When he just signed the cooperation contract with Zhang Fei, Fan Li was always worried about the outcome. He didn't know whether it was right to do so.
But after the Wang Wenshan case, Fan Li was glad that he had made an informed decision.
He was looking forward to Zhang Fei's arrival.
But when he heard the reason why Zhang Fei came here today, he became frightened again.
It's really like riding a roller coaster.
"You want to sue for Cao Yanei?"
"Yes."
Zhang Fei nodded and said with a smile: "To be precise, it was Cao Yanei who hired me."
"Are you crazy?"
"Do you think they look alike?"
"picture!"
Fan Li suddenly became excited. "This is not an ordinary case. It involves the royal family. Any case like this is extremely dangerous. If you are not careful, you may die without a burial place."
“It’s not that exaggerated, is it?”
"How could there not be?"
Fan Li snorted, "You don't know what the people above are thinking. If something goes wrong, they will definitely use us as scapegoats. If you don't believe me, wait and see. The ones who make the most trouble are not the Kaifeng Prefecture, but the imperial censors in the court."
Zhang Fei was surprised and asked, "How do you know so clearly?"
Fan Li said: "I used to be a clerk in the Imperial Censorate."
"I see!"
Zhang Fei smiled and nodded, "This is a good thing."
"Good thing?"
"certainly."
Zhang Fei said: "The more difficult the case is, the more fame it can bring to us. If we can handle this case properly, then tomorrow you will be the leader."
"What if it's not handled properly?"
"Then I wouldn't be here today."
Zhang Fei chuckled and said, "I've been looking forward to giving them a surprise. I won't mess it up this time. Oh, I don't think I've messed it up before."
... ...
Just as Fan Li had expected, the imperial censors in the court were like crazy, discussing the matter crazily.
Create enough public opinion.
These censors really keep a close eye on the royal family. If there is any sign of trouble, they will definitely impeach them. Although they may not succeed, they will definitely fight to the end. If the censors do not come forward in such matters, who will take them seriously
In the Northern Song Dynasty, the scholar-officials were very powerful and could compete with the imperial power, so it was difficult for the relatives and eunuchs to gain influence. The biggest eunuch in the Northern Song Dynasty was Tong Guan, but the leader of the six thieves at that time was Cai Jing. Compared with Liu Jin and Wei Zhongxian, Tong Guan was simply a disgrace to the eunuch world and could not even be on the stage.
As for the relatives by marriage, Empress Dowager Cao was ruling the country from behind the scenes before, so Han Qi threatened to dismiss her from office, and eventually Empress Dowager Cao had to withdraw her throne.
Therefore, during the Song Dynasty, there were only treacherous ministers, but no phenomenal powerful eunuchs.
However, as the case is still under trial and Cao Dongdong has been detained, there is no problem with the procedure. In addition, Cao Ping has already resigned to Emperor Shenzong, so they have no grounds for impeachment. Therefore, they are just creating public opinion and warning the royal family not to interfere in Kaifeng Prefecture.
We will definitely keep an eye on it.
Generally speaking, the person who suffers the most in such situations is of course the emperor.
This is both a family matter and a public matter.
Song Shenzong did not approve Cao Ping's resignation. At the same time, when chatting with the eunuchs, he angrily denounced those censors for stirring up trouble. The matter was still undecided and the Kaifeng Prefecture was still under trial, but they jumped up first.
He was indeed very upset. He had not paid much attention to this matter originally, but it was suddenly linked to him. I didn't do anything, but you guys threatened and intimidated me in various ways. This is simply too much!
Do you still take me, the emperor, seriously
Of course the eunuch understood what the emperor meant. What was said in the morning was spread in the afternoon.
Then the censor jumped even more violently.
You little emperor, how dare you play this trick on us? Who are you threatening
He directly submitted a memorial to the emperor, requesting that Cao Ping's authority be revoked first. How could he convince the public when his son had done such a thing in the imperial guards
Until there is a result, Cao Ping must not be allowed to continue serving as deputy commander.
Although the two empress dowagers had already sent a message to Emperor Shenzong, insisting that the matter be judged impartially.
But Shenzong was also in a difficult situation.
Firstly, filial piety is often not about what your elders expect you to do or not, but about whether you do it or not.
Secondly, the Cao family is a warlord that the Zhao family relies on very much. If Cao Ping is killed for such a small matter, will the Cao family be dissatisfied
The third and most important point is that he had spoken before, but those censors were pushing their feet further, which already concealed the struggle between imperial power and ministerial power.
The young and energetic Emperor Shenzong was not willing to accept this and firmly stated that everything should be settled after the dust has settled. Even if Cao Dongdong was guilty, it had nothing to do with Cao Ping, so you censors should stop stirring up trouble.
After the harsh words were spoken, anxiety followed.
He didn't dare to ask Wang Anshi and Sima Guang, two great think tanks, for help on this matter.
Those two were brought out by Bao Zheng, who was known as the foreign relative killers. Could they be "good people"
Ask them to train you
At this time, Song Shenzong thought of someone.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."
Xu Zun bowed.
"Sir, please excuse me."
Song Shenzong said: "I summoned you to the palace today. Is there something I want to ask of you?"
"What's the matter?" Xu Zun asked.
Loyal ministers like them would ask clearly before considering whether to agree or not.
Song Shenzong hesitated for a while before saying, "I would like to ask Zhang San to defend Cao Dongdong."
When Xu Zun heard this, he suddenly looked up and looked at Song Shenzong.
Shenzong was panicked and hurriedly explained: "This is reasonable and logical. I have not bent the law for personal gain, and I am not planning to use Zhang San's talent to help Cao Dongdong escape punishment. I just hope that this matter will not be made a big deal."
Xu Zun said: "Although this matter is legal, if Your Majesty intervenes, it would be a show of favoritism."
Shenzong immediately said: "That's why I asked you to come. I don't want to show up."
Xu Zun added: "But Zhang San has no right to sue."
"It's very simple. I... Never mind. Just pretend I didn't say anything."
If the emperor gave Zhang Fei the right to sue, wouldn't that be favoritism and abuse of power
"I'll take my leave."
Xu Zun did not give Shenzong any face. Although he did not know that Zhang Fei was involved in this case, he had actually realized that Zhang Fei had obtained the right to sue.
However, he believed that as long as the emperor stepped in to handle such matters, it would not be acceptable, no matter whether it was legal or not.
... ...
Cao family!
"What?"
Cao Ping frowned and said, "The rebellious son is planning to ask the ear-writer to defend him?"
"Yes, that's what Judge Li said."
"Isn't that embarrassing enough for him?"
Cao Ping was so angry that he was gasping for breath. This kind of thing should be suppressed. Why are you still trying to defend yourself? "If those spies are useful... who did he hire to do that?"
"The Fan family."
"Those spies are just a bunch of petty officials. What use are they other than bringing shame to others?"
At this time, the old man at the side said: "Master, according to the character of the yamen, he should not look for someone to spy on him. I think there must be something hidden here."
Cao Ping frowned slightly and said, "Go find Taozi."
"yes."
After a while, Taozi, with a bruised face and nose, was thrown in.
"Master, please spare me, Master, please spare me."
Taozi kept kowtowing.
Getting beaten in the cold winter is really double the joy!
Cao Ping asked, "Who has Dong'er been hanging out with lately?"
Taozi was silent for a moment.
"Hurry up and tell me."
"Zhang... Zhang San."
"Ear Pen Zhang San?"
"Yes."
... ...
A carriage drove to the gate of Kaifeng Prefecture.
"Don't you want to go in together?"
Zhang Fei pointed his thumb toward the door.
Xu Zhiqian shook her head. "How can I go?"
Zhang Fei asked with a smile: "Aren't you looking forward to it?"
Xu Zhiqian said: "Just come back and tell me about it."
"All right!"
Zhang Fei did not force it and got off the carriage.
"Zhang San?"
As soon as I got off the carriage, I heard a scream.
"My dear brothers, long time no see."
Zhang Fei waved and smiled.
One of the yamen runners said, "Hey, young man? Why did this guy stick the pen in again?"
The yamen runner suddenly discovered that Zhang Fei had changed back into his ear pen outfit, but it was a winter version.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "This police officer has a good eye. I'm here to hand in a complaint."
... ..
Inner hall.
"Are you here to file a complaint?"
Li Kai looked at Zhang Fei puzzledly.
Zhang Fei nodded and smiled: "Yes."
Li Kaidao: "Did you forget that you have no right to file a complaint?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "I'm here on behalf of Fan's Bookstore."
"What?"
Li Kai was surprised and asked, "You joined the Fan Family Bookstore?"
Zhang Fei shook his head and said, "To be precise, I bought the Fan Family Bookstore."
Li Kai was stunned.
This is really hard to guard against!
Zhang Fei handed over the complaint and said, "Cao Yanei is absolutely innocent. I don't think that confession can be considered ironclad evidence. After all, with a knife on his neck, he has to write a confession, not to mention a suicide note."
Li Kai said: "Lin Fei did not put the knife on Cao Yanei's neck."
"How not."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Still two knives."
"How come I don't know?" Li Kai asked puzzledly.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "They are the current Grand Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager."
"Good boy, you really dare to say anything!"
Li Kai snatched the complaint away.
Because they had already promised Cao Dongdong that they would allow him to hire someone to defend him, now they couldn't refuse.
... ...
Although Zhang Fei had never left Kaifeng Prefecture, he was both a victim and a defendant last time, but this time he appeared as an informant.
This is such a big surprise.
No one had ever thought that it was possible to play like this.
Because there had never been a bookstore selling books before, in ancient times most of them were passed down from generation to generation. The head of the bookstore, Li Guozhong, also inherited the business, but as a son-in-law.
In addition, the eight major tea industry groups are all involved in the dispute over the restriction.
No one thought that Zhang Fei would be reborn through a backdoor listing.
The professionals in the court had almost read through all kinds of legal books, but they still couldn't find a reason to stop Zhang Fei.
Because the imperial court had no legislation at all to specifically explain the official documents of bookstores.
After all, it's too insignificant.
So far.
It was officially announced that the officials' encirclement and suppression of Zhang Fei had completely failed, and they also lost Wang Wenshan.
This matter is not a big deal, but it is extremely insulting, and it is like a slap in the face of those scholars.
So many scholars and officials surrounded and hunted down a spy, but they failed.
Can you believe this
Sima Guang was also among them.
"This is really a good inkstone."
Wang Anshi took Sima Guang's inkstone and looked at it left and right, feeling extremely delighted.
They had previously bet with Sima Guang on whether Zhang Fei could obtain the right to sue.
Now he wins.
Of course you have to show off.
Sima Guang asked, "Jiefu, can you promise me one thing?"
Wang Anshi asked, "What's the matter?"
Sima Guang said: "You can use this inkstone to write articles, but don't use it to write government orders or memorials."
Wang Anshi asked curiously, "Why?"
Sima Guang said: "My inkstone is kind by nature, please don't force it to do evil things!"
"... ... ?"