Xue Xiang used a classic argumentative tactic. Everyone said that it was the equalization and transportation system that infringed on the interests of merchants, but Xue Xiang believed that the equalization and transportation system had no intention of infringing on the interests of merchants. It was just that the merchants lacked protection and therefore suffered accidental injuries.
Looking at the entire national system, almost all systems are designed to maintain imperial power, followed by civil officials and literati. Only the law of the legal system emphasizes the protection of individual rights and interests.
The conclusion reached is naturally based on the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs in the legal system.
Although this is not the first time that Xue Xiang has praised the public security, procuratorate and courts, but during the last trial, the public security, procuratorate and courts helped him appeal, and everyone can understand that he is returning the favor. But this time, the public security, procuratorate and courts are biased towards the Jiangnan merchants and allow them to appeal. It is very puzzling that you still say this.
The reformists feel very embarrassed. Can't our new policies work without the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs?
Boosting other people's morale will destroy your own prestige!
Deng Wan was also confused and asked Wang Anshi in a low voice: "Mr. Wang, what's going on?"
Wang Anshi said calmly, "It is normal to say a few good words about the public security, procuratorate and court in court."
Having said that, there was still a hint of unhappiness between his brows.
This was certainly not what he taught. He would never say such words, and Xue Xiang did not discuss it with him.
...
...
I have to say that this really made him a little unhappy, but it was mainly because he didn't really agree with some of Xue Xiang's behaviors in this regard, but he didn't care that much, for example, he liked to give gifts, flatter, and so on.
He believed that Xue Xiang was trying to curry favor with the public security, procuratorate and courts and begging for mercy. From an indirect perspective, Xue Xiang believed that Wang Anshi no longer had enough strength to protect himself.
However, the conservatives were not very happy either, especially the censors. They thought that Xue Xiang's words were implying that there were problems with the previous system, but they believed that this was the problem with your new policy.
When the new policy came out, there were no public security, procuratorate or courts yet.
This doesn't make sense!
As a prosecutor known for his meticulousness, Zhang Fei would not easily let go of such details. He smiled and said, "Thank you very much for Envoy Xue Fayun's praise for our public security, procuratorate and courts. However, as far as I know, when the new policy was first promulgated, there were no public security, procuratorate and courts. In other words, when the two government regulations department designed the new policy, it certainly did not consider the public security, procuratorate and courts. However, Envoy Xue Fayun emphasized that the solution to these problems is the public security, procuratorate and courts. Can I assume that the two government regulations department did not even think about preventing these problems from happening?"
Sima Guang, Liu Shu and others kept nodding.
Good question!
Very very good!
He was very fair and just, and was not deceived by Xue Xiang's sweet words.
Xue Xiang calmly asked back, "Prosecutor Zhang may lack administrative experience."
Ouch! He even fought back. Zhang Fei smiled and said, "It's not that I'm lacking, but that I'm very lacking. I hope Envoy Xue Fayun can give me some pointers."
"I dare not! I dare not!"
Xue Xiang smiled modestly, and then answered calmly: "This is actually just a very simple question."
"Yeah?"
"Yes."
Xue Xiangdao: “A new policy is often divided into two steps. The first step is to design a solution based on the problem.
The second step is to make corresponding adjustments after execution based on the problems encountered.
Any policy will inevitably encounter some minor problems when it is implemented, without exception.
As I just said, there is nothing wrong with the concept of the equal transportation system, and there is nothing wrong with its design. It not only saves a lot of expenses, but also generates some surplus to make up for the transportation costs, while also reducing the burden on the people. It achieves three goals at once and improves the court's bad policies in this regard.
The reason why I advocate the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems is to solve the problems encountered in execution. If there are no public security, procuratorial and judicial systems, the Regulations Office of the Two Prefectures will also make adjustments. Prime Minister Wang has made many adjustments based on the situation in Hezhong Prefecture.
Now that we have the public security, procuratorate and courts, there is naturally no need to think of other methods. After all, Mr. Wang is devoted to the country and the king, not to fighting for power. Since the public security, procuratorate and courts are useful, why not use them? "
pattern!
This is a big picture!
But when Sima Guang listened, he felt an urge to vomit.
How did the chaos in Jingdong East Road last year come about? Wasn’t it because Wang Anshi was competitive?
Aren’t you embarrassed by what you said?
Even if you don't blush, Wang Anshi should blush.
Sima Guang looked up and saw that Wang Anshi still had a low-key smile on his face. To put it a little exaggeratedly, it was the smile of a king.
This directly caused Sima Guang to feel some physical discomfort.
Wow...how shameless.
Little did people know that Wang Anshi was just pretending to anger Sima Guang.
Intentional.
In fact, Wang Anshi and Xue Xiang were different on this point. Wang Anshi was still resisting the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs in his heart. It was not that he disagreed with them, but he felt that they were not that important. It did not mean that without the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs, the new policy would fail.
But Xue Xiang really agreed with it, and he was not trying to please the police, procuratorate or courts to let him go, or to flatter them.
This is why he repeatedly praised the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs. He was not going against his conscience or flattering them.
Because from his personal perspective, the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems are completely in line with his philosophy. He is more pragmatic and cares more about interests rather than morality, which is incompatible with Confucianism.
In the court, Xue Xiang was an outsider, so he had always been ostracized.
The public security, procuratorial and judicial organs do not talk about these things. They focus on evidence, and evidence is the pragmatic result.
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From a policy perspective, Xue Xiang’s philosophy is also financial management, which can be said to be the logic of a businessman. The public security, procuratorial and judicial systems are beneficial to businessmen, and of course, they are also beneficial to his philosophy.
He really believes that the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems are the final complement to the new policy.
At the same time, he does intend to stand on the side of the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs, but it does not mean that he surrenders to the conservatives. Rather, he believes that the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs can protect himself and allow him to fully utilize his abilities.
Because he is very pragmatic, he will naturally not make decisions that are unfavorable to himself because of party disputes.
"Thank you, Envoy Xue Fayun, for your guidance."
Zhang Fei smiled and nodded, "There is another very critical issue, which is the money shortage in places like Jinghu South Road. I wonder what Xue Fayunshi thinks of this issue?"
Xue Xiang frowned slightly and said, "Regarding the cash shortage in those places, I admit that this is the negligence of our shipping department, but we will make adjustments as soon as possible to prevent the local cash shortage from getting worse."
Zhang Fei asked: "But I wonder if Envoy Xue has any specific adjustment strategies?"
Xue Xiang pondered for a moment and said, "This is not a very difficult question. We have many options before us. For example, we can invest some coins to buy some light goods needed by the capital from places like Jinghu South Road. The merchant just said that in these money-scarce areas, prices are relatively cheap. The court can raise prices by purchasing and invest coins in the local area, and at the same time the court will not suffer losses.
Another thing is to emulate the salt notes of Hezhong Prefecture. I have carefully studied the salt note and salt debt policy of Hezhong Prefecture. The key reason why it was so successful was that the local government allowed the people to pay taxes with salt notes.
But this still needs the decision of the court, but I can guarantee that no matter what, the situation in those areas will improve next year."
Zhao Xu, who was sitting in the inner hall, could not help but nod slightly. Now his face no longer had the dramatic expression he had just now. Instead, like Fu Bi and Han Qi, he was immersed in thinking about these issues and how the court should respond.
“I’m really looking forward to it.”
Zhang Fei asked again: "In addition, judging from the current accounts, the equalization of transport seems to have achieved great success, but Yu Yuanwai, Judge He, and Deputy Envoy Xue all mentioned a problem just now, that is, the equalization of transport has led to a significant reduction in commercial taxes in various places.
So is there an element of glorifying the equalization method here? In fact, it is just diverting commercial taxes to the profits of the equalization method. "
This issue once again won unanimous agreement among conservative officials.
Very, very good question.
And the question was so direct, it was directed at us.
Almost everyone's eyes turned to Xue Xiang.
They also want to know the answer.
"Of course not."
Xue Xiang shook his head and said very affirmatively: "This is a wrong understanding."
Not to mention the conservatives, even the reformist officials felt guilty after hearing this.
Even Wang Anshi himself believed that the Equalization and Transport System would definitely divert part of the commercial tax into its own profits, because there was no need to pay taxes under the Equalization and Transport System, and at the same time it was robbing merchants of their business.
Zhang Fei asked: "Could Envoy Xue explain it in detail?"
Xue Xiang replied: "Just now I have repeatedly emphasized that the equalization of transportation is not aimed at merchants, but mainly for the court to adjust the supply system to save court expenses. This is the main purpose of the equalization of transportation.
Of course, I do not deny that commercial taxes were reduced because of the Equalization of Transport System, but this reduction was only due to some problems in the implementation of the Equalization of Transport System, as well as misunderstandings among merchants, etc.
This does not mean that the equalization and transfer system will transfer commercial taxes to its own accounts.
When the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs go there and solve these problems, the result is that the benefits of the equalization method will not be reduced at all, and the commercial tax will definitely return to the previous level, no, it may even be higher. "
This explanation made Sima Guang and Lu Gong frown, as if they were unable to figure it out.
It is obvious that the Equalization of Transport System encroaches on commercial taxes, but what Xue Xiang said seems to make sense.
Assuming that the equalization of transport system really encroaches on commercial taxes, then as long as the equalization of transport system exists, commercial taxes will inevitably decrease.
On the other hand, once the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs resolve the malpractices, the profits from the equalization and transportation system will definitely decline, and the profits will return to commercial taxes.
But if the problem is solved, commercial taxes increase, and at the same time the profit of the equalization system remains unchanged, then it is sufficient to prove that the equalization system did not encroach on commercial taxes.
Wang Anshi also thought about it before he figured out the context of this matter. He then glanced at Sima Guang and the others. Although they looked unconvinced, they seemed to have no words to refute. He felt very uncomfortable. In his heart, he secretly applauded Xue Xiang, saying that his answer was indeed perfect.
Zhao Xu listened with great interest and watched with even greater concentration. This was much more interesting than a court debate.
If he was in the Chuigong Hall, he would probably be overwhelmed again.
But this hearing made him suddenly enlightened. The key was that all the interests involved were clearly laid out before him.
This guy is really a talent. No wonder he has been in charge of the six routes for so many years without any major incidents. Zhang Fei also secretly praised him and asked curiously, "Why did Xue Fayun decide that the commercial tax would be higher than before?"
Xue Xiang said: "Because in fact, many merchants evade taxes. I agree with what Mr. Yu said just now. If merchants pay both over-tax and over-tax, they do have the confidence to sue the equalization law here.
But as far as I know, the transit tax and housing tax are all low. I would also like to ask Prosecutor Zhang, will the public security, procuratorate and courts still defend the legitimate rights and interests of such tax evaders? "
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This question also made many people present fall into deep thought.
This was the first time that someone had linked paying taxes with the court's responsibilities.
Should the public security, procuratorate and courts protect those who do not pay taxes?
Everyone couldn't help but look at Zhang Fei again, all looking forward to the answer.
Wang Anshi nodded with great satisfaction. This was also the point he hated the most. You profiteers and landlords plundered the interests of the people and didn't even pay taxes. But when something went wrong, the country was responsible and the country suffered huge losses.
Only the Jiangnan merchants were trembling there.
They are already a little dizzy. Is it worth it to win a public security, procuratorial and judicial victory in order to sue the equalization law?
“That’s a very good question.”
Zhang Fei nodded with a wry smile. He certainly wouldn't say that as long as you pay taxes, you are the boss. This is a feudal society. After thinking carefully, he replied: "As far as the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems are concerned, if there is no evidence, the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems will regard him as having paid taxes, but if there is evidence, they will definitely be punished."
Regarding the presumption of innocence, although Zhang Fei never mentioned it, the public security, procuratorate and courts have constantly emphasized conclusive evidence, which is actually the presumption of innocence. Otherwise, there would be no need to set up this hearing. It’s just not that clear. Moreover, in some special cases, the public security, procuratorate and courts can change to the presumption of guilt.
Xue Xiang smiled and said, "So I think the commercial tax will definitely increase."
Because according to the previous system, not paying taxes would not necessarily result in punishment. It depends on the individual.
"I see."
Zhang Fei smiled and nodded, then asked, "Just now, Envoy Xue said that after some adjustments, the current situation faced by merchants will be improved. But I wonder if Envoy Xue can give me a more accurate answer about when we can see the business in the six southeastern routes become as prosperous as before."
Xue Xiang pondered for a while and said, "I can't guarantee this. First of all, I can't make the decision on policy adjustments. Secondly, I think the best way to solve the problem is to build a public security, procuratorial and judicial system on Southeast Sixth Road, which is also beyond my control."
"That's true."
Zhang Fei nodded and asked, "One last question. What does Envoy Xue think of the complaints against those merchants?"
Um?
Everyone seemed a little surprised, obviously this question was beyond their expectations.
But this answer is worth looking forward to, including Zhao Xu who was sitting in the inner hall, also looking at Xue Xiang with great interest.
Xue Xiang was silent for a while, then asked, "Is Prosecutor Zhang asking about me personally, or the Shipping Department?"
"Xue Fayun sent someone." Zhang Fei said immediately.
Xue Xiang said: "Personally, if it is in the public security, procuratorate or court, I am very willing to accept their accusation. Otherwise, I definitely don't like it."
"Why?" Zhang Fei asked.
Xue Xiang answered truthfully: "Fair."
"Thank you very much, Ambassador Xue Fayun, for coming to testify. Ambassador Xue Fayun may go down and have a rest first."
"No thanks, this is my job."
Xue Xiang stood up, bowed, and left the witness stand.
Xu Zhiqian handed over a copy at the right time.
Zhang Fei took it, looked at it, and suddenly closed the document. He then said to Xu Zun, Wang Gong and others, "I think we can end it now."
Qi Ji said: "Yes, it's already past noon."
Everyone was so engrossed that they didn't realize it was already past dinner time.
"No!"
Zhang Fei shook his head and said, "What I mean is that this hearing ends here."
Xu Zun was slightly startled, then tapped his finger gently.
Wang Gong said directly: "Isn't it that Master Wang and several witnesses are not present?"
Zhang Fei shook his head and said, "It's not necessary."
Xu Zun asked curiously: "Why?"
Zhang Fei said, "Because the purpose of our hearing is to decide whether to prosecute or not, and Xue Xiang's confession is almost perfect, and he also explained the issue of the equalization law very clearly. Asking more questions will only be a waste of time and will not change the outcome of the hearing."
Xu Zun nodded, then looked at Wang Gong and Qi Ji, "What do you think?"
The two looked at each other and nodded at the same time.
After all, they were just attending a hearing and didn't know much.
Xu Zun asked Zhang Fei again: "Is the verdict going to be announced now?"
"That's not necessary."
Zhang Fei said: "We must investigate their confessions to see if they are completely true. This rule cannot be broken."
Xu Zun nodded slightly, then knocked the gavel several times and found that there was absolute silence all around. This might be the quietest trial in the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs, as everyone was thinking.
After hearing him knock the gavel a few times, everyone looked up.
Xu Zun said loudly: "This hearing ends here. Thank you very much for participating."
Wang Anshi was immediately surprised. He asked, "Is the hearing over, or is it time for a lunch break?"
How could a dignified King Jinggong look at a water dispenser?
Zhao Xu also stood up and walked to the door, "Why is it over?"
He was enjoying listening to it!
Xu Zun answered truthfully: "The entire hearing ends here. Unless someone provides new evidence, our procuratorate will review all confessions and evidence and then announce the final decision."
Wang Anshi couldn't help but look at Zhang Fei again.
Zhang Fei just gave him a look that promised to explain later.
At the same time, the conservatives on the opposite side were also deeply surprised. In their opinion, no result had been found yet, or in other words, the winner had not yet been decided!
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However, Sima Guang and the others had already stood up, rubbing their waists, and seemed ready to leave.
"My dear gentlemen, how can this end before the winner is decided?"
Liu Shu asked in confusion.
Sima Guang gently twisted his old waist and said, "It's almost there."
Liu Shu said: "This is a big difference!"
Han Qi suddenly smiled and said, "It's already not easy."
Liu Shu bowed and said, "Liu Shu is dull, I hope Mr. Han can give me some pointers."
Han Qi said with a smile: "There are two most difficult things in the world. The first is to let Wang Jiefu put flowers on his hair."
Sima Guang's face was suddenly filled with embarrassment.
Wang Anshi was one of the participants in the story of Wang Anshi interrupting on the stone. At that time, Bao Zheng hosted a banquet to entertain his subordinates. The atmosphere was very lively. Everyone put flowers in their hair and sang and danced. Only Sima Guang and Wang Anshi were not happy.
Both of them hated this atmosphere very much.
The country is in such a state, how dare you dance?
Finally, under the pressure of Bao Zheng's "power", Sima Guang surrendered, but Wang Anshi refused to intervene.
A similar thing happened when Han Qi was Wang Anshi's superior.
Even if the king of heaven comes, I, Wang Jiefu, will not give him face.
Liu Shu subconsciously asked: "What is the second thing?"
Han Qi said: "It is to make Wang Jiefu admit the shortcomings of the new policy."
"Ha ha!"
Fu Bi and the others all laughed.
Regarding the issues mentioned at the hearing, Su Shi and Su Zhe had actually raised them long ago, and they were almost exactly the same.
But Wang Anshi refused to acknowledge it and did not make any changes based on their suggestions.
It’s not that Wang Anshi was stupid enough to think they were talking nonsense, but Wang Anshi believed that this was not a problem at all, because the interests of those unscrupulous businessmen were not worth maintaining, and it was the right choice to take these interests back to the national treasury.
Anyone who carefully studies the new laws and regulations can easily see that the villains created by Wang Anshi were the landlords and profiteers, not the bureaucratic class.
However, after Wang Anshi came to power, it was not difficult to see that it was not that Wang Anshi wanted to protect the bureaucratic class, but that he had learned the lesson of Fan Zhongyan that the bureaucratic class could not be provoked and that he had to endure it, deal with the landlords and businessmen first, expand his own power, and then slowly solve this thorny problem.
So the question is, which good person will protect the rights and interests of those big profiteers?
Therefore, Wang Anshi’s original solution was to drive the brothers out and directly solve the problem of the person who caused the problem.
I was the one who did it to them, and you are still pleading for them?
Isn't this intentional hostility towards me?
From this we can see that it was not that Wang Anshi was unreasonable, but that the results they predicted, a large part of which, were exactly what Wang Anshi wanted.
But there is one thing that Wang Anshi still recognizes, and that is the problem of official administration.
Sima Guang repeatedly emphasized this issue: your idea is good, but execution is another matter.
Wang Anshi appeared not to listen, but he was actually very clear about it in his mind. He just thought that to start with the civil service reform would be to repeat Fan Zhongyan's old path, which was impossible to do.
You, Sima Guang, yourself don't even dare to step up to the stage to solve the problem of civil service.
Later, Wang Anshi made changes to the imperial examination system, pinning his hopes on new people and promoting lower-level officials to gradually bring about changes.
It is precisely because of these very complex factors, all entangled together, that the two factions are at loggerheads.
However, with the emergence of Zhang Fei and the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs, the two factions changed from a life-and-death struggle in history to one of struggle but also of cooperation.
The main reason is that Wang Anshi also agreed with the issue of official administration, and the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs were precisely aimed at this point, not at his administrative decisions, so he did not oppose the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs.
As for the conservatives, they never actually hoped to completely overthrow Wang Anshi by attacking the Equalization of Transport Law, because the Equalization of Transport Law did not affect the foundation of the Song Dynasty, and the Qingmiao Law was the fatal one.
They just want all the problems to be brought to the table and forced to change, which will be considered the achievement of the goal.
For now, Sima Guang and his team are very satisfied.
Just admit it, Wang Anshi.
Wang Anshi refused to acknowledge it before. Firstly, he really disagreed with many issues. Secondly, given the political system at that time, if he acknowledged it, the entire New Deal would be ruined.
The hearing is a brand-new system that will make clear the gains and losses, size, importance, and sequence. Even if there are problems, it will not affect the entire new policy.
Wang Anshi didn't care.
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