Section 006: Tongue Fight at Seven Miles and Twenty-Eight Villages

  Continue listening, Bai Minghe didn't say a word, but just smiled slightly.

  The old man continued: "This old man has also read extensively and has the honor of being a scholar. Unfortunately, he can't take another step forward, but he is still a man who knows propriety and virtue. White Langzi is going to Beijing for the imperial examination, originally he could have brought his wife with him when leaving. These eight miles and thirty-two villages, no matter what, have nothing to do with White Langzi."

  Bai Minghe was not eighteen years old, he had lived to be thirty years old in his previous life, and had gone through countless brutal battles on the business battlefield.

  Don't ask what Bai Minghe did in his past life, you should ask what industry Bai Minghe didn't do in his past life. From selling roasted buns as a child, he has tried every trade and knows countless people.

  At the Lu's house, Bai Minghe had already made up his mind and wouldn't change it just because of a few words from others. With an attitude of watching a show, Bai Minghe thought that this old bookworm was trying to lift himself up, so he wore a faint smile on his face, looking forward to how the other would force him later.

  Indeed, Old Scholar continued: "As I heard from the people of Lu's family, Young Master Bai made a vow at Lu's house that he would not participate in the imperial examination until the troubles of these 32 villages within eight miles were resolved. I, an old man, dare to ask you, sir, to take back this statement. The path to success is like leaping over the dragon gate; many people in the Ming dynasty have aspired to it but failed to achieve it. We cannot give up!"

  Here is the translation:

  It's time for the real show.

  Bai Minghe thought, this old man is indeed up to no good.

  Perhaps it's because I solved the food crisis in Xiaquan Village myself, that they resent me.

  If you insist now, it's like making a promise to the countless people. If you lose credibility and this gets out, it will also affect your future career path. But if you persist and things really get done, these 32 villages in the eight-mile radius will be a huge success.

  If it's messed up, this old bookworm is equivalent to telling the world that this white bachelor is too busy and got himself into trouble. Without that diamond drill, don't take on this porcelain job.

  In the future, even if the 28 villages of Qili have extreme behavior towards Xiaquan Village, no one will come to mediate again.

  The village of Xiaquan moved, this is the final idea of the 28 villages in Qi Li. It was also the result of the discussion between these old men before they came to Xiaquan Village together, in short, it was to make Bai Minghe know his difficulties and retreat. Using reputation, using great righteousness to trap Bai Minghe, achieving the goal of moving Xiaquan Village.

  But for Xiaquan Village, it's hard to leave one's hometown!

  In the great Ming dynasty, who would leave their own home unless they were forced to a dead end? Our ancestors are still here!

  Sun Shu Gong saw so many people talking, and he also stood up and said: "Bai Minghe is my wife's brother, whether or not he has the right to ask about my Sun family's affairs, it's none of outsiders' business. My old ancestor Sun said it was okay, and that's final!"

  "So I dare ask, is Bai Gongzi acting as a member of the White family from Guanzhong or as the maternal uncle of the Sun family?"

  The other party took this opportunity to ask another question.

  At this time, Bai Minghe thought of a famous saying in later generations: if you are not an opponent like God, then you are a teammate like a pig.

  In terms of moral integrity, whether it is ordinary people, scholars or officials, all are equal under the great Ming.

  Filial piety is placed first, even if there are father's faults, the son does not need to report them. In simpler terms, if the old man commits a crime, the son doesn't have to report it and can even help him escape and hide. Even if the authorities find out, they don't need to be implicated together, because this is the son's filial piety!

  In the midst of clear laws and regulations, there is a provision called "concealing for relatives", which only makes an exception in cases of treason or other serious crimes.

  Bai Minghe did not intend to handle this matter as Sun's uncle, just didn't want to be bound by filial piety.

  Just a matter of reputation, faith and righteousness had already put some pressure on Bai Minghe, and with the addition of filial piety, it meant that some things could be done, while many others couldn't.

  For example, making concessions and letting Sun's family make some sacrifices in their ancestral property.

  Alternatively, in order to seek understanding and help from the 28 villages within a radius of seven miles, the Sun family elders came out to admit their mistakes, which is even more impossible now.

  Forget it, looks like I have no choice but to be a bit tougher. You guys are forcing me to put myself on a pedestal, so I'll just go ahead and do that.

  Here is the translation:

  Thinking of this, Bai Minghe adjusted his long shirt, made a fist in all directions, scanned everyone's faces, and then slowly raised his head a few inches. In a loud voice, he said: "This matter, since I, Bai Minghe, have spoken up and taken it on, naturally can't just be empty talk. At this moment, I only want to ask one question. Is this water business everyone's affair in the eight villages, or is it just my own, Bai Minghe's, affair?"

  "It's a matter of water, naturally it's the affair of the 32 villages in Bali Sanli. But to solve this matter, it's up to Bai Gongzi Gao Yi!" This time, the speaker was not that old scholar, but rather a sly-looking old man who whispered from the side.

  Bai Minghe burst out laughing: "You're absolutely right! Why don't we make a written agreement?"

  "Put it in writing, what does Bai Gongzi want to write?" Lao Xiuciai also didn't dare to think that Bai Minghe was a useless person.

  Dare to make a bold statement here, whoever wants to explain the great matter of the water source of Bajiliu Village, must have some skills.

  "After I settle this matter, the benefits will naturally be shared by me, Bai Minghe, and those who helped solve the water source problem. Those who didn't participate won't get any benefits. And if anyone causes trouble, the eight village heads must give me an explanation."

  Bai Minghe said, and everyone was stunned.

  Is this a dead end, or is there still a way out? Is it that this young graduate gentleman is deceiving them?

  The old scholar did not dare to respond immediately, secretly signaling others not to speak out of turn. After a moment's thought, he said to Bai Minghe: "The troublemaker is someone who can't get along with these 32 villages in the eight miles. I guarantee this matter, and I'm willing to put it in writing as proof. But speaking of benefits, I'll ask one question, Young Master Bai, are you planning to sell water after solving the problem?"

  As soon as selling water is mentioned, the elderly people have two different thoughts.

  One is that this young juren seems to really have a way to solve it. Two is that this is another scam.

  Nowadays, someone said: "Xiucai is just a title of honor, spending ten years studying in a cold room to become a Xiucai is already the blessing of ancestors. The county magistrate, however, is a Jinshi from the imperial examination. A Xiucai is one in a thousand, and a Jinshi is again one in a thousand among Xiucai, what an incredible talent! Several county magistrates couldn't solve the problem, just because it's a dead end!"

  What eloquence! Bai Menghu also secretly praised him in his heart.

  Not a single word was mentioned about being a jinshi, but the implication is that you are just a juren, barely considered a superior person. But as for someone like a jinshi who is among the best of the best, even the parents of an entire county can't solve it, and here you are spouting empty words.

  This is not cheating, what is it?

  From start to finish, there wasn't a single word about what solution this matter has, who can believe it.

  Bai Minghe smiled coldly: "Bring me paper and pen!"

  At that time, someone went to fetch the four treasures of the study. Bai Minghe whispered a few words to Sun Lao Shu Gong, and Sun Lao Shu Gong nodded and left.

  When the Four Treasures of the Study were brought in, Sun Yuanjun also came in with them.

  "I'll write the first draft. When I, Bai Minghe, was dealing with the water source issue for the 8 Li and 32 villages in Guanzhong, anyone who caused trouble would have to give an explanation from each household. So, I need the signatures and seals of the 8 village heads and 32 clan leaders. Once it's done, I'll also give you a statement."

  According to etiquette, everyone here is a senior, and Bai Minghe's tone was somewhat too harsh.

  But if you don't toughen up a bit, in such a situation, what chance is there for talking?

  Bai Minghe finished speaking, and the old men looked at each other. This condition was indeed impossible to refuse.

  "Write!" Bai Minghe didn't take action himself. He let Sun Lao Shu Gong call Sun Yuanjun over. The first reason was to find someone to replace him in writing.

  As for writing, it's really helpless. Bai Minghe is a modern person, and his penmanship with a fountain pen is barely passable, but he can't write at all with a brush.

  Many seniors watched Sun Yuanjun hold his pen and didn't have any opinions.

  Sun Yuanjun, this gentleman's name, not to mention the thirty-two villages of Bali, even in Zhuozhou City, there are some names. In terms of words, poetry, classics, and painting, all have uncommon attainments, and his reputation is not low either.

  The handwriting is excellent, and the content is concise and clear, with every word being a gem.

  The document was soon completed.

  Forty signatures, along with fingerprints, were pressed on it.

  Bai Minghe told Sun Yuanjun to put away this thing, then asked him to take out an envelope.

  He slammed his hand on the table: "This is what I have to say about Guan Zhong Bai Minghe for these 32 villages of Sanli."

  The envelope was opened, and it was a float ticket (an ancient admission ticket). Bai Minghe said at this time: "This thing is handed over to you, does this count as an explanation?"

  Now, someone actually jumped out and said: "He's probably afraid that he won't be able to get in, so..."

  "What nonsense!" A loud shout, someone stood up in a rage, and what made Bai Menghe extremely surprised was that it was actually that despicable old man. The old man's fingers were pointing at the face of the person who spoke, loudly scolding: "You are full of nonsense, as a scholar. The imperial examination is such a big deal, you only know how to steal and cheat, you are really disgracing the literary world. Do you dare say another word? I'll make sure your junior doesn't get into the exam?"

  Bai Menghu was really shocked.

  He who had spoken retreated to the side, he hadn't thought that much anyway, just habitually didn't want Bai Minghe to be suppressed.

  Sun Yuankun explained on the side: "Zhao Lao had passed the imperial examination and became a jinshi, but during the palace examination, because he was too ugly, he didn't even have the opportunity to participate in the palace examination. Although he retained his identity as a jinshi, he never had the opportunity to serve as an official for his entire life!"

  Bai Minghe understood and it's no wonder this old man is so excited.

  It seems that being a candidate has many advantages, I should find an opportunity to study it seriously. However, the person who picked faults was right, I only dared to take out the floating ticket because I didn't pass the imperial examination in Beijing.