Chapter 114: Checking the Registration

Wang Yang asked himself that he could be considered to have quick wit, but now he really didn't know what to do.

Liu Zhao handled the household registration by finding Zong Rui, the son of Zong Ce. Zong Rui was the Assistant Prefect of Nanjun, whose status was not enough to attend today's banquet, and his authority was limited to the county level, so he could not intervene in matters at the provincial level. Therefore, it was not reported to the provincial government according to the regulations at the time.

Concealing it from the provincial government was not a big deal, at most it was a procedural omission, but if it was linked to impersonating an identity and forging household registration, then the matter would be big.

Wang Yang had no ancestral home in Yixing at all, so there was no official letter from Yixing, so the registration in the county was forged. Once it was checked from the province, and then investigated deeply, the thunder would explode.

Even though Wang Yang's psychological quality was excellent, his heart could not help but palpitate like a drum at this moment.

The Prince of Badong asked Seeing Liu Cheng: "Since you said his identity is reliable, why do you want to check the files in the province?"

Who among those present could not see that today's testimony was planned by Seeing Liu Cheng?

Although Seeing Liu Cheng spoke with superficial politeness, it was actually not much different from publicly doubting Wang Yang's identity.

Just such an obvious matter, but the Prince of Badong had to ask this question.

Wang Yang always felt that this unreliable Prince was deliberately causing trouble, fearing that the world would not be chaotic.

Seeing Liu Cheng's reaction was also quite fast: "It's not enough for me to say it's reliable. With so many people present, it should be justified for Brother Wang."

The Prince of Badong scanned the four tables: "Are there any others who think Wang Yang's identity is unreliable?"

No one spoke.

No one expressed their position at all.

First, the question was too abrupt. Second, it had nothing to do with their own interests, so who would be willing to offend this person? Third, in such a public occasion, doubting someone's identity as the Langya Wang family without evidence is not only lowering one's status but also a bit risky.

The Prince of Badong smiled: "Look, no one thinks there is a problem with Wang Yang's identity, so what is there to check?"

Seeing Liu Cheng was anxious, only to hear the Prince of Badong continue leisurely: "However, if you think there is a problem with Wang Yang's identity, then there is a reason to check."

"I..." Seeing Liu Cheng was a bit embarrassed. Although he had been sarcastic before, he had personally said that he thought Wang Yang's identity was reliable. Now that he suddenly changed his mind, it really damaged his face. But thinking of Xie Xinghan, thinking of his brother's defeat, and thinking of Wang Yang's hateful appearance, he gritted his teeth and said: "I think this matter is major! Your Highness must not lightly believe in words, and should take evidence as the priority!"

"Then do you think it is reliable or not?" The Prince of Badong asked relentlessly.

Seeing Liu Cheng's face turned red, and he gritted his teeth: "Unreliable."

"Good!" The Prince of Badong slapped the table, as if he were happy that he had forced Seeing Liu Cheng to tell the truth, and asked Wang Yang with a trace of a bad smile: "Wang Yang! You say, should I check or not?"

Wang Yang smiled: "It's fine to check, it can reassure some people." He paused slightly, "But it can't be checked for nothing. After all, it damages my reputation. If it is checked and there is no problem, shouldn't the person who proposed the investigation give me an explanation?"

The Prince of Badong was overjoyed and looked at Seeing Liu Cheng: "Look, he wants an explanation from you. What are you prepared to give?"

Seeing Liu Cheng said: "Checking the registration and inspecting the households is the regulation of the imperial court. What explanation is needed for this?"

Wang Yang's face turned cold, and he said loudly:

"Is the household registration of my Langya Wang family something you can check just because you want to?!

According to the law of this dynasty, the accuser is punished with the same penalty as the accused!

If Brother Liu believes that I am impersonating a gentry family, he can ask Your Highness to re-verify the household registration. If there is a problem, I will accept the punishment!

If the investigation is not true, you should be punished with the same penalty!"

Seeing Liu Cheng's face turned pale, and he was a bit indecisive.

At the beginning, his brother did not let him come forward directly, because he was afraid that the matter would exceed control and be included in the category of criminal cases. Now Wang Yang was coming directly at him!

He looked at Dai Zhigao who could not stand up straight, and then looked at Wang Yang's righteous and winning appearance, and suddenly felt unconfident.

No, no!

Don't be deceived by him!

He must have someone supporting him behind his back, and he must have thought of the rhetoric in advance! From his appearance in Jingzhou, to the discussion of learning, to the transportation of grain, and finally his appearance at the Wang banquet, it was all a carefully arranged drama!

It must be a fake!

It must be!

The story of Wang Enzhi's escape he told might be true, but it had nothing to do with him!

If he really came from Yixing, why didn't he enter the local County School in Yixing, but ran thousands of miles to Jingzhou?

And he avoided answering several questions about Yixing before, his words were flickering, Dai Zhigao clearly verified it, how could he be refuted by a story in the blink of an eye? The line "Wang Yang—Liu Zhao—Zong Ce—Zong Rui" is very clear, there must be a ghost in it!

Seeing Liu Cheng silently strengthened his confidence. In fact, rather than saying that Seeing Liu Cheng doubted that Wang Yang's identity was fake, it was better to say that he hoped it was fake!

Dai Zhigao gave him this hope before, and then he was like a gambler who kept adding bets, sinking deeper and deeper in hope. Every thought of doubt was his new chip, and it was his motivation to continue gambling.

Just when he was about to agree, Seeing Liu Cheng's brother stood up:

"Your Highness, the subordinate thinks that checking the household registration is not to verify the truth or falsehood, but because the matter has a source, it should be so. Confucius said: 'If names are not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth.' Since the name is suspected, how can there be no reason to correct it? What my younger brother discussed is not for testimony, but for correction! Therefore, it should not involve criminal punishment! However, if one is not in that position, one does not plan for that government. My younger brother is a commoner, his position is not here, and he has no right to discuss politics. The subordinate is ashamed to be a friend of the Prince, and has the responsibility of advice. Now I ask Your Highness to re-verify the household registration files of the state and prefectural government. If there is any mistake, the subordinate will naturally take the responsibility of 'improper advice'."

Seeing Liu Cheng's brother was afraid that his younger brother would be impulsive, so he came forward personally to take the risk.

His words have two meanings. First, proposing to check the household registration is not from criminal prosecution, but from the reason of the matter, so it does not involve the crime of "reverse punishment." Second, this matter is a public matter, and it is not right for his younger brother to come forward, so he came. Even if the advice is wrong, it is only improper discussion.

As one of the three officials of the Prince's title, Seeing Liu Cheng's brother publicly made suggestions to the Prince of Badong, and the weight was different.

To put it bigger, this kind of suggestion can be written into a memorial and presented to the Son of Heaven for review.

Thinking further, if the Prince now rejects Seeing Liu Cheng's brother's proposal, and it is later discovered that Wang Yang's identity really has flaws, then this matter might be turned over as clear evidence that Seeing Liu Cheng's brother has fulfilled his responsibility of correction and the Prince of Badong did not adopt it. It might even be recorded in historical biographies.

The Prince of Badong did not care how his historical biography was written, nor was he afraid of getting the name of "rejecting advice." He just wanted to watch the show, just like fighting crickets, the fiercer the two crickets fight, the better.

"Wang Yang, since Wentong said so, why don't we check it?"

"Good." Wang Yang's smile remained unchanged.

"Mr. Kong, go to the provincial government and adjust the files of Wang Yang's household registration."

Wang Yang knew he was finished, but he could not show fear at this time.

He returned to his seat, drinking and eating as usual, while thinking about how to deal with the coming storm.

The Prince of Badong acted as if nothing had happened, letting everyone continue the banquet, drinking and talking, but at this time, everyone's mind was drawn by this matter, which was just a superficial response, so when Kong Zhangyu came back holding a long box, the hall immediately quieted down.

"Your Highness, the verification is complete." Kong Zhangyu presented the long box.

The Prince of Badong flipped through the paper rolls in the box and asked casually: "What is the result?"

"The files of the provincial government are all there, the documents are complete, and the registration is true."

Seeing Liu Cheng, Seeing Liu Cheng's brother, all lost their color! ===== CHAPTER 115 =====

The Prince of Badong acted as if nothing had happened, telling everyone to continue the banquet, drinking and laughing, but at a time like this, everyone's thoughts were stirred by this matter, so they were only going through the motions on the surface; thus, when Kong Zhangyu returned holding a long box, the hall immediately fell silent.

"Your Highness, this official has finished the verification." Kong Zhangyu presented the long box.

The Prince of Badong flipped through the paper scrolls in the box and asked nonchalantly, "What is the result?"

"The provincial government records are all present, the documents are complete, and the registration is authentic."

Seeing Liu Cheng and Director Liu Tan Tan both turned pale!