Someone once said: when the profit reaches 10%, some people begin to get ready; when the profit reaches 50%, some people dare to take risks; when the profit reaches 100%, they dare to trample on all human laws; and when the profit reaches 300%, they are not even afraid of going to the gallows.
These words are used to describe capitalists.
But it actually applies even more to politicians.
In this game, the interests involved are enough to make them do unscrupulous and inhumane things.
... ...
Zhang Fei came to the Northern Song Dynasty alone, and he didn't care about many people, but Fang Yun was definitely the most important one. If it weren't for the lawsuit for Fang Yun, Zhang Fei might not have come to the capital. At the beginning of the year, Zhang Fei even asked Xu Zun to find a connection and gave some money to Fang Yun.
However, at this critical moment, he neglected Fang Yun. He never expected that the other party would target a village woman in Dengzhou.
This really caught him off guard.
It really hit him right where he is.
After learning about this, Xu Zun rushed home.
“This is outrageous!”
After reading the letter, Xu Zun was immediately furious: "How could they use such a despicable trick."
Xu Zhiqian asked hurriedly: "Dad, didn't you ask someone to take care of Ayun before? Can you..."
Xu Zun glanced at his daughter and sighed, "I'm just helping to keep an eye on her so she doesn't get bullied, but I'm afraid we can't prevent this kind of behavior."
Who would have thought that someone would kidnap a village woman like Fang Yun? The security level must not have reached that level of protection.
At most, it can prevent Fang Yun from being bullied by his neighbors.
Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian looked at each other, their eyes filled with despair.
This is their last hope.
Xu Zun picked up the letter again and read it, wondering, "This case was only exposed a few days ago. Even if they rushed to Dengzhou immediately, it would be difficult to make a round trip. Are they trying to scare you on purpose?"
Xu Zhiqian said, "My daughter and Zhang San have already discussed this. Fang Yun is just an ordinary village woman. If no one is protecting her all the time, then they only need to send someone to get her back. It's too late for us to send someone now."
Maybe they are just trying to scare people, but the question is whether you dare to bet, because they are definitely capable of kidnapping Fang Yun, and it would be very easy. Anyone who wants to stop Wang Anshi's reform is definitely not an ordinary official.
"This is all my fault! I didn't consider Fang Yun. Damn it."
Zhang Fei pounded the table in extreme annoyance.
Xu Zun glanced at him and comforted him, "Don't worry, since they want something, they won't hurt Fang Yun for the time being."
Zhang Fei sighed, "I'm not worried about this for now. After all, Fang Yun is more useful if he's alive. I just hate myself for not thinking of this beforehand. The other party was willing to bribe me with 10,000 taels, but the cost of kidnapping Fang Yun might not even be 1,000 taels. I should have thought of this at the time."
"Could this be the same group of people?" Xu Zun shook his head as he spoke: "Too many people's interests are involved in this, I'm afraid it won't be that easy to investigate!"
He looked anxious again and said, "The court will open tomorrow, and according to what is written in this letter, you are being asked to deliberately lose the case. Not to mention postponing the trial, even if there is no verdict tomorrow, Fang Yun may be in danger."
Xu Zhiqian said dejectedly: "We just talked about this. If we want to save Fang Yun, the only way is to hide it from Uncle Wang and deliberately lose the lawsuit. But if we do this..."
"Yes! This is so unfair to Wang Jiefu."
Xu Zun sighed.
Xu Zhiqian asked: "Dad, if we lose this lawsuit, will Uncle Wang never have another chance?"
Xu Zun hesitated for a moment, "You can't say that. After all, this is just a lawsuit, and Wang Jiefu has not made any intolerable mistakes. Even if he loses, the government will definitely still trust Wang Jiefu. Wang Jiefu will be able to make a comeback, but it will be difficult to win back the hearts of the people!"
Zhang Fei was startled. "Yes! If I lose, I lose. It's just a lawsuit. What does it matter?"
Xu Zun said hurriedly: "You can't say that. The consequences..."
As soon as he said this, Zhang Fei suddenly stood up and said, "My benefactor, can you arrange for me to meet with Wang Daxueshi in secret?"
Xu Zun asked, "What do you want to do?"
Zhang Fei said: "I'm going to persuade Academician Wang to give up this lawsuit."
Xu Zhiqian stood up anxiously: "Didn't we just discuss this? Uncle Wang will never agree to this. If we do this, it will harm Fang Yun instead."
Zhang Fei said: "I have a way to make him agree."
"any solution?"
Xu Zhiqian asked.
Zhang Fei said: "It's just more rogue than them."
... ...
The next morning.
A lawsuit that has attracted the attention of all the civil and military officials in the court is about to begin in the Government Affairs Hall.
But I saw that the spacious hall was full of people. Not only the civil and military officials of the court, but even most of the royal relatives had come to watch the trial.
Because this lawsuit is so critical, it is no exaggeration to say that it involves the interests of people all over the world.
If this sword could knock Wang Anshi off his horse directly, then everything would be fine and the whole world would celebrate!
After Zhang Fei entered the lobby, the lobby instantly became quiet, and then whispers were heard again.
"Strange? Why is Zhang San dressed like this today?"
"Why isn't he wearing a green shirt?"
"No hat or pen."
... ...
Zhang Fei was dressed just like usual today, with a soft scarf tied on his head and wearing a plain grey gown, instead of his usual seductive attire when he went to class.
"I have met Mr. Fu."
When he came to the middle, Zhang Fei bowed to Fu Bi who was sitting in the main seat, and then saluted to Qian Yi who was beside him.
Qian Yi just nodded slightly. Although he was no longer an imperial censor, he was an elder after all.
"No need to be polite!"
Fu Bi saw Zhang Fei had two panda eyes and looked a little haggard, so he asked, "Zhang San, are you okay?"
Zhang Fei was startled, and said quickly: "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Fu. I am fine. I was just nervous because Mr. Fu was here to interrogate me today, so I didn't sleep well."
Fu Bi smiled slightly, he didn't believe it, and said: "I heard that you like to sit down to sue, do you want to arrange a table and chair for you?"
In order to be fair, he tried his best to meet Zhang Fei's requirements. I will make arrangements based on your habits.
Zhang Fei said: "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Fu. I don't need it today."
Fu Bi was stunned for a moment, then looked at Qian Yi.
Qian Yi also shook his head and said, "I don't need it either."
... ...
Sima Guang, who was sitting next to him, suddenly frowned and said, "This is not right!"
Wen Yanbo beside him also nodded slightly and said, "Yes! Why isn't he wearing that green gown today?"
"Not only that."
Sima Guang said, "In the previous lawsuits, he usually brought Xu Zhiqian with him, but Xu Zhiqian didn't come today, and Lord Fu didn't say that he couldn't bring Xu Zhiqian with him, and he came with nothing."
Wen Yanbo glanced at Zhang Fei and said, "Maybe he is sure to win."
Sima Guang frowned and said, "Even if he is sure of winning, given his character, he will make adequate preparations. This lawsuit is so important, it won't go wrong to make more preparations."
As he said this, he glanced at Wang Anshi sitting opposite him, only to see that Wang Anshi seemed very relaxed. He thought to himself, am I worrying too much
Fu Bi actually noticed that something was not right with Zhang Fei, but if he asked him, he would know how to flatter, so he didn't care and slammed the gavel to start the trial directly.
With a bang.
The hall suddenly became quiet.
Everyone held their breath.
No one cares about what Zhang Fei wears anymore.
Since it was Qian Xi who filed the complaint, Fu Bi would naturally ask Qian Xi first.
Qian Yi truly lived up to his title of Imperial Censor, for he spoke fluently and eloquently, citing classics and discussing the past and present.
The scholars nearby were nodding their heads as they listened, immersed in the conversation.
This is what a lawsuit is!
How grand.
In comparison, Zhang Fei's was simply vulgar. He just read it out, and his speech was intermittent, with no technique at all.
This thought lasts for most of the incense stick.
After finishing reading, Fu Bi suddenly looked at Zhang Fei. Seeing that he was resting with his eyes closed, he did not dare to neglect him. This guy often won by surprise. He asked, "Zhang San, what do you have to say?"
Zhang Fei opened his eyes and was silent for a long time before he said, "I have nothing to say."
As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar.
People like Wang Anshi and Sima Guang couldn't help but stand up.
"Nothing... nothing to say?"
Fu Bi was dumbfounded and asked, "You are here to defend the Three Departments Regulations Office, how come you have nothing to say?"
Zhang Fei replied: "Mr. Qian's words make so much sense that I don't know how to refute them. Perhaps the establishment of the Three Departments Regulations Office did violate the laws of our ancestors."
Qian Yi looked at him in astonishment. Although he had been talking for more than half an incense stick, it was only his opening remarks, tentative. He had not yet put forward his core argument!
This is unbearable.
Not likely!
Fu Bi first glanced at Wang Anshi, then said to Zhang Fei: "Zhang San, come here and talk."
Zhang Fei walked over.
Fu Bi leaned forward and reprimanded in a low voice: "Look carefully, this is the government hall, not your lobby, don't be mysterious here."
Zhang Fei replied: "In court, I never play tricks, nor am I good at making excuses. I am used to discussing the matter at hand. I have also debated about the laws of our ancestors before. Now that the other party has a point, I must admit it."
Fu Bi frowned and said, "If you do this again, I will just declare you the loser."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "I accept defeat wholeheartedly."
"you... !"
Fu Bi was stunned.
what happened
He thought for a moment, and suddenly called Wang Anshi, Sima Guang and Wen Yanbo over.
What happened
Liu Shu and others were all confused and pricked up their ears.
Sima Guang's steps were faster than Wang Anshi's. He came to Fu Bi in a flash and asked Zhang Fei, "Zhang San, what are you doing?"
Zhang Fei remained silent.
At this time, Wang Anshi also came over.
Fu Bi then said to Wang Anshi: "Wang Jiefu, you can ask him yourself."
Wang Anshi asked Zhang Fei, "What's going on?"
Zhang Fei said: "I'm sorry to disappoint Mr. Wang."
Wang Anshi stared at him for a while, then suddenly glanced at Sima Guang and Wen Yanbo, and then said to Fu Bi: "Mr. Fu, I am willing to accept the loss of the bet."
"Wait a minute!"
Wang Anshi's look made Sima Guang feel humiliated. I didn't play tricks. I said, "If this matter is not made clear first, it is impossible to judge it. Otherwise, it will be difficult to convince the public."
Wen Yanbo also nodded: "The reason we are fighting this lawsuit is to seek fairness. This is meaningless."
Zhang Fei said: "Anyway, I don't know how to refute it. Speaking of the facts, the establishment of the Three Departments Regulations Department did violate the laws of our ancestors."
Fu Bi pondered for a moment, then looked at Wang Anshi: "Wang Jiefu, I can give you another chance. If you have any difficulties, I can postpone the trial. Justice comes first."
Wang Anshi said: "No need, if you lose, you lose."
"Mr. Fu, I cannot judge."
Sima Guang immediately said: "This is totally unfair."
Wang Anshi said, "It's fine if they don't judge. Anyway, if they want to argue in the future, they can go to you and not me."
Sima Guang asked excitedly: "Wang Jiefu, are you crazy?"
Wang Anshi said: "I am very sober."
Sima Guang looked at Zhang Fei again and asked, "Zhang San, what happened?"
Zhang Fei said: "Thank you for your concern, Grand Secretary Sima. I really can't find any reason to refute."
"you... ."
Sima Guang was so anxious that his beard stood up.
He knew something must have happened, which was exactly why he filed this lawsuit. He hoped to resolve the problem through fair means.
This made things even worse.
Fu Bi thought so too, but he was helpless. Since they all said so, it was impossible not to judge. Although they cared about fairness, many people only cared about winning or losing. Wang Anshi had already admitted defeat. If he did not judge, others would only cause trouble for them, and there would be no reason to cause trouble for Wang Anshi.
Fu Bi cannot bear this responsibility!
He sighed, "Okay! You guys go back first."
Sima Guang became furious and left angrily with a wave of his sleeves.
Fu Bi slammed the gavel and announced in public that the establishment of the Three Departments Regulations Office violated the ancestral laws.