The news that a river in Hebei burst its banks again quickly reached the capital. Although thanks to the efforts of the Water Conservancy Institute and the Public Security Bureau, the damage was not great and only affected hundreds of households. However, when Zhao Xu heard the news, he immediately felt physically and mentally. All tired.
what to do?
The frequency of flood control in the Song Dynasty and the amount of manpower and material resources it expended really surpassed that of previous dynasties, but the more it was controlled, the more confused it became.
When efforts and results are completely opposite, it is very demoralizing.
Although Wang Anshi and Wen Yanbo, the two prime ministers of the current dynasty, were still out of strategic considerations, they hoped to maintain the eastward flow and prevent the Liao people, especially the Liao people from causing trouble on the border recently.
But Zhao Xu was tired, and he didn't want to bother anymore, but he didn't say clearly whether it was the east flow or the north flow. He just said that the Institute of Water Conservancy had failed in preventing floods, and would continue to maintain the decision made in the last discussion, leaving full power to the Institute of Water Conservancy. Rely on academics to govern.
This scholarship definitely does not include strategy. In fact, it is just a compromise to Xiang Beiliu.
His confidence in doing this is that he is now retreating, mainly because the Western Front has shifted from offensive to defensive stage. The Song Dynasty will have enough power to defend the Liao Kingdom and will not be completely dominated by the Liao Kingdom.
At the same time, Zhao Xu promoted Su Song, who was well versed in geography and diplomacy, to the rank of Shaoqing of Honglu Temple. He established a diplomatic mission and stationed in Taiyuan Prefecture to deal with the matter of border demarcation with the Liao State. He still had to use this matter to entangle the Liao State.
The country's focus still lies in its internal affairs.
In fact, Zhao Xu is also more obsessed with internal affairs now, because it is difficult to make breakthroughs in external affairs and there are more bad things, but internal affairs are shining brightly now.
This person, in fact, is the same. Only when he can achieve results will he be more motivated.
If tax coins are issued, the results will be immediate.
The entire market has become very prosperous, and people's enthusiasm has also been greatly improved.
This is fun to do.
Today Sima Guang also came to the market with Fan Chunren and Su Shi to inspect.
I saw the uncles and aunties selling vegetables pushing empty carts and carrying empty baskets, counting the tax coins they earned, and happily leaving the market.
They had mixed feelings, after all, they did not agree with the issuance of this tax coin.
But the facts are in front of them, and they have to admit it!
Sima Guang said: "You have to pay more attention recently, because whether tax coins or salt banknotes will be issued on Jingdong East Road in the future will be decided by the three departments, and the public prosecutor and the law cannot stop it."
Su Shi sighed: "I feel uncomfortable thinking about Zhang Zihou showing off his power in front of me regarding this matter in the future!"
Fan Chunren said: "Actually, it's just an extra tax coin in the middle. I didn't expect it would lead to such a huge change."
As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a laugh: "You will never understand."
The three of them turned their heads and saw Wang Anshi walking over.
What bad luck!
Wang Anshi said: "According to the estimates of the Department of Taxation, the fiscal revenue of Gyeonggi Province will increase a lot this year. This is the people not increasing taxes but the state using money."
Sima Guang frowned and was about to refute, but Su Shi spoke first: "What does this have to do with Wang Xianggong?"
Wang Anshi glanced at him coldly, "Is it related to you?"
"If you are not talented, you will do your best if you are a low-ranking official."
Su Shi said: "Not only the finances of the Gyeonggi region are growing, but the finances of Jingdong East Road are also growing, but as Brother Fan said just now, in fact, the overall wealth of the country has not increased.
At present, the country's wealth growth mainly comes from three points. First, saving losses and expenses. Second, political clarity has reduced corruption problems. Third, collect taxes in accordance with the law. And these three points all stem from official governance. What does it have to do with Wang Xianggong? "
Sima Guang nodded and said, "What Zizhan said is true. This is all brought about by the public security organs, the procuratorate, and the law, and your new policy is just a ride on the wind."
Wang Anshi frowned and suddenly called to a passing bearer, "Uncle, please stay."
Seeing how popular these people were, the bearer asked uneasily, "What's the matter with the officials?"
Wang Anshi asked with a smile: "What is uncle selling?"
The bearer replied: "I sell eggs."
Wang Anshi asked: "Have you always made a living selling eggs?"
The bearer said, "I make a living by farming."
Wang Anshi asked: "Selling eggs now?"
"no."
The bearer shook his head and added, "I still make a living from farming, but I have recently raised some chickens at home."
Wang Anshi asked: "Why didn't you raise it before?"
The bearer said sarcastically: "I used to raise them, but not many, just two or three. If I raised more in the past, I would have to serve in the government service. Now I am not afraid of raising as many as I want."
Wang Anshi asked: "So, you make much more money than before."
The bearer said happily: "It's more."
Wang Anshi said again: "But you have to pay more taxes!"
The bearer said: "Then we have to earn more before we pay more taxes. This is different from the past. In the past, when we earned more, we received less."
Wang Anshi smiled and nodded, then pointed at the empty load and said, "Have you sold all the eggs?"
The bearer nodded and said, "All are sold out. The market has been good recently, so I plan to raise more chickens."
Wang Anshi cupped his hands and said, "Thank you uncle for informing me."
"Don't dare, don't dare! Then that little guy will leave first."
"Walk slowly."
After the bearer left, Wang Anshi turned around and said proudly: "Who said this wealth has not increased?"
Looking left and right, I could see the shadows of Sima Guang, Su Shi and Fan Chunren.
This made Wang Anshi furious.
You don’t have martial ethics!
Little did they know that in the small attic next to them, there were two young people watching them.
It was Zhao Xu and Zhang Fei.
Zhao Xu also quietly left the palace today to see if the prosperity of the market was really what the ministers said.
Back at the wine table, Zhao Xu asked Zhang Fei: "Who do you think was right in their argument just now?"
"We are all."
Zhang Fei explained: “The current fiscal growth mainly comes from official administration, and the clear and bright official administration also nurtures taxation and administration.
After all, most of my land in the Song Dynasty is controlled by the big landowners. They didn't pay taxes before, but now they all have to pay taxes.
There is also the issue of corruption. Nowadays, the public prosecutor and the judiciary are so strong, who dares to take bribes? Public expenditures have been greatly reduced, so it is reasonable for the fiscal revenue to double.
But wealth has actually increased, and this comes from the enthusiasm of the people. In the past, rich people did not dare to make money, and even committed suicide to avoid government officials. Now they dare to make money. Secondly, before they even made money, some low-level officials extorted most of it. The income was enough to keep their mouths open, and there was nothing extra. They use the money to expand production, and now they can invest the money they earn into production, just like the old man selling eggs. If he has more money, he can raise more chickens.
Although wealth growth is not much, we will rely entirely on this to promote fiscal growth in the future. "
Zhao Xu asked: "How do you say this?"
Zhang Fei replied: "Because there is a limit to the benefits of official government. If everyone pays taxes in accordance with the law, there will be no room for fiscal growth. As long as the people earn more, the fiscal system can continue to grow."
Zhao Xu asked again: "How can we make people earn more?"
Zhang Fei said: "If a worker wants to do his job well, he must first sharpen his tools. This can only increase wealth by improving technology. For example, our dynasty's rice technology is far better than that of the Tang Dynasty. Farmers will receive more food and taxes will be higher." Pay more.”
Zhao Xu sighed: "But this is not easy."
"The world is bustling with people, all for their own benefit."
Zhang Fei said: "Motivated by interests, they will definitely try their best to increase their wealth, especially businessmen. They will definitely be the most radical group, but I think they still lack some wisdom, which may require help from the court."
Zhao Xu asked again: "How can the court help?"
Just as Zhang Fei opened his mouth, he suddenly thought of something, "By the way! Isn't His Majesty preparing for the reform of the official system recently?"
Zhao Xu nodded and asked, "What does this have to do with this matter?"
Zhang Fei said: "I have communicated with Inspector General Fan about the situation of the Qingzhou Business Administration before. According to him, the Qingzhou Business Agency is developing well. Many of its talented officials have improved the salt production technology, so that the production of Binzhou sea salt has increased. At the same time, they also improved their smelting techniques, and most of these officials were bachelors.
But unfortunately, only Qingzhou is currently doing this, and this is caused by local debt restructuring. "
Zhao Xu nodded, "Bachelor is a job title, which is different from official title. These bachelors are all Jinshi, and they all have talents. However, our dynasty is far better at recruiting scholars than the Tang Dynasty, but the positions are limited, so we can only arrange them in The various pavilions act as bachelors.”
Zhang Fei said: "In that case, why not focus on their interests, assign them all to the School of Business, and let them study these technologies, whether it is grain production, salt production, or smelting."
Zhao Xu said: "But I have to discuss matters with them sometimes."
These people are all alternate officials.
Zhang Fei said: "They only serve as bachelors in the college, and His Majesty still calls them for discussion at any time. If we want to further increase our finances and increase them indefinitely, they are crucial."
The success of the Qingzhou Business Administration made Zhang Fei believe that if he wanted to improve his technology, he had to rely on their literati, and craftsmen alone were not enough.
Su Shi was very successful in controlling floods on Jingdong East Road, and he only provided friendly assistance.
Zhao Xu said in surprise: "Can it still grow infinitely?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "The rice production in our dynasty is two or three times that of the Tang Dynasty. Why can't it be three or four times?"
Zhao Xu nodded and said, "That makes sense."
As he spoke, he added: "By the way, I will indeed hold a meeting recently to continue the reform of the official system. You will have to come then, because many officials are dissatisfied with the separation of politics and law."
Zhang Fei said in surprise: "Really?"
Regarding the reform of the official system, it was a signature policy of Zhao Xu who presided over the government. Although the natural disaster made them a little depressed and they made certain compromises, it was just a compromise and they still had to continue to make changes.
Three days later, Zhao Xu held a meeting in Chuigong to discuss how to deepen reforms.
Zhao Xu was the first to say: "As for the reform of redundant officials, so far, it is very successful. I am not asking for the layoff of officials, but I hope that people can make the best use of their talents and materials. The imperial court no longer has extra finances to support some idle people. .”
At this time, Deng Wan, the Minister of Household Affairs, stood up and said: "Your Majesty, regarding the reform of the official system, I believe that the imperial court has not achieved the true separation of politics and law, but more like centralizing power in the law. Now the administrative office is in name only.
For example, the tax law should belong to administrative power, but the warehouse tax was proposed by the procuratorate. How can this be called separation of politics and law? "
As soon as these words came out, many people immediately stood up to express their support.
Fu Bi frowned secretly. He had realized that these powerful people had reacted and started to target them.
Suddenly I heard someone say: "That's because you are derelict in your duty."
Everyone looked back and saw that it was Zhang Fei who was speaking.
Zhao Xu looked up and said, "Prosecutor Zhang came out to speak."
"yes."
Zhang Fei stood up and said: "Your Majesty, I have a question to ask Mr. Deng."
Zhao Xu nodded.
Zhang Fei asked Deng Wan again: "Shilang Deng, is the new tax law set by the imperial court?"
Deng Wan hesitated for a moment before nodding.
After all, the Taxation Department is also subordinate to the Ministry of Household Affairs.
Zhang Fei asked again: "Did Minister Deng know in advance that businessmen and landowners complained about the unfairness of the new tax law?"
Deng Wan nodded again.
Zhang Fei immediately said to Zhao Xu: "Your Majesty, actually Shi Lang Deng is right, the tax law should be decided by the Ministry of Household Affairs or the Third Division, just like the new tax law, which was also decided by the imperial court and should not be decided by the Public Security Bureau.
But the problem is that when the new tax law revealed the issue of double taxation, which aroused dissatisfaction among businessmen and landowners, they were indifferent to what the Ministry of Revenue was doing and what the three departments were doing at that time, as if it had nothing to do with them.
But our Procuratorate has always fulfilled its duties. We do not want to interfere with finances. We submitted those two bills purely to maintain the authority of the tax law. After all, there are indeed injustices in the new tax law. "
Wang Anshi immediately stood up and said: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue and the Third Division were re-dividing financial powers at that time, so there was some negligence."
Zhao Xu nodded.
Deng Wan asked Zhang Fei again: "So, the tax law is not under the control of the Legislative Council or the Public Security Bureau?"
Zhang Fei said: "Fiscal policy is of course not under the jurisdiction of the public security organs, prosecutors and law, but it must pass the review of the Legislative Council because the policy must also comply with the law."
Deng Wan asked: "Can the policy still be illegal?"
Zhang Fei said: “First of all, policies must follow the laws of our ancestors.
Secondly, the interests of the country, the monarch, and the people must not be harmed. "
Xue Xiang couldn't help but asked curiously: "How to determine this?"
Zhang Fei said: "For example, tax increases should be decided by the Third Division or the Ministry of Revenue. If taxes are increased because of the war, then of course it is reasonable.
Because war threatens the survival of the country and the monarch, temporary taxation is understandable in this case.
The Legislative Council will also ensure the basic rights and interests of the people, that is, survival, and they will not be able to catch all the benefits.
To put it simply, tax laws are of course decided by the Ministry of Household Affairs, but the reasons must be fully explained in the Legislative Council. Otherwise, it will be difficult for our Public Security Bureau to strictly enforce the law. "
Deng Wan asked: "If I have received your Majesty's permission."
Zhang Fei immediately said: "Your Majesty will only agree to increase taxes, but how to increase it specifically is the responsibility of your Ministry of Household Affairs. If you just write down the number, I can do it. Why does Your Majesty want to choose Deng Shilang among tens of millions of people? No Do you just value Shilang Deng’s talents? Whether it is increasing taxes or reducing taxes, this is the time when Shilang Deng shows off his talents.”
A hint of guilt flashed in Deng Wan's eyes.
What they are talking about is actually this problem. It is too difficult to be an official now. The interests of the country, the monarch, and the people are in conflict. They have to protect all three at the same time. How can we do this?
Sima Guang and Zhao Pian immediately stood up and expressed their support.
Wang Anshi said: "The failure of the Ministry of household affairs is a problem of the Ministry of household affairs, but the responsibilities of the procuratorate should reflect the problem, not replace it. Due to system adjustments last time, it can only be treated as a special case, but in the future, the separation of politics and law must still be followed, and the procuratorate is not allowed to make decisions without authorization."
Zhang Fei said: "If the Ministry of Revenue continues to ignore it in the future, we will have no choice but to directly sue. We at the Public Security Bureau and the Procuratorate will wholeheartedly share your Majesty's worries and will never slack off."
This immediately attracted many officials to look at each other angrily.
You are too arrogant.
But the one standing at the front is Fu Bi, who has the ability to kill him.
Wang Anshi wrote lightly: "That is your responsibility."
He has talent, so he doesn't feel guilty. Isn't that the reason? He is afraid of being stalked by Sima Guang and the others, and he can't get through anything.
Feng Jing suddenly asked: "Prosecutor Zhang, based on the laws of our ancestors, prevent things and control them. Who will supervise your public prosecutors?"
Zhang Fei said: "Of course it's your Yushitai!"
Feng Jing immediately said to Zhao Xu: "Your Majesty, I suggest that the Supervisory and Legal Department be established in Yushitai to specifically supervise their public prosecutors and law."
To deal with the Public Security Bureau, you must first prepare a sharp weapon. Looking around, there is only the Yushitai.
However, the supervision of public prosecutors and law requires a lot of manpower and must be expanded.
Zhang Fei said: "I second my opinion. There will also be black sheep in the public security organs, and they must be supervised."
Many censors immediately looked at him with contempt, "What a black sheep, you and the entire public prosecutor's office are black sheep."
You don't play by the rules.
The emphasis in officialdom struggle is to generalize. One corrupt police officer means that the entire police group has problems. Birds of a feather flock together and people divide into groups.
Are you really a black sheep?
Zhao Xu nodded and said: "It's accurate."
Peng Siyan suddenly said: "Since it is specialized in supervising the public prosecution and law, naturally it cannot be handed over to the imperial court for trial."
Sima Guang stood up and said: "The imperial court is a system, not a person. The public prosecutors and the law are not subordinate to each other and have checks and balances. Moreover, according to the last reform of the public prosecutors and law, there is an imperial court that specializes in hearing such cases. I really don't agree with the superiors. And the Chief Justice, if the case is not handed over to the imperial court for trial, how can the separation of politics and law be achieved?"
Zhao Xu nodded and said: "All cases, big or small, must be submitted to the imperial court for trial. If the Yushitai has ironclad evidence, there is no need to worry about this."
Seeing that the emperor had said this, Peng Siyan could only retreat.
Zhao Xu asked again: "What suggestions do you have regarding the reform of the official system?"
Wang Anshi immediately stood up and said: "Your Majesty, now that the Judicial Office has been integrated, the administration and finance should also be integrated. I suggest that the names and powers of dispatched officials be unified. As for those idle officials, let them go to the Public Service Department or the Public Service Department first. The public security bureau and the judiciary should take the examination and select the best, so that the government orders can be complied with and those responsible must be held accountable."
Many officials came out in support. They used to be very opposed to doing this because it might require layoffs. But today is different from the past. The judicial power is too powerful. If the administration and finance cannot be integrated, how can they compete with the judiciary.
Of course, this is also based on the Public Works Agency. Currently, many people actually want to join the Public Works Department. Those idle officials don't just want to live in peace, they also want to have power, but the court does not give them anything to do.
Zhao Xu nodded slightly.
Wang Anshi added: "In addition, according to the current system, magistrates and county magistrates no longer need to deal with punishments. I think that the performance of officials can be assessed based on tax revenue."
Sima Guang immediately jumped out and said: "In this case, officials don't all have to be mercenary."
A smile flashed in Wang Anshi's eyes, "If an official seeks to benefit the people, does Sima Shangshu think it is also wrong?"
Sima Guang was stunned for a moment, "What do you mean by this?"
Wang Anshi said: "According to the current tax law, if you want to increase tax revenue, you must increase the people's income. If officials want to achieve good political performance, they must think about the people and increase the people's wealth. This kind of profit-seeking Isn’t it possible?”
Sima Guang was stunned for a moment, "But what if an official forcibly collects taxes from the people for political achievements?"
Wang Anshi laughed and said: "Did Sima Shangshu forget the public security law that he built?"
Sima Guang was immediately stunned.
Zhang Fei couldn't help but chuckle to himself, Wang Anshi only had Sima Guang in his heart!
He and Wang Anshi had discussed this a long time ago, but as Wang Anshi could directly explain just now, he left a loophole and deliberately waited for Sima Guang in order to entertain Sima Guang.
Zhao Xu nodded and said: "This is very good. It benefits the country and the people, and it is also fair. If you want to be promoted in the future, you must show political achievements."
In the past, there was a dispatch system. Officials were rotated every three years. After a few years without incident, they could be promoted. Everyone did not seek merit, but sought no faults.
If the names and powers are unified and there is no rotation, the officials will be involved.
If you want to be promoted and enjoy a higher salary, you have to work hard.
Of course, this meeting was mainly to determine a general policy, and then Zhao Xu discussed with officials from various ministries how to integrate it.
First of all, name and power are unified. The previous official system was mainly divided into three categories: officials, positions, and dispatches.
The ministers, ministers, and county magistrates are all rank and casual officials. They were first born from the officials left behind in the previous dynasty. Zhao Kuangyin would definitely not be able to use these officials, so give them money to prevent them from causing trouble. They were in name only, receiving salaries based on their official ranks, and their descendants became officials based on their kindness, and they were all called "officials with salary".
In contrast, dispatch officers have power but no reputation.
This is why officials in the Song Dynasty did not have much sense of class. Those with higher ranks were all rank officials and had no power. Would those officials with power be afraid of them?
Now they are asking for the unification of title and power, that is, giving all their official titles to the dispatching officer. To put it simply, the county magistrate becomes the county magistrate.
Those who are post-remuneration officers have to apply for jobs at the Public Works Department, Public Security Bureau, Procuratorate, and Judiciary. Those who fail to apply can only be laid off directly.
Officials refer to all kinds of bachelors. This type of officials are basically from the imperial examination. The Song Dynasty was very fierce in recruiting scholars, but the positions were limited, so they were given various bachelor's titles. When there were vacancies, the emperor directly Appointment and dispatch of officials are all done with bachelor degrees.
This type of officials are talented and are waiting to be appointed. Now they either join the Legislative Council, the Public Security Bureau, or the Public Service Department. The Public Service Department mainly consists of newspapers, hospitals, and colleges.
They don't need to apply for the job. They are recommended by others, or they request it themselves. If the court needs it, they can come back to fill the vacancy immediately.
On the whole, the main thing is not to lay off officials, but to let them all work and create value, instead of just lying there.
Because the current system does require more manpower.
However, this reform of the official system is actually just a name, it is actually a reform of power.
Judicial powers have actually been integrated.
The most important thing at the moment is financial power. The reform strategy is still the same as that of judicial power, with the goal of integration. It used to be dispersed, but now it is all centralized.
Financial power is mainly divided between the central government and local governments.
The central government is the Huhu Department and the Third Division.
It was finally decided that there would be only two major departments under the Ministry of Household Affairs: the Transshipment Department and the Shipping Department. The Transshipment Department was in charge of various taxes and water transportation, and their basis was the tax law.
Below the Shipping Department are the WFP and Changping Departments, which are in charge of central procurement and sales, based on contract law.
The Third Division is in charge of coinage, whether it is copper coins, paper money, or even silk, salt debts, and salt banknotes are all under the control of the Third Division.
As for the central and local governments, the existing tax revenue is 70%, the central government takes 70%, and the local governments retain 30%. This is actually divided based on military expenditures.
At present, the central finance mainly focuses on military expenditures. Military expenditures cannot be handed over to local governments, and 70% of them must be taken away.
But the annual increase in tax revenue becomes 37%, with the court taking 30% and the local government keeping 70%.
This is to mobilize the enthusiasm of local officials.
However, for the time being, these reforms are only implemented in areas with public prosecutors and law enforcement, and those without public prosecutors and law enforcement agencies will be left alone.
Why dare to centralize power? It’s because there are checks and balances from the public security organs, prosecutors and the law.
