Judge of the Song Dynasty

Wang Hong’s response was forceful and convincing, winning nods of approval from many officials present. They felt he had given voice to their thoughts – that many matters weren’t as simple as common people imagined, and they faced numerous difficulties themselves.

Often, it wasn’t about justice, but about making trade-offs.

Wang Hong was secretly delighted at seeing this.

If he could get past this hurdle, he might even become a hero and receive another promotion.

This truly was a blessing in disguise!

“Compared to last time, Chunren has improved quite a bit!” Han Qi stroked his beard and smiled.

Fu Bi nodded gently: “Using tax collection as justification would indeed put great pressure on Zhang San.”

As he spoke, he glanced at Zhang San, noting his solemn expression, and wondered how Zhang San would counter this point.

This was actually quite difficult.

The logic remained the same. Tax collection was absolutely paramount – when officials worked tirelessly for the imperial government’s benefit, how could the imperial court bear to blame them?

As long as they didn’t commit fundamental errors, even facing inflexible officials like Bao Zheng or Zhao Bian, the imperial court would still utilize them.

At worst, they would be temporarily demoted to a remote post, but after a year or two, they would be promoted again.

This was a very common practice in officialdom, especially during the Song Dynasty.

Almost everyone’s attention focused on Zhang Fei.

“Zhang San?”

Seeing Zhang San still thinking, Xu Zhiqian called out softly.

“What?”

Zhang Fei turned his head to look at Xu Zhiqian.

Xu Zhiqian said: “It’s your turn to question.”

“Is it?”

Zhang Fei had been thinking about Wei Yushan’s matter and hadn’t noticed that Fan Chunren had finished.

Zhao Bian mistook Zhang Fei’s contemplation for being stumped and didn’t disturb them.

The officials on both sides were gleeful, thinking they had finally stumped this young man.

However, Wang Anshi, Sima Guang, Lu Huiqing and others remained remarkably calm.

Previously, the Kaifeng County Court had used tax collection to pressure the imperial court into punishing the Bianjing Law Firm – how could Zhang Fei not be prepared for this?

Oh! They must have misunderstood! Zhang Fei understood upon seeing everyone’s expressions. He stood up and clasped his hands in front of his chest in a greeting gesture.

Everyone smiled, thinking the young man had finally learned proper manners.

Fan Chunren had earlier used this to mock Zhang Fei.

Wang Hong wore a look of disdain, thinking it was too late to show courtesy now.

Suddenly there was a slurping sound – everyone looked to see him simply drinking tea from his cup.

Xu Zhiqian, who hadn’t noticed before, couldn’t help but giggle and roll her eyes slightly – he called others petty, but he wasn’t any better. She pursed her lips and placed a document in front of Zhang Fei.

Zhao Bian shook his head speechlessly.

This brat.

“How refreshing!”

After putting down his teacup, Zhang Fei wiped his mouth, deliberately not bowing – mocking me for manners is absurd. He then asked Wang Hong, whose mouth was twisted with anger: “Magistrate Wang just mentioned the Bianjing Law Firm.”

Their first round of questioning had been easy, and Wang Hong was now brimming with confidence, feeling he had found his rhythm.

That’s it?

“Yes.”

Wang Hong nodded, and feeling relaxed, even taunted Zhang Fei: “You should know this better than anyone – isn’t this why you plotted revenge against me?”

Fan Chunren looked worriedly at Wang Hong – he shouldn’t get carried away, this young man was extremely formidable in court.

Although he had performed well earlier, he knew Zhang Fei had likely figured out his intentions, and he still felt somewhat uneasy.

Zhang Fei asked in surprise: “Is this how Magistrate Wang decides cases? Everything based on guesswork? If you judge others with a noble heart, then everyone would be an honorable gentleman. If you judge with a petty mind, then everyone would be a vindictive scoundrel.”

Wang Hong angrily retorted: “How dare you, a mere pen-in-cap, mock an official!”

Zhang Fei smiled: “I didn’t say that – you admitted it yourself.”

“You-“

Bang! Zhao Bian slammed the judge’s block and warned: “Keep matters unrelated to this case out of court.”

“Yes.”

Zhang Fei’s smile faded as he continued questioning: “Magistrate Wang just mentioned that the Bianjing Law Firm’s tax calculation service was obstructing the county’s tax collection.”

“I object.”

Fan Chunren immediately stood up. “Your Honor, Zhang San’s question has nothing to do with this case.” This update ıs available on novel{f}ire.net

Zhang Fei quickly responded: “The two cases are closely related. I will prove this point shortly.”

This statement drew surprised looks from many people.

What connection could there be between these cases? After pondering briefly, Zhao Bian said: “Since Magistrate Wang stated that that case hindered his tax collection efforts and affected his handling of the Geng Ming case, this court believes the Bianjing Law Firm tax case does have some relevance.”

Fan Chunren sat back down.

Qian Yi whispered: “Could he be trying to use this case to overturn the ruling on his law firm?”

Fan Chunren nodded: “It’s possible.”

Qian Yi said: “But that would be very difficult, since that case was decided by the imperial court.”

Fan Chunren frowned – he had anticipated Zhang Fei would seek revenge against Wang Hong, but hadn’t expected him to try overturning that case as well.

Zhao Bian addressed Zhang Fei: “You may continue questioning.”

Zhang Fei nodded slightly and asked Wang Hong: “Could Magistrate Wang broadly explain this case?”

Wang Hong snorted: “Don’t you know it yourself?”

Zhang Fei’s brow darkened: “This isn’t Kaifeng County. Magistrate Wang’s job is to answer every one of my reasonable questions, not question me in return.”

Just you wait! Don’t let me catch you next time. A flash of anger crossed Wang Hong’s eyes. After brief consideration, he answered: “At the time, I suddenly learned many citizens were refusing to pay taxes. When I sent people to investigate, we discovered the Bianjing Law Firm’s pen-in-caps were promoting a tax calculation service in the county. They implied to citizens that the government was overtaxing them, and if they used the firm’s tax service, they could pay much less. This led some citizens to refuse paying taxes.

They also used Zhang San’s reputation to intimidate tax collectors. Since Zhang San was notorious, many collectors became too afraid to pursue collections, fearing lawsuits. With no other choice, I ordered all their pen-in-caps arrested and caned as a warning. But it seems that wasn’t very effective.”

Zhang Fei nodded and asked: “You mentioned the firm’s pen-in-caps implied citizens should refuse taxes. Could you elaborate on how they implied this?”

After slight hesitation, Wang Hong answered: “They told citizens that if they used the firm’s service, they would not pay a single extra coin in taxes.”

Zhang Fei asked: “Not paying extra taxes versus paying less taxes – these mean very different things.”

Wang Hong smiled: “This is just a merchant’s trick. They spread inflammatory words for profit while knowing how to skirt the law. Naturally, when told they wouldn’t pay extra taxes, citizens would believe it to mean they could pay less by using the Bianjing Law Firm. According to my investigation, some citizens did refuse to pay taxes, hoping they could reduce their tax burden.”

After Wang Hong finished explaining, Fan Chunren immediately stood up and said to Zhao Bian: “Your Honor, regarding the law firm case, the final verdict was given by the imperial court, and Zhang San admitted his wrongdoing and paid the fine at the time. Now he’s using this case to appeal his own case, which is clearly unfair.”

He was obviously trying to use the imperial court’s authority to pressure Zhang Fei, because he knew very well that if the Bianjing Law Firm case was scrutinized legally, it would be very unfavorable for Wang Hong.

Zhang Fei immediately said: “I absolutely am not trying to appeal my own case. The Bianjing Law Firm’s actions at the time were indeed ill-considered and caused some trouble for the imperial court. Even now, I still admit my mistake.”

Fan Chunren said: “But your current questioning clearly shows intent to defend yourself.”

Zhang Fei said: “My being wrong doesn’t mean Magistrate Wang was right – these are two separate matters.”

Fan Chunren said: “Magistrate Wang presided over that case back then. If he was wrong, then you must have been right.”

Zhang Fei asked: “May I ask Remonstrator Fan, what evidence do you have to prove that Magistrate Wang’s severe punishment of the Bianjing Law Firm’s pen-in-cap was for the public good rather than personal interest?”

Fan Chunren said: “Since you’ve already admitted your wrongdoing, how is Magistrate Wang stopping you from committing wrongs not for the public good? What else could it be?”

Zhang Fei countered: “Many officials use flood management projects to line their own pockets. Yes, these projects do benefit the common people, but does that mean we can ignore their embezzlement?”

Fan Chunren snorted: “You’re just trying to confuse the issue. This isn’t worth discussing.”

Seeing their continued argument going nowhere, Zhao Bian spoke up: “Zhang San, Remonstrator Fan, come here for a moment.”

The two men approached Zhao Bian.

Zhao Bian quietly warned Zhang Fei: “Zhang San, the court has already ruled on the Bianjing Law Firm case. If you continue to dwell on it, this case will become more complicated.”

Zhang Fei said: “I absolutely do not intend to appeal my own case. However, these two cases are closely related, and I will prove this point shortly.”

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Bian said: “If you cannot prove the connection between these two cases, and if I find that you’re trying to appeal your own case, I will rule against you immediately.”

Zhang Fei nodded: “Understood.”

Zhao Bian then looked at Fan Chunren.

Fan Chunren nodded.

He actually knew beforehand that he couldn’t stop this, but he was certain Zhang Fei was trying to appeal his own case, so he wanted to pressure Zhang Fei to prevent him from questioning so recklessly.

Zhao Bian said: “Return to your seats and continue the questioning.”

Back at their seats, Xu Zhiqian quietly asked: “How did it go?”

“Everything is as expected.”

Zhang Fei smiled slightly, glanced at the documents on the table, and asked Wang Hong: “Earlier, Magistrate Wang mentioned that some citizens refused to pay taxes because of the Bianjing Law Firm’s pen-in-caps. How many citizens exactly?”

Wang Hong thought for a moment and said: “About seven or eight households, but if not stopped, it would have spread quickly.”

“I agree with that,” Zhang Fei nodded and said: “Then may I ask how many acres of land were involved with these seven or eight households?”

Wang Hong said: “About fifteen acres.”

Zhang Fei nodded again and said: “Fifteen acres of land, seven or eight households, yet it drew Magistrate Wang’s full-attention and prompted decisive law enforcement. This shows Magistrate Wang deeply understands the importance of tax collection to the state – that taxation is of utmost national importance. Would Magistrate Wang agree with my statement?”

Wang Hong warily glanced at Zhang Fei, hesitating.

The question sounded like a trap! Zhang Fei asked curiously, “Does this question require such consideration?”

Wang Hong nodded and said, “Of course, I have always placed great importance on tax collection.”

Zhang Fei glanced at the documents again, then looked up and continued, “Earlier, you said that you considered that Geng Ming might have been wronged. Surely you must have carefully reviewed Geng Ming’s complaint document several times.”

Wang Hong nodded.

Zhang Fei said, “Then you should remember that in Geng Ming’s complaint, it clearly stated Wei Yushan had evaded taxes on 350 to 1500 acres of land over the past few years.”

Wang Hong was visibly startled and remained silent.

A commotion arose from the doorway.

Only Cao Dongdong nervously glanced around.

Fan Chunren hurriedly picked up the copy of Geng Ming’s complaint to look at it, then turned to Qian Xi with a troubled expression.

Qian Xi whispered, “This is not good!”

Zhang Fei asked Zhao Bian, “Your Honor must have read Geng Ming’s complaint?”

Zhao Bian nodded.

Zhang Fei continued, “Doesn’t the complaint clearly state that Wei Yushan had 180 acres of good farmland near Luoma Slope in Kaifeng County alone that had never been taxed, with the specific location marked?”

The cautious Zhao Bian carefully checked again, then nodded, “Indeed it does.”

Zhang Fei asked further, “Based on Your Honor’s experience, with the specific location provided, would it be difficult for the county office to investigate this matter?”

Zhao Bian shook his head and said, “Not at all! Because the county office generally keeps tax receipt records.”

“Thank you for informing me, Your Honor.” Zhang Fei bowed, then turned to Wang Hong and asked, “Did Magistrate Wang send anyone to investigate at the time?”

Wang Hong remained silent.

Zhao Bian also looked at Wang Hong questioningly.

You claim to care so deeply about tax collection as a matter of national importance that you punish severely at the slightest infraction, yet when hundreds of acres of untaxed land are right before you, you turn a blind eye.

This showed that Wang Hong’s harsh punishment of those pen-in-caps was not truly for the sake of national interests.

“Did you or did you not?” Zhang Fei continued asking.

Wang Hong slightly shook his head.

Zhang Fei smiled and said, “Magistrate Wang places such importance on tax collection that when just a few households questioned the amount of taxes, involving only about fifteen acres, you took immediate action and severely punished the pen-in-caps involved.

So even if Magistrate Wang thought Geng Ming’s case from three years ago was difficult to investigate, what reason did you have to ignore the thousand acres mentioned in the complaint? As Your Honor just said, this would not have been difficult to investigate and would not have taken much time.”

“I object!”

Fan Chunren stood up anxiously, “This is part of the same case. Magistrate Wang might have considered it all together and thus overlooked this point.”

Wang Hong nodded repeatedly, “Yes, yes, I was considering it all together at the time.”

By now, he had lost his earlier composure and was sweating profusely.

Zhang Fei remained calm and smiled, “Your Honor, please allow me to call a witness who can prove that Magistrate Wang did not simply overlook this, but had other motives, and this is connected to why he dismissed Geng Ming’s case.”

“You’re slandering me!”

Wang Hong stood up angrily upon hearing this.

Because this truly wasn’t the case! These were two separate cases with no connection whatsoever.

He himself didn’t even know how these two cases were related. Zhang Fei looked at him, his eyes gleaming with a hint of vengeance, thinking “I’ll let you have a taste of what ‘national interests’ really means.”