Judge of the Song Dynasty

Once the emperor spoke his golden words, the lawsuit immediately entered the trial process.

But the opposition voices from both inside and outside the court grew louder and louder.

They hoped the emperor would withdraw his decree.

Whether they were officials or scholars, they had completely lost confidence in facing Zhang Fei in the courtroom .

Upon hearing there would truly be a lawsuit, their first reaction was that it was over.

They completely disregarded Fan Chunren’s feelings.

But unfortunately, even the defendants led by Su Shi were willing to appear in court and argue against Zhang Fei.

This was a case of one willing to hit and another willing to take the beating.

Everyone was left with no choice.

They could only pray to Buddha for protection. At Xiang-guo Temple.

A row of devout scholars knelt before the Buddha statue in the main hall.

“Buddha, that Brother San is a demon! Please, Buddha, take away that demon!”

“Please Buddha, bless Remonstrator Fan and the others to win this time! Evil cannot triumph over good, evil cannot triumph over good.”

At Cloud Dao Temple.

A Taoist priest held a wooden sword in his right hand and a talisman in his left, stepped on a ritual formation, and chanted: “Heaven and earth, in all your mysteries, command demons to vanish. Urgent as law commands!”

A circle of scholars stood nearby, fists clenched tight, eyes filled with tears.

May heavenly thunder strike down that demon!

At the Zhang residence.

“Brother San, just now someone on horseback threw another letter at our gate and then ran off. I couldn’t catch up.”

Niu Beiqing angrily clutched a letter as he entered the hall and said to Zhang Fei: “How about we set up a horse trap at the gate? I guarantee none of them will escape.”

“No need.”

Zhang Fei smiled slightly and extended his hand. “Just give me the letter.”

Niu Beiqing handed the letter to Zhang Fei, then said rather embarrassedly: “Brother San,, when I was watching carefully, they wouldn’t come. I just got distracted for a moment and they came. I figure they’ve been having people watch us all along.”

“It’s fine.”

Zhang Fei laughed. “This isn’t your fault. Your responsibility is just to ensure they don’t throw torches in. Let them throw letters as they please.”

Niu Beiqing patted his chest and said: “I guarantee this is the last letter. I absolutely won’t let them succeed again.”

Zhang Fei smiled and nodded.

After Niu Beiqing withdrew, Zhang Fei opened the letter. Xu Zhiqian beside him turned her head and asked: “What does it say?”

Zhang Fei smiled. “What else could it be? Just cursing me for repaying kindness with enmity, calling me despicable and shameless.”

Xu Zhiqian sighed softly. “The morning isn’t even over yet, and this is already the fourth letter. It seems we’ve truly aroused public anger this time.”

Zhang Fei chuckled. “But this also shows they actually don’t have much confidence. They can only use these underhanded tactics to disturb our peace of mind. This is recognition of my abilities.”

“Wuu wuu wuu!”

Suddenly they heard crying sounds. Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian turned to look and saw Xiao Tao carrying a vegetable basket in one hand and wiping tears with the other as she walked in crying.

“Xiao Tao, what’s wrong?”

Gao Wenyin quickly stepped out from the side.

Xiao Tao sobbed: “Madam, I didn’t betray Brother San.”

Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian also came out of the main hall.

“Xiao Tao, what happened?”

“Brother San, when I was buying vegetables just now, several people suddenly surrounded me and stuffed a silver ingot into my hands, telling me to steal the documents you’ve prepared. I was very scared at the time, so I… I agreed to them, but I… I would never do such a thing.”

“This is absolutely outrageous.”

Xu Zhiqian was furious. “They actually resorted to such despicable tactics.”

Gao Wenyin was also anxious. “Brother San, what should we do now?”

Zhang Fei smiled helplessly. “What else can we do? Everyone should just avoid going out for now.”

This time Zhang Fei truly stood in opposition to all scholars. Setting aside Song Minqiu and Su Shi’s reputations, if he were to win, perhaps everyone would no longer be able to discuss politics as freely as before.

This concerned the interests of every scholar.

But no one believed that Fan Chunren and the others could win.

They could only think of every possible way to harass Zhang Fei.

During the day they threw letters and cursed Zhang Fei; at night they secretly went near the Zhang residence to bang gongs and drums.

This truly made Zhang Fei suffer greatly.

He could only catch up on sleep at noon.

Finally!

Finally the trial date arrived.

As usual, the area in front of the Zhang residence was packed with people.

They hadn’t come to cheer him on, but to curse him.

But after waiting for a long time, the main gate remained stubbornly closed, which really frustrated the emotionally charged scholars.

Kaifeng Prefectural Office.

In Zhao Bian’s rest chamber, the sound of snoring could be heard.

Zhang Fei lay on the couch, fast asleep. It turned out that Wang Anshi had received word that thousands upon thousands of scholars would be blocking Zhang Fei at his door today. Worried that the situation might spiral out of control, he had arranged overnight to secretly bring Zhang Fei to the Kaifeng Prefectural Office to rest.

The door creaked open.

Zhang Fei opened his eyes slightly and saw a graceful figure enter his view.

The visitor was Gao Wenyin. In matters of daily life, Zhang Fei had truly become inseparable from her.

Gao Wenyin walked to the window and said softly, “Zhang San, it’s time to get up.”

“Mm.”

Zhang Fei sat up and rubbed his eyes. “It feels like it’s been ages since I’ve slept so peacefully.”

Seeing this, Gao Wenyin couldn’t help but sigh. “Why do you put yourself through such suffering?”

Zhang Fei glanced at her and smiled. “Life is about enduring hardship first, then enjoying sweetness.”

With Gao Wenyin’s assistance, Zhang Fei washed up and changed into his battle robe embroidered with an eagle, then stepped outside.

Wang Anshi had been waiting for him in the side room.

“You look well-rested.”

Wang Anshi smiled when he saw Zhang Fei.

Zhang Fei smiled helplessly. “This time I’m truly risking my life in this lawsuit!”

Wang Anshi teased, “Weren’t you before?”

Zhang Fei paused, then laughed. “So I’ve gotten used to it.”

Wang Anshi suddenly sighed. “I must admit, I thought this matter through too simplistically and nearly caused a great disaster!”

Those people’s behavior truly left him shaken.

If he had truly stepped into that trap, he might have really fallen into it.

From the facts, virtually no one supported him.

It showed how seriously everyone took matters of speech.

Zhang Fei glanced at Wang Anshi and, after a moment’s hesitation, said, “Academician Wang, this is just one lawsuit. When your new laws come…”

At the mention of his law reforms, Wang Anshi’s gaze immediately became resolute. “If reform were that simple, it wouldn’t be left to me to do it.”

Zhang Fei smiled and nodded, saying no more.

Wang Anshi continued, “I hear that Su Zhe is serving as Fan Chunren’s assistant this time. The Su brothers are both talented men—you must be careful.”

Zhang Fei smiled. “I cannot lose.”

Wang Anshi liked this kind of confidence.

Just then, Xu Zhiqian arrived as well.

Being a woman, she naturally hadn’t stayed overnight at the Kaifeng Prefectural Office with Zhang Fei.

The young couple walked together to the front courtyard, where it was already packed with people. But it was eerily quiet—everyone had numb expressions and vacant stares, as if they were about to march to the execution ground. Unlike before, no one was even discussing anything.

They had all been defeated into stupor.

Many even considered the Kaifeng Prefectural Office an inauspicious place.

Fan Chunren appeared relaxed. When he saw Zhang Fei arrive, he walked over. “Zhang San, their behavior was absolutely not what we wished for. I hope they haven’t affected you.”

Xu Zhiqian snorted softly. “How could they not have affected him?”

Hearing this, Fan Chunren couldn’t help but look guilty. “Actually, I’ve been trying to stop them, but…”

Zhang Fei chuckled. “Remonstrator Fan need not feel guilty. Actually, I’m more worried about you.”

Fan Chunren asked in bewilderment, “What are you worried about regarding me?”

Zhang Fei said, “If you can’t win even under these circumstances, wouldn’t that be rather hopeless?”

Fan Chunren paused, then smiled slightly. “First, I have absolute confidence I can defeat you this time. Second, even if I were to lose, I wouldn’t feel hopeless. You can’t keep winning forever.”

Zhang Fei smiled and nodded. “Then I’m relieved.”

Fan Chunren smiled. “Now I’m relieved too.”

After chatting briefly, both sides went to their respective areas to prepare for court.

After a while, the great doors of the Kaifeng Prefectural Office slowly opened and were instantly packed with scholars.

The common people had no interest in this lawsuit—it truly had little direct relation to them. Those who might have wanted to watch the excitement saw so many scholars and decided against it.

Zhao Bian, dressed in his official robes, strode energetically to the platform and sat down. With imposing authority, he banged a wooden block against the table.

Immediately, signs reading “Keep Away” and “Silence” were raised on both sides.

The cry of “Mighty!” rang out strong and clear.

But when Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian emerged from the right corridor, a deafening chorus of boos erupted.

Zhao Bian did not stop them either, since questioning had not yet begun. It was better to let them vent now rather than have them interrupt during the examination.

Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian had anticipated this situation and calmly took their seats, beginning to prepare their documents.

When Fan Chunren and Su Zhe emerged from the other side, cheers immediately erupted again.

If this were to be decided by popular opinion, Zhang Fei would have no chance of winning.

When the appointed time arrived, Zhao Bian struck his gavel and shouted, “Silence.”

The entrance gradually quieted down.

Then Zhao Bian summoned the defendant Su Shi to appear before the court.

“Su Shi , we support you!”

“Su Shi, teach those petty scoundrels a good lesson!”

When Su Shi appeared in court, encouraging shouts immediately came from the entrance.

Su Shi was also a man of temperament and gracefully cupped his hands toward the entrance, saying, “Everyone, don’t worry. I won’t lose to that boy Zhang San.”

This statement greatly boosted the morale of those outside.

However, Fan Chunren and Su Zhe felt a headache coming on.

Big brother, you’re the defendant, not here to put on a performance. Why are you engaging those people outside?

Zhao Bian was also stunned. This was truly the first time he had seen such an arrogant defendant. He spoke up, “Su Shi, what are you doing? If you continue this nonsense, don’t blame this official for charging you with contempt of court.”

“Ah? My apologies, my apologies.”

Su Shi repeatedly cupped his hands and quickly went to sit at the defendant’s seat. Since the defendants this time were all of considerable standing, their treatment was quite good.

Zhang Fei stood up and said, “Mr. Su, do you still remember where you were on the evening of the third day of this month?”

Su Shi smiled with a hint of provocation at the corner of his mouth, “I remember. That evening I was drinking with several good friends at Pan Inn.”

Zhang Fei continued, “Can you recall what you said at that time?”

Su Shi replied, “I said many things that evening. How could I remember them all?”

Zhang Fei looked down at his documents and recited a passage—the very words that had been published in the small newspaper—then asked Su Shi, “Did you say these words at that time?”

Su Shi nodded, “Yes.”

Zhang Fei asked, “How did you learn that Academician Wang had requested a ban on newspapers discussing politics?”

Su Shi replied, “I heard it from my colleagues.”

“Colleagues.” Zhang Fei nodded and said, “Then may I assume that if you were not an official, you could not have learned of this matter at that time?”

“I object.”

Fan Chunren immediately stood up and said, “Zhang San’s words are clearly overgeneralizing and misleading—”

Before he could finish, Zhang Fei said, “I’m done with my questions.”

Then he sat down.

Xu Zhiqian whispered, “It seems Remonstrator Fan has indeed made considerable progress!”

Zhang Fei smiled, “It’s still too early to tell.”

Fan Chunren stood up and said, “I request that Academician Wang be summoned to testify.”

Zhao Bian immediately summoned Wang Anshi to appear in court.

Su Shi then stood up and sat to one side to rest.

Wang Anshi had once sworn never to sit in the witness seat again—it was too torturous—but this time he felt no resentment, because he believed this was the result of his own mistake, and he had to bear the consequences.

Fan Chunren asked, “Does Academician Wang remember what you were doing on the morning of the third day?”

Wang Anshi replied, “I was discussing matters with His Majesty in the Hall of Delegated Rule.”

“What matters were discussed?”

“About whether to ban newspapers from discussing politics.”

“After the meeting ended, where did you go?” Fan Chunren asked again.

Hearing this, Zhang Fei whispered, “He has indeed made progress.”

Wang Anshi replied, “I went to the Authentic Books Store.”

Fan Chunren asked, “What did you go to the Authentic Books Store for?”

Wang Anshi replied, “I went to inform Zhang San of the court’s decision and have him stop publishing his newspaper.”

Fan Chunren said, “Regarding the matter of banning newspapers from discussing politics?”

Wang Anshi nodded.

Fan Chunren asked, “Can you guarantee that after Zhang San learned of this matter, he did not reveal a single word to anyone?”

Wang Anshi shook his head, “I cannot.”

Fan Chunren asked, “If Zhang San had leaked this matter to others, would that count as divulging court secrets?”

Wang Anshi shook his head and said, “Of course not.”

Fan Chunren said, “I’m finished with my questions.”