Judge of the Song Dynasty

Excellent!

What a brilliant line of questioning!

This was truly satisfying!

This series of questions allowed many officials present to vent grievances that had been pent up in their hearts for a long time. Some officials’ faces even became somewhat fierce with excitement.

It had to be said that Wang Anshi, upon his return to the imperial court, had indeed been riding too high on his success. Even some neutrals didn’t much care for his style of conduct.

In comparison, the steady and low-key Sima Guang was more popular among people.

Sima Guang naturally wore a gloating expression, barely restraining himself from bursting into laughter. You mocked me before, but you’re no better than I am – this is truly instant karma!

Wang Anshi was completely dumbfounded. He never would have expected his opponent to break through from the angle of his competitive relationship with Sima Guang. This series of combo attacks left him dizzy and completely unable to fight back.

Wang Anshi, who had always feared neither heaven nor earth, was now breaking out in cold sweat, his heart filled with terror.

Because this involved his character and his New Policies. Ancient times placed great emphasis on morality – with such character, how could anyone trust his New Policies?

This was lethal.

At this moment, Wang Anshi’s sharp gaze had disappeared entirely, and he looked anxiously at Zhang Fei.

Young man, you must hold firm for me this time.

Last time when he testified in court, it was all based on Zhang Fei’s coaching, and he had been quite displeased about it. Today he finally realized his mistake – in court, one must listen to Zhang Fei, otherwise the consequences would be dire.

When Zhang Fei stood up, many clasped their hands to their chests, praying: “Oh Heaven! Oh Earth! Send down lightning to strike this young man dead!”

Everyone hoped it would end here.

Some even thought that as long as Zhang Fei couldn’t clear Wang Anshi’s name on this point, it wouldn’t matter if they lost the lawsuit.

This was enough to damage Wang Anshi’s standing in court.

This affected too many people’s interests.

The atmosphere suddenly became extremely tense.

Xu Zhiqian was also extremely nervous and whispered, “Which documents do you need?”

“None needed!”

Zhang Fei whispered back. Looking at Wang Anshi’s nervous appearance, he pressed his lips together to keep from laughing, thinking: Who would have thought you, Wang Anshi, would have such a day? I hope you learn from this lesson – don’t be so arrogant. When it’s time to listen, you must listen. Even geniuses aren’t omnipotent.

Seeing this, Wang Anshi actually felt relieved and took several deep breaths.

Zhang Fei asked with a smile, “Remonstrator Fan just mentioned the relationship between yourself and Academician Sima. I’d also like to ask you – how is your relationship with Zhang Fei?”

“Zhang Fei?”

Wang Anshi was stunned and said, “You?”

Zhang Fei nodded, “That’s right, this commoner.”

Wang Anshi was extremely cautious this time – he couldn’t make another mistake. He stared directly at Zhang Fei, thinking: Young man, give me a hint!

Zhang Fei asked again, “How is Academician Wang’s relationship with me?”

Wang Anshi pondered briefly and said, “Very good.”

Zhang Fei said, “Could you be more specific?”

He’s asking me to be specific, which means he wants me to speak favorably. Wang Anshi thought carefully and said, “Every time I have a lawsuit, I hire you. Not to mention this time – I shut down your Scholar’s Gazette, yet you bore no grudge and were still willing to help me litigate. Our relationship is naturally very good.”

Zhang Fei said, “Actually, I also feel that you have always trusted me greatly. Therefore, I’m very curious – why didn’t you come to me this time to have my Authentic Books Store help publish your article, but chose the official bulletin instead? Is it because the official bulletin’s printing technology far exceeds that of my Authentic Books Store?”

Wang Anshi suddenly understood and immediately answered, “No, the official bulletins from the Palace Communications Office are still hand-copied, not printed.”

“Hand-copied?”

Zhang Fei asked in surprise.

Wang Anshi nodded, “The last official bulletin was only copied a few dozen times.”

“Really?”

Zhang Fei asked curiously, “But my father-in-law also has a copy.”

Wang Anshi said, “That must have been copied by your father-in-law himself.”

Zhang Fei said, “Copied himself? Could you elaborate?”

Wang Anshi said, “Official bulletins are usually posted on the walls or pillars of the Imperial City. If officials like them, or if the content is important, they usually copy them themselves.”

“I see.”

Zhang Fei nodded and said, “No wonder it can’t even get out of the Imperial City, and I’ve never heard anyone mention it.”

Wang Anshi remained silent.

Zhang Fei continued, “Do you also know that the Authentic Books Store uses the latest movable type printing technology? They can typeset in one afternoon and print hundreds, even thousands of copies in a single day.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the scholars were shocked. Was it really that impressive?

Previously, everyone had been focused on the articles while ignoring the printing technology.

Wang Anshi nodded. “I know.”

Zhang Fei said, “Why have you never thought of asking me to help publish your articles?”

Wang Anshi replied, “There are two reasons. First, as you just mentioned, the official bulletins are far inferior to civilian newspapers in terms of technology. I am very dissatisfied with this. I hope the Reporting Bureau can make improvements. Regarding this point, I have discussed it in detail with officials from the Palace Communications Office and have already petitioned His Majesty to allocate more funding to the office so they can improve their printing technology. This would allow civilians to see the court’s official bulletins and understand some of the court’s policies, rather than being misled by treacherous people.

Second, and most importantly, I have always harbored doubts about newspapers. I hope to prohibit newspapers from discussing current politics. Under such circumstances, how could I publish my own article in newspapers?”

Zhang Fei asked, “Do you know that as a result, the attention your article receive is far less than that of Academician Sima’s and Chancellor Han’s articles? Oh, and Miss Xu’s as well.”

Xu Zhiqian shot Zhang Fei a fierce glare. Couldn’t this matter be discussed without mentioning her?

“I object.”

Fan Chunren immediately stood up.

But before he could finish speaking, Zhang Fei immediately turned to Zhao Bian and said, “Your Honor, I am merely stating a fact. Every time the Authentic Books Store publishes an issue of their newspaper, it’s thousands of copies, distributed directly to major restaurants. In other words, at the same time, thousands of people can read Academician Sima’s or Chancellor Han’s articles, while the official bulletins only have dozens of copies. That means at the same time, only dozens of people can read Scholar Wang’s articles, which can’t even leave the Imperial City. The attention they generate naturally cannot be compared.”

Zhao Bian nodded. “I agree with your statement.”

Fan Chunren sat down dejectedly.

Su Zhe also whispered, “This young man is truly formidable.”

Fan Chunren shook his head helplessly.

Many others also looked dejected. Could this really be turned around? Could one argue from a technological angle?

Zhang Fei turned to Wang Anshi again. “Please answer my question, Academician Wang.”

Wang Anshi said, “Of course I knew that my article would not be as widely published, but… but I admit I was overconfident.”

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

Wang Anshi nodded. “I thought this would make it more fair, and I hoped my article could encourage people to pay more attention to official bulletins rather than newspapers.”

A chorus of boos arose.

This was truly shameless.

Sima Guang’s mouth twitched, and he nearly had a stroke.

This was too contemptuous.

Zhang Fei asked, “So you indeed intended to compete with Scholar Sima?”

Wang Anshi nodded.

Everyone knew this; who could he hide it from?

Zhang Fei asked again, “And the result?”

Wang Anshi said proudly, “The result is undetermined. Although currently your newspaper has higher attention, I believe that in time, especially when I promulgate legal reforms, my articles will receive much attention.”

This arrogant statement immediately triggered another round of boos, mixed with waves of sarcastic remarks.

Zhao Bian struck his gavel several times and shouted “Silence” repeatedly before the courtroom gradually quieted down.

Only then did Zhang Fei continue asking, “Since you are so confident, why did you want to shut down the Scholar’s Gazette?”

Wang Anshi immediately replied, “I already explained this earlier. I have doubts about newspapers, which is also why I didn’t ask you to publish my article before.”

Zhang Fei said, “But as far as I know, although not many people published newspapers before, they didn’t cause much trouble either. What exactly are you worried about?”

Wang Anshi said, “Have you forgotten that your father-in-law, Xu Zun, once suffered greatly because of newspapers?”

Zhang Fei seemed to suddenly remember, though this matter had clearly been mentioned earlier. “That was just once.”

Wang Anshi shook his head. “Not just once. There was also this recent newspaper incident. That makes two times.”

Zhang Fei shrugged and remained silent, while glancing at Fan Chunren out of the corner of his eye, as if to prevent him from standing up.

Wang Anshi continued, “Actually, you have already touched upon my concern. Your Authentic Books Store’s movable type printing technology can complete typesetting in half a day and print hundreds, even thousands of copies of newspapers in a single day, capable of sparking widespread discussion within a day.

If these publications only featured articles by Academician Sima and Chancellor Han, I would naturally feel no concern. But who can guarantee that they won’t publish matters like the previous Court of Penal Review leak case?

Just as Academician Sima mentioned earlier, the content was taken out of context and fabricated facts, yet that publication created an enormous crisis for the court, leaving Academician Sima utterly overwhelmed. Everyone knows his capabilities – if it had been an official of lesser ability, the tenant contract law might have been abandoned altogether.

If it were an even more serious incident, the consequences would be unimaginable. Today’s newspapers are incomparable to those of the past – this is technology that has never existed before. As a State Counselor, I must plan ahead and absolutely cannot wait until a greater crisis emerges before petitioning His Majesty to ban newspapers. It’s better to mend the fence after losing the sheep than never to mend it at all.”

Upon hearing these words, all the officials present couldn’t help but fall into deep contemplation.

Speaking objectively, Sima Guang had indeed been a victim of newspapers. Who could guarantee they wouldn’t be next? Moreover, when Sima Guang was victimized, movable type printing wasn’t even being used yet.

In a certain sense, Wang Anshi’s actions were defending the interests of the entire scholar-official class.

“I’m finished with my questions.”

Zhang Fei sat down.

Xu Zhiqian exclaimed excitedly, “How brilliant! You actually managed to turn that around. Did you anticipate they would ask that from the beginning?”

Zhang Fei nodded.

Xu Zhiqian asked, “Then why didn’t you prepare documents for this aspect?”

Zhang Fei replied, “Because I didn’t expect Academician Wang to answer so poorly. Look at the third document yourself – it contains examples for addressing this very question.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhiqian immediately searched for and found the third document.

Meanwhile, Su Zhe looked around and, seeing the officials all wearing expressions of doubt, whispered, “He’s speaking to the officials, but the scholars won’t buy it.”

“Moreover, he’s definitely doing this to protect his new policies,” Fan Chunren said with determined eyes. “I know what the purpose of this lawsuit is, and I won’t let them succeed.”

With that, he stood up and asked Wang Anshi, “Academician Wang, do you know about the poisoned preserved meat case that occurred in the capital during the Xianping era?”

This time Wang Anshi didn’t dare be careless and replied cautiously, “I do.”

Fan Chunren asked again, “Do you also know how the court handled it at the time?”

Wang Anshi said, “The court imposed heavier penalties on top of existing laws. The most important change was that regardless of whether they knew or not, anyone who sold poisoned preserved meat would be severely punished.”

Fan Chunren said, “People even died then, so why didn’t the court simply ban the sale of preserved meat entirely, instead only punishing merchants who sold poisoned preserved meat?”

Wang Anshi naturally knew what he was getting at. “These two matters cannot be discussed in the same breath.”

Fan Chunren immediately asked, “I dare ask Scholar Wang, to the common people, what is more important – eating meat or being able to speak?”

Wang Anshi said, “I’m doing this because…”

“Because of the new printing technology.”

“Exactly.”

“If someone could transmit their voice a thousand miles, then according to your approach, no one should be allowed to speak at all. That way, the risks of people transmitting their voices a thousand miles would be defeated entirely.”

“I object.”

Zhang Fei stood up. “In this courtroom, mythical stories should not appear.”

Fan Chunren asked again, “If in the future someone uses their mouth to oppose your new policies, will you also forbid others from discussing politics?”

“Objection! I object!”

“No further questions.”