"So soon?"
Zhao Xu couldn't help but look at Lan Yuanzhen in shock.
Lan Yuanzhen hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, have you forgotten that when you first ascended the throne, the Deputy Envoy of the Left Treasury, Zhong Yan, recaptured Suizhou, which made your Majesty very happy at that time?"
"Zhong Yan?"
Zhao Xu immediately said, "I remember that at that time, a general from Xixia took the initiative to surrender, and Zhong Yan asked the court for instructions. However, before waiting for my order, he chose to take the initiative to attack, and won a great victory, retaking Suizhou in one fell swoop."
Lan Yuanzhen nodded, "That's right, but later, the commander of Yanzhou, Lu Shen, thought that the emperor had just ascended the throne and was afraid of causing a conflict with Western Xia, so he wanted to recall Zhong Yan in the name of no imperial edict.
But according to Zhong Yan, after he received Lu Shen's order, the enemy army happened to attack, so he chose to take the initiative and won a great victory. Since then, Suizhou has been truly recovered. However, Lu Shen was ready to arrest Zhong Yan for the crime of raising troops without authorization. "
Having said that, the war stopped abruptly.
Zhao Xu glanced at him and understood very well.
It turned out that when Zhao Xu learned that Zhong Yan had won a great victory, he was very excited, but he also received a memorial from Lu Shen impeaching Zhong Yan. It really felt like eating a fly.
...
...
In fact, this kind of thing depends entirely on the emperor's thoughts, whether the emperor advocates war or peace.
Zhao Xu was definitely a proponent of war.
Moreover, he had just ascended the throne and was full of enthusiasm. He did not wait for Lu Shen to arrest Zhong Yan, but directly issued an imperial decree to demote Lu Shen to Qinzhou. When the censors in the court saw that you, the little emperor, were so indiscriminate that they knew it was Zhong Yan who disobeyed the order first. Even if you made amends, how could you punish Lu Shen? They immediately attacked you.
Since Zhao Xu had just ascended the throne and was still a little naive, he changed his mind when he saw that the ministers were against it and dismissed Zhong Yan. But half a year later, he restored Zhong Yan to his position. ..
Zhao Xu asked, "Hasn't this case already been settled?"
Lan Yuanzhen said: "Although the dust has settled, there are still some people in the court who think that the government is partial to one person over another. After finding Zhong Yan guilty, they gave him an important task and transferred Lu Chen to Shu. In addition, some of Zhong Yan's actions in the northwest also caused dissatisfaction among local civil servants. Therefore, in the past two years, whenever Zhong Yan did something out of line, someone would bring up the matter again."
At that time, Zhong Yan was convicted after trial, but he was reinstated in his official position within less than half a year. According to the laws of "Song Dynasty Criminal Code", he could be sentenced to death. In contrast, Lu Shen was directly sent to Shu. Although Shu was a good place, it was difficult for him to achieve success there.
Lu Shen was an honest and upright person, and many people in the court respected him very much. Whenever Zhong Yan did something out of line, someone would take the opportunity to bring up the past.
Zhao Xu's face darkened and he slammed his hand on the table, "These civil servants are really petty."
In his heart, he thought, Zhong Yan is a general whom I value, and I will send him to destroy Xixia in the future. If I can let Zhang San help him unload this burden and give him some warnings at the same time, it can be regarded as killing two birds with one stone. However, Zhong Yan did not wait for the imperial order and attacked without authorization. According to the law, he should be punished, but Zhang San asked for a lawsuit that was favorable to the general.
After thinking for a while, Zhao Xu suddenly said to Lan Yuanzhen: "Call Zhang San into the palace."
"yes."
Lan Yuanzhen bowed slightly, then turned around and prepared to go out.
"Wait a minute!"
Zhao Xu called him again.
Lan Yuanzhen turned around and asked, "What else do you want me to do?"
No, it's only been two days. It's too fast. At that time, Zhang San said that this kind of thing was very common. If I go to him so soon, wouldn't I be confirming what he said? Let's wait and see.
Zhao Xu coughed and said, "Go check again to see if there are any other cases."
Lan Yuan was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes."
Then he added: "In fact, there are quite a few memorials from civil officials impeaching military generals, but in terms of influence, none of them can compare to Zhong Yan."
Zhao Xu nodded slightly, "Go check it out again."
"yes."
Lan Yuanzhen nodded.
At this time, a eunuch came to the door and reported: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Agriculture wants to see you."
"Xuan."
After a while, Han Jiang entered the palace and said, "I pay my respects to the emperor."
"No need to be polite!"
Zhao Xu raised his hand to signal, and then said: "I summoned you today mainly to inquire about the situation of the exemption tax?"
Han Jiang hurriedly said, "Reporting to the emperor, at present, everything is going very smoothly, and the tax collection matters in various counties are also proceeding in an orderly manner."
Zhao Xu asked, "How much tax has been collected so far?"
Han Jiang seemed a little hesitant.
Zhao Xu asked again: "Don't you know?"
"Of course I know."
Han Jiang asked awkwardly, "I just don't know if the emperor is asking about the total amount or the income from the exemption tax. Part of the income here is from salt notes."
The Sino-Agricultural Ministry made a lot of money by issuing salt notes, but the key point was that the salt notes were not exchanged for salt, and the salt was sold for money.
How can I say that?
Zhao Xu first asked: "What is the total number?"
Han Jiang hurriedly asked: "The total has reached 1,300,000 strings of cash."
Zhao Xu's expression changed, and he asked anxiously, "What about the exemption tax?"
Han Jiang said: "We have received 670,000 strings of cash so far, and I estimate that it may exceed 1 million strings of cash."
Zhao Xu took a deep breath, this is a bit exaggerated.
From this point, it can be seen that in the entire Kaifeng Prefecture, most of the wealth is in the hands of a few people. The only difference between the exemption tax and the summer and autumn taxes is that the exemption tax is for everyone, and there is no such thing as tax-free households.
"It seems that the exemption tax is very successful." Zhao Xu said.
Han Jiang nodded and said, "Your Majesty is right. It is indeed very successful."
Zhao Xu asked again: "Why do you think the exemption from military service was so successful?"
Han Jiang said: "I think the main reason lies with the Taxation Bureau."
Zhao Xu nodded and said, "But it is not easy for the tax commissioner to find such secret accounts, and it will cost a lot of money."
Han Jiang then understood why Zhao Xu asked him to come. To put it simply, he came to ask for money on behalf of the Commissioner of Taxation. Since the Commissioner of Taxation was not affiliated with any government office, the Three Departments would not ask for money on their behalf. Only the emperor himself could come to ask for it!
He thought for a while and said, "Regarding the salaries of the tax police, the Ministry of Agriculture has already paid them. I think we should allocate another 50,000 strings of cash to them as the cost of the investigation."
Zhao Xu said nothing.
Fifty thousand strings of cash, are you treating beggars badly?
Han Jiang thought that this success was entirely due to the tax commissioner's terrifying tax inspection methods, so he should be rewarded accordingly. He immediately changed his words and said, "One hundred thousand strings of cash!"
Zhao Xu still remained silent.
He was the one who had previously paid for the investigation expenses of the Taxation Department. This is a very money-consuming department, so the more he can ask for, the better!
Han Jiang was also unhappy. You are too greedy. You are not satisfied with 100,000 guan. How much do you want? So he said, "Sir, the tax commissioner is only in charge of Kaifeng Prefecture for now. When he goes to other prefectures in the future, he can apply for more investigation fees."
You can't say you're checking the taxes in Kaifeng Prefecture but then ask for the cost of investigating the entire country!
Zhao Xu hurriedly decided to stop while he was ahead, nodded and said, "You are right, I will allocate 100,000 strings of cash first."
Imperial city.
As Lu Huiqing accompanied Wang Anshi towards the Sinong Temple, he said, "Master, as we expected, many officials in the court are dissatisfied with the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems, so they support the conscription law. In addition, the collection of the exemption tax in various counties is relatively smooth."
Wang Anshi nodded and said, "In another month, I will petition the government to implement the conscription law throughout the country."
Lu Huiqing frowned slightly and said, "Students think we can wait a little longer and implement it on Jingdong Road first."
Wang Anshi asked, "What do you mean?"
Lu Huiqing said: "Those officials changed their support for our conscription law because they were afraid of the tax commissioner and the public security and judicial organs. If we expand it to Jingdong Road, those officials will definitely do their best to complete it, so as not to let the government think that the tax commissioner and the public security and judicial organs are far superior to the current system.
But if it expands to the whole country, other states and counties are not aware of the methods of the tax department, and they may cause trouble for us."
Wang Anshi frowned and remained silent. He believed that although the Commissioner of Taxation had made great contributions, it also proved that his method was still feasible. If he kept delaying, he would become Sima Guang.
After a while, they arrived at the Sinong Temple and saw Han Jiang sitting at the desk with a pile of accounts on it.
"I have seen the story of Han Si."
Lu Huiqing first stepped forward and bowed.
Han Jiang looked up and said hurriedly, "Jiefu, you're just right. I just happened to be looking for you guys for something."
Wang Anshi asked, "What's the matter?"
Han Jiang came out, held out his hand and said, "Please sit down."
After sitting down, Han Jiang said, "This morning, the government summoned me to discuss matters and asked me to give 100,000 strings of cash to the tax commissioner as an investigation fee."
Lu Huiqing exclaimed: "So many?"
After all, they only saw the Tax Commissioner produce evidence easily, but did not feel the pain of investigating the evidence. Even catching Chen Xiaoer cost one or two lives.
Wang Anshi waved his hand and said, "Although 100,000 guan is not a small amount, it is reasonable for them to collect so much tax."
He is not like Sima Guang, who is stingy. As long as you have the ability to make money, it is reasonable for him to give you more money.
Ten thousand strings of cash is really worth it.
Han Jiang said: "Although it is reasonable, the money from Sinong Temple also includes the tasks of the Yaqianyi. At that time, Zhang San suggested hiring merchants, but the problem is that now there are no merchants willing to take this job. We don't know the expenditure in this regard, so it's hard to calculate the account!"
Wang Anshi knew that Zhang Fei had been helping him get salt notes, so he thought that this matter would be delayed, so he said to Lu Huiqing: "Ji Fu, go ask Zhang Fei to hurry up."
Lu Huiqing nodded.
Wang Anshi said to Han Jiang, "Zihua, we came here today just to talk to you about the popularization of the conscription law."
Han Jiang nodded, "In fact, I have been thinking about this recently. The conscription law is relatively successful in Kaifeng Prefecture, but you and I both know that it all depends on the tax department and the public security and judicial organs. So far, I have not heard from Sima Xueshi that he wants to popularize the public security and judicial organs.
If we don’t wait for judicial reform, I suggest that we don’t expand it to the whole country first, but try it out in Jingdong Road for a while. As we expected, those officials will definitely do their best. Otherwise, it proves that they are not as good as the tax commissioner and the public security and judicial organs. We can also find problems from it, improve them, and then promote it nationwide. "
Seeing them all say this, Wang Anshi couldn't help but hesitate.
However, if Wang Anshi saw what Zhang Fei was doing now, he would probably spit in Zhang Fei's face.
The west building of Baifan Building is closed today in the name of decoration.
But in the spacious lobby on the first floor, there was only one table of guests, namely Zhang Fei, Fan Zheng, Yan Jidao, Cao Dongdong and Fu Shichun.
Their eyes were all turned to the singing girl, who was about sixteen or seventeen years old, who was playing the piano and singing on the stage.
Except for Zhang Fei, the others all closed their eyes and shook their heads slightly, as if they were very intoxicated.
There was a loud thud, and the sound lingered in the air.
"Wonderful! Wonderful!"
Fu Shichun immediately opened his eyes and clapped his hands, saying, "Mr. Yan's lyrics paired with Mr. Yan's music are truly intoxicating and hard to extricate oneself from."
Yan Jidao bowed and smiled modestly: "No, no, no! I am sorry for making fun of my little song."
Although Yan Jidao looked gentle and refined, he had been hanging out in brothels since he was a child. He was proficient in playing the piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and was also good at picking up girls and composing music. However, in recent years, his family had fallen on hard times and he was short of money, so he came less often.
So when Zhang Fei said that he wanted to hold a special performance for Yan Shu in Baifan Building to promote Yan Shu's collection of poems.
Yan Jidao was very much in favor of this and he did not think there was anything wrong with it.
Cao Dongdong, who was sitting opposite, said hurriedly, "But is there still Miss Wan'er's voice?"
As he spoke, he winked at the young lady on the stage, causing Wan'er's cheeks to blush, and she lowered her eyes in shame, at a loss as to what to do.
Fan Zheng looked at Zhang Fei who was standing beside him, and seeing that he was silent with a frown on his face, he asked, "Third brother, what do you think?"
Everyone then looked at Zhang Fei.
Cao Dongdong said: "How can he appreciate it?"
Zhang Fei coughed and said, "Don't say I'm not heartbroken. The curtains are rolled up by the west wind, and I am thinner than the yellow flowers."
Cao Dongdong fell silent immediately.
Yan Jidao hurriedly said, "I would like to hear Sanlang's opinion."
"I dare not! I dare not!" Zhang Fei bowed and said, "The lyrics are good, and the music is good, but it does not fit the theme!"
Fan Zheng was puzzled, "Mr. Yan's lyrics and Mr. Yan's music, doesn't this fit the theme?"
Yan Jidao also looked at Zhang Fei in confusion.
Zhang Fei said: "If it was a previous poetry collection, this arrangement would be very appropriate, but this time the poetry collection contains the background of the poems and the mental journey of Lord Yan. It would be a bit monotonous to just sing a few songs."
Yan Jidao nodded slightly and said, "Sanlang's words make sense. What should we do according to Sanlang's opinion?"
Zhang Fei said: "Why not do it by performing and singing?"
"Deduction?"
Several people said in unison.
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Let some singing girls perform the background of poetry. When the atmosphere is created, people will feel as if they are there. Then they can sing a song. Perhaps this will make people more immersed in it."
Fan Zheng's eyes lit up when he heard this.
Fu Shichun was even more excited and said, "Great! Great! Sanlang's idea is really wonderful!"
Zhang Fei looked at Yan Jidao again and asked, "What do you think, Mr. Yan?"
Yan Jidao said hurriedly: "Sanlang's idea is really brilliant."
Fan Zheng immediately said, "I'll go and arrange for a singing girl right away."
"Wait a minute!"
Zhang Fei said: "I do this for another reason."
Fan Zheng asked: "What's the reason?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "It's to make you, Mr. Fan, willing to pay for it."
Fan Zheng smiled awkwardly: "As long as the price is right, I... I have no problem with it."
Yan Jidao was dumbfounded. It was held in Baifanlou, and Baifanlou had to pay for it.
(End of this chapter)
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