Judge of the Song Dynasty Chapter 747: Learn now and sell now

Zhao Xu did not leave the back hall immediately after the meeting. Instead, he sat inside and watched the accounts of Hezhong Mansion handed over by Zhang Fei.

Liu Zhao could only stay by his side.

At this time, two eunuchs came to the door with two trays. Lan Yuanzhen immediately walked out. When he saw the dishes on the plate, he said, "Why is this a light meal?"

One of the older eunuchs was very puzzled: "My lord, you can't blame me for this. These are the only dishes in the imperial court. My servants carefully selected these four dishes."

Lan Yuanzhen sighed: "I almost forgot that this is the royal court of Mr. Zhao."

Zhao Bian was definitely the poorest prime minister in the dynasty, and he was also famous in the dynasty. In his official office, if you want delicacies from the mountains and seas, it is impossible. It is very good to have simple meals. Generally speaking, The imperial court didn't even entertain them, so they were left to deal with it themselves. There was no way they could do it today.

After saying that, Lan Yuanzhen waved his hand, indicating that they could go in, but immediately warned: "Be gentle, the official is reading the official document."

"Yes."

The two eunuchs put the food on the table gently.

Lan Yuanzhen came to Zhao Xu again and whispered: "Guan family, the food is here."

"Wait!"

Zhao Xu waved his hand and suddenly said to Liu Zhao who was standing aside: "Liu Sheren, this is the account. It is clear at a glance. When I look at this account, I can immediately have a very clear understanding of the situation in Hezhong Mansion without looking at it carefully. , and the accounts submitted by the three departments are either lengthy or simple. They just let me know a number. The National Financial Center, but it is not as good as a piece of evidence. It is really unreasonable."

Liu Zhao replied: "Your Majesty, in my opinion, this is not an account, but evidence."

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

Liu Zhaodao: "These evidences are actually obtained from the account books of the three companies. They are just analyzed and the results obtained."

"Account analysis?" Zhao Xu nodded slightly.

Liu Zhaodao: "Actually, the Minister of Finance often analyzes these accounts with His Majesty, but he just said that they are not so standardized."

"Not so."

Zhao Xu snorted: "It's not that they are not so standardized, but they are not so objective. They only use the tip of the iceberg in the accounts to analyze it for me."

Liu Zhao did not say anything.

This is the fact. Of course the finance minister does accounting analysis, but he often takes part of it and analyzes it for the emperor to promote his own ideas.

Why Zhao Xu reacted so quickly was because he was very concerned about the finances of Hezhong Mansion. However, Zhang Fei's evidence made them see something different, which was not what those ministers said.

"This will never happen again."

Zhao Xu said with a determined expression: "In the future, both the Third Division and the Account Department must tally up the accounts and then analyze them. I want to see objective accounts."

The emperor is actually most afraid of being kept in the dark. He sits in the palace every day, and the ministers are the eyes and ears. Therefore, the crime of deceiving the emperor is a serious crime. This is the reason why.

However, the ministers have no intention to find out what the emperor is doing now. They are too busy jumping up and down. Whether it is warehouse tax or wine tax, it is really terrible.

Especially the warehouse tax. After all, the wine tax only affects the interests of some powerful people, but the warehouse tax is related to the interests of all powerful people.

The current situation is very unfavorable to them, and they have to find a way to prevent the procuratorate's bill from passing.

In the entire imperial court, only Zhang Fei was sitting very leisurely in the room with Xu Zhiqian, "enjoying" the simple meals provided by the imperial court.

"Alas, the hospitality provided by the imperial court is far inferior to the vegetarian meal at Xiangguo Temple."

Zhang Fei put down his chopsticks and looked at the three small empty bowls in front of him. He was obviously not satisfied with the lunch and said, "If I weren't afraid of going out and being pestered by those people asking questions, I would really rather go to a restaurant. Eat."

Xu Zhiqian rolled her eyes at him: "There is a drought now, so if you have something to eat, it is considered good. Besides, you used to eat this at my house, didn't you?"

"Ahem, it's all Xiaotao's fault for spoiling my appetite."

Zhang Fei shook the pot, picked up the silk handkerchief and wiped his mouth, then stood up and sat down on the couch beside him.

This is also Xiao Tao’s fault. Xu Zhiqian glanced at Zhang Fei with disdain and suddenly asked: "What do you think they will ask us this afternoon?"

Zhang Fei shrugged and said: "How do I know this? But we must still compete with us on the implementation aspect, but it is useless. I have left a hole in the bill. Special circumstances can be exempted. If we really refute If not, use the immunity method."

Xu Zhiqian said: "But what is the difference between your immunity law and the current privileges?"

Zhang Fei said: "The difference is that the immunity law requires application and review, and it is one-time. Unlike privileges, it is a kind of power. Once it is possessed, it can be used at any time, and it lacks review.

In fact, Wang Xueshi's New Deal lacks such exemption rules, so that in some special circumstances, the officials below must also implement it in accordance with the law, which has led to the discovery of many unfair phenomena and is confusing to the public. ”

Xu Zhiqian said: "But won't this immunity method be used by others?"

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Of course it will, but it requires extremely high wisdom and careful arrangements. There are no perfect policies and laws in this world. It can only make it more difficult for them to exploit loopholes."

Before he finished speaking, he heard several knocks on the door.

Xu Zhiqian immediately stood up and stood aside.

"You don't have to do this."

Zhang Fei smiled bitterly.

Xu Zhiqian spat: "Don't worry about it."

Zhang Fei shook his head, sighed, and shouted: "Come in."

I saw a young official entering the house. Zhang Fei also knew this person, his name was Chen Wen, and he was Zhao Pian's assistant.

Chen Wen first bowed to Zhang Fei, and then said: "I have been ordered by the Chief Justice to inform Prosecutor Zhang that the hearing with the Procuratorate will end here today. If there are any changes in the future, it will be announced separately. Notice."

Xu Zhiqian was slightly startled. They estimated that the other party would definitely counterattack with all their strength in the afternoon.

Zhang Fei asked: "Why is this?"

Chen Wendao: "The lower officials don't know."

Zhang Fei asked again: "Aren't there still hearings for the third division?"

Chen Wen nodded and said: "The hearing on the three divisions will start tomorrow."

Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian couldn't help but look at each other.

Tomorrow he will directly review the bill of the third division, which means that he will stop here.

Zhang Fei nodded and said: "Thank you, I understand."

"If there is nothing else, I will resign first."

"Walk slowly."

After the young official left, Xu Zhiqian couldn't help but look at Zhang Fei with confusion, "What happened?"

Zhang Fei said: "How do I know? I will always be with you." After a pause, he added: "In that case, let's go back first. Maybe my father-in-law knows what happened."

"Yeah."

The couple tidied up a little, then went out and came outside. They saw many officials walking outside one after another. It seemed that they had been notified suddenly. Otherwise, there was no need for them to stay. Enjoy this simple meal here, which means that this decision is temporary.

After this notice was issued, Wen Yanbo immediately came to Fu Bi's lounge.

"So, this is what they asked for?"

Wen Yanbo was slightly surprised.

Fu Bi nodded, "I asked Junshi and the others to ask the officials to see if they had any questions, but they all requested that this be the end of the matter and that there should be no further trials."

Wen Yanbo stroked his beard, "That's right, for them, it would be very disadvantageous for them to continue discussing this matter in such a public place. The further the review goes, the less room for maneuver they will have! ”

Fu Bi smiled and said: "This is also Zhang San's special skill."

Although Zhang Fei always talks about the legal method and keeps silent about the legal method, his real methods of winning lawsuits are actually based on the interests of the emperor, without exception.

Because in this era, fairness and justice cannot play a decisive role, it can only occupy the moral high ground, and when you take this commanding heights, the only one who can deny it is the emperor.

Therefore, he always put the emperor's interests on the table.

As long as Zhang Fei focuses on the "threat to the imperial power", the more questions he asks, the more disadvantageous it will be to them, because it will make it difficult for them to plead with the emperor in private.

So, when Sima Guang asked, all the officials gave a very unified answer, that is, no further trial, that's the end of it.

Wen Yanbo asked Fu Bi again: "Do you think they can stop it?"

"It's difficult!"

Fu Bi shook his head and sighed, "In my opinion, if they can't refute Zhang San's point of view in court, it will be difficult to prevent the passage of this bill, because Zhang San currently has the right time, place and people.

Don’t forget that this bill is obviously conducive to disaster relief. Many people previously blamed the government for the drought. Do you think the government will still listen to them? ”

In normal times, it would have been possible to stop it, but this hearing had its causes and consequences. When the drought was just showing signs, some people were already taking advantage of it to prevent Zhao Xu from reforming the official system.

After this hearing, from the emperor's point of view, the whole thing will become mine to take the blame, and you will make the money.

Why don't you die?

Can Zhao Xu agree to them?

So, Fu Bi guessed that if the Legislative Council could not stop him, Zhao Xu would definitely let the Legislative Council enforce the law impartially.

Wen Yanbo sighed: "Zhang San's greatest skill is to find opportunities to find opportunities!"

Fu Bi nodded and said: "I have the same view as you on this point. Whether in the capital or in Hezhong Prefecture, Zhang San used what had happened to advance his bill, when he was just a He has already achieved this with just one Erbi."

"What a misstep!"

Wang Anshi, Xue Xiang and Deng Wan came out of the imperial court and couldn't help but sigh.

Deng Wan hurriedly asked: "How do you say this, Mr. Wang?"

Wang Anshi said: "It seems that they are helpless for the time being against that boy Zhang San, and even feel a little guilty. But if they do this, they will definitely spread all the resentment they suffered today on the head of the third commander tomorrow. . If I had known this, I would have made an excuse to review our bill first."

Deng Wan looked worried when he heard this.

Xue Xiang said: "My husband, what you said is wrong. Everything has pros and cons. Prosecutor Zhang's answer made Xue suddenly enlightened. Xue is even more confident about tomorrow's trial."

"Really?"

Wang Anshi smiled and said: "Are you planning to learn and sell now?"

Xue Xiangshi smiled confidently: "It's not a bad idea."

Not long after Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian returned home, Xu Zun also came back. The couple immediately asked Xu Zun why.

Xu Zun also informed them of what happened at noon.

"Why?"

Xu Zhiqian asked curiously: "Did they just give up?"

Xu Zunfu said: "It's not like admitting defeat, it's just that they don't want to discuss this issue in public again."

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Then they also lost their only chance to win."

Xu Zhiqian looked at Zhang Fei again, "What do you mean?"

Xu Zun also looked at Zhang Fei doubtfully.

Zhang Fei said: "Because the officials are very angry."

Xu Zundeng suddenly realized, "Yes! They have no chance."

They wanted to punish Zhao Xu before, but now that Zhang Fei has created an opportunity for Zhao Xu to take revenge, how could Zhao Xu be so merciful?

Whether it can be stopped depends on this hearing.

But those powerful people were very guilty because what Zhang Fei said was true.

The next morning.

There was a sea of ​​people outside the imperial court. The number of people was even greater than yesterday. Yesterday, after all, we were only talking about the rights of a few people, but today is about relief policies and the vital interests of everyone.

And compared to yesterday, today is much more lively, because everyone is talking about yesterday's hearing, and many people are looking around, looking for Zhang Fei's shadow.

Because they have heard some gossip, today may be a hearing about the third division, but in their opinion, the hearing at the Procuratorate is obviously not over yet.

Unfortunately, they did not find Zhang Fei.

In fact, Zhang Fei was already here, but he was called to the inner hall by the emperor to accompany him to watch the trial.

"As expected of Zhang Dar's pen, he made them surrender in one morning."

Seeing Zhang Fei, Zhao Xu praised him with a smile.

Zhang Fei said hey: "Actually, I am just pretending to be powerful. What they are really afraid of is Your Majesty, not me."

"Are you afraid of me?"

Zhao Xu just smiled coldly, but didn't say much, and turned to say: "I saw the evidence you submitted to the Legislative Council yesterday, especially the comparison about the liquor tax in Hezhong Prefecture. It really shocked me. It also gives me a deep understanding of the financial situation of Hezhong Mansion, which is far better than the accounts submitted to me by the three departments."

"This is the professional governance that I often mentioned to His Majesty."

Zhang Fei suppressed his smile and said seriously: "Actually, Confucian governance and professional governance do not conflict with each other.

Just like building a palace, Confucianism is the planning before construction, such as specifications, size, height, and color. But during the construction, Confucianism cannot be used, but construction technology must be used. Only superb technology can build it out of a solid palace.

But many previous dynasties confused the two and over-considered specifications, size, height, and color, and the palaces they built were often not so stable.

Take taxation as an example. Sometimes, raising taxes under certain circumstances can benefit the country and the people. However, if we follow Confucianism, we cannot increase taxes and cannot find any reason to increase taxes. But if you analyze the accounts, you can often come up with the result of a tax increase. ”

These words made Zhao Xu fall into deep thought. After a long while, he suddenly slammed the table and said, "Well said. This is exactly what happened. In the past, when the three departments discussed finance with me, they often said These accounts are viewed from the perspective of Confucianism. This statement made by one person makes me very confused. I have already planned to have the Third Division and the Ministry of Accounts set up an official office to analyze the accounts in the future."

Zhang Fei hurriedly said: "Your Majesty is a wise man."

Zhao Xu smiled and said, "Thanks to you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly heard a commotion outside. Zhao Xu looked up and saw that Fu Bi and the others had already arrived at the seats.

Zhao Xu couldn't help but ask Zhang Fei: "What do you think of today's hearing?"

Zhang Fei said: "I heard that it was the Third Secretary who requested it."

Zhao Xu nodded and said: "He said that doing this would help the people trust the tax coins more and be more conducive to the issuance of tax coins."

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "That's right. In fact, it is not difficult for the imperial court to issue tax coins. The difficulty lies in whether everyone is willing to accept the tax coins. I believe that the three envoys will be sure to win this hearing. ."

When Fu Bi and the others sat down, it gradually became quiet outside.

A young judicial official sitting below stood up and announced that this hearing would be about the relief policies of the three divisions.

As for the bill submitted by the Procuratorate, it did not say whether it was passed or not, and it did not even give a clear indication of whether it would be completed.

This immediately caused the audience outside the hospital to whisper.

Naughty!

There must be something fishy!

Actually, no one expects to pass on the spot, but at least you have to give an explanation. If you just jump over, there must be something unknown here.

This was expected by Fu Bi, but he had no choice but to give the other party a chance and immediately notify Xue Xiang to attend.

After a while, Xue Xiang brought an adjutant to the witness box and sat down. The adjutant sat behind him. Except for Zhang Fei, the others were still very particular about their status.

It is almost impossible for the adjutant to sit in the same row as the chief.

When it was completely quiet outside the hospital, Fu Bi took the lead and asked: "The Third Secretary, according to what we know, the Third Secretary, the Ministry of Household Affairs, and the Ministry of Works have recently formulated relief policies related to drought, and it is the Third Secretary who presides over it. Revised."

Xue Xiang nodded and said, "Yes."

Fu Bi asked again: "According to this policy, the Ministry of Industry first arranges water conservancy projects in drought-stricken prefectures and counties, and then the three departments allocate funds and the Ministry of Household Affairs implements them."

Xue Xiang nodded and said, "Yes."

Fu Bi asked again: "Why did the three ministers choose to use work-for-relief methods to help the people survive the disaster, instead of directly opening warehouses and releasing grain to help the people?"

In fact, working-for-relief was a minority in ancient times, and opening warehouses to release grain was the mainstream. Of course, this kind of opening of warehouses to release grain could only save a small number of people. At the same time, the court would also ask the gentry to provide some relief.

That's why Fu Bi asked this question.

Xue Xiang replied: "This is because the food in the national warehouse is also very limited. If you choose to open the warehouse to release food, you can only protect some people from starving to death during this period, but you can only give them one mouthful of food." But if we adopt the work-for-relief approach, the people can have a surplus and be able to better weather the disaster."

As soon as these words came out, many officials shook their heads.

What a surplus.

It’s just paper money.

That's a piece of waste paper.

Of course Fu Bi knew it in his heart, but he still asked step by step: "Aren't the words of the third minister contradictory? You said that the court's grain reserves were limited and could not distribute enough grain, but you also said that work would be used as a relief. It allows the people to have a surplus. Where does this extra money come from?"

Xue Xiangdao: "This relief policy also includes a tax currency bill. As the name suggests, it can be understood as a kind of payment that can be used to pay taxes on your behalf. At that time, these tax coins will be distributed by the three ministers, the Ministry of Household Then take these tax coins and use them as wages to distribute to the people."

Before he finished speaking, boos broke out everywhere.

These citizens of the capital are not stupid. You are here to lie again.

Faced with boos, Xue Xiangwu was full of confidence.

After the Royal Police maintained order, Sima Guang couldn't help but criticize: "Aren't you deceiving yourself? Under the drought, the people are short of food. You don't distribute food, copper coins, or cloth, but you just After issuing these banknotes, the people still have to buy food from the court with the banknotes, but you also said that the court does not have enough food. If you cannot buy food, do you know how serious the consequences will be?"

Wang Anshi looked at Sima Guang blowing his beard and staring, and felt angry, "You are really bullying the weak and afraid of the strong. Why didn't I see you so fierce yesterday?"

Of course this is biased. Sima Guang was also very impressive yesterday, but he couldn't defeat Zhang Fei and there was nothing he could do.

Zhao Xu in the inner hall couldn't help but said: "This Sima Junshi still has a lot of prejudice against Xue Shizheng!"

Zhang Fei said: "This hearing requires prejudice and making things difficult."

Zhao Xu asked: "Why?"

Zhang Fei said: "If you can't refute even the biased questions, it only proves that there are problems with this policy. If it were me, I might be more ruthless than Bachelor Sima. A stable palace should Withstand the wind and rain."

Zhao Xu thought for a moment and smiled: "What you said seems to make sense."

Faced with Sima Guang's aggression, Xue Xiangshi replied calmly: "I didn't say that the people can only buy grain from the imperial court with these tax coins. Although the imperial court will also open the granary and release some grain, But I hope that people will take their tax coins and go to the market to buy food and buy what they need, just like they do on normal days."

The boos sounded again, louder than last time.

I have never seen such a shameless person, who wants to take advantage of us businessmen. To take a step back, even if you think so, you shouldn't say it, completely ignoring our intelligence.

Sima Guang also amused Xue Xiang, "What? Are you still planning to force merchants to collect such tax coins?"

"Xue has no such intention."

Xue Xiang shook his head and said: "We are not doing this for the sake of force, but for the sake of businessmen and the country's finances."

"For the sake of businessmen?"

Sima Guang said in astonishment.

For the national finance, this is easy to understand, and no one questions this. You have issued banknotes, aren't you thinking about the country?

Fan Yong and the others were also dumbfounded. Can you say such shameless words?

How shameless!

Your dignified Third Secretary, will you think about our businessmen?

The dogs didn’t believe it.

"Exactly."

Xue Xiang nodded and said: "The drought has already occurred, and the country will inevitably suffer heavy losses in terms of agricultural taxes. What we have to do now is to try to avoid further blows to business.

The arrival of drought will inevitably prevent people from going to the market to buy goods as usual, which will make the entire market depressed. This phenomenon has already appeared in the market.

If the imperial court distributed food to the people, the people would only be able to save their lives, and the difficulties faced by the merchants would not change much.

For this reason, we conceived the idea of ​​tax coins. If we just let the people use these banknotes to exchange for food with the court, we can just issue a voucher directly, without the need to issue tax coins. Precisely because everyone needs to pay taxes, tax coins have the same effect on everyone and can be circulated in the market.

At that time, people can take tax coins to merchants to buy food, daily necessities, and even have a sip of wine. In this way, business will not be affected too much.

Currently, our business is booming, and business taxes are increasing day by day, becoming an indispensable revenue for the country. Moreover, the current total tax revenue is calculated. If businessmen earn less, they will also pay less tax. If we continue to ignore business, then this year's tax revenue will be greatly reduced, and next year's expenditure will inevitably be stretched. ”

Having said this, he took a stack of documents from the adjutant, "These are the commercial tax accounts of Gyeonggi Province in recent years, and we have also calculated how many businessmen will be lost if tax coins are not issued. Closure of business, and how much tax revenue will be reduced."