Twenty-seven, reversal in front of the hall

  Chen Guanyu muttered a famous quote from Gu Xiancheng, feeling extremely pleased with himself.

  At this moment, the crowd outside the yamen suddenly parted to both sides, and a group of brightly dressed, ferocious-looking family guards squeezed in, surrounding a middle-aged man wearing a silk satin robe, with a fat head and big ears, who looked like a nouveau riche. This person was none other than Shi Da, the patriarch of the Shi family.

  Shan Da had actually arrived early, but he was still blending in with the crowd outside. He wasn't in a hurry to come out, wanting to first see how deep this matter was and observe Chen Guanyu's attitude.

  At this time, the party struggle in the imperial court was fierce, and it was the most difficult moment for the Donglin Party. The eunuch party led by Wei Zhongxian was attacking the Donglin Party from all sides, both inside and outside the court. Wei Zhongxian even compiled a book called "Donglin Point General Record", which included all the important members of the Donglin Party and gave them nicknames similar to those of the 108 generals in "Water Margin". He attempted to wipe out the entire party at once. Although the Donglin Party seemed to be retreating step by step, they also counterattacked fiercely by borrowing the momentum of public opinion and slandering Wei Zhongxian. The two sides fought intensely, and as soon as someone from the eunuch party saw a member of the Donglin Party, they would pounce on them like wolves...

  Of course, the main venue for party struggles is still in the capital or some big cities. A small place like Baishui County is far away from the center of party struggles, so people here are not very concerned about it. For example, Chen Guanyu didn't care much about the party struggle, feeling that it was far away and didn't need to be worried about. So when he heard what Gu Xiancheng said, he didn't react and just spoke casually.

  He said casually, but the shirt is not casual to listen! As soon as he heard Gu Xiancheng's famous words, he couldn't sit still anymore. He signaled to his family members and squeezed out of the crowd in an instant. Before he even reached the hall, Shirt Big's voice had already arrived: "Hey! Who wants to investigate Shirt House's 'evil deeds'?"

  "What?!" County Magistrate Chen, who was sitting in the hall, felt a bit bewildered. When did I ever investigate the Shi family? The head of the Shi family is a useless person, but Shi Twelve serves as an official and is one of the loyal dogs under the command of Wei Zhongxian, with power that reaches the heavens. Why would he come to investigate the Shi family for no reason?

  He is unlearned and inexperienced, and has not even figured out his own problems. After saying a famous quote from Gu Xiancheng, he burst out laughing and said: "Brother Shan, what wind brought you here? I'm investigating the 'Gui Ji' of Cai Xi Village, which has nothing to do with your family, just take a look at the excitement."

  "What's the big deal?" Shandai coldly snorted, reached into his sleeve and pulled out a large stack of deeds and contracts, casually flinging them onto the hall floor. The papers fluttered and scattered all over the ground. He sneered, "This Xigufang Village is my family's property! Investigating Xigufang Village means investigating my Shandai family!"

  "What?" Chen Guanyu's body tilted to one side, almost sliding off the chair: "Xigou Village... no... isn't it the Ma family's?"

  Shan Da Zheng was just about to say: "Ma Jia has just given me Xigou Village..."

  However, before he could speak, Zhu Yuanchang suddenly interjected at the right moment: "Xigou Village used to be the Ma family's, but half a year ago, our Ma family gave it to the Shen family!"

  Half a year ago? When he heard this, he didn't react for a moment, but although he wasn't considered clever, he still had a bit of quick wit and suddenly came to his senses: That's right, if it was said that it was just sent to me, it would be too obvious, and it wouldn't look good if it caused trouble in the imperial court. It's better to say it was half a year ago, anyway, the contract only had a seal on it, no date was written, we can say it was sent whenever we want, huh... This kid is actually quite clever.

  He gave Zhu Yuanzhang a nod of approval, then raised his head and said to Chen Guanyu in a mysterious tone: "County Master, you've done something really strange today. Xigou Village is clearly the land of my family, but why do you insist on saying it's Ma's? Are you trying to seize our family's property?"

  When he said this, not only was Chen Guanyu stunned, but the onlookers outside were also bewildered. What's going on today? Who in Baishui County doesn't know that Xiguan Village belongs to the Ma family? How did it suddenly become the Shi family's? And the Shi family even has the land deed in hand... The most shocked people are the villagers of Xiguan Village, who were clearly "dependent" on the Ma family. How could they not know when they changed masters themselves?

  The people who were just making a ruckus all fell silent, quietly watching the development of things.

  Until now, the stupid and foolish Second Master Ma only knew that Zhu Ba's decision to hastily find him at noon today and have him send out the land deed was so wise. If not for this move, there wouldn't be such a wonderful moment right now. He had been a bit timid just now, with a hint of cowardice on his face, but now his waist and back straightened up.

  Shan Da pulled out the deed of transfer that Ma Qianjiu had written for him not long ago from his bosom, and signaled a yamen runner to hand it over to Chen Guanyu. The yamen runner carefully carried the deed to the hall and handed it over to Chen Guanyu, who scanned it briefly. After finishing reading, Chen Guanyu felt his tongue turn bitter, his throat dry, and stars flashing before his eyes...

  "What's wrong with you?" Shirts angrily pressed Chen Guanyu, "Do you want to say that Xigou Village is the Ma family's, and in front of these land deeds and sales contracts, forcibly take away the fields of my Shirt family?"

  Ma Zhou's face was covered in sweat, and Zhu Yuanzhang, who was kneeling on the ground, interrupted again: "Master Chen, our Ma family would never dare to cheat you out of your land... there is a beginning to injustice, and a mastermind behind debt, this whole thing was orchestrated by Chen Guanyu."

  "Chen Guanyu, speak!" The big shirt had just been calling County Master, and now he was directly addressing him by name. Like Ma Ershao, he didn't have any official title, so according to reason, he should kneel when meeting an official, but not only did he not kneel, he even addressed the county master by his first name, showing off his arrogance as a eunuch.

  Chen Guanyu was stunned for half a day, and his face wore an expression that was both crying and laughing. Now he couldn't care about being a clean official or not, or what reputation he had. What mattered most was how to get through the current crisis. He quickly lowered his voice, speaking in a tone that people outside wouldn't be able to hear: "Shan brother, there might have been some misunderstanding here. I'm after the Ma family, not your Shan family... Think about it, do I have the guts for this?"

  "Are you timid? I really don't think so..." Da Leng sneered: "The other day, you were reciting the 'Xingge Tiaoli Gongshu' in the yamen, following Hai Rui's words: This county has abolished all sorts of corrupt practices and taxes, and does not allow any exemptions. Just now, in front of many people, you followed Gu Xiangcheng's words and said: When an official is unfaithful to his lord, when a local official is not concerned with the people's livelihood, hiding in the countryside and not speaking of justice, he is not worthy of being called a gentleman..."

  He paused here, clicked his tongue twice and said: "A clean official! A big clean official has come to our Baishui County... Are you taking Hai Rui and Gu Yanwu as examples?"

  "What? That was said by Gu Xiancheng?" Chen Guanyu felt a sudden dizziness, oh no, I've been tricked! Why did I mutter a phrase from Gu Xiancheng, now it's all over, even jumping into the Yellow River can't wash this clean. His gaze suddenly shifted, staring fixedly at Zhu Yuanzhang kneeling on the floor, and he couldn't help but think: It was this guy... He deliberately led me to say this sentence, when public sentiment was stirred up, he suddenly muttered this sentence, just to get me to follow him in saying it...

  To know a person's language, it has a certain infectious power to the people around them. For example, when you are walking on an empty mountain top, and suddenly hear the sound of singing folk songs from afar, you can't help but follow along with a few lines. Another example is when you are boating on the Qinhuai River, and suddenly hear scholars reciting poetry, it's possible that you will also recite a couple of lines... This is one aspect of human sensibility, most people cannot avoid it, only those with extremely strong character, who are not moved by external things, can be immune to its influence.

  This guy named Zhu Ba, actually knows how to use this method to lure me into speaking out against the Donglin Party, and forcibly turn my own family into my enemies... It's too terrifying! This guy's calculation of human hearts has already reached a frightening level.

  Chen Guanyu looked at Zhu Ba, who was quietly kneeling in the hall, and felt a chill in his heart. He thought that Ma Ershao was an idiot, and although Ma Qianjiu was mature and steady, he was too conservative and not intimidating. This time Chen Guanyu dared to take action against the Ma family because the eldest son of the Ma family was not at home, and the Ma family lacked a strong leader. He had accepted money from Zhang's family in Cheng City to cause trouble for the Ma family, but he did not expect... really did not expect that the Ma family still had such a strange creature hidden, who suddenly bit him with one mouthful, causing his blood to splatter everywhere.

  Chen Guan Yu didn't go to answer the big words, he knew that no matter how he explained now, it was useless. The other side had already regarded him as a Donglin Party member. At this time, using language to explain would be self-deprecating. He just wanted to lose more clearly, so he asked Zhu Yuanzhang very seriously: "You... what did you do before? What's your name?"

  "Let the calf go, Zhu Ba!"

  "Hey, herding boy...... Ha, herding boy...... Haha, herding boy!"

  Chen Guanyu threw the wooden ruler in his hand out of the window, suddenly stood up and turned around to leave. The people on the platform were stunned, but he had no mood to care about them, and just ran towards the back of the hall with all his might.

  He's already unable to handle it, outside the hall are a large number of civilians waiting for this "clean official" to preside over justice and investigate the 'hidden evil', but his opponent is a eunuch party member. Now he still wants to struggle for fame, only to lose his own life. He immediately sees the wind change direction and shows goodwill to the powerful, even if he loses face in front of so many civilians, it's not necessarily a good result. It's better to do nothing and run away with your tail between your legs.

  "Hey, don't go away, tell me clearly." Shang Da yelled at Chen Guanyu's back.

  Chen Guan Yu didn't even turn his head back, and sighed: "Forget it, I'll submit a memorial to the imperial court tonight, requesting to resign from office and return home...". His figure disappeared behind the small side door of the main hall, and the pearl curtain hanging on the door was knocked open by him, making a rustling sound.

  "Cut, Donglin Party's rats, seeing me run away, and saying they want to be a clean official." Shang Daleng snorted coldly, with a pleased expression. He smiled at Ma Jiaer, the second young master beside him: "Ma Ershao, let's go have a few drinks."

  The second young master suddenly jumped up from the ground and laughed loudly: "Good! Let's drink! Today is really exciting, haha!"

  Zhu Yuanzhang had been speaking non-stop to guide the development of the situation, but now that things have been accomplished, he stopped talking and stood up quietly, retreating to one side. One should know when to stop while ahead, at this moment of great accomplishment, he couldn't speak again, lest he give people the impression that he was seeking credit for himself. Even if he didn't say anything now, afterwards Ma Qianjiu and Second Master would remember today's events and understand how big a role he had played in them.