After the whole family was swept away, I lay down flat

Chapter 933 Getting Bigger and Bigger
"Move out?!" Haitang looked at her grandfather Hai Xiya in astonishment. She didn't expect to hear such news.

The three elders, Xie Wenzai, Lu Bainian and Cao Gengyun, actually wanted to move out of the Hai family? If they rented a house next to the Hai family like they did in Chang'an and still visited them frequently, it would be fine. But according to Hai Xiya, the three elders were planning to find a place to open a school and teach a group of students, rather than just teach a few students, which would be a new school. Were they planning to make teaching their career after returning to Beijing, not to return to the court to serve as officials, and not to rely on the Hai family anymore?

Ma couldn't help but say, "These three old men think too simply! They have been away from Beijing for more than 30 years. During these 30 years, they have either been exiled prisoners and obeyed the orders of the superiors, or lived with their parents. Even when they rented a house in Chang'an, their daily food, clothing, housing and transportation were still taken care of by their parents. How could it be so easy to set up a new family? The three of them are scholars. They don't take care of anything on weekdays. Without a wife and children to take care of them, can they live well relying on Wang Defa's family? Besides, doesn't Lao Cao want to go home and live with his children and grandchildren? Why do you want to run a school with cousin Xie and Lao Cao?"

Hai Xiya smiled bitterly and said, "Old Cao knows that his children and grandchildren are not sincere in their filial piety to him now. It's just that life is really hard. Seeing that he is back and can be a support for his children and grandchildren, they come up to him and try to please him. If they want their children and grandchildren to be truly filial, they will only be grateful for the kindness of him as an elder after their situation improves and their life gets better. This also requires his children and grandchildren not to be ungrateful.

"He actually softened his heart. Although his sons were hateful, his grandchildren were innocent. He wrote letters to old friends everywhere and asked people to inquire about news, hoping to find a good future for his sons. However, his ability was limited, so he could only send his sons out of Beijing. If his children and grandchildren wanted to leave Beijing, it would be better for him to live with his cousin Xie and Old Lu in his old age instead of living alone in the old house in Beijing. They have been dependent on each other for decades, and they are used to it. It is quite awkward to separate suddenly."

Ma frowned when she heard this: "The sons of the Cao family are so abominable. They were the first to break off relations with their biological father. They are so unfilial! Now that they need help from Old Cao, they eagerly invite him back and pretend to be filial. How dare they not be sincere?! Even if they are not sincere, can't they act more sincerely and not let Old Cao see through it?
"Old Cao is already old and has suffered for decades. He didn't expect to enjoy the happiness of family life. The little bastard came to his house and coaxed him into a happy mood. He thought that they could really live in harmony with each other, but he was hit by a bucket of cold water on his head. He didn't know how upset he was. He even wanted to plan the future for his children and grandchildren! Where can you find an elder who is more kind and loving than him? If the Cao family really pulls the plank out after crossing the bridge and abandons Dad alone after they have a future, it would be too inhuman! I must publicize their good deeds to everyone, so that they can have a taste of what it feels like to have a future and then suddenly lose it!"

Hai Xiya sighed, "Why bother? The sons of the Cao family are a bit hateful, but the grandchildren really have no say and can only obey their father's orders. Old Cao loves his grandchildren and hopes that they can live a better life, so he uses his connections to arrange things. If you ruin his son's future, won't he have to find another way to help his grandson? That's too much trouble."

Ma was speechless for a while before she said, "Could it be that the Cao family really got away with it? They should at least send a few people to take care of Old Cao, right? Since you want to pretend to be a filial son and a good grandson, then just keep acting out this scene!"

Haitang comforted her and said, "Grandma, don't be angry. In fact, whether Grandpa Cao lives with us or runs a school with his cousin and Grandpa Lu, he is more comfortable than living with his children and grandchildren. I heard from Wang Xiaoqing that the Cao family lives in poverty and they have to pay for the daughter-in-law's dowry to squeeze out money to hire someone to serve Grandpa Cao and prepare slightly more abundant daily meals for Grandpa Cao. His clothes have to be made by his own women, and there is a shortage of servants. Grandpa Cao is better off living in our family than at home. Why should he go back to suffer?"

"Besides, the descendants of the Cao family are going to seek a career in other places. If Grandpa Cao goes with them, he will have to separate from his friends and adapt to unfamiliar places and people again. If Grandpa Cao does not go with them, and the Cao family leaves a few people in Beijing to serve him, when they miss their families, they may even blame Grandpa Cao for causing them the pain of separation. What's the point of this? Some things really don't need to be forced."

Ma thought about it and sneered, "That's all. Old Cao is happy about it, what else can I say? If the Cao family really knows how to be grateful, they will keep someone to serve Old Cao without us asking; if they don't have this plan and don't want to take Old Cao with them, then there's no point in forcing them. If they are not truly filial, who would care? I can buy two people from the market and they can take good care of Old Cao, and he won't get angry!"

Haitang smiled and hugged her grandmother, then looked up at her grandfather.

Hai Xiya smiled and said, "Maybe we really need to buy someone this time, but don't be in a hurry. We have to look carefully and confirm that he is a reliable person. In the next one or two years, many officials in the capital may fall, and their servants will be sold. I don't know if there will be people who hate Wumen. We need to be careful of such people entering our house and leaving hidden dangers. As for the house, we can take a look first. They have limited money on hand, and they are afraid that they can't make ends meet. They don't plan to buy the house, but rent it first. I thought, at worst, our family will pay for the house and then sublease it to them, so we don't have to worry about the landlord raising the rent or driving them out while they live there. If they want to open a school to enroll students, they still have to find a more stable place for a long time."

Ma didn't object to her husband's proposal. Buying a house in the capital city would not cause losses, and the Hai family's financial resources could support such expenses. She was just hesitant about where to buy the house.
Hai Xiya said, "We should find one nearby so that it will be convenient for both sides to travel. Even if they encounter trouble, they can send someone to tell us and we can rush over immediately to help each other at any time. But it would be better for the school to be opened in a quieter place. This area is too close to Zhengyangmen Street. I am afraid it will be too prosperous and noisy, which is not conducive to students' quiet study."

Haitang felt that it was not necessary to meet all the requirements and look for a place close to the Hai family. As long as it was in an area with good public security, the housing prices in more remote places might be more affordable. They could buy a bigger house, and when they set up the school in the future, it would not be too cramped.

She said, "My cousin is a top scholar! Grandpa Cao and Grandpa Lu are also famous talents. If they want to run a school together, how can they just find a house and accept a few students? It should be built into a proper academy, with several spacious and bright classrooms, a reading room with a rich collection of books, a quiet room for students to study, and an auditorium for rituals and meetings. In addition, in addition to the residences of the grandfathers, we have to consider the accommodation of the students. If there are students staying, then three meals a day must be provided, right? This is not something that can be satisfied by a two-story small house like the front yard of the Chen family in Chang'an. At that time, if there are too many students, the three grandfathers are old and lack energy. Shouldn't they also invite a few young and strong gentlemen to assist in teaching? Among the former Wumen students, there should be someone willing to guide the students? Maybe this school will become the signature of the Wumen students!"

Hai Xiya and Ma looked at each other in bewilderment. How come the school jointly run by his cousin and his old friends seemed to be getting bigger and bigger?