Chapter 229: Sharing Fortunes and Bearing Hardships Together
That day, Lu Gongzhu went to find Wang Anshi and informed him about the roof leak at the Three Bureaus Archives.
After Wang Anshi learned of this, he calmly sipped his tea and asked with a smile, “Hishu, are you talking about a water leak or a tax leak?”
Seeing that Wang Anshi still had the mood to joke, Lu Gongzhu asked, “Do you already know about this, or had you known this would happen all along?”
Instead of answering, Wang Anshi asked in return, “As the Prefect of Kaifeng, why didn’t you investigate thoroughly before coming to tell me?”
Lu Gongzhu sighed, “An experienced constable would never corner criminals into a desperate situation.”
Wang Anshi looked at Lu Gongzhu, “If I intended to play games with them, I wouldn’t have chosen to resort to the courts. Let them be.”
Lu Gongzhu nodded and stood up, “I’ll take my leave first.”
Wang Anshi also stood and cupped his hands, “Regardless, I still thank you for coming to inform me.”
“This is all I can do,” Lu Gongzhu cupped his hands, smiled apologetically, and left.
He vaguely sensed that the other party might have already tampered with the accounts, but if this matter were pursued, it could mean mutual destruction for them, and heaven knows what they might do. This situation could spiral completely out of control.
The key issue was that the other party involved quite a few people, all from crucial government departments. If investigated, evidence might not necessarily be found.
After much consideration, Lu Gongzhu decided to inform Wang Anshi first to see what his intentions were, since Wang Anshi was the biggest victim in this matter.
Wang Anshi’s attitude gave him some peace of mind.
No sooner had Lu Gongzhu left than Lu Huiqing arrived.
He also came about the roof leak at the Three Bureaus Archives.
“Teacher, this is definitely not a coincidence. They must have tampered with the accounts,” Lu Huiqing said with great concern.
Wang Anshi remained calm, “Just now, Lu Gongzhu already informed me of this matter.”
Lu Huiqing asked, “What does Kaifeng Prefecture plan to do?”
Wang Anshi replied, “Pretend not to know.”
“What?” Lu Huiqing was startled, “How can this work? This is unfair to us!”
Wang Anshi pondered silently.
Seeing this, Lu Huiqing asked again, “Do you already have a counterstrategy?”
Wang Anshi said, “Wait.”
“Wait?”
“Yes.”
In the Imperial Palace.
“This humble servant pays respects to Your Majesty.”
Lan Yuanzhen entered the room and bowed.
Emperor Zhao Xu said, “I heard that the roof of the Three Bureau Archives leaked, causing damage to many account books.”
Lan Yuanzhen quickly explained, “This humble servant just learned of this matter.”
Zhao Xu said, “Regarding the tax evasion case, the Archives has important evidence. I don’t want any mishaps. Go inquire immediately, and also assign people to watch – don’t let any more oversights occur.”
“This humble servant obeys your command.”
Wang Anshi sat waiting in the Reform Planning Commission, and no one knew what he was waiting for until the end of the workday, when he finally emerged from his room.
Seeing Wang Anshi’s relaxed expression, Lu Huiqing was puzzled but didn’t ask further.
Actually, Wang Anshi had been waiting for a summons from Zhao Xu.
Because he knew the importance of this lawsuit to Zhao Xu. If Zhao Xu summoned him, then he would think of countermeasures. If not, there was only one possibility – that Zhao Xu was already prepared. After all, this was the Imperial City, and Zhao Xu was the true master here, not the officials of the Three Financial Bureaus.
Wen Yanbo came to the Chamber of State Affairs and asked Sima Guang, “Do you know about the leak?”
Sima Guang nodded and asked Wen Yanbo in return, “What do you think?”
“As expected.”
Wen Yanbo shook his head and sighed, “This actually isn’t the first time this has happened.”
Sima Guang smiled bitterly, “Since everyone expected this, it’s also normal. Let’s see how Wang Anshi and his people respond to this move.”
Wen Yanbo nodded slightly, “Fortunately, the Kaifeng Prefectural Office remained quite calm this time and didn’t immediately send people to investigate. If they had intervened immediately, this lawsuit definitely couldn’t proceed, and things would become increasingly complex – any situation could occur.”
Sima Guang sighed deeply, “It takes more than one winter’s day to freeze a river!”
At the Zhang residence.
“Why are you two here?”
Zhang Fei looked at Cao Dongdong, who was squatting in a chair eating oranges, and Ma Xiaoyi, who was resting his chin on his hand looking utterly dejected, and asked.
“Ask him.”
Cao Dongdong glanced at Ma Xiaoyi and continued eating.
Ma Xiaoyi lifted his head, looking very guilty, “Brother San, I’m sorry. I… I can’t go to court with you this time.”
Zhang Fei asked in bewilderment, “When did I ever… Cough cough… Why? Little Ma, I really need your help this time.”
Cao Dongdong turned around and looked at Zhang Fei with utter disdain.
Zhang Fei said guiltily, “Young Master Cao, why are you looking at me like that?”
“Nothing much.”
Cao Dongdong continued peeling his orange and eating it.
Ma Xiaoyi sighed, “What else could it be? My father absolutely won’t let me go to court with you. He even said that if I tried to go, he’d send people to drag me back home and wouldn’t even let me watch the trial.”
Zhang Fei remained silent for a long while. After quite some time, he finally sighed, “If that’s the case, then… then let’s collaborate again next time.”
As he spoke, he patted Ma Xiaoyi on the shoulder.
Seeing that they had finished talking, Cao Dongdong suddenly said, “Zhang San, although Little Ma can’t go to court with you, we still have other ways to support you.”
Zhang Fei instinctively asked, “What ways?”
Cao Dongdong said, “You don’t know this, but a few days ago, many people weren’t optimistic about you, so Little Ma and I set up a betting house. We lowered your odds to one-to-two, then raised the opponent’s odds to five-to-one at most. We believe you can definitely win.”
Ma Xiaoyi nodded repeatedly, “But recently more and more people have been betting on the other side. We’ve collected about eight thousand strings so far.”
Zhang Fei blinked his eyes. You two little rascals… this kind of money-making business, and you didn’t include me? I can’t stand for this – I’m really short on money right now!
His eyes rolled, and he couldn’t help but look moved as he said, “Young Master Cao, Little Ma, you two… I never expected you to be so loyal. What virtue or ability do I, Zhang San, possess to deserve knowing you two?”
Cao Dongdong’s eyes darted around, “Then you’d better win this lawsuit, otherwise we’ll have to pay out tens of thousands of strings.”
He had come today specifically to test Zhang Fei’s confidence.
Initially, he had just spoken impulsively, but who knew more and more people would come to place bets.
Zhang Fei said in surprise, “That much?”
Cao Dongdong jumped down from his chair and said nervously, “You won’t lose, will you?”
Ma Xiaoyi said, “Brother San, you’re not even afraid of Remonstrator Fan, so how could you fear some mere little pen-in-cap?”
What kind of talk is that? I’m also a pen-in-cap, damn it. Zhang Fei sighed, “In litigation, victory and defeat lie in the hands of the presiding judge. How dare I guarantee anything? I can only do my best.”
Upon hearing this, Cao Dongdong felt a chill in his heart.
“But don’t worry.”
Zhang Fei placed one hand on Cao Dongdong’s shoulder and the other on Ma Xiaoyi’s shoulder, saying, “We three brothers share good fortune and face hardships together. I’ll bear this burden with you.”
Ma Xiaoyi, whose loyalty reached the clouds, nodded repeatedly with tears in his eyes.
Cao Dongdong, however, said agitatedly, “What’s the use of being honorable friends? The key is that you have to win this lawsuit!”
Zhang Fei immediately said, “Of course I’m confident about winning, but there’s also a possibility I might lose. You’ve set the payout if the other party wins so high – the risk is too great.”
Cao Dongdong panicked, “Then what should we do?”
Zhang Fei said, “First, quickly close your betting house. Then the three of us will open a new one, raise my odds a bit, and lower the opponent’s odds somewhat. A difference of two or three times should be about right.”
“What’s the point of that?” Cao Dongdong asked with a confused expression.
Zhang Fei clicked his tongue, “Don’t you understand? This might make more people bet on me, which would balance things out. Even if we lose, we won’t lose too much.”
Ma Xiaoyi scratched his head, “Shouldn’t we raise your odds and lower the opponent’s?”
Zhang Fei said, “But what if I win?”
Ma Xiaoyi nodded thoughtfully, moving his ten fingers as if calculating.
“This still isn’t stable – we’ve already collected several thousand strings.”
Cao Dongdong’s eyes rolled, “How about this: you give us some guarantees, and we’ll bring more people in – Brother Chun, Brother Fan. If we spread it around, there won’t be much money for each person. But you’ll have to say some tough words so we can trick them into it.”
Wow… I’ll definitely have to watch out for this kid in the future – he’d stab his brothers without even blinking. Zhang Fei looked at Cao Dongdong in amazement.
Ma Xiaoyi said, “But that won’t work – that’s not honorable at all.”
Zhang Fei nodded repeatedly and said, “Little Ma is right. This matter is just for us three brothers to handle. If we win, we’ll celebrate together; if we lose, we’ll bear it together. What’s there to fear?”
Cao Dongdong was still somewhat hesitant.
I only want to celebrate, I don’t want to bear anything.
Ma Xiaoyi said to Cao Dongdong again, “Brother, what are you afraid of? If we lose, with Brother San here, we can always default on our debts.”
Zhang Fei was startled. “Little Ma, where does this talk come from?”
Ma Xiaoyi said, “Brother San, if we can’t pay up, we’ll just have to go to court. You must have a way, right?”
“I…”
Zhang Fei scratched his head and said, “Perhaps there is a way.”
Cao Dongdong finally breathed a sigh of relief and said with a beaming smile, “You should have said so earlier! Alright, let’s do it. Don’t change the odds either – keep them as they are.”
Zhang Fei quickly said, “No, no, no. If you don’t change them, I won’t be able to share your joys and sorrows. Close that gambling house, and the three of us will open a new one.”
Ma Xiaoyi said boldly, “Let’s listen to Brother San. We three brothers will open another house.”
Cao Dongdong chuckled, “As long as we can default on debts, I don’t care.”
These two fellows listened to Zhang Fei’s advice and opened another gambling house, adjusting the odds slightly closer to each other. The intention was to attract fewer people to bet, but the result was that even more people came to bet with them, almost all betting on the Seven Great Notaries.
In less than three days, it approached ten thousand strings.
Cao Dongdong and Ma Xiaoyi, those two fools, were completely dumbfounded.
What was happening?
Wasn’t it supposed to be more balanced?
It turned out that word of the leak at the Archives had spread, and the capital’s young masters had heard of the news.
Combined with Cao Dongdong quietly opening another gambling house and adjusting the odds to make them closer, this technical adjustment made people think that Zhang Fei might be in trouble.
Not just the young masters – even many gambling houses came to place bets here.
This frenzied gambling behavior made this lawsuit the focus of citywide attention – no, citywide participation.
Finally!
Under everyone’s eager anticipation, the day of the trial arrived.
Before dawn, Xu Zhiqian stood in the Zhang family’s main hall as usual, complaining while waiting.
And Zhang Fei, as usual, sat calmly and composedly before the bronze mirror, enjoying Gao Wenyin’s service.
After arranging his hair, Gao Wenyin took out a robe from the wardrobe.
“Eh?”
Zhang Fei looked at the green robe with white eagle embroidery. “What’s with this eagle?”
Gao Wenyin hurriedly said, “I… I took the liberty of embroidering it on. If you don’t like it, I… I’ll go change it for another one.”
“No, no, no!”
Zhang Fei quickly took it and held it up against himself. “This makes it even more handsome! My wife is truly skillful with her hands. I really like this design.”
“As long as you like it.” Gao Wenyin’s cheeks flushed slightly, her beautiful eyes glancing away as she hesitated to speak. “It’s just that…”
Zhang Fei asked, “Just what?”
Gao Wenyin said, “It’s just that embroidering this eagle takes quite a few days. I don’t know if I can finish embroidering another one before the next lawsuit.”
“No matter, no matter. Such a beautiful garment is worth wearing several times.” Zhang Fei held it up, liking it more and more as he looked at it.
A flash of joy crossed Gao Wenyin’s eyes as she said, “Then I… I’ll embroider another one as quickly as possible.”
“No need to rush like that – how tiring!” As he spoke, Zhang Fei caught a glimpse of the secret delight on Gao Wenyin’s face in the bronze mirror and thought, Oh my! I’ve been tricked! Who would have thought this woman’s methods were so formidable that even I fell for her scheme.
It turned out that Gao Wenyin had noticed that Zhang Fei changed to a new robe for each lawsuit, but those robes worn only once were practically as good as new. Being accustomed to frugality, she felt quite sorry about the waste.
But she didn’t dare say it outright, so she came up with this scheme.
Zhang Fei didn’t expose her either. He put on his new battle robe, donned his hat, inserted his short brush-pen, and went out the door.
“Why do you always… wait, that robe of yours?”
Xu Zhiqian, who had been about to complain, was stunned when she saw a white eagle embroidered from Zhang Fei’s left shoulder to his left chest.
Zhang Fei said proudly, “This is my new-style battle robe. Isn’t it handsome?”
Xu Zhiqian said irritably, “We’re going to court, not attending a banquet. Why are you dressed like this?”
Gao Wenyin quickly said, “Miss Xu, please don’t blame Brother San. This… this was actually my own decision to embroider it on.”
“Don’t explain to her. She simply doesn’t understand.”
Zhang Fei raised his hand to stop her and argued with Xu Zhiqian, “My courtroom battles are different from others. This is art. An exquisite robe is very necessary. As for you, you’re still wearing that old thing. I’ll have someone make you a new one later – that one is almost unworthy of being seen with me now.”
Xu Zhiqian rolled her eyes, “Please don’t do that. Even if you made one, I wouldn’t wear it. It would be a pure waste of money.”
She was completely opposite to Zhang Fei – she needed to keep a low profile, not a high one.
As usual, after their bickering, the two left home.
Outside was a sea of black heads.
Zhang Fei looked smugly at Xu Zhiqian, “Now you know why I had to wear this new battle robe! Because I have to consider being the center of attention.”
Xu Zhiqian said, “Stop babbling and let’s go quickly.”
Just as they were about to board the carriage, someone shouted, “Zhang San, Brother San, you absolutely must lose this time! I’ve bet my entire fortune on you losing.”
“Oh no!”
Hearing this, Zhang Fei became distracted and nearly fell off the carriage again. Fortunately, Long Wu was quick-eyed and fast-handed, catching him with his arm and pushing him up into the carriage.
This mishap caused another round of discussion in the crowd.
“Look, Zhang San is not in good form – he almost couldn’t even get into the carriage.”
“It seems Zhang San also knows this trip bodes ill for him!”
“Oh my! This is really wonderful.”