As the saying goes, God has unpredictable circumstances, and people have misfortunes and fortunes.
It's just a light snow at the moment, and there are signs of a natural disaster, but it doesn't necessarily mean it's a natural disaster.
To put it another way, even if it is a natural disaster, it is not unusual for there to be no disasters all over the country.
Not to mention the emperor, even the yamen are not hungry.
The emperor would not be so panicked.
However, the ancients believed in the induction of heaven and man. Zhao Xu had just rolled up his sleeves and was preparing to go down personally, but you gave this reaction!
This really hit my heart and killed me.
Zhao Xu was also panicked.
What's the meaning?
...
Procuratorate.
In the conference room, there were only a group of trainee prosecutors sitting inside, in total silence, and they could only communicate with each other through their eyes.
Because the boss, Zhang San, was sitting on it, deep in thought and silent.
After a while, Xu Zhiqian suddenly walked in holding a stack of copywriting, "Prosecutor Zhang, this is the copywriting you want."
"Um?"
Zhang Fei looked up at Xu Zhiqian, reacted immediately, and took the copy from her hand.
Xu Zhiqian saw that he seemed to be out of sorts and knew that he had been worried about the weather recently, so she whispered: "It's been sorted."
"Thank you."
Zhang Fei flipped through it casually, then handed it to Zhou Zheng, "We will fight these lawsuits in the past two days, and then we will have a holiday. As for the remaining lawsuits, we will fight them next year."
This year, all government offices have postponed their holidays and have a lot to do. Six ministries have to be reorganized, and the government offices that have been abolished at the same time have to quickly sort out the information and prepare for the handover.
Zhou Zheng took it and said, "Yes."
Zhang Fei glanced at the students again and said: "This year's holiday, you should go out less to eat and drink. Study these cases carefully. You must read the court hearings carefully. You can also cooperate with each other and practice in the classroom, because for the remaining lawsuits, I
It’s all for you.”
He Zhizhong exclaimed: "Can we go to court to litigate so soon?"
Zhang Fei said: "There is no way. Time is tight. Prosecutor Zhou and the others will go south immediately after taking you through these lawsuits. But don't be too nervous. The ones left for you are relatively simple lawsuits."
"Yes...yes, we will definitely work hard."
"Um."
Just as he finished speaking, Li Si suddenly came to the door.
Xu Zhiqian hurriedly walked over and whispered: "What's the matter?"
Li Sidao: "Ms. Xu, then... the shopkeeper Hou from the genuine bookstore is here."
"knew."
Xu Zhiqian came to Zhang Fei again and told Zhang Fei the news in a low voice.
Zhang Fei stood up and said, "You guys discuss it, I have something to deal with."
...
When I came to the front yard, I saw Hou Donglai standing in the yard, shivering with cold.
"Lao Hou, why are you standing here? Go sit inside."
"We don't dare."
Hou Donglai said sarcastically: "This is the procuratorate, where do we dare to sit around?"
"The Procuratorate is prepared for you. Walk around and sit in the room."
"Forget it!"
Hou Donglai took a step forward, "Actually, it's not a big deal, it's just... a group of people just came, claiming that they were from the Ministry of Rites and were ordered to inspect our publishing qualifications. They also said that the Ministry of Rites would re-examine private newspapers and periodicals."
Ministry of Rites? Didn’t those ministers officially take office only after the new year? Why did they start working so quickly? Am I not working hard enough?
Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, thinking, maybe it has something to do with God.
Hou Donglai saw Zhang Fei's uncertain face and whispered: "Sanlang, will something happen?"
Zhang Fei was startled, "Oh, it's okay, we haven't broken any laws, don't worry, we will try our best to cooperate with their investigation."
"Oh, I know."
Hou Donglai nodded and asked, "Is it really okay?"
Zhang Fei said: "Don't worry, these are just three tips for a new official to take office. Just remember one thing. From now on, publishing matters will be under the control of the Ministry of Rites."
Hou Donglai nodded and said, "Okay, I'll remember it. If there's nothing else, I'll leave first."
"Be careful on the road."
Zhang Fei had just seen off Hou Donglai and was about to return to the conference room. Suddenly he saw Xu Zunxun getting off the carriage. Zhang Fei immediately walked over and said, "Father-in-law, please don't come in such a cold weather. I can just watch here."
"What a troubled time!"
Xu Zun sighed and suddenly looked forward, "Isn't that the shopkeeper Hou from the genuine bookstore?"
"It's him." Zhang Fei nodded.
Xu Zun immediately asked: "What's going on at the bookstore?"
Zhang Fei said: "It's not a big deal, but the Ministry of Rites suddenly sent someone to inspect it, saying that from now on all newspapers, periodicals and publishing will be under the control of the Ministry of Rites, so he came to ask about the situation."
"This shopkeeper Hou is quite cautious."
Xu Zun nodded and whispered: "You'd better go there in person later to see what's going on and the newspapers and periodicals that will be published recently, and let them send them to you first."
"Is it also because it's not raining?"
Zhang Fei asked.
Xu Zun nodded.
Zhang Fei said: "Is it so serious? It's not certain yet."
Xu Zun sighed and looked around, "There has been no disaster in any year, but it happened at this juncture. Wang Jiefu has been in trouble for so many years, at least there has been no disaster in Gyeonggi. This year, the government just announced that it would restore three provinces and six departments, but it turned out that
to this situation.
I just came back from the Imperial City, and there are already people talking about the methods of the ancestors. You have to be careful about the genuine bookstores, and be careful not to be taken advantage of. It is best to show them to me, some people will write very badly.
It’s obscure, you may not understand it.”
"Well, I'll arrange the tasks for those students later, so I'll go over and have a look." After saying that, Zhang Fei asked again: "Didn't Bachelor Wang already raise the three deficiencies...?"
Xu Zun immediately warned: "You must not say this nonsense. Wang Jiefu can say it, but others may not be able to say it, especially at this time. You must remember that the emperor is also the emperor."
Wang Anshi's three shortcomings are that they are not scientific arguments, but political rhetoric, which is not an accurate answer. Unless you abolish the connection between heaven and man, or even abolish the name of "Emperor", otherwise, you must not say this nonsense.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! For example, at this time, if you say, you are not afraid of changes in the sky.
boom!
It's really a big natural disaster.
If manpower cannot withstand natural disasters, the only thing left is accountability. Regardless of whether the emperor believes it or not, you are the best person to take the blame.
This is what Xu Zun is worried about.
"yes."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "My son-in-law has remembered it."
Xu Zun whispered again: "Don't be afraid of ten thousand, just be afraid of the unexpected. You have to be prepared to deal with it."
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "I am already thinking about how to deal with it. I always believe that risks and opportunities coexist. For us, this is also an opportunity."
.....
Zhang Fei returned to the conference room, arranged the tasks, and immediately rushed to the genuine bookstore.
However, when he arrived, everyone from the Ministry of Rites had already left. According to Hou Donglai, the people from the Ministry of Rites had hinted to him that he should try not to publish until the Minister of Rites formulated new publishing rules recently.
The Ministry of Rites has so many things to do, but it is anxious about this matter. You don't need to guess, but you are worried about malicious speculation.
At this moment, public opinion must be controlled to avoid being detrimental to the emperor.
Zhang Fei simply put all genuine bookstores on holiday.
After coming out of the genuine bookstore, Zhang Fei stopped by the Bianjing Law Firm and unexpectedly met Fan Yong and Chen Maoqian.
"You two are here too!"
"Sanlang is here."
Fan Yong stood up, bowed, and explained: "Isn't it the end of the year? We want Lao Fan to help us settle the accounts."
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "What a coincidence! I also plan to come over today to take a look at the firm's accounts."
Chen Maoqian suddenly said: "Say, Sanlang, at this time, are you still in the mood to check the accounts?"
Zhang Fei asked: "What do you mean?"
Chen Maoqian went outside and took a look.
Fan Li understood the idea, immediately gave a few instructions, and then closed the door.
Chen Maoqian then whispered: "Haven't you noticed that it hasn't rained in three months?"
Zhang Fei said: "I've heard about it even if I don't find it out, but I can't call the shots."
Fan Li suddenly said: "But we heard that someone wants to take this opportunity to cause trouble."
Zhang Fei frowned when he heard this, "What do you mean?"
Fan Yong said: "Didn't I tell you that day in the imperial court that many businessmen are very dissatisfied with business taxes. We big businessmen have to manage it up and down. The money cannot be counted as expenditure costs, and the money earned is not
Many, it is unfair for the tax department to collect taxes like this!"
Zhang Fei said: "But I also said that this matter must be done step by step and cannot be accomplished overnight."
Fan Yong said: "Of course we believe Sanlang, but the problem is that many businessmen don't believe it."
Chen Maoqian immediately said: "If a drought really happens this time, many businessmen plan to take the opportunity to raise prices."
Yes! All these unstable factors have to be taken into account. Zhang Fei frowned secretly and said: "Is this what you think too?"
Fan Yong said: "No matter what we think, it won't work. Once a natural disaster occurs, everyone has to look at the faces of grain merchants. When grain prices rise, everyone has to follow suit."
But the real big grain merchants are all powerful people, and they are very dissatisfied with the new tax law. Anyway, if we get the news, they will definitely take revenge."
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Things are rare and valuable. It is natural for food prices to rise during natural disasters. Otherwise, can we still be called businessmen?"
As soon as these words came out, all three of them were stunned.
Fan Li said: "Sanlang, you...you support this."
"Of course I don't support it."
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "But I must also admit that this is the nature of businessmen and the rules of business. As a prosecutor, I can only think of ways to make them suffer."
"Ahem!"
Chen Maoqian said: "Sanlang, this matter has nothing to do with us."
Zhang Fei said with a smile: "You can rest assured that the public prosecutor, the procuratorate, and the law are fair and just, and will never force others to do anything. Since everyone thinks that the tax law is unfair, then I will find a way to make the tax law very fair."
Fan Yong asked anxiously: "It won't harm Chi Yu, right?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Of course not. I will promote business to become more prosperous."
.....
Of course, everyone is still talking privately at the moment, because there are only signs of drought at the moment. If you make a noise now, if this is not the case, it will not only be embarrassing, the emperor will find you to settle the matter.
But this Chinese New Year is bound to be a time of uneasiness.
There is no Chinese New Year atmosphere in the entire Gyeonggi region. People do not dare to eat a bite of meat or buy a new piece of clothing. They try to save as much food as possible.
However, what is supposed to come will eventually come.
In the blink of an eye, March has arrived, but not a drop of rain has fallen from the sky, and the weather has also warmed up abnormally.
There are various signs that this year's drought is almost certain.
The people sat on the edge of the fields, looking up at the sky, their dull eyes showing despair.
Inside and outside the capital, dust was flying.
All kinds of public opinions were aroused inside and outside the imperial city.
The laws of our ancestors are immutable!
Many ministers petitioned the emperor, hoping to suspend the reform of the official system and immediately restore the ancestral laws.
Even the queen mothers of the two palaces were hinting to Zhao Xu that it was too unlucky and you should take it easy.
This was a serious blow to Zhao Xu’s confidence!
What a coincidence.
I can’t tolerate him not believing it!
I just came out, said a few words, made a decision, and haven't officially started yet, so you just do this to me.
How to play this!
And there is only one good friend beside him, that is Zhang Fei.
So Zhao Xu summoned Zhang Fei into the palace.
"Zhang San, between you and me, we always talk about everything. Please tell the truth. Did I really do something wrong this time?"
Zhao Xu asked very dejectedly.
Zhang Fei asked carefully: "What did you do wrong?"
Zhao Xu said angrily: "Don't you know what's said outside?"
"Oh, this is the matter!"
Zhang Fei said: "I think the unforeseen circumstances today have nothing to do with His Majesty's reforms. They are two different things."
"But how could it be such a coincidence?"
Zhao Xu said: "Wang Jiefu and Sima Junshi have been reforming for several years, and there have been no disasters in the capital. But I just took charge of the reform, and we encountered this drought. Moreover, the prime ministers did not agree with this reform of the official system. Alas...
I really regret it now!"
Only in front of Zhang Fei did he reveal his inner emotions, and he indeed regretted it.
It is indeed a coincidence. Originally, this pot belonged to Wang Anshi, but you couldn't hold your breath and took everything for Wang Anshi. Zhang Fei was silent for a while and said: "Your Majesty, the matter has come to this, and regrets are of no use. We must act quickly.
"
Zhao Xu frowned and said: "But now the ministers are asking for the restoration of the ancestral law. If I don't listen, if the disaster becomes more serious, then... what should I do?"
Now, both the prime minister and the official believe that this is God's will and a hint from the ancestors. Although no one can prove whether they are right or wrong, the problem is that no one knows how serious the drought will be.
He insists on reform. Once the disaster further expands or even becomes more serious, this may really affect his right to rule!
Things like this are really tricky because they are out of control.
Not to mention Zhao Xu, no matter how wise a monarch is, he has compromised due to natural disasters.
It can only be said that Zhao Xu was really unlucky.
Zhang Fei pondered for a while, "Actually...actually, I have an idea, but...it's a bit unkind."
Zhao Xu asked: "What can we do?"
Zhang Fei said: "Your Majesty, you can first go to see Scholar Wang to discuss whether to restore the ancestral method."
Zhao Xu frowned slightly, "Sir, I will definitely not agree."
As soon as the words came out, he immediately reacted, opened his eyes wide, and looked at Zhang Fei.
The meaning of Zhang Fei's words is very obvious, that is, let him give up his car to save his handsomeness!
Zhang Fei immediately explained: "Your Majesty misunderstood, this is just to make sure, because the matter has reached this point, we must try to solve these problems, but Your Majesty, you are worried that it cannot be solved. Indeed, no one knows that this natural disaster will continue
How long, so doing this is just to ensure that even if the worst result occurs, it will not affect His Majesty."
The implication is that the top priority is to find ways to deal with the disaster. However, due to the uncertainty of natural disasters, the emperor cannot openly refute the laws of his ancestors. So to solve the problem, he must first find someone to come out and carry this word first.
If the problem really becomes very, very serious, the subjects can be given an explanation, so that the emperor will not have to shoulder everything.
Zhao Xu struggled for a while and said, "But how to solve it?"
Zhang Fei said: "It's the New Deal and the Public Security Bureau. Natural disasters like this are common. If it doesn't happen today, it will happen in the future. If the reform results in these years do not have better effects in dealing with natural disasters, then it is really worth reflecting on.
, but I am confident that I can handle it.
Not to mention, last year a new tax law was adopted, and the taxes paid by ordinary people were less than in previous years. Their families should still have some surplus food, and even if they face a drought, the court will be more calm than before."
These words gave Zhao Xu a little confidence.
In fact, Wang Anshi had to stand up, because if the emperor took a step back in reform, it might lead to a complete collapse of the reform. He had no choice but to sacrifice Wang Anshi, and he could still maintain the reform.
The point is, this is just the worst possible outcome.
I was really helpless, so I sacrificed Wang Anshi.
In the end, Zhao Xu adopted Zhang Fei's suggestion.
Immediately summoned Wang Anshi alone and asked how to deal with it.
Wang Anshi answered very decisively, Yao and Shun were so wise, how could they not encounter natural disasters? This is not the same thing. Those officials who use the topic as an excuse are all treacherous. Your Majesty, please do not believe it.
Although Wang Anshi did not agree with Zhao Xu's return to the three-province-six-ministry system, he was still riding a tiger and was unable to get off. The opposition would definitely hunt down the rabbit. As long as the emperor took a step back, the next target would be the New Deal.
Zhao Xu followed the trend and asked Wang Anshi to take charge of dealing with the disaster.
Wang Anshi accepted the order happily.
But when he came out of the door, Wang Anshi let out a long sigh, and there was a trace of sadness in his firm eyes.
How could he not understand in his heart that the emperor asked him to shoulder this responsibility, and if he failed to deal with it, his career as prime minister might end here.
But he did not blame the emperor, because he knew very well that, first of all, although he opposed the reform of the official system, he believed that this natural disaster had nothing to do with it.
Secondly, the emperor must not give in to this, otherwise, all previous efforts will be wasted, but except for him, no one can bear the blame.
This is the wisest thing to do.
At least give him a chance to solve the problem.
...
Sure enough, when everyone learned that the emperor asked Wang Anshi to deal with the disaster, they became even more unscrupulous.
Before, everyone was very polite because the emperor was right opposite.
Now facing Wang Anshi, he must die.
New and old grudges, let’s avenge them together.
He scolded Wang Anshi because Wang Anshi destroyed the laws of his ancestors and spoke lies, thus attracting heaven's punishment. He wished he could describe Wang Anshi as the greatest traitor in history.
Wang Anshi immediately organized troops to criticize those ministers who used the topic as an excuse.
But there is no point in talking about this matter. The problem still needs to be solved. If the disaster is allowed to spread, it will be useless no matter how much Wang Anshi talks.
At present, Lu Huiqing is in Hebei, and Zhang Dun, Zeng Bu, Wang Juqing, Shen Kuo and other capable generals are all on Jingdong East Road. As for Deng Wan and others, they can only play a role in the court and can really help him solve the problem.
Yes, there is only one Zhang Fei.
So Wang Anshi called Zhang Fei to his home.
The countermeasure given by Zhang Fei is, of course, to use work for relief. After all, this method has been used very well in Hebei and Jingdong East Road. It has avoided unrest in the two places, so why not continue to use it.
“Relief for work.”
Wang Anshi sighed: "I have thought about this, but it has already cost a lot of money to deal with Hebei and Jingdong East Road. It is even more expensive to open the Xihe Road over there. Now the internal storage can't bring out much."
Money, and in times of disaster, we have to work for relief, which requires food, but the food in the capital must also supply the royal family, the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty, and hundreds of thousands of forbidden troops. It is not yet known how long the drought will last, so...
....!"
First of all, we must protect the royal family, the civil and military officials of the dynasty, and the imperial army. Finally, it is the people's turn.
Starving a few people to death won't cause any trouble, but if you try starving a few ministers to death, the pressure of public opinion will be greater than starving a thousand people to death.
Not giving food to the Imperial Army would be even more fatal.
As the ruling class, we must still put the overall situation first.
The warehouse contains grain, so it cannot be distributed randomly!
Zhang Fei said: "We can issue banknotes to help us survive the crisis."
Wang Anshi's eyes lit up when he heard this, "Yes! How could I have forgotten this treasure?"
But then he shook his head and said: "I'm afraid that's not possible. When paper money is issued, people have to buy food, but the price of food outside is already rising. If those grain dealers don't recognize the paper money, it will be a piece of waste paper."
Zhang Fei said: "There are many forms of banknotes. Given the current situation, paying taxes this year will definitely be a problem for the people. The court may want to reduce taxes. In this case, we can issue a tax currency and use this banknote to pay taxes.
Regardless of whether the grain can be sold or not, at least it can have value."
Wang Anshi nodded slightly and added: "But food is always the key."
Zhang Fei said: "This aspect can be left to the Public Security Bureau. I will submit a new tax bill to the Legislative Council to force those grain merchants to sell grain on the market. However, the court will also have to release a batch of grain."
Wang Anshi said happily: "Can you do it? Duke Wen and others used this matter to force officials to abide by the laws of their ancestors."
You are not the president of the court now, so you have no precedential authority.
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "In this regard, Duke Wen is not my opponent. I will find a way to get this bill passed. But now we have to fight a public opinion war with them first."
Wang Anshi asked hurriedly: "What's your clever plan?"
He was dissatisfied with other things, but he was convinced in terms of publicity.
Zhang Fei said: "Since they have already reached this point, it's better for Academician Wang to follow their words. Natural disaster! It comes at the right time. This is the test of the New Deal."
Wang Anshi stroked his beard and said, "What if it doesn't rain?"