Chapter 180: All these Ruthless People
Sima Guang’s traditional governance philosophy pursued the ideal of preserving wealth among the people.
However, who these “people” referred to was worth discussing.
Did it mean ordinary commoners? They were included, but were not the main group.
Common people had so little money that it could hardly be called “wealth” – they had no wealth to preserve anyway.
It mainly referred to the gentry and landlords.
The conservatives believed that keeping money in the hands of these scholars and landlords would make them form a symbiotic relationship with the state. They would become the nation’s backbone, having a sense of social responsibility, being trustworthy, and making the country more stable.
For instance, when disasters struck locally, they were on the front lines and could promptly help affected citizens through difficulties.
If they had to report to the central government first and wait for relief plans to come down, the back-and-forth would waste precious time.
Information traveled very slowly in those days.
Their thinking wasn’t purely fantastical – there were many examples where local gentry and scholars donated money for disaster relief when requested by officials, some forcibly and some voluntarily. This was indeed common during the Song Dynasty.
However, compared to their privileges and illegal gains, this difference was truly significant and growing further.
The pie was only so big – if they got more, others got less.
This led to severe financial constraints for the state, leaving it unable to do much else except sit idle.
This meant stagnation.
The conservatives were content with stagnation.
But Wang Anshi was not satisfied with the status quo. He strongly opposed keeping wealth among the people, arguing that money in their pockets became private property – whether they gave it and how much depended on their mood.
This was no way to govern a country.
Wang Anshi’s philosophy was for the state to control everything, concentrating wealth centrally for unified distribution, unifying everyone to accomplish great things.
He openly admitted to collecting money for the state, but targeted wealthy merchants and major landlords.
Zhang Fei’s plan would affect these landlords and gentry while benefiting the treasury, so Wang Anshi naturally approved.
What about Sima Guang?
This contradicted his philosophy!
That’s why Zhang Fei emphasized “legality” to him.
If you support judicial reform but end up defending illegal behavior, what’s the point of reform? This question left Sima Guang speechless.
He argued daily with Wang Anshi about tax increases. Wang Anshi definitely wanted to increase taxes on the wealthy, though he used indirect strategies rather than stating it directly.
This had a fundamental conflict with the conservatives’ idea of keeping wealth among the people.
But Zhang Fei was different.
Zhang Fei wanted to collect legal taxes.
Sima Guang couldn’t argue that tax evasion was part of his ideal of keeping wealth among the people. He himself didn’t believe that – he opposed tax increases and even supported tax cuts, but that was different from tax evasion.
Moreover, his judicial reforms would have to address tax evasion. From this perspective, having Wang Anshi and Zhang Fei play the bad guys while pursuing judicial independence could work to his advantage.
But it would make many people wary of his judicial reforms.
Like Lu Huiqing, the pros and cons of this matter were truly difficult to judge.
Therefore, Sima Guang gave no response but also stopped opposing Zhang Fei.
It was hard to judge and required more observation.
But for Zhang Fei, this was enough.
His explanation to Sima Guang wasn’t mainly because he feared opposition – he simply wanted to maintain Sima Guang’s trust, as failing to explain would certainly make him suspicious.
After all, Zhang Fei had been the one pushing Sima Guang’s judicial reforms from behind the scenes.
After seeing Sima Guang off, Zhang Fei returned to the back hall and approached the dejected Fan Li, saying with a smile: “Don’t be discouraged, Mogul Fan. We’re still alive, which proves we still have considerable power.”
Fan Li sighed: “I understand that, but… but I still feel you should quit while you’re ahead, Brother San. Always walking along the cliff edge will lead to trouble eventually.”
Zhang Fei nodded with a smile: “One must learn from mistakes – I’ll definitely take this lesson to heart.”
“Really?”
Fan Li seemed doubtful.
Zhang Fei smiled wryly: “Do you think I’m a fool who would step into the same pit after already falling in once?”
Fan Li nodded slightly, thinking Zhang San wasn’t stupid enough to make the same mistake.
Zhang Fei asked: “By the way, hasn’t Mogul Ma and the others come to ask about the situation?”
Fan Li laughed outright, “They’ve also suffered enough from your schemes. Though they’ve grown wiser lately – they dare not offend us. But they also keep their distance. Still, they cooperate when needed.”
Ma Tianhao and Chen Maoqian were truly exhausted.
The dramatic ups and downs nearly drove them mad, so they chose to treat it as ordinary business cooperation, maintaining some distance.
Zhang Fei nodded and smiled: “That’s for the best. It was just business anyway, and I don’t want them affected by this.”
As they chatted, Xu Zhiqian suddenly rushed in.
“What’s wrong?”
Zhang Fei asked.
Xu Zhiqian came up to Zhang Fei and said quietly: “Come back with me quickly, my senior brother has arrived.”
“Senior brother? Oh…”
Zhang Fei excused himself to Fan Li and left with Xu Zhiqian.
Because of Gao Wenyin and the others staying there, Emperor Zhao Xu naturally couldn’t visit the Zhang residence anymore and had to secretly go to the Xu mansion instead.
At the Xu mansion, Zhao Xu sat alone drinking in the back courtyard, looking particularly lonely.
“This commoner…!”
“Sit down!” Zhao Xu listlessly gestured toward the seat across from him.
“Yes.” Zhang Fei sat down.
Zhao Xu asked, “Have you handled matters relating to the fine?”
“It’s all been taken care of,” Zhang Fei nodded. Seeing Zhao Xu’s extremely low spirits, he bowed and said, “I deserve death for causing trouble for Your Majesty. Please punish me.”
Zhao Xu sighed deeply and said, “You were indeed somewhat rash in this matter. But I understand very well how serious the consequences could be. If they had just mentioned it to me privately, I would have stopped you for the greater good. But they tried to coerce me by holding state stability hostage – that I cannot swallow.”
Though he had compromised quickly at the time, that was because as emperor he had to prioritize the empire and couldn’t let such a small matter affect his judgment.
However, he was actually extremely angry inside.
This was because he pursued the expansion of imperial power and was very sensitive to such situations.
After all, he had just granted Zhang Fei an imperial plaque. Anyone with sense would have discussed it privately.
But they didn’t.
They slapped him in the face.
They simply wanted to show that Zhang Fei shouldn’t think he could do whatever he wanted just because he had an imperial plaque.
They weren’t afraid at all.
Zhang Fei immediately said, “Please rest assured, Your Majesty. I will definitely make up for my mistake.”
Zhao Xu’s face lit up. “It seems you already have a plan.”
He had come today with one purpose – to get revenge. This matter couldn’t end like this. He understood Zhang Fei’s personality, but worried Zhang Fei might choose to let it go for his sake. So he came to make his stance clear – if you have a way to fight back, let’s do it.
This was something Wang Anshi and Sima Guang hadn’t anticipated.
Zhao Xu’s acting was truly Oscar-worthy. At the time, he barely resisted and took the attitude of minimizing the issue.
That’s why the Three Financial Bureaus dared to be so arrogant, even specially sending people to count when collecting the fine, as if afraid the people wouldn’t know of this matter.
Zhang Fei immediately told Zhao Xu his entire plan and how he would persuade Wang Anshi and Sima Guang.
While he played both sides between Wang Anshi and Sima Guang, his relationship with Zhao Xu was different. The emperor was unique – unless you planned rebellion, you needed the emperor’s support for everything you did. It was best to hide nothing if possible.
It was terrifying if the emperor became suspicious of you. But an honest pen-in-cap could say anything and the emperor wouldn’t mind much, since he could only talk but not actually do anything.
After listening, Zhao Xu was overjoyed. If this could become a struggle between judicial and administrative powers, or between government offices, it wouldn’t threaten him much. He could even control the situation. He said, “Truly worthy of being Zhang San the pen-in-cap, to persuade both Wang Anshi and Sima Guang at the same time. Impressive! Impressive!”
Zhang Fei smiled modestly and said, “Though they have many contradictions in their governing philosophies, they both definitely oppose tax evasion.”
Zhao Xu nodded slightly and asked, “Do you need my help?”
Zhang Fei hurriedly said, “I wouldn’t dare trouble Your Majesty. I caused this, so I have the responsibility to fix it.”
Zhao Xu nodded and said, “This time you can act freely. I will protect you from behind.”
Raising his cup, he said, “Here’s to your complete victory.”
That Lu Huiqing was definitely Wang Anshi’s capable assistant. Within days, he had found both the people and the case.
“Master, do you know of Mogul Wei from Luoma Slope in Kaifeng County?”
“Mogul Wei?” Wang Anshi shook his head. “Never heard of him.”
Lu Huiqing said, “His name is Wei Yushan, a resident of the capital. His great-grandfather earned passed the civil examinations during Emperor Zhenzong’s reign, but was demoted from the capital for corruption and improper conduct as an official. Only after death was he sent home for burial by his son. Later his descendants returned to trade in Bianjing, and using their father’s remaining court connections, quickly became known as a wealthy household in Kaifeng County.
Now Wei Yushan is a local tyrant whom no one dares offend. No one dares collect taxes from his household. Until three years ago, a runner named Geng Ming, who couldn’t stand Wei Yushan’s behavior, went to the Wei household to collect taxes. Not only did he fail to collect, Wei Yushan even transferred some of his land taxes onto Geng Ming’s account.
Though Geng Ming was from an upper household, he couldn’t bear the Wei family’s tax burden. He was ultimately forced to divorce his wife, sending her and their son back to her family to hide. He then became a priest at a Taoist temple to escape the Wei family’s revenge.”
After listening, Wang Anshi excitedly asked, “Didn’t that fool file a complaint?”
Lu Huiqing said, “It was the government office that transferred these taxes to Geng Ming’s account. Teacher should know that many runners have to pay taxes themselves when they can’t collect them.”
Wang Anshi frowned and asked, “Would he dare to file a complaint now?”
Lu Huiqing said, “Though Geng Ming has become a priest, he still constantly thinks of revenge and reuniting with his wife and child.”
Wang Anshi nodded and said, “He’s the one.”
Lu Huiqing said, “But Teacher, Wei Yushan has significant backing.”
Wang Anshi asked, “Isn’t he just a wealthy household? His ancestor was only a minor graduate-scholar. No need to worry.”
Lu Huiqing said, “Wei Yushan has always admired Wang Hong, agreeing that harsh punishment should be used against troublemakers, so they have a good relationship. Additionally, his second daughter is Prince Chang’s favored concubine, which is why he dares to be so arrogant and domineering.”
Wang Anshi couldn’t help but glance sideways at Lu Huiqing – you’re deliberately trying to make me look foolish, aren’t you?
I’ve already talked big, and now you give me someone connected to the imperial family.
What am I supposed to do? Prince Chang was Zhao Xu’s brother by blood, not just any prince!
Lu Huiqing explained, “The reason I chose this case is threefold. First, it involves runners, which supports your reforms on corvee labor.
Second, though it involves imperial relatives, this struggle stems from judicial reform. This can also put Academician Sima in a difficult position. Sima Guang always speaks righteously about serving the country and people – let’s see if he truly follows through when facing imperial relatives.
Third, if we can take down Wei Yushan, other landlords won’t dare be so arrogant. It could solve everything at once.”
His methods were quite ruthless.
When Lu Huiqing personally took action, it was never a small case.
Wang Anshi hesitated. Making Sima Guang stumble and giving everyone a laugh was one thing, but pushing him into a ditch seemed too much.
Yet he was curious whether Sima Guang could be as impartial as Bao Zheng when facing imperial relatives, since both he and Sima Guang had worked under Bao Zheng.
Additionally, he was very displeased with Wei Yushan’s behavior – not just evading taxes but driving others to death.
After careful consideration, he said, “First go discuss it with Zhang San and ask his opinion.”
Lu Huiqing nodded.
Wang Anshi then asked, “Have you found someone from Kaifeng County?”
According to Zhang Fei’s plan, they needed a judicial official from a local judicial department to stand up and confront the county government.
Lu Huiqing said, “We found one – Judicial Administrator Lu Jiawen.”
Wang Anshi frowned. “Lu Huishu’s grand-nephew?”
Lu Huiqing nodded and said, “I inquired – among Kaifeng County’s judicial officials, only Lu Jiawen spoke up for Zhang Fei. And I’ve talked with Lu Jiawen – he has always supported your reforms.”
Wang Anshi sighed, “You’re making this more and more complicated.”
All these people had political connections.
This had truly become serious.
But Lu Huiqing said, “If we simply made a landlord pay taxes, even winning wouldn’t have a deterrent effect. It wouldn’t be worth your personal involvement.”