Chapter 1182: Yanxi Post Station

By the banks of the Gu River, east of Xin'an County, thirty li from Luoyang, a vast official post station stood—named Yanxi Station.

The Eastern Capital had its three great stations—Xiangfu, Chenqiao, and Yong'an—and the Western Capital naturally was not to be outdone. Especially the two stations linking the east-west thoroughfare: Yongchang Station to the east, and Yanxi Station to the west.

Of course, in the early days, this station had been modest in scale and its surroundings hardly pleasant. But ever since Murong Yanchao took up his post and undertook the great renovation of Luoyang, the construction of roads, bridges, ditches, and other infrastructure had proceeded in tandem.

Thus, in less than two years, Yanxi Station had tripled in size, becoming an important resting and lodging place for travelers from the west before they entered Luoyang. Though called a post station, it was more like a market town—not only with a stationmaster and station guards, but also constables and market tax collectors.

Winter was approaching, and the shifting winds grew ever more fierce; anyone could feel the climate turning colder. Yet the chill of the weather did nothing to dampen the bustle at Yanxi Station.

Carriages came and went, noise surged like the tide. Liu Yang had seen such scenes many times before, yet the thoroughly mundane, worldly atmosphere of the station still stirred something in him.

This time, Liu Yang had left the palace in plain clothes, an incognito inspection. He had arrived at the station without fanfare, merely instructing that a "seat of honor" be arranged. By the window, overlooking the water—a fine spot for enjoying the view. But Liu Yang's mind was not on the late-autumn scenery; perhaps it was the faint aroma of mutton wafting through the air, teasing the taste buds and tugging at his thoughts.

In recent years, pork had become the primary meat in the common diet of the Great Han, but there was no denying that mutton remained the most beloved—both within the palace and without.

In the early years, when the state was impoverished and the people destitute, there had been some restraint. But as the Great Han grew ever more prosperous and the people's standard of living steadily rose, the craving for mutton had become fervent.

Emperor Liu had once received a report from the Wude Office stating that among the common folk, there were now several hundred methods of preparing mutton. Moreover, trade with Liao to the north had expanded on an ever-larger scale, with herds of cattle and sheep from beyond the frontier pouring into the country in great numbers, becoming ingredients on the tables of officials and commoners alike.

In light of this, Emperor Liu had even mused that if he were to launch a "mutton war" against Liao, he might well win the support of no small number of his subjects...

"Yanxi Station! A fine name!" Liu Yang remarked.

A young man in brocade robes beside him picked up the thread: "This station was originally called Hengtong Station. Later, the Duke of Luan renamed it Yanxi, and upon memorializing the throne, received approval—it was chosen for its auspicious meaning!"

Seated with Liu Yang was a youth—the second son of the late Duke of Wey, Murong Yanzhao—Murong Defeng. Since Liu Yang had married a young lady of the Murong clan, his relations with the family had naturally grown close, and there was little need for excessive circumspection, for the connection lay openly before all.

With kinship ties and similar ages, Murong Defeng had naturally been assigned to the Eastern Palace, serving as the Crown Prince's horse groom—an attendant officer to Liu Yang. On ordinary days he was almost inseparable from Liu Yang, and naturally accompanied him on all outings.

Though the title of Duke of Wey had been inherited by his elder brother, Murong Deye, Murong Defeng's prospects were nonetheless brilliant. Clever since childhood, he had once been praised by Murong Yanzhao: "The one who will prosper our house must be this son."

And Emperor Liu also held considerable appreciation for this second son of the Murong family. With family standing as a foundation, and now as a favored figure at the Crown Prince's side, his future clearly held great promise.

One had to admit how secure Liu Yang's position as Crown Prince was: his mother's family was the Fu clan, his wife's family the Murong clan—these two great houses alone, combined with Emperor Liu's meticulous nurturing and education, an early-established title, and years of experience participating in court affairs.

So long as he maintained his current performance and managed his relationship with Emperor Liu well, his position was as firm as iron—unshakable by anyone.

"Summon the stationmaster!" Liu Yang suddenly ordered.

"Yes!" A guard immediately departed on the errand.

Soon, a middle-aged man in a blue official robe was brought forth. Utterly deferential, he entered and promptly knelt in prostration, both nervous and excited. Clearly, his identity had been revealed to this man.

Gazing at this lowly petty official—middle-aged, somewhat stout, somewhat greasy—Liu Yang gestured and said: "Rise!"

"Thank you, Your Highness! Your Highness's arrival—I failed to welcome you in time; I beg Your Highness's forgiveness!" the stationmaster hurriedly said.

"Spare me these pleasantries!" Liu Yang shook his head and said directly.

"How long have you served at this station?" Liu Yang asked.

Upon the question, the stationmaster quickly composed himself and answered respectfully: "To answer Your Highness, this humble one has served as stationmaster here for ten years now!"

"Ten years!" Liu Yang raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised: "All those years, and no promotion?"

The stationmaster offered a slight smile and said: "This humble one's talents are meager and virtue thin; managing this station is already a stretch. How could I presume to hope for a higher post?"

Hearing this, Liu Yang could not help but show a trace of amusement, a hint of curiosity in his gaze as he studied the man: "You don't wish to be promoted?"

Who in this world doesn't wish for promotion? This stationmaster was no different. Only, he was a man with self-awareness—no great talent, no connections. However much he schemed, rising a rank or two was the limit of his potential.

Better to remain at this station, where he handled all matters great and small himself, and could meet all manner of people coming and going—from nobles and high officials above, to peddlers and laborers below.

And with the expansion of Yanxi Station, he, as the local power on the ground, wielded no small influence—living a more comfortable life than some officials governing a town or a county.

With such tangible benefits before him, rising a rank or two and swapping positions held no appeal for him whatsoever.

Of course, these calculations and weighing of interests in his heart could hardly be spoken aloud. The stationmaster merely explained respectfully: "To manage this station well for the court—this humble one is already content."

Liu Yang smiled and asked further: "Now then, how many people does this station receive each day?"

At the mention of business, the stationmaster seemed far more adept, saying: "In recent years, officials, merchants, and travelers passing east and west have grown ever more numerous. At this season, we receive upwards of three thousand people daily, and can provide lodging for nearly eight hundred!"

"That's truly no small number—almost comparable to Xiangfu Station in the Eastern Capital!" Liu Yang said.

A note of pride crept into the stationmaster's tone as he replied: "Since the expansion, Yanxi Station has been the largest station west of Luoyang. Being close to the Western Capital, most officials, merchants, and travelers passing through choose to rest here!"

Liu Yang nodded in understanding—setting everything else aside, the mere reputation of being the largest station ensured no shortage of guests.

"How much income comes in each day?" Liu Yang asked again.

At the mention of accounts, the stationmaster's heart tightened instinctively. He stole a cautious glance at Liu Yang, suppressed his private thoughts, and dared not hold anything back, speaking truthfully: "All accounts combined, roughly 230 strings of cash!"

"That's not a small sum, is it?" Liu Yang said.

Seeing this, the stationmaster hurriedly said: "Not small at all! Not small at all! Does Your Highness wish to examine the accounts?"

"Mm!" Liu Yang acknowledged: "Bring them, and let me have a look."

"Yes!"

Faced with Liu Yang's reaction, the stationmaster was somewhat taken aback—after all, here was a dignified Crown Prince, personally wishing to inspect the accounts of a tiny post station...

At the same time, he felt a lingering sense of relief that he had told the truth. As for Liu Yang, he did not feel it beneath his dignity or an overreaction. A post station was, after all, state property, part of the official system, and its income ought to be incorporated into the national treasury. His examining and understanding of it was entirely proper.

Of course, Liu Yang was still somewhat surprised inwardly. One Yanxi Station alone brought in 230 strings daily—6,300 strings a month, 75,600 strings a year. Though various costs had to be considered, it was already a considerable sum.

And Yanxi Station had its particular circumstances. If one added up all the post stations across the country, how much tax revenue would they contribute annually in total?

After all, over all these years, the court and local governments had built official stations numbering in the thousands. Setting aside a small portion of military stations, the rest could all be used to receive and attract guests. After deducting all costs of personnel, goods, and materials, station income was bound to be an enormous figure.

Each year, the tax revenues submitted from various regions all included a line item for post stations, but the specifics seemed rather vague. Liu Yang suddenly felt that the Finance Bureau ought to investigate and rectify this matter.