Exile with Storage Space: Family Fortunes in the Barren Lands-Chapter 621 - 0578: Witness (4)

Moreover, although Yang Runsen and Wei San are married, when they have children in the future, they will need their parents to present their household registration in order to register the children.

If they never have permanent registration, they cannot buy a house or land, and their children won’t be able to take exams in the future.

This is also what worries Yang Runsen.

As for the Li Family, who were exiled, their household registration is in the Capital.

The Li Family only has a temporary household registration applied for by the village chief.

This temporary registration is submitted by village chiefs to the Pavilion Chief, who collects and reports the information to the county government, and then the county government issues it.

It is registered once a year.

Some refugees from other places, people fleeing famine, all need temporary household registration.

Without a household registration or a temporary one, people could be stopped and treated as wanted criminals.

Last spring, the Li Family asked for the village chief’s help, and through his assistance, they obtained a temporary household registration, allowing them to settle in Taohua River Village.

Yang Runsen also sought to meet the County Magistrate to obtain a temporary household registration.

The County Magistrate was very surprised when he heard Yang Runsen’s story, "Your experience could be made into a legendary tale."

Yang Runsen looked dejected, "I, a poor scholar, am beset by bad luck continuously."

County Magistrate Li said, "If you just focus on your misfortunes, you are stuck in a dead end, unable to see the way forward. Have you considered that multiple issues arose due to your indecision, rather than just because of bad luck?"

Yang Runsen was taken aback as he listened.

Li Yuzhu said, "Yang Runsen, the Magistrate is right. Your bad fortune is due to your character, not because the heavens have destined you for misfortune."

"..."

"Take the matter of returning the land to my brother-in-law as an example. It wasn’t your fault, so why take the blame? This just lets the Wei Family see you as easily bullied, leading them to harass you repeatedly."

"..."

"Your handling of the situation with the Wei Family was a complete mess. It seems the same goes for dealings with other families, which is why rumors about you are rampant in the village."

Yang Runsen pondered the words of County Magistrate Li and Li Yuzhu repeatedly. Were they right?

County Magistrate Li said, "Yang Runsen, this magistrate can only help you resolve the immediate issue for now, but the future path depends on you."

Yang Runsen was overjoyed and bowed again, "Thank you, Lord County Magistrate, for your help. Once my wife is freed, I will seriously reflect on my mistakes."

At the moment, County Magistrate Li issued a temporary household registration for Yang Runsen and Wei San, saying that once it was clarified whether their past registrations had been canceled, a decision about issuing a new permanent registration could be made.

He also said that, if it were not for Li Yuzhu vouching for them, by the regulations of the county government, issuing temporary registrations would not be done so casually.

County Magistrate Li asked Yang Runsen to be grateful to Li Yuzhu and cherish this temporary registration.

Yang Runsen, of course, knew that this was a great help from Li Yuzhu.

"Thank you, Li San Niang, for saving me." He gave a bow to Li Yuzhu.

Li Yuzhu said, "Now that you have the registration to prove your identity, write a legal paper immediately. The County Magistrate will fairly handle the matter between you and Qian Hong Lou."

Yang Runsen said excitedly, "Okay, I’ll write it right away."

.

After leaving the County Magistrate Mansion, Yang Runsen went back to write the legal paper.

Li Yuzhu and Li Lixing returned to Li Xingmao’s mule cart.

The father and son trio, during their wait, had already explored a lap of the nearby area.

Li Jing held a kite in his hand, while Guoguo held a small clay figurine.

Not seeing Yang Runsen, Li Xingmao asked about his situation.

Li Yuzhu told Li Xingmao about the recent arrangements by the County Magistrate.

Li Xingmao sighed, "The County Magistrate is a good person."

Only Li Lixing wore a gloomy face, "Why don’t I feel the same?" His father’s increasing strictness was what concerned him, in what way was that good?

Li Xingmao had a stern face, "Blessings unappreciated!"

Li Lixing looked at Guoguo lying on Li Xingmao’s back and Li Jing playing beside him, sighing enviously, "Indeed."

He could not recall his father ever carrying him.

.

After returning, Yang Runsen put his heart into the task and wrote out the legal paper.

Before nightfall, he hurried back to the county government and struck the Injustice Drum.

The County Magistrate ascended the hall.

The two arrays of Government Officials loudly called out praises of might.

The County Magistrate ordered someone to present Yang Runsen’s legal paper.

The handwriting was still neat and devoid of any casualness.

The County Magistrate praised it with a nod.

Then he read the content, noting it was well-written, better than those who had passed the county examination.

After reading the legal paper, the County Magistrate tapped the gavel fiercely and commanded, "Bring the shopkeeper’s wife of Qian Hong Lou!"

The County Magistrate looked at the County Magistrate in shock.

He quietly murmured to himself, how could the County Magistrate summon people from Qian Hong Lou?

Qian Hong Lou was his mistress’s establishment after all.

Two Government Officials stepped forward, "Yes, Lord!"

Yang Runsen handed in the legal paper, Li Lixing, upon receiving the news, immediately sought out Li Yuzhu to watch the ascension.

Li Yuzhu had never seen it before and readily agreed to go and observe.

Guoguo and Li Jing also wanted to go, which resulted in Li Xingmao having no choice but to accompany them as well.

The main hall of the county government did not allow commoners inside; during a court hearing, only the plaintiff, defendant, and witnesses were allowed inside.

Commoners were blocked by the killing rods of two Government Officials at the door.

Watching a court session was more entertaining than a play or storytelling.

As soon as the Injustice Drum was struck, vendors in front of the county government quickly found their people to secure the best viewing spots.

Later arrivals who wanted to watch had to pay five coins to buy a spot if they couldn’t find one.

The chi vendors in front of the county government could earn a few hundred coins each month from these court session spots.

Li Lixing, familiar with these tricks, fearing someone would take the best spots, had his household servants reserve four positions.

When Li Lixing brought Li Yuzhu, Li Xingmao, and the two children, servants from the County Magistrate Mansion’s back residence immediately ceded their places.

This was the very center position, unobstructed, with Li Yuzhu carrying Guoguo and Li Xingmao carrying Li Jing, while Li Lixing acted as their narrator.

In the court, the young shopkeeper’s wife of Qian Hong Lou and Yang Runsen along with Wei San knelt on opposite sides, presenting the ongoing events to the County Magistrate.

Both sides told their version of the events.

As Yang Runsen said, Wei San found out Qian Hong Lou was hiring a Washing Bowl Lady, enquired about the wages, and the Housekeeper’s wife of Qian Hong Lou agreed.

But within no more than an hour of Wei San joining Qian Hong Lou, she bumped into something and broke a jade bottle.

The shopkeeper’s wife of Qian Hong Lou insisted upon compensation for the damage.

"My Lord, if something is damaged, compensation is required," she said.

"...."

"But this Wei San’s husband made quite a scene, claiming that I maliciously detained his wife and aggressively demanded money from me, driving away many of my customers. I almost had no business this morning and lost a lot of money, please, my lord, investigate." she continued.

On the other side, Wei San said, "But Shopkeeper, you’re being unjust towards me! It was your customer’s fault for harassing me and calling me for drinks. Otherwise, why would I run and accidentally hit the Jade Bottle?"

The County Magistrate promptly clapped his gavel and loudly demanded, "Bring the shopkeeper’s wife of Qian Hong Lou!"

Sitting beside the County Magistrate and taking notes, the County Magistrate quietly glanced at him, wondering why he would summon people from Qian Hong Lou.

Two Government Officials stepped out of the queue, "Yes, my Lord!"

After handing over the written statement, Li Lixing received the news and quickly brought Li Yuzhu along to watch the ascendancy trial.

Li Yuzhu, having never watched one before, happily agreed to go along.

Guoguo and Li Jing also wanted to go, so Li Xingmao had to accompany them.

During the trial, commoners were not allowed inside the main hall. Only the plaintiff, defendant, and witnesses could enter.

The commoners were kept waiting outside the door by the killing rods of the Government Officials.

Watching the ascendancy trial was more entertaining than watching a theater play or listening to a storyteller.

Once the Injustice Drum was struck, vendors quickly rushed to claim the best spots for watching the trial unfold.

People who came later and couldn’t snag a good spot had to pay five coins to get a better view.

The three to five small vendors at the county government benefited by earning hundreds of coins from these reserved spots every month.

Li Lixing, familiar with these practices, was worried about losing the best positions and went to fetch Li Yuzhu to come and see the trial.

Li Yuzhu hadn’t seen one before and eagerly agreed to watch.

Guoguo and Li Jing also wanted to come, so Li Xingmao had to accompany them too.

During the court session at the main hall of the county government, commoners were not allowed inside. Only the plaintiff, defendant, and witnesses were permitted inside.

Commoners were kept outside the main door by the government officials wielding the killing rods.

Watching the trial was considered more entertaining than a theater performance or storytelling session.

As soon as the Injustice Drum was struck, vendors in front of the county government quickly gathered their people to claim the best viewing spots.

Later comers who wanted to watch had to pay five coins to secure a good spot.

Li Lixing, familiar with these tricks, worried about someone taking the spots, so he quickly had his household servants reserve four positions.

When Li Lixing found Li Yuzhu to come along, the servants from the back of the County Magistrate Mansion quickly made room.

This was the prime central spot, with no obstruction, allowing Li Yuzhu to carry Guoguo and stand beside Li Xingmao, who had Li Jing on his back, sighing enviously, "Indeed."

He couldn’t remember when his father had carried him.

.

After returning, Yang Runsen racked his brains and finished writing the legal petition.

Before it got dark, he hurried back to the county government and struck the Injustice Drum.

The County Magistrate ascended the hall.

Two rows of Government Officials loudly uttered shouts of might.

The County Magistrate ordered someone to present Yang Runsen’s petition.

The calligraphy remained neat and without a touch of randomness.

The County Magistrate nodded with appreciation.

Then, he began reading the content; the penmanship was not bad, even better than those of people who had passed the county exam.

After reading the petition, the County Magistrate struck the gavel and sternly ordered, "Bring the shopkeeper’s wife of Qian Hong Lou!"

The County Magistrate, who was sitting nearby and recording, glanced in surprise at the County Magistrate.

Inwardly he wondered why the Lord County Magistrate would summon people from Qian Hong Lou?

That Qian Hong Lou is run by his concubine after all.

Two Government Officials stepped out of the line, "Yes, my Lord!"

After Yang Runsen submitted the legal petition, Li Lixing got the news and immediately found Li Yuzhu to come and watch the trial.

Li Yuzhu, who had never watched a trial, gladly agreed to come and observe.

Guoguo and Li Jing also wanted to attend, so Li Xingmao had no choice but to come along.

The main hall of the county government did not allow commoners inside during court sessions; only the plaintiff, defendant, and witnesses had access.

Commoners were blocked at the door by the Government Officials wielding killing rods.

Watching the trial was considered more entertaining than watching a play or listening to storytellers.

As soon as the Injustice Drum sounded, vendors in front of the county government quickly recruited people to secure the best viewing spots.

Latecomers had to pay five coins to get a good spot for viewing.

These three or five small vendors in front of the county government earned hundreds of coins every month from the reserved spots during the trials.

Li Lixing was familiar with these tricks and worried someone would take the best spots, so he quickly had his household servants reserve four spots.

When Li Lixing brought Li Yuzhu, Li Xingmao accompanied them with the children, Guoguo and Li Jing, eager to watch as well.

Inside the main hall of the county government, commoners were not allowed; only the plaintiff, defendant, and witnesses could enter during the trial.

The commoners were kept outside by the Government Officials with their killing rods.

For the common people, watching a court trial was more interesting than watching a play or hearing a story told.

As soon as the Injustice Drum was struck, the vendors quickly gathered their people to claim the best viewing spots in front of the county government.

Latecomers who still wanted to watch had to pay five coins to get a spot.

The few small vendors in front of the county government made a tidy profit every month, earning hundreds of coins just for the reserved viewing spots during trials.

Li Lixing, familiar with the situation, worried about someone taking the best spots, ensured his family got four prime positions right in the center.

When Li Lixing brought over Li Yuzhu to observe the ascendance, the mansion’s back residence servants immediately gave way.

This was the central spot, unobstructed. Li Yuzhu agreed to go, carrying Guoguo while Li Xingmao accompanied with Li Jing.

Li Lixing, standing as an explainer among them, watched as everyone waited for the trial to begin in anticipation.

Only the young shopkeeper’s wife of Qian Hong Lou and Yang Runsen along with Wei San knelt on opposite sides in the court, ready to present their evidence.

The defendant and plaintiff each presented their side of the story.

The narrative unfolded as Yang Runsen narrated: Wei San, seeking work, approached Qian Hong Lou to inquire about working as a Washing Bowl Lady. The Housekeeper’s wife of Qian Hong Lou agreed to employ her.

Less than half an hour after entering Qian Hong Lou, Wei San accidentally broke an expensive jade bottle.

The shopkeeper’s wife demanded reimbursement for the damage.

"My Lord, if something gets broken, compensation must be made," she argued.

"..."

"But this Wei San’s husband caused a scene outside my establishment, loudly accusing me of maliciously detaining people, and repeatedly drove my customers away. We’ve barely had any business this morning and lost a lot of money. Please, my Lord, investigate this thoroughly."

Wei San countered, "Your honor, I’ve been falsely accused by the shopkeeper’s wife! It was... it was a customer of her establishment who was bothering me, not of my own doing!"

"He’s lying, my lord!" the shopkeeper’s wife interjected, "my establishment is legitimate, and no one forced her to entertain guests in any inappropriate way."

The County Magistrate, working on the record, quietly commented to County Magistrate Li, "My lord, why summon someone from Qian Hong Lou? It is run by your concubine."

County Magistrate Li glanced at him, then turned to those gathered in the courtroom, "Both sides have their claims. Do you have any witnesses?"