Chapter 222: Power Struggle
When it came to playing the game, Wang Anshi was truly a master.
Everyone present knew that Wang Anshi’s actions were specifically targeting the issue of tax evasion through unsealed contracts.
They had used tenant farmers to make things difficult for Wang Anshi.
So Wang Anshi used this matter to deal with them.
Normally, he hadn’t shown interest in investigating such matters.
This left Wen Yanbo and others speechless – this guy was using state affairs for personal grudges, not thinking about how to solve the problem, but instead making it more complicated.
Emperor Zhao Xu looked at Zhao Bian and the others with confusion.
You submitted impeachment memorials before even understanding the situation clearly. How unprofessional.
Zhao Bian bowed and said, “This was my mistake. I failed to investigate thoroughly beforehand. I am willing to accept punishment.”
A true man must acknowledge his mistakes. Zhao Xu hurriedly consoled him, “You speak too severely. It was just a misunderstanding. Once clarified, all is well. Do not worry about it.”
Sima Guang, who had been silent until now, suddenly turned to Wang Anshi and said, “Wang Anshi, as state councilor, if you knew of tax evasion, why not directly order an investigation? Why file a complaint with the Kaifeng Prefectural Office? Isn’t this redundant?”
Censor Lin Dan immediately said, “Academician Sima speaks reasonably. The imperial court has its systems in place. The Chamber of State Affairs is above the Kaifeng Prefectural Office. Your actions only make policies and laws unclear.”
Wang Anshi looked at Lin Dan and smiled, “Censor Lin is correct, unclear policies and laws are unacceptable. May I ask Censor Lin, do you consider tax evasion a matter of policy or law?”
Lin Dan hesitated slightly before saying, “Though it concerns law, your purpose is to use the law to push policy. You’re merely using this complaint to force landlords and tenants to pay back taxes.”
“Even if that’s true, I see nothing wrong with it.”
Wang Anshi continued, “Without following the law, there can be no normal affairs; without proper law, policies cannot be implemented. Previous policies failed because even though this matter concerns the law, we debate it in terms of benevolence. How can we reach clarity this way?”
At this point, he looked at Wen Yanbo, “Earlier, Lord Wen believed that the matter of back taxes couldn’t be settled with one stroke, that we should consider practical circumstances, or it would cause public resentment.
I agree with this, but if we issue a policy exempting those tenant farmers from taxes, where does that leave the law? Does this mean we can arbitrarily change laws? Having laws but not following them is equivalent to having no laws at all. Without law, governing becomes chaos.”
Wen Yanbo immediately countered, “Laws must take into account human sentiment. Adhering to laws rigidly leads to decline.”
“Laws can change, but not by issuing ad-hoc policies to bend or ignore them.” Wang Anshi frowned and continued, “Tax evasion is illegal. Even if laws take into account human sentiment, we must still follow proper legal procedures. That’s why I filed the case with the Kaifeng Prefectural Office.
If you all disagree, you can have the Kaifeng Prefectural Office rule that they need not pay back taxes, but there must be a legal explanation, or request His Majesty to issue a pardon. We cannot simply decide among ourselves whether a law is useful or not, keeping what works and discarding what doesn’t, sweeping problems with the law under the rug. Such behavior would lead to chaos.”
His words rang out with passionate conviction.
The other side fell silent.
Everyone looked at Emperor Zhao Xu.
There was no counter-argument.
Wang Anshi had made it very clear – you could use an executive order to have the Kaifeng Prefectural Office exempt the landowners from taxes, but you must provide justification, or have the emperor issue a pardon. That was proper government procedure.
Laws couldn’t be interpreted based on sympathy alone.
That would be chaos.
Neither Wen Yanbo nor Sima Guang could refute this point. Similar situations in the past had always been resolved through imperial pardons or clemency granted in the name of benevolence.
The ball was back in Zhao Xu’s court.
Zhao Xu struggled with the decision, looking left and right before saying, “I’m not yet clear on the details of this case. Let’s wait for the Kaifeng Prefectural Office’s investigation. If there are indeed grievances or debatable points, we can discuss pardons then.”
Zhao Bian, Wen Yanbo and others bowed, saying, “Your Majesty is wise.”
Emperor Zhao Xu’s response was neutral – he hadn’t insisted on collecting the taxes, and indicated that pardons could be granted in special circumstances, but proper investigation was needed first. If they were afraid of investigation, there must be something fishy.
Who could argue with that?
Lin Dan suddenly said, “But Your Majesty, Academician Wang’s complaint has nothing to do with tax collection on unsealed contracts.”
Wang Anshi replied, “The case is framed as such to avoid violating the government’s previous decree. These hundred and eight people all evaded taxes using unsealed contracts – everything will be investigated together, with punishments or exemptions given as appropriate.”
He wasn’t hiding anything – he was just finding an excuse to address this issue.
Zhao Xu nodded slightly.
Lin Dan was deeply frustrated.
In hindsight, it might have been better to just pay the back taxes rather than go to court, given how many issues this would raise.
Sima Guang suddenly stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, if we set this precedent, future tax evasion cases would all require judicial decisions.”
The implication was that the government would no longer be able to make administrative rulings on tax evasion cases – everything would have to go through litigation.
He was essentially warning Zhao Xu to consider the future implications – this approach would make governance more complicated, and the Song Dynasty was complicated enough already.
Before Zhao Xu could speak, Wang Anshi said, “Aren’t you in the middle of judicial reform?”
Zhao Xu immediately nodded and smiled at Sima Guang, “You should consider this matter in your reforms.”
Sima Guang’s expression tightened, and he didn’t respond.
Zhao Xu didn’t show any displeasure.
This was typical of Song Dynasty ruler-minister relations.
Lin Dan quickly said, “But this will double government expenditure.”
Wang Anshi countered, “If laws are strictly enforced, the tax revenue collected would more than cover government expenses, with surplus to spare.”
Lin Dan was rendered speechless.
It was like someone buying a cleaver to rob people, and you’re discussing the cost of the cleaver?
Are you mad?
After the meeting, the officials grumbled as they left the hall.
Lawsuits!
More lawsuits!
Lawsuits every day!
From corvee labor laws to tax laws, why is everything being settled through lawsuits? How can we govern this way?
It was unbearable!
They wanted to cry!
When justice is served, nobody feels comfortable!
As Wen Yanbo came out later and heard their complaints, he asked Zhao Bian beside him, “What does Lord Zhao think?”
Zhao Bian looked at those ahead and said, “Though I dislike Wang Anshi’s methods, their complaints make me think that perhaps Wang Anshi isn’t wrong.”
Wen Yanbo stroked his beard and nodded.
Why were they complaining? Because some things couldn’t be said openly, some secrets were known to all.
Many matters couldn’t be scrutinized too closely.
This was why such cases often faded away when discussed.
Lawsuits made them very uncomfortable.
Zhao Bian glanced at Wen Yanbo and added, “Besides, I believe Prefect Lu will exempt those tenant farmers from their obligations in court.”
Wen Yanbo said, “It’s not that simple. Sima Guang is right – Wang Anshi will definitely collect the taxes.”
After everyone left, Wang Anshi and Sima Guang exited the hall and instinctively stopped at the steps.
“You’re really going all out!” Sima Guang said coolly. “Do you know how many people you’ll offend by doing this? Don’t you want to implement your new policies in the future?”
Wang Anshi smiled slightly. “What is there to fear as long as you are here?”
Sima Guang was bewildered – I’m actually against you, can’t you tell? He turned his head and asked, “What do you mean by that?”
Wang Anshi replied, “As long as you are here, justice will prevail. And where there is justice, I can face thousands of opponents! Ha ha!”
With that, he swept down the steps with his flowing sleeves.
Sima Guang’s mouth twitched. Oh Wang Anshi, you actually imagine I’ll protect you? Keep dreaming. Once your new policies come out, you’ll be crying without tears.
For now, his judicial reforms did indeed help Wang Anshi.
But the Wang Anshi’s reforms hadn’t been implemented yet. Wang Anshi was dealing with old problems, and Sima Guang could only watch helplessly while having to cooperate with him.
How vexing!
But why couldn’t they defend against this move?
The reason wasn’t that Zhang Fei was particularly skilled – this was still a feudal era after all. The reason lay with themselves.
It was because these virtuous officials were protecting Zhang Fei and defending the Song dynasty’s judicial system.
If it were treacherous officials Cai Jing or Qin Hui instead, Zhang Fei would have died thousands of times playing such games.
He wouldn’t have survived.
Who would talk about justice then?
Who would care about the law?
But Zhang Fei happened to encounter upright officials like Wang Anshi, Sima Guang, Han Qi, Fu Bi, Wen Yanbo, Lu Gongzhu, Zhao Bian, and Xu Zun.
At the Bianjing Law Firm.
“Academician Sima, this really has nothing to do with me. When Academician Wang personally came to request our services, I couldn’t refuse!”
Zhang Fei hurriedly explained as he watched Sima Guang approach slowly.
Sima Guang gave him a cool glance and said, “Aren’t you going to invite me to sit?”
“Ah? Oh, please have a seat, Academician Sima.” Zhang Fei quickly gestured toward the main seat.
After sitting down, Sima Guang asked, “So you’re saying you don’t agree with this?”
Zhang Fei pondered briefly, “To be honest with you, I do have reservations about this, as I believe it will provoke opposition from many people.”
This was the truth – he had originally planned to use unconventional tactics.
Sima Guang nodded, “It’s good that you understand this point. These people are no saints – this lawsuit won’t be as easy as you imagine.”
Zhang Fei said, “The key to this case lies in the evidence.”
Sima Guang looked at him and chuckled.
Zhang Fei was puzzled, “Did I say something wrong?”
Sima Guang said, “Everyone knows they’re evading taxes. Why has no one investigated? It’s not because everyone is cowardly, but because it’s nearly impossible to find evidence. Once presented in court, your so-called evidence could be turned into false accusations.”
Zhang Fei frowned, “Are they really that formidable?”
Sima Guang replied, “How many court officials aren’t major landowners? How many imperial relatives aren’t major landowners? Why didn’t they protest when Wang Wenshan was demoted, but rushed to defend Wang Hong’s demotion? When their interests are at stake, it’s no longer about right or wrong or justice. You’re not facing just 108 landowners, but all the major landowners in the capital. One misstep could be your undoing.”
Zhang Fei asked timidly, “Will they send assassins after me?”
Sima Guang actually pondered this for a moment before shaking his head, “Probably not for now. Assassinating you now would be an obvious admission of guilt, and knowing Wang Anshi’s personality, he would investigate thoroughly. But you must be extremely careful in court. This isn’t just about representing someone in court – if they catch you in any wrongdoing, they’ll definitely try to destroy you. Fabricating evidence is illegal.”
Zhang Fei asked, “Are you suggesting I give up?”
Sima Guang smiled, “Now that you’re on Wang Anshi’s ship, can you get off? I came here simply to tell you that this case is about power, not justice. Though Wang Anshi has the emperor’s favor, his influence at court is still far from sufficient. Don’t force things if you can’t win.”
Zhang Fei nodded, “Thank you for the warning, Academician Sima. I’ll be careful.”
Sima Guang gave a slight nod, “I’ll take my leave now.”
After seeing Sima Guang off, Zhang Fei’s lips curled into a smile. “They want to play games with evidence? Heh, I’ll run circles around them.”