On the bank of Gushui, east of Xin'an County, thirty miles away from Luoyang, a huge official post stands here called Yanxi Post.
There are three major post stations in Tokyo: Xiangfu, Chenqiao and Yong'an. Xijing is not bad either, especially the two major ones connecting the east-west passage, Yongchang Post to the east and Yanxi Post to the west.
Of course, in the early days, the scale of this station was not large, and the environment could not be called good. However, since Murong Yanchao took office and accepted the major renovation of Luoyang, the construction of Sifang roads, post bridges, ditches, and other infrastructure was also carried out simultaneously.
As a result, in less than two years, the scale of Yanxi Station tripled, becoming an important place for travelers from the west to stop and stay before entering Luoyang. It is said to be a post station, but in fact it is more like a town. It not only has post officials and post soldiers, but also has catchers and city tax collectors.
Winter is approaching, and the wind direction is changing more and more violently. Everyone can feel the cold weather gradually approaching. However, the cold weather did not affect the excitement in Yanxi Post.
Liu Yang had seen a lot of similar scenes with cars and people coming and going, but the worldly atmosphere in Guanyi still touched him quite a bit.
This time, when Liu Yang left the palace, he was on a tour incognito. When he arrived at the inn, he did not make any announcement, but only ordered a "VIP seat" to be arranged. Being by the window and facing the water is a good place to enjoy the scenery. However, Liu Yang's mind is not on the late autumn scenery. Perhaps it is the faint smell of mutton in the air, tempting his taste buds and affecting his thoughts.
Over the years, pork has become the most important meat ingredient among the Han people, but it has to be said that the most popular meat is mutton, both inside and outside the palace.
In the early years, when the country was poor and the people were poor, there was still some restraint. However, as the Han Dynasty continued to become richer and the living standards of the people gradually improved, the pursuit of mutton became more and more intense.
Emperor Liu once received a report from Wu Desi, saying that there are hundreds of ways to cook mutton among the people today. In addition, the scale of trade with the Liao Kingdom in the north was also increasing, and cattle and sheep from beyond the Great Wall were also imported into the country in large quantities, becoming ingredients on the 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 people...
"Yanxiyi! This is a good name!" Liu Yang said.
A young man in Jinfu next to him said: "This post was originally called Hengtong Post, but it was later renamed Yanxi by Duke Luan. The memorial was approved, so it is auspicious!"
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 a young lady from the Murong family, his relationship with the Murong family naturally became closer, and there was no need to be too evasive, after all, the relationship was openly there.
Being related to each other and being of 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 accompanied him on all trips.
Although the title of Duke Wei was inherited by his eldest brother Murong Deye, Murong Defeng's future was also very bright. This person has been smart since he was a child. Murong Yanzhao once commented that this is the son who will prosper our family.
Emperor Liu also admired the second son of the Murong family. With family background as the foundation, and now, as a popular person around the prince, it is obvious that the future is promising.
I have to say how stable the status of the 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 Emperor Liu's careful training and education, have an early title and have participated in it for many years. Government experience.
As long as he maintains his current performance and maintains a good relationship with Emperor Liu, his status will be impregnable and no one can shake it.
"Go and summon Yi Cheng!" Liu Yang suddenly ordered.
"Yes!" A guard was immediately ordered to go.
Soon, a middle-aged man wearing a blue official robe was summoned. He came in respectfully and prostrated himself on the ground. He was nervous and excited at the same time. Apparently, 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: "No courtesy!"
"Thank you, Your Highness! Your Highness is here, but I didn't have time to greet you. Please forgive me!" Yi Cheng said hurriedly.
"There's no need to say these polite words!" Liu Yang shook his head and said directly.
"How long have you been working at this post?" Liu Yang asked.
After hearing the question, the Yi Cheng quickly calmed down and respectfully replied: "Your Highness, I have been serving as the Yi Cheng here for ten years!"
"Ten years!" Liu Yang raised his eyebrows and was a little surprised: "You haven't been promoted in all these years?"
The Yi Cheng showed a smile and said: "A small talent is short of moral integrity. It is already difficult to manage this post. How can we expect a higher position?"
Hearing this, Liu Yang couldn't help showing a hint of amusement, with a hint of curiosity in his eyes, and looked at this person seriously: "You don't want to be promoted?"
Is there anyone in the world who doesn’t want to be promoted? This Yi Cheng is naturally the same. It's just that he is a self-aware person with no great talent or background. Even if he joins the camp and rises to one or two levels, his potential will be limited.
It's better to stay here, where you can take care of all matters big and small, and get to know all kinds of people coming and going, from high-ranking officials to nobles, to traffickers and pawns.
With the expansion of Yanxi Station, as a local leader, he, the Yi Cheng, has considerable influence, and his life is better than that of some officials who serve as the head of a town or a county.
With real benefits in front of him, moving up a level or two and changing positions is not good at all for him.
Of course, these calculations in my heart and the weighing of benefits and losses cannot be told truthfully. Yi Cheng just explained respectfully: "I am satisfied that I can manage this post well for the imperial court."
Liu Yang smiled and asked: "Now, how many people can this post accept every day?"
When it came to business, Yi Cheng seemed much more capable and said: "In recent years, there have been more and more officials, merchants, and travelers traveling from east to west. At this season, we receive more than 3,000 people every day, and we can provide nearly 3,000 people in accommodation." Eight hundred people!”
"This is really a lot, almost as good as the Xiangfu Station in Tokyo!" Liu Yang said.
Yi Cheng couldn't help but feel a bit proud in his tone, and responded: "Since the expansion, Yanxi Post has become the largest post station west of Luoyang, and it is also close to Xijing. Officials and businessmen traveling back and forth often choose this post to stop!"
Nodding, Liu Yang also understood that, if nothing else, even if it was just because of the name of the largest inn, there would be no shortage of customers.
"How much can you earn every day?" Liu Yang asked again.
When Yi Cheng mentioned the accounts, his heart tightened subconsciously. He glanced at Liu Yang cautiously and thought carefully, but he still didn't dare to hold anything back. He told the truth: "Every entry in the account is about 230 yuan!"
"That's not too little!" Liu Yang said.
Seeing this, Yi Cheng hurriedly said: "It's quite a lot! It's quite a lot! Does Your Highness want to check the accounts?"
"Yes!" Liu Yang responded: "You can bring it and show it to me!"
"yes!"
Faced with Liu Yang's reaction, Yi Cheng was still a little surprised. After all, you, a dignified prince, actually want to personally check the accounts of a small inn...
At the same time, I also had a feeling of fear, but fortunately I told the truth. As for Liu Yang, he didn't feel that Yu was condescending and making a fuss out of 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 national finance and tax. He checked and found out that there was nothing wrong.
Of course, Liu Yang was still a little surprised. A Yanxi Station's daily income was 230 guan, which was 6,300 guan in a month and 75,600 guan in a year. Although various costs had to be taken into consideration, it was already considerable.
Although Yanxi Station has its own special characteristics, if you include the stations across the country, what is the total annual fiscal and tax revenue?
You know, over the years, the imperial court and local governments have built thousands of official posts. Excluding a small part of the military post, the rest can be used to receive customers. After excluding the costs of people, materials, and materials, the revenue of the post must be a huge amount.
The inn station is included in the fiscal and tax payments from various places every year, but the specific details seem a bit vague. Liu Yang suddenly felt that the Financial Secretary could investigate and rectify this project.
