Zhou Binglin (Seeking Collection!)

Yunping County City.

In the area of concentrated wealth to the east stood a luxurious mansion covering several mu, with green tiles, pink walls, and continuous pavilions and chambers.

In front of the mansion was a vermilion gate, guarded by two ferocious-looking stone lions. Above it hung a plaque inscribed with the golden characters "Zhou Residence."

The main gate was closed, with several guards in green attire and small caps sitting on long benches, yawning lazily. The side gate, however, was open for people to enter and exit.

This was the residence of the county's prominent family, the Zhou Family!

According to the Zhou Dynasty's regulations, only families of County Magnates or those holding a fifth-rank official position were qualified to be called 'Mansions.'

Although the Zhou Family was powerful, their influence was limited to the county, so calling their residence a 'Mansion' was fitting.

Even though the Zhou Dynasty had collapsed and its laws and systems were in disarray, some rules were still strictly followed, especially within the county city and prefectural seat.

At this moment, in the study, two men were playing a game of Go, engaged in a silent contest.

One of them had an ancient and simple face, with a three-strand beard flowing down. He wore a scholar's cap, exuding an air of scholarly sophistication and commanding presence. His eyes were dark, warm, and unfathomably deep. This was the current head of the Zhou Family, Zhou Tong'an.

Opposite him sat a young man, as refined as jade, holding a white stone. He was concentrating intently on his moves.

After a while, the young man's forehead beaded with sweat. A large group of stones was captured, and he couldn't help but sigh, "Father's chess skills are profound. Your son is ashamed of his inferiority!"

This person was Zhou Tong'an's legitimate son, Zhou Binglin. As a child, he was quick-witted and could compose a poem in seven steps, earning him the reputation of a 'child prodigy' and considerable fame.

Zhou Tong'an, however, let out a soft sigh upon seeing this.

The patriarchs of great families, though holding power, had a very difficult position. Although he had helped his son gain some fame and undergone much tempering, it seemed now that it was merely superficial.

Of course, in times of peace, this superficiality would suffice, but not now.

He then asked, "The festival is approaching. Have the gifts for the county officials and the various branches been prepared?"

"They have all been prepared. As per Father's instructions, they are fifty percent more generous than usual!"

Zhou Binglin respectfully replied, "Furthermore... a thousand taels of silver have been sent to Second Uncle, escorted personally by Martial Master Song!"

"Good!"

Zhou Tong'an nodded. "Your Second Uncle is serving in another region, and needs to manage relationships. This is indispensable... He is the future hope of our Zhou Family and can secure our family's prosperity for another forty years. We must not neglect him..."

This referred to Zhou Tong'an's second brother, Zhou Tongren.

He had obtained the title of Juren early on. Although he did not pass the imperial examination for Jinshi, he was granted Official Status and had now risen to the position of a seventh-rank County Vice-Magistrate.

The County Vice-Magistrate was the deputy to the County Magistrate, usually not managing many affairs, but the County Magistrate still had to show him some respect. Above that was the sixth-rank County Magistrate, the Marquis of a Hundred Li.

However, he was not serving in Yunping County.

This was easily understood. The Zhou Family was already powerful. If they were to have a seventh-rank County Vice-Magistrate, or even a County Magistrate, wouldn't the entire Yunping County belong to the Zhou Family?

Separating them to serve far away was an instinct of those in power.

Now that the Zhou Dynasty's system was in disarray, serving in the same prefecture was not too far. If it were before, they might not even be in the same province.

"Your son understands!"

Zhou Binglin respectfully acknowledged. He then added, "Also, regarding the Wu Family... has the suppression been too much? Offending the Daoist Academy because of this seems to be a loss that outweighs the gain... and what about our reputation..."

"Hmph!"

Zhou Tong'an snorted coldly, immediately causing Zhou Binglin to tremble. "It's more than that, isn't it? I know you've always had feelings for that Wu Qing... it's inevitable that you'd be biased because of your affection for her..."

In this world, the laws and systems were strict. A son could not defy his father in the slightest, or he would be scorned by society and face great misfortune. Zhou Binglin immediately broke out in a cold sweat and apologized, "Your son wouldn't dare!"

"It's good that you truly think so..."

Zhou Tong'an said grimly, "Suppressing the Wu Family is not only our only channel to connect with that family in the prefecture, but moreover... that girl Wu Qing is not someone you are qualified to have... she has already been favored by a noble!"

A beautiful figure flashed in Zhou Binglin's mind, and his heart ached. However, he dared not show any of it at this moment and said, "Your son understands!"

Regardless of his inner thoughts, Zhou Tong'an was very satisfied with this response. His expression softened, and he said, "Your father has already made arrangements. As long as we capture that brat Wu Ming, someone in the Daoist Academy will immediately attack us... With both strategies in play, by then..."

At that instant, a hurried sound of footsteps interrupted Zhou Tong'an's words.

He frowned. Zhou Binglin's heart tightened, knowing this was his father's extreme anger. He became even more subservient, not daring to make a sound.

"Patriarch, I have an urgent matter to report!"

"Enter!" Hearing the voice outside, Zhou Tong'an suppressed his anger. He knew his servant, aware of his temper, would not dare to disturb him without an extremely urgent matter.

"Reporting to the Patriarch!"

The one who entered was a stern-faced middle-aged man in black tight-fitting clothing. He bowed to Zhou Tong'an. "Steward Yu and the Qingping Guest Official have had no contact for a day and a night. According to intelligence, a Yao was discovered in Qingshi Village, claiming to be Qingping. He manipulated corpses and cultivated evil arts. He has already been killed, thrown into a dung pit, and his remains turned to ash!"

"What?"

This earth-shattering news made Zhou Tong'an exclaim, scattering the black and white stones on the Go board.

"Daoist Qingping..."

Zhou Binglin was also somewhat dazed. He remembered the Daoist's elegant demeanor in his bamboo hat and feather robe, pointing and commanding the world, whom even his father greatly respected. He had died just like that?

And with such a tragic end?

"...How did Daoist Qingping die? Can the case be reopened?"

After taking a few deep breaths, Zhou Tong'an coldly asked.

"Qingping Daoist had already made arrangements beforehand. To capture the Wu Family Scion, a magical duel must have occurred, and he was defeated and killed! As for overturning the case..."

The man in black looked troubled. "With the joint testimony of the Village Head and villagers, plus the Bronze Corpses and Iron Corpses that have been cultivated, some of which were even stolen from the county and have records... with both real evidence and physical evidence present, it's like an ironclad case, making it extremely difficult!"

Hearing this, Zhou Tong'an's face darkened further, like the bottom of a pot. "Where is Steward Yu? Where is he?"

"Steward Yu has disappeared, and it's suspected he has fallen into the hands of the Wu Family!"

The man in black braced himself and revealed this. Zhou Tong'an didn't erupt in anger again, but instead turned grim.

After a long pause, Zhou Tong'an sneered, "Good! Good! Good! I didn't expect there to be an expert within the Wu Family!"

He immediately gave an order: "You go down and retrieve all the benefits that were given to Qingping Daoist. Also... fabricate evidence that Yu Cheng was corrupt and embezzled the family's wealth, and was expelled from the family long ago. Do you understand?"

Zhou Binglin listened blankly, watching the man in black bow and leave. A chill ran down his spine.

If something went wrong, distancing themselves was normal.

After all, the Wu Family was also a prominent family in the county. The methods used to deal with commoners couldn't be applied to them. If it came to a legal dispute, they would be at a disadvantage. Sacrificing a pawn to save the king was only human nature.

Knowing it was one thing, but doing it was another.

Although Yu Cheng and Qingping's descendants might receive some secret support if they were sensible, wasn't it said that a person's influence fades once they are gone? Their fate probably wouldn't be good.

Acting like this was truly chilling!

Meanwhile, within the Wu Family Fortified Village.

Wu Ming, dressed in fox fur and wearing a silver crown, truly looked like a jade statue. A fine incense burner was lit in the room, emitting wisps of incense smoke, like a fairyland.

According to the Great Zhou's customs, men had their capping ceremony at fifteen. Nobles and officials of the third rank and above used jade crowns. County Magnates or families of the fifth rank used gold. Scholars used silver. As for commoners, they could only use wooden or bamboo crowns.

At this moment, Feng Han said, "The Zhou Family has resided in Yunping for two hundred and seventy years. Zhou Yong, along with the Great General Wu Qi, quelled the rebellion in Shu and served in the military for half his life, receiving a fief, which led to the rise of the Zhou Family. For generations, they produced scholars, and with that momentum, they prospered. Currently, they own over 5,400 mu of land, with over a thousand clan members and countless servants. The highest official status currently belongs to the family head Zhou Tong'an's younger brother—Zhou Tongren, who is the County Vice-Magistrate of Qingmu County. Within Yunping County, the closest relationship the Zhou Family has is with Chief Clerk Hu. The Zhou Family put in great effort for this person to become the County Chief Clerk, so they regard him as a benefactor... Additionally, the Zhou Family has dispatched servants to secretly support several families in their businesses, yielding substantial profits..."

Wu Ming nodded from time to time. Feng Han had truly put in the effort.

In a short period, he had investigated the Zhou Family's overall strength, making Wu Ming feel as if he was looking at a behemoth rooted in Yunping, with its influence spreading across several counties.

"And... there's one Chief Clerk who is a bit troublesome!"

A cold glint flashed in Wu Ming's eyes.

Under the Great Zhou's county system, there was one County Magistrate per county, ranked seventh, holding overall authority. Below him were County Vice-Magistrates and County Lieutenants, both ranked eighth. The County Vice-Magistrate usually didn't manage affairs, while the County Lieutenant could command the garrison soldiers.

Beneath this core were the Personnel, Revenue, Justice, and Works departments, like miniature ministries, with each Workload Officer being of the ninth rank.

In addition, there was an Inspector of the ninth rank, responsible for dealing with thieves, and a Chief Clerk, responsible for managing the documents of various departments, communicating between superiors and subordinates, and organizing confidential matters. This position was quite important.

However, this Chief Clerk held immense power, almost like a prime minister. If their rank were higher, they could even sideline the County Magistrate. Therefore, they were only of the ninth rank.

Besides these official positions, there were the clerks of various departments, the clerks of the granary, the Constabulary Captains, the Township Inspectors of various townships, and an even larger number of Hired Hands who couldn't even get into the clerk registry.

Just a single county yamen, though small, had all the necessary functions, like a miniature central hub.

Wu Ming compared the situation. Both the Wu Family and the Zhou Family were prominent families in the county. On the surface, they were treated equally. The methods they used to destroy commoners' families couldn't be employed here.

However, in terms of actual connections, the Wu Family was far inferior.

Although they didn't lack seasonal gifts, ice and charcoal tributes, it was merely that. Compared to the Zhou Family, which had supported the Chief Clerk's rise to power, their efforts seemed shallow.

At the very least, Wu Ming was certain that if it truly escalated to a legal trial, the County Magistrate might still treat them equally, but those below the Chief Clerk would likely lean towards the Zhou Family.

At that time, even if he held irrefutable evidence, there would still be some uncertainty.

"Not to mention... in the worst-case scenario, the Zhou Family might even leverage their connections in the prefecture, suppressing even the County Magistrate... It's simply a situation with no chance of victory!"

Therefore, Wu Ming had no intention of resolving this matter through official channels.