Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

Chapter 25 Section [-] Reduction of Yearly Fu Wang Dan nodded, "What Li Xiang said makes sense, hey. Now that there is another war in the Northwest, when will our Song Dynasty enjoy peace and peace, and we officials can go out for a leisurely banquet. "

"From his point of view, this is not a bad thing," Li Han said, "There are powerful enemies next to our country, which keeps us on our toes. Civil and military officials dare not slack off at all. Even if the war ends in the future and the world is peaceful, you and I And the ministers of the court may not sit back and relax, Vice Minister Wang, the words of the truth today, must be remembered."

"Yes, Li Xiang." Wang Dan cupped his hands

Defang also nodded, "Li Xiangzhi's words are heartfelt, and the lonely king has also been taught."

"The old minister dare not."

"Li Xiang," Defang asked, "I heard that Li Xiang likes to read "The Analects of Confucius" on weekdays. This is very similar to King Han. I don't know why?"

"How Neng, the old minister, dare not discuss with King Han, but "The Analects of Confucius" is indeed a book that should be read by the prime minister. There are two sentences in the "Analects of Confucius": "Be frugal and love others, so that the people will be in good time. This minister is the prime minister. But I have never been able to do it, the truth written by the sage, I really can’t read it thoroughly in my whole life.”

"What Li Xiang said is, what Li Xiang said" both De Fang and Wang Dan nodded in agreement, and the three of them went outside the palace gate after talking, De Fang cupped his hands "then say goodbye, please, two prime ministers"

"My lord please first." Li Hang and Wang Dan handed over their hands and watched the Defang sedan chair team leave.

【Second day】

Defang came to the third division and met Wang Qinruo, who was then the judge of the third division.

"My lord, this time the lonely king is ordered to supervise the arrears of the annual tax, and I hope that my lord can fully cooperate."

"Your Majesty will definitely deal with this matter with all your strength, so that the prince can fulfill the emperor's order and share the worries for His Majesty," said Wang Qinruo

De Fang nodded, "My lord, is there any clue about the Sui Fu at this time?"

"Back to the prince, executive officials at all levels are already handling the matter, and the results will be forthcoming."

"That's good. If it has already started to deal with it, the lonely king will not interfere any more. Once this matter is rewarded, please inform the king in time, so that the lonely king can return to His Majesty." Defang said

"Yes, my lord," Wang Qinruo cupped his hands

Half a month later, Wang Qinruo and Wu Bingu, who was the judge at the time, presented some records of the annual tax to Defang. After reading it, Defang asked, "There are so many people who are in arrears with the annual tax. I have never heard of it in recent years." Natural disasters, why are there still people who have been in arrears for many years and have not paid their annual gifts?"

Wang Qinruo said, "My lord, these people should be punished, and they have been arrested and imprisoned."

Defang looked at Wang Qinruo, "My lord, in the early years, the arrears of the annual tax happened from time to time, but the late emperor cared about the sufferings of the people, and he often pardoned them, which can be said to be a sign of grace. Don't the people think of the late emperor's painstaking efforts?"

"My lord, those are all thugs, for their own selfishness, they have betrayed the benevolence of the late emperor, it is really abominable!" Wang Qinruo said

Defang sighed, "This matter really pains the lonely king, I wonder if the two adults can solve it?"

Wu Bingu stepped forward and said, "I want to report to the lord, I have something to say, I don't know if it should be said or not."

"Your Majesty, if you have anything to say, you might as well speak up." Defang looked at Wu Bingu and said

"Returning to the prince, although the first emperor thought of the suffering of the people, he often pardoned the default of the annual tax, but it is not that the people did not think of the late emperor's kindness, but that the local officials could not uphold the imperial edict and still ordered the people to pay the annual tax privately. The common people have unspeakable sufferings, which makes the arrears of the annual tax even worse today." Wu Bingu said

"Oh? There's such a thing." Defang stood up, "I think that when the great Song Dynasty founded the country, we treated officials with high salaries, but such evil deeds still occur, which is really unbearable for the lonely king."