Chapter 104: Calm before the Storm
This New Year was destined to be a busy one for them, with countless tasks ahead.
This was different from a typical lawsuit.
A lawsuit was typically fought based on written statutes, which Ancestral Law lacked.
This required a comprehensive logic to interpret the laws, involving case precedents, legal statutes, human ethics, historical documents, and more.
The workload was immense.
Fortunately, Xu Zun despised schmoozing and networking, so he rarely visited colleagues during the New Year, having only returned to Bianjing this year.
Xu Zhiqian, on the other hand, declined many invitations from her friends. Typically, during holidays, these young ladies would go out to enjoy the scenery and participate in various cultural activities.
Compared to that, Xu Zhiqian preferred her current work.
Suing the imperial court?
How exciting! Not participating in this would be a lifelong regret.
However, many people were uneasy this year.
Everyone knew that the upcoming year would be crucial.
The young Emperor, having ascended the throne for a year, had spent the entire time preparing. Next year, he would finalize his governance policies, which would be a huge political event.
Indeed, many of the Song Dynasty’s issues had reached a point where they had to be addressed.
The ministers were not debating whether to solve the problems but how to solve them.
Given Emperor Zhao Xu’s attitude towards Wang Anshi, it was clear that the Emperor would implement Wang Anshi’s reforms.
Wang Anshi himself was both excited and anxious, and he was working tirelessly. Neither he nor his subordinates took any time off.
At the City Tax Bureau.
“Suing the imperial court?”
Lu Huiqing looked at Wang Anshi in surprise.
Wang Anshi nodded with a smile, “Sometimes, I can’t help but admire that boy’s courage!”
Lu Huiqing frowned, “How does he plan to sue the court?”
Wang Anshi immediately explained Zhang Fei’s intentions to Lv Huiqing.
Lu Huiqing nodded thoughtfully, then after a while, said, “If he succeeds, it will undoubtedly benefit us. It will prove the numerous flaws in the current corvée system, giving you a valid reason to propose new laws, thus reducing political opposition.”
“That’s what I thought.”
Wang Anshi continued, “I originally planned to introduce the Balanced Delivery Law first to regulate supply to the capital, curb profiteering by merchants, save costs, and reduce the burden on the people. After a few years, I would then propose the Labor Recruitment System. But now, it seems we need to adjust our plans.”
The Balanced Delivery Law was the least disruptive to the existing system, and Wang Anshi didn’t want to start with a big move right away.
But with Zhang Fei challenging the corvée system, the order of actions had to be changed.
Lu Huiqing pondered for a moment, then said, “The Balanced Delivery Policy is closely related to the corvée system. If Zhang Fei succeeds, why not combine the two, focusing on the Labor Recruitment System while incorporating the Balanced Delivery Policy, and propose them together?”
Starting was always the hardest part. He believed that if Zhang Fei could break through, they could follow up or take advantage of the situation.
This would eliminate many uncertainties.
Wang Anshi nodded in agreement, “You think the same as I do. Even if Zhang San fails, it won’t affect us. We can adapt, attacking or retreating as needed, using his lawsuit but not involving our reforms.”
Not involving our reforms? Lu Huiqing suddenly frowned, “Teacher, no one has ever dared to sue the imperial court. If this precedent is set, won’t there be future lawsuits against our new laws?”
Wang Anshi paused, then sternly said, “My reforms are for the country and the people, to eliminate bad governance. What grounds would they have to sue my new laws? If the laws harm the country and the people, then even if they sue, I would have no defense.”
Lu Huiqing reluctantly nodded, “You are right. We have a clear conscience and nothing to fear.”
But a trace of worry remained in his eyes.
…
At the Sima residence.
“It seems His Majesty is determined to implement reforms!”
Tang Jie, the Accounting Chancellor, sighed with a frown.
The Chief Censor, Lu Hui, said, “Indeed, the state has many problems that need addressing, but trusting Wang Anshi is the worst mistake. He appears virtuous but is secretly cunning, exploiting His Majesty’s eagerness for to rule well. If we don’t stop him, chaos will ensue.”
Tang Jie nodded in agreement, “That’s right. Wang Anshi is adept in the classics but ignores Confucian fundamentals. If he reforms, things will be upside down.”
Sima Guang glanced at the two and advised, “We all know the state has problems. Without addressing them, the future is bleak. Wang Anshi hasn’t started his reforms yet, so let’s not judge prematurely.”
Lu Hui snorted, “But his words and actions reveal enough. He’s not the right person.”
Both men opposed Wang Anshi, opposing everything he said.
Would they support his reforms?
No.
They were both lifelong paragons of integrity. Wang Anshi hadn’t detailed his reforms yet; their opposition was entirely based on different political philosophies.
They preferred Sima Guang’s conservative policies, grounded in Confucian principles.
However, the Emperor didn’t support this. The first person Emperor Zhao Xu had consulted was Sima Guang, but his policies failed to capture the Emperor’s interest.
That was awkward.
In their view, Wang Anshi’s economic approach was heretical. The society was fundamentally Confucian, and any reform should be based on Confucian principles.
Economic reforms couldn’t be explained through Confucianism, leading to fundamental societal conflicts.
Sima Guang said, “I’ve worked with Wang Anshi for years. He’s truly talented. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have the support of the high-ranking officials, and His Majesty wouldn’t trust him so much. For now, our words are just empty. Since His Majesty has chosen Wang Anshi, let’s see what happens and focus on our duties.”
He then changed the topic, “Recently, I’ve been studying legal disputes. The trial of Lin Fei’s case was enlightening. Without Zhang San, it might have been a miscarriage of justice. I’m considering refining the litigation system.”
Lu Hui and Tang Jie exchanged looks.
Legal disputes were minor issues. A wrongful case harmed one family, but bad reforms harmed the entire nation!
Lu Hui took the opportunity to sigh, “I’m getting old and sick. I fear I can no longer bear this responsibility.”
He looked at Sima Guang as he spoke.
He wasn’t referring to legal disputes.
With reforms imminent, the role of the Chief Censor was crucial.[1] Lu Hui felt inadequate to counter Wang Anshi and hoped Sima Guang would take over.
Sima Guang thought for a moment, “Brother Lu, don’t rush to retire. Let’s observe first. I may have other plans.”
Currently, Sima Guang only sparred with Wang Anshi at the Hanlin Academy or in front of the Emperor. He never spoke ill of Wang Anshi privately, even advising opponents to be patient and give Wang Anshi a chance.
He agreed with Wang Anshi’s identification of the problems plaguing the country but had different approaches.
Of course, when all out political factionalism broke out between the conservatives and reformists, that was another story.
But for now, the principle was: Wang Anshi hadn’t acted yet, so on what basis could he be criticized?
…
At Zhang’s residence.
“Phew… Finally finished this document.”
Xu Zhiqian rubbed her wrist, sighing with relief. Seeing the room filled with documents, she felt a sense of accomplishment. The slight soreness was nothing.
Most of the preliminary work for the lawsuit was done by her, with Feng Nanxi only helping with copying. Xu Zun, due to his age, could only offer his experience, not physical help.
Seeing Zhang Fei sorting the complaint documents with wooden clips, she asked, “What are you doing?”
“Oh, I’m making an index!”
“Index?”
“It’s simple.”
Zhang Fei explained, “I’m indexing every statute and case that our claims refer to. This simplifies the process, so we don’t need to copy the entire Song Code of Punishments.”
Xu Zhiqian’s eyes lit up, “That’s a good idea.”
Knock, knock, knock!
A knock on the door.
“Husband! Lady Xu.”
It was Gao Wenyin’s voice.
Zhang Fei said, “Come in, wife.”
With a creak, the door opened, and Gao Wenyin entered, “Sorry to interrupt.”
Zhang Fei smiled, “Not at all. What’s the matter, wife?”
Gao Wenyin said, “The meal is ready.” Then she looked at Xu Zhiqian, “Lady Xu, tomorrow is New Year’s Eve. Why don’t you and your father join us for the New Year’s dinner?”
“Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve? Time flies!” Zhang Fei patted his head, then said to Xu Zhiqian, “Lady Xu, it seems your brother hasn’t returned this year.”
Xu Zhiqian replied, “My brother only took up his post earlier this year, so he couldn’t make it back for the New Year.”
Zhang Fei said, “Then let’s have a joint New Year’s dinner to liven things up.”
Gao Wenyin nodded.
Xu Zhiqian hesitated, “But my father doesn’t like dining at others’ houses.”
Zhang Fei smiled, “In the past six months, thanks to your father’s guidance, I’ve achieved what I have today. Now that I’m successful, inviting him for a meal isn’t too much, is it?”
“Alright, I’ll ask him.”
Xu Zhiqian then looked at Gao Wenyin, smiling, “Madam Zhang, you’re really becoming quite the madam of the household, so thoughtful.”
“Ah? No!”
Gao Wenyin blushed, shaking her head, “It’s not that, I just…”
She stammered, unable to explain.
Zhang Fei smiled, “Don’t say that. My wife is just grateful and fulfilling her duties. Right, wife?”
Gao Wenyin nodded like a pecking chicken.
Xu Zhiqian mischievously smiled, seeing Gao Wenyin blushing beautifully. She decided not to tease her further.
Leaving the room, “Oh, the sun is out!”
Sunshine lit up the corridor, melting the ice and snow, with the sound of dripping water from the eaves.
Zhang Fei, who followed, stared at the courtyard, lost in thought, watching the mud uncovered from the receding snow.
[1] The main role of censors of the Censorate was to impeach officials of wrongdoing. Wrongdoing did not necessarily mean a legal “crime” but could also be based on political or social morals. They had special rights to speak based on hearsay or without concrete evidence.