coobybook Chapter 1063 Qiu Family Affairs
Chapter 1063 Qiu Family Affairs
The banquet had not yet ended when aftershocks continued.
Qiu Hong was dragged away by the Imperial Guards, while Qiu Bai was ordered to oversee the family.
Li Che's voice rang out again: "The Qiu family's troubles arose from within their own walls, stemming from greed and deceit."
“If this applies to one family, and to one clan, then by extension… all families in Jingzhou, and even all prominent families in the world, should take this as a warning and deeply examine themselves.”
These words sounded earnest and profound, but to the assembled noble families, they were nothing short of another silent thunderclap.
The internal strife and patricide within the Qiu family is certainly shocking, but ultimately it is a private family matter.
What business is it of others if the filth and stench are kept inside one's own home? Why does Your Majesty want to steer the conversation toward self-reflection?
After a brief moment of surprise, they immediately realized that Li Che's words were by no means unfounded.
The Qiu family's scandals may be extreme, but within any aristocratic family, which family hasn't experienced internal strife and power struggles?
Their methods may not be as ruthless as Qiu Hong's, but their nature is not entirely righteous, and the government will not intervene, nor can it manage to do so.
Normally these are internal family conflicts, but if they are brought to the forefront and measured by the laws of the imperial court, they become grounds for punishment.
No one dared to speak; the hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Li Che didn't seem to need their answers; he simply watched quietly, his face remaining calm.
Finally, Prefect Du Qingcheng was the first to react.
"His Majesty's holy teachings are like a sudden awakening!"
"I believe that not only the Qiu family, but all official families in Jingzhou should take this opportunity to deeply reflect on their family traditions and education, examine their clan rules and laws, and eliminate long-standing abuses."
"Only in this way can we live up to His Majesty's high expectations, and also for the long-term benefit of our family!"
After saying that, he repeatedly winked at the surrounding noble families—His Majesty has given them a way out, so they should take it and quickly express their opinion!
With Du Qingcheng taking the lead, how could the representatives of the other prominent families dare to hesitate?
Regardless of their inner turmoil, they all bowed and echoed:
"Your Majesty is wise! Prefect Du is absolutely right. We will certainly reflect on our mistakes behind closed doors and rectify our family conduct!"
"The Qiu family's fate is a painful lesson! We must take it as a warning and strictly discipline our children!"
"Upon returning, we will open the ancestral hall, conduct a self-examination and rectification, and show absolutely no leniency!"
One voice after another expressed their stance, each one earnest and resolute.
Li Che looked at this scene and nodded with a smile: "I am very pleased that you all have this intention."
"The family is the cornerstone of the nation. When family values are upright, the people's customs are pure. When the people's customs are pure, the world is at peace. I hope that your words and deeds will be consistent."
He raised his glass: "Today's banquet is only meaningful now. Come! Let us drink this cup together, wishing Jingzhou long-term peace and prosperity, and every family lasting happiness."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" the crowd responded in unison, raising their cups and drinking to their hearts' content.
The wine went down my throat, but I couldn't taste much sweetness; all I could taste was its harshness and heaviness.
. . . . . .
The banquet ended, and the moon was high in the sky.
For the powerful families of Jingzhou, this night was destined to be sleepless.
The group exchanged glances, then hurriedly returned to their residence, closed the gates, and summoned their core members for a meeting.
The emperor's attitude couldn't be clearer: the Qiu family was a typical example, and the fact that the Qiu family had been exposed did not mean that other families were safe.
Going forward, it seems that each company will do more than just reflect on its own actions.
Sure enough, starting the next day, news kept coming from the prefect's office.
The Night Watchmen and Imperial Guards accompanying His Majesty frequently entered and exited the government archives, beginning to review old files.
Furthermore, some unfamiliar faces with sharp and capable auras began to appear near the mansions of prominent families in the city.
The emperor had clearly come prepared, possessing more information than the aristocratic families had imagined.
Several days later, several more imperial edicts were issued from the imperial palace.
Two powerful families in Jingzhou City had a bad reputation, and in recent years, evidence of them forcibly occupying farmland and letting their servants commit violence has been confirmed, leading to a swift raid by the Imperial Guards.
The head of the family was imprisoned, and his main assets were confiscated.
The charges were genuine 'infringement of civil property,' 'inciting violence and assault,' and 'bribing officials,' and he was imprisoned according to the law.
Meanwhile, two or three other families found to have similar problems but with relatively minor offenses were reprimanded by the emperor, fined, and thus spared their families.
One is strict, the other lenient; the boundaries are clear.
All the powerful families understood the emperor's rule: old scores could be settled, but it depended on their nature and attitude.
Those who commit numerous evils and remain stubbornly unrepentant will be severely punished without exception!
Those whose offenses are less serious and who are willing to cooperate with the rectification still have a way out.
Thunder, rain, and dew are all gifts from God.
After this incident, the arrogance of the powerful families of Jingzhou was once again shattered, and their reverence for imperial power was deeply ingrained.
They began to genuinely cooperate with the imperial court in its reforms, restraining their sons and grandsons, clearing up accounts, and even voluntarily relinquishing most of their interests in order to maintain stability.
This was Li Che's main political objective during his southern tour: his family could survive, but powerful clans could not.
In time, these wealthy and powerful families will all become scholarly families, and his goal will be achieved.
. . . . . .
In the Qiu family ancestral hall, incense and candles burned brightly, and smoke swirled around.
Qiu Bai stood alone in the center of the ancestral hall, with a dense array of ancestral tablets in front of him.
The piece belonging to his father, however, was made of brand new wood, with unspoiled paint, clearly having just been placed in its proper position.
Compared to other old memorial tablets that have stood the test of time, it appears somewhat out of place, yet it is exceptionally eye-catching.
Behind them, the heads of each branch of the Qiu family stood holding their breath with their hands at their sides, none daring to breathe loudly.
They looked at the tall, handsome young new head of the family with complicated expressions.
There was flattery, fear, and confusion, but no warmth of family ties.
Qiu Bai remained indifferent to this.
Ten years ago, on that rainy night, when he left this mansion covered in blood and filled with unbearable injustice, he severed all ties with the family here.
My return is now for revenge, for reckoning, and for carrying out the emperor's decree.
To him, the Qiu family was more like an old object that needed to be taken care of than a family home.
He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, his voice cold: "Starting today, each household shall compile a clear record of its existing land, shops, warehouses, and population registers within three days and report it to me."
"All assets belonging to Qiu Hong’s lineage that are involved in illegal gains or extortion shall be returned or confiscated."
"For the rest of the households, those who have concealed any deficits in their accounts over the years should voluntarily report them and may be treated leniently; if the allegations are found to be true, they will be severely punished."
His attitude was cold, not like he was dealing with family affairs, but more like he was sentencing a group of prisoners.
It was precisely this attitude that made everyone nod and agree, and dare not plead for them.
"The family members must abide by the law and study diligently. Starting next month, the clan school will add courses such as mathematics and basic law, and will invite qualified teachers."
"Those who aspire to take the imperial examinations may be supported by their families as appropriate. However, those who are unruly in the village or lazy in their studies will not be spared by family rules and will be handed over to the authorities."
Qiu Bai still harbored old feelings for his family. This move reversed the Qiu family's way of survival, transforming them from local powerful families to those dependent on the imperial examination system.
If the Qiu family behaves obediently, they may very well become a scholarly family in Jingzhou, known for its academic achievements.
Having followed Li Che for so long, Qiu Bai knew very well that taking the imperial examinations and becoming a government official was the only way forward.
Oppressing the people and seizing land are things of the past.
Some people hesitated, but no one dared to object.
"All residences and farmland occupied by Qiu Hong and his immediate family members shall be reclaimed."
“For their family members who are not involved in serious crimes, a small amount of property may be allocated at the discretion of the authorities to enable them to make a living on their own, but they must move out of their ancestral home.”
After dealing with the old acquaintances, Qiu Bai's gaze fell on a pale-faced young man in the corner.
That was Qiu Hong's second son, Qiu Mingde.
He originally lived in the old courtyard where Qiu Bai's parents lived. Upon hearing the news, he was hurriedly packing up to move out when he was summoned to the ancestral hall.
At this moment, Qiu Bai's gaze locked onto him, and he trembled with fear, almost collapsing.
Qiu Bai walked up to him, paused for a moment, and said, "The courtyard you are currently living in is my parents' old residence. You will have to move out within three days, and the family will allocate another small courtyard for you."
Qiu Mingde felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and kowtowed repeatedly: "Thank you... thank you, Patriarch! Thank you, Lord Marquis!"
He had bullied his taciturn cousin when he was young, along with his older brother, but he never expected the other party to be so magnanimous.
Qiu Bai stopped looking at him and walked out of the ancestral hall.
Passing through the familiar pavilions and corridors, we arrived at the courtyard of my childhood memories.
The grass and trees in the courtyard remained the same, but the houses were somewhat old. Servants were frantically moving boxes and trunks under Qiu Mingde's direction.
Qiu Bai raised his hand to stop the crowd from bowing, and walked into the main room alone.
The interior furnishings have changed, and few traces of the past can be found.
He stood in the hall, his gaze slowly sweeping over the beams, pillars, and window frames, as if he could see through time and witness his mother sewing clothes under the lamp, his father writing at his desk, and his young self playing quietly beside them.
Those long-faded fragments of warm memories quietly surfaced in my mind, only to quickly sink into the cold abyss of reality.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, only calmness remained in his eyes.
Ten days later, the Qiu family had completed its initial reorganization.
Qiu Bai submitted a memorial to Li Che, detailing the results of the cleanup: a number of illegal farmlands were returned, the wealth of Qiu Hong's family was confiscated and put into the treasury, some shops along the street were donated for government use, and it was suggested that the family's two mines be developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Works of the court.
Li Che granted the request and expressed satisfaction with Qiu Bai's efficiency.
Then, in front of the heads of each household, Qiu Bai made a decision that surprised everyone.
"The Qiu family has suffered this calamity and needs to reform and survive. I am by His Majesty's side and cannot manage family affairs every day."
“I have decided to appoint Qiu Hongli of the fourth branch of the family as the temporary head of the family to oversee daily clan affairs.”
Everyone present was astonished, and Qiu Hongli was speechless with disbelief, hastily declining the offer.
Qiu Bai raised his hand to stop him: "My ambition lies on the battlefield, and my position is before the emperor. Ultimately, someone needs to be stationed here to manage the affairs of the family."
"Uncle Hongli, I hope you will remember today's lesson, uphold justice and integrity, lead the family on the right path, and seek a new life."
He looked around at everyone, his tone turning stern: "I hope you all will keep to your duties, do your best to assist the four branches of the family, and refrain from engaging in any more infighting."
"If anyone outwardly complies but inwardly defies, or stirs up trouble again, do not blame me for disregarding our shared surname!"
Having said that, no one dared to object anymore.
Qiu Hongli accepted the position of family head with trepidation.
Qiu Bai walked out of the ancestral hall and looked up at the gloomy sky over Jingzhou.
With the great revenge avenged and the family temporarily safe, the huge stone that had been weighing on my heart for ten years finally fell to the ground.
He strode toward the palace, where the journey was not yet over and where his lord, whom he had sworn to protect with his life, lay.
The Qiu family is now a thing of the past.
Marquis Chengen Qiubai's path lies before His Majesty, on the borders of the empire, and in the imperial court.
His steps were steady and resolute; he never looked back.