Judge of the Song Dynasty Chapter 761: Overcoming the disaster

This Wang Shao can definitely be said to be both civilized and military, but this "literary" does not only refer to his articles and poems, but also includes his understanding of political struggle.

If it were a military general, he would definitely think that I have laid down such a large piece of land, second only to Emperor Taizu, and made such a great contribution. You should all praise me. How could I do it for a little money? , come and argue with me.

If you are like this, who would be willing to open up new territories for the country?

But countries are multi-dimensional, and it is impossible to judge success or failure based on just one point.

Wang Shao has a very sense of crisis. He knows very well that if the Xihe area requires the court to pay three to four million yuan every year, then his entire grand strategy may not be defined as a success, and it may also cause problems. He brings trouble.

Therefore, before preparing to expand the border, he studied the Public Security Law in Hezhong Prefecture. He also saw that the Public Prosecution Law made Hezhong Prefecture’s business more prosperous. Therefore, after taking the Xihe area, he immediately asked the court to Send the public prosecutor over quickly.

Because the biggest advantage of the Xihe area is the Silk Road, foreign trade, and local taxes are very small. You can't count on that little land rent. Compared with military expenditures, it is just a drop in the bucket. You have to find another way. He believes that commercial taxes is the key, and the public security law and business are completely consistent.

Of course, it has to be said that the success of the Public Security Law in the Xihe area far exceeded his expectations. He had never thought before that the Qiang and Tubo people could accept the Public Security Law so quickly and become so popular. As for the regimes such as Zunsiluo, they were very uneasy.

I'm not stupid either. How could I not see Wang Shao's tricks? The Song Army did not tax, which was a big problem for them, because it would cause many people to move to the Xihe area. The Public Security Bureau and the Procuratorate provide them with protection, which is even more popular among the people. If this continues, they will be doomed, so they are trying to find ways to intensify local conflicts.

And this is indeed the biggest dilemma Song Jun faces locally now.

In fact, in terms of the overall situation, this moment is also the most difficult time for the Song Dynasty. As an old saying goes, it is afraid that brothers will have a hard time, and they are also afraid that brothers will drive Land Rover.

The Song Dynasty's reforms and efforts to govern were not what the surrounding neighbors wanted to see. If you want to become stronger, wouldn't you threaten me?

So, the Liao Kingdom also started to cause trouble.

When Wang Shao learned from Han Jiang that the Liao Kingdom sent a special envoy to the capital, he was also very uneasy.

Because this is entirely possible to influence the court's policy.

At this time, Xiao Xi, the Liao envoy, had already entered Beijing, and Zhao Xu also appointed Liu Zhao to contact the Liao envoy. So far, the Song court was sure that they were here to take advantage of the situation, but they still didn't know how to do it. .

Of course Zhang Fei will not participate in it, because this kind of formal diplomatic occasion has many cumbersome etiquette, and you represent the entire country. With his virtue, it would be embarrassing to go up.

In addition, there are a lot of things going on in the Public Security Bureau, the Imperial Court is basically holding court hearings every day, even Cao Dongdong has no time to go to Piaoxiang Building, and almost lives in the police station.

The impact of this drought is very large, mainly to promote the further expansion of business scale, because the disaster and warehouse tax have led to the introduction of food and people into the market, which has caused many problems.

For example, there is the land issue. The expansion of commercial scale also requires land. How to expand without land? The current problem is whether a workshop can be built on the land deed.

Procuratorate.

Zhang Fei looked at the circle of wealthy businessmen in front of him helplessly, and then slapped the two land deeds on the table with one hand, "Let me tell you, can't you tell the difference between the house deed and the land deed?"

"Of course we can distinguish between this and this." Huang Can said calmly: "We came here just to ask clearly, but we have to be cautious about this legal issue."

"Don't fool me. I think you are just taking chances. Haven't you ever asked the tea-eaters?" Zhang Fei glared at him and said: "But you don't want to think about it. Workshop, isn’t it going to be a mess in collecting taxes from now on?”

"But the land price in this city is too expensive, and we don't know if this business can continue to be good. There are also land deeds outside the city. If we can build on our own land, the cost will naturally be reduced a lot."

"Yes! If the land deed cannot build a workshop, then the court has no regulations on what land can build a workshop."

"The land outside the mountains and swamps cannot be touched. The court has strict regulations. Except for fields, the land that cannot grow food is almost all public land."

The businessmen complained.

Zhang Fei said: "This is not under the control of our procuratorate. I can only tell you, don't take any chances. The government won't care, the tax department will also take care of it. If you don't need to pay land tax on the land deed in your hands, then you You have to decide what to do, but if not, once the defendant goes to court, he will definitely lose."

In fact, the court is already planning, but it cannot be said now. It is worried that someone will occupy the land first, which will be very troublesome and increase the court's expenditure.

At this moment, Xu Zhiqian suddenly came to the room, lowered her head and said a few words in Zhang Fei's ear.

Zhang Fei nodded and said to the businessmen: "Okay, okay, you go and do your business, I have something else to do here."

These wealthy businessmen can only leave in anger.

Zhang Fei shook his head and thought, why are you so anxious? Can I miss out on yours?

After they left, only four middle-aged men in satin were seen entering the house. Zhang Fei knew these. Three of them were famous big landowners in the capital, and the remaining one belonged to Zhang Fei. An old acquaintance, Li Guozhong.

After saluting, Zhang Fei asked them to sit down and asked: "I wonder why the four of you want to accuse the court?"

The three officials immediately looked at Li Guozhong, who said: "Prosecutor Zhang, it's like this. We think this year's field tax is very unfair and inconsistent with tax laws."

Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, "How do you say this?"

"According to the new tax law, it is calculated based on total income, right?"

"Yes."

Zhang Fei nodded.

Li Guozhong said: "But in terms of land deeds, the tax amount is fixed."

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Li Xingshou, you don't want the tax department to weigh every acre of grain produced."

"Of course not."

Li Guozhong shook his head and said: "But the court should also consider that during famine years, the harvest in the fields is poor. For example, this year, due to the drought, the harvest in the fields today is only about 30% of the usual. If taxes are collected according to the land deed, , this is unfair!"

Zhang Fei frowned slightly and suddenly said to Xu Zhiqian: "Zhiqian, go get the new tax law."

Xu Zhiqian rolled her eyes slightly, you drafted it yourself and you don’t remember it.

Li Guozhong suddenly said: "I'm ready for Prosecutor Zhang."

After that, he handed a copy of the tax law to Zhang Fei.

Zhang Fei took it and said, "Genuine?"

Li Guozhong smiled and said: "Anyway, I bought it from a genuine bookstore."

"Then it must be genuine."

Zhang Fei opened it and saw that the sentence about the calculation of land tax was written in brackets.

Li Guozhong said: "In this tax law, it only states the calculation method of field tax, and it is written in the total tax. During this famine year, the fields generally failed to harvest, and it was only 30% of previous years. This should be It needs to be calculated separately."

Zhang Fei pondered for a moment and asked: "Have you ever gone to the Taxation Department to ask?"

Li Guozhong nodded and said: "The Taxation Department said that they have not received any orders and will collect taxes as usual."

Zhang Fei nodded and said: "I still need to study this carefully. I will notify you of the results separately."

Li Guozhong cupped his hands and said, "Thank you."

After they left, Xu Zhiqian immediately asked: "Didn't you decide this tax law?"

Zhang Fei nodded and said: "Yes! In fact, that's what I meant when I wrote it this way. If I wrote it separately, there would be no legal basis for reducing or reducing agricultural taxes during the famine years, so I deliberately wrote it together. ."

Xu Zhiqian wondered: "But you persuaded the court to give you a daily salary of 100 yuan just to prevent tax cuts this year."

Zhang Fei smiled awkwardly, "If I said I forgot about this, would you believe it?"

Xu Zhiqian shook her head and said: "I don't believe it."

"But this is the fact." Zhang Fei rubbed his forehead.

"Huh?"

Xu Zhiqian said: "What should we do now?"

"What else can we do? We can only persuade the court to reduce or reduce land taxes. If this lawsuit starts, it will be difficult for the court to win." Zhang Fei sighed, "These big landowners have become smarter! But they should also give They get a taste of the sweetness of the public prosecutor's law."

There is no other way, Zhang Fei can only go to the Third Division to negotiate with Xue Xiang, because currently Wang Anshi and other prime ministers are busy dealing with Liao envoys. In addition, Zhang Fei is more willing to talk to Xue Xiang, because Xue Xiang is also a real person. people.

Three divisions.

"The imperial court has spent millions of dollars to provide disaster relief. Now ordinary farmers can also pay taxes, but they still want to reduce taxes. Does this really mean that the imperial court is running a charity?"

When Xue Xiang heard this, he immediately became furious. He was really bullying others!

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Third Secretary, this warehouse tax has caused them heavy losses, and it has also saved the court a lot of freight. The more food they hoard, the more food the court will have to transport from Jiangnan.

In addition, by reducing taxes, both the main household and ordinary people will have more money to purchase goods, which is conducive to business development, and will be further exacerbated. The shortage of coins will be conducive to the promotion of tax coins.

I can guarantee that after this autumn tax, there will definitely be a money shortage. As long as more tax coins remain in the market, then at this moment, the court will not lose money. In the next three years, tax revenue will definitely increase. This year's debt can be easily wiped out.

The most important thing is that what they said does make sense. If a businessman loses money while doing business, they will not be able to pay much tax. ”

Xue Xiang asked: "So, Prosecutor Zhang does not think they can win this lawsuit, but because Prosecutor Zhang also agrees with what they said."

Zhang Fei shook his head and said: "I have studied it carefully. It is very difficult to win this lawsuit. According to the law, there is no special explanation on this point. At the same time, the calculation method of acres is included in the entire In the passage, in other words, the calculation of land tax is also based on the total tax algorithm. They can give many examples, and if they ask the chief judge in court, in the year of famine, the people have no income. , should they also pay taxes in full? The chief judge will definitely rule them in favor."

Xue Xiang asked again: "Does that mean there is something wrong with this law?"

Zhang Fei shook his head and said: "No, when the tax law was originally designed, it was to consider the legal basis for tax reductions and exemptions during famine years. But I was just focusing on warehouse tax and liquor tax, so I forgot about it. But even if I remember, I should do it.

Nowadays, businessmen are begging for land. When the court promulgates the new city plan, they can make a lot of money just by selling the land. Nowadays, fiscal revenue cannot just focus on land taxes, but should be considered from many aspects. ”

Xue Xiang frowned and said depressedly: "This is my first year in office. If the finances this year are very ugly, it will be difficult for me to do business!"

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Although I don't think this year's finances will be very ugly, but under the supervision of the Public Security Bureau, the finances will definitely go up and down, because the court will also lose money. No one can avoid this natural and man-made disaster, and We need to take a longer-term view. Of course, the three ministers can pass all the responsibility on to us, the Public Security Bureau, the Procuratorate and the Procuratorate."

Xue Xiang said in surprise: "Really?"

"Really."

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Nowadays, those big landowners regard us as enemies, and we should let them know that we, the Public Security Bureau, can also seek justice for them, as long as what they say makes sense."

Xue Xiang said angrily: "That's it."

Having said this, he thought for a while, "I have to think carefully about this matter. How much reduction and how to calculate it. This must be treated carefully. After all, the current financial situation is not that good."

Zhang Fei said: "It is precisely because the finances are not very good that we need to plan for the long term instead of just focusing on the immediate benefits."

After leaving Sansi, Zhang Fei saw that it was getting dark too early, so he went home directly.

Just after returning home, Gao Wenyin and Qingmei embraced Zhang Fei's two sons and greeted them at the door.

Zhang Fei directly took Zhang Xinglai from Qingmei's hand, kissed the pink little face, and joked: "Qingmei, I'm afraid Xing'er will recognize you as his mother when he grows up!"

"Don't talk nonsense, uncle."

Qingmei blushed and said angrily.

"Daddy, daddy!"

Zhang Buzhi, who was in Gao Wenyin's arms, also squirmed towards Zhang Fei, waving his little hands and screaming.

"You're still jealous."

Zhang Fei chuckled, hugged Zhang Xing with one hand, and then hugged Zhang Buzhi with the other hand and kissed him.

"Be careful."

Gao Wenyin was nervously guarding Zhang Fei.

"You're back."

At this time, Xu Zhiqian also walked out from the backyard.

Zhang Fei couldn't help but said: "Zhiqian, you don't take care of your children at home."

Xu Zhiqian said: "You don't do anything, you don't approve the records, and you don't read the official documents. Don't I have to do all this? Besides, I have been playing with them all afternoon, and I just let them go. ”

".I am guilty!"

Zhang Fei immediately gave in. Indeed, Xu Zhiqian was handling basically all official affairs, and he just gave orders.

Xu Zhiqian suddenly glanced towards the hall and said, "Daddy is back."

Zhang Fei understood the idea and went to the hall. He was holding two babies in his arms and it was inconvenient to salute. He just nodded and said: "Father-in-law, my son-in-law is back."

Xu Zun nodded and said, "How was your discussion with the Third Secretary?"

Zhang Fei said: "It's relatively smooth, but the matter will still have to be submitted to the imperial court for negotiation. Firstly, our procuratorate does not have the power to make a decision. Secondly, this can still ensure the justice of our public prosecutor. The authority shows that our public security organs, prosecutors and the judiciary actually treat everyone equally."

Xu Zun nodded slightly.

Zhang Fei asked again: "By the way, father-in-law, is there any news from the Liao envoy?"

Xu Zun opened his mouth slightly and glanced at Gao Wenyin and the others. Gao Wenyin understood immediately and quickly called Qingmei to take Zhang Xing and Zhang Buzhi away from Zhang Fei's arms.

Of course Xu Zhiqian stayed here shamelessly. She has always been very concerned about this military and national affairs. She just winked at Zhang Fei because she knew that Xu Zun had just returned from the court and wanted Zhang Fei to find out the news.

Xu Zunping let her go and said: "I just learned the news today. The Liao envoys came this time to take advantage of the situation, but they were targeting the Hedong area this time, not Guannan. Ten counties."

Zhang Fei asked in astonishment: "Hedong area? Ten counties in Guannan?"

This person is confused and has no idea where these places are and what their background is.

Xu Zhiqian immediately explained: "The ten counties in Guannan are the ten counties south of Waqiao Pass. They were captured by Chai Shizong in his northern expedition to Yanyun. The Empress Dowager Xiao of the Liao Kingdom sent troops to capture these ten counties. County, and later the Chanyuan Alliance, our court was willing to pay tax coins in order to get these ten counties back.

During the Qingli period, when our country sent troops to Xixia, the Liao Kingdom also came to take advantage of the situation, hoping to claim these ten counties. Later, it was the rich man who sent the Liao Kingdom as an envoy to save these ten counties. ”

"Qian'er is right." Xu Zun nodded and said: "This time, the Hedong area should refer to Daizhou, north of Ninghua Army, and near Tianchi, but the specific places are not yet clear. , so you must not say it outside, because that area is very complicated."

Zhang Fei nodded and asked: "Are they asking for it directly, or is there a dispute?"

Xu Zun sighed: "It's a long story. In order to attack the Northern Han Dynasty, Taizu adopted the strategy of emigrating the people to empty fortresses, and those empty fortresses were also called "forbidden areas".

After that, the Northern Han Dynasty was destroyed, and the territory of Hedong was included in the territory of the Song Dynasty. Therefore, we were bordered by the Liao Dynasty. However, due to the defeat of the Northern Expedition, the Liao people frequently went south to plunder. At that time, our strategy also changed from offensive to defensive. At the beginning, That forbidden area was already sparsely populated, and later became a large no-man's land.

After the Chanyuan Alliance, although the border had been demarcated, because our court was worried that moving the people back to the "forbidden land" would lead to plundering by the Liao people and cause disputes, the people were still prohibited from farming near the border.

But the people in the Liao Kingdom slowly crossed the border and ran to our land to farm. During the Qingli period, both Xianggong Han and Xianggong Ouyang believed that the Liao Kingdom was slowly encroaching on our territory, so they persuaded the court to allow people to enter the restricted area for farming and built some fortifications in the area. Occupied Tianchi and Yangwuzhai.

This time, the Liao Kingdom used this as an excuse to accuse the people of our country of crossing the border and causing disputes. They asked our country to move the people out of the restricted area and maintain the no-man's land within our country. At the same time, they requested that the specific boundaries be redrawn because Many areas there are dominated by Liao people, and they believe that they belong to their territory of the Liao Kingdom. ”

Xu Zhiqian said angrily: "These Liao people are really bullying people. Our government gives them so many years of coins every year, but they are still not satisfied and try to get even more. This is absolutely unacceptable. Otherwise, they will definitely raise the issue. An even more excessive request."

Xu Zun sighed: "That's true, but they just came to take advantage of the situation. During the Qingli period, although Fu Gong protected the ten counties in Guannan, he refused the official reward. The reason was that Fu Gong believed that , although the territory was preserved, it also cost more money. At that time, it was because of the Xixia issue that there was really no other way, so we had to compromise.

This time they are using their old tricks again, and we are still very helpless. The Xituo Border District has already spent a lot of money. ”

Zhang Fei asked: "How does the court plan to respond?"

Xu Zundao: "We have only talked about it once so far. We don't know how the court will respond, but the situation is very unfavorable to our court."

Not optimistic.

At the same time, Li Bao also brought Zhang Fei the news that spies had found out in the Liao Kingdom.

Although Zhao Xu did not let Zhang Fei participate in the negotiations, it was only because he was unprofessional, but Zhao Xu would still share this information with Zhang Fei, because Zhang Fei has been involved in the layout of the entire grand strategy.

"Is this related to Wang Xueshi's reform?"

Zhang Fei said slightly surprised.

Li Bao nodded and said: "In fact, the Liao Kingdom has been paying attention to Wang Xueshi's reforms. They believe that many of the policies in Wang Xueshi's New Deal pose a great threat to the Liao Kingdom. Especially Wang Xueshie is preparing for the war. During the Xixia War, many mulberry forests and trenches have been built in Hebei and Hedong in recent years to prevent the Liao cavalry from going south, which aroused the Liao's vigilance.

Therefore, the Liao Kingdom believes that our dynasty is already preparing to destroy Xixia. If our dynasty is allowed to destroy Xixia, the Liao Kingdom will be next. If we don't take action, it may be too late. So they hoped to stir up trouble to interrupt my reform.

The reason why we did not choose the ten counties south of Guannan this time, but chose to launch an attack in Hedong, is because the tribe that invaded our northern border belongs to the important minister Yelu Yixin of the Liao Kingdom, and he requested this. It has not been confirmed yet.

However, our spies believe that the credibility of this news is very high, because our country actually cares more about the ten counties in Guannan, and the Hedong region does not have such control. As far as the Liao Kingdom is concerned, choose Guannan. Ten counties would be more appropriate. ”

Zhang Fei asked: "Is it possible for the Liao Kingdom to actually send troops, or is it just to scare people?"

Li Bao said: "It's hard to say, and no one dares to make a judgment easily. Although there is no news about the mobilization of troops and horses in the Liao Kingdom at present, our spies have inquired about the news from within the Liao Kingdom. It can be said that It was a test by the Liao Kingdom. The monarchs and ministers of the Liao Kingdom all believed that if I took a tough stance this time, they would immediately send troops to attack me. Anyway, whether we talk or fight, they must undermine our strategy of strengthening our country and at the same time destroy our country. North Korea’s strategy in Xixia."