As the saying goes, there are unexpected changes in the weather and people are subject to misfortunes and blessings at any time.

At the moment it is just a light snowfall, which is a sign of a natural disaster, but it does not necessarily mean it will be a natural disaster.

Even if it is a natural disaster, so what? There are disasters all over the country every year. It is really not a rare thing.

Not to mention the emperor, even the yamen couldn't starve.

It wouldn't cause the emperor to panic.

However, the ancients believed in the interaction between heaven and man. Zhao Xu had just rolled up his sleeves and was ready to take action himself, but you gave me this reaction!

This really hits my heart and threatens my life.

Zhao Xu was also very panicked.

What's the meaning?

......

...

...

Procuratorate.

In the meeting room, there were only a group of trainee prosecutors sitting inside. It was completely silent and they could only communicate with each other through eye contact.

Because the boss Zhang San was sitting there, deep in thought and silent.

After a while, Xu Zhiqian suddenly came in holding a stack of documents, "Prosecutor Zhang, these are the documents you asked for."

"Um?"

Zhang Fei looked up at Xu Zhiqian, reacted immediately, and took the document from her.

Xu Zhiqian saw that he seemed to be out of shape, and also knew that he had been worried about the weather recently, so she whispered, "It's already been divided."

"Thank you very much."

Zhang Fei flipped through it casually, then handed it to Zhou Zheng, "Fight these lawsuits in the next two days, and then take a vacation. As for the remaining lawsuits, we will fight them next year."

All government offices have postponed their holidays this year as there is a lot to do. The six ministries need to be reorganized and at the same time, the abolished government offices have to quickly organize their documents and prepare for handover.

Zhou Zheng took it and said, "Yes."

Zhang Fei glanced at the students again and said, "During the holidays this year, you should eat less and drink less. Study these cases carefully and read the trial records carefully. You can also cooperate with each other and practice in the classroom, because I will leave the rest of the lawsuits to you."

He Zhizhong exclaimed: "Can we go to court so soon?"

Zhang Fei said, "We can't help it. Time is tight. Prosecutor Zhou and his men will immediately head south after they finish all the cases with you. But don't be too nervous. The cases left for you are relatively simple."

"Yes...Yes, we will definitely try our best."

"Um."

Just as he finished speaking, Li Si suddenly came to the door.

Xu Zhiqian hurried over and whispered, "What's the matter?"

Li Si said, "Madam Xu, the... the owner of the genuine bookstore, Mr. Hou, is here."

"knew."

Xu Zhiqian came to Zhang Fei again and whispered the news to him.

Zhang Fei stood up and said, "You guys discuss this, I have something to take care of."

......

When I arrived at the front yard, I saw Hou Donglai standing in the yard, shivering from the cold.

"Lao Hou, why are you standing here? Go sit inside."

"We dare not."

Hou Donglai said awkwardly: "This is the procuratorate, how dare we sit here randomly?"

"The procuratorate is prepared for you. Come on, come on, go upstairs and sit down."

"Forget it! Forget it!"

Hou Donglai stepped forward and said, "It's nothing serious, it's just... a group of people came just now, saying they are from the Ministry of Rites, and they were ordered to inspect our publishing qualifications, and they also said that the Ministry of Rites wants to re-examine private newspapers and periodicals."

Ministry of Rites? Didn't those ministers officially take office after the New Year? How come they started working so soon? Am I not working hard enough?

Zhang Fei was stunned and thought, could it be related to God?

Hou Donglai saw that Zhang Fei's face was uncertain, and whispered: "Sanlang, nothing happened?"

Zhang Fei was startled. "Oh, it's okay. We haven't violated any law. Don't worry. We will try our best to cooperate with their investigation."

"Oh, I see."

Hou Donglai nodded and asked, "Are you really okay?"

Zhang Fei said: "Don't worry, this is just the first thing a new official does. Just remember that from now on, all publishing matters will be under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites."

Hou Donglai nodded and said, "Okay, I'll remember that. If there's nothing else, I'll leave first."

"Be careful on the road."

Zhang Fei had just seen off Hou Donglai and was about to return to the meeting room when he saw Xu Zun getting off the carriage. Zhang Fei immediately walked over and said, "Father-in-law, it's so cold, don't come. I can watch over here."

“What a troubled time!”

Xu Zun sighed, and suddenly looked forward, "Isn't that Shopkeeper Hou from the Genuine Bookstore?"

"It's him." Zhang Fei nodded.

Xu Zun immediately asked, "What's going on at the bookstore?"

Zhang Fei said, "It's not a big deal. The Ministry of Rites suddenly sent someone to inspect and said that from now on, newspapers and publications will all be under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites, so he came to inquire about the situation."

"This shopkeeper Hou is quite cautious."

Xu Zun nodded and whispered, "You should go there in person later to see what's going on and ask them to send the newspapers and magazines that are going to be published to you first."

“Is it also because it’s not raining?”

Zhang Fei asked.

Xu Zun nodded.

Zhang Fei said: "Is it so serious? It's not certain at the moment."

Xu Zun sighed and looked around. "There are disasters every year, but it happened at this critical moment. Wang Jiefu has been busy for so many years, at least there has been no disaster in the capital area. This year, the government just announced that it would restore the three provinces and six ministries, and then we encountered this situation.

I just came back from the Imperial City, and someone is already talking about the ancestral law. You have to be careful with the genuine bookstores, be careful of being taken advantage of. It’s better to show it to me, because some people write very obscurely and you may not understand it. "

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"Well, I'll arrange the tasks for those students later and then go over to take a look." Zhang Fei then asked, "Didn't Master Wang point out three deficiencies at the beginning..."

Xu Zun immediately warned him: "Don't say this nonsense. What Wang Jiefu said may not be what others can say, especially at this time. You have to remember that the emperor is also the Son of Heaven."

Wang Anshi’s three shortcomings are not scientific arguments but political rhetoric, and are not an accurate answer. Unless you abolish the theory of the correspondence between heaven and man, and even depose the title of "Son of Heaven", otherwise, such words should never be said casually.

For example, at this time, you could say that natural disasters are nothing to be afraid of.

boom!

It's really a natural disaster.

If human power is unable to resist natural disasters, the only option is to be held accountable. Regardless of whether the emperor believes it or not, you are the best scapegoat.

This is what Xu Zun was worried about.

"yes."

Zhang Fei nodded and said, "I'll remember this."

Xu Zun whispered again: "Don't be afraid of ten thousand, just be prepared for the unexpected. We must be prepared to deal with it."

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "I have been thinking about how to deal with it. I always believe that risks and opportunities coexist. For us, this is also an opportunity."

.....

Zhang Fei returned to the meeting room, arranged the tasks, and immediately rushed to the genuine bookstore.

However, when he arrived, the people from the Ministry of Rites had already left. According to Hou Donglai, the people from the Ministry of Rites hinted to him that he should try not to publish the book before the Minister of Rites formulated new publishing rules.

The Ministry of Rites has so many things to do, but they are so anxious about this matter. You can tell for sure that they are worried about someone making malicious speculations.

At this moment, public opinion must be controlled to avoid being detrimental to the emperor.

Zhang Fei simply gave all genuine bookstores a holiday.

After leaving the genuine bookstore, Zhang Fei went to the Bian Jing Law Firm. Unexpectedly, he met Fan Yong and Chen Maoqian.

"You two are here too!"

"Sanlang is here."

Fan Yong stood up, bowed, and explained, "It's the end of the year now, and we want Old Fan to help us settle our accounts."

Zhang Fei smiled and said, "What a coincidence! I was planning to come over today to take a look at the firm's accounts."

Chen Maoqian suddenly asked, "Sanlang, at this time, are you still in the mood to check the accounts?"

Zhang Fei asked: "What do you mean?"

Chen Maoqian glanced outside.

Fan Li understood what he meant, and immediately gave a few instructions, then closed the door.

Chen Maoqian then whispered, "Didn't you notice that it hasn't rained for three months?"

Zhang Fei said: "Even if I didn't notice it, I heard about it, but I can't call the wind and rain."

Fan Li suddenly said, "But we heard that someone wants to take advantage of this opportunity to cause trouble."

Zhang Fei frowned when he heard this, "What do you mean?"

Fan Yong said, "Didn't I tell you that day in the Imperial Court that many merchants are very dissatisfied with the commercial taxes? We big merchants have to make arrangements, and the money we earn can't be counted as expenditure. The money we earn is not much. It's unfair for the tax commissioner to collect taxes like this!"

Zhang Fei said: "But I also said that this matter must be done step by step, and cannot be accomplished overnight."

Fan Yong said: "Of course we believe in San Lang, but the problem is that many businessmen don't believe in him."

Chen Maoqian immediately said: "If a drought really occurs this time, many merchants will take the opportunity to raise prices."

Yes! We have to take these unstable factors into account. Zhang Fei frowned secretly and said, "Is this what you think?"

Fan Yong said: "No matter how we think, it's useless. Once a natural disaster occurs, everyone has to act according to the grain merchants' wishes. Once the grain price goes up, everyone has to follow suit.

But the real big grain merchants are all powerful people, and they are very dissatisfied with the new tax law. Anyway, once we get the news, they will definitely retaliate."

Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Scarcity makes things valuable. It is natural that food prices rise in times of natural disasters. If you don't do this, can you still be called a businessman?"

After these words were spoken, the three of them were stunned.

Fan Li said: "Sanlang, you...you support doing this."

"I certainly don't support it."

Zhang Fei smiled and said, "But I must admit that this is the nature of businessmen and also the rules of business. As a prosecutor, I can only think of ways to make them pay the price."

“Ahem!”

Chen Maoqian said: "Sanlang, this matter has nothing to do with us."

Zhang Fei smiled and said, "You can rest assured that the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs are fair and just and will never force anyone to do anything. Since everyone thinks that the tax law is unfair, I will find a way to make it very fair."

Fan Yong asked anxiously, "Will it not affect innocent people?"

Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Of course not. I will promote more prosperous business."

.....

Of course, everyone is still discussing it in private, because there are only signs of drought at present. If you shout about it now and it turns out to be wrong, it will not only be embarrassing, but the emperor will hold you accountable.

But this New Year's Day is destined to be uneasy.

There was no New Year atmosphere in the entire capital area. People dared not eat a bite of meat or buy new clothes. They tried their best to store as much food as possible.

However, what is coming will eventually come.

In the blink of an eye, it was March, but there was still not a drop of rain from the sky, and the weather was abnormally warmer.

All signs indicate that drought this year is almost certain.

The people sat by the fields, looking up at the sky, their dull eyes revealing despair.

Dust was flying inside and outside the capital.

Various opinions were rife inside and outside the imperial city.

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The laws of our ancestors cannot be changed!

Many ministers petitioned the emperor to suspend the official system reform and immediately restore the ancestral laws.

Even the two Empress Dowagers were hinting to Zhao Xu that it was too unlucky and he should slow down.

This was a major blow to Zhao Xu's confidence!

What a coincidence.

He can't help but believe it!

I just came out, said a few words, and made a decision. We haven't even officially started working yet, and you're already doing this to me.

How do you play this!

He only has one good friend, Zhang Fei.

So Zhao Xu summoned Zhang Fei into the palace.

"Zhang San, between you and me, the king and his subjects, we have always been open about everything. Just tell me the truth. Did I really do something wrong this time?"

Zhao Xu asked very dejectedly.

Zhang Fei asked cautiously: "What did you do wrong?"

Zhao Xu said unhappily, "Don't you know what's being said outside?"

"Oh, that's it!"

Zhang Fei said: "I think there are unexpected events today, and it has nothing to do with your majesty's reforms. These are two different things."

"But how could it be such a coincidence?"

Zhao Xu said: "Wang Jiefu and Sima Junshi have been carrying out reforms for several years, and there has been no disaster in the capital area. But I just started the reform and encountered this drought. Moreover, the prime ministers did not agree with this official system reform. Alas... I really regret it now!"

Only in front of Zhang Fei did he reveal his inner emotions. He really regretted it.

It was indeed a coincidence. Originally, the pot belonged to Wang Anshi, but you just couldn't keep your cool and took all the blame for Wang Anshi. Zhang Fei was silent for a while, and said, "Your Majesty, now that things have come to this, regret is useless. We must act quickly."

Zhao Xu frowned and said, "But now the ministers are asking for the restoration of the ancestral law. If I don't listen, and if the disaster becomes more serious, then... what should I do!"

Now, whether it is the prime minister or the censor, they all believe that this is God's will and a hint from their ancestors. Although no one can prove whether they are right or wrong, the problem is that no one knows how serious the drought will be. If he insists on reform, once the disaster expands further or even becomes more serious, it may really affect his right to rule!

Things like this are really tricky because they are out of control.

Not to mention Zhao Xu, even the most wise monarch had to compromise because of natural disasters.

All we can say is that Zhao Xu was really unlucky.

Zhang Fei hesitated for a moment, "Actually... Actually, I do have a way, but it's... a little bit unfair."

Zhao Xu asked: "What method?"

Zhang Fei said: "Your Majesty, please go to Wang Xueshi to discuss whether to restore the ancestral law."

Zhao Xu frowned slightly, "Sir, you will definitely not agree to this."

As soon as he said this, he suddenly reacted, opened his eyes wide and looked at Zhang Fei.

The meaning of Zhang Fei's words was very clear, which was to let him sacrifice the pawn to save the king!

Zhang Fei immediately explained: "Your Majesty has misunderstood. This is just to ensure that no one can escape. Since things have come to this point, we must try to solve these problems, but Your Majesty is worried that we can't solve them. Indeed, no one knows how long this natural disaster will last, so this is just to ensure that even if the worst result occurs, it will not affect Your Majesty."

What this means is that the most urgent task is to find a way to deal with the disaster, but due to the uncertainty of natural disasters, the emperor cannot openly refute the laws of his ancestors. So to solve the problem, he must first find someone to take the blame. If the situation becomes very, very serious, he can give an explanation to his subjects so that the emperor does not have to bear everything.

Zhao Xu hesitated for a while and asked, "But how to solve it?"

Zhang Fei said: "It is the new policy and the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs. Natural disasters are common. If they do not happen today, they will happen in the future. If the reform results in recent years do not have a better effect in dealing with natural disasters, it is really worth reflecting on. But I am confident that I can handle it well.

Putting aside other things, last year a new tax law was adopted, and the taxes paid by ordinary people were less than in previous years. They should have some surplus food at home, and even in the face of drought, the court will be more calm than before. "

These words gave Zhao Xu a little confidence.

In fact, Wang Anshi had to stand up, because if the emperor took a step back on the reform, it might lead to a complete collapse of the reform. If he had to sacrifice Wang Anshi, he could still maintain the reform.

The key is that this is just the worst-case scenario.

It was because they were really helpless that they had to sacrifice Wang Anshi.

In the end, Zhao Xu adopted Zhang Fei's suggestion.

He immediately summoned Wang Anshi alone and asked him how to respond.

Wang Anshi answered very decisively. Yao and Shun were so wise, but they still encountered natural disasters. This is not the same matter. Those officials who take advantage of the situation are all treacherous and corrupt. Your Majesty, you must not believe them.

Although Wang Anshi did not agree with Zhao Xu's return to the three-province and six-department system, he was now in a difficult situation. The opponents would definitely try to catch the rabbit by grabbing the grass. As long as the emperor took a step back, the next target would be the new policy.

Zhao Xu took advantage of the situation and let Wang Anshi take charge of responding to the disaster.

Wang Anshi gladly accepted the order.

But when he walked out of the door, Wang Anshi let out a long sigh, and a hint of sadness appeared in his determined eyes.

How could he not understand in his heart that the emperor wanted him to take on this responsibility, and if he failed to handle it well, his career as prime minister might be over.

But he did not blame the emperor, because he knew very well in his mind that, first of all, although he opposed the reform of the official system, he believed that the natural disaster had nothing to do with it.

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Secondly, the emperor must not give in on this, otherwise all his previous efforts would be wasted. But no one except him could take the blame.

This is the wisest thing to do.

At least give him a chance to solve the problem.

......

As expected, when everyone learned that the emperor asked Wang Anshi to deal with the disaster, they became even more reckless.

Before, everyone was very tactful because the person in front of them was the emperor.

Now, facing Wang Anshi, we must beat him to death.

New and old grudges will be avenged together.

They cursed Wang Anshi because he destroyed the laws of his ancestors and spoke nonsense, which brought down heaven's punishment. They wanted to say that Wang Anshi was the greatest traitor of all time.

Wang Anshi immediately organized a group of people to criticize those ministers who took advantage of the issue.

But there is no point in talking big about this matter. The problem still needs to be solved. If the disaster is allowed to spread, it will be useless even if Wang Anshi is good at talking big.

At present, Lu Huiqing is in Hebei, and Zhang Dun, Zeng Bu, Wang Juqing, Shen Kuo and other capable generals are all in Jingdong East Road. As for Deng Wan and others, they can only play a role by talking in the court. The only one who can really help him solve the problem is Zhang Fei.

So Wang Anshi called Zhang Fei to his home.

The countermeasure Zhang Fei proposed was, of course, to use work in lieu of relief. After all, this tactic had worked very well in Hebei and Jingdong East Road, and it had avoided unrest in both places. So why not continue to use it?

“Work-for-relief.”

Wang Anshi sighed, "I have thought about this, but we have already spent a lot of money to deal with Hebei and Jingdong East Road. The border crossing in Xihe is even more expensive. Now the inner treasury can't take out too much money. In addition, in the face of the disaster, we need to provide work-in-lieu of relief, which requires food. However, the food in the capital has to supply the royal family, the civil and military officials of the whole court, and hundreds of thousands of imperial guards. At present, we don't know how long the drought will last, so..."

First of all, we must protect the royal family, the civil and military officials, and the imperial guards, and only then will it be the turn of the people.

Starving a few civilians to death will not cause much trouble, but if you starve a few ministers to death, just think about it; the pressure from public opinion will be greater than starving a thousand civilians to death.

Not providing food to the imperial guards would be even more fatal.

As the ruling class, we must definitely put the overall situation first.

The food in the warehouse cannot be distributed indiscriminately!

Zhang Fei said: "We can issue paper money to help us through the crisis."

Wang Anshi's eyes lit up when he heard this, "Yes! How could I have forgotten this treasure?"

But then he shook his head and said, "I'm afraid that won't work. If we issue paper money, people will have to buy food, but the price of food outside is already rising. If those grain merchants don't recognize paper money, then it will just be a piece of waste paper."

Zhang Fei said: "There are many forms of paper money. As far as the current situation is concerned, it will definitely be a problem for the people to pay taxes this year. The court may want to reduce taxes. In this case, we can issue a tax currency that can be used to pay taxes. Regardless of whether it can be sold for grain, at least it can have its value."

Wang Anshi nodded slightly and added: "But food is always the key."

Zhang Fei said: "This aspect can be handed over to the public security, procuratorate and courts to handle. I will submit a new tax bill to the Legislative Council to force those grain merchants to sell grain in the market, but the court will also have to release a batch of grain."

Wang Anshi was delighted and said, "Can you do it? Duke Wen and his men all used this incident to force the government to abide by the laws of our ancestors."

You are not the chief judge now and do not have the power to make precedents.

Zhang Fei smiled and said, "In this regard, Duke Wen is no match for me. I will find a way to pass this bill. But for now, we have to fight a war of public opinion with them."

Wang Anshi hurriedly asked, "What's your brilliant plan?"

He was not convinced about other things, but when it came to publicity, he was convinced wholeheartedly.

Zhang Fei said: "Since they have said so much, then Master Wang might as well just go along with what they say. A natural disaster! It comes at the right time. This is a test for the new policy."

Wang Anshi stroked his beard and said, "What if it really doesn't rain?"

Zhang Fei said: "Then we can only admit defeat."