The Happy Life of Small Officials in Northern Song Dynasty

A few days later, Su Jin, along with Liang Shi, the head of the Third Division of Salt and Iron Division, and Gao Ruona, the newly appointed deputy envoy of Northwest Fourth Road Economic Strategy and Appeasement, left Beijing with dozens of people.

In the sunny spring of March, the fresh green is rising, and the clear water is slightly turbulent. Although it is a gratifying scene, for some reason, Su Jin's heart is always shrouded in a stagnant air that cannot be calmed down for a long time.

The news of Su Jin's promotion has already spread to the Northwest, and the Su family is naturally overjoyed. Even the civil and military officials from the four prefectures in the Northwest have gathered in Qinzhou to welcome Su Jin's return. After a while, Su Jin still planted the seeds of vigilance in his heart.

No matter how promotion is always a good thing, Su Jin didn't want to spoil the scenery. He held a big banquet in Qinzhou to entertain the officials who came to congratulate him. Of course, some sensitive officials saw Gao Ruona who followed Su Jin and learned his identity. Sometimes, you will still faintly notice something.

After the banquet, Su Jin finished a few urgent matters, and took Li Chong, Pan Jiang, Wei Songhe and other confidantes to sit down for tea. Su Jin did not hide anything, and told Li Chong and others exactly what happened in Beijing Of course, it is still inconvenient to reveal the inside story about Xia Song and others forging letters to frame Fu Bi and Shi Jie. Although the court report has reached the state capitals, everyone still knows little about the details. Hearing Su Jindao, he sighed even more. [

Li Chong sighed: "Fan Shuai and Han Shuai ended up like this, it's really unimaginable, but the humble official privately thinks that the theory of forming a party is far-fetched, and it seems a bit inappropriate to use this as an excuse to denigrate several adults."

Wei Songhe said: "But the article written by Uncle Ou Yong

Wei Songhe said: "Relying on the tax money of the Qinfengjingyuan two roads can't guarantee the expenses of the Yanhuanqing two roads, or they will be delayed and have nothing to eat. The emperor really thinks highly of us, but we are so indifferent, it is really unheard of in ancient and modern times. .”

Su Jin said: "Don't talk, don't talk, the matter has come to this point, and complaints are useless; it seems that we are going to open up avenues of wealth, I think so, isn't private business coming in and out on our border? In the current situation, I It seems that we can relax a little bit and allow private businessmen to enter and exit, but they have to charge their customs duties; Xia Guo is short of everything now, and things used to be sold at high prices, and merchants will not lose money, and we can also earn a lot; I would like to invite you to visit the major southern states and persuade some merchants to come to our northwest to do business, so that we can get a fortune in business tax. In short, try to find a way, isn’t it just a matter of feeding hundreds of thousands of people? ? It shouldn't be too difficult."

Li Chong frowned and said: "The border is open for merchants to enter and exit, but it violates the terms of the peace agreement between the two countries. This is not appropriate."

Su Jin smiled and said: "What's wrong, merchants come in and out secretly, can we keep an eye on them every day?"

Pan Jiangdao: "Didn't your lord say that you will breed tigers?"

Su Jindao: "Control the quantity, control the types of goods, mainly consumables such as food, cloth, tea, etc., and other things are not allowed. In addition, merchants are not allowed to bring back Xiaguo items for sale. We only sell but not buy. Let Li Yuanhao's Mountains of green salt are piled up, and furs are used as weeds. How can they stand up if they have no money? In short, don’t worry, the trade between the two countries will resume sooner or later. Let’s take this opportunity to get some benefits, and all the money will be used for the construction of the Northwest. We didn't put a penny in our pockets; can't we starve to death while watching the money?"

Everyone nodded and said: "It makes sense, I will do as you ordered."

Su Jin winked and said: "Private business taxation must be done in secret. Don't let that Gao Ruona who is following know. The brother who collects taxes must be reliable. Don't make mistakes, so that no one will sue the emperor."

Pan Jiang said with a smile: "It's on the humble job, this is my defense area on Jingyuan Road, so don't worry."