Judge of the Song Dynasty

In the beginning, almost everyone believed that Wang Anshi was employing his old tricks again, using litigation to achieve his political objectives.

In other words, he wanted to use the conviction of Song Minqiu, Li Dalin, and Su Shi to ensure the enforcement of his prohibition.

Wang Anshi had used this tactic before.

Initially, figures like Fu Bi and Wen Yanbo appeared very nervous, but they weren’t afraid of Wang Anshi—they were afraid of Zhang Fei. After all, Zhang Fei had created too many miracles in court; he had even managed to get Wang Hong exiled to Qiongzhou.

Once in court, it truly was a matter of life and death.

If Zhang Fei actually won, what should happen next?

The slightest misstep could trigger an enormous political storm.

But by the middle of the trial, Fu Bi and the others had completely relaxed. They could see that this was nothing more than a performance—a show designed to whitewash Wang Anshi’s reputation.

In fact, Wang Anshi had also regretted being so rash at the time. He truly hadn’t anticipated that it would provoke opposition from all scholars, because contemporary publications weren’t exactly indispensable items in people’s daily lives.

He had only considered things from a national perspective and had even believed that his actions would receive unanimous support from the ministers, while overlooking the literati’s concern for freedom of speech. Actually, in the Song Dynasty, neither the ancestral laws nor the Song Code of Punishments explicitly stated that speech could not be criminalized. This was actually a product of the power struggle between scholar-officials and the emperor.

It was mainly Emperor Renzong who had voluntarily taken a step back at the time.

Thus this principle had emerged.

The reason scholar-officials defended this point was that they needed to rely on public opinion to counterbalance imperial power. If imperial power tightened control over public opinion, it would be a severe blow to the scholar-officials.

This was a very sensitive topic.

Of course, this was also why Emperor Zhao Xu secretly supported the newspapers. Unlike Emperor Renzong, he wanted to control real power, making public opinion critically important. But he was also very clear that it would be difficult for him to tighten control over public opinion through the usual power struggle between ruler and ministers—this incident had already demonstrated this problem quite well.

He could only engage with them in the battle of public opinion rather than suppress it.

Wang Anshi, having come to his senses, also knew this was an impossible goal to achieve. But admitting his mistake would affect his political standing and the implementation of the New Policies.

At the time, he was caught between a rock and a hard place, regretting his initial decision.

He was forced to seek Zhang Fei’s help in finding a solution.

So Zhang Fei proposed a strategy: let’s fight a lawsuit.

Losing to the law wouldn’t affect Wang Anshi’s political position; instead, it would demonstrate Wang Anshi’s spirit of upholding the law. Don’t think that just because I usually win, I won’t accept it when I lose!

At the same time, even if the lawsuit was lost, Wang Anshi could still maintain his position and use the litigation to express his grievances and original intentions to everyone.

For Zhang Fei, this was a lawsuit destined to be lost.

Now that the lawsuit was finished and the verdict was out, this judgment had thrown the difficult problem back to the court.

Zhao Bian had only ruled Song Minqiu and Li Dalin innocent and hadn’t abolished the prohibition, but this verdict also made it clear that discussing current affairs in pamphlets was not illegal.

This created a conflict between judicial and administrative authority.

The imperial court had to immediately provide a solution; otherwise, it would simultaneously undermine the authority of both administrative orders and the judicial system.

The people would also ask: whom should we really listen to?

In the Hall of Delegated Rule.

“I have read the court transcripts, and both sides made reasonable points. Should we prohibit or not prohibit? What are your thoughts, ministers?”

Emperor Zhao Xu directly threw this question back to the ministers.

Wang Anshi immediately stepped forward. “This subject still maintains the original position. If the court doesn’t regulate publications, it will inevitably cause many problems, and the court will regret it deeply when that time comes.”

Given his position, he had to persist to the end.

But strangely, after he finished speaking, no one immediately stepped forward to oppose him. In the past, when Wang Anshi lost a lawsuit, wouldn’t they have kicked him while he was down?

This was because these ministers had also realized that this would affect their own power as well.

At this moment, Sima Guang suddenly stepped forward. “Your Majesty, I have a suggestion. I wonder if it might be feasible?”

Emperor Zhao Xu quickly said, “Please speak.”

Sima Guang said, “Academician Wang’s concerns are indeed reasonable, and I supported them at the time, but the fears of scholars throughout the realm are also understandable.

I have compared the pamphlets from the Authentic Books Store with those anonymous pamphlets and discovered a problem. While both are pamphlets, the ones from the Authentic Books Store only sparked heated discussion without causing unrest, whereas those anonymous pamphlets have caused civil disturbances.

The reason lies in the fact that Zhang San dares not recklessly publish articles, for if problems arise, he must bear responsibility. The real danger comes from those who secretly distribute pamphlets – they seek profit while hiding their identities to ensure they bear no responsibility.

Therefore, I suggest that if one wishes to establish a pamphlet publication, one must register with the imperial court and obtain the court’s permission before printing and distributing pamphlets. Otherwise, it should be considered illegal.

In this way, scholars will naturally no longer oppose it. The court allows them to openly discuss current affairs, but if someone secretly spreads opinions, they clearly have ulterior motives, and the court must not allow this to continue unchecked.”

Except for Wang Anshi, ministers such as Fu Bi, Wen Yanbo, and Zhao Bian all stepped forward to support Sima Guang’s suggestion.

However, Wang Anshi did not oppose it either, maintaining an attitude of “don’t blame me when problems arise.”

This was indeed a solution that benefited both sides and was consistent with the Song Dynasty’s usual approach.

On the surface, things appeared to be liberalized, but in reality, it remained under court control.

Song emperors lacked the boldness to totally impose their agenda – when facing opposition from public opinion, they would often retreat a step. But they would then simultaneously use another method to assert control.

The court controlled the right to publish pamphlets, so would you dare to publish recklessly?

Emperor Zhao Xu nodded and said, “Let it be as you have said.”

This was the result he wanted – to have the pamphlets from the Authentic Books Store endorsed by these ministers, so that when the time came for a propaganda war, they would have no way to use government orders and judicial means to shut down the Authentic Books Store.

After this matter was settled, Censor Fan Yu suddenly stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, Academician Wang, as State Councilor, repeatedly runs to the Kaifeng Prefectural Office to file complaints against his colleagues. This not only disrupts court harmony and disregards court procedure, but also affects the people’s trust in the judicial system. Currently, many people believe that Academician Wang is secretly using his power to force Kaifeng Prefecture to hear groundless disputes.”

“Utter nonsense.”

Wang Anshi immediately retorted, “If Kaifeng Prefecture finds it unreasonable, they can reject it. If you think I’m bullying with my position, surely Chancellor Zhao would not fear me and choose to hear this case.”

Wen Yanbo said, “But your actions do indeed harm court procedure. If officials have disputes in the future and all run to Kaifeng Prefecture to file complaints, what kind of precedent does this set? It will also make the people think the imperial court is not harmonious internally.”

Fu Bi also nodded and said, “This old minister also believes this is indeed somewhat improper. Although the law does not prohibit this, if one wears official robes to litigation, this is unfair to all parties. Whether one represents the imperial court or acts as an individual – who can say clearly?”

Emperor Zhao Xu nodded slightly but remained silent. He still supported Wang Anshi, but with even Fu Bi stepping forward, he had to consider carefully.

At this moment, Qi Hui suddenly stepped forward and said, “I believe this situation has arisen because litigation has become prevalent, but judicial reform has not yet been completed. If a prosecution office is established, many problems will be resolved, because the prosecution office would represent the imperial court, and the imperial court can intervene through the prosecution office.”

Emperor Zhao Xu nodded and asked Sima Guang, “How are your preparations?”

Sima Guang replied, “Your Majesty, preparations are nearly complete, but the court currently lacks talent in prosecution matters.”

Liu Shu immediately said, “I recommend Remonstrator Fan to serve as the director of the prosecution office. Remonstrator Fan’s abilities are evident to all.”

Fan Chunren was also present and secretly rejoiced, as he had actually been eyeing this position for some time.

Emperor Zhao Xu nodded and asked Sima Guang, “What do you think?”

Sima Guang said, “Remonstrator Fan’s abilities are beyond question, but his experience may still be lacking. I happen to be promoting a legal aid system, so I suggest first having Remonstrator Fan go among the people to provide legal assistance to the common folk while accumulating experience.”

As these words were spoken, Wen Yanbo and Fu Bi exchanged extremely astonished glances.

Emperor Zhao Xu then looked toward Fan Chunren. “Would Remonstrator Fan be willing?”

Fan Chunren was also somewhat bewildered. He had wanted to become director of the prosecution office, but instead they were having him go provide legal assistance – this was far too different from what he expected. However, since the conversation had reached this point, if he refused to go, he certainly wouldn’t be allowed to serve as director of the prosecution office, so he could only bow and accept the assignment.

Emperor Zhao Xu said, “Then it’s settled.”

Upon leaving the great hall, Sima Guang remained expressionless and said, “We’re still missing one person.”

Wang Anshi beside him chuckled and said, “Don’t worry, that young fellow won’t escape either.”

With that, he waved his sleeves and departed.

At the Authentic Books Store.

“Zhang San is here!”

“Good day, Zhang San.”

The craftsmen in the printing workshop all greeted Zhang Fei when they saw him arrive.

Zhang Fei laughed heartily and said, “All of you look quite spirited!”

Everyone was grinning cheerfully.

Having rested for many days, they were naturally all full of energy.

Zhang Fei continued, “Work hard, and let’s strive to all buy houses within two years.”

Upon hearing these words, everyone immediately became so excited their whole bodies were trembling.

Buy houses within two years.

Was this real or fake?

Hou Donglai said excitedly, “Zhang San, can we really earn that much money?”

Zhang Fei replied, “It’s not entirely impossible. Although I lost the lawsuit, now we can print without any worries. Given our previous momentum, buying houses in two years isn’t just a pipe dream.”

Hou Donglai nodded, calculating in his mind. At their previous peak, they could achieve twenty times profit. If they worked themselves to death, it was truly unimaginable!

Zhang Fei then asked, “How’s the search for the workshop I asked you to find coming along?”

“…!”

Hou Donglai immediately froze like stone.

Zhang Fei said, “Why don’t you just go back to typesetting.”

Hou Donglai hurriedly said, “Oh my! I did go looking, but then all this happened here, so it got delayed. I’ll contact the Chen family right away. It won’t take long, really won’t take long. Zhang San, please give me one more chance.”

“Fine, I’ll give you one more chance.”

“Yes, yes, yes.”

After arranging the work, Zhang Fei went home.

As soon as he returned home, Gao Wenyin and Xu Zhiqian came to greet him.

Gao Wenyin said with an anxious expression, “Zhang San, just now people from the Kaifeng Prefectural Office came and delivered a service notice, requiring you to perform corvee duty.”

“Corvee duty?”

Zhang Fei was startled. “What kind of duty?”

Xu Zhiqian stepped forward with a smile and said, “Naturally it’s runner duty for the government! Didn’t you obtain a household registration in Bianjing last year? This year you naturally have to fulfill your service obligations. Given your wealth, they can’t make you perform hard labor.”

“Runner duty?”

Zhang Fei’s face immediately showed alarm. “Then what should we do?”

Seeing Zhang Fei’s expression, Gao Wenyin became so anxious she was nearly in tears.

She had already developed a fear of corvee duties that involved running errands for the government.

This could mean going away and never returning.

Xu Zhiqian smiled and said, “Don’t worry. This runner duty can be resolved with money, or you can hire someone to serve in your place.”

“Right, right, right! I remember now – this can be resolved with money, and what I lack least right now is money.”

Zhang Fei breathed a great sigh of relief and asked, “How should this be handled?”

Xu Zhiqian pondered briefly and said, “Have Mogul Fan help you make a trip to the Kaifeng Prefectural Office. He’s quite skilled at handling this sort of thing.”

Zhang Fei nodded. “Alright, I’ll have Li Si go tell Mogul Fan later.”

Gao Wenyin remained worried. “Will this really work?”

Xu Zhiqian smiled wryly and said, “Sister Gao, just rest assured. Look at Mogul Ma, Mogul Chen, and Mogul Fan – have their sons ever served corvee duty? They all need to serve, but they all resolve it with money. The Kaifeng Prefectural Office sending someone is just routine procedure – there won’t be any problems.”

Zhang Fei nodded and said, “Don’t worry, wife. My father-in-law is the Chief Judge of the Court of Judicial Review – how could he possibly let me perform corvee duty?”

Xu Zhiqian immediately glared at him. “Don’t say such things carelessly.”

Zhang Fei chuckled and said, “I know, I know. I’m just saying this to you two.”

Seeing this, Gao Wenyin finally relaxed somewhat.