Chapter 310: It’s Here, It’s Here! |
As the saying goes: Stand high, see far.
That’s right!
But standing high also often causes one to overlook some details.
Details.
This was also the greatest difference between Wang Anshi and Sima Guang, one could even say they were two extremes.
Wang Anshi’s gaze was entirely on the big picture, so he didn’t pay much attention to details. This led him to acknowledge that Zhang Fei indeed had a knack for publicity, but he didn’t consider it all that important.
Moreover, this was about writing articles – if he wasn’t going to personally take charge, how could that be justified?
Sima Guang was the other extreme, paying too much attention to details, looking ahead and behind, fearing this and that, causing many good ideas to ultimately never be realized.
“What’s wrong?”
Zhang Fei shook his head with a bitter smile. “No one is perfect.”
Xu Zhiqian looked at Zhang Fei with confusion.
“Academician Wang asked me to help him promote the New Policies.”
As he spoke, Zhang Fei picked up the article from the table and handed it to Xu Zhiqian.
After reading it, Xu Zhiqian exclaimed with delight, “It’s really well written.”
Zhang Fei said, “Not as good as yours!”
Xu Zhiqian lightly patted him and said with feigned anger, “Nonsense.”
Zhang Fei said, “I’m serious. My original intention was to have you write it, but Academician Wang insisted I publish his article.”
Xu Zhiqian still didn’t understand. “I couldn’t write such a good article.”
“I give up. Right now, whatever I say, you all don’t believe. In time, I’ll prove that your article would be superior to Academician Wang’s.” Zhang Fei waved his hand.
Suddenly they heard someone outside say, “Lord Lu, did you forget something?”
Then they heard Lu Huiqing say, “I forgot to discuss something with Zhang San.”
Xu Zhiqian very tactfully left, though her eyes were full of confusion.
As soon as she left, Lu Huiqing entered.
Zhang Fei knew why he had returned, but still stood up and feigned confusion. “Did Lord Lu forget something?”
“No.”
Lu Huiqing shook his head, then said seriously, “Zhang San, what you said earlier, I also found quite reasonable, but you must understand one thing – having my mentor write this article also carries great significance.”
The great significance he spoke of referred to political significance. At present, Wang Anshi was the embodiment of the New Policies, and all the reformers looked to him. It had to begin with him.
Only this way could it boost morale.
Zhang Fei nodded. “I understand, which is why I didn’t fight for it.”
Lu Huiqing said with some worry, “But will doing this really cause great losses?”
Zhang Fei sighed. “To be honest with you, in terms of publicity, publishing this article can only be called adequate. We can’t really say it is a loss, but why did you all seek me out to do this publicity? It was simply because you wanted to do better. However, I’ll find a way to make up for all this.”
Make up for it?
Lu Huiqing became more and more anxious as he listened. Was the difference really that great? But he still didn’t quite understand where exactly the difference lay, so he said, “If the impact is significant, we can go talk to my mentor again.”
Zhang Fei smiled. “Given Academician Wang’s personality, I think it’s better to let the facts speak for themselves. If we don’t have results, even if we succeed, Academician Wang will still be somewhat displeased.”
Without having tried it, how could one know?
“Then will it affect…”
“I will give my all and strive for success.” As he spoke, Zhang Fei suddenly seemed to remember something. “But there are some things I need your help with.”
Lu Huiqing said, “Just tell me.”
“Please sit.”
Zhang Fei then closed the door and sat back in his chair. “There should be some rotten goods stored in the national treasury, right?”
Lu Huiqing nodded.
Zhang Fei said, “I need you help me prepare some.”
Hearing this, Lu Huiqing suddenly realized that Zhang Fei’s publicity was definitely not as simple as just one article.
The two chatted in the private room for about an hour before Lu Huiqing left, but the expression on his face was obviously much more relaxed.
Zhang Fei looked at the article in his hand again. “Although in terms of publicity, this will have a counterproductive effect, it might be of great help to my charitable organization.”
At this point, he chuckled. “From this perspective, it is Academician Wang bringing me good fortune, not me bringing him good fortune.”
That very day, he sent this article to the Authentic Books Store to be published under the name of the Scholar’s Gazette, since the court had not yet issued an official announcement, making it too formal for the News Gazette.
After a day and a half of effort, the first batch of this issue of the Scholar’s Gazette appeared in the major restaurants.
For many people, this was an expected “surprise.”
Actually, before this, quite a few people had held expectations, hoping the New Policies would fail, but unfortunately it did not go as they wished.
It had finally arrived!
The Balanced Delivery Policy made its brilliant debut, appearing in everyone’s field of vision.
In fact, this new law primarily concerned the capital’s supply issues.
It was said that the Northern Song Dynasty was one empire supporting one city. While this was exaggerated, the enormous bureaucratic team and hundreds of thousands of imperial guards did indeed require tremendous supplies.
Every year, various regions had to transport many goods to the capital as taxes in kind.
But these goods were not industrial goods – most were agricultural products affected by weather, yet the quantity and types of materials each region transported to the capital annually remained fixed and unchanging.
This created a problem. For example, if a certain county in Jiangnan had to send a thousand pounds of lychees to the capital each year, but the weather was unfavorable and the lychee harvest was poor, the people had no lychees, yet the government would only accept lychees – no negotiations allowed.
This forced the people to buy lychees at high prices to fulfil their obligations to the government.
One could imagine how merchants could profit enormously from this.
Moreover, this fixed supply often did not match the capital’s demand – excess would simply rot, while shortages forced the imperial court to buy at high prices from the market.
The losses here were also staggering.
Frankly speaking, Sima Guang’s cost-cutting philosophy could not solve this problem – only Wang Anshi’s financial management approach could address it.
Wang Anshi’s solution was ten words: “Move from expensive to cheap, use near instead of far.”
“Move from expensive to cheap” meant no longer collecting fixed physical taxes from various regions. In disaster-stricken areas where harvests were poor and prices of goods high, they would collect money instead, then use that money to buy the required goods at low prices from regions with good harvests.
This way, merchants could not accumulate vast wealth from the process.
If multiple regions simultaneously had good harvests with cheap goods, they would purchase from closer regions with convenient transportation – this was “use near instead of far.”
This could save enormous transportation costs.
Additionally, Wang Anshi would resolve the supply-demand relationship by having the capital issue demand orders first, then having procurement units purchase from various regions according to these orders.
This essentially used market practices to replace the rigid and extremely corrupt system.
Furthermore, when the article explained the concept of “use near instead of far,” it also mentioned the corvee labor system, stating this would reduce the burden of corvee labor and indicating that a new corvee labor law would soon be introduced.
In terms of articles, Wang Anshi was truly a master among masters. Actually, the corvee labor law had already been revised, but he knew everyone was more concerned about corvee labor – it was a malignant tumor. Therefore, he left this foreshadowing here to generate anticipation and attention, ensuring the momentum would continue rising.
As Zhang Fei had evaluated, the entire article was truly every word a pearl, every point hitting the mark.
It accurately described the problems and proposed solutions targeting each issue, one-to-one correspondence – it was perfect.
At dawn.
Zhang Fei chatted with Gao Wenyin while leisurely walking toward the front courtyard. Now that he was busy day and night, he could only cultivate feelings with Gao Wenyin during breakfast.
“I never expected that after your return this time, Zhang San, you would be even busier than when you were in service.”
“Is my lady complaining that I haven’t spent more time with you?”
“No, no!”
Gao Wenyin shook her head repeatedly, then said softly, “I’m just worried that you will exhaust yourself.”
“My lady, rest assured, I will take care of my health.”
As he spoke, Zhang Fei suddenly gently grasped Gao Wenyin’s fair and smooth hand. “Wait a little longer, and I’ll have plenty of time to spend with you.”
Gao Wenyin gently tried to withdraw her hand, but seeing she couldn’t break free, she let him hold it, saying with shy reproach, “I already said that wasn’t what I meant.”
Zhang Fei saw her cheeks flush, making her even more charming and alluring, and laughed, “But I want to – when the time comes, let’s travel far together.”
“Ah? Travel far?” Gao Wenyin asked in surprise.
Zhang Fei said, “Don’t you want to?”
Gao Wenyin shook her head.
She was a complete homebody who had absolutely no interest in going out.
“Zhang San!”
Suddenly, a clear, crisp voice rang out.
Gao Wenyin hurriedly pulled her hand away.
“Still hiding? I saw everything!”
Xu Zhiqian walked over, smiling mischievously at Gao Wenyin.
“That’s right! We’re all family – sooner or later we need to be honest with each other.”
Zhang Fei simply switched hands and gently pulled Xu Zhiqian into an embrace.
“Don’t you dare push your luck.”
Xu Zhiqian immediately broke free and walked over to Gao Wenyin’s side, linking arms with her. “Sister Gao, you can’t let him do whatever he wants, or you’ll spoil him with bad habits.”
“Wow.”
Zhang Fei raised both hands. “I’m really being wronged here! I…”
As he spoke, he suddenly looked at his own hands, his eyes growing slightly moist.
Gao Wenyin immediately said, “Actually, Zhang San has always treated me with proper respect. I… I’m grateful to him for that.”
This was truly from her heart – she was genuinely grateful for Zhang Fei’s respect toward her.
“Listen to that, listen to that!”
Zhang Fei looked at Xu Zhiqian indignantly. “You’re both women – how can there be such a difference? Come here quickly and let your husband hold you to comfort me.”
“Bah!”
Xu Zhiqian shot him a shy glance. “You scoundrel.”
Fine! I’ll deal with you properly once we’re in the carriage. Zhang Fei said, “You came so early – are you here to mooch a meal?”
Gao Wenyin quickly said, “Miss Xu, we haven’t eaten yet. Please join us!”
Xu Zhiqian replied, “No thanks. I actually wanted to invite him to eat at a restaurant.”
Zhang Fei said in surprise, “What? You’re inviting me to eat at a restaurant?”
Xu Zhiqian was an odd person – extremely stingy with herself but incredibly generous with others. When she went out with Zhang Fei, they usually ate at street stalls. In Zhang Fei’s memory, they had never been to a proper restaurant.
Xu Zhiqian rolled her eyes and said helplessly, “Did you forget? A new issue of the Scholar’s Gazette is coming out today.”
Zhang Fei made an “oh” sound. “You want to go to a restaurant to hear how people are commenting on it.”
Xu Zhiqian nodded vigorously.
She was a firm supporter of Wang Anshi’s reforms.
Zhang Fei said, “Then you’re paying.”
Xu Zhiqian’s face reddened. “I can only afford to buy you steamed buns. Will you eat them or not?”
“Plain white steamed buns?”
Zhang Fei’s eyes lit up. “Yes! If you’re buying, I’ll definitely eat them.”
“Fine then!” Xu Zhiqian said, “Let’s go quickly! Sister Gao, we’re leaving!”
“Be careful on the road.”
“Wife, next time you have to buy me plain white steamed buns too.”
“Oh!”
Gao Wenyin responded casually, then muttered to herself, “Why does Zhang San want me to buy him plain white steamed buns?”
Once they got in the carriage, hmm… Zhang Fei immediately pulled Xu Zhiqian into his arms, his hands roaming freely as he kissed her until she was breathless before finally stopping.
Smack!
Zhang Fei gave her bottom a light but firm pat. “Now do you understand this scoundrel’s methods?”
Xu Zhiqian’s face was completely flushed as she gave him a coquettish glance, then asked, “You and Sister Gao?”
Zhang Fei smiled bitterly. “Don’t you understand her personality? Unless you marry me, it’s impossible with her.”
Xu Zhiqian nodded thoughtfully. “Oh, so that’s why you’re eager to marry me – it’s for Sister Gao!”
“Hey! You little minx.”
“Alright!”
Xu Zhiqian quickly blocked his hands. “Stop hitting me. I won’t say anything more.”
Zhang Fei pulled her back into his arms and kissed her cherry lips. “Seriously, when do you plan to marry me?”
Xu Zhiqian thought for a moment. “After New Year’s, when my brother returns, alright? We’re quite busy lately anyway.”
Zhang Fei nodded. “Fine, I’ll wait another half year for you.”
Xu Zhiqian huffed. “Only half a year more?”
Zhang Fei said, “That’s it. When the time comes, I’ll take you by force.”
“You’re asking for death! That sounds so crude.”
Flirting and bantering all the way, they arrived at Pan Inn.
As soon as they entered, they heard someone shouting, “Su Shi, stop your prattling! Let me ask you – the governmental abuses my brother-in-law pointed out, do they actually exist, or did my brother-in-law fabricate them?”
The two looked toward the voice and saw a man in scholar’s robes, not yet forty, pointing at Su Shi at a neighboring table.
“Brother-in-law?”
Zhang Fei was slightly taken aback.
Xu Zhiqian quickly explained, “That’s Shen Jichang. He’s currently a professor at the College of National Scions and is Wang Anshi’s brother-in-law.”
Zhang Fei nodded slightly, thinking to himself that this was truly a family of officials – even the brother-in-law held office.
Su Shi laughed and said, “The problems Academician Wang raised are all true, without any false words.”
“That settles it then.” Shen Jichang cupped his hands toward the crowd: “I ask everyone here to judge fairly – since these governmental abuses truly exist, and my brother-in-law prescribes remedies to address each problem systematically, what fault is there in that?”
Some young scholars could be seen nodding frequently and whispering among themselves.
The problems and their solutions really did correspond one-to-one.
Nothing wrong with that!
Xu Zhiqian also said in surprise, “Indeed! What fault is there? Why would Master Su oppose this?”
Zhang Fei said in a low voice, “Let’s find seats first.”
“Mm.”
The two looked around and suddenly realized there seemed to be no available seats.
Just then, Mogul Pan walked over. “Zhang San, Miss Xu, your honored presence truly brings glory to my humble establishment!”
Zhang Fei cupped his hands and smiled, “Mogul Pan, you’re too kind. Zhang San doesn’t dare accept such praise.”
Who would dare look down on Zhang San now?
Mogul Pan immediately found them a table.
“Zhang San, you really need to prepare more copies of this newspaper. I only got a hundred copies, and I estimate they won’t even last until noon,” Mogul Pan said quietly.
“That’s your own fault for not letting me sell them separately. People have no choice but to get them through you,” Zhang Fei said irritably.
Mogul Pan smiled sheepishly and said nothing.
Zhang Fei continued, “There should be another batch this afternoon, which should arrive before dinner.”
“That’s good, that’s good. What would you like to eat?”
“Steamed buns!” Xu Zhiqian said.
Mogul Pan was dumbfounded – you come to Pan Inn to eat steamed buns?
How insulting.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, “Just serve whatever you think best, Mogul.”
“Fine! Please wait a moment.”
“Thank you!”
After Mogul Pan left, Xu Zhiqian smiled and said, “Didn’t you want to eat steamed buns?”
Zhang Fei shrugged, “I felt them earlier – they weren’t soft enough.”
“When did you feel any steamed buns? I didn’t notice,” Xu Zhiqian said with a puzzled expression, then suddenly her face turned bright red. She kicked hard under the table, completely abandoning any ladylike demeanor. “You scoundrel! You’re truly vulgar, shameless, and despicable!”
“Ow! Ow! Enough, look quickly – your idol Master Su is standing up.”
Xu Zhiqian glanced back, then turned to Zhang Fei and said, “I’ll settle accounts with you later.”
Su Shi spoke: “As everyone knows, buying cheap and selling dear is how merchants make their living. Now the government is doing the same thing – isn’t this taking away the merchants’ livelihood?”
Shen Jichang laughed, “The article makes it very clear that merchants use this to accumulate wealth, becoming rich but heartless, exploiting the common people. Yet you still speak for the merchants – you’ve truly wasted your study of the sages’ books.”
Su Shi smiled disdainfully, “Professor Shen truly wastes his role as a teacher. The way to prevent others from stealing is definitely not to steal the items yourself first. Knowing this is wrong, yet the government still does it – isn’t this self-contradictory?”
Shen Jichang retorted, “The court has its own sense of proportion and won’t be as greedy as merchants.”
“That’s not necessarily so!” Su Shi snorted, then continued, “Furthermore, the court collects so much commercial tax from merchants every year, yet now it turns around and wants to cut off the merchants’ livelihood – isn’t this too ruthless?
In my view, when disasters strike, the court should reduce taxes for the people rather than converting grain to money. That’s the first point. Second, since the court collects taxes from all the people under heaven, it shouldn’t compete with the people for profit – only then is it fair. Though the court profits from buying cheap and selling dear, it will also drive merchants to ruin, reducing commercial taxes collected from then. With one loss offsetting the other, what’s the point? This is fundamentally not a cure for the root problem.”
Immediately, many people voiced their support for Su Shi.
Shen Jichang laughed heartily, “Su Zhi, you’re just an armchair strategist. What you’ve said cannot eliminate those governmental abuses at all.
In my view, the government’s buying cheap and selling dear serves to supply the capital, while merchants’ buying cheap and selling dear serves civilian needs – the two don’t conflict at all. As for those who exploit governmental abuses to gain wealth, they deserve to die and aren’t worth pitying.”
His words also gained considerable support.
The two factions began arguing heatedly again.
Xu Zhiqian said, “I never expected Master Su would oppose the new laws.”
Zhang Fei smiled, “Now you’re in a bind.”
Xu Zhiqian said, “My being conflicted doesn’t matter much, but the key is… by the way, what’s your view?”
Zhang Fei chuckled, “What other view could I have? Just watching the show, of course.”