Compared with the fierce opposition voices in the past few days, the atmosphere in the imperial city today seems a bit weird.
It was no longer the kind of extremely fierce opposition, but it turned into all kinds of sarcasm and ridicule. They held a small meeting in the room, but they felt extremely uncomfortable and angry in their hearts.
This arrangement has a considerable deterrent effect on officials.
But they all knew in their hearts that this was indeed a very tolerant arrangement.
All they can say is that this method is fanciful and unrealistic. Just wait and see, few people will report their financial situation truthfully.
"Oh! Chief Prosecutor Xu, what a coincidence! So polite! So polite!"
“You’re polite!”
"Isn't Chief Prosecutor Xu on vacation today?"
"There's something going on in the yard, come and take a look."
Liu Zhao, who was ignored by everyone, saw his colleagues greeting Xu Zun one after another. You know, before, everyone kept a respectful distance when they saw Xu Zun. He couldn't help but smile and said, "Brother Zhongtu, this is really a changing world!"
...
...
Xu Zun shook his head and said, "As my son-in-law said, with great power comes great responsibility! This is not a good thing! I gave up my vacation today just to remind you.
Liu Zhao nodded: "I see."
Lu Mansion.
"Grandpa, you're looking for your grandson!"
Lu Jiawen came into the hall and bowed to Lu Gongzhe.
Lu Gong said seriously, "Wen'er, do you know why Grandpa asked you to come?"
Lu Jiawen shook his head in confusion.
Lu Gongzhu then asked, "Have you read the article published by the Taxation Commissioner today?"
Lu Jiawen nodded and said, "My grandson has seen it early in the morning."
Lu Gong said, "Then you should know that perhaps before long, the imperial court will have many more cases of tax evasion, and as the youngest court president in Bianliang, you must be careful and cautious. There will definitely be people who will interfere. If they find a flaw in any link, they will definitely pester you. And your arrogant and complacent character is what I am most worried about."
Cao Dongdong's memorial led Zhao Xu to personally order that all courts be transformed into imperial courts. The Silusi became the Central Court, which was specifically responsible for civil litigation, and there were two courts above it, the Left and Right Courts, which were responsible for criminal litigation.
Lu Jiawen became the youngest person to be caned in court.
However, Lü Jiawen was very upset about what Lü Gongzhu said, and argued: "Why is my grandson so proud and complacent? I have tried many cases in the past year without making many mistakes. Otherwise, Sima Xueshi would not have recommended me to be the chief of the Zhongci."
Lu Gong immediately scolded: "Look at what you are saying, isn't this arrogant and complacent?"
Seeing that his third grandfather was angry, Lu Jiawen did not dare to argue anymore and bowed his head and said, "My grandson is wrong."
Lu Gong couldn't help but sigh with mixed feelings. This kid has good talent, but his personality is too arrogant. He warned him: "Remember, if an official invites you to a banquet in the near future, you must turn it down and stay at home honestly."
Lu Jiawen nodded aggrievedly and said, "Yes, grandson knows."
Lu Gongzhe had been in the officialdom for so long that he knew very well that this way of collecting taxes would greatly increase the power of the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs, and would especially deter officials.
The powerful will definitely try to win over these people.
The tax commissioners are all minor officials that are not well known to everyone, so officials will definitely focus on the imperial court and the procuratorate and build good relationships with officials from these departments.
Xu Zun also thought of this, so he canceled his vacation and rushed back to the imperial city to tell
Although the Silusi and Zuoyouxunyuan were changed to the Imperial Court.
But the provincial government did not change, and Kaifeng Prefecture remained the Supreme Court.
Because Kaifeng Prefecture had such a great political symbol, people from all over the country knew about it, and its powers were also relatively special, so Sima Guang did not move for the time being.
But precisely because the provincial government did not make any changes and was not so clear, its relationship with the Dali Temple and the Court of Criminal Justice became closer.
Zeng Gong, who had just taken office in Kaifeng Prefecture this year, had not yet had time to put internal affairs in order when he encountered this incident. He was dizzy!
"Jiefu, you've really given me a good job!"
Zeng Gong said to Wang Anshi with a wry smile.
He was very grateful to Wang Anshi for recommending him, but after taking office, he encountered a lot of troubles and the key point was that he didn't know if he could make the decisions.
Wang Anshi hurriedly explained: "I'm so sorry, this was not what I expected, otherwise I would have told you clearly in advance."
Zeng Gong nodded and said, "Of course I know this, but my current situation is also very difficult. Many clerks in Kaifeng Prefecture are very dissatisfied with the actions of the Tax Commissioner. The Tax Commissioner's arrangement means that they have nothing to do. Moreover, the auxiliary police officers in the police station all receive salaries, but they have nothing."
These clerks do not receive salaries and rely on some extra income to make a living. If the taxation power is deprived, their income will be greatly reduced. Zeng Gong has just taken office, so this is very embarrassing.
Wang Anshi said, "Don't worry, Zigu. After the police station is expanded, I will petition the government to give them salaries."
Zeng Gong asked curiously, "Why do we have to wait until the police station is expanded?"
Wang Anshi smiled bitterly and said, "My original intention was to use the police station to rectify the administration of officials. If I suggest this to the government now, many clerks will not leave. However, the police station has expanded its staff so much that the government office does not need so many clerks."
Zeng Gong nodded and said, "I understand. You want to transfer some of the clerks to the police station."
"Exactly."
"In that case, this authority will also be transferred to the police department?"
"According to Sima Junshi's reforms, judicial power may be handed over to the imperial court, the procuratorate, and the police station"
Wang Anshi said: "But other than that, nothing will change."
Zeng Gong asked, "What about the taxation power? It seems that nowadays, the tax commissioner has the final say."
Wang Anshi hurriedly explained: "Zi Gu has misunderstood. Except for the procuratorate and the imperial court, the police station and the tax bureau are only doing what the clerks did before.
Take the current collection of the exemption tax as an example. The Commissioner of Taxation only acted according to the decree of the Ministry of Agriculture. The only difference was that the collection method had changed. However, the Commissioner of Taxation only had the power to conduct statistics and tax inspections, and the collected money still went to the Ministry of Agriculture.
The financial power of Kaifeng Prefecture will not change, except that previously the clerks were ordered to collect taxes, but now the tax commissioner is ordered to do it. "
Zeng Gong asked, "Will the tax commissioner listen to Kaifeng Prefecture?"
Nowadays, everyone is directly under the emperor's jurisdiction over the tax commissioner. But if a prefect does not control tax policies, what else can he do?
"Of course they will. After the police station is expanded, the court will clarify the responsibilities of each department."
Wang Anshi went on to explain: "The tax commissioner is not meant to check and balance the Kaifeng Prefecture, or the three commissioners, but the tax commissioner has the power to investigate the tax payment of anyone, including you and me."
"So that's how it is." Zeng Gong nodded and asked again, "Is that what you thought?"
Wang Anshi's expression changed, and he said angrily: "It has something to do with me, but it's not entirely my idea, and the responsibility is all on me."
Zeng Gong asked with a smile: "Did Sima Junshi scheme against you?"
Wang Anshi said angrily: "Sima Junshi is the only one who can come up with this idea? You think too highly of him."
Zeng Gong asked curiously, "Who is that?"
Wang Anshi was a little embarrassed, "We'll talk about this later."
Zeng Gong stroked his beard, glanced at Wang Anshi, and suddenly burst into laughter.
Wang Anshi knew he couldn't hide it either, "Don't laugh yet. When Uncle Lu Hui left Kaifeng Prefecture, he was as happy as a child. It was all because of that brat that he tortured him. You better be careful in the future."
In the evening.
“A-choo!”
Zhang Fei, who was leaning against the counter, suddenly sneezed and rubbed his nose. "That bastard is scolding me."
“I guess I can’t even count them all.”
Fan Li, who had just seen off the last wave of guests, walked in and said with a smile.
Zhang Fei asked with a smile: "You made a lot of money today, right?"
Fan Li walked closer and whispered, "The other side makes more money."
Zhang Fei asked: "Is it true?"
Fan Li sighed, "I'm lying to you. You've offended so many people in the court. They won't come to us, but go to Li Guozhong and his gang. We are just ordinary wealthy families, but they are all powerful people in the court. We are really making things difficult for them."
"That's not necessarily true!" Zhang Fei said, "How much do the seven bookstores combined earn as much as we do?"
Fan Li said: "That's not the case. After all, our customers are thousands of times more than theirs, and there are many wealthy businessmen."
"That's it."
Zhang Fei nodded, "If it were just our family, we wouldn't be far from death."
Fan Li nodded and said, "I understand this logic, but I just don't feel comfortable about it."
Zhang Fei said with a smile: "Take it easy."
Just then, Qingmei came over and said, "Third brother, there is no tea in there."
"Yeah?"
Zhang Fei quickly called someone over, "Hurry up and prepare some tea for Sister Qingmei."
Then he turned to Qingmei, "Go and urge Zhiqian. It's been such a long time since we've talked about it and it still hasn't been settled. I'm in a hurry to get off work."
Qingmei said: "It will probably take a while. They are still studying our contract."
"Still researching?" Zhang Fei yawned, "This is taking too long!"
This morning, Zhang Fei was sitting in the back hall chatting and laughing with a group of wealthy people. In the afternoon, they were driven out and had to work in the front hall because the entire back hall was occupied by those singing girls.
Singing girls were also the main targets of this exemption from military service tax. They were considered female households and were relatively wealthy. Many talented singing girls even wrote lyrics to satirize Wang Anshi for levying taxes on such poor people as them.
Qingmei had just gone in when another person came in from outside the door.
It’s Li Guozhong whom I just mentioned.
"Oh! It's Chief Li."
Zhang Fei smiled and joked, "I just told Mr. Fan about Li Xingshou."
Li Guozhong glanced at Fan Li and asked with a smile, "I wonder what you two are talking about me?"
Zhang Fei chuckled and said, "It's mainly because Mr. Fan is complaining that Li Xingshou took advantage of us and made a lot of money."
“Cough cough cough!”
Fan Li's face turned red and he glared at Zhang Fei in frustration.
How can you be so honest?
Li Guozhong immediately bowed and said, "Thank you, Sanlang, for the meal."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "But today I'm definitely not here to say thank you."
Li Guozhong was surprised and asked, "What do you mean, Sanlang?"
Zhang Fei looked at Li Guozhong and said with a chuckle, "How can you come to thank me empty-handed?"
Li Guozhong was stunned and laughed a few times, "Sanlang is right, I will definitely come to your house to express my gratitude someday."
Zhang Fei asked again, "I wonder what advice Chief Li has for you?"
"I dare not, I dare not!" Li Guozhong waved his hand, and then bowed and said: "Li came here today to ask Sanlang for advice."
Fan Li said suddenly: "Consult Sanlang and you can get an hourly fee."
He had been suppressed by Li Guozhong before and he still remembered it.
Li Guozhong glanced at Fan Li awkwardly, and was about to nod his head in agreement when Zhang Fei hurriedly said, "It's okay, it's okay. I'm just bored waiting right now. I just don't know what Li Xingshou wants to ask?"
Li Guozhong asked, "Sanlang should also know that many government households run businesses through their own servants. In this case, should we report them separately or together?"
Zhang Fei said, "It depends on the specific situation. If it is a master-servant relationship, they must be reported together. If they are reported separately, the tax will not be reduced at all. Moreover, once the tax bureau finds that the income does not match the tax items, they may sue, which will not be worth the loss. Anyway, our Song Dynasty does not prohibit officials from doing business."
Li Guozhong asked: "Will the tax commissioner investigate this matter?"
Zhang Fei said: "I mean in case, because this is a false report after all, the tax department can certainly intervene in the investigation on this grounds. But if it is just a cooperative relationship, you only need to state the income in this regard."
Li Guozhong nodded and asked, "How about monks and Taoists?"
Zhang Fei said: "According to the regulations on exemption tax, only the income of monks and Taoists is counted, not the income of temples and Taoist temples. You only need to declare the monks' personal income."
When Wang Anshi formulated the regulations, he was quite cautious. He only counted the monks as individuals and not the temples. If he had counted the temples, the resistance he would have encountered would have been more than just this.
If Xiangguo Temple revealed the truth, the procuratorate probably wouldn't be able to bring a case against it.
Zhang Fei suddenly asked: "Are there many monks and Taoists looking for you?"
Li Guozhong seemed to be thinking, and after a pause, he said, "Some."
Zhang Fei said sourly: "There is not a single one in our store. It turns out they all went to your place."
Li Guozhong laughed dryly twice, and then asked hurriedly: "Does your store have a special contract for declaration?"
Zhang Fei said to Fan Li, "Mr. Li, go get a declaration form and give it to Chief Li."
Li Guozhong hurriedly said, "There's no need to go through so much trouble. We can just buy everything our small shop needs from your store."
All the major bookstores have been buying contracts from Zhang Fei. Actually, they can buy one and then copy it back, but they think there will be a lag. If Zhang Fei suddenly changes it and they don't, there will be problems. If they buy it directly, the agency will be responsible. In addition, they have to pay tribute. Otherwise, Li Guozhong would be embarrassed to come here to ask for advice.
(End of this chapter)
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