Judge of the Song Dynasty Chapter 783: Through thick and thin (Happy New Year’s Day)

Chapter 783 (Happy New Year's Day)

I remember that three years ago, when there was a little money in this warehouse, Zhao Xu began to feel a little uncontrollable and eager to make contributions. If he had been allowed to see these weapons at that time, he might not have had to remind Zhang Fei. He will do whatever it takes to mass-produce, and then go for a spin.

Because for the ancient emperors, the future they could see was actually to expand their territory, because internal affairs were like that, as long as there was no chaos, and they didn’t starve to death, the upper limit of the small-scale peasant economy was so high, if you want to be hundreds of feet To get further, we must go through war.

But at this time, Zhao Xu was no longer so anxious, because the new political system had begun to operate, and he also felt the vitality. In the past, he relied on Zhang Fei to fool him, but now he also knows that time is on his side. aside, so he was willing to wait.

But he didn't neglect it either. Every day since early in the morning, he would make comments. Before work, Zhao Xu also had another habit, which was to read newspapers.

"There seem to be more and more newspapers and periodicals."

When he came to the study room and looked at the thick pile of newspapers and periodicals on the table, Zhao Xu couldn't help but be surprised.

Lan Yuanzhen, a Chinese nobleman, said: "Since the Mencius Award was established by the imperial court, more and more people have published articles. Even major colleges and hospitals have opened their own newspapers."

"Really?"

Zhao Xu smiled and said: "Then I want to see what they have written?"

After sitting down, he picked up a newspaper and read it. Soon, he became fascinated, one after another, and soon, half an hour passed.

Zhao Xu put down a newspaper and said in disbelief: "This is well written! And this is very different from previous articles."

Lan Yuanzhen said: "Your Majesty, in the past they used to write articles criticizing current affairs and arguing, but this kind of articles cannot win the Mencius Award. While pointing out problems, they must also make suggestions, so Only then do we have a chance."

"That's it."

Zhao Xu laughed and said: "Zhang San is really a genius! Yes, yes, it should be like this."

Lan Yuanzhen said: "But Your Majesty, if this continues, it will be difficult to control public opinion."

Zhao Xu glanced at him, pondered a little, and said: "To publish this newspaper now, you need the imperial court's permission. Whether it is more or less, the imperial court can still control it. At present, everything is developing in a good direction. Let them alone for now."

The Mencius Award has completely activated the entire literary world. Everyone has begun to actively discuss the future of the Song Dynasty, both about people's livelihood and about strengthening the army.

This was not possible in the past. Although there were many critics of current affairs, there were far fewer than now. In the end, this disaster came from the mouth.

But now that your court has set up this award, why don’t you let us talk about it?

As soon as the Mencius Prize came out, public opinion began to become more tolerant.

Fortunately, they are all relatively positive. They are no longer mainly critical, but mainly constructive. Pure criticism will not get awards, but constructive theories. These articles first raise questions. , and then put forward your own ideas.

The whole Shilin is immersed in it.

This atmosphere makes literati feel very excited and full of hope for the future.

Except for one person, that is Sima Guang.

Sima Guang was very anxious now. After returning, he quickly wrote an article and then rushed to the Procuratorate. However, he found that Zhang Fei was not in the Procuratorate. After asking, he found out that Zhang Fei might be at the Bianjing Law Firm now.

So he hurried to Bianjing Law Firm again.

"So many people?"

When he came to the office and saw a group of wealthy businessmen sitting inside, Sima Guang couldn't help but feel a little abrupt.

When those wealthy businessmen saw Sima Guang coming, they immediately stood up, stepped forward to salute Sima Guang, and then left.

"I didn't bother you, did I?"

Sima Guang was still a little embarrassed.

Zhang Fei hurriedly said: "No. We have just finished talking about it."

In fact, they were just talking about donating arms supervision and directly doubled their donation, but this time there really weren't many people who objected, and the talks went very smoothly.

First of all, the charity foundation is making too much money now. After the treasury is rolled out, the profits are really increasing exponentially. They are feeling a little panic now and want to donate more to curry favor with the court.

Secondly, they now need protection and donate money to develop weapons, and they are all in favor of it, as long as there are results.

"Sima, please take a seat."

Zhang Fei asked Sima Guang to sit down again, and then asked: "I wonder if Bachelor Sima has anything to say."

"I have already written the article."

"Article?"

"What? You forgot that you promised me to award the Mencius Prize to you."

"Oh oh oh!"

It was only then that Zhang Fei came to his senses and nodded: "Remember, remember, I just didn't expect Bachelor Sima to write it so quickly."

"Hurry up, hurry up."

Sima Guang said depressedly: "I have been worried about this matter. When I go out, people will talk to me about this matter. No matter how I answer, it is all your idea. I want to say that it is my idea." Okay, isn't that a lie? But if I say it was you who wrote it, I can't provide any evidence, so I'm in a dilemma. I, Sima Guang, have been living for decades, and this is the first time I've encountered this situation."

As he said that, he handed over the article, "Can you take a look quickly?"

"Okay."

Zhang Fei took it, looked at it, and couldn't help laughing.

Sima Guang said: "Why are you laughing?"

"Nothing."

Zhang Fei said: "I just suddenly discovered that Bachelor Sima already knows how to rely on articles to guide public opinion."

This article is really well written. He did not explicitly say that this award should actually be awarded to Zhang Fei. He just guided everyone from the side and reminded everyone of Zhang Fei’s contribution to the public prosecutor’s office, of which Zhang Fei is the soul.

Textbook-like soft writing.

Sima Guang said slightly embarrassed: "Didn't I learn this from you?"

"It's already Qingde!"

Zhang Fei suddenly realized that there was something wrong with what he said, and changed his words: "Sister Sima, please rest assured, leave it to me to keep and solve the problem of Sima Sima."

"Really?"

Sima Guang said nervously: "You must help me solve it."

"Absolutely."

Zhang Fei patted his chest and promised: "In this regard, Bachelor Sima should have confidence in me."

Sima Guang nodded.

Indeed!

In this regard, he had no reason to doubt Zhang Fei.

After sending Sima Guang away, Zhang Fei did not dare to neglect. Sima Guang was already allergic to this, so he immediately rushed to the genuine bookstore.

When I arrived in the hall, I saw Hou Donglai lying on a table, looking at a piece of white paper with a sad face.

Zhang Fei looked behind him for a while and couldn't understand, so he said: "Lao Hou!"

"Ouch!"

Hou Donglai was startled and looked back, "Sanlang? You. When did you come?"

As he spoke, he subconsciously stood up.

"Just got here." Zhang Fei asked curiously: "Why are you looking at this white paper? Is this a wordless heavenly book?"

"Wordless Bible? No, no."

Hou Donglai suddenly said: "Sanlang, you came just in time, please pay attention to me. Please sit down! Please sit down!"

After Zhang Fei sat down, Hou Donglai said: "Sanlang, do you recognize this paper?"

Zhang Fei said: "Isn't this the bamboo paper that Li Jian brought? I asked you specifically about it last time."

Hou Donglai sighed: "This paper is good paper, but trouble comes. Now the paper has become larger and can be printed on both sides. At the same time, our movable type and ink have been greatly improved. Next year our bookstore will Will all use lead movable type, which is smaller, more delicate, and clearer than clay movable type."

"Really?"

Zhang Fei said in surprise: "Is it developing so fast?"

Hou Donglai said proudly: "The development has been extremely fast in the past two years, mainly because the demand is large and the income is high. Of course, the technology is developing rapidly."

Zhang Fei frowned, "Do you think the greater the demand and the more money you make, the faster technology will develop?"

"Of course."

Hou Donglai said: "Nowadays, the most developed technologies in all walks of life are ink, paper, movable type, football, and fruit wine. Each of them is very profitable. In the second half of the year, Qijia's wine sales are really good. Football League They all use his wine.

Isn’t it because the fruit wine tax is only 5%? They are all trying their best to make delicious fruit wine. In the past year, our fruit wine in Tokyo has been changing with each passing day, and there are 20 more varieties. ”

Zhang Fei frowned secretly, yes! Demand will determine the development of technology. This weapon cannot just be built behind closed doors. It must be used on the battlefield to practice, so that it can be truly developed. The period when the development of firearms was the fastest was during the period when the Royal Police used them to suppress bandits. However, it is not in the national interest to go to war with foreign countries and will affect the development of internal affairs. That's it, that's all, let's wait a little longer, but don't pick up the sesame seeds and lose the watermelon.

"Sanlang? Sanlang?"

"Huh?"

"What are you thinking about?"

"I'm thinking."

Zhang Fei suddenly asked: "Then why don't you apply for the incentive law?"

Hou Donglai was stunned for a moment and asked: "Can I also apply for this movable type?"

Zhang Fei said: "Of course you can't use movable type. Even if you can, we didn't invent it. But for lead type, especially the smelting of lead type, it's possible."

Hou Donglai was startled and said hurriedly: "When it comes to lead smelting, we are really better than the imperial smelting workshop."

He is not bragging about this at all. The movable type workshop invested much more money in the research and development of lead than the imperial court.

Zhang Fei nodded and said: "Then prepare quickly and apply for the incentive method."

"Hey!"

Hou Donglai nodded, but then said: "But I don't know how to apply!"

Zhang Fei said angrily: "You are living longer and returning home, won't you find Bianjing Law Firm?"

Hou Donglai blinked, "Yes, yes! You should ask Erbi for this kind of thing. You see how worried I am lately."

"By the way, you haven't said what you're worried about yet?"

“Oh, it’s just a problem with this layout.

" Hou Donglai said: "The paper is getting bigger and bigger, and the characters are getting smaller and smaller, but I am not satisfied with writing an article. ”

Zhang Fei rolled his eyes and said: "Isn't this simple? Find more content and stuff it in. Who stipulated that this newspaper can only write one article? Nowadays everyone is paying attention to finance and business. You can publish articles specifically in this area, for example, the Qijia you just mentioned."

"I have thought about this too, but for example, the main text is about the policies of the imperial court, but the margin is about businessmen. Is this good? Is there anything wrong with it? But if you want to classify the seal, it may be Not satisfied."

"If there's anything wrong, it's all news. Those about the imperial court must be placed at the front. The fonts can be larger, and the rest of the news should be smaller."

"If you say yes, then I will do it."

Hou Donglai nodded.

Zhang Fei said: "Also! Take Qijia for example, if his sales increase after we publish an article, we will have to spend money to write articles next time."

Hou Donglai said: "Everyone has gone to Fengyue Bao."

"Huh?"

"We usually publish some important national events. If we want to write about fruit wine, we have to write from the overall situation. This is the style of our news newspaper, and it was also decided by you, Saburo. But those young men and literati like to look at things that are not true. You know, Feng Yue Bao’s sales are much better than ours, and every wine brand goes to Feng Yue Bao to promote them.”

Hou Donglai said with great regret.

They created this newspaper, but they were picked off by Feng Yue Bao, but there was nothing they could do about it. In terms of brothels, they together could not compare to Fu Shichun.

"This has been true throughout the ages. Everyone likes to watch exciting things." Zhang Fei shook his head and sighed: "Forget it, we are not short of this little money."

Hou Donglai nodded and suddenly asked: "By the way! Sanlang, why are you here."

Zhang Fei then thought of business and handed Sima Guang's article to him, "Publish it immediately."

"Hey!"

Hou Donglai took it and took a look at it, and said happily: "This is an article praising Sanlang."

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Remember, after the sale, I asked the people in the bookstore to spread the gossip and say that I had someone write this article."

Hou Donglai said: "That's not good, it will make people think that you are bragging, Sanlang."

Zhang Fei said: "Do you think this is a lie?"

"Of course not."

"That's it. My goods are good, why don't you let me yell at you?"

Zhang Fei personally ordered it, and the official bookstore naturally did not dare to neglect it. After two days, Sima Guang's article was published.

Imperial City.

In the lounge.

Sima Guang held a newspaper, read it with interest, and smiled to himself, this guy is so nimble in his work, he published it so quickly.

Just as he was talking, two more officials came in, and they looked at Sima Guang.

Sima Guang also noticed, "Why are you two looking at me like this?"

One of the officials said: "Sima Shangshu, aren't you angry when you read this article?"

"I know, ahem, this article is right and true. I have to admit that Zhang San has made the greatest contribution to the public security organs."

Sima Guangdao.

"Who said that."

Another official said excitedly: "Zhang San's contribution is mainly in the legal system. Previously, he commented on the system of public security, procuratorate and law. This is all due to Sima Shangshu."

An official then said: "And I heard that Zhang San asked someone to write this article. He wanted to steal Sima Shangshu's award. This is the behavior of a villain and shameless."

Seeing the two of them being so angry, Sima Guang was frightened, "Don't get excited, you two. This is not a big deal."

Actually, what he wants to say is, this has nothing to do with you!

"But it is not a trivial matter. This is the Mencius Award. If Zhang San snatches this award, it would be a great disrespect to Meng Shengren."

"Sima Shangshu, we all know that you are indifferent to fame and wealth, so you definitely deserve this honor!"

"We will definitely support Sima Shangshu and never let that kid succeed."

"Me."

Sima Guang suddenly couldn't laugh or cry, and he was even more upset. He quickly made an excuse to leave, but as soon as he went out, he met Wang Anshi.

Wang Anshi looked at him, half-smiling.

Sima Guang would not give him a good look, "If you have anything to say, just say it."

Wang Anshi chuckled and said, "Jun Shi, I really didn't expect you to be so greedy for vanity."

Sima Guang asked in confusion: "What did you say?"

Wang Anshi pointed to the newspaper in his hand, "You dare to say that this article was not written by Zhang Fei."

Sima Guang frowned slightly and said, "Even if it is, so what?"

Wang Anshi said: "Originally, there was constant controversy over you and me winning the award, but as soon as this article came out, most people chose to support you, because now anyone who dares to question this article is supporting Zhang San. ”

"How could this happen?"

Sima Guang opened his eyes.

Wang Anshi asked doubtfully: "Isn't this Zhang San's idea?"

Sima Guang suddenly realized it and gave him a slap in the face, "Hey! This brat, I was teased by him again."

Wang Anshi looked at him curiously and understood what was going on. He actually believed in Sima Guang's character more. This was not something he seemed to have done. He added: "Zhang San really supports Bachelor Sima. In order to dispel those doubts, he can't help but let himself be the bait."

Sima Guang, who was originally angry, couldn't help but feel a little ashamed when he heard this. Thinking about it carefully, what benefits would Zhang Fei get from doing this? He took advantage of all the advantages, and sighed: "This kid always makes people hate him, but he can't say it out loud."

Wang Anshi smiled and said: "It's rare to agree with you once!"

As soon as this article was published, it can be said that it is a done deal. Most people are not willing to see Zhang Fei win this award. Not to mention all the grudges and resentments, Zhang Fei is not suitable for him at his age.

But the person who made the greatest contribution to the public security system, besides Sima Guang, was Zhang Fei. Everyone suddenly remembered that if they didn’t give it to Sima Guang, they had to give it to Zhang Fei.

They cannot turn a blind eye to the success of the Public Security Bureau.

Without contrast, there is no harm.

Compared with Zhang Fei, Sima Guang is really suitable and well deserved!

Almost everyone supports Sima Guang, and there is no longer any controversy.

Although there are many people in the DPRK who support the rule of law, Sima Guang has been promoting the judicial reform of the public security system and judicial reform for this award. They also feel that it is inappropriate to award this award to Zhang Fei.

Sima Guang could only accept it reluctantly.

Now the pressure is all on Wang Anshi's side, but Wang Anshi is not panicked at all. He is used to it, and he can now slap those people in the face with his political achievements.

Because it is now the tax collection season.

This year's taxation is crucial, because this is the first time that tax currency is regarded as a regular policy, and it is also the first year that a temporary law is enacted.

Whether a policy is good or not, it must be reflected in finance.

If there is no fiscal growth, it is a failure.

Cui Gong Hall.

"Your Majesty, most people are currently filling out tax forms. The Third Division, with the cooperation of Bianjing Law Firm, randomly checked more than 3,000 tax forms. Preliminary estimates indicate that the tax revenue of Gyeonggi Province this year is relatively high. Last year, it could at least double."

Xue Xiang reported to Zhao Xu very excitedly.

"Seriously?"

Zhao Xu said happily.

This is no different from Zhang Fei’s prediction.

Xue Xiang nodded and said: "I can guarantee it."

Wen Yanbo said: "The growth of the three secretaries can easily double. Do you know what this means? Why don't you wait for the tax revenue to come up before claiming credit? You can't wait for just two or three months?"

He didn't quite believe it.

Wang Anshi smiled and said: "Meng Wen, now and then, the three departments must make statistics in advance, so that they can better arrange the monetary policy for next year."

"Xianggong Wang is right."

Xue Xiang said confidently: "Actually, doubling is just a conservative estimate. If you include the losses saved by the court, it will be more than doubled, and may even be doubled."

Lü Gongzhu was puzzled: "Do the three envoys have credentials?"

"Yes."

Xue Xiang directly took out an account, "This is our court's expenditure and loss in previous years and this year's procurement expenditure, as well as the random inspection statistics of this year's commercial tax by Bianjing Law Firm.

After such a comparison, it can be found that the difference between the direct distribution of goods by the imperial court to officials and soldiers and the direct distribution of tax coins to officials is more than twice the difference.

In addition, the new tax law is calculated based on people's income. This year, people's income has increased significantly, and the number of second-class wealthy households has also increased. ”

As soon as these words came out, everyone was surprised.

Is it so different?

Zhao Xu couldn't believe it and quickly asked Xue Xiang to submit the accounts.

After reading it, Zhao Xu first ordered people to hand over the accounts to Wen Yanbo, Lu Gongzhu, and Sima Guang. He then asked Xue Xiang: "Why is there such a big difference between sending money to officials to purchase goods and delivering goods directly to officials?"

Xue Xiang replied cryptically: "This is mainly because there are too many goods, which are difficult to count and manage."

Zhao Xu nodded.

It is tradition to use public ones.

If you say this is corruption, it seems to be a bit too much.

But if you use a little, I will use a little. You won’t know it, but you will be shocked when you see it.

The first time Xue Xiang saw this account, he thought it was a calculation error. How could there be such a difference.

But in this year's accounts, the business office sold all the goods first, and then the officials bought them with coins.

Originally, according to estimates, the goods in the warehouse were not enough to pay all the salaries. However, after deducting the salaries, the WFP still made a lot of money.

This is outrageous.

Can it not be redundant?

Xue Xiang added: "There is also the transportation of goods here and there, which is also a big expense. Nowadays, the yamen service has been exempted. You need to pay to **** the goods."

Sima Guang suddenly asked: "But why did the people's wealth increase so much?"

Xue Xiangdao: "According to our survey, it is mainly because people's enthusiasm for making money has increased. In the past thirty years, the number of second-class wealthy households in our country has been decreasing, but it has increased a lot this year.

It is because people now dare to earn more money. Although the harvest in the fields has not increased, people still plant grapes, vegetables, raise chickens and ducks, and even work in workshops, so the wealth of the people are generally growing.

The ones with the fastest growing wealth were businessmen. Businessmen benefited the most from the change in currency issued by the imperial court. Based on this alone, their wealth more than doubled. ”

The growth of wealth in the past was because everyone had to pay taxes. This growth alone lasted for several years, which shows how serious tax evasion was in the past.

However, the tax has not been audited this year. The growth point lies entirely in the optimization of the system, saving losses, and the enthusiasm of the people to make money.

But there is a question worth thinking about, which is why people did not dare to make money before, and why the number of wealthy households is decreasing year by year.

In fact, everyone knows it.

Zhao Xu skipped this embarrassing topic and asked: "What suggestions does the Third Secretary have for the distribution of coins next year?"

Xue Xiangdao: "I suggest that you temporarily reduce the amount of coinage, try to hoard all copper, and slowly replace it with banknotes. At the same time, let major warehouse stores allow copper to be used as collateral for tax coins."

Sima Guang said: "Who would be willing to use copper as collateral for banknotes?"

Xue Xiangdao: "We have observed that many wealthy people are doing business now, but now the cost of trading with any goods must be higher than the tax currency. At the same time, they have a lot of copper utensils at home. It is difficult for these copper utensils to be used as tax coins immediately. coins.

Now Jiekupu only allows the exchange of tax coins and copper coins. As long as everyone is allowed to use copper as a mortgage for tax coins, I believe more and more people will use copper utensils to mortgage tax coins.

And in this way, the issuance of tax coins can be increased without violating the rules set by the Legislative Council. ”

The Legislative Council currently only determines that the amount of tax coins issued cannot exceed the copper reserves of the imperial court.

If the wealthy are willing to use copper as collateral for tax coins, the issuance of tax coins will increase.

Wang Anshi added: "Your Majesty, this is just a private transaction, an exchange of equal value, no matter how much there is, there will be no problem."

Zhao Xu nodded.

Xue Xiang added: "In addition, I have also studied Hebei's financial problems. I believe that the soldiers stationed in Hebei are a burden for Hebei, but they can also help Hebei recover its finances.

As long as the salaries of all officials and soldiers in Hebei are converted into tax currency starting next year, Hebei's finances will be quickly revitalized.

Because the imperial court promulgated this policy, businessmen will definitely flock to Hebei. Hundreds of thousands of troops are hoarding in Hebei. They all need to buy food and clothes. All of these are money!

Businessmen have passed and can help people obtain more livelihoods. Nowadays, land annexation in Hebei is extremely serious, and they can only rely on business to revitalize.

The key business is to be able to withstand floods very well, and merchants can build their workshops in areas free from floods.

For the imperial court, there is no need to allocate additional money for relief.

In addition, the imperial court can also change all the salaries of officials in Jingdong East Road and Huainan area into tax coins, but not issue additional tax coins, so as to slowly promote tax coins. ”

Wen Yanbo finally understood, "The Third Secretary is really eloquent. This is a new way to increase the issuance of tax coins, but it's only been a year, so you are a little too hasty."

Xue Xiangque said: "This is not just one year. The commercial prosperity of Hezhong Prefecture is based on the huge local army, and the loss this year's tax money alone has saved the court is immeasurable. Why doesn't Hebei In addition, the people of Hebei have gradually become accustomed to using tax coins in the past two years, so the court should strike while the iron is hot."

Wang Anshi said: "In addition, we can also slowly open up the exchange with Northwest Salt Banknote through Jiekupu, so as to become one.

Especially with the recent success of the Xihe trade, many goods from the Western Regions have entered our country, causing more merchants to start traveling between the two places. If they are connected, merchants can make turnover by flying money, which will also facilitate tax inspections by the tax department. ”

Zhao Xu nodded and said: "It's accurate."

Wen Yanbo winked at Sima Guang desperately. Seeing that Sima Guang was hesitant, he simply said to Zhao Xu: "Your Majesty, now that the temporary law has been promulgated, it will be easier to promote the public prosecutor's law. I suggest that it be implemented nationwide."

We can’t watch Wang Anshi and others perform, so we have to show off too.

Xue Xiang said hurriedly: "I also agree very much, because the public security law is the basis for issuing tax coins."

Zhao Xu smiled and said: "I have always been very supportive, but Sima Shangshu has always had doubts about it."

Oh my God! Even the emperor knew it. Wen Yanbo smiled awkwardly.

Promoting tax coins needs to be discussed. You said you want to promote public security and law, but now there really is no one stopping you.

Xiao Xi wishes everyone a happy New Year and may all your wishes come true.