Judge of the Song Dynasty

Since ascending to the throne, Emperor Zhao Xu had always emphasized his determination to work diligently for good governance.

But just how resolute this determination truly was, he had yet to demonstrate.

In fact, he too had experienced a period when he was like a newborn calf unafraid of tigers.

That was during the Ayun case.

At that time, ministers had requested his judgment on the case, but after he rendered his decision, the ministers overturned it.

For an emperor, this was not particularly damaging, but it was extremely humiliating.

Song dynasty emperors also needed to save face!

After that incident, he understood that as emperor, he should either not make a move at all, or once he did, he must succeed no matter the cost.

Otherwise, it truly would not be worth the losses.

Therefore, in many subsequent controversies, he stayed behind the scenes, letting Wang Anshi, Lu Huiqing and others charge into battle, only emerging to go with the flow when the timing seemed right, never again engaging in direct conflict with ministers. Especially after Zhang Fei brought the lawsuit, he handled it with even greater ease – since the dispute couldn’t be resolved clearly, just let it be handled court.

But an emperor couldn’t always hide behind the scenes; he also needed to establish his authority.

He had not yet accomplished anything to establish his authority.

Emperor Zhao Xu decided to use this case to establish his authority, and it just so happened that his opponent was the most powerful interest group in the Great Song.

It was time for a showdown.

Whether it was a mule or a horse, it had to be taken out for a test run.

The opposition also understood Zhao Xu’s intentions – he wanted to take them down. With so many high ranking officials submitting memorials, their opinions were already clear, yet he still insisted on proceeding this way.

Even a fool could see what he was trying to do.

Today was the fifteenth, a day for burning incense and worshipping Buddha, and many high officials and nobles came to Xiang-guo Temple.

In a relatively secluded side room within the temple sat seven or eight people, all dressed in fine silk and brocade.

They were all famous major landowners in the capital, among the top fifty donors to Xiang-guo Temple, and all had scholar-official backgrounds. Without connections in court, it would be very difficult to reach this level in the capital.

“Although His Majesty has already issued the order, don’t panic. There are still many ministers in court who support us,” said the white-haired elderly man sitting in the seat of honor with a calm expression.

This man was named Pang Huai, from the family of Empress Liu E, consort of Emperor Zhenzong, the Third Emperor.

Among the one hundred and eight people Wang Anshi had charged, the Pang family was not actually included, but this was not just about those one hundred and eight people – it was about their entire social class. They had never said they would stay out of it and just watch the show; they were all actively participating.

They understood very clearly that if they didn’t help now, their turn would come next.

“So what should we do?” asked someone on the left.

This man was named Zhang Zhen, whose grandfather had been Commander of the Palace Guard during the Third Emperor’s reign.

“Find a way to win this lawsuit,” Pang Huai said. “That would be the best response.”

The man sitting at the far left end said, “We’re already preparing evidence. Actually, we’ve always kept copies of the annual tax receipts, just in case, but the most crucial thing is still the accounts from the Three Financial Bureaus. When the time comes, the other side will definitely demand that Kaifeng Prefectural Office retrieve the accounts from the Three Financial Bureaus. No matter how well prepared we are, it won’t help – our names aren’t in those records of tax payments.”

This man was named Zhou Cai, and he was the only one among them who was one of the 108 being charged.

Pang Huai said, “As far as I know, the Three Financial Bureaus are currently guarding those accounts very strictly.”

At this point, he lowered his voice and said, “What are your thoughts?”

“Could we replace those accounts?” Zhang Zhen suggested to Pang Huai.

Pang Huai stroked his beard and said, “Wang Anshi is accusing us of tax issues from the past two years. Even if we could replace them, do you think Prefect Lu and the others wouldn’t be able to tell that these are all newly written?”

“Prefect Lu might not be able to tell.”

“Don’t even think about that. Don’t you know what kind of person Prefect Lu is?”

“Why don’t we just burn them all down? With no evidence left, there would be no case.”

“Are you insane? Setting fire in the Imperial City – how many people in your family could you sacrifice for that?”

“You’re right. Setting fire at this time – no need to think about it, they’d trace it back to us. Things haven’t reached that point yet!”

Just then, the light suddenly dimmed.

Then two flashes of lightning shot in.

Rumble rumble rumble.

A clap of thunder sounded.

Zhou Cai’s eyes lit up. “Since fire won’t work, we could use water.”

“Water?”

”Freshly minted account books can indeed be spotted at a glance, but account books that have been soaked in water and then dried – those aren’t so easy to tell the age of.”

In front of the main temple hall.

“It’s going to rain!”

Cao Ping, who had just finished offering incense and emerged from the main hall, looked up at the overcast sky thick with dark clouds, then said to Ma Tianhao beside him: “Brother, let’s go sit for a while and wait for the rain to stop before heading back.”

Ma Tianhao nodded.

The two men went into a side room.

No sooner had they stepped through the door than a dense patter of raindrops began outside.

“That was close.”

Cao Ping let out a gentle sigh of relief.

A young novice monk brewed them a pot of tea and left the room.

Cao Ping said to Ma Tianhao: “Quite a few people seemed to come today!”

Ma Tianhao chuckled: “They definitely won’t go down without a fight.”

Cao Ping said: “But I always feel something’s not right about this situation. We can’t rely entirely on them – we need to think of another way out.”

Back when their Cao family had organized the dowry for Grand Empress Dowager Cao, they had gone deeply into debt. Emperor Renzong hadn’t given any rewards either, so they had spent many years paying off debts.

It wasn’t until Emperor Yingzong, Zhao Xu’s father, ascended the throne that the Cao family began to turn a profit. Taking advantage of those few years when Grand Empress Dowager Cao held power, they rapidly accumulated wealth.

They had grown afraid of debt.

And those censors and court officials were strictly vigilant against imperial relatives.

Therefore, Cao Ping had secretly placed many of his lands under the Ma family’s name, which then transferred them to Xiang-guo Temple.

Ma Tianhao asked: “What are your thoughts?”

Cao Ping said: “You should know about the day when Dongdong and Xiaoyi went to the law firm, right?”

Ma Tianhao nodded and asked: “Are you thinking of using Zhang San to avoid taxes?”

Cao Ping sighed: “Actually, I don’t want to do this either, but His Majesty’s current attitude makes me very worried. For us, as long as we don’t step in a courtroom, everything can be worked out. But once we’re in a courtroom, it becomes a matter of life and death – we must guard against this possibility. Since Zhang San said those words, he must have a solution. After this lawsuit is finished, if those people lose, you should go investigate.”

Ma Tianhao said: “That boy definitely has methods. He hinted at this before, but I didn’t pay attention to him.”

Cao Ping asked: “Why not?”

Ma Tianhao said: “Brother Cao, you haven’t dealt with him directly, so you don’t know what he’s like. That boy looks harmless enough, but he’s the type who devours people without spitting out the bones. Without making a sound, he’s already earned several thousand strings from me.”

Cao Ping said: “But you also made quite a bit through the housing loans.”

“That’s true.” Ma Tianhao chuckled a few times: “What I mean is, we can ask for his help, but we must also guard against him, especially his backup plans. Initially, the housing loan was supposed to be a one-time deal, but later he kept producing contract after contract – we had no choice but to accept them. But those contracts were terribly expensive, several hundred strings each, and he ended up earning several thousand more strings from us.”

Cao Ping said: “Overall, you still made a profit.”

Ma Tianhao nodded: “That’s right. The promises he made back then have all been fulfilled now. Our Ma family pawnshop has indeed risen to the next level.”

“Then that’s fine.”

At Bianjing Law Firm.

“I’ve found all the evidence you wanted, including that from the tenant farmers. You’d better not lose this case for me.”

Wang Anshi pointed to several large boxes of documents and instructed Zhang Fei.

Actually, Zhang Fei was preparing for both possibilities. The publicly available materials were all investigated by people Wang Anshi had sent, while the secret materials were investigated by the Capital Security Office.

Zhang Fei smiled: “Academician Wang, it’s normal to win or lose lawsuits!”

Before he could finish, Wang Anshi interrupted him: “This lawsuit absolutely cannot be lost.”

Zhang Fei asked: “What if we lose, Academician Wang, you…!”

Wang Anshi said: “I’ll be fine. I said from the beginning that Kaifeng Prefectural Office could rule those tenant farmers tax-exempt. If we lose, I’ll still have a way to save face.”

Zhang Fei asked puzzledly: “If that’s the case, why do you…”

Wang Anshi said with concern: “I’m worried about you. If we lose, they’ll definitely retaliate. They can’t do anything to me, so they’ll certainly come after you.”

I’ll believe that when pigs fly. Worried about me? Do you think I’m stupid? If we lose this case, you’ll definitely lose more than I will. Zhang Fei silently scorned Wang Anshi in his heart, but said aloud: “Academician Wang, that’s not what you said at the time.”

Wang Anshi said: “Who knew it would turn out like this.”

“I did!”

Zhang Fei scratched his cheek in frustration and sighed: “I understand. I’ll give it my all and absolutely won’t lose.”

Wang Anshi nodded: “You must be extremely careful and cautious.”

Actually, Wang Anshi really wasn’t trying to scare Zhang Fei. He shared the same view as Sima Guang – this lawsuit appeared simple on the surface, but was extremely dangerous underneath.

Because the opposition truly had the strength to strike back. If they caught any weakness, they would absolutely beat him to death, and they would certainly make an example of him to warn others.

Zhang Fei would definitely be that sacrificial chicken.

Zhang Fei was puzzled in his heart. “I’m the professional here. Would I not know whether it’s dangerous or not? The trap has already been dug – we just don’t know who will be buried in it yet.”

Wang Anshi was ultimately a very busy man. Without waiting for the rain to stop, he hurriedly left, taking the opportunity to get washed.

Not long after he left, Fan Li came running in from outside, patting the water droplets off his body.

Zhang Fei walked over. “Mogul Fan, I’m temporarily leaving the shop in your hands. I need to go back and prepare.”

Fan Li exclaimed: “You should have gone back to prepare long ago! During this period, there’s hardly any business in the shop. I really don’t know what you’re doing staying here.”

“I have to put on an act, don’t I? You don’t understand a damn thing!” Zhang Fei said irritably: “Without the evidence being delivered, what would I do staying at home? Waste energy making babies?”

Fan Li gave an embarrassed laugh, then suddenly said: “Oh right, I just heard something while I was outside.”

Zhang Fei asked: “What?”

Fan Li said: “Those people have already hired the other seven major bookstores to fight this lawsuit for them.”

“Really?”

Zhang Fei said in surprise: “They didn’t seek help from court officials?”

“No!”

Fan Li said: “Remonstrator Fan and the others have suffered repeated defeats. Who would dare seek their help? So this time those people chose to hire the seven major bookstores.”

Zhang Fei nodded and smiled: “That’s how it should be. Although those officials are talented and have amazing memories, fighting lawsuits is very professional work. Experience is very important – they should hire us pen-in-caps.”

Speaking of this, he added thoughtfully: “Do you think I should go easy on them, to let everyone know that hiring officials to argue cases isn’t as good as hiring pen-in-caps?”

When Fan Li heard this, he immediately started going crazy. “Zhang San, win first before talking about anything else! Don’t play around with all that nonsense. Their life or death has nothing to do with us. If we lose, they’ll definitely come stomp on us a few times.”

Zhang Fei pointed at Fan Li. “How many times have I told you – you need to have a big-picture perspective. It’s useless if just I alone succeed. Our entire profession needs to prosper.”

Fan Li really felt like strangling Zhang Fei. “What big-picture perspective? All I know is that for us, staying alive is the most important thing.”

“I’m not talking to you anymore – it’s like playing music to a cow. When the rain stops, I’m going back. I’m leaving the shop to you.”

After the rain stopped, Zhang Fei took the materials Wang Anshi had sent and went home.

At the Zhang residence, in front of the outhouse.

Zhang Fei looked at Li Bao with a speechless expression. “Brother Bao, couldn’t you find another way to deliver this evidence? You had to hide it in the manure bucket – how am I supposed to get my hands on it?”

Li Bao said sheepishly: “Please don’t blame me, Zhang San. This is the safest method. Since this manure bucket has to be changed every day, our coming and going won’t arouse suspicion, especially since there are so many eyes watching outside your house now.

But don’t worry, – the buckets containing the evidence are all clean. I just placed a few buckets of manure nearby to throw people off the scent.”

“Sigh, forget it. Next time you all need to do this more elegantly and not tarnish the reputation of the Capital Security Office.”

“Yes. I’ll think of another method next time.”

Not long after the evidence was unloaded, Xu Zhiqian hurried over. Seeing Zhang Fei resting in the shade under a big tree, she immediately walked over.

“I heard all the evidence has been delivered.”

“Mm.”

Zhang Fei nodded.

Xu Zhiqian said: “Then why are you still sitting here drinking tea? We don’t have much time left – we need to prepare quickly.”

Zhang Fei said: “Let’s wait another day or two.”

“Still waiting?”

Xu Zhiqian said: “Let me go take a look first.”

After a moment, Xu Zhiqian’s shocked cry could be heard: “Wow, why does it stink so much?”

Zhang Fei chuckled: “I told you to wait a day or two, but you wouldn’t listen.”

At night.

The Imperial Palace.

Two Imperial Guard soldiers stood guard in front of the Taxation Bureau office, chatting idly.

“Hey! Who are you betting on?”

“Li Baoguo and his group.”

“You’re not betting on Zhang San?”

“If others want to bet on Zhang San, that’s fine, but if we bet on Zhang San, we’d really be acting foolish.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Would we normally be standing guard in front of the Taxation Bureau office?”

“You mean they’re going to…!”

“I’m not saying anything, but I know this was requested by Lord Shen and the others.”

“Oh no! You should have told me earlier – I bet all my spare money on Zhang San.”

“You bet everything?”

“The past few times, everyone said Zhang San would lose, and I believed them. I ended up losing several times in a row. This time I was planning to break even.”

Just as they were talking, several cat meows came from the rooftop.

One person looked back and said, “These cats are really strange – wherever people go, they follow.”

Suddenly, a column of soldiers walked over.

“You two can go back and rest now. We’ll take over here.”

The two soldiers glanced at each other, both thinking: do you really need this many people to guard a door? Fınd the newest release on novel•fire.net

But they didn’t dare ask too many questions and quickly left.

After they departed, two soldiers positioned themselves at the door while the other four immediately entered the building.