Yunping County.
In the eastern district, where the wealthy and powerful gathered, stood a grand mansion sprawling across several mu, with green-tiled roofs, pink walls, and pavilions and buildings stretching one after another.
A vermilion-lacquered gate stood before the mansion, flanked by two stone lions with bared fangs and claws. A plaque above the gate bore two gilded characters: "Zhou Residence."
At that moment, the main gate was closed. Several gatekeepers in green robes and small caps sat on a long bench, yawning lazily. The side gate, however, stood open for people to come and go.
This was the Zhou family's Courtyard House, one of the county's great households!
According to the customs of the Zhou dynasty, only a County Magnate's household or a family with a fifth-rank hall was entitled to call its home a "mansion"!
Though the Zhou family was a powerful clan, its influence extended no farther than one county, so "residence" suited it just fine.
Although the Zhou dynasty was in decline and its rites and laws had fallen into disrepair, certain customs were still strictly observed, especially in county seats and commandery offices.
At that moment, two people sat in the study, playing chess and conversing through their moves.
One of them had an ancient, austere face and three long wisps of beard drifting down from his chin. He wore a scholar's headcloth, and his air carried something of a scholar's spirited confidence and command. Yet his eyes were dark, warm, and unfathomable. This was Zhou Tong'an, the current head of the Zhou family.
Across from him sat a young man, gentle as jade. Holding a white stone, he was wholly absorbed in the game.
Before long, beads of sweat appeared on the young man's forehead. A great dragon of stones was surrounded and captured, and he could only scatter his pieces and say, "Father, your chess skill is profound. I'm no match for you!"
This was Zhou Tong'an's legitimate son, Zhou Binglin. In his youth, his literary mind had been quick; he could compose a poem in seven steps and had been hailed as a "Child Prodigy." He had quite a reputation.
Seeing this, Zhou Tong'an gave a faint sigh.
The head of a great clan had always held power, yet the position was never easy to fill. He had helped build up his son's reputation and put him through plenty of trials, but now it seemed Zhou Binglin had only a thin layer of polish.
Of course, in peaceful times, that thin polish would have been enough. But these were not peaceful times.
He asked, "The festival is approaching. Have the gifts for the county officials and the various branches of the family been prepared?"
"They've all been prepared. As you instructed, Father, each gift is fifty percent more generous than usual!"
Zhou Binglin replied respectfully, "Also... a thousand taels of silver have been sent to Second Uncle. Martial Master Song personally escorted it!"
"Good!"
Zhou Tong'an nodded. "Your second uncle serves as an official far from home, and he needs plenty to grease the wheels above and below... He is the future hope of our Zhou family, and can safeguard the family's fortunes for another forty years. We must never neglect him..."
He was speaking of Zhou Tong'an's younger brother, Zhou Tongren.
Zhou Tongren had earned his Juren degree at an early age. Although he had failed to pass the metropolitan examination, he had still secured Official Status. He now held the post of Principal Eighth Rank County Vice-Magistrate.
The County Vice-Magistrate was the county magistrate's deputy. He usually took little part in affairs, but even the magistrate had to show him some respect. One rank above him was the Principal Seventh Rank county magistrate, a marquis of a hundred li.
But not in Yunping County.
It was easy to understand why. The Zhou family was already powerful. If an Eighth Rank County Vice-Magistrate—or even the county magistrate—joined their ranks, wouldn't the whole of Yunping County end up bearing the Zhou name?
Sending officials to distant posts was an instinctive measure for those in power.
Now that the Zhou system had fallen into disrepair, his post was still in the same commandery—not very far away. In earlier times, he would not even have been allowed to serve in the same province.
"I understand, Father!"
Zhou Binglin replied respectfully, then continued, "Also, about the Wu family... Have we been pressing them too hard? We've damaged our relationship with the Dao Academy over this. It seems like a poor trade... And as for our reputation..."
"Hmph!"
Zhou Tong'an snorted coldly. Zhou Binglin immediately shuddered. "You're afraid there's more to it than that, aren't you? I know you've always had feelings for Wu Qing... It's hard not to favor the house because of the person you love..."
The rites and laws of this world were strict. A son could not defy his father in the slightest; otherwise, society would scorn him and disaster would follow. Cold sweat broke out on Zhou Binglin's brow as he apologized. "I wouldn't dare, Father!"
"Good. You'd better mean it..."
Zhou Tong'an said grimly, "Pressuring the Wu family is our only way to forge ties with that family in the commandery. And besides... Wu Qing isn't someone you're worthy of enjoying. Do you understand?... A noble has already taken a liking to her!"
A graceful figure appeared in Zhou Binglin's mind, and his heart ached. But he didn't dare let it show. "I understand, Father!"
Whatever he truly thought, Zhou Tong'an was satisfied with the way he had answered. His expression softened as he said, "I've already made arrangements. As soon as we take down that brat Wu Ming, someone in the Dao Academy will rise to make trouble for them... We'll strike from both sides, and when the time comes..."
A burst of hurried footsteps abruptly cut him off.
Zhou Tong'an's brow furrowed. Zhou Binglin's heart leapt. He knew this was how his father looked when his anger had reached its peak, and he bowed even lower, not daring to make a sound.
"Master, I have urgent business to report!"
"Come in!" Hearing the voice outside, Zhou Tong'an forced down his anger. He knew the servants understood his temper; no one would dare disturb him unless it was truly urgent.
"Reporting to the master!"
The man who entered wore a black outfit suited for combat and had a sinister expression. He knelt before Zhou Tong'an and reported, "Steward Yu and Guest Official Qingping have been out of contact for a day and a night. According to our informants, a demon cultivator appeared in Qingshi Village, calling himself Qingping and controlling corpses as he practiced Evil magic. He was beaten to death and thrown into a manure pit. His corpse has been reduced to ashes!"
"What?"
The earth-shattering news left Zhou Tong'an speechless. He swept his hand across the board, sending a scattering of black and white stones tumbling down.
"Daoist Qingping..."
Zhou Binglin was also in a daze. He remembered the Daoist in his bamboo crown and feathered robe, speaking with such easy confidence as he surveyed the world. Even his father had deeply respected him. And now he was dead just like that?
And in such a wretched state?
"...How exactly did Daoist Qingping die? Can the case be overturned?"
After taking several deep breaths, Zhou Tong'an asked coldly.
"Daoist Qingping had made arrangements beforehand to seize the Wu Family Scion. They must have fought with magic, and he was killed after losing. As for overturning the case..."
The man in black looked troubled. "The village head and villagers have all signed statements as witnesses. There are also the refined Bronze Corpses and Iron Corpses. Several of them were stolen from the county and have records on file... We truly have witnesses and evidence in abundance. The proof is as solid as a mountain. It will be exceedingly difficult!"
At this, Zhou Tong'an's face darkened like the bottom of a pot. "What about Steward Yu? Where is he?"
"Steward Yu's whereabouts are unknown. We suspect he has fallen into the Wu family's hands!"
The man in black forced himself to say it. Zhou Tong'an did not erupt in fury again. Instead, his expression turned gloomy.
After a long while, Zhou Tong'an finally sneered. "Good! Good! Good! I never would have thought there was a hidden master in the Wu family!"
He immediately gave an order. "Go and recover every allowance and benefit we gave Daoist Qingping. Also... manufacture evidence that Yu Cheng embezzled the family's wealth and was expelled from the family long ago. Understood?"
Zhou Binglin listened in a daze as the man in black bowed and left, feeling a chill in his heart.
When trouble struck, it was only natural to sever ties.
After all, the Wu family was also a great household in the county. Methods used against commoners could not be brought to bear against them. If the matter went to court, they would be at a disadvantage. Abandoning a pawn to save the king was only human nature.
Knowing that was one thing. Doing it was another.
If Yu Cheng and Daoist Qingping's descendants understood how things worked, they might still receive some help in secret. But hadn't they heard how the tea grew cold once its drinker had left? Their fates would likely be grim.
Such conduct chilled the heart!
Meanwhile, inside the Wu Family Fortified Village.
Wu Ming wore a fox-fur cloak and a silver crown. He truly was handsome as jade. Fine incense burned in the room, sending wisps of pure fragrance into the air like a fairyland.
By Zhou custom, men underwent their capping ceremony at fifteen. Nobles and the households of officials ranked Principal Third Rank or above could wear jade crowns; County Magnates or fifth-rank households could wear gold; Aristocratic Families could wear silver. As for commoners, they could only wear wooden or bamboo crowns.
Then Feng Han said, "The Zhou family has lived in Yunping for generations. Its history can be traced back 270 years, to when Zhou Yong followed the Great General Wu Qi in quelling the rebellion in Shu. He spent half his life on horseback and was granted an estate, from which the Zhou family arose. Several generations since then have produced Juren, and the family seized the opportunity to flourish. Today they own more than 5,400 mu of farmland, with over a thousand clan members and servants like clouds. The highest-ranking official among them is Zhou Tong'an's younger brother, Zhou Tongren, the County Vice-Magistrate of Qingmu. In Yunping County, Chief Clerk Hu is closest to the Zhou family. The Zhou family helped him secure his post as county Chief Clerk, so he regards them as his benefactors... In addition, the Zhou family has secretly backed several families in business through their servants, and they've made handsome profits..."
Wu Ming nodded from time to time. Feng Han had clearly put a great deal of effort into this.
In a short time, he had uncovered the Zhou family's overall strength, letting Wu Ming see a behemoth rooted in Yunping, its influence spreading across several counties.
"And... there's also a Chief Clerk, which makes things difficult!"
A cold glint flashed in Wu Ming's eyes.
Under the Great Zhou county system, each county had one county magistrate, Principal Seventh Rank, who held overall authority. Beneath him were a Principal Eighth Rank County Vice-Magistrate and County Lieutenant, one each. The County Vice-Magistrate usually took no part in affairs, while the County Lieutenant could command the garrison troops.
Below these officials were the Personnel, Revenue, Justice, and Works bureaus, like a miniature Six Ministries. The directors of each bureau were Principal Ninth Rank.
Besides them, there was one Principal Ninth Rank Township Inspector, responsible for dealing with bandits, and one Chief Clerk, responsible for managing the documents of the various offices, communicating between superiors and subordinates, and organizing confidential matters. His position was extremely important.
But the Chief Clerk wielded such immense authority that he was practically a prime minister. If his rank were any higher, he could even sideline the county magistrate. That was why he held only Subordinate Ninth Rank.
Below these officials were the clerks in the various offices, the warehouse Clerk, the Constabulary Captain, the Township Inspectors in each village, and the many more unofficial hangers-on who did not even have a place in the clerical register.
A mere county yamen was small but complete in every detail, essentially a miniature central government.
Wu Ming compared the two families. Both the Wu and Zhou families were great households in the county, and on the surface they were treated equally. Methods that could drive commoners to ruin could not be used against them.
But when it came to real connections, the Wu family was outmatched by more than a little.
They never neglected seasonal gifts, ice money, or charcoal money, but that was all. Compared with the Zhou family, which had helped its man secure the Chief Clerk's post, their ties were shallow.
Wu Ming was certain that if the dispute truly reached court, the county magistrate might still be impartial, but everyone below the Chief Clerk would probably lean toward the Zhou family.
By then, even with ironclad proof in hand, the outcome would still be uncertain.
"Not to mention... in the worst-case scenario, the Zhou family might even use its connections in the commandery to pressure the county magistrate. It would be a battle we could only lose!"
That was why Wu Ming had never planned to settle the matter openly in court.
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