Zhang Fei had long ago suggested to Zhao Xu that the focus of tax policy should be gradually shifted from agriculture to commerce.
Zhao Xu also agreed with this.
Because the reality has told Zhao Xu that the problems with agricultural taxes cannot be changed at all. Any slight change would seem to cause a landslide. In addition, commercial taxes are currently growing very rapidly. It would be a thankless task to spend effort to rectify agricultural taxes, and the key is that it cannot be done.
If you plan your business well, you can use business rules to collect agricultural taxes.
The big landlords have hoarded so much grain that they have to sell it.
On the one hand, the rule of law can promote commercial development, and on the other hand, the emperor can use the rule of law to control this force.
"I see."
Zhao Xu nodded, but still frowned, "But my ministers may not take this into consideration when revising the laws."
Zhang Fei was slightly startled, thinking, Oh my! How could I be so foolish? What he is most worried about now should be the legislative power.
That is exactly the case.
...
...
What made Zhao Xu most uneasy about Fu Bi's move was the legislative power.
Zhao Xu was very fascinated by the amnesty order in advance.
However, Fu Bi suggested that we should gather talents from all over the world to amend the law and treat it as a top priority for the country.
Maybe it needs to be standardized.
This part of power may fall into the hands of others.
Although Zhang Fei guessed that Fu Bi mainly wanted to make up for the regrets of Qingli, as an emperor, Zhao Xu's first consideration was of course the imperial power.
Zhang Fei pondered for a while and said, "Regarding how to amend the regulations, actually...actually I don't know how to do it either."
Zhao Xu smiled and said, "You are being modest. I see that you speak very logically in class!"
“I’m really not being modest.”
Zhang Fei hurriedly shook his head, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Your Majesty has issued some pardons before, right?"
Zhao Xu nodded.
Zhang Fei asked: "Have you ever been rejected?"
This is really a case of bringing up something irrelevant. Zhao Xu said depressedly: "I am often rejected."
Zhang Fei said awkwardly: "Your Majesty, can you please just talk about the matter at hand..."
Zhao Xu smiled and said, "I'll say it again. I still hope that you can tell me everything you know, just like before. I also promise you that I will not blame you no matter what you say."
He admired Wang Anshi so much, but why was he influenced by Zhang Fei? One of the main reasons was that he had established a little friendship with Zhang Fei. It could even be said that Zhang Fei was his only friend.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Zhang Fei immediately said, "Let's talk about the matter at hand. Is there really no problem with your Majesty's pardon order?"
Zhao Xu nodded and said, "I don't deny this. If they can't make sense, they won't dare to easily reject my amnesty order. But I also issued those amnesty orders in response to existing problems."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Of course I know that, but what I want to say is that when it comes to legislation, wisdom is secondary. The key lies in experience. The reason why your majesty's pardon order has problems is because your majesty did not personally experience it among the people. All the things he learned came from the ministers. The same pardon order may be very effective in the south, but it may have a counterproductive effect in the north, because the ministers who reacted are from different places."
Zhao Xu nodded repeatedly and said, "That makes sense, it is indeed true."
Zhang Fei said: "I am only in my twenties, and I lack experience and knowledge, so I really don't have the ability to amend the law." At this point, he changed the subject, "But even the most talented people in the world may not be able to amend the law, especially since this law must be based on the rule of law."
Zhao Xu was surprised and asked, "Not all the talented people in the world can cultivate it?"
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "As I said in class, the laws of the Legalists are from top to bottom, while the laws of the legal system are from bottom to top. If we only let the smartest people in the world to amend the laws, the laws that are amended will inevitably be the laws of the Legalists, not the laws of the legal system, because these smart people often think about how to manage, but will not carefully consider what disputes and conflicts will arise among the people."
After attending three classes, Zhao Xu quickly understood Zhang Fei's meaning and asked, "Who is qualified to practice this method?"
Zhang Fei replied: "It is the judicial officials who travel around the country. They know the specific conditions of the people in each place best."
Zhao Xu frowned slightly and said, "But if they had a way to solve it, these problems would not have been reported to the court."
"Your Majesty is right." Zhang Fei nodded with a smile, and then said: "Then the problem is very simple. Geniuses like Fu Gong are relatively lacking in experience in directly dealing with the people, but they are full of wisdom.
On the other hand, the lowest-level judicial officials have a deep understanding of the situation among the people, but they lack the wisdom to solve these problems.
It just so happens that the lower-level officials of our dynasty are replaced every three years. During the transition, we can first let them come to the capital and organize a legislative meeting with the prime minister in the court... "
Zhao Xu was startled. "Legislative Assembly?"
"good."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Your Majesty, you will preside over the meeting in person. Both sides will discuss legislation and amendments in the form of debate, and both sides can ask questions to the other side.
By then, it will be clear whether it is a problem of execution or a lack of law, and some serious problems can be solved in a timely manner. We can even understand clearly the specific situation of the new law in various places.
The key is that this will also enable Your Majesty to clearly know the actual situation of the people in various places, so that you will not be deceived and issue wrong policies.
In fact, many emperors in ancient times also wanted to be wise and enlightened, but they often learned some biased information, which led to policy mistakes. "
Zhao Xu nodded repeatedly as he listened. Although he had only been on the throne for two years, he was deeply touched.
The reformists and conservatives have different views on the same thing, and both say that their opinions make sense, so he doesn't know who to listen to.
"but...."
Zhao Xu was a little more doubtful. "These low-level officials are all afraid of the prime minister. I'm afraid they won't dare to tell the truth when the time comes!"
The implication is that the superiors and subordinates sat together and had discussed this long ago, and they were performing it for them to see.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "So your majesty wants to introduce a third party to ask questions to both of them, forcing them not to collude secretly."
"A third party?"
Zhao Xu asked: "Is there anyone in this world who is not afraid of the prime minister?"
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Yes."
"who?"
“It’s those examinees.”
Zhang Fei said: "First, those candidates also come from various places, and they are also familiar with the situation of the people in various places. Secondly, they are all young and energetic, and they are not officials, so they don't need to be afraid of those prime ministers."
"Who said that?"
Zhao Xu snorted, "Many candidates have already been taken in as sons-in-law by the prime minister before they even take the imperial examination."
Zhang Fei blinked, "Is this true?"
Zhao Xu said, "Don't you know this? Wasn't Fu Bi chosen by Yan Shu at first sight and then accepted as his son-in-law?"
"No wonder those candidates worked so hard, spending ten years studying, it turns out they just don't want to work hard anymore."
Zhang Fei looked at Zhao Xu eagerly, "Your Majesty, do you think I am too old to take the imperial examination now?"
Zhao Xu was stunned, and said with a chuckle: "You are not that old, but no one dares to take advantage of you."
"Why?"
"Aren't you already the son-in-law of the Xu family?"
"Well...."
Zhang Fei suddenly realized, yes! Although I didn't take the imperial examination, I was also living a life of luxury. It's a pity that the Xu family's food is too bland, and I still have to work hard on my own! Alas...
"Okay."
Zhao Xu waved his hand and said, "Don't even think about the imperial examination. Your essay and writing style are really......!"
Zhang Fei said seriously: "Your Majesty, I think there are big problems with the imperial examination in our dynasty. It is better to judge people by their appearance than by their writing style. Then I will definitely pass the exam."
Zhao Xu laughed and said, "That makes sense. Next time in class, please talk about this issue."
"Uh... where were we just now?"
"Candidate."
“Yes, yes, yes!”
Zhang Fei said: "In my opinion, the primary need of the candidates is not to become the prime minister's son-in-law, their primary goal is to pass the imperial examination, which is in the hands of Your Majesty.
If the problems they raise in the legislative meeting will directly affect His Majesty's opinion of them, he will definitely not show mercy even to his father-in-law.
And from what I know about those candidates, they have very flamboyant personalities and love to show off. If they are allowed to take the exam, they will definitely try every possible way to make things difficult for the prime minister and officials.
That’s how you gain fame.”
Zhao Xu nodded slightly.
Zhang Fei struck while the iron was hot and said, "If Your Majesty is still worried, you can even randomly select some merchants who often go to various places to do business and ask them questions. But you can't let the merchants show their faces. If they show their faces, they probably won't dare to ask questions. You can let them hide behind the curtain and ask questions."
"That's really feasible!"
Zhao Xu nodded his head when he heard this. "In fact, whether it is based on the law of the legal system or not, it can be legislated in this way. It just so happens that the imperial examination is held every three years, and it will not add too much burden to the finances."
The art of being an emperor is not like Zhu Yuanzhang, who held all the power in his hands. If he still wants to do a good job, he will only tire himself to death. To be honest, it is impossible to do so.
The art of ruling is always about balance and checks and balances.
Even if Fu Bi and others wanted to check and balance the emperor, they wanted to seize the legislative power.
sure!
I'll find a group of people to keep an eye on you.
Under this legislative system, Zhao Xu did not need to hold on to the legislative power tightly, because if low-level officials wanted to be promoted, they must get his approval, and if candidates wanted to pass the imperial examinations, they also had to get his approval. As for businessmen, they were the class he wanted to win over in the future.
The legislative power is given to you, so just do your job honestly.
Isn't this the method of the ancestors of the Song Dynasty, to prevent dangers and control crookedness?
"How many ideas do you have?" Zhao Xu couldn't help but ask Zhang Fei with a smile.
Zhang Fei was stunned and said quickly: "Your Majesty, this is exactly what I just thought of."
"real?"
“Really, really.”
Zhang Fei nodded, "To be honest with you, Your Majesty, I was inspired by my own class and came up with these ideas. Otherwise, I would not have thought of using, no, uh... letting those candidates join in. It's because they made things difficult for me in class."
"That's true."
Zhao Xu smiled and nodded, "It seems that being narrow-minded is not necessarily a bad thing!"
"Well...."
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