Chapter 110: Sitting as Equals
Compared to the flamboyant Zhang Fei, the presiding judges Wang Anshi and Sima Guang were much more reserved. Their intelligence was something kept quietly in their minds.
As usual, they arrived early at the imperial city, encountered each other at the gate, and exchanged their daily banter.
“Very good! Very good!” Sima Guang nodded repeatedly.
Wang Anshi, curious, asked, “What’s good?”
Sima Guang replied, “You kept mocking me for losing to that kid last time. Now I’d like to see how capable you are. This time, with so many helpers, if you still can’t outargue that kid, don’t mock me anymore.”
Wang Anshi stroked his beard and laughed, with a hint of disdain in his eyes.
Sima Guang frowned, “What are you laughing at?”
Wang Anshi chuckled, “When did I ever laugh at you for losing to that kid? I laughed at you for not owning up to your loss. That is not the behavior of a true gentleman. If he makes a valid point today, I will acknowledge it. This lawsuit is about reason, not winning. If justice lies with his argument, I, Wang Anshi, will concede.”
Sima Guang’s old face reddened, but he smiled and nodded, “Alright, alright! I admit I, Sima Guang, am petty and refuse to lose. But you, Wang Anshi, might not be a true gentleman either.”
Wang Anshi replied, “Whether I am or not will be judged by future generations.” “No!” Sima Guang raised his hand. “There’s no need to wait for future generations. Soon, you’ll admit you are pettier than me.”
“Is that so?” Wang Anshi chuckled, “Then let’s wait and see.”
Sima Guang smiled but remained silent.
The two did not discuss the case at all.
In this lawsuit, Zhang Fei was not their enemy but a treasure trove. They both wanted to extract the treasures they desired from Zhang Fei.
They were actually in competition, so there was nothing to discuss. Each would rely on their own skills.
They bantered as they arrived at the Court of Judicial Review.
Inside, many people were already seated, not just the presiding judges but also the observers, who were all high-ranking officials.
In addition to Chen Shengzhi and Tang Jie, there were veterans like Han Qi and Fu Bi, all of whom had held the highest ranks of government. It was a dazzling assembly, though they sat discreetly in a corner.
Since this was the first time, they wanted to see how such a case would be handled.
After a round of salutations, the two stars of the Song dynasty took the presiding seats.
Sima Guang said, “Colleagues, the opponent is just a minor pen-in-cap, while we have such a grand assembly. Others might see this as unfair. We must adhere to the rules to avoid that.”
This implied that the observing officials should not interrupt. Despite their high ranks, the rules of procedure must not be broken.
Zhang Fei’s sharp tongue was well-known; if he found a weak spot, he would exploit it relentlessly.
Everyone understood and nodded.
Officials like Chen Shengzhi were gentlemen and would not interrupt even without Sima Guang’s reminder.
Wang Anshi glanced at the time, “Has Zhang Fei arrived?”
Lu Gongzhu replied, “He should be here soon.”
Wang Anshi asked, “Are we all here to wait for him?”
Lu Gongzhu said, “I just received word that many people are seeing Zhang Fei off, causing a delay.”
Wang Anshi sighed, “Public support is clearly on one side. That makes this case difficult.”
Qi Hui remarked, “Academician Wang, as a presiding judge, you must be fair. Such remarks before the case even starts might cause dissatisfaction.”
Wang Anshi quickly apologized, “My apologies! I misspoke. Rest assured, I will handle this impartially.”
He glanced at Sima Guang and raised an eyebrow.
Sima Guang was puzzled, then realized Wang Anshi was signaling, “See, I admit my mistake. I am a true gentleman.” Sima Guang rolled his eyes.
……
At that moment, a young man and a middle-aged man quietly approached the side door.
They were Emperor Zhao Xu and his attendant Liu Zhao.
“Has Zhang San arrived yet?” Zhao Xu peeked inside, seeing the presiding officials chatting over tea.
Liu Zhao explained the situation with the common people seeing Zhang Fei off.
Emperor Zhao Xu sighed, “The sages say, ‘Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it.’ Why is it that everyone knows what the people truly want, yet we refuse to reform for the better?”
Liu Zhao remained silent.
After a moment, Emperor Zhao Xu looked at him and said firmly, “No matter what, I must change this unjust law.”
Only he could say this. If Liu Zhao said it, he’d be rebuked.
It’s easy to say, but without corvee labor, who would transport the grain!
After a while, an official hurried into the hall, whispering to Wang Anshi and Sima Guang.
The two exchanged surprised glances.
Wang Anshi shook his head.
Sima Guang glared at him, then cleared his throat, “Zhang San has arrived, but he brought an assistant…”
Lu Gongzhu said, “This is not a minor case. Letting him have an assistant is reasonable.”
The other officials nodded in agreement.
Sima Guang continued, “The assistant is Xu Zun’s daughter, Xu Zhiqian.”
“A woman?”
The officials exchanged glances.
Liu Shu remarked snarkily, “Judge Xu, your way of teaching your daughter is truly eye opening!”
Xu Zun, unfazed, replied, “My apologies, but I cannot stop my daughter from pursuing justice.”
Wang Anshi, impatient, said, “If a pen-in-cap can come, why not a woman?”
Surprisingly, this won unanimous agreement.
This put Zhang Fei on par with a woman.
Qi Hui joked, “As long as Judge Xu has no objections, neither do we.”
Xu Zun solemnly said, “I have no objections.”
Wang Anshi said, “Then let’s begin! Summon Zhang San.”
A guard carried Zhang Fei into the hall, followed by Xu Zhiqian and two guards carrying a large wooden box.
What are they doing?
Moving house?
Wang Anshi, concerned, asked, “Zhang San, what happened?”
Zhang Fei awkwardly replied, “Academician Wang, the citizens were too enthusiastic. They crowded around me causing me to twist my ankle.”
Xu Zhiqian bit her lip, expressionless.
Lu Gongzhu was stunned; this was a setback before even starting.
Everyone looked at each other.
Wang Anshi glanced at Sima Guang, who muttered, “People already said I was biased towards him last time. Now it’s your turn.”
Wang Anshi waved, “Bring a chair for him.”
“Oh no, a simple bench will suffice,” Zhang Fei hurriedly said.
Wang Anshi glanced at Xu Zhiqian understanding that Zhang Fei meant to ensure that Xu Zhiqian would have a place to sit as well. He was amused, thinking, “You’re quite the romantic!” He nodded at the guard.
Zhang Fei suddenly looked at the box, “Academician Wang, I brought many documents…”
Wang Anshi said, “Give him a table.”
“Thank you, Academician Wang!”
The officials realized Zhang Fei had not actually twisted his ankle, but instead wanted to sit as equals with them.
They were displeased, thinking Wang Anshi was too lenient.
Wang Anshi ignored them, whispering to Sima Guang, “If he asks for tea, it’s your turn.”
Sima Guang replied, “Aren’t you a true gentleman? You should handle such matters.”
Wang Anshi said, “Fairness is key here. We should take turns.”
Sima Guang sighed, “Working with you is exhausting.”
“The feeling is mutual!”
As they whispered, the guards set up the table and bench.
“Ouch!” Zhang Fei groaned, sitting down, then turned to Xu Zhiqian, “Lady Xu, please sit. I can’t move much, so I’ll have to rely on you.”
Xu Zhiqian, though brave and capable, still felt nervous in this setting and glanced around.
The officials averted their eyes, feeling embarrassed.
Only Xu Zun nodded, inwardly mocking them, “You petty-minded people.”
Xu Zhiqian sat down, muttering, “You really got yourself a seat.”
“What do you mean get a seat? I’m teaching them proper decorum,” Zhang Fei replied. “I’ll need some tea later.”
Xu Zhiqian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry and started organizing the documents from the box.
The officials, seeing this, felt uneasy.
They thought they were prepared, but seeing Zhang Fei’s extensive documents made them feel inadequate.
They had underestimated him.
Sima Guang asked, “Can we begin?”
“Wait!” Zhang Fei said anxiously, “I have not paid my respects to the respective judges yet.”
Sima Guang quickly said, “With your injury, you’re excused.”
Then he whispered to Wang Anshi, “Next time, it’s your turn.”
Wang Anshi glared at him, thinking, “I’ve never seen someone as shameless as you.”
The officials didn’t know that both presiding officials supported Zhang Fei.
Outside the side door, Emperor Zhao Xu laughed, “I bet he didn’t twist his ankle.”
Liu Zhao smiled silently.
A nearby eunuch asked, “Your Majesty, should we bring you a chair too?”
Emperor Zhao Xu thought for a moment, realizing that Zhang Fei was preparing to fight a long battle. He nodded, “Bring one for Attendant Liu as well.”
Liu Zhao protested, “I can’t sit with Your Majesty.”
Emperor Zhao Xu waved it off, “No need for formalities here.”
With the twisted ankle, all the usual decorum and ceremonies were forgotten.
Wang Anshi said, “You’ve faced each other before. Here’s your chance for revenge.”
Sima Guang snorted, then asked, “Zhang San.”
“I’m here!”
“Your complaint is that the imperial court’s corvee labor laws are illegal for violating ancestral laws?”
“Yes.”
Zhang Fei nodded.
Sima Guang said, “Ancestral laws should indeed be respected. If this law violates ancestral laws, it would be wrong. But ancestral laws are not the same as statutory laws. Your complaint cites a decree from the Second Emperor. Do you consider all decrees from the First and Second Emperors to be ancestral laws?”