Zhang Fei had just finished talking with Wang Anshi and had not had time to chat with Xu Zhiqian before he was called away by Zhao Xu's men.
"Why did you end the hearing so abruptly? What was the reason? Or what happened?"
When he saw Zhang Fei, Zhao Xu couldn't wait to ask.
In his opinion, this hearing came to an abrupt end, but he believed that there must be something he did not understand well, or some unknown accidents happened.
Zhang Fei asked in astonishment, "Your Majesty, do you have anything else to ask?"
Zhao Xu said: "How would I know?"
"......?"
Zhang Fei thought for a moment before reacting and immediately explained, "In fact, the fact is that Xue Fayun's answer is enough to end this hearing, because the other party's accusation is only about the impact of the implementation of the Equalization Law, not the regulations of the Equalization Law. Xue Fayun also explained this very clearly."
Zhao Xu asked: "So...so this is a normal ending?"
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Yes. It ended normally."
...
...
"It turns out that I was overthinking it."
Zhao Xu nodded thoughtfully, and then sighed: "I still feel a little unsatisfied!"
Zhang Fei said, "In fact, all the issues involved have been laid out, and Envoy Xue has also promised some solutions. The purpose of the hearing has been achieved. If we continue to ask, it will probably return to some ideological and moral disputes between the two sides. Your Majesty should be used to these remarks, so it would be a bit superfluous."
Zhao Xu nodded repeatedly and said, "Yes, yes, you are right. Compared with the court debate, I really don't like your hearing. The court debate is really...sigh...it's hard to describe. My ears are callused from listening to it. Do you think it is possible to turn this hearing into a court system?"
Zhang Fei immediately said: "But no."
Zhao Xu asked: "Why not?"
Zhang Fei explained: "Your Majesty, if this hearing becomes a court system, what if the result contradicts your Majesty's ideas? There is little room for maneuver here. After all, everyone speaks with evidence and facts."
Zhao Xu couldn't help but frown when he heard this.
Zhang Fei said: "So your majesty must not be impulsive. The current situation is very good. When it is beneficial to your majesty, use it. If it is not beneficial to your majesty, then don't use it."
Zhao Xu smiled awkwardly and said, "Am I a person who is partial to others? If it is right, why don't I listen to it?"
Zhang Fei said: "Your Majesty, what Sima Xueshi said about reducing taxes and levies is absolutely right, but the country has no money now, so we can't do that. We have to prioritize!"
"That's true."
Zhao Xu quickly took advantage of the situation to back down.
In fact, when Zhang Fei said that just now, he immediately realized the problem here and would definitely not allow hearings to become a court system.
Zhang Fei was unwilling to do so because he did not want to have frequent conflicts with Zhao Xu in the future. The last incident with the Imperial City Bureau was enough to give him a headache.
He does not want Zhao Xu to feel too much restraint from the public security, procuratorial and judicial departments.
At that time, he also promised that only a little bit of power would be involved and not too much would be involved.
Zhao Xu immediately changed the subject and said, "By the way, next, are you planning to use this opportunity to promote the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems in the Southeast Sixth Road?"
"That's right."
Zhang Fei asked, "Your Majesty, do you still remember the business tax plan you mentioned before?"
Zhao Xu nodded and smiled, "Of course I remember."
Zhang Fei said: "The situation in the northwest is enough to show that this plan is very successful, but the business potential of the northwest is still far less than that of the southeast six routes. If the southeast six routes can be like the northwest, the wealth growth it brings to the country may be dozens of times that of the northwest."
"So many?"
Zhao Xu couldn't help but take a breath.
"almost."
Zhang Fei nodded calmly and said, "Then as long as we rectify the six southeastern routes and stabilize the business base of our Song Dynasty, Your Majesty can devote himself to fulfilling the ideal of expanding the territory."
This sentence alone had a great impact on Zhao Xu. His purpose of amassing wealth was to fight wars. He became ill due to depression, not because of the success of the new policy, but because he lost the war. He could not help but feel overwhelmed, "Really...really?"
This was the first time Zhang Fei gave him a vague date for the start of the war.
In the past, Zhang Fei always advised him to be patient.
"Yes."
Zhang Fei nodded, "Even from a financial perspective, we have to do this. The court spends so much military money in the northwest and northern border every year. Instead of spending so much money every year, it's better to solve it once and for all.
We just need to accumulate some money first to avoid increasing the burden on the people and causing internal and external troubles."
Zhao Xu nodded and said, "That makes sense!"
Seeing that he was very interested, Zhang Fei said, "Oh, Master Wang came to see me just now."
Zhao Xu was stunned for a moment, and then asked casually, "Sir, are you dissatisfied with the hearing?"
In fact, he knew, otherwise it would not be such a coincidence that he sent someone over right after Wang Anshi left.
Zhang Fei replied: "I am a little dissatisfied, but it is mainly because the gentleman minded that I did not invite him to testify."
"Oh, yeah...really?"
Zhao Xu laughed and nodded, "I see."
Zhang Fei said: "But we also talked about how to solve the problem of equal loss."
Zhao Xu said: "Isn't it relying on the public security, procuratorate and courts?"
Zhang Fei immediately said: "The public security, procuratorial and judicial organs can only maintain order and at most discover problems, but these are not judicial issues, so to solve these problems, we still have to rely on the central government's decision-making."
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Then, he told Zhao Xu about his super business department truthfully, and then said: "If your majesty wants to establish great achievements, you must keep food firmly in your hands, which can be used to solve people's livelihood problems internally and for wars externally.
If the grain is not in your own hands, you will be controlled by others. Therefore, Your Majesty should not focus on the current financial problems, but should look further. Even if you lose a little money, as long as you have grain in your hands, you can easily turn losses into profits, because grain can affect many, many things. "
Zhao Xu nodded excitedly, "You are right. I have compromised on the issue of food more than once."
Of course he would be willing to control the food in his own hands.
Then he immediately asked, "Are you going there in person?"
Such a huge plan must be presided over by you personally.
Zhang Fei was slightly stunned and said, "It all depends on how Sima Xueshi and his men will arrange it. I can't make the decision."
Zhao Xu smiled and said, "I will make the decision for you, so why are you worried? This plan came from you, so you are more suitable than Sima Xueshi."
Zhang Fei said hurriedly, "Your Majesty, you really misunderstood. I can barely make suggestions and decisions, and I can also do justice, but in other aspects, I am far inferior to Sima Xueshi. Your Majesty and Sima Xueshi must discuss this matter. I only know a few prime ministers in the court, and I can't even call out the names of many officials. When I went to Hezhong Prefecture, the only people who followed me were the students I had just met."
In terms of politics, his vision was actually very narrow, and his considerations were certainly not as thorough as Sima Guang and others, and political issues are all interconnected.
Zhao Xu couldn't help but ask curiously, "Yes! You seem to have little contact with officials?"
It can be said that Zhang Fei is completely under his surveillance. It's not that he doesn't trust Zhang Fei, but that Zhang Fei is surrounded by his people, such as Li Bao, Da Gou, Li He, etc., all of whom are his confidants.
He knew exactly what Zhang Fei was going to do.
He suddenly remembered that Zhang Fei indeed rarely interacted with officials and just jumped back and forth between Wang Anshi and Sima Guang.
Zhang Fei said awkwardly, "To be honest with you, Your Majesty, I was born in the market, and I am a complete mess in literature. I can hardly give a satisfactory compliment, let alone my handwriting. Who would be willing to talk to me?"
Zhao Xu laughed out loud and thought to himself, this guy really has no ambition at all. He added, "Well, let's see what Sima Xueshi and the others are going to do. But this matter is of great importance, so you have to keep an eye on it."
Zhang Fei nodded.
.....
After the two finished their conversation, Zhao Xu returned to the palace. Zhang Fei also planned to call Xu Zhiqian to go home together, but as soon as he arrived in front of the courtyard, he saw Sima Guang hanging around the door.
Oh my god!
This hanging also needs to give people a break!
Zhang Fei sighed inwardly, exhausted both physically and mentally. Up to now, he hadn't even eaten a bite of food.
But Sima Guang cannot be blamed for this. This really has a ripple effect. The public security, procuratorial and judicial systems will usher in a large-scale expansion, and the destination is the financial foundation of the Northern Song Dynasty.
The cautious Sima Guang would definitely come and talk to Zhang Fei.
"Where have you been?"
At this time, Sima Guang also saw Zhang Fei and immediately walked forward.
Zhang Fei said truthfully: "The official's place."
Sima Guang hurriedly asked, "What does the emperor want to see you for?"
"Let's talk inside. Scholar Sima, please come in."
After entering the house, Zhang Fei said, "The official asked me to come over for no other reason than to ask some questions about the hearing, including whether the implementation of the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs in the southeast six roads can avoid these problems."
Sima Guang hurriedly asked: "How did you answer?"
Zhang Fei said: "Of course I am saying that I can solve some problems, but for the specific matters, I still suggest that the emperor discuss it with you, Sima Xueshi."
Sima Guang said suspiciously: "You know more than me, why do you need to consult me?"
Zhang Fei said: "That's all I know. As for whether it's appropriate to send the public security, procuratorate and courts south at this time, and what kind of people to send and how to deploy them, I really don't know anything."
"Actually, I came to you for this very reason!"
Sima Guang sighed.
Zhang Fei laughed and said, "Master Sima has found the wrong person. In this regard, ten Zhang Sans are not as good as Master Sima."
Sima Guang snorted, "Don't flatter me here. They all think I'm too slow to supervise the equalization of transportation, which leads to these problems."
Zhang Fei immediately said: "In terms of employing people, I really respect Mr. Sima, and that's how it should be."
Sima Guang looked at Zhang Fei and asked seriously, "Are you mocking me or do you really agree with me? This is not like your style."
Zhang Fei supported him more than once, but he was also the only one who supported him. Moreover, he always felt that Zhang Fei was speaking in a sarcastic way, because this was not like what Zhang Fei would say.
Zhang Fei asked in return: "Does Scholar Sima think I am radical?"
"Well...."
"If it weren't for Scholar Sima forcing me to go to the Imperial College, I might have had to linger outside for several years before entering the official career."
"That's true."
Sima Guang nodded. Thinking about Zhang Fei's many behaviors, he was indeed very careful. Now he was really sure of it. He was very pleased and said, "You are the only one who supports me."
Zhang Fei said: "Sima Xueshi, please do not be influenced by others. The public security, procuratorial and judicial organs require meticulousness. If you are careless in employing people, there will definitely be problems. I insist that in the use of public security, procuratorial and judicial organs, we must be more cautious in not having too many people."
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Sima Guang asked: "Then do you think we should send people to the six southeastern routes to promote the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs as soon as possible?"
After pretending to think for a while, Zhang Fei replied: "Undoubtedly, this is a great opportunity, but if there is no suitable person, I would rather wait a little longer."
Sima Guang asked again: "Are you willing to go?"
Zhang Fei hesitated and said, "To be honest with you, Master Sima, I don't really want to go. After all, my two children were just born. But if I have to go, then... there is nothing I can do."
This was the truth. He really didn't want to go, because if he went, he would encounter more troubles. And there was no other way but to go to Hezhong Prefecture. He had to go because no one else knew how to establish it. After Hezhong Prefecture set an example, Qingzhou and Qizhou were also very successful.
If someone else is sent instead, there will be less pressure.
In addition, the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems are now developing comprehensively, and if he stays in the capital, he will be able to better control the overall situation.
Sima Guang nodded slightly and said, "In fact, Mr. Fu proposed a plan."
"What plan?" Zhang Fei asked quickly.
Sima Guang immediately informed Zhang Fei of Fu Bi's arrangement.
Zhang Fei's eyes lit up, "This plan is really good. If Sima Xueshi thinks it's okay, then I think it's okay too."
Sima Guang sighed, "But I'm still a little worried. The situation in the southeast is also very complicated."
Zhang Fei asked: "Then I will go?"
Sima Guang glanced at him and said, "It would be best if you go in person, but if you go, others will be worried."
???
Zhang Fei looked at Sima Guang blankly, "What should we do then?"
Sima Guang frowned and said after a while, "You...you should stay in the capital for the time being. I will send someone to take a look first. If it doesn't work, I will let you go."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "I have no objection."
......
After talking with Sima Guang, Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian went home in a carriage.
"Are you going to Southeast Sixth Road to preside over the public security, procuratorial and judicial departments?" Xu Zhiqian asked curiously.
Zhang Fei shook his head and said, "I won't be allowed to go for now."
Xu Zhiqian asked: "Why?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Because many people no longer trust me, they think that I am in league with Master Wang, and the Southeast Sixth Route is a strategic location, so of course they don't trust me to go."
Xu Zhiqian curled her lips and said, "They are really narrow-minded."
Zhang Fei laughed and said, "But they can't change anything. Our plan will also enter a new stage. The public security, procuratorial and judicial organs will soon become a national system, and this will change everything."
......
Three days later, the procuratorate made a decision and dismissed the lawsuit filed by the Jiangnan businessmen on the grounds of insufficient evidence.
Moreover, on the day of the verdict, the procuratorate published an explanation for the rejection in the newspaper.
Although this result was already expected by everyone, when the verdict came out, it caused huge discussion both in the court and among the people.
Because according to the analysis of the Procuratorate's rejection, the problem does exist, but it is not that there is a problem with the regulations of the Equalization of Transport Law. The regulations of the Equalization of Transport Law are only to protect the interests of the court, not to really compete with merchants.
So here comes the question.
Since what those Jiangnan businessmen said was true, the problem is real, and the procuratorate is only explaining it purely from a judicial perspective, which does not involve solutions to the problem.
How to solve these problems?
There was also heated discussion on this matter in the DPRK.
But the conservatives quickly reached a consensus because they all realized at this time that although the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs had close ties with Zhang Fei, the control was always in their hands.
Su Shi's brothers, Fan Chunren, Qian Yi, Qi Hui, Liu Zhi, etc., were all the people they trusted the most.
Zhang Fei's only ally is his father-in-law. It is not an exaggeration to say that he is alone.
Zhang Fei is not under control, and it is just a small prosecution, which will not cause any waves.
Moreover, facts have proved that the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs can indeed safeguard the rights and interests of businessmen, which is a perfect match for the equalization of transport system.
Officials who represent the interests of businessmen are naturally very supportive.
They all agreed that as long as Zhang Fei was not sent, the rest would be easy.
After some discussion, Sima Guang decided to let Qi Hui lead the team, draw out key members of the public security, procuratorial and judicial departments in the capital, and then let students from the Imperial College Law School take over as trainees.
.....
On the contrary, after the reformists learned that Sima Guang and his team were planning to implement the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems in the six southeastern routes, some arguments broke out. The officials who were mainly opposed to the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems believed that Xue Xiang was able to praise the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems in court. Wasn't this creating opportunities for the other side?
However, Wang Anshi took the initiative to take the responsibility and said that he asked Xue Xiang to say this because he was planning a big move, and this big move could only be triggered by taking a step back.
This big move is naturally the Super Business Agency.
This plan immediately received real-name support from many people. Anyone could guess how much wealth was involved. Moreover, it involved the entire country and it was not a government office. There was too much room for maneuver. They could use this office to manipulate many things.
Because this is nominally a business office, but judging from its responsibilities, it must have real power, and the business office is specifically used to place idle officials, which means that they will be able to place their relatives and children in this business office, thereby indirectly controlling power.
This would allow the reformists to further control the finances.
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Both factions began to build momentum in the court. The conservatives submitted memorials one after another, demanding the implementation of public security, procuratorial and judicial systems in the six southeastern routes.
The reformists were also building up momentum, and Wang Anshi formally proposed the plan for this super-bureaucratic agency to the emperor.
This business bureau is not used to replace the Shipping Bureau. It has nothing to do with taxation and has no such authority. It is a pure commercial workshop, only funded by the state. However, it will replace the Changping Warehouse.
In the future, the Shipping Department can choose to sell excess tribute to this business office, which will then sell it. At the same time, the goods needed by the capital can also be purchased directly from this business office. Moreover, this business office also needs to pay taxes, which is no different from merchants.
Therefore, the Business Office can also reject the transaction proposed by the Shipping Department, and the court does not necessarily have to purchase the required goods from this Business Office.
But it is not difficult to imagine that as long as this business agency exists, businessmen will not be able to take advantage of the situation.
At the same time, it can promote commercial development, and merchants can sell goods to the court as long as the price is reasonable.
This is equivalent to turning the equalization method into a pure transaction.
However, why did the imperial court invest in building this agency? It was for the purpose of storing grain and preparing national grain reserves?
When the conservatives heard about the plan, they immediately opposed it.
It would be fine if you made a little money by speculating in trade, but you are also planning to take over the important task of national grain reserves, which is tantamount to controlling the lifeblood of the country!
From now on, no one will be able to beat you. Everyone will depend on you for food.
Sima Guang almost spit out his tongue.
Seeing that the time was almost right, Zhao Xu called Wang Anshi and Sima Guang into his study for a closed-door meeting.
What do you two want?
Sima Guang started with a barrage of accusations, accusing Wang Anshi of all kinds of evil ambitions.
"Sima Junshi, you are really going too far!"
Wang Anshi angrily denounced Sima Guang in front of the emperor, and there was a hint of grievance in his voice.
Sima Guang was also confused by the scolding, "How could I have gone too far?"
Wang Anshi immediately bowed to Zhao Xu and said, "Your Majesty, please understand. When I first promulgated the Equalization Law, this fellow always criticized the law for competing with the people for profits. Now he is still saying that he wants to promote public security, prosecution and law in the six southeastern routes to protect the rights and interests of merchants.
I am too lazy to argue with them, so I choose to take a step back and let the Regulations Office of the Two Prefectures fund the establishment of a business office. The business office is different from a government office. It is between officials and civilians, and its status is almost the same as that of a businessman.
If there is a conflict between the two, the public security, procuratorate and court can make a fairer judgment without too much scruples. But I never expected that after I have done so much, he still blames me. It can be seen that Sima Junshi is targeting me. "
After hearing this, Zhao Xu nodded repeatedly and looked at Sima Guang with confusion.
Wang Anshi wanted to kneel down, are you still not satisfied?
Sima Guang was also a little confused. If this was the explanation, it seemed to be correct. The Business Office did not have administrative power. This really brought great benefits to the public security, procuratorial and judicial courts in their trials. They no longer had to worry about the court, nor would it scare the businessmen.
"Wait a minute."
Sima Guang suddenly realized what was happening and said to Zhao Xu, "Your Majesty, this is not the question I am talking about."
Zhao Xu asked, "What problem are you talking about?"
Sima Guang said: "What I said is about the issue of food reserves. This is related to the lifeblood of the country!"
Wang Anshi said, "Isn't this what you want?"
Sima Guang asked back: "Why is this what I want?"
Wang Anshi said: "First of all, you highly advocate the Changping Warehouse System, and this business office is equivalent to inheriting the Changping Warehouse System.
Secondly, when you opposed the new policies in the past, you always emphasized that the government was too powerful and the people were too weak. If the new policies were implemented, they would compete with the people for profits and breed corruption.
Now the new policy is not in the name of the government, and it is as equal as possible to the people. Isn't this what you want?"
Sima Guang said, "Stop using flowery words here. The Business Office is funded by the Regulations Office of the Two Governments. Can its status be equal to that of ordinary people?"
Wang Anshi spread his hands and questioned, "Why can't we do this with the public security, the procuratorate and the courts here? If a public hospital intentionally kills someone, the responsibility is the same as that of an ordinary doctor. If a public newspaper publishes illegal articles, it will also be punished. Even if it is funded by the two government regulations, if it hoards grain, the public security, the procuratorate and the courts can still punish the public office. There is no difference. It's just that businessmen speculate for profit, and this public office, for the sake of national security, always maintains sufficient grain reserves, and at the same time takes advantage of the equal transportation method to achieve unified allocation and reduce expenditure and waste."
Sima Guang was once again speechless.
Wang Anshi took the opportunity to say to Zhao Xu: "Your Majesty, grain reserves are the lifeblood of the country. In the past, the country only focused on the capital and ignored the local areas, so many granaries were abandoned.
At the same time, when faced with a crisis, the big landlords and profiteers often took advantage of the situation to rob us, which was not worth the loss. I am not trying to compete with the merchants for a little profit, but for the sake of national security, even if the court spends a little more, it is worth it.
I even think that the Legislative Council should legislate on this issue to prevent anyone from using food to make a profit, which is tantamount to murder for money. "
What you said is really righteous.
Sima Guang was confused. Was this what Wang Anshi said? He asked, "Wang Jiefu, your business office has no power?"
"It has no power. You can regard it as a grain merchant. Moreover," Wang Anshi added, "the entire business office is completely based on the Changping Warehouse Law, just to ensure the survival rights of the people.
This business office will not sell grain and salt directly to the people, but will sell them to small and medium-sized merchants, who will then sell them to the people. The purpose is to prevent those big profiteers from hoarding and monopolizing the market. "
Sima Guang asked, "Does it also include salt?"
Wang Anshi said, "Don't worry. As for salt, this business office has nothing to do with the salt pond. It just means that when the price of salt is too low, we will buy some at a low price. If there is a salt shortage, the state will have one more means at its disposal. That's all. But the main thing is grain."
Sima Guang asked again: "What is the price?"
"Of course it's cheap."
Wang Anshi said: "If we don't sell at a fair price, how can we crack down on those big profiteers? This business agency is mainly for national security, not for profit."
Sima Guang asked again: "How can you guarantee this?"
Wang Anshi said, "Aren't there public security, procuratorate and courts?"
“......!”
Back to the starting point.
Sima Guang was completely discouraged. How come the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs seemed to be in his hands?
Zhao Xu could hardly hold back any longer and coughed, "That's enough! I think what Wang Xueshi said makes sense. This will also avoid the negative impact of competing with the people for profits. I also believe that the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs will strictly supervise this business agency."
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