Communication is an effective tool for rulers to effectively control a country or an organization. Therefore, emperors of all dynasties have attached great importance to the construction of postal routes. Both post roads and post houses are the necessary nerve lines and arteries of an empire.
However, no matter how fast the communication methods in the medieval world were, even flying pigeons or even tamed falcons were not as fast as telegraph wires to transmit information. However, the current Asian telegraph line network has not yet been fully established, and the transmission of messages can only be carried out with limited help. The power of the telegraph.
Currently, one of the longest telegraph lines in Asia is the maritime cable from Ryukyu to Kagoshima, while the other, 80% completed, is the line from Shanghai to Beijing.
At present, direct information is available from Shanghai to Nanjing, to Fuzhou, and to Jinan Prefecture. In another month, the last section of the line from Jinan Prefecture to Beijing will be completed.
In addition, the lines in Chang'an, Luoyang, and Zhengzhou have also been completed, and they can be linked to the main network in as little as one and a half months. Zuo Zongtang's Western Expeditionary Army is currently fighting in the Gansu and Shaanxi areas. In the past, it would take a month and a half for a military report from the general to arrive in the capital. Now with the help of the telegraph line, it can arrive in the capital in as little as fifteen days. .
Although there are still some corrupt people who are attacking the telegraph lines and creating all kinds of superstitious rumors, the imperial court has really tasted the sweetness of high technology. The smooth flow of information is really helpful for the Forbidden City to control the empire. .
But rotten Confucians carry a rotten stench after all, and their minds can only understand the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors described in ancient books, those imaginary paradises, and anything that the saints have not said, they think is wrong.
Of course, the white silver and copper coins are an exception. They don't even think about it. Before the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, Qin and Han Dynasties, copper was equivalent to gold. At that time, the court's salary was given directly to cloth and grain. A few pieces of copper were considered a reward. Thank you.
And now the Qing Dynasty has already implemented the silver standard, and shiny silver has become the mainstream of currency. Ordinarily, those rotten scholars should shout out and despise silver. Sage Kong never spent any silver!
But at this point, everyone has chosen to remain silent. Who would have trouble with money?
The corrupt people won't attack silver, but they can attack anything else they can't understand, such as telegraph wires. In the eyes of those traditional Confucian scholars, the telegraph line is nothing more than the magical power of the heavenly ears that drives ghosts to transmit messages. How can this person always deal with ghosts and ghosts without talking about the power of the gods?
If you say that's wrong, then please explain to me why Shanghai sent a signal and Jinan Prefecture received it in the blink of an eye? If there is no ghost hidden in such a thin copper wire, how can it be possible?
Don't tell them about the principles of electricity. In their minds, electricity is a tool played by ghosts and gods, and mortals should not touch it too much.
The construction of the telegraph line has been promoted since the beginning of Fuqing. However, traditional departments such as the Study Room and the Military Aircraft Department receive information on attacking the construction of the telegraph line almost every day. Each one quotes the classics and spits, and these information can be piled up together. Three large tile-roofed houses were filled.
Of course, the Qingliu Han ministers knew that the imperial court was determined to build the telegraph line. They also knew that all their plans would be in vain in the end. It is estimated that the senior officials were not in the mood to see it.
But Qingliu always has to find something to do, otherwise how can we realize their existence? These scoundrels are like aggressive roosters. If they don't blow up their feathers, others won't know how to write the word "fear". .
The papers piled up more and more, but the court remained silent. As a result, the more silent the group became, the more enthusiastic they became. Instead, they intensified their attack on the telegraph plan. Isn’t that just like this? When you see a coward, you can’t hold back your anger, and when you see a weak person, you can’t hold back your anger. The persimmon is pinched to death.
But none of them thought that during the Household Rebellion in the capital, those officials who tore up their bonds and had no money to spend actually suffered a loss because they were not protected by telegraph lines.
Because the whole conspiracy was not designated by Xiao Letian at all. It would take at least three days for Xiao Letian to get news from the capital. The whole chaos was actually caused by the two people, Shopkeeper Ding and Chun Shisanniang, taking advantage of the situation.
Hanlin Feng Fu had just drank half a kilogram of wine and a large bowl of braised pork in a pot shop, spent all the last ten copper coins in his pocket, and wandered home.
On the way, he saw someone selling sweet-scented osmanthus cake. He touched the last two copper coins, thought about his six-year-old daughter, and said with a bitter smile, "It's all spent anyway, so what's the use of these two big coins left?" Spend it, spend it, people will be happy once the wealth is gone..."
Two big bucks could only buy four small pieces of sweet-scented osmanthus cake. Under the disdainful gaze of the vendor, Feng Hanlin, smelling of alcohol, got into the donkey meat alley and walked deeper into the house he rented.
After leaving the lively main street, the alley was dark. Feng Hanlin, who had torn off his disguise, couldn't help but feel sad, and he lay on the ground and cried out.
According to his official position, he could receive a bond of one hundred yuan today, but that's one hundred yuan, a full one hundred taels of silver. With this money in hand, the rent owed can be paid off, and it can be paid in advance until the Spring Festival. back.
The remaining money is enough for the family to eat and drink until the Spring Festival, and before the Spring Festival, the court has to look at the salary again. Isn't it easy to live a life like this?
But I hate it so much, why did I tear up the bond on impulse? Although shopkeeper Ding promised to make up for it in the future, just listen to this. Who can tell clearly what will happen in a month and a half?
Even if I really give it, what will I eat for the next month and a half? What to drink? How to deal with debt collection by landlord? And let your wife shamelessly plead for mercy? I am an official...
Just as he was crying, two figures appeared in front of him. The Queen Mother saw that she was really a virtuous daughter-in-law and a six-year-old daughter.
"Dad! Why are you crying... Don't cry. I don't want the sweet-scented osmanthus cake. Mom said that money is tight at home recently, so she will buy me candied haws on a stick during the Chinese New Year..."
Listening to the milky voice, Feng Fu's heart was in a knot. He might as well marry a shrewish wife, at least he would feel better when his wife scolded him.
The traditional Han family daughter-in-law is so virtuous. She stretched out her hand to help her master, "Wipe your face. Are there guests waiting for you at home? This is not a fall of heaven and earth. You are still an official after all. Let this go. It’s over..."
Feng Hanlin put the four small pieces of sweet-scented osmanthus cake into his daughter's hands: "Eat it, dad promised you this morning and bought it for you...it's just a little less, a little less..."
The daughter-in-law burst into tears at that time. She covered her mouth to prevent herself from crying. After a long time, she choked and said, "I am a woman, and I don't know about adults' affairs, but at least I know about the life of my little family... …It’s hard to find out what’s going on with the imperial court, so we have to figure it out…”
This was the first time that Feng Fu did not scold his wife for nagging the court. He sighed deeply and saw the landlord standing in front of his house blocking the door. He sighed and said to his wife and children, "Go and sit at Mrs. Wang's house next door. We will wait for a while." I'll go find you..."
Note: This is the first update today, there will be another update soon!
