Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

Jiang Mansion.

Jiang Zhao was quite surprised to receive a visiting card from someone.

Wang Anshi!

Chapter 186 Wang Anshi Wants to Implement Reforms?

The main hall of the Jiang residence.

At the head of the table, Jiang Zhao had a calm expression as he sipped his tea.

Below, a man in a red robe had a square face, dark skin, a tall and robust build, and a very strong physique.

His sharp gaze and resolute chin left a deep impression.

However, his clothes were filthy and unwashed, his face was dirty and unwashed, and his hair was disheveled.

A slovenly appearance will undoubtedly cause any goodwill one might have towards someone to vanish instantly.

If he weren't wearing a red robe, no one would imagine that he was actually a powerful civil official of the fourth rank.

Dali Temple Shaoqing!

Jiang Zhao raised his eyebrows and asked, "Minister Wang is in charge of the Court of Judicial Review and is responsible for judicial duties. He is always very busy with official duties. What brings you here to visit me?"

To him, Wang Anshi was a very famous figure.

Objectively speaking, the two were not close.

In recent years, the two have only crossed paths two or three times.

One instance was during the reign of the "Good Grandson" Emperor. Jiang Zhao described the method of establishing an heir to the late emperor. Wang Anshi happened to be in the capital to serve as a collator in the imperial library. The two met for the first time, greeted each other politely, and bowed.

On one occasion, Jiang Zhao was in charge of teaching five members of the imperial clan. As the Grand Master of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, Jiang Zhao was in charge of teaching the members of the imperial clan, imparting knowledge of classics, history, and current affairs to them, while Wang Anshi was responsible for teaching the ideas of benevolent rule.

Both of them taught members of the royal family and had met once or twice occasionally, exchanging polite greetings.

Apart from that, the two had no close contact whatsoever.

Ultimately, one is the Han faction's handpicked next party leader, while the other is a strong contender for the next party leader from the lineage of Wen Yanbo and Zeng Gongliang.

They are not from the same path, so naturally they have no chance of having any interaction.

Wang Anshi then said thoughtfully, "In recent years, the Ministry of Revenue's accounts have often been in deficit, and the finances are in trouble. I wonder if Minister Jiang has noticed this?"

Jiang Zhao nodded; with just one sentence, he had guessed why Wang Anshi had come.

For the sake of reform!

Wang Anshi was indeed a rare reformer.

"The Ministry of Revenue's accounts have been in deficit for twenty or thirty years."

Wang Anshi, with piercing eyes, analyzed: "Judging from tax revenue alone, compared to the reigns of Emperor Taizong and Emperor Zhenzong, the amount of tax revenue has increased significantly. In particular, commercial tax has reached more than 20 million strings of cash."

However, the Ministry of Revenue was increasingly running a deficit, the reason being nothing more than excessive spending. The key issues were redundant soldiers, redundant officials, and redundant expenses.

Jiang Zhao remained noncommittal and asked, "Wang Shaoqing, is this why you've come?"

“Indeed.” Wang Anshi said solemnly, “Minister Jiang is a trusted minister of the Emperor, and he must be able to sense that the Emperor is a man with great ambitions.”

"Since the founding of the dynasty by Emperor Taizu, the country has lasted for a hundred years. During this time, there have been far too many cases of corruption."

Wang Anshi pulled out a sheet of Xuan paper and a stack of account books from his sleeve.

He waved his hand, and a stack of account books was handed over: "As of now, the Ministry of Personnel has registered more than 24,000 officials, and the number of lower-ranking officials is unknown. The number of soldiers registered in the two capitals and fourteen circuits has reached hundreds of thousands."

The annual expenses for officials and soldiers alone amounted to over twenty million strings of cash, almost the entire tax revenue of merchants.

Wang Anshi lamented, “Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. Scholars pay no taxes, skilled craftsmen pay little, and only farmers and merchants are the major taxpayers. Yet, the taxes that merchants earn in a year are barely enough to cover the expenses of officials and soldiers for a year. How frightening is that?”

"At this critical juncture, if we do not consider change, it will be a sign of national ruin."

Jiang Zhao raised his eyes slightly. This guy really dares to speak his mind!

Wang Anshi continued, "Minister Jiang was sent to a post outside the capital for three years and once took action to expand the borders of Xihe. He must be a man with great ambitions."

"Recently, Wang has been tossing and turning, unable to sleep at night, and is determined to emulate Shang Yang in reforming corrupt practices and revitalizing the country."

"I wonder if Minister Jiang also has the courage to reform the corrupt practices?" Wang Anshi looked up, his excitement barely concealed.

What man doesn't want to be remembered in history?

Whether from the perspective of public interest and national interest, or from the perspective of private interest and personal gain, he must carry out reforms!

"Reform the corrupt practices?"

Jiang Zhao read it aloud, then pondered and said, "If it should be changed, it will naturally be changed."

Before he could finish speaking, Wang Anshi's expression changed drastically.

Who is Jiang Zhao?

Minister of Rites, a trusted minister of both the late emperor and the new emperor.

If he is willing to reform, then the possibility of implementing new policies will undoubtedly increase significantly.

It’s stable!

After a pause, Jiang Zhao reassured him, "However, reform is no easy task, and everything must be carefully considered."

Seeing Wang Anshi's excited expression, Jiang Zhao knew that he had been holding back for a long time.

They may have even drafted numerous new policies and decrees.

However, reform is not child's play, and everything must be approached with caution.

Otherwise, if it backfires, it will make the situation even more difficult.

Historically, Wang Anshi's reforms were originally well-intentioned.

The fact is that the reform process was too hasty, and even bred factional strife.

Those who adapt to changing circumstances, regardless of their virtue or talent, will rise to the top in one step.

Those who do not comply with the law, no matter how calm and composed they are, will be demoted and exiled.

Such practices have resulted in the emergence of a group of "reformist corrupt officials."

Under the guise of reform, they've made a fortune faster than anyone else.

The reforms have only made life more difficult for ordinary people.

Even Wang Anshi's reputation only improved a thousand years later.

The key point is that Wang Anshi's bad reputation was not without reason.

The damage caused by failed reforms is even more frightening than that caused by treacherous officials.

The difference lies in the fact that reform and the spirit of reform are both worthy of praise.

"Minister Jiang, please take a look at this method."

Wang Anshi couldn't care less about all that.

He knew that Jiang Zhao intended to bring about change!

A crumpled sheet of Xuan paper was passed over.

Jiang Zhao took it and looked around.

The Xuan paper contains two reform documents: the Green Sprouts Law and the Market Exchange Law.

The core of the Green Sprouts Act was to allow the imperial court to lend money.

In the agricultural era, harvests were relatively unpredictable; one year might have a bumper harvest, while the next year might have a poor one.

If there is a poor harvest, the people will not have enough grain to pay taxes, and they will often have to borrow money from wealthy households.

Usury, with nine out of ten loans being repaid and thirteen out of ten being returned, naturally comes at a hefty price.

Furthermore, there are risks involved in borrowing at high interest rates. If the harvest is poor again the following year, people may have no other choice but to sell their land to survive.

The core of the Green Sprouts Law was to lend money to the private sector at lower interest rates, thus avoiding situations where people had to sell land to survive.

The core of the Market Regulation Law was that the imperial court intervened to regulate prices.

Some supplies may not be scarce one year, but become scarce the next, so expensive that ordinary people can't afford them.

The Market Regulation Law primarily aimed to allow the imperial court to purchase large quantities of goods when resources were abundant, thereby appropriately raising prices, and to sell them when resources were scarce, thereby appropriately lowering prices.

By combining these two approaches, we can maintain price stability.

Jiang Zhao read attentively, while Wang Anshi waited quietly.

About half an incense stick later, the Xuan paper was returned.

Jiang Zhao did not express his opinion, but instead asked, "Why did you come to me, Jiang, instead of seeking out Grand Secretary Zeng or Grand Tutor Wen, Junior Minister Wang?"

When it comes to reform, it's always the same group of like-minded people who work together.

However, the best approach is to wait and see with the party leader.

If the party leader thinks it's feasible, then there's no need for him to go out and find like-minded people on his own.

Once the memorial is submitted and the emperor orders the implementation of reforms, like-minded people will naturally gravitate towards it.

In comparison, searching one by one is undoubtedly incredibly inefficient.

Therefore, there is only one truth:

Zeng Gongliang and Wen Yanbo both opposed or adopted a wait-and-see attitude towards Wang Anshi's reforms!

Wang Anshi's expression flickered with unease. He sighed but did not deny it: "Grand Secretary Zeng is prudent and prioritizes stability, as is Grand Tutor Wen."

"Minister Jiang enjoys the Emperor's deep trust, so I, Wang, shamelessly went to visit him."

"If Minister Jiang is willing to present this law to His Majesty, the reform of corrupt practices can certainly be implemented."

As he spoke, Wang Anshi's face showed anticipation.

The same decree will have different effects depending on who presents it.

When a junior official submits a memorial to the throne, it's considered a sign of concern for the country and its people.

When the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review presented the report, it was nothing but blatant fabrication.

A fourth-rank official is considered a respectable position, but ultimately, without wearing a purple robe, he is somewhat unqualified to discuss national affairs.

In comparison, Jiang Zhao is undoubtedly a better fit.

"Young" Grand Secretary!

The higher they climbed, the clearer they became about how terrifying Jiang Zhao was.

He was not only a favored minister, but also a capable and virtuous one.

The key point is that he didn't follow the path of advancement through luck.

Jiang Zhao followed the orthodox path of a civil official!

When these factors are combined, the impact is undoubtedly terrifying.

Jiang Zhao nodded knowingly at the head of the table.

Wang Anshi was not influential enough, so they deliberately brought him into the game.

Once he gets involved, then Master Han will definitely support his disciple.

If an emperor has the vision and ambition, then most of the reforms will be accomplished.

Jiang Zhao sighed, "Wang Shaoqing, you're too impatient."

Shaking his head, Jiang Zhao explained, "The implementation of the new policy still ultimately depends on people."

"The emperor has just ascended the throne, and his power base is not yet stable. I, Jiang, am only a second-rank official and am not among the most powerful people."

"Reform cannot be accomplished overnight; it is better to proceed gradually."

"It's not even certain whether or not reform is necessary."

For reforms to be successful, at the very least, the emperor and the cabinet must be of one mind.

In other words, at least a Grand Secretary must have the unwavering support for the reform.

In the initial stages, centralized power is necessary!