Chapter 127: Fake Fan
After signing three copies of the contract, Su Shi left with Sima Guang.
“Ah! Mr. Su has returned.”
“Mr. Su.”
“If you have time, Mr. Su, don’t forget to drop by.”
“Mr. Su, I’ve just composed a new song. Could you help me evaluate it?”
…
Half of Pen-in-cap Alley was a place of entertainment. Although Su Shi wasn’t as notorious as Liu Yong for living off women, it wasn’t because he couldn’t; he simply didn’t need to.
Su Shi was actually a frequent visitor to the brothels, and many of the songstresses were old acquaintances of his.
So, as soon as Su Shi appeared, the songstresses in the brothels on both sides went wild.
However, Su Shi felt a bit embarrassed. This was because Sima Guang, who was accompanying him, disliked such places the most. Within the imperial court, only Wang Anshi was similar to him in this regard.
It was rare for literati not to be amorous.
So, even though these two often argued, they were very similar in their lifestyles and were actually good friends. It was only later, when the reform efforts turned into a factional struggle, that they broke apart.
Factional struggles were dreadful because they lacked right and wrong, morality, or ethics—just a pure battlefield where everything you supported, good or bad, I would oppose.
Su Shi awkwardly waved to the sisters while glancing at Sima Guang.
Sima Guang just smiled and didn’t disturb their reunion.
Neither Sima Guang nor Wang Anshi interfered much in others’ private lives.
After leaving the alley, Sima Guang asked, “When did you return?”
Su Shi replied, “I returned today.”
He had been observing mourning for his father, and this year marked the end of a three-year period, so he returned to the capital.
Honestly, Su Shi had been quite unlucky.
Just after passing the imperial exam and feeling triumphant, his mother passed away, and he returned home to mourn. After completing the mourning period and returning to court, his father passed away, so he went back to mourn again.
Sima Guang was surprised. “Today?”
“Yes.”
“You came back today and immediately came here to find Zhang San for a lawsuit?” Sima Guang asked in astonishment.
Su Shi smiled sheepishly. “To be honest, I heard about Zhang San’s reputation last year. I heard he sued the imperial court using ancestral law, so I hurried back to the capital with my brother. I didn’t make it in time, but I came across that poetry collection and thought I would use it as an opportunity to see Zhang San’s skills.”
“I see!”
Sima Guang stroked his beard and smiled. “I must say, that young man’s talents are unfathomable. If he were willing, he could enter the imperial court immediately.”
Su Shi was astonished. “Is he that impressive?”
Sima Guang nodded.
Su Shi laughed. “Then I must see how he handles this lawsuit.”
“He will not disappoint you.”
Sima Guang laughed and asked, “What are your plans now that you’ve returned?”
Su Shi’s expression changed, and he cautiously replied, “I haven’t decided yet.”
Sima Guang said, “I’m planning to petition His Majesty for judicial reform. If you’re interested, I could recommend you to the Court of Judicial Review. You’ve served there before, haven’t you?”
Su Shi hesitated.
He knew Wang Anshi was about to introduce new laws, and Sima Guang’s invitation clearly had a political stance. Having just returned, he wasn’t sure about the current situation.
Sima Guang didn’t mind and said with a laugh, “Take your time to consider and let me know.”
Su Shi quickly bowed in thanks.
…
Not long after they left, Cao Dongdong, Ma Xiaoyi, and Fu Shichun, who had been hiding in the brothel, rushed to the law firm.
“Brother San, aren’t we loyal? Knowing you were opening and that no one is here to support you, we came to show our loyalty,” Ma Xiaoyi said, jumping onto a long table and thumping his chest.
However, his words were like rubbing salt into their wounds!
“Alright, alright! I thank you all,” Zhang Fei said, pushing him off the desk.
Cao Dongdong’s eyes twinkled. “Xiaoyi, what kind of loyalty is that? True loyalty means bringing business to Zhang San.”
Zhang Fei immediately looked at Cao Dongdong and smiled. “You’re so understanding. What business do you have for me?”
Cao Dongdong’s eyes sparkled. “I want to sue the imperial court.”
Ma Xiaoyi and Fu Shichun immediately perked up and gathered around.
“Brother, you want to sue the imperial court?” Ma Xiaoyi said excitedly.
Cao Dongdong nodded.
Fu Shichun asked curiously, “Aren’t you afraid your father will beat you?”
Cao Dongdong said with some hesitation, “With Zhang San here, what’s there to fear? I wasn’t beaten last time.”
Ma Xiaoyi said, “Brother, you must be mistaken. Didn’t Uncle Cao drag you across the floor last time?”
“… I mean after the lawsuit.”
“Wait! Wait!”
Zhang Fei was completely puzzled. “You want to sue the imperial court?”
Cao Dongdong nodded like a pecking chicken.
Zhang Fei asked, “Sue the court for what?” Thinking to himself, “I hope suing the court doesn’t become a trend. That wouldn’t be good!”
Cao Dongdong said, “For breaching a contract. I bought a woman, paid in full, and the imperial court just took her back. It’s unreasonable.”
Ma Xiaoyi was surprised. “When did this happen? I didn’t know.”
“I’ll tell you later,” Cao Dongdong said, then turned to Zhang Fei. “Zhang San, can we win this case?”
Zhang Fei pondered for a moment, then asked, “Does it involve the Three Financial Bureaus?”
He thought that if he could drag the Three Financial Bureaus into the lawsuit, it would be quite interesting.
Cao Dongdong thought for a moment. “It’s somewhat related.”
Zhang Fei asked urgently, “Why did the imperial court take her back?”
Cao Dongdong’s eyes darted around. “It wasn’t my fault. I had already bought her, and no matter the reason, the court shouldn’t have taken her back without consulting me.”
Zhang Fei said, “Even if it wasn’t your fault, you need to tell me the reason. Otherwise, how can I fight this lawsuit?”
Cao Dongdong said, “The reason is… the government suddenly deemed her innocent and took her back.”
Fu Shichun laughed. “Brother, you’re talking about Gao Wenyin, aren’t you?”
Cao Dongdong blinked. “So what if I am?”
“My wife?”
Zhang Fei was utterly shocked. This guy was still after Gao Wenyin. He was furious. “Brother, are you crazy? You want me to help you sue just to get my wife to your house?”
Honestly, he was almost amused by Cao Dongdong’s foolishness.
Cao Dongdong quickly said, “She’s not your wife. Gao Wenyin has already returned to the Shi family. Besides, you’re a pen-in-cap. You take the case if there’s one.”
“Go do it yourself.”
“I wish I had the skills.”
Cao Dongdong smirked and said, “I kept my promise and helped you buy that widow. You returned her to the imperial court, so it’s not my fault. Since you didn’t want her, why can’t I? The imperial court made a mistake; I shouldn’t have to bear it.”
Ma Xiaoyi blinked and nodded. “Brother makes sense.”
Fu Shichun also nodded slightly.
Back then, Zhang Fei left with the beauty, and it was they who handled the aftermath. All the contracts were signed by Cao Dongdong, and he paid the money.
But now, the government voided the contract and restored Gao Wenyin’s freedom, which Zhang Fei agreed to. The problem was that Zhang Fei wasn’t the buyer.
So, Cao Dongdong’s demand had some merit.
Cao Dongdong laughed proudly. “I’ve been thinking about this for a long time.”
“Merit, my foot.”
Zhang Fei snorted. “You don’t get it. I had the government refund you because I’ve already won Gao Wenyin’s heart. She’s still my wife and she’ll be back soon. I planned to let the government refund you, so you would still owe me a favor, and you could help me buy another… Ahem, this time, I want a young girl.”
Fu Shichun gasped.
There was always someone better. Truly, the strong are always stronger!
Cao Dongdong was furious. “Zhang San, how can you be so shameless? I spent money to help you buy that widow, and you returned her. What does that have to do with me?”
Zhang Fei said, “Did the money fly into your pocket by itself? Didn’t I arrange for the government to refund you? You owe me a widow. Xiaoyi, go find out if there are any pretty girls for sale.”
Ma Xiaoyi stood by Cao Dongdong’s side. “Brother San, sorry, but I support Brother Cao this time.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m involved in this so if you sue the court, I can participate.”
“Did you hear that?”
Cao Dongdong was delighted. “Xiaoyi supports me. Will you take the case?”
“Yes! One thousand strings, guaranteed loss.” Zhang Fei said irritably.
Cao Dongdong snorted. “You already have Lady Xu. What’s wrong with giving Gao Wenyin to me?”
As soon as he finished speaking, a clear voice echoed, “What are you saying about me?”
Xu Zhiqian walked in.
Zhang Fei said, “Cao Dongdong said you and I are having an affair.”
Xu Zhiqian asked, “What does that mean?”
Ma Xiaoyi was curious too. “Yeah, what does that mean?”
“It means a secret relationship.”
“Wow! Zhang San, how dare you slander me! Just wait, I’ll get back up! Taozi, let’s go!”
Shouting the harshest words, while running the fastest.
Cao Dongdong and Ma Xiaoyi disappeared in a flash.
Only Fu Shichun maintained his composure and said, “Goodbye.”
But his steps were quick too.
No one in the capital wanted to cross Xu Zhiqian.
Once they left, Xu Zhiqian glared at Zhang Fei and pointed at him. “So you talk about me behind my back?”
Zhang Fei said indignantly, “It was Cao Dongdong. I didn’t say anything.”
Xu Zhiqian didn’t believe him. “If you didn’t talk, why would they speak of me?”
Zhang Fei said irritably, “Lady Xu, I wouldn’t lie. If I spoke ill of you and you clung to me, my life would be over.”
“Pfft!”
Xu Zhiqian said, “Who would cling to you, you shameless man?”
“Exactly. We’d burn the house down if we were together.”
Zhang Fei hurriedly said, “Alright, enough. I just took a big case. You’ll be interested.”
Xu Zhiqian perked up at the mention of a big case but said, “Next time I hear you talking nonsense, I won’t let you off.”
Zhang Fei said quickly, “But before that, you must give me a chance to kill Cao Dongdong.”
Xu Zhiqian pursed her lips. “Alright. It’d be best if you both perished together.”
Zhang Fei looked at her in surprise. She really was ruthless!
Xu Zhiqian asked, “What big case?”
Zhang Fei said, “Do you know Su Shi?”
Xu Zhiqian was excited. “Mr. Su.”
“Wow… why are you so excited?” Zhang Fei asked, scrutinizing her. “Is Mr. Su your dream lover?”
Xu Zhiqian spat. “What dream lover? Don’t talk nonsense. Mr. Su is my elder.”
Zhang Fei was curious. “Then why are you so excited?”
Xu Zhiqian blushed. “I like Mr. Su’s poems. Is that wrong?”
“It’s fine! Of course, it’s fine.”
Zhang Fei thought to himself, how many hearts has that old lecher captured? He asked, “You must have bought Mr. Su’s poetry collection.”
Xu Zhiqian nodded.
Zhang Fei snorted. “You must have bought a pirated copy. What a fake fan.”