Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 443 Freight Transport in the Suburbs of Beijing Yields Abundant Fortune
Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai felt a mixture of relief and shame: So, in his uncle's eyes, he was actually a little poisoner even more wicked than Ji Wen? As for his grandfather, he was, of course, the old poisoner. What an unfilial son!

Zhang Yang, of course, couldn't hear Zhang Dai's inner grumbling. Instead, he leaned closer to Zhang Dai and said shyly, "Your grandfather told you about looking for a wife for me? The Li family invited me to visit the garden in the southern suburbs during the month, but I dare not go alone. You've seen what my friends look like; they're certainly not the kind of people you can show off to others! Ah Liu, could you come with me?"

"I'm not going. I'm new to the gubernatorial office and I'm very busy. I don't have time to go!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai subconsciously shook his head and said that if his father knew he had accompanied Zhang Yun to a blind date when he returned, he would probably complain and make a scene.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "The Li family invited you to see how Uncle is doing. What good would it do you if I went with Uncle? You should let Ah Qi go instead. The two of you complement each other perfectly."

"you're right!"

Zhang Yan was initially disappointed when Zhang Dai refused, but after hearing this, he nodded and said something. After saying this, he turned and walked away, no longer wanting to disturb Zhang Dai's rest.

"Uncle, wait a moment."

Zhang Dai's thoughts raced, and he immediately called out to Zhang Yang. After rummaging around in the study for a moment, he found a gold flying money note and handed it over: "Uncle, please accept this money."

"Why are you giving me money? Ten thousand strings of cash!"

When Zhang Yan returned, he instinctively took the money, but was immediately stunned when he saw the amount on it, staring at Zhang Dai with a look of astonishment.

Although he was the eldest son of a corrupt official and enjoyed a life of luxury, he had never handled so much money before. He immediately threw it back to Zhang Dai and waved his hand, saying, "I don't want it. How can I accept so much money from a junior!"

"Just accept it. Uncle, you've been so kind in introducing me to your spies, I can't just leave without showing my appreciation..."

Seeing his reaction, Zhang Dai smiled and handed the tickets back.

Zhang Yan waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "Those people wouldn't be worth this much money even if they were sold skin and bones, and I have no use for them! If I really accepted them, I don't know how your grandfather would scold me... And where would you get so much money?"

“I’m not asking you to spend money, Uncle, but to teach you how to make a living. I’ve wanted to talk to you about this before, but you didn’t seem to have any intention of making a living. Now you even recommend someone to me, which shows you’re not a completely naive person. You’re about to start a family, and you can’t rely on your elders for everything. You should have your own business to make a living.”

Zhang Dai gestured for him to sit down, then took out a document from a chest and unfolded it, saying: "The transportation of people and goods in the capital is very busy, especially between the various post stations inside and outside the capital. There is no time of rest for freight transportation throughout the four seasons. A cart carrying a thousand catties can earn a hundred strings of cash a year, and even a slow horse or a strong donkey can earn tens of thousands. Having a dozen or so carts and horses to travel between the capital post station and the suburban post stations is a fine business."

The city of Chang'an was home to millions of people, who needed to obtain large quantities of supplies from the surrounding areas every day to sustain their daily lives, so the pressure on freight transport was naturally considerable.

Goods from other states would usually stop near the post stations around Chang'an. For example, people and goods from Longyou would gather at Lingao Post Station in western Beijing, those from Shu would stop at Xiliu Post Station in southern Beijing, and those from Guandong would stop at Zishui Post Station or Changle Post Station on Ba River.

After undergoing certain checks, these goods and people were allowed to be transported into the city, either to the two markets or to individual households for sale and consumption. The section from the outskirts of Beijing to the city center was the busiest transportation route.

Although these places are only a dozen or twenty miles from the city, the transportation costs are not low due to the high volume of traffic. Transporting a thousand catties of goods from the inns and warehouses near the outskirts of the capital to the two markets in the city usually costs several hundred to several thousand coins, depending on the type of goods.

Moreover, there are certain restrictions on vehicles and horses from other places entering the city. Many merchants, in order to get their goods to the market as soon as possible for sale and to recoup their money, have no choice but to grit their teeth and pay the freight fee, even though it hurts.

It was equally difficult for private individuals to operate a carriage transport business freely in Chang'an. Although there was no such thing as an operating license at the time, it was still inappropriate for large quantities of goods to frequently enter and leave the city gates. Goods would be stuck on the road, and people and horses would have difficulty moving. Only by registering with the Ministry of War's Department of Transportation and being recorded in the local government's clerks could one enter and leave the city to operate a transport business.

Of course, if you didn't enter or leave cities or markets—places where people congregate and where profits are made—there wouldn't be very strict regulations. After all, there weren't ubiquitous electronic surveillance systems in ancient times; your carts and goods were only subject to regulation when they entered areas that could be regulated. Otherwise, they were free. However, even in these free areas, the efficiency of trading was very low, and it was difficult to convert goods into cash.

The document Zhang Dai produced was a vehicle registration certificate issued by the Ministry of War, allowing unimpeded passage through the city gates for transporting goods. It could also be considered an operating permit, recording twelve freight wagons. With this certificate, one could open a freight wagon shop and transport goods to and from the outskirts of Beijing.

Don't underestimate these twelve carriages. If the weather and road conditions are good throughout the year, they can transport millions of catties of goods to Chang'an City, earning profits of several thousand strings of cash.

Even the Court of Imperial Sacrifices only had a dozen or so transport wagons on standby. Of course, the imperial court's wagons weren't for profit, so having more would be pointless and only increase office costs. The only department with the most wagons was the Ministry of Agriculture, which had a heavy transport workload, with over a thousand wagons, mainly for transporting rented goods from various places to places like Taicang for storage. "Ah Liu, are you really going to teach me how to run a business? But I know nothing about it. If I lose all your capital, don't blame me!"

Zhang Yang wasn't just indulging in pleasure; he had no idea what to do before. His father, Zhang Yue, certainly wouldn't personally teach him how to manage affairs, though he might impart some experience in making money in officialdom. Hearing Zhang Dai say this, Zhang Yang naturally felt both curious and somewhat lacking in confidence.

"Go ahead and do it. If there are any losses, I'll just ask my grandfather for them!"

Zhang Dai was also using this matter to test Zhang Yang. The freight car workshop was much more upscale than the ordinary passenger car shops. After all, at that time, people did not have high time requirements for commuting. If the rent for horses and donkeys was too expensive, they would simply walk.

This industry was so lucrative in Chang'an that even teenagers could make a living by leading a donkey through the streets and alleys. As long as there was a small profit after deducting the cost of food for both the person and the donkey, there was something to do.

But if you want your goods to enter the city or market, it's not as simple as just moving them in. You also have to consider the quality of the goods, market fluctuations, payment cycles, and so on. You have to pay these fees whether you want to or not.

So with this operating license, it would be hard to lose money. Zhang Dai entrusted this matter to Zhang Yang, also wanting to test his uncle's abilities. If he did well, he could continue to entrust him with important tasks, such as developing an intelligence network in Chang'an.

But if I can't even manage this, then I won't have any higher expectations anymore. Even if I conquer the world someday, I'll just appoint him as a lowly sycophant and raise him like a pig.

"Now that you've entrusted this matter to me, rest assured. Although I may not know how, I can learn. I can't afford to be a complete failure and let your juniors look down on me!"

Zhang Yang was also stirred by his ambition. He immediately took the tickets and documents, put them in his pocket, and then strode away.

After seeing Zhang Yan off, Zhang Dai went to bed. Tomorrow, there was still an old ox waiting for him to uphold justice!
The next morning, after getting up, Zhang Dai washed up and ate breakfast, then went straight to the Imperial Court of Imperial Sacrifices. When he entered the government office, he found that the people looking at him were enthusiastic, but also filled with envy and awe, and they were showering him with congratulatory words.

"Zhang Xielu, no, that's not right! Greetings, Your Excellency Zhang! I have prepared a banquet at Madam Yan's house in Guangzhai Lane to celebrate Your Excellency's new appointment. I would be honored if Your Excellency would grace us with your presence!"

Even the old troublemaker of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, Dongfang Chen, the Assistant Director of Music, had a big smile on his face when he saw Zhang Dai enter the office. He quickly stepped forward and said respectfully.

Dongfang Chen came from the music academy, and his official career had basically reached its limit. He also possessed superb musical theory and skills, and even the Li Guinian brothers often came to learn from him. He could practically do whatever he wanted in the Imperial Music Bureau.

Even this guy was afraid of Zhang Dai in his "He Kou Jiao" state. Because the Censor-in-Chief not only investigated officials, but could also arrest people directly.

Although the Censorate Prison in the Eastern Capital was abolished by the former Censor-in-Chief Cui Yinfu, Cui Yinfu was dismissed before he could return to Chang'an. The Censorate Prison and the Judicial Office in Chang'an were still retained. Dongfang Chen was worried that he might offend Zhang Dai again and be thrown into the Censorate Prison. He was afraid that he would be killed and no one would know. So his attitude naturally became more respectful, and he obediently put away his past unruly behavior.

"Just focus on your work and don't worry about anything else! The Emperor's birthday is approaching. If you disgrace the Music Bureau by performing music in the future, I will not forgive you!"

Zhang Dai looked at Dongfang Chen, who had a fawning smile on his face, and said with a smile. Upon hearing this, the guy nodded repeatedly in agreement.

After dealing with his colleagues, Zhang Dai headed straight for the Assistant Attendant's office. Halfway there, he was greeted by the disheveled Ma Lizheng, who bowed repeatedly and said, "Please wait a moment, Assistant Attendant Zhang. I worked on the case late last night, only falling asleep close to dawn. Let me tidy myself up a bit before we go to the office together..."

"Go back and rest first!"

Zhang Dai was speechless upon hearing this, but considering that Ma Lizheng had been working overtime all night on his case, he couldn't say anything. So he waved to him, indicating that he should go back for now, and went to his superior's office first.

Xue Tao was on duty today. When Zhang Dai entered the office, he heard a commotion outside, but he kept a straight face and did not go out. Only when he saw Zhang Dai enter the hall did he rise from his seat, lean forward at the table, and prepare to respond with courtesy.

Zhang Dai, however, showed no intention of paying his respects. Upon entering the hall, he looked directly at him and asked, "What's going on with Ma Xielu's examination records and judgments? He has already completed his term and is awaiting replacement, yet his examination records have still been altered. Is this how the matter should be handled?"

(End of this chapter)