Today in Suzhou Prefecture, a major gossip event unfolded. Citizens of Suzhou, fond of excitement and not particularly fearful of the authorities, had received the news early on and flocked to the Prefectural Yamen, discussing and waiting.

The topic of their discussion, of course, was the Ming family's estate dispute, which had been causing a stir in Suzhou City and gradually attracting attention throughout Jiangnan.

No one had expected that the Ming family's seventh son, who should have died of illness long ago, would suddenly reappear, transformed into the commander of the Jiangnan Water Bandit and a prominent figure in the underworld. Moreover, after the Imperial Treasury affair, this Ming seventh son's identity changed again, becoming the Imperial Merchant responsible for managing the North Road sales of the Imperial Treasury.

But no matter how his identity changed, the most eye-catching aspect was his status as a descendant of the Ming family. Today, Xia Qifei had entered Suzhou Prefecture to file a lawsuit, initiating a battle for the family estate. It was unknown how those living in the Ming Manor would react.

And into whose hands would the Ming family's vast fortune ultimately fall?

In the hearts of most people, there was still a bias towards the Ming family. Firstly, because the Ming family had done a good job of concealing their dark side, creating a very upright image in the minds of the Jiangnan gentry and common people. Secondly, Ming Qingda was the eldest son of the Ming family's main branch. Even if Xia Qifei really was the Ming family's seventh son, according to the Qing law and the established precedents of thousands of years, the family estate should naturally be inherited by the eldest legitimate son.

Moreover, who could prove that Xia Qifei was really Ming Qingcheng?

While outside the Suzhou Prefectural Yamen was bustling with activity, inside, the Yamen was filled with tension. The Prefect of Suzhou was suffering from a headache and was half-lying on his desk, lamenting weakly to the clerk beside him, "Tell me, what should we do today?"

The Ming family was a great clan of a hundred years, with countless connections to the officialdom of Jiangnan. It was impossible to disentangle them. If something happened to the Ming family, it was feared that a good portion of the officials in Jiangnan would be implicated. And for important positions like that of the Suzhou Prefect, the Ming family had long since satisfied their appetite. Today, Xia Qifei wanted to file a lawsuit for the family estate. Of course, the Suzhou Prefect had to consider the matter from the perspective of Ming Qingda and the Old Madam, but... Xia Qifei had the Imperial Envoy behind him, who was not someone the Prefect dared to offend.

The clerk also looked terrified, pacing back and forth anxiously. Suddenly, he stopped and snapped his paper fan shut with a "啪" sound.

"Your Honor, it's time to play the role of an honest official," the clerk said, his brow furrowed into an unsightly circle of flesh, gritting his teeth.

The Suzhou Prefect panicked and said angrily, "What nonsense is this? Am I not an honest official usually?" After saying this, thinking of certain matters, the Prefect suddenly deflated and said, "This is a matter for the Ming family. I can't very well stay out of it. After all, I relied on the Old Madam in past years to reach this position."

The clerk knew that His Honor had misunderstood his meaning, so he quickly leaned forward and said a few words, explaining in a low voice, "Your Honor, have you seen anyone from the Ming family come to say anything these past few days?"

The Suzhou Prefect was taken aback, and after thinking for a moment, said strangely, "That's right, the Ming family hasn't sent anyone to talk to me."

The clerk said with a sinister smile, "In that case, the Ming family is naturally confident, knowing that no matter how this lawsuit is fought, no matter what Xia Qifei has in his hands... the Ming family's vast estate will still only be held by Master Ming... Since the Ming family isn't worried, they naturally have the confidence to win. Why should Your Honor be anxious on their behalf?"

The Suzhou Prefect lowered his head slightly and asked in a very low voice, "Then according to you, what should I do?"

This clerk specialized in criminal matters and was extremely familiar with the Qing law. With a whoosh, he opened his folding fan and said proudly, "Regardless of whether Xia Qifei can find the old folks from back then to prove his identity, even if he really is the Ming family's seventh son, according to the Qing law, he has no share in this estate. Since Your Honor doesn't want to offend either side, and the Ming family is now protected by the Qing law, what are you worried about? Today, you only need to handle the case impartially and rule according to the Qing law... Presumably, the Imperial Envoy won't blame you."

This case that shocked Jiangnan had countless eyes watching it. The Suzhou Prefect frowned and thought for a long time, feeling that this seemed to be the only way. Handling the case impartially and deciding according to the law allowed him to avoid offending Fan Xian, to tacitly watch the Ming family succeed, and to establish a reputation for being an upright official. It seemed to be a win-win-win situation.

Thinking of this, the Prefect finally relaxed and breathed a long sigh of relief, saying, "That's settled then. Not moving is moving."

Just then, the old drum outside the Prefectural Yamen sounded "咚咚".

The Prefect frowned and cursed, "This Xia fellow is really anxious." As he said this, he dared not be negligent, so he straightened his official robes, put on a dignified yet kind smile, walked out of the study, and headed towards the court.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Arriving at the court, he could only hear a great clamor outside the Yamen. A roar of authority suppressed the noisy voices of the Suzhou citizens outside.

The Prefect squinted his eyes and looked down the hall, somewhat surprised to find that Xia Qifei had come to the court alone today, without any other people accompanying him. It seemed that the Imperial Envoy had not sent anyone to assist Xia Qifei.

"Who is it down there?"

"This humble citizen, Xia Qifei."

"What matter do you have to report?"

Xia Qifei was silent for a moment, somewhat absent-minded, and forgot to respond for a moment. Today, he was wearing a pure blue cotton robe, and the beard on his chin was cleanly shaved, revealing his greenish skin. He looked full of vigor, and the hands exposed outside his sleeves were trembling slightly. It seemed that today's matter was indeed of great significance to this Ming seventh son.

The Prefect looked at him with some disgust, feeling that this person standing proudly in the hall was a considerable challenge to his authority, and in front of His Honor, he actually... didn't kneel!

He was just about to burst out when he noticed that his sleeve had been tugged by the clerk.

The clerk said softly, "Fan... Fan... don't bother with small matters."

The Prefect was startled, and thought that was right. Why bother with these small details?

Just then, Xia Qifei finally spoke in a deep voice. He clasped his hands and said loudly, "This humble citizen, Xia Qifei, originally surnamed Ming, named Qingcheng, is the seventh son of Ming Yeye of the Suzhou Ming family. I was driven out of the house by a shrew at a young age and have been wandering ever since, having lost my home and parents. Today, I am forced to enter the Yamen to accuse Ming Laotaijun of the Suzhou Ming family and Ming Qingda, the head of the main branch, of colluding with bandits, attempting to harm people, and seizing my family property... I beg the Honorable Judge to seek justice for this humble citizen!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire courtyard erupted in an uproar. Everyone knew that Xia Qifei had come to seize the family property, but no one had expected that he would directly accuse Ming Laotaijun and Ming Qingda of having tried to harm people back then, every word like a dagger to the heart, and in his words, he repeatedly called them a "shrew" and "bandits", leaving no room for maneuver!

The people outside the Yamen were clamoring. In their hearts, Ming Laotaijun was a kind old woman who had done so much good over the years. How could she be associated with a "shrew"?

In fact, these people secretly suspected that the strange disappearance of the Ming family's seventh son back then was probably inseparable from Ming Laotaijun and the current head of the Ming family, Ming Qingda... But people always wanted to believe what they believed, to believe what they had already convinced themselves of. Therefore, they greeted this accusation against Ming Qingda with boos.

The Suzhou Prefect also frowned, saying with disgust, "This matter is of great importance. Your words must be careful. Where is the written complaint?"

Xia Qifei took out a written complaint from his bosom and handed it to the clerk below the hall to pass it on. After the clerk handed the complaint to the Prefect, the two leaned close and took a brief look, and immediately felt a great shock in their hearts. This written complaint was written with splendor and sharpness, every word directly attacking Ming Laotaijun. Moreover, it cleverly avoided the rules in the Qing law regarding this aspect, focusing solely on the wording of Ming Laotaiye's will. Regarding Xia Qifei's pitiful wandering life over the years, he spared no ink, moving all who saw it.

The Prefect was moved, but he sneered secretly in his heart, thinking that such an article would be good for writing storybooks, but it was of no use for fighting a lawsuit.

He slapped the gavel and shouted sternly, "Xia Qifei, do you have any solid evidence to present?"

Xia Qifei said with a calm face, "The people of the Ming family have not arrived yet. Why is Your Honor so anxious?"

Looking at Xia Qifei's calm and confident expression, the Prefect frowned, thinking, could it be that the other party really had some kind of deadly weapon in his hands? After pondering for a moment, he discussed it with the clerk and sent someone to invite the people of the Ming family to come and respond to the lawsuit.

According to the annotations in the Qing law on subordinate formats, such civil lawsuits did not require the defendant to come to court to respond. However, the matter being disputed today was too big, and the forces behind both sides were too great, having too much of an impact in the Jiangnan area. The Suzhou Prefect dared not be too presumptuous. In any case, he knew that the Ming family would definitely not stay out of it, so he sent someone to invite them.

Sure enough, the Yamen runner had just left, and the people of the Ming family followed right behind, seemingly having prepared someone to respond to the lawsuit long ago, just waiting to fight this certain victory.

Seeing the person who had come, the Prefect frowned again and said in a cold voice, "Who is it that has come?"

The elegant young gentleman smiled slightly and bowed, saying, "Ming Lanshi greets Your Honor."

This young master of the Ming family knew that the Prefect was acting at this time, playing the role of an upright and incorruptible official in front of the citizens. That was why he spoke so coldly. Usually, this Prefect was much more affectionate in front of him. However, after the Ming family's analysis these past few days, they had determined that this estate lawsuit was a certain victory. Therefore, Ming Lanshi understood the Prefect's thoughts and did not mind much.

"Hmm," the Prefect said, "Master Ming is not feeling well recently. It is reasonable for you, as the eldest grandson of the main branch, to respond to this matter. Someone, give the written complaint to Ming Lanshi to take a look at."

The clerk took the written complaint down. Unexpectedly, Ming Lanshi did not accept it, but instead smiled and bowed, saying, "Your Honor, my Ming family is not an evil person who likes litigation, so I don't quite understand the intricacies of this matter. Therefore, I have invited a legal counsel to assist."

After saying this, he looked to the side. The so-called "evil person who likes litigation" was naturally aimed at Xia Qifei, who was standing on the side. Xia Qifei did not react and did not even look at his nephew.

As Ming Lanshi's words fell, a person flashed in from the back, took the written complaint from the clerk with both hands, and smiled obsequiously.

When the Prefect and the clerk saw this person, the worries they had been feeling immediately dissipated. This legal counsel's surname was Chen, named Bochang, and he was the most famous legal counsel in the Jiangnan area, or rather, the most notorious shyster. He got along extremely well with the Prefecture. When this person fought a lawsuit, he could always turn black into white, death into life, and male into female. He was eloquent and traveled the world wielding the Qing law, and had never lost a case.

Today, the Ming family had brought out this Chen Bochang, and with the Qing law's dead clauses on inheritance by the eldest legitimate son to protect them, this estate lawsuit would never be lost.

Chen Bochang held Xia Qifei's written complaint and looked at it carefully. A sneer of contempt could not help but appear on the corner of his lips, looking down on the other party, and even looking down on the Imperial Envoy behind him. He cleared his throat and said with a flippant smile, "What a moving story... I just don't know... what does this story of Captain Xia have to do with the Ming family?"

This legal counsel called Xia Qifei "Captain Xia," naturally wanting to influence public opinion and remind the listening citizens that this Xia Qifei was a leader of the underworld who killed people like flies on the rivers and lakes.

Xia Qifei said expressionlessly, "It's all about the Ming family's story over the past twenty years. What do you say it has to do with the Ming family?"

Chen Bochang suddenly sneered twice, mocking, "Mr. Xia is truly ridiculous. You say it's the Ming family's story, so it's the Ming family's story? You say you're the Ming family's seventh master, so you're the Ming family's seventh master?"

He cupped his hands towards the Prefect in the hall and said with a smile, "Your Honor, this case is too absurd. There really is no need to continue."

The Prefect pretended to frown and said, "Why do you say such reckless words?"

Chen Bochang smiled, "With not a shred of evidence, he claims to be the Ming family's seventh son... Your Honor, if another person were to claim to be the Ming family's seventh son at this time, what then? Everyone in Jiangnan knows that Ming Laotaiye had a total of seven sons and four daughters. The seventh son was born to a concubine, and was frail and sickly from a young age. He unfortunately passed away from illness more than a decade ago. How is it that another Ming family's seventh son has appeared now? If anyone can claim to be a descendant of the Ming family and then recklessly come to court, slander the Ming family's reputation, and harm the good name of Ming Laotaijun and Master Ming, where is the justice in that?"

He looked at Xia Qifei and said with a smile, "Of course, everyone knows that Captain Xia is no ordinary person... I am very curious, after the Imperial Treasury bidding, Captain Xia has made such an absurd move. I wonder what the reason is? Is there some ulterior motive hidden behind it?"

This most famous shyster in Jiangnan felt that this lawsuit was too unchallenging today, so he attacked fiercely from the start, launching a scathing verbal assault. He shook his head as he looked at Xia Qifei and said, "Without evidence, don't file lawsuits indiscriminately. Without witnesses, don't make wild accusations... Captain Xia, you have insulted the Ming family's reputation today. Later, I will definitely accuse you of false accusation."

The people who personally experienced Ming Laotaijun's execution of Xia Qifei's biological mother and the expulsion of Xia Qifei had long been silenced in these past ten years. Xia Qifei simply could not have any evidence or witnesses in his hands, so the Ming family was very confident.

…

…

Just then, a slippery, lazy voice that made people's skin crawl came from outside the Suzhou Prefectural Yamen.

"Who says you can't file a lawsuit without evidence? Who says you can't accuse someone of murder without witnesses?"

"In the first year of Qingli, in the Dingzhou concubine killing her husband case, the first wife accused without evidence, and a horse knife was later found in the stable, and the case was solved."

"The Criminal Department's archive scroll number one hundred and thirty-seven, citing the example of King Song of Nan Yue, states that civil cases are divided into three classes. Disputes involving ten thousand strings of cash or more are not subject to the death penalty regulations of the criminal memorials, are not subject to counter-accusations, and do not require complete proof."

"How much more than ten thousand strings of cash is the Ming family's property?"

"With two examples in front, why can't this lawsuit be fought?"

"As for evidence, after the accusation is made, the government will naturally investigate the scene and search for evidence. Why are you, the shyster, in such a hurry?"

"What's more... who says Mr. Xia doesn't have evidence?"

The person who came from outside the Yamen was dressed in a Confucian robe, holding a golden fan, extremely flamboyant, extremely arrogant. A series of words, citing examples, using what was written in the Criminal Department's archives, although somewhat forcibly argued, successfully suppressed the Ming family's aggressive momentum and attracted everyone's attention to him.

The Prefect stroked his beard in slight anger and said, "Who is it? Coming to court without being announced! Men, hit him!"

The man in the Confucian robe closed his golden fan, inserted it behind his back, and cupped his hands respectfully to the hall, saying, "Your Honor, you can't hit me."

After saying this, he took a piece of paper from his sleeve, waved it in the air, and said with a grin, "This junior is also a legal counsel, like Mr. Chen Bochang, but he is the legal counsel hired by Mr. Xia Qifei. I arrived late earlier, please forgive this crime, and allow me to stand in the hall in good condition and talk to the Ming family... The case hasn't even been heard yet, and Your Honor has knocked one of the legal counsels unconscious... I'm afraid this will damage Your Honor's good name if it gets out."

Everyone was stunned, and then they realized that the person who had come was actually Xia Qifei's legal counsel.

Xia Qifei smiled wryly, thinking, why did the Imperial Envoy send me such a legal counsel who reeked of mischief?

The Prefect was choked by this legal counsel's words and was extremely angry, but he didn't dare to actually hit him, otherwise it would be difficult to explain to the Imperial Envoy. For a moment, he couldn't say a word.

While he couldn't speak, Chen Bochang's eyes lit up, staring at the legal counsel with the golden fan inserted behind his back, feeling that he had finally met a sharp-tongued opponent. He felt slightly excited and also inserted his fan behind his back, saying, "The two examples you cited earlier are special cases, especially the Criminal Department's Spring Scroll Notes, which are only for reference by the Great Prison Temple and the Criminal Department in the capital, but have never been involved in local trial decisions."

The man shook his head and said, "Not so. In the fourth year of Daxing, the former Prime Minister Lin Ruofu, who was then a commentator in Suzhou, once relied on this Spring Scroll Notes to judge an estate case. How can you say it's not involved?"

Chen Bochang's heart tightened. He had no impression of the case the other party was talking about. Either the other party was talking nonsense, or the other party's familiarity with the Qing law and precedents... was far above his!

He only heard the man continue to say with a smile, "Brother Bochang, don't say anything about the Qing law not following precedents. Whether precedents are used or not is not limited by the Qing law, it all depends on the chief official's decision."

He raised his hand and gave a flattering salute to the Prefect of Suzhou, but the Prefect was cursing in his heart, knowing that the four words "depends on the chief official's decision" had forced him onto the Eastern Mountain. This estate case could not be established either way.

Who exactly is this legal counsel? Chen Bochang and Ming Lanshi exchanged glances, both feeling a little strange. Where did such a shameless legal counsel come from in Jiangnan?

The Prefect could no longer help but ask, "May I ask, what is this gentleman's name?"

Xia Qifei also looked at his legal counsel, only to see the legal counsel clasping his hands and saying with a smile, "Student Song Shiren, a council member of the Kyoto Legal Counsel Association, specially permitted by the Criminal Department to consult the archives. Today, I have come to Jiangnan specifically for the honor of participating in the largest estate case in history."

Song Shiren!

The Prefect immediately had the thought of running away. Ming Lanshi also felt his mouth go dry, and Chen Bochang's eyes widened!

Who was Song Shiren? The most famous lawyer in Kyoto, or rather, the most famous lawyer in the entire Qing Kingdom. Chen Bochang's reputation was only known in Jiangnan, but this Song Shiren was famous throughout the world for being clever, cunning, and difficult to deal with. Since his debut, relying on studying the Qing law from a young age, he had caused countless officials to lose face and countless victims to cry bitterly.

Song Shiren's famous and infamous name had even been heard by the people of Suzhou City. At this time, hearing him announce his name, the Prefectural Yamen was as noisy as a boiling pot. Everyone knew that today's show was going to be even more interesting.

Ming Lanshi looked at Chen Bochang with concern. After a little panic, Chen Bochang regained his composure, his eyes slightly narrowed, and a powerful fighting spirit suddenly erupted in his body. He sneered and said, "Young master, don't worry. I have never lost a lawsuit, but this Song Shiren has lost before!"

…

…

However, this Chen Bochang seemed to have forgotten one very important thing. The only lawsuit that Song Shiren had ever lost in his life... was the last case in Kyoto Prefecture, when Si Nanbo's illegitimate son fought a black boxing match against Guo Baokun... Song Shiren had only lost to Fan Xian once.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Since they were going to fight an estate lawsuit, of course, the first thing to confirm was Xia Qifei's true identity, whether he was the seventh son born to Ming Laotaiye.

On this point, Chen Bochang stood firm. If the other party could not prove this, he would not bother to argue about the rest of the matters, so as not to give the notorious Song Shiren a chance to seize any loopholes on their side.

The Prefect also frowned and demanded that Xia Qifei's side provide solid evidence to prove his identity.

Song Shiren was no longer as relaxed as before at this time. He shook his head at Xia Qifei and invited their first witness.

This witness was a midwife, very old, and walked with a trembling gait. She walked to the hall, panting, and testified that she was the one who delivered the birth for Ming Laotaiye's concubine back then, and that the newborn infant had a blue birthmark on his lower back.

Xia Qifei undressed in court, and there was indeed a blue birthmark on his lower back.

Chen Bochang frowned, gritted his teeth, and said to Ming Lanshi in a low voice, "Why didn't you say anything about this yesterday?"

Ming Lanshi's teeth rattled as he gritted them. He said in an extremely angry low voice, "That midwife... is fake! The real one died of illness two years ago!"

Chen Bochang sighed in despair. Even if they knew that the midwife was fake, how could they prove it? The midwife looked confused, but in the previous questions and answers, she remembered the location of the Ming Manor back then clearly, as well as Ming Laotaiye's appearance, the concubine's clothing, and the houses. In the eyes of the onlookers, this midwife could not have been more real.

Damn it, the Oversight Council's counterfeiting is really amazing!

…

…

(The last day of 2007, a few emotions, mostly happiness, I wish everyone to brush away the bad things of the past with a fan, such as the embarrassing things like me often writing the wrong thing, writing formaldehyde as methane, believe me, it's really a typo... Please remember those beautiful and happy memories, such as how great, glorious and righteous I am... Tomorrow is the new year, I wish everyone good health, all the best, and long life to the elders in the family.)