In the end, Zhao Xu still did not completely abolish the three divisions, nor did he implement the three provinces and six ministries system to the end, which made many ministers heave a sigh of relief.
In fact, neither Wang Anshi nor Sima Guang were in favor of doing this. They believed that doing so would be more efficient and would lose the checks and balances on the emperor.
There is no need to think about whether one department has more power or three departments have more power.
As for why Zhao Xu did not take this step, everyone actually understood it tacitly. It was not because they were willing or not, but because the drought made Zhao Xu afraid.
The change in the national strategic policy can also be said to have cooled down the party struggle in the court to a certain extent.
Because this strategy is obviously more in line with the ideas of conservatives, but the reformists do not oppose it desperately, because this internal affairs is still based on Wang Anshi's New Deal, which does not mean that the New Deal will be abolished.
Unlike historical records, when Wang Anshi was in power, he drove all conservatives out of the government and the opposition. Regardless of whether their suggestions were right or wrong, they would never be adopted. Vice versa, after the conservatives came to power, they directly abolished all the New Deal, regardless of whether Good and bad, all must be abolished.
It becomes a zero-sum game.
The change that has led to this situation is that there is now a third force in the government, that is, the public prosecutor and the judiciary.
The Public Security Bureau originally belonged to conservatives, but with the separation of politics and law, some people among the reformists and conservatives were firmly opposed to the Public Security Bureau.
This directly broke the boundaries of party struggle, and a very clear consensus emerged between the two parties.
In addition, the Public Security Bureau controls the power of trial and emphasizes fairness and checks and balances on power.
The banknote issue mentioned by Su Shi actually reflects that the party struggle is weakening. In the past, they would have been desperately opposed and determined not to let Wang Anshi get angry.
But now Su Shi is asking how to check and balance the public security organs, prosecutors and the law.
The Public Security Bureau and the Procuratorate have blocked both sides. Now Sima Guang is not worried that Wang Anshi will act randomly, and Wang Anshi is not worried that his own policies will be deliberately sabotaged.
There is no room for two tigers in one mountain, but now that the three powers are fighting for hegemony, it has become a game of alliance, vertical and horizontal, and it is impossible to reach the point of life and death.
Of course, the Public Security Bureau cannot completely eliminate party strife. It can only be said that it has slowed down this phenomenon at this moment.
Although this edict on the reform of the official system was the last edict issued by Zhao Xu this year, Zhao Xu did not take a vacation because there was one more thing that he had not yet given an answer to.
It's the "Provisional Law".
The reason why he waited until now was because Zhao Xu wanted to give Zhang Fei more time to see it, and Zhang Fei was also the last minister Zhao Xu summoned this year.
"Have you read the "Provisional Law"?" Zhao Xu asked.
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "To be honest with your Majesty, I have only read it roughly once, but I have always been involved, so I can be considered relatively clear."
Zhao Xu nodded and did not argue with him, "In fact, during this period, people wrote to me almost every day, not wanting me to pass this "Provisional Law."
Zhang Fei immediately asked: "But because of the eight-decision system?"
Zhao Xu nodded.
This "eight discussion system" can be said to be the core of the entire feudal law. It is called: one discussion about relatives, two discussions about relatives, three discussions about virtue, four talks about ability, five talks about merit, six talks about nobleness, seven talks about diligence, and eight talks about guests.
Generic rules.
"Kin" refers to a certain range of relatives of the royal family; "Gu" refers to some of the emperor's old past; "Xian" refers to a wise man and gentleman who the court considers to have "great virtues"; "Neng" refers to "a great talent" who can organize the army and the army. In political affairs, one is an assistant to the emperor and a teacher of human ethics; "Gong" refers to those who "have made great achievements"; "Noble" refers to those who are ministerial officials of the third rank or above, casual officials of the second rank or above and nobility of the first rank; "Qin" refers to those who have made great achievements "Industrious" people; "guest" refers to "those who inherit the ancestors and become the guests of the state".
Only the "Ten Evils" will not be forgiven.
For the rest of the crimes, the principle adhered to is "big crimes must be discussed, small crimes must be pardoned."
The main basis for people often saying that "the punishment is not good enough for scholar-bureaucrats" is from this law, which is also inherited from the Tang law and is not the stone tablet erected by Taizu in legend.
It was this law that maintained the entire feudal ruling class.
However, in this "Provisional Law", Fu Bi deleted the Eight Councils system from the regulations and included it in the pardon bill. In other words, whenever the scope of the Eight Councils was involved, the criminal punishment must be handed over to the emperor. instructions.
This is what the powerful people care about.
Because the emperor can pardon, but he can also not pardon. After all, the law no longer protects their privileges. This breaks the principle that the punishment cannot be used to punish scholar-officials or the powerful.
However, some ministers believed that this would protect them from arbitrary punishment by the emperor, and many honest officials believed that this would be beneficial to them.
Therefore, it can be passed at the Legislative Assembly.
Zhang Fei said: "I think Fu Gong has made it very clear in his comments, and I very much agree that the legal system protects the interests of the monarch, the country, and the people.
Throughout the ages, traitors and traitors have been punished not because of how well they hid themselves, but because the judiciary at that time was not about safeguarding the interests of the monarch, the country, and the people, but the interests of the monarch and them. Therefore, their crimes were often punished. Cover up, so that they become more and more swollen and eventually lead to catastrophe.
This also includes foreign wars, for example, embezzling military pay, passing off inferior goods, killing good people and defrauding merit, etc.
Therefore, in the discussion, Duke Fu clearly stated that it is necessary for the Imperial Court to let His Majesty clearly know the stakes involved so that His Majesty can make the wisest decision. Otherwise, Your Majesty may not be aware of it, and they How much harm will be caused by what you do. "
Zhao Xu frowned and said, "But if there are no eight proposals, it will undoubtedly increase the pressure on me to pardon."
When the pardon law was mentioned before, the eight-member system was not mentioned. He was thinking that those people could still be pardoned according to the eight-member regulations.
But Fu Bi and the others were all academics who were well versed in economics. The emergence of the pardon bill was to abolish the eight-member system, and it was impossible to retain both.
Zhang Fei said: "I have also considered this, but it will also increase the pressure on them to break the law, reduce the phenomenon of their breaking the law, and make them more cautious. Your Majesty can use the power of pardon more calmly.
I have read through past cases concerning the Eight Councils. In fact, at the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Eight Councils system was rarely used. It was not until the past 40 years that it began to appear frequently.
But along with it, more and more violations of the law have been committed, and the judiciary has been trampled on to the fullest extent. And their illegal behavior actually endangers the interests of the country, the monarch, and the people.
In other words, the more lawbreakers there are, the greater the losses will be for the country, the monarch, and the people. In fact, this can be seen by comparing the national strength in the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the past two decades. At that time, the judiciary was relatively fair and relatively fair. In general, the national power is relatively strong.
Then the conclusion is that if they do not need to accept the trial of our Song Dynasty Imperial Court, then they will have to accept the trial from the Northern Dynasty. "
Upon hearing this, Zhao Xu clenched his fist and punched the low table in front of him.
Zhang Fei said hurriedly: "Your Majesty, please forgive me."
Zhao Xu glanced at him and said, "What crime do you have? Not only that, you are right. Some people would rather accept the trial of the Northern Dynasty than the imperial court."
This last sentence really hurt Zhao Xu's heart deeply.
Thinking about the past few decades, every negotiation with the Liao Kingdom was blatant extortion and no respect for the treaty signed by the two countries. However, the Song Dynasty could only compromise.
The reason is that the country is weak and cannot defeat the opponent.
But no one dares to argue with reason or defend their own interests. Now they are just making irresponsible remarks.
This is really unreasonable.
It was precisely because of Zhang Fei's words that Zhao Xu finally made up his mind to pass this "Provisional Law".
In the end, the pardon law is still to protect his power.
But now the Song Dynasty is surrounded by powerful enemies, and he is unwilling to accept the status quo. He has no choice.
Zhang Fei knew very well before that if the pardon bill was not established, the eight-member system would definitely not be touched, because this is the core of feudal law, but it is still far from time to abolish the eight-member system.
You must know that this eight-member system was only completely abolished in the late Qing Dynasty.
A replacement has to be found.
In other words, this "Provisional Law" does not say that the principles of fairness and equality must be observed, and its core content is still preserved.
Because even with the eight-member system, the final decision-making power is still in the hands of the emperor, but the pardon bill can make the judiciary fair, just, and equal on the surface.
Guilty is guilty and must also be subject to civil penalties.
At this time, snowflakes were falling from the sky.
A heavy snowfall brings an end to this year.
This year is really a year full of drama, from drought to disaster relief miracles, from the defeat of Xihe to the great victory of Xihe, from the brothel ambassador to the hero's return.
Everything was turned upside down.
It is precisely because of this dramatic reversal that this year has become a decisive year.
The adjustment of the country's major policies and the upcoming promulgation of the "Provisional Law" will lay a solid foundation for the future.
I have to mention that Wang Anshi and Sima Guang also felt that the burden on their shoulders was much lighter. As the party struggle ceased, their goals gradually moved closer.
For Wang Anshi, the adjustment of policies does not mean that he will abolish his New Deal. Not only that, but also attaches more importance to his New Deal.
For the conservatives, not to mention, all their worries will be temporarily put on hold. At least the emperor has decided not to use foreign troops in the near future and focus on domestic affairs.
This is what Han Qi, Fu Bi, and Sima Guang are pursuing.
In fact, most of Wang Anshi's reforms were aimed at domestic affairs, but they are still very different from today's majoring in internal affairs. The difference is that everyone knows that Wang Anshi's reforms were to promote foreign wars, so conversely, Wang Anshi must quickly serve the country. Collect money, accumulate wealth, and prepare for war.
This is extremely contradictory to the ideas of conservatives, and is also the reason why Fu Bi, Sima Guang, and Han Qi opposed it.
No matter what you say, your goal is to fight, then you cannot care about people's livelihood. What you care about is finance.
But now the majoring in internal affairs means putting aside foreign wars and focusing on internal affairs and people's livelihood.
This is an essential difference.
On the first day of the new year, Zhao Xu officially approved the "temporary law" submitted by the Legislative Council without changing a word.
This made Fu Bi and Sima Guang breathe a sigh of relief.
The powerful were disappointed.
But this is where Fu Bi was cunning. He named this law the "Provisional Law" instead of the "Laws of the Song Dynasty". In other words, there was still room for maneuver.
In fact, Fu Bi was also worried about the eight-council system, and he did not dare to directly force these powerful people and those unworthy scholar-bureaucrats into corners to prevent them from jumping over the wall in a hurry.
But I have to say that this "Provisional Law" has completely activated the entire public security law. In the past, there was no written law, and everything relied on Zhang Fei's jurisprudence. Not to mention, it is very difficult to learn. This is like a master leading an apprentice. Likewise, it is difficult to popularize it.
Now that there is written law, everyone can learn it, which is very conducive to the current promotion of the Public Security Law and the implementation of the Public Security Law.
Genuine bookstore.
As soon as Hou Donglai opened the door of the shop, he saw a group of people crowding in.
"Lao Hou! Do you sell the "Provisional Law" here?"
"No."
Hou Donglai shook his head and said.
"Isn't it printed?"
"no."
Hou Donglai sighed: "It's not allowed to seal."
"Why? Didn't it say that the officials have given instructions?"
"It's an instruction. But the government doesn't allow us to print. They say they are afraid that we will print wrongly. Currently, they only allow the Dasong Di newspaper to print. If we print, once we are caught, not only will we be fined a lot of money, but we will also have to How can we dare to print if we are in jail?"
This Song Dynasty Di Newspaper Courtyard was the original Di Newspaper Courtyard, and now it has become the Public Service Department.
"This business administration is really overbearing. They won't even let the book be printed."
"Just wait and see. The price will definitely be sky-high. Can the government sell things cheaply?"
And the Di Newspaper Courtyard has already started printing in a hurry. This gentleman loves money and gets it wisely. These idle officials have all become very hard-working after joining the Public Service Department, because if they are fired from here again, it will really happen. of are unemployed.
Now that Wang Anshi is forcibly giving them money again, how can he not cherish it?
At the end of last year, they had already worked overtime to prepare the engravings and were waiting for the emperor's approval.
On the day of the emperor's instructions, printing had already begun.
The Great Song Dynasty Residence reported to the courtyard.
Wang Anshi sat on a chair, holding a newly released "Provisional Law" and flipping through it.
Standing beside him was Xu Ye, who was in charge of the printing department. He asked Wang Anshi uneasily, "What do you think, sir?"
Wang Anshi nodded and said: "It's very good. It's finally on par with the books printed by genuine bookstores. So, in this world, everyone is prosperous. No matter how much the Di Newspaper Institute in the past urged, it just couldn't keep up with the genuine bookstores."
Xu Ye said: "Genuine bookstores will only become worse and worse than ours, because all the officials in our hospital are good at handwriting and can use different fonts to deal with different contents. Even in terms of the beauty of the books, they are also Far inferior to ours."
"very good!"
Wang Anshi nodded and asked, "Has the price been set?"
Xu Yedao: "For better printing and easier reading for everyone, we have split this "Provisional Law" into ten books, five civil and criminal books each. The printing cost of each book is about fifty cents. I You can buy it for a hundred pence."
"If it sells for one hundred pennies, I will think of a way to only allow you to print it?"
Wang Anshi said: "Besides, we can't just look at the cost of our workmanship, but also the content, which is priceless. I think each book is priced at five hundred cents. As for how much it sells at the bookstore, it depends on the price. They figure it out for themselves.”
A book costs 500 pieces of literature, and a set costs no more than five guan.
Xu Ye took a breath of cold air, but he was ecstatic in his heart. He nodded quickly and said: "Yes, I understand."
At this moment, a civil servant came into the room and whispered a few words in Xu Ye's ear.
"I understand, you go down first."
After the clerk left, Xu Ye said: "Ms. Wang, just now Feng Zhongcheng sent someone from the Yushitai to ask us to send a few sets of temporary laws to the Yushitai."
Wang Anshi said: "The court will spend money to buy it from here. As for what they want, let them spend their own money to buy it."
Xu Ye asked sarcastically: "The imperial court has to spend money to buy it?"
Wang Anshi said: "If the imperial court does not spend money to buy it, then this residence will not be able to make ends meet. Who will pay you salaries? Your finances are not under the control of the third department now, and they are all on your own. If you want to give it to yourself, that is up to you. , anyway, these are your bonuses and salaries."
Xu Ye nodded and said, "Yes, I understand."
Procuratorate.
The procuratorate's first meeting of the year is to arrange for some intern prosecutors to work in the Legal Aid Department.
"Prosecutor Zhang, our procuratorate is too busy with its own affairs, so why do we have to take turns going to the Legal Aid Department to help?"
He Zhizhong asked curiously.
Zhang Fei said: "Our Procuratorate's access to lawsuits is only part of the case. Many civil disputes cannot be brought to the Procuratorate. But it is different at the Legal Aid Department. They can encounter everything from civil disputes to criminal cases. Over there you can handle them." More lawsuits will be very helpful to you. Why are those bookstores trying so hard to get their young Erbi to go to the Legal Aid Agency for training?"
"Yes, students understand."
At this moment, I suddenly heard someone shouting outside the door: "It's unreasonable! It's really unreasonable!"
Xu Zhiqian said: "It seems to be Mr. Su's voice."
Zhang Fei then said to He Zhizhong: "Hurry up and prepare, and then report to the Legal Aid Agency."
After that, he walked out, and just in time to see Su Shi and Fan Chunren walking towards the lobby, he hurriedly shouted: "Two chief prosecutors."
When Su Shi saw Zhang Fei, he immediately shouted: "Zhang San, it's best if you are here, we want to accuse Wang Jiefu."
Zhang Fei was frightened and asked, "What's the matter?"
Su Shi said: "Then Wang Jiefu gave instructions to only allow the Di Newspaper Court of the Song Dynasty to print the "Provisional Law". We just wanted to take some back to Jingdong East Road, but the Di Newspaper Institute refused to give us a copy and said we had to spend money to buy it. "
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "You are more familiar with the business affairs department than I am. They only want to make money, so how can they give it to you?"
Su Shi said: "But I want it on behalf of the Qizhou Procuratorate, not for myself. But the people in the Di newspaper said that the court would have to spend money to buy it."
You must know that today, only a small part of the salary given to the government by the court is money, and the rest is in kind, or the grain harvest of a certain area.
That's why Su Shi thought this was incredible.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Don't officials have to pay when they go to the hospital to buy medicine?"
Su Shi was stunned for a moment, and then said: "But I also have a role in amending the interim law. I have the copyright, so do they also get a share of my money?"
"Of course not."
Zhang Fei asked rhetorically: "Prosecutor Su revised it as an official, or he revised it with his salary. The copyright is in the hands of the imperial court. The imperial court gave it to Di Bao Yuan, and it belongs to Di Bao Yuan. There is no need for it. Give money to anyone.”
Fan Chunren said: "This is a trivial matter. You should pay for it, but the problem is that they sell it too expensive. Nowadays, a copy is sold for five hundred and twenty yuan outside."
Zhang Fei said: "It's not expensive."
Fan Chunren added: "But they split the entire "Provisional Law" into ten books."
"Well."
Wow, this is really cruel! Zhang Fei said sarcastically: "I can't help it, the pricing power is in their hands."
However, he also understood Wang Anshi. Everything is difficult at the beginning, and it is not easy for the Business Administration at present!
Su Shi asked: "If we copy it, will it be considered piracy?"
Zhang Fei said: "It doesn't count if you look at it yourself, but if it is used for commercial sale, it does. The copyright law makes it very clear."
Su Shi thought for a while and sighed again: "It's just that the number of words is a bit too much. If it were less, it wouldn't matter if I copied it all."
In fact, it’s not that there are too many words, but I’m not short of money. Someone will definitely choose to copy it.
This is indeed a bit too expensive. In the past, many people chose to copy many books and articles.
But there is no doubt about it.
There is absolutely no need to worry about selling this.
Because those wealthy businessmen and landowners will definitely buy it.
Because this "Provisional Law" is closely related to merchants and landowners, and is extremely beneficial to merchants, it almost confirms the private ownership of land and property.
The reason why this provisional law contains so much content is because the property must be divided very clearly, otherwise, it will not be able to provide legal protection.
The main content of this part is contract law, inheritance law, marriage law, copyright law, etc.
These all involve the sum and division of property.
But it is not all private ownership. The concept here is different from the concept of private ownership in later generations. Later generations defined it as a right owned by everyone, and the law only protects your rights.
However, the interpretation of this provisional law is to protect the legitimate rights and interests of individuals in accordance with the legal system and is not defined as a right owned by everyone.
Why Zhang Fei defines the law of law in this way is actually because he is concerned about this issue and he does not dare to give this definition.
Because this is contradictory to whether the whole world is the king's land, and whether it is the king's ministers on the shore of the land, there will be a contradiction.
The law protects the legitimate rights and interests of individuals. This sentence is true whether it is for civilians or powerful people.
The question is who will protect it, the monarch or the country.
This power is given by the country and the monarch, not something you are born with.
There is a big difference here. This road is far from the end.
Qian Jin Bookstore.
"Shopkeeper, give me a set of "Provisional Laws""
But a young servant put a piece of fine silk on the counter and said breathlessly.
The shopkeeper said: "We don't accept silk, we only accept coins, even tax coins."
"Why?"
The servant asked curiously.
The bookstore owner said: "Because Di Newspaper Court only accepts money, we also spend money to buy it."
The servant said: "But. But there is no money now. Everyone is bartering for things."
The bookstore owner said, "Then I have nothing to do. I only accept coins."
Just then, an old man came over and said, "The shopkeeper gave me a set of "Temporary Laws"."
The old servant beside him took out a wad of tax coins.
"Ouch! It's Mr. Sima. Please wait a moment, Mr. Sima. I'll go get it now."
Seeing that it was Sima Guang, the shopkeeper didn't dare to neglect, and immediately took out a brand new set of "Provisional Laws".
Sima Guang asked: "Why haven't I heard that the Dibao Courtyard only accepts coins?"
The bookstore owner smiled sarcastically.
The servant from before immediately pointed at the bookstore manager and said, "Shopkeeper, you are lying."
The shopkeeper glared at the servant, and then explained to Sima Guang: "Don't be surprised, Mr. Sima, there are no coins in the market now, they all use silk cloth. I have collected a lot of cloth, but I can't use so much, and I can't use it." It’s troublesome to use, but there are a lot of people rushing to get this "Provisional Law", so I just want to get some coins, and other bookstores do the same."
Sima Guang asked: "Why doesn't everyone use coins?"
The shopkeeper immediately replied: "It's because there were too many fools. They used all the tax coins to pay taxes last year. As a result, everyone had no money. It was Sima Xianggong who had the foresight to keep so many tax coins. Now the price of goods is so high." With the tax reduction, tax coins are becoming more valuable.”
Last year, he also handed over the tax coins. Because everyone still didn't trust the tax coins, they quickly used them to pay taxes.
Sima Guang couldn't help but feel ashamed. How could he have any foresight? He was very economical and had little money to spend, so he kept a lot of tax coins at home. He added: "But when there were no tax coins before, there was no shortage of coins." .”
The shopkeeper said: "I don't know that little guy. Anyway, it's hard to see coins now."
Since the shopkeeper doesn’t know, then find someone who knows and ask, after all, this is no small matter!
The first thing Sima Guang thought of was Zhang Fei.
So he asked the old servant to take the books home, and then he went to the prosecutor's office.
It happened that Su Shi and Fan Chunren were inspecting, or in other words, studying at the Procuratorate. After all, Zhang Fei's Procuratorate was more advanced in terms of structural design.
For example, the procuratorates in Qizhou and Qingzhou are more casual and depend on the orders of their superiors. However, the procuratorates in the capital have very detailed divisions. Zhang Fei often takes vacations, and it has little impact. If anything happens, it will be handled by professionals. Go do it.
"You are all here."
Sima Guang said.
Fan Chunren and Su Shi stood up and bowed their hands.
Zhang Fei handed over his honorary title and asked with a smile: "Isn't Bachelor Sima here also for the price of the "Provisional Law"?"
"Of course the price is very expensive." Sima Guang snorted: "But who knows that the Business Administration is controlled by Wang Jiefu?"
Having said this, he paused for a moment, "But that's not why I came here. When I just bought the book, I heard the shopkeeper said that there are no coins in the market now. The people said it was because everyone The reason why all the tax coins were handed in before was that the tax coins were only used for disaster relief. Now that the disaster has passed and everyone has handed in the tax coins, nothing should have changed. How could there be a sudden money shortage? "
Fan Chunren frowned and said: "Actually, Qingzhou and Qizhou and other places have also experienced a shortage of coins. This should be because the Public Security Bureau and the Procuratorate have promoted more prosperous commerce and increased transactions, resulting in a shortage of coins."
Sima Guang nodded and said: "I also know that the public prosecutor's office first appeared in the capital, but it is not yet a money shortage."
Su Shi nodded and said: "That's true, and there is rarely a money shortage in Gyeonggi."
The three of them all looked at Zhang Fei again.
Zhang Fei said: "According to the observations of Bianjing Law Firm, there are three main reasons that cause the money shortage."
Sima Guang hurriedly asked: "What three reasons?"
Zhang Fei said: "First of all, there are more people. The disaster has passed, but many people have not returned to their fields, but continue to work in workshops. Then they all need to go to the market to buy their daily necessities, and more people use coins.
And this led to the second reason. They stayed in the establishment and needed to rely on production to survive. That is to say, they produced more goods, which made them even less money.
Finally, due to the warehouse tax last year, landlords released a large amount of grain, causing many people to rush to buy grain. But at that time, they used not all tax coins, but also a lot of coins, causing a large amount of coins to flow into the hands of landlords. But landlords don’t have much to spend their money on.
These three reasons happened to come together, which caused a money shortage. Coins became more valuable and fewer people used money. "
The three of them nodded frequently and frowned in thought.
After thinking about it, Sima Guang couldn't think of a solution, so he asked Zhang Fei: "Then how do you think we should deal with it?"
This is really beyond the scope of his knowledge, because landlords are only one of the reasons. The deeper reason is the growth of commercial scale, which has never been encountered before, and there are no relevant records in history books.
Zhang Fei said: "There is no other way than to issue coins. It just depends on whether it is minting coins or paper money."
You can’t always say, let’s reduce the scale of our business.
Sima Guang, Fan Chunren and Su Shi looked at each other in confusion.
coin?
Even if it could be cast, it would be too late!
This money shortage phenomenon either doesn't happen or it's a storm. The reason is that bad money drives out good money. The higher the price of money, the less people will use money.
Of course, the exception is speculators.
Alum Tower.
"This is the goods we need in the spring. You have used all the tax coins you saved before."
Fan Yong gave instructions to the shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper said: "Sir, the coins are getting less and less at present, and the goods are being hoarded and cannot be sold. Although the tax coins are not as valuable as copper coins, the tax coins can still be used for two years. How about we wait a little longer."
Fan Yong said: "If we wait any longer, we won't be able to take advantage of this. Now that the situation is so serious, the imperial court will take action soon."
The shopkeeper asked anxiously: "Have you got any inside information?"
Fan Yong said: "What kind of inside information do you need? Hezhong Mansion's salt banknotes are so successful, won't the imperial court learn from it? Go! Go!"
"yes."
It is extremely rare for a money shortage to occur in the capital. The money supply here has always been very sufficient, and it happened very suddenly.
The first ones to complain are businessmen. They expanded production last year and were originally going to give it a try this year. However, they encountered a money shortage at the beginning of the new year. Everyone has no money, so consumption is naturally very slow. They can't get by this year.
Secondly, there are landowner grain merchants. Grain prices are almost unsustainable now. If the prices are lowered, it will be a huge loss. But if they are not lowered, they will have to pay warehouse taxes if they cannot sell.
Fortunately, they were in the capital, at the feet of the emperor, and their complaints immediately alerted the higher authorities.
Chui Gong Hall.
Today, Zhao Xu summoned Wang Anshi, Wen Yanbo, Xue Xiang, and Sima Guang to discuss the money shortage.
Sima Guang first informed Zhao Xu of Zhang Fei's reasons.
Xue Xiang panicked after hearing this. Could it be that Sima Guang had an idea?
Wang Anshi gave him a calm look, don't panic, Zhang San most likely told him this, otherwise, how could he have thought of it.
Zhao Xu asked: "How should the court respond?"
Wen Yanbo said: "New coins can be minted to alleviate the crisis."
Xue Xiang immediately said: "Not to mention that it takes a long time to mint coins, and there is not so much copper in the critical inventory. It must be transported from other places. But many merchants cannot wait so long, and their goods are squeezed in their hands. If you can’t sell it, you can’t pay the craftsmen, which will cause a lot of problems this time.”
Sima Guang said: "In business, there are profits and losses. This is a natural phenomenon."
Xue Xiangdao: "But those businessmen contributed nearly half of the tax revenue last year. If the court fails to save them, this year's tax revenue may not be as good as last year.
There are also those landlords and grain merchants who are complaining endlessly. If they don’t have enough currency, causing them to hoard a lot of grain, and then ask them to pay warehouse tax, they will definitely not accept it.”
Sima Guang frowned secretly and remained silent.
Zhao Xu then asked Xue Xiang: "What suggestions does the third envoy have?"
Xue Xiangdao: "I think we can continue to issue tax coins to alleviate the money shortage."
Wen Yanbo immediately said: "The issue of Shu's handover has proved the consequences of issuing banknotes. The tax banknotes issued last year were due to disasters and emergency needs, and cannot be used as a long-term solution."
Xue Xiang immediately said: "But now and then, the public prosecutor and the law are supervising, and the tax coins can be used to pay taxes. This is actually a contractual relationship between the court and the people, and it is legally binding.
The reason why the salt banknotes in Hezhong Prefecture have always won the trust of the people is not because the salt is processed there, but because the salt banknotes can pay taxes.
And judging from the situation in Hezhong Prefecture, in this case, issuing some tax coins can make business more prosperous, increase more commercial taxes, and at the same time reduce the use of money speculation by landlords to exploit the people.
Nowadays, the landowners are complaining about their grievances, but in fact, they have made back all the losses from selling grain at low prices throughout the year by virtue of the increase in currency value.
Not only that, our dynasty minted the most coins in history, but it also had the most money shortages in history. The reason is that Xixia, Tubo, and the Northern Dynasties all used the coins of our dynasty, and no matter how much coins were minted, it would not be enough. "
Zhao Xu nodded and said, "What the Third Secretary said is very reasonable."
Sima Guang said: "Your Majesty, although the Public Security Bureau is here, the issuance of coins belongs to the administrative power. The Public Security Bureau and the Public Security Bureau cannot prevent excessive issuance. The salt debt crisis in Hezhong Prefecture last time has shown this. Now everyone has learned that, At that time, Hezhong Mansion couldn't produce enough salt at all, thanks to that batch of private salt."
The words imply, I know what you are doing, but it won't work if you keep doing it.
Wang Anshi smiled and said: "The crisis did not lie in the salt debt, but in the expansion of the Xihe River. Yuan Xueshi and others decided to issue salt bonds in order not to damage the people's power, but Hezhong Prefecture has also made preparations for debt restructuring. They would rather bear huge debts than waste people's power. Shouldn't the government be praised for such preparations?"
Sima Guang hummed: "That's because the public prosecutor and the procuratorate are watching."
Wang Anshi said: "It is precisely because of the public security, procuratorate, and law that we propose to issue tax coins."
"???"
Sima Guang felt that this guy was becoming more and more shameless.
Xue Xiang then said to Zhao Xu: "Your Majesty, the financial power of Duzhi and Yantie are now under the jurisdiction of the Household Department, and the Third Department only retains the Cang Department. I think that the Third Department can concentrate on the issuance and calculation of coins.
Judging from the situation in Hezhong Prefecture, as long as the calculation is done properly, even the issuance of banknotes can be controlled.
Moreover, the imperial court could also follow the example of Jiekupu in Hezhong Prefecture and publish all the status of coins to the public, in order to win the trust of the people and merchants. "
Sima Guang said: "This seems to be requested by the Hezhong Prefecture Procuratorate, but it is not to win the trust of the people, but to facilitate the Procuratorate's investigation."
Xue Xiang said with a smile: "I have always been very supportive of the Public Security Bureau and the Procuratorate. I believe that Prosecutor General Su's request is the key to the success of Yanqian."
Zhao Xu nodded and said: "There have been frequent money shortages in our dynasty, and the impact has been very serious. When summer taxes had to be paid, the landlords often used the money shortage to exploit the people."
Wang Anshi immediately said: "Not only the summer tax, when many people repay usurious loans, because they don't have many coins, they can only use physical objects to convert them, which leads to the destruction of their families and the death of their families who are exploited by those landlords.
Sima Shangshu should be able to prove this, because as long as you look at Hezhong Prefecture’s debt lawsuit, you can see that compared to all states and counties in the country, only Hezhong Prefecture has the fewest conversion disputes. The reason is that Hezhong Prefecture has salt banknotes. . "
The three monarchs and ministers sang in harmony, but Wen Yanbo and Sima Guang couldn't get in the middle of the conversation. This really exceeded their understanding of the economy.
I can only continue to express my worries helplessly.
Obviously lack of confidence.
Because they can't find a solution.
In the end, Zhao Xu adopted Xue Xiang's suggestion and handed over the minting and coin issuance rights to the Third Division, while the previous financial power was vested in the Ministry of Household Affairs.
