’t possibly take their efforts for granted. No matter what, I have to show some appreciation. No matter how many people, just give one silver coin for everyone to share among themselves. “
The woman next to Yan Yaozong spoke again, “Uncle, we’re all fellow villagers here. They wouldn’t ask for a silver coin just to help us in the search, right? Our money doesn’t grow on trees.”
With a grim expression, Yan Zhongqing scolded, “Shut up! I’m talking to Yaozong, why are you interrupting? It’s not your place to speak here!”
This Zhao Meier had been getting increasingly arrogant. For a woman whose name didn’t even have a place on their Yan family register, did she really think that she was the legitimate wife and lady of the house?
Seeing the village chief angry did intimidate Zhao Meier a little, but she still didn’t want to relent. One silver coin could buy her a few sets of beautiful clothes.
“Master, I’m doing this for our family’s sake. It’s not easy in the world nowadays. I… I…” Zhao Meier’s eyes welled up as she spoke. She wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, looking aggrieved and pitiful.
At the sight of this, Yan Yaozong immediately put his arm around her shoulders and coaxed her softly. “I know, I know everything. All these years, you have been putting in so much and managing all of our household matters.”
“Sniff sniff,” Zhao Meier covered herself with her handkerchief, looking all the more sorrowful…