Chapter 143: Undercurrents
The Accounting Chancellor Tang Jie, who was nearly sixty and in poor health, returned home and fell ill after arguing with Wang Anshi all day.
Tang Jie was known as an upright official at court, even praised as the modern-day Bao Zheng, with an impeccable reputation and great moral standing.
His illness further enraged the conservative faction.
Led by Liu Qi and Qian Yi, the censors and remonstrance officials frantically submitted memorials denouncing Wang Anshi as a treacherous minister.
This was a serious accusation.
Emperor Zhao Xu hadn’t expected Tang Jie to fall ill from anger, but he felt wronged – he hadn’t done anything, and the copyright law was meant to benefit the literati, yet they were calling for blood.
It was truly bullying.
Wang Anshi felt the same way – Tang Jie had come to curse at him first, how could he be blamed for arguing back?
He refused to show weakness, as this was just the beginning and he needed to maintain a strong position. He secretly had someone submit a memorial accusing Qian Yi of forming factions for personal gain, wanting to make an example of him.
Emperor Zhao Xu understood the situation but couldn’t let them act so brazenly, so he immediately ordered Qian Yi’s demotion and exile from the capital to serve as a minor official in Jiangzhou. This further enraged the conservative faction.
It was a censor’s duty to speak up. The Emperor couldn’t exile censors from the capital just for performing their duties – would they only be allowed to say what he wanted to hear from now on?
This led to more censors getting involved.
They both pleaded for Qian Yi and continued to denounce Wang Anshi.
But looking back, the Emperor had only established a new bureau to implement new policies, albeit without following convention by initiating reforms through the Secretariat.
But the Military Commission was still involved.
It wasn’t really such an outrageous matter.
However, after a year of probing, many officials strongly opposed and even resented Wang Anshi’s ideas. They were on edge, believing he would surely cause chaos.
Now that the Finance Planning Commission was established, it was like the conservatives had been pricked by a needle – though it hadn’t even broken the skin, they reacted violently.
It was essentially a reflex response.
But this directly led to a rapid escalation of conflicts.
As the new head of the Censorate, Wen Yanbo grew anxious. He should have led the censors, but he felt they should at least wait for the new laws before protesting – there wasn’t much justification for causing trouble now!
But one’s position at court left little room for personal choice!
Wen Yanbo hurried to find Sima Guang.
“Sima Guang, this cannot continue!” Wen Yanbo said anxiously.
“I know,” Sima Guang was nearly in tears. “But they’re in the wrong here. Although the copyright law didn’t go through the Secretariat, it was discussed and His Majesty knew about it. It’s meant to help the literati. Not only that, the common people are hoping Wang Anshi will reform the corvee labor system. You see Chancellor Han and Lord Fu haven’t spoken up!”
“I know that,” Wen Yanbo said. “But we need to find a way to appease them. If this continues, they’ll all be exiled from the capital soon. Then when Wang Anshi’s new policies show problems, there will be no one left to oppose them.”
They were already losing forces before things had even begun – it was truly damaging.
He was also hinting to Sima Guang that he needed to take a stand, or no one would support him in the future.
Although Fu Bi and Wen Yanbo outranked Sima Guang in both status and seniority, they were elderly and had been idle for some time. Sima Guang was undoubtedly the next leader of the conservatives.
Wen Yanbo intended to support Sima Guang’s rise, as they shared political views.
After pondering for a while, Sima Guang sighed, “Then let’s settle this in court.”
“How so?” asked Wen Yanbo.
“His Majesty and Wang Anshi clearly want to make an example of Qian Yi. We can’t protect him, and continuing this will only implicate more people. Qian Yi is straightforward and won’t hold back his words. Better to have him resign and then sue Wang Anshi as a commoner at the Kaifeng Prefectural Office for violating ancestral law.”
“Will that work?” Wen Yanbo frowned.
“If Zhang San could do it, so can Qian Yi. If the court won’t hear the case, then justice will be on our side.”
“Can he win?” Wen Yanbo asked.
Sima Guang shook his head and sighed, “Who can say? But it’s better than him leaving the capital in frustration or continuing this uproar.”
Wen Yanbo nodded. At least in court they would debate reason without splitting the government. After thinking for a moment, he suddenly said, “Why don’t we ask Zhang San to take this case?”
Sima Guang frowned, “Zhang San just received Wang Anshi’s favor – he may not agree to help us. Let me try talking to him.”
Wen Yanbo suddenly remembered that Zhang San was in charge of tax calculations for the copyright law. How could he help Qian Yi? He shook his head, “Let’s not ask him yet. Qian Yi’s eloquence isn’t necessarily inferior to Zhang San’s, he just lacks experience in litigation. But litigation isn’t too different from imperial court debates, and Qian Yi probably wouldn’t want Zhang San representing him anyway.”
Sima Guang said, “If you don’t object, I’ll have Liu Shu talk to Qian Yi to see if he’s willing.”
Wen Yanbo nodded slightly, “Whether we win is another matter, but at least it gives everyone an explanation, and we can test if your method works.”
At Pen-in-Cap Alley, the recently reopened Bianjing Law Firm was as busy now as it had been quiet before.
Fan Li, manning the counter, finally understood Zhang Fei’s design concept – why he had remodeled the shop like a restaurant.
Otherwise, how could they seat so many people?
Most of those seated were scholars or sons of officials.
They had come to discuss copyright matters.
Since the court was being so considerate of scholars, they couldn’t disappoint its goodwill.
A gentleman loves wealth obtained properly.
The major book merchants had also sensed opportunity – this was the perfect time for monopolization, as smaller bookshops wouldn’t survive.
Especially after learning that the Yan family had signed licensing agreements with Zhang Fei’s bookshop, they began taking action. With their experience, they knew which writings and poems sold well, and how much to offer to both convince the other party while maximizing their own profits, so they actively sought to purchase rights.
Both sides were in agreement.
But being unfamiliar with the new law and unsure how to draft contracts, they had no choice but to come to the Bianjing Law Firm for one-stop contracting and tax calculation services.
Then they would just need to take the law firm’s tax assessment to the City Tax Bureau to pay.
They didn’t actually have to pay.
But then the government wouldn’t provide any protection to the copyright.
Fan Li had no interest in attending to guests now, just counting the silver at the counter with pure satisfaction.
Of course, he wasn’t comfortable letting others watch over so much money.
Zhang Fei was busy too, currently entertaining major clients like Ma Tianhao and Fan Zheng in the back courtyard.
“Ah,” Chen Mouqian sighed, looking at Ma Tianhao beside him, “Brother Ma, who would have thought we brothers would end up on the chopping block too.”
Ma Tianhao glanced at Fan Zheng nearby and snorted, “Brother Fan is clever, sending his son to take the hit.”
Fan Zheng could only smile awkwardly.
“Hey hey hey!” Zhang Fei was exasperated, “Don’t be like that – you make it sound like I’m really fleecing you.”
Ma Tianhao said angrily, “Five hundred strings per year? You really know how to charge! Li Guozhong is the industry leader, but their shop’s contracts and documents together only cost ten strings.”
Zhang Fei hurried to say, “Money aside, don’t insult me by comparing me to Li Guozhong!”
Chen Mouqian complained, “But you’re charging way too much!”
Zhang Fei said, “This isn’t just contract fees – it’s a service fee. As long as you retain our law firm long-term, we’ll handle all your contracts, tax calculations, and any legal issues. Five hundred strings is really a bargain.”
Ma Tianhao snorted, “If we don’t have any lawsuits, won’t we lose out?”
Zhang Fei said, “Sir, look at the contract carefully – lawsuits are charged separately, not included in the service fee.”
“Charged separately?”
“Yes!”
“Then what are we paying this money for?”
“To ensure you don’t end up in court.”
“?”
Zhang Fei explained, “Once you’re in court, anything can happen. My service ensures you won’t end up there. So whenever you’re unsure if something is legal, you must come to me first.”
Ruthless!
Truly ruthless.
Chen Mouqian felt like a gentle lamb born only to be slaughtered.
They quickly looked over the contract more carefully.
Zhang Fei continued, “The situation now is complex and unpredictable. Who knows what might happen? Walking by the river, how can one avoid getting wet feet? One wrong move could cost you everything. Spending five hundred strings for peace of mind – is there a better deal? Besides, five hundred strings is like a strand of hair to you.”
A fixed annual expense of five hundred strings.
Just for his words, nothing else.
Even plucking hair hurts!
Ma Tianhao and Chen Mouqian were speechless.
They were truly coming to be fleeced!
Zhang Fei glanced at them and cleared his throat, “Of course, this is just a suggestion. Business should be voluntary. You can also just use our tax calculation services – we’ll charge based on your business scale, maximum one hundred strings per year.”
Ma Tianhao snorted, “Don’t I have my own accountants?”
Zhang Fei sneered, “Can your accountants guarantee your tax payments will satisfy the officials?”
Ma Tianhao deflated immediately.
The silent Fan Zheng suddenly spoke up, “Uncles, this junior feels Brother Zhang’s price is very reasonable. In these times, we truly need legal protection.”
Zhang Fei immediately praised him, “Truly surpassing your elders!”
Then he said to Ma Tianhao, “Brother Hao, you should bring Little Ma too.”
Ma Tianhao snorted, “That unfilial son would probably agree to five thousand strings. Fine! Sign it! Coming here, I knew you’d fleece us – I just didn’t expect you’d be so ruthless.”
Zhang Fei said, “When prices go up later, you’ll realize how merciful I’m being now.”
“?”
It was nearly evening, though still light out.
An elder around fifty slowly approached the prefecture court gates. Though dressed as a commoner, he stood straight with an air of righteousness.
The guards at the gate immediately came forward and bowed, “This humble one greets Censor Qian.”
The elder was indeed Censor Qian Yi.
Qian Yi said, “I have resigned from my position as censor. Now I am but a commoner – you need not bow to me.”
The guards looked at each other uncertainly. They dared not offend a censor!
Qian Yi ignored them and walked straight to the grievance drum.
What was he planning?
Before they could react, Qian Yi had already grabbed the drumstick and forcefully struck the Kaifeng Prefectural Office’s grievance drum.