Zhou Fuqing, a child from a peasant background, squeezed into the career of the late Qing Dynasty by his own efforts and became a prominent local eunuch. His success inspired his children and grandchildren, especially his son Zhou Boyi, who, like his father, was eager to achieve fame and live a prosperous life.
Zhou Fuqing and the children of the five families found out that the chief examiner of the township examination was Yin Ruzhang, and they thought that this was an opportunity, and gathered 10,000 taels of silver to ask Zhou Fuqing to bribe Yin Ruzhang.
Although cheating in the field is taboo and can be life-threatening, Zhou Fuqing still decided to take a risk. This decision is a manifestation of his desire for success and his quest for family glory.
Zhou Fuqing sought a way for his son Zhou Xijue to be promoted, and used bribery to try to influence the examination. He saw through his son's talents and believed that only in this way could his wishes be realized.
At the same time, he used his connections to recognize corruption in the imperial court and was convinced that bribing Yin Ruzhang was a successful way. In the end, he successfully handed over the 10,000 taels of silver tickets to Yin Ruzhang, hoping that things would go smoothly.
However, at the critical moment, Zhou Fuqing hesitated, worried that the risk was too great. He decided to send his servant Tao Ashun to test the situation first, and if there was anything abnormal, he would not give the letter to Yin Ruzhang.
Tao Ashun delivered the letter smoothly, but Zhou Xien was also on the ship, and Yin Ruzhang did not open the letter. Tao Ashun was worried that there was a problem with the silver ticket, so he shouted to Yin Ruzhang to write the receipt, exposing their behavior and causing the matter to be exposed.
Zhou Fuqing and Tao Ashun were arrested by the imperial court and eventually sentenced.
Having a competent, reliable subordinate is very crucial for a person of status. Yin Ruzhang heard the messenger's cry and felt that something was wrong. In order to prove his innocence, he handed the letter to Zhou Xien, and said with a smile: Please take a look at Lord Zhou.
As a result, the matter was revealed, and the Suzhou prefect sent someone to arrest Tao Ashun and handed over all the documentary evidence to the Suzhou government for trial. Under harsh interrogation, Tao Ashun admitted that he was instructed by Zhou Fuqing to deliver a letter to Yin Ruzhang.
When the prefect Wang Renkan heard about this, he thought that the case was very serious, so he quickly reported it to the imperial court. Zhou Fuqing waited on the shore for a long time, but did not see Tao Ashun come back.
He realized that something was wrong, which made him very worried. Despite his physical weakness, he rushed all the way to Shanghai. However, even the monk could not escape the temple, and his family and relatives were not spared.
In order not to implicate them, Zhou Fuqing decided to take a risk and surrendered. He confessed his mistakes and took all the blame on himself. Regarding the 10,000 taels of silver bill, he explained that it was a blank check that could not be cashed.
Some ** in Zhejiang interceded for Zhou Fuqing, but Emperor Guangxu did not accept their request. He believes that Zhou Fuqing, as the first in the imperial court, knows the law and violates the law, and must be severely punished.
Therefore, the imperial court quickly issued an edict, sentencing Zhou Fuqing to be beheaded and executed after the autumn, so as to strictly enforce the law and warn others. Zhou Fuqing's son, that is, Lu Xun's father Zhou Boyi, fell ill due to worry and fright during Zhou Fuqing**, and eventually died.
This made Zhou Fuqing and his family live a difficult life in an increasingly dilapidated home. Zhou Fuqing's later years were also bleak, and he died of illness after serving three years in prison.