Chapter 552: The First Battle of the Three Redundancies (5)
Regarding disarmament, it has always existed since the Renzong Dynasty, and it has always been accompanied by great controversy.
Wen Yanbo was impeached and demoted from the capital for suggesting disarmament. However, his proposal was eventually adopted, with a total of 80,000 troops disarmed at that time.
But since then, there has been loud thunder and light rain.
However, this time is different from usual. With the blessing of party struggle, the attitudes of both parties have become very determined.
As a result, the matter quickly fermented.
Officials from all departments of the imperial court participated.
The key point is that Hezhong Prefecture is still investigating this case, and the court must make a decision immediately. Otherwise, once the Hezhong Prefecture's imperial court makes a judgment, the matter may become more acute and there will be no room for maneuver.
Therefore, Sima Guang is very anxious about this, which is also related to his judicial reform. He hopes to convene a meeting as soon as possible to make a decision.
Because regarding this matter, it really depends on the emperor's attitude.
The emperor had the biggest doubts about disarmament or not, because he not only had to consider border threats, but also the security of the capital.
Zhao Xu's previous attitude towards this was hesitant.
Sima Guang was not sure either.
However, Wang Anshi was not in a hurry. He looked at Sima Guang jumping up and down, and he was even less anxious. Anyway, he was looking for various reasons to avoid it, and he also avoided talking about it.
At the same time, he also instructed Lu Huiqing and others to firmly oppose it.
Sima Guang was so angry that he was so angry.
In the end, the old prime ministers Fu Bi, Zeng Gongliang, Zhao Pian, and Wen Yanbo stood up and asked the emperor to convene a council meeting to discuss the matter on the grounds of the safety of the northwest.
After all, Wang Anshi is the deputy prime minister, so he still has to give him some thin noodles.
Chui Gong Hall.
As soon as they came up, Lu Huiqing took the lead in attacking, saying that the procuratorate had seriously interfered in military affairs and finance, and should be held accountable.
"What nonsense!"
Sima Guang immediately reprimanded: "That's sheer nonsense! The procuratorate investigated the arrears and withheld military pay. However, during the investigation, Prosecutor General Su found that the Hezhong Prefecture had a huge military shortage, but he did not use his authority to intervene.
This matter was reported to the imperial court immediately. How can we start with this interference in military affairs?"
Lu Huiqing asked: "Didn't Bachelor Sima know about the lack of military funds in advance? Didn't you all know about it?"
Everyone was silent.
Lu Huiqing continued: "This is a well-known matter, and Prosecutor General Su should also know it, but he pretended not to know, used this matter to stir up trouble in Hezhong Mansion, and then killed it first and then reported it, making the court passive. This is not interference but also
What?"
Sima Guang smiled and said: "We can't talk about things that are known to everyone, right?"
Lu Huiqing said: "It's not that we can't tell, it's just that Prosecutor General Su's purpose is very suspicious!"
Sima Guang said: "Prosecutor Su is dedicated to serving the country, and there is nothing suspicious about it. Chen Guang is outraged by both men and gods, and must be investigated. Does your Majesty expect his soldiers to sacrifice their lives for the country, kill the enemy and make meritorious deeds, but they are treated like this?"
After speaking, he raised his hands and faced Zhao Xu.
Zhao Xu nodded and said: "I also understand clearly about Chen Guangyi. The procuratorate here has done a very good job. This is also the main purpose of setting up the imperial court in Hezhong Prefecture."
Sima Guang immediately said: "However, according to the evidence provided by Prosecutor General Su, eucalyptus like Chen Guang's can be found everywhere in Hezhong Mansion. It is chilling to hear that soldiers are treated like this, how can they serve the country wholeheartedly?"
Make great achievements."
Zhao Xu sighed: "Every year, sixty-seven out of ten of the national treasury revenue is used for military expenses. Why does this phenomenon still occur?"
Sima Guang immediately said: "This is because the national treasury revenue can no longer support so many soldiers. If the army is not disarmed, both the soldiers and the people will suffer."
Zhao Xu nodded frequently upon hearing this.
Han Jiang suddenly said: "But disarmament is the top priority of the country. The court is currently unprepared. Such hasty disarmament will only encourage the enemy's intention to invade the country. In addition, there is no place for the laid-off soldiers in case of an emergency.
If we gather together as thieves, internal and external troubles will become even worse. I think this matter needs to be considered in the long run."
Zhao Xu nodded again.
Many ministers stood up and seconded the proposal.
Sima Guang actually wanted to make a long-term plan, but the problem was that reality did not allow him to say so, saying: "But the current lack of military pay has caused chaos. If the court turns a deaf ear, the consequences will be even more disastrous."
Lu Huiqing said: "Without the Procuratorate, this matter would never have happened."
Sima Guang snorted coldly: "You are just deceiving yourself and others. Fortunately, the procuratorate discovered it early. If it were delayed, the soldiers' grievances would accumulate more and more. If it breaks out again, it might be a mutiny instead of a massacre.
Proceed with justice.”
Wang Anshi laughed a few times.
You are finally willing to speak out. Sima Guang looked at him coldly, "Why is Bachelor Wang laughing?"
Wang Anshi said: "If I remember correctly, as early as the first year of Xining, Academician Sima proposed the disaster of redundant troops, but at the same time he said that hasty disarmament was not advisable. We should think about it in the long term. Why has it become so radical today?"
I didn't want to, I was forced into this. Sima Guang's face turned red slightly, but he said: "I am just focusing on the shortage of military expenditures in Hezhong Prefecture. According to the wishes of Academician Wang, should I just let it go?"
Wang Anshi said: "Of course the court cannot let it go, but it must also take into account the risks that disarmament will bring."
Zhao Xu asked: "Does Bachelor Wang have any countermeasures?"
Wang Anshi immediately raised his hand to Zhao Xu and said: "Reporting to your majesty, Bachelor Sima once had a very original opinion on the issue of disarmament. But he also said that it did not happen overnight.
Because the disaster of redundant soldiers stems from land annexation, people can only enlist in the army to make a living. If the army is rashly dismantled, soldiers will lose their livelihood and may gather into thieves. Therefore, in order to solve the disaster of redundant soldiers, we must first solve the problem of land annexation."
Sima Guang's face was livid, and he probably guessed what Wang Anshi was going to say.
Zhao Xu asked anxiously: "Is the land annexation issue resolved now?"
Wang Anshi immediately said: "People lose their land most likely due to natural disasters or during periods of drought, so they can only borrow money to survive, but usury among the people is rampant. The reason why Chen Guang went to complain was not because of arrears and deduction of military pay, but
He was forced to have no way out by loan sharks.
If we want to solve this problem from the root, we must first curb usury, so that the people can keep their fields. The imperial court has issued many laws in the past in an attempt to control usury, but to no avail. This proves that it is difficult for the judiciary to control usury. I suggest that the imperial court establish an official office.
It specializes in lending money at low interest rates to people who are in dire straits.
In this way, it can not only help the people, but also increase the revenue of the national treasury. After all, this is due to finance, not military affairs. If the army is rashly dismantled because of finance, it may be at the expense of the bottom. If the finance can be restored, it can kill two birds with one stone.
This is a fundamental solution.”
Zhao Xu nodded frequently and said, "What you said makes sense."
Lu Huiqing and others also agreed one after another.
As soon as these words came out, the conservatives' faces instantly filled with anger.
I knew this guy was going to use the topic to his advantage.
Although the Green Crops Law has been debated countless times in private, it was the first time that Wang Anshi formally proposed the Green Crops Law at such a conference.
When Wen Yanbo saw that both parties were ready to make a move, he was worried that the topic would turn to Qingmiao Law, so he said first: "Regardless of whether this method is feasible, but restoring the finances will not happen overnight. The situation in Hezhong Mansion is extremely dangerous.
This far water cannot quench the near thirst."
Wang Anshi retorted: "However, we should not seek medical treatment in a hurry, but should prescribe the right medicine. Financial problems should be solved financially, rather than treating headaches and feet."
Wen Yanbo immediately retorted: "How can this be a headache? The current finance cannot afford it, so expenditures should be cut, and the people still know the reason. As for the risk of disarmament, during the disarmament during the Renzong Dynasty, some people were worried that soldiers would gather and become thieves.
But nothing happened."
Wang Anshi said: "Although it did not happen at that time, it does not mean that it will not happen now. Furthermore, the reason why the disaster of redundant troops occurred is because of land annexation. If the land annexation is not resolved, I am afraid that the recruitment of troops will
It’s better than disarmament!”
Fu Bi suddenly stood up and said: "Your Majesty, in the opinion of my veteran, what Wang Xueshi and Wen Zhongcheng both said are reasonable, and there is no conflict between the two. Why not adopt a two-pronged approach and use the two methods at the same time."
As soon as these words came out, an astonishing phenomenon happened. More than ten ministers came forward and expressed their support for Fu Bi's words.
Among them were not only conservatives, but also reformists, including Chen Shengzhi and Zeng Gongliang.
Whether among the conservatives or among the reformists, there are those who neither like the Public Prosecution Law nor the Youth Law. Their demands remain unchanged, but they are currently trying to wreak havoc among the two factions. What they want to see most is the Public Prosecution Law VS the new law.
You will all perish together.
Fu Bi's idea was very much in line with what they wanted, to put them all in one place and let them go dog-eat-dog.
"What Mr. Fu said makes sense!"
Zhao Xu nodded, pondered for a while, and said: "Let's do this! For the time being, envoys Wang Jinglue and Guo Xuanfu will be appointed to take charge of the disarmament. As for the finances, envoy Jieyan and the prefect of Hezhong will be responsible."
"Your Majesty is Holy Ming."
"That's it for today's meeting."
After saying this, Zhao Xu got up and walked outside. As soon as he got out of the door, he ordered the chamberlain beside him, "Send someone to send a secret message to Zhang San and tell him not to disappoint me."
"The villain obeys your orders."
"Ha ha!"
Zhao Xu finally couldn't restrain the raised corners of his mouth, and strode out of Chui Gong Hall with a laugh.
Over there, Wang Anshi and Lu Huiqing got on the carriage and couldn't help it immediately, laughing with joy.
"This time I really made a lot of money. I not only disarmed, but also implemented the Youth Law. Haha...!"
He actually supported disarmament, but he didn't say so. He didn't know about the disaster of three redundancies. It was just that he agreed with Sima Guang's view that solving the three redundancies could not be done overnight, so Fan Zhongyan made a point.
He decided to choose open source and resolutely refused to cut costs, thus winning the support of many vested interests.
"Bachelor Sima is still kept in the dark."
Lu Huiqing chuckled.
Wang Anshi laughed even more when he thought that Sima Guang might not be able to sleep.
...
Sima Guang was indeed kept in the dark because Zhang Fei did not write to him, and he was still struggling over it at this time.
"Forget it, Junshi."
Fu Bi couldn't help but comfort him: "Wang Jiefu's meaning is very clear. If you block his Green Seedlings Law, he will definitely block disarmament and has never undermined judicial reform."
Wen Yanbo said with a smile: "Anyway, we have decided a long time ago that the Qingmiao Law will be tried out in Hezhong Prefecture, and the public prosecutor and law will keep an eye on it. Now that we are following the trend, we will not lose anything!"
Although they had been blocking Qingmiaofa, the emperor's attitude let them know that they would definitely not be able to stop him and could only drag him away. They had already thought of countermeasures.
Sima Guang lamented: "Whether it is a loss or not depends on whether it is successful or not. Putting this disarmament and the Youth Law together, it is scary to think about it!"
He neither supports the Green Seeds Law, but is also worried about disarmament. How can he feel at ease?