Chapter 23: Betraying Father and Teammates

  "Come, and let the two of you take a seat."

  The county magistrate quickly regained his composure after a brief moment of distraction, and realized that the matter was significant, regardless of whether it was true or not. The most important thing at present is to avoid giving others an excuse.

  This sudden turn of events left everyone stunned, and the only one who might have understood what was going on was probably Master Huang. Unfortunately, Master Huang didn't pay much attention to it at the time, but now he suddenly remembered and looked at Xu Qian with a stern expression, his words full of vigor, and for a moment, he too was shocked.

  Someone brought over a chair, and Xu Qian didn't hesitate to sit down with a big smile on his face, as if he was meant to be sitting there. By enjoying this treatment, it was equivalent to increasing the weight of his words by a lot.

  Xu Chang sat down carefully, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of regret. He had lived for most of his life, yet he was not even as good as his own son. Why did his legs tremble with fear whenever he saw an official?

  The county magistrate's face, which had been pulled down, barely revealed a few points of warmth and said: "Lord Zheng De Gong, the county has long been yearning for him. This is the model of officials in the world. It's just a pity that he was not born at the right time and could not have met him once. It's really regrettable."

  The county magistrate's face changed quickly, and his expression was very rich. He immediately said: "You are the descendant of a loyal and good official, why didn't you say so earlier? Moreover, since the Nanjing Ministry of Revenue has already issued a decree, why didn't you bring it to the county early to change your household registration?"

  Xu Qianzheng said with a straight face: "The document just arrived, and I was originally planning to go to the county to change my registration in these two days. Who knew that I would get into trouble with the authorities? The one surnamed Zhang kept saying that I had no regard for the law and was acting recklessly, so I temporarily forgot about this matter."

  The county magistrate nodded and said, "So, it seems that our county has put you in a difficult position." But in his heart, he was secretly scolding, where did he forget for a moment? It's clear that this rascal of a boy was simply waiting for an opportunity to take advantage of him. This child is only thirteen years old, and his mind is too deep.

  Xu Qian became more polite, although he had the sign of a loyal and good man, but after all, this thing couldn't be eaten as rice. If he didn't give in, Su Xianling was the master of a county, and there were plenty of opportunities to deal with him. He thought for a moment: "Your Excellency is temporarily deceived by petty people, it's not difficult to talk."

  The county magistrate felt relieved, and the Xu family was indeed very sensible. This step back was a concession, selling personal feelings. He was about to continue with some polite words when Zhang Taigong cleared his throat and said in a calm tone: "Your Honor, since the Xu family is descended from loyal and good ancestors, I won't hold any grudges against them for their past misunderstandings. However, the Xu father and son have been playing mourning music across from the Zhang residence, and it's said they've even set up a charitable hall to store coffins. Please, Your Honor, order the Xu family to immediately close down this charitable hall and stop disturbing the Zhang family."

  As things took a sharp turn for the worse, Zhang Taigong could no longer hold back. Xu Qian's counterattack with his spear had almost disrupted his composure. In this situation, he could only downplay what had happened earlier and focus on making progress in the matter of the Yi estate.

  As soon as this was said, the county magistrate of Su felt a bitter taste in his heart. He suddenly realized that neither side was easy to offend. The Zhang family was a big household and the leader of the gentry, absolutely not to be taken lightly. And Xu Qian was the descendant of a loyal and good official, if justice stood on Xu Qian's side, if he wronged Xu Qian, it would definitely be another round of accusations later. He had to straighten up his spirit, put on a few points of dignity, and said to Xu Qian in a serious tone: "Xu Gongzi, Zhang Weng said that you and your father set up a charity house opposite the Zhang family, is this not true?"

  The county magistrate has made up his mind, and now he no longer looks at who has a deeper background or greater reputation. As long as he handles the case impartially, no one can say anything bad about him.

  "Sir, it is indeed true."

  The county magistrate's face turned stern, saying: "Opening a charity house opposite the Zhang family home does indeed have the suspicion of disturbing the people. The Zhang family coming to report you is also reasonable. Do you know your mistake?"

  Just now it was asking Xu Qian whether he knew his crime, but now it is asking him whether he knows his mistake. Obviously, although the county magistrate of Su is in a tone of punishing crimes, he has the idea of making big things small and small things nothing. As long as Xu Qian admits his mistake and closes the Righteous Manor, this matter can be concluded perfectly, and the county magistrate of Su can also breathe a sigh of relief.

  Xu Qian said: "Sir, my father and I set up the charity house not for profit, but to do good deeds, to continue our ancestors' virtues. Although the Xu family's fortunes have declined, our hearts of accumulating virtue and doing good have never been interrupted. Please, sir, investigate clearly."

  The county magistrate frowned and said: "Since it's a good deed, this county will naturally reward you. However, you set up the charity house right opposite Zhang's family, so it's only natural that they're not satisfied."

  Xu Qianzheng said, "Your Honor, the Ming dynasty's law has long stipulated that charitable estates cannot be established within the city. As for those in the suburbs, there are no restrictions from the imperial court. The Zhang family happens to have an abandoned mansion opposite their gate, and I rented it out to establish a charitable estate, which does not violate any laws."

  The county magistrate of Su was taken aback, encountering someone who understood the law better than himself, and he couldn't get angry. Xu Qian's words were not wrong, the clear law only stipulated that no charitable halls could be set up within the city, but Qiantang County was different from other counties, it was too prosperous, so many streets were outside the city. According to the imperial court's interpretation of the city and suburbs, Xu Qian's charitable hall was indeed set up in the suburbs. Moreover, he was doing a good deed with a clear conscience, and County Magistrate Su couldn't stop him from doing good, could he? If he really forced the closure of the charitable hall, wouldn't he be accused of not educating the people himself, but still obstructing others from doing good?

  Troublesome... too troublesome.

  The county magistrate at this time was so resentful that he wanted to throw up his sleeves and leave, dumping the whole mess on someone else.

  Only the county magistrate did not notice that Huang Shiye, who was standing beside him, looked even worse. At first, Huang Shiye just had a mind to watch the excitement, and neither the Zhang family nor the Xu family had anything to do with him. Now he suddenly realized that the Xu family opened a charity house, and this trouble also came from the charity house. He also remembered that Xu Qian and his son had invited him to dinner a few days ago, saying something about accumulating virtue, and asking him to leave a pen and ink, not only that, Huang Shiye had also received the host's money for the pen.

  Logically, this seems to be no problem, but Huang Shiyeh's city is a deep and profound person. After careful consideration, it was found that something was not quite right. When someone asks you to write a character, they will definitely post the character on the outside of the Yi Zhuang, and then...

  It was only natural that the Xu family's philanthropy became known throughout the county, and Huang Shifu's handwritten inscription was also widely recognized. Everyone knew that Huang Shifu supported the Xu family's good deeds, so it was impossible for the Zhang family not to know. Even if they didn't know now, they would eventually hear the news. This meant that Huang Shifu had already clashed with the Zhang family, and although the Zhangs couldn't do anything to him, this grudge would ultimately be formed.

  Apart from this, once the county magistrate of Su has ordered the closure of Xu's charity house, what will others say next? Everyone will definitely say that Huang Shiyè is nothing but a mere figurehead. Although he is a confidant of County Magistrate Su, the charity house he supports can be closed with just one word. If this news gets out, who in Qiantang County would still dare to ask him to handle their affairs?

  People live by their faces, and Huang Shiyeh is also a scholar. Although he didn't pass the imperial examination, he is still a noble person. The people in the county government are all self-interested, they will flatter you if you have something to offer, but once they find out you're not useful, they'll be polite on the surface but who knows what they think behind your back.

  At this point... Huang Shiyeh suddenly realized something, stared at Xu Qian with one eye, and couldn't help but scold in his heart: "This little thief, I thought he was kind enough to ask me to write a couplet, but it turned out that he dug a pit for me to jump into."

  Although he was resentful in his heart, there was nothing he could do. Huang Shiyeh didn't care whether it was intentional or not, anyway, he had already offended the Zhang family. Moreover, it involved his own position in the government office and even affected his reputation for taking bribes to help people with their cases, so he couldn't stand up for himself.

  Huang Shiye secretly took a glance at Su County's expression and immediately coughed three times.

  The sudden cough made County Magistrate Su look over, and Huang Shiren was hired by County Magistrate Su, who was his confidant. The two exchanged glances, and they had a deep understanding of each other. County Magistrate Su understood that Huang Shiren had something to say to him.