Zhang Fei's train of thought really confused Wang Anshi.

At first glance, it seems to make sense.

If you calculate taxes, it will hinder the government's tax collection. No matter whether you are right or wrong, the government will certainly not allow you to do whatever you want. This is money, this is meat, and the emperor is the biggest beneficiary, so naturally it is difficult for the government to say anything.

In that case, I will give in and become a running dog for the court, helping it collect taxes.

This is definitely a makeover.

Is there anyone who understands things more than this?

But if you think about it carefully, this is not reform at all, it is simply making things worse and adding fuel to the fire!

Fortunately, Zhang Fei still went to help the farmers calculate taxes. If he had checked the taxes of the landlords, then the matter would have become a problem.

Wang Anshi glared at him, and said in amusement, "Are you trying to reform yourself? You are going to make it worse. Are they really punishing you for the tax money? Aren't they just worried that you will harm their rights? Such a simple truth, can't you understand it?"

But as he said this, he suddenly realized that this kid was not confused, but thought too clearly, "Are you planning to take revenge on them?"

...

...

Zhang Fei nodded.

He originally planned to take a detour, but it turned out that even the detour didn't work, so he had to confront the enemy head-on.

What else can we do?

This was exactly what Wang Anshi was worried about, so he sighed and said, "Just be quiet about this matter and we can talk about it later."

Zhang Fei disagrees. "Everything has its pros and cons. As long as we can make good use of this opportunity, we can turn the situation around. If we miss the opportunity to collect taxes, what reason is there to conduct tax inspections?"

Wang Anshi asked: "How can you, a spy, check their taxes?"

Zhang Fei said: "As long as we can bring it to court, I can investigate."

Wang Anshi said earnestly: "They will not give you this opportunity. When they discussed this matter two days ago, they did not talk about reason, but about taxes."

Zhang Fei said: "That's because I am indeed hindering the court from collecting taxes. I am helping the court collect taxes, so what reason does the court have to object?"

Wang Anshi saw that the boy was stubborn, so he simply asked directly: "But the question is, how did you bring this to court?"

Xu Zun could not help with this matter, only Wang Anshi could. However, he did not dare to act rashly. He had his own reform plan. How could he possibly follow Zhang Fei in making trouble?

Although he and Zhang Fei have many collaborations, the priorities are clear. He is the protagonist and his reforms are the main line. Zhang Fei only gets some benefits by assisting him. How can Zhang Fei succeed if he keeps shooting here and there?

Zhang Fei hesitated for a moment and said, "We can rely on the Grand Secretary Sima to bring this matter to court."

Wang Anshi was startled and coughed: "It is impossible for Sima Junshi to help you."

But there was a glimmer of expectation in his eyes.

Zhang Fei said: "But that's not necessarily the case."

Wang Anshi immediately became interested and asked, "What do you mean?"

Zhang Fei said: "We can use the judicial reform of the Sima Daxueshi to force the Sima Daxueshi to support us."

Wang Anshi was somewhat bewildered, "What is the connection between these two things?"

Zhang Fei said: "One of the important ideas in Sima Daxueshi's judicial reform is the separation of politics and law."

Wang Anshi nodded and said, "I know that."

Zhang Fei continued, "But now the power of trial is still in the hands of the prefects and county magistrates. Even if there is a decree from above, the courts cannot get this power without doing anything. There must be a struggle.

Now that the Grand Secretary Sima has proposed the separation of politics and law, we can use this to stir up conflict between the Siliyuan and the government, and then benefit from it. "

Wang Anshi thought for a while and said, "I'm afraid this will be difficult. For a long time, the Siliyuan has had a close relationship with the county government. It's not easy to sow discord between them. The key is that the Siliyuan is on their side!"

Not only that, the officials of the Siliyuan also have close ties with the landlord class.

Zhang Fei said: "But in the face of power, all relationships will become worthless. Once politics and law are separated, the Court of Justice will control tax laws, and prefectures and counties will control tax powers. Once we define this lawsuit as a dispute over tax laws and tax powers, they will definitely try their best to fight for it, because if the Court of Justice cannot control part of the finances, it will inevitably be controlled by the prefectures and counties. Without financial support, what is the point of mutual checks and balances?"

Wang Anshi's face gradually became hesitant, and he asked, "You mean you want to fight this case in the Siliyuan?"

"Exactly."

Zhang Fei nodded and said, "If the county government refuses to accept the case, but the Court of Justice insists on filing the lawsuit, it will become a political and legal dispute, and I can bring the case to court as I wish."

Wang Anshi couldn't help but look at Zhang Fei in surprise.

Good boy.

This move of yours is really vicious!

In fact, Zhang Fei also learned a lesson. Xu Zun had also audited the land tax. Why was Xu Zun fine while he almost got into trouble? The reason was that he was just a troublemaker. It was impossible for the government to be controlled by the people, but the fight between officials was essentially another matter.

If this could be accomplished, the biggest winner would not be him, but the courts such as the Siliyuan and Zuoyouxianggong.

For Zhang Fei, this is not a game of two parties fighting each other and the fisherman benefits, but a game of cat and mouse.

Wang Anshi thought for a while and asked, "Can you convince the Court of Justice to support you?"

"Of course not."

Zhang Fei said.

Wang Anshi was stunned. "You can't. What did you say?"

Zhang Fei replied: "If I could, what else would I say?"

Wang Anshi looked at Zhang Fei with confusion.

Zhang Fei said: "At present, the Grand Secretary Sima has not started the reform yet. There is no one in charge. The power is in the hands of the prefectures and counties. Who dares to be the first to step forward, unless...?"

Wang Anshi suddenly realized, "You want me to support you."

Zhang Fei nodded and thought, if I can do it, why would I tell you? I will just do it myself.

It is easy to say that it is easy to stir up conflict between the Siliyuan and the county government, but it is very difficult to do. They are still in a superior-subordinate relationship and are in the same boat. Will they take such a big risk for a spy like you?

How can you guarantee that this can cause any trouble?

Unless there is support from above.

But Wang Anshi had his own plans and he did not want to take the risk. This was not a plea for the people, in which he could provide support for his own reforms by saying something fair. This was a political conspiracy and if he got involved, he might not be able to get out.

So what if we win the key?

It has nothing to do with him.

Zhang Fei secretly glanced at Wang Anshi, knowing that this was not enough to impress Wang Anshi. So he asked, "Does Wang know why Sima wants to reform the judiciary?"

Wang Anshi was slightly startled and snorted, "Of course it's to check and balance me, but Wang Jiefu is upright and honest. He uses the judiciary to check and balance me, so I'm not afraid."

Zhang Fei asked again: "Does Grand Secretary Wang know who is supporting Grand Secretary Sima?"

Wang Anshi was silent for a moment, then said, "The reason why those big landlords supported Sima Junshi was also to deal with me."

Zhang Fei continued to ask: "If we provoke this fight, will it be beneficial or disadvantageous to Sima Daxueshi?"

"Of course......!"

Wang Anshi's eyes suddenly lit up, and he said to himself, "Yes! On the surface, the Siliyuan wants to seize power, which is beneficial to Sima Junshi's judicial reform, but it will offend those big landlords."

As he spoke, he laughed, "In this case, Sima Junshi is in a dilemma! I am also very curious about what choice he will make then."

Zhang Fei said: "And Grand Secretary Wang only needs to find one person to raise the banner of justice. Even if he loses, it will not affect Grand Secretary Wang at all, because I will be the one charging in the front anyway."

Wang Anshi glanced at Zhang Fei and asked, "Are you so kind?"

Zhang Fei smiled awkwardly and said, "I also have a request."

Wang Anshi asked, "What is the request?"

Zhang Fei said, "I will fight this lawsuit in Kaifeng County, so the person Wang Daxueshi is looking for must be from Kaifeng County, not from Kaifeng Prefecture."

Wang Anshi hesitated for a moment and said, "I understand. Are you going to take revenge on Magistrate Wang?"

Zhang Fei nodded and said, "I want to ruin his reputation."

Wang Anshi frowned and asked, "Is it necessary to do this?"

"worthwhile."

Zhang Fei said in a very firm tone: "In fact, Prefect Lu and Judge Li also made things difficult for me, but at least they stood on the principle of fairness and justice. However, County Magistrate Wang did not treat us as human beings. He could arrest people, but on what basis did he torture them? Just because he helped the court collect taxes? What kind of bullshit is this? If I don't take revenge, I may be beaten at any time when I go to court in the future."

This is just like domestic violence. If you are beaten for the first time, there will definitely be a second time. He must fight against this behavior to the end. If you use conspiracy and tricks to defeat me, then I will admit it. But if you try to beat me into submission, then I will never admit defeat, because Zhang Fei knows very well that as long as he submits, he will be beaten every day.

Wang Anshi suddenly asked, "Does this Wang have a deep hatred for you?"

"ah?"

Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, "No! Why does Grand Secretary Wang ask this?"

Wang Anshi said: "The last one was Wang Wenshan, now it's Wang Hong's turn, the next one... Haha, my last name is Wang too!"

Zhang Fei was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. He said, "Grand Scholar Wang, this is really a coincidence. I promise, this is the last time. Next time I see someone with the last name Wang, I will avoid him."

"You're right, for the last time." Wang Anshi laughed, but then said seriously, "This matter is of great importance. I have to go back and think about it carefully."

Zhang Fei nodded.

"Okay, I'm leaving now."

"I'll send Mr. Wang off."

"No!"

Wang Anshi waved his hand and stood up and left the room. His expression was uncertain and he laughed secretly. Junshi, Junshi, you can't blame me for being ruthless. I am just an accomplice. The mastermind is Zhang San. This time we are going to have fun. Haha......!

Zhang Fei stood in the hall, watching Wang Anshi's brisk steps, knowing that this was a sure thing. Based on the grudge between Wang Anshi and Sima Guang, Wang Anshi would most likely join this game, even to disgust Sima Guang.

But Zhang Fei was frowning. He thought, I can't just throw away Sima Guang, this big tree, for revenge. That would be picking up sesame seeds and losing watermelons. But how can I convince Sima Guang to stab myself in the back?