When he was studying at home, he heard Zhang Anshi's evil reputation for a long time, and naturally he had no good impression of Zhang Anshi.
But when I arrived at the Railway Department, I realized how powerful His Highness the King of Song was. Under the influence of my ears and eyes, everyone around me admired His Highness the King of Song! Under this influence, if you don't have deep respect for Zhang Anshi, then that's it.
What a weird thing.
The last time he was seriously injured, he couldn't tell Zhang Anshi apart when he met the saint.
This time, seeing Zhang Anshi live in front of him and so eager, naturally, his heart warmed up, and he immediately bowed his head with the others: "I have met Your Highness."
Zhang Anshi seemed very easy-going and said happily: "No need to be so polite, we are all one family."
Zhang Anshi sat down and then said: "Let's all sit down and talk. Don't be formal. This time I teach you to come to the capital for one thing only. What do you think of the inn?"
Everyone looked at me, and I looked at you, and they all wanted to learn something from each other.
Some of the people summoned this time were on business in Qixia Trading Company, some were in banks, and some, like Hu Mu, were in the Railway Department.
Their origins are complicated, but they are all elite soldiers and generals recommended by various departments. Some of them were even ordered by Zhang An Shiqin.
He had some impressions of some people, and he knew that most of these people had risen through the ranks of civil servants. Such people... at least their eyes and minds would not be confused.
There are even people who have worked in many places because of promotions and transfers. In fact, this is generally the case for people. They have a certain amount of ink in their stomachs, and then they are allowed to practice in various places. In fact... it is not just that they have to go to all places.
He is proficient in all businesses, but in the process of constant mobilization, he has roughly mastered the methods of doing things, and has his own set of methods. Even in unfamiliar fields, he can become familiar with them easily.
After thinking about it, it was Hu Mu who took the lead and said: "I know a little bit about the situation of the post station. I have also heard some news about the post station recently. They all said that the situation of the post station is very bad, and there are many problems."
After a pause, Hu Mu continued: "But in the opinion of the lower official, the shortcomings are on one side. The most important one is that the responsibilities of the post station are unclear. It must not only welcome people and deliver them, but also deliver official documents, and even be picked up by officials who come along the way.
He was sent to do other chores, so that for the inn, everything could not be done well, and in the end he just became a servant to satisfy a few people."
Zhang Anshi nodded to him and encouraged him to continue speaking.
So Hu Mu thought for a moment and then said: "Because of this, it is common for this evil to occur. Whenever you do something, the first thing is to prioritize, clarify rights and responsibilities, and then put money, food, mules and horses into
Make a record and secure your property. Once these things are cleared up, things will be easier to handle."
Zhang Anshi said: "In this case, do you think that the problems at the inn are still caused by people?"
Hu Mu said resolutely: "Yes, treat people first before you treat them."
Zhang Anshi was silent for a moment, and then said thoughtfully: "But the post station spends countless money and food every year, what do you think?"
Hu Mu thought about it seriously and said: "The fundamental way is to still put your responsibilities first, just like the railway department. If this railway is built and is only responsible for transporting scholars and officials' families, then... years of losses are inevitable.
.And this railway department, especially the Zhili Railway Department, is able to make money every day. To put it bluntly, it is because it has clearly distinguished its powers and responsibilities, which businesses are specially used to make money; which ones are responsible for the duties of the court.
On this point, the Railway Department has made it clear and clear. It is responsible for freight and passenger transportation in normal times. If the court needs to mobilize troops, how should the Railway Department respond? Or, how should the Railway Department handle the local disaster?
The responsibility of food..."
Hu Mu could be said to be searching for ideas at this time. In fact, his method was nothing more than a method he had learned while working in the railway company.
This kind of thinking is nothing more than thinking about it on your own when dealing with problems again and again, without any rules, just thinking about which is which.
He was even a little nervous. He kept observing Zhang Anshi's face, not knowing whether what he said was good or not.
Zhang Anshi didn't know Hu Mu's mood at this time, so he continued to encourage: "What else?"
As for the issue of the inn, before entering Beijing, there were discussions in the Di newspaper. The most criticized one was naturally the issue of waste of money and food at the inn. Hu Mu naturally had some thoughts while reading the Di newspaper these days.
So, he racked his brains hard and continued: "The situation at the inn... can be divided into two types, such as delivering official documents. This matter is related to the court, so... how to ensure that it is done quickly, or to take all measures,
Reports and official documents will be delivered as soon as possible. But on weekdays, it would be a pity if so many people are idle. Why...can't we use some methods similar to passing letters on behalf of others..."
Zhang Anshi became interested and smiled. He looked at Hu Mu with interest and said, "How did you come up with these ideas?"
Hu Mu said hurriedly: "This...this is actually...Xiaguan experienced it when he was at Raozhou Station..."
"Experience?" Although Zhang Anshi had a questioning tone, there was a faint smile on his lips.
Hu Mu said: "Most people at Raozhou Station come from all over the world. Everyone has left their hometown. But when people leave their hometowns to go out and make a living, they can't help but miss their hometown, or... they miss their old friends. Therefore, every time someone takes leave to come back.
When I go to my hometown, there will always be someone asking me to visit, especially if the person is close to my hometown. I hope this person can help deliver some letters, or... bring some things back."
Hu Mu paused and then said: "Actually, such a thing as delivering letters... has always happened, but... most ordinary people are confined in the countryside! When Emperor Gao, the great ancestor of the country, was there, the people were not allowed to do so.
Leave your hometown privately to avoid causing harm to the refugees."
"Before the imperial dynasty... there was no such rule, but in fact, people who really left their hometowns were very rare. This was because... ordinary people either rented land or played with one-third of an acre of their own land.
If it weren’t for corvee service, no one would be willing to leave their hometown easily. There are countless bandits along the way, as well as all kinds of street gangsters targeting outsiders. Once a person leaves his hometown, no one will know about his death..."
Hu Mu was talking and sighed: "As for those who need letters, most of them are dignitaries or businessmen. They will send some letters from time to time. However, most of these people are well-off and have a lot of money at home.
Servants, for tasks like delivering letters, you can just ask your servants to do the errands. I feel ashamed. When I was studying at home, I also exchanged letters with many friends. Most of them were repaired letters, and there were people who did the errands.
.”
"Therefore, in the past... my Ming Dynasty actually had very few needs for letters except for official documents and high-ranking officials. But now... Xianguan thinks... it is very different. At least what Xianguan has seen is the situation.
, 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 to do..."
"Oh?" Zhang Anshi said in surprise: "What's the reason?"
Seeing Zhang Anshi listening attentively, Hu Mu became more and more calm and talked: "Because the manpower has increased. In Raozhou Prefecture alone, because Raozhou Station recruited a large number of workers, the manpower has increased significantly. In the past, the manpower has increased greatly.
At that time, if the nobles in this place wanted to recruit slaves, in the years of disaster, even if they were given two mouthfuls of food a day, many people would come to work for them. Even if they encountered good years, these slaves would be
I don't know how many people there are. At least according to what Xianguan knew when he was in Jishui County, manpower... has always been as cheap as grass."
He raised his head and glanced at Zhang Anshi, and continued: "But within one year of Raozhou Station, the manpower has increased several times, and the lower official believes that in the future...manpower will only become more and more precious. Now, the need to build the railway
Manpower is needed to build workshops, manpower is needed to carry goods in warehouses and docks, and even the operation of railways, schools, medical schools, and inspection stations all require manpower. How can this manpower not increase with the tide?"
Speaking of this, he smiled and said: "It is precisely because the price of manpower has soared that... in the past, manpower that was as useless as grass and grass can no longer be found easily. It can only send a letter but teach a slave."
, traveling hundreds or even thousands of miles, running back and forth, this kind of thing... As far as I know, many gentry families have begun to feel some physical pain."
Zhang Anshi nodded and praised without hesitation: "I see, it's because you are so observant that I didn't think of it."
Hu Mu laughed: "It's a shame to say that it was people like Xiaguan who used these useless manpower."
Zhang Anshi coughed and laughed dryly.
Well, if the eldest brother doesn’t laugh at the second brother, I, Zhang Anshi, won’t be much better.
Hu Mu immediately put away his smile, sat upright and said: "In addition, in Zhili and Jiangxi and other places, with the rise of railways, not only people began to travel, but merchants also began to travel further and further away. In addition, a large number of people left
These people who work in rural areas... are no longer like the common people in the past. Even eating is a problem. Although these workers are also poor, many of them... usually live frugally, but most of them can eat and drink enough.
You can also save some extra money by paying every month.”
"What's more, they have left their hometown and have a need for letters... If the New Deal continues like this, I even think... the number of people who need to send letters may be ten times or a hundred times more than today's demand..."
After hearing this, Zhang Anshi nodded, with admiration appearing in his eyes unconsciously. Hu Guang's son is indeed a practical person! If he hadn't figured out many of the twists and turns here, how could he have spoken so coherently?
.
Then he said: "I really didn't expect you to think so much."
Hu Mu said modestly: "This is not what the official thinks. It is actually just experience. In the Railway Department, many people ask people to deliver letters, which is very inconvenient. On the one hand, they always trouble others, and on the other hand
, this entrusted person is not specialized in delivering letters, so it is common for them to be lost or not delivered along the way. As a result, many messages cannot be conveyed, but instead breed many regrets. I have witnessed many things at Raozhou Station.
This is what inspired me."
Zhang Anshi was actually worried about the business problems of the postal office, although he still had some confidence. After all... before the advent of telephones, the postal service itself was profitable. It was only with the rise of various means of delivering messages that it gradually became more profitable.
decline.
But what he learned from Hu Mu now... was enough to reassure Zhang Anshi.
In the final analysis, it was the rise of industry and commerce that resulted in a large number of people who left their hometowns and also 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, and then asked Hu Mu: "Is there such a thing as entrusting a package?"
Hu Mu said truthfully: "Yes, but not many."
Zhang Anshi frowned and said, "Why is this?"
Hu Mu said: "After all, this involves property, and the problem with property is that entrusting it to others is inevitably risky."
Zhang Anshi laughed and said: "It seems that this is just a matter of trust. If you can win people's trust, then... such things will definitely happen more often."
Hu Mu nodded with deep understanding and said: "If so, it is indeed the case, and my subordinates also think so."
Zhang Anshi cheered up and said: "I want to set up a postal department under the Ministry of Railways. Its size is comparable to the railway departments everywhere. Of course, this matter has been reported to Your Majesty. Your Majesty strongly agrees with this and plans to do this."
For this matter, I asked Gongzhong and Qixia Trading Company to be responsible for their money and food expenses. Of course... Since Gongzhong and Qixia Trading Company have paid out money, then the profits and income will naturally belong to Gongzhong and Qixia Trading Company!"
Having said this, Zhang Anshi glanced at everyone, and then said: "This time... I plan to use you as the backbone and the original inn as the foundation. You will first clean up, and then... come up with a practical
The feasible way is to do as Hu Mu just said, think more about the business that can be undertaken, how to operate it, or even... whether it can be entrusted to the Railway Department..."
"In short, you can have any ideas and try anything, but there is one thing... What the king wants is to turn this post office into a second railway, which must be profitable. In addition, he must complete the imperial court's mission
Responsibilities, what do you think?"
After everyone heard this, they looked at each other.
In fact, before coming, they had thought about many possibilities, but they never expected that His Highness King Song actually asked them to come here for this purpose.
Upon hearing His Highness's words, some people were excited, while others had doubts.
Zhang Anshi saw everyone's reactions in his eyes and smiled and said: "Hu Mu, as the first transfer envoy of the Postal Department, I will teach you to handle this matter. I will inform your majesty about this matter. You, the transfer envoy, will work with the provincial railway departments."
Ambassadors have equal status, you have to know that even His Royal Highness is just the ambassador of the Jiangxi Railway Department."
Hu Mu was shocked and startled.
Although the status of the emperor's grandson is still higher than that of his transport envoy, after all, he also serves as a minister of the Ministry of Railways.
But even so... it still shocked him. After all, he was just a mere pian in the past. Although there had been rumors for a long time, this time he had made great contributions and was knighted. It was very likely that he would become a certain station.
As a webmaster, you will definitely be promoted.
But compared with the ambassador of the Railway Department, the stationmaster of this certain station is still several levels behind. Who would have thought that he would be in charge of such a crucial matter when he came to Beijing this time.
Although he was excited in his heart, he still said: "Your Highness, my qualifications..."
Zhang Anshi feels that it is rare for a person to be able to measure his own ability in doing things.
So Zhang Anshi's impression of Hu Mu became a little better, and he smiled and said: "That's the problem. This postal department has just been built, and it is full of waste. There are many things to be busy with. Those with qualifications...
They are already very old, so I can’t bear to teach them to move around and do such strenuous work.”
You are still young, and when you were stationed in Raozhou, I saw that you could work hard without caring about your own life. It shows that you are willing to be such a hard-working Saburo. Besides, not only has His Majesty seen your performance, but I have also seen it.
, you are indeed meticulous in your actions, and all the above mentioned by this king are my final determination to teach you to take on this important responsibility."
Zhang Anshi looked at him with bright eyes and said: "Things like this that demote talents in any way... have happened in the past, but not many. In the future... I'm afraid it will become even rarer. The Postal Department is now the target of public criticism. Don't think that you are the only one who can do it."
You may be aware of the dangers involved in getting promoted, but you probably know the dangers involved. I don’t know how many people are watching. If there is even the slightest mistake, it will shock the world and attract countless people’s comments. Because of this
...Don’t think that this is a good thing, that blessings and disasters depend on it, and misfortunes and blessings depend on it. Think about it yourself."
Having said that, Hu Mu could only shed tears of gratitude.
A person... someone whom he admires can trust himself so much and entrust such important matters in his own hands. For an ambitious person like Hu Mu, it can be said that it is almost impossible for a reborn parent.
It's too much.
So unconsciously, his eyes filled with tears. At this moment, he couldn't help but think about why some people would say that their whole lives are wandering and they only regret that they have never met the Lord.
This feeling of being trusted by others is enough to make people like Hu Mu feel committed to their lives.
So Hu Mu prostrated himself with sincerity and said: "I dare you not to try your best, if you make any mistakes, I am willing to come and see you! After today, I will be closely related to the Postmaster. If the thing is successful, both will be honored. If it is not successful, I will ask for death."
"
Zhang Anshi smiled and did not even exchange pleasantries with him, saying, "Hey, why do you say such unlucky words so politely?" or "How can this king be willing to let you die?"
Instead, he smiled and nodded.
This is a military order and must be written down.
Zhang Anshi immediately began to hand over responsibilities and missions. He took out a copy of the charter that he had prepared and immediately began to circulate it to them.
Everyone present was excited, looked down at the regulations, and understood them carefully.
Zhang Anshi said with a serious face: "For other arrangements, you will go to the Ministry of Railways tomorrow to accept your appointment, and then... you will start working. I don't care how to do things, I only want results!"