Chapter 176: Three feet of ice does not last a day
Zhang Fei and Fan Li came back, but he failed to bring back Qiu Zhengwen and others, and Wang Hong's tone also made him understand that Sima Guang's words were true, and he might suffer a big loss this time.
But he still didn't understand why it happened like this.
It wasn't until he returned to Xu Mansion and met Xu Zun that he understood the truth.
One word, money.
Tax collection in ancient times was no different than that of his time. It relied on a large number of officials and their methods, rather than a piece of law.
This is the rule of man, not the rule of law.
This is a very difficult job to do.
You must know that the most important political achievement of an official is not how many injustices they can resolve. That is secondary. The key is how much tax they can collect.
In addition, officials in the Northern Song Dynasty were frequently transferred, but they worked in one place for a long time. The weight of the officials was also very large, and taxation was directly related to their interests, and the court had to rely on them.
If the money cannot be collected, the country will not be able to support soldiers and soldiers, which will cause a series of problems.
At this time, it doesn't make sense.
"well...."
Xu Zun sighed and blamed himself deeply: "This is my fault. I have been an official for decades, but I made such a stupid mistake."
The reason why he didn't think of this was because he had checked the land before, so he felt that Zhang Fei's tax calculation was not very harmful. He didn't expect that the other party would counterattack so fiercely, without making any sense, and just arrest people.
He ignored one thing. He is usually the top leader in the county. Those officials are in the same camp as him. Everyone has discussions on everything. It is still a matter within the system. Anyway, if you work for two or three years, you will leave. But if you let
Zhang Fei's tax calculation took only two or three years to complete, and it seriously violated their rights.
Of course, the reason why this matter is fermenting so quickly and violently is that someone must be manipulating it. Otherwise, the officials would not be able to unite so quickly. After all, the current harm of this matter is not great.
"Dad, how could this be your fault? It's all my fault."
Xu Zhiqian glanced at Zhang Fei guiltily, "Not only did I fail to persuade Zhang San, I even encouraged him to do this."
After Zhang Fei learned the reason, he acted very calmly and said: "How can I blame you? I came up with this idea myself and it was also my whim. I want to know now what the consequences will be. What will happen to my people?"
Will there be no danger?"
Xu Zun shook his head and said: "The danger is not high. I have already submitted a petition to impeach Wang Hong. Even if they don't look at my face, they still have to give Dali Temple three points of fear. The results will probably come out tomorrow at the court meeting."
Having said this, he turned his head to look at Zhang Fei and said, "But your tax-calculated business may not be guaranteed."
Zhang Fei breathed a sigh of relief: "I don't care, human life is important."
Keeping the green hills, you don’t have to worry about having no firewood.
Xu Zun sighed, "Three feet of ice will not last in a day!"
Zhang Fei laughed self-deprecatingly: "I will wear an extra piece of clothing next time."
The implication is that there will definitely be a next time.
...
Coming out of the room, Xu Zhiqian looked guilty, "Zhang San, I..."
"This has nothing to do with you."
Zhang Fei took her hand and said with a smile: "I've been a little carried away recently and haven't thought it through."
Xu Zhiqian did not retract her hand this time, nor did she blush, but said guiltily: "That's why I should stop you. As you said before, I should hold you back when you are impulsive, but not only did I fail to dissuade you,
You are adding fuel to the fire."
Zhang Fei exclaimed: "So you feel guilty for this!"
Xu Zhiqian nodded.
"Then you should feel guilty." Zhang Fei said with a smile: "As a wife, you have neglected your duty this time."
Xu Zhiqian rolled her eyes at him shyly, "What time has it been? You are still in the mood to joke."
Zhang Fei gently pulled her forward and put his arms around her shoulders, "I'm serious."
Xu Zhiqian's eyes flashed with shyness, she rested her head on his shoulder and asked softly: "Then what are you going to do?"
Zhang Fei said: "I don't know yet, but I am certain that once this hunter puts down his bow and arrow, he will be divided up by his prey immediately. But I have to become more cautious and smarter."
Take a step back and the sky will be brighter?
You are thinking about peaches.
If he takes a step back, the opponent will not simply take a step forward, but will directly flatten him.
But he didn't expect it to turn out like this, and he didn't have a clue for a while.
"Ahem!"
Suddenly I heard two coughs.
Xu Zhiqian broke away from Zhang Fei's arms like lightning and took two steps back.
Xu Zun then glanced at the huge full moon in the sky and sighed: "Where has this moon gone? Uncle Rong, hold the lamp."
"Yes, sir."
Rong Bo stretched out his lantern, and Xu Zun walked toward the backyard with his hands behind his back.
After Xu Zun left, Xu Zhiqian glared at Zhang Fei shyly, "It's all your fault."
"My father-in-law didn't say anything. It shows that this is allowed. Come on, come on, hug me again."
"Don't even think about it."
Xu Zhiqian stepped back and said, "I'm going back to the house first."
"Hey, you won't send me off!"
"Leave quickly."
"I'm coming!"
.......
The next day.
Chui Gong Hall.
"what on earth is it?"
Zhao Xu glanced at the ministers standing on the left and right.
Xu Zun immediately stood up and said, "Your Majesty, Wang Hong, the magistrate of Kaifeng, has abused his power, oppressed the people, and has no laws. I hope your Majesty can remove him from office."
Shen Huaixiao immediately stood up and said: "The one who really bends the law for personal gain is Xu Sishi! Wangzhi County enforces the law impartially and severely punishes unruly people. What's wrong? But Xu Sishi has always been partial to Zhang San."
Zhao Xu asked: "But Zhang San only sent people to promote the tax calculation business in his store. I don't know what crime he committed?"
Shen Huai said filially: "Reporting to your majesty, as far as I know, Zhang San uses the ear pen in his shop to deceive the people into not paying taxes...!"
"That's nonsense."
Xu Zun immediately retorted: "He just wants to do this tax calculation business. Someone has a guilty conscience and deliberately obstructs it."
Shen Huaixiao said: "Xu Shisi has also been a county magistrate, so he should know that collecting taxes is not an easy task. And Zhang San won some reputation by winning several lawsuits in a row, so he used this to confuse the people.
They hired their firm to calculate taxes and said that if they had any dissatisfaction, they could refuse to pay the taxes and their law firm would help them litigate the case with the government.
As a result, several households in the south of the city refused to pay taxes, and the government's call for tax collection was blocked. Wang Zhixian was deeply worried about this, so he arrested all those who were ignorant."
Xu Zundao: "As a county magistrate, shouldn't we first find out why the people refuse to pay taxes? If it is for no reason, then Zhang San should indeed be severely punished."
Shen Huai Xiao said: "If we investigate one thing and fight each lawsuit, then we won't be able to collect this year's taxes. Can you, Xu Zhongtu, be responsible for it then?"
Reason, or money?
"OK OK!"
Zhao Xu hurriedly came out to smooth things over, "I already know what is going on. You are not wrong. Wang Zhixian has fulfilled his duties and is eager for official duties. I can understand him. As for the Xu Temple matter, as the judge of Dali Temple, he raised this issue
Questioning is also part of our responsibility.”
This statement may seem fair, but it is actually biased towards Wang Hong.
However, as Xu Zun is a judge of Dali, he is certainly qualified to intervene.
The admonisher Chen Tao immediately stood up and said: "Your Majesty, in my opinion, all this is the fault of Naerbi Zhang San. Taxes have always been calculated by the Third Division. He came up with a tax calculation. Isn't this
Are you implying that the court's statistics are unfair? This will seriously damage the prestige of the court and endanger the stability of the country, but this cannot be allowed to happen. I suggest that Zhang San be severely punished to serve as a warning to others."
"I second the proposal!"
Many ministers came forward to express their support for Chen Tao's statement.
Xu Zun immediately retorted: "Your Majesty, Zhang Fei did not break the law. If the court severely punishes Zhang San for this, wouldn't it be a guilty conscience and mean there is something wrong here? This will even damage the prestige of the court."
"Xu Zhongtu."
Shen Huaixiao shouted angrily, "Are you willing to give up your face for your son-in-law? Our Third Division has to calculate a country's tax revenue, so there will inevitably be errors and omissions. And that Zhang San makes money by litigating, and there will always be mistakes.
Let him find one or two errors and omissions, and then the matter will be brought to court. The audit official may not even be able to secure his official position. In this case, who dares to calculate taxes and who dares to collect taxes."
Xu Zun smiled coldly: "If you make a mistake, you will not be punished. If you are not guilty, you will be severely punished. You might as well come to Dali Temple to work."
"enough!"
Zhao Xu stopped them again.
what happened?
Who doesn’t know clearly?
If we continue to pursue justice and fairness, the government will only lose face.
Because money is indispensable.
Shen Huaixiao made it very clear that if those ear pens were not punished, people would not dare to collect taxes because they might get into lawsuits.
This phenomenon did happen, and he wasn't just making it up, he was just talking about it in a big way.
But once the tax cannot be collected, the problem will become bigger.
Emperor Shenzong looked at Wang Anshi, Sima Guang, and Wen Yanbo standing in front of him again, "Why are the three counselors and political advisors silent?"
Sima Guang and Wang Anshi looked at each other, and Sima Guang stood up first and said: "Reporting to your majesty, I also believe that taxation is a major national plan and cannot be missed. At extraordinary times, extraordinary things are done. Wang Zhixian's actions are not at fault.
"
Wang Anshi immediately stood up and said: "But Zhang San did it unintentionally. This crime is not punishable by death. I think a small punishment but a big warning is enough."
Wen Yanbo finally added: "As for the tax calculation business, I think that either the government will give it official documents to specifically assist the three departments in tax calculation, or it will impose restrictions."
When the three of them said this, the officials below naturally had nothing to say.
After all, they all favored Wang Hong, even Wang Anshi said he would be given small punishments but big punishments.
At this moment, Wang Anshi did not dare to give Zhang Fei any support. The country's top priority at present was tax collection. If there was a riot, the consequences would be disastrous.
Xu Zun had already guessed what the outcome would be, and it was not something he could stop. However, he wanted to emphasize that Zhang Fei was not guilty. It was just that the water was too muddy and he would inevitably fall if he stepped in it.
Zhao Xu hurriedly borrowed the donkey from the slope and said, "It's time to play."
Shen Huaixiao stood up and said: "Your Majesty, so far, you have only punished Erbi who obeyed Zhang San. Zhang San has not been punished at all. Such a decision is unconvincing!"
Sima Guang frowned, "This is not a serious matter. Small punishments and big warnings are enough."
This is obviously a warning to Shen Huaixiao. If you want to torture Zhang Fei to death based on this, it would be too fanciful. The official just gave the royal plaque, which is actually a slap in the face. It is a bit uncomfortable for you to be aggressive.
Got it interesting.
"I also support small punishments and big warnings, but the problem is that Zhang San has not been punished." Shen Huaixiao refused to give in. "I think at least a certain fine must be given to achieve the punishment effect."
Zhao Xu felt that his face had been slapped, whether it was harder or lighter, what was the point, so he said: "Leave this matter to Bachelor Sima."