The next day.

"Ah, our Bianjing is still lively. Hezhong Prefecture is really boring. There is no fun at all."

Niu Beiqing muttered to himself as he came to the front door, stretched himself vigorously, and looked around. Seeing the busy streets over there, he felt itchy in his heart, "Since Sanlang is not at home, why don't I go to the market and take a look? Maybe I can run into Li Si and the others."

Li Si, Xiaotao and Qingmei ignored the long journey and decided to go out to sell vegetables early in the morning. They missed the prosperity of Bianjing so much.

Just as he was about to go out, four rich men carrying gifts came towards him.

They were Fan Li, Chen Maoqian, Fan Yong, Ma Tianhao and others.

"Hey! It's Brother Daniel. It's been a long time."

When they saw Niu Beiqing, the four of them immediately bowed and greeted him.

After all, servants are dependent on their masters. Now Zhang Fei is the chief judge, and he is several levels lower than them.

"Good morning, gentlemen."

...

...

Niu Beiqing cupped his hands and said, "But you guys came at a really bad time!"

"Is Sanlang still resting?" Chen Maoqian asked hurriedly.

Niu Beiqing shook his head and said, "Sanlang was called to the palace early in the morning and didn't say when he would be back."

The four of them looked at each other in bewilderment. This time, the emperor was eager to see them. Things were really completely different now!

The four of them could only return in disappointment.

Visit Zhang Fei?

At the moment, it is not an easy job. Yesterday, before I even entered the house, I was intercepted by Sima Guang and Wang Anshi. Now when I got home, I had a candlelight chat with Xu Zun at night.

After a tiring day, he didn't even have time to sleep in. Early this morning, someone came directly from the palace and called Zhang Fei to the palace.

I couldn't even breathe.

This also shows how complicated the current situation is.

The Imperial Palace.

As the weather had turned cold, Zhao Xu did not meet Zhang Fei in the attic, but in his own study.

He didn't need to be sneaky when summoning Zhang Fei now. Zhang Fei was no longer a small official, but the chief minister of Shaanxi Road and his subject. Moreover, the success of Hezhong Prefecture was shocking, so it was natural for the emperor to meet him in person.

"Your Majesty, I, Zhang Fei, pay my respects to you."

"No need to be so polite!"

Zhao Xu, as usual, did not bother with Zhang Fei about these red tapes. He pointed to the chair next to him and said, "Sit down."

In fact, ministers of the Song Dynasty almost always stood when discussing matters with the emperor, even when they met alone. This was because Zhao Xu still wanted to maintain his friendship with Zhang Fei, which was invaluable to him.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhang Fei was used to it, so he sat down without any hesitation, but he saw some snacks on the low table in front of him.

Zhao Xu added: "It's still early today, let's drink some tea and eat some cakes first, and then we can have a few drinks at noon."

Zhang Fei pretended to be terrified and said, "Your Majesty, I am flattered to receive you in this way."

Zhao Xu couldn't help but laugh and said, "You've learned a lot of official rhetoric during your time out here!"

Zhang Fei smiled awkwardly.

Zhao Xu chuckled and said, "There is no one else here. I still hope to be able to speak freely as before."

"yes."

Zhang Fei nodded and thought to himself, I haven’t been able to speak freely before.

Zhao Xu raised his cup again and said, "I will offer tea instead of wine to wish you a triumphant return."

Zhang Fei raised his glass and said, "In fact, I was able to succeed in Hezhong Prefecture because of your trust and support. This glass should be a toast to you."

Zhao Xu smiled and said, "Don't be modest. If you had my support, you would have achieved such success, and I wouldn't have to worry so much. This cup must be toasted to you."

Zhang Fei stopped being pretentious and clinked his glass with his.

After drinking, Zhao Xu put down his teacup and said, "Okay, let's stop here for the reward. Now I want to discuss the issue of punishment with you."

"ah?"

Zhang Fei suddenly opened his eyes and felt panicked.

Zhao Xu's expression changed, and he pointed at Zhang Fei and said, "Zhang San, you are both a god and a ghost, and you even dragged me down with you."

Wow. This is a textbook example of face-changing. What kind of emperor are you? Why don't you just act? Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, then said with a wronged look on his face: "The emperor is already in the water, how can you pull him into the water?"

Zhao Xu was surprised and asked, "What did you say? I was in the water."

"Don't use a hidden dragon. Of course, the dragon is in the water." Zhang Fei said with a chuckle.

Zhao Xu finally reacted and snorted, "So your 'hidden dragon, don't use it' means to use tricks in secret, fan the flames, and add fuel to the fire?"

Zhang Fei said hurriedly: "This is not a covert move, but just keeping the foreseeable risks under control. Moreover, I wrote a letter to Wang Xueshi before, but Wang Xueshi did not accept it. If I let it develop, I am afraid that it will not be resolved in the end."

Zhao Xu laughed and asked, "Is it that you don't accept it, or do you know that you won't accept it?"

Zhang Fei chuckled, "Aren't they all the same?"

Zhao Xu suddenly stopped smiling. "But the fact that you didn't adopt my suggestion is not unreasonable. Although you are very successful in Hezhong Prefecture, I don't think it is the success of the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs. Therefore, I am not surprised that Fan Chunren and his men are facing difficulties in Qingzhou."

He knew everything Zhang Fei did in Hezhong Prefecture. He believed that Zhang Fei still used traditional political means and achieved success through power rather than the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems.

Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Your Majesty is right to think so. The public security, procuratorial and judicial organs of Hezhong Prefecture have indeed not yet been successful. This is only my personal success, because all my previous actions in Hezhong Prefecture were just to build the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs. Since the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs have not yet been built, they naturally cannot play the role they should play."

"Build the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs?" Zhao Xu frowned immediately. It sounded like there was some truth in it. He was going to build the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs. Since they were under construction, they should not be able to play a role.

Zhang Fei suddenly changed the subject, "But Bianjing has already proven the role of the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs."

"Bianjing?"

Zhao Xu looked at him puzzledly.

"Yes."

Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Although I have not seen the tax revenue of Bianjing, I am sure that the tax revenue of Bianjing is increasing day by day."

After hearing this, Zhao Xu did not think much about it and immediately called the servant outside the door in and ordered him to bring the tax accounts of Bianjing in the past two years. Then he said to Zhang Fei: "I have to admit that I have been paying attention to Hezhong Prefecture in recent years, but I have neglected Bianjing."

He paused for a moment, "But the increase in Hezhong Prefecture's finances is mostly due to salt debts and salt notes, not the new policy, but your credit. This does not apply to Qingzhou today."

Qingzhou’s failure has caused many people to reflect on whether the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems are the way out.

If it is said that it will not work without Zhang Fei, it is enough to prove that this system does not work. It is all due to Zhang Fei's personal ability.

Zhang Fei nodded and said, "What the official said is correct. The public security, procuratorate and courts cannot solve Qingzhou's problems, and Qingzhou's problems are not caused by the public security, procuratorate and courts. Although Qingzhou was peaceful before the public security, procuratorate and courts went there, some people took advantage of these problems to attack the public security, procuratorate and courts. But it also shows that these problems have always existed."

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

"Three redundant."

Zhang Fei said: "Why are military pay and wages in arrears? Why do people borrow usury? The reason is that the finances are insufficient, and the only reason for the insufficient finances is the three redundancies. In fact, Wang Xueshi's new policy is only a temporary solution, and it can only delay the financial crisis at most, but it cannot fundamentally solve the financial crisis. He has to make more money to keep up with the pace of the expansion of imperial examinations and imperial examinations."

Zhao Xu was startled and asked, "So the ultimate goal of your plan is to lay off officials?"

Zhang Fei chuckled and said, "Otherwise, how could I dare to let the government spend so much money? This must bring enough returns to the government."

He said it easily, but Zhao Xu was sweating slightly when he heard it. "Do you know how dangerous this step is?"

This is not a new issue. Everyone in the world knows that if he was capable, he would have done it long ago. There would be no need for Wang Anshi to carry out reforms.

"Of course I know that."

Zhang Fei nodded and continued, "But this is the root of the problem. We can't turn a blind eye and ignore its existence. If we can't face this problem squarely, it will only become more serious.

It's like there is a hungry wolf staring at the government. There are only two solutions: risk your life to kill the wolf, or, as is happening now, ask Mr. Wang to look for meat everywhere and feed the wolf every day to ensure his own life.

Maybe in the eyes of the emperor or Wang Xueshi, this is just a stopgap measure, but doing so will definitely lead to a result, that is, the hungry wolf becomes stronger and more greedy, and asks for more and more. In this process, the emperor is constantly expending energy to find meat. For the emperor, this is a process of gain and loss, and the situation will only get worse, not better. "

The longer it is delayed, the more difficult it will be to deal with redundant officials, because there will definitely be more and more officials, and the resistance will definitely be greater and greater. The number of officials during the Renzong period doubled that of the Zhenzong period, and the resistance at least doubled, and certainly more than that.

Zhao Xu knew it in his heart, but he was helpless and asked, "So you think it's time to risk your life in a battle?"

"Of course not."

Zhang Fei shook his head.

Zhao Xu was surprised and asked, "What are you talking about?"

Zhang Fei said: "That depends on how the government understands the problem of redundant officials."

Zhao Xu asked curiously, "Redundant officials are redundant officials. How else can we understand it?"

Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Does the government think that the problem of redundant officials is that there are too many officials and the finances can't afford it?"

Zhao Xu nodded and asked, "Isn't it?"

Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Yes, but this is just a superficial understanding."

"Um?"

Zhao Xu frowned and looked at him.

Zhang Fei asked hurriedly: "What do I mean?"

Zhao Xu raised his hand and said, "Okay, this is not the first time you have ridiculed me. If this is a superficial understanding, then the ministers in the court are also very superficial. Just tell me about your profound understanding."

"yes."

Zhang Fei nodded, then immediately shook his head: "No, it's not a profound understanding, I just look at it from another perspective."

"Hurry up and tell me."

Zhao Xu's curiosity was really aroused by Zhang Fei. There were other ways to understand this matter.

Zhang Fei said, "They are both restaurants, but Yanglou on Maxing Street only has more than 30 bartenders, but Baifanlou has over a hundred bartenders. May I ask your Excellency, does Baifanlou have too many bartenders?"

Zhao Xu was stunned for a moment. "The Baifan Building is so large that it is normal to have hundreds of bartenders. It is not redundant."

Zhang Fei said: "It can be seen that the meaning of redundancy is not in quantity, but in uselessness. If among the 100 bartenders in Baifanlou, 80 of them are lazy and do nothing every day, then they are redundant bartenders. But if these 100 bartenders can create value higher than their wages, then 100 more bartenders are not redundant."

Zhao Xu frowned slightly and said, "But bartenders and officials cannot be lump-sum."

"Of course not."

Zhang Fei said: "Officials have all received a good education and are considered talented. They deserve such high salaries. However, every monarch of the Song Dynasty was too kind and did not require each of them to create value higher than their salary. That is why there are so many redundant officials."

Zhao Xu asked, "So you don't really want to cut the number of officials, but want to make those idle officials work?"

"That's not it either."

Zhang Fei shook his head and said, "In fact, it is to give them a chance, or in other words, to give the government a reason to lay off officials. If they can exert their abilities and create more value, then they will naturally be retained. But if they can't, then they can be laid off, and then it will be justified."

Zhao Xu thought for a while and said, "Officials are different from businessmen. It is not so easy to judge whether they can create value."

Zhang Fei asked: "Do you think the tax officials can create more value than their salaries?"

Zhao Xu immediately said, "Of course you can."

He is now madly in love with the Tax Commissioner.

What a great money-making tool!

Zhang Fei asked again: "Do the government think that the public security, procuratorial and judicial officials can create value higher than their salaries?"

Zhao Xu also nodded, and then asked: "Do you mean to recruit those officials into these departments?"

Zhang Fei said: "This is a way of thinking, because the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs currently need a large number of manpower, especially those who can read and write. There is also the financial management concept advocated by Master Wang, but Master Wang's focus is on bulk commodities, such as taxes, salt, tea, etc., which leads to Master Wang's neglect of some details.

The government can also open some government offices that can directly make profits, such as colleges, or hospitals that serve the entire population. These are what the people need and can directly generate value.

As far as I know, many idle officials actually have this ability, and these abilities can be converted into money. Then they can not only support themselves, but the court can also get a share of the profits. If they don't want to, then let them go, the government has done its best. "

Zhao Xu nodded, "Yes, the court is in financial difficulty at the moment, so we need to make money, and making money requires talent and manpower. It's not that I don't have people, I just haven't used them well."

"That's right."

Zhang Fei nodded.

Zhao Xu then asked: "What role do the public security, procuratorate and courts play in this?"

Zhang Fei said: "If we directly announce this, it will inevitably lead to many people's dissatisfaction with the government, which may undermine the stability of the country. The role of the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs is to give the government a very suitable reason."

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in!"

But a servant came into the room and said, "Sir, the accounts have been brought in."

"Bring it here."

"yes."

The attendant handed the accounts to Zhao Xu, and then left at Zhao Xu's signal.

Zhao Xu carefully looked at the tax revenue of Bianjing in the past two years, and couldn't help but look up at Zhang Fei, and said in surprise: "You are right. The tax revenue of Bianjing has been increasing in the past two years, about one-tenth each year, and 90% of the increase comes from commercial taxes."

"That's because Bian Jing has not yet completed the tax reform. There will be another wave of growth in agricultural taxes, but the only thing that can continue to grow is definitely commercial taxes, because there is only so much land."

"You told me before that if we focus on commercial taxes, we will get twice the result with half the effort." Zhao Xu nodded thoughtfully.

Zhang Fei said: "This is the hidden dragon that should not be used. Not using it does not mean not using it, but to be passive, or to use your power secretly, to change the entire situation when no one can perceive it.

When the situation has changed and is developing for the better, and most people are benefiting from it, there is naturally no reason to stop it.

Although many people in the court are still against the public security, no one is talking about the public security in Bianjing."

Zhao Xu nodded repeatedly and said, "Yes, although there are many ministers who impeach the public security and judicial organs every year, they all involve Hezhong Prefecture and Qingzhou, and no one talks about the public security and judicial organs in Bianjing. I understand."

He seemed to be so excited that the light tea could not satisfy his excitement. He glanced at the sky and said forcefully, "It's almost noon. Someone, prepare the banquet." Then he said to Zhang Fei, "Today, you and I must drink to our heart's content."

It was not until the afternoon that Zhang Fei came out of the palace with a slightly red face.

When he arrived in front of the carriage, Long Wu suddenly glanced inside the carriage.

Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, then he got on the carriage, lifted the curtain, and said with a bow, "Lü Xiaojian, how are you?"

Lu Huiqing couldn't help but smile bitterly and said, "I was fine, but now that you're back, I can't sleep all night."

Just as Zhang Fei was about to explain, Lu Huiqing immediately raised his hand again, "I was just joking. It was indeed because I was not careful enough that the other party took advantage of me."

"Jingdong East Road is so big, and the new law is being promoted so quickly, how can Lu Xiaokan take care of it?" Zhang Fei consoled him, bowed and entered the carriage, and said to Long Wu: "Send Lu Xiaokan back home."

The carriage slowly started moving. Lu Huiqing asked, "But I want to know what's going on?"

Zhang Fei was surprised and asked, "Didn't Master Wang tell you?"

Lu Huiqing said with a little embarrassment: "My mentor was angry last night and didn't say much to me, but I have sent someone to investigate."

"I see."

Zhang Fei further explained: "In fact, Scholar Sima did not tell me the details. He just said that there would be problems in the East Jingdong Road and asked me to take care of Qingzhou's affairs."

Lu Huiqing nodded and said, "In fact, I know that there are many problems in the implementation of the Qingmiao Law, but this is inevitable and needs to be adjusted slowly. Generally speaking, this will not cause any chaos, but if there is someone behind the scenes manipulating it, that is another matter."

Of course he knew the existence of those problems. He just wanted to cut the leeks of the rich. Otherwise, where would the money come from? That little bit of interest would not be enough. However, he believed that this was all within the controllable range. You know, most officials and gentry in Jingdong East Road supported the Qingmiao Law, but they were more opposed to the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs.

But if Sima Guang and others secretly manipulated these issues, it would be very scary.

Lu Huiqing immediately added: "The reason why I overlooked this is because I know Sima Xueshi well. He would not bother to use such means."

Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment and asked, "Will Lu Xiaokan think that this was my idea?"

"Of course not."

Lu Huiqing hurriedly explained: "I just feel very regretful. I didn't expect Sima Xueshi to use such a despicable method."

Zhang Fei shook his head and said, "Actually, this is not despicable at all."

Lu Huiqing asked, "What do you mean?"

Zhang Fei did not answer but asked: "As far as I know, many people are impeaching the Qingmiao Law for increasing the burden on the people?"

Lu Huiqing nodded.

Zhang Fei added: "It can be seen that they have always known about the existence of these problems, but because they are very scattered, they have not received the attention of the court. They only need to gather these problems together and explode them at once, and the court will have to pay attention to them."

"That's true."

Lu Huiqing nodded slightly, "No wonder Sima Xueshi was so confident at the beginning, it turns out that he had already won the game."

If you are sure of victory, why would you let me come back? Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Fortunately, Wang Xueshi suggested the public security and judicial organs in Qingzhou. This move really saved my life!"

Lu Huiqing immediately asked: "So you can't save Qingzhou either?"

Zhang Fei said: "I just came back, so the situation is still unclear. I still need to understand the specific situation in Qingzhou before I can make a judgment. But please rest assured, Lu Xiaokan, if the situation in Jingdong East Road cannot be improved, I will not solve the problem in Qingzhou, because it is too fatal to the new policy."

Lu Huiqing said: "What if we can improve the situation on Jingdong East Road?"

Zhang Fei said: "Then I will also find a way to save Qingzhou from its predicament. Scholar Wang has done me a favor, but Scholar Sima has also done me a favor, and the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs are based on my legal system, so I can only use the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs to help the new policy, just like Hezhong Prefecture did."

Lu Huiqing smiled and nodded, "I am very grateful to you for doing this. But do you have a way to solve the problem of Jingdong East Road?"

Zhang Fei said: "I am willing to help, but the prerequisite is that I have to know the situation of Jingdong East Road very well."

Lu Huiqing said: "Okay, I will come back to discuss it with you when I get the details."

Zhang Fei smiled and nodded.

After talking for a while, the carriage arrived at the gate of Lu's mansion and Lu Huiqing got off.

"Third brother, are we going home?"

Long Wu, who was driving, asked.

Zhang Fei seemed to be thinking about something. He was slightly startled. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Go to the law firm."

"yes."

After the carriage left Lu's house, Zhang Fei let out a breath of foul air, and then laughed to himself: "I'm telling you clearly that I'm eating at two tables, what can you do about it?"

On the surface, Lu Huiqing came to inquire about the reason of the matter, but in fact he came to test Zhang Fei. However, this was within Zhang Fei's expectations. After all, Lu Huiqing did not know that he had written a letter to Wang Anshi, so it was reasonable for him to be suspicious of him in the future.

Zhang Fei was not worried about this at all. After all, he was benefiting from both sides openly. Even if he helped Sima Guang, Lu Huiqing could not say anything. He had often helped him in the past. As long as he did not frame Wang Anshi, it would be fine.

After the carriage left, a man came out from the door. It was indeed the Imperial Censor Deng Wan. "Is it him?"

Lu Huiqing shook his head and said, "It doesn't look like that for now. We have to see what he does in the future, but one thing is certain."

Deng Wan looked at Lu Huiqing puzzledly.

Lu Huiqing said: "He has a way to solve Qingzhou's predicament. At present, we don't know the specific situation of Jingdong East Road. Just in case, we must make the situation in Qingzhou worse so that he has no way to solve it."