Compared with the fierce opposition a few days ago, the atmosphere in the imperial city today seems a bit strange.
It was no longer the kind of very fierce opposition, but turned into all kinds of weirdness, cynicism, and small meetings in the room, but I felt extremely uncomfortable and angry.
This arrangement is quite a deterrent to officials.
But they all knew in their hearts that this was indeed a very tolerant arrangement.
They can only say that this method is whimsical and unrealistic. Just wait and see. Not many people will truthfully report their financial situation.
"Hey! Chief Inspector Xu, what a coincidence, so polite! So polite!"
"Be polite!"
"Isn't Chief Inspector Xu on vacation today?"
"There's something going on in the courtyard, come and take a look."
Liu Zhao, who had been ignored by everyone, saw these colleagues greeting Xu Zun one after another. You must know that before, everyone kept a respectful distance from Xu Zun when they saw him. He couldn't help laughing and said: "Brother Zhongtu, this is really changing!"
Xu Zun shook his head and said: "As my son-in-law said, with great power comes great responsibility! This is not a good thing! I gave up my vacation today just to remind the officials below not to get carried away."
Liu Zhao nodded: "That's it."
Lu Mansion.
"Grandpa, look for your grandson!"
Lu Jiawen came to the hall and bowed to Lu Gongzhu.
Lu Gongzhu said with a serious expression: "Wen'er, do you know why grandpa came to you?"
Lu Jia asked and shook his head in confusion.
Lu Gongzhu asked again: "Have you read the article published by the Taxation Department today?"
Lu Jiawen nodded and said, "My grandson watched it early in the morning."
Lu Gong said: "Then you should know that maybe it won't be long before the imperial court will have more tax evasion lawsuits. As the youngest president of Bianliang, you have to be careful. Someone will definitely be involved. If you obstruct any link, let them catch the flaw, they will definitely stalk you, and your proud and complacent character is what I am most worried about."
Cao Dongdong's memorial made Zhao Xu personally order that all courts be changed into imperial courts, and the Si Lusi became an atrium, responsible for civil proceedings, and there were two left and right courts above, responsible for criminal proceedings.
Lu Jiawen became the youngest Tingzhang.
However, Lu Jiawen felt very unhappy with Lu Gongzhu's statement and argued: "How can my grandson be so proud and complacent? He has tried many cases in the past year without making many mistakes. Otherwise, Bachelor Sima would not recommend him." I serve as president of the atrium.”
Lu Gongzhu immediately reprimanded: "Look at what you said. Isn't this called arrogance and complacency?"
When Lu Jiawen saw that Third Grandpa was angry, he didn't dare to argue anymore. He lowered his head and said, "My grandson is wrong."
Lu Gongzhu couldn't help but sigh with mixed feelings. This boy has good talents, but his character is too arrogant. He warned: "You remember, if an official invites you to a banquet in the near future, you must turn it down and be honest with me." stay at home."
Lu Jiawen nodded aggrievedly and said, "Yes, my grandson knows."
Mr. Lu has been involved in official circles so much that he knows that this method of tax collection will greatly increase the power of the public prosecutor and the law, and will especially serve as a deterrent to officials.
The powerful will definitely try to win over these people.
The Taxation Department is all a small official with whom everyone is not familiar. The officials will definitely set their sights on the Imperial Court and the Procuratorate and establish good relations with officials from these departments.
Xu Zun also thought of this, canceled his vacation temporarily, and rushed back to the imperial city to give instructions to the officials below.
Although the Si Lusi and the Left and Right Patrol Courts were changed to the Imperial Court.
But the provincial government has not changed, and Kaifeng Prefecture is still the Supreme Court.
Because the political symbol of Kaifeng Mansion was so great, people all over the country knew about Kaifeng Mansion, and its powers were also relatively special, so Sima Guang did not move for a while.
But it is precisely because the provincial government has not changed, and all the courts below have been changed, that the subordinate relationship between the Imperial Court and Kaifeng Prefecture is no longer so clear, but the relationship with Dali Temple and the Criminal Court is closer.
Zeng Gong, who had just taken office in Kaifeng Mansion this year, had not even had time to rectify his internal affairs. When this happened, everyone was stunned!
"Jiefu, you've really got a good job for me!"
Zeng Gong said to Wang Anshi with a wry smile.
He was very grateful to Wang Anshi for recommending him, but after taking office, there were a lot of troubles. The key was that he didn't know whether he could make the decision.
Wang Anshi quickly explained: "I'm really sorry. Actually, this was not in my expectation. Otherwise, I would have made it clear to you in advance."
Zeng Gong nodded and said: "Of course I know this, but my current situation is also very difficult. Many civil servants in Kaifeng Mansion are very dissatisfied with the actions of the Taxation Department. With such an arrangement, they have nothing to do. Yes, and the auxiliary police officers in the police station receive salaries, so they have nothing."
These civil servants do not receive salary, so they rely on some extra money to survive. If their tax rights are deprived, their income will be greatly reduced, and Zeng Gong has just taken office, which is very embarrassing.
Wang Anshi said: "Don't worry, I will ask the officials to give them salaries after the police station expands."
Zeng Gong asked curiously: "Why do we have to wait until the police station is expanded?"
Wang Anshi smiled bitterly and said: "My original intention is to use the police station to rectify the administration of officials. If I suggest it to the officials now, many subordinate officials will not leave by then. But with so many people in the police station, there will be no change in the government office." We need so many subordinate staff.”
Zeng Gong nodded and said, "I understand, you want to transfer some of your subordinate staff to the police station."
"Exactly."
"So, this authority will also be over-granted to the police department?"
"According to Sima Junshi's reforms, judicial power may be transferred to the imperial court, procuratorate, and police station."
Wang Anshi said: "But other than that, nothing will change."
Zeng Gong asked: "Where is the tax power? Now it seems that the tax department has the final say."
Wang Anshi hurriedly explained: "Zi Gu misunderstood. Except for the procuratorate and the imperial court, whether it is the police station or the tax department, they are only doing what the subordinate officials could do before.
Take the collection of exempted taxes as an example. The Taxation Department only acted in accordance with the decree of Sinong Temple, but the method of collection and payment has changed. However, the Taxation Department only has statistical and tax inspection powers, and the money collected still goes to Sinong Temple.
There will be no change in the financial power of the Kaifeng Mansion, except that in the past, subordinate officials were ordered to collect taxes, but now the tax department is ordered to do so. "
Zeng Gong said: "Will the Taxation Department listen to Kaifeng Mansion?"
Nowadays, everyone is the tax department directly under the emperor, but if the chief of a government does not control the tax administration, what else can he do?
"It will definitely happen. After the police station is expanded, the court will clarify the responsibilities of each department."
Wang Anshi continued to explain: "The Taxation Department is not trying to check and balance the Kaifeng government, or the three departments, but the Taxation Department has the power to investigate anyone's tax payment, including you and me."
"So that's it." Zeng Gong nodded and asked, "Is this what you expected?"
Wang Anshi's expression changed and he said sadly: "It has something to do with me, but it's not all what I thought, and the responsibility is all on me."
Zeng Gong asked with a smile: "Did Sima Junshi set him up?"
Wang Anshi said angrily: "Sima Junshi is the only one who can think of this method? You think too highly of him."
Zeng Gong asked curiously: "Who is that?"
Wang Anshi's face became a little uneasy, "We'll talk about this later."
Zeng Gong stroked his beard, glanced at Wang Anshi, and suddenly laughed.
Wang Anshi knew he couldn't hide it, "Don't laugh yet. When Uncle Lu Hui left Kaifeng Mansion, he was as happy as a child. He was tortured by that brat. You should be more careful in the future."
at dusk.
"Ah sneeze!"
Zhang Fei, who was leaning on the counter, suddenly sneezed and rubbed his nose, "This is the bastard scolding me."
"Probably too many to count."
Fan Li, who had just sent off the last wave of guests, walked in and said with a smile.
Zhang Fei smiled and asked, "Have you made a lot of money today?"
Fan Li came closer and whispered: "The other side makes more money."
Zhang Fei asked: "Real or false?"
Fan Li clicked his tongue: "I can't lie to you. You have offended so many people in the court, but they will not come to us. Instead, they will go to Li Guozhong and the others. We are just ordinary rich people here, but there are so many people over there. They are all dignitaries in the court, and I really made wedding clothes for them."
"That's not necessarily true!" Zhang Fei said: "Put together the seven major bookstores, how much do we earn?"
Fan Li said: "That's not true. After all, our customers are thousands of times theirs, and there are many wealthy businessmen."
"Then it's over."
Zhang Fei nodded, "If it's just our family, then we won't be far from death."
Fan Li nodded and said, "I know this, but I feel uncomfortable."
Zhang Fei chuckled and said, "Look away."
At this moment, Qingmei came over and said, "Third brother, there is no tea in there."
"Yeah?"
Zhang Fei hurriedly called someone over, "Hurry and prepare some tea for Sister Qingmei."
With that said, he said to Qingmei: "Go and urge Zhiqian, haven't you settled it after talking for so long? I'm in a hurry to get off work."
Qingmei said: "It will probably be a while, they are still studying our contract."
"Still researching?" Zhang Fei yawned, "This is too ink-stained!"
In the morning, Zhang Fei was sitting in the back hall with a group of wealthy people, chatting and laughing. In the afternoon, they were kicked out and worked in the front hall, because the entire back hall was occupied by those singing girls.
Singing girls were also the focus of this tax exemption. They were female households and relatively wealthy. Many talented singing girls even wrote lyrics to satirize Wang Anshi for taxing poor people like them.
Just as Qingmei entered, another person came in outside the door.
It is Li Guozhong who was just mentioned.
"Hey! It's Li Xingshou."
Zhang Fei smiled and joked: "I just told Fan Yuanwai about Li Xingshou."
Li Guozhong glanced at Fan Li and asked with a smile: "I wonder what you two are talking about me?"
Zhang Fei chuckled: "The main fan complained that Li Xingshou took a ride on us and made a lot of money."
"Cough cough cough!"
Fan Li's face turned red and he stared at Zhang Fei depressedly.
Why are you so honest?
Li Guozhong immediately cupped his hands and said, "Thank you very much, Sanlang, for enjoying the meal."
Zhang Fei said with a smile: "But the first part of my trip today is definitely not to say thank you."
Li Guozhong asked in astonishment: "How can Sanlang say this?"
Zhang Fei looked at Li Guozhong and chuckled, "How can anyone come here with nothing to say thank you?"
Li Guozhong was stunned for a moment and laughed a few times, "Sanlang is right. Li will definitely come to visit you someday to say thank you."
Zhang Fei asked again: "I wonder if Li Xingshou came here to give you any advice?"
"Don't dare, don't dare!" Li Guozhong waved his hand and said, "Li came here today to ask Sanlang for advice."
Fan Li said coldly: "Ask Sanlang and you can get timely payment."
He was severely suppressed by Li Guozhong before, and he still remembered it in his heart.
Li Guozhong glanced at Fan Li awkwardly and was about to nod in agreement when Zhang Fei hurriedly said: "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. I'm just bored waiting now. I just don't know what Li Xing wants to ask first?"
Li Guozhong asked: "Sanlang should also know that many official households conduct business through their own servants. In this case, if the declaration is made, should it be reported separately or together?"
Zhang Fei said: "It depends on the specific situation. If it is a master-servant relationship, it must be reported together. If it is reported separately, the tax will not be less than a penny. Moreover, once the tax department finds that the income does not match the tax items, it may file a lawsuit. , this is not worth the loss, anyway, our Song Dynasty does not prohibit officials from doing business."
Li Guozhong asked: "Will the Taxation Department investigate this matter?"
Zhang Fei said: "I mean just in case, because this is a false report. Of course, the tax department can use this as an excuse to intervene in the investigation. But if it is just a cooperative relationship, you only need to indicate the income in this area."
Li Guozhong nodded and asked, "How do we count monks and Taoists?"
Zhang Fei said: "According to the tax exemption regulations, only the income of monks and Taoist priests is counted, not the income of temples and Taoist temples. You only need to declare the personal income of monks."
When Wang Anshi formulated the regulations, he was more cautious and only counted monks, not temples. If temples were included, the resistance they would encounter would not be just that.
If Xiangguosi came to the bottom, the procuratorate might not be able to sue.
Zhang Fei suddenly asked: "Are there many monks and Taoist priests looking for you?"
Li Guozhong seemed to be thinking, he was startled and said: "There are some."
Zhang Fei said sourly: "We don't have any in the store, so they all went to your place."
Li Guozhong chuckled twice, and then asked hurriedly: "I wonder if your store has a specially declared contract?"
Zhang Fei said to Fan Li: "Commissioner, please go get a declaration form and tell Li Xingshou."
Li Guozhong hurriedly said: "There is no need to go to such trouble. All the small shop needs can be bought at your store."
Major bookstores have always gone to Zhang Fei to buy contracts. In fact, they can also buy one and then go back and copy it, but they think there will be a lag in it. If Zhang Fei suddenly changes it and they don't, then There will be problems. If you buy it directly, the office will be responsible. In addition, some tribute must be paid, otherwise, Li Guozhong would be too embarrassed to come here to ask for advice.
(End of chapter)
