Judge of the Song Dynasty

Was it decided just like that? What started as an epic drama suddenly turned into an ad.

Everyone in the audience was stunned, including Qian Yi who had come to confront them.

“Wait!” When Fu Bi was being helped up by his servant, Qian Yi finally reacted and instinctively called out: “Lord Fu, I… I…!” He stammered, not knowing what to say. Though this was the outcome he wanted, it wasn’t the process he had hoped for. Victory should be achieved honorably.

Fu Bi merely gave him a calm glance before slowly limping away with his servant’s support.

“Stop calling!” Liu Shu held back Qian Yi who still wanted to call back Fu Bi, and whispered: “Since they’ve already conceded, what more do you want to argue about?”

Qian Yi exclaimed emotionally: “How can this be acceptable? Why would they suddenly concede? Something unknown must have happened!”

Liu Shu and Qi Hui exchanged glances.

Liu Shu sighed: “Everyone can see that, but as long as our conscience is clear, Brother Qian should consider the bigger picture and not pursue this further.”

How could they not see it? They had already guessed most of what happened – someone must have intervened, using certain methods to threaten or bribe Zhang Fei.

This wasn’t unusual; it had happened often before. If it weren’t for Xu Zun’s constant protection, such tactics would have been used on Zhang Fei long ago. In fact, they had been used – Wang Wenshan had once secretly sent people to harm Zhang Fei. But Qian Yi was rather rigid in his principles: “Since you all know something must have happened behind the scenes, this verdict can’t stand. No, I must report this to His Majesty. We can’t let it end like this.”

Just then, someone nearby laughed and said: “The pen-in-cap Zhang San truly lives up to his reputation. On matters of principle, he can still maintain his integrity and not be swayed by power. That’s admirable!”

“Not necessarily. Perhaps this Zhang San is actually a spy sent by others specifically to deal with Wang Anshi.”

“Heh, who would have thought Wang Anshi would be defeated by a mere pen-in-cap.”

“This is what they call ‘evil deeds lead to self-destruction!'”

“Haha…”

Liu Shu and the others secretly observed the imperial relatives and scholars who were chatting casually. None showed any great shock or disbelief. Could they not see what had happened? But from their tone, it seemed that they thought that this should have happened long ago, rather than waiting until today.

Why use legal proceedings against a pen-in-cap? How embarrassing! All that arguing was useless.

Qi Hui sighed: “In this situation, even if Brother Qian reports to His Majesty, it would be futile!”

With Fu Bi having announced the verdict publicly, neither Qian Yi nor Fu Bi himself could change it now.

Qian Yi stomped his foot in frustration: “I never thought I would compromise my principles like this.”

As the plaintiff, how could he avoid responsibility for this? Impossible!

Zhang Fei was just a pen-in-cap. Once the case was over, win or lose, it had nothing to do with him anymore. He had just left the imperial city and barely sat down in his carriage when someone rushed up.

So the old man was quite agile!

Zhang Fei glanced at the angry Sima Guang and instructed Li Si and Long Wu outside the carriage, “Let’s take Academician Sima home first.”

The carriage slowly started moving.

“What exactly happened?” Sima Guang asked.

Zhang Fei, who hadn’t slept all night, showed clear signs of fatigue despite only speaking once in court: “Someone kidnapped Fang Yun.”

“Fang Yun?” Sima Guang was confused for a moment before remembering, “Ayun from Dengzhou?”

Zhang Fei nodded.

Sima Guang clicked his tongue: “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

Zhang Fei replied helplessly: “I only found out yesterday.”

Sima Guang said: “You could have informed me, we could have delayed the trial.”

Zhang Fei replied: “If we didn’t announce the verdict today, Fang Yun would be finished. I had no choice.”

Sima Guang angrily struck his thigh: “To think such a thing would happen.”

Looking at Zhang Fei, he continued: “Did Wang Anshi know about this beforehand?”

From Wang Anshi’s attitude earlier, it was obvious he must have known. Otherwise, given his personality, how could he have conceded so easily?

Zhang Fei nodded.

Sima Guang continued: “But given Wang Anshi’s personality, a mere Fang Yun couldn’t make him abandon his reforms. He would even risk his life for them.”

Zhang Fei glanced at Sima Guang, hesitated for a moment, then said: “This case has only just begun.”

Sima Guang frowned: “Now that Lord Fu has announced the verdict, even if he wanted to reverse it, it would be impossible. Those people would never agree.”

Looking at Zhang Fei, he added: “Even if His Majesty forcefully demanded a retrial… that would make this case lose its meaning of justice.”

Currently, there wasn’t rule of law, but rule of man.

Both sides were fighting this case based on personal moral principles.

If either side refused to accept or used power to change everything, the case would become meaningless.

No one would believe in it anymore.

Zhang Fei said: “Academician Sima, please rest assured. My suggestions will never deviate from the law.”

Sima Guang was startled, “Then what do you plan to do?”

Zhang Fei replied: “I want to let them experience how a pen-in-cap can be just as unruly as they are.”

Sima Guang looked at him puzzled.

Zhang Fei said: “I apologize! Until Fang Yun is completely safe, I can’t say more. But please rest assured, Academician Sima, everything will eventually return to its proper course.”

“Return to its proper course?”

Sima Guang sighed, “That’s easier said than done! The new laws haven’t even been implemented yet and they’re already doing this. When the time comes, I’m afraid bloodshed will be unavoidable!”

Zhang Fei said: “That’s why Academician Sima must quickly complete the judicial reforms, to prevent such situations from escalating.”

Sima Guang heaved a long sigh, “Is it really that simple?”

In the Hall of Delegated Rule.

“What exactly happened?”

Upon hearing the result, Emperor Zhao Xu stood up angrily and demanded an explanation.

Fu Bi was very embarrassed and full of guilt: “I don’t know either. I have failed Your Majesty’s great expectations. I am guilty.”

He looked toward Wang Anshi.

Emperor Zhao Xu also looked at Wang Anshi: “Academician Wang, do you have nothing to say?”

Wang Anshi bowed: “I trusted the wrong person, so I accept this defeat wholeheartedly. I have nothing to say.”

But Emperor Zhao Xu said: “This isn’t right, the trial wasn’t fair. I must investigate this thoroughly. This verdict cannot stand.”

Zhao Bian immediately stepped forward: “Your Majesty, although I also feel this is unfair, Lord Fu has already ruled that the Finance Planning Commission violated ancestral law. If Your Majesty declares this verdict invalid, it would affect Your Majesty’s and the court’s authority. The court officials would never accept it.”

Zhao Xu said: “You all know there are problems with this case, yet you want me to accept this wrong verdict. Is this how subjects should behave?”

Zhao Bian continued arguing: “Although there may be other reasons, there were no errors in the trial process. Lord Fu gave them opportunities and asked repeatedly before making his decision. As Academician Wang said, it was his own mistake, not Lord Fu’s error. Since Lord Fu made no mistakes, his verdict is correct.”

Wen Yanbo also said: “I agree with Chancellor Zhao’s reasoning. As long as Lord Fu made no errors in the trial, this verdict cannot be changed arbitrarily. Otherwise, the consequences would be unthinkable.”

Emperor Zhao Xu frowned deeply and looked at Wang Anshi again. After a while, he said: “Academician Wang, stay. The rest may leave.”

“We take our leave.”

After they left, Emperor Zhao Xu and Wang Anshi exchanged knowing smiles.

Zhao Xu said relaxedly: “Misfortune might be a blessing in disguise. This is good – in the coming days we can see who truly supports your reforms and who is just pretending while having other motives.”

Wang Anshi smiled and nodded: “Not only that, but Lord Fu and the others won’t be able to say much later, since they were the first to act unreasonably, using such despicable tactics.”

Zhao Xu nodded slightly: “You must observe carefully and prepare the specific list of Document Examiners and Policy Assessment Officers soon. I will announce them together.”

Wang Anshi said: “I obey your command.”

The spring evening breeze carried a slight chill, gently blowing with the fresh scent of flowers and grass. The moonlight shone dimly in Zhang’s backyard, making the solitary figure in the courtyard alternately bright and dark.

In the corridor, a voluptuous figure slowly walked toward that solitary figure and gently draped an outer garment over his shoulders.

“Madam?”

Zhang Fei turned to see Gao Wenyin standing behind him. Her lustrous black hair fell to her waist, and the silver moonlight seemed to pierce through her silk dress, revealing tantalizing glimpses of her magnificent figure.

Unfortunately, Zhang Fei wasn’t in the mood to notice these things.

Gao Wenyin sat down. “Husband, has something happened?”

Since moving into the Zhang household, she had always served Zhang Fei quietly like a maid, never asking about anything unless he brought it up first.

But in the past two days, she noticed Zhang Fei was distracted and worried. She couldn’t help but ask.

Zhang Fei hesitated, “A close relative of mine may be in mortal danger.”

Though the verdict was given, Fang Yun might still not be safe.

“Ah?”

Gao Wenyin exclaimed, then anxiously asked: “Why-!”

Halfway through her question, she suddenly looked at Zhang Fei and bit her red lips, not continuing.

Zhang Fei glanced at Gao Wenyin: “You guessed correctly. It is indeed because of me, and it happened due to my negligence.”

Gao Wenyin hurriedly said: “Don’t worry, husband. I believe your relative will be blessed by heaven.”

Zhang Fei sighed deeply: “Actually, worry is secondary. I’m more afraid because this is something I’ve never experienced or imagined before, but may encounter often in the future.”

Gao Wenyin lowered her eyes and sighed softly: “I have already experienced it and been afraid.”

At this point, she suddenly looked at Zhang Fei, her eyes full of gratitude: “You helped me through that crisis, but now… now I can’t help you at all.”

Zhang Fei smiled slightly: “Actually, at times like this, just having you sit here and listen to my complaints is already great support.”

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Gao Wenyin’s almond eyes widened as she stared at Zhang Fei.

Zhang Fei nodded: “Just this once. I won’t allow such a situation to happen again.”

In the neighboring courtyard, a graceful figure sat by a stone table, resting her chin on her hand, sighing softly.

“Why aren’t you resting at such a late hour?”

An elderly voice was heard.

“Father!”

Xu Zhiqian stood up.

Xu Zun asked: “Why aren’t you sleeping?”

“I can’t sleep!”

Xu Zhiqian sighed softly.

Xu Zun comforted her: “Don’t worry, Fang Yun will be fine. Now that the verdict has been given, why would they provoke Zhang San? Their use of such tactics actually proves they are somewhat wary of Zhang San.”

“I know. I was just thinking…”

“Thinking what?”

“I often lecture Zhang San, hoping he would stay on the right path, but now they use such despicable tactics against him. So I don’t know if what I did was right or wrong.”

“My silly daughter!”

Xu Zun chuckled: “These two things aren’t contradictory at all. Don’t you hope that what Zhang San does is to use proper means to curb these evil methods? Now that he has suffered from it himself, I believe he will better understand the importance of the law and continue firmly on this path.”

Xu Zhiqian nodded: “Yes! Though his current strategy sounds somewhat roguish, it actually follows legal precedents and acts according to law, without any illegal moves.”

Xu Zun nodded and smiled: “Exactly so.”