After rebirth, I joined forces with my mortal enemy to seek revenge.

The opening of the river in Qili Port is related to the taxation and transportation of grain in the Jianghuai River. The Jianghuai water transport system is so huge, but many water ships are sunk due to the danger and obstruction of the Yellow River. When transporting grain, in addition to being guarded and stolen, the waterway is difficult to navigate, and it is easy for more than half of the grain to be damaged. Although the Huaixi Jiedushi next to him expressed his support for the imperial court, it did not represent the future.

The tax transportation delayed by the Huanqi Rebellion will set sail soon. What Emperor Wei meant was that no matter what the situation in the Jianghuai River was, he must ensure that a new river channel was dug before the spring of next year. This is to allow the Jianghuai River to smoothly transport taxed grain and salt profits into Chang'an.

She also learned about Jianghuai's situation before coming here. As a transshipment hub for transporting grain, Yangzhou was able to withstand Huan Qi's pressure, which showed that his treasury was rich in funds. Before she came, she asked Emperor Wei for the power to act expediently in order to put pressure on the local governor. So that they could fully assist her in opening the river, and while carrying out the canal reform, the Buddhist temples were abolished and the Salt Law was reformed.

She connected these things together in the name of opening the river. The purpose is to consolidate the financial and profit transfer department and re-adjust the state expenditure. If this method can be successfully completed, building a more perfect waterway starting from Yangzhou can greatly reduce the cost of water transportation. With the restrictions on Buddhism and the reform of the salt system, Zuozang no longer has to worry about running out of money.

She is now in Zhongshu and has a lot of authority. If these things can be accomplished, it will create an unparalleled political achievement for her. If you continue to operate like this, you will be able to achieve your goal soon.

Although her idea was suspected of enriching the country, Emperor Wei could not refuse her. The most direct benefit of reopening the river is to limit the corruption of water transport officials and increase the amount of grain transported. At the same time, it can eliminate the threat to Chang'an from the feudal towns near the canal. In addition to reducing the cost of water transportation, such a thing can have benefits for generations to come.

The reason why Kaihe did not let Du spend money this time was to target the Buddhist temple. It was also because of the cost of maintenance that she had to attract Jiangnan wealthy people to invest and maintain it together with her.

Also for the imperial court, such a huge expenditure as opening the river and subsequent maintenance required a lot of money. The court will pay for it in the early stage, and the cost of maintenance will be extremely high. But if the place is tied here from the beginning, they can jointly maintain it, and at the same time the court can understand the situation.

"No. It's just that the treasury has spent a lot of money on the cost of opening the river. Can the court exempt the two taxes next year?" Shen Yunzhou looked ashamed, "so that we can take a breather."

Pei Jiaoran could probably figure out Shen Yunzhou's thoughts. In recent years, it is not uncommon for the imperial court and local governments to use different methods to compete for mutual benefit. He was worried that the state government paid too much money and the court might not buy it in the future.

"As far as I know, Yangzhou's treasury is sufficient to be self-sufficient." Pei Jiaoran said with a smile.

"Xiangong Pei hasn't stayed here for a few years." Shen Yunzhou smiled, showing his white teeth, "Today is different from the past. In the past few years, the court was relatively tolerant to Jianghuai, but since the three towns of Heshuo became more and more rampant, the Jianghuai's taxes are also higher than before. We also have to take care of money for eliminating strangers and money for young crops. Although the people are dissatisfied, they only talk about it and will pay it in the end. After all, the days are relatively peaceful, so it will be over if you bite the bullet. "

"But this year is different. Yangzhou was able to block Huan Qi's several attacks because the top and bottom were united and everything he did was bad government. When the court opened the river, it could use the sergeants who had returned home because of the reduction of troops. But these people are not necessarily easy to discipline. The state government We still have to devote a lot of energy to maintenance. The government is short of manpower. If we want to cooperate with other new policies and even guard against salt lords, we have to protect the people. Only when the top and bottom are united can the implementation of any new policy go smoothly."

"But if we can't protect the interests of the people on basic issues, won't there be a second Li Fu in Yangzhou? Prime Minister Pei can't have another Li Fu in Yangzhou, otherwise how will we raise the two taxes in the coming year. There is a price for maintaining stability. . If the court cannot devote attention to maintaining stability, how will it collect taxes?"

Pei Jiaoran suppressed the smile on his face and said solemnly: "I didn't say that I won't protect the people. You and I both understand the king's boat and the people's water. But if the new river channel can be completed as soon as possible, isn't it beneficial to the people?"

"Xiangong Pei, opening the river will benefit the people, but it will also benefit the court. The court needs the tax support from Jianghuai, but excessive taxes will only make the people's lives more difficult. The state government has the obligation to tax, and it must also turn this obligation into a favor for the court. Get out. It is still the court that ultimately benefits. "

Pei Jiaoran raised his lips and said, "That's right. But why is Governor Shen unwilling to take care of this matter at the same time?"

"It's not that I don't want to, but that I can't. There are advantages and disadvantages. Although some are good governance, they must have disadvantages. Four counties are currently suffering from disasters. Although the prefecture relocated the people in time, they still suffered losses. At this time You have to go down to the disaster-stricken county offices and see their difficulties. Instead of looking ahead and ignoring the future."

Hearing this, Pei Jiaoran sneered. Shen Yunzhou's words of "not caring about the past and the future" are clearly satirizing that she only cares about political achievements and does not care about the lives of the people. This leads to limitations in formulating policies.

She also understood that Shen Yunzhou was worried that she would leave immediately. Leave him a mess. The imperial court wanted more benefits, but it ignored the local resistance it would bring. But Shen Yunzhou was just speaking for local financial interests as a local official.

Although the new law is good, it does not make things difficult for the state. Especially when a disaster occurs, the state government has to bear the pressure and ask the court for tax exemption to ensure local stability.

"The place is difficult, and the court is even more difficult. If we can understand each other's hardships, it is not impossible to make concessions." Pei Jiaoran said.

"Then how do we give in?" The two looked at each other.

The shift from competing for benefits to mutual concessions means that the court needs to transfer benefits again, and the money collected from Zuozang will also decrease. Pei Jiaoran narrowed his eyes slightly and stared at Shen Yunzhou.

Pei Jiaoran suddenly raised his hand and gave a high-five, "I thought Shen Governor was a wonderful person before, but now I find it even more interesting. No wonder he can block Huan Qi's attack. But I still want to ask Shen Governor a question. Who are you saying these words for? .”

"Everything we do is for the public. The imperial court collects taxes, and local governments are ordered to pay taxes. This is a game in itself. Local governments tend sheep on behalf of the emperor. Only fertile water and grass can attract sheep. Barren land cannot allow sheep to stop. Without sheep, there is no tax.”

"I am the governor, and all I can worry about is the states and counties under my rule. The people under my rule can live a stable life. If they pay their taxes to the county on time, everyone can live a peaceful life. As for the direction of the imperial government in Chang'an, no one knows Care. Mr. Pei and Wang Mang are living examples in the history books. Some things that appear to be good governance are actually not good."

The core of the implementation of any new decree is to reduce internal friction in society and calm people's uneasiness. Rather than destroying the original social order and worsening public sentiment. As a person in a high position trying to subvert the order when formulating the New Deal, it is tantamount to seeking death. And it is precisely because of this that Wang Mang remains in the history books, a unique existence.

The abolition of slavery he promoted from his perspective caused many wealthy families to confront him. The subsequent five-baht and six-baht policies put an even heavier burden on the new dynasty at that time, not to mention the four currency changes to the five-baht coin, which directly caused the world to fall apart. His various reforms are undoubtedly an act of political incompetence.

Looking at Shen Yunzhou, Pei Jiaoran smiled. She knows that it takes time to maintain social costs and order in this world. But he didn’t say how long it would take.