In the evening, they marched to Dongxiang Posthouse. Zhu Xiu proposed to stay here for the night and start the journey again early tomorrow morning. Chai Rong happily agreed.

After passing Dongxiang Yiting, go northwest to Zhecheng City, and then you can reach Anding County.

A few months ago, Zhu Xiu specially allocated a sum of money to repair the post pavilions in Jingzhou, replenish the post horses, improve the living conditions of the post leaders and post men, and make the post roads in Jingzhou smooth again.

During the Tang Dynasty, local post stations were under the jurisdiction of the prefectures and counties where they were located. Local wealthy households were selected as post directors, exempted from taxes and servitude, allocated fields, accepted the jurisdiction of the government, and took on the important task of national communications.

Usually once selected, the position remains unchanged for life and is passed down from generation to generation.

During the prosperous Tang Dynasty, a post was built every thirty miles away, and there were nine out of 1,630 in the world. There were 260 water posts, 1,297 land posts, and 86 both land and water posts.

.

From the end of the Tang Dynasty to the early years of the Five Dynasties, wars continued throughout the world, people were displaced, and the once-prosperous postal system completely collapsed.

Although since the founding of the People's Republic of China by Zhu Liang, successive imperial courts have issued explicit decrees requiring local vassal towns, state and county governments to rebuild post stations and smooth post roads, most of them have had little effect, and it is difficult to restore the nationwide post post system that existed during the Tang Dynasty.

Building inns and repairing roads is a huge expense, and it is difficult to see returns in a short period of time.

Maintaining the normal operation of postal stations in various places also requires a certain amount of expenditure. The feudal towns, prefectures and counties usually do not pay much attention to it and put it off again and again.

In order to reduce expenses, most local officials hired several postmen and horses within the government office to deliver local official documents and military reports.

However, as a result, post offices in various places were blocked, and orders issued by the imperial court took a long time to reach the place. In case of emergency military situations, it was difficult to reach the imperial court as soon as possible.

In Jingzhou, Shi Kuangwei used to adopt a similar approach.

Zhu Xiu allocated special funds to build post pavilions and carried out drastic reforms to the postal system. Shi Kuangwei did not understand it at first and felt that the cost was too high and was a waste.

Zhu Xiu ignored him and sent an official document to the five county governments, including the post office construction in the performance assessment, changing the position of post director to a recruitment system, and recruiting local good family sons as postmen, who were jointly allocated by the local county and state governments.

Provide funds.

Each posthouse is also equipped with thirty to fifty acres of public land, which can be rented to tenant farmers for farming and subsidizing the cost of the posthouse.

The postmaster officially becomes a superior official and has certain powers. After serving for a certain period of time, those who perform well in the evaluation can also take part in the promotion examination organized by the Jiedu Prefecture and have the opportunity to obtain a formal official status.

Even the postmen had official status and could be promoted to postmasters or transferred to lower-level officials in local counties and villages.

As a result, the status of the postal staff has been greatly improved, their work enthusiasm has been greatly enhanced, and the Jingzhou postal system has been revitalized.

In addition to delivering official documents to the government, the post pavilions under Jingzhou also had certain commercial purposes.

If necessary, ordinary people can pay a certain fee and send letters through the post, which is safe, reliable and timely. It also improves the convenience of life for the people of Jingzhou to a certain extent.

Soon thereafter, post shops run by merchants appeared in various counties in Jingzhou, and some horse and carriage shops also included the postal post business in their business scope.

When Chai Rong and his entourage arrived at the Dongxiang Post Pavilion, they were all amazed when they saw the postmaster and postmen in uniform uniforms, the newly renovated buildings, stables, corridors and courtyards.

Although the small post pavilion occupies a small area, it has all the internal organs and organs. Everyone performs their duties and operates in an orderly manner.

Chai Rong stood in the post hall and looked up at the work regulations hanging on the wall. There were more than thirty articles covering all aspects of the post's work. They were framed and distributed to various posts to standardize and guide the work.

Zhu Xiu was explaining softly on the side, introducing the reform and current results of Jingzhou Post Station.

"Chai Shuai, tea." Zhang Yongde offered a bowl of hot tea.

Originally, Zhu Xiu arranged for the cooks in the post to light the fire and cook, and asked the postmaster to serve tea.

However, as soon as Zhang Yongde arrived, he led several personal guards to take over the kitchen, saying that he would personally be responsible for Chai Rong's meals.

Even the task of serving tea and pouring water, Zhang Yongde had to intervene and not let anyone from the post office interfere.

Zhang Yongde also poured a bowl for Zhu Xiu and said calmly: "It's not that I don't trust you, it's just that when Chai Shuai goes out, I will be responsible for taking care of daily life whenever I'm around. Don't think too much about it."

Zhu Xiu thanked him and said with a smile: "Brother Zhang is careful in his work, as he should be."

Zhang Yongde smiled.

Li Chongjin took the teapot from his hand, opened the lid and drank a cup of cow. He wiped his mouth and laughed and said: "Zhang Baoyi's thoughts are more delicate than those of a big girl. It's a pity that he grew up to be a man, otherwise this king would definitely

I will marry you as my mother-in-law."

Zhang Yongde immediately darkened his face, glared at him fiercely, and resisted the urge to throw the tea bowl at his dark face.

Zhu Xiu covered her mouth and said "Kuku" and snickered, but she felt the same way about Li Chongjin's words.

When Zhang Yongde only took care of him for one night in Cangzhou, Zhu Xiu had the same feeling.

"I'm going to see if the food is ready." Zhang Yongde didn't want to continue to argue with Li Chongjin, so he turned around and left the house.

Li Chongjin put down the teapot, winked at Zhu Xiu, nuzzled at Chai Rong's back, and ran out of the house after Zhang Yongde.

Zhu Xiu knew what this guy meant.

Along the way, Zhu Xiu found that Chai Rong was restless and in a bad mood. He secretly asked Zhao Kuangyin and Zhang Yongde and found out that it was because Liu Chengyou had taken away the post of Tianxiong Army Jiedushi from Guo Wei and handed it over to Gao Xingzhou.

reason.

Zhao Kuangyin and Zhang Yongde also asked him to find an opportunity to persuade Chai Rong.

Zhu Xiu also heard about this incident. Later, because Ma Qing encountered trouble in Kaifeng, the activities of the Zangfeng Battalion in Kaifeng almost came to a standstill, and there was no reliable source of information from the court. Zhu Xiu's follow-up to this matter is unknown.

Chai Rong read more than 30 regulations on the work of the post and praised: "A small post can have such detailed rules and regulations. The changes in the Zhangyi Army in the past two years can be seen clearly. I am more and more aware of the changes.

I’m looking forward to this trip to Jingzhou more and more.”

Zhu Xiu invited him to sit on the main seat and smiled modestly: "The work of relay transmission may seem insignificant, but for the transmission of imperial decrees, the central government's grasp of local conditions is crucial.

Whether the post pavilion can operate normally can also reflect the stability and good operation of the country's political power. If the post road is smooth, the government orders can be communicated and the current situation in various places can be controlled. "

Chai Rong put down his tea bowl and said with a smile: "That's true. Just imagine that in the Tang Dynasty, there were 360 ​​states in the country and more than 1,600 post stations. Without a powerful court, how could we weave and control such a huge post road?

It’s a pity that today, the world is falling apart, each vassal town is in control, and the state and county governments can only build their own post offices. Often when they go beyond their jurisdiction, the post roads are blocked and sluggish, making it difficult to restore the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty post stations that could reach all directions.”

Zhu Xiu took the teapot and refilled it with tea, and said with a smile: "That's why I spent a lot of money to reset the post pavilions in Jingzhou and make the post roads smoother. Now it's quite effective."

Chai Rong shook his head and said: "It's a pity that few people in the world can realize the importance of post roads to the country like you."

After a pause, Chai Rong smiled again and said: "There are not many vassal towns that are as wealthy as you and can spend a lot of money on these trivial but very important matters. It seems that Zhang Yijun has indeed made a lot of money selling salt in the past two years.

Less money.”

Zhu Xiu smiled, cupped his hands and said, "Let Chai Shuai laugh."

Chai Rong laughed loudly and said: "What, now you don't deny that Zhang Yijun secretly sold salt and made a lot of salt profits?"

Zhu Xiu said hey: "I don't tell lies in front of a real person. Chai Shuai knows how to see fire. How can I hide this from you with this little trick?"

Chai Rong pointed at him and laughed and cursed: "What a bold private salt dealer! Did you know that Wang Jun and Wang Shou'en sued you for selling salt privately? They are almost taller than you when stacked up!"

Zhu Xiu shrank his neck and said with a sneer: "Wang Jun and Wang Shou'en worked together in collusion to resell official salt in Jingyuan. They were the biggest rats in Jingzhao Salt Supervision.

They can no longer obtain salt profits from Jingzhou, so they naturally have a grudge against us. It is really hateful for the evil people to complain first.

Besides, even if the court wants to liquidate the Changyi Army for selling illegal salt, the biggest salt dealer should be Shi Jieshuai, and I can at best be considered an accomplice..."

Chai Rong smiled and said: "It doesn't make much difference. If the imperial court really wants to settle accounts, both you and Shi Jieshuai will end up having their families confiscated and exterminated."

Zhu Xiu curled her lips in disdain.

If it were two years ago, when the Changyi Army was suffering from internal and external troubles, and the court had to take action to rectify it, I am afraid it would be really difficult to deal with it.

But now, the internal politics of the Changyi Army are in good order, the Ya Army is twisted up and down into a rope, the Jingnan Army is scattered between the left and right, and the old neighbor Feng Xiang Army has been severely damaged after more than a year of war, not to mention the Feng Xiang Army.

The Commander-in-Chief Zhao Hui and Mr. Zhao also have some friendship with him. If they really want to make a fuss, in the Jingyuan area today, apart from the Dingnan Army in the north, the Zhangyi Army really has no one to fear.

Unless the imperial court mobilizes powerful vassal and town armies such as the Yongxing Army, Hezhong Army, and Baoda Army to attack, or directly sends the Forbidden Army to penetrate into Guanzhong, the Zhangyi Army, which has undergone more than two years of reforms and strengthened its army, is fully capable of fighting in Jingyuan.

Walk sideways.

Chai Rong looked at his arrogance and laughed in surprise: "Why, don't you think that the imperial court really can't do anything to you?"

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "Although the Kaifeng imperial court has only been in power for a few years, it is still the common ruler of the world and has a certain amount of authority. After the battle of Puzhou to annihilate Li Shouzhen, the imperial court's authority has been greatly enhanced. If the Liu Guan family is determined to take over

If Zhang Yijun performs surgery, our life will definitely not be easy.

Liu Guan's family sent Feilong envoy Houzan as the deputy envoy of the Changyi Army, with the intention of causing us trouble. From this point of view, the Changyi Army must be on the imperial court's order list."

Chai Rong asked strangely: "Since you know that Zhang Yijun has a name in the court, why don't you show the slightest sign of panic, and why are you still thinking about joking with me about this matter?"

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "Because although the Zhangyi Army is hated by the officials, it is not the most urgent threat to the imperial court at the moment.

In the hearts of the Liu Guan family, there are several threats that are far more important and more deadly than the Changyi Army to deal with."

Chai Rong's eyebrows were slightly raised and his eyes were burning: "I would like to hear the details."

Zhu Xiu looked solemn, stretched out several fingers one by one, and said solemnly: "One of them is the four important ministers who care about life.

Su Fengji, the prime minister, Shi Hongzhao, the commander of the bodyguard and horse infantry forces, Yang Bin, the minister of the Zhongshu family and the minister of the Ministry of official affairs, and Privy Guo. The four of them were entrusted by the late emperor, and they were the four most important ministers in the dynasty.

If an official wants to take charge of the government, the four of them are the mountains that must be overcome. Conflicts naturally exist and are unavoidable."

Zhu Xiu looked at Chai Rong and said sternly: "This is the reason why the officials have made every excuse to take away the military power of Tianxiong Army from Privy Council Guo. Privy Council Guo is in charge of central military affairs. If he takes the military power again,

It is not in compliance with the laws of the country, and secondly, the power is too heavy, making it difficult for officials to feel at ease."

Chai Rong clenched his fists, a bit of annoyance flashed in his eyes, and shouted: "Even so, my father just put down Li Shouzhen's rebellion, and when he returned to the court, the officials used a drama of rising and falling secretly to seize the military power from his hands.

, being wary of his father at all times, such distrust is chilling.

If Commander-in-Chief Father had other intentions, after annihilating Li Shouzhen in Puzhou and with the power of great victory, he ordered more than 100,000 soldiers and horses in Guanzhong. Even if he did not want to return to Kaifeng, there was nothing the officials could do.

My father is completely loyal and honest, but he has to be framed and slandered by a bunch of villains in the court. As a son of a man, I really feel unworthy of my father!"
To be continued...