Chapter 317: Love-Hate Relationship

Why.

Why was it me again?

In normal times, this was only a minor matter, but it just had to happen at this time. Gu Ji, who was already panicking, was truly on the verge of collapse. How did all these things pile up together? He hastily instructed his trusted confidants at the Imperial Treasury to secretly investigate this matter.

Now he didn’t even dare make a big fuss about it.

This was really too damn stimulating.

After all, it was tribute peaches, not grain, so it was relatively easy to investigate.

Within less than two days, they found out that it indeed came from the Imperial Treasury. This batch of tribute peaches totaled a ton.

When Gu Ji learned of this matter, he flew into a rage, slapping the table as he stood up. “Who told you to take them out and sell them?”

The warehouse supervisor looked aggrieved: “Reporting to Director Gu, this matter can’t really be blamed on us. We’ve always handled things this way – taking those tribute fruits that are about to rot, processing them as spoiled goods, then selling them to merchants to earn everyone some tea money.

That merchant originally said he was taking them to Luoyang to sell, but who could have expected that when he discovered those tribute peaches were about to go bad immediately, he turned around and resold them right here in the capital.”

“You people…”

Gu Ji pointed at the warehouse supervisor, but didn’t know what to say.

Because this was actually an unspoken rule at the Imperial Treasury.

The court did have regulations that if tribute goods accumulated too much, they could appropriately take some out to sell.

It’s just that the money from these sales originally belonged to the court.

But some food-type tribute goods might rot due to not being processed in time, and there was quite a bit of profit to be made here.

Officials at the Imperial Treasury typically took tribute goods that were about to rot and sold them, while recording them as spoiled on the books. After all, if they didn’t sell them, they would just rot there anyway, so this money went into the pockets of the lower-level officials.

The warehouse supervisor said: “Director Gu, this subordinate believes this isn’t really a big matter. No one died, and normally, these rotten fruits can be seen everywhere.”

“That may be so, but at this time…”

Gu Ji waved his hand: “There’s no need to explain this to you, you wouldn’t understand anyway. Do this – hurry and find that merchant, make him take out some money to compensate those people who bought the rotten peaches. You must settle this matter peacefully for me. I’ll go talk with Police Commissioner Cao.”

“Yes!” The warehouse supervisor asked sheepishly: “What if that merchant refuses to pay?”

Gu Ji glared with bulging eyes and scolded: “If he refuses to pay, then you people cover it yourselves. Do you want money or do you want your lives?”

“Yes, yes, yes! This subordinate will go handle it immediately.”

The warehouse supervisor hurriedly ran out.

Gu Ji immediately went to find Cao Ping and informed him of the situation, because everyone knew about the Imperial Treasury’s practices – it wasn’t any secret.

Since it involved tribute goods related to the imperial family, Cao Ping, as an imperial relative by marriage, naturally didn’t want to make this matter bigger either.

But now the court was also filled with nervous tension, and Cao Ping didn’t want to get himself involved, so he indicated to Gu Ji that the police would try not to investigate, and they should quickly resolve it privately.

After receiving Cao Ping’s reply, Gu Ji breathed a long sigh of relief, but this also strengthened his conviction to oppose the new laws.

It really made people’s hearts flutter with anxiety.

But since Sima Guang and Wen Yanbo had reservations about the Balanced Delivery Policy, the opposition gradually concentrated around the Procuratorate.

Because from the current perspective, only the Procuratorate could directly block the new laws, since as long as they filed charges, the new laws would have to be suspended.

Then the government would have to conduct trials, which would consume quite a lot of time.

Most crucially, whether it was Fan Chunren or Su Shi, both were very determined to prosecute this Balanced Delivery Policy.

Although they knew this basically had little hope of victory, they wanted to try and see whether the Procuratorate could actually supervise these new laws.

If they lost, it didn’t matter. If they couldn’t delay the policy for too long, that didn’t matter either.

At least they could prove one point: the Procuratorate had the authority to file lawsuits against administrative orders.

This was very crucial.

Moreover, when arguing in court, they could bring up many questions.

They calculated that even if they lost, this would still be a sure profit.

Now they were just waiting for when Wang Anshi would issue the decree.

Only when the written content became a decree could they file their lawsuit.

Fortunately, Wang Anshi’s side was also pressed for time.

After conducting some publicity, Wang Anshi presented the finalized decree for the Balanced Delivery Policy to Emperor Zhao Xu for review.

”We have seen the article you published in the Scholar’s Gazette, and We are impressed by your talents,” Zhao Xu maintained his admiring demeanor, praising Wang Anshi’s regulations, but then added: “However, I have heard that many ministers in the court strongly oppose this.”

Wang Anshi replied lightly: “Throughout all dynasties, whenever reforms and changes are involved, there will always be opposition in the court. This has nothing to do with whether the new laws are good or bad, but rather those who have deeply benefited from the old system are unwilling to lose those benefits. Your Majesty need not pay them any mind.”

Zhao Xu nodded and said: “Should we discuss this with the other State Councilors?”

Wang Anshi immediately responded: “Has Your Majesty forgotten why we established the Reform Planning Commission in the first place? Was it not to better implement the new laws? If we must go through the Chamber of State Affairs for review, then why establish the Reform Planning Commission at all?

If someone in the Chamber of State Affairs expresses opposition, how would Your Majesty choose? If Your Majesty agrees and has no doubts, then it can be issued directly from the Reform Planning Commission. This would establish that the Reform Planning Commission is the core of the new policies.”

Zhao Xu thought about it and felt this made sense. The Reform Planning Commission was created to bypass the Chamber of State Affairs, the Imperial Military Commission, and the Three Financial Bureaus. Going to consult with those State Councilors would be equivalent to bringing these two bureaus and three departments back into the picture, creating checks and balances against the Reform Planning Commission.

Wouldn’t this be like taking off one’s pants to fart—completely unnecessary?

Wang Anshi continued: “I dare not guarantee that the implementation of the new policies will be completely smooth without any problems. Therefore, I will first implement this Balanced Delivery Policy in the six circuits of Jianghuai. If there are no major issues, then we can extend it nationwide.”

Zhao Xu nodded and said: “Sir, your consideration is truly thorough, and your article has already resolved the confusion in my heart. I have no doubts. But I wonder whom you plan to recommend as the Transport Commissioner?”

Wang Anshi replied: “Xue Xiang, the Deputy Transport Commissioner of Shaanxi.”

“Xue Xiang?”

Zhao Xu’s eyes lit up with delight as he said: “I have always greatly admired this man’s talents. I have read his fifteen essays on ‘Western Border Advantages and Disadvantages’ and ‘Five Benefits of Border Defense’ more than once. To be honest with you, sir, I have recently been thinking of promoting him as well. Excellent, excellent, excellent! Let us appoint Xue Xiang as Transport Commissioner to oversee the Balanced Delivery Policy. You may also act with discretion, sir, and I will give you my full support.”

Faced with such trust from Zhao Xu, Wang Anshi was naturally moved to tears of gratitude. He immediately performed a grand bow and promised that he would not fail the imperial grace and would make the Great Song prosperous and strong.

Speaking objectively, at the initial stage of reforms, if the emperor still had doubts, it would be better not to reform at all. Emperor Renzong had already set this example—in fact, during the Qingli reforms, Emperor Renzong fundamentally did not want to change. He was only forced into that situation with no other choice before deciding on reform.

The result was that it died out in less than half a year, leaving the court in complete chaos.

Zhao Xu would not repeat this mistake, especially since he still had a trump card hidden.

At this moment, he could support Wang Anshi without any worries.

After returning, Wang Anshi immediately issued the Balanced Delivery Policy under the name of the Reform Planning Commission.

It must be said that this truly caught the two bureaus and three departments completely off guard.

In the Chamber of State Affairs.

Wen Yanbo threw the court gazette in his hand onto the table and said: “How wonderful! Such a major matter, and we State Councilors can only learn about it from the court gazette. Ha!”

Before his words had finished, Wang Anshi walked in from outside.

Wen Yanbo immediately turned his head away, refusing to look.

Sima Guang quickly bent over his desk and picked up his brush, as if he hadn’t noticed Wang Anshi entering.

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Lu Gongzhu quickly spoke up: “Wang Anshi, for such a major matter, you should at least have consulted with us.”

The two bureaus and three departments had truly been left completely in the cold.

This was really quite inconsiderate.

Wang Anshi hurriedly said: “I was thinking of all of you!”

Lu Gongzhu glanced at Wen Yanbo and Sima Guang, then asked: “What do you mean by that?”

Wang Anshi explained: “I had already published this article in the Scholar’s Gazette previously. If you had any objections, you would naturally have come to discuss it with me, but so many days have passed and no one has approached me for discussion.

Furthermore, I also know that many officials are dissatisfied with this. If I had consulted with all of you and you had agreed, wouldn’t that have implicated all of you as well? This would have put you in a difficult position instead.”

Sima Guang could no longer listen and said, “Aren’t you ashamed to say such things?” He raised his head and asked, “What if we oppose this?”

Wang Anshi replied, “If you have reasonable objections, I will naturally listen to them.”

Sima Guang then asked, “I believe the transport commissioner has exclusive control over all affairs with no one able to supervise them. How do you explain this?”

Wang Anshi couldn’t help but sigh, “These past days, quite a few people have come to trouble me over this matter. For your sake, Sima Guang, I have been enduring in silence without speaking out, yet you question me like this. I… sigh!”

By the end, his face was full of grievance.

For my sake? Sima Guang nearly choked, both angry and amused as he said, “What about you? You’d better explain yourself clearly today.”

Wang Anshi shook his head and sighed again, “That lawsuit made it very clear that the Reform Planning Commission would be subject to judicial supervision, and you, Sima Guang, are the supervisor! If you don’t believe me, you can ask around. This Balanced Delivery Policy was already formulated at the beginning of the year. Why have I delayed its promulgation? I’ve been waiting for your judicial reforms. Who knew that after more than half a year, your public justice system still hasn’t been established in the capital. I can’t keep waiting for you forever!

When those people questioned me, I couldn’t very well say to blame you, Sima Guang – that the regulations for the public justice system had long been established, but due to your incompetence, they still haven’t made it out of the capital.”

I knew it, I knew this fellow would bring up that matter. Sima Guang said with a half-smile, “I truly never imagined you thought so highly of me.”

Wang Anshi immediately said, “Sima Guang! We’ve worked together for many years – don’t I understand your capabilities? Ever since you proposed judicial reform, when considering new policies, I haven’t given any thought to supervision matters at all. I’m relying completely on you. If corruption appears later, I’ll hold you accountable.”

“Wang Anshi!”

Sima Guang slammed the table and stood up, “Stop with this routine of yours. It’s your new laws that have problems in their formulation. If something goes wrong, why should I be held accountable?”

Wang Anshi said, “The ancestral laws refer to mutual checks and balances between government offices, not internal checks and balances within offices. With your public justice system providing supervision from the side, if I were to establish another bureau for supervision, wouldn’t that be redundant? It would also increase the burden of excess officials.”

Sima Guang was left speechless and turned to Lu Gongzhu, Wen Yanbo, and the others, saying, “Everyone heard that, everyone heard that – these are Wang Anshi’s own words!”

He then said to Wang Anshi, “Fine, fine, fine. I will definitely keep an eye on you. You’d better not let me catch you making any mistakes.”

“Then I’ll trouble you with that!”

Wang Anshi immediately bowed respectfully, secretly laughing to himself. With your fussy, overly cautious personality, Sima Guang, by the time your public justice system spreads nationwide, never mind my new policies – even the Western Xia and Liao states might be gone.

Sima Guang glanced at Wang Anshi, thinking to himself that this time he would definitely teach Wang Anshi a lesson about what it means that “haste makes waste.”

Wen Yanbo, however, looked at Wang Anshi with deep concern.

After Wang Anshi left, Wen Yanbo quickly pulled Sima Guang outside, “Sima Guang, something’s not right about this!”

Sima Guang asked, “What do you mean by that, Lord Wen?”

Wen Yanbo said, “From what I know of Wang Anshi, he would never allow his new policies to be constrained by others. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have established this Reform Planning Commission. Now that he’s declared his willingness to accept judicial supervision, he must be planning to seize control of the judiciary. Su Shi and the others might fall into his trap. We need to hurry and stop them.”

Sima Guang sighed, “Things have reached this point – it might already be too late.”

Indeed, it was too late.

Even as they were talking, the procuratorate had already formally filed charges with Kaifeng Prefecture.

At the same time, Lu Huiqing and Zhang Fei were also secretly preparing with meticulous planning.

Authentic Books Store.

“Who wrote this?”

Lu Huiqing looked at Zhang Fei with some disbelief.

Zhang Fei replied sheepishly, “I’m not talented, but it was indeed written by yours truly.”

“I can tell,” Lu Huiqing nodded.

“Hm?”

“What I mean is,” Lu Huiqing struggled for a moment, “actually, for this kind of thing, there’s no need for you to write it personally.”

Zhang Fei hurriedly explained, “This kind of thing requires the element of surprise – it wouldn’t be good to find someone else to write it.”

Lu Huiqing said, “I could have written it!”

Zhang Fei shook his head, “Your writing is too good – it wouldn’t suit this article. Ahem, originally I was thinking of having Zhiqian write it, but given Academician Wang’s attitude toward my writing, I hoped to use this opportunity to prove myself.”

Lu Huiqing exclaimed, “Zhang San, at a time like this, you’re still trying to show off here. Let me be direct with you – no matter how you write, you can’t outwrite my mentor.”

Zhang Fei said, “That’s exactly what I’m competing for. I need to let Academician Wang know that my publicity abilities can turn the mundane into the miraculous.”

“But…”

“Lord Lu, just trust me this once. I guarantee I’ll complete the mission.”

“No, of course I trust you. I just wanted to say that in this article of yours, there are several grammatical errors and more than ten wrong characters. I’m afraid that if this article goes out, it will damage the reputation of your Authentic Books Store.”

Zhang Fei’s eyes widened, “Really? I checked it several times and there are still typos? Oh, this is exactly why I brought it to show you. I hope you can help me check it and also tell me how to revise it.”

“Fine, alright!”

Lu Huiqing nodded with difficulty. If you don’t even have the ability to edit, what are you doing writing articles?