Chapter 206: Go Help the Bad Guys Then
It was only halfway through the fourth watch of the night, and darkness still enveloped everything, yet lights were already burning in both the Zhang and Xu households.
“Ah!” Zhang Fei yawned, rubbing his eyes that refused to open, complaining, “Zhiqian, does it have to be this early? The sky isn’t even bright yet.”
“You think everyone’s like you, always going to Kaifeng Prefecture to beat the drum? Most pen-in-caps have to submit their complaints before the fifth watch, or they might have to wait several more days. Let’s hurry!”
Xu Zhiqian spoke while urging Zhang Fei toward the door.
Gao Wenyin, seeing them off, cheered for Xu Zhiqian: “Miss Xu, I’ll prepare a celebration feast at home.”
Xu Zhiqian quickly replied: “Sister Gao, please don’t. Even if we win, the verdict won’t come today. Your husband’s previous case was different.”
“Huh?”
Gao Wenyin stared at her in bewilderment.
Zhang Fei, now fully awake, declared spiritedly: “What do you mean? I’m your husband too.”
Xu Zhiqian blinked and argued: “Well, I didn’t say anything wrong!” Zhang Fei nodded: “Absolutely correct.”
Gao Wenyin’s face turned red as she remained silent.
Indeed, among three people, one might be excited while two feel awkward.
Xu Zhiqian glanced at Gao Wenyin, then glared at the still-smirking Zhang Fei, “Let’s go!”
She pulled Zhang Fei into the carriage.
Though still dark, Bian River Street was already busy with hardworking vendors hurrying to their stalls.
When they arrived at the Bureau of Records, dawn was barely breaking. As soon as they got off the carriage, they saw many people queuing at the entrance, some with short pens tucked in their hat brims.
“So many people!” Zhang Fei exclaimed.
Xu Zhiqian explained: “The Bureau of Records and District Court are the busiest.”
The Bureau of Records and District Court handled civil cases, and with Bianjing’s population, daily disputes were numerous.
Li Guozhong’s side took three days just to file the complaint before getting today’s slot. They had to come early since no one knew how long the previous cases would take, and officials would definitely leave on time, pushing remaining cases to later dates.
Of course, Xu Zhiqian didn’t need to submit the complaint personally – the law firm had arranged for a notary to handle such matters.
But she had to come early for roll call.
Zhang Fei felt embarrassed: “I’ve never experienced this before.”
When he went to the Left and Right Court previously, he had entered through the back door, going with Lu Jiawen.
Xu Zhiqian was right – his case was different from normal, everyday cases.
Regular pen-in-caps had it much harder.
“Lawyer Xu! Lawyer Xu is here!”
“Lawyer Xu, we’re here to support you!”
“Lawyer Xu, don’t let that unfilial son succeed!”
Several elderly women suddenly appeared a few steps away, cheering for Xu Zhiqian.
Wow! A support group? Zhang Fei asked Xu Zhiqian: “Did you pay them to come?”
“Why would I pay them?” Xu Zhiqian looked at Zhang Fei puzzledly, then added: “I don’t know them.”
Still, she nodded in gratitude to the elderly women.
Usually, the Bureau of Records wasn’t this crowded, but today many people came specifically to watch this trial, with ninety-nine percent coming for Xu Zhiqian’s case.
First, no woman had ever argued a case in court before – this was unprecedented, and everyone wanted to see how it would play out.
Second, she didn’t charge fees.
This was crucial – for many commoners, this was a blessing. Combined with Xu Zhiqian’s previous reputation for charity in the capital, citizens believed she genuinely provided free legal services.
Everyone wanted to know if Xu Zhiqian was truly capable because if she was, they could seek her help in the future.
Zhang Fei suddenly turned his head toward those elderly women, then walked over with a stern face.
Xu Zhiqian was stunned and asked, “Where are you going?”
“Just something to take care of.”
Zhang Fei approached the elderly women and asked seriously, “Do you know who I am?”
One of them replied, “Of course we know you, you’re that Pen-in-cap Zhang!”
Zhang Fei asked in confusion, “Why do you call her Lawyer Xu, but call me Pen-in-cap Zhang?”
Another elderly woman said, “You’re a man, so naturally we call you pen-in-cap. Miss Xu is a woman, and there’ve never been female pen-in-caps before. We weren’t sure what to call her, but your shop has ‘law firm’ in its name, so we figured we’d call her Lawyer Xu.”
“I see.” Zhang Fei nodded, feeling disgruntled that his wife had taken credit for the name he created. He asked, “Could you call me Lawyer Zhang instead?”
“Oh? Alright, alright, Pen-in-cap Zhang.”
“Thank you. Sorry to bother you.”
Zhang Fei returned to Xu Zhiqian’s side, looking dejected.
Xu Zhiqian’s shoulders shook as she tried desperately to hold back her laughter. She knew Zhang Fei had an aversion to being called a pen-in-cap, though she didn’t know why.
Zhang Fei warned, “Don’t laugh. I’m very angry right now.”
His words only made Xu Zhiqian burst out laughing.
“Sister Qian’er!”
“Qian’er!”
Several melodious voices suddenly called out.
Zhang Fei turned to see several young ladies in veiled hats stepping down from a carriage. Though their faces were hidden, they all had excellent figures.
“Oh! Why are you all here?”
Xu Zhiqian quickly walked over to them.
“We’re here to support you!”
“Since finding your perfect match, you’ve forgotten all about us sisters.”
“Truly choosing love over friendship.”
“Stop talking nonsense. If I lose later, I’m blaming all of you.”
“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your girlfriends? They don’t call me the Girlfriend Killer for nothing!”
Compared to those tactless elderly women, Zhang Fei preferred chatting with young ladies. He was about to walk over to say hello and perhaps exchange contact information.
Suddenly someone blocked his path. “Zhang San.”
“Oh! Master Li!”
It was Li Guozhong. Zhang Fei casually asked, “Master Li, are you handling the case personally?”
Li Guozhong replied, “I’m a notary, I only write complaint documents. One of the pen-in-caps from my shop is handling this case.”
Ancient professions had strict rules about who could do what.
Li Guozhong asked, “Zhang San, since you’re free, why aren’t you handling this case yourself?”
Zhang Fei smiled, “Surely you can guess – that old woman can’t afford my services.”
Li Guozhong frowned slightly, “May I speak frankly?”
Zhang Fei smiled, “Please, go ahead.”
Li Guozhong said, “I hear Miss Xu handles cases for free.”
“That’s right!”
“This might disrupt our industry’s rules,” Li Guozhong said with concern.
Zhang Fei chuckled, “Our profession is different from others. The key isn’t whether it’s free or paid, but whether you can win cases. If you can’t win, people won’t seek you out even if you pay them. If you can win, they’ll throw money at you even if you offer free services.”
For lawsuits, it was either about money or life and death. Ability was the key – fees had nothing to do with it. There was no such thing as unfair competition.
This was true not just now, but even in Zhang Fei’s previous era – people wouldn’t hire you even if you were free.
Li Guozhong nodded, though he looked somewhat uncomfortable.
Zhang Fei glanced at him and smiled, “Actually, you aren’t worried about disrupting industry rules, but rather about this increasing your litigation costs, right?”
Li Guozhong smiled, “Nothing escapes your notice!”
Many commoners couldn’t afford pen-in-caps and could only buy a complaint document from their bookstores. The wealthy had a big advantage, and their bookstores rarely lost.
If Xu Zhiqian hadn’t been involved this time, they could have intimidated Madam Liu into compromising with a small payment.
Now that Xu Zhiqian was helping the poor for free, this would greatly increase their shops’ costs and pressure.
Zhang Fei smiled, “Competition leads to progress. Earn according to your ability – that’s only fair.”
“Indeed! Indeed!” Li Guozhong nodded with a smile, but inside he thought the couple was here to cause disruption.
Anyone would be upset in this situation. Previously they could make money just writing complaints, but now…
Just then, a young man ran over, panting, “Master, we’re scheduled for the first case.”
Li Guozhong nodded slightly.
Zhang Fei complained, “So we arrived the earliest! I said we didn’t need to rush.”
Li Guozhong explained, “It’s not that we came early. Rather, because of Miss Xu, this case has drawn a lot of attention. If they tried other cases first, it would be affected. Plus, with Registrar Liang presiding personally and the weather being so hot, the first session is most comfortable.”
“I didn’t know there was so much to consider.”
Zhang Fei nodded and asked, “From what you’re saying, Clerk Liang doesn’t preside over every case?”
“Of course not. Several officials take turns,” Li Guozhong said. Then, curious, he added, “You seem completely unfamiliar with all this?”
“Well, back in the county I was quite casual about things. After coming to the capital, my first case was at the Court of Penal Review. Ha ha, I’m not too familiar with these procedures,” Zhang Fei explained awkwardly.
Li Guozhong was speechless.
This guy had tried cases at least at the prefecture level, and even up to the Chamber of State Affairs.
Li Guozhong suddenly frowned, thinking perhaps Zhang felt the Bureau of Records was too low-ranking. If so, that would be great – at least they wouldn’t have to deal with him.
A while later, the main gate opened.
Xu Zhiqian hurried back, not even introducing Zhang Fei to her friends before rushing through the side door into the courtyard with her maid Qingmei.
First came roll call and registration.
Zhang Fei wouldn’t be going in with her, because if he were there, Xu Zhiqian would surely rely on him.
That’s why they had rehearsed at home.
Of course, the Bureau of Records wouldn’t allow husband and wife to work together anyway.
They weren’t even letting Zhang Fei through the main gate now.
“Hey, I’m Xu Zhiqian’s husband! Why won’t you let me in?”
Zhang Fei complained to the guard at the door.
The guard glanced at him. “You’re just a pen-in-cap, not a witness in this case. Why should we let you in?”
Zhang Fei smiled. “So you know who I am. Better not do anything illegal in the future – if I catch you, hmph!”
The guard immediately backed down, pleading quietly, “Please don’t be angry, Brother San. These are orders from above, we have no choice.”
Hearing this, Zhang Fei thought to himself that he must have offended the entire officialdom – he ran into enemies everywhere. In the future he’d better stick close to his patrons, otherwise he’d be eaten alive.
Just then, Fan Chunren came out from inside.
“Remonstrator Fan.”
Zhang Fei quickly greeted him.
Fan Chunren looked at the gate guard and said, “Let him in.”
“Thank you, thank you!”
Zhang Fei slipped inside immediately.
He followed Fan Chunren to stand under a large tree on the left side of the hall.
Suddenly he noticed several women standing in the corridor opposite – Xu Zhiqian’s friends and sisters. Being from official families, they naturally wouldn’t stand outside to observe the trial.
Zhang Fei thought that since they were Zhiqian’s friends, he should go explain things to them. He glanced at Fan Chunren and asked, “Remonstrator Fan, why are we standing here instead of in that corridor?”
Fan Chunren said sternly, “Can’t you see there are women there? How could we stand over there?”
“Oh right. I just noticed there were women there.” Zhang Fei quickly changed the subject. “Are you here on official business?”
Fan Chunren shook his head. “I’m here to observe the trial too.”
Zhang Fei grinned. “Perhaps you’re here to learn?”
Fan Chunren didn’t deny it, but said, “Thinking about that case afterwards, I felt it was unfair to me.”
Zhang Fei responded, “Oh? How so?”
Fan Chunren said, “How many magistrates like Wang Hong who’ve served for over ten years can stay completely clean without a trace of mud? You used that to attack him, plus that incident where he was already at fault. So it wasn’t fair to me.”
Zhang Fei smiled. “You can’t look at it that way. If it had just been ruled as negligently condemning the innocent, even with a guilty verdict, you would have won. But the result…”
“The heavy sentence wasn’t because of you.” Fan Chunren shook his head and continued, “If in this case you were helping Mr Huang and I was helping Madam Liu, I wouldn’t lose.”
Zhang Fei chuckled. “I don’t know if you’d lose or not, but Madam Liu would definitely get the short end of the stick.”
Fan Chunren said, “You always help good people, so naturally you have the advantage.”
Zhang Fei complained, “You think I always want to help good people? I originally planned to help Mr Huang, but Zhiqian stopped me. Next time if a rich merchant offers good money to hire me, would you help persuade Xu Zhiqian?”
Fan Chunren nodded. “It’s a deal.”
Zhang Fei asked in surprise, “Really?”
Fan Chunren said seriously, “Really.”
He truly wasn’t convinced. He wasn’t just some bureaucrat who only knew how to play with words – he had taken the judicial exam too, and placed first.
But he also didn’t want to help bad people with lawsuits. He felt moral constraints had held him back – at the time he had quickly abandoned Wei Yushan. He hoped Zhang Fei would help the bad guys while he helped the good ones.
Zhang Fei was overjoyed, his eyes welling up with tears as he repeatedly bowed, saying, “Then I’ll have to trouble you.”
After chatting for a while, they saw many guards enter and line up in the courtyard.
The Bureau of Records was basically a large parade ground – taking a few steps would kick up clouds of dust.
Of course, the officials sat under the eaves at the front, with a roof above and stone slabs below, protected from wind and sun.
The guards and pen-in-caps all stood outside.
Sitting? Tables?
That was wishful thinking.
A while later, Liang Dong entered the trial platform through the corridor with six officials. Liang Dong and three officials took their seats, while the other three stood to the side.
Three were judges.
One was a court recorder, and two were there to provide professional assistance with auditing, autopsies and such.
The Bureau of Records tried many cases each day, with many judges taking turns, and numerous professionals present to assist.
This was one reason legal disputes flourished in the Northern Song Dynasty.
Within the government, judicial positions were the most difficult.
Judicial officials had to be evaluated once a year, with six days of examinations.
This meant professional experts presided over cases in the courts. Those scholars who only knew how to play with words rarely appeared in such settings. If they did show up occasionally, they would just sit there while the professionals handled the actual trials.
Unfortunately, after the Song Dynasty established this complete judicial system, the Yuan Dynasty destroyed it all, and it never appeared again.
Among ancient Chinese dynasties, the Song Dynasty’s judicial system was definitely the pinnacle.
After a while, Xu Zhiqian and a man in his thirties came before the court. This pen-in-cap was named Li Lei, reportedly the most capable pen-in-cap at Li Guozhong’s bookstore.
They first bowed, then presented their complaints.
Liang Dong carefully examined both parties’ documents, then announced, “Summon Huang Yongli to court.”
Seeing this, Zhang Fei frowned. “He’s not using our questioning method.”
Fan Chunren said, “Your way was the exception.”
Zhang Fei scratched his head. “This is bad.”