Zhang Fei, who had just said goodbye to Zhao Xu, was immediately "caught" by Xu Zun who had been lying in ambush for a long time.
"Why is the government so anxious to find you?"
At this sensitive moment, the emperor suddenly wanted to see Zhang Fei, and Xu Zun was also very worried.
Zhang Fei truthfully informed Xu Zun about Han Qi and others' letter.
After hearing this, Xu Zun couldn't help but sigh: "Actually, they are right. This three-foot-thick ice didn't form overnight. A lawsuit can't solve the problem."
Zhang Fei said: "This problem may not be solved, but another problem can be solved."
Xu Zun asked: "What's the problem?"
"imperial power."
Zhang Fei said: "Now that so many people are against it, if the emperor still wants to fight, and if he wins, it will be like Shang Yang setting up a tree for the emperor."
Xu Zun still felt worried, "This is not the same as the other time. This will make many people wary of the government, and the gains may not outweigh the losses!"
...
...
Zhang Fei frowned slightly: "But if we don't take this step, no one knows what will happen."
In fact, sharing wealth with the people, in essence, means that the emperor and the literati rule the world together.
Since Zhenzong and Renzong, the two emperors have continuously delegated power for different reasons, which is a disguised expression of their willingness for the emperor and the literati to rule the world together.
In the feudal era, this was really hard-won.
The literati also strongly defended this hard-won political ecology.
Now Wang Anshi wants to concentrate wealth in the central government, which is actually a kind of centralization. If Wang Anshi really does it, who can restrict the emperor?
This is one of the key reasons why we can't increase revenue and reduce expenditure at the same time.
On this point, there is a sharp contradiction between the two.
The memorial submitted by Han Qi and others, as well as Shenzong's own concerns, alluded to this point.
Both sides are testing each other and neither wants to fall out.
Zhang Fei's charity organization effectively solved Emperor Shenzong's worries.
Because of this charity, the wealth is still controlled by them and not in the hands of the emperor. It also gives them legal status. However, in the future you guys can no longer just talk the talk and not practice. What about the responsibilities you promised?
It’s not fair to say that if you don’t hand over the money and something goes wrong, I, the emperor, will have to bear the consequences. This is not fair!
This actually still maintains the concept of the emperor and the literati governing the world together.
Of course, this is definitely not what Zhao Xu wants. He does not want to be Emperor Renzong. He wants to be Emperor Wu of Han or Emperor Taizong of Tang. It’s just that the time is not ripe yet and he needs to be patient.
If this charity succeeds, it will be a huge step forward.
After all, the responsibility is still imposed on them.
As for Zhang Fei, he has only one goal, and this has never changed.
......
Since Empress Dowager Cao returned power to Emperor Yingzong, she has been chanting Buddhist scriptures in the harem.
Don't interfere too much in political affairs.
However, her prestige and status in the court are still very important.
Even a ruthless person like Empress Dowager Gao now has to behave like a mascot in the harem.
Empress Dowager Gao did not truly come to power until after Empress Dowager Cao and Emperor Shenzong had passed away.
This case has even alarmed Empress Dowager Cao, which shows that they have mobilized all the connections they could.
I am determined to make sure that this lawsuit fails.
But they also underestimated Shenzong's determination.
Pantao Pavilion.
Zhao Xu held Empress Dowager Cao's arm with both hands as they walked on the path paved with goose-warm stones.
"Your Majesty has lost a lot of weight recently. You must take good care of your health. There will never be an end to government affairs." Empress Dowager Cao looked at Zhao Xu and said with concern.
Zhao Xu said with a look of grievance: "My grandson is not afraid of being tired, but he is afraid of working hard for a long time and still not being able to get things done."
Empress Dowager Cao chuckled and said, "It seems that the emperor has suffered a lot of grievances in the court!"
Zhao Xu said: "Madam, please tell me the truth. What did my grandson do wrong?"
Empress Dowager Cao asked, "Is it because of the tax lawsuit?"
Zhao Xu pretended to be surprised and said, "The Madam already knows."
Empress Dowager Cao laughed and said, "This case has caused a great uproar in the city. Even if I hide in the Buddhist temple, I still can't get any peace and quiet!"
Zhao Xu asked, "What does the Madam think?"
Empress Dowager Cao smiled slightly and said, "I don't have any opinion, but as an emperor, how can you be so humble? The court collects taxes legally, and it is natural for you to go to court with them. I feel sad for you when I hear this!"
The implication is that you should not file this lawsuit, but simply order direct taxation, or directly exempt the tax.
Zhao Xu sighed and said, "To be honest with you, my grandson did this because he didn't want to collect taxes from the tenant farmers."
"The government is benevolent and righteous, which is a blessing for the people of the world."
Empress Dowager Cao then changed the subject and asked, "Why doesn't the emperor just issue an order?"
Zhao Xu said: "My grandson originally wanted to directly pardon the taxes of those tenants, but if I do so, I am worried that all the tenants will use this as an excuse to refuse to pay taxes. Now the national finances are already in deficit.
That's why the grandson adopted Wang Xueshi's suggestion and resolved the issue by filing a lawsuit. Judging from the attitude of Lu Zhifu, he would most likely find a way to exempt the tenant farmers from taxes while avoiding escalating the matter.
After all, a lawsuit requires someone to file a lawsuit, which is different from a government decree. Scholar Wang filed a lawsuit against 108 people. No matter what the final verdict is, it only concerns these 108 people and has nothing to do with others. My grandson also wants to use this to deter those landlords and wealthy people from going too far. "
"I see."
Empress Dowager Cao nodded slightly and said with a chuckle, "It's really not easy for the emperor!" Then she added, "We have to teach those people a lesson."
Zhao Xu couldn't help but be overjoyed.
The support of Empress Dowager Cao is crucial.
It turned out that when Empress Dowager Cao heard the news, she thought that the emperor was going to go to war with the landlords. She had to stop him because she also lived through the Qingli period. The emperor had just ascended the throne not long ago and was not even as mature as her husband, Renzong. This would bring chaos to the country.
She didn't expect that this lawsuit actually has limitations. Unlike a government decree, each person who is sued will be tried, and those who are not sued will be fine.
The emperor wanted to use this case to establish his authority, not to escalate the matter, so she certainly would not stop him, and her attitude was to support Shenzong.
The Empress Dowager Cao had fought with Han Qi several times and knew the character of these scholars and officials. If you are weak, they will be strong, and they will never say that they respect you more.
......
After getting the support of Empress Dowager Cao, Zhao Xu did not immediately order Kaifeng Prefecture to try the case. Instead, he chose to remain silent and secretly had someone spread the news of Han Qi and others' petition.
When the officials heard the news, they were overjoyed.
It’s stable!
No suspense!
The Empress Dowager and the three prime ministers all came out.
If this case can be tried, there must be something fishy going on.
Even the Kaifeng Prefecture thought that there was no hope and did not examine the petition submitted by Zhang Fei.
The key point is that Zhang Fei did not go to court like before, but instead stayed at home to practice in seclusion. He still went to work as usual every day.
He even had time to discuss court assistance with Sima Guang.
"Don't you know why the Silusi is delaying?" Sima Guang glared at Zhang Fei unhappily.
Zhang Fei said depressedly: "Master Sima, I am innocent. If they want to blame someone, they should blame Wang... cough cough. Besides, this is to help the people. Our store didn't take any advantage. It's free service. Even if they want to retaliate against me, it's not justifiable to use this to retaliate!"
Sima Guang snorted: "First of all, you are not innocent. Secondly,"
He sighed, "If everyone could be reasonable in everything, there wouldn't be so many problems. Okay, okay, don't worry, I'll ask someone to go ask later."
Zhang Fei chuckled and said, "I don't really care. I can wait for a year. I'm just afraid that this will hurt the prestige of Sima Daxueshi, and then I will be guilty of a great sin."
"Don't try to sow discord here. I won't fall for your tricks."
Sima Guang glared at him, but was also a little angry in his heart. One thing is one thing. It is me, Sima, who is doing the judicial reform, not Wang Anshi. Who are you trying to please?
Thinking of Wang Anshi, Sima Guang asked again: "Has Wang Jiefu come to see you recently?"
"No!"
Zhang Fei shook his head. "So I don't have much to do now, but I think Wang Daxueshi may not mind."
Sima Guang asked, "What do you mean?"
Zhang Fei sighed, "He had already agreed at the beginning that if we couldn't make it through the fight, I would have to return the money to him."
Wang Jiefu had even thought of a way out. It seemed that this case would not be tried. Sima Guang muttered, but said sarcastically: "This is very much like Wang Jiefu's style. He is unwilling to suffer any loss."
But as he spoke, he suddenly frowned, "Oh, right! I heard that Wang Jiefu spent 10,000 strings of cash to hire you to fight this lawsuit."
Zhang Fei said hurriedly: "I didn't take advantage of this. I sued more than a hundred people, all of whom are well-known. Ten thousand strings of cash is not a lot."
Sima Guang didn't seem to be listening, and thought, where did Wang Jiefu get ten thousand strings of cash, unless...
He thought about it, and suddenly said to Zhang Fei: "You still have to be prepared."
Zhang Fei asked: "What preparations?"
Sima Guang said: "Prepare for this lawsuit."
This old man is really smart. Zhang Fei asked humbly, "What do you mean by that, Grand Secretary Sima?"
Sima Guang sighed and said, "It's always better to be prepared. If we really have to fight, you must be careful."
"oh."
Zhang Fei nodded dully: "I understand."
He knew it very well in his mind, because Li Bao was still searching for evidence, it proved that the lawsuit must be fought. The emperor kept silent, just to buy time for Li Bao and others to search for evidence against those people.
As expected.
Seven days later, Lan Yuanzhen suddenly appeared in Kaifeng Prefecture.
Lu Gong was surprised, "How can the noble have time to come to me?"
Lan Yuanzhen smiled and said, "It's nothing serious. The government just asked me to ask how the trial went."
Lu Gong was surprised and asked, "What eucalyptus?"
Lan Yuanzhen was surprised and said, "It's the case of Master Wang! Didn't Master Wang sue? I haven't heard about it!"
Lu Gong couldn't help but look at Li Kai standing beside him. Didn't you pat your chest and say that this case couldn't be tried? How do you explain it now?
Li Kai looked innocent and stammered to Lan Yuanzhen, "We saw that the government hadn't issued an order, so we thought there would be no trial."
Lan Yuanzhen hurriedly said, "What are you talking about, Judge Li? The emperor said at the time that the Kaifeng Prefecture would try this case. The matter has already been decided. You haven't tried it yet, have you? How can I report this to the emperor when I go back?"
Li Kai hurriedly said, "It's under investigation, but... it's just that there are too many people. This is the first time Kaifeng Prefecture has encountered such a situation. We are too busy to handle it right now. We have to wait for some time."
Lan Yuanzhen nodded: "Then you better hurry up, the emperor has been waiting."
"Yes, yes, yes."
......
After Lan Yuanzhen left, Lu Gong scolded Li Kai severely.
Kaifeng Prefecture initiated the review process that day and transferred people from the left and right halls to help.
When this news came out, all the civil and military officials in the court were shocked.
Isn't it stable?
This...what is going on?
Nothing special happened during this period, this... this is very unpolitical!
However, all the prime ministers remained silent, and the silence was so frightening.
In fact, Han Qi and others' memorial was not to say that there was anything wrong with filing this lawsuit, but to ask whether Emperor Shenzong had thought of a solution and the price and reward to be paid, which he had to consider carefully.
After many days, Shenzong decided to fight.
This proves that he has thought it through.
Han Qi, Fu Bi and others naturally wouldn't say anything more.
Watch your performance.
And in the government hall.
There is no need to say much about Wang Anshi, he was the one who filed the complaint. Chen Shengzhi definitely supported him, and Zhao Yan, who opposed the new law, also supported it. Wen Yanbo and Sima Guang had ambiguous attitudes and their opposition was not firm.
The prime minister and the vice-chancellor were both silent, proving that they supported the emperor, or at least did not oppose him.
In other words, there is no room for maneuver in this matter.
......
Shen Mansion.
"It seems that the emperor is determined to support Wang Jiefu."
Shen Huaixiao said with a frown.
Tang Ji said anxiously: "What should we do? It's impossible to win."
Chen Huaixiao said: "That may not be the case. Don't forget that the evidence of this case is in our hands."
Du Xiu was a little nervous, "Isn't this too risky?"
Cao Han said, "Brother Du, don't worry. It's impossible for just a few of us to do this. In less than half a day, many people will come to us. Then we can discuss what to do. If everyone participates, even if the government knows about it, there will be nothing we can do."
Shen Huaixiao nodded: "Brother Cao is right! We can't be blamed for this. Almost everyone is against it, but the government still insists on doing it. Naturally, we can't be blamed for not following the rules."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
