In fact, for those ministers above the fourth rank, they should have already started their vacation at this time. The previous debt restructuring was too troublesome, which made everyone unwilling to take a vacation. Because their younger generations might all be officials on salary, if this matter was not settled, they would not be able to celebrate the new year.
However, this result is completely different from the mutual destruction they expected.
The culprit behind all this is Erbi Zhangsan.
I knew it!
I knew that when this kid came back, something bad would happen.
Do you still want to be transferred back to Beijing?
Dream on!
Most of the ministers said that Hezhong Prefecture was of vital importance. However, it was now full of young officials. Even most of the chief judges, assistant judges, and prosecutors were young people who had never even taken an imperial examination. How could they be capable of shouldering the heavy responsibility? Zhang Fei had to return to Hezhong Prefecture as soon as possible to take charge of the situation to avoid chaos. The Northwest was of vital importance.
Our capital is peaceful and prosperous, so we don't need Zhang San to worry about anything.
It makes it seem as if Zhang San is qualified to take part in the imperial examination.
...
...
At the same time, all relevant government offices are on holiday. We can talk about it next year. Let you, Zhang San, deeply experience the efficiency of our Great Song Dynasty.
This made Zhao Xu and Fu Bi very helpless!
We can only talk about it next year.
Because of this kind of personnel arrangement, even if the emperor wanted to use the back door, he could only decide to transfer Zhang Fei back, but he also needed to go through the procedures.
This rule cannot be broken.
What's more, the law of the legal system has always emphasized rules.
However, this year is still not easy for them. Everyone is nervous because there will be major changes in Jingdong East Road next year. Once successful, it may affect the capital. Everyone is still racking their brains to think of countermeasures.
See if there are other ways to prevent Qingzhou’s debt restructuring.
Although Wang Anshi's career law won the support of many people, it was only a last-ditch measure. The best strategy was to prevent this precedent from being implemented.
Because so far, this precedent has not yet officially become law, and we have to look at the specific situation in Qingzhou before making the final decision.
On the contrary, Zhang Fei was very relaxed. As his position had not been assigned yet and he did not have to go to work at the beginning of the year, he felt that he should take a long vacation. He had been in Hezhong Prefecture for more than two years and had not had any vacation. Although he was young, he could not be manipulated like this.
It’s a pity that two women in the family became pregnant at the same time, so there was nothing they could do during the holidays.
In the middle of winter, we have been deprived of our only right to exercise. It’s so uncomfortable.
This is the consequence of treating everyone equally.
Winter goes and spring comes!
With the end of the Lantern Festival, it is also officially announced that the officials' annual leave is over.
The most lively officialdom in the country this year is undoubtedly that of Qingzhou. Last year, they had actually laid down and almost ignored everything in order to protest.
We need to reorganize, right?
Then go and have fun by yourselves.
But in the end they found that due to the existence of the police station, the chaos they had imagined did not occur. What was even more hateful was that the Taxation Bureau seemed to have sprung up out of nowhere. It was only at the end of last year that the imperial court decided to fully build a Taxation Bureau on Jingdong East Road.
As a result, the Taxation Bureau officially opened during the New Year holiday, which really caught everyone off guard. How could a government office open during the New Year? With such dedication from you guys, how could we survive?
In our Song Dynasty, curling is the least advocated. Everyone should lie down.
You are breaking the rules!
The tax commissioner’s explanation to the outside world was very simple. We, the tax commissioner, only officially take annual leave when we distribute bonuses. For us, the Chinese New Year is the busiest time.
In fact, this is not the fault of the Tax Commissioner. The ghost tax police on Jingdong East Road are already very hungry, and the targets are ripe, just waiting to be slaughtered.
The routine remains the same, which is to apply with the title deed yourself.
Love comes or not.
However, the tax law has not changed for the time being. After all, the summer tax was collected last year, and it is still collected according to the autumn tax standard, but it includes the exemption tax.
Because the exemption law has been fully implemented in Jingdong East Road this year.
This is actually one of the reasons for the riots in other counties and cities along Jingdong East Road. There are too many debts and taxes, and people are no longer allowed to survive!
Public security and tax collection are all taken care of by government agencies, so even if the government is closed, there will be no chaos in legislation.
However, as the Law of the Business was spread to Qingzhou, the officials of Qingzhou also understood very well that debt restructuring might be inevitable. At least for now, it could not be stopped. So they had to act quickly. I would rather die than let my friend die.
After the New Year, Qingzhou officials all returned to work actively.
In the end, some officials have to be retained to maintain the operation of the government, and the status of these officials depends on their personal abilities.
But no matter how active they are, they cannot catch up with the public security, procuratorate and courts. Last year, the entire public security, procuratorate and courts did not take a holiday because they were always dealing with those lawsuits.
Royal Court.
"Wang, the Imperial Court has reviewed all the lawsuits related to the government last year, and has also sent people to carefully calculate them. The Qingzhou government needs to pay a total of 76,437 strings of cash in compensation."
Qian Yi paused for a moment and said, "According to Judge Zhang's ruling in Hezhong Prefecture, the government still needs to pay the corresponding interest. However, according to another ruling by Judge Zhang, if the government is really unable to repay, the corresponding interest can be waived."
Wang Juqing chuckled twice, "I finally understand. You guys are forcing us to restructure our debt."
Qian Yi said: "This judge is only making a ruling according to the law. If the government is dissatisfied, they can appeal, and the imperial court can also hold a public trial."
In fact, most of the lawsuits were not tried in public, but that was because the government provided too much solid evidence, and they had previously admitted to underpaying wages and withholding military salaries. They all pleaded guilty, so there was definitely no need for a trial.
Now the trial is open to the public, isn't it a public disgrace?
Wang Juqing waved his hand and said, "No need. Anyway, the court has already issued an order, and we can only restructure the debt."
The local finances were already in a very difficult situation, with no surplus at all. Taxes were not collected, and the people were not allowed to be exploited any further. Basically, all income was cut off. More than 70,000 strings of cash were enough to crush Qingzhou's current finances.
Fan Chunren, who was standing by, felt uncomfortable and said, "The Transport Commissioner is wrong. Do you think you can bend the law for personal gain if the imperial court doesn't issue an order?"
Wang Juqing just smiled slightly, then stood up and said, "If there is nothing else, I will take my leave now."
This is actually just a process. Everyone knows that Qingzhou is required to restructure its debt, cut officials and save costs.
After negotiating with Wang Juqing, the imperial court officially announced the verdict, and 70% of those who came to sue were able to win. There were still some who tried to fish in troubled waters, but they did not expect that the public security, procuratorate and courts would be so meticulous. If it were the government in the past, it would take nearly half a year to try ten cases, but here there are thousands of people, and they can still sort out each case clearly.
Of course, this is also thanks to the "cooperation" of the government.
Immediately, Ouyang Xiu announced that the Qingzhou government had too much debt and the finances could not afford it, so it had to carry out debt restructuring.
At the same time, he also announced that he would resign from the post of Qingzhou prefect, and would also submit a memorial to the emperor, requesting the court to revoke the favor bestowed on his four sons and allow them all to apply for jobs in the academy in order to support the career law that the court had just promulgated.
Ouyang Xiu was the same kind of person as Wang Anshi, Sima Guang, Qian Yi, and Fan Chunren. They were all extremely honest and not only did they not seek wealth and fame, they also adhered to poverty.
Ouyang Xiu took the lead in doing so, and only a small number of officials were full of admiration for him. His own resignation was actually nothing, because he had been resigning almost every year for the past four years, and now he finally got a legitimate opportunity.
However, he asked for all his sons' official positions to be taken back, and required them to apply for jobs at the academy on the basis of their father's order, which is very admirable.
But most officials are gritting their teeth in hatred. Are you the one who takes the lead? No wonder you, an old man, can't get by in the court.
However, no matter how much they hated it, they gradually realized that the situation was hopeless and they were powerless to change it.
At this point, a debt restructuring that attracted national attention was officially carried out in Qingzhou with great fanfare.
Although it was Ouyang Xiu who made the announcement, the actual operation was still done by the Transportation Department, under the full responsibility of Wang Juqing.
In fact, Wang Juqing didn't know how to restructure the debt, but Wang Anshi had already written to him. It was very simple. He first calculated the annual income and saw how many people could be retained if everyone was paid the full salary.
Wang Juqing had already figured out that 90% of the employees would have to be laid off.
If you think about this number, it is actually very scary. The gap is as big as 90%. Where will the money come from?
This is why they have to find ways to exploit the people over there, and why we have to pay less to the soldiers here.
The principle of cutting down officials is also very simple. Officials in important government offices will be kept, and the rest will be laid off. The main focus is on cutting officials, while clerks will basically remain unchanged, and starting this year, they will be officially paid their salaries.
This is also one of Wang Anshi’s new methods.
The apparent reason, of course, is that the business law only applies to officials, not clerks. But in reality, it is because the core of managing the provincial government is still the clerks, not the officials. The vast majority of officials, when they take office in the local area, do not seek merit but only seek to avoid mistakes.
The plate of officials cannot be moved rashly, it can only be replaced and rectified slowly.
Therefore, some of the officials who remain will be transferred to the public security, procuratorate, courts and taxation departments.
At this time, a very interesting phenomenon occurred. The officials who were still trying their best to slander the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs last year began to sing praises for them.
Although the enterprise law has been promulgated, many officials, especially those in office, are still unwilling to hand over their salaries to these enterprise offices.
God knows whether these government offices can make money.
The only ones left are the public security, procuratorate and courts, which are the major recruiters and are also traditional government offices. Although the Commissioner of Taxation also recruits people, no one is willing to go there. The Commissioner of Taxation is actually a clerk's office, not a government office, and the chiefs are all clerks.
At present, there is a severe shortage of staff throughout the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs.
After all, Sima Guang only arranged positions at the level of prosecutor chief and court president, and the positions below were basically blank.
This person had to bow his head under the eaves, and many low-level officials immediately turned around and expressed their support for the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs.
However, the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs adopt a hiring system, and Zhang Fei has also laid a foundation in Hezhong Prefecture, which means that one must pass the judicial examination to enter.
It is also very difficult to enter the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs.
At the same time, a vigorous debt claim campaign was also underway in the neighboring Qizhou.
The situation here is exactly the opposite of that in Qingzhou, with the government seeking compensation from the people.
Sima Guang arranged Wang Anshi's younger brother Wang Anguo to serve as the chief judge of Qizhou and Su Shi to serve as the chief prosecutor.
Although Sima Guang and Wang Anshi were at odds with each other, he still trusted Wang Anguo very much and also recognized Wang Anguo's attainments in law.
Wang Anguo had been in Qizhou all the time, while Su Shi rushed to Qizhou without stopping after the snow melted.
At this time, Su Shi still had ambitions. He had been in Yangzhou for three years. Although he seemed like a resentful woman in the capital, he made many female friends during his time in Yangzhou and lived a very comfortable life.
But he still wants to show his skills and is full of energy now.
"It's exactly as I expected!"
Su Shi put the file on the table and couldn't help but smile smugly. He said to Wang Anguo, "Facts speak louder than words. If I were your brother, I would be too ashamed to stay in the court."
Although Wang Anguo and Wang Anshi had very different political philosophies, they still had a brotherly relationship. He laughed and said, "Now I finally understand why Ziyou was able to rise to prominence in Hezhong Prefecture, achieve outstanding political achievements, and be highly respected by the government, while you, Su Zizhan, can only visit brothels in Yangzhou without even an official office."
Is there no way to get over this hurdle?
Su Shi cursed Zhang Fei again, saying that it was this fellow who said at the Legislative Assembly that he did not even have an official office, and said, "I was deceived by the villain."
Wang Anguo said: "This unrest was not caused by my brother."
As he spoke, he took out another official document and said, "Look, this is the achievement of the Qingmiao Law in Zhangqiu County. No one in the entire Zhangqiu County has filed a complaint, everyone praises it, and the fiscal revenue has also increased significantly."
Su Shi took it and looked at it. After reading it, his expression was a little embarrassed.
In fact, Wang Anguo was ordered to come to Jingdong East Road to observe the implementation results of the Qingmiao Law. There were indeed many problems, but it depends on the person.
Wang Anguo added: "From this we can see that the Qingmiao Law still has its positive side. The key lies in the executors. My brother made a mistake in being too radical. He implemented it rashly without making detailed arrangements and was not well prepared, which almost caused a disaster. Now we have the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs to supervise it. If we do a good job, then the Qingmiao Law will also play its due role."
After saying that, he immediately stopped Su Shi and said, "Don't accuse me of speaking for my brother. Let's wait and see."
Su Shi shook his head and smiled, "I didn't think so. In fact, I have already thought about this, which is why I am willing to come to the procuratorate."
Just then, Su Shi's little book boy appeared at the door and said, "Sir, there is a man named Hong Qi outside who wants to see you."
Su Shi hurriedly said, "Please invite him in."
Wang Anguo had never heard of this person and thought he was Su Shi's friend, so he quickly stood up and said, "Since you have a friend visiting, I will take my leave first."
Su Shi hurriedly said, "They are not friends, but people from a charity foundation. They are here to buy out the debts, and they need guarantees from the public security, procuratorate and courts."
Of course Wang Anguo also knew about this. He nodded slightly and sat back down.
After a while, a young boy came in and said, "Hong Qi greets Chief Prosecutor Su."
Su Shi said again: "This is Judge Wang of Qizhou."
"Young man Hong Qi greets Judge Wang." Hong Qi bowed again.
Wang Anguo was dumbfounded. How could this be a little kid?
Su Shi laughed and said, "Judge Wang, don't underestimate him because he is young. His Hongwan Casino is already the number one casino in Tokyo. The money donated every year is more than our annual salary."
Hong Qi's face turned red and he had an awkward smile on his face.
What is hard to imagine is that at this moment, the most idle person is actually the instigator of all this - Zhang San.
It was only this morning when the crashing sound was heard in Zhang's house.
I saw Zhang Fei, Gao Wenyin, Xu Zhiqian and Mu Zhen sitting in the yard, enjoying the spring breeze and playing mahjong. It was really a pleasant experience.
Mu Zhen and Gao Wenyin were both very focused, but Xu Zhiqian seemed absent-minded. She would steal glances at Zhang Fei from time to time and pout.
Zhang Fei couldn't stand her gaze. "Zhiqian, what do you want?"
Xu Zhiqian said, "I am only speaking up for you. You have made great contributions and returned, but the court has not expressed any appreciation, which is fine. But they let you stay at home idle. Are they afraid of losing the support of the people?"
Mu Zhen also felt that what Xu Zhiqian said made sense, and said, "Yes! It's been more than a month since the beginning of the new year. Why don't you go talk to the government."
"That won't do."
Zhang Fei said arrogantly: "This is so embarrassing, it seems like I was begging to go to the procuratorate. I was forced to be an official. If I don't want to go, then I won't go. I will go back to the law firm to be a clerk. It will be more relaxed and comfortable."
"Go back and be a pen?" Mu Zhen was terrified. "Don't act on impulse."
Zhang Fei didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Don't think too much, sister-in-law. I just want to take a vacation. Besides, many matters need to be handled at the lawyer's office. I'm not in a hurry to go to the procuratorate."
As they were talking, they suddenly heard Niu Beiqing at the door say, "En, my husband is back."
Before he finished speaking, Xu Zun walked in with a serious expression.
"Daddy."
"Father-in-law."
"Well, go back to your room first. I have something to tell Zhang San."
"yes."
Mu Zhen and Gao Wenyin immediately stepped aside, but Xu Zhiqian was reluctant to leave, so she took a step forward and then took it back.
Xu Zun didn't care about her. After all, she was Zhang Fei's chief clerk. She said to Zhang Fei, "Something happened."
Zhang Fei was surprised and asked, "What's the matter?"
Xu Zun said: "That's good news. This morning, news came from the northwest about a great victory. Wang Shao led the Tongyuan Army and won a great victory in Xihe. They recovered the five states of He, Dang, Min, Die, and Tao, and expanded the border by more than 2,000 miles."
"Really?"
Xu Zhiqian said excitedly.
Zhang Fei asked: "Why are you so excited?"
Xu Zhiqian said: "Don't you know that Xihe was originally our old land in the Central Plains? It has been away from us since the chaos at the end of the Tang Dynasty. This is a great achievement!"
"Really?" Zhang Fei scratched his head and asked Xu Zun, "But what does this have to do with me?"
He has never been involved in military operations. He is a little guy who can't even understand a map. It would be better to let him plan this than to move the capital directly to Qiongzhou.
Zhao Xu never talked about these things with him.
Xu Zun said: "Originally it had nothing to do with you, but in Wang Shao's victory report, he specifically asked you to go there immediately to build the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs."
"ah?"
Zhang Fei opened his eyes wide, "Why?"
Xu Zhiqian's face lit up with joy, but she couldn't help but touch her belly. This child came at a really bad time, which added to her worries.
Xu Zun said: "I don't know the details, but it seems that at the end of last year, Wang Shao had already taken over Hezhou, but due to lack of management, the local Qiang people rebelled, and now they have been conquered by our army.
In addition, Wang Shao also believed that Xihe was adjacent to Tubo and Xixia and was a key trading hub. If it could be managed well, taxes could be collected locally to maintain local military supplies, thereby reducing the burden on Shaanxi Road. He believed that if this step was to be accomplished, only the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs could be involved, and you needed to be in charge in person. "
Zhang Fei frowned after hearing this. Did he pretend to be too cool and end up with a little fanboy? Don't mess with me!
Xu Zhiqian said, "Zhang San, this is a great opportunity for you to make achievements. Don't worry, Sister Gao and I will take good care of the family."
She is very excited now, with tears in her eyes. On the one hand, she has finally recovered the old territory, and on the other hand, Zhang San has the opportunity to make great achievements.
It’s really a double happiness.
Zhang Fei glanced at her and saw her gently stroking her abdomen with one hand, so he said, "Don't worry, I will not take you two pregnant women into consideration when making any choice. Although I am worried, I will definitely put the overall situation first. Don't feel any burden."
Xu Zhiqian felt warm in her heart, "I'm glad you know." She was stunned for a moment, "In other words, you... you don't plan to go?"
Zhang Fei nodded.
Xu Zhiqian was surprised and asked, "Why?"
Zhang Fei said: "Don't fight a battle without preparation. The public security, procuratorial and judicial organs are not a panacea. They are effective when used. In a peaceful prefecture, there are still so many obstacles to building public security, procuratorial and judicial organs, let alone in a war-torn area.
Besides, Envoy Wang is so anxious to have me go, it must be that the situation there is not very good, I should be more cautious."
Xu Zhiqian nodded gently, "That's right, we still need to be well prepared before going."
Xu Zun said: "Sima Xueshi and Wen Gong may not support you to go, let alone support the public security, procuratorate and court to go."
Zhang Fei was surprised and asked, "Why is this?"
Xu Zunfu sighed and said, "This is a long story. You were not in the capital at that time and did not know about it. Wang Shao's strategy of opening up the border along the Xihe River was fully promoted by Wang Jiefu. Duke Wen and his men strongly opposed it at that time, but no one expected Wang Shao to succeed so quickly and recover so much land. What do you think they would think at this time? However, most people in the court support you to go. It's not that they think you can solve the problem, but no one wants you to stay in the capital."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "So there is such a relationship here."
This is a very fatal problem in party struggles. I oppose your sending troops, no matter whether I am right or not, and you win a landslide victory. This is a slap in the face, and it is very embarrassing. In the end, I can only say that you won and you are great, but I will not get involved, so that people will not accuse me of taking advantage of you.
Things like this have been happening throughout history, both in China and abroad, and there is basically no solution.
Zhang Fei is also used to it!
Xu Zun said: "But the emperor and Wang Jiefu will definitely let you go, because this great victory is of great significance to the emperor, and we must ensure that there will be no mistakes, otherwise, it will severely damage the emperor's prestige."
His tone was not so firm, but reserved.
There is a struggle between the two parties involved here. If you rashly get involved, you may end up in pieces. Xu Zun hopes that Zhang Fei can think it over carefully.
How should we make this move?
“No room for error.”
Zhang Fei frowned, as if he had thought of something.
As he was speaking, Zhao Xu's men arrived, and Zhang Fei was summoned to the palace immediately.
It's coming so fast! Zhang Fei couldn't help but mutter.
Xu Zhiqian asked: "What are you going to do?"
Zhang Fei said: "Even if we want to go, it's definitely not now. This time is different from the last time we went to Hezhong Prefecture. If we go this time, we must strive to win. Remote control may be more appropriate for the time being."
(End of this chapter)
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