Judge of the Song Dynasty

“This guy is really something, finally forcing His Majesty to reveal his identity.” Xu Zhiqian couldn’t help but smile as she watched Zhang Fei’s hurried figure.

In fact, she was quite pleased to see Zhang Fei discover the emperor’s identity because, like her father, she was a straightforward person and found it uncomfortable to be caught in the middle.

Hence, Xu Zun never showed up whenever Wang Ye came around.

“Ah, Wang Ye, Wang Ye, combining the characters of Wang and Ye makes the character ‘Xu’ for Zhao Xu. How could I be so foolish not to realize it… But I can’t be blamed, who would have thought His Majesty would be so shameless as to pretend to be my little fan to get information out of me. Even sting operations don’t go this far, repeatedly targeting one person is truly outrageous. What exactly did I say to him before? I hope I didn’t say anything wrong.”

After leaving the Xu residence, Zhang Fei didn’t rush home but stayed in a nearby alley, carefully recalling his conversations with Wang Ye. As he thought back, although he couldn’t remember much of their drunken conversations, he believed that if he had displeased the emperor, the emperor wouldn’t have come looking for him today. Moreover, from their recent conversation, it was clear the emperor valued him. Therefore, he immediately adjusted his thinking, focusing not on the past but on what was to come. The emperor had revealed his identity to ask him about the upcoming reforms, indicating that their next conversation would be crucial and one where he had to answer.

Calming himself, Zhang Fei began to sort through the entire matter: although he had the support of Wang Anshi and Sima Guang, he lacked a clear direction. Should he side with Wang Anshi? The risks were high, given the current political system. Achieving national prosperity without increasing taxes seemed almost impossible without significant progress in productivity. Following Sima Guang might have a higher chance of success, but it would be difficult to make substantial achievements.

Thinking about it now, the issue lay with His Majesty. Without the emperor’s support, he would have to navigate carefully, making opportunistic moves. With the emperor’s support, he could play the game like Wang Anshi and Sima Guang. Indeed, being a fence-sitter was dangerous; one misstep could lead to a disastrous end. It was better to take control; even if he failed, it would be due to his own shortcomings, not because he was dragged down by others. Zhang Fei pondered for a long time in the alley before pushing open his back door.

“Your humble subject greets Your Majesty,” Zhang Fei said, bowing deeply and smiling awkwardly rather than politely.

“Rise,” Zhao Xu said with a wry smile, shaking his head. As Zhang Fei straightened up, Zhao Xu continued, “I hid my identity because I didn’t want you to be burdened by formalities and hoped we could be friends.” Initially, he just wanted to meet this Zhang San, but as they talked, they clicked. As an emperor without a confidant, he continued to conceal his identity, genuinely wanting to hear Zhang Fei’s thoughts. Even though he wanted to hear Zhang Fei’s thoughts on reforms, it was truly not the reason why he had hidden his identity.

“Being friends with you? Do I have a death wish?” Zhang Fei thought, nodding awkwardly before quickly shaking his head. “No, no, your humble subject is too lowly to be friends with Your Majesty.” This was precisely what Zhao Xu didn’t want to see, but he knew it was unavoidable. Sighing, he said, “Suit yourself,” and gestured for him to sit. “I… Your humble subject…”

“Sit,” Zhao Xu repeated.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Zhang Fei then sat down properly. Zhao Xu said helplessly, “I didn’t want to reveal my identity, but if I hadn’t, you might have shown me the door.” Zhang Fei quickly replied, “Your Majesty, you wrong your humble subject. I was just planning to leave myself, not intending to…”

Zhao Xu chuckled, “It’s my fault, don’t worry about it.” Zhang Fei didn’t know whether to nod or shake his head.

Seeing Zhang Fei’s discomfort, Zhao Xu changed his tone, “I’ve always hoped you would enter the imperial court to assist with reforms. I even asked Chief Judge Xu for help, but you consistently refused and even expressed doubts about reforms, which troubled me. Now, with reforms imminent, I must speak openly with you today.” Zhao Xu spoke sincerely and this was indeed his main purpose for the visit.

Although Wang Anshi had told him how to govern officials, he felt Zhang Fei was still skeptical about the reforms, as he repeatedly avoided entering the government.

Despite being a pen-in-cap, many of Zhang Fei’s views resonated with Zhao Xu. His attitude in legal matters also showed his support for reforms generally, which made Zhao Xu uneasy about Zhang Fei’s skepticism about the upcoming reforms.

At this moment, he needed to know why Zhang Fei was skeptical about the reforms.

Otherwise, he couldn’t proceed with peace of mind. Zhang Fei was truly flattered, not realizing the emperor valued his opinion so much on such significant matters.

Zhao Xu had guessed correctly. Zhang Fei was cautious about entering government because he was skeptical of Wang Anshi’s reforms but he also didn’t agree with Sima Guang’s cost-cutting policies, leaving him conflicted.

Zhao Xu asked directly, “What is your view on the reforms?” Zhang Fei pondered for a moment, then replied, “Your Majesty, our dynasty’s main issues lie with the Three Excesses: excessive officials, excessive soldiers, and excessive expenditures. The first two lead to the third. Why doesn’t the court directly address these issues by reducing officials, soldiers, and salaries?” Zhao Xu sighed, “If it were that simple, the Qingli Reforms wouldn’t have failed!” Zhang Fei asked, “If the court can’t even save money, how can it increase revenue? Ultimately, who will bear the cost?”

Zhang Fei’s skepticism about Wang Anshi’s reforms stemmed from forcing advanced financial concepts onto a backwards political system, which was bound to cause issues.

Sima Guang’s financial ideas were flawed, but he understood politics well, and his predictions were often accurate.

No matter how the government tried to increase revenue, it would ultimately be a form of increased taxation, and any increase in tax would ultimately fall on the common people, sooner or later.

Under such a backwards political system, the best approach was for the court to reduce expenses to lower taxes, relieving the people’s burden and stimulating economic activity, which would gradually increase tax revenue.

Zhao Xu said, “Academician Wang said, ‘For a family to be rich, the country must be rich; for a country to be rich, its people must be rich; for people to be rich, the natural world must be rich.’ Do you disagree?”

Zhang Fei smiled, “I think it’s right, but it’s not what I’m talking about.”

Zhao Xu asked, “How is it different?”

Zhang Fei replied, “I’m not questioning right or wrong, but whether it’s achievable. The current problem is excessive officials, and the solution is to streamline the bureaucracy. But the court can’t do it, showing that the issue isn’t about what should be done but what can be done So, the first problem the court needs to solve is…”

Zhao Xu interjected, “The legal system.”

Zhang Fei nodded, “Exactly. If Your Majesty wants to strengthen the country and its military, the first step is to establish a sound legal system where everyone abides by the law. On this foundation, fiscal reforms will be much more effective. Otherwise, any tax increase will burden the people, leading to a vicious cycle. It’s better to trust Academician Sima’s cost-cutting policies to achieve tax reduction, benefiting the people.”

“But establishing a sound legal system isn’t easy and can’t be done overnight. With reforms imminent, I can’t back down!” Zhao Xu was sweating profusely. With reforms looming, it was a cruelty to have such discussions with him. He couldn’t retreat; he had to implement his policies this year, or he’d have a breakdown.

Zhang Fei smiled, “I think it’s a perfect opportunity.”

Zhao Xu was surprised, “A perfect opportunity?”

Zhang Fei nodded, “Your Majesty needn’t change your plans. Continue to fully support Academician Wang’s reforms. If they succeed, great. If not, ensure they fail spectacularly.”

Zhao Xu’s eyes widened in shock, “Fail spectacularly?”

Sweat dripped down his face, soaking his back.

Zhang Fei nodded, “If they don’t fail spectacularly, how can our dynasty be reborn from the ashes?”

Zhao Xu urgently asked, “How can it be reborn?”

Zhang Fei replied, “Let hidden dragons lie low.”

It was already the third watch.

Lanterns were already hung at the palace gates.

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”

“Huh? What’s the matter?” New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novel-fire.net

“Your Majesty, we’ve arrived!” Zhao Xu lifted the carriage curtain and saw they were at the palace gates. He got off the carriage, stood for a moment, then smiled,

“Let hidden dragons lie low. Brilliant!” He laughed heartily, waved his sleeve, and walked lightly into the palace.

At the Zhang residence.

“What did His Majesty say to you?” Xu Zhiqian’s bright eyes were filled with curiosity as she stared at Zhang Fei. She had been waiting all day until late at night. What could they have talked about for so long?

As soon as Zhao Xu left, she hurried over, needing to know before she could sleep. Zhang Fei smiled, “I’m not telling you.”

“Why not?” Xu Zhiqian said weakly, “I care about you.”

“Care about me?” Zhang Fei rolled his eyes, “You kept this secret from me, and you say you care?”

Xu Zhiqian pouted, feeling wronged, “I… I didn’t want to hide it from you. What good would it do me? If you said something wrong, it would implicate me too. But His Majesty repeatedly warned me. Would you have dared to say anything?”

Zhang Fei quickly shook his head, “I wouldn’t dare either! So don’t ask.”

Xu Zhiqian was dumbfounded, realizing she had handed him a way out.

Zhang Fei yawned,

“Lady Xu, it’s late. You should go home and rest. It’s the middle of the night, and my wife isn’t home. It doesn’t look good.”

Xu Zhiqian stood up, “What wife? She’s just a fake. Don’t get ahead of yourself.” She had to mock him a bit.

Zhang Fei nodded, “Fine, she’s fake, you’re real.”

“Scoundrel!” Xu Zhiqian blushed and stormed off. Zhang Fei chuckled. He looked up at the stars, and said, “Wang Anshi, Sima Guang, now there are three players at the table.”