Northern Song Dynasty Justice

Chapter 53
Wang Anshi has been in the officialdom for many years, and has witnessed the embarrassment of the Qingli New Deal with his own eyes. He does not know how many obstacles the reform will encounter, but because of this, he also understands that if he does not make up his mind and fight back, it will be the same as the Qingli New Deal. A busy job is not worth the candle.

But everything has to be done step by step.

Historically, in the next year, that is, in the second year of Xining, he first threw out the equal loss method, and then the young crop method, instead of throwing the blockbuster directly.

Of course, his step-by-step progress was only a few months apart. In Sima Guang's view, it was also very radical.

But now, Zhang Fei gave him a gift.

He thought that he could use this small bill on housing tax to explore the way and see the reaction of the court, and if it went well, he would use it to start his national reform.

This is what really moved him, because this bill was very consistent with his idea of ​​reform, but the scope involved was relatively narrow, and he could sit in charge in Bianjing himself.

It can be said that he is ready to start the reform.

After talking with Lu Huiqing, he immediately took this bill to Song Shenzong.

This bill is already very detailed, and there is no need to modify it. The key point is that it involves a lot of calculations, and it is difficult for ordinary people to modify it.

And when Song Shenzong saw this memorial, he was very surprised, because he talked about state affairs with Wang Anshi almost every day, but Wang Anshi never mentioned the mortgage.

After asking, I found out that it was from Zhang Fei.

"This Erbi man is really extraordinary!" Song Shenzong said with a happy smile.

Wang Anshi nodded and said, "It's really unusual. I also think that this son's talent can be put to great use if he is cultivated."

He actually wanted to imply that Zhang Fei could become an official in the court.

Little did he know that the emperor knew Zhang Fei earlier than him.

Song Shenzong nodded with a smile, and said: "I also very much agree with this strategy, which benefits the country and the people, but it involves many taxes in Bianjing City, so it has to be decided after the court discussion."

Shenzong immediately held a political meeting.

When the ministers heard the interest, they were immediately dumbfounded.

Seven percent annual interest?

Can't go wrong?

I can't believe it!
Song Shenzong saw that the ministers were stunned, he was secretly proud, and asked with a smile: "What do you think?"

Many ministers looked weird, because some of them also lend money. If you set up such a low interest rate, isn't that malicious competition?

Sima Guang took the lead and said, "If merchants are willing to lend money at such a low interest rate, the imperial court can certainly guarantee it."

This interest is really irresistible!
Seven per cent is divided into ten years.

Where can I find it!
Immediately Sima Guang said again: "But are those businessmen really willing to do this?"

Wang Anshi replied: "Businessmen will never do business at a loss. Although the interest rate is low, but there is a house mortgage, as long as the court can legislate to guarantee this, they will make a steady profit without losing money. Of course, the merchants are willing."

"I see."

Sima Guang nodded slightly, he immediately understood the stakes, and couldn't help exclaiming secretly, this is a great idea!

Many honest and upright ministers also nodded.

Nowadays, it is not ordinary people who are troubled by buying a house, but officials like them. Such a low interest rate is actually very helpful to officials like them. Whether to buy or not is another matter, at least there is a choice.

Wang Anshi hit the rails again while the heat was hot: "I believe I don't need to say much about the harm of private borrowing. If this can be done, it may be a good start and curb the high interest rates of the private sector."

When Sima Guang heard this, he couldn't help but look sideways at Wang Anshi. Has this old boy changed his gender?That's a good thing!
He also mentioned the harmfulness of private high profits, but he didn't agree with Wang Anshi's radical approach. His idea coincided with this bill, and it should be changed gently. The court should not end in person and compete with the people for profit. He agrees.He nodded and said, "That makes sense!"

Song Shenzong saw that Sima Guang also nodded, and couldn't help secretly happy that the matter was settled.

But as soon as this idea came up, Wang Wenshan suddenly said: "It is a good thing that businessmen are willing to lend money at low interest rates, but it seems that there is more than that, and it also includes the reform of housing tax."

Wang Anshi immediately said: "Citizens of Bianjing often complain about exorbitant and miscellaneous taxes. At the same time, some officials use this to exploit the citizens and integrate them into housing taxes. While reducing the burden on the citizens, it can also ensure that there will be no more officials to exploit the common people. okay?"

That depends on who is good for you!Wang Wenshan secretly glanced at Sima Guang, but the latter stroked his beard and remained silent.

The censor Chen Jian said: "Now our government's finances are already beyond our means. Will tax cuts increase the financial burden at this time?"

Wang Anshi said with a smile: "Everyone didn't read it carefully. These two suggestions are actually related. The first one can increase housing transactions and increase leasing. After calculation, the imperial court will earn more than before, and the people will also benefit from it. It can be said to kill two birds with one stone.”

But in fact, the benefits brought by the mortgage are not included, and the tax is still increased, because many wealthy families are unable to evade taxes and have to collect more than before.

It's just that Wang Anshi didn't explain it thoroughly.

The privy envoy Chen Shengzhi suddenly said: "This strategy is very clever!"

Sima Guang glanced at Chen Shengzhi, stood up and said, "I also agree."

The privy envoy is a veritable prime minister. When the ministers saw that the prime minister and Sima Guang both nodded, they naturally couldn't say anything more.

Song Shenzong was immediately overjoyed. It was his first time reforming, but he was still a little nervous. Seeing it go so smoothly, he felt unhappy and his confidence soared. He said, "Then it's decided."

After finishing speaking, he looked at Wang Anshi again, "This matter is hard for you."

Wang Anshi immediately said: "With His Majesty's trust, I will do my best."

After leaving the main hall, Sima Guang quietly pulled Wang Anshi aside, hehe said: "Jiefu! You have figured it out."

Wang Anshi was astonished and asked, "How do you say that?"

Sima Guang smiled and said: "The reform should be carried out step by step. This method is very appropriate. It not only preserves wealth for the people, but also serves as an example, and it will not cause fierce resistance. It is not bad."

Wang Anshi was upset when he heard this, but he smiled and said, "It's not that I figured it out, but that you, Sima Junshi, have finally come to your senses. It's a blessing for me!"

Sima Guang looked at him suspiciously.

What the hell?

Wang Anshi said: "Look, this decree can make it possible for the people not to add taxes, but for the state to use them."

Sima Guang waved his hand and said: "This statement is wrong. From the point of view of this policy, the merchants get their benefits first, and then the state collects taxes, and the adjustment of the house tax is all about hiding wealth among the people and distributing it reasonably, not Wealth has increased."

His philosophy is "there are only a few things in the world that produce wealth and goods, and if they are not in the hands of the people, they are in the hands of officials."

There is only so much wealth, and the trick is how to distribute it. He advocated that wealth should be hidden among the people, and businessmen should be allowed to do it, while the imperial court should be responsible for supervision.

But Wang Anshi thinks that this will not work at all. Only by making the cake bigger can the contradiction be eliminated, otherwise, the problem will not be solved.

One to reduce expenditure, one to increase revenue, so we can't talk about it together.

It's absolutely amazing.

"No! No!"

Wang Anshi said: "When the government issues this decree, private housing transactions will increase, and tax revenue will increase. This is not an increase in wealth, but what is it?"

Sima Guang shook his head and said, "No, no, although the country will increase its income, the wealth will not increase, it will only be used to buy a house."

Wang Anshi snorted: "The tax revenue that was not there before has become available, but you say that this is not an increase in wealth. You are really irrational. I am too lazy to argue with you. I have other things to do."

Finished talking and left.

"If you lend money to buy wine another day, the wine tax will also increase, and the wealth will increase again? It's really unreasonable."

Sima Guang snorted, and after a while, he calmed down, and suddenly frowned and said, "No! This idea doesn't look like his handwriting."

Wang Anshi didn't run away in despair. He had never lost or won a fight with Sima Guang. He really had something to do this time, and he wasn't in the mood to argue with Sima Guang.

After returning, Wang Anshi immediately sent someone to find Zhang Fei and told him that the imperial court had agreed to send him the model contract as soon as possible. Now this contract is missing.

The core of the whole reform is that paper contract.

But Zhang Fei rushed to Ma's house immediately to inform Ma Tianhao of the news.

The court didn't give an explanation, and Ma Tianhao didn't dare to do too much.

"Good boy, you really have a lot of means, and you can get it done so quickly."

Hearing this news, Ma Tianhao stood up excitedly.

This really shocked him.

But there has never been a person with Erbi who can turn his contract into a legal clause of the court.

And the speed is still so fast.

It's unbelievable!
Fortunately, some people said that Zhang Fei offended the entire court.

It is simply nonsense!

Zhang Fei said with a smile: "I've settled for the imperial court, how about yours?"

Ma Tianhao immediately said: "Don't worry about that, I have also gained something here, and I have persuaded Xiangguo Temple to join us."

Zhang Fei was stunned, "Xiangguo Temple?"

Ma Tianhao said: "Don't you know that Xiangguo Temple is our biggest creditor in Bianjing?"

"is it?"

"If you don't believe me, you can ask someone casually."

It turns out that this temple has a lot of tax-free privileges, which has led many big landlords to transfer their land to Xiangguo Temple. Xiangguo Temple is tantamount to making money lying down, but its ambition is endless. A lot of land.

At the same time, Xiangguo Temple also has real estate investment, and there are many.

Ma Tianhao is also a very shrewd businessman. Xiangguo Temple has strong strength and a lot of spare money, and he doesn't pursue that kind of quick money, but cares more about long-term development. This plan is very suitable for Xiangguo Temple, and he also has connections in Xiangguo Temple. , so the first thing he found was Xiangguo Temple.

Xiangguo Temple said that if the court really agrees, they are willing to give it a try.

Zhang Fei asked: "Member, do you think it's hard to be the abbot of Xiangguo Temple, or it's hard to be an official?"

"Of course it's difficult to be the abbot of Xiangguo Temple!" Ma Tianhao said without hesitation.

Zhang Fei stroked his thick hair and thought, forget it, let's wait until the old age fades!Be handsome for decades first.Suddenly said to Ma Tianhao: "That's right! I still have a small request."

Ma Tianhao asked, "What request?"

Zhang Fei said: "I heard that in your line of business, if you encounter disputes or sign a contract, you almost always cooperate with Fan's Bookstore."

Ma Tianhao was taken aback for a moment, then nodded.

Zhang Fei asked: "Is the relationship between Yuanwai and the Fan family very good?"

Ma Tianhao said: "It's just business contacts, not much friendship. You should know that the eight tea eaters have their own division of labor."

Zhang Fei said: "My request is that from now on, you immediately choose another family to cooperate with, and you can no longer have any dealings with Fan's Bookstore."

Ma Tianhao asked, "Why?"

Zhang Fei said: "Because Zhang Fei died at the hands of that surname Fan."

".?"

Ma Tianhao looked at Zhang Fei in astonishment.

"Zhang Yide."

"Zhang Zhang Yide?"

Ma Tianhao hadn't reacted yet.

It so happened that Ma Xiaoyi came into the house and heard Zhang Yide's name, he immediately lifted his spirits and asked, "Third brother, are you talking about Zhang Yide from the Three Kingdoms period?"

Zhang Fei nodded.

Ma Tianhao suddenly realized, and asked again: "Could it be that Zhang Yide is your ancestor?"

"No."

"Why is that?"

"The name is homonymous."

".?"

Ma Xiaoyi said thoughtfully: "But if you kill Zhang Yide, you still have Zhang Da. Does that mean you can't associate with someone surnamed Zhang?"

Wow!With such an overbearing reason, you still have to struggle with logic?Zhang Fei asked: "Little Ma also sees the Three Kingdoms?"

"I haven't read it." Ma Xiaoyi shook his head, but said very excitedly: "But I have heard many stories about the Three Kingdoms, and I like the second and third brothers Guan the most. What about you?"

"Little Joe."

(End of this chapter)