If issuing banknotes can't solve the problem, what else can we do? Of course, lay off employees!
This is definitely not a joke.
Because the imperial court really has debt restructuring, if the disaster is too serious, it can only lay off officials and reduce spending.
Some officials present couldn't help but shiver slightly.
Of course, there were also many conservative officials who looked down upon Xue Xiang.
This is our philosophy. Do you, Xue Xiang, have the nerve to say it?
Or, the end of opening up new sources of income is to cut costs.
This is truly a closed loop!
And that was the end of the meeting.
Fu Bi said that they still needed to study the evidence submitted by Xue Xiang. After all, today's hearing touched on their blind spots.
...
...
These evidences will play a decisive role. Otherwise, if we don’t figure out the principles behind this, we won’t know how to ask questions.
The officials all shook their heads and left with sad faces.
After these two hearings, they felt unfamiliar and out of control.
There is a feeling of being powerless.
In contrast, Zhao Xu looked relaxed and did not leave in a hurry. Instead, he asked Zhang Fei: "How do you think they will oppose these two bills?"
Zhang Fei pondered for a moment and said, "Regarding the warehouse tax, they will definitely directly say that it is unfair to the landlords. After all, the landlords have been hoarding grain since ancient times. Moreover, they will criticize the tax commissioner for using this law to exploit the landlords' grain. As for the tax currency bill, they should still oppose it based on the disadvantages of Jiaozi."
Zhao Xu nodded and asked, "Then how do you think I should respond?"
Zhang Fei said: "I don't know about that. After all, they are not being reasonable."
"Ha ha!"
Zhao Xu laughed a few times, and suddenly remembered something, "Oh right! Regarding that statistical method, you give me some advice and tell me everything you know. The financial accounts must be kept in this way in the future. I don't want to be kept in the dark."
"yes."
After discussing this matter, Zhao Xu got up and returned to the palace.
Of course, Zhang Fei knew very well in his mind that Zhao Xu had gone from being passive to active, and the next step would be to take revenge if necessary and complain if necessary!
He walked outside while humming a little tune.
"Sometimes, sometimes, I believe that everything has an end, there is a time for meeting and leaving, and nothing will last forever!"
The singing stopped abruptly because an obstacle appeared ahead.
"Mr. Sima."
Zhang Fei quickly stepped forward and bowed.
Sima Guang said expressionlessly: "If you have nothing urgent to do, sit for a while and then go back."
Zhang Fei nodded awkwardly.
Following Sima Guang to a lounge, as soon as he sat down, Sima Guang said sarcastically: "Of course! Even the Three Envoys will worship you as their master."
Zhang Fei smiled bitterly and said, "I knew that Scholar Sima would misunderstand, but everything that happened today really has nothing to do with me. It was the result of Sansi's own research."
Sima Guang snorted, "Do you think I will believe your nonsense? Xue Xiang is obviously imitating you."
"Oh! Master Sima, please don't say that. It's ruining my reputation. The Three Envoys really haven't learned that. Ahem, Cai Jing and the others are fine."
Zhang Fei said very depressed.
Sima Guang was confused and asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Zhang Fei said: "If he is my apprentice, then... basically, there is no doubt that the Legislative Council will pass it for me."
"Hey, you are really arrogant!" Sima Guang said with interest: "I would like to hear the details. What would you do if it were you?"
Zhang Fei said calmly: "It's actually very simple, we just need to bring out the previous disaster relief examples and there will be basically no suspense.
I have seen the government open its granaries to provide disaster relief, and it was a real mess. People were rescued half to death, and had to queue for a long time to get a mouthful of porridge. Those who were destined to starve to death would still starve to death.
Otherwise, the court would not have brought all the disaster victims to the military camp. If it were me, I would first criticize various cases for a whole day, and then give some guarantees to the tax bill. The Legislative Council would either pass it or use the traditional method of opening warehouses for relief. If people starve to death, it would be the Legislative Council’s problem.”
".!"
The air seemed to freeze.
Sima Guang sat there blankly, without any of the aggressive momentum he had just had.
After a long while, Sima Guang coughed and said, "That is to say, you also think that issuing tax coins is better than opening warehouses for relief."
Zhang Fei frowned and said, "To be honest, I think tax money is a double-edged sword. If used well, it is indeed ten thousand times better than opening warehouses for relief. But if used too hard, the situation may be worse than it is now. That's why I didn't say anything. If it will definitely get better, I will definitely tell Master Wang, or I will do it myself."
"You are a sensible boy."
Sima Guang nodded with great satisfaction. Zhang Fei's words touched his heart. He said, "As long as they get a taste of the sweetness from this, this tax will surely cause endless troubles."
After that, he looked at Zhang Fei again, "So, that's why I came to you. How can I stop this bill from passing?"
Given Sima Guang's personality, he would never support paper money because the risk was too great. He also knew human nature very well. As long as they tasted the sweetness, they would continue to use it. Both the merchants and the government in Sichuan have proved this with facts.
No matter who issues paper money, it will inevitably be issued indiscriminately.
However, in order to refute Xue Xiang, he had to start with the evidence he submitted and find the flaws in it. But Sima Guang didn't quite understand this, so he ran to Zhang Fei for help.
Zhang Fei shook his head and said, "Master Sima, if I really could have stopped it, I would have already found a way to stop it in Hezhong Prefecture. Now that Hezhong Prefecture has achieved great success, and there is a drought at this time, it is even more impossible to stop it."
Sima Guang said: "But you also said that the harm is endless. Doing this is tantamount to drinking poison to quench thirst."
Zhang Fei sighed and said, "In fact, when we were in Hezhong Prefecture, Chief Prosecutor Su and I also weighed this point and wondered whether we should try our best to stop it.
However, we have taken into consideration that if we firmly prohibit the government from issuing salt notes, the public security, procuratorial and judicial departments will not be able to enforce it because the government cannot afford to pay the compensation. However, legally, it must pay the compensation.
So from this point of view, it was the government that compromised for the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs, so we finally chose to take a step back and at the same time give the procuratorate great supervisory power to keep an eye on every link of the issuance of salt notes. "
"it's useless."
Sima Guang waved his hand and said, "You can keep an eye on it for a while, but not forever! If the three officials use tax money to help the country through the drought, you just wait and see. When they encounter any difficulties, they will issue paper money, and the government and the people will gradually become extravagant."
Zhang Fei asked, "Could it be that Mr. Sima regards the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs as emergency measures rather than long-term systems?"
Sima Guang frowned and sighed, "Of course I didn't think so, but speaking of the facts, whether the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems can last for a long time is still unknown. Now more and more people in the court are aware of the constraints that the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems impose on them. More and more people are opposed to the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems, but even if we return to the previous judicial system, the harm to the country is far less than the harm caused by paper money!"
Zhang Fei shook his head and said, "I don't think so. As long as the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs are in place, even if a certain county or city over-issues banknotes, the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs can still ask the court to recall the banknotes, which can stop the bleeding in time.
On the other hand, if there is no public security, can Sima Xueshi guarantee that paper money can be stopped? To this day, some counties are still issuing Jiaozi, and the local people have no public security, procuratorate or court to protect their rights and interests. "
Sima Guang looked hesitant. "So what do you think? Try to find a way to restrict it?"
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "The possibility of stopping this is extremely small. Considering what many people have done before, the government will definitely fully support the passage of these two bills."
Sima Guang was confused and asked, "Did the emperor say anything to you just now?"
Zhang Fei shook his head and said, "Of course the government will not give me my opinion. The government just wants me to explain the reasoning, but the government currently has no reason to oppose these two bills."
Sima Guang nodded slightly.
Zhang Fei continued, "Instead of doing that, we should find ways to supervise. In fact, the questions asked by the chief judge were very good. At least they forced the three officials to state that the tax money was only used temporarily. We should trust the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs, because they were created to deal with such complex situations, and."
Sima Guang glanced at him and asked, "And what?"
Zhang Fei said: "And I think this is also an opportunity for the Legislative Council to leave everyone with the impression that this is a fair and impartial decision."
Sima Guang stroked his beard and fell into deep thought.
Inside the carriage.
Wang Anshi glanced at Xue Xiang and asked with a smile, "Master, were the evidence you just submitted prepared long ago, or were they rushed out last night? I heard that you stayed in the Sansi last night?"
Xue Xiang said truthfully: "Some of them were prepared long ago, and some were made last night."
"You really prepared it at the last minute." Wang Anshi laughed and said, "Then your method of learning and applying it on the spot really opened my eyes!"
Xue Xiang said modestly: "Actually, compared to Prosecutor Zhang, I still have some shortcomings. When I watched Prosecutor Zhang testify, he was able to connect many things together and put the other party in a dilemma, but I can't do that."
"Don't compare yourself to that kid. I can't figure out why he's still alive today. You've already done pretty well."
Wang Anshi laughed and said, "Which of those people on the stage is easy to mess with?"
At this point, he sighed, "It's a pity that you stated on stage that this tax currency will only be used this time. In fact, as long as the paper money is properly issued, it will not only be beneficial to the finances, but also to the people."
Ever since the last salt banknote incident, he has been very optimistic about this paper currency.
Xue Xiang said hurriedly: "Although I said it will only be used this time, it is not important. What is important is that as long as the people like it, it can be used for a long time. The situation in Hezhong Prefecture is the same. At the beginning, Hezhong Prefecture only said it would be used for a while, but over time, the people thought that this salt note was very good, so they are still using it today. The court has no policy on this."
Wang Anshi thought about it and nodded, "What you said makes sense."
Xue Xiang said: "So I spent three years writing the bill. As long as the people get used to using tax coins within these three years, then it will be a natural thing to issue tax coins later."
Although hearings have been held many times before, this one completely sparked public opinion, because the previous hearings all involved specific cases, and although some national policies were involved, they ultimately revolved around evidence, and those policies had already been promulgated, while this hearing was held before the policies were promulgated.
This gives people an unprecedented sense of participation and security.
If a hearing is held for a policy that has already been released, the people will at most curse it and feel helpless. But since it has not been promulgated yet, everyone will be thinking and discussing it. The questions and answers at the meeting also make them feel at ease and believe that the court will not act recklessly.
Baifan Building.
I saw a group of businessmen looking at Fan Yong.
Fan Yong felt a little embarrassed when they stared at him, "Ouch! Don't look at me like that."
"Old Fan, at this time, don't hide anything. Your son knows the situation in Hezhong Prefecture best. Don't say you don't know anything."
"That's right! Originally I was planning to do well as long as I didn't lose money this year, but the words of the Third Envoy gave me some hope. If I can make money, that would be the best."
For these wealthy businessmen, it was easy to survive a disaster, but Xue Xiang's words made them itchy. After all, Xue Xiang's reference was Hezhong Prefecture, and they were all aware of the situation in Hezhong Prefecture. The prosperity there was not false.
Fan Yong said, "Many of you have opened branches there, don't you know?"
Chen Maoqian said: "Your family doesn't know that. What are you afraid of?"
"I'm not afraid!"
Fan Yong sighed: "To be honest, according to what my son wrote in the letter, it is indeed because of the salt notes that the business in Hezhong Prefecture has become more prosperous. The salt notes are convenient to use and can save a lot of losses.
In the past, people had to push their grain to pay taxes, but now they can pay at the village entrance. Even a five-year-old child can do it, and the government does not need many people to collect taxes.
But Hezhong Prefecture is Hezhong Prefecture, and the capital is the capital. I can’t guarantee whether the capital can do the same as Hezhong Prefecture.”
The paper merchant Huang Can suddenly asked, "That is to say, what the Three Envoys said is correct, but we just have to see if this tax coin will be the same as the salt note of Hezhong Prefecture."
"Yes."
Fan Yong nodded.
Huang Can added: "Why can the local people in Hezhong Prefecture trust the salt notes so much?"
“It’s because I can pay taxes.”
Fan Yong blurted out.
The room suddenly became quiet.
In a large private room on the third floor, Liu Ping and other big landlords were like ants on a hot pan, fidgeting.
"It's Zhang San again, it's Zhang San again. If I get the chance someday, I will skin that guy alive."
"Whether it's a tax or not is none of our business. Anyway, we just don't collect the tax coins. The key is that it's a warehouse tax. If it really happens, then... then what should we do! I still have more than twenty cough coughs in my warehouse, a lot of food!"
"Why are you panicking? Why are you panicking?"
Liu Ping stood up and said, "No matter how much food we have, can it be more than those masters above? If they can afford it, then what can we afford?"
A big landowner asked, "But can this tax punish those masters above?"
Liu Ping said: "At the hearing, Zhang San said it very clearly. The reason why the situation of Xiangguo Temple is special is that there are many people in Xiangguo Temple. This is a special situation. If we talk about privileges, Xiangguo Temple should be exempted directly."
"That's true. As long as we treat everyone equally, we won't be afraid. The worst that can happen is that we just have to sell the grain."
The merchants were indecisive and hesitant, the landlords were worried and unable to sleep, and the officials in the court were even more quarrelsome.
Some officials are firmly opposed to warehouse tax and do not even mention tax currency.
Some officials opposed the tax bill, but remained neutral on the warehouse tax.
Some officials were opposed.
Some officials support it.
There are all kinds of positions, but generally speaking, most people are against the warehouse tax, which is not supported by all landlords. If a landlord does not hoard grain, can he still be called a landlord?
If you force us to sell, the price of grain will drop and farmers will suffer. Then others will switch to growing other crops.
It was as if we were back to the Qingli period, harassing the emperor every day and engaging in fatigue bombing.
It's really strange that no one cares about the Legislative Council.
Because they all know that this is no small matter. If the emperor doesn't speak up, your Legislative Council will dare to pass these two bills.
But this time they guessed wrong.
Rich mansion.
"What?"
Wen Yanbo was surprised and asked, "Mr. Fu intends to pass these two bills?"
Fu Bi nodded, "After our research, there is no problem with the evidence Xue Xiang submitted. It is all true. We can't find any reason to stop it."
Wen Yanbo asked, "Was it the emperor's order?"
Fu Bi shook his head and said, "The government has not yet expressed its position, but I believe that the government will definitely support it."
Wen Yanbo said: "If we do this, we will offend many people. At present, the opposition in the court is becoming more and more intense. Some people even clamored that if the court passed the warehouse tax, they would no longer grow grain."
Fu Bi said: "But no one has ever told me this."
Wen Yanbo was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Does Mr. Fu still care about these things?"
“I don’t care, but the Legislature has to care.”
Fu Bi frowned and said, "Nowadays, politics and law are separated. The decision on whether to pass or not lies with the Legislative Council. I had hoped that they could come to the Legislative Council for discussion. If they presented strong evidence or said there were inconveniences, we would consider it. But the fact is that no one has ever thought of the Legislative Council."
Wen Yanbo asked, "So Lord Fu wants to use this to establish his authority over the Legislative Council?"
Fu Bi nodded.
Wen Yanbo worriedly said, "But this may cause a lot of resentment from many people, especially the warehouse tax, which many ministers are strongly opposed to."
Fu Bi said, "There is nothing I can do about it. This is my job. I have given them a chance. If I don't teach them a lesson this time, no one will take the Legislative Council seriously in the future, and the separation of politics and law will be nothing but empty talk."
Wen Yanbo glanced at Fu Bi with a little surprise.
Originally, when Fu Bi returned to the court, he planned not to fight or compete, but to support the emperor. After all, he was old, and he knew that his time was over. Wen Yanbo also knew this, but what Wen Yanbo did not expect was that the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs rekindled Fu Bi's fighting spirit.
I gave you a chance, but you didn't take me seriously. Do you really think that I, Fu Bi, am old and can't lift a knife?
He told Wen Yanbo that it was purely out of friendship. In fact, Wen Yanbo had no say in it, as the State Affairs Hall and the Legislative Council were on the same level.
The only one who can control it is the emperor.
But Fu Bi knew very well that the emperor would definitely support it, so he decided to use these two bills to establish the authority of the Legislative Council.
Moreover, he has already obtained the support of Zhao Yan, Sima Guang and Xu Zun. Only Feng Jing is opposed. It is not that Feng Jing really does not support it, but he is the Chief Censor, and many censors are very opposed to it now, so he has to consider his status.
But Feng Jing's opposition alone was of no use, and many judicial officials now served in the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs, and Sima Guang controlled the appointment of judicial officials.
So with the full support of Fu Bi, Zhao Yan, Xu Zun, Sima Guang and others, the two bills were finally passed by the Legislative Council.
This really caught everyone off guard.
What's going on?
How come it passed?
However, instead of reflecting on themselves, these officials felt they were stabbed in the back and opposed them even more fiercely, joining the Legislative Council in impeachment.
The emperor hasn't even spoken, and you dare pass it in the Legislative Council?
You don't take the emperor seriously.
Many ministers even threatened to resign.
The people are also building up momentum, and grain prices are still soaring. If you collect warehouse taxes, I won't buy grain anymore.
Zhao Xu, who had been silent for many days, finally summoned all his ministers to the Chuigong Hall to discuss matters.
Inside the palace.
There was complete silence.
Because when the ministers came to the Chuigong Hall and were about to have a good talk, they suddenly discovered that there were fine wine and delicious food in the hall.
Isn't it for discussion?
Why is there a banquet?
Everyone stared at the delicious food on the table, feeling a little nervous. They had a lot to say but didn't dare to say them.
Zhao Xu, who was sitting on the upper table, glanced at the ministers and asked, "Are you dissatisfied with the dishes?"
No one dared to answer.
Because no one knew what the emperor wanted to do.
Wen Yanbo replied: "Your Majesty, the disaster is just around the corner and the people are starving. The court should not waste money. If this gets out, it will damage your reputation. I hope your Majesty will think twice."
"It's not bad for this meal."
Zhao Xu responded lightly, and then looked up and said with emotion: "I still remember the banquet held by Taizu to entertain meritorious officials."
As soon as these words were spoken, the ministers' expressions changed.
Brother, why don’t you say something else? What do you want to do by talking about this?
The key point is that there is not a single military general here, only civil officials and dignitaries. You must have got the wrong person.
Aping others?
Even Wang Anshi couldn't help but feel a pang in his heart. He glanced at Zhao Xu secretly and felt that the emperor in front of him was so strange.
Then Zhao Xu said to himself, "At the banquet, Taizu promised meritorious officials good farmland and beautiful houses, and prosperity for generations. Do you think that the royal family has achieved this in the past hundred years?"
The ministers just nodded in agreement.
Speaking of the matter, it has indeed been done.
Zhao Xu nodded and continued, "I dare not forget them either. Therefore, no matter how the court reforms, I have not taken back their privileges. They are still rich and their family wealth has increased.
But recently, I have been having trouble sleeping and eating."
Here it comes! Here it comes!
I can't sleep or eat well again. Can't you say something else?
Is it okay if I don’t object?
Some dignitaries kept wiping their sweat with silk handkerchiefs.
This statement is so familiar.
Then Zhao Xu said, "In fact, I was present at the hearings on those two days. To be honest, I also had my doubts about the warehouse tax, and even asked the Empress Dowager for advice.
However, what I did not expect was that I would encounter opposition from so many ministers. Especially after the Legislative Council passed two bills, I received no less than a hundred memorials in one day. It was these memorials that made me uneasy!
I can't help but wonder why you are so vehemently opposed to it. Is it because of your wealth? It shouldn't be. I have asked again and again. According to this bill, as long as you sell the grain, you don't have to pay the warehouse tax, and you can also be exempt from commercial taxes, and all the profits belong to you.
The Legislative Council also stated that there was no problem with the two bills. So what was the reason that made so many ministers in the court even threaten to resign?
This reminds me of the rebellion of Wu Tian in Qizhou two years ago. At that time, Qizhou was in turmoil and grain prices soared. The people didn't know where to buy food, but the rebel Wu Tian obtained sufficient food and grass from those gentry and landlords. Oh, that landlord Luo Hai seems to be a descendant of meritorious service.
Yes! At a critical moment, food is more useful than money! Perhaps what you want is not just wealth and honor."
Before he finished speaking, more than ten ministers quickly walked out from their seats, came to the middle, bowed and said: "I deserve death, Your Majesty, please punish me."
Beads of sweat the size of beans kept dripping from their faces onto the floor.
Zhao Xu looked at them for a while and said, "It's not that you deserve to die. I just want to tell you that I will give you the wealth and honor that Taizu promised you, but don't think too much about the rest."
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