Chapter 846: Pay attention to the people, uphold justice, fight bullies, and rule against powerful men!
"Quick! We must transport the tax money out and send it to the capital before the bandits arrive!"
"This is my last contribution to Hebei!"
Under the stern urging of Tao Miao, the prefect of Zhending Prefecture, a group of Western Army soldiers dressed as bodyguards escorted the convoy and hurriedly set off on the road.
This is the tax collected by Hebei West Road recently, but it is not for this year, but for next year's "advance loan", that is, next year's tax has been collected in advance.
The standard rule is to eat the grain of Mao in the year of Yin and the grain of the year of Mao in the year of Yin.
This short-sighted behavior of focusing only on the present and not caring about the future often occurred in subsequent dynasties, but was rare in the Song Dynasty.
It's not that the government is lenient, but that the people's taxes have reached the extreme. After all, Zhu Xi once said, "The ancient methods of engraving are all available in this dynasty." Another official, Chao Shuozhi, complained, "In the Song Dynasty, taxes were dozens of times higher than those of the people."
Han" "The number of the second tax in the Song Dynasty increased to seven times in the Tang Dynasty"...
The reason why there are so many multiples has been explained earlier. The recruitment system exempted corvee service is a major reason. However, even if the share of corvee service is included, the tax burden in the Northern Song Dynasty was "universal and there was little disagreement." Under such circumstances, it was still
To "borrow" in advance is not sustainable fishing, but direct killing of fish, which will completely drive people to death.
But now Zhending Mansion, as the administrative seat of Hebei West Road, issues such an order precisely because anyone with a discerning eye can see that Hebei will no longer belong to Zhao and Song.
Since it has become the territory of the enemy, why not quickly borrow as much tax as possible and send it to Jinling in the south of the Yangtze River?
The prefect, Tao Miao, watched the team leave, breathed a sigh of relief, stroked his long beard, and walked towards the tower with generous and righteous steps.
As Yanyun's occupation lasted longer and longer, the Liao Kingdom still did not go south to Kou Pass, and actually allowed the richest Nanjing Road to be lost. The world gradually understood two truths.
First, the Liao Kingdom is definitely not as powerful as it used to be. It has even become strong on the outside but weak on the inside, and has no time to take care of itself.
Second, the rural army is really powerful. They were able to recover Yanyun not because they took advantage of the situation when the main forces of the two countries were fighting, but because they really had that ability.
In fact, this should have been seen a long time ago, but many people are subconsciously unwilling to believe and admit it...
In this case, Tao Miao would not take any chances.
With him and the few Western troops in the city, it was impossible to defend the city.
What he, the Zhending magistrate, wanted was to attract firepower and allow the team transporting tax money to escape safely from the pursuit of the rural soldiers. By the time the other party reacted, it would be too late.
"I have devoted my loyalty to the country and shall leave my name in history!"
Tao Miao's sleeves were fluttering, and he had the demeanor of a capable minister. His mind had begun to think about how he would be recorded in the history books as a loyal minister who would rather die than surrender. If he did not die in the war and was captured by the local army, he would be executed during the execution.
You must say to the executioner: "Let me die facing south!"
If you bow down to the south and accept the punishment, your posthumous title should be "Zhongzhuang"...
This composure, regardless of life and death, made the soldiers who came forward show some admiration. It was not until the soldiers who should have stayed away came back in front of them with blood dripping and screamed: "The rural army has been killed outside the city.
, surrounded the four directions, we tried to rush out, but we were overtaken by the cavalry, and all the tax money was taken away!"
Tao Miao's face turned grim and he sighed: "I have a responsibility to the imperial court, but my Zhending Mansion will never be easily captured by the bandit army! Listen carefully, everyone, even if we kill a bandit, we will be loyal to the country. If
It can defend for several days, and it can severely weaken the enemy's energy. Let all places see that our Song Dynasty is long and our country will never be touched by forest thieves!"
"Oh! Oh——"
There was a relatively orderly response from all around, and there was not much movement from the defenders. The main reason was that Zhe Keshi and Zhong Shidao had left hundreds of Western troops in Zhending Mansion, and they began to take the opportunity to boost their morale.
"You can't kill any of you, and you can't stop our army even half a step. If you resist stubbornly, you will only destroy yourself!"
But just as the call for mobilization before the war fell, a sharp voice sounded, and a group of people appeared not far away.
Although there were only a hundred people in number, the Western Army was already very wary when they saw the opponent's elite appearance, with strong military skills and neat military appearance. Tao Miao gritted his teeth: "The Xiang Army is really ambitious. They sent people to infiltrate our Zhending Mansion early on."
Are you done? Thief, tell me your name!"
The leader said in a deep voice: "People from Zhending Mansion! Meng Kang!"
Because Meng Kang is good at building ships, he has now become an important member of the navy. He has been building the navy at the Cangzhou Shipyard. Since then, he has witnessed the Liao army's capture of Zhending Mansion, and this is the first time he has returned.
He couldn't help but be shocked when he saw this. In the past, although Zhending Mansion was not as prosperous as Daming Mansion, it was still a place of governance. But now it has become such a desolate appearance. There was sadness in his voice: "The foolish king fled to Jinling, the dog official
Have you ever thought about the harsh taxes and levies for the people? I’m afraid there’s not even a trace of them! Zhao and Song will last forever? Bah! If Zhao and Song are not destroyed, heaven will not allow it!”
Having said this, Meng Kang turned to the defenders again and shouted: "Folks, this dog officer doesn't care about everyone's lives at all, but you are working hard for him. Is there any truth in this!"
Hearing the familiar local accent and the extremely sad and angry voice, the local defenders looked at each other, and their hands holding the weapons suddenly relaxed: "This is the reason... This is the reason..."
"How dare you, thief! Don't listen to his nonsense..."
Before Tao Miao, who was shocked and angry, could refute, Meng Kang's assistants, Xie Zhen and Jie Bao, shouted: "Special attack camp, attack!"
Compared with the Hook and Sickle Battalion and the Sword and Axe Battalion, the Special Attack Battalion is selected from hunters with high martial arts skills. It has well-equipped weapons and equipment.
Battle of the Gate.
At this moment, the special attack battalion showed its strength. As soon as the two sides fought, the elite Western Army retreated steadily, almost suppressing them one-sidedly.
And when fighting broke out on the city tower, smoke and dust were everywhere below, and the rural troops who had intercepted the tax convoy also moved towards Zhending Mansion to surround them.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! "Follow me and kill!!"
General Shi Wengong took the lead. Seeing the battle above the city wall and the moat below not recovering at all, he immediately galloped on his horse and killed directly towards the city gate.
Half an hour later, Zhending Mansion's stubborn resistance was completely gone.
The Song army had too few available soldiers, not to mention civil servants like Tao Miao. Even if they let Zhe Keshi and Zhongshi Daolai, they were too clever to make a meal without rice. When Meng Kang succeeded in shaking up the already weak morale of the defenders, this battle
There are no more twists and turns in the war.
By the time Shi Wengong entered the city, hundreds of Western troops had been killed. Not only the performance of the special attack battalion, but also the direct defection of the defenders, and Tao Miao, the prefect of Zhending Prefecture, was tied up in front of him.
Shi Wengong sat high on his horse and looked down, showing deep hatred and disdain: "Hebei West Road was first ravaged by Liao dogs, and then was attacked by farm thieves not long after. How can you be so cruel that you actually collected next year's taxes?
Have you scholars, officials, and sages read your books into the belly of a dog? Bah!"
Tao Miao's beard fluttered, his eyes widened with anger, and he roared: "I am completely loyal, how can I rebuke you and other rebellious officials and traitors!!"
"I see, you want to leave your name in history?"
Shi Wengong said coldly: "We will kill you directly, but it will fulfill your name of loyalty. Come on! Take him out and parade him through the streets to see how the people of Zhending Mansion treat this brave and loyal minister.
How is it recorded in the history books that you, the 'prefect of advance loan'!"
Tao Miao was stunned at first, and then was dragged all the way, shouting sternly: "You can't incite chaos and ruin my reputation! You can't incite chaos and ruin my reputation! You can't-!!"
After the hysterical voice faded away, Shi Wengong felt comfortable and said to the left and right: "The chief instructor said that only by applying kindness and power can we effectively govern the place. Other rural soldiers have no chance, but we are lucky and have the place to use thunderous means!
"
All the generals nodded repeatedly, but felt a little unsatisfied: "It's just that this resistance is too weak, it is simply vulnerable!"
Meng Kang came over and reminded him that business was important: "The head coach has repeatedly stressed that the people of Hebei must not be robbed again by these corrupt officials, and the taxes of the people of Hebei must be returned to the people!"
Shi Wengong nodded: "Yes, we will follow the cost-saving ideas learned in the academy and implement total distribution in various prefectures and counties!"
Before Wang Anshi's reform, after receiving local taxes, local yamen would first divide the money needed according to the annual budget, and then hand over the remainder to the central government. Over time, local yamen would inevitably get involved and embezzle it without authorization. However, many laws were introduced later.
The system was restrained and the situation could be maintained. It was not until the natural disasters of the Renzong Dynasty and the Xixia War that financial problems completely broke out.
The reform idea of the Qingli New Deal was to reduce expenditures. The imperial court chose to cede power to local states and counties. It would rather run a central fiscal deficit than compete for local profits. This was in compliance with Mencius' "people-oriented" thinking.
The core idea of Wang Anshi's reform was open source. He believed that instead of scattering resources in local areas, it would be better to concentrate them all in the imperial court and invest in innovation with the authority of the imperial court. To use a more familiar phrase of later generations, it is to develop productivity and achieve the goal of achieving global economic development.
The increase in the total value of social wealth.
This idea is very proactive, but ideals and reality are ultimately different. Since the specific changes in Wang Anshi's reform were from the original total distribution to the distribution of tax rights, the central court's control over finances has undoubtedly increased significantly, and local governments have
The financial situation is becoming increasingly difficult, which invisibly reduces the error tolerance rate of governance.
However, Shenzong got a huge amount of wealth and could immediately flex his muscles. Instead, he felt that the advantage was mine, so he started to squander it. In the end, it actually turned into competing with the people for profit, and Wu Juhou's group of "conquering ministers" emerged, and the people hated him to the bone.
, Shenzong believed very much. The key was that the dividends obtained from foreign wars could not make up for the overdraft of domestic national power.
So to sum up, the idea of reducing expenditure is that the upper limit is low, but the lower limit is high. As long as it is done well, peace can at least be maintained. The common people may not live well, but they can barely survive.
As for the idea of open source, the upper limit is undoubtedly very high. If it is operated properly, it will be a prosperous and powerful country. In the prosperous era, people will undoubtedly live a much more comfortable life, but the lower limit will be very low. Risks and benefits coexist. If you are not careful, the country will play games.
If we take it off, the people will suffer unspeakably.
Wang Anshi's reform was actually almost a failure. Of course, there were many factors involved and it cannot be judged solely on the results.
With these lessons learned from the past and combined with the current scarce lineup of Wen Zhi, Li Yan chose the "people-oriented" thinking that is related to people's livelihood and the old-fashioned way of reducing expenditure.
There is no way, everything must be done step by step. First let the people who were previously ravaged by the war live a stable life, and then consider whether they can live a good life.
As for developing productivity and increasing the total wealth of the whole society, we can wait until the world is conquered and the country is stabilized. There is no need to rush to implement it from the period of rebellion.
Of course, some things cannot be postponed until then and must be done while the opportunity is available.
For example, whenever there is a change of dynasty, there is a legitimate "open source" method——
"The head coach has something to say, fight the bullies and punish the powerful!"
"The people of Hebei suffered from the disaster caused by the Liao people and Tian Hu, and their lives were already in poverty. This dog official was able to collect a lot of next year's taxes. Which major landowners in various states and counties are cooperating?"
"While these large landlords are plundering the common people, are they also offering their wealth to be loyal to the emperor?"
"If not, those who dare to lavish others' generosity and pretend to be loyal are all bullies who bring trouble to the hometown. They must be defeated by the people. The next-level tyrants must also be severely punished!"
"yes!"
Shi Wengong gave the order, and everyone accepted it. He also ordered his guards: "This matter is of great importance. Go and ask the high supervisor to send someone here immediately. Next, you will choose the target of the struggle, interview the victims, and settle accounts. They must supervise the whole process."
!”
No one is a saint, and no one can make mistakes. Although the composition of the rural army is composed of the good people from the bottom who are willing to step forward to protect their hometown, it is much easier to manage than the ruffians, bandits and bandits recruited by the Song army. But if it all depends on consciousness,
If you can always maintain strict military discipline and never make mistakes, that would be a fairy tale.
Regulatory authorities are a must.
As Yanyun's authority departments gradually improved, various supervisory envoys were also arranged. Among them, the person in charge of this department needed a figure that everyone could trust, so Li Yan invited Gao Qiu, who resigned and returned home.
Gao Qiu was overjoyed and happily took office. Pei Xuan and Gao Lian also served as his deputy envoys. At this time, the person in charge of Shi Wengong's side was the supervisory envoy Gao Lian.
His task is very heavy. Which landowners will be defined as bullies, and which powerful people will be controlled. This is the time to test the rural army. It is necessary to avoid public revenge and private revenge, and take the opportunity to cause trouble.
"Fighting against lawlessness, rather than catching them all in one fell swoop, we must uphold justice, use kindness, and punish evil!"
When Gao Lian appeared with a neat team of supervisors, he emphasized the current twelve-word policy: "Focus on the people, uphold justice, fight against bullies, and punish the powerful!"
"Beat this bitch to death!!" "Beat this bitch to death!!"
At the same time, on the streets in the distance, more and more people rushed out of their homes, glared at the parade of prison cars, and then threw stones in their hands.
When Tao Miao, the prefect of Zhending Prefecture, was beaten to death, the two administrative offices in the east and west of Hebei Province, Daming Prefecture and Zhending Prefecture, were all owned by the Hometown Army in one day.