Wang Anshi had planned everything, but he never expected that the implementation of his new law would have to start with a lawsuit.
Even if he said it out loud, he himself didn't believe it.
But it can also be seen from this that what Fu Bi said actually makes a lot of sense.
For some things, once you set a precedent, others will inevitably follow suit.
When Zhang Fei sued the court, you, Wang Anshi, also had strong arguments, so now you must accept this request.
In the same way, if you, Wang Anshi, serve the country and the people, the Censors and Counselors cannot oppose you. Then in the future, if anyone forms a clique and seeks personal gain, the Censors and Counselors cannot oppose it either.
Everything has two sides, and the two sides of politics are highly sensitive. Side effects are inevitable. No matter how much benefit one side can bring you, you must also consider how much disadvantages the other side will bring.
Unless it is a matter of life and death, most politicians would rather have fewer benefits and minimize the side effects on the other side, because the key to politics lies in stability.
Because from the perspective of the people, this good policy is taken for granted, but at the same time they will refuse to accept the side effects.
But any policy has its pros and cons. There is no perfect policy in the world. As a result, when many decisions are made, people often don’t understand them. They think, “This problem is so simple, I can solve it, why don’t you do it?” They don’t really consider that solving this problem may lead to more serious problems.
The problem of redundant officials is very simple, just lay off some people. But who can guarantee that Li Zicheng will not be laid off as well
In fact, "be prepared for events and control the twists and turns" refers to this point.
The core is "policy to prevent fraud", rather than asking you to be proactive, bold and brave.
... ...
Things had come to this point, and Wang Anshi had no choice but to accept it, so as soon as he left the hall, he took Lu Huiqing and ran to Zhang Fei.
The pawn Zhang Fei suddenly became crucial.
After Xu Zhiqian bowed to Wang Anshi, he tactfully left.
"You little bastard, you've really put me in trouble this time!"
After sitting down, Wang Anshi sighed bitterly.
You really know how to talk. We were all working together for a win-win situation before. Now that there is a problem, you are helping me? Zhang Fei muttered in his heart, but at the same time he was very surprised. He also complained: "Grand Scholar Wang, no... No way, can you allow them to go to court?"
Wang Anshi was embarrassed and remained silent.
Lu Huiqing explained: "They have been attacking my teacher by harping on your lawsuit, and even dragged the emperor into it, implying that if the court does not give Qian Yi a chance to appear in court, then the ancestral law that the emperor has established based on your lawsuit will also be questioned."
Zhang Fei frowned when he heard this, thinking, it seems like I have to take the blame for this.
Wang Anshi saw that he seemed unconfident, so he immediately asked, "Are you sure you can win?"
"I..." Zhang Fei sighed, "At that time, I told Lü Xiaokan very clearly that this court is like a battlefield, anything can happen. Even if I am sure of victory, I can't give this promise to Wang Daxueshi."
Wang Anshi asked, "Are you sure of victory?"
Zhang Fei pondered for a moment, "This lawsuit is actually very beneficial to Wang Daxueshi, because the ancestral law of today can be interpreted in any way, and they are the attackers, and we are the defenders, so for us, as long as we don't lose, we win. In a fair environment, I don't think I will lose this lawsuit. Of course, this also has to take into account who will hear this case? If they protect each other, then I can't do anything."
“It has not been determined yet.”
Wang Anshi thought for a moment and said, "But it is impossible for me to judge this case."
Zhang Fei asked: "Could it be the Grand Secretary Sima?"
"his words... ... !"
Before Wang Anshi came to a conclusion, Lu Huiqing suddenly said, "I don't think it's likely."
Zhang Fei asked: "Why?"
Lu Huiqing said: "Because if we lose, it will affect Sima Xueshi's prestige in the court."
"That's right." Zhang Fei nodded slightly.
Sima Guang is the only one in the court who can compete with Wang Anshi, whether in terms of age, prestige or qualifications, and most importantly, Sima Guang also has the ability to carry out reforms.
However, Sima Guang had already lost to Zhang Fei once before. If he lost again, it would be a big blow to Sima Guang's position in the court.
But litigation was not something Sima Guang was good at.
Then out of protection for him, he will most likely not be allowed to show up.
"Who could that be?"
Zhang Fei asked again.
Lu Huiqing said: "I still think Mr. Fu has the best chance."
Wang Anshi also nodded. "If it weren't for Lord Fu and Prime Minister Zhao, this case wouldn't have been brought to court. But Prime Minister Zhao is in charge of the Censorate, and there are many censors involved in this case, so they probably won't be allowed to come to the court. If Lord Fu comes to the court, it will be relatively fair."
Lu Huiqing warned, "Zhang San, Mr. Fu is getting stronger with age, and his eloquence is no less than that of my teacher and Sima Daxueshi. You have to be careful."
"No matter who faces Mr. Fu, I'm afraid they won't dare to be careless." Zhang Fei smiled bitterly and asked, "Will the other party hire someone to defend the case?"
Lu Huiqing shook his head and said, "It shouldn't be. In terms of eloquence and intelligence, who else but you can compare to these imperial censors among the ear writers?"
"Imperial censor?"
Zhang Fei just sneered.
Wang Anshi asked with a smile: "Why? You still look down on these imperial censors?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "In court, it is true that I look down on others. I will not allow my profession to lose to others' hobbies."
Wang Anshi laughed and said, "I feel relieved after hearing your words."
Although Zhang Fei did not guarantee him victory, he also saw that Zhang Fei just did not want to take responsibility, but he was still very confident.
Next, they talked about the details of the entire case, especially the censor's habit of debating in court. In Zhang Fei's opinion, debating in court is different from litigation, so how to make good use of this is also crucial.
The three of them discussed for more than an hour before Wang Anshi and Lu Huiqing went back.
As soon as they left, Xu Zhiqian slipped back.
"What if it really goes to court?"
Xu Zhiqian also found this incredible!
"Um."
Zhang Fei nodded.
Xu Zhiqian said nervously, "Are you sure you can win?"
Zhang Fei asked: "Why are you so nervous?"
Xu Zhiqian said: "I also support the reform of Wang Daxueshi."
Woman, you are still too young! Compared with the problems to be faced later, this problem is simply kindergarten-level. Zhang Fei smiled easily and said, "In fact, in this kind of lawsuit, the husband has his own reasons and the wife has her own reasons. As the defending party, I have the advantage. I can't lose."
There is no need to hide anything from Xu Zhiqian.
Xu Zhiqian said: "We have to be careful, let's go back and prepare."
Zhang Fei originally wanted to say that this lawsuit was just a continuation of the previous one, and that the ancestral laws were set by him, so there was no need to prepare as before. However, when he looked at the sky and thought that Xu Zun would be going home soon, he still had to find Xu Zun to learn more about the specific boundaries of the court system and the law.
So the two of them immediately set out for home.
As soon as I got off the carriage, I saw Feng Nanxi rushing out the door.
"It's great that you're back, benefactor. I was just about to go look for you."
"What do you want from me?"
Zhang Fei couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.
Now he is at the center of the storm, and he is afraid of the slightest disturbance!
Feng Nanxi said, "A man just came and said he wants to ask you to sue him."
Niu Beiqing came forward and said with a wink, "My benefactor, that fellow is carrying a big box, and it seems to contain money."
Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian looked at each other tacitly.
"Go in and take a look."
When I arrived at the courtyard, I saw a man in his thirties, dressed in brocade clothes, sitting in the hall.
When the man saw them come in, he stood up, looked at Zhang Fei again, and then quickly walked out the door.
"This must be Zhang Sanlang."
"Uh... yes."
Zhang Fei looked at this man and felt he was a complete stranger.
"My name is Chen Shen."
"I wonder what advice you have for me, sir?" Zhang Fei asked with a bow.
Chen Shen said excitedly: "I am making this bold visit today to ask Zhang Sanlang to save my father's life."
Zhang Fei asked: "Save your father's life?"
Chen Shen nodded, and then told Zhang Fei the whole story.
It turned out that he was from Dengzhou, and his family was in the silk business. One day, his father went to a restaurant to drink and met a drunk man. They had an argument, and then a scuffle broke out. As a result, his father accidentally pushed the man down the stairs and he died.
Sentenced to death by the government.
When he finished speaking, two big men came to Zhang Fei carrying a large wooden box.
When the box was opened, it was filled with shiny silver, which made Niu Beiqing and Feng Nanxi gasp.
"Here is five thousand taels of silver. Since I am in a hurry to travel, I cannot bring too much silver with me. But as long as Zhang Sanlang can rescue my father, I will be willing to give him ten thousand taels."
Ten thousand taels
Niu Beiqing's mouth was wide enough to fit an old hen.
Can litigation make so much money
Why haven’t I heard of it before!
Zhang Fei glanced at the silver. Five thousand taels were so dazzling, wouldn't ten thousand taels be even more spectacular? ... I have to think of a way to get the money and then trick them.
Xu Zhiqian beside him whispered, "You don't really want to accept it, do you?"
Well! It's definitely over! Zhang Fei pointed at Xu Zhiqian and said uninterestedly: "You can do it!"
As he said that, he walked inside.
Xu Zhiqian glanced at Chen Shen and said, "Don't panic, sir. Just wait in Beijing. The prefecture does not have the power to sentence the death penalty. In the end, the case must be submitted to the capital for review by the Dali Temple, the Ministry of Justice, and the Court of Criminal Justice. Therefore, this lawsuit can be filed in the capital."
Chen Shen hurriedly said: "But my father is old...!"
Before he could finish, Xu Zhiqian said, "You are old, but you can still push someone down the stairs? This shows that your father is in good health. You don't need to worry too much. Also, my father is the judge of the Dali Temple. He will be back soon, and I will take you to see him."
A flash of panic flashed across Chen Shen's eyes, and he quickly bowed and said, "Excuse me."
He took his servants and left in a hurry carrying the silver.
Zhang Fei, who was sitting in the living room, had just taken a sip of tea when he saw Xu Zhiqian walk in. "Wow! It was resolved so quickly. Didn't they raise the price?"
Xu Zhiqian asked: "How much increase will you accept?"
Zhang Fei said seriously: "One hundred thousand strings of cash."
Xu Zhiqian said: "You don't want to live anymore!"
Zhang Fei spread his hands and said, "You don't have to do a good job just to get paid! It's just a mere ten thousand taels, it's not worth my effort."
Xu Zhiqian snorted, "You are so self-righteous, it will hurt you sooner or later."
"With you supervising me, I don't need to consider this at all." Zhang Fei laughed.
Xu Zhiqian glared at him fiercely, then frowned slightly and said, "I didn't expect them to take action so quickly."
It is obvious that the other party must have come to bribe him and asked him to go to Dengzhou immediately, which would definitely not help Wang Anshi. For a person who was a spy, he spent 10,000 taels. Even if Zhang Fei did not accept it, Wang Anshi would not necessarily lose if he went on his own. It is conceivable how much interest was involved.
Zhang Fei couldn't help but sigh: "This is just the beginning. As the new law is implemented, they will do everything they can. This is the most terrifying thing!"
He had always been very cautious about whether to join the game because he knew what would happen.
... ...
When Xu Zun came back, they told him about this matter.
Xu Zun was not surprised by this, but he could not judge who was behind it, because too many people tried to stop Wang Anshi's reforms, including most of the royal relatives. But what was certain was that this had nothing to do with Wen Yanbo, Sima Guang and others.
They disdain to use such means.
On the same day, Wang Anshi also learned about this and immediately sent people to protect Zhang Fei's house and the Bian Jing Law Firm.
This shows how serious this lawsuit is.
... ...
On the other side, Qian Yi was finally released by Kaifeng Prefecture.
However, Kaifeng Prefecture sternly rejected his prosecution.
It is impossible to set a precedent that ordinary people can directly sue the imperial court for major policies, otherwise there will be endless troubles.
However, the case will be tried in the court at that time.
The ruling class’s affairs should be handled internally.
Liu Mansion.
"Thank you for your help."
Qian Yi bowed to his colleagues in thanks.
Liu Shu immediately said: "Brother Qian sacrificed his life for justice, how can we stand by and watch him die?"
As he spoke, he sighed again, "But if we lose this lawsuit, it may be difficult for Brother Qian to return to the court."
Qian Yi said: "Since ancient times, evil has never triumphed over good. As long as the trial is fair, I don't believe I will lose to him, Wang Jiefu."
Qi Hui frowned and said, "From what we know, Wang Jiefu is likely to ask Zhang San to prosecute this case."
After hearing this, Qian Yi laughed out loud and said, "He doesn't even dare to go to the classroom to argue, which only proves that he has something to hide."
Qi Hui and Liu Shu looked at each other, their eyes filled with worry.
If good cannot prevail over evil, then doesn't that mean Zhang San is always in a state of righteousness
Liu Shu, who had suffered greatly, said: "Brother Qian, don't be careless. Zhang San is eloquent and has many tricks. He won several times before. It was not a fluke. We must be fully prepared this time."
The others also nodded.
Qian Yi also knew this, but he didn't believe it. He snorted, "Wang Anshi used the name of reform to try to overthrow the ancestral system and seize power. This is irrefutable evidence. How can we allow that villain to quibble?"
If everyone speaks reasonably and presents the facts, then there is nothing to worry about.
At this time, Sima Guang suddenly walked in and said, "There is a difference between a lawsuit and a court debate. I suggest you take a look at the court records of Zhang Fei's previous lawsuits. Only by knowing yourself and the enemy can you win every battle."
Liu Shu hurriedly said, "Master Sima is right. We should prepare well to prevent him from succeeding again."
When Qian Yi heard Sima Guang say this, he nodded.