Idle courtiers

Chapter 9 Can't understand a word
The judge of the punishment room shouted loudly to the outside: "Let's let the other cases go first. The county lord ordered Zhou Yang in Zhoujiazhuang, Zhou... let's call Zhou Nan for the time being... go to the court to answer."

Ordinarily, being cut into the queue, the other common people who came to file a lawsuit should be very dissatisfied.But this case sounded very good, and everyone didn't care about getting angry, and all their wonderful eyes fell on the two of them.

Zhou Nan and Zhou Yang walked into the lobby at the same time, and knelt down on the slate tiles, which were about three feet long and wide, and the color was different from other places.

This brick is very elegant, larger than other stone slabs, and the bottom is hollow.In this way, once the prisoner kowtows his head, the echo will be very loud, showing the majesty of the government. I don't know that it was invented by that bastard in the public house, which is simply impossible to say.

Immediately, Zhou Yang slammed his head on the stone slab a few times, and cried out in a sad voice: "The villain is Zhou Yang, a farmer in Zhoujiazhuang. He accused this thief of pretending to be his dead brother and occupying his widow's wife. People are in charge!"

As a modern person, Zhou Nan is naturally not used to kowtow to others.However, my current status is a scholar who has lost his fame, so let's do as the Romans do!He thought casually, and said in a loud voice: "Zhou Nan, a former county school student in Zhoujiazhuang, has met the old parents."

In ancient times, Qipin County Magistrate was also called Parents Officer, so ordinary people called them Old Parents.

After all, he raised his head and looked up.In front of me is a middle-aged man wearing a black gauze hat, about 45 or [-] years old, with a pale face and swollen eyelids.With a Chinese character face and a tuft of short beards on the lower jaw, it is actually quite handsome.

This is Shi Jieren, the magistrate of Andong County, from Wujiang County, Suzhou Prefecture. Judging by his appearance, he really has a taste of literary talent.

Zhou Nan was looking at Shizhi County, and Shizhi County was also curiously looking at the suspect who pretended to be someone else's elder brother and occupied the widow's wife.Chinese medicine pays attention to seeing, hearing, and asking. The ancients judged a case by observing words and deeds. In the ancient theory of judging a case, whether a person is upright or treacherous, all he needs to do is look at his eyes.People with a romantic heart naturally have bright eyes, and if there are ghosts, they will naturally flicker and wander.

This matter sounds idealistic, but it is the only way for ancient officials to judge people and judge things.

Shi Zhixian glanced over and saw Zhou Nan wearing a clean Confucian robe, with healthy and shiny skin, calm and deep eyes, and a well-proportioned face. Expelling a student with a reputation, I don’t think you look like a criminal, so why were you deprived of your future?” I also remembered that I was almost expelled several times in the county school because of my poor grades.Later, he left the school and managed to keep his reputation as a scholar. This is how he is today.

Seeing this former county school student with no fame, Shi Zhixian suddenly felt a sense of sympathy, and his eyes became softer.

Zhou Nan: "If you go back to your old parents, this is an old story ten years ago, so it's not humane." Seeing Shi Zhixian's kind attitude towards him, he secretly rejoiced: I guessed right, this Shi Zhixian's previous studies and official career were indeed bumpy.

As the county magistrate, the highest local magistrate, Shi Zhixian is naturally the No. 1 person in Andong County.Since he came here as an official, where is he from? Everyone has already inquired about his ranking in the imperial examinations before.After escaping to Anton, Zhou Nan naturally heard about Shi Jieren's origin from others.

The Ming Dynasty was a strictly hierarchical society, and the people of good nationality were divided into four levels: scholars, farmers, businessmen, and businessmen.Among them, the sergeants are the first class, that is, those who have mastered knowledge and have a reputation as scholars.Once you have read the book, you can get a reduction or exemption from the national tax if you get the honor. You can see the official without kneeling, and you have entered the privileged class.

I used to have a reputation as a scholar at any rate, and Shi Zhixian was also a scholar.All the famous teachers in the world are from the same family, so when things happen, they will naturally lean towards the scholar.That's why when Zhou Yang brought two yamen servants to arrest him and enter the county yamen, Zhou Nan proposed to change his clothes first.At least, wearing a neat Confucian gown is better than being a farmer, right?

Moreover, as far as Zhou Nan knows, Jiangsu in the Ming Dynasty was a major province of imperial examinations, especially in a place like Suzhou Prefecture where scholars are like crucian carp crossing the river. Throwing a brick on the street can easily hit a Scholars even raise people.However, the number of places in the imperial examination in Jiangsu is limited every year. In order to compete for the number of places, the government even has to take an additional test, and only those who pass the test can take the provincial test.Shizhi County only became a Jinshi in his 40s, and he was still awarded a Jinshi by the top three. It is estimated that he will not succeed in his studies.Therefore, Zhou Nan deliberately said the words "dismissing the student" in a big way. What he wanted was for Shi Zhixian to empathize with him, and he was also taking a gamble.

Sure enough, the bet was right.

After asking about the origins of the names of the two brothers of the Zhou family, Shi Zhixian slapped the gavel and officially began to ask questions.He glared and asked, "Why did Zhou Yang of the Zhou family village kneeling below turn away your brother Zhou Nan to see me today?"

Zhou Yang arrested Zhou Nan aggressively today and entered the county government, thinking that facts speak louder than words.This thief pretended to be his brother. The facts are clear and the evidence is conclusive. It is just a trivial matter.But he didn't want to, the county magistrate had a kind face after seeing Zhou Nan, but he was stern to himself, making him look like a defendant, what happened?
He hurriedly shouted: "My lord, my lord, I have a complaint against this thief in front of me. This thief is greedy for my family's land and house, coveting the beauty of my widow, and he has the audacity to pretend that my family is in Liaodong." Zhou Nan, the elder brother of the army, came to the house. Although this thief looks a bit like my elder brother, but the villain grew up with the eldest brother, how could he not see the flaws in him. Today, he was turned over to the Yamen, and Qing Tian was also invited The Grand Master is the master for the common people, and severely punish this villain according to the law."

While talking here, the yamen servant in the punishment room handed over the pleading paper that Zhou Yang had spent tens of pennies to find someone to write, and handed it to Shizhi County.

After reading the pleadings, Shi Zhixian felt that the case was serious, so he asked, "Zhou Yang, I want to ask you, you said that Zhou Nan is not your elder brother, do you have evidence?"

"Why can't the whole family tell the truth? Also, there was an official letter from Liaodong before, saying that my brother had died in the battle of Liaodong. How can the official official document be fake?"

"That's right, take the official document of Liaohaiwei in Liaodong." As soon as Shi Zhixian opened his mouth, the scribe in the criminal room next to him handed over the prepared file.

Shi Zhixian saw that this evidence was enough.He is a lazy person. He has been yawning for a long time. He just wants to settle today's case early so that he can go back to the back office to study and sleep early. Come to recognize relatives, come here, take it down, first hit thirty killing sticks and then talk." He threw a stick down.

"Wait a minute, magistrate." Seeing that Shi Jieren was going to torture him indiscriminately, Zhou Nan shouted hastily: "Please listen to Xiaomin."

Zhou Yang shouted: "Thief, the facts have been clarified, what else do you have to say. My lord, this thief is very eloquent, don't be deceived by him."

Before he finished speaking, a pawn scolded: "Bold, the county magistrate is judging the case, and you are not allowed to intervene until you are called."

Shi Zhixian looked at Zhou Nan coldly: "The official document of Liaohaiwei said that the ex-student from Andong County had died of illness. Can there be a fake?"

Zhou Nan: "Eastern Liaodong is a place where wild people come from the mountains and forests today, refugees make trouble tomorrow, and soldiers flee the day after tomorrow. There are hundreds of thousands of military households stationed there, resettled civilians, and naturalized wild people. A few days will not die. The county venerable is a serious scholar who doesn't understand side affairs, but he doesn't know what the household registration management of the Tuntian Guardhouse outside the Nine Sides is like. In the previous episode, the villain had just completed his service and was just When I was repatriated back to my hometown, why did I die suddenly on my hind legs? My lord, this is the guide and certificate of customs clearance issued by Liao Haiwei, which can prove my identity, and I would like to ask the county respect for it. In addition, I will come with my two brothers today Besides, there are also the villagers of Zhoujiazhuang, who can know the identity of me just by asking."

After receiving the road guide and diploma presented by Zhou Nan, Shi Zhixian saw that they were all right, so he nodded.Zhou Nan was right. The Nine Frontiers and Guards System in the Ming Dynasty was as bad as it could be, and the management was horribly chaotic. Over the past few years, the local government in the pass has caused quite a lot of trouble.Moreover, the scholars of the Ming Dynasty and the emperor ruled the world together, and the gentlemen were noble and the military were inferior. He really didn't know much about the affairs in the military outside the pass: "Okay, go ask the witnesses."

The words of Shizhi County were originally said to the yamen servants, but Zhou Nan turned around and shouted to the outside: "Followers of Zhoujiazhuang, the old man asks you, who am I?"

Immediately, the villagers who came over to watch the fun replied in unison: "Isn't this nonsense, you are brother Zhou Nannan!"

Zhou Nan gave a slight salute to Shi Zhixian, indicating that the questioning was over.In fact, he didn't need to say too much. The ancients paid attention to witness and physical evidence in judging cases.Zhou Yang came to the Yamen today to sue himself for impersonating his brother, holding the death notice issued by Liao Haiwei, which is physical evidence.The villagers are the witnesses of the man Zhou Nan. No matter in what era, witnesses are always more convincing than physical evidence.

Moreover, he asked this sentence very skillfully, for "Who am I?" instead of "Am I the real Zhou Nan Zhou Xiucai?"

For now, he is using the name Zhou Nan, and everyone will naturally answer "You are Zhou Nan." Maybe he added, "Although your name is also Zhou Nan, people say that you are not the Zhou Nan you used to be." Also too forgiving.

In the hall, Zhou Yang's complexion changed drastically, and he couldn't help turning his head and blushing angrily, "Are you all blind?"

Before he could continue to quarrel, Zhou Nan pretended to be heartbroken, and said, "Second brother, brothers are siblings. If you want the land at home, you only need to say a word, and my brother will refuse. After all , as a brother, at least I can read a few words and know some people. I have been traveling for ten years, no matter where I go, I will survive one day. Unlike you, I only know how to farm. Why do you have to make such a bad plan? You have to falsely accuse others and lie County lord, that is a serious crime! However, I don’t blame you as a brother. After all, you were only in your teens when I went to Liaodong, and your parents died early, and no one disciplined you. It’s my fault, it’s my fault !"

He let out a long sigh: "I was at fault in this matter first, and the magistrate of the county will not blame you even if I think about it."

As he said that, Zhou Nan kowtowed his head to Shizhi County, with reddish eyes, and said: "Master of the county, Dacheng's most holy teacher said: Filial piety is the foundation of benevolence. Some people may say: disciples, when you enter, you will be filial, and when you leave, you will be filial." Fraternal, sincere and trustworthy, universal love for all, and benevolent. If you have spare capacity, learn literature. The villain's parents died early, and they were sent to Liaodong for committing crimes, and they were neglected to discipline the younger brothers. The so-called, The eldest brother was a father, and the teaching was not strict. It was the father's fault. This time, he finally survived and returned to his hometown. Seeing that the younger brother in the family did not remember the blood relationship for a mere few acres of land, and thought of the teachings of his parents back then, he felt extremely sad."

When Shi Zhixian heard his words, his heart suddenly moved, and he already understood that the reason why the two brothers made such a fuss was probably because of the family property.Judging by Zhou Nan's gentle scholar appearance, he probably can't compete with his rough brother.

This Zhou Yang is really annoying. In order to monopolize the family property, he even falsely accused his elder brother of being an impostor, and wanted to put him to death. His intentions are so vicious.If such a despicable villain is not severely punished, how can he rectify the hearts of the people and improve customs?

Immediately, he was furious and shouted: "Shameless villain, for the sake of petty gains, he disregarded his family ties, and even told outrageous lies to deceive this official. It's really abominable. Come here, beat him with twenty sticks, and blow him out."

Poor Zhou Yang is a farmer. Zhou Nan spoke politely for a long time, but he couldn't understand a word, but he didn't know that he was about to be beaten by the yamen servants. He still stared blankly at Zhou Nan beside him. .

(End of this chapter)