I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 507 I, Cao Guojiu, am the richest man in Bianjing, and I’m a sensation in the whole city!
The next day, early in the morning.

Wang Yaochen, the Minister of the Three Departments, submitted the "General Draft of the Construction of Twenty-Four Streets in Bianjing" by the merchant Shangguan Yu to the Secretariat and the Forbidden City, and requested a court discussion.

at the same time.

Su Liang, Bao Zheng and Wang Anshi also submitted memorials and put forward their own opinions.

Near noon.

Su Liang received the news that the emperor and the Secretariat had agreed to Wang Yaochen's application for a court meeting and had scheduled a meeting in the Chuigong Hall in the afternoon to discuss the matter.

……

In the afternoon, inside the Chui Gong Hall.

More than ten officials including the ministers of the two governments and three ministries, the censors Su Liang and Fan Zhen, and the governor of Kaifeng, Bao Zheng, sat together.

Zhao Zhen said straight to the point: "The construction of the 24 streets in Bianjing has been widely discussed in the city. I have listened to some of the opinions from both the court and the people."

"The key to this matter is not who proposed it, nor how much more commercial taxes the court can collect, but what kind of city we want to turn Bianjing into."

All the ministers looked up.

Zhao Zhen hit the point with just one sentence.

Rebuilding the Twenty-Four Streets of Bianjing meant seeking wealth and honor.

Once this policy was implemented and this loophole was opened, it would mean that the imperial court wanted to build Bianjing into a city of unparalleled wealth and prosperity in the world.

If this policy is not implemented.

As Bao Zheng, Su Liang and Wang Anshi thought, Bianjing should not be a city for the rich but a city for the people of the world.

"Everyone, please speak up. This matter must be made clear today." Zhao Zhen said.

Prime Minister Wen Yanbo was the first to step forward.

"I think this strategy is feasible. Our dynasty is about to enter a prosperous era. We can refer to Chang'an in the Tang Dynasty for a prosperous dynasty. The prosperity of Chang'an is incomparable to the current Bianjing."

"The transformation of Bianjing is to show the great power of our country. As for the widening gap between the rich and the poor, the lower-class people have to flee Bianjing. This is the inevitable trend of urban development. Bai Juyi once said, 'Chang'an City is not easy to live in.'"

Wang Yaochen, the Third Secretary, added, "I second the proposal. Su Zhongcheng and Bao Xueshi proposed to preserve the atmosphere of Bianjing, but that is just because they are used to the current situation. In the future, Bianjing will have a different atmosphere, which may not be worse than the current one."

At this time, Ouyang Xiu stood up.

"No. Comparing Bianjing of the Song Dynasty with Chang'an of the Tang Dynasty may not seem short-sighted. Although Chang'an of the Tang Dynasty was prosperous, the class gap was greater, it was more difficult for poor people to get ahead, and the channels for speech were not as broad as we have now."

"If Bianjing of the Song Dynasty wants to become the best city in the world during the heyday, I think it should be inclusive of everything, rather than using the power of the whole country to support one city."

“When other countries visit the Song Dynasty, they don’t feel that they have come to the Song Dynasty only when they come to Bianjing. Instead, they feel that when they come to Bianjing, they can see the prosperity of all the prefectures in the Song Dynasty. The prefectures below should emulate Bianjing City, but the current Bianjing City cannot serve as a benchmark for local prefectures to learn from. The gap is already too big and cannot be widened!”

……

Everyone's eyes lit up when they heard Ouyang Xiu's words.

The city of Bianjing, as a benchmark for prefectures in the Song Dynasty, is difficult to replicate at present because it was built with financial and material resources.

Wang Yaochen shook his head slightly.

"Is it a bad thing that Bianjing is too prosperous? Are we going to go back to the way we were?"

Hearing this, Bao Zheng stood up.

"Prime Minister Ji, we are not going back to the old ways, but the future direction of Bianjing City should not be towards nobility and luxury, but should focus on more important aspects."

"Is there anything more important than trade?" Wang Yaochen asked in return.

"Yes! If Bianjing City is to be reformed again, the focus should be on official and private schools, on medical diagnosis, and on allowing the people to live more freely and with more dignity!"

"Blindly building new buildings, expanding commerce, and promoting consumption are only satisfying the enjoyment needs of a small number of wealthy families. These people's better lives do not mean that the Song Dynasty has ushered in a prosperous era. Only when the basic needs of the lower-class people are met, it means that the Song Dynasty has ushered in a prosperous era!"

"At present, there are 81 regular stores and more than 1,000 foot stores in Bianjing City, which are more than enough to support people during festivals. There is no need to seek splendor. This policy is a bit of a waste of time and will lead to big merchants monopolizing trade, making it impossible for small merchants to operate. In the short term, it seems to have more benefits than disadvantages, but in the long run, the disadvantages outweigh the benefits..."

After Bao Zheng finished speaking, Fu Bi stood up.

"I agree with Master Bao's opinion. The benefit of the 24 streets in Bianjing is that they increase business taxes and increase merchants' profits, but they will also make it impossible for small merchants to make a living. It is better not to reform it!"

Followed by.

Zhang Fangping, Wu Yu, Su Liang, Fan Zhen and others also expressed their views.

More than half an hour later.

After all the ministers stopped discussing, Zhao Zhen said slowly: "After listening to your opinions, I am more inclined to not adopt this policy."

"First, Bianjing should be a city for all people in the world. In the future, it should be a city where any citizen can come and realize their ambitions, rather than a city of wealth and luxury for a few people. Extravagance is not feasible. Increasing business taxes and driving away the people is not what a wise king would do."

"Secondly, although Bianjing is rich, its schools, clinics and other public welfare measures are still insufficient. Reforms should be focused on these areas so that it can be a model for other prefectures in the world."

"Third, big merchants may not necessarily harm the country, but they will definitely harm small merchants and the people. What I want to see is a city of Bianjing where a hundred flowers bloom, with big stores and small merchants. Invading the streets may not be harmful. Half of the nights in our Bianjing city are supported by these 'invading' merchants..."

After Zhao Zhen finished speaking, he looked down and asked, "Do you have any objections?"

All the ministers shook their heads.

"Well, the Secretariat can issue a document to inform the people of the city of the reason why the court rejected this policy."

At this time, Wang Yaochen stood up again.

"Your Majesty, I am not supporting this policy for the sake of commercial taxation. I just have a doubt. If the court abandons this policy for these reasons, it may discourage some big businessmen."

"The big merchants in Bianjing do have some negative impacts on commerce due to their power or monopoly of certain commodities, but the court still relies on them. The court is right to say that it is preventing big merchants from monopolizing, but we have made an exception!"

"The uncle is actually the biggest businessman in Bianjing City. With the help of the court, he runs the Nanjiao Market and Nanjiao Jucheng. In addition to maritime trade and business with neighboring countries, he now almost monopolizes the business in the Hehuang area."

"We know he worked for the country and worked very hard. But he also made money and became the richest man in Bianjing. On the one hand, we claim to prevent big business monopoly, but on the other hand, we help the king's uncle to become powerful. How can we convince the people?"

"If Shangguan Yu is dissatisfied and mentions that the uncle of the emperor can do such business but he can't, the people will definitely tend to support him. After all, in this regard, our argument cannot convince the public!"

Wang Yaochen slowed down.

"If we target the uncle and divide his business power, it may affect the business development of our Song Dynasty. How should we choose?"

Zhao Zhen, sitting on the throne, smiled helplessly.

Preventing giant businesses from monopolizing the market and infringing on the profits of small businesses is indeed a major reason for refusing to implement this policy.

But because of the existence of Cao Yi, the uncle of Cao, the people would certainly not be convinced.

At this time, Su Liang stood up.

"Your Majesty, there is no need to consider the impact. I have my own way. Once this policy is declared unworkable, Your Majesty will have a way to deal with it."

"Ok?"

Zhao Zhen and all the ministers looked at Su Liang.

Su Liang added: "Don't worry, everyone. This will definitely not affect the current business territory of the uncle, and it will convince the whole nation. But I can't tell you now. This matter will only be effective if the uncle is the first to say it. I also need to discuss the specific details with the uncle."

"I believe you."

Zhao Zhen uttered three words and then looked at the ministers of the Secretariat.

Wen Yanbo immediately bowed and said, "The Secretariat will post a document tomorrow and announce it to the whole city."

Then, the court meeting ended.

……

A quarter of an hour later.

Su Liang and Wang Anshi went in a carriage to look for Cao Yi, the uncle of Cao State.

At this moment, Wang Anshi was also very curious.

I don’t know what Su Liang’s idea is. Not only does it have to be kept secret, but Cao Yi must be the first to say it.

An hour later.

Cao Yi, the uncle of the Cao State, smiled and sent Su Liang and Wang Anshi out the door.

In front of the gate.

Su Liang said to Cao Yi, "My dear uncle, please accept my greeting."

"Please accept my greeting too!" Wang Anshi also said.

Then, the two of them bowed to Cao Yi very seriously.

"No, no, this is not the way a great businessman should behave!" Cao Yi also hurriedly returned the greetings to the two of them.

Afterwards, Cao Yi returned home.

Su Liang and Wang Anshi came to the front of the carriage. Wang Anshi looked at Su Liang and said, "Brother Jingming, please accept my humble respect. Today, I have learned a lot!"

"No, no, I'll just move my mouth, and we'll keep bowing, but it'll be dark!" Su Liang said with a smile.

……

The next day, early in the morning.

The results of the Secretariat's handling of the "Draft of the Overall Strategy for the Construction of Twenty-Four Streets in Bianjing" after the court discussion were posted in front of Kaifeng Prefecture, in front of major city gates, and on notice boards on every street.

When Shangguan Yu saw the four eye-catching words at the end of the notice, "Not Executed", he was dumbfounded.

"How...how is this possible? This policy can enrich Bian Jing, increase commercial taxes, and is in line with the intention of the entire Song Dynasty's reforms. It is also in line with public opinion. How...how can it not be implemented?" Shangguan Yu's lips trembled and he clenched his fists tightly.

He planned for a long time before writing this strategy.

In order to promote this policy.

In addition to buying space in more than 20 tabloids, he also placed several people on every street to explain the benefits of this policy in restaurants and teahouses, which cost a lot of money.

When Wang Yaochen said that he would discuss the matter in court, he had already imagined himself as the chief executor and transforming the 24 streets of Bianliang.

even.

Last night, he also calculated how much money he could make in a month after becoming the owner of the shops on the 24 streets in Bianjing, how long it would take to make his money back, and how long it would take him to surpass Cao Yi and become the richest man in Bianjing City.

The purpose of his presenting this strategy was to take advantage of the momentum of the reform throughout the Song Dynasty.

Make big money and gain a good reputation.

But this notice shattered all his dreams.

Shangguan Yu read the notice again, and then murmured: "Preventing big merchants from monopolizing and infringing on the interests of small merchants, what kind of reason is this? Isn't Cao Guojiu the biggest monopolist in Bianjing City?"

Since he started his business, Shangguan Yu's dream has been to become Tao Zhugong.

He was once confident that he could become the richest businessman in Bianjing City, but the rise of Cao Guojiu became a gap that he could not cross.

"Cao Yi, if I can't do it, you will also be ruined. If you are not a royal relative, how can you have the current financial resources? I don't believe that the court can go against the will of the people!"

……

That night.

Cao Yi, the uncle of the Cao State, became a hot topic among the people of Bianliang.

"What is the purpose of the court's announcement? Isn't Cao Guojiu also a wealthy businessman? Isn't he also monopolizing? Why not punish him? This is unfair to Shangguan Daguan!"

"Shangguan Daguan is clearly doing the same thing as Cao Guojiu, but the former was rejected while the latter is thriving. This is so unfair. Can relatives by marriage have such privileges?"

"Uncle Cao also has a monopoly! Doesn't he have the final say in doing business with Dali? This... this is really unfair!"

……

The one who said this.

Most of them are young scholars.

They are warm-hearted, outspoken, and unafraid of the court.

But he did not look at the problem comprehensively at all. He only focused on the unfairness in the announcement and did not realize that he was being taken advantage of.

Day two.

An even more horrifying rumor spread on the streets of Bianjing.

Some people say: A few years later, if the eldest prince ascends the throne, the Cao family will have military power and financial resources, and the Queen Mother will sit in the harem. It will be easy for them to usurp the throne.

Since ancient times, there have been too many cases of rebellion by external relatives.

This piece of news was already a frame-up and slander, and it was naturally Shangguan Yu who asked someone to spread it.

He stubbornly believed that as long as he could control public opinion, he could control everything.

Shangguan Yu wanted to ruin the reputation of Cao Yi, Cao Guo's uncle, and hoped that the court would change its mind and accept his strategy.

……

Next, for three days in a row.

Such rumors were rife in the streets and alleys of Bianjing City, and even some shops owned by Cao Yi, the uncle of the Emperor Cao, were affected.

Many people who have read too many stories about political intrigues feel that Cao Guojiu has a big conspiracy in his heart.

It will become a great disaster to the country in the future.

Some young scholars even ran to the gate of Kaifeng Mansion and shouted: "The dominance of foreign relatives endangers the imperial power! The dominance of foreign relatives endangers the imperial power..."

these three days.

Zhao Zhen and all the scholars and officials were waiting for a response from Cao Yi, Cao's uncle, but Cao Yi stayed indoors and refused to come out.

Until the morning of the fourth day.

Cao Yi dressed formally and went to Kaifeng Prefecture with two boxes of account books and four accountants.

Some young scholars and common people who were jealous of the rich waited in front of the gate of Kaifeng Prefecture, waiting for Cao Yi to come out so that they could curse him.

Near noon.

Cao Yi did not leave, but a notice from Kaifeng Prefecture was posted in front of the door.

The title of this announcement is: "Cao Yi's Donation Letter".

The specific content is: Cao Yi wanted to donate all the money he earned from business for civilian use. He handed over the details of all property accounts to Kaifeng Prefecture, hoping that Kaifeng Prefecture would supervise him, and Kaifeng Prefecture has agreed to his request.

Cao Yi said that his money would be mainly used in three aspects.

First, to save people from disaster.

Second, build schools, clinics, and welfare homes and other places that benefit the people.

Third, help the lives of vulnerable people such as the disabled, widows, widowers and the lonely.

In short -

Donate all your wealth to the people.

When this announcement came out, all those who insulted Cao Yi were dumbfounded.

Since ancient times, no wealthy and powerful person has ever done such a thing. If they donated money to the court, some people would say that they were seeking a career in politics and an official position.

But "all of them are used by the poor", and no one will complain.

This is the true Confucian businessman and the true tycoon businessman.

Among all the businessmen in the world, which one dares to do such a thing!
Cao Yi, the uncle of the Cao State, can be said to have done what other businessmen in the world could not do. Even if it was just for fame and reputation, no other businessmen dared to learn from him.

This move immediately raised the style of merchants in the Song Dynasty.

Zhao Zhen and the scholar-officials did not expect that what Su Liang said was actually this idea.

Ask yourself.

If most scholars and officials had wealth like Cao Guojiu, they would probably not donate all of their money even if they were pointed at and scolded.

Because in their perception, their wealth is to benefit their descendants and to make the family strong, and helping the people is the court's job.

The reason why Su Liang did not reveal this method in the Chuigong Hall was that if he did, the court might suspect that he was forcing Cao Yi.

Su Liang and Wang Anshi did not force Cao Yi in Cao's mansion, but fully respected his ideas.

Cao Yi did this as he wished.

……

Afternoon, Shangguan Yu’s residence.

In the front hall.

Shangguan Yu was dumbfounded when he saw the "Cao Yi's Donation Letter".

He thought about it again and again, but couldn't find any flaws in Cao Yi.

If he became the world's largest businessman, he would never donate all his wealth, not even 10%.

He is now not worthy of being compared with Cao Yi.

at this time.

A group of Imperial City Division soldiers broke into Shangguan Yu's front hall.

"Shangguan Yu, you are suspected of using money to instruct hundreds of people to spread rumors that slander the royal family. Come with us!"

The reason why Cao Yi spoke only after three days.

He just listened to Su Liang's words and waited for the Imperial City Division to find evidence that Shangguan Yu manipulated the people to spread rumors.

The imperial court tacitly allowed the people to pay to publish information that was beneficial to them in tabloids.

But Shangguan Yu even dared to fabricate rumors that the foreign relatives were planning a rebellion, which was a serious taboo. Once he was taken to the Imperial City Bureau, he would certainly be punished with a beating.

Once the people of Bianliang knew about this, they would probably be able to figure out the reason, and it would be more difficult for them to be incited to blindly follow such rumors and scams in the future.

After this incident.

Some of the wealthy businessmen in Bianjing City probably won't try to be clever anymore, and they will also understand the responsibilities they bear.

(End of this chapter)