On the way, Li Hao and Gu Tingye mentioned the New Deal reforms. Li Hao had promised to help the general group change the situation of emphasizing culture over military affairs.
It's just that Li Hao had been busy with his own affairs and didn't care about it. Now he happened to meet Gu Tingye, and Li Hao already had an idea in his mind, so they could discuss it.
"You all should know that the imperial court is about to restart the New Deal. According to the wishes of the two prime ministers, this New Deal must carry on the ambition of Duke Fan Wenzheng and complete the unfinished business during the Qingli years.
Of course, the situation today is definitely different from that back then, so specific details will need to be adjusted based on actual conditions, such as tax reform. "
After hearing this, Gu Tingye asked doubtfully: "Of course we know what you said, but what does this have to do with us.
If it is about reforming armaments, it is indeed related to us, but if we want to do this, we will definitely discuss it with the British government first. We should not be able to hear the news. "
"Of course we haven't reached this point yet. We have to do things step by step."
Hearing what Li Hao said, Gu Tingye was even more confused: "Then why are you telling us this? To show off your skills."
Li Hao had no choice but to explain: "Yes, yes, let me tell you directly. The current commercial tax reform is to transfer the taxation power to the third division.
Naturally, I don’t want to use the local tax collector anymore, otherwise I would be under the control of others and give them the opportunity to commit fraud.
But think about it, there are only so many people in our Third Division. Even if we send them all out, I'm afraid they won't be able to take over a few places.
Therefore, I plan to set up a separate yamen to collect commercial taxes in various places and be responsible for escorting them back to Beijing. "
After hearing this, Yuan Wenshao couldn't sit still and asked directly: "There are thousands of tax customs in various places. In addition, there are people in various cities collecting residence taxes. This requires tens of thousands of manpower." No matter what, the two prime ministers can agree to this matter."
Li Hao laughed and replied: "If we recruit new people, it is naturally impossible to agree. The court does not have that much money to pay this salary, but what if we use the people we already have."
It had happened before. These words made Gu Tingye and others think deeply. Which yamen in the imperial court could have so many people.
In the end, it was Gu Tingye who had the brightest mind and blurted out: "You want to transfer people from the army, is that okay?"
Yang Wenyuan and Yuan Wenshao also turned to look at Li Hao with surprised expressions on their faces.
Just listen to Li Hao reply: "What's impossible? It's not just asking the army to collect taxes directly, but the Third Division reorganizes a team of people, just like the government officials under the government.
Moreover, these people are not stationed in one place. After they are dispersed to the 26th Road of the Song Dynasty, there are actually not many people, so they will not make people suspicious.
I have already discussed this matter with Mr. Ouyang, and there is no big problem with him. "
According to what Li Hao said, even though this yamen is about to be built, the number of people is huge.
But these people will be responsible for collecting taxes from various places. When the time comes, they will definitely be stationed in various prefectures and counties. Then they will really no longer be conspicuous.
After confirming that Li Hao's plan was feasible, a few people began to think about what benefits it would bring to people like themselves if they were to implement it like this.
First of all, there are the yamen officials, among whom civilian officials are definitely indispensable. Specific tax collection matters must be done by civilian officials.
But military generals will definitely have a place in this yamen. They are responsible for commanding the troops. If this matter is done well, it will be a good way.
And maybe it can be integrated into the civil service system. Although everyone originally discussed balancing the status of civil and military affairs, whether it can be realized is still a question. It is better to take this path.
And now that Li Hao was talking in front of everyone, he naturally wanted to choose someone from among the people in front of him.
Of course, Gu Tingye and Yang Wenyuan's current positions are too high and they are not suitable for this job. It depends on whether Yuan Wenshao thinks so.
However, Yuan Wenshao obviously didn't think it through. Although this opportunity was indeed good, Zhongqin's Mansion was the home of Marquis Wu after all.
Yuan Wenshao has been practicing martial arts since he was a child. Now that he is finally able to lead an army on his own, it is still a bit of a struggle to break out of the army.
Li Hao didn't want Yuan Wenshao to decide on the spot, so he said: "There is no rush to decide this matter immediately. You can go back and think about it. If anyone is willing to do it, come to me."
"In addition, I have to send someone to Zhang Wen to tell him. If he is also interested, then we will discuss it again."
Then Li Hao added that after all, his bowl of water was average, and he had to explain that he was seeking welfare for his own people, so as not to make people think that he couldn't find anyone to do it and asked for help.
After entering the city, several people went back to their houses. As soon as they arrived at the house, they saw several boxes of various sizes piled up in their courtyard.
So he went into the house and asked Zhang Guifen: "Where did the things in this courtyard come from and why are they placed here?"
Zhang Guifen was checking the government's accounts at this time, so she didn't say anything. She just instructed Qiu Yun to take something from the table and give it to Li Hao.
Li Hao took it and took a look and found that it was a gift list. Now he naturally understood what was in the yard.
Looking carefully, the Wang family's wealth is relatively rich, and the things sent this time are not cheap.
Seeing that Li Hao didn't respond after looking at the gift list, Zhang Guifen finally put down the account book in her hand and said, "What do you think? Should I accept this gift or return it to others?"
When Li Hao heard Zhang Guifen's words, he took a step forward and sat next to Zhang Guifen, and then said: "Since I have my whole heart, I can't live up to it.
Collect it and ask someone to find a special warehouse to store it and register it in a book. Don't miss anything. "
Hearing this, Zhang Guifen gave Li Hao a confused look, and then asked Qiu Yun to find someone to move the things into the warehouse.
After there was no one in the room, Zhang Guifen faced Li Hao and asked, "Why, are you planning to help the Wang family?"
Li Hao replied: "There happens to be something that requires the Wang family to help, so let's help him by the way. And it's not necessarily a blessing or a curse. It depends on his own luck."
Regarding Li Hao's words, Zhang Guifen was obviously more confused, but just when she wanted to continue questioning, Li Hao stopped her by saying that the secret must not be leaked.
Zhang Guifen immediately didn't bother to ask anymore and let Li Hao figure it out on his own.
The Wang family felt relieved when they saw that Li Hao had left the things. At least it seemed that Li Hao was indeed planning to help.
In the next few days, Li Hao first notified Zhang Wen of the establishment of the tax inspection office and asked him to think about whether he was willing to go.
Then he found Ouyang Xiu and emphasized his idea of recommending Wang Shiping as the Yin of Yingtian Prefecture.
Ouyang Xiu heard this and said, "Wang Shiping is mediocre in his work and cannot be said to be a capable person. What do you think about it?
Why do you want to elect him to serve as the Yin of Yingtian Prefecture? You must know that the reform of Kaifeng Prefecture and Yingtian Prefecture is the beginning of the New Deal, and there must be no problems. Can he really complete the task of commercial and tax reform? "
Li Hao explained: "I just valued his mediocrity. This deprivation of the local power to collect commercial taxes made local officials dissatisfied.
I don't know how many people in Yingtian Mansion opposed it openly or covertly, so I sent a smart and capable person there. If I was wooed by someone, wouldn't I be causing trouble for myself!
On the contrary, a mediocre but self-aware person is the best choice. I just want him to be a hands-off shopkeeper who can make peace with me.
Of course, there are many such people. Another reason for choosing Wang Shiping is the network of contacts left by Mrs. Wang.
Regarding the establishment of a salt tax and anti-smuggling yamen, this matter will definitely be discussed in court, and I'm afraid there will be some controversy.
As the Grand Prince, my uncle doesn't like to show up for anything, so let the Wang family take the limelight and you can be the referee. "
Li Hao led him here, and Ouyang Xiuhao took the opportunity to ask out his doubts: "Actually, why do you have to set up this separate tax yamen? Although it is to isolate the control of local governments, you can use the name of the Third Division to call in local military forces." If we cooperate, we can achieve the same results.”
Li Hao explained: “Of course it is possible, but such transfer is by no means a long-term solution, and the new policy cannot be limited to commercial taxes.
In the future, the two taxes will always be included. Having your own manpower and borrowing from others will be completely different.
At the same time, it can also be used to deepen centralization of power, give the court an extra ear and hands at the local level, and provide multiple checks and balances for local officials. "
Seeing that Ouyang Xiu still had doubts, Li Hao said, "Uncle, why are you so hesitant? Didn't you already agree on it?"
Ouyang Xiu replied: "The rest is nothing, but if this yamen is built among the three divisions, the powers of the third division will be too large.
Although you said that the Wang family came forward, I'm afraid there is still a lot of resistance.
Moreover, I also went to discuss it with Grand Prime Minister Fu Bi. He was noncommittal about the discussion, so I was still a little worried. "
Seeing Ouyang Xiu's retreat, Li Hao immediately said: "It's easy for Grand Prime Minister Fu Bi to talk about it. Since he has no clear objection to this matter, he will be neutral at most in the court. As for the others, I will think of a way."
Seeing what Li Hao said, Ouyang Xiu asked: "Oh, what else can you do?"
Li Hao said: "Since someone can benefit from this, then it is natural who should contribute, and you can't just sit there and take advantage.
I didn't go to them originally because I wanted to implement the matter first to save trouble. But now that the situation has changed, it's time to go to them. "
】
Ouyang Xiu pondered for a while and said: "That's right, after the establishment of this yamen, it will need to transfer people from the army, so naturally it will need a group of generals to fill it.
Those Wu Xun people usually make friends with civil servants a lot, and together they can really help.
In this case, it's up to you to make the arrangements, and I will cooperate with you. "
Upon seeing this, Li Hao quickly agreed, then said goodbye to Ouyang Xiu, and hurried to implement the matter.
After all, looking at Ouyang Xiu's change of attitude in this short period of time, Li Hao realized that if he didn't settle the matter as soon as possible, something might happen later.
At that moment, Li Hao went to the Wang family first. The Wang family's mother and son were very enthusiastic when they saw Li Hao coming over.
But after Li Hao explained his intention, it became a bit quiet.
Seeing this situation, Li Hao said: "Both the two great ministers support this matter. They cannot propose it themselves and then carry it out. There is still a process in between.
If it weren't for the disciple to do this, he might not be able to live up to his reputation, and he wouldn't have to find someone else.
If Mr. Wang doesn't want to, forget it, I can't make it difficult for you. "
After saying that, he stood up to leave, but then Mrs. Wang stopped her and said, "What are you talking about? Shiping is just thinking about how to handle this matter, and has no intention of shirk."
When Li Hao heard this, he looked at Wang Shiping and asked, "Master Wang thinks so, that's great."
Wang Shiping looked embarrassed at this moment, but under the offensive look from Mrs. Wang beside Li Hao, he still complied.
So Li Hao sat back down, chatted with the two about household matters, and had lunch before leaving the palace.
In the afternoon, Li Hao went to the British Duke's Mansion to find his father-in-law. Anyway, his father-in-law was very effective in talking about military generals.
Moreover, Li Hao's proposal was indeed beneficial to the Wuxun Group, so the British public agreed without hesitation.
Said: "Since this matter is of great benefit to the Wu Xun family like us, it is natural that we should put in some effort. I will arrange this matter.
But if you want them to use their full strength, you have to spend some money, not just talk. "
Li Hao replied: "Don't worry, father-in-law, I naturally understand this. According to my expectation, this yamen needs to be spread across the 26th Road, the Four Capital Prefectures, the Thirty Prefectures, and the 254 prefectures of the Song Dynasty.
As for the counties and prisons further down, they do not need to set up separate yamen, but are handed over to the state governments.
The most important among them is definitely the Four Capital Prefectures, followed by the chief officials of various districts, and below that are the chief officials of the various states.
Kaifeng Mansion is managed by the Third Division, and then I have a candidate for Yingtian Mansion. The remaining Daming Mansion and Henan Mansion might as well be left to the person who contributes the most.
The rest depends on the specific situation. Anyway, it will take some time for the commercial tax reform to be implemented all over the world. "
Now that Li Hao had taken bait here, the British public began to deal with the matter.
As for the Wang family, in fact, after Li Hao left, Wang Shiping asked about Mrs. Wang.
"Mother, why did you agree to Li Hao just now? Now the favor left by my father will be lost every time. How can you waste it on this matter?"
Mrs. Wang replied: "If you don't agree to him, do you think Yingtian Fuyin's position can still fall into your hands.
Favor, as long as it is used up, will eventually run out. You must take a step further to be useful to others.
Moreover, what Li Hao said is not unreasonable. If he can take this opportunity to leave an impression in front of the two great ministers, it will not be a loss even if the favor is used up.
In addition, I can take advantage of this opportunity to find a way to transfer your sister's family to Yingtian Mansion, so that they will not be under my nose and something will happen to them. "
Wang Shiping thought it made sense when he heard what his mother said earlier, but when he suddenly heard this last sentence, he couldn't help but feel a little awkward.
Wang Shiping also had a headache for his sister, the troublemaker, but it was difficult to say anything because of the majesty of his mother.
Now I really can only hope that she will go to Yingtian Mansion and live in peace for a few days without causing trouble for herself.
