Judge of the Song Dynasty

“That Remonstrator Fan is getting more cunning.”

Zhang Fei, who had shouted “objection” several times, sat down and took a sip of tea, unable to help but complain.

Xu Zhiqian smiled gently and teased, “Isn’t it because he learned bad habits from you?”

Zhang Fei glared at her with feigned anger.

Fan Chunren’s final question, asked without any evidence whatsoever, was clearly meant to remind everyone that Wang Anshi was doing this to protect his new laws.

From a moral standpoint, this was playing dirty.

But this was also lawyers’ most commonly used tactic. Zhang Fei had used it several times himself, which initially made Fan Chunren very angry, thinking how could one be so despicable.

Now… it was truly sweet.

But it had to be said that this line of questioning indeed put tremendous pressure on Wang Anshi.

“Huff.” With a heavy gasp, Wang Anshi slowly rose from the witness chair and walked with faltering steps toward his lifelong nemesis, Sima Guang.

Actually, he didn’t want to.

After Wang Anshi sat down, Sima Guang acted like Wang Anshi’s servant, looking left and right anxiously, instructing the air: “Quickly, quickly, quickly! Go get that handkerchief to wipe our Academician Wang. Any later and the sweat on his face will wash all the grime clean! Heh heh heh!”

By the end, even Sima Guang, who usually kept his emotions hidden, was nearly doubled over with laughter.

Wang Anshi remained expressionless.

This time he accepted it.

He wouldn’t argue anymore.

He himself believed that his earlier answers had been absolutely terrible, completely manipulated by Fan Chunren. Fortunately, Zhang Fei had helped turn things around for him afterward, otherwise the consequences would have been unthinkable.

There was simply no way to defend it.

After Sima Guang finished his mockery to his heart’s content, Wang Anshi finally spoke: “When did we two become so bullied that we can only find solace in mocking each other?”

At these words, Sima Guang couldn’t help but freeze, the smile gradually disappearing from his face as he said seriously: “Indeed. Tell me, why are we two State Counsellors sitting here, being toyed with at will by a pen-in-cap and a remonstrator, only able to find bitter amusement?”

Having said this, the two exchanged a knowing look, seemingly reaching some kind of agreement.

Wang Anshi frowned thoughtfully: “The remonstrator is easy enough to deal with – we have plenty of opportunities to teach him a lesson. The key problem is that pen-in-cap.”

Sima Guang nodded in deep agreement: “Exactly. That boy is very slippery. Usually he’s respectful and deferential to us, but becomes arrogant and domineering in court.”

Wang Anshi said: “But in court, we might really not be his match.”

Sima Guang sighed: “It’s a pity that despite our repeated recommendations for him to enter government service, he’s refused them all. We can’t very well force him into government to become an official.”

As soon as the words left their mouths, the two seemed to suddenly think of something, exchanging another knowing look and simultaneously revealing sinister smiles on their faces.

After a brief recess in the hall, the second defendant, Song Minqiu, finally took the stand.

The forgotten other defendant, Su Shi, already had vacant eyes and an ashen face. He knew his courtroom journey had come to an end, muttering under his breath: “Fake! It’s all fake! This is just a performance. They’re using the law to put on a show, they’re desecrating the law… a bunch of shameless villains.”

His voice carried a hint of choking emotion.

But no one cared about him. Everyone’s attention was focused on Song Minqiu, all appearing very tense. If Wang Anshi and Sima Guang couldn’t withstand the pressure, what about Song Minqiu?

Conversely, Fan Chunren and Su Zhe looked completely relaxed.

Zhang Fei suddenly stood up. “Mr. Song, could you tell us what happened on the evening of the third of this month?”

Song Minqiu nodded. “That evening I met with several friends at Pan Inn for drinks. During the gathering, I heard Su Shi discussing the prohibition on pamphlets. I deeply agreed with his views, so I recorded Su Shi’s remarks, then had them copied into pamphlets and secretly placed in front of various inns and taverns.”

Zhang Fei glanced at the case file and asked: “May I understand this to mean that you were very much opposed to the prohibitions on publications?”

Song Minqiu nodded: “Yes. I was very much opposed. Even if I hadn’t heard Su Shi’s words that day, I had already planned to publish pamphlets as a protest against the prohibition.”

Zhang Fei asked again: “Did you learn about the prohibition from Su Shi?”

Song Minqiu shook his head: “No, I already knew about this matter that afternoon. When we met that evening, we were discussing this very issue.”

Zhang Fei said: “But were you clearly aware of Academician Wang’s concerns?”

Song Minqiu nodded: “I am aware.”

Zhang Fei said: “But you still opposed it.”

Song Minqiu nodded.

Zhang Fei asked: “Why?”

Song Minqiu said: “Because throughout my life I have greatly enjoyed collecting books. Although I possess many unique editions, I have also lost quite a few precious books that may never be found again. Therefore, I strongly support printing articles in pamphlets, so that those classic articles and poetry collections can be passed down. These are the most precious treasure of our civilization.

As for Wang Anshi’s concerns, they are purely—!”

At this point, he snorted with disdain, then clearly spat out two words: “Evil policies. In my view, this is no different from Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s burning of books and burying of scholars. They claim to prohibit discussing current politics in pamphlets, but if he truly succeeds, this will make the entire literary world fall silent as cicadas, with no one daring to discuss politics anymore, no one daring to write articles about current affairs, and of course, no one daring to oppose Wang Anshi himself.”

It was not difficult to hear that every word carried anger.

This also won cheers and support from many people both inside and outside the court.

Zhang Fei asked again: “Did you know that publishing your pamphlet would cause such great turmoil?”

Song Minqiu shook his head: “I was not aware, but I hoped it would draw everyone’s attention and force the court to withdraw this prohibition.”