Judge of the Song Dynasty Chapter 440: Tax war (14)

Is this still under control?

Xu Zhiqian couldn't believe it.

Before Zhang Fei said he could control it, but Xu Zhiqian believed him, because before everyone was still fighting over the judiciary, which was Zhang Fei's strength, but now it's different, and now it's back to the traditional political struggle.

Zhao Xu definitely wants to protect the clan, but the problem is, if you want to protect, you have to protect all of them. You can't just protect the clan, after all, everyone is guilty of the same crime.

The key is that those who are involved in political affairs will not agree.

According to past experience, these ministers are very happy to deal with these royal relatives.

It's also interesting to say.

On the one hand, they opposed the reform of the imperial family, but on the other hand, they were very strict with these royal relatives.

In fact, the two are not in conflict.

The opposition to the reform of the masters is related to etiquette, that is, the way of close relatives. The clans in the village and the royal clan are in the same line. If the clan reforms, it may affect the relationship between the folk clans.

Supervising the royal relatives and relatives is related to the court system and national laws.

But no matter what, at this point, how can Zhang Fei control it with a small ear pen?

In particular, Zhang Fei has been busy with the new house recently, and he still has time to argue with Chen Maoqian, so he didn't pay attention to it at all.

Zhang family, backyard.

"Brother Leopard! Here are two hundred and twenty guan, you count."

Li Si and Niu Beiqing pushed two large carts of copper coins to the door and handed them to Li Bao.

This furniture was made by Li Bao. Now that all the furniture has been delivered, it is natural to pay the final payment.

Li Bao laughed and said, "It's not the first time we've done business with you, what else is there, when we move, just invite us to have a drink."

Zhang Fei said with a chuckle: "That also depends on whether your furniture is good or not. If it is not good, then it will be fined."

Li Bao said: "Saburo can rest assured that nothing will happen."

"I just look at the results."

"OK."

Li Bao nodded, and said: "If there is nothing else, I will take my leave first."

Zhang Fei said: "I'll take you out."

As he walked to the door, Zhang Fei asked, "Have you found that evidence?"

Li Bao shook his head and said: "The procuratorate has done a very good job of keeping secrets. We haven't found anything yet. Fortunately, we have been paying attention to the Xu family. We have found some clues from them. The evidence is mainly about Wang Hongjin. The relationship with Zhao Wenzheng, how Wang Hongjin transported the money to Zhao Wenzheng, and the land, we only reported 50 hectares in the accounts provided to the procuratorate, while the Xu family provided 100 hectares. But there should be overlaps with our evidence.”

Zhang Fei nodded, "Go and find out Wang Hongjin's daily expenses, including how much land he bought privately and how many concubines he raised."

Li Bao nodded and said, "I see."

.......

However, after the news that the procuratorate was investigating Zhao Wenzheng came out, those admonishers and censors became active, and all of them opened their eyes wide, staring at the emperor and the procuratorate.

For a while, there was a lot of turmoil in the court.

As the party involved, Zhao Wenzheng was really angry and bleeding. He has changed from a big talker to a man who is not a person inside and outside. Many clans are also blaming him. They go to toss, let's sit back and enjoy the success.

Look, now we are all implicated.

As for those courtiers, it is possible that these news came from them.

"Governor Zhao, I, Meng Gansheng, swear to God that I did not do this matter. Otherwise, my family and I will all die."

Meng Gansheng raised his right hand high, as if he wanted to dig out his heart to show Zhao Wenzheng.

Zhao Wenzheng snorted: "Even if you didn't do it, can you guarantee that it has nothing to do with other people?"

Meng Gansheng hurriedly put down his hands, "I can't guarantee this, but it is also possible that the tax department did it. They did this to sow discord. You see, after the news spread, who will make trouble?"

The news spread quickly, but no one in the court said anything.

Including Sima Guang and the others are preparing secretly, mainly because the procuratorate is still investigating, and it is difficult for everyone to say anything.

Zhao Wenzheng is not stupid, of course he doesn't believe it in his heart, but the matter has come to this point, he can only pretend to be a lake, this account will be settled later, after all, everyone is really on the same boat now, sit down, "Then tell me, what should we do now?"

Meng Gansheng said: "Reform."

"Reform reform?"

Zhao Wenzheng looked astonished.

Meng Gansheng said: "Let's talk about the facts. It's not a secret about the occupation of official land and the sale of private salt. It's just that the tax department targeted us and found our evidence.

Let's take the first step to raise the maladministration of private land and salt, and suggest that the government reform the law. It is best to make this illegal into legal. In this way, even if the procuratorate finds evidence, it will be useless. "

Zhao Wenzheng's eyes lit up, "Will the officials agree?"

Meng Gansheng said: "Many people in the court are involved in these businesses. If we really investigate to the end, God knows what will be found out, and the officials know it well! As long as the officials want to change, plus our full support , Bachelor Sima and the others can't stop it."

Zhao Wenzheng nodded, and said again: "This time, tell me, I won't show up again."

Meng Gansheng said: "Of course I won't bother Governor Zhao. Take a step back and say that even if Governor Zhao wants to say this, no one else will agree. Governor Zhao is currently under investigation. You can only say this." It will make things worse.”

......

Sinong Temple.

"Forty thousand."

Han Jiang said with a smile to Wang Anshi: "In just a few days, I have paid another 40,000 guan, and this time I can breathe again financially."

Wang Anshi said: "Aren't they afraid of falling into the trap by making up the payment at this time?"

Han Jiang said: "I have also inquired about this matter. It seems that they used some privacy law of the tax department to reach an agreement with the tax department. As long as they have reported the truth, the tax department will naturally not report to the procuratorate. Prosecute them, and the prosecutor's office has no right to access these accounts from the tax department without evidence."

Wang Anshi smiled and said: "That kid has thought very carefully, and even thought out the way out for them."

Han Jiang said: "But it's just some landlords and wealthy gentry. The dignitaries in the court and China have not yet compromised, and there is still a large sum of money that has not been collected."

Wang Anshi said: "Now they are hoping to drag the clan into trouble and force the officials to make a compromise."

Han Jiang sighed: "I am also worried about this."

Wang Anshi hehe said: "There is no need to worry about this. In the hearts of the officials, a rich country and a strong military are the most important thing. If they are allowed to muddle through like this, then the Taxation Department will lose the biggest reliance, and the recruitment law will be destroyed. All previous efforts have been wasted."

At this moment, Lu Huiqing walked in suddenly, first saluted Han Jiang, and then said a few words in Wang Anshi's ear.

"It's the same as I thought." Wang Anshi nodded with a smile.

Han Jiang asked: "What's the matter?"

Wang Anshi said: "Some ministers appealed to the officials, hoping to carry out reforms and reforms against the malpractice of official land and private salt."

Han Jiang froze for a moment, "What are you going to do?"

Wang Anshi smiled and said: "I have to say, these problems should also be dealt with, why not push the boat along."

Both he and Han Jiang are familiar with these routines.

The investigation of Zhao Wenzheng by the procuratorate, after it broke out, everyone talked about it behind their backs, not saying that it caused a storm, just like they did with Wang Anshi, they talked about it.

This is actually another hint to the emperor that many relatives of the emperor are not clean, which cannot be investigated.

Now give the emperor one more reason.

Zhao Xu did not disappoint them either. After they played, Zhao Xu immediately discussed the matter in the Chui Gong Hall.

"What Meng Zhiyuan said is true."

After Meng Gansheng said something, Wang Anshi immediately stood up and echoed: "There are indeed many drawbacks in the official land and salt administration, and reforms should be carried out."

Meng Gansheng and the others saw that Wang Anshi supported them, and they couldn't help being secretly happy.

Soon, Chen Shengzhi and Zeng Gongliang expressed their support.

This scene is too funny, because Meng Gansheng and the others opposed the draft law at first, but now Wang Anshi supports them.

It can be seen that the ancient parties stood together because of a momentary idea or a momentary interest, without any organization.

Sima Guang, Wen Yanbo and the others guessed in their hearts that it must have been instructed by Zhao Xu.

After Zhao Yan heard this, he was furious, and immediately stood up and said: "The reason why there is a bad government in the government of Guantian and Salt is because the law enforcement is not strict. The fundamental problem is not in the law. What's the point of amending the law?"

Wen Yanbo immediately stood up and said sonorously: "Mr. Zhao is justified. It is precisely because the imperial court tacitly allows them to sell private salt and occupy official land that the law on official land salt has been abolished. If the law is not strict, there will be no cure. Amending the law is a It can't solve the problem."

A large number of admonishing officials and censors stepped forward one after another, all of them were filled with righteous indignation and firmly refused to agree.

We don't know about your small thoughts.

Wang Anshi said: "The matter has come to this, the salt law has been abolished, and there are many people who violate the law. How can people respect the law? It is better to revise the law and then use the public prosecutor's law to enforce the law. Kill two birds with one stone."

Meng Gansheng and the others nodded frequently. They had never supported Wang Anshi so much.

Sima Guang smiled and said: "According to your opinion, the procuratorate, the imperial court, and the police station all need to wait for the new law. If the new law comes out, there is no need to enforce the law. Let them occupy official land and sell private salt."

Speaking of this, he swept his eyes away and said with a smile: "Everyone should know that the reform is not a child's play, and it still needs to go through heavy supervision, at least half a year."

The implication is that it is too late for us to agree to practice the law, so you should stop thinking about it.

Zhao Xu glanced at Sima Guang and said, "Scholar Wang."

Wang Anshi hurriedly said: "The minister is here."

Zhao Xu said: "As for the revision of the bad policy of private salt in official land, I will temporarily hand it over to the Department of Regulations of the Second Government."

"The minister obeys."

After the dynasty was over, Wang Anshi and Sima Guang finally came out of the hall slowly.

"Their purpose of this proposal is still to oppose your recruitment law, and you still speak for them?" Sima Guang looked forward and said slowly.

Wang Anshi laughed and said: "This just reflects my selflessness. As long as their words are reasonable, then of course I support them."

Sima Guang looked at him contemptuously, "You are called selfless? You are called pervasive."

Wang Anshi hehe said: "For the sake of the country and the people, I am pervasive. If I disregard the common people in the world just because of my selfish virtue, it is not a kind of dereliction of duty."

Sima Guang said: "If the whole world is full of thieves, not to mention you, Wang Jiefu, even Zhou Gong and Guan Zhong are still alive, and there is no way to recover."

Wang Anshi said: "This statement is wrong. Zhou Gong Guan Zhong is unable to return to heaven, but it does not mean that I, Wang Anshi, cannot do it either."

Sima Guang pointed at Wang Anshi, "You have a thick skin, I am really ashamed to be a minister with you."

After that, he strode away.

Wang Anshi chuckled, "You ignorant old man, do you really think that the officials will ignore the New Deal and protect those clans? There must be something tricky in it!"

......

Although they were stopped by Sima Guang and the others in the end, this meeting surprised the nobles in the court. At least Zhao Xu's attitude was as they expected, and he still had to take care of the clan's face and the overall situation.

On the second day of the meeting, Zhao Xu secretly summoned Lu Jia to ask.

"I see Your Majesty."

"Quick and free."

Zhao Xu said with a smile: "I heard that you have been running for several times recently, and the people praised you. There are rising stars in Song Dynasty, so why not worry about it!"

Lu Jiawen was flattered, and hurriedly said: "Your Majesty is too well-reputed, I just do my job well."

Zhao Xu nodded with a smile and said: "At your age, it is not easy to be able to do this job well, and the recent cases are very difficult!"

Lu Jiawen secretly glanced at Zhao Xu, but remained silent. He still couldn't figure out what the emperor was thinking.

Zhao Xu was silent for a while, and suddenly asked: "Have you heard about the Governor Zhao of Zongzheng Temple recently?"

Lu Jia asked and nodded.

Zhao Xu asked again: "What do you think?"

Lu Jia asked hurriedly: "At present, the procuratorate has not filed an indictment, so I don't know much about it."

Zhao Xu asked: "What I'm asking is why did this eucalyptus appear at this time?"

Lu Jia asked after pondering for a while, and replied cautiously: "I think they are trying to use the clan to cover up, disrupt the judiciary, sabotage the New Deal, and even...!"

Zhao Xu smiled and asked: "Even what?"

Lu Jia asked: "Even threatened Your Majesty."

Zhao Xu nodded and said: "You are right, I think so too, but the new policy is related to the country's great plan, and I will never let them succeed."

Speaking of this, he sighed: "However, it involves the clan, which makes me a little embarrassed." Then he looked at Lu Jia and asked, "I wonder if Judge Lu can do anything?"

Lv Jiawen thought for a while, and said: "The minister will have a method, I don't know if it will work."

Zhao Xu hurriedly said: "Quickly tell me."

Lu Jia asked: "Try the case of Xu Yu and the others first to deter those who refuse to pay the exemption tax, and the case about Governor Zhao will be postponed for the time being."

Zhao Xu was overjoyed when he heard the words, "Just as Qing said."

......

Regarding Xu Yu's eucalyptus, the imperial court has heard it clearly for a long time, but this Lu Jiawen is eager to assert the power of the imperial court, and he is also worried that the sentence will be overturned, which will be very embarrassing. .

After all, the situation at this time is confusing.

The key is not to know what the emperor thinks.

Now that the emperor nodded, Lu Jiawen no longer had any scruples, and immediately opened a court to try Xu Yu's case.

The evidence is overwhelming.

According to the law, the death penalty is actually imposed. In ancient times, the crime of selling illegal salt was very heavy, but because the Xu family has been an official for several generations, and there are many examples of people who are not sentenced to death for selling illegal salt.

Therefore, Xu Yu was finally sentenced to one hundred sticks, ten years in prison, and a fine of 3,600 guan.

There were also house raids in the Northern Song Dynasty, but they were usually aimed at corrupt officials and asked the emperor to speak up, but Xu Yu was not an official, and he could not search for houses according to the law.

But even so, the court and the public were shocked by the conviction of this crime.

Ten years in prison, this is a felony second only to the death penalty.

Is this... is this going to be true?

Has the emperor ignored his clan?

But the evidence is solid, and they can't disregard the judiciary, at least they can't say it publicly, they can only imply to the emperor that everyone's **** is not clean.

Now that the sentence has come down, then...you can only watch...otherwise what to do, this is a public trial, the evidence is all on the surface, and the newspapers are published every day, so I can only admit it!

And then Lu Jiawen was sentenced three times in a row, including the previous Qin Biao, who was arrested again and finally sentenced to two years in prison and fifty rods, but it is applicable to ransom and needs to pay 800 guan.

This is not to blame for the Procuratorate, because the evidence provided by the Tax Department was not very comprehensive. Tax Division.

This also reminds everyone.

It seems that the procuratorate is the most ruthless one, but...but all the key evidence is in the hands of the tax department's father.

Up to now, no one dares to bet that the tax department does not have his own evidence.

Pay taxes!

Pay your taxes now!

If you pay the tax, the tax department will not check you. If he doesn't check you, he won't go to the procuratorate to sue you. If he doesn't provide evidence, the procuratorate won't be able to find you.

Except for Bianjing Law Firm, all other bookstores exploded, and they did not dare to pay taxes blatantly, so they could only secretly send someone to pay taxes, but no one dared to believe Zhang Fei in such a terrible thing!

However, Fan Li is so envious that he didn't get the money, what a loss!

The Tax Division is a direct blast.

Everyone is so busy that they are dizzy, and they can't spare any manpower to investigate.

There will be no more action during this period.

Yeah!

This may also be a way to deal with the tax department. I will kill you with money.

But.

After this, everyone suddenly realized that something was wrong.

Then Qin Biao was tried for the second time and was sentenced, but why hasn't there been any movement on Zhao Wenzheng?

The prosecutor's office has a problem.

After asking, I found out that the procuratorate has already formally prosecuted Zhao Wenzheng, but the imperial court is still in trial...

Understood!

Got it!

You little emperor is greedy enough!

This side sentenced Xu Yu and others to deter everyone and let everyone pay taxes, but Zhao Wenzheng did not try it for a long time, waiting for reform and reform, right?

You want everything!

This really drove everyone crazy.

That's not how it works.

You can judge, but you can get a bowl of water!

What kind of emperor, he is simply a double-standard emperor!

The ministers are all blown up.

Frantically criticizing Lu Jiawen, after all, they have no evidence to prove that the emperor ordered them, so they can only trouble Lu Jiawen.

Sima Guang and Wen Yanbo were also very dissatisfied.

In fact, Lu Gong also saw that this grandson was playing tricks, but he didn't bother to argue with this grandson, so he directly played Zhao Xu with Sima Guang and the others, saying that the imperial court was not qualified to hear the case of the clan. Tried by Kaifeng government.

The rest of the officials followed suit.

Everyone knows Zeng Gong's character, but it doesn't matter whether your emperor wants it or not, as long as it is handed over to him, it will definitely be dealt with according to law.

At this moment, Zhao Wenzheng panicked a lot. He endured being betrayed at the beginning, because he knew that everyone was in the same boat, and if something happened to them, he would be finished too.

Just like today, Meng Gansheng doesn't care about him at all, and the ministers are united.

How can the little emperor bear it.

"The nobleman, the official...what do the officials say?"

The gray-haired Zhao Wenzheng asked Lan Yuanzhen anxiously.

Lan Yuanzhen said: "The officials have supported you for a long time."

Zhao Wenzheng nodded straightly: "I know, I know, this is all my lake! Oops!"

At this time, he really regretted it!

Lan Yuan sighed and said: "This matter is irreversible. The officials have decided to let the Kaifeng government try this case. It is meaningless for you to go to the officials."

Zhao Wenzheng suddenly felt dizzy.

Lan Yuanzhen quickly supported him, and said: "Governor Zhao, you have to ask someone else."

Zhao Wenzheng was about to cry, "The government can't save me, who else can save me."

Lan Yuanzhen said: "There is someone who might be able to save you."

"Who?"

Zhao Wenzheng tugged on Lan Yuanzhen's sleeve tightly.

Lan Yuanzhen said: "Zhang San."

"Zhang San?"

Zhao Wenzheng almost bit his tongue.

Lan Yuanzhen nodded and said, "It's not like before. Now the procuratorate is prosecuting you, and you can also find an ear pen to defend. At present, the most powerful ear pen in Song Dynasty is Zhang San. If you can invite him Help, maybe there is still a chance."

Yes! How come I never thought of looking for Zhang San in the past? Zhao Wenzheng woke up like a dream, but he said again: "But Zhang San, will he help me?"

Lan Yuanzhen hehe said: "I have dealt with Zhang San several times. He loves money and women. As long as Governor Zhao gives enough, he will definitely help you."

Zhao Wenzheng couldn't help feeling hopeful, I have nothing but money and women.