Chapter 119 – Family Property Lawsuit
Suzhou province today there is a big gossip happening, love lively and not very afraid of the government of Suzhou citizens have long been informed, early in the morning to the government office gate, one side of the discussion, one side of the waiting.
People discuss, naturally, in recent days in suzhou city rumors are buzzing, has gradually attracted the attention of the whole jiangnan that thing – ming family property dispute.
Who did not expect, that year should have long been sick and died of the seventh son of Ming, suddenly appeared in front of the crowd, and changed, became the commander of the water fortress in Jiangnan, the famous figures in the underworld, and by the internal library of the matter, the seventh son of the identity of the Ming changed again, to become responsible for the management of the internal library of the north road marketing of the royal merchants.
But no matter how his identity changes, the most striking, or he is the identity of the descendants of the Ming family. Today, Xia Qiu flew into the Suzhou House to report on the paper, to fight the family property lawsuit, I do not know how the people living in the Ming Garden will do how to react.
And the Ming family’s rich family property, in the end will fall into the hands of whom?
In the hearts of the vast majority of people, they actually still favored the Ming family. For one thing, because the Ming family’s dark side of their own good cover, in the hearts of the people of the Jiangnan gentry to create an extremely clear image. Secondly, Ming Qingda is the eldest son of the Ming family, even if Xia Qufei is really the seventh son of the Ming family, according to the law of Qing and the ancient tradition, the family property should naturally belong to the first son to inherit.
What’s more, who can prove that Xia Qufei is really Ming Qingcheng?
At this time, Suzhou government office outside the bustling, Yamen is tense, Suzhou government governor headache is half-volted in the big case, breathless to the side of the master lamented: “Say, today can do?”
The Ming family centuries-old family, I do not know how much contact with the Jiangnan officialdom, simply have long been torn apart, if the Ming family things, I am afraid that a small half of the officials in Jiangnan have to follow the loss into, and like the Suzhou House of such an important position, the Ming family more long ago to the other side of the feed, today Xia Qufei want to enter into the endowment to play the family property lawsuit, the Suzhou Governor of course, we must stand in the position of the Ming Qingda and the old Taijun to consider the question, but …… Xia Qufei is behind the Qinzhi, and it is not a figure that the governor of the state dares to offend.
Master is also full of fear, anxious on the ground in a circle, suddenly he stood still, will be a paper fan in the hands of a closed, issued a snap.
“My lord, it’s time to be a clean official.” The master’s eyebrows squeezed into unsightly circles of flesh and said through clenched teeth.
The Suzhou governor panicked and said angrily, “What kind of bullshit is this? Could it be that this official was not a clean official in the past?” After saying this, thinking of certain things, Lord Zhizhu suddenly deflated and said, “This is a matter of the Ming family, and it’s not good for this official to stay out of it, after all, in past years, it was also thanks to the old Taijun that this official was able to sit in this position.”
Master knew that the master misunderstood his own meaning, hurriedly came forward to say a few words, lowered his voice to explain: “Master, you see the Ming family in the past two days can someone come to say something?”
Suzhou governor froze, thought for a moment and then said strangely, “Yes, the Ming family has not sent anyone to communicate with this official.”
The master smiled grimly: “So it seems, the Ming family is naturally well-prepared, knowing that this lawsuit no matter how to fight, what is in the hands of Xia Qufei …… Ming family this huge family property is still only possible to belong to the Ming old man to hold …… since Ming family are not worried, naturally have the confidence to win, why should your lordship be anxious for them?”
Suzhou governor slightly bowed his head and asked in a very low voice, “Then according to you, what should this official do?”
This master specializes in criminal names, familiar with the Qing law can not be more familiar, brush sound open folding fan, proudly said: “Whether Xia Qufei can find the old man, prove his own life, even if he really is the Ming family’s seventh son, according to the Qing law, the family property also does not have his share. Master since both sides do not want to offend, and the Ming family now have Qing law protection, then you still worry about what? Today only need to report to the public for processing, according to the Qing law to judge the case …… I think that the Lord Qinzhi will not be able to blame you.”
This shocked Jiangnan case don’t know how many eyes are watching, Suzhou governor frowned and thought for a long time, think it seems only according to this law, report public case, according to the law to decide, he can not offend Fan Xian, and can silently see the Ming family success, but also can put up the official reputation, seems to be a win-win-win situation.
Thinking of this section, the governor finally relaxed and took a long breath, saying, “That’s it, if you don’t move, you move.”
At this moment, the broken drum outside the government office thumped.
The governor frowned and scolded, “This water bandit surnamed Xia is really in a hurry.” The words were so said, but he did not dare to slacken off, straightened his official clothes, piled up a smile of mercy in the midst of majesty, walked out of the study, and went towards the public hall.
Came to the public hall above, only to hear outside the house is a clamor, a killing sound up, only to the outside of Suzhou citizens drumming voice suppressed.
ZhiZhou Lord squinted at the hall, some accidentally found, today XiaQiFei is a person to come to the public hall above, did not bring the rest of the people around, it seems that the Lord of the QinZhou also did not send people to assist XiaQiFei.
“Who is under the hall?”
“Herborist Xia Qifei?”
“What is the matter to report?”
Xia Qifei was slightly silent, somewhat lost in thought, and momentarily forgot to answer. He is wearing a pure green cotton robe today, the beard on the chin shaved bright, revealing the green skin, looking at the humongous gas full of spirit, the spirit of a hundred times, exposed outside the cuffs of the hands of some slight trembling, it seems that today’s matter, for this Ming seven male son of the significance of the meaning of the matter is indeed very great.
Zhi Zhou adults some disgusted to look at him a glance, feel this person proudly stand between the hall, for their authority is a not small challenge, and even in front of this official, actually …… not kneel!
He was about to go biao, but he realized that his sleeve was tugged by the division master.
The division master said softly, “Fan …… Fan …… leave the small things alone.”
The governor was shocked, and thought yes, what is the point of bothering about these small points?
Just at this time, Xia Qufei finally opened his mouth in a deep voice, only to see him clasped both fists, said aloud: “grassroots Xia Qufei, this name Ming, name Qingcheng, is the seventh son of the Ming family of the Ming family in Suzhou, the old master of Tieye, since young, was evicted by the shrewish woman from her home, and displaced so far, lost his father and lost his family, and today I have no choice but to go into the Yamen Hall, which is to accuse the Ming family of the Ming family of the Ming old master of the Suzhou family and the head of the family of the long house of the Ming Qingda collusion with the bandits, and the presumption of harming human life, taking away my family property, and the police are not in charge of the police. I’m here today to accuse the Ming family of colluding with bandits and taking away my family’s property. …… Please ask the Great Lord of Heaven for justice for the little people.”
This statement was a big clamor in the courtyard. All know that today Xia Qufei is to rob the family property, but who did not expect, he opened his mouth to specify the old Taijun and Ming Qingda year once wanted to harm people’s lives, word for word, and in the words is a shrew bandit even out, not leaving any room for maneuver!
The people outside the Yamen are all uproarious, in their hearts, Ming Lao Taijun is a kind old woman, do not know how many good deeds over the years, how to get involved with the shrew?
In fact, these people’s hearts also vaguely guessed that the seven sons of the Ming family disappeared strangely that year, I’m afraid that and Ming Lao Taijun and now the master of the Ming family Ming Qingda can not be disassociated from the relationship ……, but people are always willing to believe in the things they believe in, believe in the things that have already persuaded their own, so for the accusation of the Ming Qingda are reported booing.
Suzhou governor also frowned, disgusted, said: “This is a big matter, words can not be careless, where is the pleading paper?”
Xia Qufei took out the paper from his pocket, and handed it to the master of the lower hall. Master will be handed the paper to the governor adults, the two men together a slight look, they feel shocked, this piece of paper written is gorgeous and sharp, word for word pointed out the old lady, and very clever to avoid the rules of the Qing law in this regard, just a word will be deducted in the year the old lady’s will on top of the will of the old lady of the year Ming, and about Xia Qufei all these years of the poor displaced life, but spared no effort to ink, so that those who witnessed it are not moved.
The governor was moved, the heart is secretly sneer, eyes narrowed, thinking of this kind of article used to do the words of the novel is good, can be used to fight the lawsuit, but there is no role.
He slapped the shock wood, snapped: “Xia Qifei, you can have evidence to submit?”
Xia Qifei said with a calm face, “The people of the Ming family have not arrived, why should the adults be so anxious?”
Looking at Xia Qufei’s calm and confident demeanor, the governor frowned, thinking does the other party really have any deadly weapons in their hands? He slightly pondered, and discussed with the master of the division for a couple of sentences, and then sent people to ask the Ming family to come to answer the lawsuit.
In accordance with the Qing law paraplegic format note, this civil lawsuit, the defendant does not need to come to the person to answer the lawsuit, but today’s dispute is too big, both sides behind the power is too big, in the Jiangnan area caused by the impact is too big, suzhou governor would not dare to be too big, and know that the Ming family will not stay out of the matter, so it will be sent to invite.
As expected, the magistrate front foot out, the Ming family’s people followed in the foot, it seems that the Ming family has long been ready to answer the lawsuit people, just waiting to fight the battle to win.
Seeing the visitor, Suzhou governor frowned again and said in a chilling voice: “Who is the visitor?”
That flamboyant noble son smiled faintly and curtsied, “Ming Lan Shi, greetings to Your Excellency.”
The young master of the Ming family of course knows that Suzhou governor at this time is acting, to play the role of the upright and upright before the public, only to speak so coldly, usually this governor in front of himself but much more cordial, but after analyzing the Ming family in the past few days, decided that this family property lawsuit is a must-win situation, so Ming Lan Shi understands the Suzhou governor’s thoughts, and not very much to meddle with it.
“Uh-huh.” Suzhou Governor said, “Elder Ming has been unwell recently, as the eldest grandson of the eldest house, it is reasonable for you to respond to this matter, come on, hand over the pleading paper to Ming Lan Shi for a look.”
The master brought the pleading paper down, not expecting Ming Lan Shi to not take it, instead he smiled and saluted, “Your honor, my Ming family is not a good litigating villain, so I don’t quite understand the kinks in this, so I have invited a litigant to help me.”
After he finished his sentence, he glanced to the side, the so-called “good lawsuit of evil people” is naturally aimed at Xia Qifei who is standing to the side. Xia Qifei did not react, nor did he look at his great nephew.
Along with the Ming Lan Shi’s speech landed, hit the back of the flash into a person, both hands received the master handed over the paper, currying favor with a smile.
Suzhou governor and master a look at this person, some of the suspended heart immediately put down, the litigator surnamed Chen Bochang, is the most famous litigant in the south of the Yangtze River, or the most notorious litigant, and the state government is extremely good, this person to fight the lawsuit, has always been able to black said white, dead said live, men said women, clever tongue, hand flicked the Qing law to go all over the world, and has never lost.
Today, the Ming family moved this Chen Bochang, and there are Qing law on the death of the provisions of the succession, this family property lawsuit will not lose.
Chen Bochang held Xia Qufei hair pleadings paper carefully looked at, the corner of the lips can not help but reveal a trace of contempt contemptuous sneer, will be the other side, and even behind the other side of the Qinzhi adults are looking at the light of a few silk, he cleared his throat, frivolous smile: “good a touching story …… just do not know …… what does this story of Head Xia have to do with the Ming family?”
This litigator called Xia Qufei as Xia headmaster, naturally to influence public opinion, so that the citizens listening to the public remember, this Xia Qufei is a murderous gangster leader on the river and lake.
Xia Qufei’s face was expressionless as he said, “Telling all the stories of the Ming family in these twenty years, what do you think has anything to do with the Ming family?”
Chen Bochang suddenly laughed twice coldly and sneered, “Mr. Xia is really ridiculous, if you say it is the story of the Ming family, it is the story of the Ming family? You say you are the seventh master of the Ming family is the seventh master of the Ming family?”
He smiled at the Suzhou governor in the hall and said, “Your honor, this case is too ridiculous, there is really no need to continue.”
The Suzhou governor pretended to frown and said, “What makes you speak in such a monstrous manner?”
Chen Bochang laughed: “There is no solid evidence at all, so he calls himself the seven sons of the Ming family …… Lord, if there is another person who calls himself the seven sons of the Ming family at this time, so what? Jiangnan people all know, the old master of the Ming family had a total of seven sons and four daughters, the seventh son was born of a concubine, since young, sick and weak, as early as ten years ago has unfortunately contracted the disease and passed away, how now there is another Ming family seven sons? If you allow a person to claim to be a descendant of the Ming family, you can go to the public court without authorization, defame the reputation of the Ming family, and vilify Elder Taijun Ming and Elder Master Ming’s name, where is the justice of the heavens?”
He looked at Xia Qufei smiled and said, “Of course, nowadays we all know that the summer head is not an unusual person …… just under the very curious, after the opening of the bidding in the library, the summer head will make such a ridiculous a move, do not know exactly why? Behind it is not hiding what can not tell the sinister intention?”
This Jiangnan’s most famous litigant blandly felt that today’s lawsuit is too unchallenging, so it came up on the attack, a big heart-attack, looking at Xia Qufei shook his head and said: “No evidence, don’t mess with the lawsuit, no witnesses, don’t bite the …… summer head, you insulted the Ming family’s reputation today, later on, will sue you for a false accusation. , will definitely sue you for the crime of false accusation.”
When personally experienced Ming Lao Taijun cane killed Xia Qufei’s own mother, will Xia Qufei drive away the matter of people, in this decade has long been silenced, Xia Qufei hand simply can not have any evidence as well as witnesses, so the Ming family is very confident.
And just at this time, outside the Suzhou government office came a slippery, lazy, let a person listen to straight goosebumps voice.
“Who says you can’t file a lawsuit without evidence? Who says you can’t sue for murder without witnesses?”
“In the first year of the Qingli reign, in the case of a concubine killing her husband in Dingzhou, the main wife sued without evidence, and the case was solved when the saber was found in the stables afterward.”
“The Ministry of Justice filed the spring volume of the one hundred and thirty-seven files, to the example of the Song dynasty king of South Vietnam, set out the Ming civil case for the third class, the matter involves more than 10,000 guan dispute, may not be subject to the death rules of the criminal negligence, not subject to the anti-sitting, without the need to fully adduce evidence …….”
“The Ming family’s property is more than ten thousand guan?”
“There are two cases in front, why can’t this lawsuit be fought?”
“Evidence of such things, after the report, there are officials to check the scene, search for evidence of crime, you litigants in what hurry?”
“What’s more …… who says Mr. Xia has no evidence?”
That from the yamen outside the line of people in a Confucian shirt, holding a golden fan, waving incomparable, arrogant, a series of words, citing the case, with the Ministry of Justice archived book, although slightly too strong words, but also successful and incomparable to the Ming family aggressiveness of the momentum suppressed, will be the crowd’s eyes are attracted to his body.
Suzhou governor slightly angry stroked his beard and said: “Who is it? You presume to come to the public court without being summoned! Someone come, give me a beating!”
The man in the Confucian shirt had an alloy fan inserted behind his back, arched his hand in a respectful salute to the hall, and said, “Your Honor, you may not fight.”
After saying this, he took out a piece of paper from his sleeve, shook it in the air, and said with a playful smile, “I am also a litigant with this Mr. Chen Bochang, but it is the litigant invited by Mr. Xia Qifei, and I came late earlier, so please forgive me for this crime, and allow me to stand in the hall with my body intact and talk to the Ming family…. …This case has not even been tried yet, and your honor has knocked one of the party’s litigators unconscious …… This matter has spread out, and I am afraid that it will hinder your honor’s reputation.”
The crowd froze, only then did they realize that the original visitor was actually Xia Qifei’s litigator.
Xia Qifei smiled bitterly, thinking how the Lord of the Qinzhi sent himself to such a nonsense odor is too heavy litigant.
Suzhou governor was the words of the litigant stifled, angry, but do not dare to really go to fight, or in the side of the Lord of the Qinzhi not good, for a time is unable to speak.
He could not speak, that Chen Bochang is a bright eyes, staring at the back inserted golden fan of the litigant, all feel that finally ran into a sharp-tongued rival, slightly excited, is also the fan to the back of a plug, said: “Your Excellency previously cited two cases, is a special case, especially the Ministry of Criminal Affairs spring file note, only for the capital in the Ministry of Criminal Affairs of the Da Lisi for reference, but has not been involved in the local trial of the judgment. ”
The man shook his head and said: “Otherwise, the Daxing four years, then served as Suzhou, the former Minister Lin Ruofu, has been based on this spring file note judgment of a family property case, why not involved in the said?”
Chen Bochang heart tightened, the other said this case they do not have any impression, either the other party nonsense, or the other party for the Qing law as well as jurisprudence of the degree of familiarity …… is still far above their own!
Only to hear that person continued to smile and said: “Brother Bochang also do not say what Qing law does not rely on jurisprudence words, jurisprudence with or without, not in the Qing law expressly limited, all in the master of the idea.”
He raised his hand to suzhou governor adults to please a salute, suzhou governor is in the heart of the curse, know a thought between four words, they forced themselves on the east mountain, this family property case is not established is not.
Who exactly is this litigator? Chen Bochang and Ming Lan Shi looked at each other, are feeling a little strange, Jiangnan where to come so than Chen Bochang more shameless litigant?
The Suzhou governor finally couldn’t help but ask, “Dare I ask, who exactly is this gentleman’s name?”
Xia Qufei also looked at his own litigator. Only to see this litigator arching his hands and smiling, “Student Song Shiren, as the director of the Kyoto Litigators Guild, the Ministry of Criminal Affairs licensed to transfer files, specially came to Jiangnan today, in order to have this honor to participate in the largest family property case in history.”
Song Shiren!
Suzhou governor immediately had the thought of running away, Ming Lan Shi also felt his mouth drying up, and that Chen Bo Chang’s eyes even went straight!
Who was Song Shiren? Kyoto’s most famous lawyer, or rather the entire country of Qing’s most famous lawyer, Chen Bochang’s reputation is only line in the south of the Yangtze River, this Song Shiren is the world’s famous clever tricky and difficult to mess with, since the beginning of the road, relying on the study of the Qing law since childhood, I do not know how many officials have no face, how many victims of misery in tears.
Song Shiren’s fame and infamy, even the people of Suzhou City have heard of, at this time, heard his name, outside the government offices like a pot of noise, all know that today the drama is better.
Ming Lan Shi worriedly looked at Chen Bo Chang. Chen Bochang recovered his composure after being slightly flustered, his eyes narrowed slightly, and a powerful battle spirit suddenly erupted within his body as he said with a cold smile, “Don’t worry, young master, I have never lost a lawsuit before, but he, Song Shiren, has lost before!”
Just this Chen Bochang seems to have forgotten a very important point, Song Shiren the only lawsuit he has lost in his life …… is the last time the Kyoto government tried the case of Sinanbo’s illegitimate son, Black Fist Beating Guo Baokun …… Song Shiren has only lost to Fan Xian once.
Since it is to fight the family property lawsuit, of course, the first thing to confirm is the real life of Xia Qufei, whether he is actually the seventh son born to the old master Ming.
For this point, Chen Bochang’s position stood extremely stable, if the other party can not prove this matter, the rest of the things do not care to argue, so as not to give the infamous Song Shiren the opportunity to seize the loopholes of their own side.
Suzhou governor also frowned and asked Xia Qifei side to provide practical evidence to confirm his identity.
Song Shiren is not as relaxed as before, shaking his head at Xia Qifei, he invited the first witness from his side.
This witness is a steady woman, the age has been very old, walking a little trembling, walked to the hall panting to confirm, that year is their own for the old master Ming’s concubine of the room to receive the birth, and that the newborn baby back waist has a green birthmark.
Xia Qufei undressed in court, and there was indeed a green mark on the back of his waist.
Chen Bochang frowned, gritted his teeth and whispered to Ming Lan Shi, “Why didn’t you say anything about this yesterday?”
Ming Lan Shi s teeth gritted crunching loudly, incomparably angry whispered, “This steady woman …… is fake! Back then that one died of illness two years before!”
Chen Bochang sighed, even if he knew that the steady woman was a fake, how could his side prove it? That steady woman look confused, but in the previous question and answer, will be the year the location of the Ming Garden remember clearly, Ming old master’s appearance, the concubine’s dress, the house are not remembered wrongly, in the view of the onlookers, this steady woman really really can not be more true.
Fuck, the Supervisory Yuan counterfeiting really powerful!