Chapter 149: Nothing to Say
Thomas Dunning once said: With adequate profit, capital is very bold. A certain 10 percent will ensure its employment anywhere; 50 percent, positive audacity; 100 percent will make it ready to trample on all human laws; 300 percent, and there is not a crime at which it will scruple, nor a risk it will not run, even to the chance of its owner being hanged.
These words were meant to describe capitalists.
But they actually apply better to politicians.
In this game of power, the interests at stake were truly enough to make them commit the most unconscionable and inhumane acts.
Zhang Fei came to the Northern Song Dynasty alone, with few people to care about, but Ayun, whose full name was Fang Yun, was definitely one of the most important. If not for handling Fang Yun’s case, Zhang Fei might not have even come to the capital. Earlier that year, Zhang Fei had even asked Xu Zun to use his connections to send some money to Fang Yun.
Yet at this crucial moment, he had neglected Fang Yun, never imagining that they would target a village woman in Dengzhou.
This truly caught him off guard.
And hit him right where it hurt most.
Upon learning of this, Xu Zun rushed home immediately.
“This is outrageous!” Xu Zun exclaimed angrily after reading the letter. “How could they use such despicable tactics?” Xu Zhiqian hurriedly asked, “Father, didn’t you previously arrange for someone to look after Ayun? Could they…”
Xu Zun glanced at his daughter and sighed, “They were just keeping an eye on her to prevent her from bullied, but this kind of action would have been impossible to prevent.”
Who could have anticipated someone would kidnap a village woman like Fang Yun? The security measures certainly hadn’t been at that level of protection.
At most, they had only prevented neighbors from bullying Fang Yun.
Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian exchanged desperate looks.
This had been their last hope.
Xu Zun picked up the letter again and said doubtfully, “This case only broke a few days ago. Even if they immediately sent fast horses to Dengzhou, making the round trip would be very difficult. Could they just be trying to frighten you?”
Xu Zhiqian replied, “I have already discussed this point with Zhang San. Fang Yun is just an ordinary village woman – without constant protection, they would only need to send someone and it would be almost certain success. It’s too late for us to send help now.”
Perhaps they were bluffing, but the question was whether one dared to take that gamble, because they absolutely had the ability to kidnap Fang Yun, and quite easily at that. Those who wanted to stop Wang Anshi’s reforms were certainly no ordinary officials.
“This is all my fault! I didn’t consider Fang Yun’s safety, damn it!” Zhang Fei slammed the table in frustration.
Xu Zun looked at him and consoled, “Don’t panic yet. Since they want something, they won’t harm Fang Yun for now.”
Zhang Fei sighed, “I’m not worried about that for now, since Fang Yun is only valuable to them alive. I just hate myself for not anticipating this. They were willing to bribe me with ten thousand taels earlier, while kidnapping Fang Yun probably wouldn’t even cost a thousand guan. I should have thought of this possibility.”
“Could it be the same group?” But as Xu Zun said this, he shook his head, “Too many people’s interests are involved here, it won’t be easy to investigate!”
He showed anxiety as he continued, “The trial is tomorrow, and according to this letter, they want you to deliberately lose the case. Forget about postponing – if there’s no verdict tomorrow, Fang Yun could be in danger.”
Xu Zhiqian said dejectedly, “We discussed this earlier too. If we want to save Fang Yun, the only way is to keep this from Uncle Wang and deliberately lose the case, but if we do that…”
“Yes, it would be too unfair to Wang Anshi.”
Xu Zun sighed.
Xu Zhiqian asked, “Father, if this case is lost, will Uncle Wang have no more chances?”
Xu Zun pondered briefly, “We can’t say that. After all, this is just one case, and Wang Anshi hasn’t committed any unforgivable errors. Even if he loses, His Majesty will surely still trust Wang Anshi and he can make a comeback. However, regaining support will be much more difficult!”
Zhang Fei suddenly started, “Yes! So what if we lose? It’s just one case, what does it matter?”
Xu Zun hurriedly said, “We can’t say that, the consequences…”
Before he could finish, Zhang Fei suddenly stood up. “Benefactor, could you arrange a secret meeting between me and Academician Wang?”
Xu Zun asked, “What do you want to do?”
Zhang Fei replied, “I want to persuade Academician Wang to give up this case.”
Xu Zhiqian anxiously stood up, “Didn’t we just discuss this? Uncle Wang will never agree, and doing this would only endanger Fang Yun.”
Zhang Fei said, “I have a way to make him agree.”
“What way?”
Xu Zhiqian asked.
Zhang Fei replied, “By being even more unscrupulous than them.”
The next morning.
A court case that had drawn the attention of all officials was about to begin in the Chamber of State Affairs.
The spacious hall was packed with people – not just civil and military officials, but most of the imperial clan had also come to observe.
This case was truly crucial – it was no exaggeration to say it involved the interests of everyone under heaven.
If this blow could directly unseat Wang Anshi, it would truly be cause for universal celebration!
When Zhang Fei entered the hall, silence fell immediately, followed by whispers.
“Strange, why is Zhang San dressed like this today?”
“Why isn’t he wearing his green robe?”
“And he’s not wearing his pen-in-cap.”
Zhang Fei was dressed simply today, with just a soft headband and plain gray robe, rather than his usual flamboyant attire worn to court.
“This commoner greets Lord Fu.”
Reaching the center, Zhang Fei bowed to Fu Bi on the main seat, then cupped his hands in greeting to Qian Yi.
Qian Yi merely nodded slightly – though no longer a censor, he was still the elder.
“Rise!”
Fu Bi noticed Zhang Fei’s panda eyes and haggard appearance, so asked, “Zhang San, are you well?”
Zhang Fei started, then quickly replied, “Thank you for your concern, Lord Fu. This commoner is fine, just nervous about appearing before you today and couldn’t sleep well.”
Fu Bi smiled slightly, not believing him, and said, “I hear you prefer to sit while arguing cases. Shall we arrange a table and chair for you?”
For fairness, he tried to accommodate Zhang Fei’s preferences – whatever your habit, that’s what we’ll arrange.
Zhang Fei replied, “Thank you for your kindness, Your Honor, but this commoner doesn’t need it today.”
Fu Bi paused slightly, then looked at Qian Yi.
Qian Xi also shook his head, “I don’t need it either.”
Sima Guang, sitting to the side, suddenly frowned, “This isn’t right!”
Wen Yanbo beside him nodded slightly, “Indeed! Why isn’t he wearing that green robe today?”
“Not just that.”
Sima Guang said, “In previous cases, he usually brought Xu Zhiqian along, but today she’s not here. Lord Fu didn’t forbid him from bringing her, and he’s empty-handed, carrying nothing.”
Wen Yanbo glanced at Zhang Fei and said, “Could it be that he’s confident of victory?”
Sima Guang frowned, “Even if he were confident, given his personality, he would still be fully prepared. This case is so important – being over-prepared couldn’t hurt.”
As he spoke, he glanced across at Wang Anshi, who appeared very relaxed, and thought to himself – perhaps I’m overthinking it?
Fu Bi had also noticed something off about Zhang Fei, but when questioned, Zhang Fei had still managed to flatter him, so Fu Bi decided not to dwell on it. He struck his gavel and began the proceedings.
Bang!
The hall fell silent instantly.
Everyone held their breath.
No one paid attention to Zhang Fei’s attire anymore.
Since Qian Yi was the complainant, Fu Bi naturally questioned him first.
Qian Yi truly lived up to his reputation as a censor – he spoke eloquently and at length, citing classics and discussing historical precedents.
The scholars listening nodded along, completely immersed.
This was how to argue a case! How refined and elegant.
In comparison, Zhang Fei was crude – he just read mechanically, haltingly, with no skill at all.
This went on for quite a while.
After the recitation, Fu Bi suddenly looked at Zhang Fei, who appeared to be resting with closed eyes. Not daring to be careless with this fellow who often had surprising tactics, he asked, “Zhang San, what do you have to say?”
Zhang Fei opened his eyes, remained silent for a good while, then said, “This commoner has nothing to say.”
This statement caused an immediate uproar.
Wang Anshi, Sima Guang and others stood up directly.
“Nothing… nothing to say?”
Fu Bi was stunned and asked, “Aren’t you here to defend the Finance Planning Commission? How can you have nothing to say?”
Zhang Fei replied, “This Mr. Qian’s arguments are too reasonable. This commoner doesn’t know how to refute them. Perhaps the Finance Planning Commission truly violates ancestral law.”
Qian Yi looked at him in astonishment. Though he had spoken at length, that was just the opening, exploratory remarks – he hadn’t even presented his core arguments yet! How could Zhang Fei give up so easily?
This seemed impossible!
Fu Bi first glanced at Wang Anshi, then said to Zhang Fei, “Zhang San, come here and speak.”
Zhang Fei walked over.
Fu Bi leaned forward and reprimanded in a low voice, “Look carefully – this is not your house, this is the Chamber of State Affairs. Don’t play your tricks here.”
Zhang Fei replied, “In court, this commoner never plays tricks. I am not skilled at sophistry and prefer to discuss matters directly. Regarding ancestral laws, I have specifically argued about this before. Now that the other party’s argument is reasonable, I must naturally acknowledge it.”
Fu Bi frowned, “If you continue like this, I’ll have no choice but to rule against you.”
Zhang Fei nodded, “This commoner accepts defeat willingly.”
“You!”
Fu Bi was dumbfounded.
What had happened? After pondering briefly, he suddenly called over Wang Anshi, Sima Guang, and Wen Yanbo.
What was going on? Liu Shu and others were completely confused, all straining to listen.
Sima Guang moved faster than Wang Anshi, rushing to Fu Bi’s front, then demanded of Zhang Fei, “Zhang San, what are you playing at?”
Zhang Fei remained silent.
By then, Wang Anshi had also approached.
Fu Bi said to Wang Anshi, “Wang Anshi, you ask him yourself.”
Wang Anshi asked Zhang Fei, “What’s going on?”
Zhang Fei said, “I’m sorry to disappoint you, Academician Wang.”
Wang Anshi stared at him for a while, then glanced at Sima Guang and Wen Yanbo, before saying to Fu Bi, “Lord Fu, I accept this loss.”
“Wait!”
That look from Wang Anshi made Sima Guang feel deeply insulted. I didn’t play any underhanded tricks, he thought, saying, “This matter must be clarified before judgment, otherwise it won’t convince anyone.”
Wen Yanbo also nodded, “We arranged this trial to seek fairness. This outcome is meaningless.”
Zhang Fei said, “Anyway, I don’t know how to refute the argument. Speaking to the facts, the Finance Planning Commission truly violates ancestral law.”
Fu Bi pondered briefly, then looked at Wang Anshi: “Wang Anshi, I can give you another chance. If you’re having difficulties, I can postpone the trial. Justice must come first.”
Wang Anshi said, “No need. A loss is a loss.”
“Lord Fu, you can’t make this ruling!”
Sima Guang immediately said, “This has no semblance of fairness.”
Wang Anshi said, “Fine, don’t rule then. But in the future, if they want to argue, let them find you – don’t come looking for me.”
Sima Guang exclaimed, “Wang Anshi, have you gone mad?”
Wang Anshi replied, “I’m perfectly clear-headed.”
Sima Guang looked at Zhang Fei again, saying, “Zhang San, what exactly happened?”
Zhang Fei said, “Thank you for your concern, Academician Sima. I truly can’t find reasons to refute.”
“You…”
Sima Guang was so agitated his beard bristled.
He knew something must have happened – this was precisely why he wanted this trial, hoping to resolve matters fairly.
This turn of events made things even worse.
Fu Bi felt the same way, but he was helpless. Given what they had said, he couldn’t not make a ruling. Though they cared about fairness, many people only cared about winning or losing. Wang Anshi had already conceded defeat – if Fu Bi didn’t rule now, people would only trouble them later, and would have no reason to bother Wang Anshi anymore.
Fu Bi couldn’t take on that responsibility!
He sighed, “Very well! Please return to your places.”
Sima Guang stormed off in angry humiliation, his sleeves sweeping through the air.
Fu Bi struck his gavel and publicly announced that the Finance Planning Commission violated ancestral law.