After learning from the pain, Zu Shiheng came to the political hall with the latest plan, and he wanted to report to Ding Wei face to face.
Regarding how to support the construction of cities and fortresses in the northwest region, Zu Shiheng’s answer was to demolish the east wall and mend the west wall.
After all, there is only so much annual fiscal and tax revenue, and in ancient times there was no possibility of overpayment. When money was limited, it could only be transferred elsewhere.
In order to complete Ding Xiang's 'explanation', Zu Shiheng really went to great lengths.
The first cut was made on the funding for the establishment of schools, and it was directly cut by two-thirds.
The original plan was to build 50 state schools, but now, the target is only a dozen, and state schools in other states are temporarily postponed.
We will wait until there is a fiscal surplus next year before continuing.
Zu Shiheng knew very well that doing so would undoubtedly bring him notoriety.
But what about the infamy?
As long as the Prime Minister is satisfied and the officials are satisfied, what can those scholars do if they continue to scold?
Zu Shiheng was so bold, mostly because of Ding Wei.
During the three dynasties of the Great Song Dynasty, there were few examples of independent prime ministers, and even if there were, the time was very short. There are people like Ding Wei who served as independent prime ministers and still have no signs of being dismissed.
This is the only example in the more than 80 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China!
This shows how ‘maverick’ today’s officialdom is.
It's not like those officials have never given advice, but when it comes to this kind of essays, the officials' opinions are to leave them alone.
And why can Prime Minister Ding maintain his position as the only prime minister?
Everything comes from official support.
It was after realizing this that Zu Shiheng had the courage to cut down on school expenses.
Not only that, his second blow was even more ruthless, directly targeting the officials' salaries.
Of course, Zu Shiheng would not dare to make direct cuts.
Even if Ding Xiang was standing behind him, he would not dare.
In many people's minds, officials in the Song Dynasty were treated very well, and their salaries were much higher than those in other dynasties.
However, the actual situation is different from ordinary people's impression.
The composition of officials' salaries in the Song Dynasty was very complicated. It mainly included five parts: salary, clothing grant, grain allowance, additional expenses, and land rent. There were also one-time awards and subsidies.
Among them, the most basic and important part is the materials, money and clothing gifts, which are determined according to the official. However, for important ministers such as the three envoys and the chief minister, it is mostly determined by the dispatch.
The reason for this is that important ministers such as the three ministers and the prime minister are often not high-ranking officials.
For example, Lu Yijian, who is participating in politics now, his official position is only for the official. If the salary is determined according to the official position, his monthly salary is only 45 guan.
The monthly salary of a country's prime minister and minister is only 45 yuan, which is too low.
If it is based on dispatch, Lu Yijian's monthly salary will be as high as 200 guan, which is nearly five times higher than that of his own official.
Such a monthly salary is just in line with his position.
However, the actual execution of salary and salary is another matter.
The system in the early Song Dynasty basically followed the system in the late Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties. Although the salaries set by officials were large, they were actually withdrawn in half.
Moreover, in the Taizu and Taizong dynasties, the half-stipend was often reduced, that is, no money was found, and other materials, such as tea, salt, wine, etc. were used instead of cash.
At the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the monthly salary of the county magistrate was less than ten guan, and two-thirds of it was paid for tobacco, wine and tea. Overall, his income was not substantial and could only be considered meager.
After all, these officials are not the kind where one person has enough to eat and the whole family is not hungry. Most officials have a large family behind them.
Although Taizu, Taizong, and Zhenzong all paid attention to the issue of official salaries, how could they make the level of official salaries far higher than that of previous generations in just a few decades?
Money doesn't appear out of thin air.
Therefore, until now, although officials' salaries have been adjusted, except for a small number of close ministers (attendants, etc.), the vast majority of officials' salary is still mainly based on discounts.
One-third is cash and the remaining two-thirds are deducted.
In addition, the real objects used for depreciation are often overestimated.
For example, for tea leaves with a market price of 100 renminbi per catty, the discount estimate is often 150 renminbi, or even 200 renminbi.
Of course, it is rare to break two hundred coins. In most cases, it is divided into eight and ten.
And this is where Zu Shiheng made his decision.
Slightly change the deduction ratio, from the original eight points to ten points, to seven points, or six points.
(PS: Most of the salaries of officials in the Song Dynasty that you see now are derived from the Jiayou Lu Order, but Jiayou was still more than thirty years away from Tiansheng. According to the current timeline, the salaries of officials in the Song Dynasty are still relatively chaotic.
In addition, even if the Jiayoulu Order came out, officials' salaries would still be reduced. Except for some mid-level and senior officials, princes and princes, and some state and county magistrates, other officials would still have their salaries reduced.
The specific ratio of deductions is based on the grade of the official and the importance of the mission. Some are half cash and half are discounts, and some are one-third cash and two-thirds discounts.
Finally, the least important officials, most of whom are idle officials and retired officials, spend all their money on other things.
Chains of discrimination are everywhere.
In addition, let me say one more thing, it is precisely because of the existence of depreciation that the income of officials in the Song Dynasty will include additional expenses (increased payments), job money, post payment, tea soup money, public money, job land money, etc., all kinds of
subsidy.
Without these, most middle and low-level officials would have a difficult life based on their salary alone)
Afternoon.
After reading Zu Shiheng's latest proposal, Ding Wei couldn't help but shook his head.
"Uncle Ping, you are confused!"
"How can we use the money to build a school?"
"No matter how poor you are, you can't afford education; no matter how miserable you are, you can't afford education."
"ah?"
Hearing this, Zu Shiheng suddenly fell into confusion. He thought to himself, isn't this what you mean, Mr. Xiang?
Why, did you understand the wrong intention?
In fact, Zu Shiheng did not get it wrong, it was just because Ding Wei himself had changed his mind.
When Ding Wei entered the palace early, the officials specifically asked about the establishment of a school.
Seeing that the officials were so concerned about the establishment of schools, how could Ding Wei dare to continue to reduce the number?
Fortunately, Ding Wei did not completely deny the results of Zu Shiheng's labor. After reprimanding him, his tone changed again.
"However, Uncle Ping handled the matter of cutting expenses appropriately."
"This is how it will be implemented for the discounted part. As for the school fund, Uncle Ping, you can go back and make changes."
"The lower official's vision is narrow and he is not as far-sighted as the prime minister." Zu Shiheng nodded repeatedly: "Uncle Ping will go back and revise it now."
"etc."
Just when Zu Shiheng was about to retire, Ding Wei suddenly called out to him.
I saw Ding Wei making a surprised expression.
"Almost forgot."
"The officials have decreed that one-third of the cost of building the city and fortification will be provided by the internal treasury."
As soon as these words came out, Zu Shiheng was almost moved to tears.
After a while, Zu Shiheng couldn't help shouting.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Because of the construction of the city, his hair was almost turning gray, and he couldn't even fill up such a big hole.
Now it's good, one-third of it is coming out of the internal treasury.
Although there are still two-thirds left for the three divisions to come out, this is already a huge kindness.