Chapter 318: Sensational Scandal

Why was it Kaifeng Prefecture again?

Actually, according to the system, for this type of case, the most appropriate course would be to file a lawsuit with the Court of Judicial Review.

Although the Court of Penal Review was currently the Song Dynasty’s highest court, cases that had not been tried by the Court of Judicial Review could not enter the Court of Penal Review. Only when you were dissatisfied with the Court of Judicial Review’s verdict could you file a lawsuit with the Court of Penal Review.

However, the chief justice of the Court of Judicial Review was Xu Zun.

Fan Chunren and Su Shi were not fools. They understood clearly in their hearts that this case could be accepted or rejected, so the key lay in the judge’s political philosophy. If he supported Wang Anshi, he definitely would not accept this case.

Xu Zun appeared neutral on the surface, but everyone knew he was inclined toward Wang Anshi. If this were submitted to the Court of Judicial Review, it might be directly rejected.

As the Song Dynasty’s highest provincial court, Kaifeng Prefecture was qualified to hear this case. The key point was that the newly appointed acting prefect Zeng Gong was still on his way to take office, and currently managing Kaifeng Prefecture was Vice-Prefect Li Kai.

Li Kai was naturally inclined toward the conservative faction.

The crucial point was that previously, Zhang Fei had set many precedents at Kaifeng Prefecture, among which Wang Anshi had also contributed. Li Kai was not afraid either, as there were precedents to follow.

Moreover, when Liu Shu and Qi Hui lobbied Li Kai, they assured him that Kaifeng Prefecture only needed to accept the case, but it would definitely not be tried at Kaifeng Prefecture. How could Wang Anshi possibly let such a major matter be decided by Li Kai, a mere vice-prefect? Eventually, it would go to either the Court of Judicial Review or the Court of Penal Review.

This calculation was quite shrewd.

On the second day after filing the lawsuit, Su Shi got up early and came to Pan Inn, thinking that everyone would surely discuss this matter today.

He, Su Shi, wanted to become famous in one battle.

Who knew that the entire Pan Inn was filled with talk of “constipation.”

Not a single person mentioned their lawsuit.

This left Su Shi as confused as a monk unable to reach his own head.

Was it because we didn’t beat the complaint drum yesterday?

Upon inquiry, he learned that an article in the News Gazette titled “Sending Peaches a Thousand Li to Cure My Constipation” had attracted everyone’s great attention.

Su Shi felt both disgusted and disappointed. He obtained a newspaper and read it for a moment, sweat beading on his forehead as he muttered, “Is this even an article? Anyone who could recognize this many characters wouldn’t write something so terrible. Who on earth wrote this?”

Like today’s breakfast, it was equally hard to swallow.

Su Shi quickly got up and left, then went to the roadside to sit at a street stall.

The result was:

“So those rotten peaches from a few days ago were all tribute peaches.”

“Speaking of this matter, what was the final outcome?”

“It seems the peach merchants and those who got stomach aches reached a settlement, and they compensated them some money.”

“Conspiracy! This matter is definitely a conspiracy!”

“I saw those peaches – they looked big and tender, definitely not ordinary peaches. How could the police not investigate?”

“Who would dare investigate such a thing!”

“What’s ridiculous is that the court repeatedly emphasizes severe punishment for poisonous food, yet the court itself does the same thing. It’s truly outrageous.”

Su Shi was completely depressed.

Didn’t… didn’t anyone care about our prosecution office?

The Cao family!

“Commissioner Cao, you’re looking for me!”

Zhang Fei said breathlessly.

“What exactly is going on here?”

Cao Ping shook the newspaper in his hand and roared excitedly, “I’m asking you, what exactly is going on here?”

He had heard about this matter early in the morning and quickly ordered someone to get a newspaper from White Crystal Inn. Upon reading it, he was dizzy.

Because this matter had been perfectly resolved two days ago.

After all, no lives were lost, and the most serious consequence was just stomach aches, which wasn’t anything unusual. Now that the other party was willing to refund money, who would still want to make trouble?

Unexpectedly, today’s News Gazette had exposed the inside story.

And they had given it such a disgusting headline.

Zhang Fei remained sheepishly silent.

Seeing his guilty conscience, Cao Ping became even more furious: “Our Cao family trusted you so much, yet you little brat turned out to be ungrateful and repaid kindness with enmity. It’s truly outrageous.”

Zhang Fei hurriedly explained: “Commissioner Cao, this has nothing to do with me. I was also forced into it!”

“Forced?”

Cao Ping asked nervously, “Who forced you?”

Zhang Fei replied: “Drafter Lu.”

“What?”

Cao Ping jumped up anxiously, “Lu Huiqing?”

Zhang Fei nodded and said: “Drafter Lu came to find me yesterday evening, told me the inside story of this matter, and asked me to publish it in the News Gazette.”

Cao Ping felt extremely uneasy in his heart and paced back and forth. Suddenly he turned around and said, “He told you to publish it, so you published it. Where did your usual backbone go, you little brat?”

When Zhang Fei was being arrogant, he could resist Sima Guang to his face.

How could he be afraid of a mere Lu Huiqing?

Zhang Fei explained: “At first I refused, because our News Gazette only publishes facts, but he even showed me the shipping ledgers from the warehouse over there. It was ironclad evidence – I had no way to refuse!”

Cao Ping said in surprise: “He even produced evidence?”

Zhang Fei nodded: “This is only the first installment. There are two more to come that will continue exposing the inside story.”

Cao Ping immediately broke out in a cold sweat and asked urgently: “Did any of it mention our General Police Bureau?”

Zhang Fei immediately replied: “Originally his article did contain veiled criticism, blaming the General Police Office for not investigating carefully. So I refused his article citing insufficient evidence, then personally wrote this article myself. It won’t involve the General Police Bureau.”

“You wrote this article?”

“That’s right!”

Zhang Fei nodded and said: “I thought my article was written so poorly that no one would read it. I never expected it would reach Commissioner Cao so quickly. But I really did my best!”

“Tribute peaches? The Balanced Delivery Policy?”

Cao Ping slapped his forehead hard. “This time I’ve really been done in by that Director Gu.”

Zhang Fei said in surprise: “You already knew about this matter?”

“I don’t know anything, I know nothing at all. Don’t you dare talk nonsense.” Cao Ping’s eyes immediately widened.

“Oh.”

“Can those next two installments not be published?” Although there were only the two of them in the room, Cao Ping still instinctively lowered his voice.

Zhang Fei said: “Commissioner Cao, I’m really sorry about this, but I can’t afford to offend Drafter Lu either!”

Cao Ping clicked his tongue: “But do you know that you’re being used?”

Zhang Fei smiled sheepishly: “Commissioner, as you know, this actually isn’t the first time. The Scholar’s Gazette and the News Gazette have even criticized me before. Based on facts, I’m only responsible for printing and making a little money. If the Imperial Treasury can produce facts to refute this, I’d be happy to help them print those too.”

Cao Ping was immediately at a loss for words.

Indeed, that was true.

No one would really blame Zhang Fei for this matter.

Because the Authentic Books Store had long since announced that as long as it could make money, anyone could publish articles insulting the Authentic Books Store or the Bianjing Law Firm.

People had done this before, and the Authentic Books Store really did print them.

This was also one reason everyone could tolerate the newspaper.

At least it was fair.

With things having come to this point, Cao Ping had no time to blame Zhang Fei. He hurried to the police office and sent people to investigate the matter.

He had already done everything possible for Gu Ji.

Now that this matter had been exposed, if he didn’t investigate, it would only bring trouble upon himself.

Meanwhile, Gu Ji had actually been prepared early on. After all, with his recent run of bad luck, he had to make comprehensive preparations. He had long since ordered people to alter the ledgers, putting all the profits from this batch of tribute peaches into the government’s accounts.

This was, after all, making money for the government.

When the court investigated later, they wouldn’t be too harsh.

Returning to the Bianjing Law Firm, as soon as he entered, Xu Zhiqian hurried over to meet him. “Zhang San, you wrote this article, didn’t you?”

“Truly worthy of being my wife.”

Zhang Fei immediately said with delight: “You’re the first person to recognize that I wrote this.”

Xu Zhiqian said with great puzzlement: “Why didn’t you come to me for this?”

Zhang Fei’s expression immediately changed, and he said irritably: “You still have the nerve to say that! You’re shy, afraid of embarrassment, and afraid of people reading your work. When I ask you to write an article, you complain about me for days. So I just wrote it myself.”

Xu Zhiqian looked at Zhang Fei awkwardly: “You’re really not shy at all. You actually dared to put this article in the newspaper. No, this probably can’t even be called an article.”

Zhang Fei said: “I’m setting an example for you. With my brilliant precedent, you shouldn’t be shy anymore in the future.”

“Forget it. From now on, you can write them yourself. I won’t write anymore.”

Xu Zhiqian kept shaking her head. She thought to herself that everyone already knew she was betrothed to Zhang Fei. With Zhang Fei’s article published, if she were to write another article, people would probably talk about her and Zhang Fei together – a married couple lowering the standards of writing. That would be even more embarrassing.

At this moment, Fan Li suddenly walked over. “Brother San, where did you find someone to write this article?”

Zhang Fei said, “I wrote it myself!”

“You wrote it?”

“Yes! Doesn’t it seem like it?”

“Uh, hehe, you truly weren’t lying.”

“What lying?”

“Brother San, you really can’t write articles.”

“Pfft!”

Xu Zhiqian really couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing.

Zhang Fei coughed. “Zhiqian, I’m going to the football field. Are you coming?”

Before Xu Zhiqian could nod, Fan Li suddenly said, “Wait a moment, Brother San. You’re going to practice football again?”

Zhang Fei nodded. “Yes! There’s nothing else to do lately.”

Fan Li said, “There might be something to do soon.”

Zhang Fei asked curiously, “What thing?”

Fan Li said, “Haven’t you heard? Yesterday the prosecutor’s office suddenly filed charges against Academician Wang’s new policies with Kaifeng Prefecture. I think Academician Wang might come looking for you.”

Don’t worry, he won’t come looking for me. Zhang Fei pretended to suddenly understand. “Oh right, if you hadn’t reminded me, I would have forgotten about this.”

Fan Li said awkwardly, “That’s true. Everyone outside is talking about constipation.”

Xu Zhiqian’s face turned red upon hearing this. “Zhang San, even if you must write, don’t write so crudely!”

Zhang Fei said, “I originally wrote ‘dry shit,’ but in pursuit of elegance, I changed it to ‘constipation.’ Isn’t that enough?”

“…?”

Xu Zhiqian’s cheeks puffed slightly, and she covered her mouth as she walked away.

Zhang Fei earnestly instructed Fan Li, “Don’t get any strange ideas. She’s not pregnant.”

Immediately came Xu Zhiqian’s angry shout: “Zhang San, what nonsense are you spouting?”

“Do you know about this matter?”

Wang Anshi pointed at the newspaper on the table and questioned Lu Huiqing.

Lu Huiqing said awkwardly, “I only learned about it yesterday too.”

Wang Anshi said, “Who wrote this?”

“Zhang San wrote it himself.”

Lu Huiqing didn’t dare tell anyone that he had revised this article.

Wang Anshi said excitedly, “Then why didn’t you dissuade him? An article like this – even dogs wouldn’t read it.”

“I did try to dissuade him, but he said it should be written this way. And moreover…”

“Moreover what?”

Wang Anshi asked.

Lu Huiqing said, “Moreover, what he said seemed quite reasonable.”

“How so?”

“The attention his article received far exceeded that of you and Academician Sima,” Lu Huiqing said awkwardly.

Wang Anshi exclaimed, “How is that possible?”

Lu Huiqing said, “I also thought it impossible, but that’s the reality. Articles by you and Academician Sima are discussed at most in wine shops and teahouses.

But his article is being discussed even by street sweepers. Everyone loves to read it, and it’s even been made into songs – things like ‘A thousand li to deliver peaches, ending at the latrine’ and ‘To cure constipation, eat tribute peaches,’ and so on. Now throughout the streets and alleys, not a single person is discussing the prosecutor’s office filing charges against us.”

“…?”

Wang Anshi quickly picked up the newspaper again to look at it. Did I miss something?

He read it carefully, back and forth, several times, but the result was the same – it was written like shit.

Others matched their writing to the topic; this kid matched his writing style to the topic.

This…!

“Could it be… could it be that this is publicity?”

Wang Anshi’s gaze gradually became vacant.