Kaifeng Mansion in Henan Province is the largest mansion in the world, densely populated and full of businessmen. Here, there is a well-known wealthy businessman of the Li family, known as Li Dafu.
Li was a wealthy merchant in Kaifeng Prefecture, Henan Province, who ran a large cloth shop. His son, Li Xiaolian, is his pride and hope, and has been intelligent, knowledgeable, and virtuous since he was a child. The Li family has high hopes for Li Xiaolian, hoping that he can be admitted to the Jinshi and win glory for the country, the people, and his father.
Li Xiaolian also lived up to his father's expectations, diligent and studious, and kept improving. His talent and demeanor have also attracted praise and admiration from many people. One of them is Zhang Jiaojiao, the daughter of the Zhang family. Zhang was Lee's business rival and a wealthy businessman, but his methods were despicable and he often engaged in fraud and extortion, which annoyed many people. Zhang Jiaojiao is his only daughter, beautiful and delicate, but her personality is arrogant and willful, she looks down on the poor and likes the rich.
Zhang Jiaojiao saw Li Xiaolian once, so she fell in love with him at first sight, secretly inquired about his identity and residence, and sent someone to send a love letter to express her admiration. Li Xiaolian received the love letter, and at first glance, he knew that it was written by Zhang Jiaojiao, and he couldn't help but feel disgusted in his heart. He knows Zhang's personality, and he also knows Zhang Jiaojiao's temper, and he doesn't have a good impression of her. He tore up the love letter and threw it into the brazier, not paying any attention to it.
Zhang Jiaojiao waited for a long time, but did not receive a reply from Li Xiaolian, and was very anxious. She sent someone to inquire again, and learned that Li Xiaolian had burned her love letters, and disdained her. Zhang Jiaojiao suddenly went crazy with anger, she felt that she had been greatly insulted, and she vowed to make Li Xiaolian regret rejecting her.
Zhang Jiaojiao found her father, cried about her experience, and asked him to stand up for her. Zhang was also very annoyed when he heard his daughter's words, he was already jealous of Li's business, and he couldn't get used to Li Xiaolian's talent, and hated him for rejecting his daughter, so he decided to frame Li, make him ruined, and let Li Xiaolian kneel in front of them and beg for mercy.
Zhang found a hooligan named Wang San, gave him a sum of money, and asked him to pretend to be Li's servant to kill a customer who had business dealings with Li, and then left Li's cloth as evidence, and then deliberately caught and identified Li as a murderer**. Wang San was greedy for money, so he agreed to Zhang's plan and carried out the conspiracy according to his instructions.
Li was talking to Li Xiaolian at home about his progress in studying, when he suddenly heard a commotion outside the door, and when they went out to take a look, they saw a group of officials rushing in, holding swords and sticks, surrounding Li and shouting: "Li, you killed someone, do you still want to escape the punishment of the law?" Come with us, save us the effort! ”
Both Lee and Lee were stunned, they didn't know what was going on, and they didn't know that they had been falsely accused. Li hurriedly defended: "I didn't kill anyone, you are mistaken, I am an innocent person, you can't wronged me like this!" ”
The official didn't listen to his explanation, dragged him out, and escorted him to Kaifeng Mansion. When Li Xiaolian saw his father being taken away, his heart was like a knife, and he wanted to follow, but he was pushed away by the officials and fell to the ground. He got up and shouted loudly: "Father, don't worry, I will definitely rescue you, I will definitely find out the real culprit, and I will definitely return your innocence!" ”
When Li heard his son's voice, tears filled his eyes, and he said to Li Xiaolian: "Xiaolian, you have to be strong, you have to study hard, don't worry about me, I believe that God is clear, I can't wronged a good person, I will be safe!" ”
After speaking, he was dragged away by the officials, Li Xiaolian could only watch his father's figure disappear into the crowd, his heart was full of helplessness and anger, he vowed to seek justice for his father, find out the ** behind the scenes, and expose their conspiracy.
Li Xiaolian's mother is a virtuous and kind woman, since her husband ** was imprisoned, she has been sick and has become thinner and thinner. She knew that her husband was innocent, but she was powerless to avenge him, so she could only pray for him at home every day, hoping that God would be gracious and let him see the light of day as soon as possible.
Li Xiaolian is her only sustenance, and she is full of love and expectation for him. She often advised him not to give up, to insist on finding the truth, and to clear his father's name. She also comforted him from time to time, saying that her illness was not serious, and as long as he was safe, she would be satisfied.
Although Li Xiaolian is young, he has already endured too much suffering. He watched his mother's face grow haggard and his heart felt like a knife. He can't wait to find out the real culprit immediately, avenge his father, and relieve his mother's worries. However, he did not dare to act rashly, for fear of causing greater trouble and affecting his mother.
He could only secretly inquire around, looking for clues. He found that his father was not the only victim, and many businessmen who had business dealings with him had also been framed for unknown reasons, and some had even died. He suspects that all this was deliberately designed by someone to seize their property and market.
He remembered a business rival his father had mentioned, Zhang. Zhang was a treacherous and cunning man who often competed with his father for business, even at the expense of using underhanded means. He suspected that Zhang was the ** behind the scenes, his father's killer.
He decided that he must investigate the matter clearly, find evidence, and expose Zhang's crimes.
Li Xiaolian's heart was like ashes, and he watched his father being escorted to the execution car and sent to the execution ground. He knew it would be the last time he would see his father. He wanted to rush up, hug his father, and cry heartily, but he was blocked by the crowd and could only watch his father be beheaded and blood splattered.
His mother had fainted, and he also felt that the world was spinning, and the only words in his ears were his father's words before he died: "Xiaolian, you have to avenge your father, find out the real culprit, and let them pay for their blood debts!" ”
Li Xiaolian gritted his teeth and vowed to avenge his father. He remembered his father's unjust case, a man named Wang San who accused his father of killing his brother, and that brother had a business dispute with his father. Li Xiaolian suspects that all this is a conspiracy, someone deliberately framed his father, and Wang San is just a pawn.
He decided to find out Wang San and force the truth out of his mouth. He disguised himself as a beggar, infiltrated the execution ground, and took advantage of people's inattention to collect his father's bones and hide them in his home. He paid tribute to his father every day, hoping that he would guide him in his dreams.
One night, he finally dreamed of his father. His father said to him, "Xiaolian, the person you are looking for is in a hut outside the west gate of Kaifeng Mansion, his name is Wang San, and he is instructed by a man surnamed Zhang, who is your father's business rival, and he is jealous of your father's wealth, and wants to get rid of your father and seize his business." You have to be careful, they are all cunning people and don't expose themselves easily. ”
Li Xiaolian woke up and hurriedly wrote down his father's words. He was grateful for his father's guidance and decided to find Wang San and expose Zhang's crimes.
Li Xiaolian got his father's guidance in a dream and knew the name and residence of the real murderer Wang San. He decided to follow Wang San secretly and wait for the opportunity. He changed into ordinary clothes, put on a hat, hid his figure, and quietly went out of the house.
Wang San is Zhang's subordinate and is responsible for helping him take care of some improper business. He lives in a small hut outside the city on weekdays and doesn't go out often. Li Xiaolian found a hidden place near his house, squatted for several days, and finally one morning, he saw Wang San go out, riding a horse, and walking towards the city.
Li Xiaolian's heart moved, and he secretly thought that this was a good opportunity. He also followed and rode a horse, and followed Wang San from a distance, so that he would not be discovered. He thought that Wang San must be going to see Zhang, or to do something bad. He planned to take advantage of Wang San's unpreparedness to arrest him and force him to confess.
Wang San rode a horse, galloping along the way, not knowing that someone was secretly following him. He came to a bustling street in the city, stopped his horse, got off his horse, and walked into a restaurant. Li Xiaolian also dismounted, tied the horse to the side, and also walked into the restaurant. He saw Wang San sitting at a table on the second floor, ordering a pot of wine and a few dishes. Li Xiaolian sat in a corner on the first floor, pretending to drink tea, and secretly observed Wang San's movements.
Wang San drank a few glasses of wine and seemed to be a little drunk. He picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of meat, and was about to put it in his mouth, when he suddenly heard a loud shout:
Wang San, you murderer, dare to eat, drink and have fun here, do you still have a conscience? ”
Wang San was startled, raised his head, and saw a figure jump up from the first floor and land in front of his desk, revealing a young and handsome face. When he saw it, it was Li Xiaolian. He was shocked, hurriedly stood up, and wanted to escape, but Li Xiaolian grabbed him by the collar, dragged him down, and fell to the ground.
Who are you? What do you want? Wang San cried out in horror.
I am the son of the Lee family, Li Xiaolian. You killed my father, and I want your life today!" Li Xiaolian roared angrily and punched Wang San in the face, beating him to a blue nose and swollen face.
The guests in the restaurant and the shopkeeper were stunned by this sudden change, and they all gathered around, watching this scene and talking about it.
What's going on? Who is this young man? Why did he hit that guy? ”
That person is Wang San, he is Zhang's subordinate, Zhang is a rich businessman, but also a big villain, he has done a lot of bad things, bullied the people, and killed a lot of people. ”
I see, the young man is the son of a victim of murder, and he has come to take revenge. ”
What a filial son, his father was falsely accused of murder by the Zhang family and sentenced to death, in order to save his father, he sold his family property and bribed the officials, but unfortunately he still failed to save his father's life. ”
Pitiful, he can only avenge his father now, find out the real culprit, and rehabilitate Zhaoxue for his father. ”
Will he really be able to find out the real culprit? The Zhang clan is very powerful, isn't he afraid of the Zhang clan's revenge? ”
He was a brave man, he was not afraid of death, he only wanted to do one thing for his father. ”
Li Xiaolian ignored the people around him, he only looked at Wang San, his eyes were full of hatred and determination. He took out a dagger, put it on Wang San's neck, and said sharply
Wang San, since you killed my father, you have to pay the price. Now you have two ways, one is to confess, tell me who told you who instructed you to kill, and I will spare your life and let you go to the officials. The other is that if you don't confess, I will take your life right now, and let you go with my father. ”
Wang San was trembling with fright by Li Xiaolian's words, he knew that Li Xiaolian was not just talking, he would really kill him. He thought about it and felt that it was better to confess, maybe there was a glimmer of life. And he wept and said, "."
Well, well, I recruited, I recruited. I was instructed by the Zhang family to kill people, and he gave me a thousand taels of silver to kill the Li family, and then threw his body into the river, and found a scapegoat to blame him. ”
When Li Xiaolian heard this, he was excited in his heart, he finally found the real culprit, and his father's grievances could finally be revealed. He sneered
Are you telling the truth? What evidence do you have? ”
Wang San hurriedly said
I have proof, I have proof. I have the silver ticket that Zhang gave me, and the letter he gave me, which said his crimes, are all in my house, you go with me, and I will show you. ”
Li Xiaolian thought about it and felt that it was necessary to get these evidences, just in case. And he said:
Okay, I'll go with you, you'd better not play any tricks, or I won't let you go. ”
With that, he dragged Wang San up, took him out of the restaurant, mounted his horse, and hurried towards Wang San's house.
Li Xiaolian put Wang San** in a carriage and hurried to Kaifeng Mansion. His heart was filled with anger and grief, and thinking of his father's grievances and his mother's expectations, he vowed to make the Zhang family pay.
When he arrived at the gate of Kaifeng Mansion, he shouted loudly: "I have an important case to report, please ask the prefect to come out!" ”
When the doorman saw that he looked flustered, and saw the prisoners in his car, he hurriedly reported to the prefect. The prefect was an upright and honest old man, and when he heard that someone was going to denounce the murder, he immediately came out to greet him.
Who are you? What case are you going to report? The prefect asked.
My lord, I am Li Xiaolian, the son of the Li family. My father is a wealthy businessman in Kaifeng Prefecture, Henan Province, who was falsely accused of murder half a year ago and sentenced to death. After many investigations, I finally found the real culprit, which is this Wang San. He was instructed by the Zhang family to kill my father's business partner, and then blamed my father. I have Wang San's confession and Zhang's letter as evidence, and I also ask the adult to try the case and rehabilitate Zhaoxue for my father! Li Xiaolian said, pushed Wang San to the prefect, and handed over a letter to the prefect.
The prefect took the letter and read it carefully, only to see that it read:
Wang San: Since you have already received my money, you have to handle this matter for me. You go and kill Lee's partner, then throw the body in Lee's warehouse, and spread rumors that Lee killed his rival in order to compete for business. You have to do it seamlessly, and don't leave any flaws, otherwise you don't want to live. I will arrange for someone to take care of the court so that the Li family cannot turn over. When Lee dies, I can monopolize his business, and you can get a piece of the pie. If you do that, I'll reward you heavily. Don't let me down.
After reading the letter, Zhang's prefect's face changed greatly and his heart was shocked. He asked Wang San a few more questions, and Wang San answered truthfully and did not dare to hide them. The more the prefect listened, the more angry he became, and he immediately ordered that Zhang and Wang San be arrested, severely punished, and sentenced to death to rehabilitate the Li family. He also played to the emperor, explained the truth of the case, and asked the emperor to pardon Li's charges and give Li a clean slate.
Seeing this, Li Xiaolian burst into tears and was grateful. He knelt in front of the prefect, kowtowed nine times, and said, "My lord, you are my father's great benefactor, you are the great benefactor of my whole family, and you are the great benefactor of the world!" Your kindness, I Li Xiaolian will never forget! ”
The prefect kindly helped Li Xiaolian up and said, "Child, you don't have to thank me, I just do things according to the law and eliminate harm for the people." I admire your filial piety and righteousness. Although your father is no longer there, I will surely restore his reputation and honor for him. You have to live well, be filial to your mother, inherit your father's business, and be a useful person to society. ”
When Li Xiaolian heard this, he was moved in his heart, bowed deeply to the prefect again, and said, "My lord, I will keep your teachings in mind. I will definitely try my best to be a person of filial piety and righteousness and live up to your expectations. ”
Li Xiaolian hung the heads of Zhang and Wang San on a carriage, carried his father's bones, and drove along the streets and alleys towards his home. The people along the way watched in amazement, wondering what was happening. Li Xiaolian announced loudly: "Zhang, Wang San, the one who killed my father is also!" Today, the law has been punished, and my father's unjust case has been revealed! ”
When the people heard this, they were all moved by Li Xiaolian's filial piety and courage, and they applauded one after another. Some even threw down silver coins to wish him a safe journey. Li Xiaolian thanked the people and continued to move forward.
He arrived at the door, got out of the carriage, carried his father's bones, and went into the house. His mother, who had already learned of her son's exploits, greeted him, hugged him and his father, and burst into tears. She said: "Xiaolian, you have avenged your father and shamed your mother, you are really a good son!" ”
Li Xiaolian said: "Mother, I just did my filial piety, and I have to thank my father for his guidance to find the real culprit." Now, we are going to bury our father and let him rest in peace. ”
They placed their father's bones in the mourning hall, invited relatives, friends and monks, and held a solemn funeral. Li Xiaolian personally offered incense to his father, kowtowed nine times, and said, "Father, are you in the spirit of heaven, have you seen it?" Your grievances have been cleared, your son has avenged you, and you can go with peace of mind. Your son will carry on your legacy, be a loyal and filial person, and live up to your reputation. ”
At this moment, the sound of horses' hooves sounded, and a team of men and horses galloped from a distance. Li Xiaolian looked up and saw a person riding a white horse, wearing a yellow robe, and wearing a golden crown, who was His Majesty the Emperor. He was followed by a group of guards and civil and military officials, and his momentum was extraordinary. Li Xiaolian was surprised, and hurriedly knelt on the ground, bowed and said, "Minister Li Xiaolian, see Your Majesty!" ”
The emperor dismounted, walked up to Li Xiaolian, stretched out his hand to help him up, and said, "Li Xiaolian, you don't have to be polite. I heard about your deeds, you avenged your father, eliminated harm for the country, your filial piety and loyalty, touched heaven and earth, and I came to congratulate you. ”
Li Xiaolian said: "Your Majesty, the minister just did his duty as a son, and he didn't dare to be your praise." ”
The emperor said: "Don't be modest, I already know your merits." Your father, Li, was a wealthy businessman and a benevolent man, and he once funded me and helped me, and I always remember it in my heart. I am also very angry that he was framed by Zhang, but there is no evidence to avenge him. But you are not afraid of hardships and dangers, risking your life, finding out the real culprit, and rehabilitating Zhaoxue for him, how can I not reward you for your merits? ”
As he spoke, the emperor took a holy decree from the guards behind him and read it out in person: "I hereby give Li Xiaolian a loyal and filial piety man, a reward of 5,000 taels of silver, 500 horses of silk, and exemption from taxes for ten years as encouragement." His father, Li, was posthumously presented as a loyal and filial marquis, and his nickname was Zhong, and he was given a cemetery, a coffin, a thousand taels of gold and silver, and a hundred horses of silk to show his heart. ”
When the people heard this, they all cheered and said, "Your Majesty the Emperor, Shengming is merciful, Li Xiaolian is loyal and filial piety!" ”
Li Xiaolian was grateful, knelt on the ground, and said: "Your Majesty, your grace cannot be repaid by the ministers, but to serve the country with your body, be loyal to you, and never betray!" ”
The emperor said, "Get up, you are a good son and a good courtier, I admire you very much, you will follow me in the future, share my worries and solve problems, and serve the country." ”
Li Xiaolian said: "Thank you for Your Majesty's grace, and I am willing to follow Your Majesty and live up to Your Majesty's trust." ”
The emperor said, "Good, good, good!" You are such a dutiful person, I am glad that your mother is also a virtuous woman, and you must be filial to her and do not let her suffer. I came today, and one more thing is to choose a wife for you, you see, this woman is my niece, named Li Wan, she looks like a flower and has a gentle personality, what do you think? ”
Li Xiaolian looked up and saw a woman wearing a red wedding dress, a phoenix crown, and a veil covering her face, standing behind the emperor, bowing her head shyly. Li Xiaolian's heart moved, and said: "Your Majesty, your favor, the minister can't refuse, but the minister doesn't know if this woman is willing to marry the minister." ”
The emperor smiled: "You don't have to worry, she has long had a good impression of you, and when she heard about your deeds, she admires you even more, she is willing, you two are a match made in heaven, I will marry you, and you are my in-laws." ”
When Li Xiaolian heard this, he was overjoyed and said: "Your Majesty, you are really good, you not only avenged my father, but also found such a beautiful wife for me, you are my benefactor, I am forever grateful to you!" ”
The emperor said: "You don't have to be polite, you are a person worthy of my reuse, your wife is also a virtuous woman, you two will be happy, give birth to a son, inherit your loyalty and filial piety, assist me in the country, and be loyal to the country." ”
Li Xiaolian said: "Yes, Your Majesty, the minister will definitely work hard to live up to your expectations." ”
The emperor said, "Okay, then hurry up."
Chapter 8: Family Reunification.
After Li Xiaolian rehabilitated Zhaoxue for his father, he returned home. When his mother saw her son return safely, she burst into tears and hugged him tightly to thank heaven and earth for their gifts.
Xiaolian, you are really my good son, you avenged your father and saved the reputation of our family, you are the pride of our family! Li said excitedly.
Mother, I just did my duty as a son, and I am also for my father's spirit in heaven, and I can't let him be wronged for the rest of my life. Li Xiaolian said.
You are not only a filial son, but also a loyal courtier, your deeds have spread all over the world, the emperor has also heard about it, and specially gave you an official position of loyalty and filial piety, you should cherish it. Li said.
Mother, I know the emperor's grace, but I don't want to be an official, I just want to live in peace, accompany you, bury my father, and ......Li Xiaolian said, with a shy smile on his face.
What else? Li asked.
And ......I want to marry a wife and give you a grandson. Li Xiaolian said.
Wive? Do you have a sweetheart? Li asked.
Yes, she is a woman I know at the execution ground, her name is Lin Niangzi, she is a lonely widow, her husband was also framed by the Zhang family, she sold her hair in order to save him, but unfortunately she still failed to save his life. When she saw that I was avenging my father, she admired me very much and had a good impression of me. We were happy with each other and agreed to get married today. Li Xiaolian said.
I see, then you go quickly, don't make people wait for a long time, I also want to meet your daughter-in-law and see what kind of person she is. Li said.
Okay, Mother, I'm going now, you wait a minute, I'll bring her back soon." Li Xiaolian said, and hurriedly went out.
Li Xiaolian came to Lin Niangzi's residence and saw that she had changed into a red bridal dress, wearing a phoenix crown on her head and a red veil on her face, which looked very beautiful and moving.
Lin Niangzi, are you ready? Let's go. Li Xiaolian said.
Xiaolian, I'm ready, I'm willing to go with you. Lin Niangzi said, gently holding Li Xiaolian's hand.
The two took a simple sedan chair to Li Xiaolian's home. On the way, people watched one after another, blessed them, and some even sent congratulatory gifts to express their respect for Li Xiaolian.
Li Xiaolian and Lin Niangzi arrived at home and visited Li, Li was very satisfied with Lin Niangzi, and felt that she was a virtuous and filial woman, so he took her hand affectionately and called her daughter-in-law.
Li Xiaolian and Lin Niangzi worshiped heaven and earth, their parents, and each other according to etiquette, and then entered the cave room. They hugged each other and slept happily.
The next day, Li Xiaolian and Lin Niangzi went to the cemetery together to bury the Li family. In front of the tomb, they kowtowed three times to the spiritual seat of the Li family, telling them that they had become husband and wife, hoping that he would bless them in the spirit of heaven.
Li Xiaolian and Lin Niangzi returned home and started their new life. They respected each other like guests and loved each other, and soon Lin Niangzi became pregnant and added a grandson to the Li family. Li Xiaolian also started his own business, and with his talent and integrity, he quickly won people's trust and respect, and the business became bigger and bigger.
Li Xiaolian's family was finally reunited, and they lived a happy and contented life, which became a good story in Kaifeng Mansion.
Under the emperor's reward, Li Xiaolian lived in the most luxurious inn in Kaifeng Mansion. His mother and wife also came from the countryside to join him. They are a family of three, laughing and enjoying a rare peace.
One day, Li Xiaolian was walking in the backyard of the inn, and suddenly heard a crisp singing, like a yellow bird singing in spring, which was refreshing. He followed the sound, and saw a small room with a window ajar, revealing a wisp of fragrance and a red shadow.
Li Xiaolian couldn't help but be curious, gently pushed open the window, and looked in, only to see a beautiful woman sitting in front of the dresser, combing her hair, and singing a moving tune. Her skin is like snow, her eyebrows are picturesque, the corners of her mouth are smiling, and her eyes are rolling, as if she is a fairy in the sky, descending to the world.
Li Xiaolian was unconsciously fascinated, staring at her blankly, forgetting the time and identity. The woman suddenly turned her head, met his gaze, screamed in surprise, then blushed and lowered her head.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. Li Xiaolian hurriedly apologized and retreated in a panic, but his heart was throbbing.
It turned out that this woman was the daughter of the innkeeper, named Xiaohong, who liked to sing and play the piano on weekdays, and was both talented and beautiful, but she didn't want to get married, she just wanted to find true love. The moment she saw Li Xiaolian, she was also moved, and felt that he was her destiny.
Since then, the two have often met in the backyard of the inn, casting suggestive glances at each other, but not daring to say it.
Although Li Xiaolian already has a wife, his feelings for Xiaohong are getting deeper and deeper, he feels sorry for his wife and Xiaohong, and he is in a painful struggle.