Chapter 116: Discussions
Returning home, Zhang Fei had to spend some effort to send Cao Dongdong and his friends away. They just wanted to extract some information and then show off at the White Crystal Inn.
It was obvious that everyone in the capital would be discussing this topic today. Whoever had the first-hand information would be the most attractive one.
As participants, Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian had already passed the initial excitement and felt a bit tired. Xu Zhiqian had immediately gone to rest.
Now, night had fallen. Under the candlelight, a long shadow flickered in the hall.
“Um, wife… wife?”
“Ah?” Gao Wenyin stopped in her tracks, turned her head to look at Zhang Fei, and asked nervously, “Husband, what did you say?”
“Uh…” Zhang Fei blinked, “I just wanted to ask why you are walking back and forth; it’s a bit distracting.” He thought to himself, if she looked in the mirror, she would realize how attractive she was. If she drove him crazy, he would send Shi Tingxiu to jail, force her to comply, and then bring him back out.
Hmm… that was actually a good plan. Sigh… why couldn’t he do such despicable things?
“I…” Gao Wenyin blushed and said, “Husband, when will the verdict be given?” As a woman without much knowledge of the world, her understanding of lawsuits was that they would be settled on the day of the trial.
Now that the verdict was delayed, she felt even more anxious and restless. Just then, Xu Zun and Xu Zhiqian entered the room. Xu Zhiqian, now dressed as a woman again, looked extraordinarily radiant.
“Benefactor!” Gao Wenyin quickly bowed and hesitated to speak. Xu Zun smiled and said, “I know what Madam Zhang wants to say, but the result may take several days. You don’t need to worry too much.”
“Several days?” Gao Wenyin asked anxiously. Xu Zhiqian smiled and said, “Madam Zhang, rest assured. Your husband is very capable; everything will go fine.”
“Thank you for the compliment!” Zhang Fei approached and gave Xu Zhiqian a praising look. “Benefactor, Lady Xu, please take a seat.” Gao Wenyin, very sensible, said, “I’ll ask Xiaotao to prepare some refreshments.” Zhang Fei nodded.
After Gao Wenyin left, Zhang Fei asked Xu Zun, “Benefactor, what is the situation in the imperial court now?”
“What else? It’s chaotic!” Xu Zun smiled bitterly. “The arguments are intense. Wang Anshi has helped you by taking much of the criticism. They are debating the lawsuit, and then reform and then ancestral laws. Everyone’s voice is hoarse. I didn’t return until nightfall. I think it will take some time to reach a conclusion.” Zhang Fei asked, “What does Academician Sima think about this?”
Xu Zun paused, ” Academician Sima seems to want everyone to focus more on the lawsuit. He hasn’t said much about Wang Anshi’s new policies.” He paused again.
“Although you performed well in court, don’t get complacent. This matter is uncertain. Even ministers who support Wang Anshi’s reforms strongly oppose your argument on ancestral laws.” Zhang Fei confidently smiled, “Rest assured, Benefactor. I might not win, but I certainly won’t lose.” Xu Zhiqian asked, “Why is that?” Xu Zun added, “Although I can see that Academician Sima secretly supports you and hasn’t hindered you, court affairs are far more complex than you think. The real struggles are never in the courtroom.” Ultimately, it was all about power struggles.
Zhang Fei said, “I don’t understand the complexities of court politics, but I can guess what one person is thinking.”
“Who?” Xu Zun asked. Xu Zhiqian suddenly said, “Is it His Majesty?” Zhang Fei smiled, “Smart!”
Xu Zun suddenly understood. “Yes! His Majesty certainly supports your view. Indeed! Your argument seems to benefit both Wang Anshi and Sima Guang, but the real beneficiary is His Majesty.” Ancestral laws constrain the emperor the most.
Of course, it was the emperor. Who else could it be? And it had nothing to do with Zhang Fei. The current mainstream interpretation of ancestral law was like a straitjacket for the emperor.
If ancestral law was codified and specified, the emperor would have more freedom.
The emperor could then formulate specific policies in accordance with ancestral law, avoiding being criticized for violating them.
With the ancestral laws being vague, even the emperor didn’t know if he was violating them. It was all up to the ministers and officials to argue.
Emperor Zhao Xu was ambitious and wanted to break free from these constraints. Zhang Fei’s definition of ancestral law aligned with his vision, so naturally, the emperor would support Zhang Fei.
Zhang Fei smiled, “Using ancestral law in a lawsuit, if it were against His Majesty’s interests, how could I succeed?” Xu Zun nodded appreciatively,
“You are truly far-sighted!” He always admired Zhang Fei’s strategic thinking, which belied his age.
Xu Zhiqian asked, “But I originally planned to use this to force the court to find the real culprit in the case. If His Majesty supports you, won’t you just simply win the lawsuit?” Xu Zun waved his hand, “That won’t happen. If Zhang San just wins, the imperial court will lose face, and the ministers won’t agree. His Majesty might support Zhang San’s argument, but after the case.” Zhang Fei smiled, “Let them argue a bit longer. After they all get what they want, we can throw Feng Qi, Da Niu, and Long Wu to Kaifeng Prefecture and let them handle it.” He knew the lawsuit needed to ferment a bit more because some people needed to gain something from it.
Just as Xu Zun had just returned home, Wang Anshi also took a carriage home, always the last to leave his post.
“Teacher, this is going more smoothly than we imagined!” Lu Huiqing said excitedly. Wang Anshi smiled, “What do you mean?” Lu Huiqing said, “If ancestral law says that malfeasance should be prevented, then all current malfeasances should be corrected immediately. This gives you a reason to push for reforms. This is also very beneficial for His Majesty, so he will surely agree.” Historically, Wang Anshi’s reforms initially denied the very concept of ancestral law, leading to severe criticism from Confucian scholars and even affecting his historical standing. Zhang Fei’s actions now made the ancestral law support his reforms.
This was something Wang Anshi hadn’t anticipated. In court, he was very excited, feeling like a victor regardless of others’ opinions.
This indeed benefited the emperor, and his reforms needed the emperor’s support. At this moment, it was perfect.
Wang Anshi stroked his beard and laughed, “Yes! Zhang San didn’t disappoint me.” Lu Huiqing nodded, “To be honest, I was worried about him before, but now it seems he stands with you.” Wang Anshi nodded, “Such talent shouldn’t be wasted!” He then told Lu Huiqing, “Hurry and finalize the Labor Recruitment Law and Balanced Delivery Policy. The time will come soon.” Lu Huiqing nodded, “Rest assured, Teacher. I won’t disappoint you.” While Wang Anshi was delighted, the conservatives were dejected.
They couldn’t accept this outcome. How did it turn out this way? It felt like a nightmare.
Tang’s residence.
“That kid is clearly siding with Wang Anshi. Look at Wang Anshi’s excitement; he was obviously prepared.” Lu Hui paced angrily in the hall, “Wang Anshi is overestimating himself. If collecting taxes from the wealthy were easy, it would have already been done. If the taxes can’t be collected, local officials will simply pressure the common people to pay. It’s wishful thinking.” Tang Jie glanced at Sima Guang, “Sima Guang, I think Lu Hui makes sense. Historically, increasing taxes is easy, but reducing them is difficult. Wang Anshi claims to care about the poor, but he’s essentially increasing taxes. Once raised, reducing them will be harder. Lu Hui was right earlier; the current Corvee Labor Law became what it is because it forced the upper households to serve. Wang Anshi’s plans will have serious consequences.” Sima Guang frowned, “What do you think of Zhang Fei’s arguments on ancestral law” The two men’s expressions changed.
Tang Jie whispered, “I don’t deny Zhang San’s logic aligns with the intentions of the founding emperors, but if we summarize ancestral law this way, how would we use ancestral law to persuade emperors?” Lu Hui said, “Why can’t you see Zhang San’s intention? He wants to use ancestral laws to give Wang Anshi a reason to reform.” Sima Guang asked, “Do you think Wang Anshi’s policies are good or bad?”
“Definitely bad!” Lu Hui said firmly. Wang Anshi’s earlier speech made him more determined to oppose the reforms.
Sima Guang nodded, “Does ancestral law support or oppose his reforms?” Lu Hui paused, “What do you mean?” Sima Guang sighed, “It seems His Majesty is determined. Stopping Wang Anshi is nearly impossible. Public opinion also wants change. Why not let Wang Anshi try? If his policies are good, we can admit our mistake. If they’re bad, we won’t let him continue.”
Lu Hui exclaimed, “The shadow of the Qingli New Policies still lingers. You know how divided the court was then. It was terrifying, and any mistake could be catastrophic. If Wang Anshi’s reforms mess up the country, can you fix it?” Sima Guang looked at him, “I’m considering that now.”
The palace.
The night was deep. Emperor Zhao Xu stood at his desk, writing.
“Your Majesty, it’s late. You should rest,” the eunuch holding the lamp whispered. Emperor Zhao Xu didn’t respond. He wrote for a while longer before putting down his brush.
He looked at the book on his desk, with a passage of still-wet ink on the first page. It was that decree from the Second Emperor.
Zhao Xu stared at it for a while, shook his head, and said, “It seems less dignified having it written there.” He then told the eunuch, “Bring me a copy of the Song Code of Punishments.”