The world is bustling with people seeking profit, and the world is bustling with people seeking profit.
Nowadays, business is booming in Hezhong Prefecture, and everyone is keen to find ways to make money. It just so happens that Hezhong Prefecture is located at a key point, connecting the northwest and Tokyo, and it is also the logistics base for the northwest battlefield. There are actually unlimited business opportunities here.
Not to mention 1.5%, even 2% interest becomes unattractive to those big landlords, because the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs are there and cannot force those villagers to sell their wives and children. Although the royal court will also collect debts for them, the gray profit is almost reduced to zero. At least they dare not do so for the time being. The profit is actually not much. On the other hand, in business, if they do not increase their investment, they will be squeezed out immediately.
It turned out that there were far more merchants coming to Hezhong Prefecture from Tokyo than just Fan Zheng, and some of them were lurking quietly.
The reason why they came to Hezhong Prefecture is because they knew that once the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs had gained a firm foothold, business would inevitably become more prosperous, and it would be safer to make money here.
This is the case with Tokyo Bianliang.
The Ma family also saw this and asked Fan Zheng to come here to take a look at the situation. If there is an opportunity, they will open a store.
Previously, these businessmen were observing the development of the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems while secretly looking for business opportunities.
They only started to move after Majiajiekupu opened.
But the people in Hezhong Prefecture were not aware of this. What they saw was that the business in Hezhong Prefecture suddenly became more and more prosperous. It seemed that there were businessmen everywhere, and no one knew where they came from. Not to mention anything else, the sales of tea and wine were increasing, and the prices of meals in restaurants were also rising.
Tea and wine were basically monopolized by the government and local wealthy people. Wouldn't they make money? So they invested more money in their own business.
As for the problem of the transition period between the old and the new, they believed that the government and the gentry should bear the main responsibility and it had nothing to do with them. They had participated in the agreement before only for the other party's Qingmiao Law, not because they were repentant. The gentry also used this to unite them, so now that they were going back on their word, the gentry could do nothing about it.
This dealt a heavy blow to the prestige of many gentry, and the government quickly took the opportunity to win over the hearts of the people and reverse the negative impression of the Qingmiao Law in the minds of the people. Previously, under the propaganda of those gentry, many people were very afraid of the Qingmiao Law.
Those who are righteous will have many supporters, while those who are unrighteous will have few supporters. If we have the support of popular support, things will be much easier.
One of the key reasons for Wang Anshi's failure in history was that he lacked a popular support base and public opinion was controlled by the gentry.
Cai Yanqing and Yuan Jiang had been preparing for this for a long time and were just waiting for Han Jiang to make the final decision. But in fact, Han Jiang's main purpose in coming here was to inspect the military and political affairs and the layout of the western front after the disarmament, which was what the emperor and Wang Anshi were most concerned about.
As for the financial aspects, Han Jiang is just a mascot to boost morale, but the one who really does the work is Yuan Jiang.
It has to be said that this strategy was very successful.
You have to know that in the first half of the year, the government seemed to be dying and lifeless, and it could only watch helplessly as the public security, procuratorial and judicial departments expanded wantonly and took over everything.
But in fact, based on the system, it is impossible for the public security, procuratorial and judicial departments to take over everything. Administration and justice are completely separate.
The real power is still in their hands, but they always want to use their power to get rid of the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs. When they fail, they think that the power has fallen into the wrong hands.
But with the arrival of Han Jiang and the instruction of the rules and methods of playing, the government regained its confidence and became full of vitality.
Within a few days, the Qingmiao Law was officially implemented in Hezhong Prefecture.
This time the officials are all very active, because this is a manifestation of power. If they do something else, in the eyes of the people, there will be no government, only the imperial court.
But this only defends the power of the government and cannot easily shake the status of the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs in the hearts of the people.
Although the royal court has been very low-key recently, Zhang Fei has been busy teaching students.
School of Law.
Bang bang bang!
The gongs and drums sounded, and Zhang Fei, who had a strong sense of time, didn't say another word, "get out of class is over!"
Then I started to put away the documents.
"Grand... Grand Judge!"
Someone outside the window suddenly shouted: "Have you...have you finished your class?"
Zhang Fei tilted his head and saw an old man, so he asked, "What's the matter?"
The audience standing outside the door nodded in unison.
"What's up?"
Zhang Fei couldn't help but walk forward.
The two door gods, Niu Beiqing and Long Wu, immediately appeared at the door and stopped the people, but the people knew the rules very well and stood obediently in front of the doors and windows, and just started asking questions at once.
"Grand Judge, I went to the government to borrow money for the seedlings. Will the government ask me to pay more?"
"Also! The government said they would lend us salt notes directly. But can salt... salt notes be used to buy things?"
"Can I borrow it without a guarantee?"
"The government won't force us to give guarantees to others, right?"
... ...
All the questions are about Qingmiao money.
It is a time of famine and many people need help from the Qingmiao money, but in their hearts they do not trust the government but the imperial court.
They hope the royal court will give them a guarantee.
Zhang Fei was clear about this, and when they had asked almost all of their questions, he replied, "First of all, regarding the Qingmiao money, it was a decision made by the government, and it has nothing to do with our imperial court."
"ah?"
The people looked horrified.
It has nothing to do with the imperial court, can I still borrow it
Zhang Fei immediately added: "But the issues you are worried about are all illegal, and I believe the government will not do that.
For example, guarantors, according to the principle of contract, guarantee must be voluntary, and no one can force you to act as a guarantor for anyone.
For example, regarding salt notes, I have read the government regulations and you can also use salt notes to repay the green seedling money and pay taxes. There is no problem with this. And as far as I know, many people are currently using salt notes to buy things. "
"If the government does this, can we sue in the imperial court?"
"Absolutely."
Zhang Fei smiled and nodded: "I believe the Legal Aid Department is also very happy to help you with this kind of lawsuit."
Another person said, "But I heard that the government has threatened those big landowners not to lend us money at low interest rates."
"I don't know about this, and no one has filed a lawsuit with the Royal Court for this matter."
Zhang Fei shook his head, and suddenly saw a figure, and hurriedly said, "Prosecutor Su."
Su Che glanced at him, sighed helplessly, and walked over.
Zhang Fei asked, "Chief Prosecutor Su, someone asked if the government had threatened those big landlords not to lend at low interest rates. Didn't your procuratorate investigate this?"
Su Che nodded and said, "Our procuratorate has investigated this, but there is no evidence to show that the government has forced those big landlords not to lend at low interest rates, and there are still many rural households that lend at low interest rates of 1.5%. "
An old lady said: "There are fewer now, and many people don't borrow anymore."
Without the support of the big landlords, the gentry alone would not be able to hold on, and they dared not lend out too much money. In addition, with the recent actions of the government, they quickly tightened their policies.
"At the beginning, those people promised to lend us money at a low interest rate, but now they are not lending us money anymore. Isn't this a lie?"
"Mr. Judge, isn't it illegal for them to do this?"
“It’s not illegal.”
Zhang Fei said: "The Imperial Court has already made an explanation, and I have carefully reviewed their agreement again. One of the key reasons is that you are not a party to the agreement, so you have no right to sue them, and they have no legal rights or obligations to you.
It can even be said that even if some of them lend you money at high interest, you have no right to sue them. Only those who participate in the agreement have the right to sue them. "
"Then if we can't pay the government back, will the imperial court force us to pay it back?"
"Yes."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "It is only natural to pay back debts. If you borrow money, you must pay it back, no matter if the other party is the government or not. Also, I have to remind you that the interest rate of 2% is not low. You must think carefully. If you are not sure you can pay it back, or if you really have no money to eat, it is best not to borrow. Doesn't the government provide you with a livelihood? You can go and earn some money to get through this difficult time."
"Thank you, Mr. Judge. We understand."
"You're welcome."
Zhang Fei saw that many people were still worried, and after a moment of hesitation, he said, "In fact, our imperial court is very happy to answer your questions about the judiciary. Let's do this. Our imperial court will hold a Q&A meeting in a few days to announce and explain the verdicts of some cases, and also answer some of your questions. Although we often publish relevant content in the legal newspaper, most people can't read and it is easy for people to misunderstand it."
"Good, good, good! Thank you very much, President. Thank you very much, President."
When the people heard this, they were immediately excited.
"No thanks! No thanks!"
Zhang Fei smiled and nodded, "You guys should go back early."
"Then...then we'll take our leave first."
"Slow down."
After these people left, Zhang Fei breathed a sigh of relief.
Su Che smiled and said, "The wisdom of the Grand Judge is not limited to the judiciary. This question-and-answer session is really wonderful. It can help everyone see the bottle more clearly."
These words are indeed from the heart, and they are put into practice, which is worthy of admiration.
It sounds good but is meaningless. The key is whether you can do it. However, whether it is the hearing or this question-and-answer session, it is in line with Zhang Fei's description of the law of the rule of law.
“Thank you!”
Zhang Fei smiled modestly and said, "Your procuratorate can also hold this kind of question-and-answer session."
Su Zhe was surprised and asked, "What can our procuratorate say?"
The power of judgment and judicial interpretation is in your hands.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "For example, the investigation of the government's salt debt by the procuratorate and the investigation of the cooperation between the procuratorate and the Ma family's Jiekupu are all matters of concern to most people. They also want to know how the procuratorate conducted the investigation and whether the results of the investigation are trustworthy.
The question-and-answer session of the procuratorate can not only confirm the authority of the procuratorate, but also avoid misunderstandings among the people, better supervise the government and make the government's policies more trusted by the people. "
“Gain the trust of the people?”
Su Che smiled bitterly and said, "This still requires the government to keep its word, but the fact is that the officials did hint to those big landowners about the consequences of opposing the government, but we can't find any evidence."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "I haven't found any evidence because it hasn't happened yet. We'll talk about it when it happens."
Su Che frowned and said, "But the liquor tax, salt tax, and tea tax are all controlled by the government. If they just forbid someone from making liquor or selling tea, we actually have no way to deal with it."
Zhang Fei said: "For us, the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs, abiding by the rules of the game is more important than anything else."
Su Che said: "What I mean is, can we find a way to stop the government from relying on this method to seek benefits?"
Zhang Fei thought for a moment and said, "In fact, the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs are relatively passive. From a judicial perspective, preparing for a rainy day is not a good thing. Instead, it is destroying the judicial system. This is because preparing for a rainy day is subjective and based on personal predictions of future risks. This can be used for administration or business, but for us, we can only keep it in mind and cannot put it into action. If we can put it into action, then we can revise the law based on our own imagination, which is very scary."
Su Che pondered for a while and said, "Does your words violate the laws of our ancestors? We should be prepared for any event and make sure there is no twists and turns."
Zhang Fei was stunned, shook his head and smiled: "Of course not, on the contrary, this is to follow the laws of our ancestors and make the legal system more perfect as much as possible, so that it will not become a bad policy in the future."
Su Che smiled slightly, nodded and said: "Listening to your words is worth ten years of reading!"
"How dare you! How dare you!"
Zhang Fei added: "As for what Mr. Su is concerned about, it is actually nothing to worry about."
Su Che said, "What do you mean?"
Zhang Fei explained: "The whole world is bustling, and everyone is motivated by profit. We cannot decide who the government gives the right to brew wine, and who it does not. But they must ensure that the financial benefits are not lost, and the legitimate rights and interests of the wine producers are guaranteed.
For example, when it comes to liquor tax, according to the rules, the highest bidder wins. But if the government allows people to buy at a low price, this may be illegal, and the procuratorate can intervene in the investigation.
If the bidders offer the same price, the government can give it to whomever it wants, but if they have any vested interests with the bidders, we can also investigate that.
Of course, if we can’t find it, we can only blame ourselves for our incompetence.”
"Yes! If they have a clear conscience and enforce the law impartially, the country will not suffer any losses. If they play tricks, they will surely benefit. As long as we grasp the interests involved, we will be able to restrict them." Su Che nodded.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "That's right."
Su Che added: "Regarding the Q&A session, how about we hold it together? To be honest with you, I still have many doubts about this Q&A session."
Zhang Fei hesitated for a moment and said, "We can cooperate in the beginning, but we still have to separate in the end, because our public security, procuratorial and judicial organs are not in charge of each other. Maybe in some cases, we are hostile to each other."
Su Che nodded and said, "That's fine."
While they were talking, many officials from Hezhong Prefecture had already started issuing Qingmiao money in the warehouses of Hedong County.
Officials such as Cai Yanqing, Yuan Jiang, and Wei Yingfang also came here to inspect in person.
But when they arrived at the Changping Warehouse, they found that the work-for-relief side was crowded with people, while there were only a few old, weak and sick people on the loan side.
"Mr. Yuan, Prefect Cai, and Judge Wei, you are here."
Li Yongji ran up breathlessly. It had been a long time since he had such a heavy workload. He was really exhausted!
Cai Yanqing asked curiously: "Why are there so few people borrowing money? Don't their families have to do farm work?"
Yuan Jiang added: "Or maybe they don't believe in salt notes."
Li Yongji replied: "Neither, they all have to do farm work, and it's not that they don't trust the salt notes. After all, they work and we also issue salt notes. But now they would rather be a little tired, or ask their parents, wives and children to help do more work, rather than borrow money."
Wei Yingfang asked, "Why? Are they worried that the government will charge them too much interest?"
"it's not true."
Li Yongji said: "This matter has to start with the tax commissioner."
When the term "tax commissioner" was mentioned, the officials' hearts skipped a beat.
"What does this have to do with the Commissioner of Taxation?" Wei Yingfang asked hurriedly.
Li Yongji explained: "Because of the tax collection law of the tax bureau, most people who have land have asked people to calculate how much tax they have to pay. They think that as long as they can survive for one or two months, they will have surplus food next year. It just so happens that we are providing them with a livelihood now, so they don't want to borrow money no matter how hard it is."
Cai Yanqing said: "I see, I didn't expect this."
Li Yongji added: "In addition, some third-class and second-class households with hundreds of acres of land have recently used their own land as collateral to borrow money for small businesses, but those people are also willing to go to Ma's Jieku Shop to borrow money."
Wei Yingfang immediately said, "Mr. Yuan, Prefect Cai, what should we do? We can't even lend out the seedling money."
Yuan Jiang said: "Isn't the Ma family's money also the government's money?"
Wei Yingfang remained silent and cursed inwardly, "These two old foxes."
They now know how to deal with the public security, procuratorate and courts, but they don't know how to deal with the Commissioner of Taxation. They still hope to take advantage of Han Jiang's presence to put pressure on the Commissioner of Taxation.
Cai Yanqing suddenly said: "Since the people prefer the government to provide them with a livelihood, why not do more water conservancy."
Yuan Jiang nodded.
Cao Yi added: "But this costs money!"
Yuan Jiang waved his hand and said, "It's salt notes that are issued, so it won't affect the finances for the time being."
As he spoke, he extended his hand to Cai Yanqing again, "Prefect Cai, please."
"please."
The two walked towards the crowd.
Cai Yanqing suddenly glanced back and saw that Wei Yingfang and the others had not caught up. He whispered, "These villagers will definitely use the salt notes they earn to buy food."
Yuan Jiang said: "The price of grain will definitely rise. I will ask the Ministry of Grain and Oil to prepare for it. When everyone sees that salt notes can be used to purchase sufficient grain from the government, more people will definitely use salt notes.
If the people all use salt notes and do not come to the government to exchange for salt, then it will be considered as a profit for the government, and the government finances will not need to spend any money this year. "
Cai Yanqing stroked his beard and smiled, "I guess this is what you discussed with Judge Zhang at the beginning."
Yuan Jiang chuckled a few times.
Salt debt, salt notes and taxes were his and Zhang Fei's ultimate plan.
It means using government credit to make profits.
In fact, this also belongs to Wang Anshi's financial management thought. Their entire reform idea is to use the government's credit to make money like businessmen, but when it comes to operation, it often goes completely wrong.
At the same time, Jinan Prefecture was also implementing the Qingmiao Law.
“There are so many people!”
Lu Huiqing and Zhang Dun arrived at the Changping Warehouse in the suburbs, but saw a long queue in front of the warehouse door. Some of the people were holding sacks in their hands, and some were carrying loads on their shoulders.
The local warehouse manager said excitedly: "There may not be so many people at ordinary times, but at this time, the interest rate has never been so low. The people are very excited and rush here early in the morning to borrow food and money."
Zhang Dun nodded and said, "But you have to be careful and don't cut corners, which will cause complaints from the people."
"Yes, yes, we will definitely keep a close eye on it."
"Grain Store, do the gentry and landlords have any objections to this?" Lu Huiqing suddenly asked.
Cang Si immediately said: "They also know the interests involved. Not only do they have no objection, they are also willing to act as guarantors for the villagers."
"That's good!"
Lu Huiqing nodded, "You go ahead and do your work, we'll see for ourselves."
"yes."
After the warehouse manager left, Lu Huiqing laughed and said, "We should all be grateful to the public security, procuratorate and courts!"
Zhang Dun said cautiously: "But we have to be careful! After all, this is the first time we do this."
Lu Huiqing said confidently: "At least there will be no problem this year."
... ...
Jinan Prefecture, Changqing County.
Changqing County Magistrate Gu Youcun paced back and forth in the lobby, with local gentry and wealthy families sitting on both sides.
"Why can other counties lend out so much money, but our Changqing County can't lend out the green seedling money?" Gu Youcun suddenly stopped and said to the gentry and wealthy families on both sides.
One of the old men said, "County Magistrate Gu, our county is surrounded by water on three sides and backed by a mountain on one side. Many people make a living by fishing and hunting. Even ordinary farmers can ride the waves and do somersaults. When there is a shortage of crops, they can also go fishing and hunting for a living. There is no need to borrow money!"
“How can this be possible?”
Gu Youcun said: "If we can't lend money and get interest, and then we can't match the finances of Hezhong Prefecture, the court may ask the public security, procuratorate and court to take charge. Don't come to me to complain then."
"But we are already willing to guarantee the villagers, what else do you want us to do?"
"I don't care. You guys share the remaining seedling money."
"County Magistrate Gu, we don't need food, so why should we borrow money for the seedlings?"
"Do you need the police?"
Gu Youcun asked back.
"... ... ?"
Everyone was silent.
Gu Youcun said, "You can share the money for the young crops in the Changping warehouse, and then you can lend it to others. I, the government, will not be responsible for the interest. How do you think?"
“… … !”
Everyone remained silent.
Gu Youcun added: "I don't want this to happen either, but the situation is very special at this moment. If you are not careful, the public security, procuratorate and court will take over here, and then every contract in your hands may be illegal."
"But this is not a solution! There are really not many people who want to borrow money from me." said one person.
"Just one or two years, not much longer."
"All right!"
As soon as they left the government office, these gentry and wealthy families began to complain.
"What Qingmiao Law? This is simply robbery."
"It's not enough to force us to provide guarantees, we are also asked to share the cost of the seedlings. When has my Qi family ever asked others for money?"
"You can't blame County Magistrate Gu. If you want to blame someone, blame the police, procuratorate and courts. They've done so much harm to people even without them. What's worse is that they're here."
"That's right, that's right. If the public security, procuratorate, courts and tax department don't come, everything will be easy to discuss."
"But why do we need to borrow so much money? It would be better to just pay the interest directly to the government. Why bother with this?"
"Don't be too depressed, everyone. Magistrate Gu is actually a little anxious. It's only been a few days, and he wants everyone to come and borrow money. But how is that possible, unless there is a natural disaster? Now that we have borrowed all the money for the young crops, those people who want to borrow money again can only come to us. It shouldn't be a problem to lend them money at an interest rate higher than 2%!"