Judge of the Song Dynasty Chapter 788: Political protection

In the entire plan, the public opinion in the Xihe area is also very critical, because here is a mixture of multiple ethnic groups, not a single ethnic group. Why are people willing to come to Xihe? It is not to be loyal to the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, but In order to avoid war and disputes, everyone is now focused on making money, and they are very satisfied with the status quo.

If Xihe rashly launches a war again, it will make Xihe's internal affairs very unstable, because there are too many uneasy factors.

The first step is to unite Xihe.

Among them, the idea of ​​​​businessmen is particularly critical.

Because the prosperity here depends entirely on merchants. If merchants don't make money, those guys will have no way of living.

Wang Shao knew the truth, so he had already sent people to secretly publicize it, saying that it was the Empress Dowager Liang of Xixia who decided to ban trade with Xihe in order to seize power, and to gain the moral high ground first.

But this is not enough.

We also need secret help from Ma Tianhao and others.

Because according to the plan, first of all, the businessmen in Xixia launched a rebellion, created public dissatisfaction, and cooperated with their ministers inside and outside the court. Zhang Fei needed Ma Tianhao and others to unite the businessmen in Xihe to protect their own interests and support the Xixia merchants. .

Ma Tianhao is in charge of Yunzhen Temple. The ban on trade in Xixia will definitely affect the income of Yunzhen Temple. Ma Tianhao and the others have enough reasons to express their dissatisfaction.

Only in this way can Wang Shao have the opportunity to operate and launch a war in the name of a businessman.

This will not only unite Xihe, but also hide the Song army's intentions and deceive the Liao Kingdom tactically.

This is also a rehearsal for launching an attack on the Liao Kingdom. If it can be successful this time, it can be used in the Liao Kingdom in the future.

And Ma Tianhao was very excited about this plan. He had taken the initiative to join the army before, not just to make a living. It can be seen that he was not content with peace. It was just that he was framed in the first place, which left him with lingering fears. He didn't dare to mess around anymore. After staying here for a few years, he started to become restless again.

Zhang Fei taught some tricks to Ma Tianhao.

The specific details of this plan require them to adapt to changes, rather than planning everything in advance. They are just pure executors.

A few days later, Cao Ping, who was out on inspection, returned to Xizhou.

"Why didn't you bring Dong'er with you this time?"

Cao Ping didn’t show any sympathy to the president of the court, nor did he greet him, so he asked in an understatement.

Zhang Fei hurriedly said: "Uncle Cao doesn't know something. The Yameni has been clamoring to follow him, saying that he wanted to visit Uncle Cao, but I think this place is very dangerous. It took a lot of hard work to persuade the Yameni to stay. Don't follow me, alas. It's just a pity for the filial piety of the yamen!"

Cao Pingpi smiled and said: "It seems that you are not so strict when you are not in court. You have known Dong'er for so long, don't you know that he has always wanted to avoid me? How is that possible? Will think of coming to see me."

Zhang Fei's expression was stagnant. Damn! He actually forgot about this. He really can't use ordinary people's thinking to figure out the yamen!

Cao Ping said again: "I think you don't need Dong'er to help you share the responsibility this time."

Zhang Fei immediately realized that Cao Ping was referring to his previous mission to Northern Xinjiang, but he pretended to be confused and said, "Well, what do you think Uncle Cao said?"

"How to say?"

Cao Ping calmly said: "Do you think I know nothing about the affairs of the capital since I am in Xizhou?"

Zhang Fei rolled his eyes and said: "Since Uncle Cao knows everything, that's fine. I'm afraid that Uncle Cao will misunderstand him. If I hadn't pulled Yanei last time, he would definitely have caused a big disaster again. ."

The corner of Cao Ping's mouth twitched and he couldn't help but sigh: "I never expected that our father and son would be played with by an Erbi."

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Uncle Cao, I treat Yanei like a brother. If he is in trouble, no matter right or wrong, I will definitely support him."

Cao Ping snorted: "I don't believe this. I have already applied to return to Beijing."

"Uncle Cao can't go back now."

Zhang Fei blurted out.

But as soon as the words came out of his mouth, he knew that he had fallen into Cao Ping's trap.

Cao Ping asked: "Why?"

Zhang Fei said: "Because..."

Cao commented: "Because I have to watch Wang Shao."

Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, then nodded.

The reason why Zhao Xu felt confident in letting Wang Shao be the commander-in-chief was because last time Wang Shao transferred many soldiers to the royal police, and the royal police was controlled by Cao Ping.

It means that Zhao Xu controlled Xihe's finances through Zhang Fei and controlled half of the military power through Cao Ping. Only in this way did Zhao Xu allow Wang Shao to stay in Xihe.

In history, many emperors killed heroes and good generals. From God's perspective, many people were innocent. However, the emperor always judges whether you have the ability to rebel, not whether you have the idea of ​​​​rebellion.

Because imperial power is supreme.

As long as you have this ability, you will definitely have this idea, not at this moment, but at the next moment.

Cao Ping just nodded, "I understand."

Zhang Fei said sarcastically: "Actually, I have no intention of hiding it from Uncle Cao."

With that said, he informed Cao Ping of the entire plan.

After hearing this, Cao Ping couldn't help but feel a headache, "The more complicated this plan is, the harder it is to succeed."

Zhang Fei said: "So the first thing to do in the whole plan is to defend our border. Even if we fail, we will not lose too much."

Cao Ping nodded slightly and asked: "Then what do I need to do?"

Zhang Fei said: "On the one hand, I use the police station to check and balance Wang Shao, but on the other hand, I still act as an intermediary between Wang Shao and the generals of the Western Army."

This kind of checks and balances is not to weaken Wang Shao's power, but to weaken his strength in exchange for power.

As long as Cao Ping is here, Wang Shao dares to go ahead without fear of being suspected by the emperor.

But this requires Cao Ping's cooperation.

This plan cannot be hidden from Cao Ping.

And these words can only be said by Zhang Fei. If Wang Shao takes the initiative, it will become that he is trying to win over Cao Ping and Ma Tianhao, and then he may not be far from death.

After Zhang Fei talked to them one by one, Wang Shao sent someone to make an appointment to go out for a walk in the city.

"Yunzhen Temple and Superintendent Cao have already agreed on everything."

"President, thank you very much."

"Xuanfu Envoy, please don't thank me again."

Zhang Fei quickly handed over his hand, "This is my mission on this trip, not to help the Xuanfu envoy."

Wang Shao explained: "I just think that the president of the court is the most powerful here."

Zhang Fei chuckled and said: "For the Xuanfu Envoy, this may be a credit, but for me, it is poison. Because these are not within my scope of authority, if word gets out, it may affect my career. That’s it for now.”

He is only the prosecutor of the capital and the president of the Shaanxi Road Court, but what he is involved in this time is all military and national affairs, which means that he is bypassing the political hall and the Privy Council. This is breaking the rules.

If Wen Yanbo and Wang Anshi knew about it, things would be very serious.

Therefore, he did not leave any evidence, it was all oral.

Wang Shao also reacted and nodded slightly.

Suddenly I heard someone complaining under the tea shed next to me: "Why have the prices of these vegetables gone up again?"

The owner of the tea shed said: "There is no way. A lot of the salt in our Xizhou comes from Xixia. Now Xixia is not allowed to trade with us. The price of salt has gone up, and the price of vegetables will naturally rise with it. We will wait for a while When the salt from Shu comes, it will probably be better, but the price will definitely rise."

"This business is going well, why are we not allowed to trade with our Xizhou? It is really unreasonable."

"I heard from Xixia businessmen that this was all the fault of the Xixia Queen Mother."

"Then why did the Queen Mother of Xixia do this?"

"What else can I do? I just don't want to be friends with our Song Dynasty. That old witch is in power and has sent troops to disrupt the border several times."

"This is just one of them. It is said that the old witch did not want to return the power to the Xixia king, and wanted to continue to hold power. However, their king and businessmen all wanted to be good to us, the Song Dynasty, so they started to make trouble. ”

"This woman is in power and will cause endless harm!"

"Isn't it? It's actually okay here, but those Xixia salt merchants are really complaining and can't make any money."

"What's the use of complaining? It's better to do the opposite!"

Zhang Fei and Wang Shao looked at each other and smiled.

"Xuanfushi's propaganda is really good!"

"This is really not the case."

Wang Shao said: "In the trade between Xixia and Xizhou, salt and grain are the most important. With his decision, prices are rising. How can the people not complain? I just sent people to fan the flames. The name of this old witch I sent someone to shout out the number."

Zhang Fei laughed.

Wang Shao added: "The first batch of troublemakers must be those big salt merchants. They make a lot of money every day by selling salt here. And since our dynasty has a nominal ban on salt, these salt merchants also They all maintain a large number of people. They are rich, land-rich, and powerful. If they cut off, they will kill those salt merchants!"

Zhang Fei nodded slightly and said: "No wonder our government has such strict control over salt."

Wang Shao said: "President, please don't underestimate this salt. Many of the rebels in the past were all salt traders."

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "It seems I have to go back as soon as possible."

Wang Shao was stunned for a moment, "Why?"

Zhang Fei said: "If there is a conflict when I come here, can those ministers not think too much about it?"

Wang Shao nodded, thinking, this guy is not old, but he is more cautious than me. It is no wonder that he has been on the rise since he became an official.

Zhang Fei really wasn't just talking. After the arrangements were made, he was ready to go back. However, before leaving, he still went to the imperial court to say hello to Fan Zhen and Lu Dajun.

"Is the Chief Justice ready to go back?"

Fan Zhen said in surprise.

Zhang Fei nodded and said: "We've almost done the inspection."

Fan Zhen and Lu Da both looked at each other.

Zhang Fei asked: "Do you two have anything else?"

Fan Zhendao: "The chief judge is here to inspect the public prosecutor's office, but he has only talked to us once."

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "My inspection is not to communicate with the president of the court and the chief prosecutor, but to look at the reputation of the local people's livelihood, because the concept of the rule of law is to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the people, which is specifically reflected in people's livelihood. And this Xihe area, under the management of the two of you, is very prosperous, there is nothing to say."

"No, it's not."

Fan Zhen suddenly said: "Actually, we still have some things that we would like to discuss with the chief judge."

Zhang Fei asked: "What's the matter?"

Fan Zhendao: "It's about household registration."

"Household registration?"

Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment.

Fan Zhen nodded and said: "According to the laws of the imperial court, our trade with neighboring countries is to open a trading market for the people of both sides to trade."

Zhang Fei nodded and said, "I know that."

Fan Zhendao: "But Xizhou is extremely special. It seems that the entire Xizhou is a big market, but this also leads to a problem, that is, many people have settled in Xizhou.

Especially in the past two years, there have been particularly many businessmen and craftsmen who have settled in Xizhou. Should these people be counted as common people in the Song Dynasty? Should they be given household registrations? ”

Zhang Fei asked: "What are the regulations now?"

Fan Zhendao: "Nowadays, locals and outsiders in Xizhou all hold temporary household registrations. They are free to go west. But if they want to go to the Central Plains, they need to go to the police station to apply for relevant official documents, and the chance of passing is very low. Small, because there are many spies from Tubo and Xixia here.

It can be said that it is more convenient for them to go to Xixia than to the Central Plains.

But this is not a long-term solution. Since Xizhou is already our Song Dynasty territory, and the local people cannot obtain our Song Dynasty household registration, this may change at any time. ”

Zhang Fei nodded and said: "This is really a problem, but I can't make the decision. I have to discuss it with the Legislative Council after I go back."

Lu Dajun suddenly said: "There is another question. Many people in Xixia were persecuted and fled to Xizhou to settle. How should these people be dealt with? Recently, this situation has become more and more common, and Xixia is also very concerned about this. I have been dissatisfied and have sent letters several times, asking us to hand the person back."

Zhang Fei asked: "What does President Lu think of this?"

Lu Dajun said: "I think if they are roosters and dog robbers who break the law in Xixia, they can be returned. But if they are persecuted by the Empress Dowager Liang, we can take them in."

Zhang Fei was slightly surprised, "Isn't President Lu afraid of conflict with Xixia?"

Lu Dajun said: "According to the information we learned, the Empress Dowager Liang should have returned power to their country's leader this year, but the Queen Mother Liang wanted to continue to hold power, and their country's leader was more inclined to have relations with me, the Song Dynasty. Okay, so the Empress Dowager Liang banned trade with Xizhou, and at the same time sent minions to persecute the nobles and merchants who were good friends with us in the Song Dynasty.

If you really want to avoid conflict with Xixia, you should give these people asylum to force the Empress Dowager Liang to return them to power. ”

Fan Zhen nodded and said: "I also agree with this."

Although they are not willing to go to war, Empress Dowager Liang's behavior is the most objectionable to their literati. If they hand the people back, they will be helping the tyrants to commit evil. If word spreads, they are not human beings. They cannot do such a thing. , this is actually a kind of Confucian ideology.

Because Xixia is not a tribal society and has state power. The impact of Empress Dowager Liang's behavior is very bad.

God is really helping me! Zhang Fei was secretly happy, nodded and said: "I think what you two said makes sense, but this is no small matter. If you want to legislate, it must pass the Legislative Council.

However, as far as I know, there are no specific provisions on this in the interim law, so I suggest that you two come up with a representative figure and give a precedent, and subsequent actions can be based on this precedent. ”

President Lu said: "Can this be done? After all, this is a foreign matter, and legal precedents also need reasons."

They can't really protect those people with ideology.

Zhang Fei thought for a while and said: "In the name of defending Xizhou's interests."

"Xizhou interests?"

"Yes!"

Zhang Fei nodded and said: "The prosperity of Xizhou comes from trade, from commerce. Any behavior that harms trade will seriously harm the interests of Xizhou. If all trade bans around Xizhou are indifferent, then Xizhou is bound to decline.

This is also related to the vital interests of the people of Xizhou. According to the concept of legal system, the imperial court must safeguard this. ”

Lü Dajun's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he immediately raised his hands and said, "Thank you, President, for your advice."

Once this case comes out, the entire plan will become more perfect. Zhang Fei was secretly happy and said modestly: "Where, where? It's really embarrassing to say that I've been patrolling for a long time and I didn't notice these situations. Thank you very much for informing me."

However, the arrival of Lu Dajun and Fan Zhen did not allow Zhang Fei to stay in Xizhou for a while. He left Xizhou as scheduled and went to Hezhong Prefecture.

In order to avoid unnecessary trouble, he still disguised himself and came directly to the imperial court.

Hezhong Mansion, Imperial Court.

“Oh! Sitting here actually feels like going home.”

Sitting down on a familiar chair, Zhang Fei couldn't help but sigh.

"Teacher, please drink tea."

Cai Bian poured a cup of tea for Zhang Fei.

Zhang Fei smiled and asked: "How are you doing lately?"

Cai Bian said hurriedly: "Thank you for your concern, teacher, and everything is fine with the students."

At this point, he hesitated again, "That's right. That's right."

Zhang Fei glanced at him and said, "What is that?"

Cai Bian said: "Students just don't understand. Why aren't students allowed to go to Jiangnan to implement the public security law?"

Zhang Fei asked curiously: "Do you want to go to Jiangnan?"

Cai Bian nodded and said: "Nowadays, the people in the entire northwest are accustomed to the public prosecutor's office. The students who stay here only hear some cases every day, but the county chiefs can handle the vast majority of cases. Students still hope to go to other places to implement public security laws and popularize teachers’ legal methods.”

He is still young and motivated, and hopes to try more challenges.

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "There is actually a reason for keeping you in the northwest."

Cai Bian asked: "What's the reason?"

Zhang Fei said: "It is because of the existence of Xixia that the northwest region is of vital importance. There is currently no conflict. Of course, that is another matter. But if there is a war and the northwest needs to be mobilized, do you think the rest of the people can handle it?"

Cai Bian asked cautiously: "But isn't the imperial court going to major in internal affairs recently? Xihe Tuobian has also completely stopped."

Zhang Fei said: "But the tree wants to be quiet but the wind doesn't stop, and the Queen Mother of Xixia is causing wind and rain again."

Cai Bian nodded and said, "Students understand."

Just as he was talking, the servants came to report, and Su Zhe came.

Zhang Fei immediately went out to greet him. After some greetings, the three of them returned to the house again.

Su Che said with a smile: "I thought the chief judge would come to Hezhong Mansion first, find some helpers, and go to Bianzhou to implement the public security law together."

Zhang Fei said half-jokingly: "I don't dare. If we invite Prosecutor General Su to go here, it will only do bad things."

Su Che smiled and said: "How do you say this?"

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "I heard that Prosecutor General Su has been killing people like crazy in the northwest in recent years. Those generals are very afraid!"

While Zhang Fei was here, he and Yuan Jiang maintained secret communication. But after he leaves, Su Zhe doesn't care about you. As long as they find evidence, he will be merciless. Many landowners and nobles have been killed by Su Zhe.

Su Zhe said: "If you are upright, you are not afraid of a slanting shadow. The reason why they are afraid is because they have evil intentions in their hearts. However, the chief judge asked them to recommend judicial officials themselves. This will further fuel their arrogance and undermine the public prosecutor's law. reputation."

Zhang Fei said in surprise: "Prosecutor Su already knows."

Cai Bian on the side said hehey: "Now that trade is easy, the news came very quickly."

Zhang Fei shrugged and said, "But who can blame you?"

Su Che asked: "What do you mean by this?"

Zhang Fei said: "We have hundreds of thousands of forbidden troops in the Song Dynasty, but the most effective ones are these Western armies. If we easily destroy the system like Fuzhou, will it affect the combat effectiveness of the Western army? It is still unknown, and the combat effectiveness of the Western Army affects national security, but the court does not dare to act rashly until there is sufficient evidence."

Su Zhe said: "Then don't implement the public prosecutor's law in the border states and let them, military generals, elect the judiciary. Wouldn't this destroy the judicial system?"

Zhang Fei said: "But facts have proven that civil servants are doing more harm than good at present."

Su Zhe said: "But it was also the civilian officials who established the Public Security Law, and I think that implementing the Public Security Law in the border states would actually be more helpful to border defense. If during the war, the Public Security Law can stabilize the people in the rear, and the military commanders can concentrate on On the battlefield."

Zhang Fei said: "But those generals have selfish motives."

Su Zhe said: "So, the Chief Justice doesn't think this is a kind of connivance?"

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Prosecutor Su should remember that when we first arrived at Hezhong Mansion, I was very indulgent in many behaviors. Everything had to be done step by step. This was also my style of doing things."

Su Zhe said: "But I'm worried that they will destroy the reputation of the Public Security Bureau. As the Chief Justice said, it is very difficult to establish the Public Security Law, but it is very simple to destroy it. That's why we have been so successful over the years. He works conscientiously, walking on thin ice, not daring to slack off at all."

Having said this, he paused for a moment and suddenly said: "It is better to say that the president of the court did this for another purpose."

This guy really hasn't changed at all. Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Prosecutor Su thinks I have some purpose in doing this. Isn't this a good start?"

Su Che glanced at Zhang Fei doubtfully and said with a smile: "Who knows, just like no one could have imagined back then that private salt would flood into the northwest, which coincidentally solved the salt debt crisis."

Zhang Fei immediately said: "This private relationship has nothing to do with me."

Su Che did not hesitate, but changed the subject and said, "I wonder what the president of the court thinks after this inspection?"

Zhang Fei nodded and said: "Very good, I can't even find anything wrong with it."

Su Che said again: "But in fact it is just an illusion."

Zhang Fei asked: "How do you say this?"

Su Zhe said: "The people are living better than before, but their families are not well-off, and the government relies on debt, and there is not much food in the warehouse. If there is a slight disturbance, the situation may take a turn for the worse. And The main reason is the extension of the Xihe River. We actually did not deal with it calmly."

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "This situation will be improved soon."

Su Che asked curiously: "How do you say this?"

Zhang Fei said: "I believe that Prosecutor General Su has also heard about the WFP and water transport reform."

Su Che nodded.

Zhang Fei said: "This reform will reduce the pressure on the northwest, because the WFP uses procurement to meet the needs of the capital, and it is obviously more cost-effective to buy food in Jiangnan.

The tax policy in the northwest will become monetized. After the tax coins and salt banknotes are connected, the northwest can use salt banknotes to pay taxes without having to transport a large amount of grain to the capital.

As a result, the government's granary will be filled immediately. ”

Su Che was surprised, "Aren't you doing this to start a war with Xixia?"

Zhang Fei slapped his forehead and said, "Prosecutor Su, the treasury is not full. You blame the border war. The imperial court is trying to find ways to make the treasury full, and you think it is preparing for war.

This reform is mainly for optimization and saving losses, nothing more. Given the atmosphere of the imperial court, it has been impossible to use troops externally in recent years. If you don’t believe me, you can write and ask Bachelor Sima. ”

Su Che looked at Zhang Fei suspiciously.

He and Zhang Fei are also old partners. He knows that Zhang Fei has never been so upright. He is very suspicious of Zhang Fei's trip because Zhang Fei went to Yanzhou directly without telling them. Then go to Xizhou and then return to Hezhongfu.

It can be seen that the focus of Zhang Fei's trip is the border town. Although he has a reason to promote the public prosecutor's law, his approach is very simple and crude, which is to let the warlords recommend judicial officials themselves.

It's so simple, but you still need to come in person, the president of the court, and the court will issue an order.

He also knew the situation in Xixia, and he was very worried about it. He did not think that the northwest was rich enough to be able to fight in Xixia.

In fact, the most important thing is that he cherishes the fruits of labor in the northwest reform very much, because it was created by their joint efforts. Seeing the people's lives slowly getting better, he is unwilling to go to war again.

At this moment, I heard a commotion outside.

Cai Bian immediately ordered someone to check. After a while, the man came back. It turned out that the people had received the news and said that the chief judge was coming, so they all rushed over.

Zhang Fei had no choice but to come outside.

"Ah! What a great president."

"President of the Court!"

Seeing Zhang Fei, the people immediately shouted excitedly.

Although Su Che is very famous in the northwest, Zhang Fei has always been a soul-level figure in Hezhong Mansion.