Judge of the Song Dynasty

Yan Jidao.

As the son of the renowned minister Yan Shu, it was said he could write essays by age seven and passed the imperial examinations at fourteen – truly an exemplary child. He and Yan Shu were known together as the “Two Yans.”

He was also a famous poet of the Northern Song dynasty.

The chances of encountering historical figures in the Northern Song seemed just a bit too high.

Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian got down from their carriage.

“I, Zhang Fei, pay my respects to Mr. Yan.”

Zhang Fei bowed and asked, “What guidance does Mr. Yan wish to proffer?”

Yan Jidao bowed back, “I wouldn’t dare claim to offer guidance. I just saw how you handled Su Shi’s lawsuit, so I’d like to request your services for a case regarding my father.”

Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian exchanged glances.

Indeed. The scholars of today weren’t foolish.

In fact, they were very clever.

They had sought him out so quickly.

Zhang Fei asked knowingly, “What kind of case does Mr. Yan wish to pursue?”

“It’s about the Three Records Bookstore pirating my father’s poetry collection,” Yan Jidao’s face showed traces of anger.

Zhang Fei looked at him and asked, “It seems this isn’t just about simple piracy.”

Yan Jidao hesitated slightly, “The situation is somewhat similar to Su Shi’s. Their bookstore’s printed works are of terrible quality, barely readable. I tried negotiating with them, pointing out their errors, hoping they would make corrections. But the Three Records Bookstore only pretended to comply while continuing their ways, and they wouldn’t replace their printing blocks, leading to even worse quality in subsequent printings.”

Interestingly, historically both Yan Jidao and Su Shi got into trouble for their poetry, yet both came to Zhang Fei first for these copyright cases.

Zhang Fei asked, “How much compensation do you wish to seek?”

Yan Jidao shook his head, “I don’t want money. I just want their studio to stop printing my father’s poetry and writings.”

Zhang Fei nodded slightly, “I can take your case, but I have one condition.”

Yan Jidao asked, “How much payment do you require?”

Zhang Fei shook his head, “I don’t need payment. I’ve just acquired a bookstore, and I hope you can entrust your father’s poetry and writings to my small shop.”

While Su Shi’s poetry collection wasn’t extensive yet, though it showed potential, Yan Shu’s works were abundant. With the Yan family’s works, what was there to worry about?

Yan Jidao asked in surprise, “You’re opening a bookstore too?”

“It’s because of this case that I decided to open a bookstore.”

Zhang Fei explained, “I believe these poems and writings are treasures of our Great Song that must be treated with care. Those bookstores’ shoddy work truly defiles these beautiful poems and writings. After all, I’m somewhat of a poet myself.”

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a suppressed laugh.

Zhang Fei looked at Xu Zhiqian glumly, “What are you laughing at?”

Xu Zhiqian pressed her lips together, “You can hardly claim to be even ‘somewhat’ of one.”

But Yan Jidao said, “Miss Xu is mistaken. Zhang’s line ‘In the westerly wind that lifts the curtains, I am thinner than the yellow flowers’ is truly exceptional, especially written from a woman’s perspective. I myself couldn’t match it.”

These lines had already spread throughout the capital, known to all.

It was worth noting that Yan Jidao’s love poetry was uniquely distinctive, making his evaluation particularly authoritative.

Xu Zhiqian pursed her lips, thinking that it definitely wasn’t his work – he could barely understand her legal documents.

“As expected of Mr. Yan, you have better judgment than some people.”

Zhang Fei bowed and cast a smug look at Xu Zhiqian before continuing, “That’s why I plan to open my own bookstore. I can promise you, sir, that our store will produce the most exquisite collection of your father’s poetry in the world, and we’ll also pay you copyright fees.”

“Copyright fees?”

Yan Jidao was completely puzzled.

“Indeed.”

Zhang Fei nodded and said, “If Master Yan agrees, we can sign a contract where you can specify certain requirements and authorize me to print these works, and this authorization will come with compensation, which I call copyright fees.”

Initially, Yan Jidao just didn’t want to see his father’s poetry being butchered – even one wrong character in a beautiful poem felt like swallowing a fly, especially since he was a poet himself.

He never expected that now he could not only demand quality production but also receive payment – this was impossible to refuse!

Yan Jidao agreed almost without hesitation.

Zhang Fei cleared his throat, “If you are willing, could we also publish your own poetry at our store?”

“Mine?”

Yan Jidao was stunned for a while and waved his hands modestly, “My humble works aren’t worthy of such treatment, no, no.”

Zhang Fei pondered briefly and said, “Well, I believe that a fine poetry collection should not only contain beautiful verses but also express the author’s true intentions. Therefore, we’ll include stories behind the poems to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.

Since you’re Minister Yan’s son, adding your works to your father’s collection would represent a passing on of tradition, making it truly perfect.”

Just printing poetry alone – how much could that amount to? Readers would find less enjoyment in it. The stories behind the poems were what truly attracted people.

Xu Zhiqian’s eyes lit up in surprise as she looked at Zhang Fei, thinking that it would be a waste of talent for him to remain a pen-in-cap. If he became a merchant, he would likely become the wealthiest very quickly.

This idea was truly promising.

Yes!

This would make a perfect poetry collection! Yan Jidao’s eyes flickered with excitement, his heart blooming with joy, and he shyly agreed.

The three found a nearby teahouse and signed a contract for legal services.

Just like with Su Shi.

Three copies.

In Yan Jidao’s own hand.

His calligraphy must be preserved!

His future descendants would have something to boast about.

However, the contract didn’t specify compensation since Zhang Fei didn’t want money, and the bookstore hadn’t officially changed hands yet. Regarding payment, both parties only reached a verbal agreement.

Though this was their first meeting, he still trusted Yan Jidao.

After Yan Jidao left, Xu Zhiqian couldn’t help saying, “I didn’t expect you to be so skilled at business. If you can really produce the kind of books you described, they’re sure to sell well.”

Zhang Fei shook his head, “If I can’t solve the piracy problem before that, it will certainly be a loss. Come, let’s go to the office.”

Xu Zhiqian asked curiously, “Why go to the office? Shouldn’t we go home to discuss the legal precedent first?”

Zhang Fei said, “The benefactor hasn’t finished his court session yet. Let’s go to the office first to arrange this case.”

They took a carriage straight to the Bianjing Law Firm.

“Congratulations to Brother San and Miss Xu on another great victory.”

As soon as they got down from the carriage, Fan Li came over enthusiastically, smiling so widely his eyes nearly disappeared.

Zhang Fei chuckled, “There’s nothing worth congratulating. This was definitely the easiest case I’ve ever handled, since not everyone on the other side was an enemy.” The rıghtful source is novelFɪre.net

Xu Zhiqian thought about it and realized it was true.

Even when helping Young Master Cao with his case, everyone on the other side had been adversaries!

Only this time had things gone smoothly.

Most scholars and literati supported him.

“Indeed! Indeed!”

Fan Li nodded repeatedly, then suddenly asked, “How much compensation did the Kaifeng Court order the bookstore to pay?”

The compensation was the key! “See for yourself!”

Zhang Fei handed the verdict to Fan Li, then entered the office.

They saw the pen-in-caps and notaries lined up inside the shop, welcoming back their returning champions.

Congratulatory words and flattering remarks filled the air.

Zhang Fei announced that tonight at Guangju Tower, all expenses would be covered by him.

Guangju Tower was in Pen-in-cap Alley, decent in quality, but a proper restaurant.

He couldn’t afford entertainment houses yet.

After all, they were still in the startup phase.

But this already broke Fan Li’s record, as that fellow had never treated anyone. This immediately drew cheers from all the employees.

Fan Li, who came in later, suddenly pulled Zhang Fei aside and whispered, “Wasn’t it supposed to be one thousand strings? How did it become the bookstore being transferred to us?”

Zhang Fei chuckled, “One thousand strings? How would they have that much?”

“If not a thousand, they must have had three to five hundred.”

“Enough! I have other plans for this, but don’t worry, I’ll honor our contract. The shop will definitely have income.”

Speaking of which, Zhang Fei suddenly turned around, “Zhengwen, come here.”

A young man ran over, “Brother San, what do you need?”

This person was named Qiu Zhengwen. During the last “winter vacation assignment,” he had achieved excellent results. Importantly, he was very young, so Zhang Fei was focusing on training him.

After all, Zhang Fei couldn’t personally handle every case.

“Here’s a case for you.”

Zhang Fei placed his contract with Yan Jidao against Qiu Zhengwen’s chest.

Qiu Zhengwen’s face lit up with joy as he clutched the contract with both hands, “Thank you, Brother San, thank you!”

Seeing this, Xu Zhiqian hurried over and whispered, “Zhang San, have you thought this through?”

Zhang Fei said, “Don’t worry, there won’t be any problems.”

Fan Li saw Xu Zhiqian’s expression and knew this wasn’t a simple case. He glanced over and after a while, snatched the contract away, “Brother San, this involves the Yan family. How can we let Zhengwen handle it? No, no.”

Although the Yan family had declined since Yan Shu’s death, even a lean camel was larger than a horse! Fan Li hadn’t even handled cases for such families, and Qiu Zhengwen was their firm’s most junior member.

Zhang Fei ignored Fan Li and asked Qiu Zhengwen, “Zhengwen, are you confident?”

When Qiu Zhengwen heard it was the Yan family, well!

How could he be confident?

Zhang Fei continued, “If you’re not confident, I’ll assign someone else.”

Brother San trusts me so much, I can’t let him down! Qiu Zhengwen gritted his teeth and said, “I am.”

“That’s good enough.”

Zhang Fei handed the judgment from Su Shi’s case to Qiu Zhengwen, “Just use this judgment to write a complaint, but don’t submit it to the prefectural office, submit it to the District Court instead.”

The District Court was Kaifeng’s community court, generally handling only minor civil and criminal cases.

Cases involving more than sixty beatings had to go to other courts.

Qiu Zhengwen nodded dumbly.

Zhang Fei asked again, “Any problems?”

“Just write it following this verdict?” Qiu Zhengwen asked.

Zhang Fei nodded, “I’ll give you one night, is that enough?”

“More than enough!”

Qiu Zhengwen nodded repeatedly.

If he was just following the judgment, it was like taking an open-book exam. Who needed a whole night? Two hours would be enough.