Panic!
Sima Guang was a little panicked.
This competition was originally about who had the better system, but as soon as Zhang Fei came back, the situation took a 180-degree turn and they started competing to see who would fail first.
Such ups and downs are really hard to accept!
This also goes against his political philosophy!
It is not a dispute between gentlemen.
But the situation is stronger than people. The separation of politics and law means that the judiciary cannot interfere with the administration, but the problem itself lies in the lack of administrative system. Fan Chunren and others can easily make very fair and just judgments, but how to enforce these judgments?
Although withholding military pay and usury are not allowed by law, they are condoned by the system.
Assuming that in Hezhong Prefecture, Yuan Jiang does not adjust his policies, how will Zhang Fei's judgments be enforced?
Should we just send the bailiffs to rob the warehouse?
...
...
The best way, of course, is for the public security, procuratorate and courts to make a judgment, and then the government will make adjustments. But the problem now is that the Qingzhou government just lies down and says, you can fine me, you can fine me as much as you want, I will compensate you according to how much you fine me, and you are responsible if there is any problem.
Their reason is very simple. I am just an executor and I have no right to change any system.
Sima Guang has now figured it out. He and Wang Anshi can be irreconcilable. This is a relationship between people. However, the judiciary and the administration must cooperate and perform their respective duties. If the two are irreconcilable, then the country will definitely be finished. This is also impossible.
"well."
Sima Guang sighed, "I thought too simply. I originally thought that through judicial reform and clean-up of bureaucracy, we could eliminate the malpractices."
Zhang Fei said: "In fact, what Sima Xueshi thought was not wrong, but Sima Xueshi overlooked one point, that is, the corruption of officials lies in the imperfection of the system, not the loopholes in the judiciary. Those officials have power but no money, which forces them to embezzle and accept bribes."
Sima Guang nodded and asked, "Does that mean we have to cooperate with Wang Jiefu from beginning to end?"
Zhang Fei shook his head and said, "This step is not wrong because we did not seek cooperation with the other party. The judiciary emphasizes independence, not cooperation. Our mistake is that we want to use the judiciary to directly interfere with the administration, but this is tantamount to digging our own graves for the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs."
Sima Guang nodded slightly, then suddenly turned his head to look at Zhang Fei, and laughed: "After taking so many classes from you, I still haven't figured out the law of the legal system and the law of the Legalists!"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Thinking habits are just like behavioral habits. They are both very difficult to change."
To be honest, this competition was actually initiated by the conservatives because they naively believed that judicial reform could replace the New Deal, which undoubtedly angered Wang Anshi.
If it is the law of Legalism, they are correct to think so, because the law of Legalism is a set of political ideas based on law, and the law of Confucianism is a set of political ideas based on morality, which includes administration and justice. In fact, Wang Anshi's New Deal belongs to the law of Legalism.
However, the law of the legal system only refers to judicial affairs and does not involve administration. It can be understood as extracting judicial affairs from the laws of Legalism or Confucianism and then giving them to the procedures of public security, procuratorial and judicial organs.
This concept sounds simple, that is, separation of politics and law and judicial independence. However, it is actually very difficult to implement this concept. It also takes a long time to achieve judicial independence.
"By the way, what are your plans now that you're back?" Sima Guang asked again.
Zhang Fei immediately said: "My arrangement is to wait for arrangements."
"Waiting for arrangements?" Sima Guang laughed and said, "You have made great contributions in Hezhong Prefecture, but have you ever thought about promotion?"
Zhang Fei shook his head and said, "The situation in the court is so complicated now. Who has time to think about promotion? Just staying alive is enough."
"Ha ha!"
Sima Guang laughed a few times, "Well, since you want to wait for arrangements, then I will tell you my plan. This time it was Fu Gong who suggested that you come back and ask you to explain to the Legislative Council. He did not remove your position as the Chief Justice of Shaanxi Road, so you will not be appointed for the time being. You will be arranged to work in the public security, procuratorate and courts later."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "That's good."
He knew very well that if he was assigned to work in the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs as soon as he returned, everyone would be sure that he came back to solve Qingzhou's problems.
Although this is the case, he still had to pretend to do it and not be too obvious. After all, it was a promise Sima Guang made in front of the emperor.
Just at this moment, a servant came over, bowed to Sima Guang, and whispered a few words in his ear.
Sima Guang nodded and said, "Please have the carriage wait for me at the intersection ahead."
"yes."
"What's up?"
After the servant left, Zhang Fei asked curiously.
Sima Guang smiled and said, "Someone is waiting for you in front, so I won't disturb you."
Zhang Fei was slightly stunned, and said: "To be honest, I haven't seen Scholar Sima and Scholar Wang quarrel for a long time. This is really nostalgic."
Sima Guang immediately glared at him and said, "You haven't changed at all. You only want to cause chaos in the world."
Zhang Fei chuckled and thought to himself, you are absolutely right.
When they reached the next intersection, Sima Guang took a carriage and left along the side road.
Long Wu also drove up immediately.
"Forget it. I have a distinguished guest to entertain."
"who?"
Xu Zhiqian lifted the car curtain and asked.
"you guess!"
"Master Wang."
"clever!"
Sure enough, after walking another hundred steps, I saw a master and a servant sitting under a tea stall on the side of the road.
It was Wang Anshi.
Zhang Fei calmed himself down, immediately put on an extremely hypocritical expression, and walked over quickly.
"Forget it!"
Wang Anshi waved his hand, stood up and said, "You don't like this, and neither do I, so there's no need to be so polite."
".!"
Zhang Fei laughed awkwardly for a few times, and then he looked at Wang Anshi, who tilted his head to look at the carriage behind. He turned around and asked, "Master Wang, what are you looking at?"
Wang Anshi asked quietly, "Is Sima Junshi hiding in the car?"
Zhang Fei said unhappily, "There were only my two wives in the car. Scholar Sima left at the last intersection."
"He has a guilty conscience."
Wang Anshi chuckled, hinting that Sima Guang should transfer Zhang Fei back to help, and then asked, "I hope I didn't disturb you."
Zhang Fei said: "We have almost finished talking."
Wang Anshi raised his hand and walked forward, and Zhang Fei quickly followed.
"It seems that the problem in Qingzhou is very serious, otherwise Sima Junshi would not have come here to wait for you." Wang Anshi said as he walked.
Zhang Fei nodded, and said solemnly: "It's indeed not very optimistic."
Wang Anshi suddenly turned his head to look at Zhang Fei. "Why are you pretending here? Wasn't this all your idea? You know better than anyone whether we are optimistic or not."
Zhang Fei's expression froze, and the corners of his mouth twitched. "Wasn't it you, Master Wang, who asked this first?"
Wang Anshi snorted, "I wanted to praise you, your move was really vicious and cruel, but I never thought that you would still pretend in front of me."
".?"
You asked so seriously, and if I was too frivolous, you would call me a villain. Zhang Fei chuckled twice, "I didn't want to come up with such a vicious idea. Isn't this all thanks to Master Wang?"
This time it was Wang Anshi's turn to be embarrassed. He coughed a few times, "Actually, you can't blame me completely. I have carefully studied everything you did in Hezhong Prefecture. It's a good thing that it was you. If Fan Chunren or Su Zizhan were in charge of the judiciary, would I be able to implement this new law? I have to consider these issues.
Besides, they were the ones who started this fight in the first place, and they thought the new policy was unnecessary, so what can I do? I can’t just sit there and wait for death.”
Zhang Fei remained silent, thinking, are you explaining to me or to yourself?
Wang Anshi glanced at him secretly and softened his tone: "Yes, I should have listened to your advice at the beginning. I shouldn't have been so reckless and almost caused a disaster!"
Anyway, it’s not the first time I’ve apologized to Zhang San, so he doesn’t care.
Zhang Fei then asked, "Is the situation on Jingdong East Road also bad?"
Wang Anshi nodded and said, "What you said in your letter is all true. But if it's just the improper execution, I can still make adjustments and make up for it. But if this is all the other party's conspiracy, then it will be very troublesome."
At this point, he praised again: "Fortunately, you have this tactic of besieging Wei to save Zhao, setting a trap in Qingzhou, so that they can't take care of themselves."
It turned out that it was Zhang Fei who suggested to Wang Anshi that the judicial reform team go to Qingzhou alone. He told Wang Anshi that someone in Jingdong East Road was secretly adding fuel to the fire. It might be too late to save the situation, but it was impossible to admit defeat. As long as Wang Anshi admitted defeat, the new law would be over. The only way was to ensure mutual destruction, that is, to bring down the judicial reform.
This way, both sides have a basis for negotiation.
Wang Anshi didn't believe it at first, thinking it couldn't be so serious. Although he transferred Lu Huiqing back, he also arranged for Zhang Dun and others to stay there to take charge of the situation.
So, he arranged for Wang Anguo to go. Wang Anguo was his brother, but his political ideas were biased towards Sima Guang and others, and he could not get along with him. So Wang Anguo would not secretly communicate with the reformists, that is, Lu Huiqing and others, but at the same time he would not betray him or hide anything from him, after all, they were brothers.
As a result, what Wang Anguo said in the letter was exactly the same as what Zhang Fei said in the letter.
Wang Anshi had no choice but to believe it.
Although Zhang Dun was extremely capable, he was just one person after all, while the other officials were all pursuing political achievements and hoping to wipe out the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs in one fell swoop.
In fact, many people don’t care about the success or failure of the new law at all.
Zhang Fei hurriedly explained: "In fact, this is a plan of Qingzhou. This is also the experience I gained in Hezhong Prefecture. If it weren't for Master Yuan's cooperation with me, I wouldn't be able to judge it so easily."
Wang Anshi's expression changed, and he said seriously: "But the Qingmiao Law must also be adjusted in coordination with the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs."
On this point, he and Sima Guang both wanted to prove that their own ideas were correct, not that they could not be without the other.
Zhang Fei said: "In fact, the Qingmiao Law has not been changed, and the public security, procuratorate and courts have no right to interfere with the new law."
Wang Anshi said: "Although it has not been changed, it is of no use."
Today, although the Qingmiao Law in Hezhong Prefecture still retains the functions assigned by Wang Anshi, it has been changed beyond recognition in essence, and the focus is now on salt debts, salt banknotes, and commercial loans.
"It will be of great use again."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "If there was no Qingmiao Law to empower the Ministry of Grain and Oil to borrow money, the finances would not have been so good. However, this is somewhat different from what Master Wang originally intended."
Wang Anshi frowned.
In fact, he also thought at first that the financial growth of Hezhong Prefecture had little to do with him, and the Qingmiao money was there but did not play the role he imagined.
What he wanted most was to prove that his own ideas could also be successful, but he overlooked one point: those officials wanted to prove that the Qingmiao Law was better than the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems, rather than to prove that the Qingmiao Law could be successful.
They seem similar, but in the process of execution, there is a world of difference.
Zhang Fei knew what he was thinking, so he said: "Master Wang, according to the research that Master Yuan and I have done, first of all, the Qingmiao money is not very suitable for Hezhong Prefecture, where farmers can't even pay the two cents of interest, let alone two installments a year.
Secondly, the finance of Hezhong Prefecture is the salt administration. Instead of spending energy on borrowing, it is better to start with the salt administration. Even if the Qingmiao Law is very successful, in the end, the salt notes will not be enough. "
Wang Anshi said, "I know the reason. It is precisely because Hezhong Prefecture is a special case that I hope to leave the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs. Just like the current problem in Qingzhou, how can it be solved? The tax commissioner is far away, and the success of the tax commissioner in Hezhong Prefecture also depends on salt and banknotes. Although Qingzhou also has salt administration, it is less than one tenth of that in Jiezhou, which is not enough to solve the urgent problem."
If Hezhong Prefecture did not have salt debts and salt notes as a backup, and it had distributed a wave of money before collecting taxes, many people might not be able to pay taxes, especially those who were hidden households. In this way, the landlords could mobilize the people to fight against the tax commissioner.
Zhang Fei did not answer but asked: "If it is Master Wang, how do you think it should be solved?"
Wang Anshi said: "Even if the new policy is over, it is impossible to improve the finances in a short period of time. This cannot solve Qingzhou's current problems. The only solution now is to cut spending, but this is difficult to do. Otherwise, Sima Junshi might be the one who reforms now."
Reducing expenditure is just saving money. The Song Dynasty’s method of saving money was very simple, which was to target the three redundancies.
Wang Anshi also knew this, but the resistance was too great and he simply couldn't do it.
Zhang Fei said nothing, just looked at him with a smile.
Wang Anshi narrowed his eyes and frowned, "Are you planning to use this opportunity to reduce the number of officials?"
"Of course not, I have no right to do so." Zhang Fei shook his head and said, "But Master Wang, you have the right to do so."
Wang Anshi almost spit at Zhang Fei when he heard the second half of the sentence. He said with bulging eyes, "Aren't you asking me to make enemies with all the officials in the world?"
You little bastard, you're still as hateful as ever, and all you're thinking about is pushing me into the fire pit!
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "What if Master Wang was forced by us?"
Wang Anshi blinked, looked at Zhang Fei with a squint, and suddenly laughed sinisterly, "I knew you had bad intentions. This matter is of great importance, we must plan it carefully."
"certainly."
Originally, Long Wu, who was driving, thought he could go back in time for dinner, but due to the enthusiasm of Sima Guang and Wang Anshi, they had to go back in time for a midnight snack.
Fortunately, Bianjing is a city that never sleeps, so it is very convenient to enter the city at night.
Just like when Zhang Fei first came back to Bian Jing, it felt like two completely different worlds.
After entering the city, Gao Wenyin's social phobia suddenly flared up. She sat pitifully in the carriage, shivering. However, Xiaotao, Qingmei, Li Si and others were extremely excited. In fact, they didn't like the peaceful life in Hezhong Prefecture.
It's so boring.
At this time, Bianjing was more lively than before, with bright lights and heavy traffic, but carriages could still move forward slowly, and this was all brought about by the public security, procuratorial and judicial departments.
Because they felt more secure, they were not afraid of being blackmailed by officials or being arrested and forced to work as yamen servants after earning a little money, so everyone was free to make money. At the same time, the traffic law strictly stipulated that carriages and people should go on their own lanes. At first, no one was used to it, but after being fined more than a dozen times, everyone gradually got used to it.
When they got home, it was already the second watch. Xu Zun and his son, who should have rested long ago, learned that Zhang Fei and his companions were coming back today, so they not only did not sleep but also waited for dinner. Fortunately, Zhang Fei sent someone to inform them early that they might arrive later, otherwise they would have been worried to death, after all, Zhang Fei was assassinated as soon as he went out.
Seeing them finally come back, Xu Zun and his friends breathed a sigh of relief. They were so happy to have the family reunited.
Gao Wenyin, who had been reluctant to leave Hezhong Prefecture before, felt completely relaxed when she saw Mu Zhen and the others this time, and she felt like she was home.
There were three women at the table, plus Qingmei and Xiaotao, chattering non-stop.
Xu Lingxiao also kept asking Zhang Fei questions. Although Zhang Fei was not in Bian Jing in the past two years, his legend was spread everywhere.
Xu Lingxiao, who got the first-hand information, will have something to brag about to his friends tomorrow.
Xu Zun, on the other hand, didn't say much, just listened silently to his son and son-in-law chatting. After they finished eating, Zhang Fei and Xu Zun went to the study and made a pot of fine tea.
"When you left, I was very worried, but now that you're back, I'm even more worried."
Xu Zun put down the teacup and shook his head with a wry smile.
Zhang Fei said: "Master Sima and Master Wang have already told me about the situation in the court. Father-in-law, please rest assured that I have a plan."
Xu Zun smiled and said, "You can be so calm because the government trusts you."
Zhang Fei smiled, which was considered as his agreement.
Indeed! Without the emperor's support, he would not dare to do this.
Xu Zun added: "But now that you're back, I plan to step down."
Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment. "Why is that? Are they worried that our father-in-law and son-in-law are both in the public security, procuratorate and courts, which may cause controversy, so they want to avoid suspicion? But isn't this normal in our Song Dynasty?"
Xu Zun did not answer but asked: "Do you know how many people have impeached you in the past two or three years?"
Zhang Fei said awkwardly, "It is said that there are several large boxes."
Xu Zun asked again: "Do you know how many people have impeached me?"
Zhang Fei blinked, quickly stood up, and said with a folded hand: "I have caused trouble for my father-in-law. I am really unfilial!"
"Alright, alright."
Xu Zun said: "When did you become so polite?"
"Well."
"Sit down!"
"yes."
After Zhang Fei sat down, Xu Zun said, "Since I entered the government, I have been impeached many times. I am not worried about myself. I have done everything with a clear conscience, but I am worried that I will implicate you!"
"Father-in-law is big!"
"Hear me out."
Xu Zun raised his hand to stop Zhang Fei, and said, "The fight now is not for ambition and ideals, but for profit. They want to kill you now, and their usual trick is to constantly spread rumors, frame you, and attack everyone around you. Even Mr. Fan was not spared. If I continue to stay in the procuratorate, I will only become a burden to you."
Zhang Fei hurriedly said: "My father-in-law is in the procuratorate and can give me a lot of help."
Xu Zun waved his hand and said, "The position of Chief Prosecutor is not an ordinary one. The possibility of mistakes is very high. If you are careless, they will find a handle and then it will inevitably implicate you. In the past year, I have been on sick leave for half a year."
The prosecutor general is not an ordinary idle position, it is at the center of the vortex. The key is that he is not the kind of person who can keep his composure when it comes to the law. He often does strange things to sell himself, which makes him uncomfortable. No matter what he wants to do, he always has to consider Zhang Fei.
Zhang Fei thought that if Xu Zun was asked to step down because of him, it would not be a good idea. The key point was that Xu Lingxiao was still there. Should he also let Xu Lingxiao make way for him? This was really too selfish. After thinking for a while, he said, "Father-in-law, how about this, you go to the Legislative Council."
"Legislative Council?"
Xu Zun was stunned.
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "The current Legislative Council is purely for research purposes. With Mr. Fu here, it will be difficult for them to find any evidence against my father-in-law."
Xu Zun asked, "Can I help you in the Legislative Council?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Father-in-law can help me wherever I am, but I think that Father-in-law should not live up to his talent and ambition."
Xu Zun was stunned for a moment, then suddenly pointed at Zhang Fei and said, "You kid." After thinking for a while, he nodded and said, "Okay, as you wish."
Sima Mansion.
Lu Gongzhe, Wen Yanbo and Fu Bi have been waiting for Sima Guang to come back today.
They won’t be able to sleep if they don’t get the answer today!
"That makes sense! That makes sense!"
Lu Gong was thoughtful and said: "The law of the legal system, the law of the Legalists, I understood it when I heard it at the time, but when I really think about it, I am still confused."
Wen Yanbo frowned and said, "But Zhang San also overlooked one point, that is, Wang Jiefu believes that his new policy is the law of the Legalists, and he can decide everything, which is bound to conflict with us. If Lu Huiqing is in Qingzhou, he can cooperate with Chunren's judgment, which is simply a fantasy!"
Sima Guang laughed and said, "It seems that Duke Wen still hasn't understood the truth!"
Wen Yanbo asked, "What do you mean?"
Sima Guang said: "The law of the legal system only follows the law, and does not involve any other decisions. Take the situation in Hezhong Prefecture for example. Zhang San did not stop the Qingmiao Law, but Yuan Jiang would not be stupid enough to force others to borrow money. Lu Huiqing would not cooperate with Chunren's judgment, and that is reasonable. We do not need his cooperation, but if he forces others to borrow money, the public security, procuratorate and court can arrest him. Therefore, we only hope to be able to perform our duties, and there is no need for cooperation and coordination."
Wen Yanbo said: "Then how do we explain the Qingzhou issue? We still need to cooperate with the other party on this issue."
Sima Guang sighed, "It's not really cooperation. It's just that we were wrong first, trying to use the judiciary to interfere with the administration, so we are in this predicament. Now we are just using the malpractice of the Qingmiao Law to get things back to the way they were before."
Wen Yanbo stroked his beard, as if he had not yet come to terms with this.
It is indeed difficult to jump from the laws of the Legalists to the laws of the legal system.
Lu Gongzhe suddenly said, "In other words, let Fan Chunren judge them as he wants, without worrying too much."
Sima Guang nodded, "But we should still consider the overall situation and not be too hasty, lest Wang Jiefu be unable to handle it."
Fu Bi said thoughtfully: "If this is the case, then the Legislative Council will become extremely important. Although the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs do not need to obey the Legislative Council, the Legislative Council can decide the regulations that the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs need to follow."
Wen Yanbo glanced at Fu Bi and nodded slightly.
According to the rules for the establishment of the Legislative Council, neither Wang Anshi nor Fu Bi could control the Legislative Council; only one person had this power.
Over there, Lu Huiqing had also been waiting for Wang Anshi. He was wondering why Wang Anshi didn't let him go, but ran away on his own without notifying them.
It was midnight when he finally saw Wang Anshi coming, and he stood up immediately.
"Teacher!"
"Are you really sure that there are no problems with the implementation of the Qingmiao Law on Jingdong East Road?"
Facing Wang Anshi's questioning, Lu Huiqing was stunned for a moment, "No big problem." Then he immediately asked, "What did Zhang San say?"
Wang Anshi whispered, "Before me, Sima Junshi had met Zhang San and asked him to just handle the affairs of Qingzhou. As long as he can handle the problems of Qingzhou, we will definitely lose."
Lu Huiqing was shocked and asked, "Why?"
Wang Anshi said: "Sima Junshi has not told Zhang San the details, but Sima Junshi firmly believes that there will be problems on Jingdong East Road. Send someone to investigate immediately."
Lu Huiqing was shocked and said hurriedly, "Yes, I will send someone to check it out immediately."
(End of this chapter)
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