This annual holiday is destined to be endless, they have too many things to do.
This is different from a lawsuit.
Lawsuits are conducted according to written regulations, but ancestral laws are not explained by specific regulations.
This requires a complete set of logic to interpret the law, which requires citing case law, legal regulations, human ethics, historical documents, etc.
This workload is extremely large.
Fortunately, Xu Zun hated socializing the most in his life, and he rarely visited his colleagues' homes during the New Year. You know, he just returned to Bian Jing this year.
However, Xu Zhiqian turned down many invitations from her best friends. During festivals and holidays, these ladies from wealthy families would often go out together to travel and participate in some traditional activities.
In comparison, Xu Zhiqian prefers her current job.
Sue the court
How fun this is!
If you can't participate in it, you will regret it for the rest of your life!
However, this year, many people are having an uneasy time.
Because everyone knows that next year will be a crucial year.
The young emperor, who has been on the throne for a year, has been preparing for a whole year. Next year, he should determine his own policy on governing the country. This will be a big drama.
Indeed, many problems of the Northern Song Dynasty had reached the point where they had to be resolved.
The ministers were not arguing about whether to solve the problem, but how to solve it.
Based on Shenzong's attitude towards Wang Anshi, everyone knew that the emperor would enable Wang Anshi to carry out reforms.
Wang Anshi himself was both excited and nervous, and was also working hard to prepare. Not only did he not take a vacation, but neither did his subordinates.
Municipal Taxation Department.
"Sue the court?"
Lu Huiqing looked at Wang Anshi in surprise.
Wang Anshi nodded and smiled: "Sometimes, I have to admire this kid's courage!"
Lu Huiqing frowned and asked, "How can he sue the court?"
Wang Anshi immediately informed Lu Huiqing of Zhang Fei's intention.
Lu Huiqing nodded thoughtfully, thought for a while, and said: "If he can really succeed, it will certainly be beneficial to us. This is enough to prove that the current corvée system has many drawbacks. Master can use this as an excuse to propose a new law, which can alleviate many obstacles."
"That's what I thought."
Wang Anshi said, "But originally, I was planning to propose the equalization of supply to Tokyo first, to stop profiteers from profiting from it, to save costs, and to reduce the burden on the people. I would then propose the conscription law in a few years, but now it is clear that I have to make some changes."
This equal distribution method had the least destructive effect on the original system, and Wang Anshi did not dare to use a big move right from the start.
However, Zhang Fei’s method of corvée execution meant that the order must be changed.
Lu Huiqing thought for a moment and said, "In fact, the equalization of transport law involves the corvée law. The two are closely related. If Zhang Fei can succeed, then why don't you combine the two laws into one, and focus on the corvée law, which includes the equalization of transport law, and propose them together."
The hardest part of everything is getting started, so he also believed that if Zhang Fei could charge forward and tear open a gap, then they could take advantage of the situation, or in other words, go with the flow.
Many uncertainties can be avoided.
It's certainly worth a try.
Wang Anshi nodded and said, "You think the same as I do. Even if Zhang San fails, it will not affect us. We can act according to the situation and attack or defend. After all, we can use his lawsuit, but his lawsuit will not affect our reform."
Will it affect our reform? Lu Huiqing suddenly frowned: "Master, no one has ever dared to sue the court. If this precedent is set, will someone sue our new law in the future?"
Wang Anshi was stunned for a moment, then suddenly said with a straight face: "Teacher, I am reforming the law for the country and the people, to get rid of those bad policies. What right does he have to sue me for my new law? If it is a law that harms the country and the people, even if he sue me, I have nothing to say."
Lu Huiqing nodded and said, "Master, what you said is absolutely right. We have a clear conscience and nothing to fear."
But there was a hint of worry in his eyes.
... ...
Sima Mansion.
"It seems that the government is determined to reform the law!"
Prime Minister Tang Jie sighed with a worried look on his face.
The Imperial Censor Lu Hui said, "There are indeed many problems in the country today, and we should seek to improve them, but we should never, ever trust Wang Anshi. This man seems to have high moral standards, but he is actually cunning. He takes advantage of the officials' eagerness to govern and caters to their wishes. If we don't stop him, the world will be in chaos."
Tang Jie nodded and said, "That's right. Wang Jiefu only believes in classics, but he doesn't know that Confucianism is the foundation. If we let him reform, he will definitely put the cart before the horse."
Sima Guang glanced at the two and advised: "We all know that the country has a problem. If it is not treated, there will be endless troubles. Now Wang Jiefu has not yet started the reform, and we don't know what it means yet. It's better not to make rash judgments!"
Lu Hui snorted, "But from his words and actions, we can tell that he is definitely not the right person."
The two of them were the most opposed to Wang Anshi, and they opposed every word Wang Anshi said.
Can they support Wang Anshi's reforms
Of course, both of them were upright and honest throughout their lives, and Wang Anshi has not yet said how they will change specifically. It does not depend on any vested interests. This is simply a difference in political philosophies.
They were more willing to support Sima Guang's austerity policy.
It’s still the Confucian way.
The problem was that the emperor did not support it. The first person Shenzong asked was Sima Guang, but Sima Guang's policies did not arouse Shenzong's interest at all.
This is very embarrassing.
In their view, Wang Anshi's Confucian classics were heresy, because the foundation of the current society was Confucianism, and they believed that any reform must be based on Confucianism.
Many things cannot be explained by Confucianism, which will lead to principled conflicts in society.
Sima Guang said, "I have worked with Wang Jiefu for many years and know him very well. He is indeed extraordinary. Otherwise, he would not have won the support of the Privy Council and the emperor would not have trusted him so easily. What we say now is all empty talk. Since Your Majesty has chosen Wang Jiefu, why don't we take a look and do our part."
At this point, he suddenly changed the subject: "Oh, right! I have been studying litigation recently. The trial process of Lin Fei's case has benefited me a lot. If it weren't for Zhang San, it might have led to a false case. I am planning to improve the litigation system recently."
Lu Hui and Tang Jie looked at each other.
Litigation is just a small matter. A false case may harm a family at most. But if the reform goes wrong, it will harm the whole world!
Lu Hui took the opportunity to sigh: "I am old and ill, I am afraid I can no longer take on this important task."
As he spoke, he kept looking at Sima Guang.
He was certainly not referring to the lawsuit.
Now that the reform is imminent, the post of Chief Censor is of vital importance. Lu Hui feels that he is willing but unable to compete with Wang Anshi, so he hopes that Sima Guang will take over this important task.
Sima Guang pondered for a while, "Brother Lu, don't be in a hurry to retreat. Wait and see. I may have other plans."
At present, Sima Guang only quarreled with Wang Anshi in the Hanlin Academy, or in front of the government, but he never said bad things about Wang Anshi in private. Not only did he not say bad things about him, but he also advised those officials who opposed Wang Anshi to be patient and give Wang Anshi a chance.
In fact, he fully agreed with every problem that Wang Anshi pointed out in the court, but they had different ideas.
Of course, party strife began afterwards, and that was another matter.
But for now, the same thing applies: they haven't started yet, so what right do you have to say that they are not good
... ...
Zhang family.
"Huh... I've finally finished writing this article."
Xu Zhiqian rubbed her jade-white wrist and breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at the room full of papers, she felt a great sense of accomplishment. The slight pain was nothing.
In this lawsuit, the preliminary writing work was almost all done by her alone, and Feng Nanxi just helped with copying. After all, Xu Zun was old and could only give them experience but could not provide physical support.
Seeing Zhang Fei using wooden clips to separate the written petitions into pieces, he couldn't help but ask, "What are you doing?"
“Oh, I’m making an index!”
"index?"
“It’s very simple.”
Zhang Fei explained: "It means labeling all the laws and precedents that need to be cited in each lawsuit. This way, it can be simplified and there is no need to copy the entire Song Dynasty Criminal Code into it."
Xu Zhiqian's eyes lit up, "That's a good idea."
Dong Dong Dong!
There was a knock on the door.
"Husband! Madam Xu."
It was Gao Wenyin's voice.
Zhang Fei said: "Madam, come in!"
A squeak!
The door opened and Gao Wenyin entered the room. "Sorry to bother you."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Why bother you? We were just chatting. Madam, is there anything I can help you with?"
Gao Wenyin said, "The food is ready." Then she looked at Xu Zhiqian, "Madam Xu, tomorrow is New Year's Eve, why don't you and your benefactor come here to have a New Year's Eve dinner."
"Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Time flies!" Zhang Fei patted his forehead and said to Xu Zhiqian, "Madam Xu, it seems that your brother did not come back this year."
Xu Zhiqian said: "My eldest brother only started his new post in the first half of this year, so there is no way he can come back in time for the New Year."
Zhang Fei said: "Then our two families can have New Year's Eve dinner together, it will be lively and festive."
Gao Wenyin nodded.
Xu Zhiqian hesitated, "But my father doesn't like to eat at other people's homes."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "In the past six months, I have been able to achieve what I have today thanks to your care. Now that I have achieved success in my career, it is not too much to ask you to have a meal with me, right?"
"Okay! I'll go ask."
Xu Zhiqian said, then looked at Gao Wenyin and said with a smile: "Madam Zhang, you really look like Madam Zhang now. You are so thoughtful."
"Oh no!"
Gao Wenyin blushed and shook her head, "No, I just..."
She hesitated, not knowing how to explain.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? My wife is grateful, so she is doing her duty as a wife. Madam, don't you agree?"
Gao Wenyin nodded like a chick pecking at rice.
Xu Zhiqian smiled slyly, and seeing that Gao Wenyin's face was flushed and she looked so beautiful, she stopped teasing her.
When I walked out of the room, I said, "Ah, the sun is out!"
I saw the long-lost sunshine shining on the corridor, the ice and snow melted, and the sound of dripping water could be heard under the eaves.
Zhang Fei came out later and stared at the mud in the yard that had stripped off his white clothes, lost in thought.