In less than half a year, Chu Wenqian spent 2 million from the official treasury to expand the county building on behalf of the Tang County magistrate. This matter was immediately obvious after investigation. Chu had no intention of concealing this matter, because the crime of expanding the county building was very light, that is, he was exempted from the crime.
He was just an official and had little impact on the Chu family. The Chu family wanted to avoid the important and take the easy, and did not want Yangzhou officials to continue to investigate. However, most of the officials and subordinates of Wang Shao in Yangzhou's internal history were from poor families, so they took the risk of injecting scholar status into the Qian Tang Lu family.
They were both surprised and angry. They did not expect that there was such a convenient way to become a scholar. If the crime had not been exposed, then even people like Lu would have become a scholar. It would be a scandal to the world. Such a major case involving the prime minister of Wu County
Chu Jian did not report it to the state office and closed the case hastily. There must be some secrets involved, so it is urgent to trace and collect evidence——
Chu Jian was frightened. He knew that if the Chu family fell into the quagmire of the Lu family's case of impersonating scholar registration, the whole family would be completely destroyed, and maybe their scholar status would be deprived. Chu Jian could not just sit back and watch the family fall to that point.
Gou Jian was able to taste shit in the Golden Palace, Han Xin endured the humiliation of his crotch, how could he, Chu Wenqian, not be humble and wait until the current difficulties were overcome before he planned to make plans later?
On April 11, the drizzle continued, so Chu Jian took his nephew Chu Wenqian and his son Chu Wenbin to Chenjiawu in the rain to plead guilty and see Chen Xian, the leader of the Chen clan.
After all, the Chu family is a wealthy family, and Chu Jian is a sixth-rank prime minister, and his prestige is still there. Chen Xian, Chen Man, and Chen Shang do not dare to neglect, so please come to the ancestral hall to talk.
Chu Jian was heartbroken and scolded his nephew Chu Wenqian and his son Chu Wenbin in front of Chen Xian and others. He tried his best to describe the conflict between them and Chen Caozhi as a misunderstanding, and then blamed all other crimes on the deceased Master Lu.
On his head, it was said that Chen Liu's evil deeds were all instigated by Chief Lu. Chu Jian spoke with emotion and cadence: "——Cao Zhi was in Wu County. Chu also recommended him in many ways, saying that Cao Zhi was my money.
In the Tang Dynasty, young talents and celebrities in Wu County became famous for their virtuous reputation. In fact, it was Chu who was from the same hometown. It was their duty to reward those who came after them. However, there were many misunderstandings after that. Today, the Chen family and the Chu family have become a fire and water, and the Chen family,
The Chu family is both a wealthy family in Qian and Tang Dynasties, and they should live in harmony. In the past few days, Chu has been worried about his nephew's case of expanding the county residence. Now Shangguan is investigating the Lu family's naturalization case again. The Lu family was confiscated last year.
The family property is rich and the clan members are in a miserable situation. Now that the old case is being retried, I am afraid that it will arouse great resentment among the Lu clan. As for the Chen family who is newly admitted as a scholar, it is better to be on good terms with the people of the county and avoid any trouble. Mr. Chen
What do you think?"
Chen Xian said vaguely: "Chu Chenglang is right."
Chen Shang said calmly: "A thorough investigation of the Lu family's case of impersonating scholar registration was jointly requested by other noble families in this county. How can we say that it was me, the Chen family, who caused the trouble?"
Chu Jian hurriedly laughed and said: "That's not what Chu means. Chu means that the Chen family has recently entered the scholar register and has a growing reputation. It should play a decisive role in the affairs of the county. This Lu family case involves too many things and is causing trouble."
If it gets too big, it will have a very bad impact on the reputation of the Qiantang gentry. Wang Neishi attaches great importance to Cao Zhi. Cao Zhi should benefit the hometown and persuades Wang Nei Shi not to pursue the case further. In this way, Cao Zhi is in the county.
The reputation will be unparalleled——"
Having said this, Chu Jian clapped his hands, and an entourage came in holding a stack of books.
Chu Jian said: "Chu has no intention of congratulating the Chen family for being newly admitted as a scholar. Here are the deeds and books for ten hectares of fertile land. Chu has given these twenty hectares of fertile land as a gift."
Chen Xian and Chen Man were startled and looked at each other. Ten hectares of fertile land was a very heavy gift. The land that the Chen family of Qiantang received from becoming a scholar this time was only twenty hectares. Chu Jian raised his hand and offered him twenty hectares of land.
The gift and the move can be described as generous.
Chen Man's eyes showed eagerness and he whispered to his brother Chen Xian: "Fourth brother, wouldn't it be good to let things go and make things peaceful for both parties?"
Chen Xian was a generous man and felt that Chu Jian was willing to use such humble words and generous gifts to make peace with the Chen family, so he couldn't help but refuse. However, he felt that it was inappropriate to accept such a generous gift from the Chu family, so he hesitated to answer.
Chen Shangdao: "Dad, uncle Sixteen, we have to ask Brother Sixteen for his opinion. After all, Brother Sixteen has to go to Wang Neishi to talk about it."
Chen Xian suddenly breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Yes, this matter must be decided by Cao Zhi."
Chu Jian knew that Chen Caozhi was the person who could really make decisions in the Chen family of Qiantang. Chen Xian had an easy time, and Chen Caozhi was probably not so easy to talk to, so he said: "Chu is going to visit this county.
The great sage Chen Caozhi asks Mr. Chen to go with me."
Chen Shangdao said: "There is an eight-mile road to Yuhuang Mountain. My family is very old, so I will lead Chu Chenglang and the two Chu Langjuns there."
Chu Jian looked at Chen Xian, bowed deeply and said: "Mr. Chen——" which seemed to be begging for mercy.
Chen Xian saw that Chu Jian, who had always been arrogant, was so humble, and said hurriedly: "Okay, I will accompany Chu Chenglang. I can't collect these field records, so Chu Chenglang should take them back first."
It was drizzling and the road was muddy. Chu Jian took an ox cart, but ordered his son Chu Wenbin to walk in the rain. Chu Wenqian was still the head of a county for the time being. Although he was walking, he was still wearing a bamboo hat, so he was not too embarrassed.
Wen Bin's clothes were all wet, his face was like dirt, and water was dripping from the tips of his hair. A strong sense of humiliation was suppressed in his heart. He hated Qian, Tang, Chen, and Chen Caozhi to the extreme.
Chen Xian felt sorry and said to Chu Jian: "Chu Chenglang, please let me ride in the car, as well as Mr. Chu Mansion. This is not appropriate."
Chu Jian said: "Just let them walk or suffer some hardships. They had conflicts with Cao Zhi before and they deserve to be punished."
Near noon, Chen Caozhi was painting a portrait of Ran Sheng in the thatched shed. The burly Ran Sheng sat there motionless, smiling and showing what he thought was the most handsome look. However, under Chen Caozhi's painting brush, the young Ran Sheng had a frown.
Eyes raised, muscles tensed——
Chen Caozhi smiled and said: "Xiao Sheng, let me draw some beards for you."
Ran Sheng was shocked and said: "No, I don't want a beard."
Chen Cao said: "With your majestic physique, if you don't wear a beard, you always feel that something is missing. Anyway, in two years you will definitely have a full face of beard."
Ran Sheng touched his chin and said with a sad face: "Miss Run'er said that if I grow a beard, please let me stay away from her."
Chen Caozhi laughed and said: "Just stay far away. You are still children now. When you grow up, you will naturally differentiate between men and women."
Chu's uncle and nephew came to the eaves of the thatched shed at this time. Chu Wenqian's clothes were all wet except for his head. Chu Wenbin's face was covered with rain and his face was blue. The hem of his white silk single jacket was full of mud——
Ran Sheng and Laide both opened their mouths and looked at Chu's uncle and nephew blankly, wondering what they were doing in such a mess!
Chen Caozhi frowned slightly, then straightened his eyebrows and said politely: "So it's Chu Chenglang, Mr. Chu Mansion, brother Wen Bin. I wonder why you are here?"
When Chu Jian saw Xiao San, the god of wind, and Chen Caozhi, who was tall and tall, he couldn't help but feel a little more humble, and said with a smile: "Chu Jian came here to apologize for everything in the past. I hope Cao can bear with me. After all, we are both the same."
It is best for our hometowns to live in harmony." Then he said to Chen Xian: "Mr. Chen, please say a few kind words for me, Chu, in front of your nephew. Chu came here to apologize sincerely."
Chen Xian hurriedly said: "How dare you, how dare you, Mr. Chu Cheng made a serious statement." This loyal and kind-hearted old patriarch invited the Chu family and the other three people to sit down in the hay shed, and explained the purpose of his visit to Chen Caozhi on Chu Jian's behalf.
Chen Caozhi remained calm and looked at the expressions of Chu Jian, Chu Wenqian, and Chu Wenbin. Chu Jian was smiling but not smiling, Chu Wenqian was full of frustration, and Chu Wenbin occasionally showed resentment in his embarrassment——
Knowing the purpose of Chu's visit, Chen Cao said: "Why should Chu Chenglang be so humble? How can I ask the king's Neishi? I only have a one-time relationship with Wang Neishi. I am a filial piety person, so how can I say it in front of Wang's Neishi?"
Gotta talk."
Chu Jian said: "All you have to do is ask Cao's wise nephew to tell Wang Neishiguan on Chu's behalf. Whether it succeeds or not, Chu will express his gratitude in the same way."
Chen Caozhi couldn't help feeling disgusted when he heard that Chu Jian actually called his nephew, and said calmly: "The Master said, 'Repay evil with straightness, repay kindness with kindness.' How does Chu Chenglang think this statement should be interpreted?"
Chu Jian was startled, with a stern look on his face, and smiled and said: "Since Cao's good nephew refuses to forgive, Chu Jian will not say anything more. The good nephew is willing to repay his grievances directly, which shows his great virtue."
Chen Caozhi refused, but did not leave immediately. He and Chen Caozhi chatted nonchalantly until the rain stopped after more than half an hour before leaving.
Chen Xian, a loyal elder, felt that Chu Jian's insincere gesture of kindness was not appreciated at all. He felt a little apologetic, so he personally escorted Chu Jian and the others down the mountain, and went back to Chenjiawu for lunch together. When parting, Chu Jian insisted on leaving the two
The land deed of ten hectares of land was left in the book, and he said: "Mr. Chen, this is a little thought of my Chu family. I can repay my grievances directly without adding insult to injury. Chu has expressed my gratitude. I hope that after the case is settled, Chu will
The Chen family and the Chen family will be able to resolve their past feud and have a harmonious relationship - in two days, someone will be sent to handle the handover of the land, and the tenant household register will also be transferred."
Chen Xian was not good at making excuses and watched Chu Jian leave the land deed and leave.
Chen Man was greedy for money and advocated accepting Chu's goodwill. Chen Shang said that he could not accept Chu's generous gift of land and should send someone back.
Chen Xian said: "It's better to ask Cao Zhi——"
Chen Man said dissatisfied: "You have to ask Cao Zhi about everything. This is not a big deal. My fourth brother and I are the eldest people in the clan, so why can't we make a decision?"
Chen Xian said displeasedly: "Sixth brother, twenty hectares of land is by no means a small matter. Our Qiantang Chen family was able to achieve what we are today almost by the efforts of one person. He is prudent and strategic. Naturally, we need to consult him on this matter."
."
Chen Man stopped talking. At this moment, Chen Xian's youngest son Chen Tan came to report that the sixteenth brother was back.
Chen Caozhi rushed back to congratulate his sister-in-law and Run'er on their birthdays. April 11th is the birthday of Ding Youwei and Run'er. Ding Youwei is twenty-eight years old this year and Run'er is eight years old. There is a twenty-year age difference between mother and daughter.
Born on the same day of the same month——
When Chen Caozhi heard that his fourth uncle had something urgent to call him, he did not go back to the west building. He came to the ancestral hall first. Hearing that Chu Jian insisted on giving the Chen family twenty hectares of fertile land, he smiled and said: "Fourth uncle, sixth uncle
, Chu Jian is uneasy and kind-hearted. I have already refused to intercede for him. Why do you still give us such a generous gift? These land deeds cannot be kept in the books. Third brother, please do your best and send them to the King's History Office immediately. Please ask the King.
Shi, don’t make any announcements for now, let’s see how Chu makes it!”