I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 100 National discussion, Su Liang returns to Beijing (please vote for me)

The next day, it was just dawn.

The memorial from Wang Yaochen, the envoy of the Third Secretary, was presented to Chui Gong Hall.

Last night, he was so excited when he saw Su Liang's words that "a few days' gift is as good as a full year".

If you are not in charge of your family, you don't know how expensive firewood is.

After Emperor Zhenzong granted the title of Zen to Mount Tai and rewarded hundreds of officials, the finances of the Song Dynasty began to be stretched and a crisis emerged.

At present, the fiscal revenue of the Song Dynasty mainly includes land tax (because it is collected in summer and autumn, also known as two taxes), miscellaneous taxes (economic system, folded silk, personal money, labor money, etc.), monopoly income, and commercial tax income , official land income, etc.

Song's financial income was not large.

During the Taizong period, the annual income was more than [-] million yuan, twice that of the Tang Dynasty.

After Taizong, fiscal revenue increased steadily. By the Qingli period, comprehensive fiscal revenue had exceeded [-] million.

However, this increasing fiscal revenue is not a sign of the prosperity of the Song Dynasty, but the result of additional taxes and excessive levies on the people.

Da Song, there are too many places to spend money!

Military expenses, official salaries, royal expenses, sacrifices, rewards, annual coins, etc...

Everything forced Sansi to live within his means and budget carefully.

When the money was not enough, they tried different ways to get it from the hands of the people, but now they can no longer get it.

Today, trade taxes are as important as land taxes.

When Wang Yaochen heard about Qizhou's method of promoting trade prosperity, he was naturally very supportive. This move could relieve the urgent needs of the three divisions.

Therefore, he requested Zhao Zhen in his memorial: a method similar to Qizhou's investment promotion method could be carried out throughout the Song Dynasty, so that local officials could attract investment and promote the development of multi-state commerce.

After reading it, Zhao Zhen put the memorial aside, picked up Su Liang's memorial and read it again.

He is also very excited.

The country's financial resources represent the emperor's backbone.

If the national treasury is strong now, the people will live and work in peace and contentment.

Zhao Zhen will also have the idea of ​​​​opening up the territory to expand the territory and regain Yanyun.

There is no emperor who does not want to complete the great unification, carry out the unfinished business of his ancestors, and win the name of a holy king through the ages.

But the premise is that there must be sufficient financial support.

at the same time.

Xia Song, Wang Gongchen and others also presented their memorials one after another.

They claimed that Su Liang's memorial was a special case in Qizhou. If other state capitals followed Qizhou's example, it would inevitably cause civil strife.

In addition, they believe that the most serious thing is that this move makes scholar-bureaucrats associate with the stinking of coppers and goes against the teachings of saints, so it should be stopped immediately.

If all officials work for the sake of copper odor, there will be no good and upright officials in the world.

Zhao Zhen understood that these were actually just words for the occasion.

What these officials really care about is that once this happens, the status and honor of scholar-bureaucrats will rapidly decline.

Like the boss of a hotel.

Originally sitting at the counter leisurely drinking tea and checking the accounts, he was suddenly asked to hang a rag on his shoulder, go to the door to greet guests warmly, and bend down to wipe the table. Naturally, he lost his face.

one day.

Zhao Zhen received more than 30 memorials.

Most of the officials in Beijing sided with Xia Song and Wang Gongchen.

This reminded Zhao Zhen of the indignant opposition from officials when Fan Zhongyan restricted official promotions and suppressed the Enyin system during the New Deal.

At that time, it was destroying the jobs of scholar-officials.

Now, it is not so easy for the scholar-bureaucrats and officials to eat this bowl of rice.

Zhao Zhen suddenly had an illusion and murmured: "Why do I feel like the reform has begun again!"

……

at this time.

Wang Gongchen also wrote an article called: "On Good Officials".

The core of this article is: A good official is knowledgeable and virtuous, will not be misled by the smell of money, and loves the people rather than looking down on himself.

This article is to refute what Ouyang Xiu said in "On Official Servants": officials are servants of the people.

Wang Gongchen believes that Ouyang Xiu is complimenting the people and seeking fame. Good officials are the parents of the people, not cattle and horses.

As the number one scholar, his articles are still very confusing.

Moreover, he spent his own money and ordered many copies to be copied and distributed among the people, attracting the attention of the people.

For a time, the national discussion in Bianjing City was once again staged.

Some people think--

Officials' salaries come from the taxes of the people, and they should be servants of the people, not superiors.

What happened in Qizhou is that "the governor of the state sits in an official position and the general magistrate guards the post house" is actually a blessing for the people of Qizhou.

Some people also think——

The Song Dynasty has always advocated that scholar-bureaucrats and kings rule the world together. Officials are the managers of the people of the world, not cattle and horses.

Ouyang Xiu's words were actually a way to gain fame and praise, and to compliment the people, while Qizhou's policy was nothing more than a ploy to please the public.

Literati in teahouses and restaurants, businessmen and lackeys, and even dandy boys drinking with their arms around the kaikou in the bars were all talking about this matter with saliva.

There were even many fights.

In terms of blood and character, the people of Bianjing are tougher than the imperial army guarding Bianjing.

In fact, this is a challenge by the common people to the power of officials.

The governor of the state sits on the official road, and the general magistrate guards the post house.Let the common people see that scholar-bureaucrats and officials can have another look.

……

In the vertical arch hall.

Zhao Zhen was looking at the three memorials in a daze.

One came from Fan Zhongyan, one from Fu Bi, and one from Yan Shu, Yan Tongshu, who was the former Prime Minister of Taiping and was demoted to foreign posts.

Fan Zhongyan and Fu Bi supported that all state capitals should learn from Qizhou's changes.

Officials should be humble and worry about the common people. This is the responsibility of the scholar-bureaucrats.

Fan Zhongyan and Fu Bi were well aware of the financial worries of the Song Dynasty, and understood that the prosperity of commerce would bring great benefits to restraining land annexation, so they were very supportive.

But Yan Shu's view is a bit pessimistic.

He believed that this matter violated the ancestral system and would inevitably arouse the dissatisfaction of scholar-bureaucrats and officials. Moreover, Qizhou's policy may not be suitable for the whole country, so it should be handled with caution to avoid officials becoming resentful again.

As Zhao Zhen's teacher when he was young, Yan Shu taught him the most: to guard the country and put caution first.

This also causes Zhao Zhen to always think twice about doing things, and rarely does anything insistent.

But this time, he didn't intend to listen to Yan Shu's opinion.

At this moment, Du Yan and Wu Yu came outside the door to see him.

The two of them held several memorials in their hands, and Du Yan was the first to speak: "The official family, eight governors of Xuzhou, Haizhou, Yangzhou, etc. have submitted memorials, requesting that Qizhou's method of attracting merchants be used for business in this state!"

"In addition, the governor of Haizhou has secretly learned Qizhou's investment strategy, but he went not to the official road, but to the dock!" Wu Yu said, somewhat dumbfounded.

"Ok?"

Zhao Zhen couldn't help but feel a little surprised.

Seventy percent of the officials in Bianjing City were opposed to Qizhou's investment strategy.

After he turned over the memorial, he couldn't help but understand it instantly.

These people's goals are simple and direct.

For career.

There are many evaluation criteria for the promotion of local officials, such as encouraging teachers to teach farmers and mulberry trees, settling prison lawsuits, the quality of official reputation, the amount of taxes, etc.

But the hardest indicator is taxes.

A state with high taxes is a rich state, and the main criterion for government promotion is taxes.The biggest function of Qizhou's investment promotion method is to increase taxes.

Naturally, these state officials also want to increase taxes to get promoted.

Zhao Zhen couldn't help but laugh after seeing it.

Although this purpose is somewhat utilitarian, this kind of self-motivation is still worthy of praise.

Du Yan cupped his hands and said: "The officials, I think, whether the strategy of attracting investment in Qizhou is feasible and whether it should be done is the most important strategy itself. Now it is far from enough to just rely on 'know the state and sit in the official position, and pass the magistrate to guard the post house'" , if this strategy is really implemented, specific details should be drawn up and its pros and cons should be judged before it can be implemented!"

Zhao Zhen nodded.

"Indeed. According to my decree, Wang Anshi, Sima Guang, and probably Su Liang will formulate a detailed investment strategy, and then the court will discuss it!"

"I obey!" Du Yan and Wu Yu handed over their hands at the same time.

soon.

The censor Zhongcheng Wang Gongchen learned about the news that several magistrates requested Xi Qizhou's changes.

He couldn't help but fly into a rage.

"Idiots! A group of idiots! They only see immediate benefits, but completely ignore the ethics of officials and bow to the filth of copper. It is really a shame for a scholar-bureaucrat!"

"No, I want to write another memorial to advise. I, Wang Gongchen, want to set a good example for the scholar-bureaucrats and officials in the world!"

"A hundred years from now, future generations will know that I, Wang Gongchen, truly cares about the country and the country. Those gentle scum who are trying to flatter others by shouting that the people are their masters will surely be spurned by officials all over the world!"

In Wang Gongchen's heart, since he entered the official career, he has worked hard and devoted himself to the Song Dynasty. He is the hardest-working and most virtuous official in the entire court.

But there were too many villains, which kept him in a state of oppression, which could even be called underappreciated.

He didn't realize at all that he also had some problems.

……

Qizhou Yamen, early in the morning.

Su Liang, Wang Anshi and Sima Guang slowly walked out of the study, yawning.

Everyone's face is full of exhaustion.

The three of them stayed up all night and jointly wrote an "Official Investment Recruitment Book".

At this moment, Zhao Zhen's order for them to write an investment strategy has not yet been sent.

The three of them knew it very well.

No matter how noisy Bianjing is, it will be useless if there is no feasible solution.

Many people only see the surface.

It is thought that if the magistrate of the state sits on the official road and the magistrate guards in the post house, the state's commerce will be prosperous.

How can it be!

The governor of the state sits on the official road and the general magistrate guards the post house, which expresses the attitude of the local chief official towards commerce. Su Liang initially used this method to solve the rumor that "the people who cut the path are many" in Qizhou.

Recruiting investment through officials will test the charisma of the officials and the full cooperation and support of the people and businessmen of the state.

Nothing short of it will do.

This article, "Official Investment Promotion Book", describes the detailed methods of using the status of local officials to prosper commerce. It also talks about business alliances between multiple state capitals, and even puts forward some opinions on border settlements and maritime trade. .

Due to the existence of Xixia, the Silk Road has been completely blocked. The only thing that the Song Dynasty could vigorously develop was the Maritime Silk Road.

Immediately, Wang Anshi ordered the post soldiers to send this article to Bianjing.

Last night, the three of them discussed it for a long time.

If this official investment law could be implemented throughout the Song Dynasty, the benefits would be immeasurable.

First of all, officials will do their best to evaluate their performance, which will greatly enhance the initiative of local officials.

Most of these officials have no ambition to strengthen the Song Dynasty, but if they can be promoted, they will be full of motivation.

Secondly, once the Official Investment Promotion Law is implemented, the obstacles to the implementation of restraints on land annexation throughout the Song Dynasty will be greatly reduced, and the implementation of the Young Crops Law in the future can also be implemented smoothly.

This is the meaning and energy of the Qizhou Reform.

Everything was laid out for the reform of the entire Song Dynasty.

Wang Anshi and Sima Guang admired Su Liang so much that they didn't expect Su Liang to play such a big game of chess.

In fact, Su Liang also came out step by step by mistake.

"Jiefu, Junshi, I will go back and take a nap first, and I will return to Beijing in the afternoon. Next, Bianjing is my stage, and Qizhou is your stage. Finally, let me say one more thing."

Before Su Liang could speak, Wang Anshi and Sima Guang shook their heads and said in a longer voice: "If you are in Qizhou and have the world in mind, then the reform can be accomplished!"

"Hahahaha..." All three of them couldn't help laughing.

Then, Su Liang strode towards the room.

Wang Anshi and Sima Guang looked at Su Liang's back and suddenly bowed deeply to him.

Su Liang's trip had a great impact on the two of them.

Severely punishing low-level officials and subordinates made the two feel the power they had in Qizhou's autonomy.

Recruiting merchants on official roads allowed them to see the huge benefits that not taking the ordinary path would bring to Qizhou.

It turns out that the reform has become not only a legal policy, but also a way and means of doing things.

Especially that night.

Su Liang's long conversation with them was something they would never forget.

They completely understood what the reform was, why it was implemented, how to use the changes in Qizhou and the changes in the world, and how the Song Dynasty should take the future path...

……

Three days later.

Before Su Liang arrived in Bianjing City, the "Official Investment Recruitment Letter" had been submitted to Zhao Zhen's imperial case.

This book was jointly written by Wang Anshi, Sima Guang and Su Liang.

Whether it is literary talent or organization, it can be called a work of art in the court memorial.

They also did not forget to draw a big cake for Zhao Zhen. If the official investment strategy goes smoothly, within three years, the Song Dynasty will change and the commercial tax amount can be doubled.

It is beneficial to the people, beneficial to the court, and even more beneficial to the eternal foundation of the Song Dynasty.

As long as there are no worries about war, the Song Dynasty will surely prosper and get better and better.

As the mainstay of the court, scholar-bureaucrats should sacrifice themselves for the public good, lower their heads, work for the people, and enrich the Song Dynasty.

Zhao Zhen was very excited when he saw it.

Immediately, it was passed to Zhongshu, and the scribes who entered the memorial hall were quickly copied and passed to various yamen.

As soon as the "Official Recruitment Book" came out, Wang Gongchen's "On Good Officials" was quickly suppressed.

Many people even think that Ouyang Xiu's "On Official Servants" is not that exciting.

The official investment strategy is well-founded.

It does not say that officials should be the people's oxen, nor does it say how officials should govern the people.

In the article, official investment promotion is completely regarded as the obligation and responsibility of local officials.

"The chief official of one side is the support of the people. He is not afraid of death. What else can he say?"

"Running for people's livelihood, sacrificing oneself to seek justice, and bending one's head to pave the way are truly the virtues of a saint."

……

soon.

This article spread to the people of Bianjing City.

Some literati who originally opposed Qizhou's investment strategy changed their minds instantly after reading this article.

This is the power of words, the power of strategy.

At this moment, Wang Gongchen also got this "Official Investment Recruitment Book".

When he saw half of it, he tore it into pieces and murmured: "This is a disgrace to the country. Once this is done, all the scholars and officials in the world will be immoral. You must not do it, you must not do it!"

　Note: Taizong's annual income was more than [-] million yuan, twice that of the Tang Dynasty. During the Qingli period, the fiscal revenue exceeded [-] million yuan.The data are all from Huang Chunyan's "Financial History of the Song Dynasty".Please do not compare the tax amounts of the Ming Dynasty. The calculation methods of the two dynasties are completely different (I am afraid of being trolled by Ming fans, please stop trolling)
　　Thanks to book friend Adu DJ for the tip, thank you very much!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)