To be honest, Zhang Fei spent more time in the capital than he did in Hezhong Mansion. It was also in the capital that he first proposed the concept of legal system, but the people in the capital did not have such feelings for Zhang Fei.
This is all determined by interests.
Although the Public Security Bureau has brought many benefits to the people of the capital, it cannot pull them out of dire straits in a short period of time.
People in the capital saw Zhang Fei slowly growing from a small boy to a court president and prosecutor. In the hearts of many people, Zhang Fei was fighting for his personal future.
But for the people of Hezhong Mansion, Zhang Fei is their chief judge, because Zhang Fei's arrival has completely changed their lives and pulled them out of dire straits. No one can replace this position, not even Su Zhe performed very well.
Faced with the shouts of the villagers, Zhang Fei also came to the door in a very friendly manner and wanted to chat with them about how they have been in recent years.
But the folks are full of gossip.
Chief Justice, why don’t you grow a beard?
Chief Justice, isn't your wife here?
Chief Justice, I heard that you were not promoted after returning to Beijing, is that right?
Chief Justice, were you the one who wrote the provisional law?
Even the eloquent Zhang Fei didn't know how to answer these questions.
But he was very happy in his heart.
This proves that everyone is doing well because no one comes to him to complain.
In fact, how can it not be bitter? After all, Zhang Fei brought clear governance to Hezhong Mansion, rather than improving productivity and making wealth more real. However, compared with before, the people of Hezhong Mansion are very satisfied with the current situation.
From an ancient perspective, this was an age of unparalleled peace and prosperity.
It was not until noon that Zhang Fei returned to the house. Cai Bian had already asked people to prepare a luncheon to greet Zhang Fei. Of course, Su Che also stayed to keep him company, but mainly because his conversation with Zhang Fei was not over yet.
"I heard that the Legislative Council stipulated that the amount of tax coins issued cannot exceed the imperial court's copper and silk reserves." Su Che suddenly asked Zhang Fei.
Cai Bian glanced at Su Che and thought to himself, Prosecutor Su is really persistent!
Although the secret salt saved the government's life last time, in Su Zhe's view, this was a lesson and he could not continue like this.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Prosecutor Su is referring to the salt banknotes, right?"
Su Zhe nodded and said: "There is no legal regulation on the issuance of salt banknotes. It is decided by the government and Jiekupu through consultation, but facts have proven that they may work together."
Zhang Fei said: "It won't be long before the tax currency will break the constraints of the Legislative Council, and it will be decided by the Third Division and Jiekupu. Before I came, the three major Jiekupu had just borrowed money from the Third Division in order to meet the needs of the people. Went a million dollars."
Cai Bian asked in surprise: "Jiekupu borrowed one million guan from Sansi?"
Zhang Fei nodded.
Su Zhe found it even more incredible, "Didn't the Legislative Council take care of it?"
Zhang Fei said: "Jiekupu has collateral."
Su Che frowned and said, "But if we continue like this, won't there be any problems?"
"If you send too much, there will definitely be problems." Zhang Fei said.
Su Zhe waited patiently for the rest of the story.
Zhang Fei further explained: "But the current financial requirements of the imperial court are to save unnecessary losses and stimulate the growth of wealth, so as to enrich the country and the people. Facts have proved that paper money can benefit the people and the imperial court. You should do this I feel it too.”
Cai Bian nodded.
He actually supported this kind of policy, but Su Che always had deep doubts about it. He thought it should be settled as soon as possible.
Zhang Fei said to Su Zhe again: "Of course, what Prosecutor Su is worried about is absolutely right, and there is no problem. So this is not complicated, it is just two choices. Do you want to get more, or do you want to live a happy life?" More stable.”
Su Zhe said: "Isn't the latter a better choice? Paper money only solves the loss during the transaction process and makes it easier to detect corrupt officials, rather than truly increasing wealth."
Zhang Fei said: "In the past, people could only raise two or three chickens at home, but now they have more money, so they can raise four, five, seven or eight chickens. Does this count as an increase in wealth?"
Su Zhe said: "This is just insignificant."
Zhang Fei said: "In a few years, there may be dozens or hundreds. Businessmen and landowners can use money to make money, and so can ordinary people, but only if they have something to spare."
"Anything left?"
Cai Bian thought about it carefully, nodded and said, "The teacher is right. In the market outside, many people are slowly becoming richer like this."
Su Che was also silent in thought.
Zhang Fei said: "Anyway, the current policy of the court is to make the country rich and the people rich. This is not a bad idea. We should not deny this idea, but should give efforts and support.
If we do not choose this path, then the next choice will never be what Prosecutor General Su thinks. It will definitely be to make the country rich and the people poor.
Just like it has been throughout the ages. "
Su Zhe's eyes widened after hearing this, and he pondered for a long time. Suddenly he felt enlightened and couldn't help but smile bitterly: "You are right, even if you don't do this, it will never be what I think it is."
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Believe in salt banknotes, recognize salt banknotes, and work hard to make it better, because salt banknotes can indeed make the country and its people better, and without salt banknotes, it will only not become worse." That’s all, not that it’s not going to be bad.”
Su Che chuckled and said, "The Chief Justice is still so good at persuading others."
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "It's not that I'm good at persuading others, but I know that running a country is like sailing against the current. If we don't advance, we will retreat. From the beginning to the end, there is a cliff behind us."
Su Zhe nodded slightly and asked, "What's the position of the public prosecutor, procuratorate, and law among them?"
Zhang Fei pondered for a while, "I think the most accurate answer is everything that Prosecutor General Su has done in the past few years."
Su Che was stunned for a moment before he realized what he was doing. He cupped his hands and said, "Shame on you! Su Che can't bear it."
Not long after lunch, Su Che said goodbye. As soon as he left, Yuan Jiang and Cai Yanqing rushed here, and Cai Bian also left very wisely.
Like Su Che, they also complained all kinds of things when they saw Zhang Fei.
"I never thought that I would miss you so much after you left. Su Ziyou's wooden head really pissed me off."
No comparison means no harm.
Yuan Jiang originally thought that the cooperation with Zhang Fei was a good start, but little did he know that it would be the pinnacle of cooperation, and that he and Su Che would not be able to talk to each other at all.
Since then, there has been no very sophisticated policy.
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "If you two were on good terms with Prosecutor General Su and discussed everything, believe me, Hezhong Mansion would definitely not be as good as it is now. It's like if someone is chasing you with a knife, you will run faster than usual. quick."
Cai Yanqing stroked his beard and said with a smile: "The president of the court is still so funny."
Yuan Jiang sighed: "But it's also more tiring!"
Zhang Fei said: "But if you can see the people living and working in peace and contentment, you won't feel tired no matter how tired you are!"
"We are not as noble as you said." Yuan Jiang waved her hands modestly, but then added: "But this seems to be coming to an end. After several years of rapid growth, tax revenue only increased by 10% last year."
It is difficult to go from extravagance to frugality!
In the past few years, Hezhong Prefecture's finances were in the lead, and they doubled in the first two years. However, this was all caused by the Qingming Administration and the Taxation Department, rather than breaking through the bottleneck.
Now that all the elites in the tax department have left, it has been proven that not many people dare to evade taxes. At this time, fiscal growth is slow and basically saturated.
Yuan Jiang and the others felt very disappointed.
Zhang Fei said: "Coal and iron."
Yuan Jiang asked in surprise: "What do you mean by this?"
Zhang Fei said: "With the development of industry and commerce, the demand for coal and iron will increase day by day. As far as I know, our Hezhong Prefecture and Jingzhao Prefecture are rich in coal and iron. As long as we find a way, we can quickly mine and develop Smelting technology, then the finance here will soon break through the bottleneck and reach a higher level."
Cai Yanqing frowned and said, "But how easy is it?"
Issuing salt banknotes and salt bonds will bring a lot of money, but if you want to develop coal and iron, it will take years and months.
Zhang Fei said: "We don't need to use our brains. Businessmen will figure out a way. If they want to make more money, they must develop technology in this area. The government can introduce policies to rectify local coal and iron and cooperate with businessmen in mining. "
In fact, the demand for coal in the Song Dynasty was very large. In the past, the ground heating in Gyeonggi basically relied on coal. Nowadays, with the development of industry and commerce, coupled with the development of firearms, this is an extremely promising industry, and Hezhong Prefecture happens to be rich in coal. Iron is still relatively abundant. Seizing this is tantamount to seizing the future.
This is also the purpose of Zhang Fei coming here. He did not come to Hezhong Mansion to inspect the public prosecutor's office.
The next day.
Zhang Fei took a long nap before getting up. It wasn't really because of the long journey, but because he felt at home here and slept very soundly.
After washing up, he took Long Wu to Big Dog's tavern.
"Good morning, President!"
"Good morning, President!"
"Good morning! Good morning, fellow citizens."
After just a few steps or a quarter of an hour, the businessmen and clerks here greeted Zhang Fei very warmly.
Now it has become the financial center of Hezhong Prefecture.
In fact, in the beginning, everyone just came here to sign contracts. Over time, wealthy businessmen settled here to discuss cooperation with other businessmen. After all, all bookstores were built here, and there were complete supporting measures.
"President, you are here."
The big dog came out and said excitedly.
Zhang Fei smiled and nodded, "I've been thinking about the delicious food in your store since I came here."
"This is the shop's honor. President, please come in quickly."
Big Dog immediately welcomed Zhang Fei into the store.
Entering the elegant room, Zhang Fei joked: "Big dog, have you been very boring in recent years?"
The big dog said sarcastically: "It's true, many people have been transferred away, it's really a bit boring."
"It's going to be lively soon."
Zhang Fei asked in a low voice: "Have they all settled down?"
Big Dog said: "President, please rest assured that everything has been settled. Those workshops are all ready-made and can be used for production with slight modifications, and those craftsmen have already started production."
Zhang Fei nodded, "You need to go all out on this matter. As for the affairs of the Taxation Department, let's forget about it for now."
The big dog nodded and said, "I understand."
At this moment, I suddenly heard the sound of rapid footsteps.
"Third brother!"
Zhang Fei looked up and immediately stood up, "Fan Da!"
After not seeing each other for many years, Fan Zheng looked more mature and dressed more simply, but he was still so young.
"I know you are coming, but I don't know what day you are coming, but I am very anxious."
Fan Zheng's face rarely showed excitement.
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Same, same, you are not in the capital, I don't even bother to go to the Alum Tower."
Fan Zheng was stunned for a moment and said, "Then we still have to go more."
Zhang Fei laughed, "Do you still care about this little money now?"
Fan Zheng suddenly said with emotion: "To be honest with Third Brother, before I met Third Brother, I wanted to keep the family business and make a little more money. After coming to Hezhong Mansion, it really opened my eyes. It turns out that I can still do it." It’s so profitable. It wasn’t until I went to Xizhou last year that I realized that there are people out there, there is a world out there, and Uncle Ma is making money there, which is really jaw-dropping.”
"There is no way, everyone with the surname Ma has this kind of virtue."
Zhang Fei chuckled and said, "I hope this doesn't make you lose the motivation to make money?"
"Long lost."
Fan Zhengdao: "Making money is no longer exciting to me now. I just feel that this responsibility is huge, because I now control the wealth of the government and most wealthy businessmen, and my life is like walking on thin ice every day."
Zhang Fei said: "Do you also have a strange feeling?"
Fan Zheng was stunned for a moment, and then said shyly: "I can't hide anything from Third Brother. I really feel an indescribable sense of satisfaction."
"that power."
Zhang Fei smiled.
Fan Zheng looked around in fright, "Third brother, please don't talk nonsense."
Zhang Fei laughed, stretched out his hand and said, "Sit down, sit down, let's sit down and talk."
"Third brother please."
"please."
After sitting down, Zhang Fei said again: "I came here because I know that you may have lost your enterprising spirit, so I will find something exciting for you to do."
Fan Zheng asked: "What's the matter?"
Zhang Fei said: "I need you to help me purchase coal and iron, and then deliver it to the designated place. Will someone contact you then?"
Fan Zhengdao: "But the dog brother of this store?"
Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, "Have I mentioned this to you?"
Fan Zhengdao: "My Bailun Building is right next to it. It's big and impressive, but the third brother wants to come here."
Zhang Fei chuckled and said, "It seems that you have really matured a lot!"
After a pause, he saw that Fan Zheng didn't ask again, so he said, "You have already guessed it."
Fan Zheng nodded.
If you want coal and iron, and you want to keep it so secretive, then you must be producing weapons. To produce weapons in large quantities secretly, isn't it just to fight a war?
Zhang Fei said: "But you still don't understand why I said it would bring you some excitement."
Fan Zheng nodded again.
I'm just going to help you buy some coal and iron. Although this is a bit sensitive, it's not irritating!
Zhang Fei said: "Because I hope you will become the next Third Commander."
Fan Zheng was suddenly startled, "Third Secretary?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "I'm not kidding. After this reform, you are actually doing the work of the Third Secretary. Through the transfer of wealth, you control the overall situation and discover risks in advance, but manage them well in the peaceful and prosperous times." Wealth is not a skill. Only when you are able to do this during a war is your real skill."
Is this exciting?
This is simply a fantasy story.
"How can I become the third commander?"
Fan Zheng asked in a trembling voice.
Zhang Fei said: "Nothing is impossible. Whoever controls Jiekupu in the future will become the next three secretaries. This is an inevitable trend. Therefore, you have to look at the business of Jiekupu from a more long-term perspective, and You have to set higher goals for yourself.”
Fan Zheng still found it unbelievable, "But the imperial court has a system. I am a businessman. Even if I want to become an official, I have to climb up step by step. How can I suddenly become the third envoy?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "The system has been changed. In the future, the three envoys will be directly appointed by officials, and I will persuade the officials to choose people directly from Jiekupu. This is actually not difficult, because the civil and military officials of the entire dynasty are not Understand this."
Fan Zheng saw that Zhang Fei was really not joking.
this..
This really opened a skylight for Fan Zheng. He had never thought that he could still be an official, and he was still the third envoy.
To be honest, Fan Zheng was really confused before and didn't know where to go next.
make money?
The money he made was numb, and the accounts he had in his hands ranged from tens of thousands of dollars at least.
What's the point?
All of a sudden, it's like flying straight into the sky.
For Zhang Fei, his plan is to develop industry and commerce, but if businessmen cannot enter the court and control power, industry and commerce will never develop.
When you get to Fan Zheng, you've basically reached the top.
But in this ancient society, it was simply impossible for businessmen to enter the decision-making body.
However, Xue Xiang's series of operations gave Zhang Fei hope.
Nowadays, Jiekupu and Sansi are inseparable, and playing is pure currency. If Mr. Lu is allowed to take charge of the current Sansi, he no longer has this ability. From this point of view, the elite of Jiekupu are the The Third Secretary is the most suitable candidate.
For the emperor, the power of businessmen could also help him check and balance the scholar-bureaucrats.
Zhang Fei plans to use this path to allow businessmen to enter decision-making bodies.
Fan Zheng was Zhang Fei's stepping stone for the Song Dynasty.
Soon, Fan Zheng understood that Zhang Fei was really well-prepared and not just asking him to buy coal and iron secretly.
At the same time, there is also some financial supply to the front line, as well as secret hoarding of food.
This is actually the job of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Because this plan is to be hidden from the political hall, it must not follow the conventional route. Otherwise, the ministers of the DPRK and China will soon know about it, so they can only find another way, and Jiekupu is the best choice.
This really made Fan Zheng a little excited and looking forward to it.
Businessmen are the ones causing trouble on the front lines, and businessmen are the ones providing money in the back. Isn’t this a businessman’s war?
After making these arrangements, Zhang Fei set off back to Beijing.
Zhang Fei, who was eager to return home, was clad in stars and wearing the moon, and he rode hard and returned to the capital in a few days.
"You are finally back."
As soon as she got home, Xu Zhiqian hurriedly greeted her.
Zhang Fei didn't even recover, "What happened?"
Xu Zhiqian said: "Something happened in the Jianghuai area. At the beginning of this year, the Taxation Department conducted a tax inspection there, resulting in the death and injury of more than thirty scholar-bureaucrats and more than a hundred lives."
Zhang Fei was shocked and said: "Such a big deal? They must have heard of the tax department's bad reputation, right?"
Xu Zhiqian said: "This is different. For example, in Gyeonggi Province, when they first recognized the tax department, it was just because of the exemption tax, and then they standardized the tax laws step by step, and then later on the warehouse tax. The same is true for Jingdong East Road, but Jianghuai Regions are different. They have to accept all tax laws within one year.
Especially the warehouse tax. There were really many people there who wanted to evade the warehouse tax. As a result, they were found out by the tax department. Some old scholar-officials couldn't accept it for a while and vomited blood and died in the imperial court.
There were also some scholar-bureaucrats who tried to stop the tax police, but were pushed away by the tax police and fell to death. There were countless such cases.
Now the DPRK and China are very dissatisfied with the violent behavior against the Department of Taxation, and this matter has caused a storm in the city. Even the chief judge and the rich man did not support the tax department's actions, and even my father did not dare to say a word. "
At this moment, someone suddenly came to the palace, and Zhang Fei was summoned to enter the palace immediately.
When he got home, Zhang Fei rushed to the palace before he even sat down.
Seeing Zhao Xu, Zhang Fei first reported the results of his trip, including how he frightened Zhong E and others.
"It's really yours."
Zhao Xu laughed when he heard this, and nodded with satisfaction: "In this case, they must not dare to scheming with each other for the time being."
Zhang Fei said: "However, things may develop faster than we expected. The reason why I am in a hurry to leave Xizhou is because the Xixia border has gradually become out of control. I believe there will be a war soon. I am afraid of staying there. It will make people suspicious.”
Zhao Xu nodded and said: "But the civil and military officials of the whole court are not aware of this matter, and if you are just a prosecutor, the help you can give me is very limited. I also plan to appoint you as the president of the court immediately."
Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, "Immediately?"
Zhao Xu nodded, "Do you know what happened in Jiangnan?"
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Mrs. Cai mentioned it to me just now."
Zhao Xu said: "Because there are many scholar-bureaucrats involved, the ministers of the DPRK and China are almost standing opposite the tax department, and it is not easy for me to come forward. I need you to calm this storm."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "I understand."
After coming out of the palace, Li Bao was already waiting on the carriage.
"Didn't you say that Hezhong Prefecture is full of elites and they won't be as violent as the Jingdong East Road Tax Department? Why are they still making such a big fuss?"
"This is really unjust!"
Li Bao looked aggrieved.
Zhang Fei said: "What's going on?"
Li Bao said: "It's because those scholar-bureaucrats relied on their old age and took advantage of their weak bodies to stalk the tax police. Moreover, those Jiangnan landlords were also very cunning and let some old Confucian women and children stand in the way. With this push, Just one person dies. No matter how gentle the tax policeman in Hezhong Prefecture is, he can't control it.
At that time, the tax police had only one option: either withdraw, or send them to see the King of Hell. "
Zhang Fei asked: "Those tax policemen didn't violate any rules, right?"
Li Bao hesitated a little and said: "In terms of law enforcement, there were no violations, but he fell into several traps. The other party made a conspiracy and set up a maze to confuse the tax police. However, during the trial, the imperial court also ruled against the tax department. .
They just want to use this to separate the Taxation Department and the Public Security Bureau. On the one hand, they praise the Public Security Bureau and enforce the law impartially, but on the other hand, they attack the Taxation Department and frame the blame.
This resulted in the loss of lives later, and the police, prosecutors, and law became somewhat in a dilemma. Many judges and prosecutors also felt that the tax department went too far and bullied old scholars, women, and children, so this matter came to the capital. "
