"The reason why the Chang Ping Cang failed to play its role is that the imperial court's fiscal and tax revenue dropped sharply. The Chang Ping Cang sold high and sold low, which was meant to benefit the people. But the price difference has always been filled by the imperial government's allocation. This is
There is nothing wrong with this, because benefiting the people, stabilizing food prices, and stabilizing people's hearts will stabilize the overall situation of the world. This is what the court should do. This is just like the court raising troops, all to maintain the stability of the country. However, because of financial and taxation issues,
The funding of many departments has become unsustainable. Changpingcang is one of them. Without government funding, how can a loss-making institution like Changpingcang continue to operate? This is the reason why half of Changpingcang is basically abandoned today.
Where." Yan said loudly and solemnly.
"...But in fact, this is an act of abandoning food due to choking. At times like this, the function of Chang Ping Cang is more irreplaceable. Therefore, the first part of the new law of the Ordinance Department is the "Chang Ping New Law" about Chang Ping Cang.
This new law is to reform the old Changpingcang system so that it can play its due role. Not only does it eliminate the need to ask for money from the court, but it can also make money on its own, benefit all people, and play a huge role in increasing the court's finances and taxes."
Most people were in a daze, and they could not imagine in their minds how Chang Pingcang, an institution that was obviously losing money, could survive without funding from the court. This was almost an impossible task. Because in any case, since
Often closing a position means buying at a high price and selling at a low price, so as to make up for the debt with profit, which is a loss-making business.
Yan Zhengsun unfolded the huge roll of official paper in his hand and said loudly: "The general principles of Changping's new law. First, under the Regulations Department, there is a Changping Cangsi. Changpingcang is no longer under the jurisdiction of the Third Department of Sinong Temple. All rights and responsibilities
, under the direct jurisdiction of the Regulations Department of the Three Departments of the System. Secondly, twenty-three Chang Pingcang warehouses in various prefectures in the Zhou Dynasty were upgraded to general warehouses. Each state and county needed to set up sub-warehouses, and their chief officials were concurrently held by the local magistrates and magistrates for three years.
Within this period, we must achieve great Zhou Dynasty, with full coverage of the Cangsi..."
As soon as these two items were announced, there was an uproar in the palace. Administratively, Changpingcang was under the jurisdiction of the director of Sinong Temple of Zhengshitang, and financially it was under the jurisdiction of the three departments. The solemn first item removed Changpingcang from here.
The two major regulatory agencies were separated and directly became a subordinate agency of the Ordinance Department of the Establishment and Construction Department. This is a blatant power grab. Some people have said that the Ordinance Department is a 'little middle school secretary'. Now this behavior seems to be verified.
With this "little middle school", it is cannibalizing the big middle school and other institutions of the imperial court. Although Changpingcang is just a useless institution, even a pair of broken shoes is still someone else's property. If you take it, it is robbery and theft, which is bad in nature.
. And if you steal broken shoes today, they may be gold, silver and jewelry tomorrow. If you transfer Chang Ping warehouse to the Ordinance Department today, they may be stolen by other powerful and key institutions tomorrow. This is the fundamental problem.
Obviously, Yan Zhengsheng had expected this. He glanced at the palace with cold eyes and said in a deep voice: "Everyone, this matter has the approval of the Holy Emperor and has also been approved by the Chief of the Third Department, Prime Minister Lu, Qian, Deputy Prime Minister. There is nothing wrong with it.
place."
"Ah? Prime Minister Lu actually agreed?" The officials looked blankly at Lu Zhongtian, who was standing in front of the train with an expressionless face.
"Everyone, what Mr. Yan said is true. This matter has indeed been approved by the Holy Spirit. For the sake of the overall situation, Prime Minister Lu also nodded. Everything is for the sake of the court. Please don't make any unreasonable comments." Vice Minister Qian shouted.
road.
Only then did all the officials truly believe that this was true. They couldn't help but think in their hearts: "It seems that Prime Minister Lu is now more courteous to Yan Zhengsheng. He has endured Yan Zhengsheng's rude behavior. It is a foregone conclusion that the reform faction will gain power."
. Prime Minister Lu is so secretive, so we should keep a lower profile."
Regarding the second item, Changpingcang should be opened all over the Zhou Dynasty. The guesses of the officials are basically the same. Yan Zhengshu has explained the benefits of Changpingcang before, so his intention must be to increase the number of Changpingcang, and further
The role of expanding Chang Pingcang is precisely to appease the people and increase finance and taxation as mentioned before. But the problem is, he sounds very loud, but how can he spread such a big stall. So.
How do we need money and supplies and maintain future operations? Could it be that this has become an institution that consumes a lot of financial allocations? Wouldn't that be counterproductive?
Moreover, the last two sentences of the second article say that the chief officials of various states and counties should also serve as the chief officials of Changpingcang. Is this another disguised form of interfering in government affairs?
In the hall, Yan Zhengsun continued to talk and announced: "Article 3 of the General Provisions. After verification, the grain stored in Changping warehouses in various places was converted into cash silver based on the market price. The number was eight million taels, and I exchanged it with the transportation department for eight million taels in cash."
One million taels. In addition, the Ordinance Department will allocate 7 million taels of silver. This fifteen million taels is the total capital of the Changping Division. From now on, the court will no longer allocate funds. Within three years, the Changping Division must bear the responsibility for its profits and losses.
, and be responsible for the expenses and manpower expenses of opening the branch warehouse. Fourthly, use the profits from the regular liquidation of warehouses and implement the method of official loans to prevent the common people from borrowing usury loans to merge and exploit the wealthy families."
Sensitive people immediately focused their attention on the fourth item, and they keenly sensed that this item was by no means an understatement as literally stated.
"Details... No. 1... No. 2... No. 3... No. 9..."
Solemn voices echoed in the hall. Every detail is the result of debate and deliberation in the Regulations Department for more than half a month, including the procedural details of Changpingcang's operation as well as various necessary control measures and
The rules and regulations can be said to be meticulous and detailed. "Tenth, the details of the Changpingcang official loan law: During the lean period of the first month and fifth month of each year, farmers can apply for loans for summer and autumn materials. In the first month, they can apply for summer materials, and on the fifth
After repaying the principal and interest of summer materials monthly, you can apply for a loan of autumn materials. The principal and interest of autumn materials should be repaid at the end of October. People need to pay two cents of interest to borrow money from Changpingcang, and they can only borrow again after the principal and interest are repaid. If the loan is not repaid by the bank, five or ten households will be liable.
You can only borrow money if you have a third-level or above account as a guarantee. Only half of the currency can be used as a loan in the Chang Ping warehouse, and the other half needs to perform Chang Ping's duties, make up for the debt with wealth, and provide relief...
"
As soon as this key tenth item was said solemnly, there was a sudden sound of surprise in the palace. Everything came to light, everything was so direct and naked. It turns out that the secret to maintaining the operation of Changpingcang is so direct. Changpingcang
Official loans are issued twice a year, and the interest is as high as two cents. Calculated twice, it is a usurious official loan with an interest rate of four cents. Although this is different from those usury loans in the world that often charge eight cents, ten cents, and fifteen cents.
There are differences in the rolling interest rate, but it can still be regarded as a kind of high interest rate.
However, if you think about it carefully, this new law is a painstaking effort. Since the people want to borrow usury, why not let the government lend money and collect interest. On the surface, it is always better than borrowing eight cents, ten cents and fifteen cents from wealthy landlords at usury.
There are a lot of people. During the lean years, people can get loans to maintain their livelihood and develop production. To a certain extent, they avoid bankruptcy and displacement caused by borrowing others at high interest rates. However, it always feels weird.
Something is wrong.
"Hmph! This is not about benefiting the people. This is about benefiting the people and exploiting them. Yan Zhengsu Fang Dunru wasted no time in reading the books of sages and actually came up with such a way to profit from the people. It is simply a shame.
"
"That is, this is not a government-run business. Where is the dignity of the court? From now on, the chief officials of various states and counties have become profit-seeking merchants. What kind of bullshit new law is this?"
"A gentleman is ashamed to talk about profit. We, the Zhou Dynasty, established the country based on Confucianism and Legalism, and the trend of benevolence and kindness prevailed. But now, we are doing such things for profit. It is a joke!"
In an instant, many officials started shouting loudly. The order in the palace instantly became chaotic.
Lin Jue also stood in the crowd dumbfounded, not knowing what to feel in his heart. The previously announced terms of Chang Pingcang's loan were exactly what Lin Jue had been trying to delete over the past ten days. Here he is.
Previously, Lin Jue had noticed that the "Changping New Method" was exactly the same as the "Qingmiao Method" practiced by a man named Wang Anshi in another time and space in the Song Dynasty. This discovery made Lin Jue feel worried at the time.
I also feel happy at the same time.
What is worrying is that Wang Anshi's reforms eventually led to a series of problems and failed. He himself also became infamous in later generations. Therefore, if these are two same things that evolve at the same time in different time and space, then there is a risk of failure. Because
Judging from the guiding ideology of Yan Zhengsu and Fang Dunru, they are similar to those of Wang Anshi and others.
But happily, he knew the shortcomings of that reform, so Lin Jue believed that he was just in time for this, and he might be able to use his known experience to adjust the direction and steps of the reform to prevent it from slipping to the edge of failure.
.So Lin Jue argued hard for the terms, and he demanded that the terms of Changpingcang Loan be deleted, because he knew that it would definitely lead to criticism and a series of subsequent troubles. But how could Yan Zhengsheng and Fang Dunru agree to it?
. Almost stubborn and falling out, Lin Jue proposed alternative terms, which was to loan the bank once a year, with the interest reduced to one cent, and required that the terms indicate freedom of lending and no mandatory requirements.
However, now it seems that all the efforts I have made have come to nothing. When I was finalizing the final draft last night, maybe in order to avoid quarrels and debates, I solemnly agreed to my suggestion, but now it seems that it was just a temporary measure and deceiving myself.
That’s it. The terms announced by the Highness today are completely ignorant of the terms agreed upon last night. Not only did they not adopt Lin Jue’s opinions, but they also added the content of mutual guarantee. As for the two loans in Xia and Qiu, the terms of two-cent interest have not changed at all. Lin
I feel a little stupid.
Also dumbfounded was Du Weijian, the new science explorer standing next to Lin Jue. During the formulation process of the "Changping New Law", Du Weijian was undoubtedly the most attentive one. He had great ambitions for the goals that the new law was to achieve.
enthusiasm. Therefore, he was also the one who quarreled a lot with Yan Zhengsheng, Fang Dunru and others. The focus of his quarrel was whether Chang Pingcang should take advantage of the people. He thought the same as most scholars. This reform established
It is immoral to benefit the people. Du Weijian believes that no matter what, there cannot be such obvious exploitation of the people.
And his other point of view is also very important, that is, if the implementation of the new law is included in the official's performance, local officials will be forced to implement the new law. Once the implementation of the new law is included in the enforcement behavior, a series of problems will arise. For example,
The people do not need to borrow money at all, but the government's forced apportionment in order to complete political achievements has increased the burden on the people. This is even more hateful than usury. At least usury is only used by individuals to borrow money, but under this new law, borrowing has become the norm for the people.
, this is a disguised form of tax increase and exploitation. This view is also supported by Lin Jue. This is also a rare common ground between the two people in their previous unhappy relationship.
"Silence! Silence! How can there be such noise and decency in the court hall?" Fang Dunru suddenly shouted with anger in his eyes.
His voice was so frightening that Guo Chong, who was sitting on the dragon throne, shuddered. The officials below who were talking a lot were also frightened and shut up.
"What are you so noisy about? You know how to speak sharply, and you know how to speak with great truth. I just want to ask you, the Liao people want to tear up the Yanyun Alliance and attack the Zhou Dynasty. What should we do? Surrender is of course
It's impossible, we can only fight to the death with them. So let me ask you again, where did the money for the war come from? Do you know how much money was spent on the great victory in Youzhou? A small war cost more than three million taels.
If the two countries fight to the death, how much money will it cost? Who will give this money? Are you smart-talking people donating your family property? If you are willing to donate all your money and are willing to give up the generous salary that the court gives you every year, then this new law
It doesn’t matter, because the court will be very rich. It’s a pity that if the court gives you less than a tael of silver, you will have to argue and fight endlessly. Are you going to fight with your mouth? Who doesn’t understand the truth? But what the court needs now is immediately
When there is money and food to deal with the crisis, if anyone likes to talk, please come up and tell the emperor what to do."
Fang Dunru scolded him mercilessly, and everyone in His Highness fell silent.
Yan Zhengsheng and Fang Dunru are not fools. Of course they know that some things will attract criticism. But the purpose of the new law and reform is to manage finances and strengthen the army, so they naturally need some extraordinary means. And they do not think that this method is exploiting the people.
, but to take advantage of the situation and meet the needs of the people. Although the two-cent interest rate is slightly higher, it is much lower than the usury. Besides, if the interest rate is too low, how can we maintain the operation of Changpingcang? The successful operation of Changpingcang is
The key point of this reform is that otherwise it would be an embarrassing failure.
Regardless of opposition or approval, the "Changping New Law" will be officially implemented after it is announced. Guo Chong's attitude speaks for itself. He issued an order and announced it to the world that the new law will be implemented from now on and must not be violated.
Just when Guo Chong put down the jade seal, there was a sudden crackling sound in the sky outside the palace. Everyone in the palace was startled. Then, they heard a dense crackling sound like exploding beans.
"What's going on?" Guo Chong asked in surprise.
"Your Majesty, the rain is falling from the sky." Someone shouted loudly.
"It's raining, it's raining heavily. It's getting better now, it's been raining heavily for several months, and it's finally raining heavily." The cheers of the chamberlains and imperial guards came from outside the palace.
"Is it really raining? Oh, this is great. The rain is falling from the sky, the rain is falling from the sky." Guo Chong said with a delighted smile.
"Qin Tiansi is right. It is indeed God who needs an opportunity. The new law has just been promulgated and implemented, and the heavens have rained down. Doesn't this just mean that this new law complies with the will of the times and God approves of it?"
vocal tract.
"Yes, yes, it really is. As soon as the new law was announced, rain fell from the sky. This is a good sign. This new law seems to be really a good thing." The ministers discussed one after another.
Guo Chong laughed loudly and stamped the imperial edict with a jade seal. He turned to look at Lu Zhongtian below and said with a smile: "Prime Minister Lu, it seems that I don't need to go to worship the heaven anymore. Qin Tiansi's ceremony of worshiping the heaven has been cancelled."
, I have to save some money."
Lu Zhongtian bowed and said solemnly: "Old minister, I obey the order."
…
A heavy downpour drenched the streets and alleys of the capital city. After months of drought, the land of the capital city has become dry and smoky. The water levels of several major rivers and lakes in the city have dropped sharply, and it is also difficult for people and animals to drink water. The people are also a little panicked.
Feeling. The heavy rain at this time was really like rain falling from the sky, completely extinguishing the fear in people's hearts.
The rain was so heavy that in just half an hour, there was water flowing across the streets and alleys. But the people didn't care. Men, women, old and young stood in the rain and laughed, letting the rain soak through their clothes and refused to enter.
House shelter from rain.
For the people in the city, although the rain came a little late, it still provided some relief. The shipping business in the city that was almost cut off was restored to life, and the rivers were unobstructed, business would prosper, and if there was business, money would be made.
, if you make money, you will have food to eat. This is all a matter of one, two, and three. For the people farming outside the city, although the farming season is already a little late, the half-dead autumn grain can still get some moisture. Farming
Everyone knows that crops will turn green and mature quickly at the last moment. It is only the beginning of August, and there is still time for them to grow some food before this year's cold wave arrives. Of course, a substantial reduction in production is certain.
, but it will never be a waste.
Therefore, up and down, every walk of life was rejoicing because of this timely rain. At the same time, a strange news spread rapidly in the city. Some people said that when the emperor went to court in the morning, the current deputy prime minister and censor Zhongcheng
The two adults promulgated a new law that benefited the people. As soon as the new law was promulgated, God immediately rained down rain. It can be seen that this new law complied with God's will, and God was happy to rain down congratulations.
Someone vividly described the scene. Lord Shen Sheng tried his best to overcome all opinions. The Holy One made an immediate decision. When the Holy Seal was picked up, dark clouds gathered in the sky and fallen leaves were flying on the ground. The Holy Great Seal
The moment the edict was issued, there was lightning, thunder, and heavy rain. It is said that in the clouds above the Ouchi Palace, someone could faintly see the appearance of a giant dragon writhing in the dark clouds. There are countless such comments.
The people were extremely curious about this newly promulgated new law, and the topics discussed in the streets and alleys also revolved around it.
