readytorunbook Chapter 197 Yang Family Village is fortified and well-built, with houses arranged in neat rows.
Chapter 197 Yang Family Village is fortified and well-built, with houses arranged in neat rows.
Yangjiazhuang, though called a village, is actually a small private fortress with high walls and thick gates.
The estate contains a total of 1,113 rooms, including the main residence, side residences, servants' quarters, and guest rooms.
It also has ancestral halls, schools, clinics, libraries, stables, carriage houses, wells, irrigation canals, farmland, orchards, vegetable gardens, breeding farms, mills, oil mills, granaries, and warehouses.
In addition to these essential basic living facilities, there are also small-scale production facilities within the family, such as weapon crafting workshops, alchemy workshops, and talisman-making workshops, so that the family members can be self-sufficient or make a profit.
Normally, the residents of Yangjiazhuang are mostly underage children, women, clan elders, and a group of private soldiers and servants kept by the Yang family, which is enough to ensure the safety of Yangjiazhuang.
If they encounter a danger that their clan cannot withstand, they will immediately retreat to Sword Tower City.
This is the Yang family's talent training base, constantly supplying fresh blood to the family.
Outstanding young members of the Yang family will receive preferential treatment in terms of resources and connections. The older generation of the family will use these connections to help them get into Sword Tower City and secure a good future for them.
As for mediocre or less capable clansmen, they are simply given some basic resources and sent out to seek opportunities on their own. The clan will not provide any additional resources or connections to support them.
Even if one day these clansmen establish their own households and make a name for themselves outside, they will not be able to shake off their identity as members of the Yang clan. No matter how unwilling they are, they will still have to share the benefits they hold with the family.
Even if the Yang clan faces extermination, they will perish along with it. The enemy doesn't care whether you have a grudge against the Yang clan or not; as long as you are a member of the Yang clan, you must die with them.
If he publicly announces his defection from the Yang family, he will formally sever ties with the Yang family.
After that, he would have no place to stand. He would be branded as ungrateful and disloyal, his reputation would be completely ruined, and the Yang family would first have to use all their strength to eliminate the traitor. Other families and forces would also ostracize the traitor.
In such a situation, an individual's fate is completely tied to that of their family.
It cannot be cut or separated.
One glory and one glory.
This is merely a small, powerful family of about 300 people, including direct and collateral relatives of the Yang clan.
In Jianta, there are countless small but powerful families like the Yang family.
"Please inform him that Zhou Silang has come to see Madam Yang!" After Zhou Qingfeng revealed his identity, the gates of Yang Family Manor opened slowly after a moment, and Madam Yang led three hundred clansmen, six hundred servants, and more than one hundred private soldiers out of the manor to greet him.
Madam Yang, who was usually pampered and exuded nobility, was now dressed in white mourning clothes, which made her look even more pitiful and haggard. She stepped forward, bowed and clasped her hands in a proper manner: "Your Majesty, Madam Yang, on behalf of the entire Yang clan, respectfully welcomes the arrival of the Fourth Young Master. Madam Yang was unaware of the Fourth Young Master's sudden arrival and was unable to greet him from afar. Please forgive us!"
"Welcome, Fourth Young Master! We apologize for not being able to greet you properly!" A thousand people outside the manor clasped their hands and bowed in unison.
The old cripple rode his horse, smiling silently, having grown accustomed to this.
Beneath the disheveled hair, a hint of surprise flashed in the gravedigger's eyes. He looked at Zhou Qingfeng's profile, never expecting that this wish-granter was actually a powerful figure in the Sword Tower, second only to the emperor.
He wasn't curious before, he just wanted to make quick money, but now he's curious. With the name of the Fourth Young Master, is there anything he can't do within the Sword Tower? Why would he go to Yuanmeng to make a wish and have someone examine the body? There must be a hidden story behind this.
He keenly realized that he seemed to have gotten himself into something very serious.
Whatever the hidden reasons, the fact that the four young masters of the Sword Tower were forced to seek help from a cultivator from another region already indicates that this matter is not simple. If one were to get involved, even nine lives wouldn't be enough to save them.
However, it seems unlikely that they would want to desert their posts now.
It's not that you can't abandon an order and pass it on to another dream fulfiller.
Abandoning a mission would mean being fined, demoted, and restricted from accepting wish missions by the Dream Fulfillment Organization. These are minor issues, at most affecting earning efficiency. The main problem is that this fourth young master won't let me leave.
He took the job himself and came with the person, but when they arrived at the destination, they changed their minds and wanted to leave. This fourth young master would probably kill him on the spot. Now he's in a bind and there's no way he can get away unscathed.
I can only hope that nothing unexpected happens, that I can get things done as soon as possible, and then leave immediately.
The gravedigger secretly grumbled to himself, "If I had known that the person making the wish was such a big shot as the Fourth Young Master, I wouldn't have accepted it, let alone hundreds of thousands of coins, even millions."
Because he knew all too well that getting involved in the affairs of such important figures was extremely dangerous, even just getting involved risked death. Even if he didn't get involved, simply passing by could be fatal, so there was no time to avoid it.
Zhou Qingfeng dismissed his distraction, stepped forward, and gently placed his hands on Madam Yang's arms, saying in a gentle tone, "Madam Yang, there's no need for such formalities. I heard that Manager Yang was brutally murdered by villains, and I've come here today specifically to pay my respects to him."
"The Fourth Young Master has come to offer his condolences in person. If my husband were alive, he would surely be very pleased." Madam Yang straightened up, poised and graceful, and gestured for the Fourth Young Master to stay at the manor. "It is getting late, and it is not safe to be out in the wilderness. Please, Fourth Young Master, come and rest here."
Zhou Qingfeng nodded with a smile and followed Madam Yang into Yang Family Village.
The family rules were strict, and Yang Jianxin, the head of the Yang family, died unexpectedly.
The newly appointed head of the family, Yang, was supposed to receive Zhou Qingfeng.
However, since Yang Jianxin had just died, the elders had not yet chosen a successor from among Yang Jianxin's many sons. Therefore, Madam Yang, the matriarch of the family, had to temporarily assume the position of head of the family and represent the Yang family to welcome Zhou Qingfeng.
Upon entering Yangjiazhuang, the journey was unimpeded. Following Madam Yang, they respectfully lit three incense sticks before Yang Jianxin's memorial tablet, then feigned sadness by wiping away tears and uttering a few words to express their regret and sorrow.
"Lord Yang dedicated his life to the prosperity and stability of Sword Tower, but was murdered by villains under mysterious circumstances. The First City Lord was deeply saddened upon hearing this and lamented that Sword Tower had lost a pillar of the nation."
Zhou Qingfeng burst into tears, wiping them away with his sleeves, and made up a story. He claimed that the First Lady did not even know Yang Jianxin, and that if he hadn't been the victim in the case of killing officials and plotting rebellion, his name would probably never have appeared on the First Lady's desk in her entire life.
The First Lady was certainly furious, but there was absolutely no sadness in her eyes. It was simply because killing the Sword Tower official was tantamount to challenging the Sword Tower's laws, the First Family, and the City Lord's authority.
Whoever kills an official is committing treason, and the truth must be thoroughly investigated. All the criminals involved in this case will be beheaded and their entire families exterminated. It would be a mercy from the First Lady not to exterminate three or nine generations of their families.
"I, Zhou Qingfeng, have been fortunate to be valued by the city lord and have just been transferred to the position of deputy commander of the Censorate, in charge of the Plum Blossom Division of the Fifth Bureau. I have just encountered such a tragedy. Rest assured, Lord Yang, I will definitely give you justice."
"To give Madam Yang an explanation, and to give the Yang family an explanation."
"I will absolutely not allow the perpetrators to go unpunished."
Zhou Qingfeng's few words, coupled with his passionate speech, immediately brought the Yang clan members present to tears. They knelt down and kowtowed in gratitude, sobbing and shouting, "Thank you, Fourth Young Master, for upholding justice!"
Zhou Qingfeng feigned benevolence, reaching out to help each of the kneeling members of the Yang clan to their feet. Finally, he personally helped Madam Yang up, his face filled with sorrow and solemnity. He patted Madam Yang's hand and said, "Madam Yang, please accept my condolences."
He didn't mind using public office for private gain, winning people's hearts at the memorial site for the dead, and accumulating a reputation for benevolence and justice for himself. These benevolent and just acts would eventually be spread to the world through the mouths of the Yang clan.
Madam Yang wiped away her tears and said, "Fourth Young Master..."
Zhou Qingfeng raised his hand to stop him: "Madam, I am currently carrying out official duties."
Upon hearing this, Madam Yang quickly changed her words: "Commander Zhou, please severely punish the villains, find out the truth, and give my husband justice. If there is anything that I or the Yang family can do to help, please do not hesitate to give the order, Commander Zhou."
“Alright, I happen to have something that requires Madam’s permission.” Zhou Qingfeng was just waiting for Madam Yang to speak.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to logically request the exhumation and autopsy.
After all, Yang Jianxin was an official and a respectable person in life. He had already undergone an official autopsy, and his body had been brought back and buried in the ancestral grave. How easy would it be to dig him up again and open the coffin for another autopsy?
Firstly, once a person has been buried, opening the coffin for an autopsy would be considered a great disrespect to the deceased and a desecration of the ancestor's body.
Secondly, the death of a loved one is already a painful event, and facing the deceased again, especially through the cruel process of an autopsy, is undoubtedly a second blow to the family. The bereaved family will be in great pain and resistant.
Thirdly, it is easy to cause the corpse to rise from the dead. It is not a problem for the corpse of an ordinary person to rise from the dead because it is easy to deal with. However, once a cultivator rises from the dead, it is simply a disaster, especially since this is a cultivator in the Devouring Fiend Realm. Once the corpse transformation begins, it will be a fiend-level zombie, and the family members with blood ties will be the first to suffer.
Fourth, some families have ancestral graves with various powerful fortune formations. These formations can use the remains of ancestors to enhance the family's fortune and luck, and increase the chances of geniuses emerging within the family.
In this situation, it is necessary to have a legitimate reason to use the banner of righteousness to suppress others.
Only in this way can the entire Yang family accept the matter of exhuming and examining the body. Anyone who rebels at this time is not trying to give Zhou Qingfeng justice for Yang Jianxin or an explanation to the Yang family.
Such a person will immediately become the target of public criticism.
Therefore, even if someone cannot accept it due to personal feelings, they dare not and cannot oppose it.
If he uses his power or status to intimidate others, and acts recklessly, he can still succeed. At most, he will offend the Yang family, and no one can stop him from opening the coffin and examining the body. But what happens after that?
Afterwards, the Yang family would secretly say that the fourth young master was arrogant and domineering, desecrated the corpse of the Yang family's ancestors, and was inhumane and lacking in human feelings. They would also secretly trip him up and make things difficult for him, doing whatever made Zhou Qingfeng uncomfortable.
Yes, Zhou Qingfeng has absolutely no need to care about a small Yang family.
Even a single sentence could make the Yang family's life in Sword Tower City extremely difficult, causing them to encounter obstacles at every turn.
But what's the point? Aside from pushing the Yang family to the opposite side and allowing the hidden enemy forces to grow stronger, there's nothing for him to gain.
That being said, while it's important to do official business, there are certain methods and approaches to it. Doing things blindly and recklessly is unacceptable. If you can use the opportunity to make friends, build a reputation, and gain benefits, why not?
As the saying goes, make as many friends as possible and as few enemies as possible.
Madam Yang bowed slightly and said, "Please enlighten me, Commander Zhou."
Zhou Qingfeng said, enunciating each word clearly: "I want to exhume the body for examination. Please grant me permission, Madam Yang."
These words immediately caused an uproar among all the Yang clan members present.
"An autopsy? Wasn't one already done? Why do we need another one?"
"I don't know. The late patriarch has already been buried. Would it be inappropriate to open the coffin for an autopsy?"
"Shut up. The late patriarch died under mysterious circumstances. Commander Zhou publicly stated that he would seek justice for the late patriarch and give our Yang family an explanation. If exhuming the body and examining the corpse helps solve the case, what's wrong with that?"
"Yes, yes, you're right. I also think there's no problem with exhuming the body for an autopsy."
Madam Yang was taken aback. She opened her mouth, but swallowed back the objection that was about to come out of her mouth. She smiled bitterly and said, "Since Commander Zhou is trying to seek justice for my husband, how can I, as his wife, stop him?"
Zhou Qingfeng looked respectful and praised her in a measured tone: "Madam Yang is indeed the demeanor of a matriarch. She is reasonable, understanding, and considerate of the big picture. It is a blessing for the Yang family to have Madam Yang in charge of the overall situation."
Madam Yang felt completely out of control. She knew that Zhou Qingfeng had her figured out, but she couldn't retaliate and had to act as if she knew what was best and was mindful of the bigger picture.
She felt angry and frustrated, but also grateful and fond of him. She was grateful that Zhou Qingfeng had worked hard to investigate the case and seek justice for her husband. She was fond of him because Zhou Qingfeng had publicly praised her for being virtuous and capable, and for having the demeanor of a matriarch.
In this way, no one dared to question her taking over as the head of the family, because the first family's fourth young master had spoken out of his own authority, indirectly helping her stabilize the turmoil caused by the power transition within the Yang family.
Therefore, at this moment, Madam Yang was filled with mixed feelings and could only sigh inwardly at her skillful tactics.
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Zhou Qingfeng had already taken control of the situation without lifting a finger. He didn't use any forceful tactics, yet he managed to influence, control, and dominate everyone.
The key is that even though she knows it, she can't resist it and can only continue acting according to Zhou Qingfeng's wishes.
Such cunning methods are simply terrifying.
Madam Yang said gracefully, "Thank you for the praise, Commander Zhou. I am unworthy of such praise."
After speaking, Madam Yang slowly gave the order: "Eldest son, Second son, Third son."
Madam Yang's three biological sons stepped forward, clasped their hands in greeting, and replied, "Your children are here."
"I order you to take Deputy Commander Zhou to the ancestral grave to open the coffin and examine the body." Madam Yang could not bear to see her husband's heart and lungs being ripped out and his death so gruesome, as it would cause her extreme pain.
Upon hearing this, the three young masters of the Yang family clasped their hands in unison and said, "Yes, Mother."
Madam Yang forced a smile: "Deputy Commander Zhou, I have been busy with my husband's funeral for days and nights without sleep. I really can't hold on any longer. Let my three children take you to open the coffin and examine the body."
Zhou Qingfeng had achieved his goal, so it didn't matter who accompanied him. He said, "Madam Yang, please rest well."
Madam Yang nodded slightly and, surrounded by her personal maids, slowly left the mourning hall.
"Disperse, disperse, go do what you were doing!" Seeing this, Yang Dalang waved his hand to signal the Yang clan members who had gathered to disperse and not to crowd around here.
Upon hearing this, the members of the Yang clan dispersed, leaving only the attendants of the three young masters of the Yang family.
Yang Dalang faced Zhou Qingfeng and gestured with his hand: "Deputy Commander Zhou, please follow me to the ancestral graves."
Zhou Qingfeng nodded with a smile: "Thank you for leading the way, Young Master Yang."
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