Chapter 56: It Begins
Wang Anshi was known for his decisive and swift actions. Upon receiving approval from Emperor Zhao Xu, he promptly announced the establishment of the City Tax Bureau, appointing Lu Huiqing as the City Tax Commissioner to oversee all tax matters within the city.
From then on, city residents only needed to go to the City Tax Bureau to pay their taxes.
However, this was Bianjing, and many of its residents were influential and powerful figures.
This move immediately stirred considerable controversy in the imperial court.
Many criticized Wang Anshi for being unscrupulous. At first, this was stated to be about interest rates and the stimulation of real estate transactions. Then, a consolidation of miscellaneous taxes was added in. And then, a consolidation of personnel.
It was truly shameless.
Some officials with ulterior motives deliberately or unintentionally associated Wang Anshi’s actions with the emperor’s authority. According to them, the purpose of this complex and fragmented system was to maintain imperial authority, fragmenting power so that no one could challenge the emperor.
On the contrary, consolidating power would pose a threat to the emperor’s authority.
However, not everyone opposed Wang Anshi. On the contrary, there were many ministers in the court who chose to support him. Some genuinely believed that a change was necessary. The current bureaucratic process involved more than a dozen departments, which often resulted in nothing being done, posing a significant problem.
Figures like Military Commissioner Chen Shengzhi and Prefect Lu Gongzhu of the Kaifeng Prefectural Office openly supported Wang Anshi. Others lacked strong principles and simply saw Wang Anshi as the current favorite of the emperor. In their quest for advancement, they chose to support him.
Yet, the key figure in this situation was Emperor Zhao Xu. The emperor trusted Wang Anshi completely, paying no attention to the rumors and gossip.
As for Wang Anshi’s old adversary Sima Guang, he deviated from his usual stance. Not only did he refrain from opposing, but he also offered great support to Wang Anshi. To prevent a loss of face, he didn’t openly endorse Wang Anshi, but privately, he counseled those officials who opposed the policy, explaining the intricacies and emphasizing the rationality of the policy.
This precisely reflected Sima Guang’s governing philosophy. His belief was in frugality, which included cutting departments, reducing expenses, and streamlining bureaucracy.
As officials saw that high-ranking ministers supported Wang Anshi, the voices of opposition died down. And then, opportunistic individuals like Wang Wenshan seized the chance to shift the blame onto Zhang Fei.
This move fueled resentment against Zhang Fei.
However, neither Wang Anshi nor Zhang Fei had any time to pay attention to these rumors and gossip.
Just as the City Tax Bureau had been approved but not yet officially opened, Wang Anshi instructed Lu Huiqing to issue the bureau’s first decree. This decree was to formalize Zhang Fei’s contract and, simultaneously, grant an official license to the Ma family, effectively granting them a monopoly.
However, Ma Tianhao had grown accustomed to the inefficiencies of the court. He hadn’t expected things to move so quickly this time, a whole month ahead of his predictions. Despite the chaos, the strong support from above indicated the significant importance attached to this matter. He didn’t dare to delay.
In the early morning.
Creak.
As the door opened, a piercing cold wind blew in, causing Zhang Fei to shiver uncontrollably.
“Damn it.”
Zhang Fei grumbled, “I’ve been too busy to think straight, and I forgot to prepare winter clothes. This is going to be freezing. No worries, no worries, I’m young, I can endure this.”
He did a few chest-stretching exercises, gritted his teeth, opened the door, and happened to see Li Si running towards him. Notably, Li Si was draped in a cloak. Zhang Fei couldn’t help asking, “Li Si, where did you get that cloak?”
Li Si came to Zhang Fei, “It was given by Lady Xu. She also prepared one for you, saying it belonged to her brother.”
He then handed over a thick cloak.
Zhang Fei exclaimed with delight, “This lady is quite considerate, knowing that I haven’t bought winter clothes.”
He didn’t stand on ceremony, quickly putting on the cloak, and then instructed Li Si, “Later, go and purchase some winter clothes. It’s embarrassing to trouble Lady Xu with such matters.”
“Got it, I’ll remember.”
The two hurriedly made their way to the market district.
Because today was the day the Ma family’s pawnshop officially began offering mortgages, marking the formal launch of housing loans.
At the Ma family’s pawnshop, a sign bearing the words “Housing Loans” slowly rose in front of the shop door, making it the only one of its kind in all of Bianjing.
“Mogul, congratulations! Congratulations!”
Zhang Fei, who had just arrived, bowed to congratulate Ma Tianhao.
“Don’t rush to congratulate me. We’ll see today whether this is a good thing or a bad thing!”
Ma Tianhao waved his hand. Although he approved of this business, it still needed to be proven whether people would come to borrow money for buying houses. He then gestured towards two people nearby, saying, “Come, let me introduce you.”
First, he pointed to the well-fed, rosy-faced middle-aged man on the left, “This is Mogul Fan from White Crystal Inn.”
Zhang Fei bowed, saying, “This junior greets Mogul Fan.”
Fan Yong returned the gesture with a bow and a smile, “Zhang San, you are truly as impressive as the rumors suggest.”
Ma Tianhao then directed his attention to the tall and lean middle-aged man with a goatee by his side. Just as he was about to speak, Zhang Fei addressed the man, “Mogul Chen, how is the search for my house going?”
This man was none other than Chen Maoqian, the biggest realtor in the capital.
Housing loans were closely related to the real estate business!
Chen Maoqian hastily replied, “I had found several options before, but upon closer inspection, I wasn’t satisfied. So, I asked them to search again. But rest assured, Zhang San, it won’t take much longer.”
Actually, he had already found a suitable house, but due to the recent developments, Chen Maoqian felt it necessary to be more cautious and instructed his nephew to find an even better one.
Ma Tianhao exclaimed, “Do you two know each other?”
Zhang Fei smiled, “I had asked Mogul Chen to help me find a residence before. I can’t keep living at the Xu manor! Regarding the matter of interest rates, it was Mogul Chen who enlightened me.”
Chen Maoqian quickly responded, “Oh, no no, I merely answered a few trivial questions from Zhang San. It was his own remarkable intelligence and extraordinary methods that have led to this, truly admirable.”
Although Zhang Fei had raised his ideas to him, he had believed it was impossible. Yet, just a few days later, it had become a reality.
Fan Yong grinned, “I’ve been in business for over twenty years, but I’ve never convinced the court to enact new laws specifically for my trade. This is truly a first since the founding of the Song dynasty.”
Zhang Fei chuckled, “Mogul Fan is being modest. It’s just a different industry. I’m not a businessman; I’m just a common pen-in-cap, so what we focus on is different. I heard that after Mogul Fan took over White Crystal Inn, it underwent significant changes. Now, it’s not just a restaurant, and has become a veritable gold mine, leaving the rest of us in the dust.”
“No, no.”
Fan Yong modestly waved his hand.
Indeed, it was Fan Yong who transformed White Crystal Inn from a simple restaurant into a multifaceted establishment. It took truly extraordinary acumen.
Zhang Fei didn’t underestimate these merchants. They all looked friendly, but in reality, they were ruthless individuals.
Fan Yong asked again, “Zhang San, if, and I mean if, I asked you to help me draft a contract with the court, how would you assist me?”
Zhang Fei thought for a moment, then smiled, “The next time I dine at the White Crystal Inn, you can’t charge me.”
“I absolutely won’t charge you,” Fan Yong quickly responded.
Zhang Fei continued, “I would suggest the court to cut down on financial expenditures, especially in the expansion and construction of government buildings.”
Fan Yong was puzzled, “How does that relate to my business?”
Zhang Fei explained, “For example, in the future, when hosting foreign envoys, they could use White Crystal Inn. There’s no need to build a separate building or assign people specifically for that purpose. After all, such events only happen a few times a year, and this could save the government a considerable amount of money.”
Fan Yong made a muffled sound in his throat, “Could this really happen?”
Zhang Fei chuckled, “Of course not, Mogul Fan, you said ‘if’.”
“That’s true, that’s true.”
Fan Yong nodded awkwardly and then glanced at Chen Maoqian and Ma Tianhao in embarrassment.
Chen Maoqian wasn’t in the mood to mock Mogul Fan. He was thinking of finding a good opportunity to have a serious talk with Zhang Fei.
Little did they know that Fan Yong had the same idea.
Meanwhile, Ma Tianhao kept signaling to Zhang Fei with his eyes. Today’s main topic wasn’t about these hypothetical discussions.
Earning money from you is truly not easy. Zhang Fei understood the signal and cleared his throat, asking, “I’ve heard that both of you are quite interested in this business.”
Fan Yong and Chen Maoqian exchanged glances.
Chen Maoqian said, “Indeed, we are interested, but the large amount and the long duration do raise some concerns.”
Zhang Fei nodded with a smile, “That’s reasonable.”
“Hey!”
Ma Tianhao said, “Aren’t you quite persuasive? Hurry up and convince them.”
Zhang Fei replied, “I don’t believe that the vision of these two gentlemen is worse than yours, Mogul Ma.”
Fan Yong and Chen Maoqian burst into laughter after exchanging glances.
Ma Tianhao gave Zhang Fei approving looks. Even if they didn’t directly invest, a collaboration was possible. In these days, there were no real estate developers; the supply of houses depended on realtors, and auctions relied on White Crystal Inn. As long as this business was thriving, both families could make a good profit.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t have come here so early.
Zhang Fei asked again, “Has anyone from Xiang-guo Temple come?”
Ma Tianhao laughed, “They came yesterday. A venerable monk like him doesn’t want to stand together with us merchants.”
Afterward, more and more people came to offer congratulations, representing various industries. Almost all the wealthy merchants in Bianjing had arrived.
The interest rates, the loan durations, and the imperial decrees were all unprecedented.
Everyone wanted to see how this would operate.
Although the deal hadn’t been finalized, the traffic was substantial.
If successful, the status of the Ma family would undoubtedly rise.
However, Zhang Fei’s momentum was clearly stronger than Ma Tianhao’s. These wealthy merchants knew that Zhang Fei had offended quite a few people, but they also understood that there were more supporters for him within the imperial court.
Moreover, looking at this matter, it was evident that Zhang Fei was in a position of power!
“In the future, if our shop needs to draft any contracts, we’ll rely on you, Zhang San.”
“Thank you! I’m overjoyed that you are willing to patronize my business, Mogul!”
“But it’s quite inconvenient that you live in the Xu manor!”
“Chief Judge Xu is impartial, but scholar-official can’t stand us smelly merchants.”
“I’ll move out of the Xu manor soon. You’re all welcome to visit.”
“Of course! Of course!”
“Zhang San, can you really make money with such low-interest rates?”
“Buy a house and you’ll know.”
“Oh, you’re overestimating me. These are houses; you can’t just buy them so easily. But I’ll think about it.”
“Zhang San, come here for a moment.”
Ma Tianhao suddenly walked over, pulled Zhang Fei aside, and whispered, “The first guest has already arrived. Can you guess who it is?”
“Do I know them?” Zhang Fei asked in confusion.
Ma Tianhao thought for a moment, seeming unsure whether Zhang Fei would know, and said, “It’s Madam Wang.”
“Which Madam Wang?” Zhang Fei asked in surprise.
Ma Tianhao said, “It’s the wife of Academician Wang!”