Chapter 51: One Must Be Honorable
“What do you mean ‘what’?”
Wang Anshi asked with a slight displeasure, “Did I say something wrong?”
Wang Anshi’s economic agenda was about generating revenue for the state, believing that the state should run businesses to generate revenue and improve its financial situation. Since Zhang Fei had explained that the business of granting housing loans was guaranteed profits, he naturally hoped that the government would manage it independently and maximize its gains.
This was more than just being wrong, it was downright shameless. If the government takes over the business, what will I do?
What about Wang Anshi’s reputation for being righteous and upright?
Zhang Fei didn’t expect Wang Anshi to consider the government running it independently, which completely disrupted his plans.
“Of course it’s wrong,” Zhang Fei said while wiping sweat.
Wang Anshi asked, “Why is it wrong?”
“Because…”
Zhang Fei paused to organize his words. “The buyers of houses would mostly be officials or their family. Ordinary commoners wouldn’t be able to afford to buy a house.” Wang Anshi asked, “So?”
“So…”
Whether you truly don’t understand or are pretending not to, it doesn’t matter. If the government takes over this project, I’ll have to start from scratch again. Zhang Fei gathered his courage and said, “So, a situation may arise where officials are approving loans to themselves to buy houses.”
“You’re wrong!”
Wang Anshi waved his hand, saying, “It’s the government approving the loans to officials to buy houses.”
Zhang Fei argued, “But the government is run by officials!”
Wang Anshi replied, “If officials embezzle or take bribes, they will face punishment. If you want the court to legislate rules, aren’t officials also the ones who will enforce the rules? How is this different?”
A discussion about corruption could last forever because it concerned events that had not happened yet. Could it not be said that businessmen would engage in corruption as well? If you want to rely on the law, then trust in the law. Wang Anshi even believed that the government’s determination to ensure its own profits was likely greater than its commitment to ensuring businessmen made money.
“Quite the difference!”
Zhang Fei said, “When businessmen lend money, they seek profit. That is a constant. They won’t lend to risky individuals. However, if the government gets involved, it’s different. It would be about connections and political careers. They might lend to some risky individuals.
This goes against the principle of seeking profit, and the government is essentially transferring money from one hand to the other without proper oversight. This will undoubtedly lead to widespread corruption and impose a burden on the finances, causing more harm than good.
If tasked to businessmen, the government would have only one responsibility – supervision. The interests would be clearly defined, and the likelihood of corruption would be relatively low.”
Xu Zun nodded slightly, glanced at Wang Anshi, opened his mouth slightly, but ultimately held back.
He deeply understood one thing: one does not meddle in things that are beyond one’s job scope.
He would not interfere with matters beyond his jurisdiction.
Wang Anshi, seeing Zhang Fei’s excitement, smiled faintly and didn’t take it seriously. “You’re afraid of this because it won’t be beneficial for you.”
Zhang Fei truthfully replied, “That’s right. I did plan to turn my fortunes with this housing loan plan, but aside from that, I strongly oppose this because it is bound to fail.”
Wang Anshi frowned slightly, a touch of agitation in his tone, “Why are you so certain? The Shophouse and Residence Office also contribute to the government’s profits now and benefit many ordinary people.”
“Shophouse and Residence Office?”
Zhang Fei smiled and said, “If the business of the Shophouse and Residence Office is entrusted to businessmen, I dare guarantee that the profits will double.”
Wang Anshi immediately responded, “Of course. The government rents out public housing to balance rent prices. If entrusted to businessmen, the rent might double or more.”
Xu Zhiqian couldn’t help but interject, “Uncle Wang, to be honest, the current rent is almost doubled, but the government’s revenue does not increase as much.”
Wang Anshi glanced at her slightly, “What does a little girl like you understand? Many things are not as simple as you imagine.”
This was something everyone knew, so how could Wang Anshi not know about it?
But this was a systemic problem, not an isolated one. To change it, the system had to be fundamentally reformed.
And he was currently in the process of preparing for that.
Besides, if there was nothing to be gained, they wouldn’t work hard. After all, this was a public matter, but the people from the Shophouse and Residence Office didn’t receive high salaries like officials.
As long as it wasn’t too excessive, the government turned a blind eye to it. Just pay the government’s due in full, and if you make some profit from it, it’s acceptable.
Xu Zhiqian noticed that Wang Anshi’s expression was not quite right and dared not argue further!
Zhang Fei, observing this, was puzzled. The profits from these housing loans, no matter how much, was not some panacea that would instantly improve the government’s finances. Why was Wang Anshi so persistent? Could he be testing me? No, that’s not it.
Suddenly, he felt a chill in his heart. The fundamental issue of the dispute was not about allocation of benefits but about Wang Anshi’s reformist ideology. Oh, how could I make such a mistake? If I continue to argue about the detriments of state-run businesses, he won’t give up and will persist to prove himself right. This could spell trouble!
At this realization, Zhang Fei steeled himself, “Academician Wang, one must be honorable. This plan was suggested by me. If you don’t want to use it, then don’t use it. But if you use it and monopolize the benefits, that is not the conduct of an honorable person.”
As these words came out, both the father and daughter from the Xu family looked at Zhang Fei in surprise.
Was it wise to be so direct?
Wang Anshi’s brows furrowed, displeased, “I’m not seeking personal benefits.”
Zhang Fei snorted, “When your subordinate officials provide you with advice, is it out of kindness? They are seeking career advancement, and you will certainly reward them and promote them.
If you only use them for your own benefit without promoting them, would they still offer you advice? I am not an official; I am just an ordinary person. I am doing this for my livelihood, for my survival.”
Was this going too far?
Seeing the tension escalating between the two, Xu Zhiqian whispered, “Zhang San, say a few less words. Uncle Wang has his own arrangements.”
“Don’t interrupt.”
Zhang Fei resolutely rejected her words.
Madness!
This guy is truly mad!
Xu Zhiqian felt trapped in the middle, being mistreated from both sides. She felt both wronged and angry. I’m considering your well-being, and you regard me as meddling too much? This was truly unreasonable.
However, restrained by her father and Wang Anshi’s presence, she gritted her teeth and held back from exploding. She snorted, turned her face away.
Only Xu Zun paid attention to his daughter’s emotions, smiling and nodding, asking her to calm down.
He understood Zhang Fei’s tactics well, and he didn’t think Zhang Fei had lost his mind.
Wang Anshi frowned, staring at Zhang Fei for a while. Suddenly, he spoke, “What if I used a grace appointment to get you appointed as an official?”
Xu Zun felt a slight surprise.
If anyone were to recommend Zhang Fei to the imperial court, wouldn’t it be him?
But Wang Anshi remained calm because he saw it as killing two birds with one stone. He genuinely admired Zhang Fei’s talents and wanted to recommend him to the imperial court and put him in charge of managing this matter.
Zhang Fei firmly refused, “Thank you, Academician Wang, but I have already made promises to others regarding this matter. I cannot be dishonorable and monopolize all the benefits.”
It’s not that he didn’t want to become an official, but he was not prepared for it at the moment. He lacked experience. Rushing into it would be dangerous.
Wang Anshi smiled, “So, you’re saying if I insist, it would be dishonorable?”
Seeing that his expression was not as serious as before, Zhang Fei felt more confident, “At the very least, it goes against righteousness.”
Wang Anshi continued, “You just said that you have made promises to others. Does that mean you believe I will definitely accept this plan?”
Zhang Fei nodded, “Yes.”
Wang Anshi asked, “Why are you so certain?”
Zhang Fei replied, “Because I know that you hold the well-being of the people above personal gain. Anything beneficial to the country, you will do it without hesitation.”
Xu Zhiqian finally breathed a sigh of relief. In her heart, she thought, although this guy can be terrifying with his words sometimes, his flattery skills were indeed impressive!
Wang Anshi smiled, “You also know that, compared to personal reputation, I value the greater good of the nation.”
Zhang Fei said, “But even if the government succeeds independently, the difference in gains between the two options won’t be significant. If your personal reputation is ruined from this, how would you lead others? Most importantly, since I was the one who came up with this plan, it would be extremely unfair to me. If you go ahead independently, wouldn’t that be no different from robbery?”
Silence!
The room suddenly fell into complete silence.
Xu Zhiqian was so scared that she held her breath as she glanced at Wang Anshi. She saw that Wang Anshi was looking at Zhang Fei with an expressionless face, while Zhang Fei stared back at Wang Anshi without fear.
The world of men, she truly couldn’t understand it sometimes.
After a while, Wang Anshi suddenly nodded with a smile, “Alright! Since you came up with this plan, we will go with what you said.”
It seems like I made the right bet. Zhang Fei felt a sigh of relief, and then said, “Academician Wang, since the imperial court is going to legislate for this, there will certainly be some changes. I have another plan regarding the reform of property taxes, which I would like to present to you.”
Another one? Wang Anshi’s smile faded, feeling somewhat surprised.
Zhang Fei signaled to Xu Zhiqian with his eyes.
Xu Zhiqian glared at him with a hint of resentment, as if saying, “Just now, you were quite good at scolding me!”
Zhang Fei quickly sent two apologetic glances.
Only then did Xu Zhiqian take out another document from beside her and handed it to Wang Anshi.
Wang Anshi took a look and was instantly fascinated. He thought, after all this fuss, this is the real strategy Zhang Fei was proposing! Before he could finish reading, he felt a bit annoyed and said to Zhang Fei, “So, you hid a card up your sleeves.”