Chapter 163: All Under the Law
Though the reformists held the initiative, Wang Anshi was quite displeased about being a witness.
He felt like he was just a target for them to abuse back and forth endlessly, while he had no opportunity to fight back.
His lips were swollen and his heart ached from all the talking. “Aren’t I supposed to be the main character?” he thought.
Next time they should let Lu Huiqing handle this kind of thing – he couldn’t afford to lose face like this.
However, as both sides continued their questioning, the observers gradually became immersed in it, thinking not about power and benefits, but about the essence of the issue.
The officials sitting here were no fools – they could all see that the key point of contention between the two sides was the power of the Reform Planning Commission.
The principle of “establishing comprehensive order as precaution against malfeasance” included the meaning of preventing excessive concentration power.
This was actually the issue they cared about most.
So if they could prove the Reform Planning Commission had too much power, when they would be able to use this angle to show that it violated ancestral law.
And vice versa. Only the sound of questioning could be heard in the large courtyard.
Though some people were conversing quietly, they unconsciously lowered their voices, as if afraid of disturbing the proceedings.
Most people, including Emperor Zhao Xu, had thoughtful expressions.
Because rarely had any court debate discussed power so thoroughly.
Usually everyone spoke very obscurely about such matters.
Those who understood, understood. There was no need to spell it out so bluntly.
This was why Wang Anshi glared at Zhang Fei – his rhetoric was too blatant, not subtle at all, far from sophisticated.
But after truly speaking plainly, there were many aspects that made everyone think deeply.
They suddenly realized some issues needed to be discussed openly to avoid misunderstandings.
Zhang Fei first looked lovingly at Fan Chunren, secretly thinking he had learned well, then stood up and asked Wang Anshi: “Earlier when Remonstrator Fan mentioned law and power, I didn’t quite understand. Could I trouble Academician Wang to explain?”
“I see,” Sima Guang nodded repeatedly, his eyes bright with understanding.
Wen Yanbo beside him asked: “What made you react like that? What did you realize?”
Sima Guang explained: “Haven’t you noticed the key to litigation? Both sides can question each other’s witnesses, and both only ask for answers they want. Earlier, Remonstrator Fan didn’t give Wang Anshi a chance to explain, which was clearly unfavorable to him, but Zhang San immediately gave Wang Anshi the opportunity to explain. This trial gets more interesting the more you watch!”
Wen Yanbo listened with confusion – apparently their focus points were completely different!
While everyone else pondered the power of the Reform Planning Commission, Sima Guang was studying the litigation process.
Why?
Did he want to be a pen-in-cap himself?
“Of course!” Wang Anshi nodded, but seemed listless, feeling like a puppet. Dejectedly he asked back: “Do you understand the relationship between the Military Commission and the Three Military Divisions?”
Zhang Fei nodded: “My understanding is that the Military Commission gives orders while the Three Military Divisions manage military affairs. Is that correct?”
Wang Anshi nodded: “That’s right. Our Reform Planning Commission is only responsible for legislation. We have no authority to issue any orders to the Palace Secretariat, Military Commission or the Three Military Divisions. The Palace Secretariat is still managed by the Manager of Affairs, the Military Commission by the Military Commissioner, and the Three Financial Bureaus by the Accounting Chancellor.”
Zhang Fei smiled: “Thank you.” Then he turned to Han Qi and Fu Bi: “I have no more questions.”
Fu Bi nodded with a smile – this drama was becoming more fascinating, making him even forget his own political inclinations, and leading him to take a purely truth-seeking mindset.
As soon as he sat down, Fan Chunren stood up, seemingly also in the zone. As Fan Zhongyan’s son and a veteran official, he asked: “I heard there is a position under the Reform Planning Commission called Policy Assessment Officer.”
Wang Anshi nodded.
Fan Chunren asked: “Could Academician Wang explain to us the authority of this Policy Assessment Officer?”
Xu Zhiqian whispered: “Censor Fan’s rhetoric is becoming more and more like yours.”
Zhang Fei smiled wryly: “Let’s hope it doesn’t become a case of the copy driving out the original.”
Xu Zhiqian smiled, “That may not be impossible.”
Zhang Fei laughed: “But definitely not now – I’ve only used about 10% of my skill.”
Xu Zhiqian looked at Zhang Fei in shock.
They heard Wang Anshi answer: “The Policy Assessment Officer is mainly responsible for monitoring the implementation of new laws in various regions.”
Before Fan Chunren could ask further, Wang Anshi continued: “I don’t deny that the Policy Assessment Officer has certain supervisory powers, but at the beginning of reforms, if we don’t send people familiar with the new laws to supervise, many problems could arise in implementation. If we can promptly know how reforms are being implemented locally, we can make appropriate adjustments for any issues.”
He spoke very quickly, as if afraid of being cut off.
It may be a trial, but not letting someone speak was quite frustrating!
Fan Chunren nodded and smiled: “I agree that should be the case. Then may I ask Academician Wang, who supervises your Reform Planning Commission?”
When he asked this question, he finally showed a trace of smugness.
And behind him came timely cheers.
“Good!”
“Well asked!”
The officials and scholars sitting behind him shouldn’t have cheered like commoners, but from the beginning until now, Fan Chunren had been suppressed by Zhang Fei, and they had been holding back with difficulty!
They needed to vent.
This question undoubtedly aimed to put shackles on the Reform Planning Commission.
No matter how Wang Anshi answered, they would benefit.
Many neutral parties’ criticism of the Reform Planning Commission centered on who would restrict this department. When he issued the copyright tax law, the Palace Secretariat learned of it at the same time as the common people.
It hadn’t even been discussed in the imperial court.
This was also the issue many officials cared about most.
The principle of establishing comprehensive order as precaution against malfeasance also included having checks and balances.
Throughout history, political systems were designed to prevent any single entity from becoming too powerful.
However, faced with this difficult question, Wang Anshi smiled slightly and muttered: “That brat!”
Fan Chunren asked puzzled: “What did Academician Wang say?”
“Ah?”
Wang Anshi shook his head: “I wasn’t talking about you.”
He coughed lightly, looked at Fan Chunren and asked with a smile: “What are you doing right now?”
Fan Chunren paused slightly, answering: “I am questioning you, Academician Wang.”
Wang Anshi asked again: “I mean why are you standing here?”
Seeing the gleam in Wang Anshi’s eyes, Fan Chunren hesitated for a moment before carefully answering: “I am here to litigate on behalf of Censor Qian.”
Wang Anshi nodded: “What are you litigating about?”
Fan Chunren answered: “Whether your Reform Planning Commission violates ancestral law.”
Wang Anshi chuckled: “Here I am, a state counsellor, sitting here being questioned by a mere remonstrator. When Lord Fan Zhongyan led reform efforts before, they weren’t treated so harshly. Yet you ask who supervises the Reform Planning Commission? Obviously it’s supervised by the judicial system!”
Fan Chunren frowned and fell silent, suddenly realizing – wasn’t he already keeping the Reform Planning Commission in check?
He felt like he had lifted a rock only to drop it on his own foot.
Zhang Fei glanced smugly at Wang Anshi but received two angry glares in return.
Xu Zhiqian watched this and smiled secretly, whispering: “Now they have no chance of winning.”
“Wrong!”
Zhang Fei said seriously: “They never had a chance of winning from the start.”
Fu Bi and Han Qi exchanged glances and both shook their heads slightly.
Indeed.
Even during the height of the Qingli Reforms, Fan Zhongyan was never made to sit in court to be questioned.
Because before this, the judicial system had no power to restrict government policymaking.
This was truly unprecedented.
From this perspective, talking about additional restrictions did seem somewhat excessive.
After a while, Han Qi asked: “Does Remonstrator Fan have any more questions?”
Fan Chunren started, shook his head, and sat down, his disappointment evident.
This question had been fatal.
Zhang Fei suddenly said to Xu Zhiqian: “Qian Yi’s document.”
Xu Zhiqian immediately handed him a document – they hadn’t prepared much this time and didn’t need to search much.
Zhang Fei stood up and suddenly looked at Qian Yi, seeing the old man seemed lost in thought, so he first bowed: “Censor Qian.”
The long-forgotten Qian Yi had completely entered spectator mode. Hearing Zhang Fei suddenly call him, he was startled before coming to his senses, immediately becoming alert and looking at Zhang Fei with some nervousness.
These questions were deadly – even scarier than court debates!
Both sides were completely uninhibited, getting to the root of everything.
Zhang Fei flipped through the document and asked: “As I understand it, Censor Qian has previously questioned and even opposed Academician Wang’s interpretation of the classics.”
Qian Yi nodded.
“I object!”
Fan Chunren suddenly stood up, “What does this have to do with this case?”
Zhang Fei replied: “They are absolutely related. I will explain this point later.”
Fan Chunren asked: “Why not explain now?”
Zhang Fei said: “This is why we’re questioning. Before Censor Qian answers, how can I answer you?”
Fan Chunren sat down.
Zhang Fei looked at the document again and continued asking Qian Yi: “And Censor Qian supported and agreed with Academician Sima’s reform ideas.”
Qian Yi nodded: “Yes.”
Zhang Fei said: “At that time, the Reform Planning Commission hadn’t been established yet. Can we say these were just differences in ideas, and that your agreement or opposition at the time didn’t necessarily mean the other party was legal or illegal? Would you agree with that?”
Qian Yi nodded.
Zhang Fei asked: “Which method does Censor Qian think is more just and effective – your previous debates or this court litigation?”
Hearing this, Fan Chunren hung his head dejectedly.
Qian Yi remained silent in contemplation.
Zhang Fei waited a moment before saying: “Regarding this question, Censor Qian should answer what he truly thinks, as the two judges will make their own judgment.”
Implying that it didn’t matter if he lied – he wouldn’t be taken advantage of.
Even a blind person would know the answer at this point!
Qian Yi nodded: “This trial is more just and more effective.”
“Thank you for your answer, Censor Qian.”
Zhang Fei then said to Han Qi and Fu Bi: “I asked this question only to prove one point – judicial supervision is absolutely effective, and in some aspects even surpasses the supervision of censors and remonstrators. It can be said to be a perfect complement.”
Han Qi nodded: “Indeed! Your question is very crucial and highly relevant to this case.”
This question undoubtedly supplemented the previous one, providing strong support for judicial supervision.
“I have asked all my questions.”
Zhang Fei sat down.
Han Qi looked at Fan Chunren again.
Fan Chunren stood up and asked: “Academician Wang, you say the Reform Planning Commission accepts judicial supervision?”
Wang Anshi nodded.
Fan Chunren said: “Then in the future if the Reform Planning Commission acts illegally, anyone has the right to file a complaint.”
“I object.”
Zhang Fei said: “What do you mean anyone has the right to file a lawsuit? Lawsuits require evidence, and I still have doubts about the evidence in your current lawsuit.”
Fan Chunren said somewhat embarrassedly: “Yes, I wasn’t clear enough.”
Zhang Fei sat back down.
Fan Chunren asked again: “Then in the future if the Reform Planning Commission acts illegally, anyone with concrete evidence has the right to file a complaint?”
Wang Anshi smiled: “Of course. Not just the Reform Planning Commission – the Palace Secretariat and the Military Commission are all under judicial supervision.”
“Thank you.”
Fan Chunren bowed, then said to Han Qi and Fu Bi: “I have also asked all my questions.”