Chapter 197: Glimmer of Hope
Compared to Lu Gongzhu, Zhao Bian was much more upright, especially in judicial matters. He wouldn’t consider too many factors and would simply make judgments as they should be made, without any suggestion that matters should be settled privately.
With the facts laid out before them, there was nothing left to discuss.
The verdict won cheers from the crowd at the entrance, with some even moved to tears of joy.
Because it gave them a glimmer of hope.
Whether it was Geng Ming or Liu Dong, they weren’t isolated cases but rather represented a widespread phenomenon.
Being forced to be a government runner under corvee labor laws and the problem of land consolidation were social issues that had become increasingly serious, leaving many people feeling hopeless.
Therefore, this faint ray of hope was precious to them.
The common people were naturally overjoyed.
This called for celebration.
However, the officials weren’t so happy, with many departing immediately with gloomy faces. They weren’t really concerned about Wang Hong’s life or death, but rather that a mere pen-in-cap could directly bring down a county magistrate. They knew Wang Hong wasn’t an isolated case in officialdom.
This made them deeply worried!
Previously they only had to guard against supervision from above, but now they had to watch out from below as well.
How could they be happy?
“Make way, make way. Oh, don’t block the path!”
Wang Anshi also rose immediately, but instead of heading home, he walked toward the opposite side. Unfortunately, his path was blocked by officials hurrying to leave. His eyes searched through the crowd, but he couldn’t find that familiar figure.
“Ah, that old fellow got away again,” Wang Anshi sighed dejectedly.
Lu Huiqing approached him, smiling: “Don’t be upset, Teacher. You’ll meet him eventually.”
Wang Anshi waved his hand in frustration: “But I’m in high spirits now and really want to chat with that old fellow!”
The person he was looking for was none other than his old rival, Sima Guang.
“Preserving wealth among the people” was one of Sima Guang’s crucial political principles, and they had argued about it countless times. Thus, Wang Anshi desperately wanted to debate with Sima Guang at this moment – the desire was intense.
Unfortunately, Sima Guang had anticipated this and quickly slipped away, giving Wang Anshi no opportunity.
“Sometimes, sometimes, I believe everything has an end. Meeting and parting, all have their time. Nothing lasts forever, but I, sometimes…”
Zhang Fei didn’t mind the vigilant, angry glances from the officials. He remained absorbed in his own world, tidying up documents while swaying and humming a victory song.
Being low-key?
What use was that? Those officials weren’t fools – the threat had reached their doorstep, how could they ignore it? Winning a case should be celebrated, especially when there was the pleasure of revenge involved.
Perfect!
Beside him, Xu Zhiqian, already accustomed to his behavior, wore a faint smile while nimbly organizing documents.
“Ahem, ahem!”
Two coughs interrupted the victory melody.
Zhang Fei looked up to see Han Qi and Fu Bi standing before the table, looking at him with meaningful smiles. He quickly stopped what he was doing and bowed: “This humble one greets Chancellor Han and Lord Fu.”
Han Qi sized him up, noting his satisfaction, and chuckled: “Don’t celebrate too early, young man. Haven’t you noticed you’ve become a thorn in many people’s sides, something they must remove to feel at ease?”
As he spoke, his eyes glanced around.
Zhang Fei also looked around, then spoke even more brazenly: “That’s exactly why they keep losing to me. If it happens again, they’ll still lose. Therefore, I fear nothing.”
Han Qi was taken aback – he was even more audacious than he had been in his youth. He asked curiously, “What do you mean by that?”
Fu Bi also listened attentively.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, “Because none of this actually has anything to do with me. Going after me won’t solve their problems – it will only make them sink deeper into their own troubles with no way out.”
Not just Han Qi and Fu Bi, but even Xu Zhiqian turned to look at him. How could he say something so shameless? Once a lawsuit was over, it supposedly had nothing to do with him anymore?
Who would believe that! Fu Bi asked with a smile, “Nothing to do with you?”
Zhang Fei nodded, “Of course it has nothing to do with me.”
Fu Bi said seriously, “I would like to hear your insights.”
Zhang Fei smiled and said, “Actually, whoever sits across from me, it wouldn’t change the outcome. But if Wang Hong were to preside over this case, I would definitely lose no matter who sits across from me. Last time at Kaifeng County, I was utterly defeated – Wang Hong didn’t even give me a chance to speak.”
Fu Bi and Han Qi exchanged glances.
Zhang Fei continued, “Every victory I’ve won has been built on having fair and just presiding officials – from Lord Xu at the beginning, to later cases with Academician Sima, Prefect Lu, Academician Wang, to Chancellor Han and Lord Fu, and this time with Chancellor Zhao. Without exception, it has always been so.
“Trying everything possible against me is meaningless – it only leaves openings for me to exploit one by one. The best approach would be to first eliminate all those impartial, upright, and principled officials. That would solve everything – then no matter what I say, I couldn’t possibly win.
“Therefore, as long as Chancellor Han and Lord Fu still stand before me, no matter how much they hate me, I’m not worried at all. If they dare harm me, I will definitely retaliate, just like this time.”
Han Qi and Fu Bi exchanged glances, both falling into deep thought.
Why did this lawsuit happen? Wasn’t it because Zhang Fei had been defeated at Kaifeng County the last time?
Why couldn’t Zhang Fei’s methods work at Kaifeng County?
Wasn’t it because Wang Hong didn’t give him a chance to speak?
If Wang Hong were to preside over this case, would the result be the same? Obviously not.
This showed that Zhang Fei’s repeated miraculous victories weren’t primarily due to his own methods – the key was that there were still such impartial and upright officials in court.
And courtroom litigation happened to let such virtues of theirs shine brilliantly.
Conversely, partisan struggles would make them all seem worthless, turning everyone into corrupt officials.
If these upright officials were eliminated, Zhang Fei would naturally fall.
He wouldn’t be able to turn things around.
If they weren’t eliminated, Zhang Fei could swim like a fish in water and bring down court officials.
Han Qi suddenly stroked his beard and laughed heartily, pointing at Zhang Fei, “Haha, you rascal!”
Then he left with Fu Bi.
Xu Zhiqian smiled slyly and said, “Your flattery skills surpass your litigation skills.”
Zhang Fei shook his head with a smile, “This is actually the truth. Back in Dengzhou, if I hadn’t met Benefactor, how could I have achieved what I have today?”
Xu Zhiqian pondered briefly, then asked, “If they really weren’t around, would it be impossible for you to win lawsuits?”
Zhang Fei shook his head and said, “It’s not that I couldn’t win lawsuits – I wouldn’t be able to file these lawsuits at all. Let’s head back!”
Xu Zhiqian nodded and just as she stepped away from her seat, she suddenly looked across and stopped.
Zhang Fei turned his head to look and saw Fan Chunren and Qian Yi still sitting dazed in their chairs, looking defeated.
After a brief hesitation, he walked over and said with cupped hands and a smile, “Gentlemen, it has been an honor.”
Fan Chunren looked up at him once but remained silent.
Seeing this, Zhang Fei cupped his hands again and said, “Farewell.”
“Wait!”
Fan Chunren suddenly called out to him, stood up, and after a moment’s struggle asked, “If we had switched sides, could you still have won?”
Zhang Fei smiled and countered with his own question: “Which side do you think would have been more difficult to litigate?”
Fu Bi frowned slightly.
Zhang Fei gave a slight nod and said, “Farewell.”
Then he and Xu Zhiqian headed toward the courtyard exit.
“Zhang San!”
Before they had taken two steps, they saw Lu Jiawen running over, covered in sweat.
“How frustrating.” Lu Jiawen came up to Zhang Fei and complained, “This lawsuit had nothing to do with me at all.”
He had thought he would be the protagonist and had been waiting to show off his abilities, but apart from making a fool of himself, nothing came of it.
He had even been expecting to testify a second time in court.
What a disappointment!
Zhang Fei smiled wryly and said, “This lawsuit indeed had nothing to do with you – it was about the grudge between Wang Hong and me.”
Lu Jiawen said irritably, “That’s not what you said before.”
Zhang Fei smiled and said, “Don’t forget, Wei Yushan and Geng Ming’s case hasn’t been decided yet. That’s your chance to shine.”
“Oh right! Geng Ming’s case hasn’t been decided.”
Lu Jiawen’s eyes lit up and he asked, “How do you think that case will be decided?”
Zhang Fei smiled and said, “If you want to make an impression, you should only fine Wei Yushan for tax evasion without pursuing criminal charges.”
Lu Jiamen snorted, “What kind of achievement is that?”
Zhang Fei said, “If you impose a heavy sentence on Wei Yushan, who would dare to admit to tax evasion in the future? This would greatly hinder the court’s ability to recover evaded taxes. Wei Yushan isn’t an isolated case – as he himself said, only fools don’t evade taxes. To solve this problem, we must change the policy.”
Lu Jiamen suddenly understood and nodded happily, “I get it now. I get it.”
Simply convicting Wei Yushan wouldn’t amount to much merit – any official could punish a few bad people. But using this case to propose a more constructive solution to help the court increase tax revenue – that would be a real achievement.
“I must take my leave now.”
The reason for his hurry was that many commoners were waiting for him outside.
When Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian emerged from the main gate of the government office, thunderous cheers erupted from the street, shaking heaven and earth.
Xu Zhiqian looked up to see a sea of black heads, far more people than when they had arrived.
Amid the cheers, a carriage slowly approached the gate.
Zhang Fei helped Xu Zhiqian into the carriage, then climbed in himself. He turned to wave at the crowd, wearing that confident, arrogant smile, before ducking into the carriage.
The cheers outside grew even louder – the common people loved to see him looking arrogant.
Listening to the cheers outside, Xu Zhiqian felt a surge of melancholy and said softly, “How many people can we really help?”
She couldn’t help but wonder why so many people were cheering. Zhang Fei smiled and said, “From the beginning, we knew this path wouldn’t be easy. That’s why we must maintain an optimistic attitude, believing in it more strongly than anyone else. If we ourselves harbor doubt, how can we expect them to believe in justice? There wouldn’t be a glimmer of hope.”