Chapter 304: Popular |
Cao Ping’s speech truly awakened those powerful officials. Looking back, they realized that the root cause of all these troubles was their forceful conscription of Zhang Fei into corvee service.
Hadn’t they all said that the runner position was a death sentence?
How had it turned around this time?
It nearly suffocated them.
As the saying goes, it’s never too late to mend the fold after losing sheep!
Immediately!
Quickly!
Right now!
Get this damn brat out of here!
Based on everything that had happened before, this matter absolutely could not be dragged out any longer. The license plate task from earlier still hadn’t been completed, and now this kid had immediately concocted the street encroachment tax.
If they didn’t act quickly, who knew what other taxes he might devise – it would truly be endless.
They needed to cut their losses in time.
Emerging from the government office, he saw a straight-backed old man standing across the street.
Zhang Fei immediately walked over and bowed with cupped hands: “I hope this humble citizen did not disappoint Academician Sima.”
“Not only were you not disappointing, I’ve struck quite a bargain!”
Sima Guang chuckled, then glanced at the official document in his hand. “If you’re willing, you can continue staying at the police bureau.”
Zhang Fei looked at the document and shook his head with a smile: “Forget it! Now all the hatred is concentrated on me. Only if I leave can the police bureau get back on track. If I stay, this struggle will become endless, but that’s not what the police bureau is meant for.”
Sima Guang stroked his beard and chuckled: “You really are a strange person. If I say you’re one to consider the bigger picture, you’re also one to settle every grievance – earlier you insisted on pushing that manure cart to the Gu family to collect taxes. But if I say you’re vindictive, you think more carefully than anyone else. Indeed, your departure now would be the best outcome for the police bureau.”
Having said this, he paused briefly and asked: “So what are your plans next?”
Zhang Fei replied: “Return to the firm. I still have many backlogged matters to handle there.”
Sima Guang frowned: “No plans to enter government service?”
Zhang Fei was startled: “I remember you initially didn’t approve of me entering government service?”
Sima Guang said: “Back then, though you had some reputation, you were ultimately just a pen-in-cap. First, you had no status, second, you had no achievements, and your talents were limited to litigation. Even if you entered government service, you’d probably just be some minor clerk who didn’t handle real business.
Times have changed. In this reform, your contributions were the greatest. Entering government service now would immediately put you in a position to shoulder important responsibilities. This judicial reform has only just begun.”
The meaning was quite clear – he wanted Zhang Fei to enter government to assist him with judicial reform.
Previously, in others’ eyes, Zhang Fei was just a skilled pen-in-cap well-versed in law. But this time Zhang Fei had displayed exceptional abilities, which Sima Guang greatly appreciated.
Though he was conservative, he was by no means on the side of those nobles and major landowners. He himself was poor with nothing to his name – why would he serve those people, out of love and dedication? Before factional struggles, he always served his own political ideals.
Moreover, the principles he upheld involved targeted solutions. For example, regarding excess officials, his advice to the emperor was to streamline the bureaucracy and reduce staff to cut costs – still following Fan Zhongyan’s approach.
This would also offend many people.
Zhang Fei smiled: “Currently the court’s powerful nobles see me as a thorn in their side. If you get too close to me, I’m afraid you’ll also be implicated. Shouldn’t you push me toward Academician Wang instead?”
“I’m not that despicable,” Sima Guang snorted. “As for your concerns, I’m not afraid of them either.”
Zhang Fei said: “But this really isn’t a good time. Let me repair my relationships with them first, then we can discuss it.”
Sima Guang was stunned: “You can actually repair your relationships with them?”
“Of course I can!”
Zhang Fei smiled: “Actually, those high officials and nobles are all my potential major clients. I can’t keep offending them forever.”
“Tell me how you plan to restore relationships with them.”
Sima Guang was extremely curious about this.
If you could actually restore those relationships, you’d truly be performing miracles.
Currently those nobles would love nothing more than to tear him to pieces.
Zhang Fei smiled: “Have you forgotten about the matter of charitable organizations? I can provide them with a safe harbor.”
Sima Guang was stunned for a moment, then couldn’t help but laugh: “How many people have joined your charitable organization now? They have plenty of tax avoidance methods available to them, so they don’t need to rely on you. Besides, yours is ultimately a charitable organization – legally speaking, donated land no longer belongs to them, and they have to donate considerable money each year. They’re not fools; why would they fall for your scheme?”
Zhang Fei chuckled: “Don’t worry, Academician Sima. I have my own methods to make them join my charitable organization. If you could help with a small favor to add the finishing touch, that would be even better.”
Sima Guang asked: “What kind of favor?”
Zhang Fei said: “Just write an article for my charitable organization, focusing on preserving wealth amongst the people.”
After a moment’s contemplation, Sima Guang said: “I can help you with this favor. After all, you’ve done me a great service. But you must promise me not to cause any trouble, otherwise I’ll be the first to hold you accountable.”
Zhang Fei hastily replied: “Don’t you trust me? Even if I caused trouble, you wouldn’t know about it.”
“Hmm?”
“Oh no!”
Zhang Fei said: “What I mean is, even if I caused trouble, I could resolve it quickly.”
“Very well then! I’ll write an article for you.” Sima Guang nodded, then suddenly added: “By the way, you mentioned earlier that I should recommend you to Wang Anshi?”
Zhang Fei quickly said: “I was just joking.”
Sima Guang asked seriously: “If Wang Anshi were to recruit you, would you go?”
“Ah?”
Zhang Fei’s face showed hesitation.
Sima Guang hastily said: “Don’t misunderstand me. If you could truly help Wang Anshi, I would actually be happy to see it.”
At this time, factional struggles had not yet occurred, and his relationship with Wang Anshi was limited to differences in philosophy, not the later opposition for opposition’s sake.
Sima Guang’s current thinking was not to hope for Wang Anshi’s failure, but to hope that Wang Anshi’s original intentions could be changed.
Since he could no longer change the emperor’s mind – the emperor’s attitude was very firm in supporting Wang Anshi.
Although Zhang Fei had used some minor tactics in this reform process, he approved of them as harmless, and since Zhang Fei’s methods seemed somewhat similar to Wang Anshi’s, he also hoped that Zhang Fei could optimize Wang Anshi’s new policies.
Zhang Fei, understanding his thoughts, shook his head: “I’m afraid I can’t do that.”
Sima Guang said: “In my view, Wang Anshi trusts you quite a bit.”
Zhang Fei smiled bitterly: “That may be so, but my approach wouldn’t work for Academician Wang. Academician Wang wants to reform and improve finances, while I only pursue strict law enforcement. I haven’t changed anything – relatively speaking, it’s much simpler.”
Sima Guang glanced at him: “So you’re also not optimistic about Wang Anshi’s New Policies?”
Zhang Fei shook his head: “I wouldn’t dare say that, but I’ve always insisted that governing the country requires first governing officials. If official administration is corrupt, even a heaven-sent genius would be powerless, but if official administration is clean and clear, even a limp dog could succeed.”
Sima Guang said irritably: “What do you mean by ‘limp dog’? Who are you insulting?”
Zhang Fei chuckled: “I’m just making an analogy to illustrate the importance of official administration.”
“Clean and transparent official administration!”
Sima Guang couldn’t help but sigh: “A river does not freeze in one night – that is not easy to achieve!”
Speaking thus, he looked at Zhang Fei again: “Since you’re unwilling, I won’t force you.”
Zhang Fei bowed: “Thank you for your understanding, Academician Sima.”
In his heart, however, he thought: Academician Sima, don’t be hasty. I’ll be entering government service soon, but this can’t be arranged by you.
In the imperial palace.
“Teacher, I have heard that this reform of the General Police Bureau has achieved unprecedented success.”
“Yes.”
Wang Anshi nodded: “Zhang San’s talent has truly impressed me. I believe he has the makings of a pillar of state, and Your Majesty must not let him slip away.”
Zhao Xu smiled: “Do you wish to recruit Zhang San to the Reform Planning Commission?”
Wang Anshi said: “I do have this intention.”
He was currently seeking assistants, and while he had previously thought Zhang Fei could better help him by remaining a civilian, now with the New Policies about to be announced and Zhang Fei having demonstrated extraordinary ability, he had decided to recommend Zhang Fei.
Zhao Xu nodded: “Actually, I have been paying attention to this matter all along. Zhang San’s philosophy coincides perfectly with yours!”
Before he could finish speaking, Wang Anshi said: “It’s quite different. Zhang San’s reforms this time focused on law, not finance. If we followed his approach, we would certainly offend many people, but the national treasury wouldn’t be enriched, and it wouldn’t improve the empire’s fundamental problems.”
Zhao Xu asked: “Is there nothing worth learning?”
Wang Anshi pondered briefly: “If I were to handle this matter, I could actually accomplish it too, but I must admit that if I were in his position, I couldn’t have done what he did.”
Zhao Xu quickly said: “Don’t be modest. Zhang San’s success was also due to your support.”
“That wasn’t easy either!”
Wang Anshi said: “What I can learn from him is solely Zhang San’s talent. To be frank, Zhang San’s understanding of human nature and his judgment regarding interests surpasses mine, and this is the key reason for his success.”
Zhao Xu smiled and nodded. “I’ve noticed this as well. Regardless, this Zhang San is indeed promising material. You may decide this matter as you see fit.”
“I obey Your Majesty’s command.”
After Wang Anshi left, Zhao Xu’s expression immediately changed, his face full of worry. He sat on the couch deep in thought for a long while, then suddenly looked up and instructed the attendant beside him: “Go arrange it immediately. I want to see Zhang San.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
At the General Police Bureau.
“Outrageous! What right do they have to make you complete your service early? I won’t agree to this.”
Cao Dongdong became anxious as soon as he heard Zhang Fei was leaving.
Ma Xiaoyi also said: “Brother San, we’re doing so well at the police bureau. Why are you still leaving? Why don’t you just stay at the bureau?”
Cao Dongdong tempted him further: “Zhang San, I’ll promote you to police captain. How about that?”
“Dong’er, do you have that authority?”
Cao Ping, sitting above, spoke up.
Cao Dongdong immediately said: “Father, we can’t let Zhang San leave!”
Cao Ping ignored him and looked at Zhang Fei instead. “Zhang San, what are your own thoughts?”
Zhang Fei said: “I must leave. Otherwise, the police bureau will never have peace. Moreover, once I’m gone, the bureau can enforce the law strictly, and any responsibility can be pushed onto me.”
Cao Ping nodded slightly.
When the dust hadn’t yet settled, he had wanted to keep Zhang Fei, fearing he couldn’t handle things. Now that the dust had settled, he actually didn’t want to keep Zhang Fei.
Who didn’t hate Zhang Fei now? If he kept Zhang Fei, he would truly have no friends at court. Furthermore, he feared Zhang Fei would cause endless trouble, so his words were meant to make Zhang Fei leave.
Cao Dongdong said gloomily: “But if you leave, what will we do?”
Zhang Fei smiled: “Didn’t I say before? No matter where I am, if you’re in trouble, I’ll definitely help. After all, you’re my big client.”
Cao Ping had been waiting for Zhang Fei to say this. He didn’t want to keep Zhang Fei at the police bureau, but at the same time hoped Zhang Fei would help keep watch, since the General Police Bureau was Zhang Fei’s creation and many matters were still unresolved. He quickly said: “Since you don’t want to stay, I won’t force you. But rest assured, our General Police Bureau will pay to hire your Bianjing Law Firm. We won’t let you help for nothing.”
Zhang Fei understood clearly that Cao Ping couldn’t wait for him to leave. He cupped his hands: “Thank you for your business, Commissioner.”
Cao Dongdong and Ma Xiaoyi exchanged glances, looking quite dejected. They still had a casual attitude about their work and hoped the three of them could stay together.
After completing the procedures and leaving the building, they saw Tao Yonghan hiding in a corner, watching them.
“Old Tao!”
“Hey!”
Tao Yonghan came running over eagerly. “Zhang San, I heard you’re leaving?”
Zhang Fei nodded. “They said my service is complete.”
Tao Yonghan looked puzzled. “You’ve only been here a short while. How is your service already finished?”
Zhang Fei smiled. “What, do you want me to continue suffering here?”
Tao Yonghan grinned. “Not really, but I have to thank you for letting me become a street officer.”
Zhang Fei said, “I recommended you because you’re experienced. I only learned from you for such a short time, yet I already know the Left District so well I could find every pile of dung with my eyes closed. With you arranging the tasks, I’m confident the city streets will definitely be clean in the future.”
Tao Yonghan replied, “I wouldn’t dare make such promises, but I’ll certainly work hard at it.”
“I’ll treat you to tea when I have time. I’m leaving now.”
“Next time I’ll treat you!”
“That works too. Farewell.”
After leaving the General Police Bureau, Zhang Fei couldn’t help but stretch lazily. “Finally I can go home.”
“Brother San, I’m afraid you can’t yet.”
Li Si in the carriage suddenly spoke up.
Zhang Fei was stunned. “Why not?”
Li Si said, “His Majesty just sent someone saying you must enter the palace immediately.”
Zhang Fei sighed sadly, “Even when hanging someone, you have to let them catch their breath first!”