Compared with the high-profile Zhang Fei, the two chief judges Wang Anshi and Sima Guang were relatively low-key, and they kept everything in their heads.
Just like usual, they arrived at the imperial city early, met by chance in front of the gate, and quarreled with each other as usual...
"Yes! Yes!"
Sima Guang just nodded.
Wang Anshi asked curiously, "What's good?"
Sima Guang said, "You always laughed at me for losing to that guy last time, right? This time I want to see how capable you are. You have many helpers this time. If you can't beat that guy, don't laugh at me anymore."
Wang Anshi stroked his beard and laughed, with a hint of contempt in his eyes.
Sima Guang frowned and asked, "What are you laughing at?"
Wang Anshi laughed and said, "When did I ever laugh at you for losing to that kid? I laughed at you for not admitting your defeat. That's not what a real man should do. If what he said today makes sense, I agree. This lawsuit is about reason, not victory or defeat. If we can find justice, what's wrong with me, Wang Anshi, admitting defeat?"
Sima Guang's face turned red, but he smiled and nodded, saying, "Okay, okay! I admit that I, Sima Guang, am petty and unwilling to admit defeat, but you, Wang Jiefu, may not be a real man either."
Wang Anshi said: "Whether it is right or wrong, future generations will have their own opinions."
"No!"
Sima Guang raised his hand and said, "There is no need to wait for future generations to judge. It won't be long before you admit that you are more petty than I am."
"Really?" Wang Anshi laughed, "Then let's wait and see."
Sima Guang smiled and said nothing.
The two did not have any communication about this case.
In this lawsuit, Zhang Fei is not their enemy, but a treasure trove. They all want to dig out the treasures they want from Zhang Fei.
Instead, the two of them are in competition with each other, so naturally there is nothing to communicate about, as it all depends on one's own ability.
The two of them came to the Dali Temple while arguing with each other.
There were quite a few people sitting inside, not only the jurors but also those who were watching the trial were all present.
Those who watched the trial were all at the prime minister level.
In addition to Chen Shengzhi and Tang Jie, there are also Han Qi, Fu Bi and other old ministers who are already among the Three Dukes. It is truly a dazzling group of stars, but they are all very low-key and just sit in that inconspicuous corner.
After all, this is the first time, and they also want to see how this kind of lawsuit should be fought.
After some formalities, the Gemini took the seat of the presiding judge without hesitation.
Sima Guang said, "My fellow colleagues, the other party is just a small spy, but we are making such a big scene. Others will feel unfair when they see this. We must abide by the rules and not let others laugh at us."
The implication is to warn the officials who are watching the trial not to interrupt. Although they are in high positions, the rules cannot be broken.
That kid has a very sharp tongue. If he finds a sore spot on you, he will definitely beat you to death.
You should all have seen this.
I won’t save you then, lest I get dragged down myself.
Everyone understood and nodded.
People like Chen Shengzhi are all modest gentlemen. If Sima Guang didn't say anything, they wouldn't say anything.
Wang Anshi saw that it was almost time, so he asked, "Has Zhang Fei arrived?"
Lu Gong said, "I guess we have to wait a while."
Wang Anshi asked, "Why are so many of us waiting here for him?"
Lu Gong said, "I just got the news that Zhang Fei had many citizens seeing him off, so he was delayed for some time."
Wang Anshi sighed: "This lawsuit will be difficult to win as the people are in favor of it!"
Qi Hui said, "Mr. Wang, as the chief judge, you should be fair first. Now that the trial has not even started, you are saying this, I am afraid it will cause dissatisfaction among others."
Wang Anshi hurriedly said, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I made a mistake, but please rest assured, I will treat you fairly."
When he said the latter part, he suddenly glanced at Sima Guang and raised his eyebrows.
What is this old man doing? Sima Guang was stunned for a moment, and suddenly realized that this guy was hinting to him, "Look, look, I am a real man, I must admit my mistakes." He immediately looked down on him, "You are clearly taking advantage of me and still acting cute."
... ...
At this time, a young man and a middle-aged man came quietly to the side door.
It was Emperor Shenzong Zhao Xu and his attendant Liu Zhao.
"Is Zhang San not here yet?" Zhao Xu looked inside and saw that all the judges were there, drinking tea and chatting.
Liu Zhao then informed the emperor of the incident in which the people saw Zhang Fei off.
Zhao Xu sighed and asked, "The sage said that water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. Why is it that everyone knows this and this is what the people want, but it has never been changed?"
Liu Zhao remained silent.
Zhao Xu waited for a moment, looked at him, and said with a firm gaze: "No matter what, I must change this evil law."
Only he could say this. If Liu Zhao said this, he would be criticized to death.
It's easy to say, just go and transport food and grass!
After a while, an official walked quickly into the hall and whispered a few words to Wang Anshi and Sima Guang.
The two looked at each other in surprise.
Wang Anshi shook his head.
Sima Guang glared at him and coughed lightly, "Zhang San has arrived, but he also brought an assistant, uh..."
Lu Gong said: "This is not a small case. There are so many of us, so it's no problem for him to bring an assistant."
The other officials also nodded.
Sima Guang said: "This assistant is Xu Zhiqian, the daughter of Xu Sishi."
"woman?"
“… … !”
The officials looked at each other in bewilderment.
Liu Shu said to Xu Zun, "Xu Sishi, your education is really eye-opening!"
Xu Zun said calmly, "I'm so sorry! I really can't stop my daughter from pursuing justice."
Wang Anshi could not wait any longer and said, "If all the ear-writers can come, why can't women come?"
As soon as this statement was made, it was surprisingly recognized.
This immediately reduced Zhang Fei's status to the same level as a woman.
Qi Hui teased, "As long as Xu Si has no objection, we have no objection either."
Xu Zun answered seriously: "I have no objection."
Wang Anshi said, "Then let's get started quickly! Call Zhang San."
I saw a guard carrying Zhang Fei into the hall, with Xu Zhiqian beside him, and two guards behind them carrying a large box.
What are they here for
Moving
Wang Anshi asked nervously, "Zhang San, what's wrong with you?"
Zhang Fei said awkwardly, "In reply to Grand Secretary Wang, the citizens were too enthusiastic just now, squeezing me so hard that I couldn't walk. I wasn't paying attention and sprained my ankle."
Xu Zhiqian bit her lower lip tightly, her face expressionless.
Lu Gong was stunned. He sprained his leg before he could even accomplish his mission.
Everyone looked at each other.
Wang Anshi glanced at Sima Guang, who muttered quietly without moving his lips: "Someone said I favored that kid last time. This time it's your turn."
Wang Anshi waved his hand and said, "Move him a chair."
"Hey, you! I dare not sit on a chair. A bench will do." Zhang Fei said hurriedly.
Wang Anshi glanced at Xu Zhiqian next to him and smiled secretly, "You are really sentimental!" He nodded at the guard.
Zhang Fei suddenly turned around and looked at the big box. "Master Wang, I have prepared a lot of documents. This...!"
Wang Anshi said, "Give him another long table."
"yes."
"Thank you, Grand Secretary Wang. Thank you, Grand Secretary Wang."
Liu Shu and other officials had already realized what was going on. What sprained ankle? This kid just wanted to be on equal footing with us.
They all looked at Wang Anshi unhappily.
You're going too far in covering up for me.
Wang Anshi pretended not to see it and muttered, "If that kid wants to drink tea later, it will be your turn."
Sima Guang said: "Aren't you a real man? You should do this kind and loving thing."
Wang Anshi said, "But what matters in the court is fairness and justice. It's only fair that we each have one time."
Sima Guang said helplessly: "Okay! Okay! It's really tiring to work with you."
“Same here!”
While they were talking, the guards had already moved the long table and benches into the hall.
"oops!"
When he sat down, Zhang Fei groaned, then looked at Xu Zhiqian and said, "Madam Xu, please sit down. It's inconvenient for me to get up, so I have to rely on you for many things."
Although Xu Zhiqian was very cool, she felt a little nervous in this situation and glanced at everyone.
All the officials looked away.
So shameful!
Only Xu Zun nodded, and he still despised those people in his heart, "You guys are so petty."
Xu Zhiqian then sat down and muttered, "I really let you ask for a seat."
"What are you asking for? I'm just teaching them etiquette." Zhang Fei added, "I'll need a cup of tea later."
Xu Zhiqian didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so she just started working and took out the documents from the box one by one.
After seeing this, the officials suddenly became a little panicked.
They thought they were well prepared, but when they saw that the other party had prepared so many documents, they suddenly felt that they were not working hard enough!
I still underestimated the enemy!
No, it's this kid who has no moral principles. His tactics are different every time!
Sima Guang asked, "Can we start now?"
"Wait a minute!"
Zhang Fei said in fear and trepidation: "I have not yet saluted the judges."
Sima Guang hurriedly said: "You have an injury on your foot, so forget it!"
After saying that, he immediately said to Wang Anshi: "It will be your turn next time."
Wang Anshi immediately glared at Sima Guang, as if to say, I have never seen anyone as shameless as you.
The officials below had no idea that the two presiding judges both supported Zhang Fei.
Zhao Xu, who was outside the side door, smiled and said, "I bet he definitely didn't sprain his ankle."
Liu Zhao smiled but said nothing.
The eunuch beside him said, "Your Majesty, would you like me to help you move a chair?"
Zhao Xu thought about it and realized that if Zhang Fei wanted a chair to sit on, it would definitely be a long battle, so he nodded and said, "Bring one for Liu Sheren as well."
Liu Zhao hurriedly said, "How dare I sit with Your Majesty?"
Zhao Xu waved his hand and said, "There's no need to worry so much about this situation."
Once your ankle is sprained, all manners are gone.
Wang Anshi said: "You are old rivals, I will give you a chance for revenge."
Sima Guang snorted, then asked Zhang Fei, "Zhang San."
"Xiaomin is here!"
"Are you suing the imperial court for violating the corvée law based on the laws of our ancestors this time?"
"Yes."
Zhang Fei nodded.
Sima Guang said: "The laws of our ancestors must be followed. If this law violates the laws of our ancestors, it is wrong. However, the laws of our ancestors are not laws and regulations. What you wrote in your petition is a sentence from the imperial edict of Emperor Taizong. So in your opinion, are the imperial edicts of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizu the laws of our ancestors?"