Chapter 54 of 100

Chapter 54

16 min read3,875 words

Ever since Laibao went back to his hometown weeping, Xu Hao would come to the outer courtyard every day to listen to the reports from the three stewards. He managed the external affairs with strict adherence to the rules, and with his growing favor in the eyes of the Old Lady, everyone could see that he was no longer the once useless Third Young Master.

From time to time, family members would try to find ways to recommend their own sons to become Xu Hao's personal attendants. From the three madames down to the stewards and maids, a long list of names was presented.

At first, Xu Hao found it extremely annoying, but later he gradually understood. He still had a grudge to settle with Cao Daxiong, and he needed some muscle. So he gathered about ten young boys at the training ground, rejecting those who were not born into the family and those who were physically weak. He kept ten of them and asked the old guards to train them in riding, archery, and martial arts.

After settling the score, these ten men could be responsible for escorting the cargo ships, achieving two goals at once. Training in martial arts is a very arduous task, practicing in the coldest and hottest seasons, and it's not something that can be accomplished overnight. Xu Hao didn't expect to train a group of great heroes; he just wanted them to be agile and skilled in archery and horsemanship.

Martial arts are purely hard skills, the result of hard training. The various schools of martial arts focus on personal combat, which is commonly used in the streets and among the outlaws. However, the Xu family guards emphasize fearlessness, teamwork, and obedience to orders, drawing from battlefield experience, which undoubtedly suited Xu Hao's taste more.

In his free time, Xu Hao also practiced horseback riding, archery, and physical training. Sometimes, when he was tired of reading, he would switch to a military book to change his mood. In short, it was more of a hobby; he wasn't naive enough to think he could break through human limits and take on a hundred men with ease.

One day, the head steward Wang Fu hurried over and said that Jiang Song was leading his disciples to sue their neighbor, Liu Laoshi. As mentioned earlier, Jiang Song had planted a tree to encroach on his neighbor's land and later built two rooms next to the boundary wall. This time, he went even further, wanting to tear down the wall and turn it into a passage for his family. Liu Laoshi refused, and Jiang Song, turning the tables, rushed to the county office to file a complaint.

The county magistrate, appointed by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, was known for his serious work attitude. He didn't need a grand procession or a retinue; he simply rode a donkey to the scene.

It was a cold day, and the magistrate, a scholar by background, was freezing. The village head quickly welcomed him into his home, offering him food and drink, and sent for the village elders to discuss the case. As the most prestigious family in the area, the Xu family naturally couldn't be left out.

Xu Hao shook his head and said, "Everyone knows what kind of person Jiang Song is. He's using his scholar status to file a false complaint. As long as the magistrate isn't foolish, Jiang Song will surely lose. Why should I go? Should I help a tiger to harm others? Besides, I'm just a commoner; I'd have to kowtow to him. I won't go."

Wang Fu smiled and said, "The magistrate doesn't need kowtows outside. Jiang Song isn't going, but the old servant suggests that Young Master meet this official. It's said that he is a talented scholar from the Hongwu 21st year, highly praised by the emperor."

A scholar of the Hanlin Academy is a promising new imperial scholar, selected for their talent and calligraphy skills, and tasked with drafting imperial edicts. They are close to the emperor and can easily become trusted ministers, with limitless prospects.

Xu Hao knew this was a good opportunity, but he was young and not particularly talented in literature, so he decided to use some tactics. He quickly wrote a single character on a piece of paper, dried the ink, folded it, and handed it to Wang Fu, saying, "Just say that the Xu family has a familial relationship with Jiang Song and must avoid a conflict of interest. Give this paper to the magistrate."

Wang Fu nodded, took the paper, and went to the village head's house. He respectfully handed the paper to the magistrate, explaining the reason.

The magistrate was surprisingly young, and Wang Fu was amazed. He looked to be in his early twenties, and Wang Fu thought, "Is this the prodigy everyone talks about? He passed the imperial exams in his teens and was a scholar of the Hanlin Academy."

The young magistrate had a very amiable expression. He smiled and unfolded the paper, seeing a bold and flowing "公" (gong, meaning "fair" or "public"). He immediately understood and asked, "I understand. May I ask your young master's name and status?"

Wang Fu bowed even lower and said, "Your Excellency, my young master's name is Xu Hao, and he has not yet reached the age of twenty. He has not taken the provincial exams."

"Ah," the magistrate said with interest, "This character is unconventional. As the saying goes, 'seeing the character is like seeing the person.' Your young master must be a talented individual. Does he plan to take the provincial exams this year?"

"Yes, he does," Wang Fu nodded.

The village head interjected, "Young Master Xu is from the Wei Guogong family, a descendant of a military family."

The magistrate immediately showed respect and said, "So he is from a family of merit. No wonder his writing is so powerful. Your young master must be both literate and martially skilled."

Wang Fu, eager to speak well of his young master, said, "As Your Excellency said, my young master practices martial arts during the day and studies at night, never stopping."

"Good, he will surely be a pillar of the state in the future," the magistrate said appreciatively. "To be honest, I love cursive script, and your young master shares this interest. I will personally meet him during the provincial exams."

Wang Fu was overjoyed and left with a broad smile to report the good news to the Old Lady. Meanwhile, the magistrate had the waiting Jiang Song and Liu Laoshi brought in and asked, "Draw the layout of the houses for me."

Liu Laoshi was twenty years old, and his father had already passed away. His mother was ill and bedridden, and the doctor said she wouldn't live much longer.

Liu Laoshi, true to his name, squatted down and drew a diagram with his hand, explaining, "His house originally had two main rooms and two east rooms. Later, he built two rooms to the south for a study, and the west side was narrow and close to my courtyard. So he planted a tree, and when it grew, he claimed the branches over my land and tore down the wall, taking my land. I didn't argue because we were neighbors. But this year, he built two west rooms and wanted to make a passage, which I couldn't tolerate. He then filed a complaint first, and I ask Your Excellency to do justice."

Jiang Song bowed to the magistrate and said, "Your Excellency, don't listen to his lies. This wall is mine, and there are three steps of foundation. I have documents to prove it. He is taking advantage of my honesty and trying to cheat me."

The magistrate smiled and looked down, saying, "I don't blame you for moving the wall. Building the west rooms made the layout better. I should have supported your idea, but the other party won't agree."

Jiang Song, despite his age, smiled and said, "With Your Excellency's support, how could he not agree?"

"Logically, as scholars, I could support you," the magistrate said, pointing to his chest, "but my conscience won't allow it. You are a teacher, where are your disciples? Why don't they stand up for you?"

Jiang Song immediately said, "They are all outside, not a single one is missing."

"No need to call them," the magistrate's expression changed, "You took advantage of the widow and children of your neighbor, filed a complaint first, and claimed the wall and the land beyond it. But before you lived there, the house had been there for generations, with this flaw left for the unscrupulous to exploit. Gathering a crowd, who would believe the words of the widow and children?

"Unscrupulous scholar, you should be punished. I will have you whipped twenty-five times and sent home to demolish the west rooms and return the wall to your neighbor. If you don't repent, you will be expelled from the school. The rest are dismissed!"

After speaking, the magistrate quickly wrote on the judgment form and asked, "I have made my judgment. Do you understand your crime?"

Jiang Song, seeing the magistrate's clear judgment, knew that the original land documents could be easily found, so he hung his head and said, "Thank you for your fair judgment, I will not argue further."

The magistrate nodded in satisfaction and said, "Since you understand, I will let you off with a fine of rice instead of the whipping. Go to the school and accept the punishment."

The newly appointed magistrate, not knowing that Jiang Song was actually a scoundrel, quickly returned to his office on his donkey after handling the case.

As soon as the magistrate left, Jiang Song turned to the village head and said, "I will accept the punishment, but I ask Liu Laoshi to let me use the wall. How can a good house be torn down so easily?"

The village head quickly distanced himself, "This is not my decision. You should go to the Xu family."

Jiang Song, feeling smug, grabbed Liu Laoshi's hand and said, "Let's go."

A group of people dragged Liu Laoshi to the Xu family's door. The servants quickly reported to Xu Hao, who was in a good mood. Xu Hao came out, listened to the story, and said, "Bring me the judgment form to look at."

Jiang Song, holding his dignity, crossed his arms and looked at the sky, while one of his disciples handed over the form. Xu Hao took it and his eyes lit up, thinking, "This cursive script is amazing. No wonder I got a lucky break."

After admiring it for a while, Xu Hao frowned and said, "Jiang Master, this is a plea for leniency, but you have already filed a complaint. The favor is gone, only the law remains. You are a scholar; who in the village would dare to argue with you? The magistrate foresaw this. Look at the clear judgment, he insists on fairness. I dare not disobey."

Xu Hao sighed and said, "Alas, it seems the house must be demolished, or I cannot fulfill my duty."

Jiang Song was furious but didn't dare to lash out at Xu Hao. He raised his hand to strike Liu Laoshi, who was smiling, but Xu Hao quickly grabbed Jiang Song's arm and said, "Jiang Master is a scholar, he shouldn't resort to violence."

It wasn't that Xu Hao was weak; he simply couldn't afford to hit a scholar. If a commoner hit a scholar, it was a serious crime. Even with his status, he would have to be publicly whipped in the county office, and the shame would be unbearable.

The disciples started to berate Liu Laoshi, spewing insults, but they didn't dare to hit him in public.

Xu Hao, wanting to teach Jiang Song a lesson, said loudly, "Stop arguing. The magistrate ordered Jiang Master to go to the school for punishment. If he is late, he will be punished further. You should all go with him and help him plead for leniency. Perhaps there is still a chance for a resolution."

The disciples and Jiang Song agreed and were about to leave. Xu Hao ordered two carriages to be sent to take them to the county. Jiang Song, knowing Liu Laoshi's character, was confident he wouldn't do anything and left without worry.

Xu Hao glanced at Liu Laoshi and turned back into the house. Liu Laoshi stood there for a while, sighed, and walked home. Unexpectedly, on the way, he saw a group of people running quickly toward his house.

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