Chapter 248: The Play
As the saying goes, the early bird catches the worm, and the success of White Crystal Inn was inseparable from the efforts of the Fan father and son.
Although Fan Yong had already prepared to hand over power, he still couldn’t change his old habits. He would rise early and make his rounds through the inn, checking how well the cleaning had been done and whether the servers were properly dressed, among other things.
“Last night, the Young Master and Xiaoyi came to find me, saying they’re planning to do charity work together with Zhang San.”
Fan Zheng said as he followed Fan Yong upstairs.
“Do charity?” Fan Yong nearly missed a step, stopped in his tracks, looked at his son, and laughed. “Those two are doing charity?”
Fan Zheng nodded.
Fan Yong laughed and casually asked, “Are they asking you to donate some money?”
Fan Zheng first nodded, then said, “Not just some money.”
Fan Yong asked, “How much?”
Fan Zheng said, “They donated twenty thousand strings together with Zhang San.” Fan Yong exclaimed, “That much? Did they strike it rich?”
Fan Zheng said in a low voice, “I heard that during that lawsuit last time, they were secretly running the betting operation and made quite a lot of money.”
Fan Yong nodded and said, “We can’t donate that much. Just donate fifty strings to show our support.”
Fan Zheng said, “What they donated wasn’t just that amount.”
Fan Yong was shocked again. “Not just that amount? Then how much?”
Fan Zheng said, “The Ma family and Cao family will each donate 300 acres of land.”
Fan Yong turned his head and looked at Fan Zheng in shock.
Donating money for charity was one thing, but donating land – that sounded suspicious!
Fan Zheng added, “I heard they don’t have to pay taxes on it.”
Fan Yong raised both eyebrows and was about to say something when the manager suddenly ran upstairs, panting as he said, “Master, Master, someone just delivered a batch of pamphlets outside. They’re asking if we want them?”
Fan Yong had no mood to discuss such matters at the moment and glared back at him. “You come to ask me about such trivial matters?”
The manager said, “But the content of these pamphlets…”
After hearing this, Fan Zheng immediately said, “Bring them here for me to see.”
The manager immediately handed over the pamphlets.
After reading them, Fan Zheng’s expression changed dramatically. “This…”
Fan Yong hurriedly asked, “What does it say?”
Fan Zheng said, “Judge Xu proposed at the Court of Penal Review to revoke the privileges of influential households.”
“What?”
Fan Yong couldn’t help but be greatly alarmed.
Early this morning, a batch of anonymous pamphlets suddenly appeared at various teahouses, wine shops, and steamed bun stalls throughout Bianjing.
Their explosive content quickly sparked heated discussion.
The pamphlets actually revealed the contents of a confidential meeting at the Court of Penal Review.
The content concerned how to revise the tenant rental contract law, which was actually quite normal, but one point was particularly sensitive: Xu Zun strongly suggested linking local governance outcomes with the privileges of influential households.
If they dared to use tenants to threaten the court again, their privileges would be directly revoked.
Moreover, there had been heated discussion during the meeting.
This instantly ignited public opinion.
If this were actually done, it would be equivalent to uprooting the very foundations of civil and military officials.
Except for monks and Taoists, most privileged households were either from military aristocratic families or retired old ministers, all former high court officials, and many were even founding heroes. If this were linked to local governance, it could almost be said that the court could revoke privileges at will.
Such things could only be granted, never taken back.
Today, Zhang Fei also went out early as usual with Xu Zhiqian, heading to Bianjing Law Firm.
In the carriage, Lawyer Xu was very “humbly” asking pen-in-cap Zhang for advice on how exactly charity should be done.
Her personality was rather stubborn, and after thinking hard at home for two days, she couldn’t figure out how charity could have different approaches.
How could it be approached differently?
Today she was determined to pester Zhang Fei until she got a clear answer.
“Donate to research and development?”
Xu Zhiqian looked completely bewildered.
Zhang Fei nodded and said, “One perfect law is worth more than a thousand lawsuits, one good medicine is better than treating a thousand patients, and one well-designed farming tool can likewise help farmers throughout the realm. This is the path of supreme goodness.”
Xu Zhiqian thought for a while. “What you say makes sense, but a good medicine is something that can be encountered but not sought. Perhaps after all your efforts and spending so much money, there might be no results, and everyone will doubt your medical skills instead.”
Zhang Fei said, “You’re absolutely right, which is why my donations will be divided into two major parts. First, specifically helping those common people who encounter crises of survival. The one guiding principle: provide emergency relief, not poverty relief.
And second, donating to certain government offices involved in weapon, medical, and agricultural tool research and development. This money will all be spent on the government, so how could the court suspect me?”
Xu Zhiqian said in surprise, “You’re also donating to the government?”
Zhang Fei said, “If I don’t donate to the government, what will I use to convince Academician Wang?”
Xu Zhiqian pondered, “The money donated to the government probably won’t be used for the research and development you mentioned – it might all be spent on officials’ banquet tables.”
Zhang Fei said, “We naturally need to avoid this as much as possible. The money won’t pass through their hands but will be used directly on the craftsmen.”
Xu Zhiqian said, “How is that possible?”
Zhang Fei said, “This is exactly what we need to negotiate with the government about. This matter isn’t as simple as you imagine.”
Xu Zhiqian fell silent.
This was something she had never considered at all. She even wondered if this was really charity.
The key was that she wasn’t particularly interested in this kind of charity either.
Her charity was the kind that punished the strong and helped the weak.
When they arrived at the Bianjing Law Firm and had just gotten off the carriage, Fan Li rushed out anxiously. “Zhang San, Miss Xu, you’re here! Something terrible has happened.”
Zhang Fei was completely bewildered. “What terrible thing has happened?”
Fan Li pulled out a small newspaper. “Look quickly, this is the small paper I just got from the tea house next door.”
Zhang Fei took it and looked, then exclaimed, “Father-in-law!”
When Xu Zhiqian heard this, she snatched it over, and after reading it, her face turned pale with fright.
Fan Li asked, “Is this true?”
Zhang Fei angrily rebuked, “Of course it is false! This is a Court of Penal Review meeting – how could it possibly be leaked? Is no one managing these pamphlets? This is absolutely outrageous!”
Xu Zhiqian’s forehead was beaded with sweat, and she was panic-stricken. “What if it’s true?”
Zhang Fei was stunned. “That’s impossible! Look at these words – do they sound like something father-in-law would say?”
Xu Zhiqian remained silent.
Zhang Fei asked Fan Li again, “How many people have seen this pamphlet so far?”
Fan Li said, “It’s already spread throughout the entire city.”
Zhang Fei said, “What are people’s reactions?”
Fan Li said in a low voice, “What else would you expect? Those common people love the excitement and naturally cheer for it, but anyone with any status is cursing furiously in anger.”
Xu Zhiqian said, “Zhang San, we need to go back immediately.”
Coming from an official family, she was quite clear about this kind of situation.
Zhang Fei nodded, then said to Fan Li, “Watch the shop first. I’m going back to handle some business.”
Fan Li nodded. “Go quickly.”
At the Court of Penal Review.
“Xu Zun! Xu Zun!”
Gu Ji and a group of veteran ministers came charging into the Court of Penal Review with aggressive momentum.
Sima Guang, who was meeting with everyone, felt quite “surprised” when he saw them arrive.
“What are you doing?” Sima Guang asked with furrowed brows.
“It’s perfect that you’re all here.”
Gu Ji slammed a pamphlet on the table. “Did you people say this?”
Sima Guang picked it up and looked, then said in surprise, “Who leaked this?”
Gu Ji immediately said, “So Xu Zun really did say these words.”
Xu Zun’s acting skills were naturally beyond question. He looked completely bewildered. “What’s the matter?”
Liu Shu, Qi Hui, and the others also stood up one after another, came to Sima Guang’s side, and looked over, becoming greatly alarmed.
Xu Zun also hurriedly got up and came over. “Academician Sima, may I take a look?”
Sima Guang handed the pamphlet to Xu Zun.
After Xu Zun finished reading, his face immediately filled with anger, and he glared furiously at Liu Shu, Qi Hui, and the others. “You’re truly despicable, actually harming me like this.”
Liu Shu looked completely innocent. “It wasn’t me who said it.”
“Then who could have said it?” Xu Zun said in uncontrollable rage. “At the time, it was just us few people there. I couldn’t have said it myself, could I?”
Everyone looked at each other, each wearing an expression of innocence.
Gu Ji rushed forward. “Xu Zun, do you admit you said these words?”
Xu Zun said, “I didn’t say it like that. This is obviously embellished and exaggerated. Academician Sima, you must speak a fair word for me.”
Sima Guang hurriedly stood up and said to Gu Ji and the others, “Everyone, please remain calm for now and listen to my explanation. At the time we were meeting to discuss the matter of revising the tenant rental contract law, Associate Minister Liu considered that this would be unfair to those major landowners. If they dismissed their tenants because of this, it might trigger unrest. Judge Xu casually suggested linking local security with the privileges of local landowners.”
Gu Ji said excitedly, “So he did say it!”
Xu Zun said tearfully, “During the meeting, we were discussing what to do, and I just casually mentioned it. Later everyone opposed it, so I didn’t say anything more.”
Liu Shu and Qi Hui both nodded.
What was written there was indeed extremely excessive, and the key point was that it was written with vivid detail, but Xu Zun had really just mentioned it once.
Sima Guang nodded. “Judge Xu really just mentioned it casually and didn’t insist on it at all. We didn’t have any heated discussion, we barely even discussed it. This pamphlet is purely talking nonsense.”
In his heart he was also wondering, could this really be Zhang San’s doing? That boy was too ruthless, actually treating his father-in-law like this.
An elderly official sneered coldly. “Who knows what schemes you’re plotting. Just wait – I’m definitely going to His Majesty to impeach you all.”
With that, he flicked his sleeves and left in a huff.
Gu Ji and the others also turned and left one after another.
In their view, this was simply kicking someone when they were down – utterly shameless.
Xu Zun also said agitatedly, “Fine, if you’re going to do this, don’t invite me to any more meetings.”
He also left in a huff.
Sima Guang’s gaze swept around. “I must find out who is behind this.”
“Despicable!”
Wang Anshi crumpled the tabloid in his hand into a ball. “I never thought they would use such methods to target Xu Zun.”
Lu Huiqing said, “Mentor, this is an excellent opportunity for us. The Court of Penal Review must be in complete chaos right now. If we step forward to support Xu Zun’s position, everyone will blame the Court of Penal Review. Moreover, isn’t Xu Zun’s position what you want as well, Teacher?”
Wang Anshi shook his head. “No, doing this would harm Xu Zun, and His Majesty would never agree to it either.”
Lu Huiqing sighed inwardly and didn’t continue trying to persuade him.
At the Kaifeng Prefectural Office.
“I won’t hide it from you – some time ago, I was calculating when I might be transferred, but now that I’m really leaving, I truly feel reluctant!”
Lu Gongzhu sat in the main hall, gently stroking the desk surface with both hands, looking around with a hint of reluctance in his eyes.
Before he finished speaking, Huang Gui rushed into the hall. “Prefect Lu, something’s happened – something big!”
Lu Gongzhu asked, “What big event?”
Huang Gui hurriedly handed over a pamphlet. “This pamphlet came out this morning.”
Lu Gongzhu took it and looked. His expression changed with alarm. He looked up, and for a moment it seemed as if a young man in his bright green robes and pen in his cap, with a sharp, monkey-like face, was standing in the hall. He immediately slammed the pamphlet down on the desk. “Chief Clerk Huang, please help me pack up. I need to hurry to take up my post at the Three Financial Bureaus.”