A passerby asked curiously, "What kind of ransacking? Do you know anything about it?"
“This Yun family mansion was originally the Yun Marquis's mansion in the capital city. Last year, the emperor confiscated the property, exiled the men to Ningguta, and demoted the women back to their original hometown to become farmers!” Yun Liu Mei said.
Feng Qing'er was even more vicious, "Hmph, all these women in the house are incredibly cunning. They actually colluded with Magistrate Sun and who knows what dirty tricks they've been up to behind the scenes!"
This statement is quite suggestive.
The people immediately became interested and gathered around. "What kind of business is this?"
"What other shady business could they be up to? Didn't you see how beautiful all the women in the Yun family are? When we came here last year, we couldn't even get a meal, but in just six months, we've moved into this mansion!"
They said nothing, yet it seemed as if they had said everything.
Upon closer examination, the common people immediately conjured up a scenario of money and sex being exchanged.
As a result, more and more people gathered.
Suddenly, a group of soldiers arrived in front of the Yun Mansion.
The gate was wide open, and the officers and soldiers entered in two lines.
The hustle and bustle of the banquet suddenly fell silent.
The people outside were also startled. Feng Qing'er laughed and said, "They said they would confiscate your property and behead you, so here you are! Hahaha!"
"Haha, copy! Copy it now! Chop off your head! Chop off your head now!" Yun Liumei cursed viciously.
The fourth daughter, Yun Manhan, suddenly hugged her mother, Madam Li, at the table, "Mother...it can't be again..."
The shadow cast by last year's house raid on her home was too long to bear...
Li quickly covered her mouth, but the children nearby had already heard it and started crying in panic.
Madam Yun shouted, "Quiet! What's the panic?! Tian Kuang, go and take a look."
Yun Tiankuang hurriedly stood up from a nearby table. "Yes, Grandmother."
Madam Sun was the first to recognize them, saying, "Don't worry, they are officials from the prefectural government."
Upon hearing this, the Zhou family members' expressions darkened even further. At most, they had some connections with the county magistrate, but this prefect... that was the prefect of Taizhou Prefecture, which was several ranks higher than the county magistrate!
Just as Yun Tiankuang was about to step forward to ask, he heard a "Hahaha," and with that mesmerizing laugh, a middle-aged man walked in.
Magistrate Sun followed behind.
Upon seeing this, everyone immediately stood up to greet and pay their respects.
Madam Yun and Madam Sun exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with confusion.
The middle-aged man was Magistrate Zhan.
But just now Madam Sun said they were soldiers from the prefectural government office.
Normally, a sub-prefect is one rank lower than a prefect, so it would be impossible for him to mobilize the prefect's soldiers.
Several people who recognized Magistrate Zhan bowed and greeted him, saying, "Greetings, Magistrate Zhan and Magistrate Sun."
Magistrate Zhan smiled but remained silent.
Magistrate Sun laughed heartily, "Now we should call him Prefect Zhan!"
Prefect Zhan, or rather, Magistrate Zhan, joked, "You, Magistrate Sun, should probably be called Assistant Magistrate Sun today!"
Magistrate Sun, still in his magistrate's robes, cupped his hands and smiled, "Congratulations to you both!"
Lady Sun's face lit up with joy. Had her husband been promoted? Or had he just been promoted?
Prefect Zhan laughed triumphantly, then asked, "Are the Jiang family's two children here?"
Madam Su knew immediately that it must be good news. She pushed her daughter forward and said, "Little Ranran, Jiang Youran is here, but my Chen'er has gone on a long journey."
Prefect Zhan nodded, “It’s alright, you are his mother, you can receive the imperial decree on his behalf.”
Lady Su was taken aback. "Accept the imperial decree?"
Madam Yun coughed lightly, gesturing for her to kneel down immediately.
Then Su pulled Xiao Youran down to kneel down together.
Prefect Zhan unfurled a bright yellow scroll. "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The siblings Jiang Youchen and Youran, possess extraordinary medical skills and a benevolent heart, relieving the suffering of countless people along the Jinjiang River, for their outstanding merits. Therefore, they are hereby granted the title of Fifth-Rank Assistant Civil Official, and respectively granted the titles of Baron of Pingle County and Princess of Fengle County, with a stipend of three hundred shi (a unit of dry measure). They are also granted one thousand taels of gold and one hundred mu of permanent land. This is the imperial decree—"
Everyone was stunned.
A brother and sister were granted the titles of county baron and county princess in a single pardon?
This must be the first time such an amnesty has been issued since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Xiao Youran was also stunned. What on earth was this "Fifth Rank Assistant Civil Official"? She didn't understand.
Seeing everyone's stunned expressions, Prefect Zhan laughed, "Aren't you going to hurry up and express your gratitude?"
After you've expressed your gratitude, I can then properly explain things to you.
That way, I can show off my extensive knowledge as a civil official.
Madam Su quickly led Xiao Youran to express her gratitude, then stood up holding the imperial edict with both hands.
Prefect Zhan then looked at them with a smile, "The Wenxun title in the Great Zhou Dynasty is awarded to scholars and officials who have made meritorious contributions. They enjoy preferential treatment such as land ownership, tax exemption, and reduced punishment, and are qualified to serve as county officials. It is not easy to be granted the title of Wenxun; one must have made great contributions to the people. Don't underestimate this fifth-rank Xiezheng, the lowest level among the Wenxun titles. The corresponding titles of county baron and county lord are also fifth-rank."
Seeing that the women did not quite understand, he emphasized again, "Having literary merit is much better than a title that is merely nominal. After a certain number of years, one can be selected and granted an honorary official position."
This time, Madam Su understood. The one who needed a real official position was her own son! It meant that in a few years, he could directly become an official?
In other words, one's own son, without needing to take the imperial examination or obtain official rank, can directly become a candidate for official position after a few years.
The Yun family members immediately understood, expressing their gratitude for the Emperor's great favor while congratulating the Su family mother and her two children.
In truth, the Yun family all understood that the imperial court's pardon and investiture of the brother and sister was not merely because they had cured the scourge of schistosomiasis, but also because they had discovered a coal mine. Without their discovery, the Yun family would never have surrendered the mountain to the court.
The Yun family benefited, and the brother and sister gained fame.
However, a few months later, when the Yun family patriarch led his people to harvest potatoes and report to the imperial court, they learned that the brother and sister's contributions went far beyond healing the sick and discovering coal mines.
In an era when rice yields were only 2-3 shi per mu, the sudden discovery of a grain that could yield 20 shi per mu was an auspicious sign that would benefit the country and its people!
This means that farmers throughout the Great Zhou Dynasty will no longer go hungry while growing grain!
However, that's a story for another time.
With Jiang Youchen not present, all the congratulations and envy could only be accepted by Madam Su on his behalf.
Xiao Youran smiled and was very happy. Sure enough, her brother hadn't taken the blame for nothing these past few days!
And here comes the title, and the honorary title as well?
Hehehe.
The people outside understood what was going on and were filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred. Upon further inquiry, they learned that the brother and sister were five and eight years old, respectively, which only fueled their envy, jealousy, and hatred.
This award was earned through merit, not through bloodline or ancestral privilege!
Some people sarcastically questioned, "One is five years old, and the other is eight years old. They're just little kids. How can they cure that 'big belly disease'?"
Someone slapped the man on the forehead, "What are you saying! Haven't you heard? These brother and sister are apprentices of Doctor Gu! Doctor Gu also helped them heal and save lives. Doctor Gu is a man of high moral character and integrity; he probably didn't want to take credit for himself and left the credit to his two apprentices. It was all to build up their reputation, don't you understand?!"
I reckon Dr. Gu would be moved to tears if he heard that.
He also needs to build his reputation! He didn't have the noble spirit to give up the credit!
That's all because Wen is biased!
That's so unfair!
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