I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 237 Thunder strikes the Yamen and provokes the wrath of heaven? How to explain this

July 26th.

City Yiwu was officially opened for business in a government office next to Sansi Yamen.

Wang Anshi, the promotion official, was extremely efficient in his work.

In less than five days, hundreds of Yazi were recruited for the city's business affairs.

have to say.

Bianjing merchants were the most fond of trying new things in the entire Song Dynasty.

Soon, merchants were going to the market to sell goods or buy goods on credit.

To buy on credit in Shiyiwu, you need to mortgage your property or goods, and five people will form a guarantee. After the sale, Shiyiwu will get a cent of the profit.

Faced with such low interest rates, small businessmen in Bianjing City took notice and started taking action one after another.

Small businessmen were happy, but many big businessmen were unhappy.

In the past, the goods in the market were priced by wealthy merchants and profited from the price difference. However, today Yiwu has become the largest agency (intermediary) in Kaifeng Prefecture.

Most of the wealthy businessmen in Kaifeng Prefecture have read books, and they are also the best at creating public opinion.

When they felt that their interests were being harmed, they immediately launched a resistance.

Almost overnight.

Countless negative news about the Market Change Law swept the entire Kaifeng Mansion.

"Shiyiwu is actually a money-making yamen. It wants to collect all the goods in the world and run its own business!"

"It has never happened before in ancient times that the imperial court and merchants competed for profits. If the imperial court wants to monopolize commerce, merchants will have a hard time in the future!"

"Isn't this... this... not contrary to the official investment law? It's really a bad idea for the government to compete with the people for business!"

"This business can't be done. What businessmen are doing is buying at low prices and selling at high prices. But in today's market, Yi Wu is overstepping his authority and abusing his power. The Song Dynasty is going to perish!"

"You small businessmen and hawkers only see immediate profits. You borrow money to do business, but the money you make in the end belongs to the court. You will never be able to do big business!"

"What kind of bad strategy is this? I have to go through the yamen to do business. This has never been said in ancient times!"

……

In addition to speaking among the people and criticizing city affairs, merchants and gentry also began to submit petitions to Kaifeng Mansion, Dengwen Drum Courtyard, and Yushitai.

However, this matter was suppressed by officials.

This day, early in the morning.

The sky is slightly bright.

As soon as Wang Anshi arrived in front of the city's Yiwu Gate, he saw a large brown coffin placed in front of the door.

A hole was opened in the coffin, and a middle-aged man was sitting inside, quarreling with the Kaifeng government officials beside him.

Dozens of people have gathered around, and the number is still increasing.

"I'm a timber businessman. Why do I have to go through the market to set the price? The court doesn't allow random felling of trees. The price is right now. If you think it's expensive, you don't have to buy it. Why do you have to lower the price?"

"You destroyed the trade market and made dirty money!" said a government official.

His understanding of market trading laws is also very superficial, and he only knows that it can prevent small businessmen from being exploited by big businessmen.

"You're farting! I've been working for most of my life. When have I ever squandered other people's money? The court doesn't care about those salt merchants, water transport, and tea merchants, but instead competes with ordinary people like us for profit. It's really shameless!"

"I'm going to fight you today. If you don't give me an explanation, I will die in this coffin!"

……

At this time, Wang Anshi squeezed in from the crowd.

He looked at the middle-aged lumber dealer.

"I am Wang Anshi, the city's Yiwu Tijuan official. If you have any dissatisfaction, you can report it to me!"

The middle-aged timber merchant stood up from the coffin.

"I just want to ask, why does business in Kaifeng Prefecture have to go through the Yiwu?"

"In order to stabilize prices, to reduce profiteers, and to prevent lazy and cunning people from oppressing the poor!" Wang Anshi said seriously.

"But...but you can't deprive us of our right to buy and sell freely. Since ancient times, which dynasty would compete with the people for business?"

"It's not about grabbing business, but with the participation of the imperial court, it can make the goods flow and the country use money!"

"The state uses Rao? It's not just to collect money for the court. Doing this is simply killing the goose to obtain eggs and fishing for the thirsty lake. If this method is implemented throughout the Song Dynasty, we will have no businessmen in the Song Dynasty!" The middle-aged timber merchant was very excited.

Wang Anshi's voice also became serious.

"In order to preserve the Song Dynasty forever, some people have to make sacrifices, but it is completely nonsense for you to say that there are no more merchants in the Song Dynasty!"

"The ugly faces of you officials have finally been revealed! Your interests are not affected by this matter, so why don't you sacrifice? Why don't you call on all scholar-bureaucrats to lower their salaries? Even if your salary is reduced to 10%, you won't starve to death. Even if I don’t freeze to death, I, the Song Dynasty, can be used by the state!”

"It's nonsense. If we can make the country permanent and the country peaceful and the people safe, I, Wang Anshi, are willing to lower my salary or even give up my salary!" Wang Anshi raised his voice.

The middle-aged timber merchant immediately retorted: "You high-ranking scholar-bureaucrats claim to not love money, but in fact you are not short of money. You love fame. In order to be famous for future generations and for official career, you have no regard for the interests of us businessmen. You will become the sinners of the Song Dynasty, and we businessmen who have been harmed by you will always spurn you!"

"Pooh!"

The middle-aged lumber dealer spat on Wang Anshi's clothes.

Two government officials on the side quickly climbed onto the coffin and pushed the middle-aged timber merchant down onto the coffin board.

Insulting officials of the day.

This crime was enough to get him twenty canes.

Wang Anshi waved his hand and said: "Drive him away! He has resentment, I can understand it."

Immediately, Wang Anshi ignored the comments of the surrounding onlookers, wiped the stains on his body, and strode into the Yiwu Yamen.

Wang Anshi also experienced a lot of abuse and dissatisfaction during his three years of reform in Qizhou.

This gave rise to a belief deep in his heart: once he thinks something is right, he will do it even if everyone in the world opposes it.

……

After the coffin blocking the door incident.

What Wang Anshi never expected was that his sentence "make the goods flow and the country use the money" spread to the ears of the merchants, causing an uproar.

Many big businessmen believed that Wang Anshi told the truth.

The purpose of the Market Law was to monopolize commerce and trade and usurp the interests of all big merchants.

This move seems to be beneficial to small businessmen, but it is just to cultivate a group of people who work for the court.

For a time, the discussion among the people about the market change law became even more intense.

……

August eighth.

More than ten well-known businessmen announced that they would soon leave Kaifeng Mansion with all their wealth and go to other places to do business.

There were also several businessmen who simply gave up doing business and opened quality warehouses in Bianjing City.

Their family had a lot of money, and when they knew they couldn't make a profit by doing business, they used the remaining money to start a loan sharking business.

Someone also secretly wrote on the white wall next to the Yiwu: "After the Yiwu Law, there will be no business in the world, only the imperial court."

The trading market in Kaifeng Prefecture was suddenly in chaos.

……

At this time, some officials in the court couldn't bear it anymore.

Officials such as Wen Yanbo, Wu Yu, Song Xiang, and Xia Song complained one after another that the Municipal Change Law enriched the country by taking advantage of wealthy businessmen, which had aroused dissatisfaction among many businessmen, and suggested that the implementation should be stopped immediately. Although Zhao Zhen also had doubts, he still left the memorial unpublished.

He believed that the Municipal Affairs Bureau could calm down the turmoil, and as long as the people at the bottom had no complaints, this method could continue.

……

At night, inside the Reform Department.

Su Liang and six other people were sitting in the meeting hall.

Fan Zhongyan was the first to speak: "You must have heard the recent public opinions. Fortunately, this law was implemented in Kaifeng Mansion. If it had been implemented throughout the Song Dynasty, I am afraid it would have become a mess by now! There is no problem with the original intention of the Market Change Law, but the problem is The Municipal Affairs Bureau has interfered too deeply in the commercial market!”

Too intrusive.

Fan Zhongyan suddenly hit the point. The function of the court government can only be supervision and cannot become the main body of business.

Liang Shi straightened up and added: "In addition to the problems of big businessmen, the loan problems of small traders are also gradually emerging. The ability of these small traders to resist risks is too poor. Currently, six traders have lost money selling goods and are unable to repay. Interest money. Private lending can still be strongly urged. If we force the house and land to be mortgaged, I am afraid we will be scolded by the people!"

The third commander, Wang Yaochen, hesitated for a moment, and then couldn't help but said: "Everyone, should we suspend this strategy at this time?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Anshi became anxious.

"Prime Minister Ji, we just encountered a little setback. We must not give in! Those wealthy businessmen jumped out to oppose, which shows that our purpose of suppressing the annexation family has been very effective!"

"What does it mean to retreat? I feel that this strategy will not only suppress the annexation of the house, but also destroy all the business in Kaifeng Prefecture!"

"Impossible. I also encountered some setbacks when I was first executing the plan in Qizhou, but I quickly got over it. This time it was because these wealthy businessmen spread rumors everywhere. Once compromised, it will be irreversible!"

"Can Qizhou be the same as Kaifeng Prefecture? When Qizhou implemented this law, it was at a time when the law of official recruitment was in vogue, and there were fewer wealthy merchants in Qizhou, so it was impossible to compare with Kaifeng Prefecture."

……

The two of them started arguing anxiously.

Wang Anshi even stood up excitedly. These orders were all made by him. He believed that these small problems were not enough to terminate the market policy.

"Jiefu, sit down and listen to what I have to say!" Su Liang couldn't help scolding.

The person Wang Anshi admired most was Su Liang, so he decided not to argue.

Su Liang thought for a while and said: "I also think that this policy should not be suspended. Because most of the wealthy businessmen are making money illegally, and they should be rectified. But recently, the city's business affairs have indeed been too involved in business, and have been The common people call him the biggest fan of Kaifeng Mansion, which is not a good word. Jiefu, do you admit that you used too much force? As a result, the merchants thought that the imperial court wanted to monopolize commerce and embezzle the wealth of all big merchants! "

"I admit, I did take some risks!" Wang Anshi said seriously.

At this time, Fan Zhongyan said: "Let's do this! Next, increase the loan qualification terms and reduce the number of loans. Then Shiyiwu will only participate in the replacement or purchase of goods whose prices are too high."

"In just a few days, the Yiwu of the city has raised hundreds of Yazi. The number is comparable to that of Yushitai. Let's release half of them! When this policy is implemented throughout the Song Dynasty, we must let the local chief officials handle it flexibly. Otherwise, problems may easily occur!”

Fan Zhongyan gave a compromise method.

"I agree!" Su Liang said first.

"I agree too!" Wang Yaochen, Liang Shi, and Sima Guang also said one after another.

Wang Anshi said hesitantly: "Let's take a step back. What if these businessmen take advantage of it?"

Fan Zhongyan stroked his beard.

"If they take advantage of it, then we will take another half step forward. It is difficult to achieve win-win results through reform, but it must not lead to a catastrophe."

Hearing this, Wang Anshi nodded and said, "I agree too."

At this time, Su Liang smiled slightly: "Gong Fan, I suggest that Ji Xiang and Jie Fu write this reform memorial at the same time, and then hand it over to Jin Zhong and Zhong Shu."

"Haha... ok!" Fan Zhongyan said with a smile.

The six-member group of the Reform Department had quarreled several times, but they had never had a major conflict.

This is all thanks to Su Liang, a peacemaker who can always make the atmosphere very relaxed.

Wang Yaochen and Wang Anshi looked at each other and smiled at each other.

……

The next day.

The Reform Department sent the improved strategy to Ban Zhonghe Zhongshu. Zhao Zhen was quite satisfied with how quickly the Reform Department adjusted the strategy.

at the same time.

The two supervisors, Wang Yaochen and Su Liang, both sat in the Municipal Yiwu Yamen and jointly controlled the extent of the Municipal Yiwu's participation in commerce.

Next, although many big businessmen still insulted Yiwu, there were also many compliments from the people.

……

August 20th, late at night.

As soon as Su Liang arrived home, a heavy rain came suddenly.

Immediately afterwards, there was lightning and thunder, and the rain hit the ground like a string of beads, crackling.

Boom!Boom!

The thunder was so loud it was like exploding in the ears.

Some children would usually be too frightened to hide in the house and dare not come out, but Su Zimu loved the rain so much that after being woken up by the thunder, he cried and clamored to go out to tread water to watch the thunder and lightning.

Tang Wanmei reluctantly carried him to the door, and then Su Zimu pointed outside to go out.

At this time, Su Liang, who had finished washing, strode over.

"Go back to sleep!"

Su Liang raised his hand and stared at Su Zimu.

As soon as he said these words, Su Zimu didn't dare to make any more trouble, and ran to sleep in the house obediently.

He knew that Tang Ze and Tang Wanmei did not dare to beat him, but Su Liang did.

In order to prevent his son from becoming a dandy second-generation official, Su Liang beat him when he needed to be beaten and scolded when he needed to be scolded, showing no mercy.

But for some reason, the more severe Su Liang was, the more Su Zimu liked to cling to Su Liang.

……

The next day, early in the morning.

Although the showers have stopped, there is still water everywhere on the road, and many branches and leaves have been knocked down by the strong wind and rain, leaving a mess.

As soon as Su Liang arrived in front of the Yiwu Yamen, he found a group of people gathered in front of the door.

When he took a closer look, he was a little dumbfounded.

An elm tree in the courtyard was struck by lightning and hit the courtyard gate of Shi Yiwu, and the plaque of Shi Yiwu was also broken into two pieces.

At this time.

Someone in the crowd shouted: "Thunder strikes the market, which shows that it has provoked the wrath of God. God can't stand it any longer. Such methods that harm business should be stopped immediately! Otherwise, God will definitely be angry again!"

Su Liang couldn't help but frown.

He did not find this natural phenomenon strange. Thunderstorms occur frequently in summer, and it is not uncommon to see downed trees.

Smashing the plaque was just a coincidence.

But at the moment, the theory of destiny still dominates. There is drought and no rain in various places, so Zhao Zhen has to rush to worship the sky.

Now, if the city's business affairs are struck by lightning, someone will definitely make a fuss about it.

Su Liang looked at the trees that were scorched black by lightning, and murmured in his heart: If someone demands the termination of the market transaction law due to this natural disaster, how should they explain it?

At this time, Wang Anshi walked out of it.

"Don't stand around, it's just a thunder, it's just an accident. Clean up this place quickly!" Wang Anshi ordered the surrounding guards. He never believed in destiny.

(End of this chapter)