Northern Song Dynasty Justice

Chapter 600 Set things right
This Song Dynasty can be said to be a wonderful work among the feudal dynasties, because it is the only feudal dynasty in Chinese history in which the commercial tax exceeded the agricultural tax on a large scale.

According to statistics, the business tax of the Northern Song Dynasty was dozens of times that of the Ming Dynasty.

And all of this is firstly due to the "Commercial Tax Regulations" originally promulgated by Song Taizu, which is the first commercial tax law promulgated by the government in China. The "Regulations on Commercial Taxation" stipulates the types of taxable commodities, tax categories, tax rates, and the treatment of tax evasion and tax evasion.

This not only ended the business and tax chaos of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, but also pushed the commercial development of the Northern Song Dynasty to an unimaginable peak.

This also shows the importance of the legal system.

However, with the outbreak of the financial crisis in the Song Dynasty, various problems also appeared in this business tax.

It was very difficult to collect business taxes in ancient times. No one would foolishly send money to you. You have to spend money to hire someone to collect taxes. This is a necessary expenditure.

However, in the face of a financial crisis, the country wants to reduce expenditure and increase revenue at the same time, but the two are very contradictory, because at present the country's revenue is mainly tax collection, while the main expenditure is There is no way to reduce military expenditures for war and official salaries. If you want to reduce expenditures, you have to lay off people. But once you lay off people, there will be fewer tax collectors, and the taxes will not be collected.

At present, many ministers criticize Wang Anshi's new policy, which also involves this issue. If Wang Anshi wants to open up sources of income, he needs to recruit people, which will increase the financial burden.

For example, the Young Crop Law. To implement the Young Crop Law well, a group of people must be hired to collect debts. This will obviously increase the financial burden. This is very contradictory to Sima Guang's policy of throttling expenditure.

But the earth is round, as long as you are greedy enough, you will always find a way.

How to do this is very simple, that is, to replace the fixed salary expenditure with rewards and commissions.

In fact, using rewards and commissions to motivate staff to collect taxes is also a very reasonable approach, but to replace fixed expenditures, this will definitely cause problems.

The court's money cannot be less, so they can only acquiesce in not collecting taxes according to the tax law.

Once there is no way, it is fist talking.

For example, when it comes to taxes, according to the "Commercial Tax Regulations", the national overtax regulation is 20.00%, but currently the overtaxes in many places in Hezhong Prefecture have reached [-]%.

They even directly closed the wide business roads that were not easy to collect taxes, forcing business travelers to cross bridges, or take narrow roads, and then set up checkpoints there to exploit business travelers.

To put it bluntly, this is a bandit logic that replaces legal principles in order to obtain wealth quickly.

That's why when the procuratorate sued them, they retorted confidently, that the imperial court allowed us to do this, and what you are doing now is killing a donkey, which is extremely unkind.

But this situation is obviously not conducive to business development, and Zhang Fei wants to revitalize the judiciary, how could he allow this situation to continue to happen.

In addition, Wang Anshi also realized that this problem is very serious, because the officials don't care about the affairs, the real officials are in charge, but they don't get salaries, only a little welfare, they have power, but no money, what do you think they will do?
Wang Anshi's first step in governing the officials was also to pay the officials wages, but he did not twist it out separately, but included it in the exemption tax.

It can be seen that Wang Anshi's propaganda is really a mess.

In fact, this decree should be written in a big way. Instead, the Youth Law should be publicized in a low-key manner, because one is to distribute money and the other is to collect interest. Of course, the focus should be on distributing money, so as to win the hearts of the people.

Perhaps Wang Anshi did not have much confidence in this, after all his main purpose was to make money for the country.

But in any case, Zhang Fei and Wang Anshi had a consensus on increasing the salary of the officials, so Zhang Fei had the confidence to let Su Zhe negotiate with them, expressing his willingness to fight for the officials' salaries.

Because the fundamental reason for undermining the judiciary is that the salary is not paid, and the salary must be made up.

But the finances are not under the control of the public security, procuratorate and law, but the authority of the transshipment department.

At present, the government is still negotiating with the procuratorate, but neither side is willing to make concessions.

Seeing that the procuratorate refused to budge, the officials below made more trouble, but they were also very cunning, and chose to strike specifically on matters related to tax collection.

At present, the tax payment of the entire Hezhong Prefecture is in a state of paralysis.

These officials knew very well that as long as the court could not receive money, they would compromise.

That's why Cai Yanqing was in such a hurry.

But the procuratorate is still very strong, just saying that it is not necessary to settle the old accounts, but this kind of behavior is absolutely not allowed to continue to exist. If the court defaults on the salary, you can sue, but you cannot use this method to collect money.

If you go on strike, you go on strike. It has nothing to do with me. Not only that, the procuratorate seems to have gradually lost patience when the other side refuses to compromise, and began to prosecute those who were arrested.

The officials outside are still stubbornly resisting, but the people inside can't stand it, because in the understanding agreement of the procuratorate, the punishment is very light. They just return what has been usurped to others, and then fine some money, so there will be no punishment involved.

They are all rich people now, and they don't want to take this risk.

In addition, those Erbis are also lobbying them. The procuratorate has solid evidence, and they will definitely not win the lawsuit. If they go to the royal court, they will definitely be punished.

At the same time, the police station did not stop, and suddenly sent people over to take over the prison in Hezhong Mansion on the grounds that the prison lacked management.

Just those few cell bosses can't stop hundreds of well-equipped royal policemen at all.

This caused another great shock in the government. Are you going to replace us all?
government office.

"Master Zhuo, what did they say?"

Seeing Zhuo Qun enter the hall, Wei Yingfang immediately asked.

Zhuo Qun said: "The police department said that the procuratorate is currently preparing to prosecute, and the number of prisoners will increase by then, but the prison has not cooperated with them, and recently closed the prison due to lack of manpower. , they chose to do so.

At the same time, they also showed the official documents of the imperial court. According to the regulations of the imperial court, the police station already includes prison guards. At that time, the police station will separate into an official office dedicated to the management of prisons.

Moreover, they also decided to close the prison and change the property of the prison into a temporary supervisor of the police station to detain the suspects who have not yet been tried. At the same time, they will build a prison outside the city to detain prisoners. "

After these words, Wei Yingfang and the others were dumbfounded.

They never imagined that the police station had such great power.

The police station recruits so many people, not entirely for the sake of law and order, and the family will be separated at that time. The tax police, prison guards, court police, and some prosecutors will all be separated from the police station.

Liu Daxing stood up suddenly, "Prefect Cai, Bachelor Yuan, you have all seen that now the police station will ride on our heads, and the whole Hezhong Prefecture will obey their public prosecutor's law, who will let us go?" In eyes?"

As a county lieutenant, he is equivalent to the director of the Public Security Bureau. He is the most anxious when facing the aggressiveness of the police station. Once the police station completely takes over the public security affairs, he will lose his job!

"It's a conspiracy."

Yuan Jiang said suddenly.

Cai Yanqing immediately looked at him, you finally spoke, let's see how you behave this time.

"conspiracy?"

Everyone was startled and looked at Yuan Jiang in surprise.

Yuan Jiang glanced at them: "Don't you all feel that this scene seems familiar?"

Seems familiar?

is it?

Zhuo Qun suddenly said: "Scholar Yuan is referring to disarmament?"

"Exactly."

Yuan Jiang said: "Isn't that how the disarmament came about at the beginning? The public security law created financial problems, we filed a complaint with the court, and then they persuaded the court to disarm.

At that time and at this time, they wanted to repeat the old tricks, constantly exerting pressure on the government to force us to appeal to the court, and then they forced the court to dismiss officials on the grounds of redundant officials. "

"Not bad!"

He Chunlin's face turned pale immediately, and he kept nodding his head: "Scholar Yuan is right. Their purpose is to dismiss officials. We must not let them succeed!"

They don't care about disarmament, but they can't do it if they dismiss officials!
As far as that little compensation is concerned, it is a lot for soldiers, but for officials like them, it is not enough to send beggars!

The officials sitting here couldn't help but feel their hairs stand on end.

What a great way.Cai Yanqing sighed secretly, and immediately took up the job of flattering, and asked: "According to Bachelor Yuan's opinion, how should we deal with it?"

Everyone looked at Yuan Jiang.

After some careful consideration, Yuan Jiang said, "Just plan."

"Just count?"

"good."

Yuan Jiang nodded and said: "Their purpose is to force us to appeal to the imperial court and suggest that the imperial court dismiss officials, but we just don't appeal. We will do what they say and pay every official a full salary. There are many."

Wei Yingfang couldn't help asking: "Do we have so much money?"

Yuan Jiang said: "We can issue salt debts and salt notes to make up for this financial aspect."

Cao Yi frowned and said, "But the salt debt and the salt money have to be repaid with salt."

Yuan Jiang said with a smile: "We have to talk about it at that time. It's really not up to date. After the court inquires about the crime, we will shift the responsibility to the public prosecutor. If we appeal now, in terms of legal principles, it is our fault in the end. We can only let the court understand us. Only the imperial court will forgive us for the real difficulties, and the payment of money can also appease the officials below."

Everyone nodded frequently.

This is really a clever plan!

At present, the procuratorate has the evidence, and if they go to the court, they will not be able to take advantage of it. Now they are eating their own food, and they will not pay it by then, and they will pass the responsibility to the public prosecutor. making money for the country.

Everything will go back to the way it was.

The key is to be able to send money to everyone, which is also a good thing to buy people's hearts!

It's really a lot of money!

Wei Yingfang asked, "Then what should we do now?"

Yuan Jiang said: "Now count the number of officials in the Hezhong Mansion immediately, and according to their official duties, formulate a salary for them that is sufficient for them to support their families, and then directly promote the Changping Secretary to receive the salary every month.

But you also have to remember one thing, don't cheat in it, because the procuratorate will definitely be watching from the sidelines, and once they are caught by them, they will definitely ask the court to dismiss officials. "

When it comes to layoffs, everyone is very nervous.

This is definitely not a joke, because many ministers in the court want to lay off officials, and the disaster of redundant officials is shouted every year.

No one wants to lose their official position, this must be taken seriously.

Cai Yanqing suddenly asked: "How should we deal with the procuratorate?"

Yuan Jiang sighed: "We can only reach a reconciliation with them, and everyone spreads money to eliminate disasters. After all, those people can't stand it anymore."

His suggestion quickly gained everyone's unanimous approval.

After the meeting, Wei Yingfang and the others went to discuss with those officials to ensure that the public security law would not hold them accountable, and at the same time pay them enough salaries.

Most officials are willing to accept this condition, because most of them still can't get much money, and their lives are tight. It is not easy to ask the people for money. If they are ruthless enough, their salary will be more stable. Well, they thought it was a blessing in disguise.

As for the few evil officials, there is nothing they can do, because their people are now being detained in the police station, and they are not willing to gamble their wealth and lives.

After all, the procuratorate also guaranteed that their business can continue, but they can no longer break the law.

The government sent Erbi to negotiate a settlement agreement with the procuratorate, one by one, to see how to compensate and punish.

During this period, the procuratorate was able to show off its powers to the fullest. These people suddenly discovered that the procuratorate not only had the right to investigate, but also had the right to decide whether to prosecute.

It does not mean that one must be prosecuted for violating the law. The procuratorate can implement specific plans according to specific circumstances.

This power is terrible, and the imperial court is terrible, but the premise is that you have to be sued in the imperial court, but you can choose not to go, and you can negotiate with the procuratorate.

The procuratorate and the police station stopped everything, but the imperial court was relatively relaxed. Recently, it has been busy with the law school and the legal aid department.

Zhang Fei intends to help those students who have passed the legal examination first at the Legal Aid Department. It happens that there is a shortage of people at the Legal Aid Department, so they will treat it as a coursework and provide a little living allowance, because the law school can't do it at present. There are no professional professors yet.

The Four Little King Kong still put their official duties first, and most of these students have a foundation in law studies, so it is more important to teach them the concept of the legal system and the operation mode of the public security law.

However, due to Fan Zheng's arrival today, Zhang Fei could only put down his work and come to Dagou's restaurant with Fan Zheng to discuss.

"How are you thinking?"

Zhang Fei asked with a smile.

As the situation changes, it becomes very important whether the Charity Foundation and the Ma family decide to open a storehouse in Hezhong Prefecture.

Because they will bear part of the responsibilities of the Young Crops Law.

However, the cautious Fan Zheng never gave an accurate answer.

Fan Zheng smiled slightly: "The current situation in Hezhong Mansion is indeed thriving, and it has become more beneficial to our businessmen, but how long can this last?"

Zhang Fei said: "About this point, you won't take my word for it. There are definitely risks, but we also have to look at the benefits.

If you agree, Ma Laosi's plan will definitely be successful, and you will monopolize the soldiers' military payments. This kind of regular and huge amount of business will not only reduce your transportation costs, but also allow you The business has touched every corner of Shaanxi.

In addition, the communication between Shaanxi Road and Bianjing is very close. "

Fan Zhengdao: "But we have never envisioned cooperating with the government."

Zhang Fei said: "If you don't cooperate with the government, you won't be able to get these deals, but if you are willing to cooperate, our Public Security Bureau will ensure that your rights and interests will not be arbitrarily invaded by the government.

Moreover, in addition to flying money, lending, storage and other businesses, there is another business that you may not have thought of, but it may be handed over to you in the future. "

Fan Zheng asked, "What business?"

"Jiaozi."

Zhang Fei said: "The credit of the government in terms of Jiaozi is going from bad to worse, but with the development of commerce, coins will be further scarce, and salt money is fixed, and Jiaozi may still be needed. If there is a public security law, then the government may relax private money. The distribution of Jiaozi by shops."

Fan Zheng frowned, "But we are cooperating with the government. If Jiaozi is issued, is it the government that has the final say, or we? If the government has the final say, then the government is just borrowing us to collect money, and we would rather not issue it." .”

Zhang Fei said: "In terms of Jiaozi, if you are unwilling to cooperate with the government, you can split it out and sell it separately. I don't recommend you to cooperate with the government."

Fan Zhengdao: "Will the government be willing?"

Zhang Fei said: "If Hezhong Prefecture needs to issue Jiaozi, it can only show that the business of Hezhong Prefecture is thriving. While the government is benefiting, why is it not willing for you to issue Jiaozi to promote business to a higher level?"

Fan Zheng pondered with deep brows, this Jiaozi is quite tempting to him, not because of Jiaozi's currency attributes, but because Jiaozi is more convenient for their business dealings, such as his large-scale flying money and loan transactions, if completely Relying on iron coins and copper coins is very troublesome to trade, and the number can be counted for a day. If Jiaozi can be issued as a basis, it will be much more convenient.

After a while, Fan Zheng said: "To tell you the truth, third brother, in fact, fourth uncle has sent someone to send a message. Fourth uncle thinks that even if he doesn't cooperate with the government, he will be supervised by the government. He doesn't have much opinion on this .”

Then Ma Tianhao has always cooperated with Xiangguo Temple, and Xiangguo Temple also has close cooperation with the imperial court, so Ma Tianhao does not reject cooperation with the imperial court. On the contrary, he believes that if he wants to make a lot of money, he must cooperate with the imperial court.

Zhang Fei smiled and nodded: "It's Ma Laosi who thinks more thoroughly."

Fan Zheng smiled awkwardly, and said: "The fourth uncle is a senior, so naturally he is more farsighted than me, but the fourth uncle also said that this needs to be guaranteed by the public prosecutor first."

The businessmen in the capital have all realized the benefits of the public security law for businessmen.

Zhang Fei immediately said: "I will now give you a guarantee on behalf of the Public Security Bureau."

Fan Zheng was taken aback for a moment, he didn't seem to expect that Zhang Fei would agree so decisively, he said: "The third brother seems to be very eager for us to come here to open a shop."

Zhang Fei said truthfully: "If the finances of Hezhong Prefecture are not improved, but the financial burden is increased because of the Public Prosecution Law, then whoever will support the Public Procurement Law, and who has reason to support the Public Procurement Law, so if you give up, we We will also find other businessmen to cooperate with.”

Fan Zheng nodded slightly, thinking that if the public prosecution fails, it will be very detrimental to us businessmen.After thinking for a while, he nodded and agreed, "Okay, we can agree to open a store here, but it's a negotiation with the government!"

Zhang Fei took out a piece of paper and put it on the table, "According to what is written on it, negotiate."

Fan Zheng was stunned for a moment, "It seems that third brother has already guessed our decision."

Zhang Fei said with a chuckle: "For businessmen, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and you have no reason to refuse it."

Fan Zheng smiled, picked up the copy, and studied it carefully.

After Fan Zheng left, Da Gou came over with a pot of tea, poured tea for Zhang Fei, and said, "There is news from Jingzhao Mansion that many people are trying to stop the public prosecutor from going to Beijing." Zhaofu."

"As expected, who will like us."

Zhang Fei picked up the tea in his cup, took a sip, and asked, "How is the disarmament in Jingzhao Mansion going?"

The big dog said: "With the support of the Zhe family, the Zhong family, and the Yao family, and the envoy Wang Xuanfu and Guo Jinglue sitting in charge, it is relatively smooth."

Zhang Fei said: "Is there no problem at all?"

The big dog was stunned for a moment, and asked: "Of course there are problems, mainly in terms of compensation. Many soldiers are dissatisfied."

Zhang Fei said: "You let our people in the camp tell other soldiers that if they are treated unfairly, they can come to the imperial court of Hezhong Mansion to file a lawsuit, and release the news that the public prosecutor will go to Jingzhao Mansion next year."

The big dog was surprised: "Is the public prosecutor going to Jingzhao Mansion next year?"

If he really wanted to go, he had to make preparations.

Zhang Fei shook his head and said: "It's just talking, the Hezhong Mansion is still a mess at the moment, how can I go to the Jingzhao Mansion, but I want to use this to tie up the soldiers of the entire Western Army. In addition, the finances of the entire Shaanxi Road are concentrated in the Hezhong Prefecture, so they will hardly be a big obstacle to us. Let the soldiers and civilians everywhere be restless, and look forward to the arrival of our public security law. When the time is right, everything will get twice the result with half the effort."

"I know what to do."

The big dog nodded, and said again: "By the way, I received news before that people from the Taxation Department are already on their way to Hezhong Mansion. It should be no problem for the Taxation Department to appear in Hezhong Mansion next year."

Zhang Fei said: "Let them hurry up, next year we will have to rely on the tax department for many things, and I have to explain some things to them."

"I see."

Pinglu County.

That is where Sanmenxia is located.

This is the transportation hub of Hezhong Prefecture, especially in terms of water transportation, it is an excellent place to collect taxes.

As the procuratorate and the government are still negotiating, the tax collectors here are also on strike.

They don't dare to accept it now. If they are accused, they may go to the police station to stay.

Beside this commercial road, there is a tea shop, and there are three or five men sitting in it.

"Block the head! What do we do now?"

A young man said to the bearded man sitting in the middle: "The government only said to give money to the officials, but not to us. Those officials will definitely not care about us, so what should we do?"

There are also several types of officials. Those who work in the government are all staffed, while those who sit on the side of the road and collect taxes like them are called "block heads". They have no staff, and they don't even have benefits. It's just a commission.

According to the current negotiation between the government and the procuratorate, the government will definitely not send them money.

"You ask me, who do I ask."

Hearing the words, the bearded man poured down a cup of hot wine, opened his mouth and said, "It's all because of that son of a bitch's public prosecutor. Before they came, our Hezhong Mansion was peaceful. After they came, everyone lived in fear every day, yelling!" Two sentences, I am afraid of being caught."

"That's not necessarily the case. If you pay officials a salary, you have to find someone to collect taxes. Maybe it depends on us."

"Will you settle the accounts? The money we got was overcharged. If we don't have much money, can the government distribute the little tax money to us?"

"That's true, then we have no work to do."

Suddenly, a person sat down.

He was startled, turned his head to look, and saw that this person was very strange, "Your Excellency?"

The man glanced at them and said solemnly: "You have lost your livelihood now, so follow me to make a living from now on."

Several people were inexplicable.

That blocked the head and asked: "I don't know what your Excellency is doing?"

boom!
The man slapped a token on the table.

They all knew this token, it came from the government, although none of them had read the book, but by coincidence, they all knew the words on this token—tax.

He heard the man say again: "Tax Department."

Luoyang!

government prison.

With a bang, the iron chain was loosened, and the door of the cell opened slowly.I saw a young man entering the prison excitedly, his eyes searching in front of the disheveled prisoners.

Suddenly, he stopped in front of a cell, and saw a thin man sitting in a corner. Unlike other prisoners, this man had his hands tightly bound with hemp rope.

"elder brother!"

The young man shouted excitedly.

The man shook his head, brushed away the hair blocking his eyes, and blinked hard again.

"Brother, it's me, Xiao Lin."

"Little Lin?"

The man panicked, "Why did you come in?"

"No, no, brother, I'm here to save you."

As the young man said, he immediately greeted the head of the prison beside him, "This big brother, he is the person I'm looking for. Hurry up, hurry up, let him out."

"Are you sure it's him?"

"It's him, there's nothing wrong with it."

The head of the prison immediately opened the cell door and said to the man, "You can go out now."

The prisoner said depressedly: "Brother Cha, my hands are still tied."

The young man rushed into the cell immediately, and quickly untied the hemp rope, "Brother, you were locked in, why are you still tied?"

The prisoner said: "I don't blame Brother Cha, it's all my own fault. I always unlocked and slipped out by myself."

An hour later.

Inside a hotel in the southern suburbs of Luoyang.

The man who had just been released would bury his head on the dining table, devouring his food without even bothering to speak.

After a while, the man looked at the empty plates on the table with satisfaction, and heaved a sigh of relief, "Shu Tan, what a comfort!"

He then asked the young man beside him, "Xiao Lin, what's going on? How could you let them release me? Did you spend money?"

The young man said: "Whoever dares to snatch someone from this prison, even if he can spend money to redeem him, how much money will he have to spend to redeem you, brother? Don't you know how many crimes you have committed yourself?"

"Then what the hell is going on?" the man was very confused.

The young man named Xiao Lin suddenly smiled: "Brother, you don't know. A month ago, we went to rob the government, but we accidentally missed and were captured. Fortunately, a nobleman helped him. This nobleman is really powerful. No matter who the prisoner is, if he says a word, the government will release him."

"Then why did he save you?"

"It's just because of our method."

As he spoke, Xiao Lin made a stealing gesture.

"What did he ask us to steal?"

"We don't know exactly what he stole. He just asked me to steal the land deed of a rich family, and then asked me to put the land deed back."

"The title deed? Give it back?"

"Ah."

"Then what are we brothers doing now?"

"He just told us to go to Hezhong Mansion first, and he will arrange tasks for us then."

As he said that, the young man took out another bag, opened it, and saw two household registration books and some silver taels inside.Then he took out another household registration and handed it to the man, "Brother, this is yours. From now on, you will be called Fuqian, and we will be called Fulin. People from Luoyang."

"Whether this household registration is real or fake, no matter how you look at it, it looks the same as the real one."

"It's not the same as the real thing, it's the real thing."

"Really?"

The man frowned, "Do you think this person is...?"

"Brother, people didn't say it, so let's stop guessing. Now that this noble person is helping our brother, we don't have to be afraid anymore, and we can get a lot of money."

(End of this chapter)