Chapter 96: This Law is Illegal
Actually, Feng Nanxi didn’t completely trust Zhang Fei. After all, they had known each other for less than two hours. However, Zhang Fei’s actions had left a favorable impression on him. Plus, Gao Wenyin’s desire to die compelled him to trust Zhang Fei.
Therefore, he didn’t have all his brothers go to Zhang Fei’s house immediately. Instead, he arranged for Long Shan to first take Zhang Fei and Gao Wenyin back, to avoid any danger that they be exposed. He planned to go himself in a few days to check the situation.
Shi Tingxiu and Niu Beiqing stayed outside to provide support.
Support, in this case, meant being wary of Zhang Fei.
Zhang Fei was well aware of this, but he didn’t mind since he had already decided to take on this case.
Upon leaving the dilapidated temple, Zhang Fei realized he was in the western part of the outer city. He felt that this place was unlucky for him and resolved to visit it less in the future.
…
“Brother Zhang San!”
“Brother Zhang San!”
… Upon returning to Bian River Street, Zhang Fei heard people calling out everywhere.
“I’m here.”
“Is it Brother Zhang San?”
“Yes.”
“Brother Zhang San is here.”
“We found Third Brother Zhang.”
…
In no time, a gallant horse rushed over, and it was Taozi, Cao Dongdong’s servant.
“Brother Zhang San, where did you go? We’ve been searching all over for you!”
“I went for a walk outside the city to sober up.” Zhang Fei replied, then asked, “What’s the matter?”
Taozi quickly explained.
It turned out that Xu Zhiqian had become anxious when Zhang Fei didn’t return for a long time and sent people to inquire at the White Crystal Inn. They learned that Zhang Fei had left a while ago.
Xu Zhiqian panicked.
That guy had too many enemies and had even been ambushed before.
Fan Zheng, Cao Dongdong, and Ma Xiaoyi were also worried about Zhang Fei and sent people out to look for him.
Zhang Fei asked Taozi to inform Cao Dongdong that he was heading home by carriage.
As soon as he got off the carriage, Xu Zhiqian hurried over.
Seeing Zhang Fei, she was so angry that her eyebrows stood on end.
“Don’t say a word!” Zhang Fei quickly raised his hand, adopting a serious tone, “From now on, I will listen to you. If you point east, I won’t go west. Today, I’ve confirmed that you really are a prophetess, and I completely believe you now.”
Xu Zhiqian was baffled, her lips slightly parted, when she noticed a beautiful young woman stepping out of the carriage. “Who is she?” she asked, confused.
Zhang Fei glanced at Gao Wenyin, then turned to Xu Zhiqian, “Let’s discuss this inside.”
Xu Zhiqian, sensing something was amiss, said, “You should first report your safety to my father.”
Zhang Fei replied, “Did I alarm him?”
Xu Zhiqian, still angry, retorted, “Of course. I sent people to inquire at the White Crystal Inn, and Fan Zheng said you had been gone for more than two hours. Look, it’s almost dawn now. How could I not tell my father?”
It was already past the fifth watch, but in the cold winter, the sky was just beginning to lighten.
“Thank you for your concern, Lady Xu,” Zhang Fei said sincerely.
That she had sent people to inquire so late proved she had stayed up waiting for his return.
Xu Zhiqian snorted, “Who’s concerned about you?”
“Regardless, I’m deeply sorry.”
Zhang Fei added, “Alright, I’ll go to your house first. I have matters to discuss with the benefactor. But let me take a bath and change clothes first.”
Xu Zhiqian noticed Zhang Fei’s dirty appearance and nodded, “I’ll inform my father.”
After Xu Zhiqian left, Zhang Fei asked Li Si to settle Gao Wenyin in, then took a quick bath and changed clothes before heading to the Xu residence.
At the Xu residence, he recounted everything that had happened that night to Xu Zun and Xu Zhiqian. He usually didn’t hide anything from the Xu family when it came to official matters because they were the only ones in the Northern Song Dynasty he could fully trust.
Xu Zhiqian, with her strong sense of justice, exclaimed, “I didn’t expect the Transport Commission to be so corrupt, sacrificing innocent lives for a few thousand taels. This is utterly despicable.”
Xu Zun, frowning deeply, nodded in agreement, “Qian’er is right. This isn’t just corruption; it’s outright murder for profit. This must be thoroughly investigated.”
Zhang Fei suddenly asked, “Benefactor, can this matter be investigated thoroughly?”
Xu Zun hesitated, “We can’t know the outcome without starting the investigation.”
Zhang Fei said, “They mentioned that such incidents are common. Has this happened before? How difficult would it be to investigate?”
Xu Zun remained silent.
Xu Zhiqian straightforwardly said, “At first, the government assigned wealthy households to escort official silver to prevent theft by officials. However, confiscating the wealth of households due to accidents has indeed been common. But such cases of officials conspiring to steal and murder are rare.”
Zhang Fei responded, “If I hadn’t been kidnapped today, this might have just been another common occurrence.”
Xu Zhiqian nodded slightly, “True, there must be many hidden injustices in such cases.”
She sighed.
It was a well-known issue.
Xu Zun said, “Since this has come to light, justice will prevail. As long as the officials are diligent in their investigation, they should find some clues.”
Zhang Fei asked, “Benefactor, are you certain they will find evidence?”
Xu Zun hesitated, “No one can guarantee that.”
This wasn’t a simple criminal case; it involved the government and the Transport Commission, a department deeply entrenched in interests and corruption.
Investigating it meant more than just solving a case; it was a battle of power.
It required wisdom.
Zhang Fei asked, “What happens if no evidence is found?”
Xu Zun frowned, remaining silent.
If they found nothing, what else could they do?
Xu Zhiqian asked, “Zhang San, do you have another plan?”
Xu Zun also looked at Zhang Fei curiously.
Zhang Fei said, “This involves the Transport Commission and is a recurring issue. If we follow the trail, it might expose many people, who will undoubtedly try to stop the investigation. They have already accused our clients of crimes, gaining the upper hand. I fear that if no evidence is found, everything will be irreparable. Not only might they end up in prison, but I could also be implicated.”
Such incidents were said to be common, indicating deep-rooted corruption, with the imperial court itself being a major culprit. Despite the complexities of a case, the imperial court simply confiscated property and sold people.
Trusting the imperial court to investigate itself was unwise.
Zhang Fei was genuinely terrified.
Having been imprisoned for months shortly after arriving here where he almost died, he had an experience of despair that others couldn’t understand.
Xu Zhiqian, understanding Zhang Fei’s concern, frowned, “But besides investigating, what else can we do?”
Zhang Fei said, “Investigating is not our forte, nor is it under our control. Once we start, our lives are in their hands, and we can only rely on fate. The best way is to go to court.”
Xu Zun lacked the authority to investigate. Only Kaifeng Prefectural Office and other local governmental offices along the transport route could do that.
Facing a vast bureaucratic system, Xu Zun was also insignificant.
Zhang Fei could only wait for the results.
This, to Zhang Fei, was extremely risky.
Xu Zun, confused, asked, “This is a case of corruption and murder for profit. Even if we go to court, we still need evidence.”
“Not necessarily,” Zhang Fei said, “If we bypass the corruption issue and directly sue the imperial court, we won’t need an investigation.”
“What?”
Xu Zun and Xu Zhiqian were shocked.
Such audacity!
Are you crazy?
Xu Zun, bewildered, asked, “What will you sue the imperial court for?”
Zhang Fei replied, “Assuming this was indeed a shipwreck, does the court have the right to confiscate the Shi Tingjun’s property and enslave his wife?”
Xu Zun sighed, “There are stipulations for this in the Corvee Labor Law about this.”
Zhang Fei asked, “But are these stipulations legal?”
Xu Zhiqian said, “They are established by the imperial court, so naturally, they are legal.”
Not necessarily.” Zhang Fei shook his head.
Xu Zhiqian, surprised, asked, “Not necessarily?”
Zhang Fei pondered for a moment, “I have some ideas, but I need to verify them. If we want to avoid an investigation, we must challenge the legality of the Corvee Labor Law. To do that, we must sue the imperial court since the law was established by the imperial court.”
The logic was sound, but how can a law be illegal?
Xu Zhiqian was puzzled, “How do we sue?”
Zhang Fei smiled, “Remember, as a pen-in-cap, there’s nothing I can’t sue. Even laws can be challenged.”
Xu Zun, also confused, said, “But no one has ever sued the imperial court before. We don’t even know if it’s allowed.”
There was no precedent for suing the imperial court, unlike suing officials.
“Since there’s no rule against it, it’s implicitly allowed,” Zhang Fei said, “Moreover, there’s an ongoing andebate in the imperial court about the flaws in the Corvee Labor Law and the need for reform.”
Xu Zun realized Zhang Fei’s plan: to use the momentum of Wang Anshi’s reform movement. This wasn’t impossible. He nodded, “I understand your idea. They might allow you to cause a stir but likely won’t rule against the imperial court since that would have very wide ramifications.”
Zhang Fei said, “I don’t need the imperial court to lose the case. I want to force them to find the real culprits.”
Xu Zhiqian’s eyes lit up, “So you intend to aim high and settle low!”
Zhang Fei nodded, “Exactly.”
Xu Zun needed time to process this, “This matter requires careful consideration. The officials are on holiday, so you can’t file a complaint yet. Think it over carefully.”
“Yes.”
Zhang Fei nodded.
“Also, write a complaint document to avoid being accused of harboring criminals.”
Zhang Fei quickly said, “You are thorough, Benefactor. I’ll write it immediately.”
After discussing, Xu Zun went to rest. He hadn’t slept all night, but fortunately, it was a holiday.
“Phew…”
Zhang Fei collapsed in a chair and suddenly looked at Xu Zhiqian, “Am I subject to enlistment under the Corvee Labor Law?”
Xu Zhiqian was taken aback, “Usually, yes, but you can hire someone to serve for you.”
Zhang Fei asked, “If something goes wrong, will they still confiscate my property?”
Xu Zhiqian nodded.
Though Xu Zun’s presence made this unlikely, she couldn’t say it outright.
Zhang Fei sighed, “You’re right.”
Xu Zhiqian looked at him curiously.
Zhang Fei sighed, “In the courtroom, I fear no one. But if they want to target me, they have many ways. One mistake, and I could end up like Shi Tingjun, with my entire family suffering. Power and status are essential to safeguard our lives before we can talk about justice.”
Compared to the Li Si case, this one had a greater impact on him. Li Si had willingly borrowed from the lender, though Chen Yuteng was ruthless. On the other hand, this situation was completely unavoidable unless you were privileged.
Xu Zhiqian reproached, “My father wanted to recommend you to be an official, but you refused.”
“I would still refuse that! But…” Zhang Fei frowned, “But I must consider this path seriously. Maybe this case is an opportunity.”
“Brother San!”
Li Si suddenly ran in, “Brother San, Young Master Cao and the others have come to congratulate you.”
Zhang Fei asked, “Congratulate me on what?”
“Your marriage.”
“What?”
Zhang Fei glanced at Xu Zhiqian, embarrassed.
Xu Zhiqian, pursing her lips, smiled, “Why are you looking at me?” Then she added, “For now, play along and don’t alarm anyone.”
“Play along?”
Zhang Fei was indignant, “I have indeed bought her, so there’s no pretense involved. They should congratulate me. Did they bring any gifts?”
“I don’t think so.”
“…”