The gavel fell.
Most people seemed to be awakened from hypnosis. They seemed to have understood everything just now, but at this moment, they felt like they were seeing things in the fog.
In a trance, everyone subconsciously asked each other.
There was an immediate uproar in public opinion!
"Is this tax coin good or bad? Can it be trusted?"
"Who knows?"
"Huh? Where are they in such a hurry to go?"
"Yeah! What happened?"
"No! We have to go back quickly too."
"What are you going back for?"
...
...
"You are stupid! Of course we should stop selling goods. When the imperial court issues tax coins, we can't sell at such a low price."
"Ouch! Hurry, hurry, go back."
Cao Dongdong, who was stretching lazily on the stage, also noticed that many people were walking outside in a hurry, so he quickly came to Zhang Fei's side and said, "Zhang San, look, why are they all walking outside? Where are they in such a hurry to go?"
Zhang Fei, who was slowly packing up his documents, looked up and saw that the people rushing out were all merchants. It was like a flood retreating, very spectacular. He immediately smiled and said, "I think they are rushing back to adjust the price."
"What do you mean?"
Cao Dongdong scratched his head.
Zhang Fei just smiled and said, "You'll know when you go back and ask your vegetable servant."
"I am old after all!"
Zhao Yan put down the brush in his hand and couldn't help but sigh.
Xu Zun asked, "Why did Mr. Zhao say that?"
Zhao Yan laughed at himself and said, "I haven't figured out all the questions you asked just now, let alone asking them."
What to do without Zhang Feike!
"I see." Xu Zun chuckled, "Same as before. Actually, I don't understand it either."
Cao Dongdong hurriedly joined in the fun, "Yes, yes, I don't understand it either."
When Zhao Yan looked at Cao Dongdong, he suddenly felt sad. When did he end up like him?
Zhang Fei suddenly said, "Actually, I don't really understand it either."
The three of them looked at Zhang Fei at the same time.
There are only two words in his eyes.
hypocritical.
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Really. The questions I asked are actually based on what everyone discussed in the newspapers, and then combined with the duties of our public security, procuratorial and judicial organs. There is nothing new."
Zhao Yan thought about it and it seemed to be true.
Zhang Fei said: "In fact, what really confuses everyone is that no one can be sure whether the three officials' answer is right or wrong."
Zhao Yan nodded and asked, "If we don't really understand the true usage of this tax currency, how can we effectively supervise it?"
Zhang Fei hesitated for a moment and said, "I think we should not consider this calculation method, but first consider whether what they did is illegal. If it does not violate the Provisional Law, then it is naturally not prohibited. Next, we should consider how to ensure that the interests of the country, the monarch, and the people are not harmed."
Zhao Yan seemed to be thinking about something.
"This Xue Xiang is quite capable."
Fu Bi stood up with difficulty with the help of the old servant.
Sima Guang asked: "Then how should we respond?"
Fu Bi said: "Since he intends to make tax money a long-term policy, then we must legislate on it. As for how to restrict it, we have to go back and discuss it."
Su Shi smiled and said, "This may be exactly what Xue Xiang expects. The more we legislate to restrict it, the more people will believe in this tax currency."
Fu Bi asked with a smile, "I wonder what Zizhan thinks of Xue Xiang's response to your article."
Su Shi frowned slightly and said, "I admit that I don't have a thorough understanding of this tax currency. I really didn't expect that this tax currency is different from Jiaozi, but I think that paper currency is the same in essence. Even if he talks a lot, it is very likely that there will be excessive issuance.
In the past, many tyrants and treacherous ministers, in order to achieve great achievements and leave their names in history, did not hesitate to use military force and treat the people as grass. I wonder if these tyrants would care about issuing more tax coins? "
Fan Chunren nodded and said, "What Zizhan said makes a lot of sense."
Fu Bi said calmly: "As judicial officials, you should believe in the law. Otherwise, what is the meaning of being an official?"
Su Shi and Fan Chunren both nodded humbly.
In fact, this is the case. All their doubts actually indirectly illustrate their lack of trust in the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems. As judicial officials, they do not trust the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems, so how can others believe in them?
The key is that if you don’t trust the public security, procuratorate and courts, you will be even less able to stop it.
Zhang Fei had just finished cleaning up when someone sent by Zhao Xu came to call him over.
"Before the hearing, I thought I understood this tax currency very clearly, but after the hearing, I was full of confusion, so I asked you to come here to help me solve the confusion."
"In fact, the tax currency and Jiaozi are the same thing, there is not much difference, except that Jiaozi is backed by capital, while the tax currency is backed by taxes, which are both a kind of debt.
It's just that the tax coin also includes the people's tax obligations, which is a special case, but the essence is the same, just that the credit is slightly higher than Jiaozi, because the tax coin will eventually return to the court through tax payment. If it is issued indiscriminately, the court will also suffer great losses. "
Zhang Fei explained.
Zhao Xu asked: "How can we avoid excessive issuance? Just now, the Three Officials said that we can draw a conclusion through calculation. Is this possible?"
He had absolutely no idea.
Zhang Fei said: "This sounds feasible, but I'm not sure."
Zhao Xu asked, "Then what preventive measures do you think the public security, procuratorate and courts should take?"
Zhang Fei hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Your Majesty, who knows the depth of the river?"
Zhao Xu thought for a moment and said uncertainly: "Fisherman?"
Zhang Fei nodded and asked, "Who knows the height of the mountain?"
Zhao Xu immediately said, "Hunter."
Zhang Fei asked: "Who knows the value of this coin?"
Zhao Xu frowned slightly, and asked uncertainly: "Merchant?"
"Exactly."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "The judicial officials don't quite understand this, but it doesn't matter. We can ask the businessmen who often deal with money to participate in the decision-making. They are the most sensitive to whether the tax currency is too much or too little."
Zhao Xu was shocked and said, "You mean to let merchants participate in the decision-making of the court to issue tax coins."
Zhang Fei said: "It was the Legislative Council that asked them to come and assist, not to directly participate."
Zhao Xu couldn't help but frown.
Zhang Fei said: "Your Majesty, the three envoys have just explained the advantages of tax coins very clearly. As long as the tax coins are used well, the benefits to the country will be immeasurable, and I think it will have an immediate effect. However, if it is not used well, the harm to the country will also be immeasurable.
It is said that risks and benefits coexist. If Your Majesty wants the national strength to increase exponentially in a short period of time, you must use tax coins. Therefore, Your Majesty should do his best to prevent the harm caused by tax coins.
Then we cannot let the life and death of tax currency be in the hands of a group of judicial officials who do not understand finance. Allowing businessmen to participate is actually mainly to restrict the Legislative Council.
If there were no merchants, Sima Xue Shi and his companions could find ten thousand reasons to stop the Three Officials. Even if the number was few, they would think it was too much, and what they said must have made sense, so it would be difficult to argue who was right or wrong.
If businessmen get involved, it is no longer a question of right or wrong, but a battle of interests between two parties, which can actually produce a result that benefits both parties.
Moreover, if merchants participate, the tax currency will gain more people's trust. As long as merchants recognize it, others will recognize it."
Zhao Xu nodded slightly.
In the wing room.
"I'm sorry, I'm late."
After entering the room, Xue Xiang bowed to Wang Anshi.
Wang Anshi asked, "What have you been doing?"
Xue Xiang said: "Just now, the abbot of Xiangguo Temple came to discuss the matter of opening the warehouse."
Wang Anshi asked, "Jie Ku Pu?"
Xue Xiang nodded and said, "Xiangguo Temple believes that the issue of currency is of great importance. If the court only cooperates with the Ma family, it may be controlled by the Ma family in the future. Xiangguo Temple hopes to cooperate directly with the court."
At this point, he added: "With the emergence of the tax commissioner and the new tax law, the temples are having a hard time. They can no longer help the rich and powerful hide their land, and are now looking for new ways out.
Xiangguo Temple in Xizhou had a very smooth cooperation with Wang Shao and the buyers, and had accumulated a lot of wealth, which made them taste the sweetness, so Xiangguo Temple should have made up its mind to do the paper money business with the court this time. "
Wang Anshi sneered: "What's the point of them making up their minds?"
But as he was speaking, he saw Xue Xiang remained silent, "Why? Do you think we should cooperate with them?"
Xue Xiang nodded and said, "We can't just cooperate with the Ma family. It's not that we are afraid of them, but the more powerful and wealthy people we cooperate with, the longer the tax currency can last. Xiangguo Temple is powerful. Not only does it have enough copper coins, but it also has close contacts with many powerful people in the court. If we can bring them all in, they will naturally believe in the tax currency, and then more and more people will use the tax currency.
Next, I have studied the Ma family's Jieku Shop in Hezhong Prefecture. Based on my husband's Qingmiao Law, people can deposit salt notes in their Jieku Shop, and they will use the money to lend to others and charge interest.
In the beginning, the Ma family's Jiekupu did not have much capital. The money deposited was only kept in their accounts, not in the vault. In other words, it was a tax coin that could have
Two values.
We should also follow the example of Hezhong Prefecture and set up multiple warehouses, and then link them all up with Xianggong’s new policies.”
Wang Anshi nodded and said, "I have also been studying the success of Hezhong Prefecture. This is indeed feasible, but can the court do it itself without the merchants?"
"I don't think so."
Xue Xiang shook his head.
Wang Anshi asked, "Why?"
Xue Xiang said: "Because merchants are the group of people who come into contact with money the most. If they don't participate, they won't trust it. If they don't trust it, the people will trust it even less."
Wang Anshi nodded slightly, "But we must be extremely careful when cooperating with them. These insects are not afraid of the imperial court."
The people in Xiangguo Temple are not ordinary wealthy businessmen like Chen Maoqian, they also belong to the ruling class.
Xue Xiang said: "But now they are afraid of the police, procuratorate and courts."
It’s truly a closed loop!
After the hearing, merchants took immediate action to raise product prices. Some extreme cases even closed down their businesses and waited until the results came out before making any further decisions. The pressure then came to the Legislative Council.
Before, the people did want the court to issue tax coins, but after watching the hearing, they hoped that the Legislative Council would first pass a bill to protect their rights and interests before issuing tax coins.
The three departments also need to make preparations. Issuing tax coins does not mean just standing on the city wall and scattering tax coins into the streets and considering the task accomplished.
You know, the three offices have lost their financial power, so Xue Xiang must strengthen the monetary power, otherwise, the three offices will really become a warehouse.
He is also actively discussing with several major treasuries such as Xiangguo Temple, the Ma family, and charitable foundations on how the parties should cooperate.
Fortunately, we have Hezhong Prefecture as a sample.
It's not difficult to cooperate.
Moreover, the cooperation here not only involves tax currency, but also includes some financial policies within the new deal.
While they were in full swing, the Legislative Council was also actively discussing it. Fan Chunren and Su Shi have not returned to Jingdong East Road yet, and they are actually waiting for this result.
But after several days of discussion, there is still no result.
Because this is really not what they are good at.
Sima Guang and Su Shi, who are usually eloquent, were completely silent this time. They talked so much that they didn't even know what they were talking about.
Even if they are discussing on the basis of the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs, that is, they believe that the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs can stop it, the problem is how to design the rules.
Because according to Xue Xiang, the amount of tax currency issued fluctuates, so how to design this bottom line?
Fu Bi also invited some judicial officials from the capital to come and find a solution, including the father-in-law and son-in-law Xu Zun and Zhang Fei.
After a heated debate, everyone was thirsty.
Sima Guang suddenly looked at Zhang Fei who was standing beside him, "Zhang San."
Zhang Fei subconsciously straightened his back and asked, "What's the matter?"
Sima Guang asked, "You don't seem to have much insight this time?"
When he asked this question, everyone looked over.
Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, and then pretended to hesitate before saying, "I do have an idea, but it may be a little bold."
Fu Bi immediately said, "Tell me what you want to hear first."
Zhang Fei said: "Whether the tax is more or less, it is actually difficult for people like us to feel it. The ones who are really affected are the merchants. Merchants are more sensitive than us in this regard. This technique has its own specialties, so why don't we ask for help from merchants."
Su Shi asked curiously, "How can I ask for help?"
Zhang Fei said: "It's very simple. If the court wants to issue tax coins, the Legislative Council will preside over it, and then invite all the wealthy businessmen from all walks of life. If they all agree, then we will issue them. If they don't agree, then we won't issue them. Anyway, they are the ones who use the most tax coins. There is no need for our Legislative Council to be the bad guys, nor do we need to bear this responsibility."
Sima Guang was shocked and asked, "How can we let businessmen decide on this national issue?"
Zhang Fei said: "This is a national event, but if merchants do not accept the tax coins, there is no point in issuing them. Instead, it will do harm. Why don't we discuss it first?
Moreover, it was the Legislative Council that convened the businessmen to discuss the matter. The power to decide whether to allow the matter lies with the Legislative Council, not the businessmen. It is just that the Legislative Council stipulated that the businessmen should be allowed to participate in the decision-making process.
Su Shi's eyes lit up, "This is a really good idea."
Fu Bi nodded and said, "It's a good idea, but it may be troublesome to implement. If it's just one prefecture or county, then we can do it this way, but the Three Commissioners mean that sooner or later the whole country will issue tax coins. Do we have to invite merchants from all over the country every time we issue tax coins? In addition, there are so many people with different opinions and different interests. When can we discuss and come to a conclusion?"
Zhang Fei shrugged and said calmly, "This is very simple. We stipulate that tax coins will be issued every three years, and at the same time stipulate how many people agree to it before it is passed."
Fu Bi couldn't help but frown slightly.
Seeing this, Xu Zun immediately frowned and scolded, "Zhang San, when Mr. Fu asked you a question, couldn't you be more serious? Who are you showing off to when you shake your shoulders?"
Zhang Fei was stunned by the scolding, and said embarrassedly: "My father-in-law taught me that it is no wonder that I have such a bad habit, but in fact, I answered very seriously. The market fluctuates, and it is very difficult to legislate on an accurate number.
Moreover, there are contradictions among the country, the people, and the monarch on the issue of taxation. If it develops in a vicious way, all three will suffer huge losses.
It is better to let them solve it themselves. The three officials will propose how much tax coins to issue for the benefit of the country and the monarch. If the merchants can accept it, everyone will be happy. If not, they can discuss it themselves and we will be the organizer and judge.
Just like in today's court trials, the presiding judge listens to the witnesses' testimonies, looks at the evidence, and then makes a judgment according to the law, rather than engaging in a battle of wits and courage with the suspect himself."
Zhao Yan was delighted when he heard this. "This is a novel idea."
"Don't worry about the journey."
Fu Bi smiled and said, "I didn't blame him for being rude just now. In fact, what Zhang San said makes a lot of sense."
Su Shi also said: "I think so too. In fact, the problem of Jiaozi is that the rights of the people are not protected. If we do this, it seems that they can discuss it themselves, but in fact, the legislation will give merchants protection, allowing them to bargain with the government. In this way, it can effectively prevent the abuse of tax coins."
Fu Bi nodded, and then asked Zhao Yan, Sima Guang, Fan Chunren and others, "What do you think?"
The three of them nodded.
After the Legislative Council reached an agreement, Wang Anshi and Xue Xiang were invited to discuss the matter.
When Wang Anshi heard this, he was stunned. "Mr. Fu, are you letting businessmen decide national affairs?"
Fu Bi laughed a few times and suddenly pointed at Sima Guang standing beside him, "It's rare that Jiefu and Junshi have the same opinion!"
Wang Anshi subconsciously glanced at Sima Guang. The two looked at each other, tilted their heads and snorted at the same time.
Wang Anshi suddenly had an idea and said, "It seems that Mr. Fu also knows that there are many contradictions between my ideas and Junshi's. Since we have the same views on this matter, it is obvious that this is not feasible."
Fu Bi smiled and said, "Jiefu has a misunderstanding. We are not asking businessmen to decide national affairs, but our Legislative Council invites businessmen to help us make decisions.
Because we old men don’t really understand these things, and we don’t want to delay the three departments’ plans. Moreover, merchants’ acceptance of tax coins is the key to the success of tax coins, so why not let them participate.”
Wang Anshi frowned slightly and looked at Xue Xiang again.
Xue Xiang nodded slightly.
Fu Bi added: "But at present, the three departments have not yet determined a calculation method, and the three officials have also said that it is just a test for the time being, so during this period, the Legislative Council will temporarily issue a bill to ensure that the tax coins in private hands cannot exceed the copper and silk in the national treasury."
Wang Anshi said: "Mr. Fu, this matter is of great importance, we should be more cautious."
Fu Bi said: "We have discussed this for many days, and this is the only way. Only in this way can our Legislative Council defend the legitimate rights and interests of the country, the monarch, and the people."
After coming out of the Legislative Council, Wang Anshi's first words were, "Believe it or not, this idea must have been proposed by Zhang Er."
Xue Xiang asked: "Why are you so sure, sir?"
Wang Anshi snorted, "Mr. Fu is not necessarily more open-minded than Sima Junshi. Sima Junshi thinks the same as I do. How could Mr. Fu think of such a solution? On the contrary, it was Zhang Erbi who brought the government and the Ma family together in the first place, and his reasons were similar."
Xue Xiang said: "But I think this method is not bad. If you want to use tax coins for a long time, you should communicate with the merchants first to ensure that there will be no mistakes.
As long as everyone recognizes the tax currency, the court can use the tax currency in some affairs, which can save a lot of losses. "
Wang Anshi thought for a moment and said, "Since you think it's feasible, then let's give it a try. Anyway, we can't change the decision of the Legislative Council."
Of course, whether this can be done still requires the emperor's approval, but Zhang Fei has already convinced the emperor.
In addition, almost all the ministers in the court supported this approach, because many officials actually did business, and their business was not small. Plus, it was related to their salaries, so they had to be on guard against both the three ministries and the Legislative Council. If businessmen were allowed to participate directly, they could actually participate indirectly. After some discussion, it was finally approved.
And the news has just spread.
The businessmen all found it incredible. This result was a huge surprise for them.
The effect is immediate.
All prices immediately rose to the levels before the money shortage, and even the prices of some bulk commodities such as grain, silk and cloth increased slightly.
At the same time, the three companies announced that they would
Cooperate with the Xiangguo Temple and Charity Foundation.
In fact, Xiangguo Temple and the Charity Foundation had cooperated with the Ma family before, but now they will also open more Jieku shops. This business involves millions of strings of cash, and it would be difficult for the three families to handle it, let alone the Ma family alone.
Of course, they did not give up on cooperating with the Ma family, because the three families have always had close cooperation, especially Xiangguo Temple, which is actually the largest owner behind the Ma family and the charity foundation.
The Xiangguo Temple has very close relations with many powerful people.
The three companies immediately announced that the people could take their tax coins to the warehouse to exchange for copper coins, and vice versa.
Xue Xiang made it very clear at the hearing that the three departments had never guaranteed that the tax currency could be exchanged for real currency. The three departments only acknowledged that the tax currency could be used to pay taxes at face value. However, Xue Xiang also mentioned that if the people wanted to be fair to Huang, the three departments would not object.
The reason why these three companies do this is actually to attract traffic. They first use this exchange business to attract customers, and at the same time use it to increase the savings business.
In fact, the money deposit business and paper currency exchange business have existed since the Song Dynasty, and there is nothing special about them.
In order to support these three organizations, the Three Courts also handed over all the salaries of low-level officials in the public security, procuratorial and judicial departments to them. From now on, the royal police can directly go to these three organizations to collect their salaries.
As for the soldiers, Xue Xiang didn't dare to touch them, as the water was too deep. The officers would at least get some out of the soldiers. If they all went to the Jiekupu, what would happen to the interests of the officers? Moreover, the three companies could not cope with it now.
But Xue Xiang believed that sooner or later the soldiers would demand the same treatment as the Royal Police.
Although the tax coins are still in preparation and have not yet been officially issued, the stagnant water in the capital has been completely activated. Since the tax coins can be directly exchanged for real estate at the Jiekupu, why hold on to them?
Both the common people and the businessmen quickly took out their coins to spend.
However, the size of this market can be said to have doubled compared to before, because now officials, soldiers, and royal police all need to take money to the market to buy what they need.
This productivity immediately pales in comparison.
The new urban area plan is also urgent.
The Ministry of Revenue also announced the new urban area plan in due course, and two new towns would be built on the east and west sides of the capital. These two places are actually the only way to enter the capital.
This was planned by Wang Anshi, who hoped to build fortifications in the two new towns, mainly to hinder cavalry and increase the number of archers. Therefore, it was stipulated that some of the workshops must use bricks and tiles instead of wood.
It's too cold, my fingers are stiff, and my typing efficiency is greatly reduced. Let alone air conditioning, it is really useless for typing.
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