A big piece of gossip had happened in the Suzhou government. The Suzhou people, who loved excitement and did not fear the government, had long received the news. Early in the morning, they swarmed to the door of the yamen, discussing as they waited.
What everyone was discussing was the matter that had caused an uproar in Suzhou and had gradually attracted the gazes of all of Jiangnan — the fight for the Ming family property.
No one had thought that the Seventh young master of the Ming family, who should have died of illness a long time ago, would suddenly appear in front of everyone. Furthermore, with a shake of his body, he had become the commander of the Jiangnan water bandits, a famous figure in the underworld. Furthermore, after the palace treasury matter, the Seventh young master's identity had changed again. He had become a royal merchant responsible for managing the palace treasury's North road marketing.
However, no matter how his identity had changed, what attracted the most attention was still his identity as a descendant of the Ming family. Xia Qifei had entered the Suzhou government to submit a petition to fight a family property lawsuit. No one knew how the people living in Ming Garden would react.
Whose hands would the Ming family property, which could rival a country's wealth, fall into?
In the hearts of most people, they were actually partial to the Ming family. For one, the Ming family hid their dark side well and created a clear and bright image in the hearts of the Jiangnan gentry and people. For another, Ming Qingda was the eldest son of the eldest son of the Ming family's eldest son. Even if Xia Qifei was truly the seventh son of the Ming family, according to Qing law and the tradition since ancient times, the family property should be inherited by the legitimate eldest son.
Furthermore, who could prove that Xia Qifei was truly Ming Qingcheng?
At this moment, the outside of the Suzhou government was lively, but inside the yamen was incomparably tense. The Suzhou government Zhizhou was half bent over the large table with a headache. He sighed weakly to the advisor beside him and said, "Tell me, what should we do today?"
The Ming family was a century-old family. No one knew how many connections they had with the Jiangnan officialdom. They had long been inseparable. If something happened to the Ming family, a small half of the Jiangnan officials would probably follow them in. For an important position like the Suzhou government, the Ming family had already fed the other party full. Xia Qifei was going to enter to fight a family property lawsuit. The Suzhou Zhizhou had to consider the problem from the standpoint of Ming Qingda and the old matriarch, but … behind Xia Qifei was the imperial envoy and not someone the Zhizhou dared to offend.
The advisor's face was also full of fear. He anxiously paced around on the ground. Suddenly, he stopped and closed the paper fan in his hand with a snap.
"Sir, it's time to be an honest and upright official," the advisor said through gritted teeth, his eyebrows scrunched up into an ugly circle.
The Suzhou Zhizhou panicked and said angrily, "What nonsense is this? Have I not always been an upright official? " After saying this, he thought of something. The Zhizhou suddenly became discouraged and said, "This is the Ming family's business. It is not good for me to stay out of it. After all, in the past, it was because of the old matriarch that I was able to sit in this position."
The advisor knew that the old master had misunderstood his meaning and quickly went forward to say a few words. He lowered his voice and explained, "Old master, have you seen anyone from the Ming family say anything these two days?"
The Suzhou Zhizhou paused. He thought for a moment and then said strangely, "Yes, the Ming family has never sent anyone to communicate with me."
The advisor smiled sinisterly and said, "It looks like the Ming family has a card up their sleeve. They know that no matter how this case is fought and what Xia Qifei has in his hands … the Ming family's enormous family property will still only belong to the old Ming master … since the Ming family is not worried, naturally they have the confidence to win. Why worry for them?"
The Suzhou Zhizhou lowered his head slightly and asked in a very low voice, "Then, according to you, what should I do?"
This advisor specialized in criminal names and was extremely familiar with Qing law. With a swish, he opened his fan and proudly said, "Regardless of whether or not Xia Qifei can find the old man from back then and prove his past, even if he is truly the seventh son of the Ming family, according to Qing law, he will not have a share in this family property. Since you don't want to offend either side, and the Ming family is currently protected by Qing law, then what are you worried about? Today, you only need to report it to the public and judge the case according to Qing law … presumably, the imperial envoy will not be able to blame you. "
Who knew how many pairs of eyes were watching this case that had shocked Jiangnan? The Suzhou Zhizhou furrowed his brows and thought for a long time. He felt that this was the only way. Reporting the case to the public and deciding according to the law, he could not offend Fan Xian, and he could silently watch the Ming family succeed. He could also erect an official's reputation. It seemed to be a three-way win situation.
Thinking of this, the Zhizhou finally relaxed and let out a long breath. "So it is like this. Not moving is moving."
At this moment, the broken drum outside the yamen began to beat.
The Zhizhou furrowed his brows and cursed, "This Xia water bandit is truly impatient." Although he said this, he did not dare slight it. He tidied up his official robes, piled on a kind smile within his dignity, and walked out of the study toward the court.
… …
Arriving at the court, one could only hear a clamor outside the manor. A wave of murderous roars rose up and finally suppressed the clamor of the Suzhou people outside.
The Zhizhou narrowed his eyes and looked down the hall. With some surprise, he found that Xia Qifei had come to the hall alone. He had not brought anyone else with him. It looked like the imperial envoy had not sent anyone to help Xia Qifei.
"Who is below?"
"Commoner Xia Qifei?"
"What matter do you have to report?"
Xia Qifei was silent for a moment. His mind wandered and, for a moment, forgot to reply. He was wearing a pure green cotton robe. The beard on his chin had been shaved cleanly, revealing his green skin. He looked full of valiance and full of vigor. The hands that were exposed outside his sleeves were trembling slightly. It looked like the matter today was indeed of great significance to the seventh young master of the Ming Dynasty.
The Zhizhou glanced at him with some disgust. He felt that this person standing proudly in the court was a significant challenge to his authority. Furthermore, he dared to … not kneel in front of his face!
He was just about to fly into a rage when he found his sleeve being tugged on by the advisor.
The advisor said in a quiet voice, "Fan … Fan … don't worry about small matters."
The Zhizhou was startled and thought about it. What was the point in bothering about such small matters?
At this moment, Xia Qifei finally opened his mouth in a heavy voice. He raised his hands and said in a clear voice, "Commoner Xia Qifei, surnamed Ming, given name Qingcheng. I am the seventh son of the old Ming master of the Suzhou Ming family. Ever since I was a child, I was chased out of the family by a fierce woman and have wandered from place to place until now. I have lost my parents and lost my home. Today, I have no choice but to enter the court to sue the old Ming matriarch of the Suzhou Ming family and the head of the eldest branch, Ming Qingda, for colluding with bandits, harming lives, and stealing my family's property … I ask the just and upright old master to seek justice for this commoner!"
With these words, the entire courtyard burst into an uproar. Everyone knew that Xia Qifei had come to steal the family property, but no one had thought that the moment he opened his mouth, he would directly point out that the old Ming matriarch and Ming Qingda had once tried to harm people's lives. Each word struck the heart. Furthermore, in his words, he used fierce women and bandits without leaving any leeway.
The commoners outside the yamen began to clamor. In their hearts, the old Ming matriarch was a kind old woman who had done countless good deeds over the years. How could she have anything to do with a fierce woman?
In reality, these people had faintly guessed that the strange disappearance of the seventh young master of the Ming family back then probably had something to do with the old Ming matriarch and the present master of the Ming family, Ming Qingda. However, people were always willing to believe things they believed and things they had already convinced themselves of. Thus, they all responded to Ming Qingda's accusation with boos.
The Suzhou Zhizhou also furrowed his brows and said with disgust, "This is a serious matter. Words cannot be careful. Where is the petition?"
Xia Qifei took out the petition from his clothes and handed it with both hands to the advisor in the lower court to pass on. After the advisor handed the petition to the Zhizhou, the two of them gathered together to read it. They felt a great shock in their hearts. This petition was beautifully written and incisive. Each word pointed directly at the old Ming matriarch. Furthermore, it cleverly avoided the rules of Qing law in this area. It only focused on the old Ming master's will. As for Xia Qifei's pitiful wandering life these years, it did not spare the pen and ink. It moved everyone who saw it.
The Zhizhou was moved, but he was laughing coldly in his heart. He narrowed his eyes and thought that this kind of writing was good for a story, but it was useless for a lawsuit.
He slammed down on the gavel and shouted in a stern voice, "Xia Qifei, do you have proof to present?"
Xia Qifei said with a calm expression, "The Ming family has not arrived. Why are you so anxious?"
Looking at Xia Qifei's calm and confident expression, the Zhizhou furrowed his brows and thought to himself, Did the other party actually have some fatal weapon in his hands? He thought for a moment and discussed it with the advisor. He then sent someone to invite the Ming family to come forward to answer the lawsuit.
According to the notes on the side of the Qing law, such a civil lawsuit did not require the defendant to come forward to answer. However, the matter being fought today was too big. The powers behind both sides were too powerful, and the influence in the Jiangnan area was too great. The Suzhou Zhizhou did not dare to be too careless. In any case, he knew the Ming family would not stay out of it, so he sent someone to invite them.
As expected, the moment the bailiffs left, the Ming family followed in. It looked like the Ming family had long prepared someone to answer the lawsuit and were just waiting for this sure-win battle.
Seeing the newcomer, the Suzhou Zhizhou furrowed his brows and said in a cold voice, "Who are you?"
The elegant young master smiled slightly and bowed. "I, Ming Lanshi, pay my respects to you, sir."
This young master of the Ming family knew that the Suzhou Zhizhou was acting right now. He wanted to play the role of an upright and plainspoken person in front of the people, which was why his words were so cold. Usually, this Zhizhou was much more friendly in front of him. However, after the Ming family's analysis these few days, they had determined that this property lawsuit was a sure-win situation. Thus, Ming Lanshi understood the Suzhou Zhizhou's thoughts and did not mind.
"Hmm." The Suzhou Zhizhou said, "The old Ming master has been unwell recently. As the eldest grandson of the eldest branch, it is reasonable for you to answer this matter. Someone, bring the complaint paper to Ming Lanshi to take a look."
The advisor took the complaint paper away. Unexpectedly, Ming Lanshi did not accept it. On the contrary, he smiled slightly and bowed. "Sir, the Ming family is not an evil person who likes litigation, so we do not understand the entanglement in this matter. Thus, we have invited a litigation master to help us."
After he said this, he glanced to the side. The so-called "evil person who likes litigation" was naturally directed at Xia Qifei, who was standing to the side. Xia Qifei did not have any reaction. He also did not glance at his nephew.
Following Ming Lanshi's words, a person flashed in from behind and accepted the complaint paper the advisor handed over with both hands. He smiled ingratiatingly.
When the Suzhou Zhizhou and advisor saw this person, their slightly worried hearts immediately relaxed. This litigation master was Chen Bochang. He was the most famous litigation master in the Jiangnan area, or perhaps the most infamous litigation master. He was on good terms with the provincial government. When he fought a lawsuit, he could always turn black into white, the dead into alive, and a man into a woman. He had a glib tongue and walked the world with Qing law in his hands. He had never lost.
The Ming family had brought out this Chen Bochang. They also had the protection of the Qing law regarding the inheritance of the eldest son. There was no way they would lose this property lawsuit.
Chen Bochang held Xia Qifei's complaint paper and looked at it closely. Involuntarily, a cold and disdainful smile appeared at the corners of his lips. He looked down on the other party and even the imperial envoy behind him. He cleared his throat and smiled frivolously. "What a moving story … only, I don't know … what does Leader Xia's story have to do with the Ming family?"
This litigation master called Xia Qifei "Leader Xia" because he wanted to influence public opinion and let the people listening remember that this Xia Qifei was the leader of the underworld who killed people like flies on rivers and lakes.
Xia Qifei's face was expressionless. "It is all about the story of the Ming family these 20 years. What do you think it has to do with the Ming family?"
Chen Bochang suddenly laughed coldly and mockingly said, "Sir Xia is truly laughable. If you say it is the Ming family's story, then it is the Ming family's story? If you say you are the Seventh master of the Ming family, then it is the Seventh master of the Ming family? "
He raised his hands to the Suzhou Zhizhou in the court and smiled. "Sir, this case is too absurd. There is truly no need to continue."
The Suzhou Zhizhou faked a frown and said, "Why are you speaking so rashly?"
Chen Bochang smiled and said, "There is no evidence at all, yet you call yourself the seventh son of the Ming family … sir, if there is another person calling himself the seventh son of the Ming family, then what? Everyone in Jiangnan knows that the old master of the Ming family had seven sons and four daughters. The seventh son was born to a concubine. He was ill and weak at a young age. Over a decade ago, he unfortunately contracted a disease and died. How could there be another seventh son of the Ming family now? If we allow someone to call themselves a descendant of the Ming family to go to court, slander the Ming family's reputation, and slander the old Ming matriarch and master's pure name, where is the justice in this world? "
He looked at Xia Qifei and smiled slightly. "Of course, now everyone knows that Leader Xia is also not a normal person. However, I am very curious. After the palace treasury bidding, Leader Xia made such a preposterous move. I wonder, why exactly? Is there some sinister motive behind it that cannot be revealed to others? "
This most famous litigator in Jiangnan completely felt that the case today was too unchallenging, so he attacked fiercely from the get-go. He made a great deal of criticism. Gazing at Xia Qifei, he shook his head and said, "If you don't have evidence, then don't randomly file a lawsuit. If you don't have witnesses, then don't randomly accuse others … Leader Xia, today you have disgraced the Ming family's reputation. In a moment, I will definitely charge you with the crime of false accusation."
The people who had personally witnessed the old Ming matriarch killing Xia Qifei's mother and chasing Xia Qifei away had long been silenced in these dozen years. It was impossible for Xia Qifei to have any evidence or witnesses on hand, so the Ming family was very confident.
…
…
It was at this moment that a slippery and lazy voice that made one's skin crawl came from outside the Suzhou yamen.
"Who says you can't go to court without evidence? Who says you can't sue for murder without witnesses? "
"In the first year of the Qing calendar, the case of a concubine killing her husband in Dingzhou. The wife reported it without evidence. Later, a saber was found in the stables, and the case was solved."
"The Ministry of Justice's spring scroll, file 137, is an example of the King of the Song Dynasty in Nanyue. It clearly states that civil cases are divided into three classes. If it involves a dispute of 10,000 coins or more, it will not be punished. There is no need for complete evidence."
"The Ming family's wealth is more than 10,000 coins?"
"With two previous cases, why can't this case be fought?"
"For things like evidence, after it is reported, the government will naturally investigate the scene and search for evidence. Why are you in such a rush, litigator?"
"Besides … who says Sir Xia doesn't have evidence?"
The person who walked in from outside the yamen wore scholarly robes and held a golden fan in his hand. He was incomparably ostentatious and arrogant. A string of words, citing cases, and using the records of the Ministry of Justice, although it was a bit unreasonable, it successfully suppressed the Ming family's overbearing aura and drew everyone's gaze to him.
The Suzhou Zhizhou stroked his beard angrily and said, "Who are you? You dare to come to court without being summoned? Men, beat him up! "
The man wearing scholarly robes stuck his alloy fan behind him and raised his hands in a respectful bow toward the court. "Sir, you cannot beat him."
After saying this, he took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and waved it in the air. With a cheeky smile, he said, "I am like Sir Chen Bochang, also a litigation master. However, I am a litigation master hired by Sir Xia Qifei. I have come late. Please forgive me and allow me to stand in court with my body intact and speak to the Ming family … this case has not even been tried, yet you have knocked out a litigation master on one side … if this matter gets out, I'm afraid it will damage your reputation."
Everyone paused. Only now did they realize that the person who had come was Xia Qifei's litigation master.
Xia Qifei smiled bitterly and thought to himself, why did the imperial envoy send him such a troublemaker?
The Suzhou Zhizhou choked on the words of this litigation master. He was very angry, but he didn't actually hit him. Otherwise, it would be hard to explain to the imperial envoy. For a moment, he couldn't speak.
He couldn't speak, but Chen Bochang's eyes lit up. Staring at the litigation master with the golden fan on his back, he felt that he had finally met an opponent with a sharp tongue. Feeling slightly excited, he also stuck his fan behind him and opened his mouth to say, "The two cases you mentioned earlier are special cases, particularly the spring file of the Ministry of Justice. It is only for the reference of the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Justice in the capital. It has never involved the judgment of a local case."
The person shook his head and said, "Not so. In the fourth year of Daxing, the previous Prime Minister, Lin Ruofu, who was then the judge in Suzhou, used this spring file to judge a property case. How can it not be involved?"
Chen Bochang's heart tightened. He had no impression of the case the other person was talking about. Either the other person was talking nonsense, or the other person's familiarity with Qing law and precedent was far above his own.
He only heard the person continue to smile slightly and say, "Brother Bochang, don't say things like Qing law does not follow precedent. Whether or not precedent is used is not restricted by the Qing law. It is all up to the thoughts of the chief official."
He raised his hand in an ingratiating bow toward the Suzhou Zhizhou, but the Suzhou Zhizhou was cursing in his heart. He knew that the words "up to the thoughts of the chief official" had forced him to Dong Mountain. He had no choice but to make this property case.
Who exactly was this litigation master? Chen Bochang and Ming Lanshi met each other's eyes. They both felt it was strange. Where did such a shameless litigation master come from in Jiangnan?
The Suzhou Zhizhou finally couldn't resist asking, "Dare I ask, what exactly is this sir's name?"
Xia Qifei also looked at his litigation master. He raised his hands and smiled. "I am Song Shiren. I am a member of the Jingdou Litigation Masters Guild. The Ministry of Justice has specially granted permission to move files. Today, I have specially come to Jiangnan to have the honor of participating in the largest property case in history."
Song Shiren!
The Suzhou Zhizhou immediately had thoughts of escaping. Ming Lanshi also felt his mouth go dry, and Chen Bochang's eyes were wide.
What kind of person was Song Shiren? He was the most famous litigation master in Jingdou, or perhaps the most famous litigation master in the entire Qing Kingdom. Chen Bochang's reputation was only in Jiangnan, but this Song Shiren was famous throughout the world for being clever, crafty, and difficult to provoke. From the beginning of his career, he had relied on the study of Qing law from a young age to make countless officials lose face and countless victims cry wretchedly.
Even the people of Suzhou had heard of Song Shiren's infamous name. Hearing him announce his name, a commotion broke out outside the yamen. Everyone knew that today's show was going to be even better.
Ming Lanshi glanced worriedly at Chen Bochang. After a moment of panic, Chen Bochang recovered his calm. Narrowing his eyes, a powerful fighting spirit suddenly exploded from his body. With a cold smile, he said, "Young master, don't worry. I have never lost a lawsuit, but Song Shiren has lost before!"
…
…
However, Chen Bochang seemed to have forgotten an important point. The only lawsuit Song Shiren had lost in his life was the case of the illegitimate son of the Count of Nan beating Guo Baokun with a black fist. Song Shiren had only lost to Fan Xian once.
— — —
Since they were going to fight a family property lawsuit, the first thing they had to confirm was Xia Qifei's true identity and whether or not he was the seventh son of the old Ming master.
Regarding this point, Chen Bochang's position was very stable. If the other party could not prove this matter, he would not bother to argue about anything else. Only in this way could they not give the infamous Song Shiren an opportunity to seize a loophole on their side.
The Suzhou Zhizhou also furrowed his brows and asked Xia Qifei's side to provide concrete evidence to prove his identity.
Song Shiren was no longer as relaxed as before. Shaking his head at Xia Qifei, he called out the first witness on his side.
This witness was a midwife. She was already very old and even walked shakily. She walked to the front of the court and gasped for breath as she confirmed that she had helped the old Ming master's concubine give birth. The newborn baby had a green birthmark on the back of his waist.
Xia Qifei took off his clothes in court. There was indeed a green mark on the back of his waist.
Chen Bochang furrowed his brows and gritted his teeth. In a low voice, he said to Ming Lanshi, "Why didn't you say this yesterday?"
Ming Lanshi's teeth made a crunching sound and he said in a low voice with great anger, "This midwife … is fake! The one from back then died of illness two years ago! "
Chen Bochang sighed sorrowfully. Even if they knew the midwife was fake, how could they prove it? The midwife looked confused, but in the questions and answers earlier, she had clearly remembered the location of the Ming Garden. The old Ming master's appearance, the concubine's clothing, and the rooms were all correct. In the eyes of a bystander, this midwife could not be any more real.
Damn, the Overwatch Council was indeed skilled at falsifying!
…
…
(On the last day of 2007, I am slightly moved, but mostly happy. I hope everyone can sweep away the bad things of the past, such as me often making mistakes and writing methane as a disgraceful thing. Believe me, it is a typo … please remember those beautiful and happy memories, such as how I am bright and pure … tomorrow is a new year. I wish everyone good health, good luck in everything, and a long life for the elders in your families.)
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