Judge of the Song Dynasty

“Zhang San! Zhang San!”

When Zhang Fei hurried to the intersection of Horse Market Street, he suddenly heard a sneaky voice calling from across the way. Turning his head, he saw a pale face peeking out from inside a carriage, waving at him.

“Young Master?”

Zhang Fei walked over. “Young Master, what are you doing here? I thought you had already gone to handle it.”

Cao Dongdong’s expression turned panicked: “I can’t possibly go there.”

“Why not?”

Zhang Fei asked curiously.

Cao Dongdong replied sheepishly: “That’s my Uncle Wang. If I went, wouldn’t I be delivering myself to get scolded?”

Zhang Fei thought to himself that that made sense. That person was one of the Three Military Divisions’ commanders. If Cao Dongdong went, it would actually be harder to handle.

Cao Dongdong continued sneakily: “Zhang San, as you taught us, we’re responsible for taking credit, but this business of taking blame – that’s for you little patrol constables.” Zhang Fei chuckled: “That’s not what I taught you. I only reminded Young Master once, but Young Master has natural talent and has already mastered this technique to perfection.”

“Not at all! Not at all!” Cao Dongdong grinned. “If I had truly mastered it to perfection, you wouldn’t be able to tell.”

Zhang Fei was momentarily speechless.

That was far too reasonable.

Cao Dongdong had been mixing in noble circles for so many years and had surely done plenty of unscrupulous things. His ability to remain standing wasn’t entirely due to his family connections.

Cao Dongdong continued: “You’d better go handle it quickly! Do whatever you want – if anything goes wrong, you’ll bear it yourself. My father and I know nothing about this matter.”

Even if your father knew, it wouldn’t help. In this matter, no one could make it work – who told that fool to walk right into the line of fire? Zhang Fei nodded: “Alright! I’ll go handle it.”

Though Cao Dongdong was despicable enough, Zhang Fei actually preferred to handle this matter himself.

Arriving at the Patrol Office of the Left District, he could see from afar a line of Imperial Guard soldiers standing at the main gate, as if they had surrounded the entire Patrol Office.

When one of the Three Military Divisions’ commanders took action, such a scene was naturally to be expected.

“Who are you?”

The Imperial Guards at the gate directly blocked Zhang Fei’s path.

“Zhang San.”

“Arrest him.”

“Ow! Ow! Who are you people? Why are you arresting me? Don’t twist it – ow, my arm’s going to break!”

Wen Yanbo, sitting in the teahouse across the street, heard Zhang Fei’s pig-like squealing and couldn’t help but laugh: “I have to say, this might be the best way to deal with Zhang San.”

Sima Guang frowned and shook his head: “Not necessarily.”

Suddenly they heard someone behind them ask: “What excitement are you two watching here?”

The two turned around to see Wang Anshi walking over, sleeves billowing.

“It’s Wang Anshi! Please, sit.”

Wen Yanbo, purely out of politeness, invited Wang Anshi to sit down.

Wang Anshi bowed and sat down. After glancing at the Imperial Guard soldiers in front of the Patrol Office, he couldn’t help but ask: “What’s happening here?”

Sima Guang reluctantly informed Wang Anshi of the situation.

“How truly interesting.”

After hearing it, Wang Anshi became quite excited. “Who do you two think will walk out with head held high?”

Wen Yanbo asked: “Aren’t you going to help?”

“No!”

Wang Anshi said: “None of us three will help.”

Sima Guang asked: “Just for today?”

“Right. Let’s see who wins.” Wang Anshi said.

Wen Yanbo said: “If you don’t intervene, Zhang San can’t possibly win. The Three Military Divisions are not comparable to Kaifeng Prefecture.”

Sima Guang nodded slightly.

Wang Anshi said: “I bet Zhang San wins – the wager shall be this lunch. What do you two think?”

Wen Yanbo nodded: “It’s a deal.”

Wang Anshi quickly called over a waiter and ordered a “sumptuous” lunch.

When Zhang Fei was escorted into the main hall, he saw many Imperial Guard soldiers standing inside, with four patrol constables being held like little chickens by the tall Dragon Guard soldiers.

Only one person in the entire hall was seated – a square-faced, burly middle-aged man who was studying Zhang Fei, who was being pressed down so hard he could barely straighten his back.

“You are Zhang San?”

This man was named Wang Chao, the Commander of the Palace Guard Cavalry, and one of the Three Military Divisions’ commanders.

“This humble one Zhang San greets Commander Wang.”

Since his hands were restrained, Zhang Fei could only bow with a nod.

Wang Chao frowned: “You’re the one who had my son arrested.”

“I’ve been wronged!”

Zhang Fei immediately cried out: “This humble one is just a lowly runner who can only be ordered around by others – how could I order anyone around? Ow! Ow! It hurts, it hurts!”

Toward the end, he suddenly started yelling.

Wang Chao was stunned for a moment. That was right – Zhang San was just a lowly runner, so what authority did he have to order anyone around? Perhaps he had made a mistake. Seeing the man continuing to cry out, he knew this fellow was no pushover either. If this truly had nothing to do with him, there was no need to get entangled with him. With a wave of his hand, he said: “Release him.”

“Thank you, Commander! Thank you, Commander!”

Zhang Fei rubbed his arms, tearfully grateful as he thanked Wang Chao.

Wang Chao asked again: “But I’ve heard that both these police whistles and those warning signs were all your ideas.”

Zhang Fei nodded repeatedly: “These were indeed this humble one’s ideas, but I only offered counsel and strategy. The one making the decisions was not me. Every grievance has its source, every debt its debtor.”

As he spoke, his eyes kept glancing upward, indicating to Wang Chao that he should go find the people above – why bother with him?

Even now, Zhang Fei was still just a runner, at the same level as Tao Yonghan. Only that his police badge 003 was rather impressive.

Impressiveness was a lifelong matter.

Wang Chao also felt frustrated. Here he was, a mighty cavalry commander, and when his son was arrested by patrol constables, he could only take it out on a mere runner. If word of this got out, it would be utterly humiliating. He should at least find a superior to deal with. He immediately waved his hand: “Go fetch the Deputy Commander of the Infantry. Until this matter is clarified today, no one is leaving this place.”

Actually, traffic control within the city was jointly managed by the infantry and cavalry forces. The cavalry commander’s son had been arrested by patrol constables on his own turf.

This was simply an utter disgrace!

Wang Chao definitely needed to have it out with Cao Ping.

Zhang Fei also called out: “Who was so blind as to arrest Young Master Wang?”

A nearby patrol constable under guard complained: “Wasn’t it you who ordered the arrest?”

His shoulder bore police badge 007.

Wang Chao’s eyes flashed with anger.

“Hey, hey, hey, hey!”

Zhang Fei said frantically: “007, we serve in the same office, but I never commanded you to arrest Young Master Wang. I don’t have that authority!”

The patrol officer said: “Back then you clearly stated that regardless of who it was, anyone violating traffic regulations should be arrested and brought to the patrol office.”

“Now, now, now, first of all, I was also relaying orders from above – I don’t have that authority. Secondly…”

Zhang Fei asked: “What traffic regulation did Young Master Wang violate?”

The patrol officer replied: “The young master threw mud at the warning signs.”

“Ah?”

“What do you mean ‘ah’?”

Wang Chao, who had been watching their performance for some time, couldn’t help but frown at Zhang Fei: “Who authorized you people to do this?”

Zhang Fei pointed upward.

Wang Chao angrily slammed the table.

Zhang Fei jumped in fright, then winked frantically at officer 007: “Why don’t you quickly release the young master?”

Wang Chao said: “Don’t release him yet. I want Cao Ping to come see how his subordinates are treating my son.”

You might not get that chance, Zhang Fei muttered to himself, then stood silent.

Just then, an Imperial Guard soldier entered the room and reported to the cavalry commander: “There’s someone named Fan Chunren outside who wants to come in.”

“Fan Chunren?”

Wang Chao was slightly taken aback. “What’s he here for?”

“He says he’s here on official business.”

“Show him in.”

In a moment, Fan Chunren entered. Seeing Wang Chao, he cupped his hands respectfully: “Commander, it’s been a while.”

“Remonstrator Fan.”

Wang Chao also returned the salute.

Fan Chunren quickly said: “I’m no longer a censor.”

Wang Chao was well aware that he was Fan Zhongyan’s son – whether he held an official title or not wasn’t particularly important. He asked: “I wonder what brings Master Fan here?”

Fan Chunren replied: “I’m here on behalf of the Patrol Inspection Office to file charges against someone named Wang Qun.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Chao flew into a rage: “Outrageous! Who asked Remonstrator Fan to come prosecute my son?”

Zhang Fei also quickly looked around: “Who? Who did this?”

As he spoke, he winked at the patrol constable.

The patrol constable was also quite clever – living up to his badge number 007. He quickly said: “This isn’t our concern either. The rules are set this way – if the criminal refuses to accept the charges, we cannot use coercion or inducement. The conviction must be determined through litigation.”

After hearing this, Wang Chao thought they were making a fool of him. He immediately stepped forward and grabbed Zhang Fei by the collar: “What exactly is going on here?”

Zhang Fei immediately became dejected: “Commander, he’s the one who said it? I’m innocent!”

007 immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Wang Chao was furious: “Do you think I haven’t heard of your reputation, Zhang San? If it’s litigation it must be related to you.”

Fan Chunren quickly raised his hand: “Commander, please calm your anger. What you’re doing is not proper.”

Wang Chao glanced at Fan Chunren. He first released Zhang Fei, then said: “This is an internal matter of our Three Military Divisions. There’s no need to trouble Remonstrator Fan with it.”

Fan Chunren said: “But what I heard was that Wang Qun violated traffic regulations and damaged public property. This concerns the law – it’s not an internal matter of your Three Military Divisions.”

Wang Chao pondered briefly, then smiled: “But as Commander of the Cavalry, I’ve never heard that when my patrol constables arrest criminals, they need to invite someone to litigate. What kind of rule is this?”

Fan Chunren said: “Has the Commander heard of the Prosecution Office?”

Wang Chao frowned: “Hasn’t it not been established yet?”

Fan Chunren said: “But previously, Academician Sima suggested that His Majesty let me provide legal aid in preparation for establishing the Prosecution Office. Therefore, our Legal Aid Office can not only provide free litigation services for the common people, but also has the authority to file lawsuits on behalf of the government. If the Commander is unclear about this, you can go inquire. If I have spoken even half a false word, I will definitely go to the Prefectural Office to apologize with birch rods on my back.”

Wang Chao remained silent for a while, then smiled: “It seems I am ill-informed. Very well, I’ll go ask first to clarify what exactly is going on. Farewell!”

With that, he led his men out the door.

How could Wang Chao not know what kind of character Fan Chunren had, coming from a remonstrator background? Since Fan Chunren already knew about this matter, it certainly wouldn’t end here. Fan Chunren would never yield even half a step. Although this was a great humiliation, if Fan Chunren made a scene about it in court, the matter would become much bigger and might even affect his career prospects.

Don’t be fooled by Fan Chunren not wearing official robes – he had plenty of brothers in court willing to risk their lives for him, and was even protected by a group of Qingli gentlemen like Fu Bi and Wen Yanbo.

Wang Chao had been able to rise to the position of commander because he still had no problem with this kind of political acumen.

It wasn’t that he was particularly afraid of Fan Chunren, but rather that he felt this matter wasn’t worth making such a big fuss over.

“Whew.”

Zhang Fei patted his chest: “That really scared me to death.”

Fan Chunren chuckled: “You little rascal really have some nerve, actually daring to use Wang’s son to establish your authority.”

“Establish authority?”

Zhang Fei rubbed his arm and said irritably: “What authority could a lowly runner like me establish? Getting scolded is more like it. Look at us – we’ve all been lectured until we’re covered in spit, and my arm was nearly twisted off. The one who really benefited was Master Fan.”

Fan Chunren asked in puzzlement: “What advantage did I gain?”

Zhang Fei said: “If you can take down Wang Qun, who won’t fear your Prosecution Office in the future? You haven’t even officially established the office yet, but you’re already this formidable. Once it’s established, won’t you be prosecuting princes every day? We patrol constables get sprayed with criticism while you establish your authority. Sigh, there’s nothing we can do about it – we’re lowly runners after all. At least we get bonuses.”

Constable 007 listened intently and said: “Zhang San, there are bonuses too?”

Zhang Fei replied: “Of course! For such a big case, forget about whether we can get promoted – if there’s no bonus, who would do this work?”

The nearby patrol constables listened thoughtfully.

Did this mean arresting young masters would earn bonuses and even promotions?

Fan Chunren shook his head with a bitter smile.

…

“Thank you both for the invitation. I still have business to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”

Seeing Wang Chao leave in a huff, Wang Anshi immediately stood up and cupped his hands in farewell.

Wen Yanbo and Sima Guang awkwardly returned the gesture.

After Wang Anshi left, Wen Yanbo shook his head and sighed: “I never expected that boy would actually ask Chunren for help.”

With that, he waved his hand: “Sima Guang, go settle the bill.”

Sima Guang quickly said: “Lord Wen, it was you and Wang Anshi who were making the wager earlier.”

Wen Yanbo replied: “But you nodded in agreement at the time.”

Sima Guang said: “Even so, it should be split half and half. How can you make me pay the entire bill alone? That won’t do.”

When it came to treating others to meals, all three men had very firm principles – they would never let anyone freeload.

Wen Yanbo chuckled: “Sima Guang! You gained such a huge benefit for nothing – treating us to a meal is only proper.”

Sima Guang finally couldn’t hold back anymore, and a hint of a smile crept to the corners of his mouth as he nodded repeatedly: “Fine, fine, fine. I’ll pay, I’ll pay.”