Han Shizu

Chapter 1180 Yanxiyi Station

On the bank of Gushui, east of Xin'an County, thirty miles to Luoyang, a huge official post stands here, named Yanxi Post.

There are Xiangfu, Chenqiao, and Yong'an stations in Tokyo, and the Xijing side is naturally not bad, especially the two stations connecting the east and west passages, Yongchang station in the east, and Yanxi station in the west.

Of course, in the early days, the scale of this station was not large, and the environment could hardly be called good.However, since Murong Yanchao took office and accepted the major transformation of Luoyang, the construction of Sifang roads, stations, bridges and ditches, and these infrastructures have also been carried out simultaneously.

Therefore, in less than two years, the scale of Yanxi Station has tripled, and it has become an important resting place for tourists from the west before entering Luoyang.It is said to be a post station, but in fact it is more like a town. There are not only post officials and post soldiers, but also arresters and city tax collectors.

It's almost winter, and the changing wind direction is becoming more and more violent. Everyone can feel the climate that is gradually getting colder.However, the cold weather did not affect the liveliness of Yanxi Station.

Cars coming and going, noise like a tide, Liu Yang has seen many similar scenes, but the scene full of secular atmosphere in the posthouse still makes him quite touched.

This time, Liu Yang went out of the palace, and it was considered to be a tour in low clothes. When he came to the post station, he didn't say anything, but ordered a "VIP table" to be arranged.Facing the water by the window is a good place to enjoy the scenery, but Liu Yang's mind is not on the late autumn scenery, perhaps it is the faint smell of mutton in the air, which seduces the taste buds and affects his thoughts.

In recent years, pork has become the most important meat ingredient among the people of the Han Dynasty, but it has to be said that the most popular meat is mutton, both inside and outside the palace.

In the early years, the country was poor and the people were poor, so they still restrained themselves. However, as the big man became richer and the living standards of the people gradually improved, the pursuit of mutton became hotter.

Emperor Liu once received a report from Wu Desi, saying that there are hundreds of ways to cook mutton among the people.In addition, the scale of trade with the Liao Kingdom in the north is also increasing, and large quantities of cattle and sheep from outside the Great Wall are also imported into the country, becoming the ingredients on the dinner tables of the Han officials and people.

In view of this, Emperor Liu also thought that if he launched a "mutton war" against the Liao Kingdom, he might be able to win the support of many citizens.
"Yanxi Station! It's a good name!" Liu Yang said.

A young man in brocade clothes beside him said, "This station was originally Hengtong Station, but was later renamed Yanxi by Luan Guogong. It is auspicious to get the approval of the Shangzuo!"

Sitting with Liu Yang was a young man, Murong Defeng, the second son of the late Duke of Wei, Murong Yanzhao.Since Liu Yang married the young lady of the Murong family, the relationship with the Murong family has naturally become closer, and there is no need to avoid it too much, after all, the relationship is there.

Because of their relatives and the similar age, Murong Defeng was naturally transferred to the East Palace to wash horses for the prince and serve as Liu Yang's attendant. He was almost inseparable from Liu Yang on weekdays, and naturally accompanied him when traveling.

Although the Duke of Wei's title was inherited by his elder brother Murong Deye, Murong Defeng's future is also very bright.This person has been intelligent since he was a child, Murong Yanzhao once commented that he is the only one who will make our family happy.

And Emperor Liu also admired the second son of the Murong family.With family background as the basis, and now, as a celebrity beside the prince, it is clear that the future can be expected.

I also have to say how stable the status of the crown prince Liu Yang is. His mother's family is the Fu family, and his wife's family is the Murong family. Only these two families, coupled with the careful training and education of Emperor Liu, also has a pre-determined status. He has participated in it for many years Governmental experience.

As long as the current performance is maintained and the relationship with Emperor Liu is handled well, then his status will be as solid as gold, and no one will be able to shake him.

"Go and call Yi Cheng!" Liu Yang ordered suddenly.

"Yes!" A guard was ordered to go immediately.

Soon, a middle-aged man in a blue official robe was summoned, respectfully entered, fell to the ground, nervous and excited.Obviously, the identity was revealed to this person.

Looking at this humble official, he is middle-aged, a little fat and a little greasy.Reaching out his hand to signal, Liu Yang said: "Excuse me!"

"Thank you, Your Highness! Your Highness is here, and I hope you will forgive me for not being able to greet you!" Yi Cheng hurriedly said.

"There is no need to say these polite words!" Liu Yang shook his head and said directly.

"How long have you been working here?" Liu Yang asked.

Hearing the question, the Post Office quickly calmed down and replied respectfully: "Return to Your Highness, the villain has served as the Post Office here for ten years!"

"Ten years!" Liu Yang raised his eyebrows, a little surprised: "After so many years, have you never been promoted?"

Yi Cheng showed a little smile, and said: "Little talents have little virtue, and managing this post is barely enough, so how can we hope for a higher position?"

Hearing this, Liu Yang couldn't help showing a touch of amusement, with a trace of curiosity in his eyes, he looked at this person seriously: "You don't want to be promoted?"

Who in the world doesn't want to be promoted?This is naturally the same for Yi Cheng.It's just that he is a self-aware person, he has no great talent, no background, no matter how he seeks out, he has limited potential if he advances to a level or two.

It's better to stay in this station, handle all the big and small affairs by yourself, and also get to know all kinds of people who come and go, from high-ranking officials and nobles to traffickers and pawns.

With the expansion of the Yanxi Station, as a local tycoon, he, the postman, has a lot of influence, and his life is more nourishing than some officials who are the heads of a town or a county.

With real benefits in front of him, a promotion of one or two ranks and a change of position are not good for him at all.

Of course, these calculations in my heart, the balance of benefits and losses, naturally cannot be told the truth, and the postman just explained respectfully: "The villain is already satisfied with being able to manage this post for the imperial court."

Liu Yang smiled, and asked again: "Now, how many people can this station accommodate every day?"

When it comes to business, Yicheng looks more capable, saying: "In recent years, there have been more officials, merchants, and travelers traveling between east and west. By this season, the daily reception is above 3000 people, and the accommodation that can be provided is also nearly 800. people!"

"This is really a lot, almost comparable to the Xiangfu Post in Tokyo!" Liu Yang said.

The postman's tone could not help showing a bit of pride, and he replied: "Since the expansion, Yanxi Station has become the largest post station west of Luoyang, and it is also close to Xijing. Officials and businessmen who come and go often choose this station to stop!"

Nodding his head, Liu Yang also understood, not to mention anything else, even if it was just for the name of the largest post station, there would be no shortage of guests.

"How much can I earn every day?" Liu Yang asked again.

When mentioning the accounts, Yi Cheng subconsciously tensed up, glanced at Liu Yang carefully, pressed his thoughts carefully, but still didn't dare to keep anything, and told the truth: "There are about 230 items in the accounts!"

"That's not too little!" Liu Yang said.

Seeing this, Yi Cheng hurriedly said: "It's a lot! It's a lot! Do you want to check the accounts, Your Highness?"

"Yeah!" Liu Yang responded, "You can bring it and show it to Gu!"

"Yes!"

Faced with Liu Yang's reaction, Yi Cheng was a little surprised. After all, you, a dignified prince, actually wanted to check the accounts of a small post in person.
At the same time, there is also a feeling of fear, but fortunately the truth is true.As for Liu Yang, he didn't feel condescending and made a fuss over a molehill. After all, the post station belonged to the state and belonged to the official system, and its income should be included in the state's fiscal and taxation. He checked it and found out that there was nothing wrong with it.

Of course, Liu Yang was still a little surprised. A Yanxi station, the daily income is 230 guan, 6300 guan in a month, and 75600 guan in a year. Although various costs have to be considered, it is already considerable.

Although the Yanxi Station has its particularity, if you count the stations all over the country, how much is the annual tax revenue?

You know, over the years, the imperial court and the local government have built thousands of official posts.Excluding a small part of the military posts, the rest can be used to receive and attract customers. Excluding the costs of various people, goods, and materials, the income of the post stations must also be a huge sum.

The tax paid by various places every year includes the item of post station, but the specifics seem to be a bit vague.Liu Yang suddenly felt that the financial secretary could investigate and rectify this project.

(End of this chapter)