Judge of the Song Dynasty

Upon seeing Huang Gui’s expression, the jailer was genuinely relieved that he had not continued the beating.

“Quickly, untie this boy and get him out of here! Don’t bring anyone here that we can’t beat next time. It’ll save us all from embarrassment.”

…

“This commoner greets Prefect Lu and Vice-Prefect Li,” Zhang Fei respectfully bowed to Lu Gongzhu and Li Kai upon arriving at the rear hall of the Kaifeng Prefectural Office.

Lu Gongzhu immediately glared at him, “Zhang San, have you nothing better to do than to make a mockery of us?”

However, his tone was filled with helplessness.

“This commoner wouldn’t dare,” Zhang Fei replied honestly.

“Wouldn’t dare?” Lu Gongzhu stood up suddenly, pointing at Zhang Fei, “I know you’re trying to seek justice for your beloved wife, but you could do so through proper channels. This isn’t your first time filing a complaint. Yet you insist on being unconventional and sensational, even suing the imperial court. Not even a madman would do such a thing.” Thɪs chapter is updated by novelFɪre.net

Zhang Fei argued, “I’m not just doing this for my wife but for myself as well, because I could also suffer this injustice. Moreover, Prefect Lu, do you truly believe the imperial court is faultless in this matter? Or do you think that even if the imperial court is at fault, a commoner like me shouldn’t be the one to speak up? The longer you officials delay, the more the common people suffer. Why can’t you understand our plight?”

Lu Gongzhu was momentarily at a loss for words. Indeed!

He did think that way. He was also opposed to the current corvee labor system but believed it was within the officials’ jurisdiction, not something for the commoners to debate.

But then again, it wasn’t the officials who were harmed; it was the common people who were in distress, while the officials were naturally not in a hurry.

Li Kai suddenly spoke, “As a pen-in-cap, you should be familiar with the law. Who told you that you could file a complaint against the imperial court? And who told you that you could use ancestral law as a reason?”

Zhang Fei replied, “First, the imperial court has no explicit rule prohibiting complaints against it. Second, the decrees of the First Emperor and the Second Emperor carry legal weight, even for commoners. Disobeying a decree is a capital offense.”

Li Kai had no response.

“You’ve got nerve!”

Lu Gongzhu sat down and sighed, “Currently, it is unknown whether filing a complaint against the imperial court violates the law, so we can only detain you for now. But let me advise you, if you truly want to speak for the people, then strive to become an official. Your reckless behavior will only lead to trouble.”

He knew that many officials in the court were recommending Zhang Fei for an official position.

A high position was unlikely, but a minor post wasn’t out of the question.

Zhang Fei bowed and said, “Thank you for your advice, Prefect Lu. I will remember it.”

Lu Gongzhu waved his hand, “Take him away!”

After Zhang Fei was taken away, Li Kai complained, “It’s not our concern whether he complains or not, but he always comes to our Kaifeng Prefectural Office. In truth, this matter isn’t even within our jurisdiction!”

Lu Gongzhu sighed, “So, we can only wait for the imperial court’s decision on this matter.”

…

At the Tax Bureau.

“I have investigated thoroughly, and it seems that Zhang San is indeed planning some tax calculation scheme,” said Shen Huaixiao, the director of the Tax Bureau.

Seated to his left was Tang Ji, the Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, “We must not let that boy succeed. How can a commoner interfere with national finances? It’s preposterous.”

To the right was Du Xiu, the director of the Salt and Iron Bureau, who worriedly said, “But how do we stop him? He is merely offering to help with tax calculations, which isn’t illegal and can be argued as beneficial to the people and the government.”

The Ministry of Revenue, the Tax Bureau, and the Salt and Iron Bureau, collectively known as the Three Financial Bureaus, were the central financial departments overseeing the nation’s finances.

Yet, on their first day at work on the new year, they were discussing a pen-in-cap.

They had heard that Zhang Fei intended to initiate a tax calculation service, which made them uneasy.

If Zhang Fei succeeded, they would have to be cautious, as overcharging by even a single coin could lead to complaints.

This wasn’t a business but a matter of power.

Hence, they were anxious.

Shen Huaixiao pondered, “Last year, many officials recommended Zhang San for an official position, though there has been no result yet. Why don’t we also support him, get him an official post, and prevent him from causing trouble outside? It would be beneficial for everyone. He’s just a piece of broken clay tile; we needn’t fight him. Isn’t it because of this that Commissioner Wang lost out?”

Tang Ji and Du Xiu exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.

This boy indeed caused headaches.

Just then, an official hurriedly entered and whispered a few words into Shen Huaixiao’s ear.

“What?”

Shen Huaixiao stood up in shock.

Tang Ji asked, “What’s the matter?”

Shen Huaixiao replied, “That boy has gone to the Kaifeng Prefectural Office to file a complaint again.”

“And it’s only the first day the office has opened!” Tang Ji was dumbfounded.

Du Xiu asked, “Whom is he accusing?”

“The imperial court.”

“What?”

They were stunned.

…

At the Fan Family Bookstore.

“Who’s name did he use to file the complaint?” Fan Li tightly grasped the sleeve of a pen-in-cap, eyes filled with tears, his voice trembling.

The pen-in-cap replied, “According to the rules, he could only use our bookstore’s name.”

“Ah…!” Fan Li screamed, closed his eyes, and fainted.

The pen-in-caps in the bookstore were all frightened, wondering whether to pack up and run.

…

This complaint truly shook the entire imperial city!

Filing a complaint against the imperial court?

Was this even allowed?

How does one file such a complaint?

Ancestral law?

What ancestral law?

Most officials were bewildered.

They didn’t know if this was illegal or what ancestral law referred to.

But they quickly realized that whether it was illegal or not, it must be treated as illegal and immediately demanded the Kaifeng Prefectural Office detain Zhang Fei for prosecution, with some even suggesting charging him with treason and sentencing him to death.

This precedent must not be set.

Otherwise, there would be constant complaints against the imperial court.

After all, the imperial court had committed numerous misdeeds… ahem…

In short, Zhang Fei must not be allowed to succeed.

Even the young Emperor Zhao Xu was dumbfounded, unaware that such legal actions were possible.

However, the officials were fiercely debating.

Thus, Emperor Zhao Xu quickly convened the highest think tank at the Hanlin Academy.

Among them were the Chief of the Imperial Military Commission, Chen Shengzhi, the Accounting Chancellor, Tang Jie, the Chief Censor, Lu Hui, and Prefect Lu Gongzhu of the Kaifeng Prefectural Office, among others.

During the meeting, Lu Gongzhu carefully explained the case details, including the love triangle involving Gao Wenyin, Zhang Fei, and Shi Tingjun.

“In that case, Zhang Fei’s complaint isn’t entirely wrong,” said Wang Anshi, stroking his beard.

Emperor Zhao Xu glanced at his teacher/idol and asked, “What do you mean by that?”

Wang Anshi immediately replied, “Your Majesty, the issue of corvee labor has troubled our dynasty for years, with countless cases demonstrating that it causes immense suffering among the common people. Yet, the imperial court has been slow to address this issue. Now that a commoner has been wronged and is forced to file a complaint, shouldn’t the court reflect on its actions? I suggest giving Zhang San a chance to argue his case. If he is right, the court should rectify its mistakes.”

This statement made Lu Hui and others disdain Wang Anshi.

He was indeed skilled at leveraging issues!

Emperor Zhao Xu suddenly realized this was an unexpected opportunity.

Suppressing his excitement, he nodded, but before he could speak, Lu Hui interjected, “What injustice? While I agree that the corvee labor system has many flaws and needs reform, we must adhere to the law. The imperial court has clear rules that if public property is damaged or lost during transportation, the corvee laborers must compensate. Claiming injustice is an exaggeration.”

Many officials nodded in agreement.

A law, whether good or bad, remains a law. A pen-in-cap must follow it when filing a complaint.

“Indeed!” Sima Guang suddenly said, “Chief Censor Lu is right!” Then, turning to Lu Gongzhu, he asked, “What law did Zhang San use to file his complaint?”

Lu Gongzhu was puzzled and repeated, “He cited the Ancestral Law in the Second Emperor’s decree, which states, “It has been twenty years since the late Emperor founded the dynasty. He established a comprehensive order as precaution against malfeasance. The laws have been fixed and norms have been established. We shall be judicious in abiding by them, and not presume to commit any transgression.”

Zhao Xu was confused, “What does this have to do with the case?”

Lu Gongzhu replied, “Your Majesty, I have not yet examined the details.”

Sima Guang immediately said, “Your Majesty, if Zhang San truly filed his complaint based on Ancestral Law, it is reasonable and justified. The imperial court must treat this matter seriously. Ancestral laws cannot be violated. I suggest giving Zhang Fei a chance to argue his case. If he speaks nonsense, then we can punish him, but this will also convince the people of our fairness.”

Hmm?

Everyone was surprised to see Sima Guang aligning with Wang Anshi.

Emperor Zhao Xu nodded slightly and glanced around, “What do you all think?”

The officials looked at each other.

Having said their piece, the two main factions had nothing more to add.

Emperor Zhao Xu glanced at Wang Anshi and Sima Guang, thought for a moment, and finally decided that Wang Anshi and Sima Guang would preside over the case, with officials from the Censorate, the Court of Penal Review, the Ministry of Punishments, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Kaifeng Prefectural Office assisting.

Originally, the case was to be tried at the Kaifeng Prefectural Office since Zhang Fei had filed the complaint there, but Lu Gongzhu firmly refused, claiming the office was too modest for such a significant case.

After being embroiled in controversy last year due to Zhang Fei, the Kaifeng Prefectural Office had suffered enough and wasn’t keen on handling such a sensitive case again. After all, it wasn’t within their authority.

Ultimately, Emperor Zhao Xu decided to have the case tried at the Court of Judicial Review.

In fact, it should be handled there since the Kaifeng Prefectural Office was strictly speaking a local governmental office and wasn’t qualified to try such a case. Only the Ministry of Punishments and the Court of Judicial Review were qualified.

The Court of Penal Review could only review a verdict from the Court of Judicial Review; they couldn’t intervene without a trial.