Chapter 1111: The Second Generation of Meritorious Nobility

Zhao Er had laid out the full circumstances of the case in court, giving the spectators outside a real feast of gossip, followed by a flood of sighs and lamentations—nearly everyone condemned the two sons of the Zhang family with fierce words. No matter how many horrifying evils lurk behind this bright world, once they are brought out into the open, they must be denounced and criticized.

"The Zhang family counts as a great clan, and Old Man Zhang was a true benefactor—who would have thought it would end like this? A misfortune for the household, to produce such beasts in human clothing who met no good end. Pitiful..."

"Those two brothers really could bring themselves to do it—one killed his own father, the other tried to kill his elder brother. What cruel hearts!"

"With such a vast family fortune, who wouldn't be tempted?"

"Thankfully there's still the youngest son, or else the Zhang family estate would hardly be preserved!"

"The third son of the Zhang family is lucky indeed—his two elder brothers fought and scrambled, only to end up beheaded or exiled, and in the end it all fell to him, the concubine-born son..."

The discussions buzzed on, but most were the words of those standing idly by who felt no pain, and there was no lack of schadenfreude. Envy of the rich is a universal phenomenon in any era, any society. Your Zhang family may be wealthy, but with unfilial sons and brothers slaughtering each other, bringing great shame upon the household—what is there to envy?

However loud the gossiping crowd's chatter, it would have no real effect—the Zhang family remained a wealthy great house. In the courtroom, the matter had already settled like dust to the ground. The two brothers begged for mercy to no avail, and were led away by the yamen runners—those who were to be imprisoned went to prison, those who were to be beaten got the board.

As for the third son of the Zhang family, who had been allowed to remain in the "VIP seats" and hear the verdict up close, he was weeping profusely, his cries pitiful and desolate, as if deeply grieved by the family's misfortune. It was only when the yamen runners' intimidating shouts startled him that he fell silent, gazing at Zhao Kuangyi with pleading eyes before offering his thanks.

Zhao Kuangyi studied the third son of the Zhang family—young in years, ordinary in appearance. His gaze sharpened slightly, and he said calmly to him: "As for those involved in this case, this magistrate has already dealt with those who needed dealing with. What remains is a matter internal to your Zhang family.

Moreover, the calamity that befell the Zhang family all stemmed from your lands and property. You should take this as a warning, and know the weight of filial piety and righteousness! This magistrate has but one piece of advice: go home and manage your household well, honor your elders, educate your children, and do not brew such a tragedy of human ethics again!"

"Yes! This humble one thanks the Magistrate for his teachings, and will surely remember them, never daring to forget!" Hearing this, the third son of the Zhang family wiped his tears and hurriedly replied.

Giving the man one more deep look, Zhao Kuangyi slapped the gavel and said in a deep voice: "Case closed! Court adjourned!"

Given Zhao Kuangyi's nature, how could he not ponder and speculate further on the problems between the Zhang brothers? The two legitimate elder brothers had fought each other bloody, and although he was merely a concubine-born son, he had appeared far too innocent, too guileless, and too fortunate throughout the whole affair.

It was he who had followed and saved the elder brother, and the household servant's report accusing the eldest son of killing the father had also appeared rather abruptly. Zhao Kuangyi was no ordinary man—these two points alone were enough to arouse his suspicion. Yet no matter how he investigated, he could find no other startling discoveries.

Zhao Kuangyi did indeed suspect that the third son of the Zhang family had played some role in this drama of inheritance struggle, but judging by his actions, there was simply nothing to seize upon. Therefore, when it came to sentencing, Zhao Kuangyi followed the law, even awarding the property to the third son.

But the third son of the Zhang family had successfully caught Zhao Kuangyi's attention. His term in Zhongmu had only just begun, and there was still plenty of time...

After the verdict was pronounced, some gossiping spectators were reluctant to leave, clearly hoping to see if there was any follow-up, but the yamen runners had already begun shooing people out. As for Zhao Kuangyi, he returned to the inner hall, preparing to personally write the official report on this case to his superiors.

The Registrar was a gray-haired old man, wearing a light silk robe, looking quite the scholar. When he stepped into the hall, Zhao Kuangyi had already set down his brush. Looking at Zhao Kuangyi, he couldn't help but sigh in admiration: "The Zhang family affair has stirred up Zhongmu into a frenzy, with extremely bad influence. Fortunately, Your Honor rendered a divine judgment, perceiving the finest details, and brought the truth to light. Your Honor's talent is enough to support and stabilize the state!"

"Registrar Liu flatters me!" Zhao Kuangyi said flatly. Though his words were modest, his expression revealed a hint of confidence.

"The onlooking commoners are also praising Your Honor for being wise, perceiving the finest details, acting for the people, and delivering fair judgments that gladden all hearts!" the Registrar continued.

Hearing this, a slight smile finally lifted the corners of Zhao Kuangyi's mouth. He said: "To serve as an official is to benefit one's jurisdiction; to plead for the people is both justice and duty. Otherwise, would I not be failing the court's trust?"

Seeing him speak such high-sounding words, the Registrar, since he was to flatter him anyway, offered words of praise.

"Enough!" Zhao Kuangyi was full of vigor and not easily swayed by such flattery. He directly instructed: "The document to Kaifeng Prefecture is already written. As for the dispatch, let Registrar Liu arrange it—and make haste!"

"Yes!" The Registrar praised Zhao Kuangyi's efficiency once more, then went directly to make the arrangements.

Sitting in the inner hall, Zhao Kuangyi sipped tea for a while when a young man in official robes hurried in. He had originally been a servant of the Zhao household, following Zhao Kuangyi and assigned to serve as a clerk in the county office. His face now bore a solemn expression as he reported: "Young lord, County Defender Chai has sent word that the Duke of Ying has already entered the county borders. He is preparing to go greet him and says he will wait for you at the West Gate!"

Zhongmu had not only a young County Magistrate, but an even younger County Defender. One look at the surname revealed his identity—Chai Zongyi, the eldest son of Guo Rong, Duke of Ying. He was just barely past twenty, yet already served as County Defender of a major county like Zhongmu, a position most ordinary men could never reach in a lifetime of striving. Even so, some still thought it beneath him.

In many people's eyes, a petty post like County Defender was a condescension for the legitimate eldest son of the Duke of Ying to hold. Guo Rong himself also held a conservative view—not because he thought the post too low, but because he felt Chai Zongyi was young and feared he might not be able to shoulder the important duty of directly managing the people, especially in a major county like Zhongmu.

Many low-ranking positions were harder to handle than high ones, yet they also tempered a man more. Chai Zongyi's post had been arranged by Emperor Liu himself. In his words, the younger generation ought to be properly tempered at the grassroots—and it wasn't as if he had no foundation at all, having at least come out of the joint palace guard.

In fact, those truly valued by Emperor Liu were all deliberately arranged to train from low positions, accumulating experience and improving their abilities. Chancellors must rise from the prefectures and counties; generals must emerge from the ranks—this was an unyielding principle.

Meanwhile, as the second generation of the Great Han's meritorious nobility gradually matured, a new generation of figures was already beginning to stir across the empire's prefectures and circuits. The imperial examination system remained the Great Han's primary method of selecting talent, but hereditary appointments and imperial favors had never been abandoned—they would always exist, running throughout history.

Emperor Liu truly hoped that some talent might emerge from the meritorious noble class, for they all belonged to the ruling stratum with common interests—such men would more actively defend the regime. But every advantage has its disadvantage: one fear was that they might grow too powerful to control and encroach upon imperial authority; another was that they might breed a swarm of parasites...

As for solutions, Emperor Liu could not devise any—nor could there possibly exist a method with only benefits and no drawbacks. He could only manage his own era well, rejoice in the benefits, remain vigilant against the harms, and adjust promptly when problems arose. Beyond that, there was truly nothing more he could do.

Chai Zongyi had arrived at his post earlier than Zhao Kuangyi. However, after Zhao Kuangyi assumed office, the two grew close. Zhao Kuangyi had a considerable reputation among the young nobles, and many were happy to associate with him—including Chai Zongyi.

This time, when Guo Rong was returning to the capital, his son naturally caught wind of it and had been keeping men watching the post road, reporting at all times. Zhao Kuangyi also knew of this and had specifically asked Chai Zongyi to notify him.

Thus, upon learning that the Duke of Ying had already passed through, Zhao Kuangyi did not hesitate in the slightest. After a brief tidying up, he took that clerk with him and went to the West Gate, where he joined Chai Zongyi to go pay their respects.

Zhao Kuangyi was clever enough not to make a great show of it by bringing all the county office officials. He went only with Chai Zongyi, leading a few household servants. One could say he was not going to greet Guo Rong in his capacity as County Magistrate of Zhongmu, but rather as a junior of the younger generation, to show proper courtesy.