Judge of the Song Dynasty

Wang Anshi was nicknamed the “Stubborn Chancellor” for good reason – his character was indeed very obstinate.

Once he had made up his mind about something, it was very difficult for others to change it.

If he hadn’t possessed this character trait, history might not have witnessed Wang Anshi’s reforms. It was precisely with this stubborn determination that he carried out his reforms.

This showed that everything had two sides.

Furthermore, unlike others, Wang Anshi’s obstinacy and persistence often had sufficient reasoning behind them, which made him persist in doing things his way.

He wasn’t the type of person who was both bad-tempered and unreasonable.

In legal matters, he had once collaborated closely with Zhang Fei, but in this affair, he chose not to work with Zhang Fei.

Although there was an element of spite involved, it was mainly because his governing philosophy advocated statism.

The state controlled everything.

Legal cases were ultimately decided by government courts, not by pen-in-caps. But the imperial court’s official bulletin losing to newspapers – was something he could not tolerate.

His first thought wasn’t to seek Zhang Fei’s help, but to go to the Palace Communications Office again.

He grabbed the supervisor Xing Zhi and unleashed a furious tirade.

The official bulletin was being crushed by civilian newspaper. You people have been doing this for nearly a hundred years, and Zhang Fei had only been at it for half a year and you were already routed. What was the point of keeping a bunch of good-for-nothings like you?

“From now on, all official bulletins must use printing, not handcopying,” Wang Anshi declared decisively.

Xing Zhi had been scolded so severely that he could barely lift his head, stammering: “Academician Wang… this subordinate… this subordinate…”

Wang Anshi said: “What? Your writing skills are inferior to theirs, and now you can’t even speak properly?”

Xing Zhi, sweating profusely, replied: “In response to Academician Wang, even if we switch to printing, we… we still wouldn’t be a match for those newspapers.”

Wang Anshi asked in surprise: “Why?”

Xing Zhi said: “To be frank with Academician Wang, we have also studied those newspapers. From their line spacing, ink color, and typeface, they’re not using traditional block printing, but movable type printing.”

“Movable type printing?”

Wang Anshi frowned. “I remember this movable type printing now. Indeed, using movable type printing for newspapers is very suitable. So why don’t you use it too!”

Xing Zhi said: “This subordinate doesn’t know if Academician Wang is aware that during the Qingli era, we also tried this movable type printing technique, but the printing results were far inferior to block printing.”

As he spoke, he took out a calendar printed with blocks and a newspaper from Authentic Books Store, placing them side by side. “Please look, Academician Wang.”

After examining them, Wang Anshi nodded slightly: “Comparing the two, whether in terms of even ink distribution or character spacing, they differ greatly!”

Xing Zhi said: “Although Authentic Books Store’s movable type printing has improved considerably since the Qingli era, it’s still not as aesthetically pleasing as block printing. If the official bulletin were printed like this, people would think it was a newspaper.

Not only that, movable type printing must be combined with large-scale printing to be cost-effective. Otherwise, it’s even more time-consuming and labor-intensive than block printing. The official bulletin isn’t issued daily, and besides, for some famous articles and books, I also have printing blocks stored. This subordinate has inquired, and the government already has one hundred thousand printing blocks.”

After hearing this, Wang Anshi’s expression showed hesitation again.

Put this way, one couldn’t really blame the Palace Memorial Office for not being progressive – they had also tried this movable type printing technique, but there was no demand for it.

For completed books and articles, block printing was more beautiful and cost-effective. For temporary items like bulletins, the court only issued them occasionally, and only for officials to read. Movable type printing couldn’t reduce costs.

If they could reach over a thousand copies, it would be very cost-effective, but why would the court print so many copies of the bulletin?

Xing Zhi continued: “Even if we used this movable type printing technique, we still couldn’t compete with those newspapers.”

Wang Anshi asked: “How so?”

Xing Zhi said: “We are the Palace Communications Office – every word must be carefully considered, unlike those newspapers that can write to grab attention. Moreover, our bulletins must be submitted upward and go through multiple reviews before it can be decided whether to issue them or not.”

Wang Anshi nodded thoughtfully, then said to Xing Zhi: “It seems you’ve put effort into studying this, but regardless, the court should not lose to civilian publications. Perhaps in the future, bulletins will need to be distributed to the public, so you must also put effort into studying this movable type printing technique.”

Xing Zhi’s eyebrows twitched, and his eyes sparkled with joy, though he said: “Well, the government would have to allocate funds to us first.”

Wang Anshi said: “I will memorialize His Majesty about this.”

Xing Zhi hastily replied: “Please rest assured, Grand Academician Wang. It won’t be long before our Palace Communications Office can surpass that Authentic Books Store.”

He spoke with considerable confidence, because the Song Dynasty itself placed great emphasis on scientific research – the Four Great Inventions were basically all developed and refined during the Song Dynasty.

The court also had abundant talent reserves, both theoretical and practical.

Because the ministers of this period were all versatile talents – after all, in this mercantile culture, technical skills were highly valued.

The reason movable type printing had not replaced woodblock printing was not that the Song court was unwilling to pursue it – they had tried before, but the technology had not achieved a breakthrough, and demand was also limited.

Then there was the matter of funding.

As long as the funding was in place, anything could be accomplished.

Leaving the Palace Communications Office, Wang Anshi wore a troubled expression, thinking: I could ask Zhang San for help, but even if we win the battle of words, what then? When my new policies are promulgated, if they use these newspapers to attack my new laws, that would be very detrimental to my reforms. I need to find a way to ban these newspapers, then control the official bulletins, and then ask Zhang San for help to use the bulletins to promote my new policies – only then can I achieve twice the result with half the effort.

At the Bianjing Law Firm.

“Is selling newspapers really that profitable?”

Chen Maoqian looked at Zhang Fei in amazement.

It had only been a few days, and this fellow was already planning to buy houses – and not just one, but two at once. He must have struck it rich!

Zhang Fei smiled: “It’s just average, but it’s a stable income, and I can take out a loan to buy houses. How about it – can you help me acquire the house I’m currently living in and the one my father-in-law lives in?”

Chen Maoqian pondered for a moment: “Currently the owners have no intention of selling. If you want to buy, you might have to spend more money.”

Zhang Fei nodded: “You go ahead and negotiate for me first. Also, keep an eye out for any nearby residences that are for sale – I don’t necessarily have to buy those two specific ones.”

Chen Maoqian nodded: “Alright, I’ll go ask around for you.”

After a pause, he added: “By the way, regarding that movable type workshop you mentioned last time, I’m rather interested.”

Zhang Fei smiled: “Don’t you know? Ma Xiaoyi and Young Master Cao have already donated quite a bit of land to establish charitable institutions. When the time comes, I’ll use the surplus funds from the charitable institutions to invest in the movable type workshop, so we’re not short of money for now.”

Chen Maoqian asked in surprise: “Xiaoyi? Young Master Cao?”

Zhang Fei asked: “You didn’t know?”

Chen Maoqian shook his head, furious inside. You sneaky Brother Ma, hiding this from me and working behind my back, trying to monopolize this profit! I have sons too, and more than you do at that! He asked again: “How much land did they donate?”

Zhang Fei replied: “300 acres.”

Chen Maoqian couldn’t help but gasp, his face showing hesitation. That was far too much to donate – what if it all went to waste?

Just then, Li Si entered the room: “Brother San, Mister Su has arrived.”

Zhang Fei was slightly startled, thinking: Can he no longer contain himself either? He quickly said: “Please invite him in at once.”

Having heard this, Chen Maoqian, who wanted to think carefully about this charitable institution matter anyway, took his leave.

“Master Su, I trust you have been well.”

Zhang Fei cupped his hands in greeting.

Su Shi returned the gesture briefly and said: “I’ve come today to ask when my poetry collection can be published.”

As expected, he had come for this matter. Zhang Fei replied: “It should be soon.”

In truth, they hadn’t even begun preparations. Thɪs chapter is updated by novel⦿fire.net

Su Shi showed some dissatisfaction: “I remember I was the first to come to you, yet you’ve published many issues of this newspaper while my poetry collection has yet to be published. Why the delay?”

Zhang Fei hastily explained: “The newspaper was a sudden development – Mister Su should understand the reasons. Your poetry collection will use woodblock printing to be more aesthetically pleasing, requiring more refined production. Please wait just a little longer.”

Su Shi nodded, then asked: “Your Scholar’s Gazette – can only scholars publish articles in it?”

Zhang Fei nodded: “That’s correct.”

As he spoke, he felt somewhat worried inside. Yes, Su Shi could indeed be considered a scholar – what should he do about this?

Su Shi blinked and said: “I think your idea for this Scholar’s Gazette isn’t very good.”

Zhang Fei asked: “What do you mean by that?”

Su Shi said: “You’re a merchant, selling newspapers to make money – am I wrong about that?”

Zhang Fei nodded: “That’s naturally the case.”

Su Shi continued: “I’ve observed carefully, and actually the first day generated the most attention. Miss Xu’s article in particular was indispensable to that success.”

Truly worthy of being Su Dongpo – compared to me, he’s certainly no less capable. Zhang Fei feigned curiosity: “Is that so?”

“If you don’t believe me, you can go ask around and see.”

“Why is that?” Zhang Fei asked, puzzled.

Su Shi said: “It’s simple. To generate attention, there must be comparison and controversy. Placing Miss Xu’s article alongside Academician Sima’s article naturally sparked debate.

Your Scholar’s Gazette made this mistake – publishing Chancellor Han’s article carries too much authority and lacks controversy, making it difficult to sell well.”

“Mister Su speaks wisely.” Zhang Fei nodded thoughtfully, then bowed to Su Shi: “I hope you can offer some guidance.”

Su Shi said: “You could start another newspaper specifically for publishing young scholars’ articles. When their views conflict with each other, it will inevitably spark debate, and that’s how your newspaper can sell well.”

Zhang Fei frowned: “That may be true, but what young scholar would dare question Chancellor Han’s articles, or dare question Academician Sima’s articles?”

Su Shi looked at Zhang Fei with some frustration and said: “When Chancellor Han was young, at the Remonstrance Bureau, he brought down four chancellors with a single essay. If Chancellor Han dared to do it, and we don’t dare, wouldn’t that mean each generation is worse than the last? I, Su Shi, dare to do it.”

Zhang Fei looked at Su Shi with a smile: “You wish to publish your own articles in the newspaper, right?”

Su Shi chuckled: “It’s killing two birds with one stone.”

Han Qi, Sima Guang, and Wang Anshi were fighting with great enthusiasm, while Su Shi, this contrarian, watched from the sidelines with itchy hands, unable to resist. Zhang Fei had conveniently created this Scholar’s Gazette.

Su Shi was still just a junior employee at the company, only having some reputation in the pleasure quarters. He really couldn’t be called a renowned scholar, but Su Shi was no ordinary person – such a small difficulty could hardly stop him.

It had to be said, Su Shi’s idea was absolutely brilliant, and his analysis was very thorough. Authority was boring – if he could create a Young Scholar’s Gazette, what a sensation that would be.

Absolutely explosive.

Actually, Zhang Fei had been planning something similar before. He had originally wanted to create a rivalry between twin stars, but Wang Anshi stubbornly refused to take the bait, which frustrated him greatly.

Having only one side singing certainly couldn’t make it popular.

Zhang Fei asked: “Do you have an article?”

“I do!”

Su Shi pulled an article from his sleeve and handed it to Zhang Fei.

Zhang Fei took it and looked, sighing inwardly. Living in this era, I can only copy literary works from the future.

Su Shi’s article also discussed the Corvee Labor Law, but he placed his main argument on the Three Excesses, attributing the people’s heavy tax burden to the disaster of the Three Excesses.

This was an implicit but ruthless criticism of Han Qi’s article. The root of the problem lay in the Three Excesses, yet you avoided discussing the Three Excesses while talking about reducing corvee duties – wasn’t that just playing games?

How could you possibly reduce them?

Pure empty talk.

To lighten the people’s burden, the court must first save expenses and solve the disaster of the Three Excesses – that was the fundamental solution.

It had to be admitted that Su Shi’s article hit the nail on the head, getting straight to the root of the problem, but his thinking differed from Wang Anshi’s.

He still followed the path of reducing expenditures.

However, regarding how to solve the disaster of the Three Excesses, he offered no constructive suggestions.

Clearly, he just wanted to argue with Han Qi, nothing more.

This was also their biggest difference from Wang Anshi. Wang Anshi actually proposed solutions, and systematic ones at that, while they only discussed matters case by case, making small moves.

Zhang Fei nodded: “Alright, I’ll arrange this for you as soon as possible.”