Judge of the Song Dynasty

Wang Anshi could not possibly fight this case in court.

How could he stake years of effort on a single court case?

If he lost, would that mean giving up on his reforms?

When Tang Jie had fallen ill earlier, although it was unexpected, he hadn’t felt anxious at all, since he had anticipated they would impeach and confront him.

But he never imagined they would use this tactic.

A dignified censor actually going to the Kaifeng Prefectural Office to beat the drum and file a complaint.

It was embarrassing! A censor’s duty was precisely to criticize and admonish even the Emperor, while the common people’s complaints were restricted and could even be punishable. Officials could even ignore them completely.

So why was a censor resorting to the methods of commoners? But the opposition really did it, which threw him off balance.

Mainly because Zhang Fei had filed a similar complaint days ago, and Wang Anshi had strongly supported Zhang Fei then.

Though he wouldn’t fight this case in court since it was too unfair, the matter was so crucial that he couldn’t be careless. He had to ensure everything was foolproof as Lu Huiqing said. It was now the fourth watch of the night.

At the Zhang residence.

Bang bang bang! A series of urgent knocks broke the silence.

“Who is it?”

A thunderous voice from inside nearly drowned out the knocking.

“I’m Lu Huiqing, open up quickly.”

“Lu Huiqing? I don’t know you.”

Bang bang bang! The knocking turned to pounding.

The gate finally opened and Niu Beiqing blocked the entrance, yawning as he asked, “Who are you?”

Seeing his rudeness, Lu Huiqing glared at him, “Step aside. I’m looking for Zhang San.”

Niu Beiqing snorted: “You really have no manners. Is this how you look for someone? In the middle of the night, how can I let you in without checking? Wait here.”

He pushed Lu Huiqing back out and closed the door.

Lu Huiqing nearly coughed up blood in anger.

Were all the servants at the Zhang residence this brazen? But he had no choice – he had rushed over alone late at night without bringing any attendants.

After quite a while, just as the impatient Lu Huiqing was about to go back for reinforcements to break down the door, it finally opened. Zhang Fei emerged while putting on his outer robe.

“Oh my! It really is you, Lord Lu. I thought my servant had misheard. My apologies for keeping you waiting.”

Seeing Zhang still getting dressed, Lu Huiqing relaxed, relieved that no one had beaten him to it. But he still glared at Niu Beiqing, “Your servant is truly blind.”

Zhang Fei quickly said: “Please calm down, Lord Lu. It’s not his fault – it was on my order. As you know, I was nearly beaten to death in my own home before.”

Hearing this, Lu Huiqing dropped the matter.

Zhang Fei continued: “Lord Lu, please come in.”

Once inside the hall, Lu Huiqing asked: “Has anyone approached you about a lawsuit these past two days?” Orıginal content can be found at novel fire.net

Zhang Fei was stunned and shook his head, “No.”

“Are you sure?” Lu Huiqing pressed.

Zhang Fei said: “Really, no one has. I’ve been at my shop these past days. Even if someone went looking there, I would know.”

Seeing he didn’t appear to be lying, Lu Huiqing finally relaxed completely and explained his purpose: “I’ve come to request your help with a lawsuit.”

Zhang Fei asked in surprise: “You need to file a lawsuit?”

Lu Huiqing said: “Someone went to the Kaifeng Prefectural Office to accuse the Finance Planning Commission of violating ancestral law.”

“What?”

Zhang Fei was shocked. “You must be joking?”

Lu Huiqing said: “It’s the fourth watch already – would I come joke with you at this hour?”

Zhang Fei was completely confused, “Who would be so bold? They must have a death wish. Why don’t you just have them killed?”

While this made sense, coming from his mouth it seemed particularly shameless.

Lu Huiqing said: “You’ve been to the Kaifeng Prefectural Office many times – were you killed?”

“Uh, almost.”

“…?”

Lu Huiqing continued: “The complainant is named Qian Yi, who until yesterday was a Court Censor.”

Zhang Fei immediately understood – they were copying his tactics. He frowned: “Lord Lu, if this goes to court, it would be very disadvantageous for Academician Wang.”

Lu Huiqing tensed and asked: “You mean you might lose even if you take the case?”

Zhang Fei shook his head: “It’s not about winning or losing. This shouldn’t go to court at all. Even with a 90% chance of winning, we can’t let them take it to court when there’s even a 10% chance for them. They have nothing to lose, while Academician Wang would be gambling the entire reform program.”

As a lawyer, it wasn’t just about pursuing litigation, but providing the most rational advice.

Anything could happen in court, so such matters should not be allowed to reach that stage.

Hearing this, Lu Huiqing saw Zhang Fei in a new light, thinking this youth was truly exceptional to grasp the stakes so quickly. He asked: “You don’t have 100% confidence?”

Zhang Fei pondered briefly, “I’m thinking of Academician Wang’s interests. Even with 100% certainty, it shouldn’t go to court.”

Lu Huiqing asked: “But do you have that certainty or not?”

Zhang Fei answered honestly: “If there was 100% certainty, it wouldn’t reach court. The fact they can bring it to trial means they have an argument.”

The logic was simple – if the court accepted the case, there must be debatable points, and with debatable points, there could be no guaranteed victory.

Lu Huiqing frowned deeply and asked: “Then how confident are you?”

Zhang Fei thought for a moment, “I’ve fought an ancestral law case before, so I can guess their arguments. Let me put it this way – their chances of winning are very small, but I won’t guarantee you a certain victory because I can’t take that responsibility. You should try to avoid court at all costs.”

He was worried that if he guaranteed victory, Wang Anshi would become reckless – who would be responsible if they lost?

Seeing his confidence, Lu Huiqing relaxed somewhat: “Of course we’ll try our best to prevent it from reaching court. I came to you just in case.”

Zhang Fei finally understood the situation hadn’t reached that point and also relaxed: “So you wish to hire me?”

Lu Huiqing nodded.

Zhang Fei asked: “What about my fee?”

“What? After all the help from my teacher, you still want payment?” Lu Huiqing asked in shock.

Zhang Fei said: “My relationship with Academician Wang is entirely proper and aboveboard. Now that you want to hire me for a new case, of course I must charge a fee.”

Lu Huiqing stroked his beard with a smile and asked: “How much?”

Zhang Fei held up one finger, “One coin.”

“How much?”

“One coin.”

Zhang Fei smiled: “Sorry, but rules must be followed.”

Lu Huiqing immediately took out a copper coin and placed it on the table, “Draw up the contract.”

Zhang Fei wasn’t joking – he immediately drafted an engagement contract with Lu Huiqing.

This contract showed that he wasn’t Wang Anshi’s subordinate – Wang Anshi had to pay for his help too.

After pocketing the contract, Lu Huiqing suddenly asked: “If Academician Sima asked you to help Qian Yi with the case, would you accept?”

Zhang Fei shook his head: “No.”

Lu Huiqing asked: “Why not?”

Zhang Fei pondered briefly and said: “If it really goes to court, this matter started because of me. Academician Wang supported me then, and I’m not ungrateful. As for my own interests, the Finance Planning Commission affects my law firm’s survival too – I don’t want them to succeed.”

Lu Huiqing nodded in satisfaction and said: “Then I’ll take my leave. I’ll contact you if needed.”

“Let me see you out.”

After Lu Huiqing left, Zhang Fei frowned deeply, thinking: Thank goodness I didn’t choose sides hastily earlier. This isn’t just reform – it’s life and death! Starting so aggressively, how can they contain it later?

In that moment, he truly understood the difficulties faced by those famous reformers Fan Zhongyan, Wang Anshi, and Zhang Juzheng.

Even the mighty fear those who are reckless.

“Brother San, was that man an official?”

Niu Beiqing emerged from behind, his rough face showing some concern.

Zhang Fei glanced at him: “Whether he was an official or not, you did well. Just… don’t use force next time.”

Niu Beiqing grunted, “I’ll remember.”

A smile suddenly appeared at Zhang Fei’s lips as he thought: Though for me, court or no court would be fine. If such matters could be resolved in court, it would actually benefit my plans.

The next day.

Just as Zhang Fei was about to head to his firm to give some instructions, the Xu father and daughter from next door suddenly arrived.

Before they could speak, Zhang Fei asked: “News travels that fast?”

Xu Zhiqian asked: “You already know?”

Zhang Fei asked: “Are we talking about the same thing?”

“Kaifeng Prefectural Office.”

“Qian Yi.”

“…!”

The atmosphere suddenly grew tense.

Xu Zun suddenly asked: “How did you know?”

Zhang Fei sighed: “Lord Lu visited me last night.”

Xu Zun asked in surprise: “Is it that serious?”

Zhang Fei quickly said: “Benefactor misunderstands. He came to ensure everything was foolproof. I think Academician Wang won’t let them succeed – allowing this precedent would have unthinkable consequences.”

Xu Zhiqian said: “That’s why we’re here. Those opposing Academician Wang will surely use you as an excuse to demand the court hear this case. You could be implicated.”

Xu Zun added: “Zhiqian is right. This is extremely dangerous – one wrong move could bring mortal danger.”

Though he hadn’t participated in the Qingli Reforms, he had lived through them. Even chancellors could be dismissed suddenly, while mid-level officials could be exiled to the borders with just a word. Even as the Chief Judge of the Court of Judicial Review, he wouldn’t be able to withstand such turmoil.

If things escalated, his ability to help would be very limited.

Zhang Fei said: “I still believe Academician Wang won’t let them succeed. After all, this is just the beginning – nothing has been done yet. Taking it to court now would be a huge blow to Academician Wang’s authority. I don’t think His Majesty would agree either. But in worst case, we can debate in court, which is my strength. So I think the situation is still very optimistic.”

Xu Zun nodded slightly.

Indeed!

Wang Anshi definitely wouldn’t fight this case.

They were betting a penny against his entire fortune – completely unfair! At that very moment, Wang Anshi stood before the Emperor, directly requesting Emperor Zhao Xu issue an edict declaring Qian Yi guilty of great disrespect and bewitching the masses, exiling him to the frontier.

This evil trend had to be suppressed.

Emperor Zhao Xu was initially confused.

A dignified censor actually resigning to file a complaint at the Prefectural Office.

It was absurd.

This had never happened before.

But he quickly understood their tactics – clearly they were using Zhang’s own methods against him. He also believed they couldn’t be allowed to succeed.

It would create chaos.

So Emperor Zhao Xu immediately ordered the Kaifeng Prefectural Office to find Qian Yi guilty.

Lu Gongzhu also supported Wang Anshi. Though Zhang San had done the same thing, Zhang San was seeking justice for an ordinary commoner. This was a matter of state policy – how could it be resolved in court?

However, before the ink dried on the verdict, before the seal could be applied.

Wen Yanbo arrived.

“Gongzhu, if you apply this seal, it will be a miscarriage of justice! Your lifetime’s reputation could be ruined by this case.”

“I don’t believe this is unjust,” Lu Gongzhu stood firm, arguing: “Can’t you see all the nation’s problems? I know Wang Anshi’s character better than anyone – his heart is set on reform for country and people, not self-interest. Yet they press him unreasonably and make trouble. We can’t allow this to continue unchecked.”

Wen Yanbo immediately said: “You should also know Qian Yi’s character – he too acts for country and people, not self-interest.”

Lu Gongzhu fell silent.

Qian Yi was truly an upright official. While Wang Anshi and Sima Guang were modest in character, Qian Yi could be called impoverished among officials.

Wen Yanbo said: “You cannot pass judgment on this case.”

Lu Gongzhu frowned, “His Majesty has already issued the edict.”

Wen Yanbo said: “That edict won’t leave the Palace Secretariat.”