After breakfast, Chen Caozhi did not go into the study to study and practice calligraphy as usual. He told his mother and went to the south building to meet his fourth uncle Chen Xian, who is now the patriarch of the Chen family in Qiantang.
Chen Caozhi asked his fourth uncle to summon the elders of the clan and the adult men of the Chen family to the ancestral hall to discuss matters. He said that it was a major matter related to the rise and fall of the Chen family in Qiantang, and he wanted to tell the elders of the clan and the children of the Chen family face to face.
Chen Xian guessed what Chen Cao was doing and asked, "Cao Zhi, have you thought about it all?"
Chen Cao said: "I only hope that my fourth uncle will think about the whole family and uphold justice."
Chen Xian said: "Okay, I will speak for you."
…
In the "Youxu Hall", more than ten adult men of the Chen family who had not gone out were sitting on their knees solemnly. Four seats were arranged on the four floors of the southeast and northwest. In the west building, there were only two people, Chen's mother, Li and Chen Caozhi; in the east building, there were also
There are two mothers and two sons. Their son Chen Tan was originally the second son of Chen Xian in Nanlou. He was adopted by Donglou and has two grandchildren. In Nanlou, there are Chen Xian and his two sons, as well as an adult grandson. In Beifou,
Chen Man, three of his four sons are here, and the frivolous-looking Chen Liu is naturally among them.
Chen Liu thought that Xilou was going to give him half of the land analysis in a solemn and solemn manner in front of the elders and younger members of the clan. He was secretly proud of himself and kept a calm expression on his face, pretending to be solemn, and was ready to wait until Chen Caozhi proposed to analyze the land.
, he refused at first and gave in repeatedly, and finally reluctantly accepted it out of the friendship of his brothers.
In Chen Liu's view, it is impossible for the orphans and widowers in Xilou to do anything. Although Chu Wenqian lost face when he heard that Chen Cao's calligraphy competition was bad, he heard it in vain. The weakness of the Chen family in Xilou is obvious. Master Lu
To exploit them, Xilou had no choice but to consider himself unlucky.
The patriarch Chen Xian spoke. He first talked about family etiquette, loyalty, filial piety, friendship and so on. Then he praised Chen Cao's uncle and nephew in the west building for their diligence and studiousness. He also said that Chen Cao's calligraphy became famous when he went to Ding's villa this time.
, brought back Xiaochan and Qingzhi, adding brilliance to the Chen family of Qiantang.
At Chen Xian's signal, Chen Caozhi straightened his clothes and changed from kneeling to sitting in the posture. He first said hello to the uncles and brothers present, then changed the topic and said: "Fourth uncle said that loyalty, filial piety and friendship remind me of a sage friend.
Regarding the matter of jealousy, I heard that during the Guangwu period of the Later Han Dynasty, there was a Xu Wu in Kuaiji County. His father died early and he had two younger brothers, one Yan and the other Pu.
The younger brother was watching from the side, and he taught his second younger brother how to read at night. Xu Pu refused to listen, so Xu Wu went to his family temple and knelt down to accuse him, thinking it was his fault——"
Most monarchs in the past dynasties advocated "ruling the world with filial piety". Filial piety to relatives and friends is a universal principle and is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Except for Chen Liu who vaguely felt that something was wrong, everyone present nodded in admiration.
Chen Caozhi continued: "——Xu Wu became famous in his hometown because of his diligence and friendship, and was elected as Xiaolian. Xu Wu thought that he had a reputation and status, but the reputation of his two younger brothers was not obvious, so he divided the land into three
, he took the fertile land and the large house for himself, and distributed it to his two younger brothers in poor quality. The second brother had no complaints. People at that time praised Xu Yan and Xu Pu, but despised Xu Wu. Therefore, both Xu Yan and Xu Pu had to promote filial piety and honesty.
As an official, Xu Wu invited all his clan members, tearfully explained the reasons for the division of property, and returned the property to his two younger brothers."
The Chen clan members in the "Youxu Hall" were still praising Xu Wuyou for his timidity and wisdom. Chen Caozhi suddenly stood up and said loudly: "My cousins and aunties are here, Cao Zhi has something to tell all the elders and members of the clan.
Brother, just now, the seventh brother Chen Liu said that the county is going to re-evaluate the land and asked me to give him half of the land so that he can bribe Chief Lu, and he can ensure that the remaining land in Xilou will not be upgraded. Dear elders, Qi
Could it be that my brother’s words and actions are just to imitate Xu Wu and destroy his own reputation?”
There was an uproar in the "Youxu Hall", and then all the sounds seemed to be suddenly snatched away by a big hand and became silent. The eyes of everyone present were focused on Chen Liu.
Chen Liu did not expect that Chen Caozhi would use Xu Wu's incident as a pretext to suddenly draw the flames on him. He panicked, gaped, and stammered: "Nonsense, how could I destroy my reputation? I, I -"
Chen Caozhi was not angry and asked calmly: "Seventh brother does not want to imitate Xu Wu and destroy his own reputation, but does he really want to collude with foreigners and annex my Xilou property?"
Chen Liu was good at causing trouble and harming others behind the scenes, so he felt guilty when confronted head-on. He said without hesitation: "It's Chief Lu who wants to exploit you, what does it have to do with me?"
Chen Caozhi asked: "Then why do you want ten hectares of my land?"
Chen Liu responded speechlessly. Both the East Building and the South Building were staring at him. His face was swollen and he asked his father, Chen Man, for help: "Dad, I really want to help my sixteenth brother."
Chen Man shamelessly smiled at Chen Caozhi and said: "Caozhi, we are all brothers in the clan. If you have anything to say, talk to me. If you are not willing to part with your property and let me, Beilou, serve on your behalf, who will force you? Since last time
After that incident, Uncle Six didn't say anything, right?"
Chen Cao said: "Sixth uncle, you are an elder. Cao Zhi wants to ask you. If you collude with outsiders and plot to own the same clan's property, how should you deal with it according to the family law?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Man took a breath. Jin people attach great importance to clan. Because the world is unstable, only clan can be trusted and can be trusted with life and death. People of the same clan can only survive if they unite closely together, so they collude with outsiders to harm the people.
The interests of the clan are something that everyone despises and hates deeply. Chen Man did not dare to defend his son anymore. He glared at his son fiercely and cursed: "You scoundrel, why don't you apologize to Xilou and admit your mistake to your fourth uncle!
"
Chen Liu became angry from embarrassment and frowned in dissatisfaction.
Chen Cao said: "Fourth uncle, sixth uncle, and third aunt, I think my ancestor Changwen Gong formulated the law of nine-rank officials, but now even the descendants of Changwen Gong cannot be included in the gentry. It is really regrettable, but it depends on people, and you are responsible for it.
The Chen family of Qiantang has no chance of reviving, and it is very likely that it will continue to decline. It is rumored that the seventh brother has a bad reputation in the county. The family reputation of my father, my brother, and my fourth uncle when they were officials has been completely ruined.
All-"
"Nonsense, I have a very good reputation, and Chief Lu appreciates me very much." Chen Liu bared his teeth and claws, his face twisted, as if he wanted to bite someone.
Chen Cao said: "Well, if you hand over the property of your brothers in the clan, Master Lu will naturally appreciate you."
"You——" Chen Liu hissed angrily.
Chen Xian said loudly: "Chen Liu, be quiet, does the ancestral hall allow you to make noises?"
"Youxu Hall" became quiet, except for the sound of Chen Liu's breathing, while Chen Caozhi stood quietly on one side, as quiet as a virgin.
Chen Xian was always gentle in dealing with things and said: "Collude with outsiders to seize the property of brothers in the clan. According to the clan law, you will be expelled from the clan. I think Chen Liu was deceived by outsiders and was confused for a moment. He will be punished with twenty slaps and fined a certain amount of silk."
,Repent from—”
Before the patriarch Chen Xian finished speaking, Chen Liu jumped up and yelled: "Slap me and fine me money and silk, don't even think about it!" Pointing at Chen Caozhi, he said: "Chen Caozhi, just wait and see, your land
If I don’t take it, someone else will take it sooner or later, Mr. Lu——”
The leader of the clan, Chen Xiandong, was really angry and said sternly: "If you want to seize Caozhi's land, you are making an enemy of me, the Chen family of Qiantang. I, the Chen family of Qiantang, will fight to the death with them! From today on, Chen Liu, you are no longer
A descendant of the Chen family of Qiantang, the land allocated to you by the family will be taken back immediately. If you dare to claim to be the Chen family of Qiantang again, I will come to the county to slap your mouth!"
Chen Man had never seen his cousin so angry before. He was so shocked that he didn't dare to say anything. Moreover, this traitor was indeed too arrogant. He didn't know how to advance or retreat and dared to talk back. He was really a scumbag who didn't know how to live or die!
Chen Liu's momentum faltered and he didn't dare to shout. He muttered: "If it's not, it's not, and it's not a high-ranking noble family. How rare is it!" He walked out with his shoulders slanted, indicating that he didn't care, and then insulted his father Chen Man.
At one glance, he hated his father for not fighting for him.
Chen Liu rarely lived in Chenjiawu. He had real estate in Qiantang County, and his wife and children lived there. At this time, he had no shame in lingering in Wubao. He called a servant and drove an ox cart back to the county seat.
Indignant, he cursed Chen Caozhi, cursed Chen Xian, and vowed to make Chen Caozhi bankrupt——
But the further away from Chenjiawu, the more miserable Chen Liu becomes, his heart empty and helpless. In today's world, without the support and blessing of his family, it is difficult for a person to gain a foothold and he is easily bullied.
Chen Liu was angry and scared, but he never thought that he had done something wrong. Even if there was a mistake, it was someone else's fault.
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