The Village Chief continued:
"This meeting is to discuss three matters with everyone. The first is about the two brothers you brought back, A Shui and A Jing."
"Da Zhuangs Mother's opinion is that these two brothers performed a great service this time and their character is fine. Since they are now alone with no one to depend on, she intends to let them stay in the camp."
"Once the disaster has passed, they will register their residency in Tianjia Village and become members of the village. Does anyone have any objections?"
Everyone spoke up one after another:
"It really was thanks to A Shui this time; otherwise, the plan wouldn't have been so successful. I agree to let them stay."
"Yes, A Shui is a filial child, willing to risk danger just to collect his mother's remains. A Jing is also obedient. I agree as well."
"I have no objection."
...
Hearing no voices of opposition, the Village Chief nodded with relief. "Very well. Since no one objects, from now on, everyone should treat the two brothers, A Shui and A Jing, as family. We also need to help them set up a place to live."
A Shui pulled A Jing to the front of everyone, kneeling on both knees to kowtow to the Village Chief, and intended to kowtow to the other villagers as well.
"Thank you all for being willing to take me and my brother in. Thank you, uncles, grandpas, Aunt..."
Tian Yougen hurriedly stepped forward to help the two brothers up.
"Get up, get up. There are quite a few vacant Shacks in the camp. You two brothers pick one to live in for now. Once the wooden houses are all built, we'll assign a room to you both."
A Shui hurriedly said:
"Uncle, a Shack is enough. We're used to living like this."
The old Village Chief smiled:
"Alright, those trivial matters can be arranged later. Now let's talk about the second matter. I believe many of you already know that quite a few people have come into the mountains. The Patrol Team has encountered three or four groups over the past few days, including relatives of some of your families. They know our lives aren't bad and want to come here seeking refuge."
"However, my stance on this is that we cannot agree. Because if your family has relatives, then my family has relatives too. Everyone has In-laws or maternal families, right? If we let one in, more will follow, and eventually, countless people will come. So, what are your thoughts?"
The scene fell into a moment of silence, but soon someone responded:
"The ones encountered were my relatives, my second elder sister. Their lives are hard. I know life in the camp is also hard, but... but that's my biological sister. If I hadn't known, it would be one thing, but now that I do, I..."
With someone starting, others followed:
"Then my daughter is married in the neighboring village. If I encounter her next time, I could also bring her here to stay."
"If we can even accept A Shui, A Jing, and Hei Zi, who have no relatives or ties to us, are we really supposed to just watch our blood relatives die without helping? I... I can't do it."
Seeing that everyone seemed to disagree with his decision, a look of difficulty appeared on the old Village Chief's face.
He was the Village Chief and thought further ahead, but the villagers were simple and kind-hearted. He couldn't say they were wrong, but once they started accepting people, the... consequences would be endless...
Qin Sang knew it was time for her to step in; otherwise, the meeting would not be able to proceed.
"No one said we won't help. Everyone can help, but we cannot let other relatives live in the camp with us."
"The camp is only this big. Once there are too many people, friction is inevitable. How will the prey be divided then? How will the water be divided? Should we treat everyone equally?"
"When disputes and conflicts arise, you'll be the ones in a difficult position in the end."
"As for why we could accept A Shui and Hei Zi, it's because they intend to join our Tianjia Village and stand by us through thick and thin."
"But everyone's relatives might not feel the same. They just want to get through the current crisis. Once it's over, they will still return to their own homes."
Only Qin Sang's voice remained in the scene. Someone said:
"Doesn't that still mean we can't help?"
Qin Sang sneered:
"How you help is your own business. If you use your own rice, grain, and water to help others, no one will say anything, and even the Village Chief won't have any objections. But if they are accepted into the camp, it harms the interests of the entire village. I think most people wouldn't agree to that."
Everyone nodded in agreement:
"Da Zhuangs Mother is right. If you want to help, use your own family's food. Water in the camp is scarce as it is; would you be happy if too many people came and we all died of thirst together?"
Seeing that everyone now leaned toward not accepting relatives into the camp, Qin Sang added:
"Of course, you can also tell your relatives that they can dig for Medicinal Herbs. I will set a location outside the camp to collect the herbs at scheduled times. This way, we're giving people from other villages a way to survive. What do you all think?"
Everyone was delighted, especially the family that had encountered their sister earlier:
"Really?"
Without even waiting for Qin Sang to nod, others laughed:
"It's definitely true. When has Da Zhuangs Mother ever lied to anyone?"
"Right, right, right."
Seeing that everyone had reached a consensus on this matter, the Village Chief stroked his beard with satisfaction and cleared his throat to settle the room.
"Now, let's discuss the third matter, which is the money and grain everyone seized this time."
"Last night, in the presence of witnesses from several families, the money and grain have been clearly tallied."
"Among the items seized this time are 2,350 catties of Millet and 1,130 catties of wheat."
"27,863 copper coins."
"17 silver hairpins."
"6 silver bracelets."
"3 Longevity Locks."
"280 taels of Silver Ingots."
"48 cotton quilts."
"79 cotton clothes."
"Other..."
As the villagers listened to the Village Chief list the items in detail, the joy on their faces was beyond words.
"In addition, there are three oxen and one horse. These are all the items. Now, everyone, tell me how we should divide so many things."
Old Sixth Tian said directly:
"How else can we divide it? Divide it equally."
"Yes, every family sent someone, so an equal division should be fine, right?"
"I also agree with an equal division. Divide it by the number of people who went; those who didn't go don't get a share."
Everyone's opinion was unanimous. They had already calculated in their heads how much money their families would get and were feeling quite happy when Qin Sang suddenly stood up and said:
"I don't agree with an equal division."
Everyone looked at her in surprise:
"Da Zhuangs Mother, if we don't divide these things equally, how else can we do it?"
"Should we keep it all in the village? What if it gets lost?"
"Da Zhuangs Mother, are you afraid that because three people from your family went and only one from ours went, your family would get less if we divided it by household?"
Qin Sang looked at everyone calmly:
"Do you know who you look like right now?"
Everyone looked at each other, very puzzled.
Qin Sang said:
"Like bandits."
Everyone was startled, and their expressions changed slightly. Qin Sang's words were too harsh.
Qin Sang, however, didn't care:
"Don't forget, these things are stained with blood. They were looted by those Rebel Soldiers through robbery. Although our goal wasn't to rob, if we divide the treasures we got equally, I think it's no different from being bandits."
"I don't want everyone to become that kind of person."
Money most easily breeds greed.
Qin Sang didn't want everyone to develop the illusion that they could get rich just by looting.
Although once or twice they might still feel it's a reward for justice, what about later?
Having gained so much this time, if they face difficulties in the future, will they think about robbing others?
After all, in this world, robbery is the fastest way to get money.
Everyone was hit hard by Qin Sang's words.
Recalling their excitement and how they couldn't sleep all night after knowing they could share in this wealth, they felt that Da Zhuangs Mother wasn't wrong:
"Then, Da Zhuangs Mother, what do you think should be done with this money and wealth?"