Gao Mingjiang knew when to stop.
"I guess I'm not completely innocent. I shouldn't have given the silver to that soldier. It's all my fault. I won't do it again."
His brothers blanched. If he hadn't given the soldier the silver…
"No, you didn't do anything wrong! Mingjiang, you've done a great job this time!"
Gao Mingjiang only smiled bitterly, obviously hurt.
An idea struck the second eldest brother, and he told old Mrs. Gao, "Mum, give Mingjiang ten taels of silver!"
Old Mrs. Gao's eyes popped. That was all the money her family had!
Her second son walked up to her and took ten taels of silver from her. "Mom, which is more important, the silver or your sons and grandsons?"
The old lady was speechless.
In the end, ten taels were taken away from her.