Chapter 77: Are You Not Surprised?
When Fan Li signed that cooperation contract with Zhang Fei, he had felt anxious and uncertain. He didn’t know whether what he was doing was right or wrong.
But after the case of Wang Wenshan, Fan Li was glad he had made a wise decision.
He was looking forward to Zhang Fei’s arrival.
However, when he heard the reason for Zhang Fei’s visit today, he became extremely apprehensive.
It was like riding a roller coaster.
“You’re going to sue on behalf of Young Master Cao?”
“Yes.”
Zhang Fei nodded, smiling. “To be precise, Young Master Cao has hired me.”
“Are you out of your mind?”
“Do I look like it?” “Yes!”
Fan Li got agitated. “This is no ordinary case. It involves imperial in-laws. Cases like these are extremely dangerous. If we’re not careful, we could end up dead.”
“Isn’t that exaggerating?”
“How is it exaggerating?”
Fan Li snorted, “You don’t know how those above think. Once there’s a problem, they’ll definitely use us as scapegoats. If you don’t believe it, just wait and see. The ones causing the most trouble won’t be the Kaifeng Prefectural Office, but those imperial censors in the imperial court.”
Zhang Fei asked in surprise, “How do you know so much?”
“I used to be a scribe at the Imperial Censorate.”
“I see!”
Zhang Fei nodded with a smile. “That’s a good thing.”
“A good thing?”
“Of course.”
Zhang Fei said, “The more difficult the case, the more it can enhance our reputation. If we can handle this case properly, then you will be the top figure in the legal industry.”
“What if we mishandle it?”
“Then I wouldn’t have come today.”
Zhang Fei chuckled, “I’ve always wanted to give them a surprise. This time, I won’t mess it up. Oh, I don’t think I’ve ever messed up.”
…
As Fan Li had anticipated, the imperial censors in the imperial court acted like they had been injected with adrenaline, crazily discussing this matter and stirring up public opinion.
These imperial censors were really fixated on imperial in-laws. If there was the slightest problem with them, they would surely impeach. Although they might not necessarily succeed, but they would definitely persist to the end. If these imperial censors didn’t come forward, who would take them seriously as imperial censors?
In the Northern Song Dynasty, the scholar-official class was extremely powerful, and they could contend with the emperor’s authority. Therefore, the imperial in-laws and eunuchs found it difficult to gain power. The most prominent eunuch in the history of the Northern Song Dynasty was Tong Guan, but the leader of the “Six Traitors” at that time was Cai Jing, an official himself.[1] Compared with Liu Jin and Wei Zhongxian,[2] Tong Guan was simply a disgrace to the eunuch class, not even worthy of mention.
As for imperial in-laws, when Grand Empress Dowager Cao held power, the minister Han Qi used the threat of resignation to force her to withdraw from politics obediently.
Therefore, during the Song Dynasty, there were only treacherous ministers but no phenomenally powerful eunuchs.
But because the case was still under trial, and Cao Dongdong had already been detained, there were no procedural problems. In addition, Cao Ping had already submitted his resignation to Emperor Zhao Xu, so they did not have any grounds for impeachment. Therefore, they were just stirring public opinion, warning the royal family not to interfere with the Kaifeng Prefectural Office’s hearing of the case.
We will definitely keep an eye on this.
Usually, in such matters, the person who suffers the most is undoubtedly the Emperor.
For him, this was both a family matter and a matter of state.
Emperor Zhao Xu did not approve Cao Ping’s resignation. At the same time, while chatting with eunuchs, he angrily rebuked those imperial censors for causing trouble. The matter had not yet been settled, and the Kaifeng Prefectural Office was still investigating, but they had already started making a fuss.
He was indeed very unhappy. Originally, he hadn’t paid much attention to this matter, but suddenly it was brought to his attention. I haven’t done anything, yet you’re making various insinuations. It’s simply outrageous!
Do they still regard me as Emperor?
Of course, the eunuchs understood what the Emperor wanted. What was said in the morning was spread in the afternoon.
Then, the imperial censors became even more aggressive.
You little Emperor, how dare you play threaten us.
They submitted memorials requesting that the Emperor revoke Cao Ping’s command. How could he command the army when his son has caused such a commotion in the Imperial Guards?
Before there is a result, Cao Ping must definitely not continue to serve as the deputy commander.
Although the two empress dowagers had already sent a letter to Emperor Zhao Xu, urging him to handle the matter impartially.
But Emperor Zhao Xu was also in a dilemma.
Firstly, filial piety often depended not on what the elders expected you to do or not do, but on what you chose to do yourself. Acting against the Grand Empress Dowager’s Cao family was arguably unfilial despite her requests for impartiality.
Secondly, the Cao family was highly valued as a military power by the Zhao royal family. Would the Cao family be dissatisfied if Cao Ping was dismissed for such a trivial matter?
Thirdly, and most importantly, he had already hinted his wishes to the officials, but those imperial censors were taking advantage of the situation. This became a struggle between emperor’s power and the officials’ power.
The young and impulsive Emperor Zhao Xu was unwilling to tolerate this, resolutely stating that everything should wait until a ruling had been reached. Even if Cao Dongdong was guilty, it had nothing to do with Cao Ping. You imperial censors, stop causing trouble.
After the harsh words were spoken, anxiety followed.
He dared not seek advice from Wang Anshi and Sima Guang, his two great advisors.
They were once subordinates of the great Bao Zheng, known as the exterminator of imperial in-laws. How could they be on his side?
They would only preach to him on how to be a wise emperor.
At this moment, Emperor Zhao Xu thought of someone.
“I pay my respects to Your Majesty.”
Xu Zun bowed.
“Please rise quickly.”
Emperor Zhao Xu said, “Today, I’ve summon you to the palace to ask for a favor?”
“I wonder what it is?” Xu Zun asked.
Xu Zun was the kind of official who would not agree to anything the emperor said. He had to ask before deciding whether or not to agree.
Emperor Zhao Xu hesitated for a moment before saying, “I want to ask Zhang San to defend Cao Dongdong.”
As soon as Xu Zun heard this, he suddenly looked up at Emperor Zhao Xu.
Emperor Zhao Xu hurriedly explained, “This is reasonable. I’m not trying to obstruct justice, and I’m not intending to use Zhang San’s talent to help Cao Dongdong escape punishment. I just hope this matter does not escalate.”
Xu Zun said, “Even though that would be legal, if Your Majesty intervenes, it will be seen as favoritism.”
Emperor Zhao Xu immediately said, “That’s why I asked you here. I don’t want to intervene.”
Xu Zun added, “But Zhang San has no right to litigate.”
“That’s easy, I… forget it, let’s pretend I didn’t say anything.”
If he, as the Emperor, granted Zhang Fei the right to litigate, wouldn’t it be favoritism and injustice?
“I take my leave.”
Xu Zun didn’t give Emperor Zhao Xu any face. Although he didn’t know that Zhang Fei was involved in this case, he had long suspected that Zhang Fei had already obtained the right to litigate.
But he believed that in such matters, if the Emperor intervened, regardless of whether it was legal or not, it would be inappropriate.
…
The Cao family!
“What?”
Cao Ping frowned. “That rebellious son still intends to hire a pen-in-cap to defend him?”
“Yes, that’s what Vice-Prefect Li said.”
“Has he not shamed our family enough?”
Cao Ping was so angry that he was panting. Such matters should be suppressed, yet he’s arranging for a defense. “If those pen-in-caps are useful… which pen-in-cap did he hire?”
“The Fan family.”
“Those pen-in-caps are nothing more than scribes. Apart from making a spectacle, what use could they have?”
At this time, the steward on the side said, “Master, judging by Young Master’s character, he shouldn’t have sought out a pen-in-cap. I think there must be something hidden in this.”
Cao Ping’s brow furrowed slightly. “Go and bring Taozi here.”
“Yes.”
After a while, Taozi, with a bruised and swollen face, was thrown in.
“Master, have mercy, have mercy.”
Taozi kept kowtowing.
Getting beaten in the cold winter, what a double joy!
Cao Ping asked, “Who has Dong’er been associating with recently?”
Taozi immediately fell silent.
“Why aren’t you speaking up?”
“Zhang… Zhang San.”
“The pen-in-cap Zhang San?”
“Yes.”
…
A carriage arrived at the gates of the Kaifeng Prefectural Office.
“Aren’t you coming in with me?”
Zhang Fei pointed towards the gate.
Xu Zhiqian shook her head. “It wouldn’t be appropriate.”
Zhang Fei smiled and asked, “Weren’t you looking forward to this?”
Xu Zhiqian said, “You can just come back and tell me about it.”
“Alright!”
Zhang Fei didn’t insist, and got off the carriage.
“Zhang San?”
As soon as he got off the carriage, he heard a surprised exclamation.
“Hey, it’s been a long time, brothers.”
Zhang Fei waved his hand, smiling.
One of the guards said, “Oh? Why has this guy put the pen in his cap again?”
The guard suddenly noticed that Zhang Fei had returned to his pen-in-cap outfit, but it was the winter version.
Zhang Fei chuckled, “Brother, you’ve got good eyesight. I’m here to deliver a complaint document.”
…
In the inner hall.
“You’re here to deliver a complaint document?”
Li Kai looked at Zhang Fei with confusion.
Zhang Fei nodded and smiled, “Yes.”
Li Kai said, “Did you forget that you have no right to deliver a complaint document?”
Zhang Fei smiled, “I’m here on behalf of the Fan family bookstore.”
“What?”
Li Kai exclaimed, “You’ve joined the Fan family bookstore?”
Zhang Fei shook his head and said, “To be precise, I’ve bought the Fan family bookstore.”
Li Kai was stunned.
This was really unexpected!
Zhang Fei handed over the complaint document and said, “Young Master Cao is definitely innocent. I don’t think that admission letter can be considered solid evidence. After all, when a knife is at your throat, one would write a suicide note, let alone an admission letter.”
Li Kai said, “Lin Fei did not put a knife to Master Cao’s throat.”
“Did he not?”
Zhang Fei smiled, “There were two knives.”
“How do I not know about that?” Li Kai asked in confusion.
Zhang Fei chuckled, “The knives are the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager.”
“You brat, you dare to say anything!”
Li Kai snatched the complaint document.
Because they had already agreed to allow Cao Dongdong to hire a pen-in-cap for his defense, they couldn’t refuse now.
…
Although Zhang Fei had never left Kaifeng Prefecture, last time he was a victim and defendant, and this time he appeared as a pen-in-cap.
This was truly a big surprise.
No one had ever thought that this could happen.
Because in ancient times, bookstores were mostly passed down through family inheritance. Even Li Guozhong, the current head of the industry, inherited his position as a son-in-law through a matrilineal marriage.
Moreover, in the conspiracy to restrict litigation rights, all eight notaries were involved.
No one had expected that Zhang Fei would use this method to revive himself.
The professionals in the court searched through various legal texts, but they couldn’t find a reason to stop Zhang Fei.
Because the court had never legislated specifically to determine the legal status of these types of bookstores.
After all, it was too insignificant.
From now on, it was publicly known that the siege against Zhang Fei by the officials had completely failed, and they had even lost Wang Wenshan.
This matter might not be significant, but it was extremely insulting. It was like a slap in the face to those scholar-officials.
So many scholar-officials besieging a pen-in-cap, and they still couldn’t succeed.
Do you dare to believe it?
This also included Sima Guang.
“This is truly an extraordinary inkstone.”
Wang Anshi held Sima Guang’s inkstone, looking at it with joy.
He had previously made a bet with Sima Guang on whether Zhang Fei could obtain the right to litigate.
Now he had won.
Of course, he had to show off a bit.
“Anshi, can you promise me one thing?”
“What is it?” Wang Anshi asked.
Sima Guang said, “You can use this inkstone to write essays, but please don’t use it to write decrees and memorials.”
“Why?” Wang Anshi asked curiously.
Sima Guang said, “This inkstone has a kind nature. Don’t force it to do evil deeds!”
“…?”
[1] This part of history involving the downfall of Cai Jing comes later in the timeline, so it has not happened in the story. Cai Jing will make an appearance later, but he is currently just a young guy in his early twenties.
[2]Liu Jin and Wei Zhongxian were powerful eunuchs during the Ming dynasty.