Judge of the Song Dynasty

Zhang Fei and Fan Li had returned, but they couldn’t bring back Qiu Zhengwen and the others. Wang Hong’s tone also made him realize that Sima Guang was right – this time he might suffer serious consequences.

However, he still didn’t understand why things had turned out this way.

It wasn’t until he returned to the Xu residence and saw Xu Zun that he understood the reason.

One word: money.

Tax collection in ancient times was nothing like his era – it relied heavily on officials and their methods rather than just written laws.

This was rule by men, not rule by law.

It was an extremely difficult job.

An official’s most important achievement wasn’t solving unjust cases – that was secondary. The key was how much tax they could collect.

Moreover, while Northern Song officials frequently rotated positions, clerks worked in the same place long-term. The clerks wielded significant power, and tax collection directly affected their interests. The court had no choice but to rely on them.

If they couldn’t collect money, the state couldn’t support scholars and soldiers, which would trigger a series of problems. At this point, reason no longer mattered.

“Alas.”

Xu Zun sighed deeply and blamed himself: “This is my fault. I’ve been an official for decades, yet I made such a foolish mistake.”

He hadn’t considered this point because he had previously surveyed farmland himself, so he thought Zhang Fei’s tax calculations weren’t very damaging. He hadn’t expected such fierce retaliation from the opposition, who ignored reason and directly arrested people.

He overlooked one thing – he was usually the top official in the county, and those clerks were on his side. Everyone could discuss and negotiate matters within the system. Officials only served for two or three years before transferring, but if Zhang Fei’s tax calculations succeeded, it wouldn’t be just a two or three year issue. Moreover, it severely infringed on their power.

Of course, the reason this incident escalated so quickly and fiercely must have been because someone above was manipulating things. Otherwise, the officials and clerks couldn’t have united so quickly, since the current damage wasn’t actually that severe.

“Father, how could this be your fault? It’s all my fault.”

Xu Zhiqian looked guiltily at Zhang Fei, “Not only did I fail to stop Zhang San, I encouraged him to do this.”

After learning the reason, Zhang Fei remained very calm and said: “How could this be your fault? This was my own idea, my wishful thinking. Now I just want to know what the consequences will be, and whether my people will be in danger?”

Xu Zun shook his head: “They shouldn’t be in danger. I’ve already submitted a memorial impeaching Wang Hong. Even if they don’t respect me, they must still show some fear of the Court of Judicial Review. There should be results at tomorrow’s court meeting.”

At this point, he turned to look at Zhang Fei and said: “But your tax calculation business may not be salvageable.”

Zhang Fei let out a light sigh of relief: “I don’t mind that, human lives are what’s important.”

As long as the mountain remains green, there will always be firewood to burn.

Xu Zun sighed, “It takes more than one winter’s day to freeze a river!”[1]

Zhang Fei self-mockingly smiled: “Next time I’ll wear an extra layer of clothing.”

Implying there would definitely be a next time.

Leaving the room, Xu Zhiqian looked guilty, “Zhang San, I…”

“This has nothing to do with you.”

Zhang Fei took her hand and smiled: “I’ve been a bit overconfident lately and didn’t think things through carefully.”

This time Xu Zhiqian didn’t pull her hand away or blush, but said guiltily: “That’s why I should have stopped you. As you said before, when you’re impulsive, I should hold you back. But not only did I fail to persuade you, I added fuel to the fire.”

Zhang Fei said “Oh. So that’s why you feel guilty!”

Xu Zhiqian nodded.

“Then you should feel guilty,” Zhang Fei smiled: “As a wife, you failed in your duty this time.”

Xu Zhiqian gave him a coy glare, “At a time like this, you still have the mood to joke.”

Zhang Fei gently pulled her in front of him and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, “I’m serious.”

A flash of shyness passed through Xu Zhiqian’s phoenix eyes as she lightly rested her head on his shoulder and asked softly: “So what do you plan to do?”

Zhang Fei said: “I don’t know yet, but I’m certain that once a hunter puts down his bow and arrows, he’ll immediately be torn apart by his prey. I just need to become more careful and smarter.”

Taking a step back? Dream on.

If he stepped back, the opposition wouldn’t simply step forward – they would completely crush him.

But he hadn’t expected things to turn out this way and currently had no ideas.

“Ahem! Ahem!” The source of this content ɪs novｅlfire.net

Suddenly they heard two coughs.

Xu Zhiqian jumped out of Zhang Fei’s embrace like lightning and stepped back twice.

Xu Zun looked at the large round moon in the sky and sighed: “Where has the moon gone? Uncle Rong, bring the lantern.”

“Yes, master.”

Uncle Rong held out the lantern as Xu Zun walked toward the back courtyard with his hands behind his back.

After Xu Zun left, Xu Zhiqian glared coyly at Zhang Fei, “This is all your fault.”

“Father didn’t say anything, so clearly this is allowed. Come, come, let me hold you again.”

“No way.”

Xu Zhiqian dodged backward, “I’m going back to my room.”

“Hey, you’re not seeing me off?”

“Hurry up and go.”

“Coming! Coming!”

The next day.

In the Hall of Delegated Rule.

“What exactly is going on?”

Emperor Zhao Xu looked at the officials standing on both sides.

Xu Zun immediately stepped forward, “Your Majesty, Kaifeng County Magistrate Wang Hong has abused his power, oppressed the people, and disregarded the law. I implore Your Majesty to dismiss him.”

Shen Huaixiao immediately stepped forward and said: “The one who truly perverts justice is Judge Xu! Magistrate Wang upheld the law and severely punished troublemakers – what wrong did he commit? It is Judge Xu who has consistently shown favoritism toward Zhang San.”

Zhao Xu asked: “But Zhang San only sent people to promote his shop’s tax calculation business – I don’t understand what crime he has committed?”

Shen Huaixiao replied: “Your Majesty, according to what I know, Zhang San instructed his shop’s pen-in-caps to incite the people not to pay taxes!”

“Nonsense,” Xu Zun immediately retorted. “He just wanted to do tax calculation business. Someone with a guilty conscience deliberately interfered.”

Shen Huaixiao said: “Judge Xu has also served as a magistrate and should know that tax collection is not an easy matter. Zhang San, having won several lawsuits consecutively, gained some fame and used it to deceive people into hiring his firm for tax calculations. He even claimed that if anyone was dissatisfied, they could refuse to pay taxes, and his law firm would help them sue the government.

This led to several households in the south of the city resisting tax payment, hindering official tax collection. Magistrate Wang was deeply concerned about this, which is why he arrested all those pen-in-caps.”

Xu Zun said: “As a magistrate, shouldn’t one first investigate why people are refusing to pay taxes? If it’s without reason, then Zhang San should indeed be severely punished.”

Shen Huaixio replied: “If we investigate each case and fight every lawsuit, this year’s taxes will never be collected. Would you, Xu Zun, be responsible for that?”

Principle or money? Choose!

“Enough! Enough!”

Emperor Zhao Xu hurriedly stepped in to mediate, “I understand the situation clearly now. None of you are wrong. Magistrate Wang was diligent in his duties and concerned about public affairs – I can sympathize with him. As for Judge Xu, as head of the Court of Judicial Review, it’s his duty to raise such questions.”

Though these words seemed fair, they actually favored Wang Hong.

However, as head of the Court of Judicial Review, Xu Zun certainly had the right to question matters.

Remonstrator Chen Tao immediately stepped forward and said: “Your Majesty, in my view, this is all the fault of that pen-in-cap Zhang San. The Three Financial Bureaus have always handled tax calculations. By creating his own tax calculation service, isn’t he implying that the government’s calculations are unfair? This will seriously damage the government’s credibility and threaten national stability. We cannot allow such things to happen. I suggest severely punishing Zhang San as a warning to others.”

“I concur!”

Many officials stepped forward to support Chen Tao’s statement.

Xu Zun immediately countered: “Your Majesty, Zhang Fei has not broken any laws. If the court severely punishes Zhang San for this, wouldn’t that show a guilty conscience and suggest there are problems? That would damage the government’s credibility even more.”

“Xu Zun!”

Shen Huaixiao shouted angrily, “Have you lost all shame for the sake of your son-in-law? When we at the Three Financial Bureaus calculate taxes for an entire nation, there are bound to be some errors. Zhang San makes money by filing lawsuits and will always find one or two mistakes. When brought to court, the auditing officials might lose their positions. Who would dare to calculate or collect taxes then?”

Xu Zun smiled coldly: “If mistakes go unpunished while the innocent are severely punished, perhaps you should work at the Court of Judicial Review instead.”

“Enough!”

Emperor Zhao Xu stopped them again.

What was really going on?

Everyone knew! If they continued discussing fairness and justice, the government would only lose more face.

Because they couldn’t afford to lose the money.

Shen Huaixiao had made it very clear – if they didn’t punish the pen-in-caps, officials would be afraid to collect taxes for fear of being sued.

This phenomenon had indeed occurred; he wasn’t making it up, though he was exaggerating.

But if they couldn’t collect taxes, that would be a major problem.

Emperor Zhao Xu looked at Wang Anshi, Sima Guang, and Wen Yanbo standing before him. “Why are the three state counsellors silent?”

Sima Guang and Wang Anshi exchanged glances, then Sima Guang stepped forward and said: “Your Majesty, I also believe tax collection is crucial to the nation and cannot be compromised. In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures are needed. Magistrate Wang’s actions were not wrong.”

Wang Anshi immediately stepped forward and said: “However, Zhang San’s actions were unintentional. This crime doesn’t warrant death – I believe a minor punishment would suffice as a warning.”

Wen Yanbo finally added: “As for the tax calculation business, I suggest either the government grants them official documents to specifically assist the Three Financial Bureaus with tax calculations, or places restrictions on them.”

After these three spoke, the other officials had nothing more to say.

After all, they all favored Wang Hong, and even Wang Anshi suggested a minor punishment as warning.

At this moment, Wang Anshi dared not give Zhang Fei any support. The country’s top priority was collecting taxes – if there was any disruption, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Xu Zun had already guessed the outcome. He couldn’t prevent it, but he wanted to emphasize one point: Zhang Fei was innocent, but the waters were too muddy – stepping in meant inevitably stumbling.

Emperor Zhao Xu quickly seized the opportunity, “Approved.”

Shen Huaixiao stepped forward and said: “Your Majesty, so far only the pen-in-caps under Zhang San have been punished. Zhang San himself hasn’t received any punishment. Such a judgment is unconvincing!”

Sima Guang frowned, “This is not a serious matter. A minor punishment as warning is sufficient.”

This was clearly also warning Shen Huaixiao that using this to destroy Zhang Fei was too far-fetched. His Majesty had just granted him an imperial plaque, so this kind of punishment was already quite face-losing for the Emperor. Continuing to press the issue would be unwise.

“I also support a minor punishment as warning, but the problem is Zhang San hasn’t been punished at all,” Shen Huaixiao refused to back down. “I believe at least some fine should be imposed to achieve a punitive effect.”

Emperor Zhao Xu felt his face had already been lost – whether the punishment was heavy or light made little difference now. He said: “Let Academician Sima handle this matter.”

[1] This saying refers to deep-seated problems that are the result of a long period of accumulation, and would usually not be easy to solve.