Chapter 2 Chapter 1 Mo Xueyan Hu Xueyan

one Kangzhuang was originally not called Kangzhuang, but Motou.Because there was a big family, surnamed Kang, but his family's house occupied more than half of the village, and it lasted for a hundred years, so the village gradually called Motou Kang's Village.Later, the whole Taigu commonly called it Kangzhuang, and Motou became even more obsolete. The Kang family is of course very proud of this, and they take it for granted as an evolution.But Kang Hunan, the head of Kang Jiade Xintang, always felt that this was a bit domineering, at least in terms of feng shui in this area, it was not respectful enough.

Dexintang is actually the hall name of Kang Hunan's own family.At that time, the wealthy businessmen in Jindi liked this kind of elegance very much. When a child grew up, married a wife, and established a family, they would give him an elegant hall name, just like giving their business names an auspicious name. Same.The word Dexin is said to be taken from a sentence in "The Great Biography of the Book of Changes".It has been 50 or 60 years since the name of Dexin Church was established on Kanghu Nanding.Fifty or sixty years ago, when he was just an adult, it seemed that not many people called Motou like that anymore.However, when Kang Watan interacted with outsiders, whether he was an official figure or a business colleague, he always insisted on calling himself Motou Kang Watan.He did this to maintain a respect for the grinding head.

The courtyard houses of the Kang family grandly occupied more than half of Kangzhuang, and the majority of them was Dexin Hall.The huge mansion in Dexintang is made up of about 360 rooms.But in such a big mansion, there is only a gate tower that is not high, three or four more cramped watch towers and overlooking towers, and the rest are not much higher than the neighbors' houses, and there is no one that is overwhelming. tall building.That seems to be a kindness left by the Kang family to Motou. The main gate of Dexin Hall is neither high nor gorgeous, and a lower floor is placed on the arc-shaped gate, which is just a symbol.The door opening is very spacious, and there is no restriction on entering and exiting carriages, horses and sedan chairs.On the two thick black lacquered gates, a pair of couplets painted in gold characters on red ground, with only three characters on each side:

Virtue is not alone must have a neighbor There are no banners, and there are no plaques such as Dafu Di and Wu Guerrilla that are commonly seen on the doors of ordinary wealthy families.The door opens to the south, and the front of the door is also open, and the Phoenix Mountain can be seen in the distance. Entering the main entrance, there is a tall rockery blocking it.The momentum of this rockery is like moving a section of cliff.The upper part is flat, dotted with a small gazebo, and there are winding stone steps beside it, which can be climbed up.The front is steep and abnormal, the more it goes down, the more it sinks in, until it becomes a cave.

Around this strange rockery, there is a small garden-like courtyard surrounded by a circle of verandas.The east and west hatchbacks each have a moon gate.Zhengbei is the Yimen Gate of Dexin Hall, commonly known as the Ermen Gate.Important guests, that is, get off here. On the ninth day of May in the 25th year of Guangxu, almost all the men, big and small, from all the houses of Dexin Hall gathered behind the rockery and in front of the Yimen.They were obviously waiting to greet important guests. Of the six masters of Dexin Tangzi's generation, two are not at home.One is the third master, Kang Chongguang, who has been inspecting shops in Guihua City outside the mouth, and has been gone for almost a year.In the spring, I followed a naturalized camel team to Uliasuta, the former camp of Outer Mongolia.It is said that they will go to the commercial road from Kulun to Qiaktu, so there is no return date yet.The other is Kang Chongyao, the fifth master, who took Wu Niang to visit Tianjin Wharf at the end of spring.

The four at home have all arrived.Because when the butler, Lao Xia, passed on the old man's words to them, he said that the old man would also go to greet the guests in person, and everyone must come.He also said that the old man had to wear the supplementary official clothes today, and the famous old man would naturally not be able to wear ordinary clothes.This made the atmosphere somewhat unusual. Who is going to come? Lao Xia didn't say anything.The old man didn't ask either.They just got dressed and came out in silence. Grandpa Kang Chongyuan suffered from ear problems when he was young, but he was not cured and became deaf.He was not born deaf-mute, and he could still speak after he was deaf, so it was still possible to donate an official to him, but the old man kept shaking his head and refused.After he became deaf, he liked to study "Yi", and he has studied it for thirty or forty years, and he may have seen everything through.Today the Eldest Master came out, still dressed normally, with a calm expression on his face.

The second master, Kang Zhongxian, was not in good health when he was young, and he was very weak.Kang Hunan asked him to practice Xingyiquan with the martial masters in the guard house.Originally, it was to make him keep fit, but he became obsessed with Xingyiquan martial arts, and he lost interest in reading and doing business.Now in Taigu's martial arts world, Er Ye is also a somewhat famous boxer.If you donate an official to him, you will donate a fifth-rank military merit.He felt very restrained by the outfit worn by the official generals, as if his martial arts had been abolished, and he stood there stiffly all the time.

The fourth master, Kang Chongyun, was very kind and caring, so he learned medicine and often gave medicine to the villagers.He has the false title of chief minister, so he also put on his official uniform and hat, and waited there quietly. The sixth master, Kang Chonglong, is the youngest. He has already passed the college examination and is preparing for the provincial examination next year.Not to mention Dexintang, even the entire Motou Kang family, since entering the Qing Dynasty, there has not been a single person who has achieved fame in the right way.The sixth master really wants to win a serious recruit back in the autumn of next year.He didn't know who came to disturb him again today, and his face was full of displeasure.

In addition to these four masters, those who came out to welcome the guests included Mr. He Kaisheng, the school teacher of the Kang family hall, Master Bao, the boxer at the Dexintang Nursing Academy, and of course the housekeeper, Lao Xia, and a group of servants who followed the gentlemen. .The gentlemen didn't speak, and others didn't dare to speak.The servants moved even more quietly, which made the atmosphere even more unusual. Who is going to come?No one knew, and no one wanted to ask. They didn't really ask questions until Kang Hunan, who was dressed up, came out and stood behind the rockery and in front of the Yimen just like everyone else.

The official title donated by Kang Hunan is the supplementary way of Hualing's fourth-rank title.If he came out in such an official uniform today, he must be welcoming the officials.To greet officials in the officialdom, they should at least go to the entrance of the village to welcome them.But the old man dressed up and came out, but he also stood here and did not move. Everyone could see that the old man's face was very serious today, as if he was angry.Who is that mad at?How can you be so angry when you are about to welcome the official guests in such a grand manner?Is it angry with the official who is coming?Then why invite him?This is not like the old man's usual style.

Lao Ting, who has been serving Kang Hunan personally, brought a chair and asked him to sit for a while.He is determined not to sit. The atmosphere was even more terrifying. Fortunately it was a sunny day.The bright sunlight shone on the rockery, which seemed to soften the strangeness.The branches and vines hanging from the top of the rockery hang green; the pool of lotus at the foot of the mountain is not only full of graceful and graceful leaves, but also three or five new buds stand out.The sky is clear and high. In such a beautiful time, what happened? Finally a servant ran over from the rockery.Before he could open his mouth to report, Lao Xia hurriedly asked: come yet? Come, come, the chariots and horses have entered the village. He was sitting in a chariot and horse, not a big sedan chair, so what kind of official would he be?Maybe it was a private visit from a senior official?However, Kang Hunan still had an angry face at this time, and the anger seemed to be even worse than before.It became increasingly difficult for everyone to guess what was going to happen. Kang Hunan, dressed up and furious, moved to a place close to Yimen, and stood still with his hands down.Lao Xia greets He Juren and goes past Kanghu South Station.After that, the Eldest Master, Second Master, Fourth Master, and Sixth Master followed in turn and stood still.Finally, Master Bao, Lao Xia and Lao Ting.The welcoming queue lined up lined up was not a small scene, but it was so silent that it was scary. Outside the gate, the sound of carriages and horses was soon heard, the majestic sound of carriages and horses. The carriages and horses stopped and did not enter the gate. Except for Kang Hunan, probably all the people who greeted the guests all stared at the rockery at this time: Who is going to come? First came the sound of footsteps that were too thin, not shouting and embracing, but chaotic footsteps, but lonely, as if there was only one person.Not even a servant? It was just a person, a very ordinary person in ordinary clothes, who appeared on the side of the rockery.Is he the one who greeted you so grandly?Before everyone saw this very ordinary visitor clearly, they suddenly saw the old man bowed, arched his hands, and shouted in a very loud voice: Received the title of the fourth grade of Hualing and used Daokang Hunan, here I am waiting for Mr. Qiu to drive! The old man signed up for this very ordinary visitor with such a resonant voice, just as everyone was surprised, when he saw Master Qiu suddenly prostrate on the ground, and the moment he jumped down, it was as if he had been kicked suddenly by someone, or as if he had been kicked by someone suddenly. A ladle of water was suddenly thrown on the ground. The old man still bowed and bowed, and said in a loud voice: Mr. Qiu, please get up quickly, don't kneel down for me.You have a big show, it's time for us to kneel down for you! Old Dongtai, Mr. Qiu, Kang Lao Dongtai, was already profusely sweating. Mr. Qiu, you have a lot of ostentation, you must go out, you must have brocade clothes, and you must have prostitutes at banquets. The ostentation is too big. Old Dongtai Master Qiu, why don't you come in your green sedan chair today? Master Qiu, who was lying on the ground, was already trembling, and anyone could see it. You show off, you show off.You like to sit in a big green sedan chair, so sit there! kang lao dong tai If you want to frighten the state officials and county magistrates on the other side of Lao Shan, you can frighten them.Coming back this way, how many of the state officials and county officials on the other side of Laoshan greeted you as a leader? Is Lintong welcoming you? Is Tongguan welcoming you? We have arrived on the ground in Shanxi, you should report a letter early, and I will meet you, Mr. Qiu! Old Dongtai, Old Dongtai Kang Hunan threw down the string of words that made people both puzzled and frightened, turned around and left angrily.Lao Ting followed closely and left.Lord Qiu, who was prostrate on the ground, looked up, panicked beyond description.After being stunned for a moment, he crawled on his knees and knees like that, and went to chase Kang Hunan. The housekeeper, Lao Xia hurried over and said: Shopkeeper Qiu, you don't have to do this, get up and go! But the shopkeeper Qiu didn't seem to hear, he still crawled forward in a panic along the stone-paved corridor. Lao Xia turned around and said: Everyone, let's go, let's go!He followed the shopkeeper Qiu who was crawling. The masters really haven't seen such a scene, where will they disperse?They didn't know what kind of play it was. The young sixth master asked, "Master Qiu, shopkeeper Qiu, who is he?" He Juren said: "It's not Qiu Taiji, the old gang of your family's Tiancheng Yuanpiao Bank stationed in Xi'an Zhuangkou. The second master said: It turns out that it is a small shopkeeper of our own family stationed abroad. No wonder the old man was frightened like that. It is pitiful enough.The old man frightened a small shopkeeper like this, and asked us to accompany him, why? He Juren sneered and said: I don't know about that. Ask Master Bao again.He said: I don't even know. two This poor man is none other than Qiu Taiji, the old gangster of the Xi'an branch of Tiancheng Yuanpiaozhuang.It is the habit of Western businessmen to call the semicolon managers stationed in foreign ports the old gang.The old gang is like the boss commonly known in the south.It's just that this Qiu old gang is not such a poor person in his Zhuangkou.He was famous for his elegance, luxury, and above all his often unconcealed arrogance.This time he was so ridiculed by his old club because his extravagance and arrogance were a bit out of line. Qiu Laobang is the kind of person who is elegant and handsome, talented and intelligent, and his writing is not bad.He is also very good at communication, whether in business or officialdom, he is good at dancing everywhere.Where he leads the overseas branch of the village, the profits are always at the top.When he was stationed in Zhuangkou, Kaifeng, he almost exchanged posts with the feudal lords in Henan, and almost all the official funds of the province's treasury passed through Tian Chengyuan. How could the profit be small?When he was leading the estate in Shanghai, he was able to attract Sichuan customers to Shanghai to do business that they had always done in Hankou.In the past three years, he led the village in Xi'an, and his profit actually surpassed that of the Zhangjiakou sub-village.At that time, Zhangjiakou was a large passageway from the capital to Mengtonger, the Great Pass, commonly known as Dongkou.It is also the traditional Dazhuangkou of Tianchengyuan. It's just that shopkeeper Qiu loves luxury too much.Kang Hunan said that he must be married when he goes out, he must be dressed in brocade, and he must be a prostitute at banquets, which is not too much.He enjoys luxury and has his reasons.He can make big business, you are not elegant and luxurious, how can you associate with officials, celebrities and celebrities?However, like all Xibang firms, Kang's Tiancheng Yuanpiaozhuang also has extremely strict rules.Friends stationed in foreign docks, from general clerks to deputy gangsters, are divided into several grades, and there are strict regulations on how much clothing, what food to eat, and how much pocket money can be paid each year.Although there are no rules for social entertainment expenses in business, there must be detailed accounts.In fact, the friends of the Shanxi bank were able to enjoy clothing, food, and pocket expenses at that time. They were still high-class in the business world, and they were quite the envy of other types of businesses.Especially the old gang in the leading village, they are particular about their daily life, diet, carriage and horse clothes, and they don't look shabby when they go in and out of high society.Shopkeeper Qiu is too much, his extravagance often makes some officials feel ashamed. One of the most stringent rules of the Xibang firm is that no matter whether the old gang or the young man stationed abroad, they are not allowed to bring their family members with them, they are not allowed to take concubines and young children outside, and they are not allowed to spend time with prostitutes.Violators will receive the most severe punishment, which is expulsion from the account.The establishment of this regulation is of course to give Western merchants a reputation as an upright gentleman, but the deeper intention is for the safety of their business.Western merchants who have already expanded their business, have semicolons all over the world.You hand over tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of capital to a few friends and open a village thousands of miles away. If he brings his family or has a good woman there, the risk of fleeing the money will always be there. exist.Since the Qing government allowed Shanxi bank accounts to release official funds, in order to solicit such big business, many bank accounts were also loose about inviting customers to eat flowers and wine.In terms of status, only entertainers are used to entertain customers, and the personnel of this account are not allowed to get involved, but how can you be clear about having a banquet together?Of course, the elegant and handsome Qiu Lao Gang is also very familiar with this, and has done a lot of big business.But also because of this, he seems to have obtained a special license to go in and out of Xianggong's place, even the brothel and willow alley. Qiu's old gang is so extravagant and extravagant, and it's extravagantly coquettish, can the old gangs in other docks not know?They often complained to Sun Beiming, the head shopkeeper.It's not that shopkeeper Sun doesn't know, but Qiu Taiji is a good hand in business, it's a pity to take him into law immediately; it's hard to change his temperament if he asks him to correct himself.For the time being, the big shopkeeper can only keep mobilizing him, changing the dock every three years, so as not to keep him in one place for a long time.In particular, he cannot be sent to big villages like the capital, Hankou, Suzhou, and Foshan. But this Qiu Taiji, he returned to Taigu after get off work from Xi'an Zhuangkou this year, and he caused trouble on the way again. Because this account period of his leadership of the village, he has made a lot of profits, and he is proud of the spring breeze.After leaving Xi'an, I hired a big green wool sedan chair carried by four people, sat in it grandly, and made a big article about returning home.In front of the sedan chair, there are still people leading the way on horseback, which seems to be the pomp of official errands. In that era, there was a distinction between high and low between officials and people. Even in the officialdom, there were extremely strict regulations on what kind of official and what kind of sedan chair to sit on.Four people carried a big green sedan chair, which is an official car that only senior civil servants of the third rank or above should sit on.He's a private businessman, and he's swaggering through the market, isn't that a cowardly thing to do! Passing through Shaanxi, entering Shanxi, all the way to prefectures and counties, all the way to post stations, I don't know how he dealt with the past, and nothing happened.After passing Pingyang, Huozhou, and Hanhouling, they have entered the ground of Taifen, and they are almost home, but there is trouble.It turned out that before crossing the Hanhou Ridge, Qiu's old gang had a cup of tea at the post station in Renyi Town, that is, they had some refreshments and rested their feet.The Yi Cheng of this small post station is a novice who has just been appointed. He believes that he is a high-ranking official based on the pomp of Qiu's old gang and his own demeanor.In addition to hospitality, he also hurriedly sent someone to inform the Lingshi County Government that there was an official from Shangfeng crossing the border in disguise. After the county magistrate of Lingshi got the report, he hurriedly made preparations to flatter him, prepared a guard of honor, and led a group of entourage out of the city to meet him.The one who waited so hard to come, but it was our old gang of Qiu, who didn't know each other, you said that the county magistrate turned his nose in anger!Although the business atmosphere in Jin Province is fierce, in terms of officials, scholars, peasants, workers, and merchants are still in an iron-like order of superiority and inferiority. No matter whether you are Tian Cheng Yuan or Di Cheng Fang, merchants are the merchants who are at the bottom.It would be a big disgrace to send out guards of honor in the government office to welcome a private merchant. The magistrate was furious, and immediately took down Mr. Qiu's gang. When the news reached Taigu Tiancheng Yuan Headquarters, Sun Beiming, the treasurer, first laughed in his heart: Now, there is a way to cure you, Qiu Taiji. Lingshi is a small county not far from Taigu, and Tiancheng Yuanpiaozhuang did not set up a village there.However, the Kang family's Tianyilong silk and satin village has a village in Lingshi.Sun Beiming personally wrote an apology letter to the county magistrate of Lingshi, full of humility and fear.He also wrote a bank note of Tianchengyuan as a respect for the Dragon Boat Festival to honor the county magistrate, and indicated that it could be withdrawn at any bank of Tianchengyuan or Tianyilong at any time.Then, the shopkeeper named Tian Yilong hurriedly sent someone to Lingshi Zhuangkou, ordering the old gang there to rush to the county government office.In a few days, Lingshi sent back a message that the county magistrate would not give face to shopkeeper Sun, nor would he accept Jiejing, saying that he wanted to send Qiu Taiji to the Fenzhou government. It seems that the magistrate is really angry.It doesn't really matter if he is sent to the Fenzhou government, Tian Chengyuan is very familiar with the official circles of Fenzhou, so it is easier to talk to him.It's just that in this way, the shit that Qiu Taiji made will be publicized, which is not good for Tian Chengyuan's reputation. Sun Beiming was about to make another plan to clean up the shit as soon as possible, when Kang Hunan's words came from Kang Zhuangde Xintang: Shopkeeper Sun, you have worked hard, hurry to Lingshi, and present this letter of mine to the county magistrate.If you are busy and cannot leave the cabinet, then I will go there. This is very clear, the old Dongtai wants him to go there himself.What kind of letter do you want to present in such a grand manner?The letter was not sealed either, so Sun Beiming took it out and looked at it. Apart from being polite, there was only one sentence: Please act impartially and punish Qiu severely. He is a bastard and should have been severely punished long ago. In Lao Dongtai's words, there seems to be dissatisfaction with him, right?He should have been severely punished long ago, but that doesn't mean that his grandson has indulged this bastard Qiu for too long! The shopkeeper Sun Beiming didn't dare to hesitate, and hurriedly set off for Lingshi. When he was approaching Lingshi, he suddenly realized that after this trip, after submitting Kang Lao Dongtai's letter, the county magistrate would release him.The letter was written by Mrs. Kang himself, and delivered from a long distance by his big shopkeeper. He didn't plead for mercy, but urged you to punish severely. You have given enough face, and the reason has been taken, and he has more steps to go down.His disposition at the beginning was too hasty, and he didn't pay much attention to the county magistrate. He put a bank note there first, how could he step down? Sure enough, when the letter was handed over, he was released.The magistrate said: "However you want to punish severely, you should punish severely yourself."I know the virtuousness of Senior Kang. We will never forget the great master's kindness. Before leaving Lingshi, he told Tian Yilong's old gang who led the village here that he would send the bank note to the county magistrate when there was a festival. When Qiu Taiji saw that shopkeeper Sun Da came to rescue him in person, he thought it was a special value.Therefore, I didn't feel ashamed, I just said that I should remember the kindness of the big shopkeeper. Sun Beiming hurriedly said seriously: Shopkeeper Qiu, don't dare to say that, I came to Lingshi under the order of Mrs. Kang!Thank you, you go to thank Lao Dongtai, dare not thank me! After hearing this, Qiu Taiji was even more proud, and said: Of course I have to thank the old Dongtai.This county magistrate is too new to the world. Sun Beiming snorted coldly, and said in his heart, Qiu Taiji, Qiu Taiji, you're shrewd, so you were just a little shrewd, and now you can't see anything.All the way back to Taigu, he never talked to that bastard Qiu again.All the way, Sun Beiming was thinking about how to severely punish this bastard. Back in Taigu, Qiu Tai basically wanted to rest for a few days before going to apologize to Mrs. Kang.Unexpectedly, the second day after he arrived home, Dexintang sent someone to invite him: If Shopkeeper Qiu can walk away, please make a hard trip on the ninth day of the ninth day, Mrs. Kang wants to see you.On the ninth day of the ninth day, you can't leave, shopkeeper Qiu, you can set a date.These are the original words of Mrs. Kang. Then the ninth day.No matter how insolent Qiu Taiji is, he dare not set a date for his old club. There is a general taboo in Xibang firms, that is, below the head shopkeeper, from the assistant manager, commonly known as the second shopkeeper, to old gangs and ordinary friends from all over the place, it is not advisable to casually go to see the rich man.In the business circles of Jin Province, people such as the general manager and the big shopkeeper of the shop are also called Lingdong.Because the financial owner handed over the business name to the big shopkeeper, who has full power to manage and manage the business, and the owner does not interfere with the specific number.The people below go to Cai Dong to make irresponsible remarks, what's the matter?However, Kang Watnan has a hobby. He likes to listen to news and anecdotes from various docks.Therefore, when employees stationed in other cities came back from get off work, he would pick one or two and invite them to sit around, not getting involved in any business, just chatting about the sea and the sky.There are veterans and ordinary friends who are invited.It is an honor to be invited by the old club to chat, no matter who it is.Qiu Taiji has always been an old gangster who is often invited by the old Dongtai to chat.This time such a trivial matter happened, the old club not only personally rescued him, but also invited him to chat, which shows that he is not in the same regard as usual. Who doesn't like someone who can make money! Poor Qiu Taiji came to Kangzhuang leisurely with such a mood.How could he have expected that what was waiting for him would be such a scene! He almost fainted. After Kang Lao Dongtai left angrily, he knelt and crawled all the way, chasing after him, but Lao Dongtai still refused to see him.He just lay at the gate of the old courtyard where the old man lived, and couldn't get up on his knees for a whole day.He has been used to enjoying blessings all year round, how can he stand up to this long kneeling!Everyone kneeled a little out of shape, and they didn't influence their old club. At noon, Mrs. Kang sent someone to bring a kneeling mat.He had already heard that the old lady was young and open-minded, but he did not expect to be so kind. But how dare he kneel on that mat! The housekeeper Lao Xia was also benevolent and came to persuade him several times. Shopkeeper Qiu should go up first, go back first, and talk about it later.He also sent someone to bring him water and food, and persuade him to eat and drink. How can he eat and drink! Seeing that the sun was setting, Qiu Taiji was in despair.He kowtowed three times to the gate of the old man's house before he got up with difficulty and staggered out of Dexin Hall. The carriage I hired when I came here has long since disappeared.Lao Xia wants to send his owner's carriage to take him off, how dare he sit in it!Mrs. Kang said that he must be married when he goes out, he will not take a car, he will not take a car, and he will never take a car again.He staggered out of Kangzhuang, stumbled and walked towards the county seat.Afraid of accidents, Lao Xia sent a servant to follow him secretly. It is May, and the days are already very long. From the setting sun to the night, there is a long dusk in between.Kangzhuang is only a dozen miles away from the county seat.But when Qiu Taiji staggered to Nanguan, it was already dark.He didn't go into town, and he didn't hire a car to go home.His family is still in Shuixiu Village in the north of the city.He found a small inn in Nanguan and stayed. Stay here, how can I sleep! The more he recalled what happened today, the more frightened he felt: it is very likely that he is no longer a member of Tian Chengyuan.From the age of fourteen, when he entered Kang's family Tian Chengyuan, to the age of thirty-four this year, he has been in this company for twenty years.That's it, all over? three Early the next morning, Qiu Taiji rushed to the main office in panic. The shopkeeper Sun Beiming saw him immediately.All of a sudden, shopkeeper Sun was also a little surprised to see that he was completely out of shape, such a handsome and suave person turned into this. Qiu Taiji knelt down with a plop. Shopkeeper Qiu, get up, get up.Let me tell you something first, have you met Lao Dongtai? Shopkeeper Qiu was already in tears. You still need to do this, shopkeeper Qiu, get up, get up, if you have anything to say, first talk about it, what did the old Dongtai say about you? It took a long time for Qiu Taiji to tell the scene of Mrs. Kang taunting him. After hearing this, Master Sun remained silent. Master shopkeeper, what does Lao Dongtai mean by this?I can't eat Tian Chengyuan's bowl of rice anymore? Shopkeeper, only you can save me, only you! Sun Beiming looked stern, and still did not speak. Shopkeeper, I know I'm useless, and I know I'm embarrassing you, since I've served Tian Chengyuan for twenty years, shopkeeper, I just ask you to tell me, can I still be saved? Sun Beiming sighed, and said: Shopkeeper Qiu, shopkeeper Qiu, I have always regarded you as a smart, talented, and caring person, why can't you hold that little credit, that little profit, That little situation!You only win a few small coins, and you have to sit in a green sedan chair!Chen Yiqing's old gang spread in Hankou, what kind of situation is that?Dai Ying's old gang made a fuss in the capital, what kind of situation is that?What's the situation with me in the old account?You take a green sedan chair, so what should we take? You have been in Tianchengyuan for twenty years, and I just found out today that you have not learned Tianchengyuan's true skills, and you have not received my Tianchengyuan's true biography! Master shopkeeper, this time, I realized that I am worthless, that I have a bad reputation for my boss, and that I have failed your high expectations, shopkeeper. Get up, get up and talk. Qiu Taiji still insisted on kneeling and refused to get up. Sun Beiming sternly said: Get up!How did you become like this? Qiu Taiji just stood up. sit down. Shopkeeper Qiu cringed, not daring to sit down. sit down! Although he sat down, he still flinched. In Qiu Taiji's impression, the shopkeeper Sun Beiming always had such an elegant, quiet, tepid, and light-hearted look. It was the first time he had seen such a stern expression like today.Can he not be afraid of tension?But the shopkeeper was willing to see him, and even told him to sit down and talk, which aroused a little hope in him. Let me see, you are infected with too many bad habits in today's officialdom!You are good at interacting with officials, that is your skill.But with your ability, what are you trying to figure out?Is it trying to solicit business, not the glory of the officialdom?What is the beauty of the officialdom!You are such a small shopkeeper of a ticket number, didn't you just recruit him over?Lord Fantai in Henan, if I hadn't blocked you, you would have exchanged posts with him to become sworn brothers.He is an official of the imperial court, a member of one party, who are you, why is he willing to sworn obeisance to you?The officialdom has always been unpredictable, this vassal master will be promoted tomorrow, you will be honored, and our name will be honored; if he is dismissed tomorrow and ransacked his home, will your sworn brother be hindered?Will our name be affected?You are so smart, you just don't think about these joints!You won't be convinced if you say you haven't obtained the true biography of my Tiancheng Yuan. Master shopkeeper, I am already like this, how dare I be so arrogant! Shopkeeper Qiu, your deadly joint is not empty, it's that you don't know a single Tibetan word. Hidden words? In fact, regardless of officialdom or business circles, this Tibetan word is a big joint.In officialdom, people generally hide clumsiness, stupidity, treachery, and greed, because there are too many mediocre people and treacherous people in officialdom.They are a group of people who are loose on the inside, and only love to show off and show off on their faces.On the contrary, those virtuous heroes in the officialdom often have to restrain themselves, hide their talents, hide their wisdom, hide their talents, and hide their talents. You are a businessman, imitating those mediocre officials and making a big show!My Xibang can achieve such a situation in business, with business all over the world, business names all over the world, managing the wealth of the world, and taking the benefits of the world, it is because we have penetrated this Tibetan word.Hide wisdom, hide cleverness, hide wealth, hide power, hide our big means and big weapons.It is said that the wealth is rich and powerful, my west gang has gathered the wealth of the world, and if I don't speak a word of Tibetan, the momentum is amazing!Not only will it scare away the people of the world and make them jealous, I am afraid that the imperial court will not tolerate us either. Master shopkeeper, I am too superficial. You have violated the big taboo of my West Gang. My West Gang is the most taboo to reveal a word, and the most taboo to compete with officials.The world says that Anhui merchants are extravagant, while Shanxi merchants are frugal.It is not just a word of frugality that our Shanxi merchants can achieve such a situation.Those who are thrifty, hide also.This kind of money business of banknotes is rich in profits and quick in accumulating wealth. Everyone in the world can see it. Everyone wants to emulate it, but it has always been monopolized by our Western Gang. Why?But I am good at hiding.During the Xianfeng period, Hu Xueyan in Hangzhou was probably better than your shopkeeper Qiu in terms of making friends with officials, making business, his talent, his means, his tact and sophistication, and his flair? Master shopkeeper, stop laughing at me. He, Hu Xueyan, thinks so highly of himself, that he actually imitated the system of our Xibang ticket office and opened a Fukang ticket office, which he also called Nanbang ticket, as if he wanted to compete with our Xibang ticket office.He can't help, it's just his family in Fukang.Fukang hadn't made any trouble yet, so Hu Xueyan got an official red hat to wear, and then a yellow mandarin jacket from the imperial court to wear, lest people in the world would not know that Hu Xueyan was good at tricks and had a big scene. What are you waiting for if Fukang is not down!Shopkeeper Qiu, where were you when Fukang fell in the sixth year of Guangxu? I have only been in Tianchengyuan for a year.However, I also heard that when Fukang collapsed, the market shook and dragged down many businesses. Not only does it drag others down, but it also does a lot of damage to the reputation of my West Bank Bank.The imperial court issued an imperial edict for a while, prohibiting private banks from remitting official funds.Hu Xueyan also loves luxury and women.Shopkeeper Qiu, I think you want to learn from Hu Xueyan, right? After hearing these words, Qiu Taiji fell to his knees again. Master shopkeeper, after listening to your teachings, how can I still be like that in the future! Shopkeeper Qiu, let's not talk about the future.I really can't tell you whether you will eat at Tianchengyuan in the future.I have served as a leader of Kang Jiade Xintang for decades, and I have only seen such behavior as the old Dongtai a few times. Big shopkeeper, what does Lao Dongtai mean by that? He is extremely angry and his kindness has been broken, right? Shopkeeper Qiu, I really can't tell you.However, today I have done my best.If you are willing to listen to me and understand that Tibetan character, no matter where you eat in the future, you will benefit endlessly. Shopkeeper, besides Tian Chengyuan, I have no place to stand! Let's not talk about the future.Shopkeeper Qiu, you go home and take your vacation.In the past three years, you have contributed a lot to leading the estate in Xi'an.When you come back from get off work, I will tell you to take enough rest during the half-year menstruation.You go back to Shuixiu first and take your leave. Qiu Taiji still wanted to speak, but shopkeeper Sun Da ordered to see off the guests in a decisive tone. Four Although he returned to Shuixiu by hiring a car, Qiu Taiji's out-of-shape appearance still frightened Mrs. Yao. God, what happened to you, you became like this, you were robbed? The duty of the overseas staff of Xibang Company is three years.During the three years, apart from the permission to come back to attend the funeral of the parents, there is no exception to ask for leave to return home.Even for a capable old gang like Qiu Taiji, it takes three years to go out to work.After these three years, I can go home and take a half-year vacation.Mrs. Yao finally survived the class for another three years and hoped for the man to come back, but she found something unusual. First came a letter saying that by the end of April, I would always be home.This year, I always spend the Dragon Boat Festival at home.But April is over, and the Dragon Boat Festival is over, and I waited until the seventh day of the lunar new year before I came back.Seven days late, just seven days late, if you miss the Dragon Boat Festival, just miss it. If you come back safely, you don't care about anything. When the man comes back, the biggest festival in three years will be celebrated! She has been married to Qiu Taiji for sixteen years, but this is only the fifth time she has waited for him back, and it is only the fifth time she has celebrated a woman's big festival.She is satisfied with her man, 10,000 percent satisfied.He was born handsome, so shrewd, and he can warm women, making you endlessly attached to him!For sixteen years, the man brought back more and more wealth to the family.The Qiu family that she has supported for many years now is considered a big family in Shuixiu.A woman, what kind of man do you want!It's just that I've been married to him for sixteen years, and the time I spent with him was his five vacations, five and a half years.It is this extremely precious half a year, and the travel period to and from the road must be deducted.Where he goes is always a distant pier, with endless mountains and endless wind and rain.How many precious days he has left on the long journey just like that.Those five and a half years, even if one day adds up, it is only two and a half years, only two and a half years.Sixteen years later, she and her man have only been married for two and a half years!The remaining thirteen and a half years were just thoughts, memories, prayers, and hopes for the man, endless and miserable, which was longer than ten sixteen years! A three-year period has become longer than a three-year period. He finally came back, then left suddenly, this man became more and more unreal every time.It seemed that he had never been her man, but just a kind of imagination, a dream of hers.In the real long night, she will always be alone, facing the waning moon and guarding the cold bed alone. Businessmen pay more attention to profit than parting.How many times did she want to tell him, don't leave, don't earn any more money, let's stay together and live a poor life.How many times did she want to rush out of the empty room, under the crescent moon, listen to the dog barking, and embark on a journey to find her husband.The pier where you are stationed is at the ends of the earth, even if there are ninety-nine or eighty-one difficulties, I will find you! But the man finally came back, for the fifth time, and then nothing was said, nothing mattered.Even if it is a dream, you must first hold on to this dream. He was still the handsome, shrewd man who would warm women.Man, man, why did you take seven extra days on the road?If you go seven days longer, we will spend another seven days less as husband and wife.You are not sick, are you?但你一定勞累了，你也太辛苦了，辛苦了三年。男人，你太辛苦了，我來溫暖你吧，我已經成了一團烈火，你再不回來，我就把自己燒乾了。男人，男人，我來溫暖你，我來溫暖你，你也是一團烈火吧？ 他也是一團烈火。可他似乎有些心不在焉。 又等了你三年，這歸來伊始，春夜初度，你就心不在焉？ 邱泰基在外的風流事，姚夫人已經聽到過一些傳言了。那是嫉妒邱泰基的幾個駐外老幫，故意散佈給她聽的。她不想輕信，他要真有這事，字號為什麼不管他？但在悽苦的長夜，她就相信了，相信他一定是那樣了。她哭泣，憤恨，叫長夜有了波瀾。白天，她又不再相信。到後來，她也想開了，男人就是真有那種事，那就有吧。男人也有他的悽苦。現在，男人已經按時回來了，他心不在焉，就心不在焉吧。他心不在焉，是做賊心虛，心覺有愧吧。 沒良心的，我就裝著不知道。 姚夫人已經把男人的反常寬容了。 第二天，男人被老東家請去，這本也有先例。只是，這一去就是徹夜不歸。姚夫人估計，男人不是在康家就是在老號，喝酒喝多了，宿在了城裡。給老東家請去，還能出什麼事！ 但在那一夜，她始終沒有放下心來，一直諦聽著，希望有男人晚歸的動靜。什麼也聽不到，依然是空寂的長夜。他好像根本就沒有從西安回來。昨夜相擁到的溫暖，依然是她的一個夢吧。輾轉難眠中，姚夫人也把男人的心不在焉，這樣火急被老東家叫走，叫去又竟夜不歸，聯繫起來疑心過。但她想像不出男人會出什麼事。 老東家和大掌櫃，真會因為他在外有花柳事，就把他攆出字號？攆出字號，那就在家相守了做貧賤夫妻。 姚夫人怎麼也想不到，只一天工夫，男人會這樣脫形失神，像整個換了一個人！ 你是遭劫了，還是叫綁票了？ 男人神情恍惚，什麼也不說。 姚夫人驚駭不已，死命追問了半天，邱泰基才說：什麼事也沒有，酒席上喝多了，夜晚沒有尋回家，在野地裡醉倒了。什麼事也沒有。 只是醉酒，不會這樣。姚夫人知道一定出了什麼事，她不是糊塗的女人，男人這種樣子，分明是把魂靈丟了。 到底出了什麼事，誰把他的魂靈攝去了？她死活問不出來。 邱泰基很難把數日來發生的一切，告訴自己的女人。正如日中天的時候，只幾天工夫，就跌入絕境，他怎麼能說出口？ 對於西幫商人來說，已經做到駐外老幫這個位置，一旦被總號辭退，或者被東家拋棄，他的前程也就幾乎斷送了。像邱泰基這樣的商界人才，生意高手，他被康家的天成元票莊辭退，肯定會有其他的大票莊聘用的。但無論他另就誰家高枝，也永遠是外來戶，永遠被視為庶出。西幫商號的從業者，從一般的伙友，到那些身當重任的領莊高手，幾乎都是親生的。都是從十四五歲入號學徒，一步一步磨，一步一步熬，練就才幹，露出頭角，建功立業，當然更鑄就了對商號的忠誠。那是深深烙下了某一商號特殊徽記的人生過程，很難過戶到新的字號。邱泰基這樣能幹，但他熬到駐外老幫，也用去了十年。十年用年輕生命所作的鋪墊，做十年老幫所建立的功業，都是很難過戶的。 尤其是晉商所獨有的身股制，把邱泰基在天成元的二十年，已經作價入股，每個賬期結賬，都能分得十分可觀的紅利。可他一出號，自己的身股也便化為烏有。他大半生的努力，大半生的價值，都要一筆勾銷了。 身股，又稱勞股、人力股，它與財股或銀股相區別。那時代的西幫商號，差不多都是實行這種由財股與身股組成的股份制度。財股，就是東家投資於商號的資本金，身股則是商號的從業者，包括總經理、大掌櫃，直到一般伙友，他們以自己的勞績、功績入股。身股與財股同等，分紅利時，一份身股與一份財股，所得是一樣的。而且，身股分盈不分虧，不像財股，虧盈都得管。但是，財股可以抽走，身股卻無法帶走。你一旦離號，身股也就沒有了。 天成元票莊，有康家的財股二十六份，德新堂佔了二十一份，康家其他族人佔有五份。它另有身股十七份，為號內數百多員工所分別享有。身股最高的，當然是大掌櫃孫北溟，他擁有一份。總號的賬房、協理，京師、漢口那種大碼頭的老幫，他們的身股一般有七八厘，即一份股的十之七八。普通伙友，要在號內熬夠十年，又無大的過失，才有希望享到身股，而這種由勞績換到的身股，都很低微，不過半厘一厘而已。要再加股，全靠功績。 西幫商家都以四年為一個賬期，也就是四年才結一次總賬，分一次紅，論一次功。所以你即使總能建功，那也是四年才加一次股。每次加股的幅度，也僅一厘半厘。邱泰基算是最善建功的好手了，積二十年之勞績、功績，他也只享有五厘身股。 但這五厘身股，也夠了得！ 天成元票莊一向經營甚佳，四年一個賬期下來，一份股的紅利常在一萬兩銀子上下。五厘身股，那就能分到五六千兩銀子的，一年均到一千數百兩。而邱泰基一年的辛金，也不過二十兩銀子。辛金，即今之薪金吧。西幫將之稱做辛金，以辛苦之辛當頭，也是與身股制有關。票號中辛金都不高，只是一點辛苦錢而已。初駐外的伙友，雖能以掌櫃稱之，一年的辛金也不過幾兩銀子。要想多得，就要創建功績，獲取身股。邱家能在水秀成為大戶，全靠他這不斷增加的身股。他在號內號外，商界官場，江湖故里，能成為有頭有臉的人物，也全靠頂著這幾厘身股。 擁有身股，在晉省被俗稱為頂了生意。一個山西商人，在字號頂了生意，無論多少，那也如儒生科考中舉，跳過龍門，頂了功名一樣。 邱泰基在天成元頂到的功名，已經彷彿一方大員。一旦革職，那將永不敘用。另事新主，辛金可能會不菲，但功名不會給你。要得到新的身股，即使從頭開始去熬，恐怕也難以如願了。 何況孫大掌櫃說，他犯了西幫商家大忌，他是胡雪巖做派，誰家還敢再重用他？ 早過而立之年，卻要去重做一個無功名、吃乾辛的普通伙友，他還有何顏面立於同儕中！ 半生功名，就這樣毀於一旦，號內號外那些一向嫉妒於他的同仁，將會何等快意！ 還有官場那些大大小小的知交摯交，他們又會怎樣恥笑他！ 邱泰基是個很自負的人，他無論如何接受不了這種突變。中斷了他在商海裡建功立業，博取功名的進程，那實在就是攝走了他的魂靈。何況這繫於魂靈的人生進程，又是那樣羞恥地被中斷了。 在失去了魂靈的灰暗日子裡，邱泰基沒有憂鬱多久，就想到了死。 只是這死，也不是很容易。 用他二十年博取回來的財富，已經把自家的宅院建設得堂皇一片，房舍多多了。可他很難尋到僻靜的一隅，可以從容去死。在這偌大的家宅裡，僱用了太多的僕人！他們無處不在，彷彿專門在看守著他。這也是他太愛浮華的報應。夫人本不想要這許多僕傭，她說，光是調教這許多下人，就要勞累死人了，真不知誰伺候了誰。可他堅持大戶要有大戶的排場。現在好了，你想死也難得其所。 尤其是夫人，對他看守更嚴，簡直是時刻不離左右。每一次久別遠歸，她雖也是這樣，依戀在側，不肯稍去，但都不像這回，看守之嚴，簡直密不透風。她多半已經看出了一切，看出了他要尋死。 夫人，我不是太絕情，是太對不住你。我被逐出天成元，再去別家字號做一個吃乾辛的老跑街，你怎麼在水秀做人？我苟且在外，由你在家遣散下人，變賣家產，那不是對你的大辱嗎？你就放了我吧。 可夫人怎麼會放他！ 在這樣失魂落魄的情境中，邱泰基一向的精明似乎也全丟失了，他居然不能尋得一死。 十天後，天忽然大熱，邱泰基染了下痢，不斷往茅廁跑。因跑得太頻繁，看守他的下人才麻痺了。 每當他如廁，總跟著個小僕，名為伺候他，實是看守他。昨天，他對小僕說：你可搬個板凳來，放在廁外。我肚裡要來得太頻，就在廁外坐坐，不往回跑了。我入廁時，你在外也可坐了板凳，稍為歇歇。你也跑累了。 小僕果然搬了板凳來。 板凳放了一天，夫人居然也沒有疑心。 今天午時前，他如廁時，對小僕說：我覺肚裡好些了，午晌要睡睡，你也乘機歇歇吧。 炎熱的晌午終於使所有的人都睡倒了，包括他的夫人。邱泰基終於等到了死的機會。他悄然來到茅廁間，踩了那個板凳，費了不少勁，才將自己的腰帶繫到樑上。 然後，就毅然懸掛了自己。 在懸掛的那一刻，他只是覺得自己得意一生，享用了那樣多人間奢華，最後卻不得不在這樣一處骯髒不淨的地方，作為了結，稍有遺憾。 可惜，他剛剛完成了懸掛，就聽到夫人驚天動地的喊叫。 過了午時，姚夫人在落入困頓前，習慣地伸過手去，什麼也沒有摸到。可她的手就停在空處不動了。她已經太困乏，夜夜都要不斷把手伸過去，摸摸男人在不在，不敢鬆心一刻。但此刻，她沒有摸到男人，卻一時沒有反應。好像已經睡過去，越睡越深了，忽然就一激靈，坐了起來。 她發現男人不在，又看見屋裡的女僕，正坐著打盹。她慌忙就跑出去了，一路都是死一樣的寂靜。跑到茅廁，外面並沒有守著下人。 她衝了進去，挨千刀的，終於出了她最怕出的事！ 姚夫人驚天動地地失聲喊叫起來，卻沒有驚慌得亂了方寸。她扶起板凳，跳躍而上，一把抱住男人的小腿，就像舉起整個世界一樣，用了神來之力，那麼成功地把男人舉了起來，摘了下來。只是在男人的全部重量都壓到了她的柔軟之身時，她才同男人一起，從那個死亡之凳上跌落下來。 聞訊趕來的僕傭們幫著她，又掐人中又呼叫，終於使男人出氣了。 男人，男人，這是為什麼？你到底為什麼要這樣？ 沒有死去的邱泰基，更像是個完全丟失了魂靈的人。他什麼都不肯說，什麼也不想說了。 姚夫人也更顯現了她的勇敢和剛烈。她把男人捆綁起來，派人看守，自己雇了輛馬車，風風火火進了城。 在那個時代，婦道女流是不宜出頭露面的，出入天成元那樣的大商號，即便是本號的家眷，也幾乎不可能。但姚夫人並沒有央求族中男人代她去探問真情，而是自己出面了。她能進入字號嗎？ 她來到天成元票莊的後門，披了一件帶來的孝袍，就當街跪了。 字號的茶房，立即就報告了孫大掌櫃。 孫北溟問明是邱泰基的夫人，竟也立刻召見了她。 聽了姚夫人的哭訴和詢問，孫北溟對她說：夫人，我看你倒有些咱天成元的做派，你就再把你家掌櫃捆幾天，行不行？ 姚夫人還能說不行？她說：只要能救他，怎麼都行！ 孫北溟說：要救他，還得去搬老東家。 five 孫北溟打發走姚夫人，就雇了一頂小轎，往康莊去了。 他真是沒有想到，邱泰基居然選了這一條路走。平素那樣一個精明機靈的人，怎麼就看不出來？天成元要是想把你開除出號，孫某那天還給你說那許多肺腑之言做甚！客套幾句，誇獎幾句，寬慰幾句，不就是了。往後，你是藏，還是露，是做胡雪巖第二，還是做一個西幫俊傑，孫某人也不必操那種閒心了。康老東台要是恩情斷絕，他一個七十歲的老漢了，哪還會有那一份好興致，披掛官服，興師動眾，給你演那一場戲！ 實在說，孫北溟是有些偏愛邱泰基。他做下這種狗屎事，即使老東家真不想要他了，孫北溟也會設法說情，千方百計將他留在天成元的。何況在用人上，康老東台從不強求字號。但既做下了這種狗屎事，不受制，也不成。孫北溟只是想叫邱泰基熬煎半年，然後降一二厘身股，派往邊遠苦焦的莊口，再歷練幾年。可現在，這混帳東西把事情弄成了這樣，張揚出去，豈不是天成元逼死了自己的老幫！早知會這樣，還不如不往回救，由官府處置就是了。 多虧有那樣一個勇敢剛毅的女人，這東西沒有死成。 邱泰基居然選擇了死，這的確叫孫北溟大失所望。一個可造就的西幫商人，他不僅在外面要懂得一個藏字，內裡更要有似姚夫人那樣一分剛毅，置於絕境，不但不死，還要出智出勇。你內裡狗孫，還有什麼可藏！邱掌櫃，真沒有想到你這樣狗孫。我們天成元就是把你開除了，你就沒有路走了？你要能賭一口氣，三十多歲從頭做起，去拉駱駝，走口外，那你才有望成為西幫俊傑！在邱泰基身上，孫北溟已經不想再做什麼文章了。及早將字號的處罰，對他說出就是了。邱掌櫃，你也不必死了，不必讓你有智有勇的女人看守你，捆綁你了。我們不會開除你，但要減你的二厘身股，等歇夠你的假，就在肅州、庫倫、科布多，挑一個莊口，上班去吧。 孫北溟去康莊，是要向康笏南說一聲，畢竟是幾乎出了人命。康東台那齣戲，演得重了，邱某人不是那種可負巨重的人才。對他不必抱厚望，也不必太重責。他的女人，倒比他強。當然，他還另有大事，要和東家商量。 出南門，過永濟橋，穿過南關，就沿了那條溪水，一直南去。野外田園一片青綠，風也清爽許多，孫北溟的心情也輕鬆起來。 他好久都沒有出城來一享悠閒寧靜了。春天，就想上一趟鳳凰山，往龍泉寺進香，一直就沒有去成。京號的戴老幫也幾次來信，說今日京師早已不似往日京師，風氣日新月異，老號怎麼忙，也該來京巡遊一次。上海更應去，去了上海，才能知道外間世界，今天已成什麼樣。 票莊生意，全在外間世界。他雖已老邁，出去走走，還累不倒的。但出遊一趟眼前的鳳凰山，尚且難以成行，遠路風塵地去巡遊京滬，豈是那麼容易。櫃上那些商務，說起來吧，那是要時刻決策於千百里之外，動輒調度萬千兩銀錢。可對他孫北溟來說，這是做了一輩子的營生了，好張羅的。叫他最頭疼的，還是近年的時務。 時務不太好把握了。去年京師的維新變法，風雨滿天，光是那一條要開設官錢局的詔令，就叫西幫票商心驚，那要削去他們多少利源！剛說要各地莊口收縮生意，預防不測，變法又給廢了。不變法，時局就安靜了嗎？誰也看不清。朝局動盪，致使去年生意大減。今年初開市，正要振作了張羅生意，朝廷忽然發了一道上諭：不許各省將上繳京餉交票號匯兌。解匯京餉官銀，已成票家大宗生意，朝廷禁匯，豈不是要西幫的命嗎？但上諭誰敢違，你也只得收縮靜觀。 再者，近年山東直隸又是教案不斷，拳民蜂起，動不動就是攻州掠縣，不知是什麼徵兆。晉中民間練拳習武的風氣也一向濃厚，此間會不會傚法山東直隸？晉省多喜愛練形意拳，而風行於山東直隸的，聽說是八卦拳，又叫義和拳，好像不是同宗。 遠處，鳳凰山頂那座古塔，已依稀可見。可微風中，好像漸漸多了灼熱的氣息。去年天雨就不多，一冬一春又一點雨雪都未見。這平川的莊稼還算捉住了苗，可大旱之象已日重一日。 時局晦暗不明，天象又這樣不吉利，今年生意真還不知做成什麼樣子。世事艱難，生意艱難，他是越來越力不能勝。教導邱泰基時，他雖也推崇絕處出智勇，可自家畢竟老邁了。要是有邱泰基那樣的年齡，他還會怕什麼？ 孫北溟閉了眼，那個近年來揮之不去的念頭，又跳了出來：什麼時候能告老回鄉？他是早想告老引退，回家課孫，過一個清閒的晚年。只是，康笏南不肯答應，總說：等我幾年，我也老了，要引退，咱倆一道引退。 可他哪能等得了康老東家！康笏南七十歲了，身邊還守著那樣一位年輕的老夫人，竟不顯一點老態。真像鄉間市裡所說：康家的這位老太爺，只怕是成精了。 見到康笏南時，他正在自己的小書房，把玩一片元人碑拓。 康笏南的小書房，在老院中一處單獨的小庭院，那裡存放著他喜愛的古籍、字畫、金石碑帖。康笏南嗜金石如命，除了像孫北溟這樣的人物，他是不會在這裡會見客人的。 見康笏南又那樣沉迷於碑拓間，孫北溟就說：你自家過神仙一樣的日子，卻哄著我，叫我等你。越等，你越年輕，我越老。等你放了我，我只怕是有福也享不動了。 康笏南沒有抬頭，只說：孫大掌櫃，你也想巴結我，說我越活越年輕？我年輕個甚！年過古稀了，還能不老。你要說享福，那不在年少年老。不是有幾句話嗎？人生世間，如白駒之過隙，而風雨憂愁，輒三之二，其間得閒者，才十之一耳。況知之能享者，又百之一二。於百一之中，又多以聲色為樂，不知吾輩自有樂地。悅目初不在色，盈耳初不在聲。明窗淨几，焚香其中，佳客玉立相映，取古人妙跡圖畫，以觀鳥篆蝸書，奇峰遠水，摩挲鐘鼎，親見商周。端硯湧巖泉，焦桐鳴佩玉，不知身居塵世。所謂受用清福，孰有逾此者乎！這幾句話，對我的心思。 孫北溟說：這種清福，那是專門留給你享的。我在櫃上，正摩挲鐘鼎呢，忽然遞來濟南莊口的一份電報，說高唐拳民起事，燒了德人教堂，你說我還摩挲個甚！ 康笏南笑了，丟下碑拓，和孫北溟一起落了座。 摩挲鐘鼎，親見商周，這親見商周，說得太好。康笏南的興致顯然仍在那片碑拓間。你翻檢古帖古印，要尋的，還不是這親見兩字！於方寸之間，親見書家衣冠，親聽篆家言談，何其快意！ 孫北溟說：這樣