In the entire plan, the public opinion in Xihe area is also very crucial, because here are many ethnic groups living together, not a single ethnic group. Why are people willing to come to Xihe? It is not to be loyal to the Emperor of Song Dynasty, but to avoid war and disputes. Now everyone's mind is on making money, and they are very satisfied with the status quo.
If Xihe rashly launches a war again, it will cause Xihe to become very unstable because there are too many destabilizing factors.
The first step is to unite Xihe.
Among them, the ideas of businessmen are particularly critical.
Because the prosperity here depends entirely on merchants. If the merchants don't make money, those guys will have no way to make a living.
Wang Shao knew the reason, so he had sent people to spread the word secretly, saying that it was Queen Mother Liang of Western Xia who decided to ban trade with Xihe in order to seize power, so that he could occupy the moral high ground first.
But this is far from enough.
We also need the secret help of Ma Tianhao and others.
Because according to the plan, the merchants in Xixia will first launch a resistance, create public resentment, and cooperate with the ministers in the court. Zhang Fei needs Ma Tianhao and others to unite the merchants in Xihe, in order to protect their own interests and support the Xixia merchants.
Ma Tianhao is in charge of Yunzhen Temple. Xixia’s ban on trade will definitely affect the income of Yunzhen Temple. Ma Tianhao and others have enough reasons to express their dissatisfaction.
...
...
Only in this way will Wang Shao have the opportunity to take action and launch a war in the name of businessmen.
This would not only unite Xihe, but also conceal the Song army's intentions and deceive the Liao Kingdom tactically.
This was also a rehearsal for launching an attack on the Liao Kingdom. If it was successful this time, it could be used against the Liao Kingdom in the future.
Ma Tianhao was very excited about this plan. He had joined the army on his own initiative, not just for a chance to make a living. It was obvious that he was not content with peace. However, he was framed before, and he was still frightened, so he dared not to make trouble again. After staying here for a few years, he began to become restless again.
Zhang Fei also taught Ma Tianhao some tricks.
The specific details of this plan require them to adapt to circumstances, rather than planning everything out. They are just simple executors.
A few days later, Cao Ping, who had been out on an inspection tour, returned to Xizhou.
"Why didn't you bring Dong'er this time?"
Cao Ping didn't give the chief judge any face, nor did he exchange pleasantries. He just asked casually.
Zhang Fei hurriedly said, "Uncle Cao, you don't know that Yanei has been clamoring to come with you, saying that he wants to visit Uncle Cao, but I think this place is very dangerous, and I went through a lot of trouble to persuade Yanei not to come with me. Alas, I just pity Yanei's filial piety!"
Cao Ping said with a wry smile: "It seems that you are not so strict when you are not in court. You have known Dong'er for such a long time, don't you know that he has always wanted to avoid me? How could he think of coming to see me?"
Zhang Fei's expression froze. Damn! He actually forgot about this. He really couldn't use ordinary people's thinking to figure out Yanei!
Cao Ping added: "I think you don't need Dong'er to help you share the responsibility this time."
Zhang Fei immediately realized that Cao Ping was referring to the previous mission to Northern Xinjiang, but he pretended to be confused and said, "Uh, Uncle Cao, what do you mean by that?"
"How?"
Cao Ping said calmly, "Do you think that because I'm in Xizhou, I know nothing about what's happening in the capital?"
Zhang Fei's eyes turned and he said, "Since Uncle Cao knows everything, that's good. I was afraid that Uncle Cao would misunderstand. If I hadn't pulled Yanei last time, he would have definitely caused a big disaster again."
The corner of Cao Ping's mouth twitched, and he couldn't help but sigh, "I never thought that my father and I would be manipulated by a pen."
Zhang Fei smiled awkwardly and said, "Uncle Cao, I treat Yanei like a real brother. If he is in trouble, I will definitely support him regardless of whether he is right or wrong."
Cao Ping snorted, "I don't believe that. I have already applied to return to Beijing."
"Uncle Cao can't go back now."
Zhang Fei blurted out.
But as soon as he said this, he knew that he had fallen into Cao Ping's trap.
Cao Ping asked, "Why?"
Zhang Fei said: "Because..."
Cao commented: "Because I have to watch Wang Shao."
Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, then nodded.
The reason why Zhao Xu was confident in letting Wang Shao be the commander-in-chief was because Wang Shao had converted many soldiers into royal police last time, and the royal police were controlled by Cao Ping.
This means that Zhao Xu controlled the finances of Xihe through Zhang Fei, and controlled half of the military power through Cao Ping. Only in this way would Zhao Xu allow Wang Shao to stay in Xihe.
In history, many emperors killed meritorious officials and generals. From God's perspective, many people were innocent. However, the emperor always judges whether you have the ability to rebel, rather than whether you have the idea of rebelling.
Because the imperial power is supreme.
As long as you have the ability, you will have this idea, if not at this moment, then at the next moment.
Cao Ping just nodded, "I understand."
Zhang Fei said awkwardly: "Actually, I didn't intend to hide it from Uncle Cao."
As he spoke, he told Cao Ping the entire plan.
After hearing this, Cao Ping couldn't help but feel a headache. "The more complicated the plan is, the more difficult it will be to succeed."
Zhang Fei said: "So the first thing we need to do in this whole plan is to defend our border. Even if we fail, we won't lose too much."
Cao Ping nodded slightly and asked again: "Then what do I need to do?"
Zhang Fei said: "On the one hand, he used the police station to check and balance Wang Shao, and on the other hand, he acted as a middleman between Wang Shao and the generals of the Western Army."
This kind of checks and balances is not intended to weaken Wang Shao's power, but to weaken his strength in exchange for power.
As long as Cao Ping was here, Wang Shao dared to do his job without fear of arousing the emperor's suspicion.
But this requires Cao Ping's cooperation.
This plan cannot be hidden from Cao Ping.
And these words could only be said by Zhang Fei. If Wang Shao took the initiative, it would become that he was trying to win over Cao Ping and Ma Tianhao, and he might be close to death.
After Zhang Fei talked to them one by one, Wang Shao sent someone to invite them out for a walk in the city.
"Everything has been settled with Yunzhen Temple and Superintendent Cao."
"Mr. Judge, thank you very much!"
"Envoy, please don't thank me anymore."
Zhang Fei quickly saluted and said, "These are all my missions on this trip, not to help the envoy."
Wang Shao explained: "I just think that the chief judge has made the greatest contribution here."
Zhang Fei chuckled and said, "This may be a credit to the envoy, but to me, it is poison. This is because these are not within my authority. If it gets out, my career may end here."
He was only the prosecutor of the capital and the chief judge of Shaanxi Road, but all the affairs he was involved in this time were military and national affairs, which meant that he was bypassing the State Affairs Hall and the Privy Council, which was breaking the rules.
If Wen Yanbo, Wang Anshi and others knew about this, things would become very serious.
Therefore, he did not leave any evidence, it was all oral.
Wang Shao also reacted and nodded slightly.
Suddenly, I heard someone complaining in the tea stall next to me: "Why are the vegetable prices going up again?"
The owner of the tea shed said, "We can't help it. Much of the salt in Xizhou comes from Xixia. Now Xixia doesn't allow us to trade with it. The price of salt has gone up, and the price of vegetables will naturally go up as well. When the salt from Shu arrives later, it will probably be better, but the price will definitely go up again."
"This business is going well, why are you not allowed to trade with us in Xizhou? This is really unreasonable."
"I heard from merchants in Xixia that this was all done by the Queen Mother of Xixia."
"Then why did the Queen Mother of Xixia do this?"
"Why else? She just doesn't want to be on good terms with our Song Dynasty. That old witch has been in power and has sent troops to disrupt the border several times."
"That's just one of the reasons. It is said that the old witch does not want to return power to the ruler of Xixia and wants to continue to hold on to power. However, their ruler and merchants all want to be on good terms with our Song Dynasty, so they started making trouble."
"This woman in power will bring endless disasters!"
"That's right. We are actually quite well off here. Those Xixia salt merchants are really suffering. They can't even make money."
"What's the point of complaining? It's better to rebel!"
Zhang Fei and Wang Shao smiled at each other.
"The envoy's propaganda work is really good!"
“That’s not true.”
Wang Shao said: "Salt and grain are the most important things in the trade between Xixia and Xizhou. If he cuts off the business, prices will rise. How can the people not complain? I just sent people to fan the flames. It was I who sent people to call out the name of this old witch."
Zhang Fei just laughed.
Wang Shao added: "The first group of people to cause trouble must be the big salt merchants. They make a fortune every day by selling salt here. And because our dynasty nominally bans salt, these salt merchants also have a large number of people and horses. They have money, people and land, and are very powerful. If they interrupt, they will kill those salt merchants!"
Zhang Fei nodded slightly and said, "No wonder our dynasty has such strict control over salt."
Wang Shao said: "Grand Judge, please do not underestimate salt. Many of the rebels in the past were salt dealers."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "It seems I have to go back as soon as possible."
Wang Shao was stunned for a moment, "Why?"
Zhang Fei said: "If a conflict occurs when I come here, won't those ministers think too much?"
Wang Shao nodded and thought, this kid is young, but he is more cautious than me. No wonder he is so cautious after entering the government.
It's a meteoric rise.
Zhang Fei was really not just talking. After everything here was arranged, he was ready to go back. However, before leaving, he still went to the imperial court to say hello to Fan Zhen and Lu Dajun.
"The Grand Judge is going back?"
Fan Zhen was surprised.
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "I have almost finished the inspection."
Fan Zhen and Lu Dajun looked at each other.
Zhang Fei asked, "Do you two have anything else to say?"
Fan Zhen said: "The chief judge is here to inspect the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs, but he just talked to us once."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "My inspection is not to communicate with the president of the court and the chief prosecutor, but to look at the reputation of the local people's livelihood, because the concept of the rule of law is to defend the legitimate rights and interests of the people, which is specifically reflected in the people's livelihood. And this Xihe area, under the management of the two of you, is very prosperous, there is nothing to say."
"No, not really."
Fan Zhen suddenly said, "Actually, we still have something else we want to discuss with the Grand Court President."
Zhang Fei asked, "What's the matter?"
Fan Zhen said: "It's about the household registration."
"Household registration?"
Zhang Fei was stunned.
Fan Zhen nodded and said, "According to the laws of the court, when we trade with our neighboring countries, we open trading grounds for the people of both sides to trade."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "I know that."
Fan Zhen said: "But Xizhou is very special. It seems that the whole Xizhou is a big market, but this also leads to a problem, that is, many people settle in Xizhou.
Especially in the past two years, there have been many merchants and craftsmen settling in Xizhou. Should these people be considered as citizens of the Song Dynasty? Should they be given household registration? "
Zhang Fei asked: "What are the regulations now?"
Fan Zhen said: "Now, locals and outsiders in Xizhou all hold temporary household registration. They are free to go west, but if they want to go to the Central Plains, they need to go to the police station to handle relevant documents, and the chance of passing is very small because there are many spies from Tubo and Xixia here.
It can be said that it is more convenient for them to go to Xixia than to the Central Plains.
But this is not a long-term solution. Since Xizhou is already the territory of the Great Song Dynasty, and the local people cannot obtain the household registration of the Great Song Dynasty, this may change at any time. "
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "This is indeed a problem, but I can't make the decision on this matter. I have to go back and discuss it with the Legislative Council."
Lu Dajun suddenly said, "There is another problem. Many people in Xixia were persecuted and fled to Xizhou to settle down. How should we deal with these people? Recently, this situation has become more and more common, and the Xixia side is also very dissatisfied with this. They have sent us letters several times, asking us to hand over the people."
Zhang Fei asked back, "What does Judge Lu think about this?"
Lu Dajun said: "I think if they are petty thieves who have committed crimes in Xixia, we can return them, but if they are being persecuted by Empress Dowager Liang, we can take them in."
Zhang Fei was slightly surprised. "Isn't Judge Lu afraid of a conflict with Xixia?"
Lu Dajun said: "According to the information we have learned, Queen Mother Liang should have returned power to their king this year, but Queen Mother Liang wanted to continue to hold on to power, and their king was more inclined to be on good terms with our Song Dynasty, so Queen Mother Liang banned trade with Xizhou and sent minions to persecute nobles and merchants who were on good terms with our Song Dynasty.
If they really wanted to avoid conflict with Xixia, they should have given these people asylum, thus forcing Empress Dowager Liang to return power to their rulers."
Fan Zhen nodded and said, "I agree with this as well."
Although they were all unwilling to go to war, the behavior of Queen Dowager Liang was what they, the literati, hated the most. If they handed the person back, that would be tantamount to aiding and abetting the tyrant. If word got out, they would no longer be able to be human beings. They could not do such a thing. This was actually a kind of Confucian ideology.
Because Western Xia was not a tribal society but a state power, what Empress Dowager Liang did had a very bad impact.
This is really God's help! Zhang Fei was secretly delighted and nodded, saying, "I think what you two said makes sense, but this is not a trivial matter. If we want to legislate, we must pass the Legislative Council.
However, as far as I know, there are no specific provisions in the interim law, so I suggest that you two pick a representative figure and give a precedent, and then we can act according to this precedent. "
Judge Lu said, "Can we do this? This is a foreign matter after all, and precedents also require reasons."
They can't really protect those people with ideology.
Zhang Fei thought for a while and said, "In the name of defending Xizhou's interests."
"Xizhou interests?"
"yes!"
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "The prosperity of Xizhou comes from trade and commerce. Any behavior that harms trade will seriously harm the interests of Xizhou. If Xizhou is indifferent to all trade bans around it, then Xizhou will inevitably decline.
This also concerns the vital interests of the people of Xizhou. According to the concept of the rule of law, the imperial court must safeguard this.”
Lu Dajun's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he immediately bowed and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Grand Judge."
Once this precedent is issued, the whole plan will become more perfect. Zhang Fei was secretly delighted and said modestly: "No, no, I am really ashamed to say that I have been patrolling for a long time and did not notice these situations. Thank you very much for telling me."
However, the arrival of Lu Dajun and Fan Zhen did not allow Zhang Fei to stay in Xizhou for long. He left Xizhou as scheduled and went to Hezhong Prefecture.
In order to avoid unnecessary trouble, he disguised himself and went directly to the imperial court.
Hezhong Prefecture, the Imperial Court.
"Oh my! Sitting here actually feels like home."
Sitting down in the familiar chair, Zhang Fei couldn't help but sigh.
"Teacher, please have some tea."
Cai Bian poured Zhang Fei a cup of tea.
Zhang Fei asked with a smile: "How are you guys doing recently?"
Cai Bian hurriedly said, "Thank you for your concern, teacher. Everything is fine."
At this point, he hesitated again, "That's right. That's right."
Zhang Fei glanced at him and asked, "What is it?"
Cai Bian said: "It is the students who don't understand, why not let the students go to Jiangnan to promote the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs?"
Zhang Fei asked curiously: "Do you want to go to Jiangnan?"
Cai Bian nodded and said, "Nowadays, the people of the entire northwest are already accustomed to the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems. I stay here and only try a few cases every day. However, the county court president can handle most cases. I still hope to promote the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems in other places and popularize the teacher's legal system."
He is still young and motivated and hopes to try more challenges.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "There is actually a reason why I left you in the northwest."
Cai Bian asked: "What's the reason?"
Zhang Fei said: "It is because of the existence of Xixia that the Northwest region is so important. Now that there is no conflict, that's another matter. But if there is a war, the Northwest will have to be mobilized. Do you think the rest of us can handle it?"
Cai Bian asked cautiously, "But isn't the court focusing on internal affairs recently? The expansion of Xihe has also completely stopped."
Zhang Fei said: "But the tree wants to be still but the wind does not stop, and the Queen Mother of Xixia is stirring up trouble again."
Cai Bian nodded and said, "Student understands."
As he was speaking, a servant came to report that Su Che had arrived.
Zhang Fei immediately went out to greet them, and after some greetings, the three of them returned to the house.
Su Che smiled and said, "I thought the chief judge would come to Hezhong Prefecture first, find some helpers, and go to the border states to promote public security, procuratorial and judicial work together."
Zhang Fei half-jokingly said, "I dare not. If we ask Chief Prosecutor Su to go, it will only cause trouble."
Su Zhe smiled and asked, "What do you mean?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "I heard that Chief Prosecutor Su has been killing people like crazy in the northwest in recent years. Those generals are very scared!"
When Zhang Fei was here, he had been communicating with Yuan Jiang in secret. But after he left, Su Che didn't care about you guys so much. As long as they found evidence, they would definitely be merciless. Many landlords and nobles were defeated by Su Che.
Su Che said: "A person of integrity is not afraid of his own shadow. The reason they are afraid is because they have something to hide. The chief judge lets them nominate judicial officials themselves, which will only encourage their arrogance and damage the reputation of the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs."
Zhang Fei was surprised and said, "Chief Prosecutor Su already knows about it."
Cai Bian on the side said with a chuckle: "Now that trade is flourishing, the news will spread quickly."
Zhang Fei shrugged and said, "But who can be blamed for this?"
Su Che asked, "What do you mean by this?"
Zhang Fei said: "There are hundreds of thousands of imperial guards in the Song Dynasty, but the most powerful ones are these Western troops. If we easily destroy the system like the prefecture and state, will it affect the combat effectiveness of the Western troops? This is still unknown, and the combat effectiveness of the Western troops affects national security. However, before sufficient evidence, the court dare not act rashly."
Su Che said: "Then don't promote the public security and judicial system in the border states, and let these military generals promote the judiciary. Wouldn't this destroy the judicial system?"
Zhang Fei said: "But the facts prove that currently there are more civil servants who do bad things."
Su Che said: "But it was the civil officials who established the public security and judicial system. Moreover, I think that promoting the public security and judicial system in border states is actually more helpful for border defense. If it is during wartime, the public security and judicial system can stabilize the people's hearts in the rear, and the military generals can concentrate on the battlefield."
Zhang Fei said: "But those generals have selfish motives."
Su Zhe said: "So, the Grand Court President doesn't think this is a form of connivance?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Chief Prosecutor Su should remember that when we first arrived in Hezhong Prefecture, I was very tolerant of many behaviors.
Everything has to be done step by step, and this is also my working style.”
Su Che said: "But I am worried that they will damage the reputation of the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs. As the Grand Court President said, it is very difficult to establish the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs, but it is very easy to destroy them. That is why we have been working so diligently and cautiously over the years, and dare not slack off in the slightest."
At this point, he paused for a moment and suddenly said, "Or maybe the chief judge did this for another purpose."
This guy really hasn't changed at all. Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Chief Prosecutor Su thinks I have a purpose for doing this. Isn't this a good start?"
Su Che glanced at Zhang Fei suspiciously and said with a smile: "Who knows? Just like no one could have imagined that illegal salt would flood into the northwest like a flood, and coincidentally solve the salt debt crisis."
Zhang Fei immediately said: "This illegal salt has nothing to do with me."
Su Che did not hesitate, but changed the subject and said, "I wonder what the Grand Court President thinks after his inspection?"
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Very good, I can't even find any fault with it."
Su Che added: "But in fact, it is just a facade."
Zhang Fei asked: "What do you mean?"
Su Che said: "People are living better than before, but their families are not well-off, and the government is dependent on debts. There is not much grain in the warehouses. The situation may take a turn for the worse at the slightest sign of trouble. The main reason for this is the expansion of the border in Xihe. We are not able to cope with it calmly."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "This situation will improve soon."
Su Che asked curiously, "What do you mean?"
Zhang Fei said: "I believe Chief Prosecutor Su has also heard about the news about the Grain Agency and the grain transport reform."
Su Che nodded.
Zhang Fei said: "This reform will reduce the pressure on the northwest, because the Food Agency uses procurement to meet the needs of the capital. Obviously, it is more cost-effective to purchase food in Jiangnan.
The tax policy in the Northwest will be monetized. After the tax currency is connected with the salt note, the Northwest can pay taxes with the salt note, without the need to transport large amounts of grain to the capital.
In this way, the government's granaries will be filled immediately."
Su Che was surprised, "Isn't this to start a war with Xixia?"
Zhang Fei slapped his forehead and said, "Chief Prosecutor Su, the treasury is not full, and you blame it on the border war. The court is trying to make the treasury full, and you think it is preparing for war.
This reform is mainly for optimization and saving losses, that's all. Given the atmosphere in the court, it is impossible to use foreign troops in the next few years. If you don't believe me, you can write to Sima Xueshi and ask him. "
Su Che looked at Zhang Fei suspiciously.
He and Zhang Fei were old partners, and he knew that Zhang Fei was not always upright. He was very suspicious about Zhang Fei's trip because Zhang Fei had concealed it from them and went directly to Yanzhou, then to Xizhou, and then returned to Hezhong Prefecture.
It can be seen that the focus of Zhang Fei's trip was the border towns. Although he had reasons for promoting public security, procuratorial and judicial systems, his approach was very simple and crude, which was to let the warlords recommend judicial officials themselves.
It’s that simple. You, the Grand Court President, just need to come in person and the court will issue an order.
He also knew the situation in Western Xia and was very worried about it. He did not think that the Northwest was rich enough to fight a war with Western Xia.
In fact, the most important thing is that he cherishes the fruits of the reform in the Northwest very much, because they were created by their joint efforts. Seeing that people's lives were gradually improving, he was unwilling to make another big fuss.
Just at this moment, there was a burst of noise coming from outside.
Cai Bian immediately ordered someone to check. After a while, the person came back. It turned out that the people had heard the news that the Grand Chief Justice was coming, so they all rushed over.
There was no other way, Zhang Fei could only go outside.
"Ah! He is really the president."
"Grand Judge!"
When they saw Zhang Fei, the people immediately shouted excitedly.
Although Su Zhe is very famous in the northwest, in Hezhong Prefecture, Zhang Fei is always a soul-level figure.
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