Hu Guang met Zhang Anshi and greeted Zhang Anshi happily.
Zhang Anshi said: "Hu Gong's complexion is quite good."
Hu Guang smiled and said: "It's okay, it's okay. I heard that His Highness King Song went to Raozhou, but I didn't know..."
Zhang Anshi smiled and said: "I happen to have something to ask you for."
Hu Guang then smiled and said, "Let's go and talk inside."
This difference in attitude is truly a world away from the past!
They are all bachelors of Wenyuan Pavilion, but Hu Guang entered the pavilion first. In terms of seniority, he is naturally in Hu Guang's room.
It was dark and small here, so Zhang Anshi took a seat and said: "When the new Wenyuan Pavilion is built, the room must not only be spacious, but also have glass. Otherwise... it will be too dark with this paper window!"
As he spoke, he looked left and right again, and then said: "You don't know, Mr. Hu, that some mansions now use large areas of glass for lighting. The glass workshops in Qixia are in short supply. Hey... everyone
You are all working hard on writing documents, but you can’t let your body get damaged because of it.”
Hu Guang couldn't help but said with emotion: "The doctor at the medical school also gave the same instructions. He said that I have three evils. One is a bad waist and bones, which is caused by sitting for a long time. The second is that the old eyes are dim and will suffer from eye diseases sooner or later. The third is
It's wind pain and it's caused by being wet for a long time."
Zhang Anshi said: "This is terrible. You need to have a good life and take care of yourself. If not, over time, in a few years, you will be too painful to give birth."
Hu Guang smiled and felt much more pleased with Zhang Anshi!
When others say these things, they are just paying lip service but not the truth. Zhang Anshi is different. Once Zhang Anshi opens his mouth and says that this is not good, he may actually do some good for you.
Of course, Hu Guang is not a person who is greedy for benefits. He is mainly worried about Mr. Yang.
However, Hu Guang did not go further and said, "Your Highness just said that something happened..."
"That's it." Zhang Anshi said: "Hu Gong is from Jiangxi, right?"
Hu Guang nodded.
Zhang Anshi said: "Here in Jiangxi, the emperor's grandson started to build the railway and started hiring workers in Jiangxi. Does Hu Gong know about this?"
Hu Guangdao: "I have read the report, but to be honest, I am not good at the railway department's affairs, and it is not easy to study them in detail. There are specialties in this industry."
Zhang Anshi smiled and said: "However, the folk customs in Jiangxi are still too conservative. Therefore, there are only a few people willing to apply. After all, there are still some unscrupulous gentry who confuse the public with their monstrous words, so the common people dare not apply."
Hu Guang frowned and sighed: "The literary style in Jiangxi is at its peak, and everyone advocates reading. Now if we want to teach everyone to change, it will take some time."
Zhang Anshi actually did not argue, but simply nodded and said: "This is the truth. It is not possible to freeze three feet in a day. But for everything, someone has to start it!"
"Hu Gong...'s hometown is in Jishui County. Now the railway reaches Raozhou. Soon, he will go to Nanchang Prefecture and even Ji'an Prefecture. His Highness is now interested in recruiting talented people, which requires both labor and some left and right arms. If
If someone agrees with me, especially someone like Mr. Hu who comes from a scholarly family and leads a group of people to work for the Railway Department, then the soldiers and civilians of Jiangxi will probably not have so much resistance."
After hearing this, Hu Guang became a little cautious!
It's pitiful to say that his people always have to be remembered.
Yang Gong advised him not to get too involved with his clansmen.
Duke Jie wanted to trick his people into going to Java.
Your Majesty is thinking about his people and is sharpening his sword.
Now, His Highness the King of Song has also come to keep an eye on me.
Hu Guang couldn’t help but feel congested and tired!
At the same time, he immediately said cautiously and cautiously: "This... this... building a railway? They don't understand either."
Zhang Anshi looked at Hu Guang's reaction, why didn't he understand?
But he seemed not to have seen through it, and still smiled calmly and said: "In the Railway Department, we need to recruit all kinds of talents. We need political talents, military talents, judges, and a large number of teachers."
, doctors, craftsmen, of course, what is needed most is labor."
Hu Guang coughed: "This... this... um..."
Zhang Anshi said: "The Railway Department does not teach people to do corvee service, but pays them a regular salary. The people currently recruited by the Railway Department are mainly formal employees for the time being, and the salary of the fifteenth grade has been set.
This salary depends on both seniority and ability. The sooner you go, the sooner you get."
After a pause, he continued to introduce: "Not only that, we also need to build houses along the line. If you have children at home, you can also study nearby. In short, although you may not be able to become an official, as long as you have some skills, you can get into it.
This railway company may not have no future."
After hearing this, Hu Guang was stunned for a moment.
If so, it's really tempting.
He lowered his head and thought silently.
Zhang Anshi said: "I know that there are many talented and learned people in the Hu family, but Mr. Hu is honest and is afraid of being criticized, so he has been avoiding suspicion. Many of his children are living in the countryside. It is not good to go on like this. If you live idle for a long time, people will
If it is going to be abandoned, it is better to come out and do something. It will not only help the court a lot, but also give them a place to go."
Zhang Anshi's words were enough to make Hu Guang's heart move.
He knew that the benefits mentioned by Zhang Anshi would definitely be fulfilled.
Zhang Anshi also spoke exactly what he was thinking. Although Hu Guang has been in the central position in recent years and has three sons and many nephews in his family, Hu Guang's temperament is the most self-sufficient and he does not dare to expose his own children to others.
Even after he was brought to the capital, he did not dare to make any arrangements for his nephews because he was afraid that others would say that he was bending the law for personal gain.
Even in the imperial examination, he could not encourage or encourage his nephews. He was also afraid that once his nephews were in high school, people would think that the examiner was looking out for him, Hu Guang. Therefore, many of his nephews remained in their hometowns when they became scholars.
Reading in middle school.
It's just that there is really no way to continue like this. He, Hu Guang, has achieved a clear name, but his disciples are miserable.
Now, Zhang Anshi hopes that he can let his children join the Railway Department. This Railway Department is not considered an official position, and no one is willing to go now. If the children of the Hu family go, they will help the court, both in public and private affairs, and there is no criticism.
of.
As for the treatment...
He looked at Zhang Anshi and said, "How come there is still housing?"
Zhang Anshi said: "Let's just talk about Ji'an Prefecture. The land over the station is not valuable, but in order for everyone to build the railway with peace of mind and even contribute to the operation of the railway in the future, there must be a place for people to shelter from the wind and rain."
Hu Guang said with doubts: "Is this...is this inappropriate?"
Zhang Anshi said very calmly: "It is said that only by eating the emperor's salary can one be loyal to the emperor. Building the railway is a national policy. If the people in the railway department all starve and freeze, is this ridiculous?"
Hu Guang nodded, but still said cautiously: "I have to think about it."
Zhang Anshi then smiled and said: "Think about it, don't worry, but the railway company is currently hiring people. Mr. Hu, you also know that it is a carrot and a pit now, and it is short of manpower, so the treatment and arrangements will naturally be good. If there is
Someone who is talented and proficient in literature and calligraphy will be a treasure for His Highness the Pope. But... wait for the future..."
Hu Guang: "..."
Hu Guang didn't say anything.
Zhang Anshi stood up and said, "It's time for me to go back to the check-in room to work."
Hu Guang pursed his lips and tightened his hands. Just when Zhang Anshi was about to turn around, he quickly said: "Wait a minute."
Zhang Anshi said very casually: "Do you have any other advice from Mr. Hu?"
Hu Guang was a little embarrassed, coughed and said: "Then... that... I still need to ask my clansmen what they want. I have the desire to repay you. But I still have to ask my nephews whether they are willing."
Zhang Anshi then smiled and said: "Then just ask Hu Gong to write a letter when he has free time. In fact, there is no need to rush this matter."
Hu Guang nodded.
As soon as Zhang Anshi left, Hu Guang began to think about it.
He murmured in his mouth: "Zhang Anshi shouldn't be such a person."
So, after a brief pause, he suddenly went to his desk, took out a pen and ink, and immediately splashed the ink with it. After a while, he wrote a letter and said: "Here comes."
Someone comes in.
"This letter will be sent out immediately."
"Here."
…………
"Your Highness, Your Highness..."
Zhu Zhanji had just taken a break after a busy day when he heard some noise and couldn't help but frown.
Not long after, a secretary came and said: "Hundreds of people suddenly came from Ji'an Prefecture, in great numbers... and they came to join our railway company. It's strange to say that there were more than a dozen Lunjin Confucians at the head of it.
At first I thought the scholar in a t-shirt was here to cause trouble, but later I found out that he wanted to work for the Railway Company."
Zhu Zhanji was stunned. The Railway Department was already stretched thin in recruiting labor, let alone a scholar in a turban and a Confucian shirt.
After coming to Raozhou for so long, not a single scholar came to apply.
On the one hand, these scholars had family backgrounds and had no ambition to do so. In addition, the literary style in Jiangxi was flourishing and they were hostile to the Railway Department. Once they joined the Railway Department, they would be looked down upon and poked in the back.
Zhu Zhanji couldn't help but murmured with some suspicion: "It can't be a spy or a craftsman, right?"
If you think about it carefully, this is not just a march to fight, what does it have to do with detailed work?
However, Zhu Zhanji, who had been experienced for a long time, quickly made up his mind. Immediately, Zhu Zhanji said: "Invite the leader."
Not long after, a scholar came in. He was in his thirties, with a thin face, but also a dignified appearance. He entered Zhu Zhanji's small hall and immediately saluted: "Young man Hu Mu, I have met your highness."
Zhu Zhanji smiled and said, "You're from Ji'an Mansion?"
Hu Mu said: "Yes, I am from Jishui County."
"Jishui County, Hu family?" Zhu Zhanji looked at Hu Mu and couldn't help but said: "Jishui Hu Guang, are you related?"
Hu Mu said in an unassuming way: "It is my father who ranks second among the common people. My father, Hu Guang, is an official in the court, and my eldest brother... was granted a post by His Majesty."
After Zhu Zhanji heard this, his expression suddenly changed.
He just asked subconsciously, but he didn't expect that it was Hu Guang's son.
His impression of Hu Guang was that of a conservative and stubborn old man, but what was his son... doing here?
Zhu Zhanji immediately said: "I see, you want to join the Railway Department?"
Hu Mu said: "I heard that the railway was about to be built in Jiangxi. The Hu family was deeply favored by the emperor and wanted to contribute a little! This time, not only Xiaomin, but also Xiaomin's third brother, other cousins, and some distant relatives, as well as
There are three hundred and seventy-two people from the village who were persuaded by the common people to come here, most of them are young and strong, and they are here to share the worries of His Highness."
Zhu Zhanji: "..."
The Hu family comes from a scholarly family and has been an official for many generations. In Hu Guang's generation, he was even ranked as the prime minister.
It can be said that he is a first-class family in the Jiangxi Chief Envoy Division.
This time, it can be said that the Hu family came out in full force. This was undoubtedly a blessing in disguise for Zhu Zhanji.
Zhu Zhanji tried hard to suppress the excitement in his heart and said, "But are you willing?"
Hu Muqian said calmly: "Everything is done according to His Highness's arrangements."
Zhu Zhanji was overjoyed and immediately said: "Okay, people with fame may be appointed as assistants and clerks in the Jiangxi Railway Department, or they may teach people to read in schools. Those without fame can read and write.
, it is necessary to arrange to go to the Railway School to study for three months, to teach some general principles of railways and steam engines, and then to be employed as craftsmen. As for the rest, they are also arranged to work in various engineering teams. "
Zhu Zhanji said: "According to the rules, you are new to the Railway Department, so even so, you still need to start as a clerk and assistant. Don't feel aggrieved. If you are serious and practical, I will have a stable arrangement.
"
Hu Mu said: "Yes."
With the Hu family acting like this, it indeed had a strong demonstration effect. Zhu Zhanji was overjoyed, but he still had some reservations about whether these people could be used.
So he said: "You can temporarily serve as a civil servant in the Raozhou Station Street under the Railway Department. You will assist the Railway Department in settling the relocated soldiers and civilians, and be responsible for household registration statistics."
Hu Mu accepted the order, and then went out to explain the matter to the tribesmen who came with him.
Everyone couldn't help but feel depressed. When Hu Guang came to study, he thought he would be of great use. Who knows... He was actually a teacher, or an ordinary teacher, and there were even many villagers working here as coolies.
But Hu Mu was an honest man and said: "Father has made arrangements, so we just have to follow them. Father will not harm us. We just need to keep to ourselves and listen to him."
Hu Mu inherited Hu Guang's temperament and was an honest man. He had always studied at home. This time when his father came to study, he did not dare to argue. Although he was extremely disappointed, he did not dare to think too much.
The next day, some officials took him there, and then they arrived at Raozhou Station. Raozhou Station was even worse than Hu Mu imagined. Although the land here has been leveled, many engineering teams are still there.
The roadbed was compacted, many carriages and horses were driving back and forth, and the dust was flying.
As for the so-called Raozhou Station Street, it is actually a wasteland now. The land is leveled. The future plan includes platforms, markets, and even many buildings. But right now, everyone is setting up temporary work sheds.
Temporary shelter.
The clerk directly took a box full of documents and taught him to adapt and learn first. In the afternoon, he took him to supervise the work.
The construction of the railway has nothing to do with the streets. In addition to housing people, the main purpose of the streets now is to build schools, medical clinics and street government offices first. Because there are not enough manpower, even he, a civil servant, will have to go there.
Supervisor.
After a while, Hu Mu became dejected. It was really dusty, and everywhere was noisy. There were people shouting at every turn, and there were also some hawkers and salesmen. Seeing that there were many people here, and the strong people here were paid, so he excitedly went there.
I came to sell some groceries, and in order to attract business, I started shouting.
Hu Mu has been reading books for half his life. Where has he seen such a posture? He lowered his head. The so-called documents are actually yellow books. The yellow books are actually household registrations. Once the recruited people enter the railway line, if they plan to settle here,
, then they will all fall under the jurisdiction of the Railway Department. This is the population situation grasped by Raozhou Station.
After sorting it out for more than two hours, according to the method, I selected a few pornographic books with some unknown circumstances.
Someone took him to eat.
It's just that at this time, the eating place... hasn't been built yet, but someone is carrying loads of dishes and rice to the large construction site and starting to distribute them directly.
Everyone just needs to take their work badges and go get their meals.
Hu Mu looked confused. After all, he came from the tomb of Jianoliannuo.
The purple and beautiful buildings are steep and exposed, and the poppies are left in Huangshan?
Hu Mu, on the other hand, was coy and felt that the sky was full of loess and he really had no appetite. However, the official saw through his mind.
"Look at your thin skin and tender meat. I'm afraid your family background is not bad, but why... you're not used to it? Don't worry, you'll get used to it in a few days. You are different from those laborers. When laborers see these meals, they feel like a mouse fell into a rice vat.
It’s the same as before. But people like you must not have much appetite at first, but... after a few days of starvation, you will be like them."
Hu Mu couldn't answer the question for a while. He muttered for a long time before saying, "Oh."
However, the clerk happily took him to receive the meal and squatted down, but he was too lazy to use chopsticks to pick it up. Since the meal was wrapped in lotus leaves, he simply grabbed it with his hands.
Hu Mu, however, only used chopsticks and carefully picked out some things that looked appetizing, especially avoiding picking up the huge pieces of fat meat. There were still a handful of pig hairs visible on the skin, but he only picked out the soybeans inside.
After eating a few pills, I couldn't help but ask, "Is Mr. Wang a scholar too?"
"Of course, a serious scholar."
Different from Hu Mu, Wang Sili ate with gusto.
Hu Mu was surprised and said: "But why..."
"Not only am I a scholar, but I also entered the arithmetic school. What, what do you want to ask? It doesn't matter."
"How can you ever get used to this?"
Wang Sili laughed and said: "You come from a scholarly family. I'm telling the truth. I am the same. Speaking of it, my family has been a minister for many generations during the Song and Yuan Dynasties. However, I have read some books since I was a child and was led by my elder brother.
I went to Qixia to study, and then I realized how vast the world is and what the world is like. Therefore, I entered the arithmetic school without hesitation, and finally succeeded in my studies, and now I am working in the Railway Department."
Wang Sili suddenly took a deep look at Hu Mu and said: "When a man studies, he does not imitate the rotten Confucian scholars and write essays, but imitates Zhang Qian and learns from the top class. It does not necessarily mean that he will make meritorious deeds and become a prince or prime minister, but he should also make some real achievements.
So that you can teach yourself to have no regrets in this life."
Hu Mu: "..."
He felt that this official Wang did not look like a scholar at all.