The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 21 I Know the Law Well

"Second sister, we need to take our time with the tea garden." Shang Mingshu took a few steps forward, and the scenery at the bottom of the cliff came into view. "This is government land, and we have no right to cultivate it."

All land in this dynasty is divided into official land and private land. Except for the land allocated to the people by the government, even unowned land belongs to the government, which is called official land.

The "Great Ming Law" prohibits the private sale of government land.

"I know we can't buy it." Shang Zishu wasn't as well-educated as Shang Mingshu. She didn't know much about the laws of the dynasty, but she had read a little about land. "We can rent it from the government."

Shang Mingshu, who was already troubled by the possibility of minimal returns from her huge investment, felt even more depressed when she heard Shang Zishu's words. She sighed softly, "This place belongs to She County, second sister. The county magistrate and the Shi family are of the same blood."

Everyone has their own destiny. Shang Jinliang and Shi Houqiong are both from She County. The current She County magistrate has been in office for two years, and he and Shi Houqiong have become more compatible. In the past two years, almost all of Shang's teahouses have withdrawn from She County.

This prompted Shang Jinliang to want to marry Shang Mingshu off to a wealthy family.

Shang Zishu's desire to rent this place is undoubtedly wishful thinking. No matter how well she conceals this place now, once she finds the magistrate of She County, Shi Houqiong will know about it. Given their close relationship, the magistrate has countless ways to openly rent this place to the Shi family.

"If I didn't know this, I would have gone looking for my father long ago." Shang Zishu came and went here so secretly, knowing that this place must not be exposed to the Shi family. "I have sent people to other peaks to search for similar tea trees. If they can find more, it's okay to give this place to them. The Shi family may not be able to make good tea."

Shang Zishu has not yet developed the best product, but she is confident. She always feels that she is just one step away from success. As long as she thinks about it more, she will definitely be able to break through this hurdle.

She also had an inexplicable intuition that once this tea was made, it would be something extraordinary.

Huangshan is vast, and Taiping County occupies even more of it. The county magistrate of Taiping County and Shang Jinliang are more compatible, as they once went to school together and have a certain friendship as classmates.

"Second sister, this is a long-term plan." Shang Mingshu advised Shang Zishu, "Just focus on making tea, and leave the rest to me and Dad. The new tea's flavor has deteriorated because it was transported down the mountain. We need to find a good solution. Building a tea shop on the mountain is not the best idea."

Shang Mingshu did not come here in person, so it was a bit naive to suggest that Shang Zishu build a tea shop on the mountain.

Tea trees growing on such a cliff face made it difficult for tea farmers to pick them. If they were not careful, they could be involved in a lawsuit or even a murder. Furthermore, building a tea shop on the mountain was a significant expense, and the government would not allow them to act so recklessly.

"Let me try the effect of picking and preparing it first." Shang Zishu put away the worries in her heart, calmed her mind and prepared to take it step by step.

Shang Mingshu nodded. She walked along the edge of the cliff, sometimes squatting down, grabbing a handful of soil near the roots of the tea tree, kneading it, and smelling it.

"Third sister, what are you doing..." Shang Zishu was puzzled.

"Second sister, these are chrysanthemums." Shang Mingshu pointed to the green plants near the tea trees. Chrysanthemums bloom from March to June. Now that it is just July, the flowers have already withered.

"I know it's the jasmine flower." Shang Zishu nodded. She had been here in April and saw yellow flowers everywhere.

"When I first drank your new tea, I could smell a delicate orchid fragrance." Shang Mingshu stood up. "Second sister, do you think the orchid fragrance in the tea is related to the pearl orchid?"

"Ah?" Shang Zishu was slightly startled. She subconsciously wanted to refute. She had always thought that the unique aroma of tea came from the tree itself. But seeing that there were pearl orchids near every tea tree, and even more pearl orchids than tea trees, she swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue, and her eyes suddenly brightened and intimidating, "Is that right? We can give it a try!"

Shang Mingshu also thought so.

The tea garden was redesigned to be planted alongside orchids or jacarandas to see if there would be any difference in the tea harvest next year. The two sisters were eager to go down the mountain. Shang Zishu went to discuss the matter with the old tea farmer who had signed the contract, while Shang Mingshu went to find Shang Jinliang. To move the tea garden, Shang Jinliang's approval was required, and he had to come forward to deal with the clan members.

The tea plantation belongs to Shang Jinliang, but his interests are linked to his clansmen. Many of them are stubborn and it is not easy to convince them.

However, the two sisters had just returned to Fuqiu Temple when they ran into the county constable.

"Sisters Shang, the Shi family has accused you two of conspiring to murder Shi's eldest son. We are ordered by the county magistrate to summon you two to the yamen for questioning." Yang Dahu, the chief constable of She County, brought two constables with him.

"What? Shi Guangchao is dead?" Shang Zishu was stunned and shocked. "How did he die? It has nothing to do with us!"

"Whether it is related to you two, the county magistrate will make the final decision. We are here on orders. You two ladies are delicate and precious, so please cooperate." The constable behind Yang Dahu stepped forward with a knife in hand as a warning.

"Second sister." Shang Mingshu withdrew her gaze from the distance, held Shang Zishu's wrist, and said to Yang Dahu, "Please trouble Captain Yang. We will go to the county government office with you."

Shang Mingshu cooperated, and Yang Dahu ordered one constable to stay and wait for the other constables to go out to look for the two sisters, and another constable to follow the two sisters on the left and right.

When the two sisters arrived at the county government office, all the members of the Shi family and the merchants who should have been there were there, even Cheng She and Cheng Mian.

"Bitch, give me back my son's life!" Mrs. Shi's eyes were red and full of poison. She was about to rush up and tear them apart with her bare hands.

The Shi family did not stop them. Shang Mingshu pulled Shang Zishu and dodged lightly by turning around. Her knee accidentally hit Mrs. Shi's thigh, and Mrs. Shi staggered and fell to the side.

"You are going too far!" Shi Houqiong pointed at the two sisters in shock and anger.

"Mr. Shi, this is the court, not the Shi family ancestral hall," Cheng Mian warned sternly, turning to bow to the county magistrate. "Mrs. Shi is like a mad woman. According to the Ming Dynasty law, roaring in court should be punished by flogging."

The county magistrate coughed lightly and said, "Madam Shi, in court, the right and wrong will be determined by this county. In consideration of your grief over the loss of your son, this county will not pursue the matter further. This will not be a precedent."

"county……"

Cheng Mian was annoyed by the county magistrate's obvious favoritism and tried to argue but was stopped by Cheng She.

The county magistrate glanced at the two brothers and slammed the gavel. "Sisters of the Shang family, the eldest son of the Shi family fell off a cliff and died. The Shi family is accusing you two of murder. Will you both plead guilty?"

"Reporting to the County Magistrate, we two plead not guilty." Shang Zishu knelt upright in the hall, her face stiff. "The Shi family is suing, do you have any evidence?"

Shang Mingshu also denied it. "County Magistrate, I've read a few books. According to the Ming Dynasty Code, Criminal Law, Human Life, if someone causes death, the principal offender shall be beheaded, the accomplice shall be hanged, and the rest of the conspirators shall be caned 100 times and exiled 3,000 miles. This is such a serious crime. My sister and I are just ordinary women. We have no grudges against the eldest son of the Shi family. How could we dare to think of murdering him?"

Facing the county magistrate who favored the Shi family, Shang Mingshu specifically stated that she was familiar with the law.

Cheng Mian couldn't take his eyes off Shang Mingshu anymore.

The county magistrate looked indifferent and shouted, "Bring us witnesses."

(End of this chapter)