I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 211 The reform of the entire Song Dynasty started with the elimination of two governments and three departments!
On the 27rd of the first month.

Zhao Zhen issued an edict and promoted Fan Zhongyan to participate in political affairs and become a bachelor of Jixian Palace.

This is the first time after five years that Fan Zhongyan is once again the prime minister.

Zhongshu regulations have become one phase and four reference.

Afterwards, Zhao Zhen ordered his ministers to read carefully the "On the General Situation of Qizhou Reform" co-written by Wang Anshi and Sima Guang.

The chief officials of the two governments and three departments and the Taiwan admonishers also read the bamboo basket of Qizhou reform summary documents.

……

On the first day of February, inside the Chui Gong Hall.

The first internal court meeting of the Song Dynasty Reform began.

Officials from Zhongshu, Privy Council, Third Bureau, Taijian, Xueshiyuan and other major yamen were all present.

Wang Anshi and Sima Guang were specially recruited. At present, they have not taken up their new positions and are still state officials.

The officials were all excited.

Even Xia Song chatted with Wen Yanbo and Fan Zhongyan about the reform before entering the palace.

Since you can't resist, you can only join.

……

Lean slightly.

Zhao Zhen strode into the palace, and all the officials held their hands in arms.

After Zhao Zhen sat down, he said straight to the point with a smile on his face: "In recent years, our country has been suffering from annexation for a long time. The number of tenant households and people who are rebels and cut off roads has been increasing. Some people even say that 'the fields of the rich are connected to the streets, and the fields of the poor are connected. There is no place to stand, and it is time to change."

"The first policy of the reform in the Song Dynasty should be to suppress the annexation of land, and then gradually implement the six laws of green crops, exemption from labor, equal taxation of square fields, farmland water conservancy, and market transactions, so as to enrich the country and the people. Do you have any general strategies for this? objection?"

Strategies to inhibit land annexation.

That is to say, the land is re-measured, divided into grades according to the quality of the fields and the quantity of the fields, and different tax amounts are set at different levels.

This move could force the big landowners to divide their land among the people.

Reduce the number of poor people, tenants, and refugees, and reduce the gap between the rich and the poor, thereby stabilizing the people at the bottom and making the place stable.

The measured black household fields and the fields flowing out of the tax-free class can increase the revenue of the imperial treasury.

Enriching the country and enriching the people kills two birds with one stone.

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhang Fangping, the political advisor, was the first to stand up.

"Officials, I have objections!"

"Although not suppressing mergers has led to the emergence of a large number of gentry and landlords in our dynasty, which has gradually widened the gap between the rich and the poor, it is not without benefits. It is precisely because of not suppressing mergers that land has been transferred into the hands of a large number of wealthy households, which has made the fields highly productive and many Landless people make a living through business, which promotes the development of commerce.”

"I am worried that although the policy to suppress land annexation can reduce the gap between the rich and the poor, the output of the fields may decline. In addition, although there is a government policy to attract investment, the flow of business in our country is bound to decline! Even if this policy remains It can enrich the country and the people, but it will weaken the flow of business and trade, which is not a good thing. In the long run, our government's future treasury revenue will depend more on commercial taxes than land taxes."

"I believe that while enriching the country and its people, we should also establish strategies to promote business, such as lowering business taxes to benefit merchants."

Although Zhang Fangping did not serve as the Third Secretary for a long time, he understood the importance of commerce better than others.

At this time, Wu Yu stood up and said: "I think what Deputy Prime Minister Zhang said is reasonable. I suggest that after the policy to suppress land annexation is issued, the commercial tax throughout the Song Dynasty should be reduced by at least [-]%."

"I second the proposal. After the merger, it is not conducive to merchants. If we do not provide benefits to them, it will definitely cause turmoil. If all the small merchants and hawkers disappear, how will the trade continue to flow!" Song Xiang said.

Immediately, Xia Song also stood up.

"The minister also seconded the proposal. Let the officials imagine that if the small merchants and hawkers in Bianjing City, including those in the southern suburbs market, find that they can make a better living by farming, they will definitely return to their hometowns. If business taxes and miscellaneous taxes are not reduced, how will they stay? Live these people.”

"Business taxes must not be reduced!"

The Third Secretary Wang Yaochen suddenly raised his voice and said, startling all the ministers.

I saw Wang Yaochen striding out and said with a gloomy face: "Officials, the current treasury revenue and expenditure are barely flat. If we rashly reduce commercial taxes, the court will immediately be in deficit. Implementing the Green Crops Law requires a lot of money, and the poor people will have It is still unknown whether the payment of land tax after the land is stable. Business is already declining, so reducing business tax to promote business is really the worst strategy. The three companies may not be able to sustain it!"

"It is a fallacy to ask the three ministers to tighten their purse strings before enriching the country and the people. I suggest that we should first enrich the people and then develop business. If we do it together, we may not be able to do both well."

"No, no, no, enriching the people and promoting business must go together. If we don't go together, it's like walking on one leg, and we can't go far at all!"

"Long-term? Now we are not thinking about whether we can go long-term, but whether the national treasury can support this strategy to go out. How can we think about eating well when we haven't eaten enough?"

……

Suddenly, several husbands started arguing fiercely.

This has become the norm in court affairs.

The starting point is different, and the results considered are naturally different.

Zhao Zhen also frowned and was entangled.

Commercial taxes were equally important as land taxes. Naturally, the court could not treat merchants less favorably than farmers, otherwise problems would arise.

And this moment.

Fan Zhongyan, who had never spoken, looked at Ouyang Xiu who was not far away, and Ouyang Xiu happened to see Fan Zhongyan.

The two of them shook their heads helplessly at the same time.

Perhaps only two people know this helplessness.

This was also the atmosphere during the Qingli New Deal.

When something happens, officials quarrel together. They are all thinking about the country and the people, and they are all justified.

But in the end, it was either impossible to implement, or the strategy was constantly neutralized. When it was implemented, the effect was mediocre and nothing was accomplished.

Tang Jie and Su Liang had long been accustomed to it. They both listened in the most comfortable position, and then slowly thought about how to solve the problem.

About a quarter of an hour later.

Zhao Zhen saw that the ministers were asking more and more questions and all kinds of hidden dangers were exposed, so he couldn't help but stop the ministers.

He looked down and asked, "What's the meaning of Taiwan's advice?"

Tang Jie thought for a while and then said: "I think that we can reduce business taxes at the same time, so that business can develop healthily and avoid being sluggish and causing dissatisfaction among merchants."

On the side, Ouyang Xiu shook his head.

"I believe that after the government's investment promotion policy, commerce has flourished a lot, but now it has sunk a little, there is no problem. We should make every effort to solve the problem of the gap between the rich and the poor. When the people are stable, business will naturally flourish again!"

Ouyang Xiu and Tang Jie also had completely opposite opinions.

At this time.

Everyone looked at Su Liang.

Wang Anshi and Sima Guang also looked at Su Liang.

They didn't have a chance to speak at the moment, and their current thoughts were also swinging back and forth.

Su Liang slowly walked out and said, "I think this debate is completely meaningless."

"Everything becomes more difficult the more you think about it, the easier it is to give up the more you put it off, and the easier it is the more you do it." "Whether we can enrich people and prosper business at the same time depends on the effectiveness of our policy of not inhibiting mergers. This is the next step. We How can we see the depth of the second step before we have taken the first step. In addition, I feel that the current way of discussing the reform of the entire Song Dynasty is wrong."

"Officials, Mr. Fan, and Bachelor Ouyang, I wonder if you feel that this is similar to the feeling when discussing the Qingli New Deal. Obviously everyone is working hard and tired, and the starting point of the debate is also for the country and the people. However, the debate After it was completed, it seemed that it had no effect at all, everyone still insisted on their own ideas without any change."

Hear this.

Zhao Zhen, Fan Zhongyan, and Ouyang Xiu couldn't help but nodded in approval.

It is this feeling.

He tried his best to persuade the other party, but with little success.

Su Liang continued: "Guan Jia, there is no perfect method in the world. Everyone's thinking angle is different. We only need to stick to the general direction and make adjustments at any time during execution."

"I suggest that a new temporary government reform department be established to carry out the reform throughout the Song Dynasty!"

"This Reform Department is under the direct control of the official family. Each of the two government and three departments sends a chief official, and Taijian also sends one person to participate. The other ministers have the right to supervise, make suggestions, and question, but they have no right to participate in decision-making. The new laws and policies are all Issued by the Reform Department!”

"This method can greatly improve the effectiveness of the reform, and it can also avoid the delay and difficulty in implementing various instructions. Every time you pass a yamen, you need to explain it. When the reform is over, the Reform Department will be dissolved on the spot!"

Su Liang's words directly silenced the entire hall.

Even the sound of breathing seemed to have stopped.

This... this... doesn't this mean that the two governments and three departments will be emptied out?
The imperial power is autocratic and gives orders to the people. This move actually destroys the laws of the ancestors.

I'm afraid only Su Liang can come up with such a bold idea.

Beside, Sima Guang was stunned for a while.

Wang Anshi's eyes shone brightly, and he murmured in his heart: "Wonderful, wonderful! It turns out that you can give advice like this!"

Su Liang's words suddenly opened up Wang Anshi's idea of ​​becoming an official.

At this moment, Song Xiang strode out.

"Officials, this strategy is absolutely impossible! All major affairs of the imperial court come from the two governments. This is a way of destroying the ancestors. It cannot be done, it must not be done!"

Su Liang retorted with a serious face: "Why can't it be done? Each of the two governments and three departments will select someone to join the Reform Department to change the old habit of procrastination, and the officials will personally sit in the battle, and other ministers of the two governments and three departments will also have the power to supervise. If we have to quarrel like today every time we do things and explain how we can get things done, since the Song Dynasty's reform has started, we should be bolder!"

"If things are not handled by Zhongshu, it will be the law of troubled times. Reforms can be made, but the system of the ancestors cannot be changed!" Zhang Fangping couldn't help but say.

The more the various ministers in Zhongshu studied the ancestral methods, the more they disagreed with this policy.

Prime Minister Wen Yanbo looked at Su Liang and said: "Su Yushi, this policy is suspected of evading the two governments. With the Reform Department, what are the uses of the two governments?"

Although Wen Yanbo had a good relationship with Su Liang, he would definitely stick to his own opinions on such major issues involving the laws of his ancestors.

Moreover, if there is one person in the book, it must be Fan Zhongyan.

These husband-in-laws will be excluded from the reform affairs.

Wu Yu also shook his head and said: "I also feel that this strategy is too reckless and is not good for the stability of the court. It is not feasible!"

At the same time, Xia Song also stood up.

"If this strategy is implemented, everything in the future will be based on the decrees issued by the Reform Department. It is absolutely not feasible!"

Except for Fan Zhongyang, all the ministers in Zhongshu expressed their opposition.

"The Reform Department is just a temporary official office. After the reform is completed and the official offices are dispersed, how can it undermine the stability of the court? Everything in this matter is under the control of the officials!" Su Liang said again.

At this time, Ouyang Xiu stood up and said: "The official family, I think this strategy is feasible. If problems arise, we can just disband. Can't we give it a try?"

Wang Anshi also bravely stood up.

"Officials and ministers also think this policy is very good. The reform department is not overstepping its authority, it is just to eliminate redundant government."

All the officials looked at Zhao Zhen.

Zhao Zhen couldn't help but think of Su Liang's question again: Do the officials want to rule the world with the scholar-bureaucrats, or do they want to rule the world with the people?
After thinking for a while, he said: "I think the reform can be established. I will sit in the battle and all the officials in the court can supervise it. Why not? I don't think this is against the laws of our ancestors! We can try it for three months first. If there are any problems, just rectify them!”

Hearing this, Fan Zhongyan couldn't help but smile, but no other courtiers raised any objections.

Everyone understands it very well.

The current official family is no longer the official family ten years ago, and it is difficult to change the things he decides.

Immediately, Zhao Zhen looked at Su Liang and asked, "Jingming, you are the only one to be appointed as the remonstrator for the Reform Department. You are also the one to recommend the candidates for the two governments and three departments."

Su Liang thought about it.

"The candidate for Zhongshu is naturally Fan Xiang; for the Third Division, I recommend the envoy of the Third Division to sit in the battle in person; as for the Privy Council, I recommend Liang Shi, the Privy Councilor."

Upon hearing this, Privy Councilor Xia Song and Deputy Privy Councilor Pang Ji both trembled.

For such an important matter, Su Liang directly ignored the two of them.

Xia Song glared and lost his temper.

"Officials, Su Liangzhi is targeting veterans. Even if the Privy Council is not filled with veterans, Deputy Envoy Fan should be seated. Why did you ask Liang Shi? Is it better for Liang Shi to control the Privy Council with me?"

Zhao Zhen also looked at Su Liang with some confusion, feeling that his targeting was too obvious.

Su Liang came to Xia Song and Pang Ji, first bowed his hands, and then said: "Xia Shuxiang, Deputy Envoy Pang, Jingming knows that the ability of the two in charge of the Privy Council is far superior to that of Liang Xueshi, but the reform of the whole Song Dynasty not only tested Your brainpower is a test of your physical strength. You two are too old. I am worried that you two are determined but powerless!"

At this moment, among the officials standing in Chui Gong Hall, only three were over 60 years old.

Xia Song is 64 years old, Pang Ji is 61 years old, and Fan Zhongyan is 60 years old.

Moreover, Xia Song and Pang Ji's bodies are indeed average.

In the past year, he has often taken leave due to illness, and he looks far less young and energetic than Fan Zhongyan, who often travels to the northwest.

This reason was difficult for Xia Song and Pang Ji to refute.

Xia Song was so angry that his face was livid, and he held it in for a long time before he finally came up with a sentence: "The old lady is old-hearted."

Su Liang mocked Xia Song for being old more than once.

But that's what it is.

After the Reform in the Song Dynasty, it was a common thing for people in their 60s to stay up all night writing memorials. It was really too much for an old man in his [-]s.

On the throne, Zhao Zhen nodded: "Xia Shuxiang and Deputy Envoy Pang, what Jingming said does make sense. You two are already old, so you can just supervise this reform."

Xia Song and Pang Ji had no choice but to hand over their hands and said nothing more.

Immediately afterwards, Zhao Zhen puffed up his chest.

"Then let's end the discussion today! Su Jingming, you are responsible for finding a yamen as the office of the Reform Department. As for when the first reform policy in the Song Dynasty will be issued, we will discuss it after the Reform Department is listed!"

After saying that, Zhao Zhen left Chui Gong Hall.

The ministers dispersed, some were happy and some were sad.

Wang Anshi and Sima Guang also followed Su Liang. After the Reform Department is established, there will definitely be a place for them.

(End of this chapter)