Northern Song Dynasty Justice

Chapter 648

The next day.

"Ah, our Bianjing is so lively, but the Hezhong Mansion is really suffocating, it's meaningless at all."

Niu Beiqing murmured and came to the gate, stretched fiercely, and looked left and right. Seeing the traffic on the street over there, he felt itchy, "Anyway, Sanlang is not at home, so why don't I go to the market?" Look, maybe we can still meet Li Si and the others."

Li Si, Xiaotao, Qingmei and the others really didn't care about the tiredness of traveling and traveling, and made an appointment to go out to sell vegetables early in the morning. They really missed the prosperity of Bianjing.

Just as he was about to go out, four members of staff carrying gifts walked up to him.

It was Fan Li, Chen Maoqian, Fan Yong, Ma Tianhao and others.

"Ouch! It's brother Daniel. It's been a long time since we last met."

When they saw Niu Beiqing, the four of them immediately raised their hands and said hello.

After all, servants are more important than their masters. Now Zhang Fei is the president of the court, and he has fallen several levels behind them.

"A few members are outside early."

Niu Beiqing cupped his hands, and said again: "But what a coincidence that you guys came here!"

"Is Sanlang still resting?" Chen Maoqian hurriedly asked.

Niu Beiqing shook his head and said, "Sanlang was called to the palace early in the morning, and he didn't say when he would return."

The four of them looked at each other in blank dismay. The emperor was eager to see him this time. It really is not what it used to be!

The four of them could only return angrily.

Visit Zhang Fei?

Right now, it is not an easy task. Before entering the house yesterday, Sima Guang and Wang Anshi intercepted him halfway. Now that he got home, he had a night talk with Xu Zunbing.

Tired for a day, he didn't even have time to sleep in. Early this morning, someone from the palace came directly to call Zhang Fei to the palace.

I really can't even breathe.

It also shows how complicated the current situation is.

Royal Palace.

Since the weather had turned cold, Zhao Xu did not meet Zhang Fei in the attic, but in his study.

Now that he summoned Zhang Fei, he didn't need to be sneaky. Now Zhang Fei is not a little Erbi, but the chief judge of Shaanxi Road, his courtier, and the success of the Hezhong Mansion is shocking. The emperor personally received it. It is a matter of course.

"Minister Zhang Fei sees Your Majesty."

"No need to be polite!"

Zhao Xu was still the same as before, not paying attention to these red tapes with Zhang Fei, pointing to the chair next to him and saying: "Sit down."

In fact, the ministers of the Song Dynasty almost always discussed matters with the emperor standing, even if they met alone.It's just because Zhao Xu still hopes to maintain his friendship with Zhang Fei, which is very precious to him.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhang Fei was also used to it, so he sat down directly, but there were some refreshments on the low table in front of him.

Zhao Xu added: "It's still early now. Let's drink some tea and eat some cakes first. Let's have a few drinks at noon."

Zhang Fei pretended to be sincere and fearful and said: "Your Majesty treats me like this, I am really flattered."

Zhao Xu couldn't help laughing and said: "Going out for a trip, you have learned a lot in officialdom!"

Zhang Fei smiled awkwardly.

Zhao Xu hehe said: "There is no one else here, I still hope to be able to speak freely as before."

"Yes."

Zhang Fei nodded, thinking, I didn't speak freely before.

Zhao Xu raised his glass again and said, "I replace wine with tea, I wish you a triumphant return."

Zhang Fei hastily raised his glass and said, "Actually, I was able to succeed in the Hezhong Mansion because of the trust and support of the officials. This cup should be for the officials."

Zhao Xu smiled and said: "Don't be humble. If you can achieve such success with my support, then I don't have to worry so much. This cup must be my tribute to you."

Zhang Fei was not being hypocritical either, and raised his glasses to each other.

After drinking, Zhao Xu put down his teacup and said, "Okay, that's enough for the merits and rewards, now I want to discuss the punishment with you."

"what?"

Zhang Fei opened his eyes suddenly, panicking in his heart.

Zhao Xu's expression changed, and he pointed at Zhang Fei and said, "Well, Zhang San is really you, you are the god, you are the ghost, and you also dragged me into the water."

Wow. This is really a textbook face-changing, what kind of emperor are you, why don't you act!Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, and then said with an aggrieved face: "The official family is in the water, so where does it start when it is pulled into the water?"

Zhao Xu was astonished and said: "What did you say, I was in the water?"

"Don't use Qianlong, this dragon is of course in the water." Zhang Fei said hilariously.

Only then did Zhao Xu come to his senses, and snorted, "So you don't want to use Qianlong, you mean using secret means to fan the flames and add fuel to the flames?"

Zhang Fei hurriedly said: "This is not a secret trick, but to control the foreseeable risks in my hands. Moreover, I wrote to Wang Xueshi before, but Wang Xueshi did not adopt it. If I let it develop, I am afraid that the Time can't close."

Zhao Xu asked, "Is it because the husband doesn't accept it, or do you know that the husband will not adopt it?"

Zhang Fei chuckled, "Aren't they all the same?"

Zhao Xu suddenly suppressed his smile, "But your suggestion, sir, was not adopted. In my opinion, it is not unreasonable. Although you were very successful in Hezhong Prefecture, I also think that it was not the success of the Public Security Bureau. Therefore, Fan Chunren and the others did not succeed in Qingzhou." I am not surprised to face difficulties.”

He really knows everything Zhang Fei has done in Hezhong Mansion. He believes that Zhang Fei still uses traditional political means, and the success he achieved lies in power, not the system of public security and law.

Zhang Fei said with a smile: "It's not wrong for the officials to think so. The Public Prosecution Law of Hezhong Mansion has indeed not been successful. This is only my personal success, because all my actions in Hezhong Mansion before were just to build the Public Procuratorate Law. , this public security law has not yet been established, and naturally it cannot play its due role."

"Building the Public Prosecution Law?" Zhao Xu frowned suddenly, and it sounded like it made some sense. He was just going to build the Public Procuratorate Law. Since it was under construction, it shouldn't be able to play a role.

Zhang Fei suddenly changed the topic, "However, Bianjing has already proved the role of public security."

"Bianjing?"

Zhao Xu looked at him doubtfully.

"Yes."

Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Although I haven't seen Bianjing's tax revenue, I'm sure that Bianjing's tax revenue is increasing day by day."

After hearing this, Zhao Xu didn't think much about it, and immediately called the attendants outside the door, and ordered the attendants to bring the tax revenue accounts of Bianjing for the past two years.Immediately afterwards, he said to Zhang Fei: "I have to admit that I have been paying attention to Hezhong Mansion in recent years, but I have ignored Bianjing."

As he spoke, he paused for a while, "However, most of the increase in the Hezhong government's finances is due to salt debts and salt money. They are not brought about by the New Deal, but your credit. This is not applicable to the current Qingzhou."

The failure of Qingzhou has made many people reflect on whether this public security law is the way out.

If it is impossible to leave Zhang Fei, it is enough to show that this system cannot work, and it is all due to Zhang Fei's personal ability.

Zhang Fei nodded and said: "What the officials said is correct. The Public Prosecution Law cannot solve Qingzhou's problems, and Qingzhou's problems are not caused by the Public Procuratorate. Although Qingzhou was safe and sound before the Public Procuratorate went, it's just that some people took advantage of these problems , to crack down on the public prosecutor’s law. But it can also be seen that these problems have always existed.”

Zhao Xu asked, "What's the problem?"

"Three redundancy."

Zhang Fei said: "The reason why the army's salary and wages are in arrears, and why the common people borrow usurious loans is all due to financial insufficiency, and the only reason for the financial insufficiency is the three redundancies. If it can delay the financial crisis, but cannot fundamentally solve the financial crisis, he must be able to make money in order to keep up with the pace of Enyin and the expansion of scientific research.”

Zhao Xu was startled and said, "So the ultimate goal of your plan is to lay off officials?"

Zhang Fei hehe said: "Otherwise, how dare I let the officials spend so much money, it must bring enough returns to the officials."

He said it easily, but Zhao Xu was sweating a little when he heard it, "Do you know how dangerous this step is?"

This is not a new problem. Everyone in the world knows that if he is capable, he has done it long ago, and there is no need for Wang Anshi's reform.

"Of course I know that."

Zhang Fei nodded, and said: "But this is the root of the disease. We cannot ignore its existence. If we cannot face up to this problem, the problem will only become more serious.

This is like a hungry wolf staring at the government. There are only two ways to kill the hungry wolf, or, as it is now, ask Xueshi Wang to find meat everywhere and feed the hungry wolf every day. , in order to protect his own life without worry.

Perhaps in the eyes of officials or Wang Xueshi, this is just an expedient measure, but doing so will definitely lead to a result, that is, the hungry wolf becomes stronger, more greedy, and demands more and more. In the process, The officials are constantly expending their energy to find meat. For the officials, this is a process of ebb and flow, and the situation will only get worse, not better. "

The longer the delay, the more difficult it is to deal with redundant officials, because there must be more and more officials, and the resistance must be greater and greater. The number of officials in the Renzong period is directly double that of the Zhenzong period, and the resistance is at least doubled. Not only that.

Zhao Xu also knew it in his heart, but he was also very helpless, and asked: "So you think, now it's time to fight desperately?"

"of course not."

Zhang Fei shook his head.

Zhao Xu was stunned and said: "Then what are you talking about?"

Zhang Fei said: "It depends on how officials understand the problem of redundant officials."

Zhao Xu asked curiously: "A redundant official is a redundant official, how else can you understand it?"

Zhang Fei said with a smile: "The officials think that the problem of redundant officials is that there are too many officials and the finances can't afford it?"

Zhao Xu nodded and asked back, "Isn't it?"

Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Yes, but this is only a superficial understanding."

"Ok?"

Zhao Xu frowned and looked at him.

Zhang Fei hurriedly said, "What do I mean?"

Zhao Xu raised his hand, "Okay, this is not the first time you have satirized me. If this is a superficial understanding, then the court ministers are also superficial. You can talk about your advanced understanding."

"Yes."

Zhang Fei nodded, then shook his head immediately: "No, it's not a deep understanding, it's just looking at it from another angle."

"Say it."

Zhao Xu's curiosity was really hooked by Zhang Fei, so there is something else to understand about this.

Zhang Fei said: "It's also a restaurant. The Yang Building on Ma Xing Street has only about thirty bartenders, but there are hundreds of bartenders in the Baifan Building. Dare to ask the officials, is there any redundant bartenders in the Baifan Building?"

Zhao Xu was stunned for a moment, "The Baifan building is so large, it's normal to have hundreds of bartenders, it's not redundant."

Zhang Fei said: "It can be seen that the meaning of redundancy does not lie in abundance, but in uselessness. If among the hundred bartenders in Baifan Building, eighty of them are lazy and do nothing, they are redundant bartenders. But if these one hundred bartenders can Create value higher than their wages, and a hundred more will not be redundant."

Zhao Xu frowned slightly and said, "But bartenders and officials cannot be generalized."

"Of course not."

Zhang Fei said: "Officials are all well-educated, and they are all talents. They should be given such a high salary. It's just that every monarch in the Song Dynasty is too kind, but they don't require each of them to create a higher salary. The value of my own salary is why I have this calamity of redundant officials."

Zhao Xu said: "So you don't really want to lay off officials, but you want those officials with idle talents to work?"

"That's not it either."

Zhang Fei shook his head and said: "Actually, it is to give them a chance, or in other words, to give the officials a reason to dismiss officials. If they can exert their abilities and create more value, then naturally they will be kept, but if they If you can’t do it, then you can lay off them, and then it will be justified.”

Zhao Xu thought for a while, and said, "This official is different from a businessman. Whether they can create value is not so easy to judge."

Zhang Fei asked: "Do officials think that officials of the Taxation Department can create value higher than their salaries?"

Zhao Xu immediately said: "Of course you can."

He is now a drop of love for the tax department.

What a money-making tool!

Zhang Fei asked again: "The officials think that the officials of the Public Security Bureau can create value higher than their salaries."

Zhao Xu also nodded, and immediately said: "What do you mean, recruit those officials into these departments?"

Zhang Fei said: "This is a way of thinking, because currently the public security bureau and the law require a lot of manpower, especially those who can read and write. There is also the financial management concept advocated by Wang Xueshi, but Wang Xueshi's focus is on bulk commodities, such as Tax, salt, tea, etc., caused Bachelor Wang to overlook some details.

Officials can also open some official offices that can directly make profits, such as colleges or hospitals for the general public. These are needed by the people and can directly generate value.

And as far as I know, many officials with free endowments actually have the ability in this area, and these abilities can be converted into money. At that time, they will not only be able to support themselves, but the court will be able to get a share of it.If they don't want to, then let them go, and the officials have done their best. "

Zhao Xu nodded, "That's right, the current imperial court is struggling financially, so it needs to make money, and making money requires talents and manpower. It's not that I don't have people, it's just that I haven't made good use of them."

"exactly."

Zhang Fei nodded.

Zhao Xu asked again: "Then what role does the public security law play in it?"

Zhang Fei said: "If you directly announce this, it will inevitably attract many people's dissatisfaction with the officials, which may undermine the stability of the country. The role of the public security law is to give the officials a very suitable reason."

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in!"

But seeing a servant come into the house, "Report to the official, the account has been brought."

"bring here."

"Yes."

The attendant handed the account to Zhao Xu, and with Zhao Xu's signal, he withdrew.

Zhao Xu carefully looked at the tax revenue of Bianjing in the past two years, and couldn't help but look up at Zhang Fei, and said in surprise: "You are right, the tax revenue of Bianjing has been increasing in the past two years, and it can probably increase by [-]% every year. One of them, and [-]% of the growth is from business tax.”

"That's because Bianjing has not yet completed the reform of the tax law. There will be a wave of increase in agricultural tax at that time, but if it can continue to increase, it must be commercial tax, because there is only so much land."

"You told me before that if you focus on business and taxes, you will get twice the result with half the effort." Zhao Xu nodded thoughtfully.

Zhang Fei said: "This is Qianlong Don't Use. Don't use means not to use it, but to be passive, or to use one's power in a hidden way, to change the whole situation when no one can perceive it.

But when the situation has changed and is still developing for the better, and most people are benefiting from it, there is no reason to stop it.

Although many people in the DPRK and China are still opposing the Public Security Law, no one is talking about the Public Security Law in Bianjing. "

Zhao Xu nodded repeatedly and said, "That's right. Although there are many ministers impeaching the public prosecutor's law every year, they all involve Hezhong Prefecture and Qingzhou. No one talks about the public prosecutor's law in Bianjing. I understand."

He seemed to be talking about it, but light tea couldn't satisfy his inner excitement, he glanced at the sky again, and said forcefully: "It's almost noon, come here, prepare the banquet." Then, he said to Zhang Fei: "Today you and I You must have a good drink."

It was not until the afternoon that Zhang Fei came out of the palace with a slightly red face.

When he came to the carriage, Long Wu suddenly glanced into the carriage.

Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, then got into the carriage directly, opened the curtain, cupped his hands and said, "Lv Xiaokan, don't come here without any problems."

Lu Huiqing couldn't help but smiled bitterly and said, "I'm fine, but now that you're back, I can't sleep all night."

Just as Zhang Fei was about to explain, Lu Huiqing immediately raised her hand again, "I was just joking. It is true that I was not careful enough to give the other party an opportunity."

"Jingdong East Road is so big, and the new law is being promoted so quickly, how can Lu Xiaokan take care of it?" Zhang Fei then comforted him, bowed into the carriage, and said to Long Wu: "Send Lu Xiaokan back home."

The carriage moved slowly.Lu Huiqing asked: "But I want to know, what's going on?"

Zhang Fei asked in surprise, "Didn't Wang Xueshi tell you?"

Lu Huiqing looked a little embarrassed and said: "My mentor was so angry last night that he didn't say much to me, but I have already sent someone to investigate."

"I see."

Zhang Fei explained again: "Actually, Bachelor Sima didn't tell me the specifics. He just said that there will definitely be problems on Jingdong East Road. Let me take care of Qingzhou."

Lu Huiqing nodded and said: "Actually, I know that there are many problems in the implementation of the Young Crop Law, but these are inevitable and need to be adjusted slowly. Generally speaking, this will not cause any problems. Chaos, but if someone is behind it, that's a different story."

Of course he knows the existence of those problems, he just wants to cut the leeks of the rich, otherwise where the money will come from, just the little interest, which is not enough to see, but he believes that this is all within the controllable range. Most of the officials and gentry on the East Road support the Green Crop Law, just because they reject the Public Procuratorate Law even more.

But if Sima Guang and the others manipulate these issues secretly, it will be very scary.

Lu Huiqing immediately said again: "The reason why I ignore this point is because I know Bachelor Sima well, he should disdain to use this method."

Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, and asked, "Lv Xiaokan doesn't think this is my idea, does he?"

"of course not."

Lu Huiqing hurriedly explained: "I just regret it very much. I never thought that Bachelor Sima would use such a despicable method."

Zhang Fei shook his head and said, "Actually, this is not despicable."

Lu Huiqing asked, "How do you say that?"

Zhang Fei did not answer and asked instead: "As far as I know, many people are impeaching the Youth Law to increase the burden on the people?"

Lu Huiqing nodded.

Zhang Fei continued: "It can be seen that they have always been aware of the existence of these problems, but because they are very fragmented, they have not received the attention of the court. They only need to gather these problems together and the court will have to pay attention to them."

"That's true."

Lu Huiqing nodded slightly, "No wonder Bachelor Sima was full of confidence at the beginning. It turns out that he already has the chance to win."

If the winning ticket is in your hands, why do you want me to come back?Zhang Fei said with a smile: "Fortunately, Xueshi Wang suggested that the public procuratorate Qingzhou, this move really saved lives!"

Lu Huiqing immediately asked: "So you can't save Qingzhou?"

Zhang Fei said: "I just came back now, so I don't know yet. I still need to know the specific situation in Qingzhou before I can make a judgment. But please rest assured Lu Xiaokan, if the situation on Jingdong East Road doesn't improve, I won't go there either." Solve the Qingzhou problem, because it is too fatal for the New Deal."

Lu Huiqing said: "Then what if we can improve the situation on Jingdong East Road?"

Zhang Fei said: "Then I will also find ways to save Qingzhou's predicament. Academician Wang is kind to me, but Academician Sima is also kind to me, and the Public Security and Procuratorate Law is based on my legal system, so I can only use the Public Security Procuratorate Law to give new policies Help, just like Hezhong Mansion.”

Lu Huiqing nodded with a smile and said: "You can do this, Lu is very grateful. But you have a way to solve the problem on Jingdong East Road."

Zhang Fei said: "I am willing to help, but the premise is that I have a very good understanding of the situation on Jingdong East Road."

Lu Huiqing said: "Alright then, I will discuss with you when I get the details."

Zhang Fei smiled and nodded.

After talking for a while, the carriage came to the gate of Lu's mansion, and Lu Huiqing got out of the carriage.

"Third brother, are we going home?"

Long Wu, who was driving, asked.

Zhang Fei seemed to be thinking about something, he was slightly taken aback, thought for a moment, and then said: "Go to the law firm."

"Yes."

After the carriage left the Lu Mansion, Zhang Fei let out a foul breath, and then laughed to himself, "I just told you clearly, I'm eating two meals, so what can you do."

On the surface, Lu Huiqing came to ask the reason of the matter, but in fact, he came to test Zhang Fei, but this was within Zhang Fei's expectation. It should be doubted in the future.

Zhang Fei wasn't worried about this at all. After all, he was an upright eater. Even if he helped Sima Guang, Lu Huiqing couldn't say anything. He used to help, as long as he didn't frame Wang Anshi.

After the carriage left, I saw a person coming out of the door, it was really Deng Wan, the censor Shi, "Is it him?"

Lu Huiqing shook her head and said, "It doesn't look like it for the time being. It depends on his future behavior, but one thing can be confirmed."

Deng Wan looked at Lu Huiqing doubtfully.

Lu Huiqing said: "He has a way to solve Qingzhou's predicament. At present, we don't know the specific situation of Jingdong East Road. Just in case, we must make Qingzhou's situation worse, so that he has no way to solve it. "