Judge of the Song Dynasty Chapter 648: Facing the problem head-on

The next day.

"Ah, our Bianjing is so lively, but the Hezhong Mansion is really suffocating, it's meaningless at all."

Niu Beiqing murmured and came to the gate, stretched fiercely, looked left and right, saw the busy traffic on the street over there, and felt itchy in his heart, "Anyway, Sanlang is not at home, so why don't I go to the city?" Go around the collection, maybe you can meet Li Si and the others."

Li Si, Xiaotao, Qingmei and the others really didn't care about the exhaustion of traveling and traveling. They made an appointment to go out to sell vegetables early in the morning. They really missed the prosperity of Bianjing.

As soon as he was about to go out, four staff members with gifts walked up to him.

It is Fan Li, Chen Maoqian, Fan Yong, Ma Tianhao and others.

"Ouch! It's Brother Daniel, it's been a long time."

Seeing Niu Beiqing, the four of them immediately bowed their hands and said hello.

In the end, servants depend on masters, but now Zhang Fei is the head of the court, and has fallen several levels behind them.

"Several members are early."

Niu Beiqing arched his hands, and said again: "However, it's really a coincidence that you came here!"

"Is Sanlang still resting?" Chen Maoqian hurriedly asked.

Niu Beiqing shook his head and said: "Sanlang was called to the palace early in the morning, and he didn't say when he would return."

These four people looked at each other in blank dismay. This time, the emperor was eager to see him. It really is not what it used to be!

The four of them could only return in resentment.

Visit Zhang Fei?

At the moment, it is not an easy job. Before entering the house yesterday, Sima Guang and Wang Anshi stopped him halfway. Now that he got home, he had a night talk with Xu Zunbing.

After working hard all day, he didn't even have time to sleep in. Early this morning, someone from the palace came directly to call Zhang Fei to the palace.

I really can't breathe.

It can also be seen how complicated the current situation is.

The palace.

Because the weather has turned cold, Zhao Xu did not meet Zhang Fei in the attic, but in his study.

He summoned Zhang Fei now, so he didn't need to be sneaky. Now Zhang Fei is not just a little Erbi, but the chief judge of Shaanxi Road, his courtier, and the success of the Hezhong Mansion is shocking. The emperor personally It's a matter of course.

"Minister Zhang Fei sees Your Majesty."

"No need to be polite!"

Zhao Xu is still the same as before, not paying attention to these red tapes with Zhang Fei, pointing to the chair next to him and saying: "Sit down."

In fact, the ministers of the Song Dynasty discussed matters with the emperor almost always standing up, even if they met alone. It's just because Zhao Xu still hopes to maintain his friendship with Zhang Fei, which is very precious to him.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhang Fei is also used to it, so he sat down directly, but there were some refreshments on the low table in front of him.

Zhao Xu said again: "It's still early today, let's have some tea and pastries first, and at noon, let's have a few more cups."

Zhang Fei pretended to be sincere and fearful and said: "Your Majesty treats me like this, I am really flattered."

Zhao Xu couldn't help laughing and said: "Go out, you have learned a lot in officialdom!"

Zhang Fei smiled sarcastically.

Zhao Xu hehe said: "There is no one else here, I still hope to be able to speak freely as before."

"Yes."

Zhang Fei nodded, thinking, I didn't speak freely before.

Zhao Xu raised his glass again and said, "I replace wine with tea, I wish you a triumphant return."

Zhang Fei hastily raised his glass and said, "Actually, I was able to succeed in the Hezhong Mansion because of the trust and support of the officials. This cup should be a respect for the officials."

Zhao Xu said with a smile: "Don't be humble. If you can achieve such success with my support, then I don't have to worry about it. This cup must be my respect for you."

Zhang Fei was not being hypocritical either, he toasted to each other.

After drinking, Zhao Xu put down his teacup and said, "Okay, that's all for now, I'm going to talk to you about punishment."

"Huh?"

Zhang Fei opened his eyes suddenly, panicking in his heart.

Zhao Xu's expression changed, and he pointed at Zhang Fei and said, "Well, Zhang San is really you, you are the god, you are the ghost, and you also dragged me into the water."

Wow. This is really a face-changing like a textbook. What kind of emperor are you, why don't you act! Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, and then said with an aggrieved expression: "The official family is in the water, so where do we start when we get into the water?"

Zhao Xu was surprised and said: "What are you talking about, I am in the water?"

"Don't use Qianlong, this dragon is of course in the water." Zhang Fei said hehe.

Only then did Zhao Xu come to his senses, and snorted, "So you don't want to use Qianlong, you mean secretly using means to fan the flames and add fuel to the flames?"

Zhang Fei hurriedly said: "This is not a secret method, but to control the foreseeable risks in my hands. Moreover, I wrote to Xueshi Wang before, but Xueshi Wang did not adopt it. If you let it develop, I'm afraid I won't be able to close the show by then."

Zhao Xu asked: "Is it because the husband doesn't accept it, or do you know that the husband will not adopt it?"

Zhang Fei chuckled, "Aren't they all the same?"

Zhao Xu suddenly smiled, "However, in my opinion, your suggestion that Mr. did not adopt is not unreasonable. Although you were very successful in Hezhong Mansion, I also think that it was not the success of the public security department. Therefore, Fan Chunren I am not surprised that they are facing difficulties in Qingzhou."

He really knows everything Zhang Fei has done in the Hezhong Mansion. He believes that Zhang Fei still uses traditional political methods, and his success lies in power, not the system of public security and law.

Zhang Fei said with a smile: "It's not wrong for the officials to think so. The public prosecutor's law in Hezhong Mansion has indeed not been successful. This is only my personal success, because all my actions in Hezhong Mansion before In the construction of the public security law, the public security law has not yet been completed, and naturally it cannot play its due role."

"Building the Public Prosecution Law?" Zhao Xu frowned suddenly, and it sounded like it made some sense. He was just going to build the Public Procuratorate Law. Since it was under construction, it shouldn't be able to play a role.

Zhang Fei suddenly changed the topic, "However, Bianjing has proved the role of the public security law."

"Bianjing?"

Zhao Xu looked at him suspiciously.

"Yes."

Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Although I haven't seen Bianjing's tax revenue, I'm sure that Bianjing's tax revenue is increasing day by day."

After hearing this, Zhao Xu didn't think much about it, and immediately called the attendant outside the door in, and ordered the attendant to bring the tax account of Bianjing for the past two years. Immediately afterwards, he said to Zhang Fei: "I have to admit that I have been paying attention to Hezhong Mansion in recent years, but I have ignored Bianjing."

As he spoke, he paused for a while, "However, most of the increase in Hezhong government's finances is due to salt debts and salt money, and it is not brought about by the New Deal, but your credit. This is not applicable to the current Qingzhou .”

The failure of Qingzhou has made many people reflect on whether this public security law is the way out.

If it is impossible to leave Zhang Fei, it is enough to show that this system cannot work, and it is all due to Zhang Fei's personal ability.

Zhang Fei nodded and said: "What the officials said is correct. The Public Prosecution Law cannot solve Qingzhou's problems, and Qingzhou's problems are not caused by the Public Procuratorate Law. Use these problems to attack the public security law. But it can also be seen that these problems have always existed.”

Zhao Xu asked: "What's the problem?"

"Three redundancy."

Zhang Fei said: "The reason why the army pays and salaries are in arrears, and why the common people borrow usurious loans is all due to financial insufficiency, and the only reason for the financial insufficiency is the three redundancies. At most, it can only delay the financial crisis, but not fundamentally solve the financial crisis. He must be able to make money to keep up with the pace of Enyin and the expansion of scientific research.”

Zhao Xu was stunned and said, "So the ultimate goal of your plan is to lay off officials?"

Zhang Fei hehe said: "Otherwise, how dare I let the officials spend so much money, this must bring enough returns to the officials."

He said it easily, but Zhao Xu was slightly sweating when he heard it, "Do you know how dangerous this step is?"

This is not a new problem. Everyone in the world knows that if he is capable, he has done it long ago, and there is no need for Wang Anshi's reform.

"Of course I know."

Zhang Fei nodded, and said again: "But this is the root cause of the disease. We cannot ignore its existence. If we cannot face up to this problem, the problem will only become more serious.

This is like a hungry wolf staring at the government. There are only two ways to kill the hungry wolf, or, as it is now, ask Xueshi Wang to find meat everywhere and feed the wolf every day. A hungry wolf, in order to keep his life safe.

Perhaps in the eyes of officials or Wang Xueshi, this is just an expedient measure, but doing so will definitely lead to a result, that is, the hungry wolf becomes stronger, more greedy, and asks for more and more. During the process, the officials are constantly expending energy to find meat. For the officials, this is a process of ebb and flow, and the situation will only get worse, not better. "

The more you delay, the more difficult it is to deal with redundant officials, because there must be more and more officials, and the resistance must be greater and greater. The number of officials in the Renzong period is directly double that of the Zhenzong period, and the resistance is at least double times, certainly more than that.

Zhao Xu also knew it in his heart, but he was also very helpless, and asked: "So you think, now you have reached the point of fighting to the death?"

"Of course not."

Zhang Fei shook his head.

Zhao Xu was surprised and said, "Then what are you talking about?"

Zhang Fei said: "That depends on how the officials understand the problem of redundant officials."

Zhao Xu asked curiously: "A redundant official is a redundant official, how can you understand it?"

Zhang Fei said with a smile: "The officials think that the problem of redundant officials is that there are too many officials and the finances cannot afford it?"

Zhao Xu nodded and asked, "Isn't it?"

Zhang Fei nodded and said: "Yes, but this is only a superficial understanding."

"Huh?"

Zhao Xu frowned and looked at him.

Zhang Fei hurriedly said, "What do I mean?"

Zhao Xu raised his hand, "Okay, this is not the first time you have satirized me. If this is a superficial understanding, then the court officials are also superficial. Just talk about your profound understanding."

"Yes."

Zhang Fei nodded, then shook his head immediately: "No, it's not a profound understanding, it's just looking at it from another angle."

"Speak quickly."

Zhao Xu's curiosity was really hooked by Zhang Fei, there is something else to understand about this.

Zhang Fei said: "It's also a restaurant. The Yang Building on Ma Xing Street has only about thirty bartenders, but there are hundreds of bartenders in the Baifan Building. Dare to ask the officials, is there any redundant bartenders in the Baifan Building?"

Zhao Xu was stunned for a moment, "The Baifan building is so big, it's normal to have hundreds of bartenders, it's not redundant."

Zhang Fei said: "It can be seen that the meaning of redundancy does not lie in abundance, but in uselessness. If among the hundred bartenders in Baifan Building, eighty of them eat too much food every day and do nothing, then they are redundant bartenders. But if the hundred A bartender can create more value than their salary, and a hundred more will not be redundant."

Zhao Xu frowned slightly and said: "But the bartender and the official cannot be generalized."

"Of course not."

Zhang Fei said: "Officials are all well-educated, and they are all talents. They should be given such a high salary. It's just that every monarch in Song Dynasty is too kind, but they don't require each of them to create It is worth more than your own salary, so there is this calamity of redundant officials.”

Zhao Xu said: "So you don't really want to lay off officials, but you want those officials who have idle money to work?"

"Nor is that."

Zhang Fei shook his head and said: "Actually, it is to give them a chance, or in other words, to give the officials a reason to dismiss officials. If they can exert their abilities and create more value, then naturally they will be kept. But if they can't do it, then they can be laid off, and then it will be justified."

Zhao Xu thought for a while, and said: "This official is different from a businessman. Whether they can create value is not so easy to judge."

Zhang Fei asked: "Do officials think that the officials of the Taxation Department can create more value than their salaries?"

Zhao Xu immediately said: "Of course I can."

He is now a drop of love for the tax department.

It's really a money-making tool!

Zhang Fei asked again: "The officials think that the officials of the Public Security Bureau can create value higher than their salaries."

Zhao Xu also nodded, and immediately said: "What do you mean, recruit those officials into these departments?"

Zhang Fei said: "This is a way of thinking, because the current public security law requires a lot of manpower, especially those who can read and write. There is also the financial management concept advocated by Wang Xueshi, but Wang Xueshi's eyes are locked on large Commodities, such as taxes, salt, tea, etc., caused Wang Xueshi to ignore some details.

The government can also open some government offices that can be directly profitable, such as colleges, or hospitals for the whole people. These are what the people need and can directly generate value.

As far as I know, many officials with idle gifts actually have the ability in this area, and these abilities can be converted into money. At that time, not only can they support themselves, but the court can get a share of it. . If they don't want to, then let them go, and the officials have done their best. "

Zhao Xu nodded, "That's right, the imperial court is currently in financial difficulties, so it needs to make money, and making money requires talents and manpower. It's not that I don't have people, it's just that I haven't made good use of them."

"Exactly."

Zhang Fei nodded.

Zhao Xu asked again: "What role does the public security law play in it?"

Zhang Fei said: "If you directly announce this, it will inevitably attract many people's dissatisfaction with the officials, which may undermine the stability of the country. The role of the public security law is to give the officials a very suitable reason."

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in!"

But seeing a servant come into the house, "Report to the official family, the account has been brought."

"Take it here."

"Yes."

The attendant handed the account to Zhao Xu, and with Zhao Xu's signal, he withdrew.

Zhao Xu took a closer look at Bianjing's tax revenue in the past two years, and couldn't help raising his head to look at Zhang Fei, and said in surprise: "You're right, Bianjing's tax revenue has been increasing in the past two years, and it can probably be reached every year. One-tenth of the increase, and 90% of the increase is from commercial taxes.”

"That's because Bianjing has not yet completed the reform of the tax law. There will be a wave of increase in agricultural tax at that time, but if it can continue to increase, it must be commercial tax, because there is so much land."

"You told me before that if you focus on business taxes, you will get twice the result with half the effort." Zhao Xu nodded thoughtfully.

Zhang Fei said: "This is Qianlong, don't use it. Don't use it doesn't mean you don't use it, but you have to be passive, or use your power in a hidden way, to change the whole situation without everyone being able to perceive it.

And when the situation has changed and is still developing for the better, and most people are benefiting from it, there is naturally no reason to stop it.

Although many people in the DPRK and China are still opposing the Public Procuratorate Law, no one talks about the Public Procuratorate Law in Bianjing. "

Zhao Xu nodded again and again: "Yes, although there are many ministers impeaching the public prosecutor's law every year, they all involve Hezhong Prefecture and Qingzhou, and no one talks about the public prosecutor's law in Bianjing. I understand."

It seemed that the talk was on the rise, and the light tea could not satisfy the excitement in his heart. He looked at the sky again and said forcefully: "It's almost noon, come here, prepare the banquet." Then he said to Zhang Fei: " Today you and I must have a good drink."

It was not until the afternoon that Zhang Fei came out of the palace with a slightly red face.

When he came to the carriage, Long Wu suddenly glanced into the carriage.

Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, then got into the carriage directly, opened the curtain, cupped his hands and said, "Lv Xiaokan, don't come here without any problems."

Lu Huiqing couldn't help but smiled bitterly and said, "I'm fine, but now that you're back, I can't sleep all night."

Just as Zhang Fei was about to explain, Lu Huiqing immediately raised her hand again, "I was just joking, it is true that I was not careful enough to give the other party an opportunity."

"East Jingdong Road is so big, and the new law is promoted so fast, how can Lu Xiaokan take care of it." Zhang Fei changed his words to comfort him, bowed into the carriage, and said to Long Wu: "Send Lu Xiaokan back to the mansion. .”

The carriage moved slowly. Lu Huiqing asked: "But I want to know, what's going on?"

Zhang Fei was surprised: "Didn't Wang Xueshi tell you?"

Lu Huiqing was a little embarrassed and said: "Last night, my teacher was angry and didn't say anything to me, but I have already sent someone to investigate."

"I see."

Zhang Fei explained again: "Actually, Bachelor Sima didn't tell me the specifics. He just said that there will be problems on Jingdong East Road. Let me take care of Qingzhou."

Lu Huiqing nodded and said: "Actually, I know that there are many problems in the implementation of the Young Crop Law, but these are inevitable and need to be adjusted slowly. Generally speaking, this is not What chaos will be caused, but if someone is manipulating behind it, that's another matter."

Of course he is aware of the existence of those problems. He just wants to cut the leeks from the rich. Otherwise, where the money comes from, the little interest is not enough to see, but he believes that this is all within the controllable range. You must know that most officials and squires on Jingdong East Road support the Young Crop Law, just because they reject the Public Procuratorate Law even more.

But if Sima Guang and the others manipulate these issues secretly, it will be very scary.

Lu Huiqing immediately said again: "The reason why I ignore this point is because I know Bachelor Sima well, he should disdain to use this method."

Zhang Fei was stunned for a while, and asked: "Lv Xiaokan doesn't think this is my idea?"

"Of course not."

Lu Huiqing hurriedly explained: "I just regret it very much. I didn't expect that Bachelor Sima would use such a despicable method."

Zhang Fei shook his head and said, "Actually, this is not despicable."

Lu Huiqing asked: "How do you say that?"

Zhang Fei did not answer and asked instead: "As far as I know, many people are impeaching the Young Crop Law to increase the burden on the people?"

Lu Huiqing nodded.

Zhang Fei said again: "It can be seen that they have always known the existence of these problems, but because they are very fragmented, they have not received the attention of the court. They only need to gather these problems together and explode, and the court will have to pay attention."

"That's true."

Lu Huiqing nodded slightly, "No wonder Bachelor Sima was full of confidence at the beginning. It turns out that he already has the chance to win."

If you have the chance to win, why do you want me to come back? Zhang Fei said with a smile: "Fortunately, Xueshi Wang suggested that the public procuratorate Qingzhou. This move really saved lives!"

Lu Huiqing immediately asked: "So you can't save Qingzhou?"

Zhang Fei said: "I just came back now, so I don't know yet. I still need to know the specific situation in Qingzhou before I can make a judgment. However, Xiaokan Lu, please rest assured. If the situation on Jingdong East Road does not improve, I will It will not solve the Qingzhou problem, because it is too fatal for the New Deal.”

Lu Huiqing said: "Then if we can improve the situation on Jingdong East Road?"

Zhang Fei said: "Then I will also find a way to save Qingzhou's predicament. Scholar Wang is kind to me, but Scholar Sima is also kind to me, and the public security law is based on my legal system, so I can only use it. The Public Prosecution Law gives help to the New Deal, just like the Hezhong government.”

Lu Huiqing nodded with a smile and said: "You can do this, Lu is already very grateful. But you have a way to solve the problem on Jingdong East Road."

Zhang Fei said: "I am willing to help, but the premise is that I have a very good understanding of the situation on Jingdong East Road."

Lu Huiqing said: "Alright then, I will discuss the situation with you when I get the details."

Zhang Fei smiled and nodded.

After talking for a while, the carriage came to the gate of Lu Mansion, and Lu Huiqing got out of the carriage.

"Third brother, are we going home?"

Long Wu, who was driving, asked.

Zhang Fei seemed to be thinking about something, he was slightly taken aback, thought for a moment, and then said: "Go to the law firm."

"Yes."

After the carriage left the Lu Mansion, Zhang Fei let out a foul breath, and immediately said with a smile to himself: "I'm just telling you clearly, I'm eating from two families, so what can you do."

On the surface, Lu Huiqing came to ask the reason of the matter, but in fact, he came to test Zhang Fei, but this was within Zhang Fei's expectation. After all, Lu Huiqing did not know that he had written a letter to Wang Anshi. It is also reasonable to doubt him in the future.

Zhang Fei was not worried about this at all. After all, he was an aboveboard eater. Even if he helped Sima Guang, Lu Huiqing couldn't say anything. In the past, he often helped, as long as he didn't frame Wang Anshi.

After the carriage left, I saw a person coming out of the door. It was Deng Wan, the censor, "Is that him?"

Lu Huiqing shook his head and said, "It doesn't look like it for the time being. It depends on his future behavior, but one thing can be confirmed."

Deng Wan looked at Lu Huiqing suspiciously.

Lu Huiqing said: "He has a way to solve Qingzhou's plight. At present, we don't know the specific situation of Jingdong East Road. Just in case, we must make Qingzhou's situation worse, so that he can't There is a solution."