Judge of the Song Dynasty

When Sima Guang discussed the separation of administration and law with Lu Gongzhu earlier, Lu agreed. The Song dynasty ministers generally believed in the principle of checks and balances, which was the concept behind the ancestral law.

Using the judiciary to supervise administration was certainly feasible.

This was also against the backdrop of Wang Anshi’s reforms.

Although Lu Gongzhu, as prefect of Kaifeng Prefecture, appeared to be at risk of losing power, he was about to be transferred and would definitely move to the central government.

The next appointee would be the unfortunate one.

However, he didn’t want to achieve separation of administration and law this way, especially since it might involve the Lu family.

But as Lu Jiawen said to himself, he was very confident in his eloquence.

Indeed.

His two reasons made it difficult for Lu Gongzhu to refute, both officially and personally.

Wang Hong had acted inappropriately. Though Lu Jiawen was clearly in the right, Wang Hong had used family background to humiliate him and hastily overturned the Judicial Court’s judgment. Moreover, Wei Yushan had gone too far.

However, when Wang Hong learned of this matter, he was furious.

This was outrageous! A subordinate had stabbed his superior in the back.

This was insubordination! If he didn’t handle it firmly, how could he lead his subordinates in the future?

At the Kaifeng County office. Read complete versıon only at NoveIＦire.net

“Lu Jiawen, you ungrateful wretch.”

Wang Hong pointed at Lu Jiawen’s nose and cursed: “I’ve treated you well. After you entered the Judicial Court, I took special care of you. Yet you conspired with a pen-in-cap to frame me. How could the prestigious Lu family produce such a despicable person?”

Lu Jiawen said: “I have not offended you. I’m not suing you, but the county office.”

“What’s the difference?” Wang Hong sneered: “Don’t think I don’t know your little scheme. Tell me, was this idea from that pen-in-cap Zhang San? He’s trying to get revenge on me, and you have been foolishly used by him.”

It didn’t take much thought to know this was Zhang Fei’s revenge.

It couldn’t be a coincidence.

Lu Jiawen said expressionlessly: “I just want justice for Geng Ming.”

Seeing the young man’s firm attitude, Wang Hong smiled coldly: “Due to your insubordination, I’m suspending your duties. Go home and await further instructions.”

Lu Jiawen said: “The magistrate has no authority to do this.”

Wang Hong smiled: “Go ask your granduncle if I have this authority or not. Get out!”

“I take my leave.”

Lu Jiawen bowed and left.

Wang Hong snorted angrily: “If he weren’t surnamed Lu, I would make sure he wouldn’t live to see another day.”

The Chief Clerk Zheng Yun standing beside him reminded: “Magistrate, I think Lu Jiawen isn’t the main concern. The key is Zhang San.”

An enemy seeking revenge was most fearsome.

He had come to claim a life.

Wang Hong frowned slightly and said: “Everyone knows this is Zhang San’s revenge. I believe without me saying anything, someone in the imperial court will speak up for me and won’t let Zhang San succeed. Order someone to call Chen Chong here. Lu Jiawen isn’t the head of the Judicial Court, what right does he have to sue in their name?”

He wasn’t stupid. Although Zhang Fei was targeting him, this would surely cause dissatisfaction among court officials – if subordinates could sue their superiors, where would it end?

Therefore, he had already submitted a memorial to the court impeaching Lu Jiawen.

Currently, his priority was to quickly reorganize internally.

He couldn’t allow another Lu Jiawen to emerge.

In fact, his prediction wasn’t wrong. His memorial caused a great shock when it reached the court.

The Chamber of State Affairs immediately held a meeting to discuss the matter upon receiving Wang Hong’s memorial.

“I believe Lu Jiawen did nothing wrong.”

Zhao Bian stroked his salt-and-pepper beard and said: “I have reviewed this case. Magistrate Wang’s judgment was indeed unjust. As the magistrate of an important county, he handled such a serious case so carelessly. This case must be investigated thoroughly, but we should investigate Wang Hong himself.”

Wen Yanbo said, “Chancellor Zhao, we’re not discussing the Geng Ming case now, but rather the Judicial Court filing a complaint against the County Office. This has never happened before – is it even permissible?”

Wang Anshi, who was sitting to the side, sighed and said sarcastically, “When they filed complaints against the Reform Planning Commission back then, you didn’t seem to have anything to say.”

Wen Yanbo suddenly remembered this incident and became visibly embarrassed, coughing once before saying, “That was different.”

Wang Anshi persisted, “Please enlighten us, Lord Wen.”

Wen Yanbo replied, “The duties of the Censorate differ from those of the Judicial Court.”

The implication was that the Censorate and Remonstrance Bureau’s duties included impeaching officials, so taking such matters to court was something everyone understood, but the Judicial Court didn’t have such authority.

Wang Anshi said, “Aren’t we discussing whether one government office can sue another?”

Though Zhao Bian strongly disliked Wang Anshi, this time he felt Wang had a point and nodded, “Academician Wang makes sense. If the Reform Planning Commission could be sued, why can’t a county office?”

Throughout his career, he had always been strictly impartial. He was furious at Wang Hong’s actions and believed Lu Jiawen must have been under pressure to act as he did. He admired Lu Jiawen’s courage.

Wen Yanbo glanced at Sima Guang beside him, secretly frowned, and stopped arguing with them.

After leaving the Chamber of State Affairs, Wen Yanbo asked Sima Guang, “Sima Guang, did you orchestrate this?”

Sima Guang was startled, “Why would you think that?”

Wen Yanbo said, “Then why were you silent earlier?”

Sima Guang sighed, “The key figure here isn’t Lu Jiawen, but Zhang San.”

Wen Yanbo said, “I know, Zhang San wants revenge against Wang Hong.”

Sima Guang replied, “But Zhang San has a good relationship with Wang Anshi. Judging by his attitude earlier, he must have known about this. Have you considered why Wang Anshi would support Zhang San’s actions?”

Wen Yanbo pondered briefly, “Are you saying he wants to use this to sabotage your judicial reforms?”

Sima Guang nodded, “Most likely.”

Wen Yanbo’s face filled with worry, “That’s quite a poisonous move. How do you plan to handle it?”

Sima Guang frowned, “I need to think about this further.”

At the Ministry of Punishments.

“I knew that Zhang San wouldn’t let this go. See, it’s happened,” Qi Hui said somewhat nervously.

Liu Shu said, “That’s not what you said before. Didn’t you say he’d learn his lesson after getting beaten?”

“..!”

Qi Hui ignored this and sighed, “The problem is that officials are not being united. Otherwise, how could a mere pen-in-cap be so presumptuous?”

Qian Yi stroked his beard and sighed, “Indeed! Though we all know he’s doing this for revenge against Magistrate Wang, we can’t blame him since he’s employed by Lu Jiawen.”

After the judges discussed for a while, they noticed Fan Chunren sitting silently to the side.

Liu Shu asked, “Remonstrator Fan, what’s your view?”

Fan Chunren started, then said, “We might not lose this case.”

Liu Shu exclaimed excitedly, “Remonstrator Fan, what are you thinking? If you actually go to court against Zhang San, wouldn’t that be falling right into his trap?”

Fan Chunren replied sheepishly, “I-I know, I wasn’t saying we should fight him in court, I just… just thought what if…”

Qi Hui said, “There is no ‘what if’ – we must stop him this time.”

Fan Chunren continued, “Don’t forget, Academician Sima has already memorialized to His Majesty about judicial reform, including the separation of administration and law.”

The entire hall fell silent.

This meant all they themselves who worked in the judicial branch would stand to benefit!

If they severely punished the Judicial Court…

Wouldn’t that be weakening their own power? How would they handle cases involving officials in the future?

At the Xu residence.

“The Chamber of State Affairs discussed this matter today, but it seems they didn’t reach any conclusion. Afterward, none of the state counsellors expressed their stance…”

Xu Zun, the insider, reported this intelligence after returning home.

The fact that the Chamber hadn’t immediately stopped this behavior proved there was real potential here.

Zhang Fei said, “I actually anticipated the Chamber’s attitude. What’s important is the stance of the officials of the Court of Judicial Review.”

Xu Zun smiled slightly: “Silence!”

Zhang Fei chuckled, “That’s exactly right.”

Xu Zhiqian pouted and said, “Father, you officials are really being played like puppets by a mere pen-in-cap. How shameless.”

Zhang Fei hurriedly replied, “Don’t talk nonsense. They’re not being played by me – they’re using me as a weapon. If this case leads to deaths, I’ll be the only one to die. Could those officials possibly die?”

Xu Zun pondered and said, “This is probably why you keep succeeding – you do not compete with them for power. Even if justice prevails, judicial power won’t be in your hands.”

Zhang Fei nodded, “Exactly right.”

At the Left Court!

“Brother Cen, have you received any news?”

Yu Zaishen excitedly entered the room and eagerly asked Cen Yuanli.

Cen Yuanli sighed, “With all the criticism from the court officials, I can hear it even sitting at home. I told you this wouldn’t work, but you wouldn’t believe me.”

Yu Zaishen waved his hands repeatedly, “Brother Cen, you can’t just look at the surface!”

“What do you mean?”

“I just received news that although the Chamber of State Affairs discussed this matter, they haven’t released any statement. There’s even word that Chancellor Zhao supports Lu Jiawen. Additionally, the Court of Judicial Review, Court of Penal Review, and Ministry of Punishments have been very quiet. Though some officials from the Censorate and Remonstrance Bureau have voice criticism, they always criticize anything anyway. Their attitude isn’t important.”

“What are you suggesting?”

“It shows many people support Lu Jiawen and are just waiting for us to make the first move.”

“Are you sure?”

Cen Yuanli was very uncertain, “This matter could go either way.”

Yu Zaishen said, “I’m certain. Look, we reported the matter to the prefectural office days ago and they haven’t responded. This proves I’m right. Brother Cen, if you’re afraid, transfer the case to my Right Court. I’ll take it.”

Cen Yuanli asked, “You’ll take it directly?”

Yu Zaishen said, “If we don’t take it now, those above can’t speak up. Lu Jiawen’s acts appear to be insubordination, but if we take the case, they can support us. We’re not wrong – Magistrate Wang rejected the Judicial Court’s verdict without reason. Reviewing it follows legal procedure.”

Cen Yuanli thought that if this succeeded, he would be the primary contributor! Steeling himself, he said, “Fine, I’ll listen to you. Let’s take this case.”

At the Kaifeng County Office.

“Magistrate, terrible news! Chen Chong suddenly changed his mind and now supports Lu Jiawen. He says if you don’t let Lu Jiawen return, he’ll continue the appeals on Lu’s behalf.”

Chief Clerk Zheng Yun hurriedly entered the hall to report to Wang Hong.

“What?”

Wang Hong stood up anxiously, “Didn’t we agree just days ago? I promised to promote him if he stood on my side.”

Zheng Yun said, “I don’t know why Chen Chong suddenly changed his mind either.”

Before he finished speaking, a clerk rushed into the court, “Magistrate, terrible news! Word just came from the Left Court that they’ve accepted Lu Jiawen’s appeal and will begin hearings in seven days.”

“How is that possible?”

Wang Hong exclaimed, “How could Prefect Lu allow them to do this?”

Little did he know that Lu Gongzhu had only learned of this news an hour earlier.

At the Kaifeng Prefectural Office.

“Rebellion! Rebellion!”

Li Kai paced back and forth in the hall, “We haven’t even decided yet – how dare Cen Yuanli accept this case on his own!”

Lu Gongzhu sighed.

Li Kai paused: “Prefect Lu, you’re not going to just let them run wild, are you?”

Lu Gongzhu said, “Compared to Jiawen, they actually have the authority to take this case. It doesn’t even violate procedure – they just have to submit their final verdict to us for approval. If we interfere without sufficient reason and they follow that brat’s example by suing our office to the Court of Judicial Review, what then?”

Li Kai was stunned.

At the Court of Judicial Review.

“Chief Judge Xu, this official believes Magistrate Wang indeed went too far. The Judicial Court’s verdict was well-reasoned – how could he reject it so carelessly? He truly shows no respect for the law.”

“Lu Jiawen stood up to defend justice. If our Court doesn’t support him, I fear we won’t be able to convince the public.”

“We all believe Lu Jiawen should be supported.”

The Court officials all expressed their support for Lu Jiawen.

Xu Zun was impressed and nodded, “Very well, since you all say so, we’ll support the Judicial Court.”

If the Judicial Court no longer answered to the county government, who would it answer to? Wouldn’t it be their Court of Judicial Review?

They were the highest court in the land.

They’d at least get a share of the power.

The Court of Penal Review would even more certainly think the same, since they were above the Court of Judicial Review. If the judiciary separated from administration, their authority would extend to local levels.

The mere thought was exciting! Only the Superintendent’s Office had a quieter voice – whether separated or not, they maintained their power to investigate. They just wouldn’t need to be as cautious, since dealing with prefects was always somewhat uncertain.

With less power to gain, their voice was naturally softer.