Chapter 182: Vengeance
One government office suing another government office.
Lu Huiqing was stunned once again by Zhang Fei’s idea.
In Zhang’s mind, it seemed anything could be taken to court.
When Qian Yi sued the Reform Planning Commission before, he had removed his official robes first. Although he was restored to his position after winning the first time, the second dispute was only held internally within the imperial court and couldn’t be classified as one government office suing another.
But it was close enough.
Lu Huiqing felt it was worth trying.
It was clear that Lu Huiqing and Zhang Fei were truly kindred spirits, on the same wavelength.
One was ruthless and decisive, pushing things to the limit, while the other preferred unconventional approaches that often surprised people.
Of course, regarding the specific execution of the plan, they would definitely follow Zhang Fei’s lead.
After all, Lu Huiqing had no experience in litigation. “Have you decided?”
Xu Zhiqian quietly tapped Zhang Fei’s shoulder from behind.
Zhang Fei turned around, nodding with a smile, “We’ll be quite busy this time.”
Xu Zhiqian was taken aback and said, “For this kind of case, as long as we can get it to court, we’re sure to win. The evidence of their tax evasion is ironclad.”
Zhang Fei sighed, “That’s exactly what makes it difficult.”
Xu Zhiqian looked at him puzzled.
Zhang Fei explained, “From scholars to common people, everyone engages in this behavior. This creates a legal blind spot.”
“A legal blind spot?” Xu Zhiqian asked confused.
“It means the law cannot punish everyone,” Zhang Fei explained. “When an issue affects the masses, the law often becomes powerless. Those seemingly ironclad pieces of evidence are actually the biggest flaw in this case.”
In university, his professor had dedicated an entire lecture to this concept of “the law not punishing the masses”.
When any case entered this blind spot, the law became ineffective. Not only strict enforcement, but even mild enforcement wouldn’t work because it would cause major social problems.
Xu Zhiqian had clearly thought about this issue too simply, and asked, “Then how do you plan to resolve this?”
Zhang Fei said, “Logically speaking, only policy can address issues where the law cannot punish the masses.”
Xu Zhiqian asked curiously, “If policy is needed, why file the lawsuit?”
Zhang Fei replied, “We can still sue, but we need to change our approach. Anyway, we’ll be busy in the coming days.”
He first sent Li Si to the law firm to tell Fan Li that he also needed to take an extended leave to reflect at home.
Fan Li was overjoyed upon hearing this, thinking the young man had finally learned to reflect.
Although this left him as the only one manning the firm, he was happy to have some peace and quiet. Things had been too chaotic lately, and needed to settle down. He was content even without business.
“Oh my! What wind brings Brother Ma here today?” Fan Li, who had been dozing at the counter, quickly came out to greet Ma Tianhao who had strode in.
Ma Tianhao slapped a stack of documents on the counter, “Here are some contract disputes for you to handle.”
His eyes darted around as he spoke.
“Hey! Old Fan.”
Ma Tianhao suddenly beckoned.
“What is it?”
Fan Li leaned in.
Ma Tianhao asked, “Why is your shop so empty? It’s eerie.”
Fan Li sighed, “They’re all resting at home?”
Ma Tianhao asked gossip-like, “Was the beating that bad?”
Fan Li said, “It wasn’t too bad. The worst injuries would heal in five to seven days, but Brother San felt guilty and gave them a month off with pay.”
Ma Tianhao asked, “Is Brother San here?”
“Haven’t seen him for days,” Fan Li shook his head.
Seeing Zhang Fei wasn’t there, Ma Tianhao immediately said, “I’m not just saying this, but you can barely handle merchants’ disputes, why go stirring up trouble? You won’t always be so lucky.”
Fan Li sighed, “I don’t want to either, but it’s all Brother San’s ideas. He kept winning before, how could we not listen to him?”
Ma Tianhao said, “You need to restrain him this time. With you all acting so recklessly, we’re all afraid to come. These disputes have been piling up for days.”
Fan Li quickly said, “Brother San should have learned his lesson this time. He’s been reflecting at home these days, not talking about revenge like before.”
Ma Tianhao nodded, “That’s good! Well, I’ll take my leave.”
Fan Li hurried to say, “You haven’t even had a cup of tea.”
“No need! No need! We’re not strangers.”
Ma Tianhao waved, “Don’t see me out!”
He turned and left. Just as he exited the main door, he saw Shen Huaixiao from the Salt and Iron Bureau and Transport Commissioner Cao Han walking past.
Ma Tianhao naturally recognized the two and quickly gave them a bow.
Shen Huaixiao casually asked, “Has Mogul Ma gotten into legal trouble?”
“No, no, just some contract issues,” Ma Tianhao said, then suddenly realizing something, explained further, “I’ve already hired their firm for a whole year, and since the money’s already spent…”
Shen Huaixiao smiled, “I didn’t say you couldn’t come here. Why are you so nervous?”
Looking at the law firm’s entrance, he added, “Though this law firm is much quieter than before.”
Ma Tianhao said, “With only Old Fan inside, how could it not be quiet?”
Cao Han asked, “Just one person?”
Ma Tianhao nodded, “Their pen-in-caps were beaten at the Kaifeng County office last time, and they’re still recovering at home.”
Shen Huaixiao asked, “What about Zhang San?”
Ma Tianhao replied, “Old Fan said he hasn’t been coming much these days. I guess after what happened, he’s too embarrassed to show his face.”
Shen Huaixiao and Cao Han exchanged glances, then Shen Huaixiao said to Ma Tianhao, “You may go about your business.”
“Yes, this humble one takes his leave.”
After Ma Tianhao left, Cao Han said, “Looks like that kid finally learned his lesson.”
Shen Huaixiao chuckled, “That’s often how things work. Before, everyone showed respect for Xu Zun’s face and let him act wild without beating him. No one knew what would happen after beating him. But after it happened, what could Xu Zun do alone? Now everyone in court knows how to deal with him.”
“Brother Shen speaks wisely!” Cao Han nodded with a smile, then added, “To think I spent so much effort planning how to deal with this kid before. If only I had known!”
Shen Huaixiao waved his hand, “Your plans weren’t just about dealing with Zhang San. Having Deng Wan and Lu Tong stay by Wang Jiefu’s side might prove very useful in the future!”
During this time, Lu Huiqing was undoubtedly the busiest. On one hand, he was gathering evidence to give to Zhang Fei, while on the other hand, he was secretly making arrangements. Fortunately, this fellow was indeed skilled at handling everything in an orderly manner, even while having to work on drafting new regulations at the Reform Planning Commission.
One evening, after finishing his official duties and leaving the Imperial City, Lu Huiqing arranged to meet Lu Jiawen at a small restaurant.
For mid-level officials like them, it was better to eat at restaurants than to keep cooks at home.
Whether officials or commoners, the Song people all enjoyed eating out rather than cooking at home.
“What?”
Lu Jiawen looked at Lu Huiqing in shock, “File a lawsuit against the Kaifeng County office in the name of the Judicial Court?”
Lu Huiqing nodded.
Lu Jiawen scratched his head and asked, “How… how would we sue?”
Lu Huiqing said, “In a few days, Geng Ming will file a complaint at the Judicial Court. Your court’s judgment will ultimately be sent to the Kaifeng County office for Magistrate Wang to decide. Given his relationship with Wei Yushan, he will certainly reject it. That’s when you can sue the Kaifeng County office at the District Court in the name of the Judicial Court.”
Lu Jiawen said dully, “But according to government regulations, I should submit a memorial to the court to expose this case.”
Lu Huiqing nodded with a smile and said, “But there are no regulations explicitly forbidding the Judicial Court from filing lawsuits.”
After thinking for a while, Lu Jiawen nodded, “It seems there really aren’t any such rules.”
How could the government have anticipated that one office would sue another office, and even hire a pen-in-cap to litigate? It was impossible to have regulations for such a situation!
Lu Huiqing looked at the young man in his early twenties and asked with a smile, “So do you dare?”
“Of course!”
Lu Jiawen’s face showed excitement, “We’re in the right, why wouldn’t I dare? To be honest with you, Lord Lu, I’ve had disputes with Magistrate Wang before, but since he outranked me by one level, I couldn’t do anything about it. My elders also didn’t like me causing trouble and always told me to let things be. With your support this time, we can finally get justice from him.”
Lu Huiqing nodded with a smile and added, “But until the moment we file the lawsuit, you must not reveal anything, to prevent them from being prepared.”
They needed to exploit this legal loophole. If others knew in advance, the opposition might petition the court first to prevent this approach.
Lu Jiawen nodded, “I understand that naturally.”
Lu Huiqing continued, “Besides that, you’ll need to struggle a bit at the county office, to make the other officials at the Court of Justice feel wronged.”
Before he could finish speaking, Lu Jiaqian immediately cupped his hands and said, “Don’t worry, Lord Lu. I’ll take care of this.”
At the Zhang residence.
“Heavens!”
Xu Zhiqian rested her delicate chin on her hand, staring at the tall stack of documents beside her, and complained, “I never imagined preparing lawsuit documents would be so difficult. After all these days, we still haven’t organized half of them.”
“When it comes to money, one must always be meticulous, and lawsuits are the same,” Zhang Fei glanced at Xu Zhiqian again. “You didn’t use to tire so easily before. Are you trying to act coy with me? I’m quite clumsy at picking up such hints, so you’ll have to be more direct.”
“Who’s acting coy with you? How shameless!” Xu Zhiqian spat, then continued, “It’s just that the documents I prepared before were all legal codes and past cases, but this time they’re mostly accounts. Looking at them for too long makes one drowsy.
Sigh… who would have thought that Wei Yushan, just a minor wealthy household, would have over fifteen hundred acres of good fields in the capital region? And that’s just what we could easily find out. Who knows how much more he has? He has no special privileges, yet he doesn’t pay a single coin in taxes. It’s absolutely despicable.”
Zhang Fei smiled, “Being able to evade taxes is a skill. Nobody wants to pay them.”
Xu Zhiqian pouted, “The government really does bully the good and fear the evil, they only know how to demand money from ordinary people.”
Zhang Fei smiled but remained silent.
Xu Zhiqian glanced at him and asked, “We still have so many documents to prepare here, why did you let Geng Ming go file the complaint already?”
Zhang Fei said, “This wasn’t my request, but Lord Lu. They’ve almost finished drafting their new regulations, and this matter can’t be delayed too long. But it’s fine, it will still take some time to create a stir, so we have enough time.”
Knock knock knock! A series of knocks interrupted their conversation.
Zhang Fei got up directly and opened the door. Gao Wenyin entered carrying a tray, “Husband, Miss Xu, you’ve been working for so long, take a break and have something to eat.”
“It smells wonderful!” Xu Zhiqian’s delicate nose twitched. “I am feeling quite hungry.”
Gao Wenyin placed a portion of porridge and snacks in front of Xu Zhiqian, “Eat some first, if it’s not enough, I’ll bring more.”
“Mm. Thank you, Sister Gao.”
“You’re welcome.”
Gao Wenyin placed another portion in front of Zhang Fei, “You eat first, I’ll come back later to collect the dishes.”
Zhang Fei quickly said, “Why so formal? Sit and chat with us for a while!”
Gao Wenyin gently shook her head, “I still have some things to do in the kitchen, I’ll come back later.”
With that, she withdrew.
Previously, Gao Wenyin often chatted with them, but since Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian had established their relationship, she tried not to disturb them.
“This woman.”
Zhang Fei shook his head helplessly.
Xu Zhiqian called softly, “Zhang San.”
Zhang Fei turned back, “What is it?”
Xu Zhiqian hesitated, seeming to want to speak but holding back.
Zhang Fei pondered briefly, then asked with a smile, “Are you wondering how Wenyin feels about our relationship?”
Xu Zhiqian nodded rapidly like a pecking chick.
Zhang Fei sighed, “I think she probably feels relieved.”
“Relieved?”
“Yes!”
Zhang Fei said, “You know that she stays here serving me diligently only to repay my kindness. If I never married, she would certainly feel very guilty. So seeing me marry you must make her feel relieved.”
Xu Zhiqian also felt much relieved, but said, “Don’t talk nonsense, you haven’t married me yet.”
Zhang Fei winked at her, “After we win this lawsuit, let’s discuss it properly.”
Xu Zhiqian remained silent in embarrassment, turning her pretty face away proudly.
Zhang Fei suddenly asked, “So what do you think?”
Xu Zhiqian started, “Think about what?”
Zhang Fei said, “About Gao Wenyin.”
Xu Zhiqian smiled, “Don’t worry about that. I supported you marrying Sister Gao from the beginning, and I won’t regret it now.”
Zhang Fei asked, “You won’t be jealous?”
Xu Zhiqian thought seriously, “Since my mother passed, my father never remarried, so I also believe one husband and one wife is best. But Sister Gao truly makes it hard to feel jealous.”
She glanced at Zhang Fei with her beautiful eyes, “Even if I were jealous it wouldn’t matter, you like Sister Gao so much.”
Zhang Fei reflexively asked, “How do you know?”
After speaking, he quickly shut his mouth, thinking to himself that an unmarried man truly lacked experience, being so easily caught out. Next time he would have to ask Cao Dongdong and the others for advice.
Xu Zhiqian laughed, “I’m not blind, how could I not see it? Oh, and there’s also Fang Yun. How could I possibly keep up with being jealous of everyone?”
Zhang Fei could already smell the vinegar of jealousy and quickly said, “Now you’re talking nonsense. My relationship with Fang Yun is truly just like siblings.”
“Is that so?”
Xu Zhiqian sniffed lightly, “I don’t believe it. But I’m warning you, Fang Yun is the limit. You lustful man better behave yourself.”
I’m still a virgin in this life, and you’re telling me to behave myself? Have you no shame? Zhang Fei grumbled to himself, then said, “If Fang Yun and I truly have a sibling relationship, could that quota perhaps be given to someone else?”
“…?”
In the early morning, a gentle breeze blew as the morning mist silently departed, and a beam of golden sunlight appeared between the mountains.
A scholar on the hillside raised his hand to shield his eyes, then spoke to the Taoist priest of about thirty years old before him, “Everything has been prepared. You can go ahead and file the complaint. I guarantee you’ll get what you wish for.”
Upon hearing this, the Taoist immediately bowed deeply and said, “Thank you for your help, sir. If in this life I can avenge my great grudge and reunite with my wife and children, I will spend the rest of my life serving you like an ox or horse to repay this great kindness.”
The scholar smiled, “What would be the point of rescuing you only to have you serve like an ox or horse? It’s getting late, you should hurry along.”
“I take my leave.”
The Taoist bowed once more before turning to walk down the slope, his gaze full of anger as he looked toward the southwest.
That was where the Kaifeng County’s Judicial Court was located.