Judge of the Song Dynasty

Though it is only by trying things out that one learns what works, governing a country cannot be done impulsively by rolling up one’s sleeves and diving in. A single policy mistake could cost countless lives.

Therefore, when ministers presented strategies to the emperor, they would first establish a complete theoretical foundation. But their theories had one similarity – they emphasized imperial power. Whether Legalists or Confucians, all did this because their target audience was the emperor. He wouldn’t agree unless he benefited.

Zhang Fei was no exception. Although he emphasized weakening imperial power, he also stressed reducing ministerial power. Power being relative, if you weaken more than me, I effectively become stronger. He introduced the concept of public power, turning a two-person game into a three-person game.

It was like changing a dangerous fight between two adults into one between a middle schooler and two elementary students. Though the total weight remained the same, it was clearly safer than two adults fighting. The middle schooler could also ally with one student against the other, increasing the chances of victory. The key was how to divide power to gain advantage.

This position lay between Wang Anshi and Sima Guang’s views. Wang Anshi emphasized strong imperial authority, Sima Guang emphasized balance, and Zhang Fei stood in the middle.

Of course, Zhang Fei merely opened a door for Zhao Xu, offering another option. Which door to take remained Zhao Xu’s choice. Being just a commoner and not even an official, Zhang Fei could dare speak such words and withdraw safely afterward.

“Benefactor!”

“Brother San!”

Just outside the palace, Feng Nanxi and Niu Beiqing approached.

“Nanxi, Big Niu, why are you here?” Zhang Fei asked. Feng Nanxi said, “Young Master Cao and Little Ma came to our house saying you won the case and wanted to celebrate. We learned the case was over but grew worried when you hadn’t returned, so we came to check.”

Zhang Fei rolled his eyes. “What good would your worrying do? Were you planning to storm in?”

Feng Nanxi’s legs went weak – that was the imperial palace! “We… we wouldn’t dare.”

“Exactly, and with you all out here, who’s protecting the madam?” Zhang Fei demanded irritably.

The Fang Yun incident had made him very sensitive about this.

Before he finished speaking, someone called from a carriage: “Husband.”

Gao Wenyin stepped out gracefully.

“You came too!”

Zhang Fei walked over immediately.

Gao Wenyin smiled sheepishly. “I was worried about you. Big Niu and Nanxi just escorted me here.”

Zhang Fei’s expression changed to a smile. “I’m sorry to have worried you.”

Feng Nanxi and Niu Beiqing looked at Zhang Fei in confusion.

“It was my duty,” Gao Wenyin nodded slightly, then looked around. “Where’s Miss Xu? Isn’t she with you?”

Zhang Fei said, “Miss Xu went to Secretary Liu’s house with her father.”

High Wenyin nodded lightly, then suddenly remembered something. “Oh right! Li Si, quickly bring out the wine.”

“Yes!”

Li Si swiftly produced a pot of wine from the carriage. “Brother San, drink slowly, it’s a bit hot.”

“Hot?”

Zhang Fei nearly kicked him. “Are you crazy? In this weather, you bring me hot wine?”

Gao Wenyin asked in surprise, “Wasn’t this what you requested?”

Zhang Fei looked equally surprised. “I requested this?”

High Wenyin nodded rapidly. “Didn’t you tell me to heat the wine and wait for your return to celebrate?”

“Ah? Well…”

Zhang Fei scratched his head, thinking to himself that if he’d known she’d take things literally, he would have told her to wait undressed in bed – what a missed opportunity!

When they returned home, Xiaotao had prepared a lavish victory feast.

Zhang Fei sent Li Si to check if Xu Zhiqian and her fatherhad returned and invite them over, but their servants said Xu Zun and Xu Zhiqian hadn’t come back.

This disappointed Zhang Fei somewhat, as Xu Zhiqian was the second most important contributor to the victory – it felt incomplete without her.

But fortunately Cao Dongdong and Ma Xiaoyi, those two jokers, came by and livened up the atmosphere.

However, Zhang Fei didn’t know that Xu Zhiqian had actually returned home.

At the Xu residence:

“Father!” Xu Zhiqian looked confused at Xu Zun. “Earlier you said we’d visit Uncle Liu but we didn’t go, and now you deliberately told Zhang San we weren’t home. Why? Are you afraid associating with Zhang San will affect your career?”

“Nonsense!” Xu Zun glared at her. “Is your father that kind of person?”

“Then why?” Xu Zhiqian asked curiously.

Xu Zun stroked his beard. “Qian’er, you can’t keep running around with Zhang San anymore.”

Xu Zhiqian asked in surprise, “Why not?”

Xu Zun said, “You’re now of marriageable age. If word spreads of you embracing Zhang San in public, who would dare marry you?”

Xu Zhiqian protested emotionally, “Father, how could you think that of your daughter? I was just nervous and couldn’t walk properly then, Zhang San was only helping me.”

Xu Zun sighed, “I believe you, but others won’t think that way!”

Xu Zhiqian huffed, “I don’t care.”

Xu Zun asked, “What? Do you plan to never marry?”

Xu Zhiqian hesitated, “I haven’t thought about it, but I don’t want to marry right now.”

Xu Zun frowned, “Everyone marries when they grow up. At your age, it’s improper not to marry. I’ll tell to Zhang San that you’re not going to the law firm anymore.”

“No!”

Xu Zhiqian cried out emotionally.

Xu Zun startled, examining his daughter. “Qian’er, tell father honestly, you and Zhang San…?”

Xu Zhiqian looked bewildered, “What about Zhang San?”

Xu Zun asked, “Have you fallen for Zhang San?”

“How could that be?”

Xu Zhiqian cried out in shock, feeling her hair stand on end. “How could you think that? How could I possibly fall for that scoundrel?”

Xu Zun said, “It’s not just my imagination. All my colleagues think so. And think about it – since meeting Zhang San, you don’t even go out with your friends anymore, you’re always following Zhang San around.”

Xu Zhiqian thought about it – her life had changed somewhat. She frowned, “You should know I follow Zhang San for legitimate business, not what they imagine.”

“If that were not the case, how could I allow you to argue cases in court with Zhang San?” Xu Zun continued, “But you can’t go on like this forever. You’ll have to marry eventually. Let’s end this here.”

“Father…?”

“This is my responsibility.”

Xu Zun spoke with a serious expression, “Think about it – when have I ever interfered with matters you could decide for yourself? Haven’t I been lenient enough with you?”

Xu Zhiqian bit her lip and remained silent.

Xu Zun continued, “But marriage is a parent’s responsibility. How could I face your mother in the afterlife if I don’t help you find a good match?”

Though extremely reluctant, Xu Zhiqian nodded, “I understand.”

Xu Zun grunted in acknowledgment, “I’ve already asked your Uncle Liu to make inquiries. When there’s news, I’ll discuss it with you first.”

He was actually quite progressive, but there were certain principles he wouldn’t compromise on.

Marriage was a matter of parental command – children couldn’t arrange it themselves. Xu Zun saw it as his responsibility, so naturally he couldn’t let his daughter have her way.

In truth, Xu Zun had given Xu Zhiqian some freedom of choice. Girls her age were already married. He had hoped she would find someone suitable on her own, but felt they couldn’t keep delaying.

This time, Xu Zun was determined.

Xu Zhiqian understood her father well – once he spoke like this, there was no room for negotiation.

By evening.

In the Zhang household courtyard, snoring filled the air. Niu Beiqing was sprawled asleep on the table, while Cao Dongdong and Ma Xiaoyi sandwiched Zhang Fei between them, one hugging his waist and the other his arm.

“Hey hey hey! Why are you two hugging me? Let go and go home to hug your wives.”

Zhang Fei hadn’t drunk much – it was Niu Beiqing and Feng Nanxi who had been drinking with them. Now those two were done for, so he had to handle the aftermath.

With no choice, Zhang Fei carried the two toward the door.

“Hic- no, no, this young master isn’t finished yet. Brothers, let’s go drink at the Floating Fragrance Inn and call for seven or eight singing girls- hic.”

“Damn! Why didn’t you say so earlier? You’re all in this state now – if we go, you’d definitely ditch the bill. Next time!”

“Brother San, are you really choosing women over friends?” Ma Xiaoyi mumbled from Zhang Fei’s embrace. The rıghtful source is NovєlFіre.net

Zhang Fei asked puzzled, “What do you mean choosing women over friends?”

Ma Xiaoyi pouted, “Why do you always take that Miss Xu around? I can help you with court cases too. I won’t even charge – I just want you to take me along, Brother San.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll take you next time. You’re too old to act cute.”

By then they had reached the door. Zhang Fei twisted his body, forcefully pulled away from the two, shoved them into Taozi’s arms, then jumped back and closed the door.

“Phew, finally got rid of those two jokers.”

Zhang Fei let out a long sigh of relief. His gaze suddenly turned toward the Xu residence as he thought: they must be back by now. But if they were back, Xu Zhiqian would surely come to my house! I hope my court case hasn’t affected Benefactor.

Growing increasingly worried, he decided to go ask.

When he pushed open the back door, he saw Xu Zhiqian leaning against the doorframe. Seeing him arrive, she merely gave him a faint glance.

“What happened?” Zhang Fei asked anxiously.

Xu Zhiqian looked at him, hesitating to speak.

Zhang Fei pressed urgently, “Tell me!”

Xu Zhiqian’s lips quivered, tears in her phoenix eyes, as she said dejectedly, “I can’t help at the law firm anymore.”

“Why?” Zhang Fei asked anxiously, “Did my court case affect your family?”

Xu Zhiqian shook her head, glancing awkwardly at Zhang Fei, “I-I’ll tell you, but you can’t laugh.”

“Laugh at you?”

Zhang Fei rolled his eyes: “Am I that heartless? Just tell me!”

Xu Zhiqian pursed her lips, “I-I’m getting married.”

“What? M-married?”

Zhang Fei was stunned.

He had thought he had caused trouble for the Xu family, but it turned out Xu Zhiqian was getting married.

Xu Zhiqian nodded.

Zhang Fei wanted to laugh but couldn’t, “Aren’t you too young to get married?”

Xu Zhiqian straightened up, “I’m not young at all.”

Zhang Fei’s gaze swept briefly across her chest, “Indeed not small.” Then he asked, “Who are you marrying?”

When he asked this, he strangely felt like someone being cuckolded. How odd.

Xu Zhiqian shook her head, “I don’t know yet. My father has asked Uncle Liu to make inquiries.”

Zhang Fei frowned, “So Benefactor deliberately wanted you to keep your distance from me today?”

Xu Zhiqian hurriedly said, “Don’t misunderstand, Father only wants what’s best for me.”

“Of course I know that.”

With that, Zhang Fei sighed and leaned against the doorframe.

Xu Zhiqian glanced at him, “Why are you sighing?”

“I…” Zhang Fei shrugged, “We work so well together, earning victories at the Kaifeng Prefectural Office, the Court of Penal Review, and even the Chamber of State Affairs. Business is booming, and you suddenly pull this – can’t I even sigh?”

Xu Zhiqian sighed softly, “You’re right. I don’t want to marry so early either.”

Zhang Fei straightened up and asked, “Haven’t you talked to Benefactor about it?”

Xu Zhiqian said, “Of course I have, but marriage is a matter of parental command. I have no say in it.”

“That’s true.” Zhang Fei nodded and slumped back.

Xu Zhiqian looked at Zhang Fei, “Zhang San, you’re so persuasive – couldn’t you talk to my father?”

Zhang Fei was very conflicted: “Other matters would be fine, but this…”

Seeing his difficulty, Xu Zhiqian nodded, “You’re right, you can’t help with this either.”

Seeing her dejected look, Zhang Fei’s heart softened, “If you really don’t want to marry, I can try to think of something?”

“Thank you!” Xu Zhiqian said softly, though she knew Zhang Fei couldn’t help with this matter. She added, “Zhang San, even though I can’t help at the law firm anymore, you can’t go back on your promise.”

Zhang Fei asked, “What promise?”

Xu Zhiqian said excitedly, “To help poor people with their cases for free. That’s why I agreed to help you in the first place.”

Zhang Fei casually replied, “Don’t worry about that. Using poor people to make money from the rich has always been my philosophy – how could I give that up?”

Xu Zhiqian gave him a glare, “I’m going back.”

With that, she closed the back door.

“Hey- ah!”

Back in the courtyard, Zhang Fei sat at the messy table, feeling inexplicably troubled. He poured a cup of wine and drank it in one gulp.

“Husband.”

“Huh?”

Zhang Fei started, turning his head to see Gao Wenyin walking over with a cloth, looking at him with concern.

“Is something troubling you, husband?” Gao Wenyin asked gently as she approached the table.

“No.”

Zhang Fei forced a smile, “Just encountered some thorny issues.”

Gao Wenyin was indeed a good confidante.

She asked, “Is it about Miss Xu?”

Zhang Fei looked at her in surprise, “Why would you say that, wife?”

Gao Wenyin said, “During dinner, you seemed distracted, constantly glancing toward the back door.”

“Really?”

Zhang Fei was shocked.

He hadn’t even realized it himself.

Gao Wenyin nodded and smiled, “For someone so young to achieve such success, how could I match up to you? Anyone can see that you and Miss Xu are a perfect match.”

Though she called him husband, Zhang Fei was more of a benefactor to her. As an observer, she had long seen that Xu Zhiqian and Zhang Fei were truly meant for each other.

Zhang Fei frowned in thought, then suddenly looked at Gao Wenyin, “Wife, you’ve really opened my eyes!”

Gao Wenyin smiled slightly, then heard Zhang Fei continue, “Indeed! Being so outstanding, one wife isn’t enough. With my excess excellence, I need at least three to five wives to barely match my brilliance!”

“…?”

Gao Wenyin stared at him dumbfounded.

At the Cao residence!

“Where have you been drinking again, you unfilial son?”

Cao Ping glared angrily at Cao Dongdong, who was carried home by Taozi and other attendants.

Cao Dongdong first gave Cao Ping a foolish grin, then slurred, “Zhang San won his case, so we helped celebrate.”

Cao Ping frowned, “Didn’t I tell you to avoid Zhang San lately? Why won’t you listen?”

“No way!”

Cao Dongdong suddenly bulged his eyes, glaring at his father, “That won’t do.”

Taozi beside him panicked and whispered, “Young Master, you’re drunk.”

Cao Ping’s mouth twitched as he asked darkly, “What did you say?”

“No way!” Cao Dongdong raised his head arrogantly, “As long as Zhang San is around, even if I break the law, Grandaunt won’t punish me, hahaha!”

“You rebellious son!”

Cao Ping raised his hand, then frowned – indeed, Zhang San is just a pen-in-cap. If Wang Anshi could hire him, why can’t I? He lowered his hand and looked at Cao Dongdong, chuckling, “You’re quite clever, boy.”

“Of course.”

Cao Dongdong boasted with his thick tongue, “Even though you told me to stay away from Zhang San, as long as I can make Grandaunt happy, you would not dare hit me. Your knees go weaker than mine when you see Grandaunt. Haha!”

SLAP!

“Ow! Who hit me?”