Many officials in the court were opposed to the expansion of the police station on the surface, but they were very supportive of it in their hearts.

But there are also some upright children who really oppose it.

For example, the censor Qian Yi.

He submitted memorials three times a day, saying that this should not be done as it would increase the burden on the people.

But all of them fell into oblivion and there was no further news.

At the same time, reformists like Lu Huiqing are using all kinds of sarcastic words to disgust the conservatives who are always against them. All this money is spent on you, which is enough to prove that your judicial reform is the most expensive. You are taking advantage of everything and still cursing here. You are really ungrateful.

Qian Yi and others were honest to their core and could not tolerate such an insult, so they went to find Sima Guang.

"The exemption tax is the people's livelihood money. If the Royal Police use this money, can they still gain the respect of the people? Can they still enforce the law strictly?"

"Master Sima, this is obviously a trick of Wang Jiefu and his gang. They want to drag you into this. If you don't stop them, when something goes wrong, he will definitely put all the blame on you."

"Yes, but you can't take this money!"

...

...

......

Qian Yi, Zhang Jian and others spoke to Sima Guang excitedly.

Even Wen Yanbo, who was standing by, nodded repeatedly, "Junshi! You have to think this through carefully. It is said that even Han Zihua has great doubts about this. Kaifeng Prefecture is located in the capital. If something goes wrong, the consequences could be serious or minor."

Sima Guang was silent for a while and then sighed: "Mr. Wen, I have objected to it, but I failed to change the decision of the government. As for the expansion of the police station, it has nothing to do with me."

Qian Yi said: "But if we take this money, I'm afraid the people will resent Sima Xueshi's judicial reforms."

Sima Guang nodded, "I've thought of that, too. The only solution now is to stop them from arbitrarily collecting exemption taxes."

Qian Yi asked: "How to stop it?"

Sima Guang said: "The Royal Police has been expanded, including tax police. If they go to the local areas, they will definitely resolutely collect this exemption tax in order to obtain funds.

However, according to their authority, the Royal Police will not be under the command of the county government, but will be restricted by the Imperial Court and the Procuratorate. I intend to immediately establish the Imperial Court and the Procuratorate in the sixteen counties of the capital to restrict them. "

Wen Yanbo nodded and said, "But if we can't collect the exemption tax, where will the money come from?"

Sima Guang said: "That is the business of Wang Jiefu and his people."

Qian Yi immediately said, "That's feasible."

Since we can't stop the emperor, then stop them from levying heavy taxes and extortions.

Sima Guang glanced at them and said, "You have not been able to get a satisfactory result by submitting your opposition to the court, and you may even be excluded by the other party. Instead of wasting your words here, why not go to the county and do something for the people? I wonder if you are willing to take on this important task."

Qian Yi and others looked at each other and agreed immediately without any hesitation.

In the current situation in the court, the reformists have gradually gained the upper hand. These censors argue every day but cannot change anything. However, Qian Yi and others are really anxious because they really believe that this conscription law will definitely increase the burden on the people.

It is better to go to the front line and stop them.

Besides, these are all counties in the capital, not remote areas.

Sima Guang, a guy who was always slacking off, was forced into a corner and had no choice but to speed up the pace of judicial reform. He immediately submitted a memorial to the emperor, stating that he wanted to fully promote judicial reform in Kaifeng Prefecture.

When Zhao Xu saw his memorial, he almost cried for joy and approved it immediately without wasting a moment, for fear that Sima Guang would go back on his word.

Although Zhao Xu appeared to be a firm supporter of Wang Anshi, he actually attached great importance to judicial reform, but he just didn't show it. Sima Guang's procrastination also made him very depressed, but he didn't want to urge him.

After all, his energy is limited, and it is impossible for him to give great support to both sides at the same time. There must always be a distinction between the primary and the secondary.

Having said that, the reason why Sima Guang was dawdling was actually because he was observing the royal police, or waiting for the royal police. He attached great importance to the administration of officials.

This expansion of the royal family provided great convenience for judicial reform. He only needed to deploy troops against the chief officials and did not need to rectify the administration of officials.

Relatively speaking, it is much simpler.

The people he recommended this time were all core members of the conservative faction. They were good friends he had known for more than ten years and whom he knew well. They were all honest ministers with excellent morals and abilities. However, their governing philosophy was contrary to Wang Anshi's.

Once the news came out, the conservatives were greatly encouraged and excited.

These people were all officials who firmly opposed the conscription law, without exception. Sima Guang sent them out at this time with a very clear purpose!

In fact, this is also the scene they are most looking forward to.

Judicial reform VS new policy.

It is really interesting to say that this confrontation originated from the lawsuit that Zhang Fei fought in the Political Affairs Hall regarding the Regulations Department of the Three Departments. Although Zhang Fei won a great victory at that time, the confrontation in that lawsuit also laid the foundation for the next step, that is, the judiciary can check and balance the Regulations Department of the Two Governments.

This makes conservatives look forward to it.

But as time went by, everyone became very disappointed with this statement. The reason was that Sima Guang was dragging his feet. The progress over there was rapid, but there was no movement here. Was he planning to use his mental power to restrict them?

This time Sima Guang finally took action.

Did not disappoint.

It also restored the confidence of many people in him.

......

This matter involves the entire capital area. Those counties have people in the capital. After all, this is under the feet of the emperor, so they cannot act recklessly.

Countless pieces of news are transmitted to various counties in the capital every day.

Even Dongming County (Heze, Shandong), which was three or four hundred miles away from Bianliang, knew everything that happened in the court.

In the back hall of the county government office, a well-dressed middle-aged man in casual clothes was seen standing in front of a document under the window, writing with a brush.

This man was named Jia Fan, the magistrate of Dongming County, and his great-grandfather Jia Yan was an old member of Zhao Laoer's team before he became emperor. Later, he also became the deputy envoy of the Three Departments. At the same time, he also had another identity, that is, Fan Zhongyan's son-in-law.

There was another person standing next to him, who was Fan Chao, the chief clerk of Dongming County.

"County Magistrate, everyone outside is in danger now, and the situation is very tense," Fan Chao said in a low voice.

Jia Fan asked, "Why?"

Fan Chao said: "They learned that the imperial court had expanded the number of royal policemen by 10,000, and they thought that the purpose of doing so was to rob them of their money."

“How shallow.”

Jia Fan put down his pen, and a maidservant beside him immediately brought him a handkerchief. He wiped his hands and said, "The abuses of the government officials have reached the point where they must be changed. There is nothing wrong with the government wanting to do something about it."

Fan Chao said, "But now the court's finances are barely enough to maintain the current expenditures. Now we have to implement the conscription law and expand the police station. These expenses can only be borne by the people."

Jia Fan paused for a moment, then sat down and said, "This matter is not our business. Since the government has made the decision, we can only follow the order.

The police station is now expanding, and I believe the exemption tax will be collected this summer. I guess the royal police won't be able to make it in time. Please give them orders to quickly count the households of the people to avoid delaying the imperial order."

Fan Chao glanced at Jia Fan and hesitated for a moment, "Yes, I will do it right away."

......

Capital county, Zhongmu.

"Okay! Okay! You're just in time!"

Du Zhiping, the magistrate of Zhongmu, read the letter and nodded with a smile.

A clerk in front of him said in confusion: "County Magistrate, what good is this? When the royal police arrive, they will certainly impose heavy taxes in order to support the expansion of the police station. Public opinion outside is already overwhelming."

“That’s a good thing!”

Du Zhiping raised his head and said with a smile: "Before, I have always been reluctant to waste too much manpower and increase the burden on the people, so the siltation of the river and the damage of the bridge have been left alone without being dealt with.

Now that the court has changed to the conscription law, the people will also gain something by handling these matters, and it will not be considered a waste of manpower. You should give orders to recruit people to handle the matters that have not been handled yet."

The clerk asked, "All of them?"

Du Zhiping nodded.

“That’s going to require a lot of people!”

"Anyway, this exemption tax comes from the people, and it is used for the people and is convenient for the people. Isn't this the best of both worlds?"

"Yes...I'll do it right away."

......

Tokyo, Bianliang!

In a large mansion on the left wing, a young man was seen standing in the garden waving a hoe, which made the beautiful woman next to him tremble with fear.

"Sanlang, you...you stop first."

"how?"

The young man turned around and looked at the beautiful woman whose forehead was covered with sweat.

The beautiful woman said, "You...you'd better stop digging. I'm afraid you might dig your own feet."

"How is this possible?"

"Third brother! Madam is right. The way you swing your sword is indeed likely to dig your feet."

"Is there a way to say swinging a hoe?"

"I...I'll demonstrate it to Third Brother."

"Okay, you come and try it, I still don't believe it."

The young man handed the hoe to the follower beside him.

The attendant took the hoe and started digging. A few diggings with the hoe were equivalent to half an hour's work for the young man.

"Yeah! There are some tricks."

The young man said this with a slightly embarrassed look on his face.

"Sanlang, have some tea."

The beautiful woman handed him a cup of tea and said with a smile, "Although this farm work is simple, Sanlang has never done it before, so he can't do it."

"Well. My hoe is indeed not suitable for hoeing the fields." The young man nodded.

The three people in the courtyard were Zhang San, Li Si, and Gao Wenyin.

Gao Wenyin couldn't do such heavy work, she could only use a small shovel to deal with the potted plants, so Zhang Fei volunteered to help, but ended up doing a terrible job.

"Sanlang is very busy now, so there is no need to come here to help me." Gao Wenyin said.

Li Si suddenly stopped and said, "Madam, my third brother has an appointment with someone to discuss something here today."

“Shut up!”

Zhang Fei immediately glared at him, and then said to Gao Wenyin with a little embarrassment: "I am here today mainly to help Madam hoe the land, and by the way, I invited someone to come over to talk about some trivial matters."

Gao Wenyin nodded with a smile.

Suddenly, Long Wu's voice came from outside the door, "Who are you?"

Zhang Fei looked up and said, "Long Wu, let him in."

A man walked in, it was Li Bao.

"Brother Leopard, how are you?"

"Congratulations to Saburo on your wedding."

"Thank you very much! This way, please."

The two of them bowed to each other and sat down in the middle of the pavilion.

Zhang Fei asked with a smile: "Where has Brother Bao been hanging out lately?"

Li Bao smiled sheepishly and said, "I'm still wandering around."

Zhang Fei chuckled and said, "Brother Bao is too modest. You are always doing justice everywhere."

Li Bao was even more embarrassed and said, "That's not the case. Sometimes we also help those cunning and treacherous people."

Zhang Fei laughed, "My duty requires it, my duty requires it." He then said, "By the way, where are Lao Qi and Shi Er now?"

Li Bao said: "They said before that they were going to Qingzhou to visit a brother. Now I don't know where they are. But they both like doing this job very much, and they have made friends with many outlaws."

Feng Nanxi and Shi Tingxiu used to like to do things for justice, but they were losers and couldn't even protect themselves. But now it's different, now the Imperial City Bureau is backing them up, so they can do what they want.

It’s really too good.

But Zhang Fei never dared to let Niu Beiqing know about this, otherwise, that guy would definitely clamor to go. However, in Zhang Fei's opinion, Niu Beiqing is more suitable for guarding the house, and his appearance can scare away many thieves.

After the greetings, Zhang Fei's expression changed and he said seriously: "Brother Bao, whether the Tax Commissioner can make a big splash depends entirely on this battle."

Li Bao clasped his fists and said, "Don't worry, Sanlang. Although the Taxation Department has only been established for a year, I have been operating in the capital for many years. I know the situation of those counties very well. At this time, many counties have already dug traps in secret, waiting for Sanlang to step on them."

Zhang Fei laughed and said, "Let them go dig. It's better to have nothing to do than to stay at home and worry."

Li Bao laughed and said, "These people are so conceited about their talents, but after all this time, they still don't understand what justice is. It's really ridiculous to mess around like that."

Zhang Fei waved his hand: "Maybe it's because I haven't had a lawsuit for a long time, so they forgot that I was an ear writer."