Not only do you have to make up the difference, but you also have to pay interest?
Zhang Fei’s brilliant remarks left Yuan Jiang dumbfounded.
It turned out that before Yuan Jiang came to Hezhong Prefecture, he had done his homework and realized that the over-issuance of salt notes was a hidden danger. If this continued, merchants would definitely quit, and Fan Xiang's system would be difficult to maintain. He felt that he should find a way to make up for it, but the finances were tight and he was also very worried about this.
He came here with great expectations, because he knew that Zhang Fei had also played with salt money in the capital, and had been very successful. He thought that Zhang Fei must have thought of a way, but he had no idea that Zhang Fei's way was to do the opposite and make it even more successful.
this....
"Judge Zhang."
Yuan Jiang coughed twice, "The finances are already in difficulty, and we have to pay interest. Isn't this making things worse? The court will not agree to this."
Zhang Fei did not answer but asked: "Does Scholar Yuan think that the over-issuance of salt notes is appropriate?"
Yuan Jiang shook his head and said, "Of course it's not right. If the salt notes cannot be exchanged for the promised salt, the salt law will be corrupted over time, and the court will have to go back to the old ways and force the people to make and transport salt."
Zhang Fei smiled and nodded, saying: "It can be seen that credit is the most important thing. Now that the court is in the wrong, it is reasonable to give compensation. Only in this way can we regain the trust of those merchants and continue to maintain the military expenditure in the northwest.
...
...
As for whether this is adding insult to injury, it is not necessarily the case. At least you don’t have to take out a large sum of money right away. Currently you only need to pay the interest, and the principal will be repaid in one or two years, or three or four years.”
Yuan Jiang immediately said, "This is like eating up the food of the next year in the current year, and it is not a long-term solution."
Zhang Fei said: "The premise of living beyond one's means is that our finances have not improved. If our finances can continue to grow, then this little bit of interest will be nothing. Isn't it the same for businessmen who borrow money for turnover? Although we pay interest, we gain time."
Yuan Jiang asked: "But are you sure that the financial situation will improve in the future?"
Zhang Fei shook his head and said, "This has nothing to do with confidence, but our duty. We are here to reverse the financial decline, right? If we don't have confidence, then why are we here? But if we have confidence, why should we worry?"
Yuan Jiang is also a veteran of the battlefield. How could he be fooled by Zhang Fei? He stroked his beard and said, "That being said, there are always unexpected events in life. Man proposes, God disposes!"
Zhang Fei said: "But as far as I know, if there is a disaster, the court can only increase taxes and corvee labor, and then it will become a rebellion, and troops will have to be sent to suppress it. This is really adding insult to injury, and it rains when it leaks. For example, the Han Dynasty, Sui Dynasty, and Tang Dynasty all had this situation. Is this better than borrowing money?"
Yuan Jiang was speechless immediately.
There is a very important view in Confucianism, which is "All under heaven belongs to the king; all the people in the world are the king's subjects."
Under normal circumstances, this statement is just a casual remark or a flattery, but in truly life-threatening moments, this statement will immediately become a law.
This idea is the basis for supporting tyranny.
All mine.
In times of peace and prosperity, I can give you some, but when I am in trouble, I can take it all back, which leads to tax increases, levies, and other exorbitant levies.
But the facts have proved that this is a vicious cycle. Nine out of ten companies fail because of this, and the remaining one must have met the chosen one.
Zhang Fei struck while the iron was hot and said, "Master Yuan, this credit is more valuable than money and more difficult to obtain, but once credit is established, both the country and individuals will benefit greatly.
Once the people believe that the salt notes can earn interest and increase their wealth, will they rush to exchange the principal? If the copper coins are kept at home, they will not increase in value, and they will become long-term holdings. And they can also be used for transactions, which is much easier than taking a large box of copper coins to pay!
Secondly, the salt notes we issue now can be exchanged for salt at any time, so after over-issuance, they all come to exchange, but the government simply cannot provide enough salt, so the value of the salt notes continues to decline.
But this debt is different. Debt is time-sensitive, and the government can make reasonable arrangements and pay a batch every year, so we will not face the current dilemma.
Finally, the over-issuance of salt notes is mainly due to financial difficulties. However, over-issuance of salt notes is at least better than enacting laws on heavy taxes and levies. Everyone has emergency needs, which usually means borrowing money. People can borrow, and the court can certainly borrow as well. Once we have established credit, we can issue debts when we are in urgent need of money, and then slowly repay the money after we have overcome the difficulties.
Having said that, debt is not a bad thing. At least it can encourage the court to save money, rather than squandering money when it has it, and then trying every way to increase taxes when it runs out of money. This is not a long-term solution. "
Yuan Jiang nodded slightly and began to feel moved.
He was one of the few grand secretaries in the Hanlin Academy who supported Wang Anshi. It can be seen that he also trusted financial management knowledge very much and was able to quickly grasp the mysteries of it.
Zhang Fei looked at Yuan Jiang's expression and said, "Of course, this is just an attempt to re-establish the government's credit. The amount of salt notes currently over-issued is actually not that much. If spread over three years, it will not cause a big burden to the government."
Yuan Jiang glanced at him and couldn't help asking, "Then I wonder what Judge Zhang is going to do?"
Zhang Fei said: "As far as I know, those merchants may ask the tea and snack merchants to sue the government and demand interest. From a judicial perspective, this is also a contract dispute. My idea is to have the imperial court mediate this case and let the two of you reach a settlement privately."
"in private?"
"Yes. Does Master Yuan think it is inappropriate?"
Zhang Fei asked cautiously.
Yuan Jiang's eyes flickered, and he suddenly asked, "Why not just hold a trial?"
Zhang Fei smiled awkwardly and said, "I have already ruled that the government has breached the contract last time. If I rule that the government has breached the contract again right now, it will not only have a bad impact on the government, but will also offend more people, giving people the illusion that the Hezhong Prefecture is under the control of my imperial court.
Moreover, according to my investigation, this lawsuit was not intentionally used by someone to make things difficult for me, and I don’t want to make the Royal Court appear aggressive. After all, I am not here to oppose them.”
After hearing this, Yuan Jiang thought about it without saying anything. After a while, he said, "But in my opinion, if it is just a reconciliation, it will not succeed, because they will definitely not agree to pay the interest.
Although I have the power to make this decision, they will not understand the reason behind it. They will only think that I am supporting your public security, procuratorial and judicial organs, or even think that we are in cahoots with each other.”
Zhang Fei couldn't help but frown when he heard this and asked, "Then what should we do according to Master Yuan's opinion?"
Yuan Jiang smiled awkwardly and said, "In my opinion, we still have to hold a court hearing. You should first rule that the government has breached the contract, and then I can come up with this solution. This way, he will have no reason to object."
Oh my god! Why does this sound so familiar? Oh, isn't this the same trick I used in Kaifeng Mansion? I didn't expect to meet someone in the same profession here after eating at two restaurants.
Zhang Fei felt a little unhappy. I was the one who came up with this idea, but I have to take the blame, you freeloader.
Yuan Jiang secretly glanced at Zhang Fei and said, "In addition, the salt merchants currently do not trust the government and obviously trust the imperial court more. If there is a judgment from the imperial court, everyone will believe in the salt debt more. Once the debt is tied to the imperial court, the salt merchants will support your imperial court more. It will be good for both you and me!"
Fooling, NTM is still fooling! Zhang Fei was so depressed. Wasn't it me who tricked him in this game? How did he trick me? But what he said did make some sense. After weighing the pros and cons for a while, Zhang Fei couldn't help but force a smile, "Master Yuan is really knowledgeable and thoughtful. Zhang San is ashamed of himself."
Yuan Jiang hurriedly bowed and said, "I dare not! I dare not! I am just offering gifts to others. I am far inferior to Judge Zhang who has foresight and plans. I am not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning."
Take advantage of all the advantages and flattery for free.
......
"How was your conversation?"
As soon as Yuan Jiang left, Xu Zhiqian came over. Seeing Zhang Fei was speechless, she couldn't help but ask, "Didn't you reach an agreement?"
Zhang Fei shook his head and sighed, "It's already been negotiated."
Xu Zhiqian asked: "Then why are you unhappy?"
Zhang Fei frowned and said, "I met someone in the same profession."
"Traveling together?"
"Um."
Zhang Fei nodded. "This old man is really smart. He jumps left and right to take advantage of both companies."
"ah?"
Xu Zhiqian looked at Zhang Fei puzzledly.
Zhang Fei said: "He is unwilling to settle privately and requires the imperial court to hold a trial."
"Why?"
Xu Zhiqian said in surprise.
Zhang Fei said: "Because if this happens, the responsibility will all be on our imperial court, and this matter will definitely be impeached in the court."
Xu Zhiqian couldn't help but frown and said, "This Scholar Yuan is really cunning. He is really your colleague."
"Um?"
"By the way, did you agree?"
"Um."
Zhang Fei nodded, "As long as we play well, our Royal Court can still benefit greatly from it."
He will definitely agree.
He had already thought about the salt debt before he came.
Because Fan Xiang's salt and money system can indeed save the country a lot of money, and there is no better way than this for the time being.
But the reality is that the court is very short of money, and some money cannot be moved
Well, he is not a god and cannot create money. The only way now is to create all kinds of exorbitant taxes and levies, or simply refuse to pay.
This obviously doesn't work.
Things never happen three times. No fool would be fooled every day.
Issuing salt bonds and cooperating with the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs is actually very suitable for the current situation of the Song Dynasty. If played well, it can be used for emergency needs. If we don't rob, we can only borrow. Let's bet that tomorrow will be better.
But what if tomorrow is even worse?
You'll die anyway.
.
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