Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

Sheng Hong's ability to rise from a lowly ninth-rank official in the frontier to the third-in-command in a prosperous region was indeed remarkable, leaving no room for criticism.

Before the words were finished, the constables dragged in a man in a gray robe, a young man in a scholar's robe, and an old man in a blue robe. The young man in the scholar's robe and the old man in the blue robe both had their heads bowed wearily, and they seemed to be in charge of the man in the gray robe.

"A few days ago, Old Master Bai passed away. His will stipulated that his only daughter, Bai Shi's son, Gu Tingye, the legitimate son of the Marquis of Ningyuan, should inherit the family business. You were dissatisfied and plotted to assassinate Gu Tingye. Is that true?" Sheng Hong stared intently at the main suspect, Bai Jingdong, and questioned him sharply.

Bai Jingdong slowly raised his head, looked around, his heart ashen, and said nothing.

He had spent many years in Yangzhou, so he naturally knew who was sitting in those six chairs.

The three chief officials of Yangzhou, and the eldest sons of the three major families in Yangzhou!

Top scholar!

With such a lineup, it's likely that the crime has already been decided before anyone has even been caught.

Of course, he did indeed carry out the assassination.

“Since you refuse to speak, then consider it a confession.” Sheng Hong said in a deep voice, slamming the table down with an air of great authority: “To show justice, bring in the evidence in this case and take the assassin away.”

A constable brought out several blood-stained long knives.

A yamen runner carried in a corpse, which was Zhi Que, Gu Tingye's substitute servant. His body had already swelled up and looked quite pitiful.

Several weary servants in black were escorted by yamen runners; these were the assassins who had tried to kill Gu Tingye.

A constable brought over a booklet containing testimonies from the Bai family and the assassin.

"The evidence is irrefutable, the assassins are all there, Gu Tingye's servant's body is there, and the testimonies are all there." Sheng Hong slammed his hand on the table again and shouted, "Bai Jingdong, do you plead guilty?"

With the facts established and the truth revealed, there was no chance of winning the argument, so Bai Jingdong simply stopped struggling.

He looked up at Gu Tingye, staring straight at him, his words filled with murderous intent: "This was all my doing, all for the purpose of killing Gu Tingye."

"He's just a nobody, a man surnamed Gu, what right does he have to seize my family's property? The Bai family has worked hard for decades; even if they haven't achieved anything, they've still put in the effort. Why should he get it so easily?"

“In this world, how can a grandson inherit the family property?” Bai Jingdong was very dissatisfied.

They disagreed with Old Master Bai's will.

The will is real, but he just won't accept it.

Gu Tingye couldn't sit still any longer and stood up, saying, "My grandfather was ostracized by you in his early years, but he took you in despite your past grievances. Yet, when he was about to leave, you even tried to take advantage of his family's poverty."

He only had my mother as his daughter, and he wrote a letter specifically to show he didn't want her to fall into the hands of you ungrateful wretches. What's wrong with that?

Bai Jingdong listened in silence and said nothing more.

He knew very well that the moment the incident occurred, he had already lost completely.

Since they have already confessed, there's no point in arguing anymore.

"It's on record!" Sheng Hong waved his hand and said.

These conversations are all presented as evidence in court, especially the conversation between Gu Tingye and Bai Jingdong, which is essentially a confession.

These words are recorded, making this an indisputable and ironclad case that even a god could not overturn.

As soon as he finished speaking, Sheng Hong slammed his hand on the table: "Bai Jingdong harbored evil intentions and plotted to harm nobles. In accordance with the 'Zhou Law - Criminal Law,' I hereby sentence the suspect Bai Jingdong to immediate execution as a warning to others!"

With that, the token fell to the ground!

Upon seeing this, several constables immediately stepped forward to restrain the person, their solemn expressions sending a chill down one's spine.

"The Bai family was originally a merchant family. Thanks to His Majesty's benevolence, the descendants of merchants are granted the right to take the imperial examinations and study to serve their country." Sheng Hong said, glancing at Bai Jingdong.

Without lingering on the matter, Sheng Hong decisively declared, "Unexpectedly, the Bai family, instead of showing gratitude, openly assassinated the son of a marquis, thus endangering the peace of the nation. I hereby decree that the Bai family members for three generations shall be barred from taking the imperial examinations and holding official positions. I hope they will repent and return to the right path!"

These words sent a chill down Bai Jingdong's spine, even though he was heartbroken. He looked up.

The young man in the Confucian robe and the old man in the blue robe also looked up abruptly.

Too bad!

The laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty prohibited merchants from taking the imperial examinations, but did not prohibit their children from studying for the examinations.

Therefore, wealthy merchants would try to become wealthy farmers, and then from wealthy farmers to scholars.

That is, the first generation made their fortune through commerce, the second generation bought land and studied, and the family tradition of farming and studying was passed down, thus leading to the imperial examinations.

If someone in the second generation becomes successful, then the third generation can naturally become wealthy and powerful, thus transitioning from merchants to scholars.

If the second generation doesn't excel academically, that doesn't matter; the third generation can continue.

If, over three generations, even one person in the second or third generation becomes accomplished through education, the transition from merchant to scholar will be successful.

After all, with the title of Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), money can pave the way, and it's not difficult to don the official robes of a sixth or seventh rank official.

Of course, if the third generation also fails to live up to expectations, it means that the transition from merchant to scholar has failed.

If the second and third generations are both incompetent, it means that the family's influence has always been in the hands of the first patriarch. When the first patriarch passes away, the family is destined to face a major decline.

Now, the Bai family has lost the opportunity to study and enter officialdom!

Being barred from holding official positions was a very severe punishment.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it was comparable to beheading.

Bai Jingdong's hands and feet trembled slightly. Is this what a scholar's words are like?

This statement practically sealed the fate of the Bai family!

The so-called extermination of the clan does not mean that all members of the Bai family died, but that the Bai family members dispersed on their own, the clan lacked cohesion, and thus perished.

Because of the will and the assassination attempt, the Bai family lost all their wealth and were destined to decline for a considerable period of time.

But there's still a chance.

read!

In a society where literature and culture flourished and reading was considered an honor, the Bai family would continue to prosper as long as one of their descendants became accomplished through education.

As a result, scientific expeditions were not allowed?

Isn't that just declaring the Bai family exterminated?

Scholars are ruthless!

That's even more ruthless than someone who wields a knife!

The assassination attempt has even implicated those responsible for collective punishment.

Using the pretext of "not being grateful for the emperor's favor," they implemented a system of collective punishment!

Just then, Sheng Hong pronounced his verdict: "Bai Jingyuan, who participated in the plot to assassinate, is sentenced to be executed after the New Year."

He then looked at the young man in the scholar's robe: "Bai Jingcheng, a scholar, participated in the plot to assassinate someone. I intend to report this to the education commissioner and sentence him to be executed after the New Year."

Generally speaking, scholars received many preferential treatments. Even if a scholar who had passed the county-level imperial examination committed a crime, he could enjoy the privilege of a reduced sentence. He usually had to report to the education commissioner and the sentence was determined by the higher authorities.

However, assassinating a marquis's eldest son is a very typical serious crime, and privileges would almost certainly not apply.

With a single word, their fates were sealed.

Sheng Hong said with a serious expression, "Bai Jingdong, Bai Jingyuan, and Bai Jingcheng have committed heinous crimes. Their shops, land, and assets shall be confiscated."

"Gu Tingye, the eldest son of Marquis Ningyuan, is the only daughter of Old Master Bai, whose mother is Lady Bai. Gu Tingye is holding a will, which has been verified as genuine by this official, the prefect, and the assistant prefect." Sheng Hong asserted, "Gu Tingye is entitled to inherit the estate."

After he finished speaking, the drums began to beat.

Dongguan Street.

This is a street near the residence of a high-ranking official in Yangzhou. Shops are located less than 100 meters away, making it an exceptionally bustling area.

"Zhonghuai, have you been getting used to living here these days? If not, let's change the courtyard again."

Jiang Zhao and Sheng Changbai arrived at a courtyard that covered an area of ​​about one acre.

The courtyard is lush with bamboo groves, and a small stream about ten feet wide flows through it, making it a very quiet and peaceful place.

These days, Gu Tingye has been dealing with Old Master Bai's estate.

Old Master Bai was incredibly wealthy, owning salt shops, salt businesses, estates, stores, houses, and fields all over Huainan. If Gu Tingye were to inherit his estate rashly, it would take him quite some time just to sort out all these assets.

This small courtyard was arranged by Jiang Zhao for Gu Tingye to stay temporarily.

Gu Tingye was in high spirits and nodded repeatedly, jokingly saying, "Zichuan's arrangements are very thoughtful. I'm almost reluctant to leave!"

"Haha!" Jiang Zhaoru smiled elegantly, "You'll get used to it."

"Speaking of which, thankfully we had Zichuan with us during this time," Gu Tingye said with deep emotion as he took a few steps.

Even now, Gu Tingye couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.

Compared to Bianjing, some locals, used to being local tyrants, were arrogant and reckless, and their actions were indeed reckless.

Especially in some smaller places, the influence of imperial power was not that great.

Of course, this also gave rise to its unique way of doing things.

The ancestral home of a family is the medium of this process.

Imperial power can influence the ancestral home of a region, which in turn influences the mountainous and rural areas.

It has its pros and cons!

"Zhong Huai and I hit it off immediately. It's just a small favor, no need to worry about it." Jiang Zhao waved his hand dismissively.

Gu Tingye didn't say anything.

He is a man who knows what is important and what is not, so he naturally knows that these so-called small favors are not insignificant.

The Jiang Lang of Huaizuo is famous throughout the world. He can get things done with ease, which is due to his ability, but it doesn't mean that the favor was insignificant.

"Changbai." Gu Tingye bowed to Sheng Changbai again.

During this period, with the burial of Old Master Bai, things were complicated, and Jiang Zhao's reputation was too great, so it was really inappropriate for him to appear frequently.

Therefore, through Jiang Zhao's introduction, Sheng Changbai and Gu Tingye became acquainted.

Sheng Changbai had little reputation and didn't have many scruples, but he readily offered his help, and the two developed a considerable friendship as a result.

Sheng Changbai nodded slightly, returning the greeting with gentlemanly manners.

"Have you already agreed on a date?" Gu Tingye asked with a smile.

Expressing gratitude in one's heart is enough; it's best not to go into too much detail, or it will seem insincere.

Therefore, Gu Tingye stopped expressing his gratitude and instead asked about Jiang Zhao's wedding date.

The process of Jiang Zhao and Sheng Hualan getting married began last year and has been going on for quite some time. They have now reached the stage of getting married.

“My brother-in-law will take office in early June, which happens to be an auspicious day on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month,” Sheng Changbai replied.

Gu Tingye calculated the dates and smiled, "You don't mind if I have some wedding candy, do you?"

"Huh?" Jiang Zhao looked over in surprise.

"Zhong Huai is actually staying for the wedding banquet?"

"What, you're not welcome?" Gu Tingye naturally knew what Jiang Zhao was surprised about.

It's only the third day of the fourth lunar month now, and there's a full month until the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.

If he leaves the wedding banquet, it will inevitably delay things by an extra month.

“There’s still a month until the wedding, I’m just a little surprised that Zhonghuai stayed.” Jiang Zhao smiled and patiently explained, “If it doesn’t interfere with Zhonghuai’s important business, then having a wedding feast together would be the best thing.”

"Ha ha!"

The three looked at each other and smiled.

Chapter 32 Sheng Hualan's Dowry!

Sheng Mansion, Mu Cang Zhai.

The sky was dark and the candlelight flickered.

"Grandmother, did you call me?" Sheng Hualan walked in and asked softly.

"Come here." Old Mrs. Sheng beckoned, her noble demeanor revealing a touch of gentle kindness.

“Grandmother.” Sheng Hualan stepped forward and sat down gracefully.

Grandma Sheng held her granddaughter's hand and asked gently, "How is the embroidery of the shoes?"

In theory, a woman is expected to embroider her own wedding dress, shoes, quilt, pillow, and more than a dozen other daily necessities before she gets married.