Chapter 337: Race for Reform

In the realm of education, Sima Guang also had his own philosophy, which was remarkably similar to Wang Anshi’s. Both pursued practicality rather than useless, empty rhetoric.

This could be seen from Sima Guang’s writing style, which was extremely plain and unadorned—one could not find even half a flowery phrase in his work.

Of course, while Wang Anshi’s writing was ornate, the key was that he could maintain literary appeal while ensuring every word was precious and every point was incisive, surpassing Sima Guang by more than a margin.

This could only be described as natural talent.

But the differences between the two were also quite obvious. Wang Anshi approached matters with bold, sweeping reforms—nothing ventured, nothing gained, defying heaven in order to change fate.

Sima Guang, on the other hand, was cautious and meticulous. As he said, “Governing the realm is like maintaining a house—when it becomes worn, repair it, but do not rebuild unless it is severely damaged.”

That is, unless absolutely necessary, one should not change the laws—minor repairs and adjustments would suffice.

Both men had very stubborn personalities, and their goals were not so different. They both acknowledged that the Song Dynasty had many flawed policies, but their methods were completely different.

More interestingly, both deeply understood each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

Therefore, each believed that if the other were to lead reforms, failure would be certain.

At this time, both also believed that education must be reformed, and that education was the only path to perpetuate their respective political philosophies.

Yet there would always be differences between them.

For Wang Anshi, political reform came first, with educational reform being merely one component of his political reforms. His strategy was to first expand his influence in the court, then when the time was ripe, implement educational reform.

After Sima Guang took on the burden of judicial reform, his first thought was to cultivate talent in this area, which was why he had actively invited Zhang Fei.

His plan was to first nurture a group of professional talent, then gradually implement nationwide reforms.

However, under Wang Anshi’s pressure, he had no choice but to accelerate his own arrangements, otherwise there would be no one capable of restraining the New Policies.

But he remained very cautious. He only arranged trustworthy individuals like Su Shi and Fan Chunren—people whose morals and abilities he could rely on—to key prefectures and counties, rather than immediately implementing judicial reform nationwide just because Wang Anshi’s New Policies were being executed nationally.

Zhang Fei played more of a catalytic role in this process. His scholarship system prompted both Wang Anshi and Sima Guang to go with the flow and begin their educational reforms.

Sima Guang first petitioned His Majesty to establish a Law Academy at the College of National Scions, integrating litigation studies and the study of legal codes.

The Song Dynasty had always placed great importance on studying legal codes. Not just legal codes—even litigation studies currently had no restrictions. All citizens were allowed to study them, with various books on legal codes available for purchase.

This was experience gained through times of chaos.

The Song rulers believed that if scholars all understood legal codes, then during times of chaos when government offices failed and the central authority could not reach everywhere, these people could step forward to continue maintaining local stability and ensure the continuation of law.

However, legal studies was merely a required course at the College of National Scions, but establishing a dedicated academy for it meant moving toward specialization.

This was obviously very reasonable.

Legal studies as merely a single course could only teach very basic knowledge, but in reality, legal studies was profound and extensive, and was a very important field of learning. In terms of practical utility alone, it might even surpass Confucian studies.

Emperor Zhao Xu approved this quite readily.

Wang Anshi became jealous. He wanted one too.

If Sima Guang’s judicial reform could establish an academy specifically to cultivate talent in that area, then for his financial reform, he also wanted to cultivate talent in that field. He requested the establishment of a Mathematics Academy at the College of National Scions.

This immediately drew considerable scorn.

When this issue was initially discussed, he had spoken repeatedly about medicine, but now he had suddenly switched to mathematics.

His intentions were obvious.

Everyone knew that Wang Anshi’s mathematics was not simple arithmetic, but learning the way of financial management and accounting, and his approach to financial management was already unpopular in the court.

Many ministers immediately expressed opposition.

But they all knew in their hearts that their opposition would not have much effect. Zhao Xu would have to maintain fairness—he could not approve Sima Guang’s request while rejecting Wang Anshi’s.

Zhao Xu also approved it quite easily, without any pressure at all.

Although this was not a major matter, it caused the court struggles to begin showing subtle changes—shifting from trying to defeat the opponent to a competitive mode.

Because after that lawsuit, it had been clearly established that the judiciary could supervise the New Policies. But the current system was based on power—if you became stronger, then he had to become even stronger, otherwise how could he supervise you, and vice versa.

At the Ma Family residence.

“Sigh, this is really difficult to handle now!”

Zhang Fei furrowed his brow and sighed heavily.

Seeing him like this, Ma Tianhao’s heart nearly twisted with worry. “Didn’t you say this matter had already been resolved?”

“You don’t know the whole story. I originally thought it was resolved, but…”

“But what?”

“Brother Ma, have you heard that the court recently approved Academician Wang’s establishment of a mathematics academy at the College of National Scions?” Zhang Fei asked instead of answering directly.

Ma Tianhao nodded. “I did hear about that, but what does this have to do with us?”

Zhang Fei clicked his tongue. “This is all my fault!”

“Don’t assign blame yet,” Ma Tianhao said hurriedly. “First explain clearly what exactly is going on.”

Zhang Fei sighed again. “You should know that I have good relationships with both Academician Wang and Academician Sima, right?”

Ma Tianhao nodded.

Zhang Fei said, “Previously, I already promised to establish scholarships for Academician Sima’s law academy. Now that Academician Wang wants to build a mathematics academy, if we don’t contribute, we’ll offend him!”

After hearing this, Ma Tianhao said, “I thought it was something serious. Just donate then!”

Zhang Fei said glumly, “I want to donate too, but there’s a board of directors managing things over here. It’s not like I can just donate whenever I want. After the previous incident, they were already dissatisfied. They don’t want to donate too much money on this matter. Mogul, you should understand that our Great Song Charity Foundation currently has too many places that need funding.”

Ma Tianhao began to understand the situation. “You mean you want Xiang-guo Temple to donate more money?”

Zhang Fei said, “If we want to continue supporting the mathematics academy, we must find a reason to convince the others. I believe only by increasing our donations can we appease everyone.”

Ma Tianhao furrowed his brow and pondered for a long while before saying, “I need to discuss this with Xiang-guo Temple.”

“Then I’ll trouble you,” Zhang Fei said. Suddenly having a thought, he added, “If needed, I can go with you to explain to Xiang-guo Temple.”

He really wanted to establish direct connections with Xiang-guo Temple.

Ma Tianhao said, “We’ll see about that.”

“Alright!”

Zhang Fei said, “Then I’ll take my leave first.”

“Take care.”

Just as Zhang Fei left, a fat-headed, big-eared, broad-shouldered middle-aged monk in robes suddenly emerged from the inner room.

This large monk was named Lu Bin, with the dharma name Zhizheng. He had originally been a minor officer in the Imperial Guard and was Ma Tianhao’s sworn brother. Later, when both committed offenses, Ma Tianhao was imprisoned while Lu Bin received help from a benefactor, obtained an official ordination certificate from the court, and became a monk at Xiang-guo Temple.

He was now specifically responsible for Xiang-guo Temple’s commercial affairs.

“Brother Lu, what do you think?”

Ma Tianhao asked.

Lu Bin sat down with a grave expression. “I inquired at the College of National Scions. This matter wasn’t leaked by them.”

Ma Tianhao frowned. “Brother Lu, are you saying this kid leaked it?”

Lu Bin nodded.

Ma Tianhao asked, “Brother Lu, do you have evidence?”

Lu Bin shook his head. “This kind of thing is very difficult to investigate, but if it wasn’t leaked from the College of National Scions, it must have been that kid’s doing. After all, only those two parties knew about this matter.”

Ma Tianhao said, “Could it be that someone deliberately leaked it to frame Zhang San? Brother Lu knows that Zhang San has many enemies at court.”

Lu Bin nodded. “You’re right, that is indeed possible. But I think the likelihood is small. Looking at what happened afterward, this matter has already attracted the attention of the chancellors. If Zhang San had been unwilling to take full responsibility at the time and instead exposed the relationship between Xiang-guo Temple and the College of National Scions, the officials at the College might have been implicated too. Who would use their own career prospects to harm others, especially over a mere pen-in-cap?”

Ma Tianhao asked, “Then what was his purpose in doing this?”

“It might have been for legal studies, or it might have been to curry favor with Academician Wang and Academician Sima.”

Lu Bin said, “In any case, I believe he wants to use our money to do his own business. This is probably also his purpose in establishing the charity foundation.”

Ma Tianhao angrily slammed the table and cursed viciously, “This kid is absolutely outrageous! I really shouldn’t have trusted him in the first place.”

After saying this, seeing Lu Bin remain silent, he asked again, “Brother Lu, what do you plan to do?”

Lu Bin said, “As he wishes, we’ll donate another batch of land.”

Ma Tianhao was stunned and hurriedly said, “Brother Lu, this… why is this? That boy has the heart of a jackal and fox, so why should we still maintain relations with him?”

Regardless of what he truly thought, at this moment, he had to stand on the side of Xiang-guo Temple.

Lu Bin smiled and said, “For us, what we seek is to secure our livelihood, which requires the support of court ministers. This was our original intention in donating to the College of National Scions. Although that boy is currently just a pen-in-cap, he simultaneously enjoys the deep trust of Academician Wang and Academician Sima. At such a young age, he can navigate both sides in court with ease. In my view, his future prospects are limitless. Rather than donating to the College of National Scions, we might as well donate directly to this boy.”

Ma Tianhao said, “But that boy is so cunning, we may not be able to outmaneuver him.”

Lu Bin sighed, “But if he were honest and dutiful, he wouldn’t be worth our donation either.”

Ma Tianhao nodded slightly, “That’s true.”

Lu Bin continued, “For this batch of land, we’ll find someone else to donate it to the Great Song Charity Foundation. I’ve carefully studied the charter of the Great Song Charity Foundation, and power is actually concentrated in the board of directors. Having someone else make the donation can also increase our influence within the board.”

Ma Tianhao nodded and said thoughtfully, “Fan Yong, Chen Maoqian, and Huang Can have long realized that although Zhang San has exceptional abilities, he’s definitely not an easygoing person. We need to keep an eye on him. I can use this opportunity to unite everyone to supervise Zhang San, so he doesn’t sell us out.”

Lu Bin nodded and added, “When the time comes, tell him that if Xiang-guo Temple steps forward at this time, it might arouse suspicion, so we’re having someone else make the donation.”

“I understand.”

Ma Tianhao nodded and said, “I’ll also find people to donate some land to further expand our influence on the board.”

Indeed.

The Great Song’s finances were currently in a deficit state, but did they really lack the money to establish even one academy?

Of course not.

Not long ago, Emperor Zhao Xu had approved ten million strings for Wang Anshi, which could have established numerous academies.

What they were competing for was not this charitable donation – none of them lacked this money. This was merely a catalyst. What they were truly competing for was governing philosophy, as well as the talent that was Zhang Fei.

At least on the surface, this was the case.

But secretly, the outcome had already been determined.

Zhang Fei would enter judicial reform.

However, in Wang Anshi’s view, Zhang Fei was their spy planted within enemy ranks.

While in Sima Guang’s view, Zhang Fei would be an indispensable part of his judicial reform.

He had previously told Wen Yanbo that he would use the education matter to pull Zhang Fei to his side, but in reality, he truly needed Zhang Fei’s help.

This included how to establish the law academy.

The Sima residence.

“The establishment of the mathematics academy by Wang Anshi was also your idea, wasn’t it?”

Sima Guang glanced at Zhang Fei and spoke directly.

Zhang Fei smiled sheepishly, “You could say it was, or you could say it wasn’t.”

“Is that so?”

Sima Guang seemed somewhat skeptical.

Zhang Fei said, “I’m certain that Academician Wang had long harbored ideas for educational reform, but perhaps hadn’t planned to act on them yet. When this matter arose, Academician Wang was merely going with the flow. At the time, it was Academician Wang who approached me first, and then I gave him this suggestion.”

Both Sima Guang and Wang Anshi were first-rate geniuses. Zhang Fei, maneuvering between them, dared not act recklessly. He had always maintained the principle of not concealing major matters while concealing minor ones.

Fortunately, they both could guess what the other was planning. Even if Zhang Fei revealed Wang Anshi’s thoughts to Sima Guang, Sima Guang actually knew this in his heart and wouldn’t be greatly surprised.

Sima Guang said, “Using my law academy to establish the mathematics academy?”

“Exactly so.”

Zhang Fei nodded and said, “But even if I hadn’t suggested this, I believe that with Academician Wang’s intelligence, he would have thought of this point as well.”

Sima Guang remained noncommittal about this and asked again, “By the way! Regarding the construction of the law academy, what suggestions do you have?”

Zhang Fei directly pulled out a document and handed it to Sima Guang, “This is a curriculum I specifically designed for the law academy. Please review it, Academician Sima.”

Sima Guang said with delight, “It seems you’ve prepared quite thoroughly.”

As he spoke, he took the curriculum.

Zhang Fei said, “Ever since Academician Sima asked me to go to the College of National Scions to provide some assistance, I have been preparing continuously, but I just haven’t been able to find the time.”

Sima Guang nodded with satisfaction, quite pleased with this response.

He very much liked working with people who were thoroughly prepared, rather than those who always waited until the last minute for everything.

But when he looked at Zhang Fei’s curriculum, he was completely bewildered.

“Commercial studies? Military administration?”

Sima Guang looked at Zhang Fei with surprise, “Why would the law academy need to study commercial studies and military administration?”

Zhang Fei explained, “This is a reflection I gained from Master Fan. When Master Fan initially went to work as legal aid at the Bureau of Records, for the first several days, he didn’t win a single case. The reason was that he didn’t understand many civilian disputes. If one serves in the procuratorate without understanding even the most basic commercial processes, it’s impossible to win cases.

Military administration is the same. Academician Sima should also know that the Three Military Divisions are a massive group. Many civilian lawsuits involve Imperial Guard soldiers and must be regulated by law, otherwise it would be very dangerous. But if officials in the police bureau, procuratorate, and courts don’t understand military administration, how can they supervise them?”

Sima Guang nodded slightly and continued reading. He said with surprise, “Western Xia law, Liao law – why do we need to study the laws of these two countries?”

How could those two countries compare to our Great Song?

If anyone should be learning, it should be them learning from us!

Zhang Fei said, “They are both neighbors with very close relations with our country, and we have signed many legal documents with them. Legal disputes also frequently occur, but they are often resolved through politics. However, I believe law is also a means of resolution. Problems that can be solved through law should try not to escalate to the political level, because even the smallest political cost is still a very great price.

Moreover, knowing yourself and knowing your enemy ensures victory in a hundred battles. Understanding their strengths and weaknesses is not a bad thing for us. Of course, this would be studied last and could be set as an elective – students could choose to study it or not.”

After listening, Sima Guang felt truly ashamed and sighed, “This old man has thought about legal studies too simply!”

He had always believed he had considered things very thoroughly, and this was often a point he used to criticize Wang Anshi. But compared to Zhang Fei’s curriculum, his own work was truly too crude.

It was simply unbearable to look at.

This even dealt a small blow to his confidence.

Of course, this also greatly increased his confidence in Zhang Fei.

“Excellent, excellent!”

Sima Guang nodded repeatedly with delight. He had not misjudged this person. He said to Zhang Fei again, “I’m entrusting this entire law academy to you.”

Zhang Fei quickly said, “Academician Sima, I can only be responsible for providing ideas, but as for the specific implementation, I’m not capable of that. Moreover, I’m very busy right now and don’t have the time.”

Sima Guang said, “But you drafted this curriculum, so only you understand it most clearly.”

Zhang Fei asked in return, “Does Academician Sima think my writing skills are capable of compiling textbooks?”

“Your writing skills are indeed… hmm…”

Sima Guang stroked his beard. In work matters, he didn’t care too much about writing style, but Zhang Fei’s writing was indeed a bit too poor – he couldn’t even maintain smooth sentence structure. He continued, “This way, I’ll have someone draft the textbook content based on your curriculum, and then show it to you first. If there are any inadequacies, we’ll revise them.”

It was clear that Zhang Fei’s curriculum had won his heartfelt admiration.

You are indeed more thorough.

Zhang Fei nodded and said, “That would be acceptable.”

Sima Guang added, “But you must make time to go and teach litigation knowledge to those students.”

Zhang Fei hesitated for a moment and said, “If Academician Sima thinks so highly of me, Zhang San, then… then I’ll go and offer my humble contribution.”

Sima Guang chuckled and said, “What you’re offering is not a humble contribution, but rather ‘stones from other mountains that can polish jade.'”