Chapter 124: The Most Powerful Departments
Timing was crucial.
No matter what one did.
The same words spoken today could result in one’s downfall, but if said tomorrow, they might lead to promotion and wealth.
Why hadn’t Zhang Fei previously offered any suggestions to Xu Zun? He only discussed legal philosophies with him because Xu Zun was not a State Councilor. His authority was limited to the Court of Judicial Review, and the administrative system of the Northern Song Dynasty further restricted him. If he wanted to amend any laws, he had to report it, and who knew how long that would take? Ultimately, decisions were made by the State Councilors.
This was why his efforts to amend laws had always been slow.
But now it was different. Now, Sima Guang held the position of State Councilor with authority over the Court of Penal Review. He had the power to enact judicial reforms and had shown a strong desire to do so on his first day in office.
This aligned perfectly with Xu Zun’s aspirations.
So, bringing it up now had a high chance of success.
Early the next morning, Xu Zun took his proposal to discuss with Sima Guang.
“Xu Zun, truly the foremost expert of our legal system. This proposal is brilliant,” Sima Guang praised after reading it. He had completely forgotten that he had once scolded Xu Zun during the trial of Ayun, calling him a disgrace to justice.
Xu Zun could hardly accept such praise, mainly because it wasn’t his idea. But he knew that if he credited Zhang Fei, it would only complicate matters, so he awkwardly smiled and quickly changed the subject, “However, this proposal has a drawback; it might increase government expenditure.”
Sima Guang, seeing through Xu Zun, smiled and said, “Actually, it won’t increase it by much. Some government offices just need slight adjustments. It’s not a big issue.”
This was clearly a reference to Wang Anshi’s reforms.
If Wang could do it, why couldn’t he?
……
Undoubtedly, this year was destined to be a year of reforms.
Wang Anshi wanted reforms.
Sima Guang wanted reforms.
Even Zhang Fei was conducting a grand reform at his bookstore.
The first step was to occupy the space.
Ten or so strong men were moving things in and out.
“This time, I really feel sorry for you, Mogul,” Zhang Fei said to Fan Li, feigning concern as he watched the movers, “But don’t worry, the rent will be high enough for you to rent a nice house elsewhere.”
The bookstore needed to expand, but there were no properties available for rent or sale nearby, so Fan Li had to move out, and his residence was incorporated into the bookstore.
Fan Li waved his hand, “That’s a small matter. When do you plan to reopen?”
Zhang Fei thought for a moment, “Preferably in the next couple of days. Although the back isn’t ready, the front is. We can’t afford to waste time.”
Fan Li then asked, “Will we be launching our tax accounting service?”
He looked anxious.
Zhang Fei nodded, “Of course. Otherwise, there’s no need to rush.”
Fan Li nervously said, “But I’ve heard that the Three Financial Bureaus, the Transport Commission, and the Capital Merchants Tax Bureau have been frequently interacting with merchants recently. I’m afraid they won’t let us succeed.”
Zhang Fei laughed, “That’s precisely why there’s profit to be made. If everyone could do it, why would we?”
Fan Li thought it over and realized it made sense. This was why he had agreed to partner with Zhang Fei.
Just then, a servant came in, “Mogul, Master Fan from White Crystal Inn is here.”
“Master Fan?”
Fan Li was puzzled and looked at Zhang Fei, “He must be here for you.”
Zhang Fei nodded slightly.
Fan Li had guessed correctly; Fan Zheng was indeed there to see Zhang Fei.
“To be honest, I’m here today because my father sent me to ask if your bookstore is indeed planning to launch tax accounting services.”
“Absolutely,” Zhang Fei replied with a smile. “Our bookstore will officially open in a couple of days, and we’ll launch our tax accounting services then.”
Fan Zheng furrowed his brows upon hearing this.
Zhang Fei, still smiling, said, “Feel free to speak your mind, Master Fan.”
Fan Zheng apologized, “I’m sorry, but our White Crystal Inn may choose to go to Li’s Bookstore for tax accounting services instead.”
Fan Li was shocked, “Why?”
Fan Zheng, looking uneasy, glanced at Zhang Fei.
Zhang Fei’s eyes gleamed with amusement, but he said, “Business is a matter of mutual consent. If White Crystal Inn chooses another store, that’s perfectly fine. But I’m curious, what advantage does Li’s Bookstore have?”
Fan Zheng sighed, “It’s not that they have an advantage, but… the authorities have implied that if we use your bookstore for tax accounting services, we’ll have a hard time getting supplies like wine yeast, salt, and sugar from the government. Our inn relies on these supplies!”
“Oh no! What are we going to do?” Fan Li exclaimed in panic.
Zhang Fei frowned and asked Fan Zheng, “The authorities could pressure you not to come here, but why direct you to Li’s Bookstore?”
Fan Zheng replied, “I think the authorities want to suppress your store. If all merchants go to Li’s Bookstore for tax accounting services, they’ll gradually distance themselves from your store, and your other services too.”
Zhang Fei nodded, “That’s what I thought.”
Fan Li, frustrated, said, “After all our efforts, we’re just shooting ourselves in the foot.”
Zhang Fei glanced at Fan Li and smiled, “Mogul Fan, stay calm. We’re in big business; let’s not make a scene.”
Just then, Ma Tianhao and Chen Maoxian arrived.
“Fan Zheng greets Uncle Ma and Uncle Chen.”
“Your father is really clever, sending you to handle this unpleasant task,” Ma Tianhao teased Fan Zheng, then turned to Zhang Fei and laughed, “Zhang San, you’ve hit a snag this time!”
Zhang Fei asked with a smile, “What means did the Three Financial Bureaus use to make you yield, Brother Hao?”
Ma Tianhao didn’t mind the nickname and sat beside Zhang Fei, laughing, “This was requested by Xiang-guo Temple. Without their support, we wouldn’t be able to issue housing loans.”
Chen Maoxian added, “Zhang San, you’ve made a wrong move! Today they can force us not to use your tax accounting services; tomorrow they can stop us from seeking your contract drafting services.”
Zhang Fei retorted, “And you’re already declaring my defeat?”
Ma Tianhao, energized, laughed heartily, “I knew you wouldn’t give up easily. I want to see what tricks you have up your sleeve to best the Three Financial Bureaus.”
Chen Maoxian, however, said, “You can’t win this time. The government controls essential goods like tea, rice, oil, salt, wine, and sugar. They can’t touch you, but they can easily crush us!”
Fan Zheng quickly added, “Uncle Chen is right. The government has many ways to deal with us. No merchant would dare use your tax accounting services.”
Zhang Fei laughed, “Gentlemen, you are the top moguls in the capital. Why such short-sightedness? If I don’t do this business, I have other ways to earn money. But if you retreat now, you’ll be trapped in the future.”
The two old foxes and the young fox exchanged glances for a long time.
Chen Maoxian finally said, “You’re right, but we can’t gamble our lives and fortunes. For example, the Fan family relies on connections to get wine yeast from the government. If the supply is cut off, White Crystal Inn won’t last three months.”
Why drag my inn into this? Fan Zheng thought, feeling awkward, but nodded in agreement with his elder.
Ma Tianhao laughed heartily, “Stop pretending, you two. Zhang San is too shrewd not to see through you.”
He then turned to Zhang Fei, “If you win, we can support you then. No need to take risks now. If you have the ability, pave a way for us.”
Chen Maoxian and Fan Zheng felt embarrassed but knew it was the truth.
Even if they didn’t support Zhang Fei now, they would have an extra option if he succeeded later. No need to risk anything now.
Zhang Fei, annoyed, laughed and cursed, “You cunning merchants! Aren’t you afraid of scaring Mogul Fan?”
All three looked at Fan Li.
Fan Li, feeling slighted, retorted, “If you’re not afraid, why should I be?”
But once they left, Fan Li became hesitant, “Zhang San, should we… still open?”
Zhang Fei laughed, “Of course we should.”
……
When he got home, Gao Wenyin and the others had not returned; only Li Si and Xiao Tao were there. Li Si, less of a simpleton than he appeared to be, immediately went to help Xiao Tao with her chores.
After sitting alone for a while, Zhang Fei decided to visit the Xu family.
As he approached the back door, it opened, and Xu Zhiqian appeared, slightly flushed.
They exchanged glances and smiled.
“Looks like you had quite a bit to drink today!” Zhang Fei teased.
Xu Zhiqian had been out boating with her friends and hadn’t gone to the bookstore with Zhang Fei.
“Not much,” Xu Zhiqian said, touching her cheek and changing the subject, “How’s the preparation at Fan’s bookstore?”
Zhang Fei smiled, “We ran into some trouble.”
Xu Zhiqian quickly asked, “What trouble?”
Zhang Fei explained what had happened.
Xu Zhiqian frowned, “I told you this business would be tough. The Three Financial Bureaus are the most powerful departments in our dynasty. They may not be able to harm you, but they can stop merchants from dealing with you.”
This was true because the Song Dynasty heavily regulated commerce and had vast government-run enterprises controlling essential daily goods.
For example, wine yeast had to be purchased from the government.
If White Crystal Inn disobeyed, the government could cut off their supply, and the inn would lose its top position.
Now, Zhang Fei had offended the Transport Commission, making matters worse. Merchants thrived on buying and selling.
Zhang Fei laughed, “Since I dare to do this, I naturally have confidence; they won’t easily defeat me.”
Xu Zhiqian asked, “What do you mean?”
“Timing,” Zhang Fei replied with a smile. “I’ve always relied on timing to win. Let them be arrogant for now; I’ll take them down all at once.”