Agents

He followed his own recornmendations in his efforts to make his line profitable, making use of his mathematical expertise. This was only part of his energetic and innovative efforts to increase earnings. He saw to the construction of feeder lines, the opening of new stations, the placing of agents at
border stations, and the provision of loans to shippers.

The story is about 19 th century Russia-does the agent means special forces like FBI or is it some kind of trade agent? Thanks