Chapter 179: Weaving between Both Sides
Upon returning to the Xu residence, Zhang Fei informed Xu Zun and his daughter of his plan.
“Alas,” Xu Zun stroked his beard and sighed, his face showing concern. “There’s little I can do to help you with this!”
He wasn’t particularly skilled at political scheming, and deep down he didn’t want Zhang Fei to take this approach.
Understanding her father’s concerns, Xu Zhiqian took the initiative to tell Zhang Fei: “Zhang San, this isn’t about an existing case, but rather one you’re planning to create. There will inevitably be loopholes. Your opponents have powerful connections – if they find any flaws, it could be dangerous.”
Xu Zun nodded subtly.
Losing a lawsuit wasn’t illegal – Xu Zun could protect Zhang Fei’s life in that case. But if Zhang Fei used these tactics and was caught, even Xu Zun couldn’t save him.
Zhang Fei explained: “I’m not the one planning it – I don’t have that ability. Academician Wang is doing the planning. I’m just providing ideas. And the cases will definitely be real ones – there’s no need to fabricate anything. Tax evasion is happening everywhere, it just hasn’t been investigated. Once it gets to court, that’s where my expertise comes in.”
Xu Zun said: “But all you’ll achieve is pure revenge. I still hope you can use the law to seek justice. Once you resort to schemes and tricks, your opponents won’t fight you in court either.”
He had approved of Zhang Fei’s creative methods before, like when he sought revenge against Wang Wenshan by persistently filing appeals. But those were actions within the legal system.
Zhang Fei declared confidently: “This is for justice.” “Is it?” Xu Zun looked at him skeptically.
Zhang Fei nodded: “This case cannot end with just a beating. If it does, it will become very difficult for me to argue cases in court – they’ll all use beatings to deal with me. They’ll think, what’s wrong with beating me? Would the imperial court really punish officials for beating a mere pen-in-cap?”
Xu Zhiqian nodded slightly and stole a glance at her father.
Zhang Fei continued: “Moreover, this case shows that administrative power completely overrides judicial authority. The magistrates and prefects are after political advancement, meaning their political careers take precedence over justice. The judiciary can’t provide any oversight.
If judicial and administrative powers could check each other, magistrates and prefects wouldn’t be able to act recklessly in pursuit of political advancement. I’m initiating a struggle between judicial and administrative powers, but it’s one that the judiciary desperately needs. If this struggle ends with a fair trial, it will greatly strengthen the judicial system.”
Xu Zhiqian said softly: “Father, I think Zhang San makes sense. If the judiciary wants to check administrative power, there must be a struggle.”
Xu Zun looked at his daughter, pondered for a while, and finally convinced by Zhang Fei’s argument, asked: “How do you want me to help?”
Zhang Fei said: “I hope you can provide me with some cases of their tax evasion.”
“Oh, is that all?” Xu Zun stroked his beard and chuckled, looking at Xu Zhiqian. “Qian’er can help you with that – their methods aren’t particularly sophisticated.”
Xu Zhiqian gave Zhang Fei a knowing look.
Zhang Fei smiled: “Please help me prepare that. I still have some loose ends to tie up.”
Xu Zhiqian asked: “What matters?”
Zhang Fei said: “Paying the fine imposed by the officials.”
Meanwhile, Wang Anshi consulted with his trusted lieutenant Lu Huiqing.
After hearing everything, Lu Huiqing was shocked: “This fellow is truly ruthless. The beating didn’t land on him, yet he devised such a vicious plan for revenge.”
Wang Anshi shook his head: “This plan is just to convince me to support him. His ultimate goal is still to seek revenge against Wang Hong through litigation.”
Lu Huiqing nodded slightly.
Wang Anshi asked: “What’s your take?”
After pondering for a while, Lu Huiqing said: “This will indeed put Sima Guang in a difficult position, but if it succeeds, it will also allow the judiciary to interfere with finance. With Sima Guang controlling the judiciary, that could become a threat to us.”
They were on the administrative track, and the final outcome of this case might result in the judiciary seizing power from administrative power.
Wang Anshi contemplated for a moment. “You don’t approve?”
Lu Huiqing thought carefully again – it was truly hard to decide as the advantages and disadvantages were so close. Shaking his head, he said: “That’s not exactly it. Though there are long-term drawbacks, the benefits are immediate. What are your thoughts, Teacher?”
Wang Anshi said: “Sima Guang’s judicial reforms are clearly aimed at my New Policies. Even if we don’t do this, he’ll still pursue separation of administrative and judicial powers, and then use the judiciary to restrict my reforms. By then, local landowners and gentry will support him. So why not trip him up first? At least this way, those gentry and landowners might also become wary of Sima Guang’s judicial reforms.”
Lu Huiqing nodded: “Teacher thinks far ahead.”
Wang Anshi said: “I’ll leave this matter to you.”
“Yes.”
Lu Huiqing suddenly remembered something and said: “Oh right! Teacher, Deng Wan recently came to see me with a suggestion.”
Wang Anshi asked: “What suggestion?”
Lu Huiqing said: “He suggested expanding the house and land deed tax to all contracts. Anyone wanting government protection would need to purchase contracts from the City Tax Bureau, have them stamped with the official seal, and pay the deed tax.”
Wang Anshi nodded slightly: “I had thought about deed tax when discussing mortgages with Zhang San. It’s feasible, but we must be careful. Draft the regulations first, and we’ll discuss it thoroughly after this matter is settled.”
That day, the Bianjing Law Firm once again drew onlookers.
People craned their necks to look inside, seeing runners guarding the entrance while auditors counted copper coins, with Fan Li bowing and scraping beside them.
The scene was as humiliating now as it had been glorious when His Majesty had bestowed the plaque.
The government officials had come today to collect the fine.
Was that all?
Was that all the imperial plaque was worth?
They thought it would have more power than that.
In the end, Zhang Fei had truly embarrassed both himself and the Emperor.
In the private room:
“Was such a big show really necessary?” Zhang Fei looked at Sima Guang with a gloomy expression.
Sima Guang smiled bitterly and replied, “You think I wanted this? But the Three Financial Bureaus insisted on sending people to audit, and many court officials are watching this matter closely. So no matter when they came, it would draw attention.”
Zhang Fei gave a cold laugh.
Seeing his reaction, Sima Guang asked, “Still not willing to admit defeat?”
Zhang Fei said, “It’s not that I won’t admit defeat – it’s that I cannot admit defeat. I want them to understand that beatings won’t work on me.”
Sima Guang sighed, “Whether you accept it or not doesn’t matter – this can’t go on. Otherwise, no one will be able to protect you anymore.”
Zhang Fei gave an awkward smile, his gaze seemingly evasive.
Sima Guang sensed something was amiss and asked directly, “What are you planning to do?”
After much internal struggle, Zhang Fei told Sima Guang his plan.
However, he didn’t mention Wang Anshi.
“Have you gone mad?”
After hearing it, Sima Guang flew into a rage. He nervously glanced at the door, then quickly walked over to open it and instructed his guards: “Don’t let anyone in.”
“Yes, sir.”
After closing the door, Sima Guang came before Zhang Fei and demanded, “Are you trying to get revenge on Wang Hong, or on me?”
Zhang Fei said, “Academician Sima, please calm down and let me explain!”
But before he could finish, Sima Guang cut in: “This absolutely cannot be done.”
Zhang Fei looked at him awkwardly, “I-I’ve already decided. I won’t submit to this.”
“I won’t-!”
Sima was about to say he wouldn’t let Zhang Fei succeed, but halfway through, something occurred to him. “What grounds do you have to drive a wedge between the county judicial courts and the county administration?”
Zhang Fei remained silent.
Sima Guang continued, “How could the judicial courts possibly believe a mere pen-in-cap like you? Wang Anshi. This was Wang Anshi’s idea.”
Thinking of Wang Anshi made his blood boil – this scheme was truly devious.
It put him in a very difficult position.
Zhang Fei glanced at Sima Guang, thinking to himself that these weren’t his words, but Sima’s own.
Since Wang Anshi was involved, the nature of the situation changed completely. Zhang Fei was merely a pawn. Sima Guang sat down and said in a persuasive tone, “This isn’t worth it.”
After a brief pause, Zhang Fei asked, “Why are you so agitated?”
Sima Guang frowned, “What do you think?”
Zhang Fei said, “You believe that doing this will create more obstacles for judicial reform, because it will offend many people.”
Sima Guang replied, “So you do understand!”
“But these people are all lawbreakers,” Zhang Fei countered.
Sima Guang’s expression changed as he sighed, “Things aren’t as simple as you think.”
Zhang Fei continued, “I understand your concerns. Your judicial reforms gained His Majesty’s approval and the ministers’ support so quickly because they could check the Reform Planning Commission’s power. But if the entire judicial system is held hostage by lawbreakers, what’s the point of judicial reform? Is it just to counterbalance the New Policies?”
Sima Guang frowned silently.
Zhang Fei said, “I decided to do this precisely because I considered your concerns. While you need their support, their actions conflict with the law. This requires a villain. Academician Wang is the perfect villain. If successful, you’ll reap the benefits – they lost to Wang and must pay their due taxes.
If you don’t force them to pay, you’ll eventually face impeachment. This way, everything will fall into place naturally. Additionally, you can use this to oversee fiscal authority, which is the core power of Wang’s New Policies.”
After a long silence, Sima Guang asked, “If this benefits me so much, why would Wang Anshi do it?”
Zhang Fei replied, “Because Academician Wang’s goal is to make those people pay taxes and fill the state treasury.”
Sima Guang snorted, “So you think Wang is working for the country and people, while I’m just being petty?”
Zhang Fei said, “I don’t think you’ll refuse either.”
“You really know how to talk!” Sima Guang chuckled.
Zhang Fei smiled and then seriously explained, “The moon wanes when full, water overflows when full. While it’s not good for the state to endlessly accumulate wealth, it’s also not feasible to let all wealth remain with the people, as the state needs money to function.”
He secretly glanced at Sima Guang, who remained expressionless and silent, so he continued.
“All the world’s strife is for profit – this is human nature. The imperial court naturally wants to collect more taxes, while the people want to pay less. Neither can be blamed, but if either side becomes unbalanced, problems arise. Expecting them to act conscientiously is impossible. This is where the law’s significance lies. The law can balance both sides, letting each gain and lose something, achieving relative equilibrium to truly preserve wealth among the people. I firmly believe that even the wisest cannot benefit everyone without the law.”