Chapter 381: Private Stash

After rounds of selection, the ones who came out on top were Hu Er, Luo Er, Wang Erlang, Sun Erdan, and Song the Third Son-in-law.

Yan Lao’er mused to himself that Song’s third son-in-law had slipped in somehow, otherwise it would have been an ‘Er’ army.

Hmm, it’s our Second’s turn now, leaving Sixth with nothing.

Hu Da was worried about his younger brother, so the two of them discussed briefly and decided to have Hu Da go instead.

Yan Lao’er nodded to himself.

Indeed, Hu Da was more reliable than Hu Er. The rest were all younger brothers, and they needed an elder brother to lead them.

When they were brought before the Heir to Prince Ying, Yan Huaiwen introduced them one by one.

The Heir to Prince Ying was very pleased to see Hu Da, but when the Qi Family Brothers he was most hopeful for didn’t appear, he couldn’t help but ask.

Yan Huaiwen explained beside him, “The Qi brothers’ mother has difficulty seeing, and the three brothers are devoted to caring for her and unwilling to leave home.”

What could the Heir do? It wasn’t right to prevent someone from fulfilling their filial duties^[1].

The Heir to Prince Ying came prepared and immediately distributed silver.

Besides two taels of silver for each person, there were additional rewards of fifty taels for delivering messages and repairing bridges, and an extra fifty taels for the bamboo crossbows provided by Yan Huaiwen.

With this shower of silver, the people of Xiao’an Village were left dazed, smiling so wide that their mouths couldn’t close.

The Heir also announced that people would come the next day to collect the bodies of the Northern Rong.

The five squad leaders would wait at home for further arrangements.

After a whole night of bustling around, a satisfying result was reached, and everyone was pleased.

The villagers eagerly watched the Heir to Prince Ying, not out of reluctance for him to leave, but hoping he would depart soon.

Once he left, they could divide the silver.

Perhaps the straightforward gaze of the villagers was too obvious, for the Heir understood and left swiftly like the wind.

The sound of hooves vanished, and even his shadow could no longer be seen.

Yan Lao’er sprang into action.

His whole being exuded joy, “Quick, light a few more torches to brighten things up. Xiao Er, have you tallied the accounts? If not, hurry.”

Yan Yu’s response was crisp and clear: “All calculated, just waiting for the silver!”

“Brother, should we start?” Yan Lao’er asked expectantly.

Yan Huaiwen nodded with a smile.

He handed over the silver.

Yan Lao’er was thrilled!

Though it was like a windfall, it was over a thousand taels!

Oh heavens, what an enormous sum!

The Heir was generous, giving just like that without delay. So straightforward, what a good man the Heir is!

The father and daughter immediately busied themselves.

They moved tables, grabbed papers and pens, while everyone else went home to prepare their silver shards and copper coins.

The distribution of money in Xiao’an Village officially commenced.

Yan Yu had already calculated who deserved how much.

It was a massive task.

Just confirming with each family in the village took considerable time.

Those who had faced the enemy directly, those who assisted in the fight, even those who had stayed hidden in the arrow tower’s cellar making bamboo and wooden arrows – all were accounted for. Each contribution, no matter how small, was remembered and recalled to Yan Yu afterward…

When someone’s name was called, they stepped forward to collect their money.

Everyone in the village was well-acquainted with this process.

This time, the reward was exceptionally large!

When Qi Da came to collect for the three brothers, it was a lively scene, with many congratulations exchanged.

When Hu Da and Hu Er came together to collect their reward, the villagers’ explosive cheers brought the atmosphere to its peak.

Hu Da and Hu Er couldn’t hear a word of what was being said around them, just nodding and smiling broadly. The two brothers rushed home with their silver, as if being chased by dogs.

Every face was plastered with bright smiles, radiating with brilliance.

As Yan Lao’er watched, he turned away, discreetly wiping his eyes.

“Dad…” Yan Yu called softly, looking at him with concern.

The people of Xiao’an Village knew nothing of the outside world, only their family had witnessed the devastation of Crouching Tiger.

Her father had been there, directly experiencing it.

His feelings were understandably different.

“This evening breeze, so chilly, it just blew something into my eyes.” Yan Lao’er said, rubbing his eyes with a smile.

Yan Yu didn’t bring it up, diverting her father’s attention to the remaining silver.

“What about the rest?”

“For the bridge repair, Uncle Luo and the others really suffered, each should get two taels. The rest… put it in the village’s public account.” Yan Lao’er thought it over and suggested, “The same goes for the message runners, Er Tie and San Tie went out late at night, give them… two taels each.”

“What about me?” Yan Yu quickly asked, worried her father might shortchange her, her little mouth prattling on, “From Crouching Tiger to the village counts as one trip, and from the village to Gufeng counts as another, Dad, I did it twice!”

“I’ll give you four taels,” Yan Lao’er teased her.

“Dad…” Yan Yu pouted, dragging her words in obvious displeasure.

“I’ll add one more tael for you, but no more than that. Look at the number you’ve written down for yourself, it’s scary. It almost gave me a heart attack.” Yan Lao’er pretended to clutch his chest dramatically.

“You don’t even have a heart condition!” Yan Yu muttered under her breath, firmly insisting, “I was the one who reported the news. You don’t need to split the fifty taels, Brother Ertie, Brother San Tie, and I will split it among ourselves, hmph!”

“What do you need so much money for? Let Dad keep it safe for you…” Seeing his daughter glaring at him, he changed his tone, “What if you consider it an investment? I’m thinking about starting something. Our silver isn’t insignificant. I think it might be enough to buy a small shop in the Prefectural City?”

Yan Lao’er wasn’t sure, but he figured with this much silver, it should be enough to buy even a small one.

“Buy a shop?!” Yan Yu’s eyes sparkled.

She raised her hands in support, “Dad, you should have said so earlier. We’re family, no need to split hairs. It’s decided, we’ll buy a shop!”

She added, “Once we make money, I’ll give you a share.”

Yan Lao’er said, “My dear daughter, you sure know how to spin a fancy story. Don’t rush, we still need to discuss it with your uncle. It’s true you defeated the Northern Rong, and you earned the reward, but don’t forget, your uncle is the head of the family. Regardless of how it’s spent, it’s his decision that counts, not ours!”

Yan Yu deflated a bit.

That was the reality.

In the Yan family, her uncle was in charge.

…

Yan Huaiwen looked over the amounts of silver being distributed, paused at Xiao Er’s line, then counted out forty-six taels and handed them to her.

“Xiao Er, you’re brave and clever, and you earned it by reporting the news. This reward is rightfully yours.”

Yan Yu was so overwhelmed with happiness at being given the silver by her uncle that it was almost bubbling over.

Her face bloomed like a flower, bright and full.

“Uncle, is it really for me? All for me?” Overcome with joy, Yan Yu asked repeatedly, unsure.

Yan Lao’er’s gaze was quite complex. If interpreted, it would probably mean: envy, envy, and more envy?

Yan Huaiwen nodded and said, “Xiao Er can manage it herself.”

Before Yan Yu could fully enjoy her happiness, Yan Huaiwen handed the remaining silver to Yan Lao’er.

“This reward includes a share for your wife and Xiao Er. Your wife’s portion you should give to her, and Xiao Er’s share, you should discuss with your wife to purchase some land or property for her, to secure her future marriage.”

Yan Yu: I get more?!

As for the marriage part, she completely dismissed that; there’s still more than ten years to go, plenty of time!

Forget about investments; her uncle said it’s all hers, hahahahaha!

Yan Lao’er left his brother’s room briskly.

Yan Yu, on the other hand, strolled leisurely without any hurry.

She cradled the forty-six taels of silver she could spend as she pleased, feeling incredibly secure.

The adornments at her waist jingled softly with her steps.

Yan Yu made a turn and stood outside Big Sis Daya’s room, knocking gently.

Xiao Er: I’ve got some personal savings!! ヽ(°▽°)ノ

Yan Lao’er: So envious I’m splitting at the seams^[2]!

(End of chapter)