The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 240 Enlighten Chai Rong

In the evening, they marched to Dongxiang Posthouse. Zhu Xiu proposed to stay here for the night and start the journey again 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, supplement the post horses, improve the living conditions of postmasters and postmen, and the post roads in Jingzhou were opened again.

During the Tang Dynasty, the local post stations were under the jurisdiction of the prefecture and county where they were located. Local wealthy households were selected as post chiefs, exempted from taxes and labor, allocated fields, accepted the jurisdiction of the government, and assumed the important task of national communication.

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

During the prosperous Tang Dynasty, there was a post station every thirty miles away, and there were nine out of a thousand, six hundred and thirty in the world. There are 630 water stations, 260 and seven land stations, and 290 both land and water stations.

From the end of the Tang Dynasty to the beginning of the Troubled Times 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 edicts 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 post system that existed throughout the country during the Tang Dynasty.

Building post stations and repairing roads is a lot of money, 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. Fan towns, states 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 specially hired several postmen and equipped horses within the official government to deliver local official documents and military reports.

However, as a result, postal services in various places were blocked, and the decrees issued by the imperial court had to go through a long process 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 a bit wasteful.

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 government and the state government. Provide funding.

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

The postmaster officially became a superior official and had certain powers. After serving for a certain period of time, those who excelled in the evaluation could 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 for the government, the post pavilions under Jingzhou also had certain commercial purposes.

If necessary, ordinary people can pay a certain fee to 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 explained 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 cook and 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 people 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 snickered "Kuku", 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 chased Zhang Yongde out of the house.

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 matter, but later because of Ma Qing's troubles in Kaifeng, the activities of Zangfengying in Kaifeng almost stopped, and there was no reliable source of news from the court, Zhu Xiu did not know how this matter would follow up.

Chai Rong read more than [-] 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 in the post. The more I look forward to this trip to Jingzhou."

Zhu Xiu invited him to sit on the throne and smiled modestly: "The relay work 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 roads are smooth, government orders will be communicated and the current situation in various places will be under control. "

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

It is a pity that today, the world is falling apart, and each vassal, town, state, and county government can only build its own postal post. Often when it goes beyond its jurisdiction, the post road is blocked and sluggish, making it difficult to restore the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty post station that could reach all directions. "

Zhu Xiu took the teapot and refilled it, filled 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. Little 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 everything about 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 secretly? The pile of Zazis is almost taller than you!"

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 evildoers 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 most 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 confiscating your family and exterminating your clan."

Zhu Xiu curled her lips in disdain.

If it had been two years ago, when the Chang Yi Army was suffering from internal and external troubles, and the court had to take action to rectify it, it would have been really difficult to deal with it.

But now, the internal politics of the Chang Yi 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. The old neighbor Feng Xiang Army has been severely damaged after more than a year of war. Not to mention 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 Yongxing Army, Hezhong Army, and Baoda Army to attack, or directly dispatches the Forbidden Army to go deep into Guanzhong, the Changyi 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 court has only been in power for a few years, it is still the co-owner of the world and has a certain amount of authority. After the battle of Puzhou to annihilate Li Shouzhen, the authority of the court has been greatly enhanced. If the Liu Guan family is determined to take over If Zhang Yijun performs the operation, 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 any signs of panic, and why do you still have the heart to joke 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 Liu Guan's mind, there are several threats that are far more important and deadly than the Chang Yi Army to deal with. "

Chai Rong's eyebrows were raised slightly and his eyes were blazing: "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.

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

If the official wants to take charge of the government, the four people are the mountain that must be overcome. Conflicts are natural and unavoidable. "

Zhu Xiu looked at Chai Rong and said sternly: "This is the reason why the officials want to take away the military power of the Tianxiong Army from Privy Council Guo. Privy Council Guo is in charge of the 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 had 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 the commander-in-chief had different intentions, after annihilating Li Shouzhen in Puzhou, he used the power of victory to order more than [-] troops in Guanzhong. Even if he did not want to return to Kaifeng, the officials would have no choice.

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 worthless for my father! "

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "Don't worry, Marshal Chai, the bright blue sky will not be stained by filth, and all the people in the world will see right and wrong.

Privy Guo's surrender of Tianxiong's military power can ease the conflict with the officials and make the lies about slandering the villain self-defeating. This is a strategy to retreat in order to advance. "

"However, the Tianxiong Army is my father's hard work, and it is also the most reliable army in my father's hands. Once there is a loss, how can I gain a foothold in the court? I am afraid that in the future, people will be swordsmen and I will be fish." Chai Rong said loudly. He punched the table with his fist.

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "Commander Chai, please don't forget that the person who took over as the military envoy of Tianxiong Army was King Linqing, Taiwei, and General Gao Xingzhou Gao. This may be the agreement reached between Privy Council Guo and the officials. tacit agreement."

Chai Rong was startled: "What do you mean?"

"Gao Xingzhou has outstanding military exploits and a great reputation in the army. He is a kind and cautious person. He has a close friendship with Privy Guo and has always been respectful to the court. Therefore, he handed over the Tianxiong Army to him. Privy Guo and the officials were all Can rest assured.

Gao Xingnian was old and sick, and his son Gao Huaide now mostly took charge of the Gao family.Chai Shuai must be familiar with Gao Huaide's temperament.

It can be said that the transfer of the Tianxiong Army to the Gao family is only a temporary expedient measure, and Guo Shumi, the officials, and the Gao family are well aware of this.

Privy Guo's willingness to hand over the Tianxiong Army shows that he is not greedy for power, but is willing to give up power, support the pro-government of officials, and control the government.

If the Gao family takes over the Tianxiong Army, they will not have the idea of ​​taking advantage of the opportunity to take the military power of the Tianxiong Army into their hands.

According to my speculation, when the time is right, Privy Councilor Guo will take the initiative to resign from his position as Privy Councilor, and the officials will also let him go to the vassal town and lead troops to sit in Hebei as a barrier to Kaifeng.

Therefore, Privy Council Guo lost the military power of Tianxiong Army this time. It seemed that it was because of his great achievements that shocked the master and aroused suspicion among the officials, but in fact it was a prudent plan to protect himself.

From then on, among the four important ministers, Privy Guo was no longer the chief thorn in the official family's side, but could feel more at home in Kaifeng. "

Zhu Xiu talked eloquently, picked up the tea bowl and drank it all in one gulp.

Chai Rong's frown gradually relaxed, and he suddenly said: "So, I have been worried that the officials will take away the military power from my father's commander, because I want to prepare for the next step, to completely eliminate my father's commander.

Listening to your analysis, it relieved my troubles and made me feel at ease. "

Chai Rong stood up loudly, laughed loudly several times, and relieved the stagnation in his chest:

"Let's go! Since Kaifeng can't accommodate our father and son, why not go back to Yecheng to lead the army, and then become a feudal town, guard the border for the country, and concentrate on dealing with the Khitan people. It will not be in vain for a man of seven feet!"

Zhu Xiu smiled, but sighed in her heart.

Guo Wei lost the Tianxiong Army, and the threat to Liu Chengyou was greatly reduced.

Liu Chengyou's firepower will hit the key points and will be transferred from him to Shi Hongzhao, Yang Bin and others.

But they are both ministers who care about life, and the rabbit dies and the fox is sad. Once Shi Hongzhao, Yang Bin and others make mistakes, how can Guo Wei be spared?
Judging from historical records, in fact, the person Liu Chengyou wanted to kill most was not Guo Wei at all, but Shi Hongzhao and Yang Bin.

Strictly speaking, Guo Wei's subsequent encounters were implicated by the two of them.

It is precisely because of this that the fate of the entire world has changed.
(End of this chapter)