Chapter 101: Shazhu adds fuel to the fire, Shamao stirs up chaos in the turmoil

The Siheyuan's pair of fools lacks virtue.

Neither can be lacking.

Shazhu fired the first shot.

Xu Shamao also has to go along.

They are players of the same foolish generation.

They must advance and retreat together.

"Jia Zhangshi, your excuse for being illiterate is completely unfounded; being illiterate doesn't mean you can't get someone to help you write an application. Seeing many people, two more came to meet you for a matchmaking—how embarrassing, you can't deny it. That's not acceptable. As the saying goes, you must bravely pursue your own happiness, and you've already eaten the betrothal sweets from Jia Gui."

"Shamao hit the nail on the head: the sweets are the betrothal gift. You ate their sweets and now say you won't do it—if word gets out, how will outsiders view our Dayuan?"

Shazhu incited the crowd to jointly attack Jia Zhangshi.

This is what I learned from Yi Zhonghai in my previous life.

Moral blackmail.

Using collective benefits to threaten and lure you.

"Our courtyard isn't just your Jia Family; there are three front, middle, and rear Dayuans, twenty-seven or twenty-eight households. Some have reached marriageable age and are busy looking for partners. If outsiders came to our Siheyuan to inquire, hearing that our Siheyuan eats people and doesn't spit out bones, and that promises don't count, how could we contribute bricks and tiles to the nation's construction? You look down on Jia Gui, thinking he's ugly, but Director Wang brought Wen San and Wen Ye."

Shazhu switched his tone and began praising Wen San.

Under heavy rewards, brave men appear.

Using Wen San's generous conditions to move Jia Zhangshi, striving to secure this marriage, so that Jia Dongxu would call Wen San his stepfather.

"Wen San and Wen Ye, we work in the same unit at the Red Star Scrap Station; they are two ranks below me, now they are second-level scrap collectors, earning 275,000 a month, and were given a house the year before last."

"'Master He, you praise me, but I really can't.' Wen San, who didn't want to marry Jia Zhangshi, pushed An Jiahe forward as a shield, saying, 'Director Wang, if it really won't work, I'll spend a bit on shoes—I'll bring An Jiahe and his father to you.'"

"'What are you looking for An Jiahe for? Now Jia Zhangshi has eaten the betrothal sweets from Jia Gui and refuses to admit it. Jia Zhangshi, it's not I, Xu Damu, who says this to you—you must bravely pursue your own happiness; the street office backs you, don't panic, it's just Jia Dongxu—worst case we split the household, you live yours, he lives his, happiness is important.'"

Said lightly.

Split the household.

Jia Zhangshi felt a sense of helplessness welling up; she suddenly realized that no matter what she said or how she explained, it was an inexplicable situation.

A feces-filled bucket placed on the head.

Laoqianpo's grief welled up from her heart.

A mouthful of fresh blood spurted out.

Her body went limp and she collapsed onto the ground.

Shazhu thought Jia Zhangshi had truly fainted, not pretending; that sudden gush of blood like a fountain couldn't be acted out by someone like Jia Zhangshi.

"'Jia Dongxu, your mother fainted—hurry up and come out to arrange sending her to the hospital.'"

From inside the Jia Family's house came an angry, explosive roar.

"'If you die, you die; if you live, you live; love who you send, send who you love.'"

Fine.

Still picking at reasons.

His gaze fell on Qin Huairu.

A natural-born actor.

Still acting.

Shazhu put on a hopping act and said to Qin Huairu, "Qin Huairu, your mother-in-law, your matchmaking—you are the Jia Family's daughter-in-law; are you really just going to watch your mother-in-law lie on the ground?"

"'I'm a proper married woman; I just had a miscarriage a few days ago—what can I do?'"

Xu Damu, borrowing Qin Huairu's tone of pushing two-six-five, deliberately muttered a line.

"'Jia Zhangshi also had a hard life; widowed early, she raised Jia Dongxu on a diet of feces and urine.'"

"'How can Jia Dongxu eat such feces and urine stuff—does it have any nutrition?' Jia Gui had just finished speaking when Wen San chimed in, 'This old woman is truly vicious—feeding her own son feces and urine, yet the child still survived.'"

Their call-and-response ruined Xu Damu's hard-won mood and even sent him off track.

"'Feeding feces, urine, and Jia Dongxu—we thought that once Jia Dongxu married, he could pursue his own happiness, but his own son doesn't care whether she lives or dies, his mother ignores her, let alone outsiders.'"

Shazhu shifted his gaze from Qin Huairu to Xu Damu.

This bastard.

Suddenly, internal conflict erupted.

A few sentences.

On the surface, it seemed to be complaining about Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu's lack of filial piety.

Actually.

It was actually enlightening Yi Zhonghai.

It merely told Yi Zhonghai that Jia Dongxu is unreliable—he doesn't even care for his own mother—so how could he possibly support Yi Zhonghai in his old age as an outsider?

Originally intended to pave the way for adopting a child later.

However, Xu Damu didn't know that Yi Zhonghai is a 'present-eating' type who has no thought or plan for adopting a child; he just wanted to find someone ready-made who could support Yi Zhonghai and his wife in their old age.

One is Jia Dongxu.

One is Shazhu.

Jia Dongxu is unreliable; only Shazhu is dependable.

Are those melodramatic events from my previous life continuing in this life?

Nonsense.

"'Hn.' Shazhu cleared his throat lightly and began praising Jia Dongxu's virtues: 'Xu Damu, you're wrong—Jia Dongxu does care about Jia Zhangshi's life and death; properly, if you give him a father, he'd still have two fathers appear at once—one Jia father, one Wen father—he couldn't keep a straight face.'"

Just one purpose.

Let Yi Zhonghai continue to pin his old-age hopes on Jia Dongxu; as long as Shazhu marries before Qin Huairu becomes a widow, Yi Zhonghai won't be able to do anything to Shazhu.

Among the Thirty-Six Stratagems.

Feign weakness to the enemy.

Xu Daming looked at Shazhu as if he had seen a ghost.

Alright.

Less than a minute.

Shazhu has betrayed.

"Shazhu."

"Shamao."

"Say one less sentence, there's a person lying on the ground—two people, take Jia Zhangshi to the hospital."

Yi Zhonghai rounded up people, sent the old lady to the hospital; that night, taking advantage of everyone being present, he followed Director Wang's instructions and convened this courtyard meeting.

The main topic was the Jia family's farce.

……

8 o'clock.

The courtyard meeting started on time.

This courtyard meeting was somewhat different from previous courtyard meetings of the siheyuan.

The three Jia family members also took seats in the middle, clearly divided like the Chu-Han border—one on the east, two on the west, and the three head stewards seated firmly in the south.

Originally only Jia Dongxu and Jia Zhangshi were to sit, but Shazhu and Xu Daming refused outright, insisting that Qin Huairu also be allowed to join.

The reason given by the two fools.

Qin Huairu is now the Jia family's daughter‑in‑law; for such a major matter as Jia Zhangshi's remarriage, we must hear Qin Huairu's opinion as the daughter‑in‑law.

To pressure Yi Zhonghai and the others into letting Qin Huairu attend this embarrassing meeting, the two fools didn't hesitate to invoke the old slogan that women can hold up half the sky.

As soon as the big hat came out.

Yi Zhonghai instantly felt helpless.

After Jia Dongxu, Qin Huairu, and Jia Zhangshi had taken their seats.

Yi Zhonghai, acting as head steward, scanned the crowd; his gaze swept over each person present, and when it passed over Shazhu and Xu Daming, he lingered a moment.

In an instant.

The hypocrite suspected that Xu Daming and Shazhu might have done this.

Upon further thought.

Secretly writing a remarriage application for Jia Zhangshi on her behalf.

That's somewhat indecent.

Shazhu is an honest kid; he couldn't possibly do such a disgusting thing.

Xu Daming may be a bit bad, but he doesn't seem rotten to the core.

This dispelled the suspicion toward the two fools.

As for this matter, Yi Zhonghai still hasn't figured it out—Jia Zhangshi actually wants to remarry, and she even had someone write this remarriage application.

Director Wang is such a senior leader; he would never joke about this with Jia Zhangshi.

Yi Zhonghai didn't look elsewhere; he firmly believed that since Jia Dongxu had married, Jia Zhangshi thought she could retire with honor, so he considered it for himself and came up with the idea of remarriage.

On one hand, there is now a policy allowing widows to remarry; on the other, he went with the flow, using this matter to pursue his own happiness.

Xu Daming said something in the afternoon.

Yi Zhonghai deeply agreed.

At worst, we split the household—Jia Zhangshi takes her share, Jia Dongxu takes his.

The Jia family split.

But what Yi Zhonghai wanted to see was a beautiful scene.

The hypocrite convened the meeting, harboring the idea of giving a push.

"Following Director Wang's request, we gathered everyone and held a courtyard meeting; the daytime events were seen and heard by all the neighbors; two men came—one named Jia Gui, the other Wen San—both came to propose to Jia Zhangshi; Director Wang said Jia Zhangshi had written this widow remarriage application, but I saw the handwriting was not Jia Zhangshi's."

Jia Zhangshi's heart.

It eased a little.

She is illiterate.

"Xu Daming once said that just because Jia Zhangshi is illiterate doesn't mean she can't write this application; at worst, we could find someone to write it for her."

Liu Haizhong wouldn't let Yi Zhonghai have all the glory.

In this situation.

He also had to show off.

"Jia Zhangshi even accepted the betrothal gifts from Jia Gui—those Giant Blessing pastries—this is a big deal; if it gets out, our courtyard's reputation will suffer greatly; everyone knows the street is selecting outstanding siheyuans this year—if we take their gifts and then refuse the marriage, how will we be judged?"

"Liu Haizhong, what do you mean? Are you saying that just because I, the old woman, ate a box of pastries, I have to remarry?"

"Jia Zhangshi, even if you don't want to remarry, you must return the betrothal gifts to Jia Gui; you accepted the pastries in front of our neighbors, ate them, then denied it—isn't that just being a scoundrel?"

Yan Fugui's suggestion.

It gained the unanimous approval of the siheyuan's neighbors.

Mainly because the Jia family's daytime behavior was too disgusting.

Obviously trying to take advantage of Jia Gui.

Say something unpleasant.

How happy we were when we ate it.

Now we are just as embarrassed.

Translation: "Three managing elders, by rights, this occasion shouldn't be my turn to speak, but I think I must say a few fair words."

We need to keep tone. Could be: "Three managing elders, logically speaking, this occasion shouldn't be my turn to speak, but I believe I must say a few fair words."

We'll produce a concise translation.

Translation: "Shazhu stood up unexpectedly."

Translation: "Whether Jia Zhangshi remarries or not, this matter is now set in stone; the widow remarriage application placed before Director Wang leaves Jia Zhangshi no room for even the slightest regret."

We need to keep all info. Let's translate: "Whether Jia Zhangshi remarries or not, this is already a settled matter; the widow remarriage application that lies before Director Wang allows Jia Zhangshi no possibility of even the slightest regret."

Translation: "In other words."

Translation: "Jia Zhangshi is now like a dog pulling an iron plow, with more disgusting things still to come."

Translation: "Some things, he must do even if he doesn't want to; he cannot avoid remarrying, even if it's just for show, Jia Zhangshi must put on the appearance of remarrying."

Alternatively use "they": "Some things, they must do even if unwilling; they cannot avoid remarrying, even if it's just for show, they must put on the appearance of remarrying." But then we lose the name. The instruction: keep reference neutral (use the name or 'they'). So we can use name or 'they'. Using name is safe. We'll use name.

Thus: "Some things, Jia Zhangshi must do even if unwilling; Jia Zhangshi cannot avoid remarrying, even if it's just for show, Jia Zhangshi must put on the appearance of remarrying."

Translation: "Otherwise, the people Jia Zhangshi offends will not just be these folks in the siheyuan; she will also offend Director Wang of the street."

Translation: "Local officials are inferior to the current managers."

Translation: "Director Wang has many ways to control Jia Zhangshi; the reason he had Yi Zhonghai call a meeting is unclear."

Translation: "Truly, it is to resolve the Jia family's internal conflict."

Translation: "Nonsense."

Translation: "It is to form a collective strength."

Translation: "The minority obeys the majority."

Translation: "If everyone agrees to Jia Zhangshi's remarriage, then this matter has nothing to do with Director Wang."

Translation: "The credit belongs to Director Wang."

Translation: "The blame will fall on these people of the siheyuan, mainly Jia Zhangshi bearing it."

Translation: "When Shazhu took Yushui out for a stroll during the day."

Translation: "He heard everything."

Thus line 138: "He heard everything."

Translation: "Let me put it this way."

Translation: "Among the surrounding streets, Director Wang's street received a voluntary widow remarriage application—what does that mean? Could Director Wang possibly be unaware?"

We need to keep question. So: "Among the surrounding streets, Director Wang's street received a voluntary widow remarriage application—what does that mean? Could Director Wang possibly be unaware?"

Translation: "Not stupid."

Translation: "He will surely make good use of it."

Again pronoun? Subject likely Director Wang. He is male? Not in guide. But we can use he? The guide didn't give gender for Director Wang. Safer to use name or neutral. Use "Director Wang". So: "Director Wang will surely make good use of it."

Translation: "Before entering the siheyuan, Director Wang had already hinted; he intends to make Jia Zhangshi's remarriage a model to showcase his achievements and kick off the widow remarriage campaign."

Translation: "Awesome."

Translation: "He blew it out."

Again pronoun? Likely Director Wang bragging. Use Director Wang. So: "Director Wang blew it out."

Translation: "You say you didn't write the application."

Translation: "Who would believe that?"

Translation: "As long as the application is in Director Wang's hands."

Translation: "This is the fact."

Translation: "Concerning Director Wang's career, he will certainly pay attention; the outcome of his attention will be Jia Zhangshi, the old widow of the siheyuan, remarrying."

Translation: "Now, across the land, widow remarriage is being promoted; if you don't do it, you are turning back history."

Translation: "Even the difficult matter of prostitutes remarrying has been resolved; how could a mere widow remarriage possibly stump everyone?"

Translation: "Therefore, this matter fundamentally has no need for discussion, nor any possibility of it."

Translation: "Director Wang will treat this matter as real; even if Director Wang knows it's false, he must still proceed as if it were true."

Translation: "Dereliction of duty, let's learn about it."

Translation: "\"I believe Jia Zhangshi's widow remarriage application was definitely written with the help of a kind person found by Jia Zhangshi. \""

We need to keep quotes. So: "\"I believe Jia Zhangshi's widow remarriage application was definitely written with the help of a kind person found by Jia Zhangshi. \""

Xu Daming puffed out his chest; he was the so-called good-hearted person Shazhu had mentioned, but he couldn't say it—this matter would have to rot in his belly for a lifetime.

"I'll say something unpleasant: in four or five years, when I start dating and the prospective partner's parents come to inquire, hearing that our Siheyuan has such a rotten reputation, how will I ever marry? Will everyone in our Siheyuan end up as bachelors? Men can't find wives, women can't find husbands' families—San Daye's children, Hou Yuan's second master's children, Xu Daming, me, men and women alike—this is a serious matter."

Yi Zhonghai suddenly sobered up.

His gaze fell on Shazhu's face.

He wanted to see something from Shazhu's facial expression.

Shazhu's earlier speculation that he had missed his chance to marry before Qin Huairu became a widow was spot on—there really was a hypocrite's involvement.

The hypocrite was like a piece of stinking dog shit; it ruined Shazhu's blind date, leaving him still a bachelor at twenty-four or twenty-five.

"I just want to say one thing: remarrying as a widow isn't shameful; who said widows can't remarry? Even prostitutes can remarry, so why can't widows? I want to advise Jia Dongxu: Jia's mother raising you wasn't easy; it's just a stepfather—be understanding. Jia Gui said he married Jia's mother, which means Jia's mother didn't really remarry; she's still called Jia Zhangshi. If she married Wen San, I think that's fine too—Jia Dongxu, Wen Dongxu, it's the same."

Shazhu went to great lengths.

He didn't hesitate to use himself as an example.

"Just like me, the old man followed the widow to Baocheng, and inexplicably I gained a stepmother; I wasn't happy that day, but later I thought, the old man has worked hard all his life and deserves a happy old age—I learned this from San Daye. Jia Dongxu, Qin Huairu, we should be broad-minded; having an extra stepfather is nothing—just grit your teeth, stomp your feet, and get over it. If you really can't call him dad, you can call him uncle; it's impossible that not calling him dad would get you beaten."

Jia Zhangshi's chest.

It was trembling violently.

So angry.

Shazhu kept saying Jia Zhangshi should remarry, and that Jia Dongxu should make people call him stepfather, even ending up calling him Wen Dongxu.

Nobody believes me, old woman.

Xu Daming watched helplessly as Jia Zhangshi trembled with anger all over.

He let out a cold snort in his heart.

Things have come to this point.

He also has to get involved.

He has to get deeply involved.

"Shazhu is right; I think the same. This afternoon, after going out, I heard someone spreading rumors about our Siheyuan, saying everyone living there are beasts, taking others' betrothal gifts, eating them up and refusing to marry, claiming our Siheyuan people deceived others' betrothal gifts. My friends no longer associate with me, saying associating with Siheyuan people lowers their standards. Old Lady Jia remarrying would be very beneficial. I recall earlier, Old Lady Jia said Qin Huairu was pregnant with a boy and had given him the name Bangeng; if that doesn't work out, after Bangeng is born, the following Bangchui could take the Wen surname, or possibly the Jia surname."

Yi Zhonghai's complexion.

Extremely oppressive and stifling.

No names.

No names.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

Hey. Liu Haizhong sighed, turned his head toward Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu and said: "Dong Xu, Huairu, your mother isn't easy; you two should understand her, be considerate of her, don't resent her just because she remarried—look, this is being moved by us neighbors, letting her feel long-lost support."