There is nothing new under the sun. In fact, this kind of trick was used by some people during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. The Song Dynasty, which was surrounded by powerful enemies, certainly also used this trick.
On the other hand, the Liao Kingdom also had a large number of spies in the Song Dynasty who also engaged in sabotage work.
The two most novel points about Zhang Fei's move are that this time he used a brand-new media, namely newspapers, and that he used the system to confuse the people and create civil unrest within the enemy country. This had never happened before.
The key is that Zhang Fei has evidence, that is, the success in Xihe area.
Therefore, Zhao Xu was able to understand the truth very quickly and did not hesitate for too long. He adopted Zhang Fei's suggestion and decided to give it a try. Anyway, whether he tried it or not, he had already put a small part of his power in a cage, and the reason he did this was to expand his territory.
Why not give it a try? It won’t cost much anyway.
Therefore, he decided to let Zhang Fei take full charge of the matter, and let Li Bao contact him, while Yan Jidao was arranged to be responsible for the writing work.
After returning home and holding her two sons in her arms, before she had time to tell Xu Zhiqian and Gao Wenyin about the interesting story, Sima Guang came to her door.
Because Sima Guang attached great importance to Zhang Fei's inspection. You should know that this is the first large-scale inspection since the promotion of public security, procuratorial and judicial organs. This is a very important task. Before Zhang Fei left, he also gave various instructions.
Finally, he came back after half a year.
...
...
this..
Sima Guang could not accept it.
"Did something happen?"
Sima Guang asked anxiously.
Zhang Fei shook his head and said, "Nothing happened. Everything went very smoothly. Why did Sima Xueshi ask this question?"
After hearing this, Sima Guang became even more confused. "You have toured these four or five prefectures and counties in just half a year. What are you inspecting?"
Inspection tours in ancient times have always been a very important task. After all, communication was very inconvenient at that time. In order for the central government to learn about local requests, it had to send inspectors to conduct on-site inspections.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "This is all because of Master Sima."
"Blame me?"
Sima Guang was shocked.
"Um."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "It's because the people arranged by Sima Xueshi are all moral role models, impeccable. When I first came to Daming Mansion, I was going to say a few words, but Judge Cheng threw a book based on the law of the legal system in my face, and I couldn't even open my mouth."
"Stop talking nonsense."
Sima Guang glared at him and said, "With so many prefectures and counties, isn't there any problem at all?"
Zhang Fei smiled helplessly and said, "There's really nothing to say. Even if Scholar Sima doesn't believe me, he should believe Judge Cheng and the others."
Sima Guang said: "Of course I believe them, but the local affairs are so complicated, don't they have any problems?"
"There were some before, but with the temporary law, they don't have too many questions because all the answers are in it, so what I say doesn't count."
Zhang Fei then told Sima Guang about the course of his inspection.
Sima Guang said: "But according to the news from various places, many states and counties still have many problems, and the people are hungry and poorly clothed."
Zhang Fei said: "If you want to talk about this kind of situation, then it does exist, and there are many problems, but that is the responsibility of the government, not ours. I only focus on the public security, procuratorial and judicial departments. Now it depends on whether the prefects and county magistrates can find a way to increase the wealth of the people. Our public security, procuratorial and judicial departments are only to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the people."
Yes! Now the political and legal systems have been separated. Sima Guang suddenly realized that his thinking was still that of a traditional official, who took on a lot of responsibilities. However, he had made it very clear before that the performance of the prefects and county magistrates depended on whether the people's wealth increased every year. He suddenly asked again, "Do you really think that relying on policies can increase the wealth of the people?"
Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Hasn't Scholar Sima always believed that the wealth and other things created by the world are limited to this number, and if they are not in the private sector, they are in the public sector?"
After hearing this, Sima Guang couldn't help but sigh: "But what happened this year makes me a little confused!"
Zhang Fei was very curious and asked, "What happened?"
It's incredible what could have changed Sima Guang's ideas!
Is Sima Niu bent?
Sima Guang said: "First, it is the tax currency. After my observation, this tax currency can indeed increase the country and the people.
Secondly, recently a businessman named Xie Liangjing in Beijing created a kind of resurrection paper, which is to recycle used paper and make new paper. Although the paper is far inferior to new paper, the price is very low, and ordinary people can afford it, especially for those colleges. It is very suitable. I bought some to practice calligraphy.
Not only that, this year a merchant from Jiangnan also sent a kind of bamboo paper that can be used for double-sided printing. Your genuine bookstore has published a double-sided newspaper. It is said that the three departments are now considering using this bamboo paper for tax coins. "
Zhang Fei was surprised and asked, "Did I really only go out for half a year?"
Sima Guang was stunned for a moment, "Why do you say that?"
Zhang Fei said: "It's only been half a year, how come there have been so many breakthroughs in papermaking?"
Sima Guang said: "There are reasons for this. Since your genuine bookstore started printing newspapers and books, the paper is obviously not enough. On the other hand, there is more waste paper, so some businessmen thought of using waste paper to make new paper.
As for the bamboo paper, it was also because of the demand for printing. In order to gain business, they made this kind of paper that is more suitable for printing."
This was not achieved overnight, but was the result of many years of accumulation. The reason was that there were more publications and reading materials had completely entered the lives of the people, so the demand naturally increased. The North was short of paper, so they thought about recycling waste paper, and the South was the main papermaking location, so they thought about improving papermaking technology and trying to stand out.
If anyone could monopolize printing paper, he could become rich overnight, the demand is so great.
"I see."
Zhang Fei nodded and asked, "But how does this change Sima Xueshi's philosophy?"
Sima Guang sighed, "I used to think that everything in the world grows from the ground. If it's not in the common people, it must be in the government. But this doesn't seem to apply to businessmen."
It's a pity that I'm not good at chemistry. If I make fertilizer, this old man will doubt his life. Zhang Fei smiled to himself and said, "Master Wang didn't show off in front of Master Sima, right?"
"He dares."
Sima Guang snorted, "What does it have to do with him? His new policies are all about robbing the people's money. But in his eyes, robbing the money of merchants and landlords is not called robbing. At the same time, if he can let the people pay less interest, then he has great merit."
Zhang Fei just smiled.
The person who understands Wang Anshi best in this world is Sima Guang, and vice versa.
Sima Guang asked again: "Let's not talk about these for now. Let's focus on the public security, procuratorate and courts. After your inspection, do you have any plans for the future?"
Zhang Fei said: "My plan is all based on Sima Xueshi. My contribution to the success of the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs is only 30%, while Sima Xueshi should account for 70%. It is precisely because of Sima Xueshi's reasonable arrangement that this inspection has failed.
However, there are still many places that do not have public security, procuratorate or courts. This requires Sima Xue Shi to make further arrangements and gradually build public security, procuratorate or courts in various places.
As for the rest, there is really nothing to say. The current system is already very perfect.”
Sima Guang nodded.
Just at this time, Xu Zun came back from the yamen.
"My son-in-law meets my father-in-law."
Zhang Fei just hurried out and bowed.
Xu Zun first exchanged greetings with Sima Guang, then asked Zhang Fei, "Why did you come back so early?"
He had already received the news that Zhang Fei had returned home earlier, so he did not show too much surprise.
Sima Guang smiled and said, "Look, even your father-in-law thinks you came back early."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "This is all because of the arrangements made by Scholar Sima, which left me no room to perform."
Sima Guang hurriedly said, "Zhongtu, don't listen to his nonsense. He is just lazy and wants to save trouble. How can he inspect like this?"
Xu Zun nodded repeatedly: "My husband, what you said makes sense, but unfortunately I really can't control this kid. I have to trouble my husband to help me teach this brat a lesson."
Sima Guang said in frustration: "If I can control him, I have to control him every day. You are not unaware of your son-in-law's eloquence."
Xu Zun laughed and quickly asked Sima Guang to sit down.
After the three of them sat down, Xu Zun asked about the situation a little more. Zhang Fei told him the truth, saying that everything went smoothly, so he came back early and gave all the credit to Sima Guang.
Xu Zun also complimented Sima Guang a few times, and then changed the subject: "But you came back at the right time. We just received a lawsuit and it's quite difficult."
Zhang Fei asked: "What lawsuit?"
Xu Zun said, "It's like this. Recently, a paper merchant named Li Jian from Lin'an County came to the capital with a batch of bamboo paper. The paper he sold was favored by the Three Departments. After trying it, the officials of the Three Departments all thought that this bamboo paper was most suitable for tax currency. Therefore, the Three Departments planned to include this kind of paper as tribute and supply it exclusively for the needs of the court. However, Li Jian was unwilling to do so. He preferred to cooperate with the genuine bookstore, so he filed a complaint with the procuratorate."
"Look, look."
Sima Guang said excitedly: "What did I just say? They are just robbing."
Zhang Fei asked, "What's wrong with being a tribute? Doesn't the court pay?"
Sima Guang said: "If
If it is not a special supply, generally no money will be given. Even if it is a tribute from the local area to the court, if it is a special supply, some money will be given, but the money is definitely not much, and those merchants do not want their goods to become tribute. "
Zhang Fei frowned when he heard this and suddenly asked, "Are there many such tributes at present?"
Sima Guang said: "Not a few, mainly porcelain, silk, and the four treasures of the study, but most of them are listed as special supplies to the court because they are rare."
Zhang Fei nodded slightly, as if thinking about something.
Seeing that the boy was silent, Sima Guang asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Zhang Fei was stunned. "I was thinking about this lawsuit."
Xu Zun said: "This lawsuit is not easy to win. They have the right to do so. The temporary law has not made any changes to this system."
This system mostly involves the emperor, and Fu Bi is not stupid enough to influence the emperor's interests on such a small matter.
Sima Guang said: "But this is unfair to the paper merchant. The public security, procuratorial and judicial organs should protect their legitimate rights and interests."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Master Sima's words make sense, but I still need to study it and see how to do it."
This really doesn't allow me to breathe!
This time when I came back, I encountered such a difficult lawsuit.
The next day.
Zhang Fei first went to the procuratorate, and then ordered someone to find Li Jian and ask him about relevant matters.
Li Jian said that he was from Lin'an, where many goods were included as tribute. He certainly knew that once they were included as tribute, and were exclusively for the court, he could only make a living. But if he was allowed to sell them to bookstores, he could earn a fortune.
When he came, he didn't know about the tax currency, and he didn't want to do business with the court. He just came to these printing shops to discuss business.
As he spoke, he actually started crying.
It's so exciting that I can see huge wealth is about to come, but I encounter this terrible thing.
He can't bear it!
Zhang Fei could only comfort him and told him to go back and wait for news, saying that the procuratorate would definitely protect his interests.
Just after finishing the discussion with Li Jian, Wang Anshi came to the door on his own initiative.
When I saw Zhang Fei, the first thing I said was, "How come you came back so soon?"
Zhang Fei really didn't expect that his rapid progress would seem so different in their eyes. If he had known this, he would have stayed a few more days. They were already numb to the answers, so he brought out the same rhetoric again. Of course, he did not praise Sima Guang, but just said that now the stage had been set, and it was time for Master Wang to perform.
"Don't make it sound nice."
Wang Anshi snorted, "Now I could be sued if I move my toes. If this continues, who would dare to be the prime minister?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "It seems that Master Wang has received the news."
Wang Anshi said: "The benefits brought by this year's tax currency are far greater than we imagined. If it is popularized throughout the country, do you know how much wealth it can bring to the country and the people?"
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Of course I know. I was the one who proposed this tax coin."
Wang Anshi said: "Therefore, we should protect this tax coin even better. Anti-counterfeiting is also the key. The bamboo paper of the paper merchant is not only exquisite, but also can be printed on both sides. I have talked to the craftsmen at the three offices, and they all think that this kind of paper can use more anti-counterfeiting technology. Besides, I am only accepting his bamboo paper as a tribute, not saying that I will not pay him."
Zhang Fei said, "I just discussed this issue with him. He said that if it becomes a tribute to the court, it can only make ends meet, but if it is sold to a bookstore, the profit will be more than ten thousand times."
Wang Anshi did not deny this, saying: "But if it is handed over to the court, the wealth will be increased by more than ten thousand times. Let me ask the three departments to give me more money, and you will stop causing me trouble."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "If Master Wang still wants better paper, don't do this."
Wang Anshi asked, "What do you mean?"
Zhang Fei said: "I asked him carefully. The reason why he was able to create this kind of bamboo paper was that he knew the printing industry was booming. As long as he made this kind of paper that was easy to print, he could make a fortune. This was driven by profit. If it was directly offered as tribute, who would dare to innovate in the future?
According to the current system, the imperial court needs to rely more on the innovation of craftsmen to create more wealth. Only in this way can it truly realize the idea of Mr. Wang that the people will not be taxed more and the country will have abundant funds.
Then again, why don't you think about this, Master Wang, what made the tax coin so popular? Isn't it because of these merchants? If the merchants can't make money, the value of the tax coin will also drop sharply. "
Wang Anshi said: "He is just a businessman."
Zhang Fei said: "But this will have a very bad impact, and will only make Wang Xueshi lose more than he gains."
Wang Anshi thought for a while and nodded, "Actually, this matter was also raised by Minister Deng. I don't think there is any problem with it. It's not a big deal. But you make it sound so scary, so I'll do as you say."
As he spoke, he sighed again, "Nowadays, many officials say that it is becoming increasingly difficult to be an official. Now it turns out that this is true. Just a piece of paper has become so troublesome."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Doesn't Scholar Wang often complain that there are too many mediocre officials in the court?"
Wang Anshi immediately said, "I never said that."
"That might be what Scholar Sima said."
"That old man must have said that."
Wang Anshi laughed.
Zhang Fei said: "But Mr. Wang, don't be in a hurry to withdraw. I still need to discuss this matter with the emperor."
Wang Anshi asked, "Discuss with the government?"
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "I hope the government will cancel some of the tributes created by the wisdom of the craftsmen."
Wang Anshi frowned and said, "Don't mess around with this, because this involves the authority of the emperor."
Zhang Fei said, "I know, but take this paper merchant for example, Master Wang, do you believe that I can convince him to improve a type of paper that is more suitable for tax coins and sell it to the court at a low price?"
Wang Anshi asked, "How do you do that?"
Zhang Fei said: "It's very simple. If everyone knows that his paper is specially supplied to the court, then would he still be worried about not being able to sell his other papers?
In the same way, the rest of the tribute can be handled in the same way. In addition, now that we have the Food Agency, we can help the court with its purchases.”
Wang Anshi's eyes lit up and he said with a smile, "Your business acumen is really as good as your legal attainments!"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "That's still a long way off."
Wang Anshi added: "But what does this have to do with whether I withdraw or not?"
Zhang Fei said: "Because this can better reflect the emperor's great grace."
The Imperial Palace.
"Are you looking for me because of something concerning the Northern Dynasty?"
When he saw Zhang Fei, Zhao Xu asked directly.
It can be seen that he was very concerned about this matter. After all, Western Xia was just a major threat, while the Liao Kingdom was a survival crisis. It was not difficult to judge which one was more important.
In order to weaken the Liao Dynasty, Zhao Xu must have been very motivated.
Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, then quickly shook his head and said, "No, I came to see Your Majesty today for another matter."
"What's up?"
Zhao Xu asked.
Zhang Fei immediately informed Zhao Xu about the bamboo paper.
Zhao Xu was very surprised after hearing this. You came to me for such a trivial matter. Are you here to eat for free? With a puzzled tone, he asked, "Can you discuss this matter with Wang Xueshi?"
Zhang Fei said: "Your Majesty, this is actually all my fault. I suggested that Your Majesty shift the focus to business, but there is one thing I forgot to say. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Zhao Xu asked, "What's the matter?"
Zhang Fei said: "It's about how Your Majesty can show favor to merchants, so that merchants will be grateful to Your Majesty, and when Your Majesty needs money, they will also be able to generously help."
Zhao Xu asked: "Then according to your opinion, how should I show favor to merchants?"
"Take bamboo paper for example," Zhang Fei said, "Your Majesty can issue an edict to grant him special privileges. For example, only he can produce this kind of paper, and let him make a lot of money."
After hearing this, Zhao Xu was even more puzzled, "Why is this? Besides, haven't you always suggested that I take back those privileges?"
Zhang Fei said: "Your Majesty, the previous privileges were just monopolies. They were of no benefit to the country and would only harm it. However, this privilege is different. It is a profit created by wisdom. If you want to develop industry and commerce, you must innovate. Regarding this point, I have talked to Your Majesty before. If you want to do your job well, you must first sharpen your tools. This is also the key point of future fiscal growth. Only in this way can we achieve the goal of not taxing the people and making the country rich.
If this imperial edict is issued, it will surely encourage merchants and craftsmen to innovate, and the court will obtain finer paper, better ink, and more convenient printing technology. As the saying goes, the world is bustling with people, all for the sake of profit.
The wealth created also belongs to the country and Your Majesty. At the same time, this will also make businessmen grateful to Your Majesty, which can be said to kill two birds with one stone!"
Zhao Xu nodded slightly, and gradually figured it out. Zhang Fei had explained the theory to him before, which was how to develop industry and commerce. They would soon understand the truth, but then he became suspicious again: "But if I personally issue an order without any reason to grant privileges to a businessman, wouldn't it seem like a lie?"
If the emperor's favor was so casual, it would seem cheap, especially since the other party was just a small businessman.
Zhang Fei immediately said: "Your Majesty does not need to issue an order to this businessman alone, but you can draft a bill in the name of the emperor to reward those who invent and create things that are beneficial to the development of the country.
Moreover, I also suggest that some creative tributes, such as porcelain, be freed from restrictions.
I am sure that by doing this, they will be able to create a better replacement for Your Majesty in the future."
"Yeah?"
Zhao Xu asked curiously, "What do you have in mind?"
Zhang Fei immediately repeated the reason to Zhao Xu.
This royal family is a golden signboard!
Is there any better publicity than this?
This is the true meaning, take a step back and the world will be broader.
For example, the current tribute system does not allow the emperor to enjoy a better life.
Zhao Xu smiled and said, "Yes! If they are specially supplied to the imperial court, will they still worry about not being able to sell their goods?"
"That's right."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Your Majesty can also use this to obtain better goods. Although Your Majesty may need to spend a little to buy them, the income tax will be much more than this amount. Based on the new tax law, the more they earn, the more Your Majesty and the country will earn."
Zhao Xu nodded and said, "Okay! I'll do as you say."
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