Chapter 324: Losing Money for Publicity?

Previously, both Wang Anshi and Sima Guang had tried to recruit Zhang Fei, but Zhang Fei had never taken a stance, politely declining with various excuses. The reason was that he hoped to gain support from both the conservative and reform factions simultaneously.

After all, his foundation was still too weak, yet his ambitions were considerable. He had to secure support from both the reform and conservative sides to accomplish anything meaningful.

Speaking of which, these two factions were truly difficult to choose between.

Currently, Wang Anshi’s faction was clearly in power, but it neglected reforming the bureaucracy. If he aligned himself with Wang Anshi, there would be countless troubles ahead, and if he wasn’t careful, he too would be swept up in them.

Although Sima Guang’s faction was temporarily disadvantaged, the conservative faction was filled with talent, well-equipped and strong, with much deeper foundations.

The best approach would be to benefit from both sides.

Zhao Xu could stay behind the scenes and provide support when needed.

In front of the Procuratorate.

“Second Brother, are you alright?”

Seeing Su Shi emerge from the building, Su Zhe immediately rushed forward, looking his brother over and breathing a long sigh of relief.

“I’m fine. I’m truly sorry for making you worry.”

Though he spoke to Su Zhe, Su Shi’s gaze drifted toward Sima Guang nearby, as if he were also addressing him.

Fan Chunren bowed to Sima Guang and said, “I’m truly sorry. Chunren has disappointed everyone.”

He accepted responsibility for this matter. After being questioned by Xu Zun, he had realized that everything he had done was not befitting of a qualified prosecutor, and he was willing to bear any responsibility for it.

Sima Guang sighed, “Actually, we can’t blame you. To be honest, I hadn’t considered this point either. This matter has been quite enlightening for me. This public prosecution and judicial system is far more difficult than we imagined. If we want to defend the law, we must sacrifice many things.”

Upon hearing this, Fan Chunren frowned deeply.

During this period, he had been constantly pondering this problem.

This was vastly different from traditional Legalism.

Legalism, at its core, was still a method of governing the state. From a Legalist standpoint, what they had done was actually not wrong. It was not wrong to use the law for political objectives.

Legalism itself was a political stance, a political philosophy.

But with the establishment of the public prosecution and judicial system, the law had become the baseline for governing the state, not the method of governance itself. If one wanted to pursue methods of governance, they should go to the Chamber of State Affairs, not stay in the public prosecution and judicial system.

Those who remained in the public prosecution and judicial system defended the law.

Everything had to prioritize the law first, and they could not let their personal stances influence their choices. Once subjective views guided the judiciary, the problems would truly be severe, and they would inevitably repeat past mistakes.

Seeing Fan Chunren’s dejected expression, Sima Guang couldn’t help but ask, “But do you still have the confidence to continue serving as prosecutors?”

Su Shi immediately replied, “Yes.”

“Brother.”

Su Zhe quickly used his eyes to stop Su Shi.

He felt that his brother’s personality was really not suited for this rigorous public prosecution and judicial system.

However, Su Shi said with unusual seriousness, “If I retreat now, what will I be able to accomplish in the future? This lesson would have been suffered in vain.”

Fan Chunren nodded, “Mister Su speaks reasonably, and moreover, this lesson makes me even more eager to continue serving as a prosecutor.”

When he realized that the public prosecution and judicial system was defending the baseline, he was instead filled with anticipation for this system.

Because this was something that had never existed before.

Even Bao Zheng, who was impartial as iron, carried obvious political stances in many matters. Fan Chunren was so eager he could hardly wait to fly to Dengzhou to take up his post.

Sima Guang nodded, “Remember, you are going to build the public prosecution and judicial system, which has nothing to do with the New Policies.”

Su Shi smiled, “I actually think that our going there could be considered helping Wang Anshi with his reforms.”

Sima Guang was momentarily stunned, then chuckled, “If you can think this way, then I’m reassured.”

Su Shi immediately showed a resentful expression, “Actually, I’ve always thought this way, but that Wang Anshi refuses to listen to advice.”

Sima Guang sighed, “If he were willing to listen to advice, you wouldn’t need to advise him.”

Su Shi looked Sima Guang over, “Isn’t Academician Sima the same way?”

“…?”

The Chamber of State Affairs immediately issued a decree the next day, announcing the results of this case.

This was exactly why Emperor Zhao Xu had invited all the chancellors to participate in the meeting. If he had issued the decree unilaterally, it would certainly have drawn considerable opposition.

Because in many people’s view, this was Wang Anshi attacking his political enemies, Wang Anshi being unreasonable. If the Procuratorate had the authority to investigate the Reform Planning Commission, they would have done so long ago.

Many ministers were extremely dissatisfied with this outcome.

However, if the chancellors all agreed, it could at least stabilize the situation.

And with Fan Chunren, Su Shi, Gu Ji and others about to leave the capital, Wang Anshi had truly won a dream-like opening.

One had to understand that this was a zero-sum process.

Because of this case, many officials began to side with the reformists, and the balance of power between the two factions began to shift.

Wang Anshi was currently short of personnel, because the Balanced Delivery Policy required a large amount of manpower to support it. Previously, the tax-goods demanded from each locality remained unchanged, with fixed annual collections that required few people to manage. But now they not only had to assess the situation before collecting tax-goods, but also had to go to various places to buy low and sell high. Compared to before, the required officials might be ten times more or even greater.

This was also why Su Shi believed Wang Anshi was being too hasty – such actions would worsen the problem of excess officials.

But Wang Anshi didn’t care about any of this. After all, his philosophy was to increase revenue. He believed this could earn more money for the state. He would appoint almost anyone who came forward, naturally unable to investigate everyone thoroughly. As long as they supported the new policies, that was enough. This caused even more people to side with the new policies.

Because it was so easy to get positions on this side, while going to curry favor with Sima Guang would get them completely ignored.

This actually related to the political philosophies of both sides. The conservatives pursued righteousness first, so they greatly valued personal moral character – those with different principles would not work together.

The reformists prioritized profit and didn’t care as much about personal morality.

This was why the reformists eventually collapsed from within, while the conservatives remained very united.

Regardless, Wang Anshi was absolutely thrilled at this time. In just this short while, his side had become strong and numerous.

Zhang Fei rode in a carriage to the East Gate. Just as he was preparing to exit the city gate, he encountered Sima Guang walking slowly back.

“Academician Sima.”

Zhang Fei jumped down from the carriage. “Has Master Fan already left?”

“He left not long ago.”

Sima Guang nodded, then said, “Since too many people were seeing him off, I didn’t join that crowd. If you want to catch up, you could still reach him right away.”

Zhang Fei shook his head. “Never mind then. I don’t want to deliver myself to be scolded.”

Actually, he hadn’t come specifically to see Fan off. He just hoped Fan Chunren could deliver a letter to Fang Yun and take care of her a bit over there.

Sima Guang asked in return, “You’re afraid of being scolded?”

Zhang Fei smiled. “Rather than be scolded, I might as well leave it to Director Gu.”

Sima Guang chuckled. “Do you still remember where we first had a detailed conversation?”

“The South Gate?”

“Right, we were seeing off Wang Wenshan.”

“I think so.”

“Offending you really brings no good end!” Sima Guang said with a half-smile.

Zhang Fei shook his head. “It wasn’t that they offended me, but that they bullied me and even wanted to put me to death. If they hadn’t left, I might have been the one to die.”

Sima Guang neither agreed nor disagreed, then asked, “Has Wang Anshi come to find you?”

Zhang Fei said, “It was Lu Huiqing who came to find me.”

Sima Guang asked, “So when do you plan to depart?”

Zhang Fei said, “At least not until next year. I still have many matters here that aren’t handled properly. Besides, going now wouldn’t accomplish much, since the new laws won’t be implemented there until next year anyway.”

Sima Guang nodded. “When you go doesn’t concern me, but this trip of yours will surely be a fierce battle. You must be extremely careful.”

Zhang Fei frowned. “What do you mean by that, Academician Sima?”

Sima Guang chuckled twice. “Look at the kind of people Wang Anshi is finding – almost all of them are opportunists. Once such people gain important positions, they’re bound to stir up trouble everywhere and act with impunity, never following the law. You’ll have your hands full then.”

If they were all upright gentlemen, then my entire plan would become meaningless. Zhang Fei chuckled. “I just love promoting good and eliminating evil.”

Actually, the court hadn’t ordered them to leave the capital immediately – it was Fan Chunren and Su Shi who were eager to rush to their posts.

Gu Ji had lingered at home for several days before reluctantly leaving the capital today.

Halfway along the road, before even leaving the city, he suddenly heard someone outside the carriage say, “Shopkeeper Liu, I heard there’s a new issue of the News Gazette out today.”

A flash of anger crossed Gu Ji’s eyes. He slightly lifted the window curtain and saw a scholar inquiring of a tavern keeper. After hesitating for a moment, he still instructed his servant to go get a copy.

After getting the newspaper, Gu Ji hesitated to open it, fearing the articles might concern him.

Mustering his courage, he opened it and breathed a slight sigh of relief.

The newspaper made no mention of the matter at all. Instead, it reported that the charity would be hosting a charity football match between the General Police Bureau versus the Imperial Guards.

For every goal scored, the charitable organization would donate one hundred strings to charity, providing winter supplies for the poor.

The charity would also donate one thousand strings to the government office of whichever side won.

“Charity?”

Gu Ji frowned in thought for a long while, then suddenly called out, “Qing’er.”

“What are grandfather’s orders?” Gu Shaoqing hurriedly rode his horse over.

Gu Ji said, “Go back immediately and have someone donate 300 hectares of land to this charity.”

Gu Shaoqing asked in surprise, “Grandfather, why… why is this?”

Seeing Gu Shaoqing’s expression, Gu Ji hesitated for a moment, then said, “Never mind, let’s not travel today. I’ll arrange this personally.”

As for what would happen on this journey to Yizhou, Gu Ji had no certainty in his heart.

In these turbulent times, he needed to leave himself more escape routes.

However, Gu Ji was certainly not the only one thinking this way.

Even Shen Huaixiao, Du Xiu, and other officials about to leave the capital chose to donate portions of their land to the charity.

With Wang Anshi’s great victory and their own fall from power, they were truly panicked and felt they had to leave themselves more escape routes.

At the same time, many wealthy merchants thought the same way.

Coincidentally, autumn taxes were currently being collected.

Land donated to the charity was indeed exempt from taxation.

In recent days, land donations to the charity had surged dramatically.

They quickly exceeded 6000 hectares.

Combined with this issue of the newspaper, such generous donations created an unprecedented momentum, making the charitable organization’s prominence unrivaled.

It directly overshadowed the New Policies.

At the Imperial Guards.

Wang Chao stormed angrily into the building and furiously questioned the assembled officers: “Why wasn’t I informed beforehand about our Imperial Guards competing against the General Police Bureau? Can any of you explain this to me?”

One of the officers said, “Young Master Cao approached Commander Xu and borrowed some men. It’s just kicking a ball – such a trivial matter that we didn’t dare disturb Commander Wang.”

“Trivial!”

Wang Chao’s eyes blazed: “Have you forgotten how embarrassing the establishment of the police bureau was for us Imperial Guards? Now we can’t even walk the streets without watching the faces of those police officers. They’re clearly trying to use this match to humiliate our Imperial Guards again.”

“That’s not necessarily the case. I heard they all practice together without any discrimination, and our men even have some advantages.”

“Really?”

Wang Chao asked.

“Most of those police officers are former runners. Only Young Master Cao and that Ma Xiaoyi are formidable, but the men we’re sending are already football experts. At least we won’t be inferior to them in terms of appearance.”

“If we can win…!”

Wang Chao said, “Go fetch Commander Xu. I want to question him personally.”

“Yes.”

In the Imperial Palace.

“Has His Majesty heard about this charity football match?”

Grand Empress Dowager Cao suddenly asked Emperor Zhao Xu.

Emperor Zhao Xu was startled, nodded, then asked, “How does Grand Empress Dowager know of this matter?”

Grand Empress Dowager Cao said, “Dong’er told me about it.”

Emperor Zhao Xu asked, “Does the Grand Empress Dowager wish to go watch?”

Grand Empress Dowager Cao chuckled, “Dong’er wanted me to go see it, but I didn’t agree at the time. However, after reading today’s News Gazette, I’ve never heard of such charity competitions before. It sounds quite interesting, and since it’s just for charity, there’s no harm in watching!”

“Your grandson will have someone arrange it shortly.”

Then Emperor Zhao Xu asked, “Does Grand Empress Dowager also read the News Gazette?”

“Yes!”

Empress Dowager Cao said, “I read almost every issue, as does your mother. It’s become a habit. The only inconvenience is that the newspaper is only distributed to taverns, so we have to send Cao Ping to the taverns to get it each time, which is somewhat troublesome.”

The News Gazette was extremely popular in the inner palace. Grand Empress Dowager Cao and Empress Dowager Gao, confined to the palace all day, found it boring. Reading the newspaper and learning about common people’s affairs had become a rare pleasure.

It was precisely because Grand Empress Dowager Cao was a fan of the newspaper that she became interested in this charity match.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xu immediately said, “Grand Empress Dowager, please rest assured. From now on, each issue of the News Gazette and Scholar’s Gazette will be delivered to the palace first.”

This charitable organization was growing larger and larger. The Bianjing Law Firm could barely handle it anymore, and their own business was already being affected. Fan Li was naturally displeased about this.

Today, Zhang Fei came with a group of major donors to the headquarters of the charity.

This place was provided free of charge by the White Crystal Inn to the charity, located between two buildings.

“Quite spacious,” Zhang Fei remarked.

After looking around for a while, Zhang Fei praised Fan Zheng, “When Brother Fan handles affairs, it truly puts one’s mind at ease!”

Fan Zheng hurriedly replied, “This is only proper. That Zhang San is willing to place the charity at our White Crystal Inn is our honor. We naturally dare not be negligent.”

As he spoke, he glanced at the other donors.

Zhang Fei instinctively looked around at the surroundings and noticed that these donors seemed to have somewhat strange expressions. He couldn’t help but ask, “Is something the matter?”

Everyone looked at each other.

Zhang Fei asked again, “What exactly is the matter?”

Ma Tianhao said bluntly, “It’s like this – you see, the shop is already prepared, but we need to arrange the personnel as well.”

Zhang Fei was puzzled, “Hasn’t the personnel already been found?”

Ma Tianhao laughed heartily, “There’s still the board of directors.”

Zhang Fei immediately understood. “There’s no need to be so hasty, is there?”

The original contract had clearly stated that a board of directors would be established to handle decision-making. If it were to stipulate that Zhang Fei alone had the final say, that would be equivalent to donating money directly to Zhang Fei, which no one would agree to.

It was precisely because this contract was very professional that everyone was willing to try it. No one had unconditional trust in Zhang Fei.

However, since the number of people kept increasing and everyone didn’t really understand the situation, it was basically Zhang Fei who made all the decisions.

Chen Maoqian said, “Zhang San, it’s really not that we’re being hasty, but you seem to have become obsessed with this football thing. One hundred strings per goal, and donating a thousand strings to the winner’s government office. This money isn’t yours, you can’t spend it like this!”

The others all nodded in agreement.

A thousand strings was really quite a lot.

The cost of this one match could buy an ordinary residence in the capital.

It should be known that their donations to the charity weren’t because they truly wanted to do charity work.

Zhang Fei was both angry and amused, “Haven’t you heard the commotion outside?”

Zhou Yan, a timber merchant, said, “Anyone can lose money to gain publicity! People have used football matches for fundraising before, but no one has ever put out this much money. The key issue is that this business doesn’t make money.”

“Now we haven’t earned a penny, but we’ve already donated quite a bit of money.”

“Exactly! If you invested this money in the movable type workshop, we’d all be willing.”

“Right, right, right. I heard that recently many people want to print newspapers. That business would definitely make money.”

“Carriage and horse rental would work too.”

Everyone spoke one after another. In short, the message was: why not do anything else instead of kicking balls? It was truly neglecting proper duties for trivial pursuits.

Zhang Fei was truly exasperated and snorted, “I thought you all had great foresight, but it turns out you’re all short-sighted. I’m curious how you even managed to earn your money.”

“Our money was all earned from what’s right in front of us. When one walks a long distance, one would naturally able to pick up some money.”

“You all…!”

Zhang Fei said helplessly, “We agreed beforehand to give me one chance, and I will prove it to you.”

Fan Yong said awkwardly, “But Zhang San, even if you spend money to create a spectacle and people come to watch, that still doesn’t prove anything.”

“That’s right!”

“What you’re doing is nothing more than attracting people to come, so that we’ll agree to your football match idea.”

Everyone had made it very clear before – they would let Zhang Fei give it a try.

But now, everyone believed this attempt was unfair. If everyone loved watching it, then they should be the ones spending money, not him.

Many people felt that Zhang Fei’s behavior was a form of deception, deliberately creating the impression that everyone loved watching football in order to trick them into agreeing to invest money.

These merchants were all as cunning as monkeys, and they secretly formed a board of directors to keep Zhang Fei in check.

It was clear that the ancestral laws of the Song Dynasty had taken deep root in people’s hearts.

Zhang Fei knew what they were thinking and was very angry about it. What kind of business didn’t need promotion!

This was truly outrageous.

Just as he was preparing to argue back, a servant suddenly entered the room and whispered a few words in Fan Yong’s ear.

Fan Yong nodded, then said to Zhang Fei, “Zhang San, do you still have any tickets?”

“No.”

Zhang Fei snorted.

Fan Yong said awkwardly, “We spent money, but you won’t even give us a single ticket. That doesn’t seem right.”

Zhang Fei said coldly, “You’re not interested anyway, so what do you need tickets for? Don’t waste them.”

Just then, another servant ran in and whispered a few words in Ma Tianhao’s ear.

Ma Tianhao listened with growing confusion, looked at Zhang Fei, and laughed awkwardly, “Zhang San, Fan brother is Fan brother, and I am me. I’m quite interested, otherwise I wouldn’t have supported Xiaoyi in playing the match. No matter what, you must save me a few tickets.”

“Zhang San! Zhang San! Are you in there?”

Cao Dongdong’s voice came from outside.

Zhang Fei quickly responded, “Yes.”

Immediately they heard hurried footsteps, and Cao Dongdong came rushing in, “Zhang San, I have good news for you.”

Zhang Fei asked, “What good news?”

Cao Dongdong said, “My great-aunt and His Majesty are coming to watch the charity match.”

“His Majesty!”

Everyone exclaimed in unison.

Zhang Fei said, “We’ll need to prepare well for this.”

Cao Dongdong said, “My father said we need to change the venue, so he sent me to call you to discuss it.”

“Right now?”

“Yes.”

Cao Dongdong added, “Also, remember to save me fifty tickets.”

Zhang Fei said, “No problem.”

“Wait!”

Fan Yong said hastily, “I asked you for one ticket and you said you didn’t have any, but now the young master wants fifty tickets, and you…!”

Zhang Fei stretched out his hand and snapped his fingers, saying, “I calculated that the young master would come ask me for tickets, so now I really don’t have any left. Besides, we walk different paths and cannot work together. At worst, I’ll run this ball game by myself and pay for it myself. Let’s go, young master, let’s discuss this properly. Damn! This makes me so angry.”

Cao Dongdong asked, “Who made you angry?”

“A bunch of idiots.”

“…?”

The group of merchants looked at each other in bewilderment. We pay money and still get scolded.

You…!

Ma Tianhao suddenly shouted, “Zhang San, wait! You can’t leave me out of those tickets.”

Fan Yong also chased after them, “Me too.”