Judge of the Song Dynasty

Han Qi had come prepared and immediately handed the article to Zhang Fei.

Under Zhang Fei’s “earnest” pleading, Han Qi found it difficult to refuse such hospitality and wrote the words “Scholar’s Gazette” as a gift to Zhang Fei to serve as the name for the newspaper .

Since it was the Scholar’s Gazette, naturally these three characters had to be written by a scholar. Google seaʀᴄh novel fire.net

Later they would make rubbings and carve them onto printing blocks.

After finishing the writing, Han Qi left.

Han Qi’s appearance could be said to be both within Zhang Fei’s expectations yet beyond his predictions.

Although Zhang Fei’s literary cultivation was third-rate, he was someone who studied articles – he specialized in researching how to write articles. That was why he insisted on publishing Xu Zhiqian’s article.

He wasn’t desperate to earn money from selling these two issues, and moreover, Xu Zun’s matter had already been resolved.

He was deliberately baiting these literary giants. Once they got riled up, wouldn’t their pen-brushes start dancing?

But he had originally intended to hook Wang Anshi, yet unexpectedly this time Wang Anshi didn’t take the bait, but instead drew Han Qi over. This was truly a case of when the east isn’t bright, the west is.

Only after he read through Han Qi’s article and saw it discussed the Corvee Labor Law did he understand what was really going on.

Han Qi obviously hadn’t been lured over by Sima Guang, but was rather drawn in by Wang Anshi.

“How is it?”

Zhang Fei asked Xu Zhiqian.

Xu Zhiqian said, “Chancellor Han’s article is naturally quite remarkable, but… but this article seems to echo Uncle Wang’s article from a different direction.”

Wang Anshi’s article mainly discussed the flaws of the Corvee Labor Law, and Han Qi’s did the same, but their writing styles were completely different. Wang Anshi’s was concise and precise, with every sentence hitting the mark. But Han Qi’s article was very lengthy, recounting his observations from when he served in local posts, using these to analyze the flaws of the Corvee Labor Law while also offering his own views.

His main points were to exempt some unnecessary corvee duties to lighten the people’s burden, and for necessary duties, they must follow principles of priority and urgency. One couldn’t simply find however many people were needed for however many tasks immediately – for matters that weren’t so important or urgent, arrangements should wait until the people had spare time.

Zhang Fei asked again, “How do the two compare?”

Xu Zhiqian hesitated a moment, then said, “Chancellor Han has never been known for his literary works.”

Zhang Fei smiled, “But he is exceptionally intelligent.”

Xu Zhiqian asked, “What do you mean by that?”

Zhang Fei said, “Compared to your article, how is it?”

Xu Zhiqian quickly replied, “How could I compare to Chancellor Han?”

“Everyone knows that! Just compare them,” Zhang Fei said.

“If you know, why ask?” Xu Zhiqian muttered under her breath, then looked again and suddenly said, “Strange. The writing style of this article seems somewhat different from Chancellor Han’s previous works, but rather similar to my article’s style.”

Zhang Fei smiled, “He optimized your article’s writing style. It shows Chancellor Han already knows how to write articles for newspapers.”

Personal observations and experiences were essentially stories, which could better resonate with common people.

Xu Zhiqian asked, “You mean Chancellor Han’s article can surpass Uncle Wang’s article?”

“Definitely.”

Zhang Fei chuckled.

One could only say that Wang Anshi was someone who attracted enmity. Who told him to be so arrogant while also being brilliantly talented? If he could just bathe more often and cultivate an elegant demeanor, probably all the men in the realm would want to hunt him down.

When Han Qi saw Wang Anshi’s article, how could he not know what Wang Anshi was thinking? It was obvious he wanted to overshadow Sima Guang, so his competitive spirit was aroused. “You’re so arrogant, I just won’t let you have your way.”

Han Qi had once brought down four chancellors with a single essay – he played with cleverness. Though he was advanced in years, his heart still retained some youthful restlessness.

Especially when encountering someone as enviably formidable as Wang Anshi, his fighting spirit was fully aroused.

Even in content, he had taken a clever approach. His strategy was simply to improve current corvee duties based on his own experience, but this wasn’t a fundamental solution. After all, what could be exempted was quite limited. In comparison, Wang Anshi’s Corvee Exemption Law was truly a fundamental remedy, though one couldn’t say Han Qi’s approach was useless.

But even just improvement would still certainly be useful. The people would definitely be pleased to see it, since it lightened rather than increased their burdens.

Zhang Fei took Han Qi’s article and hurried off to the Authentic Books Store.

All the major restaurants and inns knew that Xu Zhiqian’s article’s had run its course, but they still sent people to inquire if more newspapers would be published.

To these major establishments, it didn’t matter if no newspapers were published, but if you did publish one, they absolutely had to have their share.

And now, Han Qi’s article immediately followed.

Hou Donglai was absolutely delighted. Han Qi’s reputation and status were truly extraordinary!

When he learned that it would be titled “Scholar’s Gazette,” he became even more excited.

In fact, a mere newspaper was not worthy of Han Qi.

When the craftsmen learned they would be printing Chancellor Han’s article, they were even more thrilled!

Through the craftsmen’s efforts through day and night!

Two days.

Just two days.

On the third day, the Scholar’s Gazette was born.

Actually, Zhang Fei also intended to use the Scholar’s Gazette to distinguish itself from pamphlets.

Therefore, the Scholar’s Gazette’s layout was much more rigorous. It began with the large characters “Scholar’s Gazette” and extensively used punctuation marks.

When printing the contracts, Zhang Fei had already used punctuation marks, but the first three issues hadn’t adopted them.

The newspaper had fully transformed into the Scholar’s Gazette, plus with contributions from the elder statesman Han Qi who had served three emperors – what a sensation this was!

When the major restaurants and inns heard this news, they strongly expressed to Zhang Fei that access to the newspaper must be shared equally, or there would really be problems.

Sure enough, once the Scholar’s Gazette was published, it immediately attracted extremely high attention.

There had been a three-day gap without any newspaper publication.

Everyone suddenly felt somewhat bored, with nothing new to read. When this Scholar’s Gazette appeared, it truly met everyone’s expectations.

The victim Wang Anshi was still kept in the dark, anxiously waiting for his article to ferment. Instead of fermentation, he received Han Qi’s article.

Still that same small tavern.

It had now become a crime scene.

This time Wang Anshi seriously read Han Qi’s article. He also heard the adjacent table discussing their regret about the failed Qingli reforms, completely ignoring his own policy reforms.

It was painful!

He wanted to cry!

Wang Anshi was truly devastated.

Why the hell was this happening?

Fu Bi, who had been recuperating at home due to illness, also followed the trend today. He went out and came with Wen Yanbo to a small teahouse for breakfast.

Lord Fu’s intention was the gazette, not the breakfast!

After all, the Scholar’s Gazette wasn’t sold retail – one could only read it here.

“This Han Qi really hasn’t changed at all!”

Fu Bi put down the gazette and chuckled.

Wen Yanbo said quietly, “The best part is yet to come.”

Fu Bi hurriedly asked, “What do you mean by that?”

Wen Yanbo said, “I heard that Han Qi is leaving the capital tomorrow to return to Daming Prefecture.”

Han Qi wasn’t serving in the capital but held the chancellor title while serving as Pacification Commissioner in Daming Prefecture, managing the military and political affairs of the four circuits around Hebei.

He was supposed to leave after New Year but had been delaying until now.

Fu Bi was slightly stunned: “He’s stealing the spotlight and not even giving Wang Anshi a chance to fight back. This is indeed Han Qi’s method – making you feel frustrated while leaving you helpless.”

Wen Yanbo glanced at Fu Bi and smiled, “Are you thinking of your own experiences from the past?”

Fu Bi’s expression darkened, and he glared at him.

If you can’t speak properly, then say less.

Years ago, regarding the enthronement of Emperor Yingzong, he happened to be at home observing mourning. Han Qi immediately left him far behind in his political career, and he had never recovered since.

When Sima Guang saw Han Qi’s article, he exclaimed, “I am no match for Chancellor Han.”

He had also thought about how to defeat Wang Anshi and was preparing to find Zhang Fei today to publish another piece, but Han Qi’s article had already been published.

It was clear that Han Qi had seen through this point long ago.

But Sima Guang wasn’t discouraged. After all, he wasn’t competing with Han Qi – he was competing with Wang Anshi. Since Han Qi had already paved the way, he must follow up and deliver a kick, defeating Wang Anshi in writing. Was there anything more satisfying than this?

Clutching his article, he went to find Zhang Fei.

Bianjing Law Firm.

“Ah?”

Zhang Fei looked at Sima Guang with complete bewilderment. “Academician Sima, you wish to publish another article?”

Sima Guang felt somewhat embarrassed and said displeasedly, “What? Now that you have Chancellor Han’s article, you despise my writing?”

“I wouldn’t dare! I wouldn’t dare!”

Zhang Fei hurriedly explained, “It’s just that I didn’t expect you to want to publish another article so soon.”

Sima Guang coughed twice. “The situation is this: the new laws have been revised, but listening to all sides brings clarity while listening to only one side brings confusion. I want to borrow your newspaper to announce this widely and see what everyone thinks. If there are any improper aspects, they should naturally be corrected.”

This reasoning was so dignified and proper that one really couldn’t find fault with it.

Moreover, this was actually the best approach—to float the idea first and gauge the reaction.

Zhang Fei cupped his hands and said, “Academician Sima’s foresight and prudent conduct truly shame this junior. This junior will publish Academician Sima’s article in the Scholar’s Gazette.”

Sima Guang nodded. “As you wish.”

After handing the article to Zhang Fei, he hurried off to work.

Xu Zhiqian was dumbfounded.

Han Qi had left, and now Sima Guang had come.

This was never-ending!

Looking at the article, Xu Zhiqian broke out in a cold sweat on Wang Anshi’s behalf. “It seems they all know how to defeat Uncle Wang now.”

Sima Guang’s article ostensibly discussed the new laws, but was actually expounding on judicial matters. He used those who were called up to serve as government runners for their corvee service as an example to elaborate on the importance of the judicial system.

He argued that many corvee government runners went bankrupt because law enforcement was lax. Government offices, fearing they would bear the losses themselves, would directly demand money when encountering cases involving government corvee runners, without conducting proper trials.

Using the Shi family case as an example, he argued that to resolve the problems with corvee labor, one must first uphold justice and ensure corvee government runners receive fair trials, rather than putting profit first.

Wang Anshi’s new policies emphasized profit, so here he dealt Wang Anshi another blow.

When these geniuses engaged in literary combat, they were a hundred times stronger than keyboard warriors, with killing intent hidden in every line.

Zhang Fei laughed cheerfully. “It’s good that they’re fighting, good that they’re fighting! This time I’m definitely going to strike it rich, haha! Even if Confucius himself came, he couldn’t stop me!”

With that, he shouted outside, “Li Si!”

Li Si entered the room. “Brother San, what’s the matter?”

Zhang Fei said, “Help me arrange a meeting with Chen Maoqian.”

Xu Zhiqian asked in surprise, “Why do you want to meet with Mogul Chen?”

Zhang Fei chuckled. “I want to buy a house.”

Everyone was laughing, except Wang Anshi who was suffering.

Wang Anshi was furious, pounding the table and cursing, “That old fox Han Qi! His article is clearly just pandering and taking shortcuts. Can reducing corvee duties a little solve the problem? This is pure sweet talk to win popular support. No, I must write an article to counter him and expose his true face.”

Lu Huiqing opened his mouth, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Wang Anshi said, “If you have something to say, just say it.”

Lu Huiqing said, “I heard that Chancellor Han is returning to Daming Prefecture soon.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Anshi’s eyes nearly bulged out as he gnashed his teeth. “That old fox.”

Lu Huiqing continued, “Mentor, if this continues, you won’t be able to compete with them. The Official Bulletin only distributes a few dozen copies total. Officials fight over them and can only make their own transcriptions. Other people can’t see them at all.

But Zhang San’s newspaper prints hundreds of copies at once, practically one for everyone. The impact it generates is incomparable. You could also publish articles in the newspaper and have Zhang San print more copies. We could sell them directly in Daming Prefecture so Han Qi won’t have peace either.”

This fellow’s methods were quite ruthless—Han Qi, you want to run? Can you really escape?

“No.”

Wang Anshi refused decisively.

Lu Huiqing was stunned. “Why not?”

Wang Anshi said, “This must be a competition of articles. If I can’t win without going to Zhang San, then who is the ultimate winner? It’s Zhang San! Whoever has Zhang San wins.”

Lu Huiqing was speechless.

Even if both used newspapers, it would still be a competition of articles!

Zhang San was just a tool!

But he also understood Wang Anshi’s personality—once he got stuck in a rut, it was very hard to get him out. He earnestly advised, “The Official Bulletin has limited circulation. Even if Master writes the finest article, it will be very difficult to win.”

Wang Anshi said, “This shows that the Palace Communications Office needs improvement. Private workshops are using printing, yet the Palace Communications Office still relies on hand-copying. Those officials truly lack initiative and should all be dismissed.”