A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Starting from the Village Chief

Chapter 159 Inheriting the Marquis of Fengxiang
Shi Niang and Shu Ying, master and servant, met again and cried bitterly while hugging each other.

Xiao Shuying was in exile during this period. She was a servant born in the Du family and grew up with Shi Niang. Although she was a servant, her food, clothing and other necessities were relatively good, and she had some status in the mansion.

But with just one word from Guo, he was sent to Shayuan in Tongzhou.

There was a ranch owned by the Du family, raising Tongzhou sheep, a favorite food of the people of Chang'an. Shuying, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, needlework, and cooking, ended up becoming a shepherdess.

If Du Ruhui had called them back later, she would even have been betrothed to the stupid son of a shepherd.

A nightmare experience,

Now returning to Chang'an and seeing Shi Niang again, it feels like being reborn.

This scene also made all the guests sigh.

Many people are saying that the old lady of the Guo family is really confused. How can she treat her granddaughter like this? After all, she is her legitimate granddaughter, not an illegitimate daughter born to a concubine or a maid.
On one hand, they collected compensation and high betrothal gifts, but on the other hand, they didn't give any dowry and sent away all the dozen or so maids who had served Shi Niang for more than ten years. This is not the way to do things.

Of course, while people were saying that Guo was old and confused, they were also saying that Du Ruhui was magnanimous.

This is to clean up the mess for my grandmother, and do it perfectly.

Some people also mentioned Du Yan, saying that he could not see the situation clearly. Even now, he was still relying on Wang Shichong in Luoyang. Of course, some people said that Du Yan was definitely not unable to see the situation clearly, but was forced to do so.

Some people objected, saying that Huangfu Wuyi, Pang Yu and others also rushed to Guanzhong, and Huangfu Wuyi even left his wife and children in Luoyang.

It was either that Du Yan could not see the situation clearly, or that he was clinging to the Minister of Personnel.

Li Yi also heard some of these discussions.
He could only say that this might be exactly what Du Ruhui wanted.

Let the Guo family be completely destroyed and their reputation be ruined, leaving all the clansmen and relatives with the impression that the Guo family is old and confused, or even terminally ill. If word spreads from one to ten, ten to a hundred, then the Guo family will never be able to take charge of the Fengxiang Marquisate again.
Du Yan, who was far away in Luoyang, would also lose his reputation due to the incident of Shi Niang's marriage.

The aristocratic families are very concerned about their reputation and reputation.

As Li Yi expected,

Drink tea after the banquet,

Soon another explosive news came out.
In Luoyang, Du Yan actually slandered his nephew to Wang Shichong, reporting that he had an affair with someone in Chang'an, which led to the death of Du Ruhui's elder brother and the imprisonment of Du Ruhui's younger brother.

The news spread quickly among all the guests.
After hearing this, someone immediately asked Du Ruhui to confirm it, and Du Ruhui said painfully that it was indeed true.

"At the beginning of the year, Wang Shichong of Luoyang was badly defeated by Li Mi. Luoyang was about to fall. The Crown Prince and the King of Qin led their troops out of the pass and forced Li Mi to retreat.
At that time, many officials in Luoyang City had contacted the Prince and the King of Qin, expressing their willingness to cooperate internally and open the gates of Luoyang to welcome the Wagang Army into the city. However, because the Wagang Army was powerful at that time and Wang Shichong and others from Luoyang were also resisting stubbornly, they gave up the plan to enter Luoyang.

At that time, my brother also sent a servant to deliver a letter to the army, expressing his willingness to assist from within and help capture Chang'an."

Du Ruhui sighed, "Who would have thought that my fourth uncle would later denounce my brother? Wang Shichong knew that many Luoyang officials had contacted our army and did not want to investigate further. However, my fourth uncle insisted that Wang Shichong kill my brother, saying that it was a warning to others and that he should be killed for the sake of justice.

As everyone knows, in our Fengxiang Marquisate, my father is the eldest son born to my grandfather's first wife, and my fourth and sixth uncles are born to my second wife, Madam Guo. Over the years, the relationship between the two sides has not been harmonious.
This family disgrace shouldn't be made public.
But who could have imagined that my fourth uncle would take personal revenge and kill my elder brother, and now he is holding my third brother captive."

These words came from Du Ruhui's mouth.

This also completely exposed the family scandal of Fengxiang Marquis Mansion.

Everyone knew that the two families were not getting along before, but they did not expect it to get to this point. Even the court laws generally require relatives to protect each other.

If relatives cover up their guilt, the crime may be punished or the sentence may be reduced.

However, Du Yan insisted on reporting his nephew and accusing him of treason, and used this as an excuse to say that it was inappropriate for relatives to conceal the truth in this case, and he had to kill his own relatives for the sake of justice.

No matter what Du Yan said,
But he committed a big taboo.

First, you can pretend not to know. Second, many people were in contact with the Tang army at that time. After Wang Shichong learned about it, he did not investigate it further because the law does not allow everyone to be held responsible. However, Du Yan insisted that Wang Shichong kill his nephew to establish his authority.

Who would dare to associate with you in the future with relatives and friends like this?

in contrast,

Du Yan had always been at odds with Du Ruhui, but now that Guo had made her granddaughter's marriage a joke, Du Ruhui, despite past grudges, came back to help make amends.

To Du Yan's legitimate daughter, he fulfilled his responsibilities as a cousin.

He also fulfilled his responsibilities as the head of Fengxiang Marquis Mansion.

atmosphere,

Be responsible,
Be broad-minded and have a broad vision!

"I'd also like to take this opportunity to announce something to everyone."

"Your Majesty expressed deep sympathy for my brother Luoyang's murder and issued an edict posthumously awarding my brother the titles of General Yunhui, Governor of Yinzhou, and Marquis of Fengxiang County."

Du Ruhui's brother was killed in Luoyang on charges of colluding with the Tang army and plotting treason. His wife and daughter were taken into custody, and his son was killed.

Du Ruhui asked Li Shimin to help request the emperor to bestow titles on his brother. Li Yuan was quite generous and gave him the titles of General Yunhui and Governor of Yinzhou, and posthumously awarded him the title of Marquis of Fengxiang.

Not only that,

Du Ruhui adopted his third illegitimate son Du Aitong under the name of his elder brother.

Li Yuan also generously allowed Du Aitong to inherit the title of Marquis of Fengxiang County.

Taking advantage of the fact that Shi Niang was visiting her parents and worshipping her ancestors today, all the relatives and friends gathered together, and Du Ruhui announced this news, also announcing it to everyone.

Although his eldest brother was killed by his fourth uncle,
However, the Marquis of Fengxiang Mansion was still inherited by their eldest branch. After he asked for the posthumous title for his eldest brother, he did not ask for the title himself, but adopted one of his sons into his brother's name. The eldest great-grandson of the eldest branch,
Justifiably.

Du Yan, the second legitimate son, and Du Ruhui, the second legitimate grandson of the eldest son, were both no match for the great-legitimate grandson of the eldest son.

An adopted son is an adopted son, the one who inherits the family line.

Li Yi was drinking tea on the side. Du Ruhui had put on a good show today. He used the occasion of Shi Niang's visit to his parents as a stage and invited a group of spectators.
The first half is about Shi Niang's glorious return home, and the second half is about his eldest branch's fierce counterattack against the Guo branch.

A sword seals the throat.

First, it confirmed the impression that Guo was old and confused and ill.

Then it was revealed that Du Yan had lost his humanity, killed his nephew and framed him to go to jail, ignored his daughter, and even deliberately made people think that Du Yan asked for a million as compensation, and only accepted the betrothal gifts but did not give the dowry.

After pulling Du Yan out and publicly trampling on him,
Finally, it was announced that he had requested an official title for his brother, and he also announced that his third son was adopted by his eldest brother and obtained the emperor's special decree to inherit the title of Marquis of Fengxiang.

This series,

It completely resolved the years-long dispute between the two families over the throne.

The title of Marquis of Fengxiang fell to the young Du Aitong, and the eldest branch of the family won.

No need to argue anymore.

Li Yi admired Du Ruhui's methods, but he didn't feel that he was being used. People just take what they need. Du Ruhui also used his identity as the head of the Fengxiang Marquis Mansion of the Jingzhao Du family today.

It brought great glory to the couple.

Not only did he give her face, but he also gave her substance, including a dowry of two million coins, including houses, land, slaves, etc. He even found the dozen or so maids who had always served Shi Niang.

Li Yi felt that Du Ruhui's behavior today was
In addition to achieving these goals,
Another point,
After today,

Du Yan did not dare to kill Du Chuke again in Luoyang.

Although he killed Du Dalang, if he kills Du Sanlang now, Du Yan's reputation will be completely ruined, and he will be cut off from everyone.

another one,
After today,

Guo was completely unable to manage the Fengxiang Marquisate anymore. In everyone's eyes, Guo was just an old woman who was confused and sick. How could such a person be the head of the family?

Du Ruhui's third son was adopted by his elder brother and was granted the title of Marquis of Fengxiang County, but he was young, so it was natural for Du Ruhui to take charge of the Marquis of Fengxiang Mansion.

Even if Du Yan returned to Chang'an in the future, it would have nothing to do with him.

Or,

As long as Guo dies,
Then the Du family will split up.

But it was not Du Ruhui who was divided out, but the brothers Du Yan and Du Rui who were divided out, and some land, ancestral home and other major family properties were given to them, which naturally would be in the hands of the new Marquis of Fengxiang.

"Brother Li, we meet again."

A young man came over to say hello. Li Yi looked up and saw that it was Yang Hongwu from the Hongnong Yang family. He was an official of the Prince's Qianniu Bei, and was granted the title of Duke of Cangshan County. He was the nephew of Yang Su and the son of Wei Yijie's sister.

"Good Lord Cangshan,"

"These are my brothers, Hongli, Hongyi, and Hongwen,"

Yang Hongli, a clerk of the Imperial Secretariat and Duke of Qinghe, married a woman surnamed Cui from Qinghe. Yang Hongyi, a deputy minister of the Ministry of Works and the Duke of Linzhen County. Yang Hongwen, the Duke of Ancheng County and the lieutenant of Chang'an County.

These four brothers, one is a county duke and three are county dukes, which is enviable.

Their father, Yang Yue, was only the magistrate of Wannian County. Before Yang Xuangan rebelled, Yang Yue saw that his nephew was not doing well, so he wrote to Yang Guang to cut off ties with his nephew.

But in the end he was implicated and imprisoned. Before Yang Guang's imperial edict of pardon reached Chang'an, Yang Yue was executed, but his sons escaped.

When Li Yuan entered the Pass, the Yang brothers all went to greet him.

After entering Chang'an, Li Yuan took Yang Su's daughter and cousin as Yang Su's concubines. One of them was the cousin of Yang Hongli's brothers, and the other was his aunt.

Therefore, Li Yuan rewarded the four brothers Yang Hongli generously on the grounds that Yang Su had made great contributions to the Sui Dynasty. One was made a county duke and three were made county dukes, all of whom were given sixth-rank official positions.

This reason sounds a bit bullshit.

But no matter what, at that time, the Yang brothers were indeed a banner benchmark for the Hongnong Yang family's submission to Li Tang, and Li Yuan also needed the support of top families like the Hongnong Yang family.

Moreover, the four brothers of the Yang family married Qinghe Cui, Jingzhao Wei, Jingzhao Du and Xingyang Zheng respectively.

Last time, Yang Hongwu ran errands for his uncle, Wei Yicheng, Duke of Xiangcheng, and presented Jingzhao Wei family with fifty taels of gold to Wuji Thatched Cottage.

His attitude towards Li Yi at that time was condescending.

It had only been a few months, but Yang Hongwu had become much more polite and even pulled his three brothers over to introduce them to him.

After a few casual chats, Yang Hongli brought the topic to the auspicious golden potato.

He wanted to ask Li Yi for auspicious signs, of course, not for free. Each of the four brothers wanted one, and each one cost ten taels of gold.

(End of this chapter)