Chapter 181: Let’s Do It!
Zhang residence.
“Prince Chang?”
Zhang Fei slowly lifted his head, his gaze shifting from the document in his hand to Lu Huiqing across from him, with a hint of wariness in his eyes.
Lu Huiqing nodded calmly and said, “Prince Chang is His Majesty’s own brother.”
“Is that so?”
Zhang Fei chuckled softly and said, “I’ve heard that many people are evading taxes nowadays; it shouldn’t be just this one family.”
He prided himself on being quite the troublemaker, but he hadn’t expected Lu Huiqing to be even more audacious, targeting a member of the royal family right off the bat.
Was it really like the dramas portrayed? In the Song Dynasty, if one didn’t confront a royal family member, could they even call themselves a righteous official?
Lu Huiqing said, “You should also know that many royal family members are involved in such matters. If, during a heated lawsuit, someone in the court brings up the royal family and even manufactures another lawsuit, you will be at a disadvantage. It might end up going nowhere. Instead, we should take the initiative.”
Zhang Fei furrowed his brows. Lu Huiqing continued, “And the Wei family isn’t really a notable family. It’s just that his daughter is a concubine of Prince Chang, which gives them a slight connection. The royal family wouldn’t intervene for such a household, which would also avoid displeasing the ministers and shut others’ mouths.”
He paused briefly, then added, “Moreover, Geng Ming is very determined and unlikely to change his stance at the last minute.”
Zhang Fei remained silent in thought.
Lu Huiqing glanced at Zhang Fei and said, “Don’t be anxious. My teacher just asked me to discuss this with you. If you don’t think it’s feasible, I can send someone else to investigate, since it’s you who will be handling the lawsuit.”
Zhang Fei said, “I need to think about it.”
Lu Huiqing smiled and nodded.
Zhang Fei suddenly asked, “You seem to think I’ll most likely agree?”
Lu Huiqing laughed, “I hadn’t thought that far. I just believe you’ll find this lawsuit very interesting.”
Zhang Fei asked, “What makes you say that?”
Lu Huiqing replied, “I chose this lawsuit for another minor reason: I was worried that a case might be too simple to catch your interest.”
Zhang Fei chuckled wryly, “You truly overestimate me.”
Lu Huiqing laughed and said, “Alright, let me know once you’ve made your decision.”
Zhang Fei nodded, “Okay.”
After seeing Lu Huiqing off, Zhang Fei’s expression grew serious. He picked up the documents and reviewed them again, “Lu Huiqing truly understands my thoughts.”
Indeed!
This lawsuit piqued his interest greatly. Although he had defended Li Si and the Shi family, those were indirect confrontations, not direct ones.
This lawsuit would confront them head-on.
Zhang Fei was very interested in taking this step.
After dealing with things on the outside for so long, he felt it was time to test the waters inside.
If he were solely devoted to helping Wang Anshi, he wouldn’t hesitate for long, but he also wanted support from Zhao Xu and Sima Guang.
This made him cautious.
Lu Huiqing also had his own considerations, as he had always been wary of Zhang Fei.
With our support, you can use the lawsuit against them, but you could also turn around and use it against us.
No one wanted to be manipulated.
Lu Huiqing hoped to use this lawsuit to make Zhang Fei’s stance clearer.
He wanted Zhang Fei to oppose those landlords and scholars.
Because Wang Anshi’s new laws aimed mainly at transferring the wealth of the rich into the national treasury.
By evening, Zhang Fei took the lawsuit to discuss with Xu Zun and Xu Zhiqian.
“Prince Chang?”
Xu Zun furrowed his brows and said, “It’s said that the current Empress Dowager’s favorite son is Prince Chang.”
Xu Zhiqian said, “If the father of Prince Chang’s concubine can be above the law, then what use is the law?”
Although her relationship with Zhang Fei was already established, old habits died hard, and she found this situation intolerable.
Xu Zun glanced at Xu Zhiqian, smiled slightly, and said to Zhang Fei, “You still need to decide for yourself. If you ask my daughter and me, we would certainly want to seek justice for Geng Ming.”
Xu Zhiqian nodded earnestly, “Wei Yushan is truly despicable. Tax evasion is already wrong, but instead of being afraid, he ruined the life of an upright man like Geng Ming, separating him from his family. It’s outrageous.”
The father and daughter were of one mind. If they didn’t know, they could let it go, but knowing meant they couldn’t tolerate it. If this lawsuit were in Xu Zun’s hands, he would definitely bring it to court.
Of course, as officials, they had a certain level of confidence; at worst, they could just be demoted.
Everything has two sides. The idea that punishments don’t apply to officials has its negative aspects, but it also has positive ones. It depends entirely on personal morality. Many high-moral officials, like Bao Zheng, dared to confront the royal family. The most they suffered was being demoted to a local position.
Naturally, officials like Wang Wenshan, who committed wrongdoings, were only demoted and could possibly return after a few years.
This shows that the Song Dynasty’s system was closely tied to Confucian thought, requiring the use of morality to restrain officials and establish values to push the system in a positive direction. However, from the results, this path was difficult.
During Emperor Renzong’s reign, there was a brilliant group of officials like the flawless Fan Zhongyan, the incorruptible Bao Zheng, and the decisive Fu Bi.
Emperor Zhao Xu’s generation wasn’t bad either.
But it didn’t lead to a golden age.
Xu Zun’s suggestion was purely from the perspective of the case, but knowing that Zhang Fei had other intentions, he let Zhang Fei decide for himself.
Zhang Fei pondered for a while and suddenly asked, “Benefactor, so the Empress Dowager’s favorite prince is Prince Chang, not His Majesty?”
Xu Zun was slightly taken aback, “It’s rumored to be so, but don’t make wild guesses. My advice is to focus on the case, which is your expertise.”
Zhang Fei smiled sheepishly, “I was just asking. I’ll think about it.”
His main reason for discussing with Xu Zun and his daughter was that if something went wrong, it would implicate Xu Zun. He had to be upfront with them. If they opposed it, he would reconsider.
But their attitude was favorable to Zhang Fei.
They were willing to support Zhang Fei in the lawsuit, unafraid of repercussions.
So whether to proceed or not was entirely up to Zhang Fei.
At the third watch of the night, Zhang Fei sat in the hall, staring blankly at the documents on the table.
He was mainly considering the impact on Zhao Xu and Sima Guang.
But Lu Huiqing’s words made sense. Tax evasion was a systemic problem, widely known. Even if it was illegal, everyone did it. It would be unfair to single out a single, ordinary landowner. But if they directly targeted Prince Chang, it would be even more problematic.
Targeting the father of Prince Chang’s concubine instead allowed more room for maneuver.
Lu Huiqing had thought this through. Initially, it seemed audacious, but on closer inspection, it was a very prudent plan.
Suddenly, a shadow flickered before him.
Zhang Fei looked up to see Gao Wenyin entering with a porcelain bowl.
“Husband, it’s already late. Have some food before you continue.”
Gao Wenyin placed the bowl of fish soup down and said softly.
Her voice was gentle and bewitching, hard to refuse.
Zhang Fei nodded, “Thank you, wife.”
Gao Wenyin handed him the bowl.
“Xiaotao’s cooking is getting better,” Zhang Fei praised after tasting a spoonful.
Gao Wenyin smiled, “Since you cooked last time, Xiaotao has been diligently improving her skills.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Gao Wenyin nodded lightly.
Zhang Fei chuckled, “I didn’t expect that.”
As he ate, he said, “You don’t need to wait for me to sleep before resting. If you’re tired, go to bed early.”
Although they didn’t share a bed, Gao Wenyin wouldn’t sleep until Zhang Fei did, always on standby.
“How can that be? If you’re hungry or need ink, not having anyone to assist would delay important matters,” Gao Wenyin replied. “I don’t have much to do each day. I can rest at noon, so don’t worry about me.”
Hearing her firm tone, Zhang Fei smiled and nodded.
Gao Wenyin then asked, “Did you take on another big case?”
Zhang Fei nodded, “It’s another case involving corvee labor, but the other party is an important this time.”
Gao Wenyin nodded lightly.
Zhang Fei asked, “You don’t seem scared?”
Gao Wenyin paused, “Didn’t you say fear is useless?”
Zhang Fei blinked and smiled, “So you’re not scared?”
Gao Wenyin nodded lightly, “I think you’re right. Many things can’t be avoided just because you want to. I’ve seen and experienced a lot.”
Zhang Fei thoughtfully nodded, then slapped the document, “Since you said so, let’s do it.”
Gao Wenyin was startled, “Husband, I…”
Zhang Fei laughed, “Just kidding. I already decided.”
“That’s good then.”
Gao Wenyin patted her chest slightly.
Zhang Fei glanced at her unconsciously, his heart stirring. “You should rest early.”
Gao Wenyin said, “It’s okay, I…”
“I mean, you sitting here distracts me.”
“Oh, okay.”
Gao Wenyin quickly took the empty bowl and left.
Two days later, Zhang Fei invited Lu Huiqing.
“Have you decided?”
Lu Huiqing asked with a smile.
Zhang Fei nodded and handed him a paper, “I need the evidence listed here.”
Lu Huiqing took it and glanced at it, “After three years, such detailed accounts will be hard to find.”
Zhang Fei replied, “But financial disputes require solid evidence, not just rhetoric.”
Lu Huiqing looked again, “I’ll try to find it, but I might not get everything.”
“Thank you.” Zhang Fei cupped his hands, “Also, I will not be involved at the start. Geng Ming will file the complaint first.”
Lu Huiqing asked, “Why is that?”
Zhang Fei explained, “If I show up initially, Wang Hong will know it’s revenge and be on guard. We might not achieve the desired effect. We have people in the Judicial Court, so let them fight first.”
Lu Huiqing pondered, “When will you step in?”
Zhang Fei replied, “When the Judicial Court sues Kaifeng County Office.”
Lu Huiqing was puzzled, “How can the Judicial Court sue Kaifeng County Office?”
Zhang Fei countered, “Is it forbidden?”
Lu Huiqing shook his head, “Not explicitly, but normally, disputes between governmental departments are resolved by higher authorities, not lawsuits.”
Zhang Fei said, “If it’s not explicitly forbidden, it’s allowed.”
Lu Huiqing was dumbfounded. Could it be done? It wasn’t explicitly forbidden, but no one had ever done it!