A powerful minister of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 345 The official actually drove for him?

Ren Fu originally didn't want to eat, but at this point he ate bowl after bowl.

"It would be nice to have some cold syrup."

Then Ren Fu saw Song Xuan and the official arrive in a donkey cart.

The emperor himself drove the donkey cart, with Song Xuan sitting beside him, the cart carrying jars.

Ren Fu was completely dumbfounded and stood there in a daze.

Others may not recognize Zhao Zhen, but Ren Fu was once Zhao Zhen's father's personal bodyguard.

How can one not recognize the current officials?
"Come on, have some chilled mung bean soup. Eat and drink it all and get to work."

Song Xuan stood on the railing of the donkey cart and addressed the crowd.

Yu Gao rushed over:

"How can we get the master to serve them soup? I'll do it, I'll do it."

Song Xuan didn't seem to mind and simply handed him the spoon.

Zhao Zhen, however, reached out his hand: "I'd like to try."

Yu Gao looked at Song Xuan, and seeing him nod, he respectfully handed the spoon to Zhao Zhen.

Although Zhao Zhen was publicly known as Song Xuan's cousin, judging from his clothing and the attendants he served, he didn't seem to come from an ordinary family.

As for Zhao Zhen's status as emperor, none of these people dared to imagine it.

The officials are high and mighty.

How can I blend in with them?

Zhao Zhen enthusiastically distributed mung bean soup to people, and even though it had a slightly unpleasant taste, he could tolerate it.

Taking advantage of Ren Fu's distracted stare at the donkey cart, Zhu Guan secretly took several pieces of oily meat from Ren Fu's bowl.

Ren Fu was a veteran soldier for many years.

Zhu Guan's little tricks naturally did not escape his notice.

But he couldn't care less about that now.

The emperor himself drove Song Xuan's carriage.

What is this concept?
The key point is that the official himself is enjoying it.

Ren Fu put down his bowl and chopsticks, and then looked around and saw that there was no one serving the official.

On this street, they probably don't want others to know their identity.

I absolutely cannot expose myself to the authorities.

So Ren Fu mustered his courage, went up and got a bowl of mung bean soup, which he carried back with both hands, not daring to say a word.

Looking at him like this, Zhu Guan just thought that he dared not offend Song Xuan.

Despite his domineering presence in the Imperial Guards, he was always several heads shorter than a civil official.

Not to mention that Song Xuan was the top scholar in the imperial examination.

朱观打了个嗝，喝了肉汤后才觉得是有些腻的慌，他连忙过去讨要绿豆汤，为此还特意连喝两碗。

Zhao Zhen, however, said with a smile:
"No need to rush, there's plenty more. Someone will bring more around Shenshi (3-5 PM)."

Zhu Guan wiped his mouth: "That's great."

然后他极为豪气的给宋煊和赵祯行礼，把碗放下就去干活了。

Seeing that everyone else had drunk their share, Zhao Zhen ladled himself a bowl, only to find it refreshingly cool.

"Twelfth Brother, it's so cool here."

Zhao Zhen suddenly felt that what he had just experienced was very fulfilling, even more so than when he was sitting in the court listening to the ministers arguing.

Zhao Zhen was willing to do things.

Compared to his father, he didn't have as much desire for pleasure.

"This is much better than drinking something sweet."

Song Xuan patted his cheeks:
"Take good care of your teeth, so that when you're old and frail, you won't be unable to eat and will die easily."

"Seventy or eighty years old?"

Zhao Zhen chuckled, not at all considering it a curse.

After all, there wasn't an emperor in his family who lived such a long life.

"You should have a bowl too."

After Song Xuan took the carriage, he gestured for Zhao Zhen to drive to the next stop.

Ren Fu had been secretly watching Song Xuan and the others' movements, and saw them drive away.

He quickly stood up:
"Hurry up and finish eating, then we have to go on patrol."

这些禁军刚吃饱喝足，正是不想动弹的时候。

Ren Fu usually indulged them, so he asked in return why they were so diligent.
Others may not know, but Ren Fu is well aware of it.

The emperor personally participated in Song Xuan's work. If I were to slack off, wouldn't the emperor see it?

These things can't be said to outsiders.

"You think that just because you ate someone's food, you should work hard? Do you really think Master Song owes you anything?"

Since Ren Fudu had said this, the imperial guards, though unwilling, had no choice but to stand up.

When they sent them, they didn't mention that meals would be provided.

As the saying goes, "He who eats another's food is bound to him," so they all followed Ren Fu.

Ren Fu watched the donkey cart from afar.

He had heard that the murderer in the bathroom was extremely brazen.

If they come to assassinate Song Zhuangyuan, wouldn't that also endanger the Emperor's life?

Has anyone throughout history performed a greater service than saving the emperor?

Ren Fu did not think that the yamen runners around the donkey cart were more capable of fighting than his Imperial Guards.

Although Emperor Zhao Zhen could not ride a donkey at breakneck speed, driving a carriage through crowds was still an interesting experience.

He doesn't usually encounter so many people when he's practicing driving.

Song Xuan put down the bowl in his hand and looked at the people around him.

There are many people setting up stalls or encroaching on shops, and there are also many people coming to greet them.

Once a fire breaks out, not only will everything be burned, but rescue will also be a difficult task.

The wide street became narrow, barely wide enough for one person to pass through, and even waterwheels couldn't get through.

Firefighting in Tokyo is incredibly difficult; things can easily turn into a fire.

Song Xuan stood on the donkey cart and looked up.

Every three hundred paces or so in each neighborhood, there would be a military patrol post with five soldiers who would patrol at night.

During the daytime, I only saw one person sitting at the door enjoying the cool air.

"County Commandant Ban".

Ban Feng quickened his pace and reached Song Xuan's side, where he heard, "Are all the garrison soldiers present as usual?"

"rare."

Ban Feng explained that usually one person stays behind while the other four go out to work and earn money to supplement the family income.

The fire brigade was not under the jurisdiction of Song Xuan, the county magistrate.

They were all directly controlled by the Kaifeng Prefecture.

There is also a watchtower.

There were people looking out from upstairs, and hundreds of soldiers were stationed below, along with various firefighting equipment.

Song Xuan glanced at the watchtower but didn't see anyone looking out.

Ban Feng said that many soldiers from the Xiang Army would work here to support their families, and very few of them could actually be on standby to fight fires at any time.

Of course, in addition to the public fire brigades set up by the imperial court, there were also some private fire brigades.

These private businesses only serve shops owned by the powerful and wealthy.

Because they paid in advance.

In the event of a fire, spending a small amount of money to put it out can be much cheaper than rebuilding afterwards.

Zhao Zhen, driving the donkey cart, listened to the conversation between Song Xuan and the others, and then spoke up:

"Twelfth Brother, why are you asking this?"

"To prevent fires."

Song Xuan sat down again and pointed to the surrounding shops:
“If a fire breaks out, the tax revenue of Kaifeng County will be affected.”

"I have reviewed the fire records from previous years, and this time of year is the most prone to fires."

"I see."

Zhao Zhen didn't have any good thoughts about this matter. He only knew that his eighth uncle's palace was on fire and that his father had reprimanded him.

"My lord." Li Junyou waved from outside.

Song Xuan gestured for him to jump onto the donkey cart.

Li Junyou had never met Zhao Zhen before, so he nodded to him, leaned against Song Xuan's side, and lowered his voice to say:
“Brother-in-law, that’s the one who raises eagles. I had someone follow him. He’s also been to the black market auction in Wuyou Cave.”

A spy for the Liao Dynasty.

After telling Geng Fu of the Imperial City Guard about this news, Song Xuan didn't pay much attention to it anymore.

Now there's new information.

Song Xuan nodded slightly: "So, the black market auction at Wuyou Cave had no impact at all?"

Li Junyou shook his head, indicating that it had no impact.

"Brother-in-law, a cunning rabbit has three burrows!"

"You only destroyed one of their small strongholds; the rest of the losses were minimal."

Song Xuan nodded to indicate that he understood.

He is investigating the other cases, but there has been no progress so far.

Even Song Xuan didn't know who the people from Wuyou Cave were, let alone the people in his own county government office.

Those who infiltrated the county government to play double agents didn't seem to carry many copper coins on their waists, precisely to avoid being discovered.

"What are you doing?"

Song Xuan pointed to the mung bean soup: "Send those prisoners chilled mung bean soup to comfort them and encourage them to work hard."

"what?"

Li Junyou couldn't understand why Song Xuan, a great talent and the head of the county government, would personally handle such a trivial matter.

"is it necessary?"

"I need them to work honestly, not to dawdle and waste their time."

Song Xuan looked at the people outside:
“Otherwise, if there is a heavy rain, Tokyo will be flooded again, and who knows how many people will be displaced. It’s something that can be done with a little money, so there’s no need to be stingy.”

Li Junyou reached out and touched the jar wrapped in a blanket; it was chillingly cold.

They even added ice; that must have cost quite a bit!
According to his observation, ordinary people generally couldn't bear to use ice.

As expected, Magistrate Song, who received the tax arrears, was indeed very wealthy and powerful.

"My brother-in-law is absolutely right."

Li Junyou, however, saw through Song Xuan's way of managing people; he, like himself, liked to spend money lavishly.

I once overheard the yamen runners gossiping that Master Song was generous with money and repeatedly emphasized that people should not freeload off the common folk.

Once he discovers it, he will be punished.

Li Junyou couldn't understand why Song Xuan regarded money as dirt.

To be honest, someone from a family background like his should be quite fond of money.

Unfortunately, many people don't understand the reasoning behind this.

Song Xuan chimed in, glancing at Li Junyou:
"After all, there are very few people as capable as my maternal grandfather."

Li Junyou was well aware of his grandfather's reputation.

The label of "mega-corrupt official" is so strong that it's impossible to remove it from Li Shiheng's head, and it's also impossible for Li Junyou to remove it from his head.

But so what?
The imperial court will not investigate.

Just as Song Xuan said, his financial management skills are unmatched by anyone else.

Li Junyou has never lacked money since he was a child, especially in Tokyo.

Otherwise, Wang Yufeng and others, or other sons of officials like Zhao Yundi, wouldn't have been able to form so many connections with him, providing him with various kinds of information.

Zhao Zhen focused on driving the carriage. He could tell that this person was not a member of the Cao family. Since he called his twelfth brother "brother-in-law," he was probably Li Shiheng's grandson.

Zhao Zhen didn't want to listen to their private conversations.

If Twelfth Brother wants to tell him, he will definitely do so.

“对了，契丹人的使者什么时候会来？”

"It's autumn already."

That was right after the tax collection was completed, and the imperial court had money again.

李君佑回了一句：“以前是直接在雄州交割，但是因为一些缘由，三司使直接给他们交割。”

“After receiving the money, these Khitans would follow the instructions of their so-called noblemen to purchase some supplies in Tokyo before leaving Tokyo to make large-scale purchases at the border market.”

"The money that our Great Song Dynasty gave them all came back before it even left Xiong Prefecture."

Song Xuan nodded slightly.

The Treaty of Chanyuan stipulated that trade between the Song and Liao dynasties could only be conducted through barter, and strictly prohibited the Song people from using copper coins to purchase Liao goods.

However, the Liao people could use copper coins and silver to purchase goods from the Northern Song Dynasty.

Ultimately, all the currency sent to the Liao Dynasty flowed back into the territory of the Northern Song Dynasty.

Even before the Liao envoys left the capital, Tokyo, the shops would pay a portion of the taxes to the imperial court when they purchased goods there.

Similarly, smuggling money across the border is punishable by beheading.

Song Dynasty copper coins were extremely popular in various countries.

"I think this is a much better deal than buying and selling."

Hearing Li Junyou's words, Zhao Zhen's lips curled up slightly.

That's true. Even though the Song Dynasty spent money, it was also the Song Dynasty that benefited.

Song Xuan glanced at Zhao Zhen's expression, then asked, "Do you really think this deal is suitable?"

"It's appropriate."

Li Junyou felt that after so many years of operation, there was no need to go to the battlefield, and the people lived in peace and contentment.

Otherwise, if war breaks out, even ordinary people will have to work as laborers to support the front lines.

"Brother-in-law, do you think this is inappropriate?"

After Li Junyou gave his answer, he immediately realized what was going on.

Song Xuan waved his fan: "Of course it's inappropriate. All that hard-earned silver is being given to the Khitans. What a waste!"

"Hmm?" Zhao Zhen looked at Song Xuan: "Twelfth Brother, what kind of mess have we made?"

He was determined to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun.

After all, which emperor, at the beginning of his reign, wouldn't be ambitious and want to accomplish something that surpasses his ancestors' achievements?
"Although we have maintained peace, it is inevitable that from Emperor Zhenzong to the present, we have long forgotten war and abandoned military force. The Imperial Guards, the Hebei Army, and the Capital Army are all in disarray, and there are very few troops that can be used."

"In addition, military generals are being sidelined by civil officials, and there are very few civil officials with the same spirit as Kou Zhun, which weakens the military."

"Although the tribute can bring temporary peace and solve the immediate problem, the fundamental problem of the weak military system has not been solved to this day."

"This move is like boiling a frog in lukewarm water; everyone is deceived by the apparent stability and loses their vigilance."

"If war breaks out in the future, and the Song army suffers even the slightest setback, do you think those Khitans will still be satisfied with the annual tribute of 300,000 taels?"

"No." Zhao Zhen blurted out immediately:

“The Khitans are very greedy. At the beginning of my reign, they sent envoys to test me.”

Li Junyou: ? ? ?

How did they get so excited about chatting?

Could the man personally driving the donkey cart for Song Xuan be the current emperor?
Otherwise, who would say the same things they said at the beginning of their reign?

Li Junyou didn't dare to move an inch, nor did he dare to look too closely at Zhao Zhen. He simply moved his head slowly, observing the people on the street.

This person is a real person!
Li Junyou dared not reveal anything, nor did he dare to move. He simply sat there, looking all fresh and innocent, in the donkey cart driven by the official.

如此惊吓，即使他平日里十分沉稳，可心情也是极其起伏的。

Even though Li Junyou's grandfather was favored by Emperor Zhenzong, he did not receive such treatment.

After all, Emperor Zhenzong didn't like driving donkey carts; he preferred driving other people's wives.

Li Junyou couldn't understand how Song Xuan could be so bold!

He just casually let the officials drive his carriage?

Li Junyou dared not even imagine how such a thing would be recorded in the daily records in the future!
Song Xuan nodded slightly, agreeing with Zhao Zhen's words:
"Sixth Brother, actually, in the fifth year of Tianxi, the Khitans led an army of 500,000 to attack the Western Xia and suffered a great defeat. It was only then that they feared our Great Song's northward advance."

"Just as my Great Song Dynasty suffered a defeat in the war against Western Xia, the Khitans will also be eyeing it covetously, wanting to plunder it."

At that time, however, Emperor Zhenzong of Song was still obsessed with reforming the sacrificial system.

"The Three Kingdoms." Zhao Zhen immediately understood Song Xuan's words:

“We check and balance each other. If Li Deming wants to become emperor, it will definitely cause trouble again.”

"Yes, buying peace with money will only make others think that the Song Dynasty is a sucker. We can rip you off from time to time, and you have no ability to fight back anyway."

Song Xuan chuckled: "Even those scoundrels in Dongjing understand this principle, but many people in the court pretend not to."

Zhao Zhen nodded again, pulling on the reins to avoid the people carrying loads on their shoulders:
"Twelfth Brother, was the Treaty of Chanyuan mostly beneficial to the Liao Kingdom?"

"Of course not. The fighting strength of our Great Song Dynasty is constantly declining, and so is that of the Liao Dynasty."

Song Xuan chuckled twice: "Isn't the old Liao emperor's personal expedition against Western Xia with 500,000 troops, which ended in a crushing defeat, clear proof of that?"

“If an army doesn’t fight for a long time, it will become ineffective in combat, and the intensity of its training will remain the same.”

"My suggestion is that we use this 300,000 taels of silver to reward the soldiers on the frontier. Perhaps they will be able to unleash enough fighting power for the money."

"Yes," Zhao Zhen replied casually.
"But war is too expensive. Where does the imperial court get so much money? If taxes are collected too much, someone will inevitably cause trouble."

Listening to the conversation between the emperor and his minister, Li Junyou then spoke up:

"Why don't we do what my brother-in-law suggested and collect the taxes they owe? After all, they have money."

Song Xuan remained silent; in truth, war can cost money but also generate profits.

It all depends on finding a balance.

However, in the current model, large-scale trade is still more profitable.

Aside from collecting war taxes, maritime shipping can actually be profitable.

However, the Song Dynasty did not officially carry out this task; it only collected taxes at the ports.

Zhao Zhen glanced at Li Junyou but remained silent.

When Li Junyou saw Zhao Zhen scrutinizing him, he immediately felt that his opportunity had arrived.

He suppressed his excitement, determined to make a good impression on the emperor today.

“Salt and iron are the most valuable commodities. I think the imperial court can issue more salt permits, and monks and Taoists should also pay money. Wealthy households that are connected with Wuyou Cave should be confiscated, and even paper money should be issued throughout the country.”

Listening to Li Junyou's suggestion, Song Xuan felt that it made a lot of sense.

The last point, regarding the paper money, still needs further discussion.

Nowadays, Jiaozi (paper money) is only circulated in Sichuan. If it is issued on a large scale, it will easily become devalued.

When a single coin reached two hundred cash, prices in Sichuan increased fivefold—this is no joke.

Even by the Ming Dynasty, paper money had become largely worthless, with no credibility whatsoever.

As for salt permits, their production is limited. If salt production is liberalized, issuing more salt permits is not a problem at all.

The price of salt may come down a bit.

As for making monks and Taoists pay money, Song Xuan thought it made a lot of sense.

The incense money for Daxiangguo Temple is a huge sum of money every day.

Not to mention that Daxiangguo Temple has a lot of fertile land outside Tokyo.

In Kaifeng County, the large, fertile land owned by wealthy families, apart from the Liu family, belonged to temples.

Hearing Li Junyou's words, Zhao Zhen looked at Song Xuan:

"Twelfth Brother, we haven't introduced this person yet. Who is this?"

“Li Junyou, Li Shiheng’s grandson, is quite capable.”

"Oh I got it."

Zhao Zhen knew that Li Shiheng was good at financial management, and now that he heard his grandson say that there was some truth to it.

Li Junyou was visibly excited and nodded gratefully to Song Xuan.

If one's name is remembered by the officials, it will be useful in one's future career.

Zhao Zhen sighed softly again:
“It might be difficult to collect money from monks.”

"That's true," Song Xuan said.

"Why not find an opportunity to make monks pay taxes just like ordinary people in the Song Dynasty?"

"Otherwise, they don't have to pay taxes on the incense money alone, so where does all the money go?"

"Yes, I've heard that monks are supposed to abstain from alcohol and meat, and spend their days with only the lamp and scriptures. Where would they get so much money?"

“They all went into loan sharking.” Li Junyou immediately chimed in, “Even my uncle borrowed money from the temple at exorbitant interest rates.”

Li Junyou also informed Song Xuan of this.

In fact, Song Xuan already knew about this.

"It really is a case of money making money."

Zhao Zhen pulled on the reins and dragged the donkey cart to another intersection.

He had nowhere to lend money at exorbitant interest rates; all of it was taken by these bald monks.

At this moment, county officials came to greet them.

Song Xuan picked up a spoon and beckoned people over to have something cold to drink.

Such behavior was not understood by the others.

Ren Fu and his men strolled over to this spot, pretending to spread out and help keep watch.

However, Ren Fu kept glancing around the official from time to time to see if there was any danger.

Xiaofeng of Wuyou Cave has never given up monitoring Song Xuan. Although it is not easy for him to take action, he still wants to get his money back.

Now that I see Song Xuan using a bunch of prisoners to do things, I feel like an opportunity has come.

So he asked around to see if ordinary people could do the dredging work.

After all, the food looks quite good.

After receiving confirmation, Xiaofeng went to find Canglin again.

"Brother, this is a great opportunity!"

"What good opportunity?"

Cang Lin looked puzzled, not understanding why Xiao Feng was so agitated.

Did they find some fresh goods again?
The black market trade was not affected in the past few days.

这就说明大家根本就没有把宋状元这位知县的布告放在眼里。

Whether it was the people from Wuyou Cave or the wealthy merchants or high-ranking officials who came to buy goods.

Xiaofeng said that Song Xuan used prisoners from the jail to do the work of dredging and cleaning the ditches.

Many yamen runners and jailers left, leaving the county government with fewer staff.

If we pretend to be cooking during the day and sneak in, then we can take the money openly and easily.

He believed that Song Xuan would never have imagined that someone would dare to steal his money in broad daylight.

Cang Lin was momentarily stunned by Xiao Feng's words.

"Is your brain so hot that you don't want to use your brain and just want to act recklessly?"

"Brother, what makes you say that?"

"If the top scholar of the Song Dynasty hired someone to cook for him, do you think you would have had the opportunity to poison him?"

Cang Lin said bluntly, "You can't even get into the backyard of the county government office now, let alone sneak in to drug someone or openly move things."

"I heard from the sycophants in the county government that the top scholar Song built a warehouse specifically for storing money."

"The leader of the guards inside is called Sang Yi. Don't let his thin and weak appearance fool you; he's incredibly strong and can easily take on three or five people at once."

"Are you capable of taking him down?"

Xiaofeng is the newly appointed head of the hall.

His network of connections was barely established, and he didn't even have many places to hide his money.

Not to mention that Canglin also owns a proper restaurant.

Such formidable strength is far beyond what others can match.

Upon hearing the information revealed by Cang Lin, Xiao Feng was stunned for a moment:
"Where did he find all these people?"

"The capital city of Tokyo has always been a place where hidden talents reside, but many people have not had a stage to show their abilities. The top scholar Song is generous and does not look down on martial artists."

"Even his father-in-law is the Privy Councilor, so it would be very convenient for him to be recommended to join the Imperial Guard."

Cang Lin closed his eyes and lay down on the recliner:
"I advised you long ago to stop thinking about him. Don't underestimate people."

To be honest, Xiaofeng was very upset that his private savings had been emptied in one go.

Now, Song Xuan is using his own money to cook meat, hire many people, and buy rice and other things.

The money just flew away.

He had never seen such a wasteful official, who didn't know how to save a single penny.

Xiaofeng truly felt that things could go wrong if he waited too long. At Song Xuan's rate of spending, not only would he run out of his own money, but he would also run out of all the taxes he had owed.

If you go back to get your money back later, and take such a big risk to get back an empty box, wouldn't it be a waste of all your efforts?
"Brother, I'm just unwilling to accept this."

Xiaofeng slumped into a chair: "He took my money, and I have to pretend it doesn't matter. I can't swallow this!"

“你咽不下这口气的日子还多着咧。”

Cang Lin still kept his eyes closed.

"Yesterday, Song Xuan took away almost all of Fanlou's Snowflake Wine, but he didn't drink it himself. Instead, he planned to share the profits with his subordinates during the Mid-Autumn Festival."

"Damn it, even I couldn't do something so audacious."

"If you try to cause trouble in the county government office, those bailiffs will tear you apart alive."

"Snowflake Wine?"

Xiaofeng wasn't very clear about the inside information of the county government, so he could only send people to keep an eye on things from the outside.

Keep an eye on that complaint box and see if anyone submits a letter or anything like that.

"He's being too extravagant, using my money to treat his subordinates to Snow Beer?"

Xiaofeng swung his arm hard: "I wouldn't even drink Snowflake Wine."

"Hahaha."

Cang Lin understood that Xiao Feng had been poor since childhood and had only been living a better life for the past two years.

"I have another jar here, let's have a drink together later."

"Don't have any ideas about Scholar Song. Just let the strategist handle it, and we'll just watch."

"I reckon he won't amount to anything!"

Xiaofeng sighed helplessly. He had thought it was a golden opportunity, but in the end it turned out to be wishful thinking on his part.

Song Xuan has only been in office for a few months, so how did he manage to get everyone in the county government under his thumb?

"I'll go take another look."

Xiaofeng stood up: "Brother, let's drink the wine in a couple of days. I'm not in the mood right now."

Cang Lin didn't respond and let him leave.

Song Xuan and the others returned to the county government office.

He directly instructed Zhao Zhen to experience a day in the life of a county magistrate, to learn first today and take up the post tomorrow.

Since Zhao Zhen is currently unable to handle government affairs, he might as well put them into practice here.

Zhao Zhen readily agreed, without feeling like he was being arranged for him.

On the contrary, she felt that Song Xuan was really considerate of her, allowing her to come into contact with some real things.

Clerk Zheng came over and wrote down all the inns he had investigated in the register.

He showed it to Song Xuan.

Zhao Zhen watched from the side.

Song Xuan asked him to mark down the names of the inns in Kaifeng County that pay taxes.

Zheng Wenhuan carefully compared and drew it out: "My lord, should we also compare it with Xiangfu County?"

Do you have the tax payment documents from Xiangfu County?

"I have heard of a couple of them."

"Alright, I'll reluctantly draw two for them."

"Yes."

After Song Xuan took it, he examined it carefully and then asked Zheng Wenhuan to compile a public notice.

The gist is that because Wuyou Cave targets and kills merchants from other places, one should never be tempted to stay in other inns just to save money.

These ten inns are now officially certified trustworthy inns, covering three levels: high, medium, and low, to meet the needs of merchants from all walks of life.

为此特意标注了多少价钱起，并且给出了具体的地址。

We urge businesspeople from other places to make informed choices about their accommodations for their own safety.

After Zheng Wenhuan finished writing, he handed it to Song Xuan for review.

Zhao Zhen, standing to the side, asked in confusion, "Twelfth Brother, why are you getting involved in the management of the shops under your jurisdiction?"

“These shops all pay their taxes honestly, so of course I should give them the government’s credit endorsement so they can make more money.”

"Otherwise, if those who don't pay taxes continue to profit and the government condones it, how many people will actually follow the rules in the end?"

Song Xuan's eyes were fixed on the notice:

"Moreover, the Worry-Free Cave is far too rampant. Even after destroying one of their hideouts, they still have the resources to continue holding auctions."

"As the magistrate of Kaifeng County, it is necessary for me to provide some popular science education to the people in order to promote the prosperity of commerce in my jurisdiction."

"With merchants safer, business will increase, and tax revenue will also increase."

After Song Xuan finished speaking, he instructed Zheng Wenhuan to write down the addresses of each guild on a separate sheet of paper and attach it as an appendix so that merchants could easily identify where to go.

"I see."

Zhao Zhen then understood Song Xuan's actions.

He had never imagined that the government could endorse the credit of shops.

This will reduce the chances of out-of-town businesspeople staying in shady hotels.

"correct."

Song Xuan asked Zhao Zhen to write a letter reminding the inns on the notice board not to raise their prices, otherwise they would be removed from the notice board.

After he finished writing the letter, he gave it to Registrar Zheng and asked him to have the clerk make ten copies of the letter and dozens of copies of the announcement.

Notices had to be posted everywhere, from the county government office to the city gates, and even in markets and wharves outside the city.

Zheng Wenhuan hurried off to do his work.

Zhao Zhen truly believed that he could learn valuable lessons from Song Xuan.

"My brother-in-law's idea is to create a safe business environment so that many people will come to Kaifeng County to do business."

Li Junyou also spoke boldly: "If merchants from other places believe this, I'm afraid the tax revenue will rise even higher."

"Taken from the people, used for the people."

Song Xuan leaned back in his recliner: "I would rather use this money to repair waterways and raise the next generation than have it taken by the Three Commissioners to send tribute to the Liao Kingdom."

Neither of them responded to these words.

他们都清楚宋煊是不同意给岁币这件事，对于朝廷而言，也是一笔不小的支出。

After the Treaty of Chanyuan, the annual tribute paid to the Liao Dynasty far exceeded the amount set by Emperor Taizu of Song for attacking the Liao Dynasty.

Zhao Zhen currently has no power.

Li Junyou pretended not to know Zhao Zhen's identity, but he didn't dare to speak casually. He didn't have the same relaxed attitude as Song Xuan.

Tao Hong came over to ask if we wanted to eat. The ribs were already stewed, and the boiled pork was simmering on a low flame. Not to mention the cook had just prepared a few dishes.

Song Xuan quickly called Tao Hong over, and also invited Guo En and his mother, as well as Sang Yi, to join them for a meal.

Several people were sitting around a large round table.

Apart from Li Junyou, the others were unaware of Zhao Zhen's identity.

Therefore, Li Junyou sat down next to Zhao Zhen with great excitement.

Tao Hong wanted to serve rice, but Zhang Maoze took it from him; he was quite skilled at serving.

So, without their knowledge, the group had a meal with the current emperor.

Guo Enzheng was just a teenager, and he ate bowl after bowl, which made Zhao Zhen's appetite soar.

In fact, he was not happy after being emperor for so many years; on the contrary, he felt extremely frustrated.

Now that he's in contact with other people, Zhao Zhen feels that much of the pent-up frustration in his heart has dissipated.

"Twelfth Brother, I never expected this pork to be so delicious."

Zhao Zhen had heard that pork was considered cheap meat, and the palace almost never purchased pork.

He thought it smelled delicious, and it tasted even better when he ate it.

Song Xuan was busy gnawing on pork ribs and didn't have time to pay attention to him.

Guo En readily agreed, saying, "I've wanted to eat this for a while, but Grandma told me not to sneak a bite at lunchtime because it's really delicious."

Li Junyou had actually prepared himself mentally; he absolutely could not let the officials see that he had vomited up the pork.

But when he put it in his mouth, he swallowed it directly.

The pork was processed very effectively; there was no unpleasant odor.

"good to eat."

Just as the group was eating, Qi Lecheng stood at the door with a spare rib in his hand and said, "My lord, Fanlou says they've come to deliver the tax money."

"Tell them to wait in the yard, I'm still eating."

"Why don't you know when to deliver the money, outside of my designated mealtime? Do you expect me to provide meals for you?"

"Yes."

Qi Lecheng slowly walked out, gnawing on a bone.

Yesterday they brought in all of Fanlou's signature liquor, and today Fanlou is offering them money, but he doesn't even care about them.

What a load of rubbish Fanlou! They can't even serve food that's hot.

We must teach them a lesson for their arrogance.

Song Xuan was not surprised that Fanlou came to deliver the overdue taxes.

Yesterday, thanks to Zhang Qi's mediation, the situation didn't escalate into a standoff.

This tax arrears is just a drop in the ocean compared to their turnover.

They're not even willing to spend this little bit of money, so why should we give them a friendly attitude?

Zhao Zhen's eyes lit up: "Twelfth Brother, did Fanlou also come to pay your taxes voluntarily?"

"What do you mean by voluntarily paying taxes?" Song Xuan threw away the bone in his hand.

"We were forced to choose to pay taxes."

“真想要交税，早就该在我规定交税日期之前来了。”

Zhao Zhen suddenly became interested: "Twelfth Brother, how did you force Fan Lou?"

(End of this chapter)