Chapter 1260: Chapter 1227: Blueprint
Zhao Hanzhang reminded him, "Constructing post stations will inevitably require assistance from the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Revenue."
Coincidentally, Fu Tinghan is the Chief of Staff, among the six ministries he is the head official.
Yuan Li immediately bowed his head, "The Ministry of Personnel already oversees the six ministries, and putting the Posthouse Minister’s Office under the six ministries is busy work, can the gentleman manage?"
It’s overwhelming, Fu Tinghan isn’t trying to vie for power, he is naturally happy to have fewer mundane matters to handle, he was simply curious, the Posthouse Minister’s Office seems to be something the Ministry of Industry should handle.
Zhao Hanzhang understood his confusion and smiled at him: "The Posthouse Minister’s Office is a newly established department, it once belonged to the Ministry of War, was also independent, but currently it falls under the Central Secretariat in our dynasty. However, with the advent of radio, and future development of electricity, as the production techniques become more mature, each post station can be equipped with radio stations, so I want to delegate this department to the Investigation Department."
The Investigation Department, an intelligence agency, now surrounded by external adversaries, though important regions have unified, many territories captured during Han times remain outside of control, hence she needs it;
This pertains to external issues, and internally, the country is filled with powerful clans and factions, in this world there are those who love peace and strive for national peace and unity. Naturally, there are those who for personal gain, seek to divide and seize control, so another role of the Investigation Department is to gather intelligence, identify threats, and eliminate threats.
The Posthouse Minister’s Office connects correspondence nationwide, as well as hosts passing officials, nobles, and merchants at post stations, providing a good channel for gathering information.
Moreover, with the Posthouse Minister’s Office present, it can dilute the presence of the Investigation Department in the court and among the people, reducing conflicts arising from investigations.
Given Yuan Li’s character, he won’t be liked by many in the court, and even fewer among the public.
It’s a sharp blade, Zhao Hanzhang will hold the scabbard well, preventing it from harming the innocent, but also protect the blade, ensuring external forces don’t damage the blade.
However, at this time Yuan Li still doesn’t realize the Posthouse Minister’s Office will be his shield, after obtaining it, he furrows his eyebrow, uncertain of what first steps to take.
He will train spies, soldiers for warfare, conduct interrogations and investigations, but he doesn’t engage in construction!
After establishing the Posthouse Minister’s Office, what’s the first step?
Require funds?
Then purchase materials to construct post stations?
Fu Tinghan didn’t notice his dilemma, since Hanzhang asked him to help Yuan Li, he lowered his eyes in thought before saying: "The national official road planning map is with Uncle Cheng, send someone to retrieve it soon, it can be temporarily loaned to Yuan Li for use."
Yuan Li: "What use do I have for this map?"
Fu Tinghan: "Post stations need to be built beside official roads, once the Posthouse Minister’s Office is established, after selecting personnel, the first task is to determine post station locations, and this requires the map."
Zhao Hanzhang, feeling troubled, said: "This map hasn’t been approved, the court ministers have differing opinions, but overall it’s not problematic, now that Jiangnan is unified, it’s a good time to also plan the roads in Jiangnan."
Zhao Hanzhang looked at Fu Tinghan, opened her mouth, but swallowed her words, forget it, he is too busy, can’t just rely on one person, who else is there?
Fu Tinghan: "The plan is primarily based on existing official roads, when drafting the map Jiangnan was considered, but only slight modifications were made to original foundations. Now the treasury is empty, myriad things await renewal, we don’t need to construct the three newly planned major official roads, but rather just repair existing ones to ensure smooth passage."
Zhao Hanzhang nodded: "I think the same, next year we must give respite to the people, every region must reduce conscription, so I want each county’s segment of road near them to be handled by their own county government, while the remaining roads can be handled by the military or merchants."
Fu Tinghan nodded, showing understanding.
"We can also encourage local gentries to donate generously, repairing bridges and paving roads has always been an act that accumulates virtue and blesses descendants." Zhao Hanzhang added: "My goal is within five years to have all deteriorated roads fully repaired, then commence constructing newly planned roads."
Yuan Li saw them only discussing roads, without mentioning post stations, couldn’t help but interject: "Lady, what about the post stations, constructing them also requires substantial funds, how will the Ministry of Revenue allocate? Is it a one-time grant or in installments?"
Fu Tinghan slightly frowned, "The Ministry of Revenue doesn’t have much money, some must be reserved for handling spring farming, I suggest you try to find your own solutions first."
Yuan Li was displeased, "Chief of Staff, who makes someone build houses but offers no money for buying materials or hiring craftsmen?"
Fu Tinghan: "It’s not my sole decision to control treasury funds, compared to agriculture, water conservancy, and road repairs, post station importance indeed ranks lower, even if I agree, without Zhao Hanzhang’s, Ji Shizhong’s, and Ming Zhongshu’s approval, you won’t get funds."
"To expedite the post station construction, allowing the Posthouse Minister’s Office to get on track, you need to devise other solutions. Not only the Posthouse Minister’s Office, but also the Ministry of War, Ministry of Industry, and essential matters in various counties are alike."
Zhao Hanzhang smiled: "Children have many demands, and each child’s demands are different, parents cannot fulfill them all, they must first support urgent needs, for the rest, children need to apply their talents."
Yuan Li rolled his eyes intending to speak, but Zhao Hanzhang beat him to it: "No breaking the law."
Yuan Li swallowed his words, he was eager to lead people to "beg" from clans along the way.
Previously in Jiangnan, when visiting local clans to promote new decrees, it was quite productive, he enjoyed seeing them grit their teeth in hatred yet fearfully suppress their expressions.
Unexpectedly, faced with lack of funds even before taking office, and a substantial deficit at that, Yuan Li rubbed the scar on his face, thinking Zhao Shen, though somewhat mystical, was accurate in prediction, he bowed, "I ask the lady to recommend me a physician for my facial scar."
Zhao Hanzhang then looked at his face.
The executioner was rather ruthless, likely not expecting him to survive, as the knife slashed downward from the corner of his eye, the scar is still red, the flesh turned outward, evidently not fully healed.
Zhao Hanzhang felt pity, immediately said, "Tomorrow come to the palace, I’ll find several Imperial Physicians to examine it."
Yuan Li respectfully agreed.
Zhao Hanzhang dispatched people to get the official road planning map from Zhao Cheng.
This planning map was drawn after comprehensive planning done by Fu Tinghan and students at the Imperial College.
Years ago, the map given by Xiahou Ren had already been traced one-to-one three new copies, Zhao Cheng even took students to search documents, adding numerous items, besides roads, rivers, mountains, county names, several villages were marked.
Zhao Hanzhang simply placed her existing collection in the Imperial College, opened them access to royal books and various geographical records, also ordered counties to submit local chronicles.
Fu Tinghan led students to research, noted discovered iron ore, copper ore and various mineral resources on the map, even hot springs were marked, whatever found was annotated.
Yet, over the past two years, whether in military logistics or development, Fu Tinghan was busy, so map completion was handed over to Zhao Cheng, with him only occasionally glancing.
Observing them add more and more to the map, the entire realm gradually unfolded before eyes, he started planning official roads, from existing ones planning three new official roads, enhancing trade speed, bolstering districts’ economic growth, and, in event of conflict, Luoyang’s army could swiftly aid via these roads.
In case of difficulty for Luoyang, the planned three military sectors can also quickly assist Luoyang.
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