Judge of the Song Dynasty

The emperor’s edict being blocked by the Palace Secretariat.

This was no ordinary matter! Among the four grand chancellors at court, Tang Jie controlled the Three Financial Bureaus, Zhao Bian headed the Censorate, while Fu Bi and Zeng Gongliang managed the Palace Secretariat. The Three Departments and Six Ministries had become less powerful, and real administrative power lay with the Palace Secretariat.

However, both Fu Bi and Zeng Gongliang were elderly and rarely involved in state affairs. Administrative power actually rested with the state counsellors, and Wang Anshi himself held that position. Logically, this edict should not have been blocked unless a chancellor personally intervened.

Though semi-retired, they were still chancellors – the nominal leaders. Given their status and prestige, their words still carried significant weight. The one who blocked this edict had to be either Fu Bi or Zeng Gongliang. Zeng had remained in the background on this matter, rarely attending meetings. On the other hand, Fu Bi, though not explicitly supporting or opposing, had more contact with conservatives after returning to the capital and maintained distance from Wang Anshi. So it seemed that he leaned conservative.

Lu Gongzhu knew it was most likely Fu Bi who blocked it. This was surprising since Fu Bi had been reluctant to return until Emperor Zhao Xu forcefully recalled him, showing he didn’t want to get involved. No one expected Fu Bi to suddenly act at this critical moment.

A chancellor had intervened right from the start. Lu Gongzhu couldn’t help but worry for Wang Anshi. Could this situation be managed?

When Qian Xi struck those drums, the political situation at court immediately became turbulent and complex. Previously, censors and remonstrance officials had impeached Wang Anshi for manipulating power, violating ancestral law, and harboring disloyal intentions. Now they further accused him of excluding dissent and partisan favoritism.

However, the emperor had only established one bureau and hadn’t even fully staffed it. Even neutral parties felt that the conservatives’ reactions were too extreme. But now the entire conservative faction suddenly shifted their attack, demanding a public trial of this case.

If Zhang Fei could file a complaint, why couldn’t Qian Yi? If they truly served the country without selfish motives, why were they afraid to stand in open court? What had Wang Anshi said when supporting Zhang Fei before? Now when it was his turn, he was unwilling.

Especially when the emperor secretly ordered the Kaifeng Prefectural Office to find Qian Yi guilty and punish him severely – this was truly shameless and caused neutral parties to gradually shift toward the conservative side. Was reasoned discourse not acceptable? One couldn’t have double standards. Actually, Fu Bi had been quietly appeasing everyone’s emotions, saying that since the emperor was determined on reform, whether they agreed or disagreed, they should let Wang Anshi try first. He feared court divisions and the beginning of factional struggles. He deeply understood how terribly destructive factionalism was to the country.

If Qian Yi was exiled to the frontier, this matter likely wouldn’t pass. Because then everyone would feel threatened and band together for safety, leading to factional struggles again. Therefore Fu Bi directly stepped in to block this edict.

Meanwhile, Zhao Bian also spoke up for Qian Yi. Among the four grand chancellors, only Zeng Gongliang maintained silence, while Tang Jie wanted to speak but was prevented by his health. Whether they held real power or not, their positions demanded respect – Emperor Zhao Xu couldn’t simply demote all the chancellors at once.

Things hadn’t reached that point yet. Under pressure, Emperor Zhao Xu could only call a meeting to discuss the matter.

In the Hall of Delegated Rule.

“Your Majesty, since ancient times, wise rulers never punished censors for their words, whether right or wrong. It is their duty to speak up. Listening to different voices brings clarity, while favoring only one leads to darkness. If they all fall silent, Your Majesty will not hear the voice of the common people. Forcing censors to remove their robes and file their complaints at the prefectural court instead will surely bring ridicule from future generations. I urge Your Majesty to carefully reconsider.”

Zhao Bian spoke earnestly to Emperor Zhao Xu.

“Chancellor Zhao is mistaken,” Wang Anshi immediately stepped forward and said, “Indeed, censors are Your Majesty’s eyes and ears, which is precisely why we must carefully select them. Those who harbor ill intentions and lack moral character cannot serve in this role. How can we keep someone like Qian Yi, a treacherous villain who spreads malicious rumors and disrupts court harmony, in the Censorate?”

Zhao Bian replied, “Qian Xi is not the only one opposing the Finance Planning Commission. The Accounting Chancellor also opposes it. Are they all treacherous villains? Or are you saying anyone who opposes Wang Anshi is treacherous?”

Wang Anshi nodded, “Yes.”

Sima Guang and Wen Yanbo were stunned – this fellow’s arrogance had grown extreme! Follow current novels on ⓝovelFire.net

Zhao Bian frowned, “What do you mean by that?”

Wang Anshi said, “His Majesty appointed me to implement reforms targeting the nation’s problematic policies, aiming to strengthen the country. Everyone here knows the Three Excesses crisis has reached a point requiring immediate action. You’ve all proposed reforms before, just with different ideas than mine.

Yet merely because they dislike me, Wang Anshi, they reject even His Majesty’s determination to strengthen the nation. If this isn’t treachery, what is? They call me unreasonable, but they are the truly selfish ones.”

I haven’t even announced my new policies, yet you’re already opposing them. You’re clearly targeting me personally!

Wen Yanbo immediately refuted, “They’re not opposing reforms, but rather defending established institutions. If you want reforms, they should be led by the Two Departments,[1] like when Lord Fan implemented reforms without creating a new bureau. If the censors remained silent about this, that would be dereliction of duty.”

Wang Anshi immediately asked, “Did Lord Fan’s reforms succeed?”

This question left Wen Yanbo speechless.

Wang Anshi continued, “If I follow Lord Fan’s example, would the outcome be any different? I learned from his lessons, which is why I requested His Majesty establish a new bureau.”

His words were actually directed at Fu Bi, since Wen Yanbo hadn’t been very involved back then, while Fu Bi had been a pillar of the Qingli reformers.

Fu Bi remained awkwardly silent.

They had indeed failed.

Wang Anshi pressed his advantage: “Many censors impeached Lord Fan then – do you agree with those charges? Lord Fan kept making concessions, which only emboldened the censors and remonstrance officials, ultimately leading to the reforms’ failure. Not only did this fail to correct problematic policies, it left the state as precarious as eggs piled high, the great edifice about to collapse. Yet now you want me to follow Lord Fan’s example – what logic is there in that?”

Fu Bi gradually grew irritated as Wang Anshi went on. Fan Zhongyan had been his close friend and comrade, someone he deeply respected. Constantly using Lord Fan as a negative example was going too far.

He smiled and nodded, “You make a good point. Lord Fan’s approach isn’t worth emulating, since he failed. Why don’t we do the opposite then? Have the Two Departments and Three Financial Bureaus all follow the Finance Planning Commission’s lead and obey its every command. How about that?”

Wang Anshi trembled inwardly. “That was not my intent at all.”

Emperor Zhao Xu glanced at Fu Bi without comment, thinking to himself that Lord Fu remained sharp in his old age.

Fu Bi showed a kind smile: “I deeply respect Academician Wang’s loyalty and character. What you said earlier makes sense – when you assist His Majesty and work for country and people, the entire imperial court should support you.”

Then he suddenly changed his tone, “But should the imperial court only allow one voice? If we set this precedent, what happens if the next person is like Wang Mang or Li Linfu?[2] When censors and remonstrators dare not speak up, who will stop them? Lord Fan understood this principle well, which is why he ended the New Policies with a gentlemanly debate.”

Though Emperor Zhao Xu remained silent, he couldn’t help but nod slightly.

Indeed, an old ginger was spicier.

His words cut straight to the core.

Even if you’re right, even if you represent truth, the court should allow different voices. You can’t guarantee your successor will be like you, Wang Anshi, with genuine concern for the realm and people.

If Wang Anshi could silence the censors today, then anyone could do so in the future.

The Censorate would become useless.

These words were actually meant for Emperor Zhao Xu.

An emperor must maintain balance.

Throughout history, censors were considered annoying, yet every dynasty had them. Were emperors foolish not to abolish them? No – censors were the emperor’s blade, not a noose around his neck.

Weren’t powerful ministers always brought down by censors?

But which emperor was ever brought down by censors?

Wang Anshi said: “Lord Fu makes sense, but letting them cause daily disruptions in court – is that really the solution?”

Fu Bi nodded: “You’re right. I too hope for harmony in court. When opinions differ, we should debate like gentlemen – so why not have a proper court hearing?”

Wang Anshi immediately replied: “That’s impossible! If we set this precedent, every government policy could be challenged in court. It would severely damage the imperial court’s authority. No national issues could ever be resolved.”

Zhao Bian said: “You seemed to support Zhang San when he sued the imperial court back then.”

Wang Anshi retorted: “That was different. Zhang San was seeking justice for a specific person, while Qian Yi is just being disruptive and must be severely punished.”

Fu Bi calmly said: “Let me finish. I agree that regardless of what Qian Yi says, he shouldn’t have filed a complaint at the Kaifeng Prefectural Office, which absolutely shouldn’t have accepted the case and should punish such behavior.

However, I see this as an opportunity to resolve tensions in the imperial court. Let’s have a proper debate, argue based on reason and law. Whether win or lose, everyone must accept the outcome. This would prevent the court from falling into endless, divisive arguments.”

His words weren’t actually favoring the conservatives. His ultimate goal was preventing court division and factionalism, knowing how terrible that would be. But Wang Anshi’s hardline approach would only accelerate such division.

Wang Anshi’s current prestige was far below Fan Zhongyan’s at his time. People wouldn’t submit, and things would only get worse.

This was entirely predictable.

Sima Guang, who had been quietly observing from the side, suddenly spoke: “Wang Anshi, are you afraid?”

Wang Anshi glared at Sima Guang, growing angrier. “What would I be afraid of?”

“If you’re not afraid, why won’t you agree to a court hearing?”

Sima Guang laughed: “Though Zhang San’s case was about seeking justice for a common person, your words from then apply perfectly here too. Those who refuse a court hearing must have something to hide. If one’s actions are righteous, why fear fair judgment?”

“How can you compare these situations?”

Wang Anshi argued: “Don’t I know their true purpose? They want to use court hearings to disrupt reforms. Today they sue over the Finance Planning Commission, tomorrow they’ll sue over new policies – it will never end. His Majesty appointed me to implement reforms, not to argue with them.”

Emperor Zhao Xu nodded firmly again.

Sima Guang said: “As you said before, a court hearing is an honest and upright approach. If you won’t allow even honest methods, aren’t you forcing them to resort to underhanded tactics?”

Emperor Zhao Xu suddenly spoke: “I think Academician Wang has a point. If we allow one lawsuit today, someone else will file another tomorrow. It will never end.”

Fu Bi said: “Your Majesty, I’m opposed to Qian Yi filing suit at the Kaifeng Prefectural Office, but I also believe that with so many objections, we should provide a reasonable explanation. If Wang Anshi wins this court hearing and there are those that continue to make trouble, that would be unreasonable. Then Your Majesty could punish them however you see fit, and I would raise no objection.”

Wang Anshi’s eyes flickered. “So when I implement new policies later, if they sue again, will you speak up for me?”

Sima Guang immediately said: “Lord Fu was referring to the establishment of the Finance Planning Commission. As for your new policies, if people sue over those, we must first examine if their complaints have merit. If they make valid arguments, it only proves your mistakes. If you’re wrong, will you not let people speak up?”

Seeing Fu Bi’s conciliatory stance, Wang Anshi considered settling things once and for all – let’s fight it out, and if he won, they couldn’t oppose him anymore.

But by that, he meant securing victory for the entire reform program.

Everyone would be betting their entire futures.

How could that old fox Sima Guang fall for such a trap?

They would handle things one issue at a time.

Wang Anshi glared angrily at Sima Guang.

Ignoring him, Sima Guang addressed Emperor Zhao Xu: “Your Majesty, when Zhang San previously sued the imperial court citing ancestral law, though there was no verdict then, Your Majesty later accepted his argument and established the Second Emperor’s edict as ancestral law. No one objected, showing that court litigation can prevent disputes.

Moreover, Your Majesty just proclaimed the ancestral law. Now that someone has sued based on that law, it will raise questions if Your Majesty forbids it.”

This struck at Emperor Zhao Xu’s weak point.

Indeed!

When he established the definitive ancestral law, though there was opposition, people only grumbled privately without open defiance.

They had lost in court, so they accepted it.

Now when it was their turn to sue, they weren’t allowed.

Such double standards! Who would accept that outcome?

Zhao Xu looked at Wang Anshi.

Wang Anshi felt like he had shot himself in the foot.

When he supported Zhang Fei in breaking free from ancestral law constraints, he never imagined others would use the same tactic against him, even drawing in the emperor.

Refusing would be indefensible.

After struggling internally, Wang Anshi said: “Fine! I’ll accept this lawsuit, but I must state clearly – this is a one-time thing. I won’t accept endless harassment. Ancestral laws are fundamental to governance, not tools for attacking political opponents.”

His words were very direct.

He knew ancestral laws were a catch-all that could be used to sue over anything. With every new policy he issued, they could file another suit – who could endure that?

If the new policies had problems, they should discuss specific issues and bring evidence, not just cite ancestral laws.

Emperor Zhao Xu nodded.

He had defined ancestral law to prevent people from using them to threaten him, but they were still trying. So this would be allowed once – he wouldn’t permit it repeatedly.

Fu Bi, Wen Yanbo, Sima Guang and others all nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile Zhang Fei, who had established the precedent of ancestral law, was busy with business matters.

It wasn’t that he didn’t care about imperial court affairs, but he knew the situation would only grow more tense. He couldn’t fight alone anymore – he needed a strong team.

The Bianjing Law Firm was crucial to him.

“This still won’t work!”

Zhang Fei shook his head after reviewing the recent contracts that his firm had drafted. “At least they’re temporary, so we can replace them later.”

Fan Li asked in surprise: “I checked them several times last night and found no errors!”

Zhang Fei said: “I’m not talking about errors, but how these contracts have completely different writing styles and terminology. They’re too individualized.”

Fan Li said sheepishly: “Well, different people wrote them, so of course there are differences. But they generally follow your template.”

Zhang Fei said: “That’s exactly the problem. Remember when I guaranteed that mortgage? I only guaranteed that specific contract – if even one character was different, my guarantee wouldn’t apply. How can my own firm have such inconsistent documents?”

Fan Li said: “That was just mortgages. We handle many different types of business. Just look at copyright contracts – everyone wants different terms. We can’t standardize everything.”

Zhang Fei insisted: “We must standardize.”

Fan Li asked puzzled: “How?”

Zhang Fei said: “If we can’t control the contract format, we’ll be at others’ mercy.”

“What do you mean at others’ mercy?”

Xu Zhiqian suddenly walked in.

“Nothing important.” Zhang Fei turned back to Fan Li: “First categorize all these contracts for me. I’ll think about how to standardize them.”

This couldn’t be prepared in advance, as he needed to understand the merchants’ and people’s legal service needs. He would create standardized contract templates based on their requirements.

But standardization was essential – it would help him stay in control and prevent major problems.

“Alright!”

Fan Li nodded and left with the contracts.

Xu Zhiqian sat down immediately. “You’re still focused on business?”

Zhang Fei said: “All my attention is on this.”

Xu Zhiqian said: “Even Lu Huiqing knows to ensure everything is foolproof. You should prepare too.”

Zhang Fei clicked his tongue: “Trust me, though this might be troublesome, Academician Wang won’t let them succeed. Taking this to court would be disastrous.”

Xu Zhiqian worried: “That may be true, but court affairs are unpredictable. This started because of you – if things escalate, you might get dragged in. I think you should prepare thoroughly for any possibility.”

“I can’t waste energy on such an unlikely…”

He suddenly looked toward the door and frowned: “Perhaps you’re right.”

Xu Zhiqian turned to see Wang Anshi and Lu Huiqing entering with grim expressions.

[1] The Two Departments refers to the two most powerful institutions in the bureaucracy: the Palace Secretariat (which controls what edicts are “officially” issued by the Emperor, and we have seen the emperor’s edicts being blocked) and the Military Commission (which deals with military affairs).

[2]Wang Mang was a top minister before usurping the Western Han dynasty, while Li Linfu was an official of the Tang dynasty who was criticized for being incompetent while jealous of those who were competent.