17 Punishment
The village head pondered aloud, “Zhuzi, what do you have to say?”
Lü Xiangmei replied, “What does he know? I think this young master is right. It was their fault for not keeping an eye on the children. How come it looks like a whole crowd is chasing after our Zhuzi demanding explanations? Don’t they know if their own kids went up the mountain or if they stole vegetables? Zhuzi, don’t say any more. If any child steals vegetables, let their own family deal with it!”
The village head was speechless.
Shen Qingyue couldn’t help but glance at Lü Xiangmei a few times, nodding in strong agreement with a smile. “As the saying goes, if a child is not taught, it is the father’s fault. Do not think a small evil is insignificant, nor neglect a small good deed.”
The crowd was utterly confused.
“What saying did he just quote?”
“What does it even mean?”
They had never heard such proverbs before.
Shen Qingyue swept his gaze over everyone, imitating his grandfather when addressing students’ parents, emphasizing his point with a patient and earnest tone. “At such a young age, they gang up to commit theft in others’ homes. I see they are still young, so I kindly warn them. But rather than repent, they gather many people to cause a fuss on the mountain, disturbing everyone’s peace.”
Several children were baffled.
They felt wronged!
They only made a scene on the mountain because they suspected he was a monster!
Jiang Shunzi, the “instigator,” wanted to retort, but before he could speak, his mother slapped him, and Shen Qingyue didn’t give them a chance to interrupt.
He wore an expression of innocence and magnanimity, as if wronged but tolerant and unwilling to stoop to childish quarrels, yet clearly frustrated by the children’s misbehavior. He sighed deeply, then lamented, “As the saying goes, to know one’s mistakes and correct them is the greatest virtue. Repeated disobedience and stubbornness must be met with small punishments to prevent greater ones. A handful of vegetables is not worth much, but be warned: if they dare steal vegetables as children, who knows what they might steal when grown? What crimes does theft entail?”
Most of the crowd was still lost in his lofty words, understanding little except the last sentence, which they grasped perfectly—and their faces darkened at the implication.
“What nonsense is this young man spouting?!” An old man standing beside the village head scowled angrily.
Seeing the man’s age and the circle of strong adults around him, Shen Qingyue guessed he was a respected elder in the village. He smiled politely. “Please don’t be angry. I mean no harm, just not very good with words.”
The crowd was speechless, thinking, “You should just shut up. No one here is better at speaking than you!”
The old man glared several times, but Shen Qingyue pretended not to see, smiling as he continued, “What I mean is, as the saying goes, ‘By three years old, you can see the future adult; small signs reveal big truths.’ Jade must be polished to become a gem. Education must start from childhood.”
The crowd was puzzled again.
“What small signs and big truths?”
Jiang Shunzi’s father frowned as he listened. Although some of Shen Qingyue’s words were harsh, there was a grain of truth.
If they stole vegetables as children, they would surely go astray when grown.
He didn’t fully grasp the earlier phrases, but “education must start from childhood” was clear. He immediately took out money. “We’ll pay! Zhuzi, you name the amount.”
Jiang Zhu hurriedly said, “No need!”
Jiang Hongming also said, “My family will pay.”
Jiang Hongliang wanted to say something but was pulled back by his brother, going silent with tears welling in his eyes.
“You can’t say no. If you don’t pay, it’s theft.” Jiang Shunzi’s father insisted, ready to give all his money to Jiang Zhu.
On hearing this, other parents hesitated, then reconsidered. Indeed, if no money was given, it was theft; if money was given, it wasn’t.
Yet paying money felt painful.
Amid hesitation, some already began to reach for their wallets.
Jiang Zhu quickly said, “No, really no!”
Shen Qingyue observed their reactions and had no desire for money himself.
Jiang Zhu was an orphan, holding a mountain all to himself—how could he watch over it alone? Children stealing vegetables in his yard must be stopped, but villagers sneak onto the mountain to gather firewood, cut bamboo, and dig for shoots. That was impossible to prevent.
If they made them pay, they might think Jiang Zhu was stingy and unkind.
Human relations are not always rational. Once money is demanded, right can become wrong.
Shen Qingyue stopped the two who were passing the money back and forth. “Brother, saying money is too formal. Jiang Zhu has always regarded everyone as kin and friends. He never intended to make anyone pay. If he wanted to, he would have come down the mountain to seek you out instead of waiting for you to come to him.”
“Then...?” Jiang Jiajun muttered unhappily, clearly dissatisfied.
Shen Qingyue glanced at him, amused by this young man’s earnestness.
Those reluctant to pay felt awkward; accepting money felt wrong, and refusing it also felt wrong.
Jiang Shunzi’s mother spoke bluntly, “No, no, it can’t just end like this. We never take advantage of others. Zhuzi, is it not enough? Tell us; your sister-in-law also has money.” She pulled out her purse, patched and worn through many layers.
Jiang Hongming, without hesitation, shoved his wallet toward Jiang Zhu. Seeing him pay, others also began to take out money.
Meanwhile, Jiang Jiajun’s group also slowly started to do the same.
Shen Qingyue couldn’t help but look again at the impulsive couple and Jiang Hongming.
Though anxious, the couple had no ill intention.
If Jiang Hongming truly didn’t know his brother kept stealing from the mountain, he was reasonable.
He was young but able to command respect from many older people—he must have some skill.
Jiang Zhu pushed the money away again, firmly saying, “I really don’t want it!” Then he started to run, but Jiang Shunzi’s father caught him.
“Take it, take it!”
“No!”
“Don’t think it’s too little. Take it.”
...
Watching them tug back and forth over a pile of worn, nearly empty purses and the many pained faces, Shen Qingyue thought for a moment, then loudly proposed, “How about I make a suggestion?”
Jiang Zhu looked at him hopefully, seeking help.
Shen Qingyue could barely hold back his laughter at how distressed Jiang Zhu looked. After some thought, he said, “If you do wrong, you must be punished; otherwise, there’s no way to maintain order. Here’s the deal: Instead of money, whoever is caught picking vegetables on the mountain will work for Jiang Zhu for five days. How about that?”
Jiang Zhu was bewildered.
He didn’t want to provoke these children at all; the thought of them coming to the mountain every day gave him a headache. “No need...”
Jiang Shunzi’s mother said, “That’s a good idea!”
No money needed, and their conscience would be clear.
Jiang Shunzi’s father said, “What can a kid that small do? Brother Zhu, if there’s any work, I’ll do it for you!”
Shen Qingyue replied, “No, having them work is to teach them a lesson. Doing the work for them defeats the purpose. Zhuzi, what do you think?”
Jiang Zhu felt overwhelmed. Shen Qingyue was standing up for him against many, so naturally, he wanted to agree. But the thought of facing the children who had insulted him daily made him uncomfortable.
After thinking, he said, “No need. As long as they promise not to insult me anymore, that’s enough.”
Now not only the children but also the adults were embarrassed.
Shen Qingyue looked at Jiang Zhu, then at the others, suddenly realizing he had underestimated how serious the children’s insults were.
The village head spoke up, “Jiang Zhu’s name is in the clan records. He is one of us, just like you—all clan members and neighbors. I decide that anyone who spreads rumors or insults in the village will have to kneel at the ancestral hall at night and work in the clan fields during the day, regardless of age.”
He had wanted to say this for some time but never found the right moment.
If a family spoke ill, a private scolding wouldn’t stick; people would just ignore it.
He had repeatedly told the village not to curse, but no one listened.
At best, they wouldn’t curse when he was around, but once he left, everything went back to normal.
Raising the issue during a village event seemed like making a fuss and showing bias.
If Jiang Zhu couldn’t be insulted, could others be? If anyone who got insulted came to him or the clan for support, life would be unbearable.
The village head was troubled.
Today, with everyone present and this outsider young man caught in the middle and feeling guilty, he seized the opportunity to reprimand everyone.
The crowd parted to let him through. He patted Jiang Zhu and said to the crowd, “Anyone who has stolen vegetables on the mountain must come and work there for five days. I’m not just talking about those few kids, but everyone. Please be self-disciplined.”
The crowd was sheepish.
Jiang Zhu’s brow furrowed so tightly it could trap a fly.
His expression was utterly miserable.
He looked at Shen Qingyue pleadingly.
Shen Qingyue chuckled, not expecting Jiang Zhu to be so troubled. After a moment's thought, he said, “Then let it be voluntary!”
The village head agreed. Those who didn’t get along with Jiang Zhu would probably refuse to come; forcing them might lead to trouble. Those willing to come likely bore him no great ill will and could still get some work done.
He nodded. “Yes, it’s all voluntary. If anyone really doesn’t want to work on the mountain, they can work in the clan fields for five days instead. Zhuzi, is that alright?”
Jiang Zhu nodded eagerly.
He hoped no one would come to the mountain and everyone would go work in the clan fields.