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Seeing Madam Liao’s displeased expression as she was about to speak, Old Master Ren continued, “However, I am not an unreasonable person. When Father said those words back then, the Ren Family only owned these coal mines in Yan Prefecture. The three mines I later purchased in the south were not included. So, the southern mines can be allocated to you. Those mines are quite profitable, and I originally entrusted them to Second Brother to manage—he knows them best.”
Madam Liao’s expression finally softened. She was aware of Ren Baoming’s instruction that the two branches should not separate the family or divide the assets, which was why she had endured until today before raising the issue of dividing the family and its property. However, she hadn’t known that the old master had not only left verbal instructions but also a written deed.
It must be understood that in the Great Zhou dynasty, when disputes over family property division among descendants were brought before the authorities, the written will left by ancestors served as the official basis for determining the distribution of assets.
Even though she knew this arrangement would disadvantage their branch, Madam Liao could not voice any objection. If she truly angered Old Master Ren and he invoked Ren Baoming’s authority to pressure them, they might not even secure the three mines they were promised. Still, she couldn’t help feeling resentful. After all, they were all descendants of the old master—why should there be such favoritism? Wasn’t their branch also part of the main lineage?
In truth, Ren Baoming’s favoritism was not without reason. In Yanbei, families with any substantial assets typically allocated the majority of the family’s industries to the eldest son. This practice ensured that the family’s strength was not diluted by too many descendants, which was beneficial for the family’s long-term development.
“What about the 1.5 million taels you withdrew? Surely we shouldn’t have to contribute to that as well?” Madam Liao asked with a sour expression.
Old Master Ren replied, “Most of that 1.5 million taels was drawn from the coal depots in Yanbei. The funds from the southern regions were not touched, and the responsibility for repaying it will remain with the Yanbei branch. However, the annual 60% profit contribution includes all industries under the Ren Family’s name. The earnings from the coal depots in the south and the capital will also be factored in—this is not something I can decide.”
Madam Liao curled her lip. “The Ren Family has been operating for so many years—surely there must be some savings in the common fund?”
Old Master Ren nodded. “There are indeed some savings, but in recent years, they have been spent on the coal depots in the south and the capital. If you have any doubts, I can provide you with the Ren Family’s account books from over the years. Moreover… the Ren Family has not yet been divided. Since benefits are shared, risks should also be borne together. So, Second Sister-in-Law, you should mind your words. Additionally, this mansion, the villa in Yunyang City, and all the farmland within Yan Prefecture are considered ancestral properties of the Ren Family, to be passed down only to the eldest son of the main branch. They are not to be divided—this is written in Father’s will. As for the residences in the capital and the south, they will be allocated to you. As for the Eastern Residence where you currently live, you may choose to move out or continue living there. Even if the family is divided, we are still one family.”
Although Old Master Ren’s words seemed reasonable, Madam Liao still felt unsettled. Yet, since he had presented his arguments logically and with evidence, she could find no grounds for refutation.Madam Liao and Second Master Ren exchanged a glance. Madam Liao said, "We still need to discuss this matter further. Although you are the head of the family, you cannot simply decide how to divide the assets as you please, can you?"
Old Master Ren replied generously, "That is only natural. You may voice any opinions you have, and I will consider any reasonable requests. However, I still believe Father’s words make sense. Our Ren Family is not a particularly large clan, and it would be better if we could avoid dividing the family property."
Having waited decades for the opportunity to divide the family assets, Madam Liao was unwilling to let it slip away. She immediately shook her head firmly and said, "Since we have already reached this point, it is better to go ahead with the division."
Old Master Ren sighed. "Then you should go back and discuss it first. The remaining matters can be discussed after Second Brother sends word from the capital."
Madam Liao had no desire to stay longer either. Sitting in the guest seat made her feel uncomfortable, so she promptly stood up and said to Second Master Ren, "Shiyuan, let’s go back first." After nodding toward Old Master Ren, she led the way out.
Ren Shiyuan bowed to Old Master Ren and Old Madam Ren before following her out.
As soon as they left, Old Madam Ren’s expression darkened.
Old Master Ren seemed somewhat weary and said, "Shizhong, stay. The rest of you may leave as well."
Ren Shimin and the others then withdrew.
Once only the three of them remained in the room, Old Madam Ren spoke up. "Old Master, are we really going to divide the family with them? This is a difficult time for the Ren Family. If we divide the assets now, won’t it make things even harder?" At this point, resentment filled her face. "Over the years, the Ren Family has poured most of its resources into supporting the industries in the south, and now that they are finally showing promise, they are about to become theirs! That aside, Madam Liao even expects us to bear the burden of the 1.5 million taels of debt alone. It seems she wants a share of the benefits but none of the hardships. Her calculations are truly shrewd! In my opinion, we should follow Old Master’s words from back then: whoever insists on dividing the family may do so, but they will not receive any assets. Let’s see how they continue to make a fuss!"
Old Master Ren sighed, which startled Old Madam Ren. A man like Old Master Ren, who was always strong-willed, rarely sighed.
"Old Master…"
Old Master Ren said, "If we could avoid dividing the family, I would not agree to do so at this time. However, as things stand now, dividing may not necessarily be a bad thing."
Old Madam Ren was puzzled. "What do you mean by that?"
Leaning back in his chair, Old Master Ren replied calmly, "Judging from my and Shizhong’s imprisonment and the events that followed, the Ren Family’s current predicament stems from the attitude of the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion. Although we have rejected the Zeng Family’s marriage proposal, if I continue to interfere in matters in the capital…"
Old Madam Ren was shocked. "Do you mean we should give up those industries? But the Ren Family has invested so much effort into them over the years."
Old Master Ren said, "I do not intend to give them up entirely. That is why I am taking advantage of this division to hand over all industries outside of Yanbei to Second Brother. From now on, they will manage the affairs in the south. On the surface, I will no longer intervene, which can also be seen as a gesture to the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion."Master Ren the Elder said, "Father's intention is to separate the operations of the industries in Yanbei and Jiangnan. This way, even if conflicts arise between the court and Yanbei in the future, we will have already publicly split from Second Uncle and his family on the surface. We will manage the coal mines and coal depots in Yanbei, while Second Uncle and his family will be responsible for those in Jiangnan. Any conflicts between the court and Yanbei will then not involve our Ren Family." Old Master Ren had learned his lesson this time and was now more cautious.
Old Madam Ren understood, but she was still uneasy and asked, "But does Second Brother understand your intentions? What if he acts like Madam Liao..."
Old Master Ren smiled faintly at this and said nonchalantly, "There has only ever been one head of the Ren Family."
After saying this, he glanced at Ren Shizhong and added in a serious tone, "Eldest Son, remember this as well—there is only one head of the Ren Family!"
Master Ren the Elder lowered his head and acknowledged, "Yes."
Old Madam Ren then realized that Old Master Ren was not genuinely intending to divide the family assets. Instead, he was using Madam Liao's desire to split the family as an opportunity to devise a temporary solution! The goal was to minimize the risks the Ren Family would face in the event of future conflicts between the court and Yanbei.
Thinking this, the resentment Old Madam Ren had felt earlier due to Madam Liao's actions finally dissipated somewhat.
A few days later, the Ren Family received a letter from Second Old Master Ren of the Eastern Manor, sent from the capital.
In the letter, Second Old Master Ren agreed to the method of dividing the family proposed by Old Master Ren. Old Master Ren would take ownership of all the coal mines and coal depots in Yanbei, while the Eastern Manor would fully take over the coal mines and coal depots in Jiangnan and the capital. Second Old Master Ren had been managing the businesses in Jiangnan and the capital for many years, and the monthly profits from the coal depots there were already substantial. In another year or two, they might even surpass the industries in Yanbei. As for the Ren Family's coal mines, Second Old Master Ren was also aware of the will left by his father. Being able to divide and obtain the ones in Jiangnan was not a disadvantage for him.
However, Second Old Master Ren also raised a point: he had no objections to other matters, but since the coal depots in Jiangnan were just beginning to show some improvement, he feared they would not be sustainable if they had to give sixty percent of the profits to the authorities each year. Therefore, he requested that Old Master Ren temporarily cover ten percent on his behalf, leaving him to pay only fifty percent.
Upon receiving the letter, Old Master Ren replied, agreeing to cover ten percent of the profits for the first three years.
Second Old Master Ren readily agreed upon reading the reply. As for Madam Liao, the second wife of the Eastern Manor, it was likely that Second Old Master Ren had already written to her, as she did not come to cause any further trouble.
After that, the two sides proceeded with the handover. In reality, the businesses in Jiangnan had always been managed by the Eastern Manor, so there wasn't much to transfer. Second Old Master Ren promised to have Fourth Master Ren return as soon as possible to finalize the matter.
Thus, in a relatively peaceful atmosphere, the Eastern and Western Manors of the Ren Family completed the division.
On the surface, this division seemed to have little impact on the Ren Family, at least to the younger generation, who hardly noticed any difference between being divided or not.
With the Ren Family's affairs temporarily settled, the third branch of the Ren Family also prepared to leave White Crane Town and return to Yunyang City.Recently, due to the troubles in the Ren Family, Ren Shimin had been staying at the Ren Family ancestral home. Later, as Old Master Ren's condition gradually improved, Ren Shimin began visiting Yunyang Academy every few days. However, Madam Li, Ren Yaoqi, and Ren Yaohua remained in White Crane Town.
Now, the third branch of the family could rightfully move back to the residence in Yunyang City.
After staying in Yunyang City for a while, Madam Li found it somewhat uncomfortable to return to the Ren Family ancestral home where she had lived for over a decade. When the Ren Family suddenly encountered trouble, the flower party Madam Li had planned to host at the new residence ultimately fell through. This time, upon returning, she could finally send out the invitations, so Madam Li was in excellent spirits.
The author’s home still has no electricity... tears...
After finishing two chapters, the author can finally go home!!!
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