Chapter 259: Stopping People from Speaking
Zhang Fei, who had always been one to take unconventional approaches, was surprisingly compliant this time.
In the past, whenever something happened, he would go straight to the Kaifeng Prefectural Office to beat the drum. He spent more time at the Kaifeng Prefectural Office than at his own home.
But this time was different. From beginning to end, he had not uttered a single word of protest against the imperial court’s prohibition.
Whatever the court prohibited, that was exactly what he did, and he was very conscientious about it.
In front of a furnace.
Fresh copies of the Scholar’s Gazette that had just come off the press were being thrown into the roaring flames, instantly turning to nothing. The craftsmen standing nearby had tears in their eyes – these were all publications they had worked so hard to print.
As it happened, Sima Guang had also come here today.
This particular batch of the Scholar’s Gazette contained an article he had written. On the surface, it promoted the new legal statute, but in reality, it also expounded his advocacy for using the judicial system to resolve the problem of employing corvee labor as government runners.
Watching his article being thrown into the fire, Sima Guang couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. He suddenly turned to look at Zhang Fei beside him and asked, “This isn’t like your usual style!”
Zhang Fei looked at Sima Guang with confusion. Sima Guang smiled and said, “In the past, whenever you encountered injustice, you would never swallow your grievances. You would definitely run to the Kaifeng Prefectural Office to file a complaint. How is it that this time you’re being so compliant?”
Zhang Fei chuckled and said in a low voice, “To be honest with you, Academician Sima, I actually feel quite guilty about this matter. After all, I was indeed seeking profit, which wasn’t honorable. How could I dare go to Kaifeng Prefecture to file a complaint? I need to quickly destroy the evidence. As long as I’m still here, why worry about not being able to make money?”
Sima Guang was stunned for a moment, then said approvingly, “You seem reckless, but you’re actually more careful and cautious than anyone.”
He had been both opponent and collaborator with Zhang Fei, and he knew in his heart that Zhang Fei’s survival to this point wasn’t due to pure recklessness. Before acting rashly, he would first make thorough preparations – either seeking Sima Guang’s help or Wang Anshi’s help to resolve any threats to his life before filing complaints.
“Caution ensures a long voyage, after all.”
Zhang Fei then asked, “May this commoner boldly ask why Academician Sima would support Academician Wang this time?”
“I’m not supporting him, nor am I rejecting this newspapers as he does. It’s just that…”
Sima Guang sighed, “It’s just that what Wang Anshi said does have its merits. If newspapers are not properly controlled, they could cause great harm. Although this incident involved a leak, cough cough… but what if someone really leaks secrets in the future? What would we do then? This was my lack of consideration, which is why I suggested that we first not allow reckless discussion of current affairs, and only publish local gossip for entertainment. We should wait until the court establishes regulatory laws, then gradually and systematically open things up.”
Zhang Fei felt guilty, but Sima Guang felt guilty too!
This whole affair had been secretly planned between him and Zhang Fei, but Wang Anshi’s words had been like a sudden enlightenment, awakening him to the reality that ancestral law required comprehensive order to prevent misfeasance.
Although this newspaper had helped him handle matters in relation to his new laws, he suddenly realized that the court currently had no regulatory laws for newspapers. If they were exploited by petty people, it could backfire and really cause problems.
He felt that his thinking had been somewhat too simplistic.
But he still hoped that comprehensive systems and regulations could be established first, then gradually opened up.
Strictly speaking, this scene showed two culprits openly destroying evidence.
After the newspapers were burned, Zhang Fei had the craftsmen take the water heated by the fire to bathe, then go home and rest well for a few days. In a few days, they would start printing books and contracts.
He himself went home to sleep soundly.
Zhang Fei, who had originally planned to sleep in late, was awakened by urgent knocking at his door before the sun was high in the sky.
“Who is it?”
Zhang Fei muttered without opening his eyes.
“Zhang San, it’s me.”
Xu Zhiqian’s voice came from outside the door.
With a creak, Zhang Fei opened the door shirtless, rubbing his eyes and asking, “Zhiqian, what’s the matter?”
“Oh!”
Xu Zhiqian quickly turned her face away, “Why aren’t you wearing clothes?”
“Oh.”
Zhang Fei scratched his head, went back to put on an outer garment, then came to the door again. Shielding his eyes from the harsh sunlight with his hand, he asked, “What’s the matter?”
“Look at this!”
Xu Zhiqian handed him a piece of paper.
Zhang Fei took it, rubbed his eyes, looked at it again, and exclaimed in surprise, “What? A pamphlet?”
Xu Zhiqian nodded, “This pamphlet appeared in the neighborhoods early this morning.”
Zhang Fei blinked and looked up at Xu Zhiqian, “This has nothing to do with me.”
In his heart, he thought their speed was remarkably fast.
Xu Zhiqian quickly said, “I never said this was related to you, but I’m afraid someone might frame you and falsely accuse you of doing this.”
As she spoke, she was filled with worry.
Zhang Fei scratched his head and asked foolishly, “Then what should we do?”
Xu Zhiqian replied, “How would I know?”
Zhang Fei blinked, “Let me go wash my face first. Ah, I can’t even sleep in properly.”
After he finished washing his face, Xu Zun had already arrived, his eyes seeming to ask whether this was Zhang Fei’s doing.
Because Xu Zun knew that the previous anonymous pamphlet had been Zhang Fei’s work.
Seeing this tabloid, his first reaction was also to suspect Zhang Fei.
Zhang Fei hastily explained, “It really wasn’t me. I don’t know anything about it.”
Xu Zun asked, “Then who do you think did it?”
Zhang Fei shook his head, “I can’t say for certain.”
At first, everyone thought that this matter should come to an end here.
But no one expected that after just one day, another batch of pamphlets suddenly appeared in the neighborhoods.
The content of this pamphlet was extremely explosive, directly targeting Wang Anshi.
Not allowing people to discuss political issues?
What does Wang Anshi want to do?
You simply want to pave the way for your new laws, so that when your new laws have problems, no one can discuss them.
This infuriated Wang Anshi to death, and the first person Wang Anshi thought of was also Zhang Fei.
He was familiar with Zhang Fei – this young man had one scheme after another.
Not only him, but even Sima Guang was somewhat suspicious, because Zhang Fei had admitted defeat too readily before.
The two coincidentally came to find Zhang Fei.
At the Authentic Books Store.
“You two Academicians, feel this – the furnace is completely cold. I gave those craftsmen yesterday off to rest at home. This really wasn’t my doing. I’m just a pen-in-cap – would I really confront the imperial court over this matter? If I really wanted to confront them, I would have filed a lawsuit. If I did, I might not even lose.”
Zhang Fei explained to Wang Anshi and Sima Guang with a wronged expression.
Sima Guang nodded, “I believe this matter has nothing to do with Zhang San. He wouldn’t be so reckless.”
Actually, Wang Anshi didn’t quite believe it was Zhang Fei’s doing either, and asked, “Then who exactly did it?”
Sima Guang said, “Let the Kaifeng Prefectural Office investigate.”
Just then, Lu Huiqing suddenly walked in quickly and whispered a few words in Wang Anshi’s ear.
Wang Anshi said in surprise, “It’s him.”
Sima Guang asked, “Who?”
Wang Anshi replied, “Su Shi.”
“Ah?”
Sima Guang was shocked.
Zhang Fei also looked astonished and quickly said, “That’s hardly possible.”
Half an hour later, at the Court of Penal Review.
Su Shi looked at the content in the tabloid, then glanced at Wang Anshi and Sima Guang sitting above, “What’s written here is indeed what I said last night at Pan Inn, but this pamphlet has nothing to do with me.”
Wang Anshi immediately felt anger rising.
Who are you that you dare discuss me like this?
Seeing this, Sima Guang spoke first, “Su Shi, did you drink too much?”
Su Shi replied, “I wasn’t drinking at the time, and I don’t think I said anything wrong. How can the court forbid people from discussing political issues? This is simply absurd.”
Wang Anshi flew into a rage, “When did I say people were forbidden from discussing political issues? I only said these publications were forbidden from recklessly discussing political issues. If someone uses pamphlets to distort facts and create confusion, what great trouble would this cause the court, just like now?”
Su Shi said, “Of course I know. I also heard about your remarks, but by doing this, you are essentially forcing pamphlets to distort facts and make things even worse.”
Wang Anshi asked, “Explain yourself clearly.”
Su Shi argued with reason, “Stopping people from speaking is more dangerous than damming a river to prevent a flood. Everyone knows governance should focus on channeling rather than building higher dikes – that would only bring self-destruction.
If the court legitimizes pamphlets, merchants would naturally be cautious and not dare speak recklessly for fear of losing their livelihood. But if the court defines pamphlets that discuss politics as illegal, then those who secretly print pamphlets will have no scruples. For money, they can freely distort facts, which will only make the situation much worse.”
He was a man of strong emotions and was extremely dissatisfied with this prohibition. Why shouldn’t people be allowed to discuss current politics in pamphlets? Was there something that couldn’t bear the light of day? Yesterday at the inn, he had furiously unleashed his criticism on Wang Anshi.
But he had never imagined that someone would record his words and then publish them in a pamphlet.
Sima Guang furrowed his brow in contemplation.
Wang Anshi snorted, “Your words sound reasonable, but they’re pure sophistry. If the court strictly punishes such acts, I don’t believe those people would dare risk their lives for a mere pamphlet.”
Su Shi raised the pamphlet in his hand, “But the facts have already proven otherwise.”
Wang Anshi said, “This pamphlet wasn’t created for profit, but specifically to target me, Wang Anshi.”
Just then, an official walked in and announced, “Reporting to Academician Sima, Su Zhe requests an audience.”
Reinforcements had arrived! Sima Guang said, “Let him in.”
After a moment, Su Zhe entered and bowed, “This humble official pays respects to Academician Sima and Academician Wang.”
Sima Guang asked, “Su Zhe, you’ve come to rescue your elder brother, haven’t you?”
Upon hearing this, Su Shi said to Su Zhe with displeasure, “I haven’t broken any laws – what need is there for rescue?”
Su Zhe pretended not to hear and addressed Wang Anshi and Sima Guang, “Although my elder brother’s words were somewhat inappropriate, to punish him for this would truly be unjust.
When the two of you were young, you too discussed politics and criticized chancellors. Now that you have become chancellors yourselves, you forbid others from discussion – this is not the conduct of gentlemen.”
Sima Guang secretly glanced at Wang Anshi.
Wang Anshi’s brow was tightly furrowed. After a while, he finally said, “I never said I would punish him. I’ll make a decision after I investigate this matter thoroughly.”
Su Shi remained dissatisfied and was about to speak again when Sima Guang suddenly said, “You may withdraw for now.”
“This humble official takes his leave.”
Su Zhe quickly pulled Su Shi away with him.
After the brothers had left, Sima Guang said, “Actually, what those brothers said also makes sense!”
Wang Anshi was furious, “What sense? They’re clearly targeting me.”
This pamphlet appeared to discuss the court’s prohibition, but was actually slandering his New Policies, which was what made him so angry.
Sima Guang said, “Perhaps there are petty people stirring up trouble, but I know Su Shi’s character very well. I can vouch for him – he’s absolutely targeting the issue, not the person. Moreover, I believe there are many who think as he does. This matter may require long-term consideration.”