Does Wang Anshi want to cut officials?
Of course he wanted to!
Just don't dare.
On this point, he actually thought the same as Sima Guang, which was that it was simply impossible to do it.
His new policies have actually become distorted because of this, because he dare not touch these things, which leads to his inability to cut costs, so he can only double down on revenue.
However, if we directly increase revenue without cutting costs, we will definitely be moving forward under a heavy burden.
The difficulty will be doubled.
The success of Hezhong Prefecture was actually based on cost-cutting rather than increasing revenue. They first downsized their military and then began a series of reforms.
So it's very easy.
With less burden, you have more room for movement and you won’t be restricted.
...
...
Therefore, Wang Anshi did not deny the debt restructuring in his heart, but he was unwilling to be the bad guy. However, according to the system, he was responsible for the debt restructuring, and the public security, procuratorate and courts did not have this power.
Therefore, he asked Lu Huiqing to write a letter to Wang Juqing, asking him to do his best to consider the officials. Anyway, no matter how hard they tried, the finances would not be improved, but this would allow Fan Chunren and others to become the bad guys.
The process went just as they expected. Fan Chunren and his men refused to compromise and had been clamoring to lay off officials before.
This is also what Fan Chunren and others have always advocated. To improve the country's bad policies, we must cut spending. Increasing revenue is just a way to make money.
After Wang Juqing returned, he told those officials that they had tried their best, but the procuratorate was not only unwilling to mediate, but also wanted to sue to death.
However, given Qingzhou's current financial situation, if the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs do not give it a chance, it will not be able to afford the compensation.
Not to mention that the autumn tax has not yet been collected.
Simply put, the procuratorate will either show leniency or the finances will not be able to afford it, so debt restructuring will have to be initiated.
This really made the Qingzhou officials angry.
There is absolutely no way to survive.
We are of the same root, so why are we so eager to fight each other?
This concerned their future survival, so on the one hand they wrote to the court, saying that the procuratorate was seeking revenge and wanted to use debt restructuring to exclude loyal ministers.
But it is obviously untenable, because the evidence in the hands of the procuratorate was all provided by themselves, and it is absolutely irrefutable evidence. Fan Chunren only needs to make a judgment according to the law.
Therefore, on the other hand, they quickly contacted the ministers in the court, hoping that they could prevent the debt restructuring.
In fact, they didn't need to say it, the ministers in the court were also actively opposing this matter, and there was almost no atmosphere of New Year holiday in the entire capital.
Everyone was walking around, discussing countermeasures.
This cannot be compromised easily, even if it means pestering the emperor.
Chuigong Hall.
"Your Majesty, I personally think that this debt restructuring is still too impulsive. Many of my colleagues and I are worried about this. For example, although many officials on salary may be relatively idle during normal times, the two are actually complementary to each other. Many officials on salary are directly appointed as officials on salary. According to the officials dispatched last year, 30% of them were officials on salary. If those officials on salary are laid off, it will definitely affect the dispatch system, and thus affect the personnel arrangements of the entire court."
Meng Gansheng said earnestly: "I think we need to discuss it carefully. In fact, the problem of Qingzhou is not serious. We only need the court to allocate some money to help. There is no need to make any major changes."
Wen Yanbo and Sima Guang were clear-minded. They were actually hinting to the emperor that this would undermine the imperial power. The stipend-granting officials actually dispersed the power of officials. If the stipend-granting officials were cut off, the power of the officials would become greater, thus threatening the imperial power.
This is the correct way to deal with it. Talking about family, country, and the world, and talking about imperial power, is more effective than anything else.
Zhao Xu frowned slightly when he heard this.
Sima Guang laughed and said, "Meng Zhiyuan should have been in the Legislative Council that day. Could it be that he didn't understand?"
Meng Gansheng said nothing.
Sima Guang added: "Debt restructuring is only done out of helplessness. Qingzhou's finances cannot afford it, so they naturally have to cut back on spending. This can also motivate officials. As long as they handle finances well, they will not face debt restructuring. This is not a long-term solution, but an emergency measure."
Of course Meng Gansheng understood what he said, but he thought that Sima Guang was just fooling children. Given the financial situation of the Song Dynasty, this must be a long-term plan, because as long as a natural disaster occurs, the local finances may be on the verge of collapse.
If there is a debt restructuring, the court will choose not to rescue the country if possible.
Xie Yun immediately stood up and said, "Local finances are not good, that's only because most of the money has to be handed over to the court, leaving very little. If the court is willing to reduce the fixed tax revenue of each state, I believe that local officials will not have too many complaints."
You always point to the finances and say that the local finances are not good, isn't it just to satisfy the central finances? Why don't you say this anymore?
Wen Yanbo smiled and said, "Didn't Scholar Wang often say that those who enrich their families can benefit the country, and those who enrich their country can benefit the world? As long as wealth grows, local finances don't have to worry about this problem. After all, the amount paid to the court each year is a fixed amount. The more wealth there is, the more surplus there is."
Wang Anshi responded immediately: "Of course, it's a pity that the new policy did not arrive in Qingzhou earlier, otherwise, there would be no such disaster."
As he spoke, he immediately stood up and said to Zhao Xu: "Your Majesty, I think this debt restructuring is unfair to many officials who are on salary. They are not incompetent, but they lack opportunities. According to the explanation given by Judge Zhang, debt restructuring can indeed motivate officials to make progress, but the court must give those officials a chance, otherwise, I am afraid it will be difficult to convince the public."
Sima Guang frowned. What about the tacit understanding we agreed on? You are planning to go back on your word now. This is outrageous.
When Zhao Xu saw Wang Anshi come forward, he immediately asked, "What should we do according to your advice?"
Wang Anshi said: "It just so happens that we have set up the two government regulations department to formulate the business law. If this law is promulgated, it will give those officials who rely on salary a chance."
Business law?
What the hell?
The ministers looked at each other in confusion, as they had never heard that the Regulations Office of the Two Ministries was formulating this law.
Including Meng Gansheng and the others were also confused.
The Regulations Office of the Two Prefectures did not hide the new law or give everyone a surprise. In fact, it could not be hidden. After all, not all the people in it were Wang Anshi's confidants. For example, Chen Shengzhi often talked about the new law with everyone.
Zhao Xu asked: "What is the law of career?"
Wang Anshi said: "What you do is called a business, and when it is completed it is called a career. The career method is that the court pays for the establishment of some special government offices that can make a profit.
For example, hospitals are there to save the dying and the wounded, and colleges are there to teach and educate people. Both are needed by the people, and not only can they make profits for the court, but they can also pay the salaries of those officials who rely on salaries, thus reducing the burden on the court. It can be said that they kill two birds with one stone. "
"No! Absolutely not!"
Sima Guang immediately stood up and said, "If the court directly opened shops to do business, the people would have no way to survive."
Wen Yanbo and Lu Gongzhe also quickly stood up to oppose.
Your approach is even more direct than the Qingmiao Law. What special government office? It's just opening a shop.
Meng Gansheng and the others were a little confused and couldn't react.
Wang Anshi smiled and said, "Junshi, please be patient and listen to me."
Sima Guang snorted, "Don't say anything more. I don't know what you are thinking."
The Qingmiao Law was at least a roundabout way of competing with the people for profits, and judging from the regulations alone, it was still for the benefit of the people. It opened hospitals and colleges, and made it clear that it was for the purpose of profit. Who could be better than the imperial court?
Wang Anshi had expected what Sima Guang would look like this morning, so he said calmly, "This is a special government office, and can also be considered a business office, not an office with authority. It will not prohibit others from doing business, and everyone will compete based on their strength."
Wen Yanbo wondered, "Even if there is no power, who can compete with the imperial court?"
Wang Anshi said: "Those with excellent medical skills can compete with the court hospitals. Everyone just makes a profit based on their skills."
Lu Gong asked: "What if this special office cannot win the competition?"
Wang Anshi said: "If we can't win the competition, it proves that those officials who rely on salary are incompetent. Then we can fire them and people will be convinced."
Lu Gong frowned, as if to say, Really?
Wang Anshi added: "Moreover, if the court runs hospitals, it can also crack down on those doctors who cheat the public and sell fake medicines. It is natural that these people cannot make money. Therefore, this move can not only rectify this industry, but also benefit the people, so that the people can get better medical treatment for the same money."
Zhao Xu nodded with interest and said, "You are right!"
He had known this a long time ago. Otherwise, he would not have dared to really use the debt restructuring. This kind of thing requires taking one step forward and then half a step back.
Zhao Yan asked again: "But those officials who receive salaries by themselves may not know medical skills?"
Wang Anshi said: "Of course we will recruit those who can. In addition, there are academies and we can also set up a newspaper office. These can all be profitable."
Wen Yanbo immediately said, "There are already many private colleges, and they have placed many students who failed the exam. If the court sets up a college, wouldn't it take away their livelihood? It will definitely cause complaints from students all over the world."
The culture of the Song Dynasty was too prosperous and land annexation was serious, which led to a large number of scholars. Even though the Song Dynasty admitted many students and expanded enrollment every year, it was far from enough. There was still a large number of candidates who failed. The Song Dynasty was also troubled by how to accommodate these failed candidates.
After all, the ancestral law of the Song Dynasty was to give preferential treatment to scholars.
Therefore, the Song Dynasty encouraged private enterprises to set up colleges and provided them with land or tax exemption policies.
The land purchased by the college is actually tax-free.
Many students who failed the imperial examination returned home to teach and educate others. In the Song Dynasty, local schools were very developed. If scholars did not want to be officials, they could only teach, and they were unwilling to do other jobs.
Wang Anshi smiled and said, "Please rest assured, Lord Wen. I have also considered this point. What kind of knowledge is being taught in the academy now?"
Wen Yanbo said: "Of course it is Confucianism."
What else can you teach?
Wang Anshi smiled and said, "My business school teaches everything except Confucianism. This way, there will be no conflict with them."
Wen Yanbo laughed directly, "If you don't teach Confucianism, who will learn it?"
Wang Anshi said: "Young people study Confucianism mainly for the purpose of taking the imperial examinations, but the candidates who go to Beijing every year are only geniuses from all over the country, which shows that most people still cannot pass the examinations. And these failed students cannot make a living by relying on Confucianism.
My college specializes in teaching law, mathematics, agriculture, medicine, and even some unique skills and tricks, and other profitable studies. I believe that this kind of knowledge can attract more people to spend money to learn, because if you learn it, you can make money. "
The science of profit?
Um.
This is very consistent with Wang Anshi's style.
No one thought that this was actually Zhang Fei's idea.
Sima Guang didn't care where he was and immediately said contemptuously: "Wang Jiefu, we are both reading the books of sages, why are you so different?"
Wang Anshi laughed and said, "Isn't it all because of you? You only care about debt restructuring and don't care about those officials who rely on salaries. And you don't allow me to help them think about a way out?"
"I."
Sima Guang opened his mouth and then fell silent.
The more he spoke, the more people he offended. After all, all those standing here were officials, and Wang Anshi was on the side of the majority.
Wen Yanbo asked again: "Let the officials who are full of sage books engage in business, and let you, Wang Jiefu, do it instead. Are you willing?"
Wang Anshi said: "Why wouldn't I be willing to save the dying and the wounded and teach people?"
Wen Yanbo said: "But you have to make a profit from it."
Wang Anshi immediately said, "There are so many scholars and officials in the world who set up colleges and charge tuition fees. This is normal! Moreover, Duke Wen, don't forget that the salaries of the officials are taxes on the poor people. In comparison, I think the tuition fees are more righteous, after all, they are voluntary."
Wen Yanbo was immediately speechless.
The conservatives looked at each other in bewilderment.
The opposition was also somewhat confused.
Xie Yun couldn't help but ask: "But how many people can be recruited with just this hospital and college?"
Wang Anshi said: "This is a part of what we can recruit. Besides, aren't the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs recruiting people everywhere? Why not recruit those officials who are on salary?"
Sima Guang almost bit his tongue and said quickly: "The public security, procuratorial and judicial organs are quite strict in recruiting people."
Wang Anshi laughed and said, "Many assistant judges in Hezhong Prefecture are just some young students recruited from the public. How strict can this be? The situation of redundant officials in our dynasty is already serious. If you continue to recruit people from outside, it will only aggravate the problem of redundant officials, and this debt restructuring will be meaningless."
Sima Guang was speechless.
This matter also has a lot to do with him. If he had not been slow to send people, Zhang Fei would not have had to use local resources.
Wang Anshi came prepared and said to Zhao Xu: "Your Majesty, Zhang, the judge, can't even write clearly, but he can rely on his talent in law to serve as the chief judge of Shaanxi Road, and he also opened a law firm, making a fortune every day, so that law is now very popular.
Who can guarantee that Wang Wu will not be able to become a prime minister with his mathematics, or at least earn a living, and not become a prodigal son or a street scoundrel? I believe that many parents would be willing to pay for their children to study, even if they have studied Confucianism or become a Jinshi, it is also very good to learn this kind of knowledge, and the court also needs such talents now. "
The Song Dynasty was still very open in terms of academics. Buddhism, Taoism, law, and mathematics were all valued, rather than considering any knowledge other than Confucianism as garbage.
Otherwise, Zhang Fei's legal system would not have been recognized by so many people.
It’s just that your knowledge cannot be anti-Confucianism, because that would be against mainstream values. Therefore, the legal system is also based on Confucianism.
"Your words make sense." Zhao Xu nodded, but then asked, "But how much will it cost for the court to build these government offices?"
Wang Anshi immediately said: "This does not cost much money, we can use the profits from the young crops in Jingdong East Road to make up for it."
Zhao Xu nodded, glanced around, and asked, "What do you think?"
Of course, Lu Huiqing and others came out to express their support.
Meng Gansheng and others were somewhat hesitant. Who could have thought that Wang Anshi would come up with a career law that said it was not a layoff, but it also seemed like he was letting officials fend for themselves. What a shame!
Although Sima Guang and his colleagues did not trust Wang Anshi and thought that this was just another way for Wang Anshi to make money, if they continued to be aggressive, it would cause many officials to be dissatisfied with them, so this was already a step back.
Zhao Xu saw that no one said anything, so he said, "Let's just leave it at that."
After the meeting, Meng Gansheng and others immediately surrounded Wang Anshi.
"Wang Jiefu, are those officials who are paid by the government and go to hospitals or colleges still considered officials?"
"Of course."
Wang Anshi said: "If they are not considered officials, why should the court pay for them? However, their salaries are mostly earned by themselves."
At this point, he sighed and whispered, "Now that Qingzhou's finances are in such a mess, we can't investigate further. We can only find a place to accommodate them first. If there is an opportunity, or if they do very well there, we can still recommend them back to the court."
After hearing this, Meng Gansheng and the others nodded.
Although it is a stopgap measure, it is feasible. After all, they are at a disadvantage now and they want to drag it out.
"I really didn't expect that he would come up with a business law."
Wen Yanbo frowned and said, "But based on my understanding of Wang Jiefu, this will definitely compete with the people for profit."
Lu Gongzhuo did not object to Wang Anshi's ideas, so he said, "Let's wait and see. Officials are complaining about this debt restructuring. If we continue to argue about this important matter, it may cause dissatisfaction among many people."
Sima Guang was also worried and suddenly asked, "Why didn't Mr. Fu come today?"
Liu Shu next to him said, "It seems that Zhang San has to go to the Legislative Council today to explain the so-called assistant jury."
"Zhang San?" Sima Guang muttered softly, and then said, "It's still early now, I'll go to Xiangguo Temple to take a look."
Wen Yanbo was shivering with cold. "It's too cold today. I won't go."
Sima Guang came to Xiangguo Temple alone. Since the attention to this meeting was far less than the previous one, it was held in the main hall behind Xiangguo Temple.
Sima Guang quietly came to the hall, but saw more than a hundred candidates and judicial officials sitting inside, all silent and concentrating. He looked up again and saw Zhang Fei returning to the podium from the screen, saying loudly: "This is the role of the assistant jury. The law is nothing more than human feelings. This sentence also makes sense in the judicial system, but it often makes judicial trials very complicated.
Moreover, this will require the president of the court to have a very deep understanding of human nature, but many officials come from wealthy families and are unaware of the many sufferings of the people, and this often requires seeking help from the jury.
Just like the case of Wu Zhang's mother murder mentioned above, many wealthy families do not understand the principle that there is no filial son beside a long-term sick bed, and do not understand the pain of Wu's mother and Wu Zhang, because they have enough servants to serve them. Without understanding, they will definitely hate this behavior and commit suicide with their husband's mother. How cruel it is.
At this time, the assistant judge can help the presiding judge. They can tell the presiding judge that this is not a special case, but a problem faced by every ordinary family, and the pain that every ordinary family parent has to endure. They don’t want to drag down their children, but they are powerless. At this point, the assistant judge can help the presiding judge to have a deeper understanding of the entire case.
However, the power of judgment still lies with the presiding judge. If you sentence Wu Zhang to death, it is not wrong and it is also in accordance with the law. Because in cases like this, it is difficult to find a very standard answer. "
Su Shi suddenly asked: "Can he be acquitted?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "This is what I am going to say next. Can she be found not guilty? This is also what bothered me at the time. To be honest, deep down, I hope that Wu Zhang will be found not guilty, because if she is found guilty, it may directly destroy a family and make Wu's mother's suicide meaningless.
However, if the defendant is acquitted, some people might use this precedent to murder their long-ill parents, which would be a very scary phenomenon.
There are two points that the Legislative Council seeks for this precedent. First, in this case, we cannot generalize and directly sentence the person to the ten heinous crimes. A light sentence can be given and it depends on the specific circumstances of the case.
Second, whether it is a light sentence or a heavy sentence, the person must be found guilty and cannot be acquitted, even if the person deserves sympathy. Otherwise, there may be serious consequences and it will also affect the filial piety that our dynasty values most. "
Sima Guang, who had just arrived here, was immediately fascinated by what was said and nodded frequently.
Zhang Fei added: "Let's talk about the assistant jury. The assistant jury system is just a form of assistance. The assistant jury does not bear any obligations or responsibilities. The power of judgment is always in your hands. If it is a wrong judgment, it is the fault of the presiding judge, and it cannot be pushed onto the assistant jury.
This is because, for the time being, there is no system that can ensure that the assistant jury will not be bribed. If the assistant jury is to take responsibility, they must have rights and interests, the right to hear and judge the case, but if this is the case, they will definitely be bribed.
It is up to you whether to use it or not, but the assistant jury has no rights or obligations, so I gave them some remuneration in Hezhong Prefecture.
This is the explanation of the assistant jury system and the Wu Zhang case of matricide. "
Fu Bi looked around and saw that no one asked any questions, so he stood up and said, "Thank you, Judge Zhang. I will stop here for now."
Suddenly, there was endless discussion.
These officials and candidates stood up and had a heated discussion.
Seeing this scene, Sima Guang couldn't help thinking, if those officials who rely on salary can have such means as Zhang San, then the career college will definitely make a lot of money!
He can’t even write clear articles, but so many people love to listen to his lectures.
He walked up to Fu Bi in a low-key manner, "Mr. Fu."
Fu Bi was surprised and asked, "Jun Shi is here, don't you have a meeting today?"
"We have just finished discussing it." Sima Guang said hurriedly.
Fu Bi asked, "About debt restructuring?"
Sima Guang nodded and was about to speak when Zhang Fei came over and said, "Zhang San greets Scholar Sima."
Sima Guang asked, "Zhang San, has Wang Jiefu ever discussed business methods with you?"
Zhang Fei blinked, "What business law?"
Fu Bi was also confused, "Yes! What is the business law?"
Sima Guang explained it immediately.
Fu Bi shook his head and said, "This Wang Jiefu is really capable of making trouble!"
He was also quite opposed to this practice. Letting officials make profits for a living was simply...!
Zhang Fei said, "So this is the career law. Scholar Wang did talk to me about this, but he didn't say it was the career law."
Sima Guang asked, "What do you think?"
This is my suggestion, tell me what I think. Zhang Fei immediately said: "I agree!"
Sima Guang said: "If the imperial court directly engages in business, isn't this taking away other people's livelihoods?"
Zhang Fei said: "If the imperial court wants to run restaurants and paper shops, I will definitely oppose it, but I will definitely support hospitals. There are only a few decent doctors in the world, and who can compete for their interests.
To be honest with Mr. Sima, I didn't dare to get sick in Hezhong Prefecture. Who knows if those doctors are reliable? If it was run by the court, then I would definitely go to the court hospital for treatment. Although the treatment might not be good, at least I wouldn't be so worried about being poisoned to death.
After all, those officials read the books of sages, so they would not cheat for a little profit. At the same time, they would be very cautious. After all, if they killed someone with their medical skills, even if it was not their intention, it would not sound good if it got out. After all, they are officials, not quacks, so they still have to cherish their reputation.
There are also colleges. If they teach mathematics, medicine, and law, that would be great! My newborn son is probably in the same situation as me. He can’t write articles clearly and has no hope of passing the imperial examinations. If he can learn medicine and mathematics, at least he won’t starve to death. How great that would be!
Besides, you two don’t know how hard it is for me to find talent in Hezhong Prefecture. The debt lawsuit is so complicated that it can’t be handled properly without mathematical talent. In the end, I still have to spend money to train them myself, and let Cai Bian and other half-baked people teach others.”
After hearing these words, Fu Bi, who was unhappy just now, suddenly fell into deep thought, and Sima Guang was also stunned.
What Zhang Fei said was not profound theory. He looked at it from the perspective of an ordinary person and felt that it was very beneficial to him.
It seems to be right.
Fu Bi suddenly said, "But today the court can open an academy, and in the future it may be possible to open a restaurant to accommodate these officials."
Zhang Fei pondered for a moment, "We still need to legislate this business office. It can't be purely for profit-making purposes. It must also have some responsibilities of an office and benefit the people."
Fu Bi nodded slightly.
Sima Guang added: "But Wang Jiefu also suggested that the public security, procuratorate and courts should recruit those officials who are dependent on salary. This will make the public security, procuratorate and courts become a mixed bag."
"Master Wang didn't tell me this."
Zhang Fei said, "But I don't think it matters. According to what Wang Xueshi said, the court doesn't directly send people to the public security, procuratorate and courts. The public security, procuratorate and courts recruit people based on demand. Then we should hire people according to the process and let them take the public security, procuratorate and court examinations. Those who pass will be hired. Those who pass will have to start as auxiliary police or trainee prosecutors. If they do a good job, they will be promoted to royal police or prosecutors. If they don't do a good job, they will be dismissed directly."
Sima Guang frowned and said, "How can this work? They hold official positions."
Zhang Fei nodded and smiled, "Yes, he has an official position, but since they are not transferred by the Ministry of Personnel or the Court of Justice, their positions will not change. Even if we dismiss them, they are still salaried officials. As for whether they are paid or not, that is a matter of finance and has nothing to do with the public security, procuratorate, and courts."
Fu Bi stroked his beard and smiled, "Junshi! You have been in the court for so many years, but your understanding of the system is not as good as Zhang San's."
Sima Guang smiled awkwardly, "It's not that I don't understand as well as he does, I'm just not as cunning as he is."
At this point, he was slightly stunned. "Regarding this point, if the court does not give clear regulations, it seems that it can really be done this way."
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