The information provided by Fan Zheng and others did not make Zhang Fei change his original plan.
It is true that even though one knows there is a tiger in the mountain, one still goes there.
Fan's bookstore reopened three days later and launched a tax calculation plan.
Early in the morning, Lushi Lane.
A brand new sign slowly rose up.
Starting today, Fanjia Bookstore will be officially renamed "Bianjing Law Firm".
Get it done in one step, no longer pursuing any ancient charm, and no longer needing to find a lawyer.
Because in reality, the lawyer is no longer able to convey what Zhang Fei wants to express.
Of course, Zhang Fei still has a little bit of thoughts.
Just change the ear pen.
Nowadays, in order to express their respect for him, many people simply call him Zhang Erbi or Erbi Zhang. On the contrary, those officials like to add "zhiren" or something like that to express their derogatory term.
In an instant, gongs and drums sounded and firecrackers blasted.
The entire Lushi Lane was crowded with people and filled with smoke.
"Zhang Sanlang! Congratulations! Congratulations!"
"Thank you very much! Thank you very much!"
"Sorry! Sorry!"
"Where! Where!"
... ..
"Mr. Fei, congratulations! Congratulations!"
"Thank you! Thank you! Please come in! Please come in quickly."
... ..
All the wealthy and prominent businessmen in Bian Jing came here to congratulate, but they only congratulated Zhang Fei and then went into the Fei family bookstore opposite, or the Li family bookstore diagonally opposite.
Fan Li, dressed in festive attire, looked at the guests who had not entered the house and felt ashamed to see them. He turned his face away and did not even bother to say hello to them.
Only Zhang Fei acted like an idiot, smiling and greeting some acquaintances.
He always believed that as long as I was not embarrassed, others would be embarrassed.
This is also true.
Later on, some businessmen who knew Zhang Fei kept their heads down when passing by the Bian Jing Law Firm, pretending not to see anything.
It turns out that today, seven major bookstores including Li Guozhong have also launched the same tax calculation business at the same time.
A bookshelf takes charge of one or several lines of taxable business.
Very detailed and appears very professional.
But in fact, the Commercial and Taxation Bureau specially sent accountants to be stationed in their bookstore. It can be understood as the Commercial and Taxation Bureau expanding its territory, but there is no essential change.
Of course they will recognize the taxes calculated by the Commercial Tax Institute.
This is obviously aimed at Zhang Fei.
If it is just about calculating taxes, the three departments would not be so cautious and would just treat it as an auxiliary.
In fact, many private businesses in the Song Dynasty were to assist government operations.
This is why the Sansi’s control over the people was far greater than that of Kaifeng Prefecture, which combined administration and justice.
Money is the key.
But Zhang Fei combined tax calculation with law. Simply put, he used his methods to ensure that tax laws were enforced fairly, which was definitely an infringement of power.
The three offices would not allow themselves to be constrained by Zhang Fei, nor would they allow themselves to be constrained by other bookstores.
Therefore, the three departments sent their own accountants to be stationed there instead of actually letting the major bookstores to carry out this business.
There is another key benefit to doing this. If there is a problem with the tax calculation, the Commercial Tax Institute will not be the first to bear the brunt of the impact, but the bookstore in front.
For Li Guozhong and others, although this business does not belong to them and they still have to make room for the Three Divisions and assume some responsibilities, they are very happy to do so because with the help of the Three Divisions, they are not afraid of Zhang Fei.
Before Zhang Fei moved into Fan’s Bookstore, they were all very scared.
Now, relying on the relationship with the three companies, these merchants can only go to their bookstore, and in the future, many businesses will naturally come to them.
The best solution is to resolve it privately.
Going to court is too hurtful.
"Sanlang, how could such a small tax collection attract so many people? They are doing this to embarrass us on purpose!"
Fan Li saw that all the merchants in Bian Jing, big and small, came to congratulate him, but he knew in his heart that the influence of their industry was not so terrifying and was far less than that of the pawnbrokers. No matter how big the event was, it was impossible for so many people to come.
It goes without saying that someone above was deliberately instigating this.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Master, I have told you many times that you should take a longer-term view. The booming business in this industry is also good for us."
Fan Li said depressedly: "What good news is this? Why can't I see it?"
Zhang Fei chuckled and said, "Since the three companies have started this today, when our business is booming in the future, they will just be left staring blankly."
Fan Li snorted, "Who in the whole of Bianjing dares to cooperate with us now? If you cooperate with us, you won't be able to do your business. It's good enough that you're still doing a booming business and haven't closed down."
Zhang Fei smiled to himself and said, "Thirty years in the east, thirty years in the west, who knows."
As they were chatting here, they saw an amiable old man walking through the crowd and heading towards the Bian Jing Law Firm.
When Zhang Fei saw the old man, he hurriedly took two steps forward and bowed, saying, "I am Zhang Fei, meeting Grand Secretary Sima."
This old man was none other than Sima Guang.
Sima Guang looked around and said, "It's really lively!"
Both sides are bustling, but this place is relatively quiet.
Zhang Fei could of course hear Sima Guang's teasing intention, and said with a wry smile: "Excuse me, Grand Secretary Sima."
Sima Guang waved his hand and said, "It's okay! It's okay! I'm here just to make fun of you."
What I meant was, I'm here just to laugh at the joke.
Fan Li's face immediately turned pale.
How many people has this guy offended
Even a scholar from the Hanlin Academy came to see his joke in person.
How much hatred does this require
Zhang Fei laughed and said, "It's worth it for me to be able to make Sima Daxue happy."
Sima Guang asked with a hint of curiosity: "You don't seem to be worried at all?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "It's obvious who is guilty. Why should I worry?"
Sima Guang stroked his beard and smiled: "That makes sense!"
"Sima Daxueshi, please come in."
Sima Guang nodded, and when he was about to enter, he suddenly glanced at the sign and said, "Law firm? What's the point?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Serve the law."
"Serve the Law."
Sima Guang nodded slightly, "That's a good point, and it's also like your style in court. This case is no longer just a simple dispute."
The two entered the store.
But the decoration inside is different from that of current bookstores. It is more like a restaurant, with elegant seats and private rooms.
Sima Guang couldn't help but ask curiously, "Is this still a bookstore? It looks more like a restaurant to me."
"Of course this is not a bookstore, but a law firm."
Zhang Fei explained: "Didn't Xiaomin just say that we serve the law? Of course, our shop should put service first. This is used to entertain customers, and the back is used for office work."
"I see!" Sima Guang nodded slightly, and understood some of the mysteries. He laughed and said, "You are going to show off your skills!"
Setting up such a large service area means that you may be able to entertain so many customers at the same time, which is definitely to expand your business.
Bookstores in the past did not need such a large service area.
Zhang Fei said with a smile: "There is no other way. Grand Secretary Sima wants to reform the judiciary, so I have to follow suit!"
Sima Guang glanced around and said, "That idea was yours, wasn't it?"
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "What does Grand Secretary Sima think?"
Sima Guang frowned slightly: "I have studied it carefully in the past two days, and there is one problem that is difficult to solve."
Zhang Fei asked: "What's the problem?"
"It's that word you often mention, professional."
Sima Guang frowned and said: "If we only do this in Tokyo, then it is fine, after all, there are enough talents here, but if we want to popularize it nationwide, we need more people who are proficient in laws. Although our dynasty has no shortage of officials, it is difficult to meet the needs of this reform.
But if it is not popularized nationwide, the reform will not be meaningful.”
This old man has indeed done in-depth research on political systems, far better than Xu Zun and Wang Anshi.
The biggest difference between Zhang Fei's reform plan and the current system can be seen at a glance.
In the current judicial system, there are many departments that supervise each other, but generally speaking, it is enough for the boss to be powerful, and the people below just need to follow orders.
Zhang Fei's set of methods requires extremely professional people; even the yamen runners need to have extremely high qualities.
Zhang Fei said: "Talent is the only way to make everything perfect. If Sima Daxueshi pursues perfect reform, specialization is inevitable."
“This old man also knows.”
Sima Guang nodded and said, "This is what I plan to do. I will select a group of young officials to study at the Law School of the Imperial Academy, and then send them to various places."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "That's a good idea."
In fact, there was a special law school under the Imperial College, as well as arithmetic, medicine, and other technical majors. In terms of civil governance, the Song Dynasty was indeed the best in feudal society.
For people like Zhang Fei who are strong in technical subjects, there is a way for them to become officials in the court without having to take the imperial examinations, but the upper limit is relatively low.
It is very difficult to get above level four.
But then again, to reach the level of prime minister in the Song Dynasty, one must have unique skills. It can even be said that one must reach the level of an all-rounder. For example, Sima Guang and Wang Anshi were both outstanding in the field of law and had studied it in depth. Wang Anshi was stronger in classics, while Sima Guang was stronger in political science.
Sima Guang added: "But I, an old man, hope you can give a lecture."
"I?"
Zhang Fei said in surprise.
Sima Guang nodded.
Zhang Fei was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. He said, "Grand Secretary Sima, you invited a secret writer like me to go to the Imperial College to give lectures to a group of officials and Jinshi. You are clearly setting a trap for me to fall into!"
Sima Guang snorted, "In the court, the Chief Censor, the Ministry of Justice, and the Judges all fell before you. How can this little pit hold you back?"
"Thank you for the compliment, Grand Secretary Sima!"
Zhang Fei smiled awkwardly and said, "But it's awkward to think about it! Why not let my benefactor give the lecture? My benefactor's understanding of the law is incomparable to that of ordinary people."
Sima Guang asked: "Your benefactor is no match for you!"
"... ... ?"
Zhang Fei said: "When it comes to matters of law, the emphasis is on the foundation. If the foundation is not solid...!"
Before he could finish, Sima Guang said, "Don't worry about the basics. The key is that you are the only one who understands how the plan works. You should know what they need to pay attention to. No one can replace you."
Zhang Fei hesitated for a moment and said, "I'll think about it."
"consider?"
Sima Guang looked at Zhang Fei with dissatisfaction.
Zhang Fei said depressedly: "Can't you even consider it?"
Sima Guang shook his head stubbornly: "If you don't reply to me, I dare not easily ask His Majesty. If I fail, I can't bear the responsibility!"
He has a very serious personality and will not act rashly without being fully prepared.
There were many aspects of Zhang Fei's plan that left him clueless, especially the prosecution aspect, which he really didn't understand. He understood litigation, but Zhang Fei's approach was beyond his understanding, and currently, there were very few lawsuits that were brought to court.
Is prosecution for the government, for the people, or for justice? In addition, what is the relationship between prosecution and the Court of Justice? There are many ambiguities in this.
However, Sima Guang also believed that the prosecution was the core department of the entire plan. If the prosecution was removed, there would not be much difference now. At most, it would separate administration and justice.
Currently, the number one prosecutor in Song Dynasty is Zhang Fei.
No matter how much you dislike Zhang Fei, you will not deny this.
As soon as Zhang Fei mentioned the tax calculation, the three officials were immediately frightened and mobilized. The tax calculation was not scary, what was scary was that this guy guaranteed the tax calculation.
That's right! My bookstore is short of people. I can provide them with internship opportunities. The court pays them and they help me work. This is not bad. Zhang Fei thought for a while and nodded, "As long as Sima Daxueshi guarantees that I will not be beaten if I go, then I will agree."
Sima Guang chuckled and said, "It's a deal."
Just then, Fan Li walked in quickly, "Sanlang, someone wants to sue you."
Zhang Fei asked in surprise: "Who?"
"it's me!"
I saw a man in cloth clothes, about thirty years old, walked in. He was handsome, with three thin beards, extraordinary bearing and elegant demeanor, a real handsome guy.
When Sima Guang saw this person, he was immediately surprised and said, "Su Zizhan."
Su Zizhan? Hey, this name sounds so familiar. Zhang Fei was slightly stunned.
When the man saw Sima Guang, he immediately stepped forward and bowed, "Su Shi greets Mr. Sima."
"Mr. Dongpo?"
Zhang Fei said in surprise.
Su Shi looked at Zhang Fei and asked, "Who is Dongpo?"
"Well... ."