Abolition of the inn station is something that almost all officials dare not even think about.
But as soon as His Majesty opened his mouth, everyone was shocked. It really made people think that His Majesty was suspected of being ill.
Just when everyone was stunned.
Finally someone regained their senses.
The bachelor Xie Jin said: "Your Majesty, all official documents and reports from the world are delivered through post stations. In addition, most of the scholars and official family members will stay at the inns when traveling. If the inns are abolished, I am afraid..."
He expressed his concerns.
Despite everyone's scolding, in fact, the main beneficiaries of the station are precisely Baiguan.
The former is better to say that delivering official documents and submitting memorials is of course related to the stability of the world, but has nothing to do with the officials.
But you know, when scholars go to Beijing to take exams, they always stop at the inns along the way.
In addition, there are the official family members. After taking the notes, the official family members can rest at the post station, which not only ensures safety, but also has carriages and horses along the way, supplies and care, and even better bedrooms are prepared.
Now... His Majesty actually wants to withdraw.
Zhu Di smiled and said: "When you just spoke, did you already tell us about the heinous crime of this inn? Since the crime is so heinous, how can you tolerate it?"
Zhu Di paused and then said: "The factory guard also learned some public opinion. There are many people who are dissatisfied with the inn among the scholars and the market. If I don't take any action, how can I stop the people of the world from talking?
Do I have to turn a blind eye to this?"
"..."
What Zhu Di said was clear and logical, not a joke at all. Xia Yuanji was a little anxious at this time. This inn is indispensable!
So he hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, actually... Baiguan is not saying that the inn is useless. It's just... it's just that this inn costs a lot of money, and your majesty also knows it, and the treasury..."
He didn't say any more, but the meaning was already clear!
Zhu Di said seriously: "In that case, wouldn't it be good to abolish it?"
Xia Yuanji said with a bitter face: "If it is abolished, what should be done with the official documents of the imperial court?"
Zhu Di said very calmly: "Well, please come up with a charter. In short, as you said, if you don't have to spend money, you won't have to spend money. But the matter must be done for me. If not, just
I am afraid that it will not meet the expectations of the government and the public for the court."
As soon as these words came out, the officials almost had the urge to vomit blood.
Don't you mean that you want the horse to run but also want the horse not to eat grass? Is there such a cheap thing in the world?
At this time, everyone hesitated.
This matter...it would be inappropriate to say anything about it now.
The request to keep the inn was criticized too harshly at the beginning, and the public opinion in Shilin has not yet passed. To make this request at this time is tantamount to standing on the opposite side of the world.
It would be even more cruel to ask for a reduction in the station's money and food, but continue to maintain the station. In all likelihood, most of the functions of this station will be abolished. Based on His Majesty's daily behavior, guess which functions he will abolish first.
?
But it would be even more inappropriate to remain indifferent to this and allow His Majesty to abolish it.
Zhu Di glanced at everyone indifferently and said slowly: "Don't you have any other options? Let's talk about it. The court raises scholars and hopes that the ministers can speak out. You can speak freely."
"..."
After a deathly silence.
Zhang Anshi, who had been standing there as if watching a play and found it interesting, finally stood up and said: "Your Majesty, the post station has always had many problems. If the court does not rectify it, it is really unjustifiable, not to mention the money and food that the Ministry of Revenue spends on the inn every year.
It’s really shocking…”
Zhu Di looked at Zhang Anshi and said, "Really?"
Zhang Anshi said: "Your Majesty, during the court meeting just now, I heard this with my own ears. The Dukes of the Ministry of Husbandry, the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and the Hanlin Academy all said this. I guess there is no lie."
Zhu Di glanced at Xia Yuanjiren and others, clasped his hands behind his back, walked a few steps, and then said: "Then what can Zhang Qing do?"
Zhang Anshi said: "In my opinion, the burden on the Ministry of Household Affairs is huge now. Instead of doing this, it would be better... to simply abolish it to avoid overburdening the Ministry of Household Affairs."
As soon as Zhang Anshi said this, many people frowned.
Zhu Di said: "But just now Hu Qing and Xia Qing said that this station is crucial..."
Zhang Anshi smiled and said: "This is easy, just hand over the responsibility of the post station to the Ministry of Railways. Under the Ministry of Railways, there will be a Postal Department to replace the previous inns, and the money and food for this Postal Department can be provided by the palace.
Part of it, but not entirely, can be raised by the palace. We might as well introduce some gold and silver from Qixia Trading Company and adopt a joint venture between the palace and the private sector. In this way, it will not only save the expenditure of the national treasury, but also improve the business of the original post station.
, so that no one asks, what do you think, Your Majesty?"
"..."
For a moment, all the officials looked at each other in confusion.
This is really unexpected!
They couldn't imagine why Zhang Anshi was so kind and actually took over the blood-sucking yamen of the Inn.
This is equivalent to the Ministry of Accounts getting rid of a burden and greatly saving expenses.
As for the Postal Service, who provides the money has nothing to do with the court.
After everyone looked at each other, Xia Yuanji said with emotion: "Your Majesty, the words of His Highness the King of Song are not unreasonable. I agree with you."
After a short silence, many people did not object.
Anyway, this thing costs money. From now on, I can just let the Emperor and Qixia Trading Company pay for it. This is a self-inflicted trouble.
Although they agree, many people still can't help but murmur in their hearts, are you satisfied with this Anshi? How dare you take such a hot potato?
Hu Guang frowned, feeling that something was not quite right.
He looked at Zhang Anshi with a calm expression, and couldn't help but think of the scene when Zhang Anshi encouraged him to submit the memorial. Seeing the charter proposed by Zhang Anshi at this time, it seemed that Zhang Anshi was the one who suffered a big loss. To put it nicely, it was called sharing His Majesty's worries, to put it ugly.
Some want to take advantage of the palace.
But the question is, is Zhang Anshi the kind of person who suffers losses and is deceived?
Hu Guang, a middle-aged and honest man, remembered a saying in vain: if something goes wrong, he is a monster!
But no matter what, everyone still can't figure out what kind of medicine Zhang Anshi sells in his gourd.
But now, no matter how hard you think about it, the knife is put to your neck. After all, everyone just yelled and cursed, and it was recorded in the court meeting. If you turn your head and object, His Majesty will definitely ask why you object.
, maybe you have a better way?
What else can be done?
So although some people agreed one after another, they didn't say anything to stop it. Even if they felt that something was abnormal, they just kept silent.
After Zhu Di heard this, he said: "That's the case, then... let's do it according to Zhang Qing."
As soon as Jinkou opened his mouth, he immediately said: "Retreat from the court."
After discussing all morning, it was already past noon. The ministers who were originally hungry and full of thoughts about going to work suddenly felt that their hunger was gradually passing away and they became more worried.
No matter how you look at it, it looks like a trap!
After retiring from the court, Zhang Anshi was immediately ordered by Zhu Di to visit the Wenlou.
Zhang Anshi saluted, and Zhu Di looked up at him, with a faint look in his eyes: "Zhang Qing is reporting secretly. The postal department is run by Qixia Trading Company, and the Ministry of Revenue allocates money and food to various post stations all over the world every year. Do you know how much it is?"
?”
Zhang Anshi said: "Your Majesty, there are 60,000 to 70,000 people to feed up and down the post station, and there are even 130,000 mules, horses and livestock. Not only that, there are also repairs and other tasks at various post stations.
The expenses are huge."
Zhu Di raised his eyebrows and said: "Since you know this, but also understand that I have spent a lot of money to support my grandson in building the railway, and now...but I have taken this on Qixia Trading Company. This Qixia Trading Company...
…If profits are greatly reduced, I’m afraid my internal funds will suffer as well.”
Zhang Anshi said calmly and calmly: "Your Majesty, I also have shares in Qixia Trading Company. Since I dare to come up with such an idea, how can I feed so many people in vain... There are some things that I did not make clear in the secret report I gave to Your Majesty. What are my thoughts?
Yes, we should thoroughly clean up this inn and find a way... to make a profit..."
"Profit..." Zhu Di was shocked: "Can this station also be profitable?"
Zhang Anshi smiled and said: "I can't say for sure, but I can give it a try."
When Zhu Di heard the word "profit", he couldn't help but be full of expectations. When he heard the word "uncertain", his heart sank again, so he sighed and said: "We must handle this matter quickly, don't worry about anything."
Omission, I am so tough in the palace today, it is all because of your secret memorial, please do not teach me to lose my wife and lose my troops."
Zhang Anshi murmured in his heart, who dares to teach you that Zhu Di compensated his wife...
Zhang An showed a stern expression on his face: "I... will do my best."
Zhu Di's expression did not feel relaxed. It was not that he didn't trust Zhang Anshi. If he didn't trust Zhang Anshi, it would be impossible to directly remove the hot potato of the post station from the Ministry of Household Affairs today under the circumstances of Zhang Anshi's unclear secret report.
Over there, take them to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Qixia Trading Company.
But he knew that in the past dynasties, the problem of post stations had been a long-standing problem. Although it was necessary for the court, the waste and expense involved were always staggering. He really couldn't think of how to alleviate this catastrophic problem.
At this time, when he looked at Zhang Anshi, he couldn't help but feel that a dead horse was a living horse, so he said: "I don't want anything else, but I just want to lose less."
…………
On the other side, Xia Yuanji resigned. At this time, the Hubu Shangshu, who was at the forefront of the storm, became the object of everyone's attention.
Naturally, people inevitably came to the household department to inquire about the situation.
There are quite a few people who care about this matter. After all, this fact is so weird that it always makes people feel as if someone is playing a trick.
"Xia Gong, can this inn... change its name... be able to clean it up?"
After hearing this, Xia Yuanji explained patiently that after all, he had been in charge of the household department for many years and was very proficient in these businesses.
Dang Ji said: "The problem with the post station is that the world must have this thing. If it didn't exist, wouldn't the world be in chaos? But since it must exist, then... there is no way to abolish its responsibilities. Without abolishing it,
Such a large number of men and horses... must be retained, and as long as they are retained, countless money and food will be spent every year."
He paused and then said: "It is useless to rely on purges. In the final analysis...it is just money that was originally spent in the household department, and now it has been changed to the palace, or some kind of trading company. This time, I am really happy
I breathed a sigh of relief. This is a good thing. Now the palace's internal funds and the gold and silver of Qixia Trading Company are abundant. On the contrary, it is the expenditure of the treasury. I have been nervous. Without such a burden, I can breathe a sigh of relief.
Here you go."
After listening to Xia Yuanji's explanation, the visitor seemed to think it was very reasonable. Who else in the world knows the situation at the inn better than Mr. Xia?
Then the visitor laughed: "If this is the case, your Majesty and His Highness King Song will suffer a big loss."
Xia Yuanji said: "This Ministry of Railways not only allows the railway department below to compete with the three local departments for power, but now also wants to take this post station into its pocket. According to me, His Highness the King of Song has a huge appetite, and he does not despise the power in his hands."
It's hot, but... he still forgot after all that the greater the power, the greater the responsibility and relationship. In the long run, this inn... may have to teach the palace and King Song to bleed, but... King Song should also be allowed to
Your Highness is bleeding, they have money and can’t afford to lose."
Xia Yuanji was in a rather relaxed mood, and he was happy to see the success.
Xia Yuanji's optimism obviously also infected the visitors. After hearing this, the visitors were delighted and said: "Xia Gong's words made people enlightened. Now Shilin and many loyal and courageous people in the court are suddenly affected by the incident.
I was still worried. But now... I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. In this way, His Highness King Song may have shot himself in the foot."
Xia Yuanji became cautious and said with a straight face: "You can't say that. His Highness the King of Song took the initiative to take on such responsibilities because he was willing to share the worries of the imperial court."
The visitor will smile knowingly.
Suddenly, the scholar community and the public began to discuss it.
But Zhang Anshi was unhurried, as if nothing had happened, and turned a deaf ear to the outside world.
As usual, Zhang Anshi was still on duty at Wenyuan Pavilion.
However, Hu Guang found time to sneak in and said to Zhang Anshi: "What kind of conspiracy does His Highness King Song have this time?"
Zhang Anshi shouted that he was wronged: "How could Mr. Hu say this? What bad intentions could I have?"
Hu Guang stared at him with suspicion and said: "I have been thinking hard all night, and I always feel that something is wrong. It seems like... I am being used by someone..."
Zhang Anshi smiled and said: "Mr. Hu, how can I, the king, take advantage of the friendship between you and me? Hey...it's better for Mr. Hu to listen less to the rumors and rumors from outside. It's not good to hear too much of these things."
Hu Guang didn't know what to say for a moment.
Zhang Anshi, on the other hand, said: "This postal department must find someone who is upright and willing to do his best to run it. After much thought, Guangxin Bohumu is a good fit."
After hearing this, Hu Guang was shocked. His expression changed, he became a little panicked, and said anxiously: "I was the one who made the announcement first to abolish the inn, and then it caused such a big commotion, but now, Quanzi... this...
Isn’t this to teach the world that I wear the same pants as you?”
Zhang Anshi smiled and said: "Mr. Hu, you can't say that. This post station... is not a good thing. It's hard work and hard work. Others regard it as a burden. I wish I could throw it away. Who is willing to take over this post office now?"
We are already reluctantly doing it, but how come we are colluding with each other when it comes to Mr. Hu’s mouth? I don’t like to hear this."
Hu Guang: "..."
Hu Guang's brows were knitted tightly, and he felt more and more something was wrong.
He started to feel a little worried.
Moreover, my eyelids began to jump unconsciously.
It's just...for a while, I couldn't figure out what medicine Zhang Anshi was selling in his gourd, and I didn't know how to mobilize troops to hold him accountable.
Time passed little by little, more than half a month later.
A group of troops arrived in the capital from Raozhou.
The leader is none other than Hu Mu!
Hu Mu's health was actually only slightly better. The bumpy ride made him look very bad.
This was the result of a month's rest, but even after being summoned by Zhang Anshi, a bachelor of Wenyuan Pavilion and minister of the Ministry of Railways, he was still in trouble?
Although Zhang Anshi repeatedly requested that he come back after he recovers from his injury.
When Hu Mu and others appeared in Wenyuan Pavilion, they happened to be stared at by Hu Guang, who had just walked out of the check-in room.
When Hu Guang saw his son among them, he was startled. He turned around and hid in his own room, not daring to come out again.
So much so that Yang Rong couldn't stand it anymore and couldn't help but complain to Hu Guang: "You're good, don't father and son meet each other?"
Hu Guang's face was full of tangles, and he sighed: "He was injured. As a father, don't you even have the feeling of licking a calf? Isn't this... ugh... you have to avoid suspicion, after all, you have to avoid suspicion."
There was disapproval in Yang Rong's eyes, and he sighed: "Mr. Hu is still tired of his reputation after all."
Hu Guang said seriously: "I am self-aware. Among the scholars in Wenyuan Pavilion, I am not as qualified as Duke Xie, as smart as Duke Yang, as stable as Duke Jin, and my merits are far inferior to His Highness the King of Song. I am the only one who can take action.
This is just a point of not being greedy for fame and wealth, and a point of promoting talents and avoiding relatives is a false reputation. If you don't even have these ethics, then you will really be a dead man, and you will be extremely ashamed."
Yang Rong smiled, but said: "Hu Gong, tell me, why did the King of Song insist on recruiting Hu Mu?"
"Hey, don't ask, don't ask." Hu Guang showed pain.
Seeing his reaction, Yang Rong seemed to have caught something at once and said: "You mean...the King of Song wants to make a fuss about you, Mr. Hu?"
Hu Guang frowned, his long beard trembled involuntarily, and said: "No way, His Highness King Song...should not be so wicked...I seem to have a decent relationship with him."
Yang Rong smiled and said: "It makes sense. Well, Hu Gong will continue to stay behind closed doors, and I... will also be busy with my own affairs."
Hu Guang opened his mouth to speak. In fact, he wanted to hear Yang Rong's opinions. He knew that Yang Rong always had a solution.
It's a pity...Yang Rong is gone.
In the duty room next door, Zhang Anshi's hearty laughter came out: "Hahahaha... You are here, I miss you so much!"