Northern Song Dynasty Justice

Chapter 644

Chapter 644

This Fu Bi's guess is correct. Sima Guang has not revealed the secret letter to anyone so far. It's not that he doesn't believe Fu Bi and Wen Yanbo, but he thinks that Zhang Fei is an undercover agent. If you don't, it's breaking Zhang Fei's trust, which is not what a gentleman does.

In fact, Sima Guang, like Wang Anshi, is extremely principled.

But the difference between the two lies in the people around them. For example, on the conservative side, Wen Yanbo and Fu Bi would not blame Sima Guang even if they knew that Sima Guang had concealed something. This is the friendship of gentlemen.

Just like during the celebration of the calendar, Ouyang Xiu played a memorial, which caused the reformists to collapse directly, and Fan Zhongyan could only accept it, and he would not break ties with Ouyang Xiu because of this, because Ouyang Xiu did not intend to harm them, but just wanted to point out The essence of parties is that not only villains form parties, but gentlemen also form parties. This is an inevitable phenomenon.

In other words, Ouyang Xiu himself thinks that they celebrate the calendar as gentlemen, that is, crony relationship. We support each other and unite each other politically, which is not what crony is.

But as far as the emperor is concerned, whether you are a gentleman or a villain, if you form a party, then I will be finished. I am so lonely, how can I handle you.

Fortunately, this is the Northern Song Dynasty. If you want to switch to other dynasties, if you directly admit to forming a party, you will definitely lose your life.

Because this is the most taboo of the emperor.

You prime ministers form a party, besides me, who else is worthy of your party.

On the other hand, the reformists are really a mixed bag, uneven, and everyone gathers because of their own self-interest.

Because what Wang Anshi likes is the concept, he will use it if he agrees with the new law, not any moral quality.

However, Wang Anshi cannot be entirely blamed. His financial philosophy is different from that of Confucianism. Most Confucian gentlemen do not agree with him, so he can only look for it elsewhere.

But this is also a big hidden danger.

Historically, although the reformers were in power, they fell apart within a short period of time. On the other hand, the conservatives, although they have been suppressed and beaten, have always been united. Can help each other and understand each other.

That is, the gentleman is harmonious but different, and the villain is the same but not harmonious.

And this is what Sima Guang pursued in the selection and appointment of talents.

It looks like a mother-in-law, not a person who does big things at all, but once it is formed, the inside will be very strong, but it may die directly.

Everything has two sides, it depends on how you choose.

But now on Shanxi Road, everyone's attention is focused on Jingzhao Mansion, which is the lawsuit about the Juehutian tax.

In fact, this lawsuit is very simple, and there is nothing to question, but because there are so many people involved, and at the same time, this lawsuit is also related to how the public security law can gain a foothold in Jingzhao. It has been tried for a long time. All relevant officials and gentry were summoned for questioning. This undoubtedly tells everyone that these officials and gentry must also cooperate with the investigation of the Public Security Bureau.

The results were finally announced recently.

"You must have received the results from Jingzhao Mansion."

Yuan Jiang asked.

Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Maybe later than you, I just received it this morning."

The verdict of the Imperial Court of Jingzhao Mansion was really delivered today, but in fact the big dog was reporting the situation there to him anytime and anywhere.

Su Zhe, Cai Bian and the others also lived up to expectations and properly solved the problem of the Juehu land tax. The solution was very simple. The main thing was to use young crops to borrow money, and at the same time lease the land that the government had taken back from the Juehu to these complaining farmers.

Farmers who have leased the land can borrow at Changping Division with one-percent interest, once a year, to temporarily overcome difficulties, while those who do not rent the land can borrow interest-free, which can be regarded as a kind of compensation.

At the same time, there are also some work-for-relief, mainly the livelihood brought to the local area by the construction of public security law.

Of course, there is also strong financial support in this, even if the transshipment department takes salt money to give them the bottom line, Jingzhao Mansion is also short of currency, so it doesn't hurt to put a little salt money.

Yuan Jiang sighed, "We are invincible when we cooperate in the Hezhong Mansion, but it's a pity for the court..."

Zhang Fei said with a smile: "We are not cooperating, but fighting."

As he spoke, he looked up at the hut, as if to say, if we cooperate, why should we hide in this hut and chat.

"Too!"

Yuan Jiang nodded with a wry smile, this is not something they can change, because they are just doing things, they can't understand the difficulties in the decision-making circle, the matter has come to this point, it is useless to talk more, it seems to think of something, "That's right! Food prices have risen a bit fast recently."

Zhang Fei said: "I've heard about this, and I think there are two main reasons. On the one hand, the liberalization of winemaking has led to a lot of grain being used for winemaking. On the other hand, the increase in salt money has caused prices to rise somewhat. "

Yuan Jiang frowned and asked, "Is it because the government issued too much money?"

He is very cautious about salt money, because he has learned the lesson of Jiaozi before, this salt money system was established with great difficulty, won the trust of the people again, and solved many problems in the government.

Zhang Fei shook his head and said, "I don't think it was caused by the excessive issuance of salt bills. Most of the salt bills were recovered from tax revenue before, and there were not many salt bills in the market. On the contrary, it was because of the lack of coins that made transactions difficult. The prices of goods are generally low, which is considered normal at present, and there is no reason for us to panic about it.”

"I didn't think of this." Yuan Jiang nodded frequently, and said: "But high food prices will hurt the people. We have to find a way to prevent food prices from rising."

Zhang Fei said: "Last year, so many soldiers were laid off, and there should be enough food for the promotion of Changping Division."

Yuan Jiang said: "But most of them are to deal with the famine, and we don't know yet how much grain we have to sell outside to stop the price of grain from continuing to rise."

Zhang Fei pondered for a while, then said: "Actually, taxation can be used to adjust."

"tax?"

"Ah."

Zhang Fei nodded, and said: "Wine making doesn't necessarily require grains, but fruits are also fine. If you sell fruit wine, the income you get can reduce the tax by half. There will inevitably be many people brewing fruit wine, which can reduce food consumption."

Yuan Jiang nodded slightly, "This is a way."

Zhang Fei said: "But at the same time, to promote Changping Division, we still have to release part of the food, especially now that winemaking has just started, everyone will think that there is a lot of profit in it, so many wine merchants will compete for food, and thus To drive up food prices, once the government starts to release grain, they will not rush to buy food, I believe this will effectively stop food prices from continuing to rise."

Yuan Jiang thought for a while, "Okay, I will release some food first. But you also have to talk to the tax department, whether it can be done, the tax revenue for this fruit wine will be halved."

Zhang Fei said with a smile: "Please rest assured, the Yuan bachelor, the tax department will definitely be able to do it. At this time, the tax department is only worried about one thing."

"what's up?"

"No one dares to evade taxes."

"what?"

"Because that way, we wouldn't have a bonus."

"Oh haha!"

Yuan Jiang laughed and said, "The original reason to stop the tax department is to pay taxes truthfully."

Zhang Fei said with a smile: "That's right, but in the face of interests, there are bound to be people who will take risks. It's really not possible. At that time, Jingzhao Mansion will come to help. The tax department will never lack bonuses."

Boom boom boom!

Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"Third Brother, Mr. Fan and Mr. Lu are here."

"Understood, I'll be right over."

"Are you here to talk about rural law?"

Yuan Jiang asked.

Zhang Fei nodded.

Yuan Jiang said: "I have also heard about the "Lantian Township Treaty", and its purpose is to stop the public prosecutors from going to the countryside."

Zhang Fei nodded and said with a smile: "Actually, as long as everyone abides by the written rules we all agree with, then I don't care."

After chatting for a few more words, Yuan Jiang got up and said goodbye.

He is much busier than Zhang Fei now, the road has been paved, and now he has to do his best to improve his finances, and he must implement all the methods of equal loss and exemption.

And this time Fan Zhen and Lu Xiaosheng came here mainly because of the regulations of the law enforcement officers in the village. They expressed their willingness to accept Zhang Fei's suggestion and did not ask for too much. Train the township police to implement the township agreement.

To put it simply, we should handle it ourselves, so you don't come here.

Everyone is so straightforward, Zhang Fei can't be too picky, just see how many people are willing to accept this "Lantian Township Covenant".

The key point is that Zhang Fei's current focus has shifted from Hezhong Prefecture to the whole country, mainly Bianjing and Jingdong East Road.

On the second day, he came to Big Dog's restaurant.

"what's up?"

Zhang Fei sat down and asked.

The big dog said: "Brother Bao heard the news that Jingdong East Road has begun to distribute the third round of young crop money, but most of the profits have gone into the pockets of the government and those rich people. The second-class wealthy households, unlike those rich people, have enough wealth to lend money slowly, and they have enough strength to get the money back.

If the money cannot be borrowed, or cannot be recovered, they can only pay back the Qingmiao money with their own money. Those big landowners borrowed money to pay back.

Many states and counties now have a messy account. If someone buys the debts of these wealthy households at this time, they will definitely be willing. "

"It's only the third round and they can't hold it anymore. Those wealthy households have this little strength?" Zhang Fei wondered.

The big dog said: "Actually, it is the same as Hezhong Mansion over there. The rich households have more fields and live a carefree life, but they can't afford such troubles, and the repayment of young crop money over there requires the repayment of coins, isn't it? Every wealthy family has a lot of coins, and many rich households still need to exchange grain with the rich man for coins, or choose to undergo the exploitation of conversion, anyway, there is another sum of money.”

As he said that, he added: "However, only a small number of wealthy households are suffering miserably at present. Most of the wealthy households can still survive, but many ordinary people can't sustain it."

If they are collected together at that time, it will inevitably arouse suspicion, and this must be done in batches.Zhang Fei pondered for a while, and said: "Well, you send a letter to Li Bao and ask him to think of a way to buy the debts owed by the wealthy households from those rich people. If there are still wealthy households who are able to repay them, then don't bother about it." .”

Big Dog said: "But according to Brother Bao, the debts of rich households are very valuable. He has land mortgages, and the debts of ordinary peasant households are worthless."

Zhang Fei said with a smile: "We can bind a piece of income. We want to make those big landlords think that we are actually greedy for the fields in the hands of rich households, so we are willing to accept bad debts from ordinary peasant households. In this way, it will not attract people. Suspect."

The big dog's eyes lit up immediately, and he nodded: "This idea is really wonderful! I understand. I understand."

Zhang Fei said again: "That's right! What's the current situation in Qingzhou?"

The big dog hurriedly said: "It is said that it is going well so far, because they have the support of Ouyang Zhifu, and the local officials have not made things difficult for them. Many people have already gone to the imperial court to sue."

Impossible!The Public Security Bureau is simply the natural enemy of the government. How could they not embarrass Fan Chunren and the others? Are all Qingzhou officials gentlemen?Or, does Ouyang Xiu really have that much prestige.

Zhang Fei thought for a while, "Keep staring."

"Hey!"

The big dog seemed to think of something, and said: "That's right! According to our people's inquiries, there are already fifteen villages in Guanghe East County who are willing to accept the "Lantian Township Covenant."

"So much?"

Zhang Fei exclaimed.

The big dog nodded and said: "Anyway, our people estimate that all villages may eventually accept it."

"why?"

Zhang Fei asked.

The big dog said: "Because all the squires support the "Lantian Township Covenant" and are very united, and the squires control education, sacrifices, rituals, and relief. Although it is a free choice, if you do not join, you will not even have a funeral. It may not work well.

Those people who were unwilling to join the township covenant moved directly to the city. Most of these people were mainly businessmen. "

"I really underestimated them."

Zhang Fei smiled, and said again: "Let them try it, in case this way of getting along is not bad."

In fact, he couldn't tell for sure, if he hadn't tried this kind of thing, how would he know the result.

Although he is more worried about ethics, there are also problems in ethics, and it is still unclear whether it can be developed.

The most important thing is that it is impossible to explicitly stop the ethics, if he dares to say this, then he will be finished.

Back in the imperial court, Zhang Fei glanced at the sky and went straight to the garden, but saw a beautiful figure looming among the flowers, it was Gao Wenyin.

I don't know if it is because of the royal air here, but the village woman's temperament on her body has completely faded, and she looks more graceful and luxurious.

Zhang Fei walked over secretly, gently hugged Gao Wenyin's waist, "Ma'am."

"ah!"

Gao Wenyin was startled, she rolled her eyes at Zhang Fei slightly, "Scared me again."

She has been in Hezhong Mansion for so long, she really doesn't even know where the market in Hezhong Mansion is, she just stays in her own little world all day long, not to mention how happy she is.

Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Ma'am, you are more focused on watering flowers than others on reading."

Gao Wenyin said: "People who focus on reading books will also focus on doing other things."

Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, "Madam doesn't usually go out, so who can I learn this eloquence from?"

Gao Wenyin looked at him with a smile.

Zhang Fei snorted, "It must be that Zhiqian taught Madam badly."

"Rogue." Gao Wenyin gouged Zhang Fei with feigned anger.

Zhang Fei looked around at the stunning scenery of hundreds of flowers, and suddenly said: "Madam, if we want to leave here, will you be very sad?"

"what?"

Gao Wenyin exclaimed, "Are we leaving?"

Zhang Fei said: "Our home is in the capital, this time it's just a business trip."

Gao Wenyin nodded, "Yes, our home is in Bianjing."

Seeing her lonely expression, Zhang Fei said, "What's the matter? Does Madam like this place very much?"

Gao Wenyin nodded slightly, and said, "Compared to Bianjing, this place is quieter."

Zhang Fei said: "It's very simple. After we go back, let's go to the suburbs and buy a big house, similar to this."

Gao Wenyin hurriedly said: "I can't, I can't, how much will it cost? The house in our capital city is already the biggest house I have ever lived in."

But there is still no comparison with this place, which was rebuilt from a palace.

Zhang Fei waved his hand and said: "Madam doesn't know something, if I don't buy two big houses, I don't even know I'm a rich man. How annoying!"

Qingzhou.

When he was in Dengzhou, Fan Chunren was idle all day long, scribbling ink at home every day to vent his depression. Now that he came to Qingzhou, he was full of ambition and planned to show off his ambition.

It turned out as they wished. Since Ouyang Xiu was in charge, the officials of Qingzhou were very polite to them, and soon, the official office was vacated for them. Of course, there was no such treatment as Zhang Fei. The emperor directly gave him the palace, but it was also very good.

As soon as the government office opened, people came to sue immediately, and the public security and law enforcement soon began to operate, which made Fan Chunren very happy.

Finally something to do.

But gradually, they realized that something was not quite right.

Procuratorate.

Fan Chunren and Qian Wei looked at the pile of papers, their eyes became dull.

After a while, Qian Yi turned his head slowly, "How many papers are there here?"

Fan Chunren said: "More than seven hundred copies."

".!"

Qian Yi felt dizzy for a while, "How can this be passed through the trial?"

Fan Chunren said: "If it's just too many, that's fine, just send more people over, but the problem now is not that there are too many, but that many cases are very difficult to try."

Qian Wei looked at him suspiciously.

Fan Chunren randomly picked up a few copies and handed them to Qian Wei.

Qian Yi took a quick look at them, and saw that they were all usury lawsuits, lawsuits for arrears of military pay, lawsuits for arrears of wages, lawsuits for extinct land tax, and so on.

In all likelihood, it is either related to the government or the landlord.

"This is a bad time."

Qian Wei finally knew why Fan Chunren committed such a difficult situation, and in a short while, his face was covered with sweat: "Zhang San has given precedents in Hezhong Mansion for these cases. , will the government here agree?"

Fan Chunren said: "It is precisely because they all know Zhang San's judgment on such cases, so they come to sue."

When those yamen servants and soldiers heard about it, it turned out that they were in arrears of wages and military pay, and they could still sue the government. If they didn't sue, they would be idiots.

Qian Wei frowned and said: "Hezhong Mansion is thousands of miles away from Qingzhou, how could so many people know about it, you could hear people talking about these things in Dengzhou before?"

Fan Chunren shook his head, "It's obvious that someone is behind the scenes."

Qian Wei probably guessed who it was, and said: "Then what should we do? Zhang San mainly uses two methods to solve these problems in the Hezhong Mansion. One is salt debt and salt money; the other is to pay in installments. But None of this may apply to Qingzhou."

Fan Chunren said: "No, he still has another move."

Qian Wei asked, "What trick?"

"Disarmament!" Fan Chunren said: "He first used disarmament to lay a solid foundation for the future finances of the Hezhong Mansion, and then used salt bills and salt debts to pay the current compensation. The saved finances in the future are just enough to afford salt interest on the debt."

Qian Wei said: "The Qingzhou garrison is nothing compared to the Hezhong Mansion, even if it is laid off, it won't save much money."

As he said that, his face was horrified, "You don't mean to dismiss officials, do you?"

Fan Chunren nodded and said: "These problems are all due to the heavy financial burden. Only by reducing financial expenditures can we use Zhang San's judgment to solve these problems."

Qian Wei frowned and said, "If we want to lay off officials as soon as we come up, I'm afraid it will offend many people, and it may not be successful.

Fan Chunren said: "But other than that, there is no other way. If we ask the government to pay for compensation, there will definitely be problems with the finance side."

Qian Wei thought for a while, "Well, let's discuss it with the prefect of Ouyang first."

Fan Chunren hesitated for a moment, thinking, yes, the imperial court can only order compensation from the government, but it cannot ask the government to dismiss officials, this needs the support of the government after all.He nodded and said, "Okay."

The two immediately went to find Ouyang Xiu.

"Cough cough!"

When Ouyang Xiu heard Fan Chunren's suggestion to dismiss officials, he couldn't help coughing twice, and said: "At the beginning, I told your father that the disaster of this dynasty lies in redundant officials, but your father just thinks that it is caused by corruption. Over the past few years, the redundant officials have become more and more serious, and the talented people who used to be full of ambitions are now trapped in the three redundancies, and it is not easy to dismiss officials!"

At the beginning, the Gentleman Party was very high-spirited and wanted to do a lot of things, but now those people are all grandparents, and their children and grandchildren are also officials. Will they still agree?

The sooner this redundant official is dealt with, the better, and it cannot be delayed.

Fan Chunren also knew the reason, but it was too late to regret, so he said: "It's not too late to make up for it."

After thinking about it, Ouyang Xiu said, "I don't have much time left, so it doesn't matter if I promise you, but I'm afraid it will implicate the public prosecutor. Then, you should write a letter to Sima Junshi quickly and see what he says. If he agrees, then Lao Zhuo will use his last breath to help you."

Fan Chunren said: "Uncle Ouyang is still thinking carefully, so my nephew will write to Bachelor Sima."

So, he hurriedly wrote a letter and sent it to the capital quickly. On the one hand, he talked about redundant officials, and on the other hand, he asked Sima Guang to send more people.

This Qingzhou is not very far from Bianjing, and the letter will be delivered to the capital very quickly.

When Sima Guang saw this letter, his head was all big. "He wants to follow Zhang San's example and take this opportunity to eliminate the disaster of redundant officials."

Wen Yanbo said: "I'm afraid that Chunren is imitating others. Why did Zhang San suggest disarming the army instead of laying off officials? Even he knows that laying off officials will make his efforts go in vain. The time is not yet ripe."

No one knows about the disaster of the three redundancies, but they dare not act rashly. Wang Anshi also found another way, which was not mentioned in his new law.

It can be seen how much resistance there is.

Sima Guang said: "Then what to do now, Fan Chunren must also follow Zhang San's precedent, but if the expenditure is not cut, Qingzhou Finance cannot support these judgments."

Lu Gong couldn't help but questioned: "It's really hard to say whether it is the success of the public prosecutor's law or Zhang San's success!"

Fu Bi opened his eyes, "On the contrary, this is not Zhang San's success, but Zhang San's fault. His judgments are so outstanding that they have never been seen since ancient times. Have you ever seen the government of any dynasty? Such a large-scale compensation has been made to the common people, if Zhang San’s judgment had not come first, Chunren and the others would have been able to deal with it, and of course, not so many people would sue.”

Mr. Lu nodded again.

Indeed, that kind of compensation is indeed scary. It is really salt debt and salt money to cover the bottom, but Qingzhou does not have these conditions.

Fu Bi said again: "The only solution now is to transfer Zhang San back."

Sima Guang hurriedly said: "But we have already promised not to use Zhang San in front of the officials."

Fu Bi glanced at him and said: "Jun Shi, you are really brainless, you don't need Zhang San, you are not allowed to go to Qingzhou, but you can transfer him back to Bianliang, so that he can use the special status of the Beijing official to influence Qingzhou The Public Prosecution Law. It happens that Zhang San is almost three years old, so he should have been transferred."

Sima Guang still wanted to be upright, and he was full of confidence in the public prosecutor's law, and said again: "But far away water can't save near fire."

Wen Yanbo said: "Fu Gong is right, you are really brainless. Cases cannot be tried one by one, let Chunren and the others try the easy ones first, we still have enough time."

Sima Guang hesitated for a while, then nodded reluctantly.

Fu Bi said again: "Also, this manpower must be arranged immediately. The two of them are outnumbered, so don't delay."

Sima Guang hurriedly said, "I've already made arrangements for this candidate."

Wen Yanbo was surprised: "Why are you so fast this time?"

Sima Guang smiled sheepishly, and said: "At the beginning, this group of people was supposed to be dispatched to Hezhong Mansion, but Zhang San trained a group of judges himself, and those people were also approved by the government, so I didn't make any further arrangements. "

Fu Bi asked, "Who is there?"

Sima Guang replied: "Liu Zhi, Liang Tao, Sun Gu...!"

He reported more than 30 names in a row.

All of them are Jinshi, one-third are from the Jiayou period, and two-thirds are from Yuanyou and Xining. Anyway, they are in the prime of life and bring two rising stars.

Wen Yanbo laughed and said, "You really work slowly and meticulously!"

These people are impeccable, with excellent morals and talents.

In terms of knowing people, Sima Guang is indeed better than Wang Anshi by more than N grades. The only one who is mistaken is Zhang Fei. The most guilty things he has done in his life are all thanks to Zhang San, without exception.

(End of this chapter)