Chapter 159: One-for-one Exchange
Xu Zhiqian’s nervousness was understandable. Although earlier in the year she had helped Zhang Fei seek justice for the Shi family using ancestral law, and that case had indeed drawn widespread public attention and interest.
But that was ultimately just a criminal trial that ended as a criminal case. There had been no direct conflict with court officials then. No one had threatened the Shi family either, since the ancestral laws were just a reason, or rather an excuse, to constrain the emperor’s power. Court officials often used this excuse to limit the emperor, but what usually played the decisive role was a struggle for power. Moreover, Wang Anshi had not yet begun his reforms then. The power structure had not changed at all.
This time was different. Zhang Fei was directly confronting court officials, and the case concerned the interests of people across the realm while potentially signaling a redistribution of power. Any changes involving increases or decreases in power were extremely dangerous. The fact that they even resorted to kidnapping Fang Yun to threaten Zhang Fei was telling.
No one could view this case casually as a mere spectator – everyone was involved. Due to all the young officials wanting to observe the trial, Fu Bi and Han Qi were forced to hold court in the open space in front of the Chamber of State Affairs. Although the Song dynasty palace was the smallest of all the dynasties, the space in front of the Chamber of State Affairs, being the highest administrative organ of state, was still very large – enough to hold a thousand people.
This really exhausted the Chamber’s servants, who had spent all night just moving tables and chairs. By now the space was completely filled, with many young officials even standing in corners. The crowd was already in an uproar with endless arguments. Clearly, this case had brought the conflict between reformists and conservatives into the open. Previously everyone had been competing secretly, but now they were openly contending.
This was just the beginning, before the new policies had even been issued. Wang Anshi arrived late and immediately ran into Sima Guang at the entrance – truly a meeting of archenemies. He frowned and said, “Sima Guang, are you having someone follow me? I was delayed by something and arrived late, yet someone I still managed to run into you – it’s like seeing a stalking ghost.”
Sima Guang snorted, “I specifically came late hoping to avoid you. You should look in a mirror – so many people hate you to the bone now, who would want to walk with you?”
Wang Anshi sneered, “Indeed! All those corrupt officials hate me.” As he spoke, he pointed at Sima Guang.
“You-” Sima Guang angrily snorted, “You think everyone else is drunk and only you are sober – that’s exactly why people hate you.”
Wang Anshi retorted, “That precisely proves that the path I’m taking is correct.” Sima Guang laughed coldly, “So the fact that everyone hates you proves you’re right? Haven’t you learned even a bit of logic from spending time with Zhang San?”
Wang Anshi smiled, “Can those people inside represent the majority? Let’s go ask the common people.”
Sima Guang said, “Let’s ask after your new laws come out.”
“Just you wait.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Just then, they heard laughter: “Distinguished ministers, it’s still early – why don’t you go in first and have a debate, so us juniors can learn something?” Sima Guang and Wang Anshi turned to see Su Shi smiling at them, while Su Zhe beside him was trying hard to hold back his laughter.
Sima Guang frowned, “You do need to learn something. With that unrestrained mouth of yours, if you don’t get taught a lesson in court, you’ll eventually cause big trouble.”
Wang Anshi said, “Visit fewer brothels, save some money – when you get in trouble, you can still find Zhang San to help fight your case.”
Sima Guang added, “Even without saving money you should visit brothels less. Look at yourself – so young yet you are already walking unsteadily, even worse than us two old men.”
The smile on Su Shi’s face gradually stiffened. Seeing his brother struggling against two opponents, Su Zhe quickly stepped forward with a respectful bow to help his brother out of the situation.
Wang Anshi glanced at Su Zhe and said, “They say a crooked beam leads to crooked rafters – Su Zhe, how come you’re not crooked?”
“I…”
Su Zhe looked awkwardly at Wang Anshi.
Sima Guang earnestly advised, “Keep a good eye on your brother.”
With that, the two men entered the courtyard.
Su Zhe remained standing with his hands clasped.
Su Shi walked up, “Brother, I’m sorry for getting you involved again.”
Su Zhe turned to look at Su Shi and said sheepishly, “It’s fine, I’m used to it.”
When Wang Anshi and Sima Guang appeared in the courtyard, the discussions quieted somewhat as countless eyes turned toward them. The two men instinctively walked to opposite sides, making the opposing camps even more clearly defined.
Seeing Wang Anshi arrive, Lu Huiqing immediately stood up and bowed, asking, “Teacher, how did you come together with Academician Sima?”
Wang Anshi said quietly, “Help me investigate if anyone is following me.”
Lu Huiqing looked at Wang Anshi in confusion.
“I suspect that old Sima has people tailing me,” Wang Anshi said as he sat down.
On the other side, Wen Yanbo similarly asked Sima Guang curiously, “How did you come with Wang Anshi?”
Sima Guang sighed deeply, “Unfortunately, I ran into him at the entrance.”
The Su brothers who entered after them were dumbstruck by the scene. Such a grand occasion surpassed even court assemblies – this kind of gathering was usually only seen at imperial birthday celebrations or enthronement ceremonies.
“So many people!” Su Zhe exclaimed.
Su Shi nodded and said enviously, “Indeed! Who would have thought fighting a court case could bring such attention. Even when we passed the imperial examinations, it wasn’t this grand – it’s really unfair!”
After a while, Han Qi and Fu Bi emerged from the hall. The courtyard immediately fell silent. Lu Gongzhu felt extremely frustrated – why weren’t people this well-behaved when he presided over cases?
Han Qi and Fu Bi walked slowly while chatting. “Lord Fu, should we teach that kid a lesson later, to cure his arrogance?” Han Qi said quietly.
Fu Bi asked, “What do you plan to do?”
Han Qi said harshly, “Don’t give him a seat.”
Fu Bi thought for a moment and waved his hand, “Better not. We’ve offered seats before – if we don’t now, people might criticize us.”
Han Qi didn’t care – could they not argue a case while standing? But seeing Fu Bi’s stance, he didn’t insist.
The two men sat down in the judges’ seats. Han Qi reached for the judge’s wooden block.
Fu Bi kept shaking his head and smiled wryly, “You go ahead – I already had my fun last time.”
Han Qi picked up the block and scanned the crowd. Since no one was speaking, he put it back down and ordered his attendants, “Call them forward.”
After a loud announcement, Fan Chunren and Qian Yi entered first. As officials, they naturally couldn’t walk side by side with a mere pen-in-cap within the imperial city.
Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian followed. Xu Zhiqian was carrying documents, and as soon as she entered the courtyard and saw the scene – with the legendary Fu Bi and Han Qi presiding – her scalp went numb and her legs went weak, causing her to sink down.
Fortunately, Zhang Fei beside her was quick to catch her. He looked at her with disdain and said, “You’re so useless – it’s not even your first time.”
“I-I…” Xu Zhiqian blushed, unable to express her distress.
The scene was far more terrifying than she had imagined. Last time at the Court of Penal Review there were at most a few dozen people, but this time there were over a thousand – imperial relatives, senior ministers, and many elders. As a woman, how could she not be afraid to argue a case under the gaze of so many people?
Zhang Fei rolled his eyes and snorted softly, “You only act tough in front of me. Once you’re actually in court, you’re as weak as a chicken. Hurry up and walk.”
At this moment, Xu Zhiqian was in no mood to argue with Zhang Fei. She said quietly, “Zhang San, I seem unable to move my feet.”
Zhang Fei’s eyes widened in shock, “Hey hey hey, you’re not having your period, are you? What should we do?”
“What period?” Xu Zhiqian asked in confusion.
“You know… women’s monthly thing.”
Xu Zhiqian’s face turned bright red and she spat, “What nonsense are you talking about? I’m just nervous and my legs feel weak.”
“You…” Zhang Fei was so angry his hair stood on end. “We haven’t even started and you’re already like this – there goes our morale.”
Despite his words, he still supported Xu Zhiqian as they slowly walked forward. So much for making an impression – they looked like helpless women and children. He had even considered renting a luxurious carriage and hiring dozens of guards to escort them.
But this action immediately drew everyone’s attention. What were they doing? Being intimate and flirting at the Chamber of State Affairs – was that appropriate?
Liu Zhao asked Xu Zun beside him, “Brother Xu Zun, when will we drink at Qian’er’s wedding?”
Xu Zun had been anxiously watching his daughter and was startled by the question. “What wedding?”
Liu Zhao said, “The wedding between Qian’er and Zhang San!”
Xu Zun’s face fell. “Don’t talk nonsense – Qian’er is just helping out, it’s not what you think.”
Liu Zhao wouldn’t believe it. “Is that so?”
Han Qi was also a romantic and found the talented young man and beautiful woman quite pleasing to the eye, so he wasn’t too concerned.
But Fu Bi was uncomfortable with it. When they came forward, he asked, “What are you doing?”
The question made many people laugh.
Xu Zun’s face reddened.
Xu Zhiqian had bent her slender white neck into a U-shape.
Zhang Fei said awkwardly, “In response to Lord Fu, Miss Xu has twisted her ankle.”
Han Qi smiled, “Don’t worry, we’ll provide you with tables and chairs – no need for these little tricks.”
Zhang Fei wanted to cry, “This time it’s real.”
Han Qi immediately asked, “From your words, last time was fake?”
“Uh…” Zhang Fei said sheepishly, “Last time was real too, just with a different person.”
Fu Bi saw that Zhang Fei didn’t seem to be lying, so he said, “Help Miss Xu sit down first.”
“Thank you, Lord Fu.”
Zhang Fei quickly helped Xu Zhiqian to a seat.
Xu Zhiqian immediately held up the documents to hide herself – the more she feared embarrassment, the more embarrassing things became.
Beside them, Xu Zun immediately said to Liu Zhao, “See, I told you it’s not what you think – Qian’er twisted her ankle.”
Liu Zhao shook his head, “If that’s the case, it’s even worse.”
Xu Zun asked anxiously, “What do you mean?”
Liu Zhao said quietly, “There were already many rumors about Qian’er’s unusual relationship with Zhang San. Now they’re embracing in front of everyone, and all our colleagues have seen it. Who else would you plan to marry Qian’er to?”
Xu Zun was dumbstruck.
No wonder there hadn’t been any marriage proposals lately.
After this small incident, the court had lost its air of seriousness.
Han Qi struck his wooden block to create some semblance of authority and announced loudly, “Remonstrator Fan, Censor Qian.”
“We are here.” The two men bowed.
Han Qi asked, “You have charged the Reform Planning Commission with violating ancestral law. Do you have evidence?”
Fan Chunren replied, “In response to Lord Han, I request that a key witness in this case testify.”
“Witness?”
Han Qi was stunned – this wasn’t part of the procedure. When Xu Zhiqian heard this, she immediately forgot her shyness and looked up, asking quietly, “There’s a witness?”
Zhang Fei said with a confused expression, “I don’t know either.”
Han Qi asked puzzledly, “What witness?”
Fan Chunren immediately said, “Academician Wang Anshi.”
Wang Anshi was immediately dumbfounded – he had to testify in court? Good thing he wasn’t late.
Zhang Fei immediately stood up and objected, “There was no prior notice about calling Academician Wang to testify.”
Han Qi and Fu Bi exchanged glances, seemingly unsure what to do.
There indeed had been no prior notice.
Fan Chunren smiled, “As a pen-in-cap, don’t you know that witnesses must be called to testify in court? When you helped Cao Dongdong with his case, you also called witnesses to testify. Do such matters need prior notice?”
Zhang Fei frowned, “Of course they do – I’m completely unprepared for this.”
Fan Chunren asked with a smile, “Did anyone inform you that there would be no witnesses called today?”
Zhang Fei paused slightly, then shook his head, “No.”
Fan Chunren stopped addressing him and turned to Han Qi and Fu Bi, “Your Honors, without Academician Wang’s testimony, some questions cannot be answered definitively. I humbly request that Your Honors summon Academician Wang to testify.”
Han Qi looked at Fu Bi, who glanced away, as if saying “it’s your call.”
Han Qi pondered briefly, then suddenly looked at Wang Anshi sitting nearby and asked, “Academician Wang, are you willing to testify?”
Lu Huiqing immediately whispered, “Teacher, be careful – there may be a trap.”
Wang Anshi first glanced at Zhang Fei and saw his hesitant expression, but didn’t think too much about it. He nodded directly to Han Qi, “If needed, I can testify.”
In this situation, refusing would be like admitting guilt. Besides, Wang Anshi was no ordinary person – he was made for big occasions and wouldn’t fear someone like Fan Chunren. He wouldn’t even fear Fan’s father, the famous Fan Zhongyan.
“Wait!” Zhang Fei suddenly turned to Fan Chunren and Qian Yi, “You are both plaintiffs, which means you are the accusers. If you can question Academician Wang, then I should also be able to question you – that would be fair.”
In court, there was a big difference depending on whether you were a witness or a lawyer.
Qian Yi said, “I wrote the complaint document.”
Fan Chunren said, “I’m just here to argue on behalf of Censor Qian.”
Qian Yi smiled, “Of course you can question me.”
Well played! They’re using a one-for-one exchange strategy against me. Though Zhang Fei maintained a smile on his face, countless curses ran through his mind.