What Fu Bi expected was absolutely correct. Sima Guang has not revealed the secret letter to anyone so far. It’s not that he doesn’t believe Fu Bi and Wen Yanbo, but he thinks Zhang Fei is an undercover agent after all. If it is revealed, If so, that would be breaking trust with Zhang Fei, which is not what a gentleman would do.
In fact, Sima Guang, like Wang Anshi, was very principled.
But the difference between the two lies in the people around them, such as the conservatives, Wen Yanbo and Fu Bi, even if they knew that Sima Guang had concealed something, they would not blame Sima Guang. This is the friendship between gentlemen.
Just like during the Qing Dynasty, Ouyang Xiu made a memorial that caused the reformists to collapse immediately. Fan Zhongyan could only accept it, and he would not sever diplomatic relations with Ouyang Xiu because of this, because Ouyang Xiu's original intention was not to harm them, but just wanted to break it. The essence of political parties is that not only villains form parties, but gentlemen also form parties. This is an inevitable phenomenon.
In other words, Ouyang Xiu himself believed that they, Qingli Gentlemen, were just cliques. We supported each other politically and united with each other. This was not a clique.
But as far as the emperor is concerned, whether he is a gentleman or a villain, if you form a party, it will be the end of me. I am so alone, how can I control you.
Fortunately, this is the Northern Song Dynasty. If it were any other dynasty and they directly admitted to forming a party, their lives would definitely be in danger.
Because this is what the emperor is most taboo about.
You prime ministers are forming a clique. Who else is worthy of forming a clique except me?
On the other hand, the reformists are really a mixed bag, and everyone is gathered together because of their own selfish interests.
Because what Wang Anshi values is the idea, he will use it if he agrees with the new law, not the moral character.
However, this cannot be completely blamed on Wang Anshi. His financial management philosophy is different from Confucian philosophy. Most Confucian gentlemen do not agree with him, so he can only look elsewhere.
But this is also a big hidden danger.
In history, although the reformists were in power, they did not hold on for many years before they immediately fell apart. On the other hand, the conservatives, although they have been suppressed and beaten, have always been united. Even if they have conflicts with each other, in official matters, everyone still remains united. Can help each other and understand each other.
This is that gentlemen are harmonious but different, and villains are harmonious but not harmonious.
And this is what Sima Guang pursues in selecting talents.
It looks very mother-in-law, not like a person who does big things at all, but once it is formed, the inside will be very strong, but it may also die immediately.
Everything has two sides, it depends on how you choose.
But now on Shaanxi Road, everyone's attention is focused on Jingzhao Mansion, which is the lawsuit regarding the Juhu Tian Tax.
In fact, this lawsuit is very simple and there is nothing to question. However, because there are so many people involved, this lawsuit is also about how the Public Security Bureau and the Procuratorate can gain a foothold in Jingzhao. After a long trial, the Public Security Bureau and the Procuratorate took the opportunity to penetrate into all levels. Calling all relevant officials and gentry for questioning is undoubtedly telling everyone that these officials and gentry must also cooperate with the investigation of the public prosecutor and the law.
The results of the trial were finally announced just recently.
"You must have received the results from Jingzhao Mansion."
Yuan Jiang asked.
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "It may be a little later than you. I just received it this morning."
The judgment from the Imperial Court of Jingzhao Mansion was really delivered today, but in fact Dagou was reporting to him on the situation there anytime and anywhere.
Su Che and Cai Bian also lived up to expectations and properly solved the problem of land tax for extinct households. The solution was very simple. The main thing was to use young crops to borrow money. At the same time, they also rented the fields recovered by the government from extinct households to these farmers who complained.
Farmers who have rented their fields can borrow money from the Tiji Changping Division with one-cent interest, once a year, to temporarily tide over the difficulties. Those who do not rent their fields can borrow money without interest, which is considered a kind of compensation.
At the same time, there are also some works-for-relief projects, mainly because the construction of the Public Security Bureau brings livelihood to the local area.
Of course, there is strong financial support in this, even if the Transportation Department comes with salt banknotes to back them up, Jingzhao Mansion is also short of currency, so it doesn't hurt to put some salt banknotes.
Yuan Jiang sighed and said: "Our cooperation in Hezhong Mansion is invincible, but it's a pity that Chao Zhong..."
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "We are not cooperating, but fighting."
As he spoke, he looked up at the hut, as if to say, if we cooperate, why don't we hide in this hut and chat.
"Too!"
Yuan Jiang smiled bitterly and nodded. This is not something they can change, because they are just doing business, and they do not understand the difficulties of the decision-making circle. The matter has reached this point, and it is of no use to talk more. It seems that he remembered something again, "That's right! Food prices have risen quite quickly recently."
Zhang Fei said: "I have also heard about this. I think there are two main reasons. On the one hand, the liberalization of brewing has led to a lot of grain being used for brewing. On the other hand, the increase in salt banknotes has caused some rise in prices. "
Yuan Jiang frowned and asked, "Is it because the government issued too many salt notes?"
He was very cautious about salt banknotes, because he had already learned from Jiaozi before. This salt banknote system was finally established, regained the trust of the people, and solved many problems in the government, but he could not mess with it easily again.
Zhang Fei shook his head and said: "I don't think it's because of the indiscriminate issuance of salt banknotes. Most of the salt banknotes were recovered from previous taxes, and there weren't many salt banknotes in the market. Instead, it was because of the lack of coins before, which made transactions difficult. This The price of goods is generally low, which is considered a normal phenomenon at the moment, and we don’t need to panic about it.”
"I didn't expect this." Yuan Jiang nodded frequently and said, "But high food prices will hurt the people. We have to find ways to prevent the rise in food prices."
Zhang Fei said: "With so many troops laid off last year, there should be enough food to promote the Changping Division."
Yuan Jiang said: "But most of them have to deal with famines, and we don't know yet how much food we have to sell to the outside world to stop food prices from continuing to rise."
Zhang Fei pondered for a while and said: "In fact, it can be adjusted with taxes."
"tax?"
"Um."
Zhang Fei nodded and said: "Wine-making does not necessarily require grains, but also fruits. If you sell fruit wine, the income can be reduced by half of the tax. There will definitely be many people making fruit wine, which can reduce the consumption of food."
Yuan Jiang nodded slightly, "This is a way."
Zhang Fei said: "But at the same time, to promote the Changping Division, we still have to release some grain. Especially now that brewing has just begun to be liberalized, everyone will think that there is a lot of profit in it, so many brewers will compete for grain, and thus To drive up food prices, once the court starts releasing food, they will not rush to buy food. I believe this will effectively prevent food prices from continuing to rise."
Yuan Jiang thought for a while and said, "Okay, I will release some food first. But you also have to talk to the tax department to see if it can be done to halve the tax on this fruit wine."
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Don't worry, Bachelor Yuan, the Taxation Department will definitely be able to do it. The Taxation Department is only worried about one thing at this time."
"What's up?"
"No one dares to evade taxes."
"ah?"
"Because in that case, we won't get any bonuses."
"Oh haha!"
Yuan Jiang laughed and said: "It turns out that the only way to stop the tax department is to pay taxes truthfully."
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "That's true, but in the face of interests, some people will inevitably take risks. If it doesn't work, Jingzhao Mansion will come to help. This tax department will never lack bonuses."
Boom, boom, boom!
There was a sudden knock on the door.
"Third brother, Mr. Fan and Mr. Lu are here."
"I know, I'll be right over."
"Are you here to talk about local laws?"
Yuan Jiang asked.
Zhang Fei nodded.
Yuan Jiang said: "I have also heard about the "Lantian Township Covenant". Its purpose is to prevent the public security organs from going to the countryside."
Zhang Fei nodded and smiled: "Actually, as long as everyone abides by the written rules that we all agree on, then I don't care."
After chatting for a few more words, Yuan Jiang stood up and left.
He is much busier than Zhang Fei now. The road has been paved. Now he has to do his best to improve the finances. All the methods of equal loss and exemption from military service must be implemented.
This time Fan Zhen and Lu Xiaosheng came mainly to meet the regulations of the township law enforcement officers. They expressed their willingness to accept Zhang Fei's suggestion and did not ask for too much. They directly followed the law enforcement manual of the Royal Police, but they were hired or paid by the township charity warehouse. Train rural police to implement township covenants.
To put it simply, we have to handle it ourselves and you don’t have to come.
Everyone was so cheerful, and Zhang Fei couldn't find fault anymore. He saw how many people were willing to accept the "Lantian Township Treaty".
The key is that Zhang Fei's current focus has shifted from Hezhong Prefecture to the whole country, mainly Bianjing and Jingdong East Road.
The next day, he came to Da Gou's restaurant.
"What's up?"
Zhang Fei sat down and asked.
Big Dog said: "There is news from Brother Bao that Jingdong East Road has begun to distribute the third round of youth money, but most of the profits have gone into the pockets of the government and those wealthy people. The worst thing is those who The second-class wealthy households, unlike those wealthy people, have enough wealth to slowly lend money, and they have enough strength to get the money back.
If the money cannot be borrowed or cannot be recovered, they will have to pay back the Qingmiao money themselves. However, in the process of repaying the money, the interest will only be higher, and those who cannot repay the money can only pay back the money. Those big landowners borrowed money and repaid it.
Nowadays, many states and counties are in a mess. If someone buys the debts of these wealthy households at this time, they will definitely be willing. "
"It's only the third round and they can't hold on anymore. How powerful are those rich families?" Zhang Fei wondered.
Big Dog said: "Actually, it's the same as Hezhong Mansion over there. The wealthy households have more fields and a worry-free life, but they can't withstand such troubles. Moreover, the repayment of the young crops there requires repayment of coins, which is not the case. Every rich household has a large amount of coins, and many rich households also need to exchange grains for coins with the rich, or choose to undergo conversion and exploitation, anyway, there is another sum of money."
As he spoke, he added: "However, only a small number of wealthy households are suffering miserably at present. Most wealthy households can still hold on, but many ordinary people really cannot hold on."
If you collect them together at that time, it will inevitably arouse suspicion, so this must be done in batches. Zhang Fei pondered for a while and said: "In this case, you send a message to Li Bao and ask him to first find a way to purchase the debts owed by the wealthy households from the hands of the rich. If the wealthy households are still able to repay, then leave them alone. .”
Big Dog said: "But according to what Brother Bao said, the debts of rich households are very valuable. He has land mortgages, while the debts of ordinary farmers are not valuable."
Zhang Fei said with a smile: "We can bind them together to collect them together. We need to make those big landowners think that we are actually coveting the fields in the hands of rich households, so we are willing to accept the bad debts of ordinary farmers. In this way, it will not attract people." Suspect."
The big dog's eyes suddenly lit up and he nodded: "What a wonderful idea! I understand. I understand."
Zhang Fei said again: "By the way! What's the current situation in Qingzhou?"
Big Dog said hurriedly: "It is said that it is going well so far, because they have the support of Prefect Ouyang, and the local officials have not made things difficult for them. Many people have already gone to the imperial court to litigate."
Impossible! The Public Security Bureau is simply the natural enemy of the government. How could they not embarrass Fan Chunren and the others? Are all Qingzhou officials gentlemen? Or should I say, Ouyang Xiu really has such great prestige.
Zhang Fei thought for a while and said, "Keep staring."
"Why!"
The big dog seemed to remember something and said: "By the way! According to our people's inquiries, there are already fifteen townships in Hedong County alone that are willing to accept the "Lantian Township Agreement."
"So much?"
Zhang Fei exclaimed.
Big Dog nodded and said: "Anyway, our people estimate that all villages may eventually accept it."
"Why?"
Zhang Fei asked.
The big dog said: "Because all the squires currently support the "Lantian Township Treaty" and are very united, and the squires control education, sacrifices, etiquette, and relief. Although it is a free choice, if you don't join, you won't even be able to attend the funeral. Maybe it won't work.
Those people who were unwilling to join the rural covenant moved directly to the city. Most of these people were mainly engaged in business. "
"I really underestimated them."
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Let them give it a try, in case this mode of getting along is not bad."
In fact, he couldn't tell for sure. If he hadn't tried this kind of thing before, how would he know the result.
Although he is more worried about ethics, there are also problems with ethics, and it is still unclear whether it can be developed.
The most important thing is that it is impossible to expressly prohibit ethics. If he dares to say this, he is finished.
Returning to the imperial court, Zhang Fei glanced at the sky and went straight to the garden, where he saw a wonderful figure looming among the flowers, it was Gao Wenyin.
I don't know if it was because of the royal aura here, but the village woman's temperament has completely faded from her body, and she looks more graceful and luxurious.
Zhang Fei sneaked over and gently held Gao Wenyin's waist, "Madam."
"ah!"
Gao Wenyin was startled and rolled her eyes at Zhang Fei, "Scare me again."
She has been in Hezhongfu for so long that she really doesn't even know where the Hezhongfu market is. She is in her own little world all day long, not to mention how happy she is.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Madam, you are more focused on watering the flowers than others are on reading."
Gao Wenyin said: "People who are focused on reading will also be very focused when doing other things."
Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, "Madam, you don't usually go out. Who can I learn this eloquence from?"
Gao Wenyin looked at him with a smile.
Zhang Fei snorted: "Zhi Qian must have taught Madam bad."
"Scoundrel." Gao Wenyin glanced at Zhang Fei with feigned anger.
Zhang Fei looked around at the stunning scenery of flowers and suddenly said: "Madam, if we have to leave here, will you be very reluctant to leave?"
"ah?"
Gao Wenyin exclaimed, "Are we leaving?"
Zhang Fei said: "Our home is in the capital, and we are just on a business trip this time."
Gao Wenyin nodded, "Yes, our home is in Bianjing."
Zhang Fei looked at her lonely expression and said, "What? Madam, do you like it here very much?"
Gao Wenyin nodded slightly and said, "Compared to Bianjing, this place is quieter."
Zhang Fei said: "It's very simple. After we go back, we will buy a big house in the suburbs, similar to this."
Gao Wenyin said hurriedly: "No, no, how much will it cost? Our house in the capital is already the largest house I have ever lived in."
But it's still nothing compared to this place, which was renovated from a palace.
Zhang Fei waved his hand and said: "Madam, you don't know something. If I don't buy two big houses, I won't even know that I am a rich man. How annoying!"
Qingzhou.
When he was in Dengzhou, Fan Chunren was very idle all day long, writing ink at home every day to vent his depression. Now that he came to Qingzhou, he was full of ambition and planned to show his ambition.
The result was exactly as they wished. Since Ouyang Xiu was in charge, the officials in Qingzhou were very polite to them. They quickly made room for them. Of course, they didn't receive the same treatment as Zhang Fei. The emperor directly gave him the palace, but it was also very good.
As soon as the government office opened, people came to file lawsuits immediately, and the public prosecutors and prosecutors quickly came into operation, which made Fan Chunren extremely happy.
There was finally something to do.
But gradually, they discovered that something was not right.
Procuratorate.
Fan Chunren and Qian Yi looked at the pile of papers, their eyes became dull.
After a while, Qian Yi slowly turned his head and said, "How many pieces of paper are there here?"
Fan Chunren said: "More than seven hundred copies."
".!"
Qian Yi felt dizzy for a while, "How can I get through this?"
Fan Chunren said: "If there are just too many, that's fine. Just send more people over. But the problem now is not that there are too many, but that many cases are very difficult to trial."
Qian Yi looked at him doubtfully.
Fan Chunren picked up a few copies at random and handed them to Qian Yi.
Qian Yi took a quick look at them and saw that they were all lawsuits about loan sharking, lawsuits over arrears of military pay, lawsuits over arrears of wages, lawsuits over land tax, etc.
Nine times out of ten, this is either related to the government or the landlords.
"This is bad."
Qian Yi finally knew why Fan Chunren was in trouble. In a moment, he was sweating profusely: "Zhang San has already given precedents in Hezhong Mansion for these cases. If we don't judge like that, how can we convince people? But if we really judge like that , will the government here agree?"
Fan Chunren said: "It is precisely because they all know Zhang San's judgment on such cases that they came to complain."
When the officials and soldiers heard this, they found out that they were in arrears with wages and military pay, and they could still file a lawsuit with the government. If they didn't file a lawsuit, they would be stupid.
Qian Yi frowned and said: "Hezhong Mansion is thousands of miles away from Qingzhou. How can so many people know about it? You could hear people talking about these things in Dengzhou before?"
Fan Chunren shook his head, "This is obviously someone behind the scenes."
Qian Yi probably guessed who it was and said: "What should we do? Zhang San mainly used two methods to solve these problems in Hezhong Mansion. One was salt debt and salt banknotes; the other was to repay it in installments. But This may not apply to Qingzhou."
Fan Chunren said: "No, he has another trick."
Qian Yi asked: "What trick?"
"Disarmament!" Fan Chunren said: "He first used disarmament to lay a solid foundation for the future finances of Hezhong Prefecture, and then used salt banknotes and salt debts to pay the current compensation. The finances saved in the future can just cover the cost of salt. interest on the debt.”
Qian Yi said: "The Qingzhou garrison is not comparable to the Hezhong Prefecture. Even if it is laid off, it won't save much money."
As he said that, he looked horrified, "You're not talking about being a layoff official, are you?"
Fan Chunren nodded and said: "These problems are all caused by the heavy financial burden. Only by reducing financial expenditures can we use Zhang San's judgment to solve these problems."
Qian Yi frowned and said: "If we lay off officials as soon as we come up, we will only offend a lot of people and may not succeed.
Fan Chunren said: "But other than that, there is no other way. If we ask the government to pay for compensation, there will definitely be financial problems."
Qian Yi thought for a while and said, "Let's discuss this with Magistrate Ouyang first."
Fan Chunren hesitated for a moment and thought to himself, yes, the imperial court can only order the government to compensate, but it cannot ask the government to lay off officials. This requires the support of the government. He nodded and said, "Okay."
The two immediately went to find Ouyang Xiu.
"Ahem!"
When Ouyang Xiu heard Fan Chunren's suggestion to lay off officials, he couldn't help coughing twice, and then said: "I told your father at the beginning that the disaster of this dynasty was redundant officials, but your father just thought it was caused by corruption. Over the years, this redundancy of officials has become more and more serious. Talented people who used to be full of ambition are now trapped in redundancy. It is not easy to cut off officials!"
At the beginning, the gentleman party was very high-spirited and wanted to do a lot of things, but now that those people are grandfathers and their children and grandchildren have become officials, will they still agree?
The sooner this redundant official is dealt with, the better, and it cannot be delayed.
Fan Chunren also knew the truth, but it was too late to regret, so he said: "It's not too late to make up for it."
After Ouyang Xiu thought for a while, he said, "I don't have much time left. It doesn't matter if I agree to you, but I am afraid that it will implicate the public prosecutor. So, you should write a letter to Sima Junshi quickly and see what he says. If he agrees, I will give my last breath to help you."
Fan Chunren said: "Uncle Ouyang has thought carefully. My nephew will write to Bachelor Sima right now."
So, he quickly wrote a letter and sent it to the capital. On the one hand, he discussed the redundant officials, and on the other hand, he asked Sima Guang to send more people.
Qingzhou is not very far from Bianjing. He worked hard and soon the letter was delivered to the capital.
When Sima Guang saw this letter, his head was pounding, "He wants to imitate Zhang San and take this opportunity to eliminate the disaster of redundant officials."
Wen Yanbo said: "I'm afraid that Chunren is imitating Dong Shi, so why did Zhang San propose to disarm the army instead of cutting officials? Even he knows that cutting officials will make his efforts in vain. The time is not yet ripe."
No one knew about the disaster of three redundancies, but they did not dare to act rashly. Wang Anshi also found a different approach. He did not mention this in his new law. He only tried to reduce it quietly without saying it explicitly.
This shows how great the resistance is.
Sima Guang said: "What should we do now? Fan Chunren must also follow Zhang San's precedent, but if expenditures are not cut, Qingzhou Finance will not be able to support these judgments."
Mr. Lu couldn't help but question: "Whether it is the success of the public security organs or Zhang San, it's hard to say!"
Fu Bi opened his eyes and said, "On the contrary, this is not Zhang San's success, but Zhang San's trouble. His judgments are so outstanding that they have never been seen since ancient times. Have you ever seen the government of any dynasty? Having carried out such large-scale compensation to the people, Chunren and the others would have been able to handle it without Zhang San’s judgment first, and of course, there wouldn’t be so many people complaining.”
Mr. Lu nodded again.
Indeed, that kind of compensation is indeed scary. It is really covered by salt debts and salt banknotes, but Qingzhou does not have these conditions.
Fu Bi added: "The only solution now is to bring Zhang San back."
Sima Guang said hurriedly: "But we have already promised in front of the officials that we will not use Zhang San."
Fu Bi glanced at him and said: "Jun Shi, you are really stubborn. If you don't use Zhang San, you won't let him go to Qingzhou, but you can transfer him back to Bianliang, so that he can use his special status as a capital official to influence Qingzhou." The Public Security Bureau. It just so happens that Zhang San is almost three years old and should have been transferred."
Sima Guang still wanted to be fair and upright, and he had full confidence in the public prosecution and law, and said: "But water far away cannot save the fire close by."
Wen Yanbo said: "Fu Gong is absolutely right. You are really stubborn. Cases cannot be tried one by one. Let Chunren and the others try some easier ones first. We still have enough time."
After struggling for a while, Sima Guang reluctantly nodded.
Fu Bi added: "Also, this manpower must be arranged immediately. The two of them are outnumbered, so don't delay."
Sima Guang hurriedly said: "I have already made arrangements for this candidate."
Wen Yanbo was surprised: "Why are you so fast this time?"
Sima Guang smiled sarcastically and said: "This group of people was originally going to be sent to Hezhong Mansion, but Zhang San trained a group of court presidents himself, and those people also received the approval of the officials, so I made no further arrangements. "
Fu Bi asked: "Who are they?"
Sima Guang replied: "Liu Zhi, Liang Tao, Sun Gu...!"
He reported more than thirty names in a row.
All of them are Jinshi, one-third are from the Jiayou period, and two-thirds are from Yuanyou and Xining. Anyway, they are just two rising stars who are young and powerful one after another.
Wen Yanbo chuckled and said, "You really work slowly and carefully!"
These people are impeccable, with excellent morals and talents.
In terms of recognizing people, Sima Guang was indeed many levels better than Wang Anshi. The only one who misjudged him was Zhang Fei. The most guilty-minded things he had ever done in his life were all thanks to Zhang San, without exception.
(End of chapter)
