Zhang Fei had agreed with Zhao Xu very early on about this business tax plan, but never mentioned it to Wang Anshi, because Wang Anshi would not listen to him at all at that time. He had his own set of ideas.
That is, financial management.
That’s not to say that Wang Anshi is wrong, but he knows that raising taxes is very rare. The key is not necessarily that they can be collected. If they can be collected, it may be a worse result.
The tax collectors will definitely seek death, and it will cause great public dissatisfaction, which will provide an excuse for conservatives.
Wang Anshi neither dared to compete with the powerful and gentry, nor did he dare to increase taxes.
It can only be about financial management and collecting money around the corner.
However, taxation has always been the focus of finance.
The financial foundation of a country is taxation, no matter how you change it.
Nowadays, the Public Security Bureau, Procuratorate, and Taxation Department are paired with the Taxation Department, and this supporting system has been very complete.
At the same time, Wang Anshi’s power was also greatly restricted. Without the Ordinance Department of the Second Government, he could no longer implement policies as before.
This also made him very frustrated.
But in Zhang Fei’s opinion, the time was ripe, so he proposed this suggestion to Wang Anshi for the first time.
Because in the end Zhang Fei still had to carry out commercial tax reform through Wang Anshi, and he did not have the strength himself.
Now that the functions and powers of the six ministries have been determined, it can be said that the emperor has determined to reform the official system. The next meeting will definitely be to discuss the issue of candidates.
The officials became extremely busy and moved around.
Wen Yanbo’s exhaustion from dealing with it all showed, and he returned to the Yushitai today to take a breather.
Jiang Zhiqi, who was reviewing official documents in the room, saw Wen Yanbo coming and immediately stepped forward to greet him and bowed.
After Wen Yanbo sat down, Jiang Zhiqi suddenly said: “Mr. Wen, I recently discovered something.”
Wen Yanbo asked: “What’s the matter?”
Jiang Zhiqi asked: “Does Duke Wen know that the procuratorate is currently prosecuting tax evasion and tax evasion in the imperial court?”
Wen Yanbo nodded, “I heard about it.”
Jiang Zhiqi said: “But in the past few days, they are all wealthy businessmen and landlords, and there are no officials involved. The lower official thought there must be something fishy here.”
Wen Yanbo glanced at him and said, “What do you mean, officials can’t pay taxes in accordance with the law?”
Jiang Zhiqi’s expression paused and he hurriedly said: “The official has no such intention, but according to the official’s knowledge, there are indeed many officials who have not paid taxes in accordance with the law.”
Wen Yanbo stroked his beard and suddenly said: “Don’t be busy with impeachment. Go to the Taxation Department and ask how many officials are secretly paying taxes?”
Jiang Zhiqi frowned and thought a little, “What does Duke Wen mean, because of this restructuring, those officials are afraid of going to court?”
“It must be so.”
Wen Yanbo nodded and said: “The rotation of officials this year is very different from the past. Not only must most of the powers of the six ministries be restored, but many official offices must also be abolished. They can calm down and try to avoid extraneous matters at this time. Now I am afraid you are the only one working conscientiously here.”
Jiang Zhiqi suddenly smiled awkwardly, and then handed over his hand and said: “Wen Gong has overestimated the award, but we, the censors, are diligent and conscientious. Aren’t we also striving for performance? Your subordinates still have to go to the Taxation Department to ask.”
Wen Yanbo exclaimed: “It makes sense! It makes sense!”
Imperial Court.
“Another perfect day, call it a day.”
Zhang Fei turned around and said to the trainee prosecutors: “I will leave these documents to you, and I will go home directly.”
“Yes.”
All the students nodded in unison.
After that, Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian walked outside the imperial court.
Wang glanced back at Zhang Fei and whispered to Zhou Zheng: “Brother Zhou, has Prosecutor Zhang always been so free and easy?”
They had been coming to the procuratorate for some time, but except for meetings and lawsuits, it was really hard to see Zhang Fei on weekdays. Moreover, Zhang Fei would disappear after the beating, and Zhou Zheng would always take them.
They came from traditional education, and they have never seen such officials, who do not follow the rules at all.
Zhou Zheng nodded and said: “Prosecutor Zhang is mainly responsible for litigating cases. After a big lawsuit, he may have to rest for several days, but he also occasionally holds meetings with us to point out our shortcomings in court, but you can Don’t learn from Prosecutor Zhang, unless you have Prosecutor Zhang’s ability and can win every battle.”
All the students nodded in unison.
As they approached the gate, seeing no one around, Xu Zhiqian jogged two steps, caught up with her, and whispered: “Zhang San, haven’t you noticed that the Taxation Department did not accuse anyone this year?” Officials, or dignitaries in the court, or relatives.”
Zhang Fei smiled and said: “Because as long as the Taxation Department investigates them, regardless of whether the Taxation Department has evidence, they will immediately pay back taxes and fines.”
Xu Zhiqian said: “Is it because of the restructuring of the DPRK?”
Zhang Fei nodded, “It is said that the Taxation Department has collected tens of thousands of dollars in fines.”
Xu Zhiqian said: “But if the circumstances are serious, you will have to go to jail.”
Zhang Fei said: “They are still trying. Even if they want to evade taxes, they will do it through calculation, or they will transfer the taxes to their businessmen and use the businessmen to test the methods of the tax department. We are sure that this will happen this year. Mainly businessmen.”
Xu Zhiqian nodded and asked: “But if we don’t go to court, how can we prevent the tax department from tampering with it.”
The Department of Taxation does not have to go to court to prosecute. Only if the circumstances are serious enough to bear criminal responsibility, they will prosecute. The final decision will be made by the royal court on whether to sentence him to jail or allow him to spend money to atone for his sins.
If it is not very serious, the tax department will first issue a fine. If the other party recognizes it, it will not go to court. However, if the other party does not recognize it, it will also go to court.
Zhang Fei said: “First of all, taxation is related to the performance of the tax department and the bounty of the tax police. They will definitely not slack off.
Secondly, the tax police can also prosecute the tax department through the procuratorate. Many tax police actually have no job. They are here for fines. In other words, they supervise the tax department at all times.
Finally, our Procuratorate and the Third Division will also conduct prosecutions against the Taxation Department. ”
While they were talking, they had already arrived outside the gate, and suddenly they saw the dust in the sky coming towards their faces.
“Damn!”
Zhang Fei exclaimed and quickly withdrew, blocking in front of Xu Zhiqian.
Suddenly I heard a “tsk tsk” sound coming from behind, “As expected of us, Zhang Daerbi, we all ran to the imperial court to love each other.”
Xu Zhiqian didn’t see the person clearly and quickly backed away, looking very nervous.
She cherished this job so much that she tried to keep a distance from Zhang Fei outside. As long as there were officials present, she would lower her head and walk silently behind.
But Zhang Fei was quite familiar with this voice. He rolled his eyes and turned around, only to see Cao Dongdong and Ma Xiaoyi who had just dismounted, looking at them ambiguously.
The dust just now was also brought by them.
Zhang Fei was secretly angry. Damn it, this mess made Zhi Qian scared. He immediately said: “I’m talking about Yameni! The chief superintendent is not here, and you are acting like this.”
Cao Dongdong was confused and said: “What nonsense, I just said one thing.”
Zhang Fei waved his hand, “Let me ask you, what’s going on with this dust? Your police station is also responsible for the cleaning of the city. The key is to let you spend money to hire people to deal with it. What are you doing? ?”
Cao Dongdong jumped on the spot, pointed angrily at Zhang Fei and said: “Xiao Erbi, don’t accuse people unjustly!”
Zhang Fei said: “Xiao Yameni, don’t be arrogant. I will sue you and all I need to do is turn around.”
When speaking, point your thumb back.
Ma Xiaoyi hurriedly came forward, “Third brother, you have really wronged me this time. This has nothing to do with our police station.”
Zhang Fei said: “Whose business is that?”
“For God’s sake!”
Ma Xiao pointed his hand towards the sky.
Zhang Fei said: “What do you mean?”
Ma Xiaoyi said: “It hasn’t rained for more than two months, how can it be less dusty?”
Xu Zhiqian glanced at the sky and said, “Yes! It seems like it hasn’t rained since the end of autumn.”
Ma Xiaoyi said: “That’s right. My brother and I are rough-skinned and thick-skinned, so it’s fine. Brother Xiaochun’s thin-skinned and tender face has been chapped, and now we don’t even dare to go out.”
“That’s it!”
Zhang Fei looked slightly embarrassed.
“Go, go, go!”
Cao Dongdong, who had been wronged, walked over angrily, held Zhang Fei’s arm and walked inside, “Aren’t you going to sue me? Go now, turn around now.”
“Yameni, please don’t provoke me.”
Zhang Fei smiled and said: “There is nothing that I, Zhang Dar, cannot tell in writing.”
Cao Dongdong was startled and immediately stopped, “What are you going to sue me for?”
Zhang Fei smiled and said: “Threatening the prosecutor.”
Cao Dongdong said excitedly: “Don’t confuse right and wrong, you are clearly threatening this office.”
Zhang Fei said: “But everyone only saw you grabbing my arm.”
Cao Dongdong quickly let go, and then said confidently: “You go and sue! I spend hundreds of dollars every year on Daerbi to litigate for me.”
“Isn’t it a coincidence? The flood washed away the Dragon King Temple.”
Zhang Fei laughed, put his hand on Cao Dongdong’s shoulder, and whispered: “My wife is here, can’t you give me a little face? How do we become brothers?”
Cao Dongdong immediately understood and said: “So that’s it. If you had told me earlier, we would understand this matter.”
“Just understand.”
Zhang Fei coughed and asked, “Why are you here?”
Ma Xiaoyi said hurriedly: “We came specially to see Third Brother for a drink.”
Zhang Fei couldn’t help but look back at Xu Zhiqian.
Xu Zhiqian immediately said: “You go ahead, I’ll go back first.”
To be honest, Zhang Fei was almost sick from the recent lawsuit and wanted to relax. He nodded and said, “Okay! I’ll let Long Wu take you back first.”
After sending Xu Zhiqian away, Ma Xiaoyi immediately said: “Third brother, get on my horse and I will carry you.”
“What are you carrying? There is so much dust. Let’s walk. We are not in a hurry.”
“Oh.”
“If you’re walking, this place is relatively close to Piaoxiang Tower.” Cao Dongdong said with a change of eyes.
Zhang Fei said calmly: “Alum Tower.”
“It’s really boring.”
“That’s right!” Zhang Fei asked: “It hasn’t rained for more than two months, so aren’t you panicking?”
Cao Dongdong was surprised and said: “Why are you panicking?”
Zhang Fei said: “Aren’t you afraid of disaster?”
Cao Dongdong said: “What’s the point of panic? Even if there is a real disaster, there is nothing we can do!”
Their family has enough food to last for several years.
Ma Xiaoyi said indifferently: “It’s already dry at this time, it means it’s going to rain, maybe just a few light rains, it’s not necessarily a natural disaster.”
“That’s true.”
Zhang Fei nodded and suddenly thought, wrong! According to historical records, there was a severe drought during the Xining period, and Wang Anshi was dismissed from the prime minister because of it. It couldn’t be this year. Oops, if it were really this year, wouldn’t the emperor be embarrassed!
He suddenly realized that something was wrong with this situation.
“Third brother, why don’t you leave.”
Ma Xiaoyi suddenly saw Zhang Fei stopped and couldn’t help but wonder.
“Nothing, let’s go!”
As Zhang Fei walked, he thought to himself, should I tell the emperor about this? But what will happen if I tell him? Xiao Ma is right, if there is going to be an attack today, no one can stop it, and if it happens If it hadn’t been for the disaster, the emperor would probably still blame me? After all, the emperor has just come out to preside over government affairs, so it is better to wait until the emperor notices it himself. However, I have to find a way to deal with it, so as not to affect my plan and suffer together.
At this time, Zhao Xu was busy with government affairs. However, he personally presided over this restructuring. Unlike before, when Wang Anshi, Sima Guang and others were doing the work, he only listened to opinions or results, and did not pay attention to the weather at all. In addition, there is little rain from the end of autumn to the end of the year.
Now the person standing next to him is no longer Wang Anshi, but Wang Gui, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy.
“Concerning the position of Privy Councilor, what do the great scholars think of Wang Shao?” Zhao Xu asked Wang Gui.
Wang Gui was stunned for a moment and said: “Wang Shao is now at the edge of Xihe River and cannot get back.”
Zhao Xu hesitated a little and said: “But some people in the court think that although Wang Shao has made great contributions, his rewards are small, and his military power is very heavy. I.”
“Your Majesty!”
Before Zhao Xu could finish speaking, Wang Gui immediately interrupted him, “Now the Xihe area is not yet stable, and the expansion of the Xihe border is only the first step in the northwest strategy. This change of commanders before the battle is a major battle on the battlefield. Taboo. Officials can add the title of Wang Shao to show their kindness and reward.”
Zhao Xu asked again: “Shall I send a supervisor?”
Wang Gui immediately said: “Your Majesty has forgotten that there is a military imperial court now. If anyone really thinks that Wang Shaosheng has different intentions, he can bring evidence and go to the imperial court to complain. Moreover, the taxes in the Xihe area are also It is in the hands of Chang Pingsi.
Isn’t it that your Majesty has established these official offices and systems so that the commander-in-chief can concentrate on fighting without having to worry about external rumors?
If His Majesty sends a supervisory army at this time, it will only make Wang Shao become timid, and Xihe Tuobian will probably end here. ”
“The Grand Master is right.”
Zhao Xu patted his forehead lightly and said: “I have forgotten that I had people build the public security law in the local area before.”
Having said this, he suddenly looked at Wang Gui and said, “How about letting a bachelor serve as the privy envoy?”
Wang Gui said hurriedly: “Your Majesty clearly knows that the reason why I support Wang Shao to stay in Xihe is for the overall situation and not because I covet the position of Privy Councilor. I recommend Han Jiang to be the Privy Councilor. At present, the imperial court mainly uses troops. They are all in the northwest, and Han Jiang has been in the northwest in recent years and is well aware of the local situation.”
Zhao Xu nodded.
At this moment, Lan Yuanzhen suddenly appeared in front of the door, “Your Majesty, Mr. Ouyang passed away in Qingzhou one month ago.”
“What?”
Zhao Xu stood up suddenly, his eyes full of sadness.
Soon, Zhao Xu issued an imperial order announcing the news of Ouyang Xiu’s death. He stayed out of court for three days and gave Ouyang Xiu the posthumous title “Wenzhong”.
However, most officials in the DPRK were very indifferent to this. Taking advantage of this opportunity, they were still thinking of ways to compete for official positions.
Only Ouyang Xiu has offended too many people with his talk.
Only Fu Bi, Han Qi, Wen Yanbo, and Sima Guang gathered together to remember Ouyang Xiu and wrote articles and eulogies for him.
In the next few important meetings, they are all discussing the selection of the second government, three departments and six departments.
The reformists and conservatives also engaged in fierce confrontations.
But the fight was not for the Six Ministries, because according to the powers of the Six Ministries, as long as Zhao Xu was not stupid, it was impossible for Lu Huiqing to be in charge of the Ministry of Punishment and Liu Shu to be in charge of the Ministry of Household Affairs.
The key game is in the three positions of the Third Division, the Privy Council, and the Yushitai. In addition, Wang Anshi also plans to help Zeng Gongliang build momentum for him to become the president of the court.
However, Zeng Gongliang did not want to be involved in it anymore. It was already certain that Zhao Xu would come to the front, but this would break the balance between the DPRK and China. Zeng Gongliang did not want to be insecure in his old age, so he used his old age as an excuse to decide. Become an official.
At the same time, Chen Shengzhi also requested to become an official on the grounds of illness.
In fact, they were making way for Zhao Xu.
In the end, Zhao Xu still asked Zhao Pian to serve as the president of the court. In fact, no matter from all aspects, there was no more suitable candidate. Moreover, Zhao Pian was known as the iron-faced censor, but he was able to serve as the prime minister in the court for such a long time. Even though he was very opposed to the New Deal, it can be seen that his relationship with the emperor was still relatively stable.
However, what follows is a bit awkward.
No one can be found to fill the second- and third-level imperial courts.
It’s not that the Song Dynasty didn’t have talents, but that these talents didn’t know much about the public security system.
What’s even more terrible is that Sima Guang had already decided to transfer key members from the Gyeonggi area to Southeast Sixth Road to build the Public Security Bureau.
The remaining presidents of the court are all adjutants, and their qualifications are too low. It is impossible to find any of them.
Therefore, some people proposed that there should be no secondary imperial court first, and then Zhang Fei should be promoted to the chief court of Gyeonggi.
It is not difficult to see from this proposal that many opportunistic officials began to flatter the emperor.
But he was rejected by Sima Guang because the Procuratorate was recruiting new people and Zhang Fei was going to be the president of the court. The power of the Procuratorate was greatly reduced.
Someone recommended Xu Zun, but Wen Yanbo immediately refuted it.
If Xu Zun is appointed as the chief prosecutor, the chief prosecutor will definitely be Zhang Fei. This is not to say that Zhang Fei is not qualified, but that you, your son-in-law, have one as the chief prosecutor and the other as the president of the court. The public prosecutor’s office has been monopolized by your family.
Xu Zun himself did not agree. My son-in-law is so powerful. He would have won if I had not been the president of the court. If I had been the president of the court, he would have won every day. This is not a shady secret, but it has become a shady secret.
In the end, it was decided not to set it up for the time being, and to leave it all to Zhao Bian.
It can be seen that the Public Security Bureau is really strong on the outside and capable on the inside. All the talents are outside. The capital city cannot even elect a judge president with some qualifications.
What’s even more interesting is that the waterlogging will lead to death, and the drought will lead to death.
There are so many vacancies in the Public Security Bureau, it is hard to find anyone to fill them, but the competition for official positions in the Second Government, Three Divisions and Sixth Department is very fierce.
After a whole month of repeated debates, the candidate was finally decided.
The most controversial one is the position of the Third Secretary.
Wang Anshi recommended Xue Xiang, but Wen Yanbo and Sima Guang were firmly opposed.
In the end, it was captured by Xue Xiang.
This is mainly because Zhao Xu also favors Xue Xiang. This is actually because Xue Xiang performed very well in the last hearing and won Zhao Xu’s appreciation.
The privy envoy was appointed by Han Jiang, who was named by the emperor himself.
What is very different from the past is that in the past, there was no fixed number of Tongping Zhangshi. Three, four, four or five were all possible.
But this time there are only two.
One is Wang Anshi and the other is Wen Yanbo.
And according to regulations, the Tongping Zhang must be followed by an honorary title. This title is to distinguish the Prime Minister, the Second Prime Minister, and the Last Prime Minister.
The Grand Bachelor of Kasho Bunkan is the Prime Minister.
Concurrently studying national history is a secondary prime minister.
The bachelor of Jixian Palace is the last prime minister.
Before this, Fu Bi, Zeng Gongliang, Wen Yanbo, Zhao Pian, and Chen Shengzhi served as Tongping Zhangshi. The first was Fu Bi, Zeng Gongliang and Wen Yanbo were the secondary prime ministers, and Zhao Pian and Chen Shengzhi were the last prime ministers. .
Wang Anshi and Sima Guang were involved in political affairs and deputy prime ministers.
This time there are only two, and there are no honorary titles.
The Tongping Charter of Fu Bi and others was also withdrawn. Because Fu Bi was to be appointed as the chairman of the Legislative Council and politics and law were separated, Fu Bi naturally could no longer stay in the Political Affairs Hall.
This is really Sima Zhao’s intention, and everyone on the street knows it.
That’s right and left.
It’s just that this is a transitional stage, it’s not stated clearly.
Wang Anshi was slightly dissatisfied with this. He would rather face his old enemy Sima Guang than face Wen Yanbo. Firstly, Wen Yanbo was more conservative. Secondly, Wen Yanbo was more cunning. Thirdly, there was a gap in seniority. , when Wang Anshi met Wen Yanbo, he was given the honorific title.
As for the censor Zhongcheng, he was captured by Fu Bi’s son-in-law Feng Jing. This was actually a kind of compensation for Fu Bi, and it also strengthened the authority of the Legislative Council Chairman in disguise, because according to the system, the one who presides over the Legislative Council is the Legislator. The president, the Minister of Punishment and the Censor Zhongcheng.
Nowadays, the Minister of Punishment is determined to be Sima Guang, and Yushi Zhongcheng is the son-in-law. There is very little check and balance on Fu Bi.
Of course, this also ensures that the Legislative Council can legislate more smoothly in the initial stage.
At the same time, six political advisors were appointed to take charge of six ministries.
There is no doubt about the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Households, and the Ministry of Officials.
Lü Gongzhu was in charge of the official department.
Sima Guang was in charge of the punishment department.
Lu Huiqing is in charge of the household department.
As for the Ministry of Industry, Zeng Gong was in charge.
Originally, Wang Anshi planned to let Zeng Gong know Kaifeng Mansion and take charge of the Ministry of Works. Who knew that Zhao Xu was determined to reorganize the system, so it was impossible for Zeng Gong to take charge of the Kaifeng Mansion and the Ministry of Works, so Wang Anshi recommended Zhang Dun to take charge of the Kaifeng Mansion. Mansion.
However, Zhang Dun was not qualified enough, so he was directly rejected by Wen Yanbo and others. In the end, Wang Anshi’s relative Wu Chong was appointed as the governor of Kaifeng Mansion.
However, few of Wang Anshi’s relatives supported him. Wu Chong also opposed the new law and highly respected Ouyang Xiu’s ideas.
The Minister of War was Cao Ping, who was in the Xihe area. This position must have been appointed by Zhao Xu, because the Ministry of War is in charge of the Royal Police.
The Ministry of Rites was handed over to Wang Gui.
These six ministers all serve as deputy prime ministers and can enter and exit the political hall at any time. In fact, they are also a check and balance on the affairs of the two colleagues.
As for those abolished government offices, those with outstanding abilities entered the six ministries as ministers, and some were transferred to local governments.
At this point, the appointment and removal of all officials have been arranged.
Zhao Xu is ready to show off his skills.
However, a light snowfall for a long time was like a wake-up call, making Zhao Xu fall into deep confusion.
It is said that auspicious snow heralds a good harvest. It has not rained for three months before, and people are looking forward to a heavy snowfall.
As a result, it snowed for a long time, and by the afternoon, the ground was dry.
This is a very bad omen!