Hu Mu looked a little apprehensive and nervous.

When he was studying at home, he had heard of Zhang Anshi's murderous name for a long time, and naturally he had no good impression of Zhang Anshi.

But when I arrived at the Railway Division, I knew how powerful His Royal Highness King Song was, and under the influence of my ears and eyes, the people around me all admired His Royal Highness King Song! Under this influence, if you don't have respect for Zhang Anshi, it will be a strange thing.

The last time he was seriously injured, he couldn't tell Zhang Anshi when he was facing the saint.

This time, seeing Zhang Anshi alive in front of him, he was still so eager, naturally, his heart was hot, and he immediately bowed his head with others: "I've seen Your Highness." ”

Zhang Anshi seemed very easy-going, and said happily: "You don't have to be so polite, it's all a family." ”

Zhang Anshi sat down, and then said: "Sit down and talk, don't be restrained, I will teach you to come to the capital this time, just for one thing, that is, I don't know what you think of the post station?" ”

Everyone, you look at me, I look at you, they all want to see something from each other.

Some of the people who were summoned this time were on business in the Qixia Commercial Bank, some were in Qianzhuang, and some were like Hu Mu, in the Railway Division.

The comings are very complicated, but they are all elite soldiers and strong generals recommended by various departments, and a few of them are even ordered by Zhang Anshi himself.

He had a certain impression of some people, and knew that most of these people came up step by step from the scribes, such people...... At least the eyes and hearts will not be confused.

There are even people who, because of promotions and transfers, have worked in many places, in fact, most people are like this, they have a certain amount of ink in their stomachs, and then let them experience everywhere, in fact...... It's not just that he has to be proficient in all the business in all places, but in the process of continuous transfer, he has a rough grasp of the way to do things, and has his own set of methods, even in an unfamiliar field, he can be familiar with it.

After thinking about it, it was this Hu Mu who took the lead and said: "The situation of the post station, the lower officials know a little bit about it, and recently I have heard about some post stations, and they all say that the situation of the post station is very bad, so that there are many ills. ”

After a pause, Hu Mu continued: "However, in the eyes of the lower officials, the disadvantages are one thing, and the most important of them is that the duties of the post station are not clear, not only to usher in the delivery, but also to deliver official documents, and even to be sent by the officials along the way to do other chores, so that for the post station, everything is not done well, and in the end it only becomes a messenger to meet the needs of a few people." ”

Zhang Anshi nodded at him and encouraged him to continue.

So Hu Mu thought about it and said, "Because of this, it is not uncommon for this malaise to appear." But when doing one thing, the first thing is to distinguish priorities, clarify rights and responsibilities, and then make a register of money, grain, mules and horses to ensure property. When these things are cleared, things will be easy. ”

Zhang Anshi said: "In this way, do you think that the problem of the post station is still on the people?" ”

Hu Mu said resolutely: "Yes, treat people in advance." ”

Zhang Anshi was silent for a moment, and then pondered: "But the post station spends countless amounts of money and food every year, what do you think?" ”

Hu Mu thought about it seriously again and said: "The fundamental way is to still be on duty, just like the railway department, if this railway is built and is only responsible for transporting scholars and officials, then ...... It is inevitable that we will lose money year after year. And this railway division, especially the railway division of Zhili, can make progress every day, to put it bluntly, it is to distinguish the rights and responsibilities, which businesses are specially used to earn money; and which ones are in charge of the ministry of the imperial court. This point, the railway department made it clear and clear, if the imperial court needs to mobilize troops and horses, how does the railway department need to deal with it, or, in a local disaster, how does the railway department assume the responsibility of transporting grain......"

Hu Mu can be said to be searching his intestines and scraping his stomach at this time, in fact, his set is nothing more than the method he summarized when he was on a business trip in the railway department.

This kind of thinking is nothing more than thinking about it again and again when dealing with problems, without any rules, and completely thinking about what is where.

Even he was a little nervous, constantly observing Zhang Anshi's face, and he didn't know if he was good or not.

Zhang Anshi didn't know Hu Mu's mood at this time, and continued to encourage: "What else? ”

As for the matter of the post station, before entering Beijing, there was a discussion in the Di newspaper, among which the biggest criticism was naturally the problem of the post station spending money and food.

So, he racked his brains hard and continued: "The situation at the post station ...... It can be divided into two kinds, such as the transmission of official documents, which is related to the imperial court, then...... How to ensure that it is done quickly, or take all means to deliver the report and official documents as soon as possible. And on weekdays, so many people and horses, if they are idle, it is a pity, why ...... Don't you do something like passing on a book from one generation to another......"

Zhang Anshi became interested, hooked his lips and smiled, he looked at Hu Mu with interest and said, "How did you come up with these?" ”

Hu Mu hurriedly said: "This ...... That's actually ...... Xiaguan was at Raozhou Station...... Experienced......"

"Experience?" Although Zhang Anshi had a questioning tone, there was a faint smile on his lips.

Hu Mu said: "Up and down Raozhou Station, most of them are from all over the world, everyone has left their hometowns, but the people who have left their hometowns come out to wander, they can't help but feel homesick, or ...... I miss the deceased a lot. Therefore, every time someone takes leave and returns to their hometown, there will always be someone who asks him to come to the door, especially if the person is closer to his hometown, and hopes that this person can help deliver some letters, or ...... Take something back. ”

Hu Mu paused, and then said, "Actually, passing letters, such a thing...... Historically, it's just ...... Most of the ordinary people are confined to the township! When Emperor Taizu Gao was there, he did not allow the people to leave their hometowns without permission, so as not to breed the harm of the displaced people. ”

"Before the dynasty...... Although there are no such rules, in fact, the people who really leave their hometowns are very rare, because of ...... Ordinary people, or rent land, or fiddle with their own one-third of an acre of land, if it is not for forced labor, who is willing to leave the hometown easily, the bandits along the way, and all kinds of market splashes against foreigners, can not be counted, once people leave their hometown, no one knows when they die......"

Hu Mu said as he spoke, sighed and said: "As for the need for letters, most of them are high-ranking officials and nobles, or businessmen, they will often pass on some letters, but most of these people are solid, and there are slaves at home. Xia Guan was ashamed, when Xia Guan was studying at home, he also exchanged letters with many friends, most of them were repaired letters, and some people ran errands. ”

"Thus, in the past...... In fact, except for official documents and dignitaries, I have almost no need for letters, but now...... The lower officials thought it was ...... It's very different. At least that's what the lower officials saw......"

Zhang Anshi subconsciously asked, "What is the situation you see?" ”

Hu Mu immediately said: "On the one hand, the matter of high-ranking officials and nobles running errands...... Less. ”

"Oh?" Zhang Anshi was a little surprised and said, "What is the reason for this?" ”

Looking at Zhang Anshi's intent, Hu Mu became more and more calm, and said eloquently: "Because the manpower has risen, just in Raozhou Mansion, because of the large number of recruits at Raozhou Station, therefore, the manpower has risen sharply. In the past, if the nobles in this place wanted to recruit slaves, in disaster years, even if they gave two mouthfuls of food a day, I don't know how many people came to serve, even if they encountered a good year, they didn't know how many people were enslaved. At least according to what Xia Guan knew when he was in Jishui County, manpower ...... It has always been as cheap as a mustard. ”

He glanced up at Zhang Anshi and continued: "But Raozhou has skyrocketed several times in a year, and the lower officials think that in the future, ...... Nowadays, manpower is needed to build railways, workshops need manpower, warehouses and wharves also need manpower to move goods, and even the operation of railways, as well as schools, medical schools, and inspection institutes all need manpower. ”

Speaking of this, he hooked his lips and smiled: "It is precisely because the price of manpower has risen sharply that it ...... In the past, that mustard manpower is now easily impossible to find, and only a letter can be sent, but a slave is taught to travel hundreds or even thousands of miles, back and forth, and so on...... As far as the lower officials know, even many gentry families have begun to have some pain. ”

Zhang Anshi bowed his head and praised without hesitation: "I see, but you are observant, but this king did not expect it." ”

Hu Mu laughed: "It's a shame to say that it was people like Xia Guan who called these mustard manpower in the first place. ”

Zhang Anshi coughed and laughed dryly.

Well, the eldest brother doesn't laugh at the second brother, and I, Zhang Anshi, are not much better.

Hu Mu immediately put away his smile and sat down in a precarious position: "In addition, in places such as Zhili and Jiangxi, the rise of railways, not only the people began to travel, but the merchants also began to go farther and farther. In addition to this, a large number of people have left their homes to work, and these people ...... It is no longer like the people of the past, even eating has become a problem, although the people who work are also poor, many of them ...... On weekdays, I cut back on food and clothing, but most of them can eat and drink enough, and I can save some surplus money by buckling the rope every month. ”

"Moreover, they were already away from their homeland and had a need for letters...... If the new policy continues like this, the lower officials will even think that it will be ...... The number of people who need to deliver letters may be ten or a hundred times greater than the need for letters today......"

After hearing this, Zhang Anshi nodded even more, and there was a look of appreciation in his eyes unconsciously, Hu Guang's son is indeed a practical type! If you hadn't figured out the many twists and turns here, how could you say that this is the way.

So he said, "I really didn't expect you to think so much." ”

Hu Mu said modestly: "This is not what the lower officials think, in fact, it is just experience, in the railway department, there are many people who ask people to pass on letters, which is very inconvenient, on the one hand, it is always troublesome to others, on the other hand, this entrusted person is not a full-time messenger, so if it is lost along the way, or not delivered, it is also a common thing, so that a lot of news can not be conveyed, but breeds many regrets." Xia Guan witnessed many such things at Raozhou Station, so he was inspired. ”

Zhang Anshi is actually still worried about the business problems of this postal office, although he still has some confidence, after all...... Before the advent of the telephone, the postal service itself was profitable, but it gradually declined with the rise of various means of transmitting information.

But what is known from Humu's mouth now...... It is enough to reassure Zhang Anshi.

In the final analysis, it is the rise of industry and commerce that has led to the emergence of a large number of people who have left their hometowns, and at the same time, a large number of people with a certain amount of spending power have been cultivated, and these people are the main business groups of the postal service.

Zhang Anshi thought about it, and then asked Hu Mu again: "Is there such a thing as a package?" ”

Hu Mu said truthfully: "Yes, but not much." ”

Zhang Anshi frowned and said, "Why is this?" ”

Hu Mu said: "After all, this involves goods, and the problem with goods is that it is inevitable that there will be risks in trusting others. ”

Zhang Anshi laughed and said: "It seems that this is just a credit issue, if you can win the trust of others, then ...... There will be more such things. ”

Hu Mushen nodded approvingly: "If that's the case, it's really true, and the lower officials also think so." ”

Zhang Anshi shook his spirits and said: "This king wants to set up a postal department under the Ministry of Railways, the scale of which is comparable to the railway divisions everywhere, of course, this matter has been reported to Your Majesty, Your Majesty strongly agrees with this, and intends to teach the palace and Qixia Commercial Bank to be responsible for its money and food expenditures, of course...... Since the palace and Qixia Commercial Bank have produced silver, then the income and income will naturally belong to the palace and Qixia Commercial Bank! ”

Speaking of this, Zhang Anshi glanced at everyone, and then said, "This time...... This king intends to use you as the backbone, and use the original post station as the foundation, and you will first clean it up, and then ...... Come up with a practical way, just like Hu Mufang said, think more about the business that can be undertaken, how to operate, or even ...... Can I borrow it from the railway department......

"All in all, you can have any idea, you can try anything, but there is one ...... What the king wants is to turn this postal office into a second railroad, and to make a profit. In addition, it is necessary to fulfill the duties of the imperial court, what do you think? ”

When they heard this, they looked at each other.

In fact, before they came, they thought about many possibilities, but they never expected that His Royal Highness King Song would let themselves come for this.

Upon hearing His Highness's words, some people were excited, while others were skeptical.

Zhang Anshi saw everyone's reaction in his eyes, and said with a smile: "Hu Mu, the first transfer envoy of this post department, I will teach you to do it, I will ask Your Majesty for this matter, your transfer envoy is equal to the status of the ambassador of the provincial railway department, you must know that even His Royal Highness the emperor and grandson are just the ambassador of the Jiangxi Railway Department." ”

Hu Mu was shocked and directly startled.

Although the status of the emperor and grandson is still higher than that of him, after all, he also serves as a squire of the Ministry of Railways.

But even so...... Still shocked him, after all, he was just a mere warden in the past, although it has long been rumored that this time he has made great contributions and been knighted, it is very likely that he will become the stationmaster of a certain station, and he will definitely be able to rise.

But the stationmaster of this station, compared with the ambassador of the Railway Department, is still several levels behind, where did he think that he would preside over such a key point when he entered Beijing this time.

Although he was excited in his heart, he still said: "Your Highness, the qualifications of the lower officials ......"

Zhang Anshi feels that it is rare for a person to be able to weigh his own ability to do things.

So Zhang Anshi's impression of Hu Mu was a little better, and he smiled: "The problem is here, this postal department has just been built, and there are many things to be busy, and there are seniorities...... The old man is not too young, and he taught them to move their nests and do such a strenuous thing, and this king is a little unbearable. ”

You are still young, and when you were standing in Raozhou, this king saw that you could fight hard, which can be seen...... Besides, your merits have not only been seen by Your Majesty, but also seen by this king, and the actions are indeed meticulous, and all of the above things that this king said are the thoughts of this king who is finally determined to teach you to take on this great responsibility. ”

Zhang Anshi looked at him with blazing eyes and said: "Eclectic and downgrading talents, such a thing...... There used to be, but not much, and in the future...... I'm afraid it's even rarer. This post office is now the target of the public, don't think that you will be promoted, but in fact, the danger, you also know, I don't know how many people are staring at it, but if there is a little mistake, I am afraid that it will shake the world and cause countless people to discuss, which is why it ...... You don't have to think that this is a good thing, blessings and misfortunes depend on it, and misfortunes and blessings depend on it, think about it yourself. ”

Having said that, Hu Mu was only left with gratitude.

A ...... alone The person he admires can trust himself so much and entrust such a major matter in his own hands, which is almost an exaggeration for a person with great ambition like Hu Mu.

So unconsciously, his eyes were full of tears, and at this time, he couldn't help but think about why some people would say that they were floating in their lives and only hated that they had not met the master.

This feeling of being trusted is enough to give up the heart of life even for people like Hu Mu.

So Hu Mu bowed down sincerely and said: "The lower officials dare not do their best, if there is any negligence, I am willing to come to see you!" After today, the lower officials and the post office will be closely related, if the matter is successful, it will be prosperous, and if it is not successful, the lower official will be asked to die. ”

Zhang Anshi smiled, and didn't greet him politely, 'Ah, yes, why do you say such unfortunate things in a dignified manner' or: 'How can this king be willing to let you die' or something like that.

Instead, he smiled and nodded.

This is a military order, and you have to write it down.

Zhang Anshi immediately began to hand over his duties and missions, he took out a copy of the charter that he had already prepared, and immediately began to circulate it to them.

Everyone present was excited, looked down at the charter, and carefully comprehended it.

Zhang Anshi raised his face and said: "For other arrangements, you will go to the Ministry of Railways by yourself tomorrow, accept the appointment, and then ...... Then I started to work, what to do, this king doesn't care, this king only needs the result! ”

(End of chapter)