Judge of the Song Dynasty

Although Wang Anshi had not yet announced his new policies, the corvée labor system would definitely change. According to his current statements, the government might pay to hire workers in the future.

Since it would be paid employment, could people choose not to participate? Would refusing count as evading corvée? How would officials judge such cases? What punishments would apply to wealthy people who didn’t pay the exemption fee?

Sima Guang suddenly realized that overriding statute through precedent was now unavoidable. However, being conservative and cautious by nature, he didn’t immediately submit a memorial to the emperor. Instead, he requested special cases from the Court of Penal Review for analysis to see if there were similar precedents.

Meanwhile, Wang Anshi was finalizing arrangements with the emperor. Rather than simply announcing new policies, they needed to establish the policies’ legitimacy first. Wang Anshi had explained that to avoid wasting too much effort on administrative reforms, they would create a temporary agency bypassing the existing system.

This temporary agency was officially named the “Commission for the Reorganization of the Three Financial Bureaus,” or “Finance Planning Commission” for short. It was tasked with “managing state finances, reforming old laws, and facilitating prosperity throughout the realm.” As the name suggested, it would primarily control financial authority.

Emperor Zhao Xu had already agreed to this. Now only the personnel appointments remained.

To Emperor Zhao Xu’s surprise, the Commission would have two chiefs. Wang Anshi recommended Chen Shengzhi to serve as the senior chief, with himself in a subordinate position.

“Why don’t you lead the Commission alone?” Zhao Xu asked.

Wang Anshi replied, “Your Majesty, given my limited experience, solely leading this Commission might appear improper and unconvincing. Thus, I suggest sharing leadership with the Chief Military Commissioner.”

Having navigated officialdom for years, he wasn’t naive. Would the emperor trust one person to control all state finances? Besides, his current rank made direct promotion to the top chancellor impossible. None of the four senior Chancellors – Fu Bi, Tang Jie, Zeng Gongliang, and Zhao Bian – supported him. He needed someone influential, having only returned to the capital a year ago.

Chen Shengzhi had deep experience, impressive achievements, was his friend, and supported the reforms. Since the Military Commission controlled military affairs and was equal to the Palace Secretariat, with the old Secretariat officials opposing him, Wang Anshi turned to the Military Commission.

Emperor Zhao Xu understood Wang Anshi’s concerns and nodded with a smile, then asked, “What are the roles of Document Examiner and Policy Assessment Officer, and who should fill them?”

Wang Anshi explained, “Document Examiners will assist in drafting new regulations, while Policy Assessment Officers will inspect local implementation and immediately correct any issues.”

This showed the Commission would have supervisory power beyond financial control. It also demonstrated Wang Anshi wasn’t simply stubborn – he anticipated problems and established mechanisms for timely corrections.

Wang Anshi continued, “I believe junior officials would be most suitable for these roles.”

Zhao Xu nodded approvingly, “You’ve thought this through thoroughly!”

The seasoned officials, regardless of rank, mostly had vested interests and were therefore unlikely to wholeheartedly support Wang Anshi’s reforms. Young officials seeking advancement would surely give their all.

After discussing this, Wang Anshi suddenly asked, “Has Your Majesty heard about Su Shi’s recent complaint against the Gathering the Capable Bookstore?”

Emperor Zhao Xu paused, “I know something of it. Why do you mention this?”

Wang Anshi replied, “I believe the pen-in-cap Zhang San made excellent points. Book piracy is increasingly rampant and harmful to the state. We cannot ignore it.” Follow current novels on novel-fire.ɴet

Zhao Xu responded, “Oh? What does Minister Wang suggest?”

Wang Anshi then explained his idea for a printing tax.

Zhao Xu nodded slightly, “This is a good proposal – it would both prevent piracy and increase state revenue.”

Wang Anshi said, “I hope to make this the first of the new policies.”

Zhao Xu’s eyes lit up, “An excellent strategy!”

The tax would benefit scholars by steering publishing toward legitimate editions while protecting their rights. It aligned with Wang Anshi’s financial goals while appeasing the literati. Though it was not an originally planned reform, its limited scope meant no negative impact on the original plans.

Meanwhile, Zhang Fei was also busy.

On Bian River Street.

“Brother San! We’re here.”

Zhang Fei stepped down from the carriage in front of a closed shop – Gathering the Capable.

Li Si said, “Brother San, Hou Donglai lives behind the shop, and the printing workshop is back there too.”

Zhang Fei smiled, “Well done! You’ve learned quite a bit.”

Li Si grinned, “I found out most Bianjing bookstores are similar – shop in front, printing workshop in back.”

Zhang Fei nodded and suddenly said, “You watch the carriage. Long Wu, come with me.”

Li Si asked, “Why?”

Zhang Fei replied, “Because it’s dangerous.”

“Oh.”

Li Si nodded vaguely and told Long Wu, “Brother Wu, go with Brother San. I’ll park the carriage.”

Long Wu nodded and tossed the whip to Li Si.

In the Song Dynasty, carriages couldn’t be parked randomly – officials designated specific locations, charging fees of course.

“How many can you fight?”

Zhang Fei asked Long Wu.

He was here to take over the shop and had to consider potential violence.

Long Wu replied, “I don’t know.”

Zhang Fei asked, “What’s the most you’ve fought?”

“I generally don’t fight.”

Zhang Fei suddenly worried – he should have brought that brute Niu Beiqing instead. “But aren’t you skilled in martial arts? I saw your swordwork the other day.”

Long Wu said, “That’s why I don’t fight.”

“I see… let’s go in.”

They entered Hou’s courtyard.

But there was no violence – Hou Donglai was even more anxious than Zhang Fei, completing the handover as quickly as possible before preparing to leave.

The courtyard was just rented anyway.

If it had been his own property, it would have cost far more than a thousand strings.

“Wait!”

Zhang Fei suddenly called to Hou Donglai.

Hou nervously asked, “What else?”

Zhang Fei asked, “What are your plans now?”

Hou eyed him suspiciously, “Why do you care?”

Zhang Fei said, “If you don’t have better prospects, I’d like to hire you to manage this shop.”

Hou exclaimed in surprise, “You want to hire me? If it were not for you… um…”

Zhang Fei said, “But if you work for me, who would dare bully you? See how wise Fan Li was.”

Hou paused, seeing the logic. With Zhang San’s reputation making even the prefecture fear him, working for Zhang Fei meant standing tall along Bian River Street.

“How… how much would you pay?”

Like any merchant, money came first.

Zhang Fei smiled, “Ten strings the first month, then we’ll adjust based on your performance.”

Hou didn’t hesitate long before agreeing.

The pay wasn’t much, but there were no costs.

And he wouldn’t have to move.

How perfect.

Zhang Fei could have opened his own shop, but he didn’t know the business. He needed an established operation – even without the lawsuit, he would have bought an existing business rather than starting from scratch.

He was buying expertise, not just a shop.

How could he let Hou Donglai go when he needed him to manage the business?

He had investigated – Hou’s family had been imperial printers for generations before going into business themselves, earning enough to make a living.

Who would have thought one book would ruin him?

After reaching agreement, Zhang Fei had Hou show him around.

As Li Si had said, these bookshops typically combined business and residence – shop in front, owner’s home in back, workshops and staff quarters on the sides.

Gathering the Capable had seven printers – two masters and five apprentices.

This was typical for workshops.

Masters training apprentices, usually relatives.

Entering the left workshop, the ink smell nearly overwhelmed Zhang Fei.

Covering his nose as he looked around, he pointed at the worn printing blocks, “Throw all these out.”

Hou hurriedly asked, “Throw them out? What will we print with?”

Both master printers nodded in agreement.

Zhang Fei said, “Have you forgotten why you were sued? Wasn’t it because of these old blocks? If we don’t throw them out, we’ll both be in court tomorrow!”

Hou said, “You’re afraid of that?”

“Of course I am, I’m a pen-in-cap, a man of the law.” Zhang Fei suddenly turned to the two masters behind him, “Which of you is the engraver?”

“I-I am,” raised a hand one master in his forties.

Zhang Fei asked, “What’s your name?”

“I’m Hong Zhong.”

“Hong Zhong?” Zhang Fei suddenly looked at the other master, “And what’s your name?”

That master quickly replied, “I’m Bai Ban.”

“Good names.”

Zhang Fei nodded with a smile, “Just for those names, I’ll add… one hundred coins to your monthly pay.”[1]

“Thank you, master! Thank you, master!”

Hong Zhong and Bai Ban quickly bowed in thanks.

A hundred coins was significant!

And new bosses usually started with strict policies, but this new owner began by raising wages.

Wonderful! They completely ignored Hou Donglai.

Zhang Fei said, “Hong Zhong, no, haha, Master Hong, have you heard of movable type printing?”

Hou said, “Of course we have.”

Hong Zhong also nodded, “We’ve all heard about movable type printing.”

Zhang Fei asked, “Then why don’t you use it?”

Hou said, “We have working blocks, why spend extra money? Besides, moveable printing requires setting the print blocks each time you want to print something new. That requires literacy, and only Master Hong and I can read here.”

Hong Zhong added, “There’s also a lot of technical skill involved that we don’t know.”

Zhang Fei pulled out a paper from his sleeve and handed it to Hou, “Try following these instructions.”

Hou read for a while then suddenly asked, “Zhang San, how long should we heat it to make it stick?”

Zhang Fei replied irritably, “You’re from the Song Dynasty and you’re asking me- ahem, I mean, you’re the expert, how would I know?”

Hou asked puzzled, “Isn’t this your method?”

Zhang Fei declared boldly, “I just memorized it for an exam, how would I know the details?”

“Exam?”

“Just… just try following it. I’ll allocate some money for you.”

“Oh alright.”

Hou nodded and asked, “Zhang San, should we use copper for the type?”

Zhang Fei said, “Try everything.”

Hou advised, “I suggest we don’t.”

“Why?”

“Even if we make them, they’ll all disappear within a month.”

“Disappear?”

Zhang Fei paused before realizing – copper was currency, hard currency. If they were used as printing blocks who knows how many would vanish each day! He pointed at Hou, “This is why I hired you. Do it your way.”

Hou nodded, “Alright, we’ll try.”

Zhang Fei nodded and added, “Also, find more skilled craftsmen. Master Hong alone isn’t enough. I want to make exquisitely carved blocks to ensure our books are the most beautiful in the world.”

[1] These names sound like the names for dragon tiles in Mahjong, so Zhang Fei thinks they are auspicious names.