Judge of the Song Dynasty

Zhang Fei’s first proposal primarily focused on the profits to be earned from property loans and aimed to break the prevailing trend of high-interest rates, establishing a precedent for low-interest rates.

Separately, these two points didn’t hold much appeal for Wang Anshi. However, combined, they sparked considerable interest, since it was surprising that low-interest rates could also generate profits.

Yet, how should the imperial court proceed?

How to legislate?

How to regulate?

Wang Anshi instinctively believed that these matters undoubtedly fell within his purview, and that Zhang Fei would surely not be well-versed in such affairs.

Little did he know that a surprise awaited him.

Truly an unexpected delight.

The second proposal wasn’t an ordinary one; it was a property tax reform plan.

Wang Anshi’s frustration stemmed from his belief that this was second proposal was far more valuable and important than the first proposal. The core idea of this second proposal was moving away head taxes levied on each individual into property taxes.

The Northern Song Dynasty was notorious for its burdensome and miscellaneous taxes, especially in the capital city of Bianjing.

In rural areas, the taxes mainly revolved around land and labor, but in cities, it extended to deed taxes, business taxes, tariffs, personal taxes, property taxes, and numerous public fees, among others.

This proposal aimed to consolidate many taxes into one – property tax, which could also be termed as deed tax or stamp duty, as the foundation of the proposed property tax lay in taxing contractual transactions.

Compared to the straightforward and crude bracket taxes of the Tang Dynasty, the property tax of the Northern Song Dynasty had become relatively mature.

Firstly, the property tax was only levied on city residents, not on rural farmers.

Secondly, based on the size of the houses and different locations, varying amounts of tax were collected.

Finally, the property tax was not excessively high, averaging out to be quite reasonable.

On this foundation, Zhang Fei expanded the scope of property tax to include more taxes. In the bustling city of Bianjing, with significant population movement, many taxes were linked to individuals, posing numerous challenges and loopholes for tax evasion. However, houses were immovable assets; collecting taxes on them left no room for escape.

Wang Anshi read the proposal with great enthusiasm. However, considering the overall financial landscape of the Northern Song, property tax constituted a very small proportion. His ambitions were grand, and the allure of this benefit to him might not be as significant as one might think.

But crucially, the reform ideas proposed by Zhang Fei were strikingly similar to many of his own, and there were also aspects he hadn’t considered. It was not an exaggeration to say that he benefited immensely from these insights, leaving him quite invigorated.

However, there was no free lunch in the world.

Zhang Fei wasn’t offering his suggestions out of sheer goodwill.

His intentions were clear when he explicitly stated that he had his own purpose.

According to his reform proposal, many taxes would be consolidated into property tax or deed tax. In doing so, contracts became paramount.

This was Zhang Fei’s forte.

If successful, a single contract could be worth more than just a fortune.

Of course, drafting a contract wasn’t an easy task.

So far, Zhang Fei hadn’t produced a complete template for a housing mortgage contract.

It wasn’t due to secrecy, but rather because it wasn’t finalized. Times were different from where he had come from, and a simple copy-paste wouldn’t suffice. Many considerations needed to be taken into account, and he approached it with great caution.

This was his shot to fame!

“Burp!”

Standing at the entrance of the Xu residence, Wang Anshi let out a satisfied burp. Holding Xu Zun’s hand, he smiled and said, “Thanks for the delightful wine, Xu Zun. This trip of mine was truly worthwhile!”

Xu Zun chuckled, “I wonder if it’s the good wine or the good company?”

“Both! Both!” Wang Anshi laughed heartily and continued, “But Xu Zun, keeping such talent at home is truly a waste!”

Wang Anshi was highly impressed by Zhang Fei’s strategy. He admired it greatly, finding it very much to his tastes.

In summary, they shared the same aspirations and principles.

Xu Zun smiled playfully, “What’s this? Have you taken a liking to the lad?”

Wang Anshi straightforwardly replied, “If you don’t plan to use him, I intend to recommend him for an official position once this matter is settled.”

Based on the second proposal alone, Wang Anshi had already decided to employ Zhang Fei.

There is already someone who has recognized his talents, Xu Zun mumbled to himself.[1] He then said, “This is a good thing. How could I refuse?”

Wang Anshi asked, “Is it settled, then?”

Xu Zun nodded with a smile.

“Phew.”

While Xu Zun went to see off Wang Anshi, Zhang Fei couldn’t help but let out a long sigh of relief. Suddenly, he looked at Xu Zhiqian, who had remained silent beside him, and said, “I apologize for just now.”

Xu Zhiqian had been holding back all night, planning to explode, but Zhang Fei’s words had forced her to swallow her anger. She responded, “You’re so reckless. Sooner or later, you’ll cause trouble.”

“It’s indeed my fault!” Zhang Fei leaned back, showing a hint of fatigue. He said, “I was too simplistic in my initial considerations. That’s why it was so perilous just now. It was a close call, and I almost failed at the last moment.”

His tone carried a touch of self-recrimination.

It was indeed a close call just now. If the argument on whether government should run businesses had continued, arousing Wang Anshi’s competitive spirit, the whole matter would have been ruined.

Curious, Xu Zhiqian asked, “I actually think what you said earlier was right. If this matter is handed over to the government, it will only backfire. Why was Uncle Wang so angry at that time, but later agreed when you pressured him by demanding for personal benefits for yourself?”

Zhang Fei sighed and explained, “It’s simple. Many of his proposals aim to increase the government’s revenue. What he suggested just now was completely aligned with his agenda. So, when we rejected his idea, in his eyes, we were rejecting his political philosophy. If the argument had continued, he would have implemented it to prove he was right. Regardless of his success or failure, I would have definitely ended up defeated.”

Xu Zhiqian furrowed her brows, pondering for a while. Suddenly, she glanced at Zhang Fei, thinking that perhaps her father was right. This man might seem reckless, but his thoughts were meticulous. He even sensed the subtle mood of Uncle Wang at that moment.

Suddenly, she frowned, “If Uncle Wang’s ideas aligns with his agenda, doesn’t that mean his agenda…” The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the novel fire.net

“You’re thinking too much.” Zhang Fei interrupted her, “Agenda and specific policies are two different things. Earning more revenue for the government, how can you say that it is a wrong agenda? It’s just that doing it in this particular way might be a bit inappropriate.”

“Haha!”

A hearty laugh interrupted their conversation.

Xu Zun returned to the hall, stroking his beard and laughing heartily. He pointed at Zhang Fei, “Good lad, impressive! You actually persuaded Wang Anshi. If Sima Guang had seen this, he would have bowed to you.”

“I don’t believe it.” Zhang Fei, taking on a modest demeanor, shook his head, “Back when I won the lawsuit in the Court of Judicial Review, that Academician Wang didn’t bow to me either.”

Xu Zun stared for a moment, then jokingly scolded, “You ignorant brat! Although Wang Anshi might not have bowed to you, without your victory against Sima Guang, I’m afraid Wang Anshi wouldn’t have come here today.”

Suddenly, Xu Zhiqian asked her father, “Dad, do you think Uncle Wang can get the Emperor’s approval?”

Persuading Wang Anshi wasn’t the endgame; in the end, the Emperor had to agree.

Xu Zun stroked his beard and said, “If he can’t even persuade the Emperor of this, then his plan of implementing reforms would be a distant dream!”

With a meaningful look at Zhang Fei, he added, “I finally understand why you chose Wang Anshi.”

Timing was everything!

If he had approached Sima Guang or others, it was not that their influence was less than Wang Anshi’s, but they wouldn’t strive as hard to get this proposal through.

Back at Wang Anshi’s residence, after studying Zhang Fei’s reform proposal all night, the next day, he sought out his trusted disciple, Lu Huiqing. Then, he handed the entire plan to him.

“Who came up with this strategy?”

After reading it, Lu Huiqing couldn’t help but feel surprised.

Wang Anshi, sensing his displeasure, asked, “What? Can’t your mentor come up with such a plan?”

I was the one who showed it to you, and you question who came up with it.

That’s a bit insulting.

Lu Huiqing quickly said, “I didn’t mean that. It’s just that this writing style doesn’t seem like what Mentor would write, especially with the extensive use of calculations.”

Growing more awkward by the moment, Wang Anshi waved his hand and said, “Don’t worry about that. Do you think this proposal is feasible?”

“Yes, it’s feasible!”

Lu Huiqing had almost no hesitation. “Just based on this interest rate, it can silence most people in the imperial court. Additionally, many mid to low-level officials in the imperial court also want to buy houses, but they are hindered by insufficient funds. If there is such a low-interest rate, it would be beneficial for them as well. However, why entrust it to merchants? Mentor, you can suggest to His Majesty to establish a separate office to manage this matter. This way, it can also increase revenue for the imperial court.”

Wang Anshi valued him for a reason; his mind indeed worked quickly.

He quickly thought about how to transform this benefit into political power.

Wang Anshi said, “That’s because the person who came up with this strategy insisted on doing it this way.”

Curious, Lu Huiqing asked, “Who is this person?”

Wang Anshi replied, “Zhang San.”

“The Zhang San from the Ayun case?”

“Exactly.”

Wang Anshi nodded and added, “He hopes to use this strategy to break free from the constraints imposed by the court.”

“I see!” Lu Huiqing nodded. Suddenly, he said, “Mentor, although this policy doesn’t have far-reaching impact, and the increased financial income isn’t that substantial, as a starting point, it couldn’t be more suitable.”

Wang Anshi smiled and nodded, “You think just like me!” Then, he slapped the table, “Let’s start with this property tax.”

[1] Xu Zun is thinking of the Emperor who had already come to secretly visit Zhang Fei, who is still unaware of “Senior Brother Wang’s” true identity.