"I always feel that something is missing in my life."
On the last day of March in Jiangnan, the spring rain silently fell on the pavilion in Hua Garden, gently like the gentle ripples of lovers looking at each other. Below the pavilion, a man and woman were lying on two comfortable chairs and talking.
Haitang glanced at Fan Xian and shook her head. "This life of yours can be said to be complete. What regrets do you have?"
Fan Xian thought carefully about his past in this life. It could indeed be said to be high-spirited and reckless. He had money, power, and people. He had all the pleasures that others could have. He could also have the pleasures that others could not. For some reason, he was very dissatisfied. He knew very well how a person should live their life. But, when he really lived like this, the unknown desire in his heart grew stronger and stronger.
It had nothing to do with ideals and illusory things. With a pained expression, he said, "There was once an Emperor. When he was old and muddle-headed, he thought back to the past and said that he had 10 great martial arts and could be called a perfect old man. Of course, when this Emperor was young, he was also a muddle-headed ghost. He was an Emperor, and he was much more arrogant than me. But, I don't want to be a muddle-headed ghost. I don't think there is such a thing as perfect in this world."
"Do you want to be Emperor?" Haitang asked with a not-quite-there smile. She asked a question that everyone around Fan Xian, even Wang Qinian, the most trusted of trusted aides, did not dare to ask.
Haitang felt that Fan Xian was truly a wonderful person. Hearing a Northern Qi person like her ask such a treasonous question, he did not hide it at all. On the contrary, he sank directly into deep thought. If outsiders saw this, they would certainly think that Fan Xian had already developed thoughts of disloyalty.
"Being an Emperor is too tiring," Fan Xian said with a headache. Fan Xian said with a headache, "Your Emperor, my Emperor, although they seem to be living comfortably, it is exhausting. It is truly meaningless."
Haitang smiled slightly and said, "I think being an imperial envoy is not much easier than being an Emperor."
Fan Xian smiled bitterly and said, "To be an Emperor, you have to see tens of thousands of people die in front of you and not have your heart tremble. I truly cannot do this."
Haitang said with slight surprise, "Don't you always think of yourself as ruthless in front of me?"
"I can kill a dozen or a hundred people," Fan Xian said seriously. Fan Xian said seriously, "If I were to swim in a sea of blood, I don't know if I would have the courage to do so."
"Quantitative change leads to qualitative change. I've told you before."
He waved his hand and did not want to continue this boring topic. He lay on the chair and carefully listened to the subtle sound of the spring rain moistening the earth.
The pavilion gradually fell into silence.
…
…
In a moment, an official of the Overwatch Council wearing a robe silently appeared at the entrance to the back of Hua Garden. The rain had soaked through his official robe and made his entire body exude a cold aura. It was Deng Zi Yue, who had just come from Jingdou.
Haitang smiled and said, "It seems like you will continue to be busy and continue your plan to kill fewer people." After saying this, the girl did not wait for Fan Xian's reply. Very naturally, she put her hands into her large pockets. Dragging her feet and swaying her waist, she used the country girl's walk to leave the little pavilion.
Fan Xian smiled slightly as he watched Haitang's departing figure. He only saw her gently swaying away in the light rain. The raindrops wet the hair at her temples. It looked like this girl had not used the zhenqi of Tianyi Dao. It was said to be close to nature, so naturally it was so. However, her feet, which were wearing cloth shoes, were not stained by the puddles on the ground. It looked like she had done something.
Deng Zi Yue saw Haitang leave and then silently entered the pavilion. He opened his mouth and said, "Just like yesterday, the court is still tangling with the articles of the Qing law. Although Song Shiren is sharp-tongued and has not lost much ground, in reality, there has been no progress. As long as the Suzhou government holds onto the Qing law and does not let go, even with Xia Qifei's will in hand, he will not be able to win this case."
Fan Xian nodded his head to indicate that he understood. He then sank deep into thought.
Today was the last day of March. The Ming family property case that had shaken Jiangnan had progressed to its fourth day. After experiencing the storm of the first day, the trial of the next few days had sunk into an impasse. Although this was within Fan Xian's expectations, Fan Xian was a bit impatient to have to listen to the reports of his subordinates every day.
On the first day of the trial, Song Shiren had cleverly used the will to confirm that Xia Qifei was a descendant of the Ming family. This news immediately spread from the Suzhou government to all of Jiangnan. Now, everyone knew that the Seventh young master of the Ming family had come back to life and was fighting over the family property with the eldest branch of the Ming family.
However, the Qing law was established in accordance with the spirit of scriptures. The natural right of inheritance of the eldest legitimate son had long been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and was written clearly in the law. The will seemed to have already played its historical role. It was difficult for it to be of much help to Xia Qifei's wishes.
If Xia Qifei wanted to take back the Ming family's enormous property, it was the same as overturning a rule that people had followed for thousands of years. This rule was so powerful that it could not be overturned by one person. Not only could Fan Xian not do it, even the Qing Emperor was afraid. If he used this case to break the natural right of inheritance of the eldest legitimate son, the effects would be too great.
Fan Xian furrowed his brows and suddenly thought of a strange matter. If the influence of the Ming family property case continued to expand to the point of drawing out a great debate that liberated the mind, then what about the natural position of the Crown Prince in the Palace?
He sucked in a breath of cold air. This plan had been drawn up by Yan Bingyun and had also been approved by Chen Pingping. That old and farsighted cripple could not have thought of the consequences of this matter. Could it be that the old cripple had received the Emperor's secret instructions to begin to shake the atmosphere of public opinion on the Crown Prince's natural inheritance?
The Jiangnan Ming family matter was very big, but if it affected Jingdou, then the matter would become even bigger. It was to the point that Fan Xian did not want to see this situation. Because of his mother, Fan Xian could not just watch as the Crown Prince inherited the throne and the empress, who wanted to kill him, became the empress dowager. However, in the current situation, directly provoking the Crown Prince could cause the Crown Prince to let go of past grievances and unite with the Eldest Princess and the Second Prince. Such an outcome was something Fan Xian did not want to see at the moment.
Fan Xian sank into silence. His original order to Song Shiren was to do his best to drag out this case and make this case spectacular. The bigger the impact, the better. Only now did he discover that some of the old cripple's thoughts were hidden behind this matter.
He trusted Chen Pingping, but … it seemed that Chen Pingping had always wanted to protect him for some reason and had not pointed out many things to him. Fan Xian was a person who was very willing to learn to understand and control the situation.
"Looks like after the Ming family matter temporarily settles, I will actually have to make a trip to Wuzhou." He sighed and felt more and more that his father arranging for him to go to Wuzhou to see his father-in-law was a wise decision. It looked like his father had long known that he would certainly have some misgivings about the situation in court. Now that he was far away from Jingdou, the only person who could truly help him solve the problem face to face was the Prime Minister.
Deng Zi Yue could not guess Fan Xian's true worry, but he could see that the commissioner had different thoughts about the Ming family property case. He furrowed his brows and asked, "Should we have Song Shiren close the case? In any case, Xia Qifei's identity as one of the seventh sons of the Ming family has been confirmed. In a few days, the Overwatch Council will come forward and have him worship his ancestors and return to the family. According to Qing law, the Ming family will have to give him some shares. Although those shares are not very eye-catching, they have reached your earlier goal and allowed him to successfully enter the inner circle of the Ming family. "
Fan Xian listened to Deng Zi Yue's analysis and felt slightly comforted. It did feel good to have a trusted aide at his side. However, he did not reply to his question. Instead, he asked carefully, "Have the Fourth Bureau arrange for Xia Qifei … oh, he should be called Ming Qingcheng now. Have Ming Qingcheng meet with the Fourth of the Ming family. How is this going?"
Since Xia Qifei was going to be like a thorn in the Ming family's throat, he would have to collude with some of the dissidents within the Ming family. Fan Xian did not have a detailed understanding of the dark and dirty dealings of the rich and powerful families, but in his previous life, he had watched the Hong Kong TVB dramas countless times.
Deng Zi Yue reported, "It has already been arranged. Have Xia Qifei meet with the Fourth of the Ming family at the beginning of next month."
Fan Xian nodded and only then did he begin to talk about the earlier question. Gently biting his itchy inner lip, he calmly said, "Still have Song Shiren continue to fight. Keep this case going! The bigger the momentum, the better … even if we can't win, we can't lose! Put pressure on the Suzhou government and don't let them forcefully close the case. Keep fighting until all the gentry and people under heaven are thinking about that problem! "
Deng Zi Yue raised his head and said with slight astonishment, "Sir, what problem?"
Only now did Fan Xian realize that he had let it slip. He smiled and thought for a while. He didn't plan on hiding it from this trusted aide in front of him and said, "I want everyone under heaven to start thinking about whether or not the eldest legitimate son should naturally inherit the family property."
As the chief of the Qinian Unit, Deng Zi Yue understood everything about Fan Xian very clearly. Hearing the commissioner's words, he pondered it for a moment and understood the meaning behind it. His face paled in shock and he raised his hands in a salute to dissuade him, "Sir, you can't … if the court and Palace suspect your … intentions, it will not be easy to clean up."
Fan Xian lowered his eyelids slightly and said, "Zi Yue, you seem to have forgotten my identity. My surname is Fan. Don't worry too much. As for suspecting my intentions … I'm afraid the nobles in the Palace will suspect that I have overstepped my duty as a teacher."
He had already thought it through. In any case, he would have to face the Eastern Palace sooner or later. At this time, he would follow Chen Pingping's intentions and stab the other party. In any case, given his present power and position, as long as it wasn't a rebellion, no one could do anything to him. Furthermore, even if some people thought that he was creating this kind of public opinion for his own future, more people would think that Fan Xian was making arrangements for the Third Prince.
"Don't report this matter to the Director," Fan Xian ordered. "It is only a small matter."
Deng Zi Yue was completely unable to hide his shock and fear. He smiled bitterly and thought that the propaganda campaign for the fight for the heir had officially begun. Was it still a small matter?
Fan Xian thought of something and suddenly laughed in spite of himself. "Song Shiren is nothing more than a litigator. Is he the fulcrum that moves the earth? Perhaps I'm overcomplicating this matter. Debating the Qing law in court probably has little to do with the old rules of the world. "
Deng Zi Yue didn't understand the words "earth," but he guessed the general meaning. He smiled bitterly and replied, "Song Shiren meeting Chen Bochang can truly be described as a general meeting a talented person. The two sides fight with sparks flying everywhere. It's not just about Qing law … if the contents of their debate in court were to spread, it would probably make people think more about that problem."
Fan Xian's interest was piqued. "Oh? Then I have to go take a look. Go call the Third Prince and Da Bao. In a bit, the whole family will go to the Suzhou government to watch the show. "
Deng Zi Yue smiled bitterly and accepted the order.
— — —
Under the cover of the fine rain, three completely black carriages left Hua Garden and slowly drove to the street closest to the Suzhou government office. The people in Hua Garden were going to eat lunch. At this time, the Suzhou government was also temporarily resting, so no one was in a hurry.
Although it was the food street closest to the Suzhou government, it was still quite far away. Sitting on the third floor of the Suzhou branch of Xinfeng Restaurant, Fan Xian leaned against the railing and looked in the direction of the Suzhou government through the layers of rain. Angrily, he said, "I'm not a clairvoyant, how am I supposed to watch the show?"
Deng Zi Yue had sent people to book the restaurant earlier and was now setting up defenses. Hearing the commissioner's scolding, he couldn't help but smile bitterly and say, "Commissioner, this is already the closest … although the whole family is going out to watch the show, it's not good to drive three large carriages to the Suzhou government and alarm the government. It will also make the common people's eyes open. It really won't do."
Fan Xian sighed and said, "If I had known it would be like this, I would have just eaten Yang Jimei's cook at home. Why would I come out in the rain?"
As he spoke, someone pulled on the corner of his clothes from behind. He turned his head to look and saw it was the charmingly naive Da Bao. He couldn't help asking in surprise, "Da Bao, what is it?"
Da Bao grinned and said, "Xiao Xian … this … home also … has a receiving bun."
Da Bao used his thick finger to point at the table. In a single steamer, there was a single large white steamed bun. It was bustling with activity, and the fragrance inside gradually overflowed.
Fan Xian sighed and sat by Da Bao's side. As he used his chopsticks to separate the steamed bun, he took out a spoon and ladled the oil from the bun into Da Bao's bowl. With a smile, he said, "This is also Xinfeng Restaurant, except it's a branch in Suzhou."
The shopkeeper of Xinfeng Restaurant, who had been carefully waiting on him to the side, quickly and attentively said, "Yes, young master Lin, although Jiangnan is far away, the taste is not much different from Jingdou. Try it."
Da Bao mumbled a few inarticulate words and then began to attack the bun in front of him, leaving the shopkeeper cold to the side.
It was Fan Xian who was a bit curious and asked, "Shopkeeper, how can you say the words young master Lin?"
The shopkeeper laughed dryly and said fawningly, "What are you saying, Commissioner? In the old branch in Jingdou, you often take young master Lin to Xinfeng Restaurant to eat. This is a great honor for our little restaurant. Every time the old shopkeeper brings this up, he is incomparably proud and indescribably grateful. Although I am often in Suzhou, I know of your relationship with Xinfeng Restaurant. How could I not serve you attentively? "
Fan Xian personally controlled the First Bureau in Jingdou. The restaurant closest to the First Bureau yamen was Xinfeng Restaurant, so he often took Da Bao to eat their receiving buns. At that time, as long as it was a noble person eating, no matter when, they would put on a grand display and hold a large banquet. There were not many people of Fan Xian's status who were so interested in receiving buns and zhajiang noodles. Thus, although Xinfeng Restaurant was delicious, because of its homely style, even though it opened three branches in the Qing Kingdom and had a great reputation, its business was always ordinary.
It was not until later, because it often received Fan Xian and Lin Da Bao, that Xinfeng Restaurant gradually raised its level in Jingdou. It attracted countless students and scholars who wanted to sit in the seat that the immortal poet once sat in and taste the buns that Sir Fan junior could not forget. This made the old shopkeeper of Xinfeng Restaurant unable to contain his joy.
The Suzhou branch shopkeeper knew that Fan Xian was his honored guest, so he flattered him like a tide. Furthermore, he was particularly attentive in laying out seasonings to remove the fishy smell. It made Fan Xian feel very comfortable. For a moment, even the gloom of not being able to see the scene in the Suzhou government had mostly disappeared.
…
…
Fan Xian was eating noodles, and Da Bao was nibbling on buns. The Third Prince was eating a bowl of glutinous rice balls with a steadiness that did not match his age. Sisi led a few serving girls to drink two bowls of porridge. She then stood under the eaves and watched the rain falling from the sky. She stretched out the eaves to catch it. Laughing happily, it was very lively.
Fan Xian never cared much about his servants, so these girls were very lively. Hearing the laughter coming from behind him, his mood also improved. Waving his hand to summon Deng Zi Yue, he said, "The Suzhou government should have already begun. Send someone to listen. It would be best if they could copy something for us to see."
Deng Zi Yue nodded and went to arrange for people.
Fan Xian waved his hand again to have Gao Da and the other Tiger Guards go to the side to eat. Only then did he return to his work with the bowl of noodles. Naturally, he could not avoid once again stealing a piece of minced meat from Da Bao's plate to eat. Da Bao was as quiet as usual. His large stature expressed a small hidden bitterness.
Haitang was nowhere to be found. At this moment, in Xinfeng Restaurant, it was filled with Fan Xian's subordinates, servants, and family. He was very relaxed and happy as he admired the rain and picked at the white noodles, throwing all the thoughts in his mind to the side.
Seeing that Da Bao had finished eating, Fan Xian asked warmly if he still wanted more. Da Bao shook his head. Fan Xian took out a handkerchief from his clothes and carefully wiped away the oil and water by the side of Da Bao's mouth.
The Third Prince looked at this scene and felt slightly surprised. A strange expression flashed through his eyes.
The Tiger Guards at the table to the side also froze.
Everyone knew of Fan Xian's love and care for Da Bao. But, seeing this scene, there were still many people who could not connect Fan Xian with that ruthless and harsh Overwatch Council official. In the past, when they ate at Xinfeng Restaurant, this scene had moved Deng Zi Yue and Mu Tie. Today, the Tiger Guards and the Third Prince might have a new view of Fan Xian.
For an idiotic brother-in-law to be so attentive, it could not be simply explained with "love me, love my dog." Although Fan Xian did indeed love and respect his wife, if these details had always been a disguise Fan Xian used to buy people's hearts, no one would believe it. To do this from the bottom of his heart for so long, if that person was not a great evil, then he was a saint.
Which kind was Fan Xian?
…
…
In the rainy season of the Jiangnan waterways, it was impossible to have the saying that spring rain was as precious as oil. Thus, the fine rain gradually grew heavier. Heaven was not stingy in watering the earth.
Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and looked at the rain outside the eaves, but his thoughts had already turned elsewhere. The Council report had made it clear that this year, the rainfall upstream of the Yangtze River was not very abundant. Although it would have some effect on the restoration of the disaster areas, at least for now, he did not have to worry about the terrifying monster of spring floods. Thus, the matter of repairing the river works could continue smoothly. At this time, Yang Wanli should have just reported to Jingdou. It would probably still take some time before he could reach the river transport governor's yamen.
As for the silver needed for the river works … the palace treasury bidding this time was 80 percent more than in previous years. On the surface, the amount had already been sealed. After a series of complicated procedures, it began to be transported to Jingdou. First, it entered the palace treasury. Then, by the Emperor's decree, a certain amount was drawn into the national treasury and then sent to the river transport governor's yamen.
Secretly, with the full cooperation of the Overwatch Council and Ministry of Revenue, and the careful accounting of the old officials Fan Xian's father had sent, a large sum of silver had already begun to be sent through different channels directly to the places needed by the river transport. The names used had already been prepared. Of this large sum of silver, a portion came from the palace treasury bidding silver and the amount of silver that the transport company had painstakingly squeezed out. There was also a large portion of silver that Fan Xian had temporarily borrowed from the Northern Qi Emperor through Haitang.
In any case, the silver was placed in Taiping money house. Fan Xian would use it first. As for returning it, that would have to wait for Xia Qifei to connect with Fan Sizhe in the North and use the smuggled goods from the palace treasury to slowly return it.
…
…
Although Fan Xian had done his best to cover up these matters, and the matter concerning the Northern Qi Emperor was covered up even more securely so that the Qing court in Jingdou would not hear any wind of it, the matter of transporting the silver to the river transport had long been mentioned by Fan Xian in a secret memorial to the Emperor. Fan Xian had no selfish motives in this matter. He didn't even earn a single tael of silver. Furthermore, the entire matter had been operated in secret. It was impossible for Fan Xian to gain any reputation for loving the people from this matter. All of the benefits that had been created belonged to the people of the Qing Kingdom. In the end, it was also the Emperor who had benefited. Naturally, the Emperor had tacitly agreed to this matter.
Presently, the only question Fan Xian needed to explain to the Emperor was how exactly he had obtained this large sum of silver.
Since he couldn't say the Northern Qi Emperor, this great financial backer, he needed a good reason. Fan Xian had already made arrangements for this matter at the beginning of his plan. A portion of it was the bribes he had obtained from his two years of official business, another portion was the benefits he had obtained from overthrowing the Cui family last year, and another portion was the land he had scraped from the palace treasury transport company after he went to Jiangnan.
In the future, if he still couldn't reconcile the accounts with the Emperor, Fan Xian still had one last move. He would say that this silver was left to him by Uncle Wu Zhu.
He didn't think the Emperor would go find Wu Zhu to confront. If the river transport was really good, perhaps the Emperor would be pleased and use this year's generous palace treasury bidding silver to return a portion to Fan Xian.
As for the Ming family, Fan Xian had his own arrangements. The investigation was slowly progressing. However, at the moment, it was all covered up by that dazzling lawsuit. For Fan Xian, dealing with the Ming family was indeed a long-term task. He could only gradually nibble away at it. If his methods were too fierce and he suppressed the Ming family too much, it would affect the stability of Jiangnan. The Jiangnan governor, Xue Qing, would probably be the first person to stand up and oppose it.
For the rule of a dynasty, stability had always been an overwhelming requirement.
The survival of the Ming family was not actually on the Jiangnan lawsuit. Rather, it was on the struggle in the Jingdou Palace. If the master of the Ming family, the Eldest Princess, and the princes, fell in the struggle for power, the Ming family would find it difficult to protect their basket of eggs. If Fan Xian lost, the Ming family would be able to raise their eyebrows again, and Xia Qifei would have to flee in all directions like a stray dog.
If Fan Xian and the Eldest Princess continued to maintain their current situation of neither rising nor falling, then the Ming family would only be like it was now. Suppressed by Fan Xian to the point of struggling at death's door, but it would never collapse. It would stubbornly and humbly live on, struggling, and waiting.
"Sir."
A light call pulled Fan Xian out of his thoughts. He shook his head dizzily. Only now did he realize that the light outside was much dimmer than before. It was not only because the rain was getting heavier, but it was also because it was getting late. Only now did he realize that his thoughts had taken up so much time. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sigh. It looked like Haitang was right. His days were not much easier than the Emperor's.
Glancing at Sisi, who was already tired from playing and resting by the railing, Fan Xian used his eyes to indicate for a little girl to put a coat on her. He then glanced at Da Bao, who was speaking uneasily with the Third Prince. Only then did he pull himself together and take out his addictions to watching the show. He said to Deng Zi Yue, "How is it over there?"
Deng Zi Yue smiled and handed over the paper in his hand. He moved closer to Fan Xian's ear and said, "These are the arguments recorded in court. Sir, do you want the Eighth Bureau to compile these arguments into a collection and publish them throughout the world?"
This was a very sinister and daring idea. It looked like Deng Zi Yue had finally approved of Fan Xian's way of thinking. He knew that the Overwatch Council would no longer be able to maintain its neutrality like it had in the past in the fight for the throne.
Fan Xian laughingly scolded, "It's fine if it's just a rumor, but if it's printed into a book, won't the Palace hate me to death?"
Hearing the words "Palace," the Third Prince at the other table glanced over. Fan Xian pretended not to see and sighed. "Speaking of the Eighth Bureau … there are too few people in Jiangnan. That matter has not had any effect up until now."
He was talking about the operation to publicize Xia Qifei's story in Jiangnan. Fan Xian had thought that with the Eighth Bureau working together, they would be able to beat the Second Prince until he had no power to retaliate in the battle of rumors in Jingdou. Now, with the tragic story of Xia Qifei losing his mother and being banished as a script, and with the verdict of the Suzhou government as evidence, they could have caused a stir in Jiangnan and completely destroyed the good image the Ming family had built these years. Unexpectedly, the Ming family's power in Jiangnan was so deep. There were too few people in Jiangnan from the Eighth Bureau. The Ming family had also sent many storytellers to make noise outside. In any case, they were connecting this family property lawsuit to Xia Qifei's underworld background and the Jingdou officials' conspiracy.
Comparing the two, Fan Xian's reputation was much worse. Although the Jiangnan people believed that Xia Qifei was the seventh son of the Ming family, they all thought that the reason Xia Qifei had suddenly jumped out this year was because the Jingdou officials represented by Fan Xian … wanted to bully the good people of Jiangnan.
Fan Xian thought of this and felt it was funny. It looked like the master of the Ming family, Ming Qingda, who had been pretending to be sick in bed, indeed had a very detailed understanding of his way of doing things. His methods of responding and speed were also incomparably accurate and fast. Ming Qingda was indeed not a simple person.
The power was in his hands and not in Jiangnan, so Fan Xian could easily see the dispute with the Ming family as a game. He did not have much enmity toward Ming Qingda. On the contrary, he had a faint admiration. After he read through the paper Deng Zi Yue presented, he couldn't resist laughing out loud.
There were many wonderful people in Jiangnan, and Song Shiren from Jingdou was not bad either. The lawsuit in the Suzhou government had already gradually left the boundaries of Qing law and was beginning to develop in the direction Chen Pingping hoped for. Both sides quoted classics and discussed classics. Every word they said was the former Wei. They raised their hands and bowed to Master Zhuang. It did not look like they were fighting a lawsuit. For the sake of the eldest son's right to inheritance, which was deeply rooted in people's hearts, it was like the two sides were holding a lecture before an exhibition.
Fan Xian smiled and shook his head. The tense and somewhat absurd scene of the Suzhou government trial seemed to rise before his eyes.
— — —
In the court of the Suzhou government, the debate was still going on. It was already the fourth day. The main generals of both sides were a bit tired after repeatedly using their brains. Thus, the time between the opening of the court was much longer than the first day. Before much could be said, someone would rush to ask for a rest.
The Suzhou Zhizhou also understood that Xia Qifei wanted to drag it out, but he had no choice. He had long received the imperial envoy's verbal order for him to judge the case impartially and not carelessly close it. Since he could not carelessly close it, he had to let both sides argue.
However, Song Shiren and Chen Bochang were both famous and talkative characters. If he let them argue, they could probably talk for an entire year.
The Suzhou Zhizhou had seen it all and was indifferent. Every time both sides asked for a rest, he would smile and allow it. He would also order bailiffs to bring over stools for both sides to sit on. As for things like tea, he would not be lacking.
Ming Lanshi's face was ashen as he sat on the stool. These days, this young master of the Ming family had also been dragged on miserably. His family's business could not help at all. Those uncles were all useless people who ate and did not do anything. After the palace treasury bidding, the matter of importing goods to North Min needed important figures in the family. Thus, he could only let his father, who had always said he was sick in bed, stand up again and take charge of these matters.
The Ming family knew that the imperial envoy wanted to use this case to throw their family into disarray and thus make their family unable to split themselves in the palace treasury business. However, the Ming family did not have a good way to respond, so they could only keep dragging it out with the other side. In any case, looking at the situation, the case might drag on for a year. In any case, as long as they didn't lose, it was fine.
At this time, it was the Ming family's turn to speak. The face of the famous Jiangnan litigation master, Chen Bochang, was a bit pale. It looked like he had expended a lot of energy these days. He took a hot towel from the hands of a student beside him and wiped his face vigorously. Pulling himself together, he walked into the hall and said seriously,
"The ancient sages have spoken of the so-called five human relations: father and son are related, ruler and minister are righteous, husband and wife are different, elders and children are orderly, and friends are trustworthy. Sir, since Sir Xia has been determined to be the Seventh young master of the Ming family, the relationship between father and son is not different from the eldest branch of the Ming family … "
Before he finished speaking, Song Shiren had already cut him off in a strange tone, "Not Sir Xia, Sir Ming. Don't say anything wrong. Otherwise, after the case is over, Ming Qingcheng, the Seventh Ming master, can continue to sue you."
Song Shiren's expression was also not very good. His eyes were sunken. This time, he had come to Jiangnan alone and hadn't had time to bring any servants or students. Although he had the help of the Overwatch Council scribes, it was not easy to find evidence in piles of old papers and find scriptures beneficial to one's side. Furthermore, the other party was a local litigation master with countless people helping him from behind. After fighting for four days, even the best litigation master in the world could not keep his spirit up.
Hearing Song Shiren's words, Chen Bochang was not anxious. He smiled merrily and bowed in apology to Xia Qifei. He then continued, "However, the words' elders and children are orderly 'have to be careful. Since Ming Qingda is the legitimate son of the eldest branch, of course, he has the right to dispose of the Ming family property."
He continued to speak in a loud voice, "There is a saying in the four rules of mourning: the sky cannot have two suns, the earth cannot have two masters, the country cannot have two monarchs, and the family cannot have two nobles."
The more Chen Bochang spoke, the more impassioned his voice became. "This has been the case since ancient times, how can it be changed? The Qing law has long been set. Xia … why must Sir Ming continue to be entangled in this? Sir, please settle the case as soon as possible. "
Song Shiren stood up with some difficulty and smiled under Xia Qifei's concerned gaze. He walked to the front of the hall and proudly said, "The so-called family property is just inheriting the title and dividing the property. What Sir Chen said earlier, I do not have any different meaning. However, inheriting the title is one thing, dividing the property is another. The old Ming master once had a title, and it has now been inherited by Ming Qingda. Sir Ming Qingcheng does not doubt this. However, inheriting the title is only in terms of the number of legitimate sons and concubines. Dividing the property is another matter."
Chen Bochang said slightly angrily, "Inheriting the title is the guarantee of dividing the property. Since the title is clear, the right to divide the property is naturally ready to come out."
Inheriting the title and dividing the property were the two most important parts of inheritance. Song Shiren smiled coldly and said, "But dividing the property is the foundation of inheriting the title. Earlier you spoke of the Qing law, now I will speak of the Qing law!"
He slapped the golden fan in his hand and said in a loud voice, "The 34th rule of the Qing law: household management is controlled by the elders, and family property is public property! My master has no opinion on household management, but this family property is public property. Of course, it has to be carefully divided. As for how to divide it, since the old Ming master's will is here, of course, it has to be done according to the previous master! "
Chen Bochang was angry. How could there be such a stiff argument to separate inheriting the title and dividing the property?
"The Qing law also says: if one lives with an elder and does not divide the family property evenly, the crime will be judged as a lowly child using the family property for personal gain. 20 strokes of the cane!" Song Shiren looked coldly at Ming Lanshi and said each word clearly and clearly, "My master was exiled from the family when he was young. Does this count as purposely dividing the family property? If 20 strokes of the cane … would the Ming family only have 200,000 strings of coins? I want to see just how many butts the Ming family has to be spanked! "
Ming Lanshi stood up angrily.
Song Shiren changed his direction and smiled slightly at the Zhizhou in the hall. He then said, "This is the Qing law. The Ministry of Justice, the lowly child using the family property for personal gain. Back then, you also studied law, so you should know that what I say is not wrong."
Not waiting for the Ming family to respond, Song Shiren once again proudly said, "Speaking of laws, I still have one more. In the Qing law, it is clearly stated in the marriage of a righteous household, that living together should be divided. Those who do not divide equally will be judged as having stolen goods reduced by three levels! What kind of crime is this? This is the crime of a thief. "
Chen Bochang narrowed his eyes. He had great admiration for this litigation master from Jingdou. It was clearly a simple family property lawsuit, yet he had forcefully divided it into two areas: inheritance and division of property. Then, he had jumped around like a monkey in these cracks, pressing forward step by step. Although he held the Qing law and firmly stood his ground, he had not expected that the other party would remember so clearly even the small provisions of the law from many years ago.
The Qing laws that Song Shiren had just mentioned were all things that the court had forgotten to change when they were revising the law. They had probably long disappeared into some dark place in the library that even a rat would not bother to rummage through. Yet, they had been found so carefully by the other party and used so openly in court. This litigation master was indeed powerful.
Song Shiren's expression was calm, but his eyes gradually became bloodshot. To be able to fight the lawsuit to this extent was already the limit of his abilities. Inheritance and division of property, if it was truly twisted, was indeed complicated. A bit of confidence gradually grew in his heart. Even if that will was still invalid in the end, he could at least try to create the effect of "dividing the family property equally."
One-seventh of the Ming family was not a small number.
Although he could not understand Fan Xian's ambitions, since the imperial envoy thought so highly of him, he had to fight this lawsuit beautifully and write the most beautiful and glorious stroke for the profession of litigation master.
To be able to participate in a battle at such a level as the Ming family property was already of the highest level for a litigation master. For larger matters, such as the inheritance in the Palace, what right did a mere litigation master have to speak? Furthermore, if the court had not split into two sides and occasionally formed a power struggle, the Ming family property lawsuit would not have been able to go to court, much less be filed. Song Shiren would not have had the opportunity to participate.
Thus, although he was very tired, he had a kind of morbid excitement. This kind of opportunity was too rare. He had to grasp it.
If Song Shiren knew that the lawsuit he fought in Jiangnan would stimulate certain people's sensitive nerves and thus indirectly bring about certain people's cooperation and bring the conflict between Fan Xian and those people to a state of confrontation earlier … even if he was given a few more stimuli to leave his name in history, he would only be so scared that he would quickly hide his identity and slip away.
Song Shiren did not care about that problem. The so-called family property was something everyone wanted to fight over, regardless of whether it was the Ming family's or the Emperor's.
(Haven't eaten lunch yet. I'm starving to death. Going out to eat. Maybe there are some typos … please forgive me. In the end, I still sincerely call for everyone to cast a monthly vote. Thank you very much for every vote everyone has cast. Since I've started to pull for a monthly vote, I will continue to pull, pull, pull … witness?) (To be continued, if you want to know what happens next, please log on to WWW. CMFU. com. More chapters. Support the author. Support original reading!)
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