Chapter 8

**Petition for the Seizure of Property and the Widowing of a Family:**

My husband has been dead for half a year, his bones not yet cold, yet I have been brutally victimized!

My uncle, Yang Qi, initiated the wicked plot, and our clan members rose up as bandits, like tigers and wolves. They forcibly entered my inner chambers, smashed the memorial tablet of my late husband, seized property, and plundered all our possessions, as if they had washed the house in blood.

I am extremely wronged and suffering, with no place to turn, and I weep blood as I file this petition!

Qin Dewei picked up the brush and wrote the petition in one breath, dried the ink, and nodded in satisfaction.

He couldn't help but sigh and reflect. The specialized knowledge of the judicial system of the Ming and Qing dynasties was truly a skill for slaying dragons, but he never thought it would actually come in handy today.

The style of petitions in this era is somewhat like the "shocking style" of later times. Within a certain format, the more sensational the better, otherwise how could it attract the attention of the "readers"?

The main text of the petition must not exceed two lines, and each line must not exceed thirty characters. This format is said to have been established by Wang Yangming.

Yes, that Wang Yangming who almost became a legend in later times, but he passed away last year.

If Qin Dewei had traveled back in time a year earlier, he might have even discussed subjective idealism with this legendary figure.

Speaking of which, many cultural figures have passed away in recent years. Besides the legendary Wang Yangming, the复古派文坛大佬 Li Mengyang passed away two months ago, and the first literary talent of Jiangnan, Tang Bohu, passed away a few years ago...

Only Wen Zhengming, one of the Four Great Talents of Jiangnan, is still standing strong at the age of sixty, and will continue to stand strong until he is ninety.

Also in Jiangnan, with plenty of time, Qin Dewei should have the opportunity to meet Wen Zhengming, if Wen Zhengming in Suzhou acknowledges that Nanjing is also part of Jiangnan.

And there is the super genius Yang Shen, the author of "The Rolling Yangtze River Flows East." He was destined to become a leading figure in the contemporary literary world. Unfortunately, he was exiled to Yunnan a few years ago, enjoying a high-end political treatment of no pardon, living a life of poetry and distant places.

Although Yang Shen's life will last for another thirty years, Qin Dewei is unlikely to meet him in this lifetime unless he is also exiled to Yunnan.

The next recognized leader of the literary world, Wang Shizhen, who is suspected to be the author of "Jinpingmei," is still in diapers.

So, Qin Dewei, with his grand aspirations, although he has not yet gained fame by borrowing the poetry and literature of later times, already feels a bit lonely and invincible.

Recalling the past and thinking of the present, Qin Dewei stood with his hands behind his back, gazing southwest, and sighed, "If Yang Shen does not emerge, who in the world can be his match?"

Gu Qiongzhi, seeing the young lawyer suddenly fall into a trance, couldn't help but frown. Is he still okay?

She gently patted his head, "Wake up! How can you daydream while standing in broad daylight?"

The flight of fancy was forcibly interrupted by the client, and Qin Dewei had to return to the reality of making a living. He handed the petition to Gu Qiongzhi. "Take a look, then sign and seal it."

The young widow read it several times and could only be thoroughly impressed. Compared to her own previous petition, which was bland and uninteresting, the difference between amateur and professional was very clear.

"Really no need to add words like 'extermination of debauchery,' 'rape,' 'insult,' or a clause about beating family members?" Qin Dewei asked again, still not satisfied.

Without the words for pillows and fists, it's like cooking without salt.

"Really not necessary!" The young widow, fearing that Qin Dewei would go overboard, quickly signed and sealed it. "This is perfect!"

According to the regulations of the government, the person who writes the petition must also sign it, which posed a dilemma for Qin Dewei.

He considered himself a scholar and wanted to sign as "Student Qin Dewei." Unfortunately, he could not.

The petition is for the county magistrate to read, and only county students, commonly known as scholars, have the right to call themselves students. This is a matter of hierarchy and respect.

What is Qin Dewei in the ninth year of the Jiajing era of the Ming dynasty, to dare call himself a student? If he encounters an official who is strict about rules, a punishment of flogging is inevitable.

Fine, fine, fine! Qin Dewei, who dreams of dominating the national literary scene, sighed and wrote his name as "Primary Student Qin Dewei."

Calling himself a primary student is like calling himself a junior scholar, just like "Little Guan and Zhang" are not Guan and Zhang, and "Little Zhuge" is not Zhuge Liang. The distinction is clear and should not be considered an overreach.

Twelve years old, a primary student, no problem!

The county government accepts petitions on the 2nd and 8th of each month and holds trials on the 3rd and 9th. As long as the petition is submitted to the county government before the next 8th, there is nothing else to do for now.

"Before the trial, I will come once more to discuss representing you in court." Qin Dewei instructed solemnly, "During this time, you must guard your home, avoid trouble, and try not to show yourself. Stay at home and wait for me."

"I understand." Gu Qiongzhi nodded, responding instinctively.

No! Something is off! Although everything the young lawyer said was correct, it seemed very awkward!

Gu Qiongzhi suddenly realized that the young lawyer's tone was very much like that of a husband about to leave, instructing his wife. So, was he deliberately teasing her?

While speaking, Qin Dewei frequently looked up at the sky—spring was in full swing, and the sun hung in the center of the southern sky.

The hint was already very clear. It was already noon, and he hadn't been offered a meal yet. It's not that he was greedy, but the lunch at a wealthy household would surely be better than the lunch at his poor uncle's house.

He was still useful, so he couldn't show his displeasure. The young widow, thinking about her situation, asked, "What if someone comes to cause trouble at home again?"

Qin Dewei, impatient, replied, "My residence is very close. Send someone to inform me, and I will help you resolve it."

While speaking, he continued to look up at the sky. The sun seemed to have moved slightly to the west, and he was really starving.

The young widow was skeptical about Qin Dewei's response. If a few men came to cause trouble, what could a twelve-year-old boy do? Could he fight them off?

"I will bring my uncle, the bailiff, with me!" Qin Dewei replied irritably. When one is hungry and tired, emotions tend to flare, and Qin Dewei was showing signs of this.

He looked at the sky again. If the meal wasn't taken care of soon, the sun would be setting!

Gu Qiongzhi finally had no more questions and called a maid to her side, seemingly preparing to arrange lunch. She could faintly hear words like "the noodle shop at the alley entrance" and "a banquet for two silver coins."

Qin Dewei silently converted two silver coins into 200 yuan, which was quite a lot! It would be a sumptuous meal! He felt the client's sincere intention!

At that moment, there was a commotion outside the main door. Someone was banging on the door and shouting, "Is Brother Wei inside? Lust is a sharp blade, you are still young, you must hold yourself back!"

Qin Dewei recognized the voice as his uncle's. He must have seen him at the county government and followed him here.

"Who is making such a fuss outside?" The young widow was almost furious. Qin Dewei, embarrassed, remained silent and quickly went to open the door.

Outside the main door, Qin the bailiff saw his nephew and quickly examined him. Seeing that Qin Dewei's clothes were still relatively neat, he sighed in relief.

"This is not a place to stay long. Come with me quickly." Qin the bailiff pulled Qin Dewei away.

Qin Dewei was speechless. With his uncle's interference, the meal for two silver coins was gone! In an era where the average monthly salary was a little over one silver coin, a meal for two silver coins was not something just anyone could afford!

On the street, Qin Dewei, with a rumbling stomach, couldn't help but complain, "Uncle, you came at the wrong time and ruined my plans."

Qin the bailiff was confused. Ruined his plans? What plans could he have at the young widow's house? What plans could he have with the young widow?

Wait, plans? Qin the bailiff, with a heavy heart, scolded, "You are still a child, your body hasn't fully grown, how can you be thinking about women all the time! I, the Qin family, have only you as the sole heir. How can you not cherish your own body and face our ancestors?"

Feeling that he had been too harsh, Qin the bailiff forced himself to calm down.

He then said to his nephew, "Aren't you always aspiring to the life of a scholar? There is a literary gathering this afternoon, and I will take you to see it!"

Qin Dewei, surprised, asked, "Not to belittle you, Uncle, but you are a bailiff... how can you be involved in a literary gathering? And take me to see it? You are not Li You."

"Would I lie to you? You'll see when we get there! Who is Li You?"