Wang Anshi had been in officialdom for many years and witnessed the embarrassment of the New Policies of the Qingli Period with his own eyes. He knew how many obstacles the reform would encounter. But precisely because of this, he also understood that if he did not make up his mind and fight with his back to the wall, it would be the same as the New Policies of the Qingli Period, and everyone would have worked in vain and the loss would outweigh the gain.
But everything has to be done step by step.
Historically, he first proposed the Equalization of Transport System and then the Qingmiao System in the next year, that is, in the second year of Xining, instead of dropping a bombshell directly.
Of course, his gradual progress was only a few months apart, which was very radical in Sima Guang's view.
And now, Zhang Fei gave him a gift.
He thought that he could use this small bill on house tax to test the waters and see how the court would react. If all went well, he could use it to kick-start his nationwide reform.
This is what really touched him, because this bill was very consistent with his idea of reform, but its scope was relatively narrow, and he could also be in charge of it personally in Bian Jing.
It can be said that he was ready to start the reform.
After talking with Lu Huiqing, he immediately presented the case to Song Shenzong.
This bill is already very detailed and does not need to be modified. The key is that it involves many calculations and it is difficult for ordinary people to modify it.
When Song Shenzong saw this memorial, he was very surprised, because he discussed state affairs with Wang Anshi almost every day, but Wang Anshi had never mentioned the mortgage.
After asking, I found out that this was from Zhang Fei.
"This person who spies on others is really extraordinary!" Song Shenzong said with a happy smile.
Wang Anshi nodded and said, "It is indeed extraordinary. I also think that this boy's talent, if cultivated, can be of great use."
He actually wanted to hint that Zhang Fei could be allowed to serve as an official in the court.
Little did he know that the emperor knew Zhang Fei earlier than he did.
Song Shenzong smiled and nodded, and then said: "This policy is beneficial to the country and the people, and I also agree with it very much. However, it involves many taxes in the city of Bianjing, so it must be discussed by the court before it can be decided."
... ...
Shenzong immediately convened a court meeting.
When the ministers heard the interest, they were dumbfounded.
Seven percent annual interest
Is this a mistake
I can't believe it!
Song Shenzong was secretly pleased to see that all the ministers were confused, and asked with a smile, "What do you think?"
Many ministers looked puzzled, because some of them also lent money. If you set such a low interest rate, isn't that malicious competition
Sima Guang was the first to speak: "If merchants are willing to lend money at such a low interest rate, the court can certainly guarantee it."
This interest rate is really irresistible!
Seven cents, divided into ten years.
Where can I find it
Sima Guang immediately asked again: "But are those merchants really willing to do this?"
Wang Anshi replied: "Merchants will not do business at a loss. Although the interest rate is low, there is a house as collateral. As long as the court can legislate to guarantee this, it is a sure profit and no loss. Merchants will certainly be willing to do so."
"I see."
Sima Guang nodded slightly. He immediately understood the interests involved and couldn't help but secretly exclaimed, what a great idea!
Many honest and upright ministers also nodded.
Nowadays, it is not ordinary people who are troubled by buying a house, but these officials. Such a low interest rate is actually very helpful to these officials. Whether to buy or not is another matter, but at least there is a choice.
Wang Anshi struck while the iron was hot and said, "I believe I don't need to say more about the harm of private debt. If this can be accomplished, it may set a good example and curb the high interest rates among the private sector."
When Sima Guang heard this, he couldn't help but look at Wang Anshi. Has this old guy changed his character? That's really good!
He also pointed out the harmfulness of usury among the people, but he did not agree with Wang Anshi's radical approach. His ideas coincided with this bill. He agreed with the gentle change and the court not to intervene and compete with the people for profits. He nodded and said, "That makes sense!"
When Song Shenzong saw that Sima Guang also nodded, he couldn't help but feel secretly happy, thinking that the matter was settled.
But just as this thought came to mind, Wang Wenshan suddenly said, "It is a good thing that merchants are willing to lend money at low interest rates, but it seems that there is more to it than just this one thing, it also includes the reform of house taxes."
Wang Anshi immediately said, "The citizens of Bianjing often complain about too many taxes and levies, and officials also use them to make up excuses to exploit the citizens. If we integrate them into a house tax, we can reduce the burden on the citizens and ensure that officials will no longer make up excuses to exploit the people. Isn't this good?"
That depends on who it benefits! Wang Wenshan glanced at Sima Guang secretly, but the latter just stroked his beard and said nothing.
The Imperial Censor Chen Jian said: "Now our government's finances are already in deficit. Will reducing taxes at this time increase the financial burden?"
Wang Anshi laughed and said, "You haven't read it carefully. These two suggestions are actually related. The first one can increase house transactions and rentals. Then, the court will get more than before, and the people will also benefit from it. It can be said to kill two birds with one stone."
But in fact, even without considering the benefits brought by mortgage loans, taxes will still increase, because many wealthy families will not be able to evade taxes, so more taxes will be collected than before.
It’s just that Wang Anshi didn’t explain it clearly.
The Privy Councilor Chen Shengzhi suddenly said, "This is a brilliant plan!"
Sima Guang glanced at Chen Shengzhi and also stood up and said, "I agree too."
The Privy Councilor is the de facto prime minister. When the ministers saw that the prime minister and Sima Guang had nodded, they naturally did not say anything more.
Song Shenzong was overjoyed. It was his first time to reform, so he was still a little nervous. Seeing that it was going so smoothly, how could he not be happy? At the same time, his confidence soared, and he said, "Then it's decided."
After that, he looked at Wang Anshi again and said, "Thank you for your hard work on this matter."
Wang Anshi immediately said: "Your Majesty trusts me, and I will do my best."
After leaving the hall, Sima Guang quietly pulled Wang Anshi aside and said with a chuckle, "Jiefu! You finally figured it out."
Wang Anshi was surprised and asked, "What do you mean?"
Sima Guang smiled and said, "Reforms should be carried out step by step. This method is very appropriate. It not only enriches the people, but also serves as a role model. It will not cause fierce resistance. It is really good."
Wang Anshi was very unhappy when he heard this, but he smiled and said, "It's not that I figured it out, but that you, Sima Junshi, finally woke up. It's a blessing for our dynasty!"
Sima Guang looked at him with doubt.
What the hell
Wang Anshi said: "You see, this decree can ensure that the people do not have to pay more taxes and the country has more money."
Sima Guang waved his hand and said, "That's wrong. From this policy, the merchants get the profit first, and then the state collects taxes. The adjustment of the house tax is all about keeping the wealth among the people and distributing it reasonably, not increasing wealth."
His philosophy is that "the wealth and goods created by heaven and earth are limited to this amount. If they are not in the hands of the people, then they are in the hands of the government."
There is only so much wealth, the trick lies in how to distribute it. He advocated keeping the wealth among the people, letting the businessmen do the work and the court being responsible for supervision, which was very much in line with his philosophy of governing the country.
However, Wang Anshi believed that this would not work at all. Only by making the pie bigger could the contradictions be eliminated. Otherwise, the problem could not be solved.
One is about saving money, the other is about increasing revenue, but they just can't agree on anything.
It's really amazing.
"No! No!"
Wang Anshi said: "Once the imperial court issues this decree, private housing transactions will surely increase, and tax revenue will increase. If this is not an increase in wealth, what else can it be?"
Sima Guang shook his head and said, "No, no, although the country will gain additional income, the wealth has not increased. It is just used to buy houses."
Wang Anshi snorted, "Tax revenue has now appeared, but you say this is not an increase in wealth. That's really specious. I don't want to argue with you. I have other things to do."
After saying that, he left.
"If you lend money to buy alcohol next time, the alcohol tax will also increase, and your wealth will increase again? This is ridiculous."
Sima Guang snorted, and after a moment, he calmed down and suddenly frowned and said, "No! This idea doesn't seem like his."
... ..
Wang Anshi did not flee in panic. He had never lost or won in his arguments with Sima Guang. This time he really had something to do and was not in the mood to argue with Sima Guang.
After returning, Wang Anshi immediately sent someone to find Zhang Fei and told him that the court had agreed and asked him to send the contract template as soon as possible. Now all that was missing was this contract.
The core of the entire reform is that piece of contract.
However, Zhang Fei rushed to Majia as soon as possible and informed Ma Tianhao of the news.
Since the imperial court did not give an explanation, Ma Tianhao did not dare to take any further action.
"Good boy, you are really good at it. You got it done so quickly."
Upon hearing the news, Ma Tianhao stood up excitedly.
This really shocked him.
But no one with a secret pen could ever turn his contract into a legal provision of the court.
And the speed is so fast.
It's really unbelievable!
Fortunately, there are still people who say that Zhang Fei offended the entire court.
This is simply nonsense!
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "I have taken care of the court, how about your side?"
Ma Tianhao immediately said: "Don't worry, I have also gained something here. I have persuaded Xiangguo Temple to join us."
Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, "Xiangguo Temple?"
Ma Tianhao said: "Don't you know that Xiangguo Temple is the biggest creditor of our Bianjing?"
"Yeah?"
"If you don't believe it, just ask anyone."
It turned out that this temple had many tax-free privileges, which led to many large landowners allocating their land to Xiangguo Temple. Xiangguo Temple was essentially making money without doing anything, but its ambition was endless. Xiangguo Temple developed its own business, such as lending money to other parties, and as a result, it acquired a lot of land.
At the same time, Xiangguo Temple also has real estate investments, and a lot of them.
Ma Tianhao is also a very shrewd businessman. Xiangguo Temple is strong and has a lot of spare money. It does not pursue quick money, but cares more about long-term development. This plan is very suitable for Xiangguo Temple. In addition, he also has connections in Xiangguo Temple, so the first place he looked for was Xiangguo Temple.
Xiangguo Temple said that if the court really agreed, they would be willing to give it a try.
Zhang Fei asked, "Mr. Wang, which is harder, being the abbot of Xiangguo Temple or being an official?"
"Of course it's difficult to go to Xiangguo Temple and be the abbot!" Ma Tianhao said without hesitation.
Zhang Fei touched his thick hair and thought, forget it, I'll wait until I'm old and ugly before going! I'll be handsome for a few decades first. Suddenly he said to Ma Tianhao: "Oh, right! I have a small request."
Ma Tianhao asked: "What's the request?"
Zhang Fei said, "I heard that in your industry, if you encounter disputes or sign contracts, you almost always cooperate with Fan's Bookstore."
Ma Tianhao was slightly stunned and nodded.
Zhang Fei asked, "Does the official have a good relationship with the Fan family?"
Ma Tianhao said: "It's just business dealings, not much of a friendship. You should know that the eight tea-drinking people have their own division of labor."
Zhang Fei said: "My request is that from now on, you immediately choose another company to cooperate with and no longer have any dealings with Fan's Bookstore."
Ma Tianhao asked: "Why is this?"
Zhang Fei said: "Because Zhang Fei died at the hands of that guy named Fan."
"... ... ?"
Ma Tianhao looked at Zhang Fei in astonishment.
"Zhang Yide."
"Zhang... Zhang Yide?"
Ma Tianhao hasn't reacted yet.
Ma Xiaoyi happened to come into the room. When he heard the name Zhang Yide, he immediately perked up and asked hurriedly, "Third brother, are you talking about Zhang Yide from the Three Kingdoms period?"
Zhang Fei nodded.
Ma Tianhao suddenly realized and asked, "Could it be that Zhang Yide is your ancestor?"
"no."
"Why is that?"
"The name sounds similar."
"... ..?"
Ma Xiaoyi thought thoughtfully: "But if we kill Zhang Yide, we still have Zhang Da, so does that mean we can't associate with people with the surname Zhang?"
Wow! You still want to give me such a domineering reason? Zhang Fei asked: "Xiao Ma also watches the Three Kingdoms?"
"I haven't seen it." Ma Xiaoyi shook his head, but said excitedly: "But I have heard many stories about the Three Kingdoms, but I like Guan Erge the most. Third brother, what about you?"
"Little Joe."