On the thirtieth day of the twelfth month, it was time for the reunion dinner.
The kitchen had begun preparing for the New Year’s Eve feast early in the morning, and the work would last until nightfall.
Gu Jiu followed closely at Zhang shi’s side, helping her manage household affairs.
The Gu fu had more than two hundred servants. Beyond that, there were also people working in the family’s shops and estates, numbering in the hundreds.
The servants, after a year of hard work, all looked forward to celebrating with a bountiful New Year.
Zhang shi instructed the young ladies, “This year’s harvest for the household was about the same as last year. But considering that the second branch has just returned from the northwest, the rewards for household servants must be ten percent higher than last year.
“The shops had good profits this year, so their rewards will be increased by twenty percent. As for the estates, though yields were lower this year, the rewards must not be reduced. They are to remain the same as last year.”
Gu Zhen quickly asked, “Why should the estates’ rewards remain the same when they had reduced harvests? Please enlighten me, da bomu – I don’t quite understand.”
Zhang shi smiled and glanced at Gu Jiu. “Xiao Jiu, why don’t you explain?”
Gu Jiu bowed slightly. “I will try to answer. If I am wrong, may da bomu correct me.”
“No matter – go ahead and speak.”
Gu Jiu thought for a moment, then said: “From what I know, our Gu fu owns twelve estates in total. The closest is still two hours from the capital, while the farthest lies a thousand li away in the riverlands.
“Whether near or far, they all share the same problem – we cannot personally manage them. We must rely on the estate stewards and managers to act diligently and think on behalf of the household.
“To make them work faithfully, words alone are not enough. They must see tangible benefits. If we cut their year-end bonuses just because of a slight decline in output this year, then next year or the year after, yields may fall even more.
“In the end, it’s about spending a bit of silver to secure people’s loyalty. If hearts remain loyal, the estates will keep producing, and every year they’ll still contribute to the household.
And in times of famine, the estates’ importance is even greater. With them, even in three years of poor harvests, the household need not worry about going hungry.”
Zhang shi nodded repeatedly. “Xiao Jiu speaks rightly. When you girls one day manage households yourselves, remember – when rewarding the servants at year’s end, don’t be overly generous, but don’t be too stingy either, lest it chill their hearts. As long as no grave mistakes have been made, follow established practice.”
Gu Zhen put on a look of understanding. “Thank you for your teaching, da bomu. Your niece understands now.”
Zhang shi smiled. “Good. The rewards for the shops and estates were already distributed days ago. Today, only the fu servants will receive theirs. Stay by me, watch carefully, and learn.”
“Yes!”
Because of the New Year’s work, the servants came in batches to the assembly hall to receive their rewards.
Zhang shi personally handed each sealed reward packet to them, never weary of offering words of encouragement, hoping they would work diligently in the coming year.
The servants all bowed and accepted them. Each left with smiles on their faces.
Of course, a few who found their reward less than expected showed faint dissatisfaction.
Zhang shi would comfort them with a few words, urging them to work harder next year to earn more.
Seeing this, Gu Yue muttered under her breath, “Having to meet every servant face-to-face – such a waste of time. When Mother was managing things in the northwest, she always had the pozi distribute the rewards. Quick and efficient. Da bomu’s way seems useless, just a waste of time.”
Gu Shan whispered, “Da bomu must have her reasons. I think it’s fine – though a bit time-consuming.”
Gu Yue turned to Gu Jiu. “Er jiejie, da bomu always praises you, saying you’re sensible and well-mannered as well as clever. Then you tell me – is her way good or not?”
Gu Jiu gave a soft laugh. “In terms of numbers, the fu has about two hundred servants. That sounds like a lot, but compared to the hou fu, it’s not much.
“With so few, spending time to meet each one is perfectly feasible – so long as time permits. If time were tight, she could always gather them all and give a collective address instead.
“In my view, as long as the method works and is effective, then use it. There’s no need to cling to one single form.”
Gu Zhen nodded, agreeing. “Er meimei is right. All the important tasks are already done. Only rewarding the servants and the New Year’s Eve feast remain. Spending some time talking to the servants does no harm.”
Seeing everyone disagree with her, Gu Yue pouted and looked disdainful.
Once the rewards were finished, Zhang shi sent them all back to rest, to gather again for the evening feast.
Gu Jiu returned to Zhilan Yuan with her maids.
She laughed and asked, “So, how much did each of you receive? Let me see for myself.”
Qing Zhu said, “Guniang, don’t tease nubi. What we received could hardly impress you.”
Gu Jiu laughed. “Tell me anyway. I just want to understand the customs here in the capital.”
Qing Mei smiled. “Since you wish to know, nubi will tell you. Qing Zhu and nubi each received one tael and five mace of silver. Xiao Cui and Wang Yi received one tael each. The junior maids received anywhere from two hundred to eight hundred copper coins.”
Gu Jiu nodded, gaining a general sense of the year-end rewards.
Then she said, “This year, I’ve also prepared New Year’s red envelopes for you.”
The maids all froze.
Qing Mei spoke first, “Guniang, you must be joking. We’ve already received rewards from da taitai – how could we accept more from you? Besides, money is tight for you, and there are many expenses. You shouldn’t trouble yourself.”
“Yes, guniang, your purse isn’t full. You needn’t give us any extra.”
They all shared the same thought – Gu Jiu was still poor. She shouldn’t try to act generous beyond her means. Saving money was the proper course.
Gu Jiu smiled. “You all really underestimate me. True, I may be short on silver these days, but I’m not so poor that I can’t even hand out New Year’s rewards. It’s just that expenses have been heavy this year. Whatever money I managed to earn was quickly spent. But wait until next year – I promise each of you will get a big red packet, enough to let you make a little fortune.”
“Does guniang really mean to reward the maids?”
Gu Jiu nodded. She had already prepared the red packets – four in total, each wrapped in red paper.
Qing Mei, Qing Zhu, and Xiao Cui all received the same amount: two taels each. Wang Yi, being new, received one tael.
“Take them quickly,” Gu Jiu said. “And don’t complain about the amount.”
“How could nubi dare complain? Guniang, this is far too generous,” Qing Mei said, her eyes growing moist with emotion.
Xiao Cui broke into tears outright. “All the vile, lowly things nubi has done in the past… nubi never thought nubi would still be given a reward by guniang – and two whole taels at that. Guniang, you’ve given nubi too much, nubi can’t accept it.”
As she spoke, Xiao Cui tried to hand the packet back.
Gu Jiu stopped her hand. “Not allowed. What I give out, I do not take back. This is what you deserve – you should accept it with peace of mind.”
Qing Mei wiped the corners of her eyes. “This is guniang’s goodwill. We should all accept it. Come, let’s kowtow together to wish her a prosperous New Year, with all things as she wishes.”
The four maids knelt and kowtowed to Gu Jiu.
She pulled them up. “No need for that, all of you get up.”
When they stood, Qing Zhu said warmly, “Guniang, from now on nubi will cook you lots and lots of delicious food, and sew you plenty of pretty clothes.”
Xiao Cui added, “Whatever news guniang wants to find out, leave it to nubi. Nubi truly lives up to the reputation of being a gossip-monger.”
Everyone laughed.
On the last day of the year, all were happy.
By dinnertime, the first and second branches of the family gathered in the Flower Hall. Even the concubines came out. And of course, Gu laoyezi was present.
Outside, in the dead of winter, snow had begun to fall. Unexpected – this year’s snow in the capital had come so late.
Gu laoyezi didn’t mind the cold. He came in wearing only a thin robe.
“Wine! Quickly, bring me wine!” he shouted as soon as he entered.
Gu Zhiming frowned. “Father, it’s New Year’s. At least put on the bearing of an elder and set an example for the younger generation.”
Gu laoyezi blew out his beard and glared. “And what I do still needs your say? Ungrateful son, idiot! Get out of my sight, far away! Just the sight of you two brothers fills me with rage. Giving birth to you was the most unlucky thing I’ve ever done!”
Both Gu Zhiming and Gu daren looked thoroughly disheartened.
Gu daren’s face darkened. He had not forgotten how, just a few days ago, he was beaten and thrown out.
It was New Year’s Eve – he had no desire to lose his temper today. With a sigh, he simply sat farther away, preferring not to look, so as not to be angered.
Quietly, Gu Jiu whispered to a maid, “Bring two jars of wine for laoyezi.” Then she slipped a purse into the girl’s hand.
With such a benefit, the maid hurried off to fetch the wine.
Gu laoyezi clamoured for a drink, but no one paid him heed. In anger, he smashed the table. “You unfilial brats! I know you’re all just waiting for me to die, so you can take over!”
Gu Zhiming frowned. “Father, it’s New Year’s. Please don’t make a scene. Look – the children are frightened.”
The children of the first branch were not frightened at all. They were long used to this. But those of the second branch were still nervous – they hadn’t yet grown accustomed to such outbursts.
Gu laoyezi grabbed a wine cup and hurled it at Gu Zhiming’s head.
The eldest master dodged in alarm.
Laoyezi rushed at him. “I’ll beat you to death, you unfilial son!”
Zhang shi, the eldest wife, could no longer sit still watching her husband being attacked. She leapt up to protect him.
Just then, Gu Jiu raised her voice, “The wine is here – please drink, Grandfather!”
At the mention of wine, laoyezi immediately stayed his hand and burst into a laugh.
He deliberately glanced at Gu Jiu. “Only er yatou knows what filial piety is.”
With wine in hand, he finally quieted down.
Gu Zhiming rubbed his head and hissed with pain. Who would have thought that at such an old age, the old man could still hit so hard?
Gu daren asked with concern, “Da ge, are you all right?”
Gu Zhiming waved him off. “Don’t worry about me, er di. I’m fine. It’s late – let’s all sit down. Hurry and serve the dishes.”
The dishes and wine were brought to the table, and Gu daren drank together with his elder brother, Gu Zhiming.
Both brothers felt a shared sense of sorrow. With such an unreliable father, they could only fend for themselves and hope for the best.
Zhang shi quietly asked Gu Jiu, “Xiao Jiu, was it you who had the maid bring wine to laoyezi?”
Gu Jiu did not deny it and calmly replied, “Laoyezi is addicted to wine. If he doesn’t drink for even a day, he feels unbearable discomfort. And today is New Year’s Day – I thought I might as well let him drink to his heart’s content. If he feels satisfied, he won’t cause trouble for everyone else.”
Through observation, Gu Jiu had already confirmed that laoyezi suffered from a serious case of alcohol dependence.
Fortunately, the wine he drank was not strong – nothing like the fifty- or sixty-degree baijiu of later generations. The wine he drank was only around ten to twenty degrees at most.
It was probably because the alcohol content was low that laoyezi still had the energy to make trouble after drinking.
Zhang shi said, “When laoyezi drinks, he goes mad with drunkenness. In the future, do your best to stop him from drinking – you mustn’t indulge him.”
Gu Jiu nodded. “I’ll listen to you, da bomu. Today was my own decision. Please punish me if you see fit.”
Zhang shi said, “There’s no need to punish you – you meant well. Just don’t do this again in the future.”
As everyone ate and drank, the atmosphere gradually grew lively.
The two branches of the family toasted each other, and the younger generation toasted their elders. The lively clamour lasted for quite some time.
After the New Year’s Eve dinner, the table was cleared away, and everyone stayed up together to keep vigil for the night.
The adults gathered to talk, while the young men and women found their own amusements.
Gu Zhiming sighed, “This year is rare indeed – laoyezi only caused one commotion. In past years, he would start at dusk and go on until midnight.”
Zhang shi agreed, “This year really is rare.”
After finishing the New Year’s Eve meal, laoyezi had dragged several concubines back to his rooms to indulge himself.
At that moment, everyone had looked visibly relieved.
If only, from now on, laoyezi behaved as he had today – then truly they could thank heaven and earth.
But Gu daren frowned, still unsettled.
“If laoyezi keeps carrying on like this, when will it ever end? Da ge, dasao, is there really nothing you can do?”
Gu Zhiming said, “Er di, ever since you returned, laoyezi has already been calmer. Ask the servants – before your family returned to the capital, laoyezi used to throw a tantrum every three days, and a major uproar every five.
“The entire fu would be in chaos. Honestly, your dasao and I don’t even know how we endured those years.”
Zhang shi glared at him. “There’s no need to talk about the past. Laoyezi is getting on in years. He spends his days drinking or entangled with his concubines. His body will be worn out sooner or later. By then, even if he wants to make a scene, he won’t have the strength.”
Gu Zhiming nodded. “It may sound unfilial, but I actually hope laoyezi hurries into old age and stops his nonsense.”
Such unfilial words slipped out because the elder master had clearly drunk too much.
Zhang shi quickly pressed a bowl of hangover soup into his hands, scolding, “You’ve only had a few taels of weak wine and you’re already spouting nonsense. That’s your father, your elder.”
There are some things one can say but not act upon. And some things one can do but must never say aloud.
When it comes to filial piety, how could the elder master speak so carelessly in front of others, giving them grounds for criticism?
Xie shi’s eyes darted back and forth – her thoughts had already drifted far away.
If laoyezi’s body was being worn out, didn’t that mean he might not last much longer?
Once he passed away, the elder and younger branches of the family would surely split households – they could not continue living together.
This estate would, most likely, be inherited by the elder branch.
Or perhaps they might follow the hou fu’s example and divide the estate into two, building a wall down the middle of the courtyard.
Of course, Xie shi wanted to keep living here. Gu fu was on a prime piece of land in the capital – money alone could never buy such a location.
But if the house were split in two, the space would become far too cramped, and Xie shi was unwilling.
She considered that while laoyezi was still alive and the family had not yet split, she ought to quickly use communal funds to purchase another residence outside – ideally somewhere not far from the hou fu.
Then, when the division came, the second branch could move directly into it.
Furthermore, after the New Year, she had to join Zhang shi in managing household accounts. Otherwise, if Zhang shi siphoned off communal funds, then at the time of division, the second branch would be left with nothing.
Xie shi’s little abacus clicked away in her mind. She was already plotting which estates, shops, and servants she would demand at the split.
And in the storerooms, the valuable items – calligraphy, paintings, precious objects – she would have to select carefully.
The elder branch had enjoyed privileges for so many years – at the division, she could not let them continue to take advantage.
No matter what, the second branch had to secure a larger share of wealth.
After all, the second branch had many children. Whether marrying them off or bringing in brides, it would all cost a great deal of money.
Just thinking of the dowries and betrothal gifts made Xie shi’s heart ache.
She gritted her teeth and made up her mind: she must settle all of her children’s marriages before laoyezi passed away.
Those who ought to be married off must be married off quickly, and those who ought to be wed must be brought into the family without delay.
As long as the family remained undivided, the communal funds would have to cover part of the dowries and betrothal gifts. This way, the pressure on the second branch would be much lighter.
Xie shi praised herself for her cleverness – she truly had accounted for everything.
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