No war in the Northern Song Dynasty

Chapter 64 Taking Office (Please vote and read)

Zhang Daocheng certainly knew that the big businessmen in Bianjing City exploited small and medium-sized business owners through this monopoly, and even the Zhang family, the imperial merchant family, was engaged in this business.

Although Su Ze's move only involved the workshops and shops in the store and house affairs, it had an impact on the business of many big businessmen.

For these businessmen, Su Ze also proposed a solution, which was to let them invest and collect interest.

Zhang Daocheng frowned and said:
"In this way, the profit will definitely be less than before. Will they agree?"

Su Ze said:

"They have to agree even if they don't agree. If the exchange can be established, they won't make any profit. Besides, collecting the interest will require far fewer people than before, and the returns will be more stable and the risks will be lower."

Zhang Daocheng thought about it and realized that it was indeed the case.

After all, this monopoly is also an industry, which requires a lot of manpower. Someone is needed to receive, transport and sell goods. Naturally, there must be someone to supervise, inspect and deal with various problems.

This business makes a lot of money, but it also requires a lot of energy, and more importantly, it requires capable people to keep an eye on it.

In any system, the word "capable" is very rare, and reliable talents are precious.

Collecting rent is much simpler, you just need to collect the money at home.

Su Ze said to Zhang Yaozuo:

"Uncle, my nephew is of low rank and cannot submit a petition to the emperor. I would like you to submit this petition to the emperor."

Zhang Yaozuo looked at Su Ze. With his vision, he could of course see that the method used by the market exchange was a very clever one.

If Su Ze's idea can be implemented, it will not only revitalize Dian Zhaiwu, but also benefit the people living in Dian Zhaiwu.

Moreover, Zhang Yaozuo also believed that with Su Ze's ability, he might really be able to set up this market exchange.

This is a huge achievement.

Letting yourself write a letter, isn't that giving the credit to yourself?
Su Ze said:

"However, if my uncle proposed this method, I'm afraid that many ministers in the court would be hostile to him."

Zhang Yaozuo was suddenly shocked. Su Ze was right. Such bold reform measures would definitely offend a large number of conservatives and the backers of those big businessmen.

Zhang Yaozuo hesitated again. In officialdom, risks and opportunities always coexist.

A step that leads to heaven may be a trap from which there is no escape.

However, Zhang Yaozuo still couldn't resist the temptation. If this thing could really succeed, the initiator would definitely gain huge political capital, and even gain a reputation as a capable official, and it would not be a problem for him to be appointed as prime minister in the future!

Thinking of becoming a prime minister, Zhang Yaozuo finally couldn't sit still anymore. He said to Su Ze:

"If this method can really benefit the people, Zhang is willing to submit a petition!"

Seeing Zhang Yaozuo taking the bait, Su Ze also breathed a sigh of relief. The implementation of any new law requires the support of the upper level. Zhang Yaozuo's official position is already sufficient, and he can also influence the palace, so he can barely serve as the backstage for the reform of store and house affairs.

More importantly, he participated in it because he was betting his political future on it, so he would be more resolute in his support, which would make it easier for Su Ze to handle many things.

Based on Su Ze's oral instructions, Zhang Yaozuo wrote down a detailed implementation plan for the Municipal Exchange.

The more Zhang Yaozuo wrote, the more he felt surprised, then convinced, and finally completely shocked.

Su Ze's plan for trading stores and houses was quite detailed, not only providing specific execution targets but also calculating target returns. He also outlined the personnel, organizational structure, and legal support he would need.

Then came the specific implementation details. Su Ze constructed a complex organization, stipulated the responsibilities of each department, and even set up a supervision mechanism.

For example, for officials in the city exchange office who are responsible for lending, the total amount of loans should not be used as part of their assessment to prevent them from lending illegally in pursuit of political achievements. However, loan recovery should be used as part of their assessment so that they can be more cautious in lending.

In addition, Su Ze also designed a bookkeeping system called Longmen Accounting Method. This accounting method is more complicated than the four-pillar list used by government offices now, and the accounts can be cross-checked with each other, making it more difficult to falsify accounts.

The more Zhang Yaozuo wrote, the more he felt the preciousness of this memorial, because it was not just a slogan, but a set of truly feasible plans!

Even Zhang Yaozuo believed that there was no need for talents like Su Ze. As long as an official who followed the rules was allowed to implement this plan, success would be achieved.

At the end of the article, Zhang Yaozuo said:
"Nephew, why don't you add your name to it?"

Zhang Yaozuo knew that even if he presented such a detailed and reliable plan to the emperor, the emperor might not believe it was his idea. It would be better for him to take Su Ze with him.

Su Ze did not refuse. After Zhang Yaozuo finished writing, he also added his name to it.

Then the three of them discussed for a long time, including how to paint a rosy picture for those big merchants, how to recruit the peddlers and shops under their control, and how to deal with the tax collectors who collected too much tax. By the time the discussion ended, it was almost dark.

Zhang Yaozuo then said, "Today I finally understand what a country's prime minister should be like."

He then said to Zhang Daocheng:

"I really envy Brother Daocheng for having such a good daughter."

Zhang Daocheng also smiled happily. With Su Ze's talent, he could become a big merchant in Bian Jing. Even if he failed to pass the imperial examination, with his talent, the government would grant him the status of a Jinshi, and he would be valued sooner or later.

My daughter has really good taste!

Zhang Daocheng did not have dinner at Zhang Yaozuo's house, but hurried back to raise funds.

Although Zhang Chulan was reluctant to leave, she did not do anything out of the ordinary. The two of them just exchanged glances to say goodbye.

As expected, Zhang Yaozuo's memorial "Regulations on the Market Exchange of Shops and Houses" received high attention from the government.

Although the slogans of reforms in every dynasty were very lofty, if we put aside these slogans, the fundamental reason for the reforms was "no money."

Since the Qin Dynasty's Reform, "enriching the country and strengthening the army" has been the unchanging slogan of the reform, which ultimately means "making money."

The war between Song and Xia, the successive disasters, and the political blackmail of the Liao Kingdom were the reasons why Song Renzong wanted to reform.

The imperial court was facing financial difficulties, so the blueprint outlined in the "Shop and House Market Exchange Law" seemed very beautiful.

You can raise funds for the repair and renovation of your store and house without using any funds, and you can even make a profit using this method.

The most important thing is that the words "benefit the people" are written everywhere in this law. Even the most conservative scholars find it difficult to express opposition when faced with these two words.

The government sent Zhang Yaozuo's memorial to the Council of State Affairs. No important ministers, including Prime Minister Yan Shu, could raise any objections. Finally, the Hanlin academician drafted an edict and announced that it would be handed over to the Department of Stores and Houses for execution.

Su Ze, the official in charge of the left and right wing store and house affairs, has an additional new position in charge of the store and house market.

At this time, Su Ze could no longer stay at home, so he chose an auspicious day, put on his official robe, and walked into the Taifu Temple Yamen.

(End of this chapter)