Judge of the Song Dynasty

With the release of Chen Yuteng and Lady Zeng, and the payment of the five hundred strings of settlement money, the Li Si case was finally concluded.

The Kaifeng Prefectural Office promptly posted the final verdict on the wall outside, making it public to all.

In essence, Chen Yuteng voluntarily admitted that his impatience led him to marry Lady Zeng prematurely, causing a misunderstanding. He expressed his willingness to compensate Li Si with five hundred strings of cash.

Both parties ultimately reached a settlement.

However, the impact of this case was far greater than that of the Ayun case.

Although the Ayun case had profound historical significance, marking the beginning of Wang Anshi’s reform and the start of factional struggle in Northern Song dynasty, it was a special case.

The Li Si case, on the other hand, reflected a common societal issue, and a very serious one at that. Many common people suffered greatly from it, attracting the attention of almost everyone in Bianjing.

The Kaifeng Prefectural Office approached it cautiously, and the judgment personally written by Lu Gongzhu, using very carefully chosen words.

Within less than an hour of the judgment being posted, the street in front of the Kaifeng Prefecture Office was filled with people, bustling and lively.

Although, viewed in a negative light, this outcome could be seen as the wealthy using money to escape consequences, it was still welcomed by many citizens of Bianjing. It’s worth noting that in the past, these large landowners with political connections would never have faced judgment, let alone pay such a hefty sum.

They were already very satisfied, and there were even many cynics who emerged, sarcastically commenting on how Li Si, with a simple confession, obtained a compensation of five hundred strings.

How did he manage to do that?

The answer was apparent: pen-in-cap, Zhang San.

The name Zhang San had finally resounded through Bianjing.

Zhang Fei was naturally aware of what this would mean, so he had to quickly find a house, establish a shop, and then make a fortune.

On this morning, he got up early, opened the door, and saw Li Si standing outside. He couldn’t help but smile and say, “How professional of you.”

Li Si asked, “What’s professional?”

“Uh, it’s a compliment.” Zhang Fei couldn’t be bothered to explain, raised his head forward, and said, “Let’s go.”

Li Si asked, “Brother San, where are we going now?”

Zhang Fei said, “Let’s go to the realtor and have a look. We can’t keep living in the Xu manor. For now, let’s rent a small courtyard. When we earn more money in the future, we can get a bigger one and hire a group of servants. You can be the steward. How about that?”

Li Si hesitated and said, “Brother San, I’m not fit to be a steward. I can help you with errands.”

Zhang Fei rolled his eyes and said, “Have a little confidence. Hold your head high, chest out, that’s the way to go. Acting like an old man when you’re in your twenties won’t do.”

As Zhang Fei outlined the future plans to Li Si, they walked towards the main gate.

In reality, he was really talking to himself.

As they reached the front courtyard, they heard someone ask, “Where are you going?”

Xu Zhiqian walked out from the front hall.

“Good morning, Lady Xu.”

Li Si hurriedly bowed to Xu Zhiqian.

Xu Zhiqian smiled and nodded.

Zhang Fei said, “Now that we’ve made some money, we’re planning to find a house and move out so that you won’t keep saying I’m squatting in your house.”

In truth, he also desired to move out of the Xu manor soon. After all, living in someone else’s house was inconvenient. Being young, both physically and mentally, he couldn’t avoid having a nightlife. Bringing a woman home in the middle of the night was normal, and he wanted to do it, but in the Xu manor, he didn’t dare and it wasn’t appropriate.

Xu Zhiqian chuckled, “You probably won’t be able to go today.”

Zhang Fei was taken aback and asked, “Why? Are you going to tell me that you’re a fortune teller? Or are you reluctant to see me go?”

Xu Zhiqian snorted, turned around, and went back inside.

“Ha! Women!”

Zhang Fei slapped the still-dazed Li Si on the back, “Ignore her, let’s go.”

“Penis cap!”

Just as they stepped out of the main gate, they suddenly heard a wail.

Zhang Fei was immediately frightened, his face pale, his soul seemingly leaving his body. He grabbed Li Si’s arm and said with a trembling voice, “Li Si, did you… did you hear that? It sounded like someone calling someone an idiot?”

Li Si nodded calmly, “I heard it. It seems like someone is calling you, Brother San.”

Zhang Fei was dumbfounded, “What did you say? Calling me? Why can’t the voice be calling for you?”

Just as he finished speaking, they heard a shout, ” Penis cap Zhang.”

Li Si stared at Zhang Fei blankly, “Brother San, it really is calling for you.”

Zhang Fei panicked, looked in the direction of the voice, and saw a man dressed as a shopkeeper running towards him. Updates are released by novel•fire.net

In a moment, the shopkeeper ran up to Zhang Fei. He had tears and snot running down his face as he cried out, “Pen-in-cap Zhang, I beg you, I beg you to help me. I’m really miserable!”

Zhang Fei finally realized that the man was calling him “pen-in-cap,” not some offensive term.[1] It was just a mispronunciation that confused him, making him angry. He said, “Can’t you pronounce it properly? You scared me to death.”

Before he could finish speaking, another person wailed, “Are you as miserable as I am? My father was scared to death, my wife and daughters were taken away, and even my 80-year-old mother was so upset that she hung herself. Pen-in-cap Zhang, you must help me!”

“Ah, I’m so miserable! Pen-in-cap Zhang!”

“Zhang San! You must save me!”

In a moment, Zhang Fei found himself surrounded by over a dozen people, and visibly, there were another dozen running towards them.

“Calm down, everyone, calm down. I… I’m off today. Can’t you come back tomorrow?”

Zhang Fei was in a panic, shouting while retreating towards the Xu manor.

“But we can’t wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow, that Mogul Liu will send someone to collect the debt. Quickly take me to the Kaifeng Prefectural Office to seek justice. Oh, oh, oh, I’m not asking for much, just compensate me with a hundred and eighty strings, and I’ll be satisfied.”

“A hundred and eighty strings?”

Zhang Fei almost kicked him, thinking, Am I the God of Wealth? He couldn’t even afford a house right now.

Of course, he didn’t dare to do that because it seemed more and more people were coming.

Zhang Fei tried to calm them down while retreating to the front of the Xu manor. Suddenly, he raised both hands, shouting loudly, “Hold on, be quiet. How can I help you if you’re so noisy? Stand here quietly, and I’ll arrange something inside. Li Si, why are you still behind me? What happened to being professional? Go, go stand in the way.”

He pushed Li Si forward and quickly stepped into the house, closing the door.

Li Si suddenly felt betrayed, looking at the dark crowd in front of him, sweating profusely, legs trembling.

“Ah, I didn’t expect them to arrive so soon. I thought information was supposed to move slowly during ancient times?”

Zhang Fei, leaning against the door, gasped and muttered to himself.

“Why did you come back?”

Suddenly, a chuckle was heard.

Zhang Fei looked up and saw Xu Zhiqian smiling at him. He immediately felt annoyed and said, “Lady Xu, you knew, and you didn’t tell me.”

Xu Zhiqian said, “I told you, but you wouldn’t listen. But it’s good this way; things are just as you wished.”

Zhang Fei, puzzled, asked, “What do you mean by ‘as I wished’?”

“To expose all the injustices of the world. Isn’t that what you wish for?”

Damn woman, always reveling in others’ misfortune. But you’re right, it is indeed what I wish for, just that it’s coming sooner than I expected. Zhang Fei, with a feigned regretful expression, said, “Well, that’s true, but I’m just one person after all.”

“I’ll help you,” Xu Zhiqian interrupted.

“Are you just saying that to be polite?”

“No.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Alright.”

Zhang Fei turned around and shouted, “Li Si.”

“Brother San, I’m here.”

“Open the door and let the people in.”

“Huh?”

“Open the door and let them in. Oh, first make them line up, let them come in one by one. By the way, anyone calling for pen-in-cap or penis cap Zhang is not allowed in. They must call me Zhang San.”

“Got it! I understand.”

After instructing Li Si, Zhang Fei walked up to Xu Zhiqian and smiled, “I’ll handle the lawsuit, and you can write the complaint documents.”

Xu Zhiqian smiled, “Agreed.”

She wasn’t actually reveling in others’ misfortune; she was genuinely happy. She had always done everything in her power in the pursuit of justice, but as a woman, there were limitations. Now, encountering the talented Zhang Fei, she wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

She immediately ordered Qingmei to bring a long table and writing materials.

After all the preparations were made, Zhang Fei ordered Li Si to let the people in.

The first person to enter was a man in his twenties, thin and pale, appearing very weak.

Coming to the table, he gritted his teeth and said, “Zhang San, you must help me. That Mogul Huang is truly too much. I only borrowed three strings of cash from him to treat my mother’s illness, and I couldn’t return it on time. Now, he wants to take my wife and children.”

Xu Zhiqian, hearing this, furrowed her brows, but she continued to do her job, quickly jotting down the man’s words.

Zhang Fei said, “Don’t be in a hurry. Take your time. By the way, what’s your name?”

“I’m Liu Shisan.”

Zhang Fei asked, “What’s the name of this Huang officer?”

Liu Shisan said, “His name is Huang Dafa.”

Xu Zhiqian was surprised, put down her pen, and asked, “Huang Dafa from the East Corner Street?”

Liu Shisan nodded, saying, “Miss, do you know that person?”

Zhang Fei was also curious, looking at Xu Zhiqian.

Xu Zhiqian glanced at Liu Shisan and said, “You mentioned borrowing money for your mother’s illness?”

Liu Thirteen nodded.

Xu Zhiqian said, “But as far as I know, Huang Dafa only lends money to those who frequent the gambling dens.”

“Gambling dens?” Zhang Fei was astonished.

Excitedly, Liu Thirteen said, “Yes, yes, he’d have earned enough from the gambling dens to pay compensation!”

“Compensation? You’re the one who gambled your wife and children away. Gamblers are the worst! Get out!”

The second person to come in was a sturdy man wearing short brown clothes.

Coming to the table, he immediately clasped his fists towards Zhang Fei and said, “Wu Chujiu pays respects to Zhang San.”

Wow, a person from the pugilist world! Zhang Fei returned the gesture and extended his hand, saying, “Brother Jiu, please sit.” After he sat down, Zhang Fei asked, “I wonder what dispute you have?”

Wu Chujiu said, “Here’s the thing. I borrowed ten strings of cash from the Cao family. Now, they’re asking me for thirty strings in interest. It’s truly too much.”

So ruthless? This lawsuit is worth taking! Zhang Fei said, “Do you have a signed contract?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have it with you?”

“Yes.”

Wu Chujiu immediately took out a contract and handed it to Zhang Fei.

After reading it, Zhang Fei remained expressionless. He handed the contract to Xu Zhiqian and then smiled at Wu Chujiu, saying, “Brother Jiu, can you tell me the address of the Cao family?”

Wu Chujiu nodded, “Of course, but may I ask why you need their address?”

Zhang Fei said, “Because I hope to sue you on their behalf and demand a compensation of three hundred strings.”

Wu Chujiu was shocked, “Why? I came to you first.”

Zhang Fei couldn’t hold back anymore, “They kindly lent you money, only charging you two percent interest, and you dragged it for a full ten years without repayment. Yet, you still have the face to come to me. Your conscience has been fed to the dogs.”

Xu Zhiqian pursed her lips and smiled. That was a good scolding.

“I…!” Wu Chujiu awkwardly looked at Zhang Fei.

“What a load of crap! Get lost, you stinky delinquent borrower.”

“Next.”

“Burp!”

A middle-aged man with a balding center, red face, and a red nose stumbled into the room.

Xu Zhiqian shook her head directly.

“Wow. It’s early in the morning, and you’re already drunk like this.” Zhang Fei immediately instructed the servants of the Xu family, “Throw him out from the side door.”

Before the drunkard could see clearly, the Xu family servants rushed up and dragged him toward the side door.

“Oh my god! What kind of people are these!”

Zhang Fei felt an immense headache. “Is there any decent person left in Bianjing?”

Suddenly, Xu Zhiqian said, “I think we should call it off today.”

Zhang Fei asked, “Why?”

Xu Zhiqian explained, “Ordinary commoners are usually afraid of lawsuits and keep their distance from the government. Unless forced into a dead end, they won’t willingly engage in litigation. So, even if they have thoughts of coming to you, they will observe for some time and won’t rush to come here. Only those cunning and opportunistic characters from the market will immediately try their luck here, hoping to get rich quick like Li Si.”

Zhang Fei thought to himself, “I knew it! Why did they come so fast? That’s the reason. But I’ve worked so hard to attract this traffic. If I drive them away now without making any money, how can I live in luxury, sleep with courtesans, and drive a BMW, I mean, ride a majestic horse?”

Zhang Fei coughed once. “Your words make sense, but who can guarantee that among the many people outside, there aren’t one or two who are already pushed to a dead end and have come here seeking my help? If we end it here today, there might be a few lives lost.”

Xu Zhiqian couldn’t help but look at him sideways.

Zhang Fei continued, “But continuing like this is not a solution either. How about this? I’ll spend money to hire a few scribes to help out.”

“Hire with your own money?” Xu Zhiqian’s lips slightly parted, staring blankly at Zhang Fei.

Zhang Fei smiled, “Don’t look at me like that. I do gain something from representing the poor in lawsuits. This little money is nothing, as long as I get a suitable client, hehe.”

After the Li Si case, Xu Zhiqian didn’t oppose this approach, nodding in agreement.

With Xu Zhiqian’s help, three scribes were quickly found, and three long tables were set up in front of the Xu manor to record the appeals of those seeking help.

If they didn’t do it this way, there wouldn’t be so many people. With such a huge setup, the line grew, and more and more people started coming. But they didn’t queue up; they crowded around the tables, shouting.

There were even more spectators.

The scribes realized that this was not an easy job.

After inspecting the situation at the door for a while and seeing Xu Zhiqian go inside, Zhang Fei immediately shouted to Li Si, who was helping on the side, “Li Si.”

Li Si immediately ran over and asked, “Brother San, any orders?”

Zhang Fei pulled him aside and whispered, “You don’t need to manage this place anymore. Go to the street corner and see if there are any wealthy people looking for me. If there are, arrange a meeting with them three days later at Qingfeng Inn on the next street.”

Li Si nodded immediately, “I got it.”

“Hurry.”

After Li Si left, Zhang Fei smiled triumphantly, “I believe those cunning merchants and big landlords are not fools. If they don’t want to end up like Chen Yuteng, they’ll have to hire me as their legal advisor first. As long as they take the bait, it won’t be long before I make a fortune. Haha!”

Little did he know that everything was being observed by Xu Zhiqian standing inside the door.

What exactly is this person plotting? Xu Zhiqian pondered for a while, quietly returned to the courtyard, and called Qingmei over, instructing her, “Qingmei, take some pastries and tea to Li Si later.”

Qingmei was puzzled, looking at Xu Zhiqian without understanding.

This doesn’t make sense! I’m your personal maid, but you’re asking me to bring pastries and tea to Li Si?

Xu Zhiqian lowered her voice and whispered a few words in her ear.

Qingmei nodded, “Miss Qian, rest assured. I know what to do.”

[1] The Chinese term for pen-in-cap sounds like a modern Chinese slang meaning “idiot cunt”. I’ve changed the literal meaning of the pun but replaced it with another pun with the same general effect. This pen-in-cap=penis-cap pun was also part of the reason why I went with the pen-in-cap translation.