Chapter 226: Putting Things to the Test
Zhang Fei, who had just parted ways with Zhao Xu, was immediately “caught” by Xu Zun, who had been lying in wait for quite some time.
“Why was His Majesty so urgent to see you?”
At this sensitive moment, the emperor’s sudden summons of Zhang Fei also worried Xu Zun greatly.
Zhang Fei truthfully informed Xu Zun about Han Qi and the others’ memorial.
After hearing this, Xu Zun couldn’t help but sigh: “Actually, what they said is also correct. A river does not freeze in one day, and one lawsuit cannot solve the problem.”
Zhang Fei said: “This problem might not be solvable, but it can solve another problem.”
Xu Zun asked: “What problem?”
“Imperial authority.”
Zhang Fei said: “Now that so many people oppose this, if His Majesty still insists on fighting and still wins, it would cement His Majesty’s authority.”
Xu Zun still felt worried: “But that will make many people wary of His Majesty. Perhaps the gains won’t be worth the losses!” Zhang Fei frowned slightly: “But if we don’t take this step, no one knows what will happen.”
In essence, the philosophy of ‘preserving wealth amongst the people’ meant the emperor sharing governance of the realm with the scholar-officials.
Emperor Zhenzong and Emperor Renzong, had, for different reasons, continuously delegated power, which was ultimately tantamount to expressing their willingness to share governance of the realm with the scholar-officials.
This was truly a hard-won victory for the scholar-officials.
And the scholar-officials also fiercely defended this hard-won political ecosystem.
Now Wang Anshi wanted to concentrate wealth in the central government, which was actually a form of power consolidation. If Wang Anshi truly succeeded, who could still limit the emperor?
Why couldn’t revenue generation and expenditure reduction be pursued together? This was also one of the key reasons.
On this point, the two sides had sharp contradictions.
Both Han Qi and the others’ memorial and Emperor Zhao Xu’s own concerns were subtly pointing to this issue.
Both sides were testing each other, but neither wanted to tear off the facade.
Zhang Fei’s idea of charitable organizations perfectly resolved Emperor Zhao Xu’s worries.
Because this charitable organization ensured that wealth remained controlled in their hands rather than going to the emperor, while also giving them a legitimate way to avoid paying taxes. However, from now on, these people could no longer just talk without action – they had to actually bear some social responsibility.
They couldn’t say that they wouldn’t pay taxes, but when problems arose, only the emperor would bear the burden. That wouldn’t be fair either!
This actually still maintained the concept of the emperor sharing governance of the realm with the scholar-officials.
Of course, this was absolutely not what Zhao Xu wanted. He didn’t want to be like Emperor Renzong; he wanted to be a powerful and legendary emperor like Emperor Wu of Han or Emperor Taizong of Tang. It was just that the timing wasn’t yet mature, and he still needed to be patient.
If this charitable institution could succeed, it would already be a major step forward.
After all, it would still impose responsibility on them.
As for Zhang Fei, he had only one goal, and this had never changed.
…
Ever since Grand Empress Dowager Cao had returned full power to Emperor Yingzong, Emperor Zhao Xu’s father, she had been staying in the inner palace, chanting Buddhist scriptures.
She rarely interfered in political affairs.
However, her prestige and position in the court were still pivotal.
Even someone as formidable as Empress Dowager Gao now had to obediently serve as a mere figurehead in the inner palace.
In history, Empress Dowager Gao’s true rise to power came only after both Grand Empress Dowager Cao and Emperor Zhao Xu had passed away.
This case had already alarmed Grand Empress Dowager Cao, showing that they had mobilized every available connection.
They were determined to prevent this lawsuit from proceeding.
But they had also underestimated Emperor Zhao Xu’s resolve.
Peach Pavilion.
Zhao Xu helped Grand Empress Dowager Cao with both hands as they walked along the path paved with goose-warmed stones.
“His Majesty has grown quite thin recently. You must take care of your health – there is never an end to state affairs,” Empress Dowager Cao observed Zhao Xu and said with great concern.
Zhao Xu looked aggrieved: “Your grandson doesn’t fear exhaustion; I just fear that after all the hard work, I still haven’t managed to handle things well.”
Empress Dowager Cao chuckled: “It seems His Majesty has suffered quite a few grievances in court!”
Zhao Xu said: “Grandmother, please speak fairly – how am I in the wrong?”
Empress Dowager Cao asked: “Is it because of that tax lawsuit?”
Zhao Xu feigned surprise: “Grandmother already knows about it.”
Empress Dowager Cao chuckled: “This case has caused such an uproar throughout the city that even if I hide in the Buddhist hall, I still cannot find peace!”
Zhao Xu asked: “What does Grandmother think?”
Empress Dowager Cao smiled slightly: “This old woman doesn’t have any particular views, but as the emperor, how can you be so put-down? The court collecting taxes legally is perfectly reasonable, yet you have to go and file lawsuits with them. When this old woman heard about it, I felt heartbroken for Your Majesty!”
The implication was that he should stop pursuing this lawsuit and simply issue an order to directly collect taxes, or directly exempt them.
Zhao Xu sighed: “To be honest with Grandmother, the reason I am doing this is because I also don’t want to collect taxes from those tenant farmers.”
“Your Majesty’s benevolent heart is a blessing for all the people under heaven.”
With that, Empress Dowager Cao changed the subject and asked: “Then why doesn’t Your Majesty simply issue an edict?”
Zhao Xu said: “I originally wanted to directly pardon those tenant farmers’ taxes, but if I did that, I worried that all tenant farmers would use this as an excuse to refuse paying taxes. The state’s finances are already running deficits.
Therefore, your grandson adopted Academician Wang’s suggestion to resolve this through litigation. From Prefect Lu’s attitude, he will most likely find a way to exempt those tenant farmers’ taxes while avoiding escalating the matter.
After all, lawsuits require someone to file charges, which is different from government decrees. Academician Wang is suing one hundred and eight people – regardless of the final verdict, it only concerns these one hundred and eight people and has nothing to do with others. Your grandson also wants to use this to intimidate those landlords and wealthy gentry, so they don’t push their luck.”
“I see.”
Grand Empress Dowager Cao nodded slightly and chuckled: “Your Majesty truly has it difficult!” Then she added: “It’s time to teach those people a lesson.”
Zhao Xu couldn’t help but feel overjoyed.
Grand Empress Dowager Cao’s support was extremely crucial.
Originally, when Grand Empress Dowager Cao heard those reports, she thought the emperor was going to war with the major landowners, which she had to restrain, because she had lived through the Qingli era. Now that the emperor had just ascended the throne not long ago, his power base was not yet established – he wasn’t even as strong as her late husband Emperor Renzong. This would throw the country into chaos.
She hadn’t realized that this lawsuit actually had limitations and was different from government decrees – they would sue one person and try one case at a time. Those not sued would be fine.
The emperor wanted to use this case to establish his authority, not to escalate matters, so naturally she wouldn’t obstruct it. In fact, her attitude was supportive of Emperor Zhao Xu.
This Grand Empress Dowager Cao had crossed swords with Han Qi several times and knew the character of these scholar-officials – when you were weak, they became strong, and they would never show you more respect.
After gaining Empress Dowager Cao’s support, Zhao Xu didn’t immediately order Kaifeng Prefecture to hear the case. Instead, he chose to remain silent and quietly had someone spread word about Han Qi and the others’ memorial.
When those officials learned this news, they were immediately overjoyed.
It was settled! Settled!
No suspense!
The Grand Empress Dowager and the three chancellors had all stepped forward.
If this case could actually be heard, that would truly be supernatural.
Even Kaifeng Prefecture believed there was definitely no chance now, so they didn’t bother to carefully examine the complaint document Zhang Fei had submitted.
The key point was that Zhang Fei wasn’t like before – when he was going to court, he would seclude himself at home to prepare. Instead, he maintained his usual routine of going between work and home, attending work as normal.
He even had the leisure to discuss legal aid matters with Sima Guang.
“Don’t you know in your heart why the Bureau of Records is delaying?” Sima Guang glared at Zhang Fei with annoyance.
Zhang Fei said glumly: “Academician Sima, I’m innocent! If they want to blame someone, they should blame Wang… ahem. Besides, this is to help the common people. My shop isn’t gaining any advantage – it’s free service. Even if they want to retaliate against me, using this to retaliate doesn’t make sense!”
Sima Guang snorted: “First, you are not innocent. Second,” he sighed, “if everyone could be reasonable about everything, there wouldn’t be so many problems. Alright, alright, don’t worry. I’ll have someone go ask about it later.”
Zhang Fei chuckled: “Actually, I don’t mind waiting even a year. I’m just afraid this matter will damage your prestige – then my sin would be great indeed.”
“Don’t try to sow discord here. This old man won’t fall for your tricks.”
Sima Guang glared at him, but he was also somewhat angry in his heart. It was he, Sima, who was working on judicial reform, not Wang Anshi. Who exactly were they giving attitude to?
Thinking of Wang Anshi, Sima Guang asked again: “Has Wang Anshi come looking for you recently?”
“No!”
Zhang Fei shook his head. “So I don’t really have anything to do right now, though I think Academician Wang probably doesn’t care either.”
Sima Guang asked: “What do you mean by that?”
Zhang Fei sighed: “He said from the beginning that if the case doesn’t work out, I’d still have to return the money to him.”
Wang Anshi had even thought out his escape route – it seemed this case really couldn’t be tried. Sima Guang muttered to himself, but said sarcastically: “That’s exactly like Wang Anshi’s style – he won’t accept even the slightest loss.”
But as he spoke, he suddenly frowned. “By the way! I heard that Wang Anshi spent ten thousand strings to hire you for this lawsuit.”
Zhang Fei quickly said: “I’m not taking advantage here. Suing over a hundred people, each with status – ten thousand strings isn’t much.”
Sima Guang didn’t seem to be listening, thinking to himself: Where did Wang Anshi get ten thousand strings, unless…
After thinking for a moment, he suddenly said to Zhang Fei: “You’d better be prepared.”
Zhang Fei asked: “Prepared for what?”
Sima Guang said: “Prepared to fight this lawsuit.”
This old man was really shrewd enough. Zhang Fei humbly asked: “What do you mean by that, Academician Sima?”
Sima Guang clicked his tongue: “It’s always better to be prepared for anything. If you really have to fight, you must be very careful.”
“Oh.”
Zhang Fei nodded woodenly: “I understand.”
He was very clear in his heart that since Li Bao was still gathering evidence over there, it proved this lawsuit would definitely still be fought. The emperor’s silence was just giving Li Bao and the others time to gather evidence against those people.
Sure enough.
Seven days later, Lan Yuanzhen, the elderly eunuch, suddenly appeared at the Kaifeng Prefectural Office.
Lu Gongzhu was surprised: “What brings you here?”
Lan Yuanzhen smiled: “Nothing major, His Majesty just sent me to ask how the case is progressing.”
Lu Gongzhu was puzzled: “What case?”
Lan Yuanzhen was surprised: “Academician Wang’s case! Don’t tell me Academician Wang isn’t proceeding with the lawsuit? I haven’t heard anything about that!”
Lu Gongzhu couldn’t help but look at Li Kai beside him – didn’t you beat your chest and guarantee this case couldn’t be tried? How do you explain this now?
Li Kai looked completely innocent and stammered to Lan Yuanzhen: “We thought since His Majesty hadn’t issued an edict, the case was dropped.”
Lan Yuanzhen quickly said: “Vice-Prefect Li, what are you saying? His Majesty clearly said to have Kaifeng Prefecture try this case. The matter was already decided. Don’t tell me you haven’t started the trial yet – how would I explain this to His Majesty when I return?”
Li Kai hurriedly said: “We’re trying it, we’re trying it. It’s just… it’s just that there are so many people involved. Kaifeng Prefecture has never encountered this situation before. We’re overwhelmed for the moment and need more time.”
Lan Yuanzhen nodded: “Then you’d better hurry up. His Majesty has been waiting.”
“Yes, yes, yes.”
After Lan Yuanzhen left, Lu Gongzhu severely scolded Li Kai.
That very day, Kaifeng Prefecture initiated the investigation procedures and even transferred people from the Left and Right Courts to help.
When this news broke, all the civil and military officials were shocked and alarmed.
Wasn’t it supposed to be settled?
What… what was going on?
Nothing particularly special had happened in the meantime. This… this was not supposed to happen!
However, all the chancellors remained silent, and their silence was truly frightening.
Actually, the memorials from Han Qi and the others weren’t saying it was wrong to fight this lawsuit, but asking whether Emperor Zhao Xu had thought through the solution, whether he had clearly considered the costs and benefits.
After many days, Emperor Zhao Xu still decided to proceed.
This proved he had thought it through clearly.
Naturally, Han Qi, Fu Bi and the others wouldn’t say anything more.
Let’s see your performance.
In the Chamber of State Affairs.
Wang Anshi needn’t be mentioned – he was the plaintiff. Chen Shengzhi definitely supported him. Even Zhao Bian, who opposed Wang Anshi’s new policies, also supported this. Wen Yanbo and Sima Guang had ambiguous attitudes – their opposition wasn’t resolute.
The silence of the chancellors and state councilors proved they supported the emperor, or at least didn’t oppose him.
This meant there was no room for maneuvering.
The Shen Residence.
“It seems His Majesty is determined to support Wang Anshi.”
Shen Huaixiao said with a furrowed brow.
Tang Ji said anxiously: “What can we do? This is impossible to win.”
Shen Huaixiao said: “Not necessarily. Don’t forget, all the evidence for this case is in our hands.”
Du Xiu was somewhat uneasy: “Isn’t that too risky?”
But Cao Han said: “Brother Du, rest assured. We won’t be alone in this. Before half a day passes, many people will come looking for us. Then we can discuss what to do. If everyone participates, even if His Majesty finds out, there’s nothing he can do about it.”
Shen Huaixiao nodded: “Brother Cao is right! We can’t be blamed for this. Almost everyone opposes it, but His Majesty still insists on having his way. Naturally, we can’t be blamed for not following the rules.”