my brother-in-law is the prince

Chapter 551 1 Prosperity

Chapter 551

Hu Mu looked a little apprehensive and nervous.

When he was studying at home, he had heard about Zhang Anshi's vicious reputation for a long time, so he naturally had no liking for Zhang Anshi.

But when he arrived at the Railway Department, he just realized the power of His Royal Highness Song Wang. Under the influence of his ears and eyes, everyone around him admired His Highness Song Wang very much!Under this influence, if one does not feel admiration for Zhang Anshi, that would be a strange thing.

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

This time, seeing Zhang Anshi alive in front of him, still so eager, naturally, his heart became hot, and he immediately bowed together with the others: "I have seen Your Highness."

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

Zhang Anshi took his seat, and immediately said: "Let's all sit down and talk, don't be cautious, this time I'm teaching you to come to the capital for one thing, that is, what do you think of the inn?"

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

Some of the people summoned this time are on business in Qixia Commercial Bank, some are in the bank, and some like Hu Mu are in the Railway Department.

The origins are very complicated, but they are all elite soldiers recommended by various departments, and some of them were even ordered by Zhang Anshi himself.

He had quite an impression of some people, and he knew that most of these people came from civil servants step by step. Such people...at least their eyes and hearts are not confused.

There are even people who have been on business in many places because of promotion and transfer. In fact, people are probably like this. They have a certain amount of ink in their stomachs, and then let them practice in various places. I am proficient in all the business, but in the process of constant transfer, I have roughly mastered the methods of doing things. With my own set of methods, even in unfamiliar fields, I can be familiar with it.

After thinking for a while, it was Hu Mu who said first: "I know a little about the situation of the post station. I have heard some news about the post station recently. They all say that the situation of the post station is very bad, and there are many problems."

After a pause, Hu Mu continued: "However, in the eyes of the subordinates, there are one disadvantages. The most important thing is that the duties of the post station are not clear. They have to welcome and deliver official documents, and even officials who come along the way, They are dispatched to do other chores, and even for the post station, they can’t do everything well, and in the end they only become servants who satisfy individual people.”

Zhang Anshi nodded at him, encouraging him to continue talking.

So Hu Mu thought for a while, and then said: "Because of this, it is not uncommon for this disease to appear. But when doing something, the first thing is to distinguish between the primary and the secondary, clarify the rights and responsibilities, and then distribute the money and food and mules and horses. Make a record and secure the property. When these things are unblocked, things will be easier to handle.”

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, you should rule people first."

Zhang Anshi was silent for a moment, and said after deliberation: "However, the post station costs countless money and food every year, what do you think?"

Hu Mu thought about it again and said: "The fundamental way is to still be on duty, just like the railway department. If the railway is built and is only responsible for transporting scholars and officials, then...it is inevitable to lose money year after year. And the railway department, especially the railway department in Zhili, can make a fortune every day. To put it bluntly, it is to distinguish between powers and responsibilities, which business is dedicated to earning money, and which is responsible for the duties of the court. It’s a matter of fact. The Railway Department made this point clear and clear. It usually undertakes freight and passenger transportation. If the imperial court needs to mobilize troops, how will the Railway Department deal with it? Or, in the case of a local catastrophe, how will the Railway Department undertake transportation? The responsibility of food..."

Hu Mu can be said to be scratching his head at this time. In fact, his method is nothing more than the method he summed up when he was working in the railway company.

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

He was even a little nervous, constantly observing Zhang Anshi's face, not sure if what he said 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 were discussions among the mansion newspapers, among which the loudest criticism was naturally the waste of money and food at the post station. Hu Mu naturally had some thoughts in the process of reading the mansion newspaper these days.

So, he racked his brains hard, and continued: "The situation at the post station... can be divided into two types, such as the transmission of official documents, which is related to the court, so... how to ensure that the horses are expedited, or take all measures, The report and official documents will be delivered as soon as possible. And on weekdays, it would be a pity if so many people are idle, why... can't we use some methods like passing on books from generation to generation..."

Zhang Anshi became interested, and with a smile on his lips, he looked at Hu Mu with great interest and said, "How did you come up with this?"

Hu Mu hurriedly said: "This... this is actually... the lower official's experience at Raozhou Station..."

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

Hu Mudao: "Up and down the Raozhou station, most of the people come from all over the world. Everyone has left their hometowns, but those who leave their hometowns go out to wander, and they are inevitably homesick, or... miss their old friends a little bit. Therefore, every time someone asks for leave and returns When I was in my hometown, there would always be someone who would invite Todden, especially if this person is closer to my hometown, and I hope that this person can help deliver some letters, or... take some things back."

Hu Mu paused, and then said: "Actually, such things as passing letters...have always existed, but...ordinary people are mostly imprisoned in the village! Leave your hometown privately, so as not to breed the harm of refugees."

"Before the Kingdom...although there were no such rules, in fact, the people who really left their hometowns were rare, because...ordinary people either rented and planted land, or played with their own one-acre three-point land, If it wasn't for corvée, who would be willing to leave the hometown so easily, the bandits along the way, and all kinds of street thugs targeting foreigners, there are too many to count. Once a person leaves the hometown, no one will know when he dies..."

Hu Mu said with a sigh, "As for those who need letters, most of them are dignitaries, or merchants, and they will pass some letters from time to time, but most of these people are well-off and have family members. Slaves, for tasks like delivering letters, you can just let your own servants run errands to pass on from generation to generation. I am ashamed of myself. When I was studying at home, I also had letters with many friends. Most of them were repaired letters. Someone ran errands .”

"Thus, in the past... my Ming Dynasty, except for official documents and high-ranking officials, I almost rarely needed letters, but now... the lower officials think that... it is very different. At least what the lower officials have seen , that's it..."

Zhang Anshi asked subconsciously: "What did you see?"

Hu Mu immediately said: "On the one hand, there are fewer errands for dignitaries and dignitaries."

"Oh?" Zhang Anshi was a little surprised and said: "What's the reason?"

Seeing Zhang Anshi listening intently, Hu Mu became more calm, and talked eloquently: "Because manpower has increased, just in Raozhou Prefecture, because Raozhou station has recruited a large number of workers, so the manpower has increased greatly. In the past In the old days, if the nobles in this place wanted to recruit slaves, in bad years, even if they were given two bites of food a day, there would be many people who came to join them. I don’t know how much. At least as far as I know when I was in Jishui County, manpower... has always been as cheap as worthless."

He raised his head and glanced at Zhang Anshi, and continued: "But within a year of standing in Raozhou, the manpower has skyrocketed several times, and the lower officials thought that in the future...manpower will only become more and more precious. Now, the railway construction needs Manpower, the construction of workshops requires manpower, the handling of goods on warehouses and docks also requires manpower, and even the operation of railways, schools, medical schools, and inspection stations all require manpower, how can this manpower not increase?"

Speaking of this, he hooked his lips and said with a smile: "It is precisely because the price of manpower has soared that...in the past, the manpower that was like worthless manpower can no longer be found easily. They only send a letter, but teach a servant , Traveling for hundreds or even thousands of miles, running back and forth, etc... As far as I know, many gentry families have begun to feel a little pain."

Zhang Anshi nodded, and praised without hesitation: "So that's the case, but you are observant, and this king didn't think of it."

Hu Mu laughed: "It's ashamed to say that it was people like Xiaguan who commanded these useless manpower back then."

Zhang Anshi coughed and laughed dryly.

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

Hu Mu immediately put away his smile, sat upright and said, "In addition, in Zhili and Jiangxi and other places, the railway has risen, not only the people have started to travel, but also the merchants have begun to go farther and farther. In addition, a large number of people leave Rural migrant workers, these people... are no longer like the common people in the past, and even eating has become a problem. Although these migrant workers are also poor, many of them...frugal on food and clothing on weekdays, but most of them can eat and drink enough. Monthly deductions can also save some extra money."

"What's more, they have already left their hometowns, and they already have a need for letters... If the New Deal continues like this, the lower officials even think...the number of people who need to deliver letters may be ten times or a hundred times more than today's demand..."

After Zhang Anshi heard this, he nodded even more, and unconsciously showed appreciation in his eyes. Hu Guang's son is indeed a hard-working man!If he hadn't figured out the many twists and turns here, how could he speak so eloquently.

So he said: "I really didn't expect that you can think so much."

Hu Mu said modestly: "This is not what the lower officials think, but it is actually just experience. In the Railway Department, many people ask people to pass letters around, which is very inconvenient. On the one hand, they always trouble others. , the entrusted person is not full-time to deliver letters, so if it is lost along the way, or not delivered, it is also a common occurrence, so that many messages cannot be conveyed, but it breeds a lot of regrets. I have witnessed many That’s what inspired me.”

In fact, Zhang Anshi is still worried about the business problems of the post office. Although he still has some confidence, after all...before the advent of the telephone, the post office itself was profitable. decline.

But what I learned from Hu Mu now...is enough to reassure Zhang Anshi.

In the final analysis, it was the rise of industry and commerce that produced a large number of people who left their hometowns, and at the same time cultivated a large number of people with certain spending power, and these people are the main business groups of the postal service.

Zhang Anshi thought for a while, then asked Hu Mu again: "Is there such a thing as entrusting the package?"

Hu Mu truthfully said: "Yes, but not many."

Zhang Anshi frowned and said, "Why?"

Hu Mu said: "After all, this involves property, and the problem with property is that entrusting it to others will inevitably be risky."

Zhang Anshi laughed, and said: "It seems that this is just a matter of credit. If you can win people's trust, then... such things will definitely happen more."

Hu Mu nodded in agreement and said: "If so, it is true, and the lower officials also think so."

Zhang Anshi cheered up and said: "This king wants to set up a postal department under the Ministry of Railways. The scale is comparable to that of railway departments in other places. Of course, this matter has been reported to His Majesty. His Majesty strongly agrees with this. As for the matter, teach Gongzhong and Qixia Commercial Bank to be responsible for their money and food expenses, of course...Since Gongzhong and Qixia Commercial Bank have contributed money, the proceeds and income will naturally go to Gongzhong and Qixia Commercial Bank!"

Speaking of this, Zhang Anshi glanced at everyone, and then said again: "This time... this king intends to use you as the backbone and the original post station as the foundation. You should clean it up first, and then... come up with a real one. The feasible way is to do what Hu Mu just said, think more about the business that can be undertaken, how to operate it, or even...whether it can be borrowed 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 post office into a second railway, and it must be profitable. In addition, he must complete the imperial court's Responsibilities, what do you think?"

After listening, everyone looked at each other.

In fact, before they came, they thought about many possibilities, but they never expected that His Royal Highness King Song actually asked him to come here for this.

After hearing His Highness's words, some people were excited, while others were doubtful.

Zhang Anshi took everyone's reactions into his eyes, smiled and said: "Hu Mu, the first transfer envoy of the post office, I will teach you how to do it. I will ask your majesty, you, the transfer envoy, and the railway department of each province. The status of ambassadors is equal, you have to know that even His Royal Highness is only the ambassador of Jiangxi Railway Department."

Hu Mu was startled in shock.

Although the status of the emperor's grandson is still higher than that of his transfer envoy, after all, he also serves as a minister of the Ministry of Railways.

But even so... It still shocked him a lot. After all, he was just a mere pawn in the past. Although there have been rumors for a long time, this time he has made great achievements and was conferred a title. It is very likely that he will become a certain station The station master must be promoted.

However, compared with the ambassador of the Railway Department, the station master of this certain station is still several levels behind. Who would have thought that when he came to Beijing this time, he would actually preside over such a crucial point.

Although I was excited in my heart, I still said: "Your Highness, the qualifications of the next official..."

Zhang Anshi felt that it was rare for a person to be able to measure his ability when doing things alone.

So Zhang Anshi's impression of Hu Mu got better, and he smiled and said, "That's the problem. The post office was just built, and there are a lot of things waiting to be done. There are many things to be busy. Those who have experience... Now that they are old and not young, I can't bear to teach them to move their nests to do such a strenuous task."

You are still young, and when you were at the Raozhou Station, this king saw that you were able to put yourself in a hurry, so it can be seen that... you are willing to be this desperate Saburo. Besides, not only Your Majesty has seen your merit test, but this king has also seen it , Acting meticulously, all the above mentioned by the king are the thoughts of the king who is finally determined to teach you to take on this great task. "

Zhang Anshi looked at him with piercing eyes and said: "Send talents without sticking to one pattern, this kind of thing... used to happen, but not many, in the future... I'm afraid it will be even rarer. This post office is now the target of everyone's criticism. Don't think that you are alone. Chao Gaosheng, but in fact, you know the danger in it. I don’t know how many people are watching it. If there is a slight mistake, it will shake the world and cause countless people to discuss it. Because of this ...Don't think that this is a good thing, good fortune depends on misfortune, misfortune depends on good fortune, you should think about it for yourself."

Having said that, Hu Mu is nothing but grateful.

A person...a person whom I admire can trust me so much and entrust such important matters in my own hands. For an ambitious person like Hu Mu, it can almost be said that rebirth of parents is impossible. It's over.

So unconsciously, tears welled up in his eyes, and at this moment he couldn't help but think why some people would say that they were drifting all their lives and only hated not meeting the Ming Lord.

Such a feeling of being trusted by others, even for people like Hu Mu, is enough to entrust their lives.

So Hu Mu bowed down sincerely and said: "I dare not do my best. If there is any negligence, I would like to come to see you! After today, the subordinate and the post office will be closely related. If the matter is successful, both will be prosperous. If it fails, the subordinate will ask for death." "

Zhang Anshi smiled, but he didn't greet him with polite words like 'Yeah, why do you say such unlucky words so politely' or: 'I don't want you to die' or something like that.

Instead, he smiled and nodded.

This is a military order, so write it down.

Zhang Anshi immediately began to deliver his responsibilities and missions. He took out a copy of the articles of association he had prepared, and immediately began to circulate them.

All the people present were excited, looked down at the regulations, and carefully understood them.

Zhang Anshi said with a straight face: "Other arrangements, tomorrow you go to the Ministry of Railways on your own, accept the letter of appointment, and then... start working. I don't care what to do, I just want the result!"

(End of this chapter)