Chapter 312 Ice and Fire
In fact, when Zhang Fei first decided to set up a charity, he was already observing the entire economic structure of Tokyo Bianliang.
His main goal was to find a business in which he could invest a large amount of money.
Bulk commodities such as grain, salt, wine, and sugar were basically controlled by the imperial court, and there were many powerful people in various places, so these transactions were unpredictable.
After all the calculations, only the entertainment industry can absorb this huge investment.
At that time, he had two choices: one was to invest in brothels and theaters; the other was to invest in Cuju and form a new alliance.
However, since there are no microphones nowadays, the influence that the brothels can create is very limited, while sports are not subject to these restrictions and there are also peripheral products.
In the end he chose Cuju.
He also deliberately put Wang Anshi's article and the Cuju final on the same day, just to see the influence of Cuju.
The result is obvious. The first shot of the new policy did not affect everyone's attention to Cuju.
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But this does not mean that the new policy has not had enough impact.
This issue of the Mingshi Newspaper caused quite a stir in the court.
The conservatives were cursing to the point of blowing the roof off their chests, thinking that Wang Anshi was just Sang Hongyang resurrected!
Sang Hongyang's economic policy had no position in the Song Dynasty. At the beginning, Sang Hongyang provided financial support for Emperor Wu to fight the war, but he almost brought his own country to collapse.
Facts have proven that this is not advisable.
But this is really because they don’t understand economics.
Sang Hongyang's equalization method of transport and Wang Anshi's equalization method of transport seem to be the same, but they are actually different in essence.
Sang Hongyang's economic policy was to activate the state machinery and collect wealth from the world to support the country's wars. The fatal flaw of this policy was that the long war did not bring any wealth to the Han Empire.
Especially if it continues even after the threat has been eliminated.
Wang Anshi's equalization of transport was only intended to solve the supply and demand problem in Tokyo, reduce the consumption, and make a little money to supplement the finances.
But it is not right to say that the two are not the same thing. After all, Wang Anshi's equalization method was derived from Sang Hongyang's equalization method.
Court of trial.
"Master Sima, I want to go back to the procuratorate."
Fan Chunren looked serious and bowed to Sima Guang.
Sima Guang looked at Fan Chunren's stern face and felt a little uneasy. "Why are you so anxious to go back to the procuratorate?"
Fan Chunren said, "I will sue the two prefecture regulations office for violating the laws of our ancestors."
Sima Guang frowned, "Violating the laws of our ancestors?"
Fan Chunren nodded and said, "Yes, according to this article, if we want to implement the equal distribution system, the transport envoys will control the entire tribute system, which will not be subject to central control or local supervision. At that time, they can do whatever they want, and corruption will definitely occur.
However, this is not the most fatal thing. What is more fatal is that this will destroy the laws of our ancestors of the Song Dynasty. All power will be concentrated in one government office, and the consequences will be disastrous. "
In fact, Sima Guang already knew the regulations of the Equalized Transport System in advance, and he was dissatisfied with some of them.
However, he also believed that fixed tributes were wrong and that this really needed to be changed.
His attitude towards this method has both advantages and disadvantages.
But it has not been implemented yet, so he thinks he'd better wait and see.
However, Fan Chunren was firmly opposed to doing so. When he read the article, he almost called Wang Anshi a traitor who stole the country.
Because in this case, the shipping envoy will control the entire country's purchasing power, and this is a task that is spread across the whole country. It is difficult to supervise this department because they have the final say.
The previous system of the Song Dynasty required that if you wanted to establish a department, you had to first think about how to supervise this department.
For example, the establishment of the General Police Headquarters.
The predecessor of this General Police Office was the Patrol Inspection Department, which was divided into the Infantry and Cavalry departments and checked and balanced each other. They were merged into the General Police Office and were under the jurisdiction of the Political Affairs Hall. A new agency must be established to supervise the General Police Office.
However, judicial reform requires a system of mutual supervision. The procuratorate, the courts, the Legal Aid Department, and a private organization can all supervise the General Police Office.
Powers are still checked and balanced.
Fan Chunren was very sensitive to centralization of power, so he readily accepted the Legal Aid Department at the time in order to ensure that he could supervise the General Police Office.
However, Wang Anshi did not provide a supervisory agency because he wanted to improve efficiency. He hated this bloated agency. It must be said that centralization is the most efficient method, and one person has the final say.
Sima Guang thought for a moment and said, "Who said there is no supervision? Isn't there your procuratorate supervising? If there is corruption, it won't be too late for your procuratorate to prosecute!"
Fan Chunren said, "It's not that I haven't thought about this, but at present, only Bianliang has a procuratorate in the whole country. However, the corruption of the equalization law cannot happen in the capital. It mostly happens in the local areas. And under the current situation, if we want to establish procuratorates in various places, it will take a long time, and it is impossible to supervise them at all."
Just at this time, another official reported that Deputy Prosecutor Su Shi had arrived.
This Su Zizhan really knows how to join in the fun. Sima Guang felt a severe headache.
As soon as Su Shi entered the room, he saw Fan Chunren and couldn't help but look defensive.
Sima Guang didn't look at Su Shi well and asked, "What do you want?"
Su Shi bowed and said, "I intend to sue for violating the laws of our ancestors."
Sima Guang glanced at the two of them and laughed, "You two, you really are not from the same family, and you are not even from the same door!"
Su Shi hurriedly said: "Sima Xueshi is wrong. He is from the Legal Aid Department and I am from the Procuratorate. We are a citizen and an official. We cannot be confused."
This time, Fan Chunren was really in no mood to compete with Su Shi for the right to accuse.
Sima Guang was too lazy to argue with him and asked, "What basis do you have to sue the equalization law?"
Su Shi said: "First of all, this equalization of taxation is putting the cart before the horse. The financial problem lies in the three redundant officials, but Wang Xueshi has set up a new government office across the country without solving the redundant officials. This will inevitably require the establishment of a number of new officials. The old officials have not left, and new officials have taken office, which will only increase the financial burden."
Sima Guang and Fan Chunren both nodded slightly.
That makes sense.
Su Shi added: "Secondly, who will supervise this new government? Although Wang Xueshi is honest, it is difficult for him to take care of everything. Corruption will inevitably breed within the government, which will harm the country and the people.
But it was agreed at the beginning that the two government regulations departments would be subject to judicial supervision. I think the procuratorate must fulfill its responsibilities. Unless they revise the regulations and solve these hidden dangers, otherwise, the new law must not be implemented. "
Sima Guang coughed and said, "I know what you are worried about, but for now, Wang Jiefu has only published an article in the Mingshi Newspaper and has not yet officially issued a new decree. I will talk to him when the time comes.
In addition, you must remember that the Procuratorate is not the Censorate or the Court of Remonstrance, which can report to the emperor only on the basis of real evidence. The corruption you are talking about has not yet occurred, and it is no longer within the jurisdiction of the Procuratorate. "
Fan Chunren immediately said: "This has nothing to do with my return to the procuratorate."
If you want to go back, that's fine. Sima Guang said, "I will ask the emperor for help when the time comes."
"Thank you, Grand Secretary Sima."
"You guys go back first."
"I'll take my leave."
Sima Guang looked at the two men's unwilling expressions and couldn't help muttering to himself that he was afraid he could not stop them.
As he expected, Fan Chunren and Su Shi left the imperial city and found a nearby teahouse to conspire.
"Sima Xueshi obviously doesn't want us to sue the Regulations Office of the Two Prefectures." Fan Chunren said, "I don't think he will let me go back to the Procuratorate."
A hint of joy flashed across Su Shi's eyes, "Really?"
Fan Chunren said depressedly: "Su Zizhan, at this point, we should focus on state affairs. Why are you still thinking about competing for supremacy? Don't worry, I won't fight with you in this case. The question now is whether we have the power to sue the Department of Regulations of the Two Prefectures."
Su Shi smiled confidently and said, "If we prosecute according to the laws of our ancestors, we will be able to produce sufficient evidence, and we will also be able to win the support of many people in the court."
At this point, he paused for a moment, "But if Wang Jiefu invites Zhang San, we may have a hard time winning."
Fan Chunren nodded and said, "The current ancestral laws were actually set by Zhang San, and one of the key reasons why he won the lawsuit at that time was that the ancestral laws were intended to eliminate bad policies, and this requires reform. There are indeed bad policies in the current tribute system. Wang Jiefu's regulations, on the surface, do seem to be the right remedy, and what we are worried about has not happened yet. Zhang San will definitely make a big fuss about this."
Su Shi asked, "Do you still remember the lawsuit in which you defeated Zhang San?"
Fan Chunren nodded and said, "How could I not remember? In fact, Zhang San only lost on the surface in that lawsuit."
Su Shi said: "We can also follow suit. We don't seek victory, but only ask how the court should supervise the possible corruption."
Fan Chunren glanced at Su Shi and said with a smile: "The Mingshi Newspaper was just published today. I didn't expect you to have considered it so carefully."
Su Shi just smiled.
The loss to Li Lei last time ignited Su Shi's fighting spirit.
During this period, he has been studying litigation and researching Zhang Fei's case over and over again. This talent plus hard work is the perfect answer.
Sima Guang did not consult Wang Anshi. He knew that
It was impossible to persuade Wang Anshi, so he ran to find Zhang Fei.
Because Fan Chunren, Su Shi and others wanted to sue, they had to find professionals.
At this time, Zhang Fei had just returned to the office and was still considering how to form a Cuju League.
"Violating the laws of our ancestors?"
Zhang Fei stood up in shock.
Sima Guang glanced at him and said, "Why are you so surprised? Isn't this just what I learned from you?"
"That's different!"
Zhang Fei quickly explained, "I used the ancestral law to sue him because I had real evidence. The case of the historian did indeed involve corruption and murder for money. But now that Wang Xueshi just published an article, they want to sue him using the ancestral law. Isn't this nonsense?"
Sima Guang immediately asked: "How do you prove that they are talking nonsense?"
"ah?"
Zhang Fei's expression froze, and he said hurriedly: "I just said it casually. But why did Sima Xueshi ask this?"
Sima Guang sighed and said, "Although I have the power to establish a procuratorate, I have no right to interfere in its affairs. If they want to sue, I cannot stop them. So I want to ask you, from a legal perspective, what grounds can be used to dismiss their prosecution?"
Zhang Fei thought about it seriously, "If they sue us based on our ancestors' laws, they will definitely be able to find some basis, so the best reason is that there is insufficient evidence."
The laws of our ancestors are very general, and if you want to find the basis for them, it is really too simple, and you can only refute them in a general way.
Sima Guang said: "There is insufficient evidence. This statement is unconvincing. The chief judge can also say that there is sufficient evidence."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "If the presiding judge wants to accept this case, then there is no point in saying this."
Sima Guang couldn't help but sigh.
There must be a presiding judge who supports them.
Zhang Fei added: "Master Sima can tell them that they will definitely lose this lawsuit and there is no way they can win."
Sima Guang chuckled, "Why? Do you think Wang Jiefu will fight this lawsuit with them? They are clearly trying to intimidate Wang Jiefu. Will Wang Jiefu get any good results from them? And this is what I am most worried about."
Zhang Fei's eyes flashed and he slowly sat down.
Sima Guang glanced at him and asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Zhang Fei was stunned. "Master Sima, I think Master Wang's new law actually makes a lot of sense. The key lies in supervision, and this is the purpose of Master Sima's judicial reform."
Sima Guang nodded.
Zhang Fei continued, "At present, the government firmly supports Wang Daxueshi's reform. It is meaningless to continue to argue. We can only wait until the new law is promulgated and then use facts and evidence to speak. Therefore, the key to the struggle is not in Tokyo, but in the local areas."
Sima Guang said: "I understand this, so I asked them not to get so excited, but I'm afraid they won't listen to me."
Zhang Fei said: "What I mean is, if that's the case, why is Vice-President Liu Su staying in Tokyo?"
Sima Guang opened his eyes and said, "You mean, take this opportunity to banish Zizhan and Yaofu from Tokyo?"
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "With Wang Daxueshi here, there will be no problems in Tokyo. If we want to supervise the new law, we must make a nationwide layout. It is meaningless to keep talents in Tokyo now."
Sima Guang thought, what should I do if all the talents are taken away?
Zhang Fei saw his worries and said, "Sima Xueshi can get rid of those upright officials or young talents. But Sima Xueshi must be patient and make sure he can stay in the court to support them."
Sima Guang was entangled and said, "But the public security, procuratorial and judicial system is not that simple. There are many details in it. I still haven't fully understood it. We must proceed step by step. Although Su Zizhan is talented, he is not particular about details. It's okay for me to keep an eye on him. If he goes alone, he will definitely cause trouble."
What are you afraid of? I will take charge of the situation. You think you are the protagonist. Zhang Fei said, "But there is no point in staying in their capital city?"
Sima Guang said: "Then I would rather keep them in the capital city meaninglessly than let them destroy the judicial reform. If the judiciary is gone, then everything will be over."
I'm really drunk. With your personality, it's really impossible for you to achieve great things. You don't even look at how old you are, and you're still taking it step by step. Zhang Fei said embarrassedly: "I'm just making a suggestion."
Sima Guang was extremely conflicted. Fan Chunren had mentioned this problem before. Wang Anshi directly issues national policies, but you are so slow. How can you supervise him?
But the problem is that he often dissuaded Wang Anshi, thinking that Wang Anshi was greedy for merit and reckless without considering everything. As a result, he also wanted to succeed quickly. So what was the difference between him and Wang Anshi?
After thinking about it, Sima Guang suddenly looked at Zhang Fei and said, "Speaking of the public security, procuratorate and courts, no one is more familiar with them than you."
In fact, Zhang Fei made an indelible contribution to the establishment of the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs in Beijing; he just went with the flow.
Why are you in such a hurry? I will go, but the timing is not right yet. Zhang Fei smiled awkwardly and said, "There are still a lot of things to deal with in the store."
Sima Guang asked, "Can't you tell which is more important?"
Zhang Fei pretended to struggle, then said: "Master Sima, arrange for them to go first. If that doesn't work, I'll go."
Sima Guang asked: "If they make it impossible to enforce the law, can you turn the tide?"
Zhang Fei said: "I have."
Sima Guang frowned and seemed a little hesitant.
Zhang Fei added: "If Scholar Sima recommends me, and together with Deputy Inspector Su and the others, Scholar Wang will be able to see what Scholar Sima is planning at a glance. It is best to let Scholar Wang recommend me."
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