Do you know how fast the ancient "800-Li Express" was? Is it faster than the current SF?

Postal service is an ancient form of communication organization and one of the predecessors of modern postal service. The ancient "800-mile express delivery" is just a metaphor, which can't be compared with the express delivery industry using modern means of transportation. But in ancient times, it was a very detailed and effective overall management system.

As we all know, China has a vast territory. In ancient times, information was transmitted through ancient ways such as "beating drums to transmit sound" and "bonfire fireworks". And the real specific and detailed information still depends on people to pass. The postal map was drawn around the 3rd century AD, which truly showed the postal situation of 1700 years ago, and proved that China was one of the earliest countries to establish postal services.

Postal service has a history of more than 3000 years. From the Tang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, there were post stations almost all over the country. Historically, in the Western Zhou Dynasty, hotels were set up on major traffic routes to provide accommodation for past officials and officers. After the unification of Qin Dynasty, a network of post stations centered on Xianyang was established, and Running Calligraphy was the earliest postal law in China. During the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, there were four counties in Hexi Corridor: Dunhuang, Zhangye, Jiuquan and Wuwei. Since then, postal culture has developed rapidly.

A messenger is a person who delivered documents in ancient times, that is, a messenger. The earliest record of postal service is the word "Laigu" in Oracle Bone Inscriptions of Yin Ruins, and there is a record of "writing a book" in the Book of Songs. Timely, accurate and safe are the requirements of postal communication. Therefore, when transmitting military information and urgent official documents, it is necessary to whip the whip quickly, and each station should be relayed by changing horses.

Generally speaking, the stations are 20 miles apart, just like the current railway network, criss-crossing, and the north-south intersection becomes a hub, where people change. Zhumadian, Henan Province used to be a famous post station, named after the ambassadors and officials from the south to the north stopped at the post station.

The importance of the post office can also be seen from its location. For example, the post station system in the Han Dynasty was managed at three levels: state, county and county. One of the most important officials in the county magistrate's office is Du You, who is not only in charge of postal service, but also in charge of personnel supervision. He is a powerful position. By the Qing Dynasty, there were more than 0/600 official posts, more than 70,000 postmen and more than 40,000 post horses, which were under the direct control of the Ministry of War and were completely militarized.

If the official document is stamped "fly at once", the postman must deliver it at a speed of 300 miles a day. In an emergency, the speed can reach 400 miles and 600 miles a day. In the literary work Six Classics of the Tang Dynasty, there is a wonderful description of this: "800 Li is urgent! 800 Li is urgent! A roll of yellow dust rolled by, and the horse flew away, but when I saw the figure flashing, I jumped off the horse. " Although it is not a swift horse, you can change horses directly at the station, or you can relay for hundreds of miles a day.

The "postal map" unearthed from the Han tomb reflects the earlier image data of the ancient postal envoys in China. Wearing boots and hats, the characters can see that they are different from modern postmen in their official positions, high-spirited pace, and no characters with mouths to keep secret. They are ready to describe the basic principles of communication.

Cen Can, a famous poet in the Tang Dynasty, wrote: "One post station after another is like the Milky Way. Pingming sends Xianyang, dusk and Longshantou. " Vividly depicts the scene where the courier delivers the documents like lightning.