Chapter 85: Appeasement
Lin Fei had left, but he left Bianjing in a mess!
The Kaifeng Prefectural Office didn’t bother with anything more and just closed its doors. Actually, litigation should have ceased about half a month ago. It was all thanks to Zhang Fei that it had been prolonged until today.
Fortunately, a heavy snowfall covered up the mess.
Vacation time!
Let’s discuss matters next year!
However, the young emperor still vented his frustration, criticizing the imperial censors through his eunuchs.
Look at what you’ve done?
You just mindlessly criticized without understanding the full situation.
I feel embarrassed for you all.
But faced with the emperor’s criticism, the imperial censors said they would continue in the same manner next time. …
Although the Kaifeng Prefectural Office had closed its doors by now, Zhang Fei was still at work.
Today, he was formally taking over the Fan Family Bookstore.
Actually, the timing was just right. The government offices were all on vacation, with not much work to do, so it was a good time to reorganize internally.
In the morning, Zhang Fei, draped in a thick cloak, arrived at the Xu residence and happened to meet Xu Zun, who was on leave at home.
“Are you here so early for something?” Xu Zun asked curiously.
Zhang Fei hurriedly said, “I’m here to wait for Lady Xu to go to the Fan Family Bookstore together.”
Xu Zun was aware of Xu Zhiqian joining the Fan Family Bookstore. He was actually somewhat unwilling because now he was more concerned about when Xu Zhiqian would be getting married.
But he didn’t object. He didn’t like to interfere too much in his children’s lives. As long as they didn’t overstep certain fundamental principles, he trusted them. He waved to Zhang Fei and said, “Don’t rush to go, I have something to discuss with you.”
“Alright.” After entering the house and sitting down, Zhang Fei asked, “What’s the matter?”
Xu Zun said, “Recently, many officials have submitted memorials to the imperial court, praising your mastery of the law and outstanding intelligence, hoping that the imperial court will recruit you as an official.”
“Ah?”
Zhang Fei was surprised. “Is that true?”
Xu Zun said, “Would I lie to you?”
Compared to the case of Li Si, this situation was very different. Officials not only did not secretly obstruct Zhang Fei, but instead praised his outstanding abilities and even petitioned the emperor to recruit Zhang Fei as an official.
Zhang Fei asked in confusion, “Why is that?”
If Xu Zun had recommended him, he could understand, but if other officials recommended him…
This could only be a trap!
Xu Zun smiled bitterly, “They tried to prevent you from litigating, but they failed and instead propelled you to greater heights, so…”
Although he didn’t finish his sentence, it was already obvious.
Appeasement!
In the Song Dynasty, there was a badass way to enter officialdom, and that was rebellion.
This was portrayed in the novel Water Margin set in the Song dynasty. The rebel leader Song Jiang repelled the imperial army several times and was ultimately offered wealth, amnesty, and official position within the government as long as he surrendered.
This was the Song dynasty’s version of appeasement!
The ministers of the Song Dynasty had extremely high financial acumen. The cost of suppressing rebellion was enough to last rebel leaders for several lifetimes. Why not just offer appeasement to the rebel leaders, saving money and effort, and with fewer losses of human life.
Moreover, these were people who could repel the imperial army, proving that they had ability!
Zhang Fei’s situation was the same. After this lawsuit, both empress dowagers owed him a favor, so how could they deal with him?
Moreover, Zhang Fei gained control of the Fan Family Bookstore, gaining even greater rights to participate in litigation. They were also afraid of getting entangled with Zhang Fei.
After much deliberation, they simply seized this opportunity to praise Zhang Fei to the heavens in this case, and take the opportunity to recruit him to the court. If they were all on the same side, things would naturally be easier!
It just so happened that the emperor had long had this idea but had been delaying it. Next year, Wang Anshi’s reforms were about to begin, and talent was in short supply. Therefore, he hurriedly sent Xu Zun to talk to Zhang Fei.
Zhang Fei smiled awkwardly, “Actually, this is thanks to your support. If not for that, I would…”
Xu Zun waved his hand, “But you also need to have the ability yourself! Actually, I’ve had this intention for a while. If you’re willing, I’ll recommend you for an official position. It shouldn’t be a problem.”
Zhang Fei glanced at Xu Zun, hesitating.
He had already thought about this issue before, but he felt that the timing for entering officialdom was not good now. With Wang Anshi’s reform imminent, the court would be divided because of it. He temporarily didn’t know how to choose because he knew that Wang Anshi’s reform would end in failure. But currently, Wang Anshi was popular. Mixing with Wang Anshi would win in the present but lose in the future. Mixing with Sima Guang, on the other hand, could win him the future, but it may be a problem getting through the present.
He currently had no means to turn the tide.
Before he made a plan, he didn’t want to enter officialdom too much.
“Why hesitate about such a good thing?” An anxious voice was heard, and Xu Zhiqian walked in wearing a green cloak.
Zhang Fei glanced at Xu Zhiqian and said, “I’m just about to go to the bookstore to further my career.”
Xu Zhiqian was speechless for a moment. “I’ve told you before, the people in the bookstore are all clerks who have no chance of becoming officials. If they could become officials, why would they go to the bookstore?”
These two professions were really incomparable. In the Song Dynasty, being able to become an official without going through the imperial examinations was like a miracle. Moreover, with the emperor’s support, Zhang Fei would definitely not be given an idle position. Therefore, Xu Zhiqian really didn’t understand why Zhang Fei hesitated.
Xu Zun was also very curious. “Don’t you want to be an official?”
Zhang Fei was taken aback and hurriedly said, “Of course I want to. Who wouldn’t want to be an official!”
Xu Zun asked again, “Then why are you hesitating?”
Zhang Fei remained silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, “Sir, after the Ayun case, weren’t you planning to amend the loopholes in the laws?”
Xu Zun nodded, but he was even more curious about how this was related to the matter.
Zhang Fei said, “Do you have any results?”
Xu Zun awkwardly stroked his beard. “Amending the laws is not a trivial matter and cannot be completed overnight!”
With that, he asked curiously again, “What does this have to do with this matter?”
Xu Zhiqian also looked at Zhang Fei with curiosity.
Zhang Fei said, “Because I know it’s not easy to do something in the government. You yourself are experiencing it, let alone me. I don’t think I can accomplish anything by entering officialdom now. Being idle would only sap my morale. In comparison, I can have a significant influence in the bookstore, able to do what I want.”
Xu Zhiqian said, “But doing a hundred things in the bookstore is still not as good as doing one thing for the people in the imperial court.”
“That’s not true!”
Zhang Fei smiled, “I can serve both the court and the people in the bookstore and gain both fame and fortune.”
Xu Zhiqian asked curiously, “What do you plan to do?”
Zhang Fei pretended to be profound, “You’ll know when we get to the bookstore.”
Xu Zun pondered for a moment and said, “You have not passed the imperial examinations. This is a rare opportunity for you. If you miss it, you may not have it again.”
Zhang Fei nodded, “I know, but I have thought it through very clearly.”
“Alright then! Just make sure you’ve thought it through.”
“Thank you, sir, for understanding.”
…
In the carriage.
“You really shouldn’t have refused immediately. This is a very rare opportunity.”
Xu Zhiqian still seemed to not understand.
Zhang Fei smiled, “If I can create the first opportunity, I can create a second one. Right now, my focus is on the bookstore.”
Xu Zhiqian said, “The bookstore is just about lawsuits. What’s there to focus on?”
Zhang Fei said, “You’ll see later.”
The two of them arrived at the Fan Family Bookstore. Just as they got off the carriage, Fan Li came out to greet them, “Zhang San, you finally came. Moguls Ma, Fan and Chen have been waiting for a long time.”
Zhang Fei asked, “Why are they here?”
Fan Li said, “They’re here to congratulate you. They know you’re officially taking over the bookstore today.”
After this case, Fan Li was truly full of admiration for Zhang Fei, and his tone was quite respectful.
Zhang Fei nodded and said, “Please ask the store employees to stay in the store for now. After I entertain Mogul Ma and the others, we’ll have a meeting to discuss what to do next year.”
“I’ve already told them,” Fan Li said excitedly.
In the back hall, Ma Tianhao, Fan Yong, and Chen Maoqian, three wealthy businessmen, were sitting in the hall, with a large brazier in the middle and wine heating on the side. When they saw Zhang Fei coming, they didn’t get up, but drank their wine.
“Huh? Weren’t you here to congratulate me?”
Zhang Fei looked at them.
Ma Tianhao said, “What congratulations? We’re here to bring money. Hurry up and draw up our contracts.”
As he spoke, he pointed behind him with his thumb.
Behind him were ten large boxes.
Fan Li’s eyes lit up.
He was glad that Zhang Fei chose him.
Chen Maoqian and Fan Yong remained silent.
In fact, they had come here to congratulate him, but the three of them were thinking that Zhang Fei was too greedy. But there was no other way. They had no experience with this kind of cooperation, and they could only seek out Zhang Fei for legal services.
But they also had to suppress Zhang Fei’s arrogance. Otherwise, this kid would be uncontrollable in the future.
Zhang Fei smiled and asked, “It seems that you are somewhat dissatisfied?”
Chen Maoqian shook his head, “Indeed, it’s a bit too expensive. We won’t dare to come to you next time.”
Fan Li felt awkward hearing this. Although he was happy, he felt that it was a bit too harsh. How could normal commercial contracts be worth several hundred strings.
“I don’t believe it.”
Zhang Fei chuckled, “You’ll still come to me next time, because it’s worth it.”
Fan Yong said, “Even if it’s worth it, it’s not worth that much money.”
“I don’t want to argue with you. Let’s just speak with facts!”
Zhang Fei stretched out his hand to the side, and Li Si quickly handed over a document. Zhang Fei didn’t show them any courtesy. Now that he was also a big shot, he directly threw the document to Ma Tianhao.
“Take a look yourself!”
With that, he sat down in front of the main seat with Xu Zhiqian and Fan Li.
It was just a cooperation contract. No matter how well it was drawn up, what more could be done? Without guarantees from the government, what was there to be arrogant about?
Ma Tianhao glanced at Zhang Fei, picked up the document, and read, “Shareholder agreement?”