Chapter 189: Rematch
Wang Hong was furious. Given his fierce temperament, when he had caught those pen-in-caps before, he had immediately ordered them beaten without question.
He understood the circumstances of that case clearly, but in his view, Zhang Fei was just a troublemaker trying to exploit tax loopholes for personal gain. He believed such troublemakers shouldn’t be treated leniently and must be dealt with harshly to maintain proper order.
If Zhang Fei hadn’t brought the imperial plaque that day, he likely would have beaten him too.
He even believed Zhang Fei’s arrogance was entirely due to the Kaifeng Prefecture’s indulgence.
However, it now seemed that wasn’t the case.
This young man was truly ruthless, not someone emboldened by the Kaifeng Prefectural Office’s leniency.
Not only had he schemed for revenge, but he had also insulted him to his face. Wang Hong was nearly overcome with rage.
This troublemaker was getting out of hand!
Yet simultaneously, he felt a hint of unease.
Something felt amiss. “Magistrate Wang, don’t get angry. He’s deliberately trying to provoke you, to make you lose composure in court,” said Fan Chunren, who had returned after seeing Wang Hong standing motionless with a thunderous expression, guessing Zhang Fei must have said something provocative.
Wang Hong glanced at Fan Chunren and took a deep breath. “Rest assured, Remonstrator Fan. I’ve spent more time in court than he has. I won’t fall for his tricks.”
After a pause, he added, “But… But, are you confident?”
In his previous trials, the pen-in-caps had always been there to serve him. Being a defendant for the first time made him somewhat uneasy.
Fan Chunren replied confidently, “As long as you say what I instructed, at worst you’ll be charged with ‘negligently condemning the innocent’.”
Wang Hong merely nodded slightly.
Though a charge of “negligently condemning the innocent” typically carried no punishment, it was still an offence. Why couldn’t they find the other party guilty instead?
He couldn’t help but blame Wei Yushan again.
Zhao Bian had also arrived early at the Kaifeng Prefectural Office to prepare.
“Back here again.”
Zhao Bian looked around, past memories flashing through his mind.
He had previously served as prefect of Kaifeng, clearing up criminal cases in less than three years, earning a reputation comparable to Bao Zheng.
For him, it had been a wonderful experience.
This was why Lu Huiqing had suggested him as the judge.
For Zhang Fei, an impartial judge would work in his favor.
Beside him, Li Kai complained, “Chancellor Zhao, this case has become increasingly difficult to judge!”
While Lu Gongzhu had managed to escape, Li Kai hadn’t, which left him feeling dejected.
Zhao Bian looked at Li Kai and said with a smile, “To be honest, Vice-Prefect Li, I too was once bothered like you about Remonstrator Fan losing that case. How could we let a pen-in-cap dictate how officials conduct trials?”
Li Kai nodded in agreement. In any trial involving Zhang Fei, the presiding judge was never the main character.
Zhao Bian changed his tone: “However, I later reflected that in trying cases, we pursue fairness and justice, not victory and face. If we maintain an attitude of pursuing justice, we won’t care about such things and won’t feel frustrated or uncomfortable. The pen-in-caps are helping us conduct trials, not our enemies.”
In truth, everyone felt somewhat uncomfortable with Zhang Fei. He did tend to overshadow others, making officials feel they were judging cases according to a pen-in-cap’s logic, making them wonder if their decades of study had been wasted. It made them feel they had lost face.
Although Zhao Bian had never presided over a Zhang Fei case, he had also gotten stuck on this point, feeling that Fan Chunren’s loss meant he too had lost face. However, Han Qi and Fu Bi’s attitude had made him reflect on himself.
Han Qi and Fu Bi’s positions were much higher than his, yet they had never felt this was embarrassing. Whatever the result was, that was the result, and no one criticized them afterward.
It was a simple truth – if Zhang Fei’s argument was more reasonable, why not agree with him?
This wasn’t a competition, but a trial.
Lu Gongzhu had also come today, though he hadn’t even worn his official robes. But this didn’t mean he was relaxed, since Lu Jiawen was the plaintiff.
Upon arriving, they quickly summoned Lu Jiawen.
“Granduncle!”
Lu Jiawen glanced nervously at Lu Gongzhu.
Lu Gongzhu said, “Given the situation, try to perform well and don’t bring shame to our Lu family.”
Upon hearing this, Lu Jiawen excitedly replied, “Please rest assured, Granduncle. I won’t disgrace our family. I’m very confident in my eloquence.”
Lu Gongzhu frowned and said, “I called you here specifically to warn you about this. Whether it’s Zhang San or Remonstrator Fan, neither is to be taken lightly. Don’t be careless – stick to the facts and don’t show off that self-proclaimed eloquence of yours.”
Lu Jiawen immediately deflated, “I understand, Granduncle.”
Lu Gongzhu looked at him and said, “I hope you truly do understand.”
Gradually, more and more people gathered in the Kaifeng Prefectural Office courtyard. This case had drawn everyone’s attention at court.
It involved two very sensitive issues. First was the relationship between judicial and administrative powers – many officials worried whether the judiciary would infringe on their authority.
Second was the matter of taxation, which concerned almost everyone.
Both were critical issues.
When Sima Guang and Wang Anshi appeared, all eyes focused on them. Even Han Qi and Fu Bi didn’t receive such attention.
After that incident at the Imperial City, the two seemed to have entered a cold war and had hardly appeared together.
Now with so many people watching, they had to maintain some ceremony.
“Congratulations! Congratulations!”
Upon seeing Sima Guang, Wang Anshi quickly cupped his hands in congratulation.
This was clearly insincere, like a weasel paying New Year’s respects to a chicken.
Expressionless, Sima Guang asked, “Why are you congratulating me?”
Wang Anshi smiled and said, “Regardless of who wins or loses this case, you, Sima Guang, are the biggest winner. This truly deserves congratulations!”
Sima Guang replied coolly, “Perhaps in your eyes, Wang Anshi, this case is about winning and losing, but in my view, justice is what matters most.”
Wang Anshi laughed heartily, “Last time when those pen-in-caps were beaten without cause at the county office, you all discussed money rather than justice.”
Sima Guang said, “As I recall, you supported that too.”
Nearby, Su Shi watched them argue and was about to interject with some teasing remarks. He was still unsatisfied after being rebuked by them last time and had been looking for a chance for revenge. Suddenly he felt a pain in his foot and yelped, turning to Su Zhe: “Why did you step on me?”
Su Zhe hurriedly said, “Elder brother, I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”
Su Shi said irritably, “Little brother, you’ve only been in the Reform Planning Commission for a short while, but your lying skills have improved considerably. I bet nine out of ten of your new regulations are deceptive too.”
Su Zhe said helplessly, “Elder brother, don’t go stirring up trouble. These two aren’t to be trifled with.”
Su Shi retorted defiantly, “If Zhang San can provoke them, why can’t I?”
When it came to verbal sparring, he had never admitted defeat to anyone.
At this time, Zhao Bian had called Zhang Fei and Fan Chunren into the inner hall.
“Why don’t we conduct the trial in the same manner as last time at the Chamber of State Affairs? What do you think?” Zhao Bian asked the two men.
The previous dispute hadn’t followed traditional procedures, but Zhao Bian felt that given how formidable these legal professionals had become, they deserved some status.
Zhang Fei and Fan Chunren both nodded in agreement.
Zhao Bian continued, “However, there are quite a few witnesses this time. I can’t have them all sitting in court for questioning. What do you suggest we do?”
Fan Chunren immediately said, “Last time I came up with the plan, so let’s have Zhang San decide this time.”
Zhang Fei hurriedly responded, “I won last time, and this time we have even more spectators. To make it more entertaining, let Remonstrator Fan decide. I don’t mind.”
Zhao Bian asked, “Are you here to put on a show?”
Zhang Fei replied sheepishly, “Well, I’m just a commoner and Remonstrator Fan is an official. If I win too decisively, I’ll be blamed again. It’s really tough being a commoner.”
Fan Chunren’s mouth twitched repeatedly.
But there was nothing he could do – he had lost, after all.
Zhao Bian’s blood pressure rose slightly, and he regretted consulting them. He said, “How about this – each of you can call one witness at a time, taking turns. Any objections?”
Both men indicated they had none.
After all preparations were complete, Zhao Bian formally opened court.
Compared to the unprofessional judicial proceedings at the Chamber of State Affairs, the Kaifeng Prefectural Office maintained proper ceremonial dignity.
Amid chants of “awe and strength”, Zhao Bian entered in his official robes, cutting an imposing figure as he took the judge’s seat. After sitting down, he struck his gavel and summoned Zhang Fei and Fan Chunren to court.
Zhang Fei again came with his wife. This time, Xu Zhiqian showed no shyness or nervousness, since everyone already knew that Xu Zun had betrothed her to Zhang Fei.
On Fan Chunren’s side was his old partner Qian Yi.
Although Fan Chunren had come up with all the ideas this time, they had lost together last time, so it wouldn’t have been right to exclude Qian Yi.
The four of them bowed to Zhao Bian before taking their seats.
From the setup, it was clear they were continuing the questioning format from last time at the Chamber of State Affairs.
Han Qi watched with amusement and said to Fu Bi beside him, “I must say, this method of conducting trials is quite entertaining – even more interesting than watching performances at a brothel!”
Fu Bi glanced at Han Qi and couldn’t help teasing, “Lord Han is still as much a Casanova as ever!”
Han Qi was momentarily stunned before replying, “What you don’t know, Lord Fu, is that with these nimble legs, I just can’t sit still at home!”
Sitting in this verbal battleground, everyone’s tongues seemed to be itching, eager to join in.
While the officials had all witnessed such scenes before, to the common people gathered at the entrance, it was their first time. Although Lu Gongzhu had debated with Huang Gui’s help during the Lin Fei case, that had been quite casual, nothing like today’s professional setup.
Many spectators didn’t understand what was about to happen.
After organizing her documents, Xu Zhiqian curiously glanced at the opposite side and noticed they only had a few pages on their table. She whispered to Zhang San, “Zhang San, look, they still haven’t prepared much documentation.”
Zhang Fei smiled and said, “That’s just a matter of habit. Don’t worry, they will have more in the future.”
Xu Zhiqian asked, “What do you mean?”
Zhang Fei replied, “Professionalisation.”
After they were ready, Zhao Bian called the first witness, Lu Jiawen.
This wasn’t something they could choose.
The plaintiff naturally had to take the stand first.
They needed to explain why they were filing the lawsuit!
Otherwise, there would be no way to proceed with the trial.
Lu Jiawen, in his youthful impetuousness, appeared quite excited when he took the stand. His face showed no trace of fear, and his expectant gaze seemed to say, “Ask me, ask me.”
Last time, since the other party had been Wang Anshi, it wouldn’t have been appropriate to make him stand, so he had been given a seat.
Since that precedent had been set, Zhao Bian had arranged for a special seat for witnesses, feeling that the previous arrangement had worked well and didn’t need changing.
After all, they were witnesses, not criminals.
Zhao Bian first asked Lu Jiawen to explain the whole situation from beginning to end.
This was actually meant for the audience’s benefit, since this case concerned public welfare and public opinion needed to be considered.
Lu Jiawen immediately gave a truthful account of the events from those days.
Zhang Fei had instructed him not to start from Geng Ming’s complaint, but rather from the moment he received the complaint document, only relating what he had personally experienced.
After he finished speaking, Fan Chunren stood up first and said, “According to your testimony, when Magistrate Wang first called you over to discuss the Geng Ming case, you had an intense argument.”
Lu Jiawen nodded, “Yes.”
Fan Chunren asked, “What did you argue about?”
Lu Jiawan replied, “Because Magistrate Wang questioned the sufficiency of Geng Ming’s evidence and suggested dropping the matter, but I felt Geng Ming’s evidence was very sufficient. Magistrate Wang was deliberately favoring Wei Yushan, so we got into an argument.”
Fan Chunren asked, “So Magistrate Wang only argued with you about whether the evidence was sufficient?”
Lu Jiawen immediately responded, “Of course not. At that time, when Magistrate Wang couldn’t win the argument about evidence, he insulted my family background, saying that if it weren’t for my family, I couldn’t even qualify as a clerk, and that I didn’t understand how to judge cases at all.”
Fan Chunren said, “So you harbored resentment, and went so far as to break convention by filing a lawsuit against the county office in the name of the Judicial Court, with the purpose of taking revenge on Magistrate Wang.”
Zhang Fei stood up, “Objection!”
“I have no further questions.”
Fan Chunren glanced at Zhang Fei, then sat down.