The next day.
Political Hall.
After learning from the pain, Zu Shiheng came to the political hall with the latest plan, and he wanted to report to Ding Wei face to face.
Regarding how to support the construction of cities and fortresses in the northwest region, Zu Shiheng’s answer was to demolish the east wall and repair the west wall.
After all, there is only so much fiscal and tax revenue every year, and there was no possibility of overpayment in ancient times. When money was limited, it could only be transferred elsewhere.
In order to complete Ding Xiang's 'explanation', Zu Shiheng became really ruthless.
The first cut was made on the funding for school establishment, and it was directly cut by two-thirds.
The original plan was to build 50 state schools, but now, the target is only a dozen, and state schools in other states are temporarily postponed.
We will wait until there is a fiscal surplus next year before continuing.
Zu Shiheng knew very well that doing so would undoubtedly bring him notoriety.
But what about the infamy?
As long as the prime minister is satisfied and the officials are satisfied, what will happen if those scholars continue to scold them?
Zu Shiheng was so courageous, mostly because of Ding Wei.
During the three dynasties of the Song Dynasty, there were few examples of independent prime ministers. Even if there were, the time was very short. Some like Ding Wei served as independent prime ministers and still have no signs of being dismissed.
This is the only case in the more than 80 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China!
This shows how 'maverick' today's officialdom is.
It's not like those officials have never given advice, but when it comes to this kind of essays, the official opinion is to leave them alone.
And why can Prime Minister Ding maintain his position as the only Prime Minister?
Everything comes from official support.
It was after realizing this that Zu Shiheng had the courage to cut down on school expenses.
Not only that, his second blow was even more ruthless, directly targeting the officials' salaries.
Of course, Zu Shiheng would not dare to make direct cuts.
Even if Ding Xiang was standing behind him, he would not dare.
In many people's minds, officials in the Song Dynasty were treated very well, and their salaries were much higher than those in other dynasties.
However, the actual situation is different from ordinary people's impression.
The composition of official salaries in the Song Dynasty was very complex. It mainly consisted of five parts: salary, clothing grant, grain allowance, additional expenses, and land rent. In addition, there were one-time awards and subsidies.
Among them, the most basic and important part is the materials, money and clothing gifts, which are determined according to the official. However, for important ministers such as the Third Secretary and the Prime Minister, it is mostly determined by the dispatch.
The reason for this is that important officials such as the Third Secretary and the Prime Minister are often not high-ranking officials.
For example, Lu Yijian, who is currently participating in politics, his official position is only for the official. If the salary is determined according to the official position, his monthly salary is only 45 guan.
The monthly salary of a country's prime minister and minister is only 45 yuan, which is too low.
If it is based on dispatch, Lu Yijian's monthly salary will be as high as 200 guan, which is nearly five times higher than that of his own official.
Such a monthly salary is just in line with his position.
However, the actual execution of salary and salary is another matter.
The system in the early Song Dynasty basically followed the system in the late Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties. Although the salaries set by officials were large, they were actually paid in half.
Moreover, in the Taizu and Taizong dynasties, half of the salary paid was often reduced, that is, no money was found, and other materials, such as tea, salt, wine, etc. were used instead of cash.
At the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the monthly salary of the county magistrate was less than ten guan, and two-thirds of it was paid for cigarettes, wine, and tea. Overall, his income was not substantial and could only be considered meager.
After all, these officials are not the kind where one person has enough to eat and the whole family is not hungry. Most officials have a large family behind them.
Although Taizu, Taizong, and Zhenzong all paid attention to the issue of official salaries, how could the level of official salaries be far higher than that of previous generations in just a few decades?
】
Money doesn't appear out of thin air.
Therefore, until now, although officials' salaries have been adjusted, except for a small number of close ministers (attendants, etc.), the vast majority of officials' salary is still mainly based on discounts.
One-third is cash and the remaining two-thirds are deducted.
In addition, the real objects used for depreciation are often overestimated.
For example, for tea leaves with a market price of 100 renminbi per catty, the estimated discount is often 150 renminbi, or even 200 renminbi.
Of course, it is rare to break two hundred coins. In most cases, it is divided into eight and ten.
And this is where Zu Shiheng made his decision.
Slightly change the deduction ratio, from the original eight points to ten points, to seven points, or six points.
(ps: Most of the salaries of officials in the Song Dynasty that you see now are derived from the Jiayou Lu Order, but Jiayou was still more than thirty years away from Tiansheng. According to the current timeline, the salaries of officials in the Song Dynasty are still relatively chaotic.
In addition, even after the Jiayoulu Order came out, officials' salaries were still reduced. Except for some middle- and senior-level officials, princes and princes, and some state and county magistrates, other officials still had their salaries reduced.
The specific ratio of deductions is based on the grade of the official and the importance of the mission. Some are half cash and half is discount, and some are one-third cash and two-thirds discount.
Finally, the least important officials, most of whom are idle officials and retired officials, spend all their money on other things.
Chains of discrimination are everywhere.
In addition, one more thing, it is precisely because of the existence of depreciation that the income of officials in the Song Dynasty included additional expenses (increases), job money, post-offer money, tea soup money, public money, job land money, etc., all kinds of things subsidy.
Without these, most middle and low-level officials would have a difficult life based on their salary alone)
Afternoon.
After reading Zu Shiheng's latest proposal, Ding Wei couldn't help but shook his head.
"Uncle Ping, you are Hutu!"
"How can we use the money to build a school?"
"No matter how poor we are, we cannot afford education; no matter how miserable we are, we cannot afford to educate scholars."
"ah?"
Hearing this, Zu Shiheng suddenly fell into confusion. He thought to himself, isn't this what you meant, Mr. Xiang?
What, did you understand the wrong intention?
In fact, Zu Shiheng did not understand wrong, it was just because Ding Wei himself had changed his mind.
When Ding Wei entered the palace early, the officials specifically asked about the establishment of a school.
Seeing that the officials were so concerned about the establishment of schools, how could Ding Wei dare to continue to reduce the number?
Fortunately, Ding Wei did not completely deny the results of Zu Shiheng's labor. After reprimanding him, his tone changed again.
"However, Uncle Ping handled the matter of cutting expenses appropriately."
"This is how it will be implemented for the discounted part. As for the school funds, Uncle Ping, you can go back and make changes."
"The lower official's vision is narrow, and he is not as far-sighted as the prime minister." Zu Shiheng nodded repeatedly: "Uncle Ping will go back and revise it now."
"etc."
Just when Zu Shiheng was about to retire, Ding Wei suddenly called him.
I saw Ding Wei making a surprised expression.
"Almost forgot."
"The officials have decreed that one-third of the cost of building the city and fortification will be provided by the inner treasury."
As soon as these words came out, Zu Shiheng was almost moved to tears.
After a while, Zu Shiheng couldn't help shouting.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Because of the construction of the city, his hair was almost turning gray, and he couldn't even fill up such a big hole.
Now it's good, one-third of it is coming out of the internal treasury.
Although there are still two-thirds left for Sansi to come out, this is already a huge kindness.
