Although Wang Anshi has a stubborn personality, he is not rigid or pedantic.
In fact, all those who carry out reforms are very enlightened. How can rigid and pedantic people actively seek change?
Wang Anshi's stubbornness mainly comes from two aspects. First, he is very smart. Smart people are definitely more willing to trust their own judgment.
Second, political stance, throughout the ages, those who want to reform must firmly believe in their beliefs, because everyone knows that this will encounter a lot of trouble, and if you don't persist, it will soon be over.
It’s not that Wang Anshi disagrees with Zhang Fei’s policy of saving the country through a curve and paying taxes through donations. In fact, his reform method is to collect money in another way.
He just thought it was unreliable.
Donations are voluntary and paying taxes is mandatory.
Since they all contribute voluntarily, why don't they take the initiative to pay taxes?
However, Zhang Fei's confidence and Zhang Fei's previous success finally moved Wang Anshi.
In fact, Wang Anshi also knew that those taxes were difficult to collect, and he was not sure about it, so why not let Zhang Fei give it a try.
Of course, Zhang Fei ultimately did not agree to join the Ordinance Department of the Second Government.
But for Wang Anshi, he recruited Zhang Fei just because he wanted to have more helpers. It didn't mean that he couldn't do it without him. Now that Zhang Fei had promised to help him with all his strength, that was fine. He didn't force Zhang Fei.
But Lu Huiqing didn't see it that way.
After he learned that Zhang Fei finally rejected Wang Anshi, he couldn't help but have doubts, "Teacher, the reason why Zhang San is afraid of joining the Ordinance Department of the Second Government is because he does not firmly support us, he still hopes to maintain
Relationship with Bachelor Sima."
The implication is that Zhang Fei wants to be a wallflower, but the wind blows him to both sides.
Of course Wang Anshi also knew that Zhang Fei had a good relationship with Sima Guang and said with a smile: "Even so, you must not forget that he is still just a commoner and has no ambition for fame, so why should he take these risks for us?
If I were him, I wouldn't be willing to do it. Just like the first time I cooperated with him to get the mortgage, we all helped each other, which is reasonable."
Lu Huiqing frowned and said, "But if Zhang San finally chooses to join Bachelor Sima, it may cause us trouble."
Wang Anshi glanced at Lu Huiqing and asked with a smile: "Ji Fu, you seem to be very afraid of Zhang San?"
Lu Huiqing said truthfully: "Based on the previous lawsuit, our establishment of the Ordinance Department of the Second Government will be subject to judicial supervision, and Zhang San's judicial talent is unparalleled and his methods are superb. If he joins the Sima Bachelor, this will
It could cause us a lot of trouble."
Wang Anshi pondered for a moment and said: "Now his attitude is that he is willing to help us with all his strength, but at the same time he is unwilling to get involved, which shows that he will not completely side with Sima Junshi, so why should we force him to choose a side?
.”
Lu Huiqing nodded slightly, "My teacher's words make sense."
Wang Anshi said: "Get someone to put pressure on Kaifeng and Xiangfu counties so that they must avoid Wang Hong's rebellion again when collecting autumn taxes. Otherwise, violators will be punished."
Lu Huiqing nodded and said, "Yes."
Over there, Zhang Fei rested at home for two days and then hurried back to the office.
"Huh? What happened? Why is there no one there?"
When Zhang Fei came to the office, there was no one even at the counter.
"It's great that Saburo is here. If you don't come again, I will be too busy by myself!"
Suddenly I saw Fan Li walking quickly from inside.
Zhang Fei smiled and nodded: "I can see that."
After the two came to the back hall and sat down, Zhang Fei asked: "Lao Fan, what's going on in this store?"
Fan Li said: "You have forgotten that now that the autumn tax is about to be collected, people need to calculate taxes. Our store is full of people, but it is still very busy."
Zhang Fei said: "Didn't I tell you before to recruit more people?"
“Always recruiting!”
Fan Li said: "Now we have almost 200 people who calculate the tax alone, and most of them are officials from the government, but it is still not enough. Because of the agricultural tax calculation, no one can compete with them. As for our price,
No one dares to compete with us, so Li Guozhong and others focus on commercial taxes."
Zhang Fei nodded and said: "But I will only be busy in the first two years. After I find out the situation of these lands, the next step is to collect money."
Fan Li chuckled and said, "Now everyone understands this, so everyone is working hard to grab as many customers as possible. They even ask for help themselves."
The key to the tax calculation business is not tax calculation, but whether you can compete with the government. Now Zhang Fei has proven that he has this ability.
As a result, this tax calculation business has become an iron rice bowl, and it is simply not worth it for the people to spend such a small amount of money to ensure it.
As long as the situation of the client's land is clearly understood, wouldn't it be just a matter of collecting money from now on, just like collecting protection fees? Although land transactions are frequent, the firm can also provide services. Not only can you make a fortune here, but at the same time
It can also continue to control the situation of the customer's land in its own hands.
As a result, many people come to the firm not to litigate, but rather to provide legal services.
Suddenly I heard someone outside say: "Why is there no one?"
Fan Li was slightly startled, "It seemed to be the voice of Grand Bachelor Sima."
The person who came was none other than Sima Guang.
Zhang Fei quickly invited Sima Guang into the inner hall, and Fan Li also went to the counter to watch very intelligently.
"Why is your store so empty?"
Sima Guang asked curiously.
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Now that the autumn tax is about to be collected, everyone has gone out of the city to help the people calculate taxes."
"I see."
Sima Guang smiled and nodded, "Nowadays, tax avoidance is becoming more and more difficult, and your charity will benefit greatly."
Do you know how to chat? Zhang Fei chuckled and said, "You can't say that. We do charity for charity, not to avoid taxes."
Sima Guang chuckled: "You didn't say that, but you did it. Honestly, did you ask Wang Jiefu for help?"
Zhang Fei was stunned, "How can I say this?"
Sima Guang said: "Yesterday, Wang Jiefu was in the political hall and repeatedly emphasized that this year's autumn taxes must be strictly supervised to prevent Wang Hong's incident from happening again and damaging the prestige of the government."
"Isn't this normal?"
"normal?"
Sima Guang chuckled and said: "Wang Jiefu has been working day and night for his new method recently, so how can he have time to think about this matter? As soon as I heard it, I knew it was your kid."
Zhang Fei said sarcastically: "Even if it is, it is still the responsibility of Bachelor Wang, so there is no problem!"
Sima Guang suddenly glanced at Zhang Fei, "Wang Jiefu didn't recruit you to join the Ordinance Department of the Second Government."
Zhang Fei shrugged slightly and said, "I mentioned it, but I didn't agree."
Sima Guang nodded. Regarding this matter, the two of them had talked last time. Although he always felt that Zhang Fei had been hiding his thoughts, at least Zhang Fei did not deceive him. He did not accept Wang Anshi's invitation after all.
He took out an article from his sleeve and said, "Take a look, is it possible?"
"Thank you, Grand Bachelor Sima."
Zhang Fei took the article with both hands, read it, and said excitedly: "This article by Bachelor Sima is really well written."
Sima Guang said: "But you must remember your original promise. If your charity fails to fulfill its responsibilities and instead uses it to amass wealth, I will not forgive you."
This article was written by Sima Guang to help the charity, which means to hide wealth among the people.
There are many compliments, which is a kind of endorsement.
If this charity does not live up to its name, Sima Guang's reputation will also be implicated.
Zhang Fei nodded and said: "Don't worry, Grand Master Sima. I can only do better than what Grand Master Sima can write, and it will never be worse. If I'm not sure, I don't dare to ask Grand Master Sima for help."
"That's pretty much it." Sima Guang nodded and smiled again: "Today, you are the only one who can ask me and Wang Jiefu to help with the same thing at the same time."
Zhang Fei chuckled: "Why don't you think so, Grand Scholar Sima? This can be regarded as Grand Scholar Wang cooperating with you, maybe you can see miraculous results."
Sima Guang snorted: "No need! That Wang Jiefu and I are not the same people."
Zhang Fei muttered in a low voice: "Then I served in the army back then...!"
Sima Guang stared.
After getting Sima Guang's article, Zhang Fei immediately rushed to the printing workshop, handed the article to Hou Donglai, and started printing immediately.
"By the way! Lao Hou, how are you busy with the workshop?"
"We've already found it. I'll take you to see it another day."
Hou Dong said, and was stunned for a moment, "It's just that if we sell movable type, there will definitely be tabloids coming to steal our business."
As soon as the news comes out, every two days, it’s really not easy to make money.
As a businessman, Hou Donglai naturally wanted to monopolize.
It is better to be happy alone than to be happy together.
Zhang Fei said: "If others can rob our business, whether they have movable type or not, they can rob it. In addition, the imperial court has also mastered this technology, and it cannot be hidden."
Hou Donglai glanced at Zhang Fei and said, "Then I also want to invest some money in that workshop."
He is not stupid. If there are too many tabloids, the newspaper business will be affected to some extent, and the profits will be transferred to the workshops over there.
Zhang Fei said: "That workshop belongs to a charity. You can choose to donate money. You should know the rules of the charity."
After Hou Donglai hesitated for a while, he said: "Sanlang, we are businessmen after all, and we still want to make money."
Zhang Fei also thought about it and said, "You don't have much money, so you should keep it first and accumulate it. This game is not suitable for you to play for the time being."
People throw tens of thousands of guan into it, but if you throw a few hundred guan into it, your son will only be able to get in as a handyman.
After many days, Sima Guang’s article once again appeared in celebrity newspapers.
But now and then, the Celebrity Newspaper once relied on these celebrities to attract attention, but now everyone can't live without this newspaper. No matter who writes it, everyone loves to read it.
If it's not well written, everyone can laugh at it and make it exciting.
Sima Guang's article, on the surface, seems to be praising charitable organizations for taking the initiative to donate to the Academy to improve printing technology, which leads to the concept of hiding wealth among the people.
Praise Zhang Fei, Cao Dongdong, and Ma Xiaoyi. As rich people and children of officials, they have a social responsibility. After making money, they are willing to donate to the court and the people. Isn't this the concept of hiding wealth among the people?
Isn’t this the ultimate essence of Confucianism?
Isn't this what scholar-bureaucrats pursue: if they are poor, they can only benefit themselves; if they are rich, they can help the world.
Isn’t this the rule of the world together?
Of course, I also satirized Wang Anshi a little by the way.
This article was published and immediately sparked a heated discussion.
Famous people with extremely high moral qualities such as Fu Bi, Wen Yanbo, and Zhao Bian gave this article a very high evaluation.
This is also what they expect.
But Gu Ji, Lin Dan, Li Zhan, these conservatives with vested interests, also expressed great appreciation for this.
Although they hate Zhang Fei to the core, they also know very well who is the biggest enemy.
When these people compete with the reformists, they usually use the common people as a cover, hiding wealth from the people and competing for profits with the people.
And this charity turns this idea into an objective existence.
Of course they support it.
"Ouch! I'm so confused! I'm so confused!"
Fan Yong patted his forehead and said: "Cao Yanei and Xiao Yi, they know nothing about charity. Ma Laosi and Cao Shuai must have made the decision later. There must be a reason for this. Why didn't I think of it at the time? What if?
If Bachelor Sima gives us a fortune, it will be worth thousands of gold!"
Having said this, he immediately said to Fan Zheng: "Zheng'er, please donate some money to charity immediately. We also need to gain a good reputation. Now we are not short of money, but we are short of this reputation."
Fan Zheng hesitated for a moment and said: "Dad! I have learned about this charity before. It is not just charity. They only donate part of the profits, and the remaining money will be used for business to ensure that there is enough money."
Use your property for charity.
Their children can also work there, and whoever donates more money can hold higher positions and avoid taxes at the same time."
Fan Yong asked: "What do you think?"
Fan Zhengdao: "My child thinks that by donating a sum of money, he may not be able to get the reputation his father wants. Recently, the court has been very strict in tax inspections. Therefore, my child thinks that it is better to donate a piece of land like the Cao family and the Ma family.
While avoiding taxes, the children can also manage the charity, which not only avoids the risk of tax audits, but also closely connects our Baifan Building with charity, which will also be of great help to future generations."
Fan Yong frowned and said, "But if this land is donated, it won't be ours, and we can't use the money to do our own business."
Fan Zhengdao: "Dad, have you ever thought about why Zhang Sanlang donated money to Jinzou Academy to develop printing technology?"
Fan Yong asked: "Why?"
Fan Zhengdao: "Because technology can be taken back and used by ourselves, and currently all talents are concentrated in the DPRK and China. We can also donate sugar, salt, wine, and other technologies that are beneficial to our business, and then we can rely on these technologies
, earn the money back.”
Fan Yong frowned and said, "But the technology can also be used by others."
Fan Zhengdao: "My child thinks this aspect is negotiable. After all, we donated the money, so those people must follow our suggestions seriously."
Fan Yong thought for a while and said: "How much do you plan to donate?"
Fan Zhengdao: "There must be more than the Cao family and the Ma family, so as to gain control of the charity."
Fan Yong said: "But will Zhang San agree?"
Fan Zhengdao: "The children will discuss it clearly with him. If they don't agree, then we won't donate."
