However, it is said that Prefect Zheng ordered Zhou Youde to be imprisoned and then ordered the court to be adjourned.
Xu Wei naturally went to his villa in Santaishan to report the situation to Xu Yan.
Xu Yan was slightly surprised when he learned that Prefect Zheng had sentenced Zhou Youde to death.
Although his deliberate act of burning down shops and houses could have been punishable by death, being able to receive the sentence and actually receiving the punishment were two different things.
Could it be that this Prefect Zheng has a grudge against Zhou Youde?
After Xu Wei's explanation, Xu Yan realized that Zhou Youde had lost his mind in the court, and in his confusion, he implicated Yao Wenzhao, the governor of Zhejiang Province.
The angry prefect Zheng sentenced Zhou Youde to death by beheading.
All we can say is that Zhou Youde committed a big taboo.
Maybe you were really close to Yao Buzhengshi, but you couldn't say that in public, especially in court.
Originally, Governor Yao might have saved you, but now he will definitely not show up in order to distance himself from the matter. It's considered very kind of him not to step on you and add insult to injury.
After all, even if Governor Yao had nothing to do with this matter, God knows whether it would involve other troublesome things.
It is safer to draw a clear line and make the cut early on.
It has to be said that Prefect Zheng was experienced in handling this type of case, as he chose to hold the trial in the second court.
If the trial were held in the lobby, with so many people watching outside, Zhou Youde would be finished if he shouted.
You must know that guarding against the people's mouths is more difficult than guarding against a river. If word spreads from one person to ten, and from ten to a hundred, even if Governor Yao gets mud in his crotch, it will be impossible to wash it out.
Prefect Zheng made a decision immediately, which seemed to offend Governor Yao, but in fact he was considering the issue from Governor Yao's perspective and protected Mr. Yao's reputation to the greatest extent.
Instead of blaming Governor Zheng, Governor Yao would remember this friendship.
This is the art of being an official. Right and wrong, black and white, right and wrong are all constantly changing.
"By the way, how did Zhou Dafu get sentenced?"
Xu Yan asked.
"The prefect, considering him an accomplice and his meritorious reporting, gave him a lighter sentence and sentenced him to fifty lashes. He was released after the beating in court."
Xu Yan nodded.
Fifty strokes of the lash was already the lightest punishment. Although it was physical pain, he would be almost recovered after lying in bed for half a month.
"Oh, sir, Prefect Zheng asked us to make a list of all our losses, preferably converted into silver. The government will then ask the Zhou family to compensate us."
Xu Wei smiled faintly.
"That's not bad. After all, a shop is worth a lot of money. Plus, the manuscripts we've printed are worth quite a bit of money. I'll trouble you, Brother Wen."
Xu Wei quickly said, "This is all my duty."
"Have all of Zhou Dafu's family been rescued?"
"Zhou Youde has committed a serious crime. The Zhou family is now in a difficult situation. How could they dare to make things difficult for Zhou Dafu's family? I have already ordered them to be escorted out of the house."
Xu Yan nodded slightly.
At first, he was worried that Zhou Youde would be punished in court, and would go back to the mansion and take out his anger on Zhou Dafu's family. However, now that Zhou Youde was detained in court, he would definitely not be able to take revenge.
As for Zhou Youde's wives and concubines, they were so busy scrambling for property that they had no time to care about Zhou Youde's life or death, let alone take out their anger on Zhou Dafu's wife and children.
Xu Yan had promised Zhou Dafu that if he identified Zhou Youde in court, he would do his best to protect his family.
Now it seems that the promise has finally been fulfilled.
"I have to thank Miss Xuelimei. If it weren't for her testimony, the prefect wouldn't have been so decisive in sentencing."
Xu Wei sighed in front of a plate.
"Isn't this the work of my disciple?"
Xu Yan smiled and said, "It's just that he knows some actors and musicians in Hangzhou. We don't have so many connections."
Shen Mingchen, who was painting nearby, quickly put down his brush and explained, "Teacher, it's not what you imagine. I and Miss Xuelimei only have a passing acquaintance. Miss Xuelimei was willing to testify in court because she could not bear to see Zhou Youde's evil and inhumane behavior."
Xu Yan and Xu Wei smiled at each other and didn't say much.
"The Zhou family's affairs are finally settled. Brother Wen, I think the bookshop can reopen in a few days. The people of Hangzhou have been nearly blinded by all the fake manuscripts they've read these past few days."
Xu Yan was in a good mood and started joking.
"Sir, you are absolutely right. I will be in charge of reopening the shop in a few days."
Xu Wei now has great admiration for Xu Yan.
The young master possesses not only poetic talent but also strategic shrewdness. Furthermore, he is only fifteen years old, yet he appears more mature than many in their thirties or forties. Given time, his future is boundless.
A wise bird chooses the right tree to roost in, and he was right about the person!
"My dear teacher, now you can finally focus on your studies. I heard that the Grand Master has arrived in Hangzhou and will be presiding over the Hangzhou Academy Examination soon. You should also prepare early."
Xu Yan jokingly said, "Oh? Jia Ze, why don't you give it a try?"
Shen Mingchen shook his head repeatedly. "I don't want fame and fortune. If I pass the imperial examination, I'll have to become an official, and be bound by rules and regulations. It's really boring. My lifelong wish is to travel around the world and leave behind as many poems as possible. Of course, it would be even better if I could have a few masterpieces like my mentor's."
Xu Yan couldn't help coughing.
"Your flattery skills have improved."
It is true that Shen Mingchen never served as an official in his life, but who can deny his talent for poetry?
It was just a matter of personal choice. Xu Yan had no right to interfere.
Xu Wei subjectively wanted to take the imperial examination, but his luck was so bad that he became discouraged and ended up working as a staff member for others.
Although neither of them was an official, they were essentially different.
"What the student said is true. You don't know that the people in Hangzhou are now competing to spread your poems."
Shen Mingchen said leisurely, "Master, why don't you take this opportunity to publish a collection of poems? It will definitely be a big hit."
Xu Yan couldn't help but be stunned.
Is this about self-production and self-sales?
I hadn't expected Shen Mingchen to have such a business acumen. However, he had no such plans. Publishing a collection of poems? Becoming a scholar? Too high-profile!
"That's not necessary. Being too deliberate is not beautiful."
Shen Mingchen nodded.
"Indeed, Master, you are going to take the imperial examinations, so it's better to be cautious and not get caught up in these mundane matters... By the way, Master, I will be returning to Ningbo in a few days."
Shen Mingchen suddenly remembered something and reported it to Xu Yan.
"So urgent? Why don't we leave together after some time?"
Xu Yan would have to return to Ningbo in a month at most to prepare for the college entrance examination, so he thought of going with Shen Mingchen.
"I have some things to deal with at home, otherwise I wouldn't want to leave Hangzhou, a paradise like this."
Shen Mingchen shook his head and sighed.
Seeing that it was his family matter, Xu Yan didn't ask too much, so he said, "Okay, be careful on the road."
"Don't worry, Master. We'll see you in Ningbo then."
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