The village chief's authority was immense. When he spoke, others dared not say more.
However, Old Man Jiang was not swayed by the village chief, as his status made him unchallengeable.
"Village chief, you've arrived at a good time. Be my witness. Jiang Pan previously said he wanted to sever ties with me, and today I've agreed to it. As long as he gives me a carriage, I'll cut all ties with him."
The village chief felt a headache coming on. "Old Man Jiang, are you out of your mind? Why are you causing trouble for no reason? Have you no shame?"
Old Man Jiang gritted his teeth. "My life is almost over, what use is shame! Village chief, I'm old and have no expectations. Is it too much to ask for a carriage? My third son has only half his life left, and his children are still young. I'm willing to cast aside my pride just to get a carriage for them so they suffer less! Even if people curse me behind my back later, I don't care!"
Hearing this, the village chief didn't know how to persuade him.
In the eyes of ordinary people, Old Man Jiang's words held weight.
The village chief even considered persuading Jiang Pan to give up a carriage, but he knew he couldn't say such a thing, so he helplessly waved his hand and stepped aside.
Seeing the village chief remain silent, the villagers began to "advise" again.
Jiang Pan, holding Jiang Wan, said to the others in his family, "Remember all these people who talk without consequence."
Those people were stunned. Remember them for what?
Jiang Pan quickly enlightened them. "From now on, these people are enemies of our family. In the future, if anyone in their family has any trouble, our family will stand by and watch."
"Dad, do you think they'll understand if you say 'stand by and watch'? Isn't it better to say 'watch them die and not help'!"
Jiang Wan's clear voice sent a jolt through the villagers.
"Da Pan, how can you be like this? We're doing this for your own good."
Jiang Pan sneered, "Is that so? If you like this kind of 'good,' would you be willing to give some of your grain to my family? My family has no food, and you are from the same village. You can't just watch our family starve, can you?"
The person immediately fell silent.
Jiang Pan said with a cold face, "Those who advise me to give up the carriage, I know your intentions clearly. You're just seeing that I, Jiang Pan, have good luck and got two horses for free, and since you didn't get any benefit, you don't want others to either."
"But I, Jiang Pan, am not a fool. Your little schemes won't work on me. I remind everyone, this journey to Jiangnan is long and arduous. Can you guarantee that you won't need my help for anything along the way?"
"I'll make it clear today: anyone who dares to interfere in my family's affairs, if anyone in your family gets a headache, a minor injury, or a fall in the future, don't come to my wife. Also, if I find a water source, I will absolutely not let you draw water from it!"
These words were too harsh. The villagers, who had been acting righteous moments before, were now too scared to utter a sound, even trying to explain with awkward smiles.
But Jiang Pan had no time for them. He turned to look at Old Man Jiang.
"What I said to them applies to you as well. This journey is long and arduous. Do you really think your two sons can protect you?"
Old Man Jiang's heart tightened. "You..."
Jiang Pan smiled, but his eyes held no warmth. "What you just said was truly touching. For your injured son, for your young grandchildren, you come to me for a carriage. How filial! Who wouldn't praise you?"
"But how have you treated my family? Second Old Jiang sold my daughter, and you didn't say a harsh word. For years, Yuezhi and I worked like oxen and horses in the Jiang family with the children. When we left, you didn't give us a single grain. Back then, why didn't you remember that they were also your grandchildren? You worry about the children of Old Second and Old Third walking a few steps, but when my children have no food and are starving to death, why don't I see any pity from you!"
As Jiang Pan spoke, his eyes turned red with emotion. Chen Yuezhi and Su Shi couldn't help but cry.
The onlookers also felt a pang of sympathy.
Indeed, they had all witnessed the hardships Jiang Pan's family had endured over the years. Why were so many people unable to bear seeing them have a few good days?
Jiang Pan calmed himself and continued:
"Yesterday I got two horses, and today you come to my door asking for them, even saying you'd trade the horses for freedom. You've truly opened my eyes! Don't forget, there are gods above who see all. My mother is watching from heaven, and she knows how you've treated me all these years. When you pass on, I'll see what face you'll have to meet her!"
Old Man Jiang's expression grew even worse, but his thick skin allowed him to remain steady. "If my mother thinks I treated you poorly, let her come and talk to me herself! In any case, you must give me the carriage today!"
Jiang Pan sneered, "Dream on! Do you think you're worth that much to me? And you want me to trade a carriage for you?"
Old Man Jiang truly hadn't expected Jiang Pan to say such a thing. He clutched his chest in anger. "You unfilial son, you are unfilial!"
Jiang Pan narrowed his eyes. "I am unfilial today, and what can you do to me? If you have the guts, sue me! Have someone arrest me, chop off my head, or exile me. If I, Jiang Pan, beg for mercy even once, then I am not my mother's son!"
"You! You! You..."
Old Man Jiang's vision darkened with anger.
Jiang Pan turned to his children. "Remember this, you only have a grandmother, not a grandfather. If one day I am accused of being unfilial and arrested, remember this: if you dare to be kind to this old man, you are being unfilial to me! I will not forgive you even as a ghost!"
Then, he turned back to the villagers. "From now on, if anyone dares to come here and spout nonsense, don't be afraid of me, Jiang Pan, turning against you. Can you withstand a few punches from me?"
The villagers dared not breathe.
After speaking, Jiang Pan beckoned to his family. "Get in the carriage, let's go. I can't be bothered with this nonsense!"
Chen Yuezhi and the others, recovering from their shock, quickly got into the carriage.
With a flick of the whip, Jiang Pan's family left their resting spot.
The village chief stomped his feet in anger. "You troublemaking scoundrels, which of your families can compare to Da Pan's capabilities? If they leave because of you, others will suffer!"
The villagers also came to their senses and became anxious. "Village chief, what should we do? We can't let Da Pan leave like this!"
The village chief snorted. "Now you're in a hurry? Weren't you all very enthusiastic just now?"
The villagers all shrank their necks, not daring to speak.
"Useless!"
The village chief glared at everyone and quickly sent someone to chase after Jiang Pan's family.
Inside the carriage, Jiang Wan looked at Jiang Pan with shining eyes. "Dad, you were so cool! I admire you so much!"
She truly hadn't expected Jiang Pan to say such things.
Especially the part about forbidding them from being kind to Old Man Jiang! It was so manly!
Old Man Jiang liked to use filial piety to make his point, so Jiang Pan used filial piety as well. Jiang Pan told his children in front of everyone not to be filial to Old Man Jiang, or they would be unfilial to him!
Filial piety also followed seniority. If the father gave an order, would the son dare to disobey?
Therefore, if Old Man Jiang dared to use filial piety to blackmail Da Lang and the others in the future, Da Lang and the others could also use Jiang Pan as an excuse.
This completely blocked Old Man Jiang's path.
A job brilliantly done!