Section 2 Origin and Characteristics of Post

According to the record in the inscriptions mentioned above, ancient China Post originated in the Yin-Shang Dynasty, prosperous in the Zhou Dynasty, popular in the Spring-Autumn and the Warring States Periods (770-221 B.C). Confucius said, "the propagation of moral is as rapid as post delivery", which described the popularity of the post. Zhou Dynasty was the transition period of China from a slavery society to a feudal society. Communication in the Zhou Dynasty had been eventually developed to form its own characteristics at the same time of reform in social economy. There were two major communication modes: acoustic-optical communication mainly by drum and beacon-fire, and post delivery communication mainly by walking and carriage. The post delivery in Zhou Dynasty laid the foundation for the development and perfection of post in coming generations.

Mengjiang Kettle, copper instrument of Chunqiu Period
 which recorded that the Qi Zhuangwang sent Tian to Zhou

There were two kinds of delivery methods for the post delivery communications delivery by courier, and relay delivery by several persons, the former used in general situation while the latter used for border communication. To meet communication requirements, all states set up special delivery organization - post. "Post" was the communication organization for document and mail delivery as well as the inn of rest and merchandise transport for merchants and center of special envoys. Therefore the post has multiple functions of communication, reception and transportation. By then communication was mainly by carriage or riding. China is one of the earliest countries to use cats. In Zhou Dynasty, communication developed with wide-ranging ship and cat transportation. There were two kinds of delivery carts in communication: one was delivery cart, the other was" óR(Ri)" which was more splendid and used for higher-ranking persons in emergencies.

The delivery organization in the Zhou Dynasty was closely managed and divided into two kinds: routine and emergency, which were separately managed by special persons. In the Spring and Autumn period, each state had its own communication organization with different names:" åá(Ju)" (meaning hurry) or "Post". In the Warring States period, the delivery organizations were mainly "´«(Chuan)" with large one set up in the capital, and a rest place for the delivery person was set up at 10 to 20 kin. The delivery organization and its management of Zhou Dynasty had greatly affected the post after Qin and Han.

In ancient times, the delivery person must have a tally, and riding time and number of the horses must be recorded. In the Zhou Dynasty, such a tally was called "Jie". It was recorded that "Jie" included "Road Tally","Jade Tally" and "Gate Tally". ''Tiger Tally", ''Man Tally" and "Dragon Tally" were also used by all states according to different states and areas. The unearthed tally in Shou county of Anhui province was composed of two kinds: ship tally and cart tally, which were the water and land communication tallies issued by the King that regulated the route for carts and ships, and taxation could be exempted by the tally.