Timing is critical.
No matter what you do.
The same words said today may get you beheaded, but if said tomorrow, you may get promoted and become rich.
Why didn't Zhang Fei make any suggestions to Xu Zun in the past, and at most only discussed legal ideas with Xu Zun? The reason was that Xu Zun was not the Vice-Chancellor, and his power was limited to the Dali Temple. Moreover, the administrative system of the Northern Song Dynasty that divided power would restrict him everywhere. If he wanted to revise any regulations, he had to report it, and it was unknown when the report would be made. However, in the end, the decision was made by the Vice-Chancellor.
That's why when he wanted to amend some regulations before, progress was always very slow.
But it is different now. Sima Guang is in charge of the Criminal Court as the Vice Prime Minister. He has the power to reform the judiciary, and on the first day in office, he also showed a strong desire for judicial reform.
This coincides with Xu Zun's desire.
If you bring it up again at this time, there is a great chance of success.
Early the next morning, Xu Zun took this strategy to discuss with Sima Guang.
"Xu Sishi is truly worthy of being the number one law enforcer in our dynasty. This strategy is truly ingenious."
After reading it, Sima Guang couldn't help but praise Xu Zun.
He completely forgot that when he was trying Ayun, he directly called Xu Zun a disgrace to the judiciary.
Xu Zun couldn't stand this kind of praise, mainly because it wasn't what he had in mind. But thinking that if it was Zhang Fei's plan, it would only cause complications and be useless, he smiled awkwardly and quickly changed the subject, saying, "But this plan does have a drawback, which is that it may increase government expenses."
Sima Guang glanced at Xu Zun's face and saw that he was clear-headed. He did not point it out and said with a smile, "In fact, it won't increase much. As long as some government offices are slightly rectified, it won't be a big problem."
This statement is obviously directed at Wang Anshi's reforms.
He is like that, so why can't I do the same
... ...
There is no doubt that this year is definitely a year of reform.
Wang Anshi wanted to reform.
Sima Guang also wanted to reform.
Even Zhang Fei was carrying out a vigorous reform in the bookstore.
The first step is to occupy the magpie's nest.
I saw more than ten big men carrying things in and out.
"This time, I really wronged you."
Zhang Fei stood in the yard, watching the porters moving furniture out one by one, and said to Fan Li in a hypocritical manner: "But don't worry, sir. The rent is definitely not low, enough for you to rent a good house outside."
The bookstore wanted to expand, but there were no houses available for rent or sale, so Fan Li had to move out first and have his house incorporated into the bookstore.
Fan Li waved his hands and said, "This is just a small matter, don't worry about it. When do you plan to reopen?"
Zhang Fei hesitated for a moment and said, "It would be best if we could do it within the next two days. Although the back is not ready yet, the front has been renovated. We can use it for now. Time is precious and we can't wait any longer."
Fan Li asked again: "Will you introduce tax-based transactions then?"
When talking about this taxable transaction, he looked nervous.
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Of course. Otherwise, there would be no need to rush like this."
Fan Li said anxiously, "But I heard that the Three Departments, the Transportation Department, and the Capital Commercial Taxation Bureau have been in frequent contact with merchants recently. I'm afraid they won't let us succeed."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "That's why it's profitable. If everyone can do it, then why should we do it?"
Fan Li’s idea seemed to be right. Isn’t that why he agreed to cooperate with Zhang Fei
Just then, a servant came in and said, "Sir, Master Fan from Baifan Tower wants to see you."
"Master Fan?"
Fan Li was stunned for a moment, then looked at Zhang Fei and said, "I have no contact with him. He must be here to see you."
Zhang Fei nodded slightly.
Fan Li's guess was correct, Fan Zheng was looking for Zhang Fei.
"To be honest, Third Brother, I came here today because my father asked me to ask you, Third Brother, are you really planning to launch a tax-based business?"
"How can this be false?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "In two days our bookstore will be officially opened, and we will then launch tax-based sales."
After hearing this, Fan Zheng frowned.
Zhang Fei said with a smile: "Da Lang, you can say whatever you want."
Fan Zheng apologized: "I'm so sorry, we at Baifanlou may not come to your bookstore to calculate the tax, but will choose to go to Li's bookstore."
Fan Li was horrified, "Why is this?"
Fan Zheng looked at Zhang Fei nervously.
Zhang Fei's eyes flashed with joy, but he said, "Doing business is a matter of mutual consent. If you, Baifanlou, choose another family, that's fine too. But I'm curious, what advantages does the Li family have?"
Fan Zheng sighed, "It's not that they have any advantages, but... it's that the higher-ups are hinting to Baifanlou that if we come to your bookstore to calculate taxes, then it will be difficult for us to get the imperial court's wine yeast, and the salt and sugar will all be sold to other places. This wine is the foundation of our Baifanlou!"
"Oh, kid! What should we do?" Fan Li stood up anxiously.
Zhang Fei frowned and asked Fan Zheng, "The court can use this trick to force you not to come to me, so why do they still want you to go to Li's Bookstore from Baifanlou? Isn't this unnecessary?"
Fan Zheng said: "I personally think that the court wants to use this trick to suppress your store. If merchants go to Li's bookstore to calculate taxes, they will naturally gradually alienate your store, including other businesses."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "It's just as I thought!"
Fan Li said depressedly: "We worked so hard for so long, but ended up shooting ourselves in the foot."
Zhang Fei glanced at Fan Li and said with a smile: "Mr. Fan, please be patient. We are big business people. We should be calm and not let others laugh at us."
As they were talking, Ma Tianhao and Chen Maoqian also arrived.
"Fan Zheng meets Uncle Ma and Uncle Chen."
"Your father is really smart. He let you do this annoying thing." After Ma Tianhao teased Fan Zheng, he laughed at Zhang Fei and said, "Zhang San, you have hit a wall this time!"
Zhang Fei asked with a smile: "I wonder what means the three officials used to force our brother Hao to surrender."
Ma Tianhao didn't mind being called that. He sat down next to Zhang Fei and said with a grin, "This is a request from Xiangguo Temple. You know, without the support of Xiangguo Temple, we can't get the mortgage."
Chen Maoqian said, "Zhang San, you really made a wrong move! Today they can force us not to come to your bookstore to collect taxes, and tomorrow they can force us not to come to you to sign a contract."
Zhang Fei snorted, "It hasn't even started yet, and you're going to rule me the loser?"
Ma Tianhao cheered up and laughed, "I told you that you won't give up easily. I also want to see what other tricks you have that can subdue even the three divisions."
Chen Maoqian said, "You can't win this time. Tea, rice, oil, salt, wine and sugar are all controlled by the imperial court. They can't do anything to you, but it's easy to mess with us!"
Fan Zheng hurriedly said, "Uncle Chen is right. The imperial court has too many ways to deal with us. I'm afraid that all merchants would not dare to come to your bookstore to collect taxes."
Zhang Fei said with a smile: "Everyone, as the richest people in Beijing, how can you be so short-sighted? I don't care if I don't do this business. I can still make money by suing, and I won't lose anything. But if you back down this time, you won't be able to break free in the future."
The two old foxes and the little fox exchanged glances for a while.
Chen Maoqian suddenly said, "That's true, but we don't dare to gamble with our lives. Take Baifanlou for example. The Fan family relied on connections to get a lot of koji from the court to make so much wine. If the court cuts off their koji, Baifanlou may not even last three months."
Just talk about yourself, why mention my Baifan Building!
Fan Zheng glanced at Chen Maoqian gloomily, but since he was his elder after all, he didn't say much and just nodded in agreement.
Ma Tianhao suddenly laughed and said, "You two should stop pretending. Zhang San is a very smart guy. He won't be able to guess what you are thinking."
As he said this, he directly said to Zhang Fei: "Zhang San, if you can win, then we can come and support you later. There is no need to take risks with you now. If you are really capable, then open a way out for us."
Chen Maoqian and Fan Zheng were so embarrassed that they both turned red.
But that's how it is.
Even if they do not support Zhang Fei now, if Zhang Fei succeeds in the future, they will have multiple routes to escape, so there is no need to take risks.
Zhang Fei was so angry that his teeth itched, and he laughed and scolded: "You ** merchants, you speak so bluntly, aren't you afraid of scaring Mr. Fan?"
The three of them looked at Fan Li at the same time.
Fan Li was a well-known person after all, so how could he bear being teased like this? He snorted, "If you're not afraid, why should I be afraid?"
But after they left, Fan Li immediately became timid again, "Sanlang, shall we... shall we continue?"
Zhang Fei laughed and said, "Why not?"
... ...
When I got home, Gao Wenyin and the others were not back yet, only Li Si and Xiaotao were there. Li Si, the fake fool, ran to help Xiaotao with work as soon as he got home.
After sitting alone for a while, Zhang Fei thought about going to Xu's house.
Just as I arrived at the back door, the back door opposite opened, and I saw Xu Zhiqian and her two families appear at the door with blushing faces.
The two looked at each other and smiled at the same time.
"It seems like you drank a lot today!" Zhang Fei said with a smile.
Today, Xu Zhiqian went out on a boat trip with her girlfriends, so she did not go to Fan's Bookstore with Zhang Fei.
"Not much."
Xu Zhiqian subconsciously touched her cheek with her hand and changed the subject, "How are the preparations at the Fan Family Bookstore going?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "I encountered a little trouble."
Xu Zhiqian asked hurriedly: "What's the trouble?"
Zhang Fei immediately informed Xu Zhiqian of what happened today.
Xu Zhiqian frowned slightly and said, "I told you that your business is not easy to do, but you didn't believe me. The Three Departments are the most powerful government offices in the Song Dynasty. Even if they can't punish you, they can still stop merchants from dealing with you."
This is absolutely true, because the Song Dynasty attached great importance to commercial development and at the same time had huge state-owned institutions. Almost all the daily needs of the people were controlled by the court.
For example, the yeast for brewing wine could only be purchased from the imperial court.
If Baifanlou does not obey, once the imperial court restricts the use of liquor koji in Baifanlou, Baifanlou will immediately lose its status as the number one restaurant in the capital.
Now Zhang Fei has offended the Transportation Bureau again, which is even worse. Merchants rely on buying and selling here and there.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Since I dare to do this, I am sure of it. How can I be defeated by them so easily?"
Xu Zhiqian asked hurriedly: "What do you mean?"
"opportunity."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "In fact, I have always relied on timing to win. Let them be arrogant for a while, and then I will take them down in one fell swoop."