When this business plan was announced, it caught everyone off guard. No one thought that Wang Anshi had such a trick up his sleeve. Everyone was calculating the gains and losses.
At the same time, the Royal Court and the Legislative Council have repeatedly issued notices and even published articles in newspapers, stating that Qingzhou may face debt restructuring, but this is mainly because the local finances are in great chaos and the debts are huge, which Qingzhou’s finances can no longer bear.
Anyway, it means that the court is not taking the opportunity to lay off officials, but is forced to do so by reality.
And evidence is the law of cause.
Even if the debt is restructured, those officials will not be laid off immediately. The Regulations Office of the Two Governments will introduce a business law to relocate these officials.
I hope everyone can work together to get out of this difficult situation.
The Regulations Office of the Two Prefectures also published articles to promote the Enterprise Law. One very important point is that the Enterprise Law was not established for Qingzhou, but was piloted in Qingzhou. If it is successful in Qingzhou, it may be popularized throughout the country.
In short, it is not enough to just sit back and eat, you still have to work. But at the same time, it also means that elderly officials who receive salaries can choose not to participate, but can also make decisions based on their own abilities and physical conditions, but their salaries will also be borne by the government offices. If the hospital's finances are not good, their salaries will also be affected. Of course, those retired officials are not included.
This immediately cooled the situation.
The opposition is also willing to accept this condition for the time being. After all, they also want to drag it out rather than turn the tables, because there is currently no chance of a turnaround.
...
...
Besides, it is winter now, so we can't make any noise even if we want to.
When most of the opposition calmed down, the morale of the demoralized reformists was greatly boosted, because in the end the public security, procuratorial and judicial departments were going to kill them, and it was the Career Law introduced by Wang Anshi that saved them.
Moreover, they all believed that Wang Anshi came up with the business method on the spur of the moment to alleviate their crisis. Since no one knew about this business method before, there was only one possibility, that Wang Anshi came up with it on the spur of the moment.
A big tree provides good shade, so most of the opposition continued to stand on the side of the reformists, mainly because there was no leader. Currently, within the Council of State, apart from the conservatives, there were the reformists, unlike during the Qingli period, when many prime ministers were conservatives.
This was very crucial for Wang Anshi. Although both sides suffered losses in the end, the blow to the reformists was actually far greater than that to the conservatives.
The reason was simple. Many of the officials who followed the reformists did so for the sake of official careers. However, the Qingmiao Law in Jingdong East Road almost caused them to lose their official positions, which made them hesitant.
However, the introduction of the Enterprise Law has tied everyone's interests together.
The passage of this policy also shows that Wang Anshi had not lost power and Zhao Xu supported Wang Anshi.
This is indeed the case. Zhao Xu did not show any sign of wavering in his attitude towards the new policy. Today, he summoned Wang Anshi to the palace to discuss matters alone as usual.
"Sir, your business law is like timely rain. Now the number of memorials impeaching Fan Chunren has decreased by nearly 90%, and the court has gradually returned to its former peace."
When he met Wang Anshi, Zhao Xu still praised Wang Anshi like a little fan.
"Your Excellency is overpraising me. This is my duty."
Wang Anshi added: "Moreover, according to my estimation, as long as the court goes all out, the income that the Enterprise Law can bring to the treasury will be able to greatly alleviate the burden of redundant officials in our court."
Zhao Xu already knew the plan, but he still asked with interest, "Really?"
Wang Anshi nodded and said, “Just like hospitals and colleges, on the surface, their income only comes from medical expenses and tuition fees, but in fact, it also includes the cost of medicine and books.
As long as the people of the world trust the court's hospitals and academies, then the hospital's medicinal materials and the academy's books can be sold directly to the people of the world, which is enough to make up for Qingzhou's financial crisis."
Zhao Xu nodded repeatedly after listening.
Wang Anshi added: "But this requires talented people to execute it."
Zhao Xu immediately said, "Sir, who do you like? Just tell me."
Wang Anshi said: "First of all, the hospital. I hope the government can dispatch some doctors from the palace to provide support, especially the prescriptions of some cheap medicinal materials in the palace."
Forget about those expensive prescriptions, ordinary people can’t afford them.
Zhao Xu nodded and said, "No problem."
Wang Anshi said: "In addition, I have two more people in mind."
Zhao Xu asked, "Who?"
Wang Anshi said: "I recommend Shen Kuo, the chief of the Imperial Observatory, to be in charge of this project. He is a man of great learning and talent, well versed in a wide range of subjects, and has outstanding abilities. He is the only suitable talent in the court."
Zhao Xu nodded slightly and said, "This person is indeed very suitable. Who is the other person?"
Wang Anshi said: "It is Yan Gong's son, Yan Jidao."
"Yan Jidao?"
Zhao Xu was stunned for a moment, and said, "It seems that he is not in the court now, but is the editor-in-chief of that genuine bookstore, specializing in publishing books."
Wang Anshi said, "I know, but he is also a salaried official. He still receives a salary. In the past two years, all the books he has written have sold well. Last year, the Liao envoys bought ten carts of books from the official bookstore. I recommend him to be the president of the Dibao Academy and supervise the compilation of books for the academy."
Since he regarded books as commodities, he would definitely find outstanding talents to rewrite them. The previous books would definitely not be sold for much money.
Zhang San probably never thought that the gentleman would compete with his genuine bookstore for talent. Zhao Xu smiled secretly and nodded again, "Regarding the selection of the career law, the gentleman can make the full decision. I have no opinion."
This position does not affect any power, so he can certainly give Wang Anshi more freedom.
"I obey your command."
Wang Anshi bowed slightly, and then continued: "In addition, I have also summarized the lessons and shortcomings of the new policy when it was tried out in Hezhong Prefecture and Jingdong East Road this year. I believe that the reason why the new law faces so many problems and encounters so much opposition is that the implementation is chaotic and the supervision is ineffective."
You have to admit your mistakes. The emperor is not stupid. It doesn't make sense to just say that such a big commotion was caused by villains. Flies don't bite seamless eggs. The emperor doesn't say anything, but it doesn't mean he doesn't know.
Wang Anshi must have also had to review himself to his boss.
Zhao Xu said very tactfully: "This still requires the assistance of the public security, procuratorate and courts."
Wang Anshi shook his head and said, "The public security, procuratorial and judicial organs are indeed conducive to the implementation of the New Deal. I do not deny this, but they are only auxiliary. The New Deal is more faced with institutional deficiencies."
"Yeah?"
Zhao Xu was slightly stunned, and then asked, "Sir, where did you get this from?"
Wang Anshi said: "Whether in Hezhong Prefecture or Jingdong East Road, the order to set up the two prefectures' regulations can only be sent to the Transportation Department. If it continues to be implemented, the Transportation Department will inevitably face the complex official system and government system of our dynasty. It is not difficult to see from Jingdong East Road that some prefectures and counties have implemented it very well without any problems, but some prefectures and counties have many problems. The shortcomings of our system are constantly affecting the implementation of the new policy."
Zhao Xu nodded, thinking that what Wang Anshi said made sense. Setting up the Regulations Office for the Two Prefectures could only avoid the complicated system of the central government and could directly pass down the orders to the Transportation Office, but what about under the Transportation Office?
"I wonder how you plan to eliminate this malpractice?" Zhao Xu asked again.
Wang Anshi said: "The ice is three feet thick, and it is not formed in one day. This bad policy is not easy to solve for the time being, so I tried to cooperate with the merchants in Hezhong Prefecture, and achieved great success."
At this point, he paused for a moment, "By the way, does the government know about that charity foundation?"
Zhao Xu was stunned, "Of course I know."
Wang Anshi said: "This charity foundation is not an individual business, but a joint business of many businessmen. This charity foundation relies on loans, or even directly investing money in businessmen, to make profits and has achieved great success.
The Changping Division of Hezhong Prefecture actually imitated the charity foundation and achieved good results. My new law is mainly aimed at finance, and the principle is the same as doing business.
Therefore, I suggest that we use the Ministry of Revenue to bypass the complicated local government offices and work directly with merchants to implement the new law.
The imperial court's orders were still sent to the Transportation Department, which then directly executed them through the Ministry of Grain and Oil. The Ministry of Grain and Oil imitated a charity foundation and was only responsible for coordination, lending, and disbursement.
For example, the exemption law and transportation, the buying and selling under the equal transportation law, the lending under the Qingmiao law, and the market exchange law that I will promulgate next year, are all concentrated in the Tizhu Changpingsi, which then makes profits by cooperating with merchants in various industries.
In this way, we can bypass the local government and avoid local resistance."
Zhao Xu's eyes lit up and he nodded, saying, "This is a great idea."
In fact, they have been using this trick all along, which is to start anew. When we encounter resistance, we just bypass it and don't play with them.
The ice is three feet thick, how can you have so much time to chisel it?
This lesson also made Wang Anshi realize that many officials actually did not care about the life or death of the new policy. Zhang Fei's original suggestion to set up a super financial agency and concentrate all finances in the Ministry of Revenue would not only ensure that government orders could be implemented, but this could also be used to bypass local governments.
Wang Anshi added: "In addition, I have also carefully studied the success of Hezhong Prefecture. The key reason is the salt notes. The main reason why the salt notes can be successful in Hezhong Prefecture is that there is a lack of currency in the local area. The court only needs to issue a proper amount of salt notes, and a part of the salt notes will be left in the people. This part of the income can also be regarded as fiscal revenue.
Almost all parts of our dynasty are facing a shortage of currency. I think the court should take the salt notes seriously, because they can make up for the financial shortage in a short period of time. "
Zhao Xu hurriedly asked, "What suggestions do you have for this, sir?"
He was also very interested in this thing, but Zhang Fei had never discussed it in depth with him.
Wang Anshi said: "A very detailed production and supervision process has been established. I specially asked someone to bring back some salt notes from Hezhong Prefecture. They are crudely made and have no aesthetic appeal. They do not look like precious items in your hands. This means that the court does not attach importance to them. A fine salt note can give the people more confidence.
Therefore, I think the court can first recruit talents in this area to design complex and exquisite salt banknotes that are difficult to imitate.
More importantly, the issuance and supervision of salt notes are based on raising military pay for border states, rather than being considered an independent currency. I think this should be adjusted. It should not be solely for raising military pay for border states, but should also take financial considerations into account. It can also be directly handed over to the Ministry of Revenue to issue appropriate amounts based on the financial conditions of various places. "
When Zhang Fei was in Hezhong Prefecture, there was no salt note. The main issuance was still based on the trade law formulated by Fan Xiang and Xue Xiang. The main function of the salt note was to raise food for the border states, and it was not issued based on the monetary situation.
Zhao Xu asked, "Won't it go through the three courts?"
Wang Anshi said: "How can the three departments know the currency situation in various places? The Director of the Changping Department has been dealing with merchants for many years and knows the specific situation of various places clearly."
Zhao Xu hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "I'll follow your advice, sir."
He also liked to bypass the three divisions. But then he smiled and said, "It seems that the gentleman has learned a lot of lessons in this trial!"
Wang Anshi immediately said: "In fact, my new laws are all based on the experience of our ancestors, and then adjusted and improved according to the situation of our dynasty. They are not my original creation. If I had no successful experience, how could I dare to recommend it to the emperor?"
Some people say that Wang Anshi was a stubborn, arrogant, and self-willed person. This is true, but it was all because of his ideas and philosophy. He believed that fiscal deficits could be reversed through fiscal policies, not because of specific means. None of his new laws were his own. None of them were original. They were all summed up from the experience of predecessors or contemporaries, and he used them because they all had successful cases.
As long as this method is in line with his ideas and concepts, he will use it.
Zhang Fei's ideas of a super-fiscal institution and salt notes and salt debts were all very much in line with his ideas. When he learned of the plan, he was ecstatic. It was also after he personally approved it that Yuan Jiang followed Zhang Fei's plan. Without his approval, Yuan Jiang really wouldn't have dared to do so.
He can immediately absorb these methods and use them for my benefit.
In addition, he was so anxious to give advice to Zhao Xu because he was forced by the situation.
He also knew that the emperor might have wavered in his support for the new law, so he had to make adjustments to strengthen the emperor's determination to support the new policy.
In addition, the success of the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs and the emperor's favor for them meant that his Legalist thought was doomed to fail. The new policies would be supervised by the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs, and he would not be able to obtain the power like Shang Yang to make his words final.
This is actually a very troublesome thing.
He has to make a change.
Here he borrowed the method of charitable foundations and directly made profits by investing and lending to businessmen.
Moreover, this can help him avoid the complicated bureaucratic system and control the overall situation.
This is the biggest difference between Wang Anshi and Sima Guang. Sima Guang did not agree with these financial management ideas at all. His policy was just one point: recuperation and light taxation. Even if this policy could make money, Sima Guang would think it was a crooked way that could only win temporarily but not in the long run, as it would hurt the people in the long run.
Wang Anshi highly respected financial management methods. He was able to quickly absorb knowledge in this area and then apply it to his own policies.
After meeting Wang Anshi, Zhao Xu personally summoned Sima Guang. Now both wings were flying at the same time, and he could not neglect one while focusing on the other.
The matter Sima Guang discussed with Zhao Xu was very simple, which was the issue of hiring officials for the public security, procuratorial and judicial departments.
The responsibility of our public security, procuratorial and judicial departments is to execute. They are the departments with the highest requirements. If all the rotten fish and shrimp are thrown to our public security, procuratorial and judicial departments, how can that work? Moreover, the reason why the public security, procuratorial and judicial departments have been so successful is that they can directly lay off unsuitable people.
Those officials who are paid on salary are all big bosses, and they are used to being lazy. When they come to the public security, procuratorate and courts, what will happen if they don't work hard? Will they be supported by the big bosses?
This will have a bad influence on the work style of our public security, procuratorial and judicial organs.
It is very difficult to lay off these officials who rely on their salaries. The number of procedures is staggering. They basically have a stable job.
Sima Guang insisted that they be allowed to apply for jobs, start from the lowest level, and stay in office based on their abilities.
If he were to be appointed Chief Prosecutor directly, he would definitely not be able to be fired, because the Chief Prosecutor must be appointed by the imperial court. Although the situation in Hezhong Prefecture was special and they could recruit talents directly from the local area, they had all applied for it, and the Chief Justice did not have this power.
Zhao Xu readily accepted his suggestion, because Sima Guang was only targeting low-level officials in the public security, procuratorial and judicial departments. The upper-level officials were still decided by the court, which did not affect his personnel power. However, he still asked Sima Guang to recruit more officials with salaries as much as possible, and not to recruit people from the public easily, which would aggravate the phenomenon of redundant officials in the court.
Sima Guang certainly agreed. It was not that he did not want to recruit people, because the public security, procuratorial and judicial departments were in great need of people who could read and write. He just said that if he recruited them, he would have to urge them to work hard.
Zhang family.
"Judge Zhang, the renovation of your house has been completed. Why don't you go and see it yourself?"
Li Bao came into the house, rubbing his hands and said to Zhang Fei.
"No!"
Zhang Fei shook his head. "I believe Brother Bao has done it more carefully than I thought. Come on, sit down. The hot pot is specially prepared for you."
"Thank you very much! Thank you very much!"
Li Bao didn't hesitate and sat down immediately.
Zhang Fei personally poured a glass of hot wine for Li Bao, "Have a drink to warm yourself up."
Li Bao raised his cup and drank it all, slamming his head a few times: "This is really comfortable."
Of course, Zhang Fei was not idle enough to ask Li Bao to come over for a drink.
Zhang Fei asked, "How is the arrangement of the taxation department of Jingdong East Road?"
Li Bao said: "The government has already sent people there."
"Yeah?"
"Um."
When it comes to collecting taxes, Zhao Xu is more enthusiastic than anyone else. Not to mention the cold winter, even in a snowy day, you have to go there immediately.
No matter how much trouble we make, we can't reduce the tax money.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "When I was in Hezhong Prefecture, I heard that our people in Jingdong East Road were already impatient."
Li Bao said hurriedly: "That's right, because Judge Zhang originally asked us to go to Jingdong East Road first. The scale of development there is larger than that of Hezhong Prefecture now."
Zhang Fei asked: "Then there shouldn't be any problem with this year's autumn tax, right?"
Li Bao grinned and said, "There is definitely no problem. We have made sufficient preparations, but it will definitely be a bloody storm!"
"Bloody storm?" Zhang Fei frowned.
Li Bao smiled and said, "Judge Zhang, you don't know that there are various armies on the Shaanxi Road, and they are all elite troops of our Song Dynasty. There are relatively few bandits over there, and the people are relatively simple and honest. The most troublesome thing is the army.
But the situation is different in the east of Jingdong, especially in Qizhou, Qingzhou and Dengzhou. The officials there are weak and the imperial guards are corrupt, resulting in bandits on almost every hilltop, and there are unruly people and scoundrels everywhere. In my opinion, Qizhou has the worst public security.
This time, Jingdong East Road has become so chaotic, but it is also due to this reason. If it happened somewhere else, even if we add fuel to the fire, it may not burn. "
Zhang Fei said, "Is this true?" He muttered to himself, as if Liangshan was right over there.
Li Bao said, "Of course it's true. Just ask Feng Nanxi. Otherwise, our tax bureau wouldn't have developed so fast there. For our tax bureau, there are so many talented people there. Many talents in Hezhong Prefecture were transferred from Qizhou."
Zhang Fei couldn't help but asked with some concern: "Can you guys handle it?"
Li Bao said: "We will definitely be able to complete the task, but it may involve a lot of force. Otherwise, Judge Zhang can personally take charge. This way, perhaps less force will be used."
Zhang Fei said unhappily, "Now that you've said that, I won't go there even if I die. I'm most afraid of this."
"Yeah?"
Li Bao said in surprise.
Zhang Fei asked, "What do you mean?"
"No, it's nothing."
Li Bao quickly shook his head and thought, Judge Zhang is so cruel and ruthless, how could he be afraid of these things?
Zhang Fei said thoughtfully, "Actually, this is a good idea. We were a little restrained in the capital, but in Hezhong Prefecture, we had already arranged for the army. Later, the battle was mainly about words, so we should show our military strength as the tax commissioner. You can apply to the government to get some crossbows. It is said that they are more powerful and can prevent us from getting hurt."
".!"
Li Bao swallowed and said, "But that won't prevent others from getting hurt."
Zhang Fei said: "Then they should just pay taxes honestly! Robbery is nothing!"
Li Bao nodded blankly, and then said, "Judge Zhang, Judge Zhang, you are not kidding, are you?"
Zhang Fei said: "Of course not, I never joke about work."
"Then I will tell the officials that it was you who requested it."
"OK."
Zhang Fei nodded.
Li Bao smiled awkwardly and quickly clinked glasses with Zhang Fei to calm down. He suddenly said with emotion, "To be honest with you, Judge Zhang, what I am most worried about the Taxation Department right now is that if they all pay taxes honestly, then where will our people go?"
Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said, "You are thinking too far ahead. First of all, tax evasion will never be eradicated. It depends on whether we can be more capable than the devil. If we can't get the bonus, it means we are incompetent, there is no excuse.
Secondly, there are so many places across the country, it’s too early.
Finally, isn’t there next door? "
Li Bao was surprised and asked, "Next door?"
Zhang Fei said: "If there is really no place to put it, then we can only collect it from Liao Kingdom."
Li Bao said cheerfully, "Judge Zhang is joking."
Zhang Fei smiled and shook his head: "I'm not kidding."
Li Bao blinked and asked, "How...how do we go to Liao to collect taxes?"
Zhang Fei asked, "Are the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun our Central Plains territory?"
Li Bao hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded.
Zhang Fei said: "As long as it belongs to us legally, we can collect taxes. As for whether we can collect the taxes, that depends on our ability."
Li Bao scratched his head and said, "But that land is occupied by the Liao Kingdom after all."
Zhang Fei said: "For the sake of collecting taxes, who cares about these things?"
Li Bao chuckled and said, "I have never thought about this. Unfortunately, it is difficult for us to defeat Xixia, let alone Liao."
Just then, Niu Beiqing came to the door and said, "Sanlang, Mr. Yan wants to see you."
Yan Jidao?
Zhang Fei hurriedly said, "Please ask Mr. Yan to go to the back room. I will be there soon."
He gave Li Bao some more instructions, asking him to ask the craftsmen to come and eat together, while he himself hurried to the back room.
When they met Yan Jidao, they exchanged some pleasantries. Yan Jidao said, "I came to visit you a few days ago. Unfortunately, Sanlang was busy with official business at that time!"
Zhang Fei hurriedly said: "I'm so sorry, I was...!"
"Yan understands."
Yan Jidao raised his hand and said, "Judge Zhang has too many things to deal with when he comes back this time. I understand, I understand."
There was a hint of envy in his voice. At your age and with your background, you are the president of a court. I am the son of Lord Yan, and yet...
Yan Jidao immediately added: "Originally I had no intention of disturbing Sanlang today, but there is something I must tell you."
Zhang Fei asked, "What's the matter?"
Yan Jidao said: "The court suddenly issued an order, ordering me to go to Qingzhou to serve as the director of the Career Newspaper Institute and to compile textbooks for the Career Academy."
"ah?"
Zhang Fei was surprised and asked, "Didn't Mr. Yan resign?"
Yan Jidao said, "But I am still a salary official and still receive a salary from the court. I cannot refuse, and I don't want to refuse. But I have to thank Judge Zhang for giving me this opportunity, so that I can be promoted today."
He could be appointed editor-in-chief at any time, but opportunities for promotion were hard to come by, so he still wanted to seize this opportunity to see if he could move up.
At present, he still has ambitions, after all, he has not suffered a political beating.
This Wang Jiefu, damn it! Zhang Fei forced a smile, "Then I wish Mr. Yan a smooth career."
"Fuck you, I helped you with your plans and set up a public institution, but you poached my talent. You, Wang Anshi, are so ungrateful. I'm %&*#￥@!"
"What ungrateful?"
Xu Zun, who had just returned home, saw Zhang Fei mumbling there and couldn't help but ask.
"My father-in-law is back."
Zhang Fei quickly stood up, bowed, and said casually, "It's a business matter."
Just then, Xu Zhiqian also came into the back hall, "Daddy, you're back."
Xu Zun nodded, and then said to Zhang Fei: "Today everyone in the court is discussing your joining the procuratorate."
Zhang Fei didn't say anything, so Xu Zhiqian asked anxiously, "How is it?"
Xu Zun said: "Mr. Fu has already petitioned the government, but once the news got out, almost all the ministers were against it. They all asked Zhang San to return to Hezhong Prefecture."
Xu Zhiqian asked: "Why is this?"
"Why else?" Xu Zun said, "Of course they are afraid. Zhang San was just a pen holder, but he already gave them such a headache. Now that he has entered the Beijing Procuratorate, they must be scared to the point of being unable to sleep at night."
Xu Zhiqian snorted, "They are guilty as thieves."
Xu Zun stroked his beard and smiled, but did not deny it.
Zhang Fei was very calm and asked, "What should we do now?"
Xu Zun asked, "Didn't you talk to the emperor about this?"
"No!"
Zhang Fei said: "I thought it was just a small matter. After all, I was not promoted to the position of Chief Prosecutor."
Xu Zun said: "This is a small matter, but it will probably take some time."
Xu Zhiqian said: "If the government gives the order, can they still delay?"
Xu Zun said: "The court has its own system, and officials cannot act recklessly. This is mainly because Zhang San's transfer is a normal one, not a direct appointment, so it needs to be reviewed by the Ministry of Personnel, the East and West Courts, and other government offices. When these government offices heard that Zhang San was going to be transferred back to the capital, they all gave him a holiday. Now we can't find anyone, so we can only wait until next year, but next year they will definitely find ways to delay it."
"???"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
