The clearing of the Qing River and the reinforcement of the dam kept everyone busy until the work was completed in March of the following year.
Knowing it was over, Ye Yunniang let out a huge sigh of relief.
Bao Min's project of repairing the river embankment not only required wages for the laborers but also funds for materials, demanding a vast sum of money.
The prefectural office couldn't cover the costs, so Bao Min first set his sights on the wealthy families and major landowners of Jiangcheng.
After three rounds of fundraising, any further pressure would have sparked rebellion.
Bao Min then turned his attention to Ye Yunniang.
Based on Bao Min's understanding of Jiang Mingzhe, he was certain the man would never let his woman and son live in hardship.
Ye Yunniang's daily life seemed to confirm this.
Faced with Bao Min's request to borrow silver, Ye Yunniang flatly refused.
"Madam Ye, I can write an IOU."
"Does my mother know you're asking me for silver?"
Bao Min wouldn't dare let Cai Damei know.
Ye Yunniang understood; he was approaching her behind Cai Damei's back.
"Master Bao, I know nothing of his treasure. Ask someone else." The treasure in the small courtyard belonged to Jiang Mingzhe; she had no right to decide for him.
"Madam Ye, this is a great deed for the country and the people. I will petition the imperial court to show leniency towards Jiang Mingzhe. Don't you wish for him to be reunited with his son?"
"Master Bao, you should go find Jiang Mingzhe."
"Madam Ye, if the drought crisis in Jiangcheng isn't resolved with silver, it will be difficult for you and the children to maintain this stable life." Bao Min paused, then added, "Madam Ye, for the sake of your children, please consider this carefully."
Ye Yunniang understood what Bao Min was saying. But it was Jiang Mingzhe's treasure; she couldn't make the decision.
Bao Min rose to leave, worrying about where to find the silver.
"Master Bao." Ye Yunniang held out two rolls of silver notes. "This is all I have."
"Madam Ye, on behalf of the people of Jiangcheng, I thank you." Bao Min bowed solemnly.
"No need. I'm only doing this for Shushu and Mother's sake." Having said that, Ye Yunniang closed her door.
The twenty thousand taels in silver notes lasted less than half a month. When Bao Min came to see Ye Yunniang again, he was stopped by Li Pan and the other two.
"Master Bao, need money?"
"Do you kids have money?"
"I don't. But I know where there is some."
"Where?"
Li An didn't answer directly but looked at Bao Min. "Master Bao, my information doesn't come free."
"What do you want?" Bao Min reined in his urgency.
Li An held up one finger.
"You want one-tenth?"
"No, I want half. Fifty percent."
"That's too greedy." Bao Min disagreed.
"As a descendant of the Jiang family, taking half of the Jiang family's things isn't excessive." Li An felt even half was too little.
"If you take it, the three of you won't be able to hold onto it anyway."
"Whether we can hold onto it or not is our business." Li An wouldn't let go of what was rightfully his.
"First tell me, how much treasure is there?"
"We agree on the split first, then I'll give you the specific information."
"You little rascal, you're just like your second uncle, never at a disadvantage."
"Thank you for the compliment, Master Bao." Li An considered being compared to Jiang Mingzhe a compliment.
"Fifteen percent."
"Fifty percent."
"Twenty percent."
"Fifty percent."
"Twenty-five percent."
"Deal."
Li Pan, standing nearby, handed over a piece of paper and a writing brush.
Bao Min took it. The paper clearly stated it was a treasure-sharing agreement, already written out with the twenty-five percent split and a signature line. He had been outsmarted by these three little brats.
"Master Bao, please sign."
Bao Min took the brush and signed his name.
Li An took it back, confirmed the signature, nodded in satisfaction, and handed it to Li Pan for safekeeping.
"Originally, we didn't plan to take any. But you shouldn't have set your sights on Mother? And even taken the pocket money our foster father gave her."
After Ye Yunniang gave the silver notes to Bao Min, she had privately explained it to the three of them. She also clarified that she still had over ten thousand taels left, enough to get by, which was why she gave it. This matter had angered the three children, especially since Bao Min had used them as a reason to persuade Ye Yunniang.
Bao Min suddenly had the feeling of having shot himself in the foot. Anything related to Jiang Mingzhe was indeed trouble.
"Now can you say where the treasure is?"
"Old Man Jiang."
Upon hearing this, Bao Min wished he could punch himself. How could he have forgotten Old Man Jiang?
"Where's the location?"
"Don't know. I'll tell you tomorrow."
Li An, who had answered 'don't know,' looked at Li Ping.
"You're sure?"
"Sure. We'll dig for the treasure tomorrow." Li Ping stated with absolute certainty.
"Fine, I'll come pick you up tomorrow." Having agreed on a time, Bao Min left.
"Little brother, how did you know?" Li Pan couldn't contain her curiosity.
"Yeah, who told you?" Li An was also full of confusion.
"You two told me."
"When did we say anything?" Li Pan was puzzled. Li An also tried to recall when he had known.
"When Mother punished you two by not letting you have dinner." At Li Ping's reminder, the two remembered.
"Will Mother tell us?" Last time they asked, Ye Yunniang hadn't said.
"If all three of us ask together, Mother will tell." Li Ping, brimming with confidence, walked towards the front courtyard and arrived at the side room.
"Mother, are you in the room?"
"I'm here, come in." Ye Yunniang was sewing shoe soles. "Why are you closing the door?"
"Mother, I have something to ask you." Li Ping sat on the stool by Ye Yunniang's feet.
"What is it?" Why so serious?
"Mother, put down your work first and listen." Li Ping took Ye Yunniang's hand.
Li Pan and Li An also brought stools and sat beside her.
Ye Yunniang put down her work and sat up straight.
"Go on, what's the matter?"
"Foster father—"
"He is your father."
"Father and foster father are the same." Li Ping didn't care. Biological or not, they'd still have to spend money to support him.
"Mother, let's not discuss foster father or biological father. I want to know where Old Man Jiang's third treasure stash is." Li Pan was impatient.
Ye Yunniang's expression froze as she sized up the three of them. "Why are you asking this?"
"Curiosity," Li An answered.
"We want to know what's inside?" Li Pan really wanted to see what the treasure looked like.
"Really?" Ye Yunniang clearly didn't believe them.
"Really." Li Pan nodded vigorously.
Li Ping and Li An both facepalmed. That sounded utterly fake.
"Tell the truth. Why do you want to know about the treasure?" Thinking of the matter with Bao Min, she asked, "Did Master Bao bribe you to ask?"
"No / Yes." The three answered differently.
"Is it yes or no?"
"Yes / No."
"Pan'er, you tell." Ye Yunniang blocked Li An and Li Ping, letting Li Pan speak.
Li Pan didn't dare hide it from Ye Yunniang and recounted the whole story from beginning to end.
"You three are truly bold." Ye Yunniang hadn't expected them to dare negotiate with Bao Min and demand a share.
"Whose idea was it?" Ye Yunniang looked at Li An and Li Ping.
"My idea," Li An admitted proactively.
"Not second brother, it was me," Li Ping spoke up immediately. "It was my thought."
"No, it was my idea. I was the one who wanted the money."
