The next day.
"Ah, our Bianjing is still lively, but Hezhong Mansion is really boring and not interesting at all."
Niu Beiqing came to the gate muttering, stretched hard, and looked around. Seeing the busy traffic on the street over there, he felt itchy in his heart, "Anyway, Sanlang is not at home, so why don't I go to the market for a walk?" Look, maybe we can meet Li Si and the others."
Li Si, Xiaotao and Qingmei really missed the prosperity of Bianjing by going out to sell vegetables early in the morning despite the hard work of traveling and traveling.
Just as he was about to go out, four people carrying gifts came towards him.
It was Fan Li, Chen Maoqian, Fan Yong, Ma Tianhao and others.
"Ouch! It's brother Daniel. It's been a long time since we last met."
When they saw Niu Beiqing, the four of them immediately raised their hands and said hello.
After all, servants are more important than their masters. Now Zhang Fei is the president of the court, and he has fallen several levels behind them.
"Good morning to all the members."
Niu Beiqing cupped his hands and said, "But it's an unlucky time for you to come here!"
"Is Sanlang still resting?" Chen Maoqian asked quickly.
Niu Beiqing shook his head and said: "Sanlang was called to the palace early in the morning, and he didn't say when he would return."
These four people looked at each other in confusion. This time, the emperor was eager to see them. It was really different from the past!
The four of them could only return in despair.
Visit Zhang Fei?
It is not an easy job at the moment. Yesterday, before entering the house, he was intercepted by Sima Guang and Wang Anshi. Now when he got home, he had a candlelight conversation with Xu Zunbing.
After working hard all day, he didn't even have time to sleep in. This morning, someone came directly from the palace and called Zhang Fei to the palace.
I really can't even breathe.
It also shows how complicated the current situation is.
royal palace.
Since the weather had turned cold, Zhao Xu did not meet Zhang Fei in the attic, but in his study.
He summoned Zhang Fei now, so he didn't need to be secretive. Now Zhang Fei is not a small Erbi, but the president of the Shaanxi Road Court, and is his minister. Moreover, the success of Hezhong Mansion is shocking. The emperor personally receives him. This It's a given.
"Your Majesty, Zhang Fei, is here to see you."
"No need to be polite!"
Zhao Xu was still as usual, not paying attention to these red tapes with Zhang Fei. He pointed to the chair next to him and said, "Sit down."
In fact, ministers of the Song Dynasty almost always stood when discussing matters with the emperor, even if they met alone. Just because Zhao Xu still hopes to maintain his friendship with Zhang Fei, this relationship is extremely precious to him.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Zhang Fei was also used to it, so he sat down directly without being polite, but saw some refreshments on the low table in front of him.
Zhao Xu added: "It's still early now. Let's drink some tea and eat some cakes first. Let's have a few drinks at noon."
Zhang Fei pretended to be sincere and fearful and said: "Your Majesty treats this humble minister like this. I am really flattered."
Zhao Xu couldn't help but laugh and said: "You have learned a lot about official speech after going out!"
Zhang Fei smiled.
Zhao Xu chuckled and said: "There is no one else here. I still hope to be able to speak freely as before."
"yes."
Zhang Fei nodded and thought to himself, I have never spoken freely before.
Zhao Xu raised his glass again and said, "I will substitute tea for wine and wish you a triumphant return."
Zhang Fei hurriedly raised his glass and said: "Actually, I am able to succeed in Hezhong Mansion only because of the trust and support of the officials. This cup should be due to my respect for the officials."
Zhao Xu smiled and said: "Don't be humble. If you can achieve such success with my support, then I don't have to worry so much. This cup must be my tribute to you."
Zhang Fei stopped being pretentious and raised his glasses together.
After drinking, Zhao Xu put down the tea cup and said, "Okay, let's stop talking about merit and rewards for now. Now I want to discuss the issue of punishment with you."
"ah?"
Zhang Fei suddenly opened his eyes and felt panicked.
Zhao Xu's expression changed, and he pointed at Zhang Fei and said, "Well, you Zhang San is really you as a god and you as a ghost, and you dragged me into this."
Wow. This is really a textbook change of face. What kind of emperor do you want to be? Why don't you act? Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, then said with an aggrieved look on his face: "The official family is in the water, how can we start talking about it?"
Zhao Xu was astonished and said: "What did you say, I was in the water?"
"Don't use the hidden dragon. This dragon is of course in the water." Zhang Fei said hehey.
Only then did Zhao Xu come to his senses and snorted: "So don't use your hidden dragon, you mean to use secret means to fan the flames and add fuel to the fire?"
Zhang Fei said hurriedly: "This is not a secret method, it is just controlling foreseeable risks. Moreover, I wrote a letter to Xueshie Wang before, but Xueshie Wang did not adopt it. If it is allowed to develop, I am afraid that It’s too late to stop.”
Zhao Xu chuckled and asked, "Is it because your husband doesn't accept it, or do you know that he won't accept it?"
Zhang Fei chuckled, "Aren't they all the same?"
Zhao Xu suddenly suppressed his smile, "But your suggestion, sir, was not adopted. In my opinion, it is not unreasonable. Although you were very successful in Hezhong Prefecture, I also think that it was not the success of the Public Security Bureau. Therefore, Fan Chunren and the others did not succeed in Qingzhou." I am not surprised to face difficulties.”
He knew everything that Zhang Fei did in Hezhong Mansion. He believed that Zhang Fei still used traditional political methods and achieved success, that is, power, not the system of public security, prosecution and law.
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "It's actually not wrong for the officials to think so. The Public Security Bureau of Hezhong Prefecture has indeed not yet achieved success. This is just my personal success, because all my previous actions in Hezhong Prefecture were just to build the Public Security Bureau and Procuratorate Law. , the Public Security Bureau and the Procuratorate have not yet been established, so naturally they cannot play their due role.”
"Building the Public Security Bureau?" Zhao Xu frowned immediately. It seemed to make sense. He was just building the Public Security Bureau. Since it was under construction, it should not be able to play a role.
Zhang Fei suddenly changed the subject, "But Bianjing has proven the effectiveness of the public security organs."
"Bianjing?"
Zhao Xu looked at him doubtfully.
"Yes."
Zhang Fei nodded and said: "Although I have not seen Bianjing's tax revenue, I can be sure that Bianjing's tax revenue is increasing day by day."
After Zhao Xu heard this, he didn't think much. He immediately called the attendants outside the door and ordered them to bring the tax accounts of Bianjing in the past two years. Immediately afterwards, he said to Zhang Fei: "I have to admit that I have been paying attention to Hezhong Prefecture in recent years, but I have ignored Bianjing."
As he spoke, he paused for a moment, "But the increase in Hezhong Prefecture's finances is mostly due to salt debts and salt banknotes, which are not brought about by the New Deal, but are due to your contribution. This does not apply to Qingzhou today."
The failure of Qingzhou has made many people reflect on whether the public security system is the way out.
If it doesn't work without Zhang Fei, it's enough to show that this system doesn't work, and it's all Zhang Fei's personal ability.
Zhang Fei nodded and said: "What the officials said is true. The Public Security Bureau and the Law cannot solve the problems in Qingzhou, and the problems in Qingzhou are not caused by the Public Security Law. Although Qingzhou was in peace before the Public Security Law went there, some people just took advantage of these problems. , to attack the public security organs. But it also shows that these problems have always existed."
Zhao Xu asked: "What's the problem?"
"Three redundants."
Zhang Fei said: "Why are military pay and salary arrears in arrears, and why people borrow usury? The reasons are all due to insufficient finances, and the only reason for insufficient finances is the three redundancies. In fact, Bachelor Wang's new policy only treats the symptoms but not the root cause. At most, it only cures the symptoms. If he can delay the financial crisis, but cannot fundamentally solve it, he will have to make more money to keep up with the expansion of Enyin and Keke."
Zhao Xu was suddenly startled and said: "So the ultimate goal of your plan is to lay off officials?"
Zhang Fei said hey: "Otherwise, how could I dare to let the officials spend so much money? This must bring enough returns to the officials."
He said it easily, but Zhao Xu was sweating slightly when he heard it, "Do you know how dangerous this step is?"
This is not a new problem. Everyone in the world knows that if someone is capable, he has already done it, and there is no need for Wang Anshi to reform.
"Of course I know that."
Zhang Fei nodded and said: "But this is the root of the disease. We cannot hide our ears and ignore its existence. If we cannot face up to this problem, the problem will only become more serious.
This is like a hungry wolf staring at the official family. There are only two ways to do it: kill the hungry wolf at the risk of death, or, like now, ask Academician Wang to look for meat everywhere and feed the hungry wolf every day. , to protect your own life.
Perhaps in the eyes of officials or Academician Wang, this is just a stop-gap measure, but doing so will definitely lead to a result, that is, the hungry wolf becomes stronger, more greedy, and demands more and more, and in the process, The official family is constantly spending energy to find meat. For the official family, this is a process of ebb and flow. The situation will only get worse, not better. "
The longer you delay, the harder it will be to deal with redundant officials, because there will definitely be more and more officials, and the resistance will definitely become bigger and bigger. During the Renzong period, there were twice as many officials as during the Zhenzong period, and the resistance would be at least double. That’s not all.
Zhao Xu knew it in his heart, but he was helpless and asked: "So you think it's time to risk your life to fight?"
"of course not."
Zhang Fei shook his head.
Zhao Xu was stunned and said: "Then what are you talking about?"
Zhang Fei said: "It depends on how officials understand the problem of redundant officials."
Zhao Xu asked curiously: "Redundant officials are redundant officials, how else can we understand it?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Do the officials think that the problem with redundant officials is that there are too many officials and the finances cannot afford it?"
Zhao Xu nodded and asked, "Isn't it?"
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Yes, but this is only a very superficial understanding."
"Um?"
Zhao Xu frowned and looked at him.
Zhang Fei said hurriedly: "What do I mean?"
Zhao Xu raised his hand and said, "Okay, this is not the first time you have ridiculed me. If this is a superficial understanding, then the ministers in the DPRK are also superficial. Just talk about your profound understanding."
"yes."
Zhang Fei nodded and immediately shook his head: "No, it's not actually a profound understanding. It's just looking at the matter from another angle."
"Say it."
Zhao Xu's curiosity was really piqued by Zhang Fei. How else could he understand this matter.
Zhang Fei said: "It's also a restaurant. Yang Tower on Ma Xing Street only has more than thirty bartenders, but Bailun Tower has hundreds of bartenders. Dare I ask the officials, does Bailun Tower have too many bartenders?"
Zhao Xu was stunned for a moment, "The Baifan Tower is so large that it has hundreds of bartenders. This is normal. This is not redundant."
Zhang Fei said: "It can be seen that the meaning of redundancy is not that there are many, but that it is useless. If eighty of the one hundred bartenders in Baifan Tower are lazy and do nothing every day, then they are redundant bartenders. But if these one hundred bartenders can To create value that is higher than their salary, no matter how many hundred people there are, it won’t be redundant.”
Zhao Xu frowned slightly and said, "But bartenders and officials cannot be generalized."
"Of course not."
Zhang Fei said: "Officials have received a good education and are considered talents. They deserve such high salaries. It's just that every monarch in the Song Dynasty was too kind and did not require each of them to create something higher than The value of one's own salary is the reason for the disaster of redundant officials."
Zhao Xu said: "So you don't really want to lay off officials, but you want those officials with idle talents to work?"
"That's not the case either."
Zhang Fei shook his head and said: "In fact, it is to give them a chance, or to give officials a reason to lay off officials. If they can use their abilities to create more value, then naturally they will be kept. But if they If they can’t do it, then they can be laid off, and then it will be justifiable.”
Zhao Xu thought for a while and said: "These officials are different from businessmen. Whether they can create value is not so easy to judge."
Zhang Fei asked: "Do officials think that officials in the Taxation Department can create value higher than their salary?"
Zhao Xu immediately said: "Of course you can."
He now loves the tax department very much.
What a money-making tool!
Zhang Fei asked again: "Do officials think that public prosecutors and law officials can create value higher than their salaries?"
Zhao Xu also nodded and said immediately: "What do you mean, recruit those officials into these departments?"
Zhang Fei said: "This is a way of thinking, because currently the public security bureau and the law require a lot of manpower, especially those who can read and write. There is also the financial management concept advocated by Wang Xueshi, but Wang Xueshi's focus is on bulk commodities, such as Tax, salt, tea, etc., caused Bachelor Wang to overlook some details.
Officials can also open some official offices that can directly make profits, such as colleges or hospitals for the general public. These are needed by the people and can directly generate value.
As far as I know, many officials with idle talents actually have abilities in this area, and these abilities can be converted into money. Then not only can they support themselves, but the court can get a share of the pie. If they don't want to, let them go. The officials have already done their best to be benevolent and righteous. "
Zhao Xu nodded, "Yes, the imperial court is currently in financial difficulty, so it needs to make money, and making money requires talents and manpower. It's not that I don't have people, I just don't make good use of them."
"exactly."
Zhang Fei nodded.
Zhao Xu asked again: "What role does the public prosecutor and the procuratorate play in this?"
Zhang Fei said: "If we directly announce this, it will inevitably cause many people to be dissatisfied with the officials, which may undermine the stability of the country. The role of the public prosecutor and the law is to give the officials a very appropriate reason."
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in!"
But a servant came into the room and said, "I'd like to inform the officials that the accounts have been brought."
"bring here."
"yes."
The attendant handed the account to Zhao Xu, and then retreated at Zhao Xu's signal.
Zhao Xu carefully looked at Bianjing's tax revenue in the past two years. He couldn't help but raise his head to look at Zhang Fei and said in surprise: "You are right. Bianjing's tax revenue has increased in the past two years, and it can increase by about 10% every year." One, and 90% of the increase comes from commercial taxes.”
"That's because Bianjing has not completed the tax law reform, and there will be a wave of increase in agricultural tax. However, if it can continue to increase, it will definitely be commercial tax, because there is only so much land."
"You told me before that if you focus on commercial taxes, you will get twice the result with half the effort." Zhao Xu nodded thoughtfully.
Zhang Fei said: "This is the hidden dragon, don't use it. Don't use it, it doesn't mean not using it, but you need to be passive, or use your power covertly, to change the entire situation without everyone being aware of it.
But when the situation has changed and is still developing for the better, and most people are benefiting from it, there is no reason to stop it.
Although many people in the DPRK and China are still opposing the Public Security Law, no one is talking about the Public Security Law in Bianjing. "
Zhao Xu nodded repeatedly and said: "Yes, although there are many ministers impeaching the Public Security Bureau every year, they all involve Hezhong Prefecture and Qingzhou, and no one talks about the Public Security Law of Bianjing. I understand."
He seemed to be excited by talking, but even weak tea could not satisfy his inner excitement. He glanced at the sky again and said forcefully: "It's almost noon. Come, prepare a banquet." After that, he said to Zhang Fei: "Today you and I You must have a good drink.”
It wasn't until the afternoon that Zhang Fei came out of the palace with a reddish face.
Arriving in front of the carriage, Long Wu suddenly glanced inside the carriage.
Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, then he got directly into the carriage, opened the curtain, held his hands in his hands and said: "Lv Xiaokan, you're fine."
Lu Huiqing couldn't help but smile bitterly: "I'm fine at first, but now that you're back, I can't sleep all night."
Zhang Fei was about to explain, but Lu Huiqing immediately raised his hand again, "I was just joking. It was indeed my lack of care that allowed the other party to take advantage of him."
"Jingdong East Road is so big, and the new law is being promoted so quickly, how can Lu Xiaokan take care of it?" Zhang Fei then comforted him, bowed into the carriage, and said to Long Wu: "Send Lu Xiaokan back home."
The carriage moved slowly. Lu Huiqing asked: "But I want to know, what is the situation?"
Zhang Fei said in surprise: "Didn't Scholar Wang tell you?"
Lu Huiqing looked a little embarrassed and said, "My mentor was so angry last night that he didn't say much to me, but I have already sent someone to investigate."
"I see."
Zhang Fei further explained: "Actually, Bachelor Sima didn't tell me the details. He just said that there will definitely be problems on Jingdong East Road and asked me to take care of Qingzhou."
Lu Huiqing nodded and said: "Actually, I know that there are many problems in the implementation of the Qingmiao Law, but these are unavoidable and need to be adjusted slowly. Generally speaking, this will not cause anything. It’s chaotic, but if there’s someone behind it, that’s a different story.”
Of course he knows the existence of those problems. He just wants to cut off the leeks of the rich. Otherwise, where does the money come from, just the little interest, which is enough to see, but he believes that these are all within the controllable range. You must know that Jingdong Most of the officials and squires on the East Road support the Youth Law, simply because they reject the Public Security Law.
But if Sima Guang and others secretly manipulate these issues, it would be very scary.
Lu Huiqing immediately added: "And the reason why I ignored this is because I know Bachelor Sima, and he should disdain to use this method."
Zhang Fei was stunned and asked, "Colonel Lu doesn't think this is my idea, does he?"
"of course not."
Lu Huiqing hurriedly explained: "I just feel very regretful. I didn't expect that Bachelor Sima would use such despicable means."
Zhang Fei shook his head and said: "Actually, this is not despicable."
Lu Huiqing asked: "How do you say this?"
Zhang Fei did not answer and asked instead: "As far as I know, many people are impeaching the Youth Law to increase the burden on the people?"
Lu Huiqing nodded.
Zhang Fei added: "It can be seen that they have always known the existence of these problems, but because they are very scattered, they cannot get the attention of the court. They only need to gather these problems together and explode, and the court will have to pay attention."
"That's true."
Lu Huiqing nodded slightly, "No wonder Academician Sima was so confident at first. It turns out that he already had a chance to win."
If the victory is guaranteed, why do you want me to come back? Zhang Fei said with a smile: "Fortunately, Academician Wang originally suggested that the public prosecutor should prosecute Qingzhou. This move really saved lives!"
Lu Huiqing immediately asked: "So you can't save Qingzhou?"
Zhang Fei said: "I have just come back and it's not clear yet. I have to understand the specific situation in Qingzhou before I can make a judgment. But don't worry, Xiaokan Lu. If the situation on Jingdong East Road is not improved, I will not go there." Solve the problem in Qingzhou, because it is too fatal to the New Deal."
Lu Huiqing said: "What if we can improve the situation on Jingdong East Road?"
Zhang Fei said: "Then I will also find ways to save Qingzhou's predicament. Academician Wang is kind to me, but Academician Sima is also kind to me, and the Public Security and Procuratorate Law is based on my legal system, so I can only use the Public Security Procuratorate Law to give new policies Help, just like Hezhong Mansion.”
Lu Huiqing smiled and nodded: "I am very grateful to you for being able to do this. But do you have a way to solve the problem on Jingdong East Road?"
Zhang Fei said: "I am willing to help, but the premise is that I have to know the situation on Jingdong East Road very well."
Lu Huiqing said: "Okay, I will discuss it with you when I get the specific situation."
Zhang Fei smiled and nodded.
After talking for a while, the carriage came to the gate of Lu Mansion, and Lu Huiqing got out of the carriage.
"Third brother, are we going home?"
Long Wu, who was driving, asked.
Zhang Fei seemed to be thinking about something. He was slightly startled, thought for a moment, and then said: "Go to the law firm."
"yes."
After the carriage left the Lu Mansion, Zhang Fei let out a breath, and then smiled to himself: "I'm telling you clearly, I'm eating from two families, so what can you do."
On the surface, Lu Huiqing came to ask about the cause of the matter, but in fact he came to test Zhang Fei. However, this was within Zhang Fei's expectation. After all, Lu Huiqing didn't know that he had written a letter to Wang Anshi, asking him It is also appropriate to have doubts in the future.
Zhang Fei was not worried about this at all. After all, he was living openly and openly. Even if he helped Sima Guang, Lu Huiqing could not say anything. He often helped in the past, as long as he did not frame Wang Anshi.
After the carriage left, I saw a person coming out of the door. It was Deng Wan, the imperial censor, "Is it him?"
Lu Huiqing shook his head and said: "It doesn't look like it for the moment. It depends on his future behavior, but one thing can be confirmed."
Deng Wan looked at Lu Huiqing doubtfully.
Lu Huiqing said: "He has a way to solve Qingzhou's predicament. At present, we don't know the specific situation of Jingdong East Road. Just in case, we must make the situation in Qingzhou even worse so that he has no way to solve it. "
