Chapter 261: Donation Assembly

Jia Dongxu's seven‑day mourning period had just ended, and the Jia family's already gloomy atmosphere grew so heavy you could wring water from it.

The consolation money was obtained, but that is the Jia Zhangshi's pension; she won't use it to supplement household expenses. Jia Zhangshi always feels like ants crawling on her heart. That 350 yuan, plus the monthly 10 yuan subsidy, in her view is far from enough to fill the hole left by her son's departure, let alone guarantee her future "comfortable" retirement. She must increase income! And the quickest source is the courtyard's "fat sheep."

That afternoon, she timed Yi Zhonghai's return home from work and sneaked into the Yi household.

"He is the First Elder," Jia Zhangshi piled on a face of sorrow, tears coming instantly, "Since Dongxu left, our family is as if the sky has collapsed! Huairu is pregnant, Bang Geng is still small, my old bones are useless… We are about to be unable to lift the pot, you must help us!"

Yi Zhonghai's hand holding the tea jar paused, his mind as clear as a mirror. He didn't want to take this; now every household is in difficulty, calling for donations? That would anger the crowd, but he also knows that if he doesn't help the Jia family, according to Jia Zhangshi's temperament the burden will likely be shifted onto him, the "master" and "dry grandpa."

For his own purse, he can only let the whole courtyard share this risk. Everyone sees the Jia family's orphaned widowed mother as "pitiful," and some blood will be shed.

"Old sister‑in‑law, I know your difficulty," Yi Zhonghai put down the tea jar, looking uneasy, "But now everyone's days are tight; directly calling for donations, I'm afraid…"

"How can we not donate?" Jia Zhangshi raised her voice, "Our Jia family is so miserable, shouldn't they support us? You're not only the First Elder of the courtyard, you're also an eighth‑grade pliers worker at the Steel Rolling Mill, respected and esteemed; when you speak, who dares not listen?" She rolled her eyes, "Besides, it's not a free request, it's a loan! We'll repay when Huairu starts working!" (She doesn't even believe herself.)

Yi Zhonghai pondered a moment; he knew he couldn't just nod, he also had to get the other two elders. "This matter… needs to be discussed with the Second Elder and the Third Elder. The Second Elder cares about face; if we say it's about caring for the courtyard's needy households and showing collective warmth, let him host the meeting, he'll gladly. As for the Third Elder…" He paused, a faint, barely perceptible sneer at the corner of his mouth, "Just give him a sweetener, a yuan or two, enough to shut his mouth."

Jia Zhangshi understood immediately, quickly nodded: "I get it, I get it! Then I'll go back first, wait for your news!"

After seeing Jia Zhangshi off, Yi Zhonghai rubbed his temples, then went separately to find Liu Haizhong and Yan Bu Gui.

As expected, Liu Haizhong, upon hearing that the meeting would be themed "caring for the courtyard's needy households, promoting collective spirit" and that he, the "Second Elder," would preside, instantly felt his face light up, puffed out his belly and accepted, as if he already saw himself commanding the courtyard assembly with grandeur.

As for Yan Bu Gui, after Yi Zhonghai subtly indicated "won't let the Third Elder work for nothing," a spark flashed in his small eyes, he adjusted his glasses and feigned sigh, "The Jia family really isn't easy; as the courtyard's senior official, helping needy neighbors is our duty! I'll take this job!" Inside he already calculated how many jin of wheat flour those one or two yuan could buy, and also wanted Yi Zhonghai to first pay a yuan as a deposit!

In the evening, Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, the two brothers, were sent out by their father, going door to door to notify: "After dinner, meeting in the Central Courtyard! At least one head of each household must attend! Second Elder presides, important matters to announce!"

This display made the courtyard residents murmur.

In the West Courtyard, Lin Xueqing was feeding rice porridge to Li Yaozong while asking puzzled, "Ping'an, why this sudden meeting?"

Li Ping'an wiped his son's mouth and said lightly, "What else? It's just the Jia family's business. From now on, this courtyard will probably be even more 'lively.'"

Lin Xueqing was even more confused: "Donating to needy households requires street office approval, and the street office staff must be present, right? Are they following the rules?"

Li Ping'an smirked, "Rules? Most people here don't understand those. Those three elders think about how to grab all the courtyard's affairs in their hands, establish authority; many policies they would rather keep hidden."

"Then… should we donate?" Lin Xueqing hesitated, after all they're neighbors, it would look bad not to.

Li Ping'an shook his head, firmly, "No. The Jia family doesn't lack money. The Steel Rolling Mill lost 350 yuan, plus a monthly 10 yuan subsidy, Qin Huairu's household registration is also settled, she'll be a formal employee. They're just trying to leech off the whole courtyard, making everyone support their whole family. Who wants to be the sucker?"

In the Central Courtyard, dusk fell, families arrived with small stools one after another, murmuring, most faces showing impatience and speculation. Soon, the three elders "arrived fashionably late," taking seats beside the Eight Immortals Table with some swagger. Liu Haizhong even brought his "advanced personal" enamel cup from the Steel Factory, and Yan Bu Gui carried an old, slightly chipped cup issued by the school.

Liu Haizhong cleared his throat, began his "important speech." He puffed his belly, waved his arms, from "the country's current temporary difficulties" to "we must muster vigor, strive upward, surpass Britain and America," then to "promote the revolutionary spirit of not fearing hardship or fatigue"… his vocabulary poor, logic chaotic, just repeating slogans, speaking for almost half an hour without getting to the point.

The people below had already been drifting into drowsiness, stomachs empty, hearts more irritated.

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

"Just… listening on an empty stomach…"

"Hurry up, the kids at home are waiting!"

Yi Zhonghai saw the moment was right, subtly kicked Liu Haizhong, then stood, placed both hands in a hollow gesture, face bearing solemnity and "fairness": "Neighbors, quiet down. Old Liu is right, difficulties are temporary, spirit must not collapse! However, in our courtyard, there is a household now facing a massive trouble!"

He scanned the room, his tone grew unbearably heavy: "Everyone knows the Jia family's situation. Dongxu left, leaving Huairu pregnant with a stillborn child, with Bang Geng and Xiao Dang, plus the old sister‑in‑law, a whole family of orphans and widows, no pillar, no income! They're about to die! Our Siheyuan has always been a civilized courtyard, emphasizing mutual aid; when one is in trouble, eight sides support! We can't just watch neighbors starve, can we? I hope everyone can embody this style, lend a hand, those with money give money, those with grain give grain, help the Jia family get through this crisis! I, here, on behalf of the Jia family's elders and children, thank you all!"

He spoke with feeling, as if the Jia family were already on the brink of ruin, each word climbing the moral high ground, making it hard to refute directly.

The crowd immediately whispered, some showing sympathy, some frowning, some silently sneering.

Xu Damao had already slipped to sit beside Li Ping'an; he was worldly, saw Li Ping'an's calm expression, seemed to have another plan, and whispered low, "Chief Li, you think… how much do you intend to donate?" He wanted to follow Li Ping'an's wind, to avoid offending anyone, maybe even draw closer.

Li Ping'an sneered inwardly, knowing he couldn't openly oppose, otherwise Yi Zhonghai's "no compassion," "indifferent to neighbors' lives" label would be slapped on him instantly. He needed a "gun." And this man was just right.

He turned his head, in a voice only the two could hear, casually said to Xu Damao, "Damao, do you think the Jia family really needs our donation? I heard the Steel Rolling Mill actually lost them 350 yuan in consolation money, plus a monthly 10 yuan subsidy until Qin Huairu gives birth. Moreover, the factory also turned Qin Huairu and the children's household registration into urban status, the grain quota is settled. This is clearly a modest‑wealth family, yet they make us who are tightening our belts help them; is that… robbing the poor to enrich the rich?"

Xu Damao's eyes lit up! Like a revelation!

"Exactly! How could I not see that layer! The Jia family has money! And a lot of it! Let them ask for donations, we'd become the suckers! Li Ping'an's words gave him a perfect excuse to gain a good reputation without donating!"

He instantly felt his backbone stiffen, his gaze at Yi Zhonghai and Jia Zhangshi now carried some scrutiny and displeasure. This Yi Zhonghai, looking all righteous, was actually digging a pit for everyone to jump into!

Xu Damao cleared his throat, ready to fire the first shot against donations under Li Ping'an's "hint." And Li Ping'an, meanwhile, sat there leisurely, as if he had just chatted casually with Xu Damao.

The direction of this donation assembly, because of Li Ping'an's light words, quietly reversed. A current began to clash fiercely on the small open space of the Central Courtyard.