Chapter 174: Unexpected Event
Since all the pen-in-caps at the law firm had to go distribute business cards in the rural outskirts, they were severely short-staffed. As a result, Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian had been working nine-to-five at the law firm these past few days.
After finishing his work, Zhang Fei stretched and thought to himself that it felt just like being a junior employee at his old company, doing tedious tasks – how boring. He glanced sideways at Xu Zhiqian sitting nearby, who was writing complaints with a constant smile on her face. He called out softly, “Zhiqian.”
“Hmm?” Xu Zhiqian responded quietly without looking up.
She had grown accustomed to this form of address.
Zhang Fei asked with a smile, “You seem quite happy these past few days.”
Xu Zhiqian finally looked up at him and pursed her lips. “Not really!”
“Really?”
Zhang Fei picked up his chair and sat down next to Xu Zhiqian.
“I’m really not.”
Xu Zhiqian eyed him warily, “Why are you sitting here?” Zhang Fei rested his chin on his hand, leaning sideways on the desk, and said with a smile, “Is it because being my wife makes you so happy that you can do what you love without any burden?”
Xu Zhiqian blushed as if he had hit the mark, and spat, “Who’s your wife? Don’t talk nonsense.”
Zhang Fei chuckled, “How dare you speak to your husband this way? Be careful or I might divorce you.”
“You wouldn’t dare!”
As soon as she said it, Xu Zhiqian realized something. “Do you have a marriage contract?”
Zhang Fei said, “According to our dynasty’s laws, the betrothal gifts can serve as proof.”
His gaze flickered to the jade hairpin in Xu Zhiqian’s hair.
Xu Zhiqian gave him a shy look, then suddenly her eyes lit up. “But according to our dynasty’s customs, marriage is a major matter that requires matchmakers’ words and parents’ approval. The betrothal gifts must be received by the parents to count as proof – it doesn’t count if received by the children.”
“Really?” Zhang Fei asked doubtfully, “I’ve never been married before, don’t trick me.”
“Of course it’s true, I…” Xu Zhiqian glared at him, “I’ve never been married either, but these are the common customs.”
“Customs?” Zhang Fei snorted, “As pen-in-caps, we should prioritize the law.”
Xu Zhiqian smiled, “Do you remember how you won Fang Yun’s case? On what grounds?”
“Filial piety!”
As soon as he said it, Zhang Fei realized what she meant.
Xu Zhiqian said with a smile, “This is a case you cannot win.”
Zhang Fei snorted, “Do we even need to make a case of it? Benefactor definitely won’t refuse my betrothal gifts. Fine, let this jade hairpin be our token of love, and I’ll present the proper betrothal gifts separately.”
Thinking of Xu Zun, Xu Zhiqian suddenly lost her confidence. “I’m not discussing this with you anymore. Go back to your seat and stop disturbing my work.”
“No, wait!”
Zhang Fei said, “Those trivial tasks are boring me to death.”
Xu Zhiqian smiled, “That’s what you get for sending everyone else out.” Then she suddenly seemed to remember something, “Oh right! You mentioned earlier about recruiting talented people to help at the firm without pay. Who exactly are these people?”
Zhang Fei thought for a moment and said, “I think they’re either officials or scholars who have passed the civil examinations.”
Xu Zhiqian gave him a look, “I’m asking you seriously.”
Zhang Fei replied with an innocent expression, “Am I not being serious? I haven’t even held your hand yet.”
“Go away!”
Xu Zhiqian hurriedly tried to push him away.
Zhang Fei caught her small hand and chuckled, “Well now, the evidence of my impropriety is in your hand, better hold on tight.”
“Hmph! You rogue, let go quickly!” Xu Zhiqian said with a blushing face.
Suddenly they heard Fan Li outside saying, “Academician Sima, please come in, please come in.”
They both turned their heads to see Fan Li leading Sima Guang inside.
Sima Guang was startled to see them holding hands. “What are you two doing?”
Xu Zhiqian jumped and quickly withdrew her hand.
But Zhang Fei casually smiled and said, “Don’t misunderstand, Academician Sima. Zhiqian and I are betrothed.”
Xu Zhiqian blushed red and couldn’t speak.
Sima Guang had already suspected as much and said, “Even married couples should mind their behavior in public.”
“Huh?” Zhang Fei looked around instinctively. “Does this really count as public?”
Sima Guang also looked around, “If this isn’t public, would you call it a private chamber?”
Xu Zhiqian wished she could sink into the ground. Seeing Zhang Fei still arguing with Sima Guang made her furious. She whispered angrily, “Stop talking.”
She stepped forward, “Xu Zhiqian greets Uncle Sima.”
Sima Guang said, “Qian’er, you come from a scholarly family. You must keep him in check.”
“Yes.” Xu Zhiqian nodded reflexively, then realized this was like admitting their relationship. She lowered her head and said, “Uncle Sima, please have a seat. I’ll go ask someone to bring tea.”
With that, she made her escape.
Zhang Fei quickly stood up and invited Sima Guang to sit. Fan Li also tactfully withdrew.
“When is your wedding?” Sima Guang asked with a smile.
Zhang Fei grinned, “I just gave the betrothal gift, we haven’t set a date yet.”
“No wonder Xu Zhongtu hasn’t mentioned anything before,” Sima Guang chuckled.
Zhang Fei asked, “What brings Academician Sima here today?”
Sima Guang became serious and said, “Do you remember when I told you about training legal talents?”
How could I forget? I’ve been thinking about it constantly. Zhang Fei nodded repeatedly, “Yes! Yes, I remember.”
Sima Guang said, “I have already petitioned His Majesty to expand litigation studies at the College of National Scions. I plan to ask you to be their teacher.”
Zhang Fei chuckled, “Academician Sima thinks so highly of me!”
Sima Guang laughed, “Who would dare to look down on you!”
“No, no!” Zhang Fei asked humbly, “By the way, what kind of students will they be?”
Sima Guang replied, “Some young officials and graduate-scholars.”
Zhang Fei said, “To be honest with Academician Sima, I don’t mind teaching, but will they accept me? I’m just a pen-in-cap without any academic credentials.”
Sima Guang laughed and asked, “Can’t that silver tongue of yours convince them?”
Before they could continue their conversation, Fan Li, who had just left, suddenly rushed back in stumbling. He glanced at Sima Guang, appearing flustered.
Zhang Fei turned to Sima Guang and said, “Academician Sima, please excuse me for a moment.”
Sima Guang nodded.
Zhang Fei got up and walked over, asking in a low voice, “What’s wrong?”
“Brother San, terrible news!”
Fan Li was trembling all over, his lips quivering, “Word just came from the southern suburbs that early this morning, the Kaifeng County suddenly sent guards to arrest all our people.”
“What?”
Zhang Fei exclaimed.
The outburst caught Sima Guang’s attention, making him turn around.
Noticing Sima Guang’s gaze, Zhang Fei lowered his voice and asked, “What exactly happened? Did they say why they arrested our people?”
Fan Li said, “They claimed our people were interfering with official tax collection.”
“Just that?”
“Yes.”
Fan Li nodded, “That’s what the messenger said.”
Zhang Fei gritted his teeth and said, “They’re completely lawless. Let’s go to the county office.”
“Wait, Academician Sima is still here,” Fan Li quickly stopped him.
Zhang Fei glanced at Sima Guang, pondered briefly, then said to Fan Li, “You go to the county office first and ask around.”
Fan Li felt nervous and asked anxiously, “What if they arrest me too?”
Zhang Fei replied irritably, “If the officials want to arrest you, can you escape? We haven’t broken any laws, what are you afraid of? If you’re scared, take the imperial plaque with you.”
“Oh, that won’t be necessary.” Fan Li suddenly remembered they had the imperial plaque and nodded, “Alright, I’ll go check first.”
“Hurry up!”
After Fan Li left, Zhang Fei returned to the hall.
Seeing his expression, Sima Guang asked, “Seems you’ve run into trouble again.”
Zhang Fei nodded and asked, “Does Academician Sima know about my firm’s tax calculation business?”
Sima Guang nodded, “Of course I do.”
Zhang Fei said, “Since the government is currently collecting taxes, I sent people to promote this tax calculation business in the outskirts. But just now we got news that Kaifeng County has arrested all my people.”
Sima Guang asked in surprise, “How is that possible?”
Zhang Fei said, “This news should be true.”
Sima Guang stroked his beard and said, “Tell me the details.”
Zhang Fei quickly took out a small business card and handed it to Sima Guang, “It’s actually very simple. I just had them distribute these cards, saying if anyone needs tax calculations, they can come to us.”
Sima Guang looked at the card and shook his head, “If that’s all there was to it, Kaifeng County wouldn’t arrest people!”
Zhang Fei said, “Academician Sima, many people don’t want to see this tax calculation business succeed.”
Sima Guang looked at him, “I know that, but Kaifeng County wouldn’t arrest people just for that reason. Something else must have happened that we don’t know about.”
Zhang Fei shook his head, “Impossible. Those people are cowardly, what could they have done? Besides, they’ve been reporting back these past few days, and there’s been no mention of anything unusual.”
“Is that so? Then this is strange indeed.” Sima Guang stroked his beard, suddenly widening his eyes, “Unless…”
Zhang Fei asked, “Unless what?”
Sima Guang looked at Zhang Fei and said, “You should hurry to Kaifeng County. They might be subjected to physical punishment.”
Zhang Fei’s face turned pale, “That’s impossible! They haven’t broken any laws!”
Sima Guang said, “Many things aren’t as simple as you think. You should go quickly.”
After hearing this, how could Zhang Fei not believe him? He immediately stood up.
“Wait!” Sima Guang called out to him, “Take the imperial plaque His Majesty gave you. It will be safer that way.”
This made Zhang Fei even more worried, and he asked, “Academician Sima, how can you just sit here while such lawlessness occurs?”
Sima Guang seemed to have his own difficulties and sighed, “You can rest assured, they will at most suffer some physical punishment.”
“But…”
“This isn’t a major issue, but I probably can’t help you,” Sima Guang interrupted him.
If you can’t help, how is this not a major issue? “Damn!” Zhang Fei cursed in a way Sima Guang couldn’t understand, then quickly walked outside.
Just as he left the hall, Xu Zhiqian came in: “How could this happen?”
Zhang Fei said, “Watch the shop while I go to the county office.” Then he called to Li Si, “Li Si, help me take down that imperial plaque.”
“Yes!”
Upon hearing this, Xu Zhiqian became more worried and said, “No, I want to go with you.”
Zhang Fei didn’t know what the situation was and didn’t want her to risk danger, so he said, “Go find your father.”
That’s right! I wouldn’t be much help if I went, this matter needs father’s help. Xu Zhiqian nodded and said, “Alright, I’ll go find him now.”
After Li Si took down the imperial plaque, Zhang Fei immediately took a carriage to the Kaifeng County office.[1]
[1] Kaifeng County is not the same as Kaifeng Prefecture. It’s one level below in terms of administrative division.