Once upon a time, the efficiency of this imperial court was always criticized, and the reason was the redundant officials, which made it impossible for government orders to be communicated, and they were often messed up in various government offices.
However, because today's party struggle has turned into a system struggle, two very important new power centers have emerged at the same time, namely the establishment of the Ordinance Department of the Second Government and the Public Security Bureau. The leaders of both factions are workaholics, which makes the efficiency of the government greatly reduced.
promote.
The Legislative Council over there quickly convened a group of academics and even invited some prime ministers to discuss how to split the "Song Xingtong", because at present it is just a split, and the laws and regulations in it will not be changed, and there is no need to go through the Legislative Council
The decision was made at a meeting, which is just an administrative decision.
Over there, Wang Anshi was also making drastic changes in the Xiang barracks. The first step was, of course, a census of the number of Xiang soldiers.
As a result, an unexpected result was found.
Royal Palace.
"According to the twelve battalions that I have investigated so far, almost more than 10% of the quotas are on empty pay. Those people have either died or secretly left the military camp very early."
Wang Anshi reported truthfully.
When Zhao Xu heard this, Long Yan couldn't help being furious: "I didn't expect that they would dare to do this in the capital. Even if you punish them severely, sir, I will definitely support you."
In the border defense, there were some who were paid free wages. As long as it was not excessive, Zhao Xu would let them go. However, he did not expect that more than 10% of the people in the capital were paid military pay.
Wang Anshi said: "Your Majesty, please calm down. I...I don't intend to argue with you."
Zhao Xu looked at Wang Anshi in surprise, "Why?"
Wang Anshi said: "Because judging from the current situation, there should be many commanders involved. They are very dissatisfied with this reform. If they are held accountable for this, I am afraid that their resistance will become more fierce. I will
Having this evidence in hand can actually force them to cooperate with the minister's reforms."
Zhao Xu pondered for a while and sighed: "Okay, I'll just follow what you want, sir." At this point, his expression changed, "But this also shows that this reform is very necessary."
"I obey."
...
Just after leaving the palace, he came to Wang Anshi as a guard and said, "Sir, the letter just came from Hezhong Mansion."
Wang Anshi took the letter, opened it, read it, and then said: "Go to the procuratorate."
Procuratorate.
"What? That guy Zhang San is on vacation again?"
Wang Anshi looked at Wang Gong in surprise.
"Uh...yeah."
Wang Gong nodded sheepishly.
Wang Anshi asked: "Is he the only one on vacation?"
"Yes."
"This brat."
Wang Anshi had no choice but to rush to Zhang's house.
At this time, Zhang Fei was lying under a big tree in another courtyard, opening his pajamas to reveal his white and tender chest, wearing a pair of green eagle shorts, lying on a homemade rocking chair, with two beautiful women with big bellies sitting next to him.
"Sanlang, why didn't my benefactor take a vacation? Aren't you all in the procuratorate?"
Gao Wenyin handed the peeled orange to Zhang Fei and asked curiously again.
Zhang Fei took the orange and didn't even bother to break it with his hands. He bit off half of it and said vaguely: "I asked for leave on my own. Wouldn't it be nice to spend more time with you at home?"
Gao Wenyin smiled and nodded.
Xu Zhiqian rolled her eyes and said, "There are so many people at home protecting us. As long as we open the door, we will be shouting and cheering. There is no need for you to accompany us. You are in an important position now, so you should focus on official matters."
Zhang Fei said: "Now that the lawsuit is over, there really is nothing left to do!"
Xu Zhiqian said: "Who says there is no such thing? Nowadays, the DPRK and China are engaged in judicial reform and military barracks reform. How can there be nothing to do?"
Zhang Fei said: "What does that have to do with my procuratorate?"
Xu Zhiqian said: "But wasn't it all caused by you?"
"It is precisely because of this that I should stay away from you." Zhang Fei smiled and said: "No reform will harm the interests of others. These are all things that offend others.
I was the one who started these things. If I were to do anything again, everyone would point their fingers at me. In less than two years, we will have to go to Qiongzhou to develop the rainforest."
Xu Zhiqian pouted and said angrily: "Actually, you didn't instigate this matter. It's obviously them trying to embarrass you. We can't just be passively beaten all the time. We have to find a way to teach those people a lesson."
"You're absolutely right."
Zhang Fei smiled and shook his head and said: "But it's not time yet, let's do it in two months."
Xu Zhiqian was not sure: "Taxation?"
Zhang Fei nodded and said: "Hitting the snake seven inches and making them pay taxes is just pulling out their skin and making them feel pain."
At this time, Qingmei suddenly came over and said, "Uncle, Bachelor Wang is here."
Zhang Fei slapped his forehead, "Is it so difficult to take a vacation?"
After saying that, he stood up and said, "Madams, I'm going to meet with Bachelor Wang first."
Gao Wenyin hurriedly said: "Sanlang, you...are you going to just go like this?"
Zhang Fei looked down and found that he was wearing pajamas. He couldn't help but slap his forehead, "Oh my god, I still need to change clothes."
But seeing that it was such a hot day, he took off his pajamas, picked up the robe on the chair, and walked outside while wearing it.
Gao Wenyin said again: "Sanlang, let me help you put it on."
"No need, Academician Wang is also a gentle person and won't care."
"???"
Gao Wenyin looked at Xu Zhiqian in confusion.
Xu Zhiqian shook her head and said: "They are like a raccoon dog."
.....
When he came to the hall, Wang Anshi took a look at this boy, wrapped in a robe, "What are you wearing?"
Zhang Fei said sarcastically: "Imitate Master Wang."
"...?"
Wang Anshi's mouth twitched a few times, and he almost vomited blood, "I was busy with official duties and didn't have time to take care of it."
"Me too." Zhang Fei said quickly.
Wang Anshi said: "What are you busy with? The Procuratorate only takes you on vacation every now and then."
There is no way, this boss is my father-in-law, asking for leave is not an easy matter. Zhang Fei murmured to himself, but said: "Xueshi Wang's words are wrong. When the lawsuit was filed, I spent all my time forgetting to eat and sleep.
After working all night, I have nothing to do after the lawsuit is over. I can't handle the daily official duties as well as those trainee prosecutors, so I might as well take a vacation and recharge my batteries."
Wang Anshi was angry and said, "If you don't practice calligraphy, that's it. If you don't know how to do official business, you'll leave it to others to do? I think you want to fight lawsuits all your life?"
He was very optimistic about Zhang Fei, the prime minister's seedling, but this guy...!
"Uh...Sister Wang, please sit down, please sit down."
Zhang Fei quickly changed the topic.
"Can't you just make some progress? That's all, that's all, you are such a stubborn person and you are so stubborn that I don't even bother to talk about you."
Wang Anshi waved his hands and sat down, feeling sorry for him!
Zhang Fei rolled his eyes, Wang Anshi said that I would not change my ways, I...! Holding back his anger, he personally poured a cup of tea for Wang Anshi, "I wonder if Bachelor Wang is here today. What advice do you have?"
Wang Anshi glanced sideways at Zhang Fei's "homey" attire, his eyes almost fell out, and he took a deep breath, "I recently received news that there is a problem with the price of salt in the northwest."
Zhang Fei nodded and said: "I have just received this news, but I have talked with Bachelor Wang about this matter before."
Wang Anshi said: "But you didn't tell me at the time that it would be so dangerous. I heard over there..."
He whispered again: "We are already at the end of our rope."
Zhang Fei said: "Who would have thought that during the Xihe War, I would have to adjust my plan, but please rest assured, Academician Wang, everything is under control."
Wang Anshi nodded and said: "But those salt merchants have not changed their ways. This time they had the opportunity, they took the opportunity to make trouble. They made trouble in the capital last time, and this time they are going to make trouble again in the northwest. They completely ignore Xihe
In the war, what is the use of such merchants?"
Zhang Fei asked: "What does Bachelor Wang mean?"
Wang Anshi said: "I plan to take the opportunity to implement the Market Change Law in the northwest, specifically for improving commodity prices. Do you think there is an opportunity?"
Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, then said sarcastically: "Xueshi Wang, the matter on Jingdong East Road has not been settled yet, Hebei has just started to take over, and the capital is busy with the reform of the army, are you busy enough?"
Wang Anshi said: "If you fish for three days and dry the nets for two days, you will certainly be too busy. But I think the timing is the most important. After the salt merchants make trouble, the people will naturally hate them.
, the imperial court can take the opportunity to implement the Market Change Law."
Zhang Fei frowned and said: "Scholar Wang, it is understandable that this businessman pursues profits, and according to my plan, part of Xihe's logistics must rely on these salt merchants. If the market trade law is rashly implemented at this time, it will anger people."
They may have logistical problems."
Wang Anshi said in surprise: "We still have to rely on those salt merchants for logistics?"
Zhang Fei nodded and said: "I am trying to find a way to let them renew the salt debt for another three years, and at the same time sell them another 500,000 guan of salt debt."
Wang Anshi gasped, "This...is this possible?"
"It will definitely work."
Zhang Fei said: "Because businessmen pursue profit, they will make the most beneficial decision."
...
...
Hezhongfu
After three years of stable development, Hezhong Mansion once again faced violent turmoil. The reason was the poison planted by Zhang Fei three years ago.
That is the salt debt.
The salt output of this salt solution is very stable and can just meet the needs of the people. It does not mean that there is a lot of surplus every year.
Issuing a salt debt under such circumstances means that Yin eats Mao Liang, which will cost his life when repaying the money. Moreover, Zhang Fei issued a salt debt of one million yuan at that time, not counting the salt banknotes that can be directly exchanged for salt.
At that time, money merchants were attracted to rush to buy salt bonds, because they all knew that as long as the salt was locked in the salt bonds, the salt merchants would not be able to get the salt, so they had to buy salt bonds from them and then exchange the salt bonds for salt.
Therefore, all kinds of monsters and monsters have appeared this year, and even landowners who are not engaged in salt trading have begun to hoard salt crazily.
Waiting to harvest this wave of wealth.
The government had no choice but to open a warehouse to sell the salt that the people needed daily, but the purchase was restricted.
I saw a long queue in front of the official salt store. Everyone was holding a small jar, standing on tiptoes, looking ahead, with worries in their eyes.
But at the door of the store, a man shouted loudly.
"Come one by one! Don't worry, everything will be available, but now is a special period. Each household can only buy one pound of salt for the time being. Bring your household registration and salt banknotes."
...
The people queuing up were talking about this.
"It's really difficult to buy salt nowadays. You have to have salt banknotes and household registration."
"Let's not complain. It's good to have one pound. But in many places you can't even see a ounce of salt."
"Yes! I heard that the salt merchants on the other side of the border are still waiting on the other side of the salt pond, but there is no salt coming out of the salt pond at all."
"It's not that it can't be distributed, but the government is now trying its best to protect the salt debt. The salt from the salt pond cannot be distributed outside. Therefore, many salt merchants from other places cannot get salt this year."
"Don't people in those places not be able to buy salt?"
"Then what can we do? If the government cannot exchange the salt debt, we will be sued in the imperial court."
...
In the restaurant diagonally opposite stood two middle-aged men dressed in silk and satin. They were Duan Chaobei and Zheng Aoping, the two major banknote dealers in Hezhong Prefecture. They looked at the long queue below and couldn't help but smile.
Rising.
“It’s different when we have the public prosecutor’s office!”
Duan Chaobei laughed and said: "In the past, the government probably defaulted on the debt, but this time the government is trying its best to protect the salt debt. Now Hezhong Prefecture has to sell salt like this. Is there any salt in other places?"
"It's long gone."
Zheng Aoping said: "Quanzi just came back from Yanzhou. The salt merchants there are holding all the salt in their hands, but they are just waiting for this wave of rising salt prices."
"Really?" Duan Chaobei said: "Aren't the many salt markets over there controlled by the Zhong family and the Zhe family?"
Zheng Aoping said: "There was a war some time ago. Food was needed. The salt controlled by them was gradually replaced by food. They didn't have any salt in their hands."
Duan Chaobei smiled and said: "God is really helping me!"
Zheng Aoping said: "Now the government is trying to protect the salt debt. There should be no grain of salt to sell to those overseas salt merchants. Now the price of the salt debt has increased by 50%. When will we release it?"
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "It's only 50%, why are you in a hurry."
Duan Chaobei hummed: "I have held this debt in my hands for three years. How can we let it go unless it rises two or three times? The interest is not enough for us. I met Prosecutor Chen not long ago.
Commander, I asked him a few questions at that time, and as long as the government can't give him any salt, we can sue him. Anyway, everything will be done in accordance with the contract."
...
How calm this banknote dealer is is so torturous for Yuan Jiang and Cai Yanqing. At this moment, they are really as if they are going through a catastrophe.
Cai Mansion.
"Brother Hou is back."
Cai Yanqing hurried out of the hall and met Yuan Jiang, who had just returned from an inspection tour, "How is the situation over there?"
Yuan Jiang whispered: "Go up to the room and talk."
"Yes. Brother Hou, please come inside."
Cai Yanqing immediately invited Yuan Jiang into the study and closed the door tightly.
"well...!"
Yuan Jiang sighed and said with emotion: "This war costs money like water!"
Cai Yanqing said: "There is nothing we can do about this, but the Xihe area is crucial to our DPRK's strategy. We are lucky that we did not fall into a bitter battle."
"That's true."
Yuan Jiang nodded and said: "Thankfully we secretly transported the salt out and brought back a batch of grain. Otherwise, even if we send all the taxes in, it might not be enough!"
Cai Yanqing asked again: "Is the Xihe side settled now?"
Yuan Jiang said: "It's not completely settled yet. There are many Qiang people inside who are capricious, but it's much better than at the beginning of the year. It's estimated that the garrison still can't be reduced, and the logistics requirements next year will definitely not be much less. Let's see now.
Whether the border trade can succeed, it is said that if it succeeds, it will reduce our burden a lot, but I just ask that we are not forced to increase taxes. How many people's efforts can stabilize the tax revenue in the northwest? Don't let it change.
.”
Cai Yanqing looked sad when he heard this.
The battlefield is changing rapidly, and they can't decide whether it will happen or not!
Yuan Jiang looked at Cai Yanqing again, "This time we were able to make up for the logistics in time without hurting too many people. Zhong Yuan, you are indispensable."
Cai Yanqing waved his hand and said: "This is nothing. I have accumulated some foundation in the past few years. Otherwise, it would not be the case. Moreover, we are still standing on a single-plank bridge now."
Xihe opened the frontier successfully, but it came too suddenly. They were completely unprepared. Moreover, this was not the western and northern fronts that had been fighting Xixia, but the extra southern front. What was even more terrible was that the reform of the northwest region had just been completed.
, the public security system has been fully implemented, and people can no longer be recruited as unscrupulously as before to transport food.
This is also the first time in history that the government has relied entirely on cash capabilities for logistics.
Part of the entire logistics is handled by the imperial guards from various places, and part of it is paid by the government to hire people to transport it.
This is why the people of Hezhong Prefecture can still stand and chat on the street. If it were before, the northwest would have been in chaos again.
Fighting a war is fighting for logistics, and that’s absolutely true!
Thanks to Zhang Fei's three years of accumulation of some foundation, coupled with the abilities and experience of Cai Yanqing and Yuan Jiang, they were able to cope with it, but now they still owe a lot of salt debt.
Yuan Jiang asked anxiously: "By the way! How is the situation here?"
Although they were the only two in the room, Cai Yanqing still said in a very low voice: "As expected, all those salt merchants registered and requested to exchange salt at that time, but the salt we have now can only pay interest.
If they don’t renew the salt debt by then, we will have no choice but to follow Qingzhou’s example and carry out debt restructuring, and now we are really at the end of our rope.”
Yuan Jiang whispered: "This is really strange. At first, I guessed that Zhang San might be smuggling Xixia green salt. Only the cheap salt over there can fill this hole.
Unexpectedly, he later wrote a letter, asking us to secretly transport all the salt we had hoarded to pay for the salt debt. Taking advantage of the rising salt price, we could replace grain from various places and then transport it to the Xihe area, leaving only some salt to pay interest.
I really don’t know what he will do next?”
Cai Yanqing said: "If this salt debt can really be postponed for another three years, and an additional new salt debt of 500,000 guan is issued, then we will be much more relaxed next year!"
Yuan Jiang nodded, "What's so hateful is that that guy didn't reveal anything."
Cai Yanqing sighed: "Let's not think too much about it. Anyway, if we get on the pirate ship, we won't be able to get off."
...
Jingzhao Mansion.
Procuratorate.
"I wonder if Chief Prosecutor Su has invited me to come here. What do you want me to do?"
Cai Jing asked.
Su Zhe said: "Didn't the Chief Justice send you a letter recently?"
Cai Jing shook his head and said, "No."
"really?"
"Why does the prosecutor ask that?"
"Salt Debt."
Su Zhe said: "Do you know why there are so many landlords outside who are rushing to buy salt, and even exchange it for low-priced grain?"
Cai Jing weighed it for a moment and then said: "They hope to use this to deal with us, the Public Security Bureau."
"That's right." Su Zhe nodded and said: "Those salt merchants are hoarding salt for profit, but those powerful people are not doing it for profit. Once the salt debt cannot be cashed, they will definitely sue the local governments. At that time, we will meet with the Public Security Bureau and the Procuratorate.
When faced with big problems, Hezhong Prefecture is not as able to restructure its debts as easily as Qingzhou."
The subsequent wave of salt that was secretly transported was bought by these big landowners. They were not doing it for the salt profit, but to attack the public security organs.
Nowadays, they are suppressed by the public prosecutor and the law. Paying taxes is second to none. The key is that they cannot dominate and their privileges are extremely compressed. If you trample on people's crops on horseback, you will definitely lose money, and there is a lot of it.
They really hate the police and the judiciary.
Cai Jingdao: "But my mentor only asked the subordinates to manage the imperial court. These matters are not ours to take care of. Why doesn't the prosecutor general ask Yuan Xueshi and the others?"
Su Che frowned and said, "Excuse me, Mr. Cai Ting, for making this trip in vain."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "Where! If there is nothing else, I will take my leave now."
"Walk slowly."
After Cai Jing left, Wang Shen on the side said: "Prosecutor General, it seems that Cai Jing is really ignorant."
Su Che frowned and said, "Whether he knows or not, I can't really tell, but Zhang San created this salt debt by himself, and he must have a way to solve it."
Wang Shen said: "But President Zhang didn't know that there would be a sudden fight over Xihe and take over such a large piece of land."
"This is what worries me the most."
Su Zhe sighed: "In fact, with the current financial situation of our country, we should not use foreign troops for at least twenty years. Otherwise, no matter how hard we work on reform, we will return to the past after this battle."
Although Jingzhao Mansion could not see the shadow of the war, and the people's power was still recovering, he also knew that Hezhong Mansion's finances had bottomed out, and if the salt debt was not handled well, it would completely collapse.
...
Xizhou.
This is what Wang Shao has just conquered, and it will also be a major trade town in the future.
In a large house, Ma Tianhao and the great monk Lu Bin were sitting there, drinking wine and eating delicious mutton.
"It's really funny to say that at the beginning, we brothers only thought about making achievements and serving the country, but we ended up with a bald head and a green face. Now we have long lost that ambition, but we are back to the place where we dreamed back then.
"
Ma Tianhao put down his wine glass and was filled with emotion!
Lu Bin asked: "Do you still have that spirit in your heart?"
Ma Tianhao said: "I thought it was gone, but after being persuaded by Zhang Sanyitong, it seems that it has not completely disappeared. Can Brother Lu still keep it?"
Lu Bin thought for a while and said: "Even if there is, it is not as energetic as when he was young."
Ma Tianhao smiled bitterly and said, "This is really a trick of God's will!"
"Master, Master Lu."
At this time, the old housekeeper suddenly came to the house and reported: "All the things have been scattered out, and all the money has been recovered."
Ma Tianhao said: "So fast?"
The butler nodded and said: "The accounts have also been calculated clearly. After deducting the costs, we made a total of 2.8 million yuan."
Snap!
The big elbow in Lu Bin's hand fell on the plate, "How much?"
"Two million eight hundred thousand dollars."
"Pure profit?"
"Yes."
Ma Tianhao opened his mouth, "How much mortgage do I have to pay to earn so much money!"
Lu Bin also blinked and suddenly said with emotion: "I finally understand why that guy Zhang San got rich so fast."
Ma Tianhao asked: "Why?"
Lu Bin said: "Because all the secrets of getting rich are written in "Song Xingtong". He has studied it so thoroughly, how can he not get rich?"
Ma Tianhao laughed, "Yes! One smuggling trip, the profit is ten to twenty times, this is really terrifying."