Chapter 101: I’m the Knife, Who’s the Fish
This was like someone bringing a pillow when you’re just about to sleep!
Regarding the numerous drawbacks of the Corvee Labor System, Wang Anshi believed it had reached a point where reform was inevitable. It was seriously affecting the country and the people. Historically, Wang Anshi proposed the Labor Recruitment Law which aimed at replacing compulsory corvee labor with hired labor, and the Corvee Exemption Law which allowed people to be exempt from corvee labor if monetary payment was made.
The conventional process would have Wang Anshi first presenting cases to illustrate the problem and then proposing reforms.
However, Zhang Fei’s startling proposal to sue the imperial court over this law gave Wang Anshi a new idea!
The usual process would entail Wang Anshi fighting for his reforms in the imperial court, but such matters usually resulted in endless debates with no clear outcome.
But if this issue were brought to a judicial courtroom, the result would be more definitive and persuasive.
The law was relatively rigorous and unlikely to be ambiguous.
This made Wang Anshi very interested.
Zhang Fei explained, “If the law itself is illegal, that constitutes grounds for suing the imperial court.”
Wang Anshi was taken aback, “A law can be illegal?” Zhang Fei nodded, “Of course.”
Wang Anshi was curious, “Illegal in what way?”
Law is law—how can it be illegal?
What law would it be violating?
Surely not the Khitan’s law?
The Khitans copied their law from us anyway.
Zhang Fei awkwardly said, “I have some ideas, but I can’t be certain yet, so I dare not speak prematurely.”
Wang Anshi’s expression changed, thinking, if you’re not sure, why are you here?
Suddenly, he scrutinized Zhang Fei, seeing his confidence and lack of hesitation, and thought, this young man is hiding something again.
Zhang Fei had a habit of keeping his key arguments hidden until he appears in court, thus catching his opponents off guard.
Wang Anshi understood this approach; given Zhang Fei’s low status, revealing his hand too early could lead to failure or exploitation of loopholes.
Wang Anshi pondered seriously. He only cared about challenging the Corvee Labor Law; the method was secondary. If Zhang Fei could successfully sue and prove the law’s illegality, Wang Anshi’s reforms would naturally follow.
It would be too easy.
After a while, he sighed, “You won’t succeed. If the imperial court admits guilt, do you know what consequences that would bring?”
Zhang Fei replied, “Of course I know. I don’t plan to succeed.”
Wang Anshi was stunned, “Then why create trouble for yourself?”
Zhang Fei smiled, “The court won’t admit guilt for political reasons. Judicially, I can win. The question is whether I can sue the imperial court. Legally, there’s no prohibition, but practically, it might not be allowed. If you support me, allowing me to sue, I can force the court to investigate the corruption in this case to placate me.”
Wang Anshi suddenly realized, “I see! I see! You are cunning—no, you’re stupid—you’re using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.”
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a black cat or a white cat; if it catches mice, it’s a good cat,” Zhang Fei chuckled.[1]
Wang Anshi was delighted, deeply agreeing with this principle, “Well said! Black cat or white cat, if it catches mice, it’s a good cat.”
This aligned perfectly with his philosophy.
Zhang Fei continued, “Back to the point, the Corvee Labor Law indeed has many flaws. When I sue, I will list them all. If not corrected, these issues will persist, but solving them depends on you, Academician Wang.”
Wang Anshi knew Zhang Fei’s intent—this was a quid pro quo.
I’ll fight for you; but you must give me a proper platform.
Wang Anshi was very tempted. He had already planned to start reforms early next year. His plan was like a drawn arrow—its release was inevitable.
But how to start?
He was still considering this.
Although he didn’t plan to propose the Labor Recruitment Law so soon, using this case as a trigger could save a lot of trouble. He could then smoothly proceed with his reforms.
The key was that there would be proper cause for his reforms.
Wang Anshi already had a plan in mind. Seeing Zhang Fei’s understanding of the Corvee Labor Law, he couldn’t help but ask, “How do you think the Corvee Labor Law should be reformed?”
Zhang Fei hesitated for a moment, “That’s not my expertise. But my understanding of laws is that they need to be fine-tuned and enforced. Even the best law, without enforcement, becomes a bad law.”
Wang Anshi nodded slightly.
Seeing that Wang Anshi wasn’t very interested, Zhang Fei didn’t say more. He asked, “Will you support me?”
Wang Anshi smiled, “If your argument is reasonable, why wouldn’t I support you?”
For him, this was a win-win deal.
“Thank you, Academician Wang.”
…
Leaving the Wang residence, Zhang Fei didn’t go home but headed straight to the Sima residence.
After all, suing the imperial court was no small matter; it would shake the heavens and the earth. Wang Anshi’s support alone wasn’t enough; he also needed Sima Guang’s support.
That would make things more secure.
Upon hearing about the case, Sima Guang was as furious as Wang Anshi.
But then he was shocked.
“What? You want to sue the imperial court?”
“Yes.”
Zhang Fei nodded.
Sima Guang asked curiously, “On what grounds?”
Zhang Fei replied, “I’m suing the Corvee Labor Law for being illegal.”
Sima Guang, like Wang Anshi, asked, “Illegal? In what way?”
Zhang Fei pondered for a moment, “It violates the law of the ancestors. Ancestral Law.”
“Ancestral Law?”
Sima Guang’s eyes lit up. Like Wang Anshi, he quickly sat beside Zhang Fei, eager to hear more, “What do you mean?”
Zhang Fei, leaning slightly, said, “I have some idea but need to verify them. I dare not speak prematurely.”
Sima Guang looked at him suspiciously, then pondered, “The court won’t let you win. If they do, do you know what the consequences will be?”
He and Wang Anshi were both brilliant, quickly grasping the situation.
Zhang Fei nodded, “I know. But I can force the court to find the real culprits to close the case.”
“So you’re just playing hardball,” Sima Guang smiled and nodded.
Zhang Fei nodded, “Exactly. This way, they’ll likely sacrifice some corrupt officials for the greater good.”
Sima Guang said, “But this also means you’ll face great risks.”
Zhang Fei said, “That’s why I hope for your support, Academician Sima.”
Sima Guang thought for a while, then asked, “Do you plan to visit Wang Anshi?”
As expected of Sima Guang, quick to catch on! Zhang Fei nodded, “I just came from Academician Wang’s house.”
“He agreed?” Sima Guang immediately asked.
Zhang Fei nodded.
Sima Guang asked again, “How did you persuade him?”
Zhang Fei answered, “Because I know Academician Wang plans to reform this law.”
Sima Guang quickly followed, “And how do you plan to persuade me?”
Zhang Fei replied, “Because I know Academician Wang plans to reform this law.”
Sima Guang smiled, “Clever boy, you’ve figured out my thoughts too.”
Zhang Fei said, “You have more foresight and strategic thinking.”
Sima Guang said, “So you oppose Wang Anshi’s reforms?”
Zhang Fei said, “I am just a pen-in-cap. I only oppose unjust matters.”
Sima Guang smiled and nodded, “I agree. I will fully support you in suing the imperial court.”
“Thank you, Academician Sima.”
Leaving the Sima residence, Zhang Fei breathed a sigh of relief but became more serious, muttering, “I’m the knife, who’s the fish?”
…
At this moment, Wang Anshi had already arrived at the palace. Just as Zhang Fei left the Wang residence, the Emperor had summoned Wang Anshi.
“Your Majesty.”
“Please sit, Teacher.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
After Wang Anshi sat down, Emperor Zhao Xu said, “Today, I was reading the historical records and thought of a question, so I summoned you to discuss it.”
Wang Anshi asked, “What is the question?”
Emperor Zhao Xu said, “Throughout history, capable ministers who governed effectively have raised one issue: governing the country requires first governing the bureaucrats.”
Wang Anshi immediately understood, “May I ask which part of the historical records Your Majesty was reading?”
Emperor Zhao Xu asked curiously, “Why do you ask?”
Wang Anshi smiled, “Your Majesty must not have been reading the Tang history.”
Emperor Zhao Xu immediately said, “I was reading Tang history.”
“Then Your Majesty must not have read about Emperor Gaozong and Wu Zetian,” Wang Anshi smiled.
Emperor Zhao Xu was puzzled, “Please explain.”
Wang Anshi said, “From the Northern Dynasties to early Tang, the aristocratic clans controlled the government, especially the clans around the capital Chang An. Does Your Majesty know how Emperor Gaozong and Wu Zetian strengthened imperial power?”
Emperor Zhao Xu said, “By toppling the powerful ministers Zhangsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang.”
Wang Anshi shook his head, “That was just the beginning.”
Emperor Zhao Xu pondered, “Are you referring to establishing the Eastern Capital, Luoyang?”
“Exactly.”
Wang Anshi said, “At that time, Chang An was in the Guanzhong region, where the clans were deeply entrenched. It was impossible to purge them quickly, so they moved the power center to Luoyang to escape the clans’ influence.
Similarly, our current bureaucracy is deeply entrenched. Reforming it is as difficult as ascending to the heavens. We must first bypass these entanglements and start afresh before pushing for administrative reform.”
Emperor Zhao Xu was astonished, “Start afresh?”
Wang Anshi nodded, “I suggest establishing a new department specifically for reforms. Its decrees would not go through the Palace Secretariat or the Imperial Military Commission and would be directly implemented locally.”
Emperor Zhao Xu thoughtfully nodded, “That makes sense. This way, we can temporarily bypass the chaotic bureaucracy.”
Today, Emperor Zhao Xu summoned Wang Anshi precisely because of his conversation with Zhang Fei. He understood that with the current state of the Song administration, a decree might circulate endlessly without implementation.
With numerous departments handling a single issue, it was unmanageable!
However, reforming the administration in the current situation would take at least ten years.
This made Emperor Zhao Xu hesitant.
Wang Anshi knew this well. With power so dispersed, how could one reform the administration? One must first centralize power and before one could reform.
His solution was to establish a temporary central agency, separate from the existing structures, to reclaim power for reform, including reform of the bureaucracy.
[1] This is a famous quote by Deng Xiaoping, who said this in relation to his reforms opening China up in the late 70s and 80s.