When Zhang Fei had arrived in court, he was like a mouse crossing the street, with everyone shouting and wanting to beat him!
But when Zhang Fei left, it was all praise.
Compared to the audience’s confusion towards Li Si’s case, their experience of this public trial was imrsive with its ups and downs. So were even moved to tears.
So they all knew that although Zhang Fei seed to be defending Cao Dongdong, he was actually advocating for Lin Fei.
Even though the truth ca out, no one blad Lin Fei.
More were lanting, so even voicing grievances for Lin Fei.
Why?
Because this was the norm in the Song dynasty. Such occurrences were too nurous, yet most people silently endured. This case gave Lin Fei a chance to vent, and it also gave everyone a chance to vent.
“Dad, don’t beat , I’ve already been found innocent!”
When Cao Ping appeared, Cao Dongdong was imdiately scared witless. His father’s punishnt was always severe, and crucially, his father was a skilled archer, able to draw the strongest bow.
But for Cao Dongdong, it was like being attacked by two people.
Cao Ping, however, looked at his son with loving eyes, waved his hand and said, “I won’t beat you. Although you often cause trouble, you haven’t disgraced our Cao family! Well done! Well done!”
There was even praise in his tone.
Cao Dongdong gradually felt relieved, thinking, Zhang San didn’t deceive ! He said, “That’s because I’m your son.”
Cao Ping nodded with a smile.
It turned out that Zhang Fei had inford Cao Dongdong beforehand to speak the truth in court—to not hide any of his thoughts, just say what he wanted, and nothing else.
And the purpose was to achieve a turnaround effect.
This kind of strategy wasn’t common in this era, but in Zhang Fei’s era, it was very common. Spreading rumors and slander first, stirring up public anger, and then a clarification would turn things around. Such a drastic change would make people feel guilty, and the positive side would leave a deeper impression.
Actually, Cao Dongdong was certainly at fault in this matter. But Cao Ping now thought, his son wasn’t intimidated, and dared to argue in court for the dignity of their Cao family. He felt very proud of him, how could he bear to bla him!
Cao Dongdong suddenly rembered sothing and said, “Father, I hope you can intercede for Lin Fei.”
Cao Ping, astonished, said, “He has hard you so much, why do you still want to intercede for him?”
Cao Dongdong’s eyes flickered as he replied, “Because he is a good soldier. Our Cao family cos from a long line of generals. I truly respect such a good soldier.”
Cao Ping pondered for a mont, “Did Zhang San teach you this?”
Cao Dongdong shook his head, “No! This is what I think.”
Cao Ping didn’t press further, chuckling, “Looks like you’ve indeed made progress!”
Cao Dongdong grinned happily, thinking, Zhang San has skills that Taozi and the others don’t have. I must cultivate Zhang San well. With Zhang San around, I’m not afraid of being scolded by father and grandaunt.
…
Before the court session ended, Wang Anshi and Sima Guang had quietly left the prefectural office.
Now they were walking on the main street, the biting cold wind nowhere near as chilling as their thoughts.
“Sigh… This has really given Gongzhu a dilemma!”
Wang Anshi sighed.
Sima Guang said, “It’s not exactly a dilemma. He just has to apply the law.”
Wang Anshi gave him a disdainful look, “You really are heartless.”
Sima Guang snorted, “I’m thinking about the greater good. I sympathize with Lin Fei too, but if we don’t act this way, there will be more imitators in the future.”
“More imitators?” Wang Anshi clapped his hands, “That’s it! That’s it!”
Sima Guang was irritated, “Are you planning to use the case to make a fuss again?”
Wang Anshi sighed, “I’m not in the mood for idle talk today. Let’s go, let’s have a drink.”
Idle talk? Sima Guang imdiately grunted, “Coincidentally, I’m not in the mood for idle talk either. Goodbye!”
And he turned to leave.
As they passed each other, a carriage slowly passed by them.
Inside the carriage.
“Hey! If you have sothing to say, just say it, don’t keep staring at like that, it makes feel uneasy.”
Since getting into the carriage, Xu Zhiqian had been looking at Zhang Fei affectionately without saying a word, making Zhang Fei blush.
“Thank you!”
With tears shimring in her eyes, Xu Zhiqian sincerely thanked Zhang Fei.
During the trial just now, she had shed tears several tis, and now her eyes were a bit swollen.
She didn’t expect Zhang Fei to do this.
Because their agreent at the ti was that if she couldn’t convince Lin Fei and had to go to court, Zhang Fei could only act for his client, with winning being the priority.
Unexpectedly, while winning the lawsuit, Zhang Fei also spoke a fair word for Lin Fei.
This made her very glad.
Seeing Xu Zhiqian in this state for the first ti, Zhang Fei hurriedly said, “Don’t be overly sentintal. Even if it weren’t for you, I would still say the sa thing. Humans are not indifferent, after all!”
Xu Zhiqian said, “I distinguish clearly between grievances and kindness. Even if you weren’t doing it for , I still want to thank you, especially since you also spoke up for .”
“Alright, thanks are thanks, but don’t think about offering yourself to , I won’t accept it.”
Zhang Fei said firmly.
“You… you’re really annoying, can’t you speak nicely?” Xu Zhiqian stamped her foot lightly, then suddenly her eyes softened, “Forget it! Today, no matter what you say, I won’t be angry with you.”
Rolling his eyes, Zhang Fei said, “Cut it out! You’re so magnanimous, obviously you just want to ask how the judgnt will be. If we quarrel, how will you ask?”
Xu Zhiqian’s face flushed transparently, “I… I’m not, I’m not arguing with you, it’s just that you did a good deed today and spoke up for .”
“Then don’t ask.”
“Then I won’t… why can’t I ask? That’s two different matters, they shouldn’t be mixed together.”
Zhang Fei disdainfully glanced at Xu Zhiqian.
Blushing, Xu Zhiqian asked, “So, how do you think it will be judged?”
“Your sincerity is lacking!”
Zhang Fei shook his head.
Xu Zhiqian asked, “Then what do you want for you to tell ?”
Zhang Fei’s gaze began to sweep over her, thinking to himself, I have to say, this woman is quite attractive. Even Ayun can’t compare to her. Sha she has such a bad temper.
“What are you looking at?”
Xu Zhiqian felt embarrassed and angry under his gaze.
“Huh?”
Zhang Fei raised his head, his face unchanged, “Just seeing if you’ll keep your promise.”
“What promise?”
“The promise not to be angry with today.”
“But… but you shouldn’t take advantage of the situation.” Xu Zhiqian said unhappily.
Zhang Fei suddenly raised his hand and closed his eyes, pretending to do so complex calculations on his fingers.
Rolling her eyes, Xu Zhiqian pursed her lips and said, “So you’re acting as a fortune teller now?”
“I predict that Lin Fei will be sentenced to be a squad leader on the northwest frontlines.”
“A squad leader?”
Xu Zhiqian said, “That’s nonsense. A squad leader is an officer, much better than an instructor, by a hundredfold at least. How could this be considered a punishnt?”
Zhang Fei snorted, “You want to ask , but you won’t believe what I say.”
Xu Zhiqian said, “Then give a reason for your prediction.”
“Because I already told young master Cao beforehand to ask his father to intercede for Lin Fei. If the Cao family presents this request now, it will give Lin Fei a chance to redeem himself, greatly enhancing the reputation of the Cao family, both in the civil and military spheres.”
“Really!”
Excitedly, Xu Zhiqian suddenly stood up.
Bang!
Forgetting she was inside the carriage, she ended up in an intimate encounter with the carriage roof.
“Ow!”
Xu Zhiqian winced, holding her head in pain.
“Haha, I calculated everything but didn’t expect you to bump your head. Wise n do make mistakes, after all. Haha!”
“How dare you laugh!”
“Haha!”
“No laughing allowed!”
“Do you want to rub it for you?”
“Get lost.”
…
Back at the Xu residence, Xu Zun just patted Zhang Fei’s shoulder heavily, saying with satisfaction, “I didn’t misjudge you!”
For Zhang Fei, this statent only gave him slightly less joy than Xu Zhiqian bumping into the carriage roof.
…
On that day, Lin Fei confessed to everything, but there were so twists. Originally, he intended to shoulder all the bla himself, but Officer Wu confessed to the truth, admitting that the idea was actually his.
As for Lady Lin’s background, the reason Zhang Fei didn’t ntion it in court was because she was also a pitiful woman. Originally from Daming Prefecture, she was sold to a brothel because her husband gambled away everything. Fortunately, she was bought out by Lin Fei, but Lin Fei spent all his savings on her and even borrowed a lot of money.
So he sought help from Officer Wu.
Officer Wu had been a good friend of Lin Fei for many years and had even had his life saved by Lin Fei. He had always sought justice for his friend, so he proposed this plan to get a promotion from Cao Dongdong. An officer’s pay was much better than that of an instructor. Lin Fei would be able to repay the money quickly.
All of this was rightfully deserved by Lin Fei, as he had fought for it with his life.
Lady Lin also willingly agreed to help Lin Fei.
But Officer Wu didn’t expect that although Cao Dongdong feared the two empress dowagers, he was also quite headstrong. And with Ma Xiaoyi suggesting strategies on the sidelines, he actually chose to go to court with them.
Although the truth was out, it also presented Lu Gongzhu with a dilemma.
After Zhang Fei’s argunt in court, he also felt a pang of sympathy for Lin Fei!
At this mont, Cao Ping suddenly submitted a morial to the emperor, stating that Cao Dongdong was also at fault in this matter. Their Cao family would not hold Lin Fei responsible, and he suggested that Lin Fei be sent to the northwest border for military service to redeem himself.
At the sa ti, Grand Empress Dowager Cao and Empress Dowager Gao also stepped forward to intercede for Lin Fei.
Emperor Zhao Xu was soone who admired martial prowess. He had a different view of military personnel compared to the civil officials who looked down on them, and he greatly respected General Di Qing. Upon ascending the throne, he had ordered General Di Qing’s portrait to be brought into the palace and had personally composed a eulogy for him.
After learning of the truth behind the case, he had no intention of punishing Lin Fei.
So he personally instructed that Lin Fei and Officer Wu be sent to the northwest border for military service, but secretly arranged for Lin Fei to beco a squad leader there.
Although squad leaders in the Northern Song Dynasty were low-ranking military officers, their authority was equivalent to that of a company commander.
…
The cold wind was biting.
“I will never forget your great kindness and generosity. You both are my benefactors. Please allow to bow to you.”
“Oh!”
Zhang Fei quickly grabbed Lin Fei and smiled, “Actually, we should be the ones thanking you. If it weren’t for your bravery and valor on the border, how could we enjoy peace in the capital?”
Xu Zhiqian glanced at Zhang Fei, then nodded gently.
Looking at the two of them, tears welled up in Lin Fei’s eagle-like eyes. Not good with words, he just respectfully clasped his fists and bowed deeply to Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian, before embarking on his new journey.
Watching the departing figures, Zhang Fei suddenly felt a chill on his nose. He looked up and heard a clear and pleasant voice, “It’s snowing!”
Xu Zhiqian smiled, “Actually, you’re not a bad person, and you understand righteousness.”
Zhang Fei joked, “What’s this? Are you starting to like ?”
Xu Zhiqian chuckled and retorted, “You’re just a bit too nonsensical!”
Zhang Fei grinned, “Could you please stop correcting my only flaw?”
Rolling her eyes, Xu Zhiqian shook her head and walked back towards the city.
“You seem to disagree?” Zhang Fei caught up with her.
“Of course. I know of at least two flaws.”
“What else then?”
“You are thick-skinned and shaless.”
“Isn’t that a good thing? My skin can withstand the cold! You really don’t know how to appreciate it.”
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