Chapter 6 Chapter Five

one Hearing that Mr. Kang's family and Mr. Sun's treasurer were going south to Hankou to inspect the business in such a hot weather, Qiu Taiji couldn't sit still any longer.It is really rare for two giants to take such an extraordinary move in many years!In this, there is clearly dissatisfaction with bad guys like him. Both giants have been dispatched, can he still sit at home and continue his vacation? Therefore, before the two elders left, he went to see shopkeeper Sun Da, and asked him to be sent to a distant and miserable Zhuangkou as soon as possible. What's more, he couldn't take another vacation.

The old Dongtai and the shopkeeper are so generous and merciful that they didn't expel me for being disrespectful. I have already made me grateful and unforgettable. If I take a vacation with a cheeky face, will I still be like Tian Chengyuan? After hearing his words, shopkeeper Sun Da only said coldly: If you don't want to take a vacation, you can go to work.What about your mother-in-law, she agrees with you to go? Qiu Taiji said: She agrees.Even if she disagrees, I have to go! Hmph, you just left, your mother-in-law and aunt also wanted to die, right? Shopkeeper, don't be ashamed of me anymore.

Then you can go to Naturalized Zhuangkou to be the deputy assistant.There is a boy in the head office who has just graduated as an apprentice, and I also sent him to the naturalization experience.Take him with you when you go. The indifference of the shopkeeper was expected by Qiu Taiji, but it was unexpected when he was reassigned and naturalized.Although Guihua is outside the mouth, it is also Dazhuangkou, and it is also the birthplace of the Kang family.The head office has always been sloppy in appointing personnel.The shopkeeper demoted him there, did he still have a deep love in it?Therefore, Qiu Taiji was even more grateful when he heard it.

On the third day of June, the old club and the shopkeeper left. On the fourth day of the second day, Qiu Taiji took the young man with him and embarked on a journey to Guihua City outside Beishangkou. How could Qiu Taiji's woman, Mrs. Yao, be willing to leave a man in her heart?During the half-year vacation, after only staying for less than a month, he left her and went away for a long time. This has never happened before.From the seventh day of last month to the third day of this month, how did the twenty-six days go!She waited hard for three years, and the man who finally came back was a man who had lost his soul.First, he lost his soul and wanted to die; later, he finally didn't want to die, but the soul still didn't come back.

Guarding a man who has lost his soul, you don't even have the mood to cry.Even the deep sorrow of lovesickness is gone.What a cold summer it is! After three years of waiting, how could it be such a cold summer? It wasn't until he decided to go to work early that he seemed to have a little breath of energy.Ask her if she wants to?You have really become a living dead, no need to ask!But stop him and don't tell him to leave, I'm afraid this little vitality will be lost again.If you want to go, just go.If you don't go, you are also a living dead! On the night before leaving, the man's mind had already reached the point of naturalization outside his mouth.He said that naturalization in summer is cool.He also said that he had not been naturalized for more than ten years.He also said that the third master of the host family is naturalizing.Just don't say that we will be separated for another three years!It has been three years since they were separated, and they are still like the living dead.

Early in the morning on the fourth day of the lunar new year, she sent the man out of Shuixiu Village.She didn't cry, but just watched the man go away, just waiting for the man to look back. But he didn't look back. Only a cold feeling, no desire to cry. After being hit by this blow, Qiu Taiji lost his shares, was demoted, and finally didn't like ostentation.After he decided not to die, he said to Mrs. Yao: You don't want to order many servants, so just pick a few you like and leave the rest.Mrs. Yao said in her heart, you reduced your shares just to show off. How can you have money?However, she didn't want to call the man who had lost his soul, seeing the servants dismissed, it was desolate.Now that the man is gone, Mrs. Yao started to do it.

After Qiu Taiji left, there were actually only two owners left in this mansion: Mrs. Yao and her nine-year-old daughter.The parents-in-law have passed away one after another, and the eldest brother-in-law has set up his own family.With a cold heart, Mrs. Yao drastically reduced the number of servants, leaving only four servants, two men and two women.There are two maids, one middle-aged, who is in charge of cooking and laundry, and lives in this village, and does not stay at Qiu's house at night; the other is young, serving Mrs. Yao's mother and daughter.There are two male servants, an elderly lame old man with some martial arts skills, who is in charge of guarding the gate and night; a small male servant is in charge of carrying water, sweeping the courtyard, shopping, and running tenants.

These four servants are all very honest and not very decent-looking people.The two maids both had a bit of a naive look; let alone the lame old man, he was not only lame, but also very bad at speaking, and couldn't speak a few words all day long.In comparison, it was just the little manservant who was smarter and more decent.In addition to doing some physical work, he also had to run. He was too stupid to be afraid. In short, anyone who reads the four servants left by Mrs. Yao will believe that she will continue to faithfully observe the Women's Day for three years. This is also the usual practice of ordinary business women.It is said that there are many gossips in front of widows, and these merchant women who guard their homes alone are really more difficult than widows.The gossip about the widow in the city only hurt the widow's family, but the gossip caused by the merchant's wife hurt her man as well. After three years, she would have to repay it.For three years, one after the other, they were widows of the Lord.Therefore, in order to avoid suspicion, they not only use simple and ugly servants, but also themselves, they usually wear plain clothes, even unkempt faces, trying their best to cover up the brilliance of life.

Jin Su is a top-notch handsome man who competes for the firm.These top-notch handsome men, of course, also pick beauties first to marry.In this way, merchants are always beautiful.It is cruel and difficult for a beautiful woman to conceal her brilliance.Even if it is unkempt, it is actually just showing a little bit of one's own ambition, how can the brilliance of life be concealed.Therefore, for a family with parents-in-law, the guardianship of the parents-in-law becomes the strictest line of defense.However, the strict guarding of the parents-in-law often inspires tragic actions by some women.

Dashengkui, the number one merchant in Mongolia, had a very famous treasurer, Wang Tingxiang, during the Daoguang and Xianfeng years.When he was an ordinary clerk, the young daughter-in-law who was left at home gave birth to a wild baby under the strict supervision of her in-laws.This unfortunate little life was not only drowned, but the dead baby was also secretly hidden by the furious mother-in-law, pickled in the pickle jar, and left as a criminal evidence for Wang Tingxiang who came home from get off work in the future! Qiu Taiji is such a handsome man, and Mrs. Yao is of course also a beautiful woman.However, when the Qiu family's parents-in-law were alive, Mrs. Yao got along very well with them.Because she is so satisfied with her man, talented and capable, and he is so affectionate to her, where can she find such a good man?No matter how hard she was, she was willing to keep festivals for him.Even after her parents-in-law passed away one after another, she guarded the house awe-inspiringly, not even making a gossip.

This time, the man came back in such a state of embarrassment, and went away in such a daze.The family house suddenly changed drastically, and it was desolate.Although Mrs. Yao's heart was full of coldness, she could no longer give birth to that awe-inspiring feeling. Man, man, I've worked so hard for you for so many years, it's good for you to ruin everything so easily.You still want to die, so heartless!Why?It is because of your unfeelingness!I have been so miserable at home for many years, what about you?You must be a prostitute when you go out, you must be dressed in brocade, and you must be a prostitute at banquets!Banquets must be prostitutes, banquets must be prostitutes, it's not just those old gangsters who are jealous of you spreading rumors about you, even shopkeeper Sun Da also said the same about you. Shopkeeper Sun told me so about you!You hanged yourself mercilessly, and I asked shopkeeper Sun Da why did you die, and shopkeeper Sun Da said, you must be a prostitute at a banquet! It is because you are always prostitutes at banquets that this family is almost ruined. I know that Shopkeeper Sun is exposing your shortcomings like this, because he wants me to scold you and restrain you severely.But I didn't say anything to you.It's not that I don't dare to speak about you, it's because I'm afraid that if I do, you'll die again.You are so unfeeling, just want to lose me and die? ! Mrs. Yao is really a strong woman.After Qiu Taiji left numbly, she guarded this desolate and cold home, and within a few days, she decided to do a rebellious thing. She has been married to Qiu Taiji for many years and only gave birth to a daughter.Even if she likes this daughter in every possible way, she is still just a daughter.One day, if the heartless man really wanted to lose her, even if he died, who would she rely on?She had wanted to have a son for a long time, and men wanted sons too. When her parents-in-law were alive, she wanted her grandson every day.But how could she give birth to a son after staying in an empty room for many years!Every three years during the half-year festival, there was always a time when she was not full of piety, praying to heaven and earth, and dying in every possible way, but since she got this daughter, there has been no news about it. Mrs. Yao always felt that she was sorry for the man and the Qiu family.How did she become a saline-alkali land with no crops?Fortunately, her in-laws and the man didn't have much complaints about her.Because among the surrounding business women, there are too many saline-alkali lands that do not grow crops.Most of the merchants stationed abroad to do business are not prosperous.Many have no children, many adopt children, and many buy children.In addition, there are many cases of abortion and drowning due to adultery. Mrs. Yao is a woman with a strong nature. She has always been unwilling to adopt a male, let alone buy a male baby.What's more, the two brothers Qiu Taiji are both businessmen who have been stationed abroad for many years, and they only have one son under the old family, so what about adoption?She has always hoped that she can raise a biological son so that her family will not have no descendants.Only in that way can she be worthy of a man who is talented, beautiful and affectionate. Now that such a sudden change has occurred, Mrs. Yao feels that her passionate love for the man has cooled down.The man ruthlessly gave up the half-year wedding, but she herself was over thirty and was getting old.If she doesn't give birth to a boy, she will be alone in this life.Such a heartless man, such a lonely daughter, who can entrust the rest of her life to?This time, during the short 20-day wedding period, guarding a wooden man who lost his soul, not to mention news of a childbirth. The man has gone away and will not return for three years.There is only one way to have another child, cheating and having sex. But how could she go this way? That is the road that many business women have walked, and it is also a road that cannot be broken from generation to generation.How many times have I heard the story of a merchant woman having an affair!This kind of story circulated among women, there are sorrows and joys, bitterness and sweetness, blood and tears, liver and gall, dead wives, and women who died of infatuation.There are too many tragic endings in it, but there are also many wisdom and ingenuity in cheating.I often hear these stories, as long as you want to have an affair, you will definitely have an affair.Those stories teach you everything. Most of the stories Mrs. Yao knew were heard from her sister-in-law, eldest daughter-in-law.She didn't want to hear it, but the aunt still wanted to talk.How can the two sisters-in-law who keep the vacant room come up with that kind of story as soon as they talk?But Madam always loves to tell you. When the in-laws were alive, they didn't like the aunt, but liked you. The aunt was angry and wanted to teach you badly; after the in-laws passed away, the aunt spoke more presumptuously.It is also vaguely heard that the aunt is actually not so strict about women's festival. Mrs. Yao has never been tempted.The aunt is jealous of her, because her man is stronger than the boss. Not only is he much more handsome, he is also much more capable, and his stature is much bigger.The door she guards is much more beautiful than the old family! Who would have thought that after so many years of prosperity, and so many years of being loyal to the family, it would be so desolate today. Now, are you determined to imitate my aunt, do you want to be bad?No, never!She just wants to give birth to a boy, a boy who can be entrusted with the rest of her life! two In fact, when dismissing the servant, Mrs. Yao had a plan: that little servant was specially left by her. As in many stories, Mrs. Yao would not even think about secretly meeting a man with similar feelings.Men with knotted hair are unreliable, how dare wild men be relied on!What's more, where can I find a man who is more talented and beautiful than my husband?Such men have all left their hometowns to devote themselves to business.Some merchant women stared at the young tutor.But how many of these people can be trusted?There are also many stories of cheating with long-term servants, but they just choose strong and honest men, but the result is always true love, which is difficult to end. Mrs. Yao's selection of this little servant really brought a bit of maternal love.Therefore, she thought that she wouldn't get too deep and could end up easily. There are such differences in age and status, no one will be in love with anyone for a long time.After two years, I really got what I wanted, so I recommended him to a shop to be an apprentice.This is exactly his wish to travel far away to do business. This little servant is Guo Yunsheng, a farm boy from a neighboring village.Because they were envious of Qiu Taiji's prosperity, when he was thirteen years old, his parents interceded and sent him to the Qiu family as a servant.In order to curry favor with the Qiu family, he is willing not to pay a penny of commission, hoping to make a better future, and at least recommend a firm to be a buddy in the future.Ticket shops, tea houses, I dare not imagine, even grain shops and camel transport clubs that do rough work. Mrs. Yao was willing to accept this servant just because she loved the boy.At that time, Guo Yunsheng was naive and not yet childish.But it can be seen that he is not stupid, and his appearance is also good.When he first came, he was only asked to clean the courtyard.But after sweeping the yard, he quietly found work, which was not annoying.Usually also very well behaved, never causing trouble.Whenever we met, we always smiled childishly.Mrs. Yao likes this boy very much. Mrs. Yao came from a wealthy family and was fluent in writing and ink.When my daughter was four or five years old, she began to teach girls to read and write.Although it is not very useful for a woman to circulate literature and ink, at least she can read her husband's letter by herself.Business women don't see men all year round, so they have to beg others to read a letter, and it's hard for a man to write even a word of affection.This is the reason her natal family told her to read and write, and now she uses it to teach girls.Besides, to be idle is to be idle.Not long after Guo Yun was born, Mrs. Yao liked him and was allowed to learn to read.He is not stupid after all, he knows how to read, and then goes to work, and he is right on both ends. Four years have passed, and Guo Yunsheng is seventeen years old.Although he is still diligent, docile, and well-behaved, he has clearly grown into a young man.Mrs. Yao felt more like a mother's love for him. She watched him grow up day by day with her own eyes.Not only has his body grown taller and formed, but he also has a little writing and can speak and do things neatly.This is what she gave him.If Qiu Taiji hadn't come back in such a state of embarrassment, Mrs. Yao would have asked her husband to recommend a firm for Guo Yunsheng this summer.Who knew, this holiday season would be like this! Yunsheng, Yunsheng, it's not what I think.I don't want to teach you badly, because I really regard you as my own child.Yun Sheng, I can't tell you clearly, so let's just repay me once.You won't reject me, will you?If I do this, it won't scare you, right? I can only do this, even if you repay me once! Mrs. Yao decided to do this, so she didn't want to hesitate too much.She also has a fantasy that she can finish this matter with Yun Sheng soon and get pregnant soon.That way, in the eyes of outsiders, there won't be any gossip to say, because the man just left.That way, everything will be invisible. In the stories passed down by businesswomen, there are also many unknowing and unknowingly cheating.But she is not cheating. The number of servants has been reduced, the house has become deserted, and that matter has been decided, but Mrs. Yao doesn't want others to see any changes in her.Everything remains the same.Even for Guo Yunsheng, he is still loving and strict.Mrs. Yao even said to him: Yun Sheng, you don't need to learn to read characters from now on.There are fewer people in the family, so you have to worry about things.You have read a lot of words, as a buddy, it is enough. Guo Yunsheng obediently agreed.Sure enough, I was busy doing things quietly all day long. When evening came, the cook's maid sealed the fire and went home.The lame old man who watched the door closed the door, dragged out a spring stool, and lay down in the door opening to cool off.This is also the same. As for Mrs. Yao, she still enjoys the shade in her yard and talks with her daughter Shui Lian, maid Lan Ni, and Yun Sheng.It's just that enjoying the cool air lasts longer than before.After a long time, the daughter was sleepy, so she asked the maid to wait for the young lady to go to bed first.In the first two days, the maid waited for the young lady to go to bed and came out again.Because I have to wait to serve my wife.Later, Mrs. Yao said: You don't need to come out, just stay with her and go to sleep first. She is young and sleeps alone at home, afraid. She and Yun Sheng were the only ones left, and she was still talking about the gossip she had done before, which were very serious gossips.At that time, the tenth day of the sixth lunar month had passed, and when the half moon was rising, it had been dark for a long time.Mrs. Yao finally said: "It's cool, let's rest too."Yunsheng, go get some water, I'll wash up. She spoke quietly.Yun Sheng didn't feel anything unusual, so he got up and fetched water from the kitchen.After Yun Sheng left, Mrs. Yao took all the washbasins and foot basins to the court.When Yun Sheng brought half a small bucket of warm water, she said calmly: After I finish washing, you can clean it up, I won't be called Lan Ni anymore. After washing her face and rinsing her mouth, she sat down and slowly took off her shoes and socks.At this time, Yun Sheng turned his face away.She pretended not to notice it, and slowly took it off until she stretched her bare feet into the basin, and then said as calmly as possible: "Yunsheng, pour water." Yun Sheng was obviously very nervous, poured the water in a panic, and turned his face away again.Mrs. Yao just pretended not to notice and washed her feet slowly.After a long time, he called Yun Sheng and handed over the foot towel.Yun Sheng was very flustered, but she still didn't seem to notice it. After washing, he greeted Yun Sheng as calmly as possible: Come, help me go back to the house. Yun Sheng helped her walk, and she could feel his nervous breathing.She still didn't say anything.Helping her walk to the door of the house, she said to Yun Sheng: "Go and tidy up quickly, go back and rest, you have to get up early tomorrow."After speaking, he closed the door and bolted it. In the room, she heard Yun Sheng tidy up and wash his belongings in a panic, and then heard him leave in hasty heavy steps. Everything went as planned without any surprises.Actually, where is this her plan?It's all little tricks picked up from those cheating stories. Mrs. Yao couldn't bear it suddenly, and covered her face and sobbed.She felt so pitiful, so pitiful!To be as strong as her, it took such a lot of thought to seduce a little servant of his own family.This is obviously learning to be bad, and it takes so much thought and means, it seems that it is not intentional to learn to be bad.She doesn't want to do this!But she wanted to cry bitterly, but she couldn't cry out.She couldn't disturb her daughter who was sleeping in Xitou's boudoir.Her crying in the middle of the night had already annoyed her daughter because she woke up too many times.So from the age of seven, she asked the maid to accompany her daughter, and slept in the boudoir at the west end, and stayed alone in the bedroom at the east end.She lived in a ostentatious five-room main house, with mother and daughter living at two ends, and no one would wake the other up unless they burst into tears.But in the silent night, how much she wanted to cry aloud! Be pitiful, you have to do this.Once it has started, it cannot be stopped.This is like acting, which is also very interesting.Really, when you showed your bare feet to this little fool, didn't your heart feel hairy and your face burn?Fortunately, it was half a moon, and it was so hazy that I couldn't see anything clearly. The next day, Mrs. Yao found out that Yun Sheng was ashamed when he saw her.She still acted as if nothing had happened, what should she tell him, or what should she tell him.In the evening, she continued to enjoy the shade as usual, until very late, leaving Yun Sheng alone to accompany her.When the moon was high, Yun Sheng waited on her to wash her face, rinse her mouth, wash her feet, and helped her back to the house.No matter what kind of situation Yun Sheng was in, she acted as if nothing had happened. In this way, several days passed. That day when she woke up from a break, Mrs. Yao called Yun Sheng as if nothing had happened, and went to tidy up the warehouse. Rich people in Jindi all have a decent warehouse.Of course, the Qiu family's warehouse is not for storing those useless sundries, so they are very particular about it.First of all, it was not placed in a corner of the side courtyard, but in the last courtyard of the main courtyard, which is the deep courtyard where Mrs. Yao lived, and two south rooms were selected as warehouses.The position is prominent, and it is close to the owner, so if there is any movement, you will know it.Secondly, it is naturally very secure, the walls are thick, the windows are small, the doors are strong, and the locks are added one after another.Furthermore, except for the master's house, ordinary servants are not allowed to enter at all.Everyone knows that the two south rooms are well-made warehouses, but no one knows what kind of valuable family property is stored in them. Guo Yunsheng was of course very excited when he heard that he was asked to clean the warehouse. This is because the master trusts him.In the past few days, he felt that the second wife of the master's family trusted him very much, and even asked the waiter to wash her face, mouth, and feet.In his mind, the second wife of the main family is an exceptionally noble, beautiful, and dignified woman.It's a last resort for a servant like me to serve her so closely.What happened to the second master of the master's family, the scene was too small, so there were only three or four servants left, and it was inconvenient to use him, so he had to be used.Erniang had always treated him well, often saying that she didn't have a boy in her family, so she treated him as her own boy.Now, many servants have been sent away, but he has been left behind, which shows how much kindness he has received. No matter how you say it, when serving Er Niang, you can't think wildly!But he just can't control himself.Every day, I look forward to the time under the moon to serve Er Niang to wash her feet.At that time, I couldn't watch it, but I wanted to watch it; I wanted to watch it, but I didn't dare to watch it.When I saw Erniang during the day, what I thought about was her two little white feet.Why is my family so bad? Are you afraid that Erniang will find out and drive you away?The more you curse yourself like this, the more useless it is.In the past two nights, the moon was bigger and brighter, and I was even bolder. I dared to stare at it without turning my back.Are you really looking for death? Seeing Erniang today, Yun Sheng still felt guilty, but he tried his best to pretend nothing happened on the surface.Seeing that Erniang didn't have anything unusual about him, she felt better.Therefore, after receiving the key from Erniang, Yun Sheng opened the two big locks smoothly.Following Erniang, it was the first time he walked into this mysterious and unusual warehouse, and Yun Sheng finally stopped thinking about it.The warehouse was crowded with boxes and cabinets, all of which were locked.Except for some blue and white porcelain placed outside, Yun Sheng hardly saw anything too valuable.The room was a bit dark and not bright. Erniang told him to dust off the dust on the top of the cabinet first, then wipe it clean, and finally sweep the floor.Clean up the room first, and when the plum blossoms are out, there are some things in the cabinet that have to be taken out to dry. Yun Sheng said: Erniang, go out and avoid it first, and be careful of the dust. Unexpectedly, Erniang said: "It doesn't matter, I will take care of it with you." Yun Sheng thought, this is an important warehouse, how could the master ask me to stay alone?He starts cleaning.There was a lot of dust on the top of the cabinet, and the feather duster didn't work at all.He had no choice but to hold the dustpan in one hand and carefully sweep it down with the other. How long do you want to clean up like this?Er Niang said that his tone was very severe. I was afraid of the violent dust, choking Erniang. Just scan quickly, it’s not like I haven’t done my homework! After finishing speaking, Erniang opened a long cabinet and buried herself in arranging the things inside. Yun Sheng hurried to do his own work, his hands and feet were quick, but he was still cautious.He stood on the high stool first and swept the dust from the top of a row of cabinets.That is the old dust accumulated over the years, thick enough and choking.Before long, the room was full of dust.Er Niang came over and said: You stand on a high place to sweep, and I will get a dustpan for you at the bottom, finish sweeping quickly, so that you can spray some water and press down the dust. Er Niang, I can do it myself. I know you can do it, so I help you sweep it, isn't it for speed!Such violent dust and dust, followed by a fire, and the gas is almost out of breath. Yun Sheng had no choice but to do so. He swept the dust into the dustpan from a high place, and Er Niang picked it up and dumped it outside the door.He was a little grateful in his heart, but he didn't panic too much. Why did he buckle the second dustpan on Erniang's body when he handed it to Erniang? It poured down along Erniang's neck, from her chest to her feet, and even her face, turning the noble Erniang into a dusty person. Yun Sheng was so frightened that he almost fell off the high stool, and he jumped down in a hurry, overwhelmed with shock. Er Niang seemed to be frightened, and she didn't care about the attack, she just hurriedly shook the dirt off her body.After shaking a few times, he hastily untied his clothes and shook: the dust had already poured into his clothes and stained his chest. Yun Sheng didn't seem to be able to react for a moment, staring blankly at Erniang, who unbuttoned her shirt and exposed her bare chest. The dust flowed down along the cleavage, drawing a wide gray color, making the two nipples look more beautiful. Bai Genggu even thought that his body was covered with sweat and dust on a hot day, but he still didn't realize that what he saw was Erniang's body! Erniang hurriedly scraped the dust off her chest with her hands, and wiped her white breasts to the brim, then suddenly raised her head, and found Yun Sheng was staring at her, hurriedly covered her clothes, and at the same time, her face changed drastically. Dog, you are too bold!You made me covered in dust, so you did it on purpose! Seeing that Erniang was so furious, Yun Sheng was so frightened that he fell to the ground: Erniang, I didn't mean it, I really didn't mean it It wasn't on purpose, you lost your soul, so you put dirt on me!Dog, do you want to choke me to death or dirty me to death, put a dustpan full of dirt on my chest! Erniang, I really missed What kind of meticulous work is this, and it will be missed!Are you not thinking about living? I don't not yet!Your hands are useless, but your eyes are useless, you dare to look at everything! Yun Sheng was already sweating profusely, terrified. You don't want to live anymore? Still don't want to eat your bowl of rice? You little thing also saw that we were a little unlucky, so you became bold and wanted to play tricks? Er Niang Hearing Erniang speak so emphatically, Yun Sheng raised his head and wanted to beg for a few words, but saw Erniang's lapel was still open, and hurriedly lowered his head again, so frightened that he didn't know what to beg for. Dog, I've always treated you like my own boy, I didn't expect you to be so ungrateful! Erniang, I'm sorry for you. I raised you up, so I know that my studies are bad, right? Erniang, you can punish me however you want, but Erniang, you have to wash up first!It's a hot day, making Erniang feel so uncomfortable, I really deserve to die! Do you still know how uncomfortable it is?To make me feel so uncomfortable on purpose? I'll call for water to prepare for bathing first, after washing, then punish me! Then you don't hurry up, you want to torture me to death! After Yun Sheng ran away, Mrs. Yao buttoned up her clothes, locked the warehouse, and went back to her upper room.Lanny was taken aback when she saw the madam's disfigured face, a whole countryman.Mrs. Yao took the opportunity to scold Yun Sheng again, but in fact, she just scolded Lan Ni on purpose. When Lanny served her in the bath, she still scolded her endlessly.That night, while enjoying the shade, Yun Sheng was not called to wait on him.This was also done by Mrs. Yao on purpose, to let others know that she was really angry with Yun Sheng. She wants to do this rebellious thing to the end, but also wants to cover it up perfectly.She believes that her wisdom is no worse than other business women.The scene performed in the warehouse today is no longer learning other people's stories.This planning and performance made her taste a kind of excitement that she had never had before. three Poor thing is Guo Yunsheng, how can he know that the wife of the host is acting and seducing him?After being scolded severely, he didn't ask to serve in the shade, he decided that Erniang was cruel and wanted to drive him away. It was the fate of a slave to be dismissed from the master's house.But he was driven away in such a shame, how could he go back to see his parents!Ever since I came to the Qiu family, I have been very lucky, why did I suddenly get into such a big disaster?It's all because I can't control my own family, I just think wildly in my mind, and I accidentally do this kind of thing.But he kept thinking about the situation at that time, as if he didn't think much about it at that moment?Erniang came to help him dump the soil, she was just grateful, how dare she be careless when handing her the dustpan?No matter how I think about it, I also feel that it is strange to miss. Could it be that Erniang's family missed it? You can't think like that.The master's family will help you do the work of a servant, and you can still blame the master's family?Besides, how could you stare at Erniang's bare chest!At that time, he was really like a fool, he forgot to avoid it.Who can blame this! Even if you are driven away, you can't forget the kindness of the Lord's family.The parents said, the Qiu family taught you how to read and how to look good. We can't give you these two things alone.Erniang also often said that she loves you as her own boy.If you haven't repaid the master's family, you will be expelled like this. Even if you can read and grow up, who dares to use you!How could it be so unlucky. Yun Sheng lived in such a panic for two days, barely seeing Er Niang.Occasionally seeing him, Erniang also looked angry and ignored him.It was not until the third day that he was called away suddenly.He thought he was going to drive him away, but instead told him to continue cleaning the warehouse.This time, Erniang just sat in the shade of the courtyard and watched him work alone in the room.As if he had received a pardon, he worked hard and carefully inside. That night, when Erniang was enjoying the shade, she also called him away.In front of Lan Ni, Er Niang still kept talking about him.He also said that Lan Ni, Mama Li from the kitchen, and Master Liu from the gatekeeper all interceded for you, otherwise, they would not spare you.After Lan Ni waited for the young lady to go to bed, Erniang seemed to speak even more loudly. Yun Sheng you little thing, they all said that you are well-behaved and law-abiding, how did you know that you would also learn to be bad!Can I tell them what you did? Yun Sheng hurriedly fell to the ground again: Er Niang, please forgive me this time, I won't dare again in the future! Erniang sighed and said: Get up, get up quickly, if I don't forgive you, what can I do to you?You've been with me for four or five years, and if it's not a last resort, can I drive you away? Erniang treats me like a parent, no matter how you punish me, it will not be too much. Get up, you little thing, you really didn't piss me off! Yun Sheng got up and said: Er Niang, you deducted my wages and punished me. When Guo Yunsheng was sent to Qiu's house, although he said he didn't want wages, how could Mrs. Yao refuse to pay?In order to save the money and get a bad reputation, it is better not to let him come.Because of her love, Yun Sheng's salary has never been low.Not too low, how much money can I have? So, Mrs. Yao said: "Little thing, I will relieve my anger after deducting your wages?" Then Erniang can punish her however she wants. Then I will drive you out! I will never forget Erniang's kindness even if I drive her away. Little thing, you are sweet now.Is it difficult to drive you away?One word will do.Treating you like my own boy hurts me, spoiling you. In the future, I will never dare again. Alas, although I have never given birth to boys, I also know that when you boys grow up, you all want to be bad. Erniang, I'm not Needless to say.Yunsheng, how old are you this year? Seventeen. Are you seventeen?I think you are still young, seventeen? Not really.I was thirteen when I came here, and I have served Erniang for four years. No wonder, it's the age to talk about a daughter-in-law.Didn't your father and mother tell you about their daughter-in-law? My mother wants to make a fuss.My father said, how can a servant be able to form a good relationship!Waiting for your boss, Erye Erniang, to recommend you to join the firm, how can you worry about being a decent daughter-in-law? What about your own family, do you want to marry a wife? I don't want to, I just want to serve a good boss. Well said!If we don't recommend you to join the firm for the rest of our lives, will you never marry a wife for the rest of your life? I will serve my master all my life. Will talk, look at the warehouse that day!You don't know what's on your mind, but you put a dustpan on my chest, and the floating dirt got into my neckline and flowed straight into it, it didn't dirty me to death!I patronized to untie the shaking soil, forgetting that a little man like you was still standing. You are also bold, you are welcome, if you catch it, you will die! i was scared It's still like a sentence.I've seen it a long time ago, you little thing is stupid when you see something wrong.Just to say that at night, I ask you to wait for the wash, it is a last resort.What happened to your second master, the prosperous scene seems to have been frosted, can I not be annoyed? Even if you go to bed early at night and you can't sleep, you and Lanny are the only ones who can talk.Shui Lian was so small that she couldn't stay up all night, so she had to ask Lan Ni to accompany her to bed.You said, if you don't ask you to wait for me to wash, who else will I call?You little thing is fine, I washed my feet, and you stared dumbfounded! I did not see You're being stubborn again, you think I'm a fool too!I treat you as my own child, thinking that you are still young, and I don't care about you.Waiting for a mother to wash up, and still thinking wildly!That day in the warehouse, I saw you staring wide-eyed and staring stupidly like a greedy cat, that's when I realized that your little thing has failed! Yun Sheng was so frightened that he knelt on the ground again. Little things, you know how to kneel, get up.With this kind of thinking, it is inevitable for the boy to grow up.I don't blame you anymore.Wait a minute, you wait for me to wash my feet, if you want to see it, you can rest assured that Er Niang will not blame you today.Once you've seen enough, you won't be hungry anymore.Yun Sheng, Er Niang treats you like her own child, but she doesn't care anymore. Erniang, I don't want to watch it, I must learn it well and live up to Erniang's praise! Tell you to see, you are trying to be brave again.Yun Sheng, let me ask you, do you really want to join the firm? No!After entering the firm, I will never forget Erniang's great kindness. But do you know that when you enter a business, the first thing is, you can't think about your wife, and you can't be greedy for women! I know. You know what!Once you enter a firm, if you want to be successful, you have to be stationed abroad.If you are stationed abroad, you have to go home every three years like your second master.Outside, you can't touch women.Anyone who violates this rule will be expelled.What happened to your second master this time was for ostentation, and he was in an official sedan chair, so he didn't make an announcement. I will never commit this one! Little thing, look at your greedy cat, who dares to want you! Er Niang, you don't recommend me because you are afraid that I will break this rule? 我要早看出你是饞貓，還能留到今天不攆你走？我以為你還小呢，哪承想你小東西也是個饞貓！ 我決不敢了！ 又說傻話。哪有餓漢說不饑的？還不知道女人是甚，說不饞，誰信！我也睏了，你打水去吧。 雲生慌慌地跑往廚房去打溫水，心裡真是七上八下，不知該驚該喜。二娘既原諒了他，怎麼又說你想看就看？既說饞女人是商號大忌，怎麼又會原諒他的饞樣？今夜晚二娘對他真是疼愛有加，可又總說他是饞貓，還是不放心他嗎？雲生畢竟是個不大諳事的後生，經過這幾天的驚嚇，根本不敢再胡思亂想了，哪裡能明白姚夫人的實在用心！特別是她提到商號大忌，更叫雲生鐵了心，要嚴束自家。 進商號，那是他的最高人生理想，也是他們全家的最高理想啊。主家二娘的高雅美貌，雖然叫他發饞，可要是管束不住自家，那就幾乎是要觸犯天條。 所以，雲生打來水，伺候二娘洗臉漱口時，就遠遠站著，還背過了臉。已快到十五了，深夜的月亮十分明亮，偏偏連些雲彩也沒有。等一會兒伺候二娘洗腳，你千萬得管好自家。 雲生，你過來給二娘擦擦脊背。 雲生被這一聲輕輕的招呼，嚇得心驚肉跳。還要給二娘擦脊背，他可是一點防備也沒有。 沒有聽見？ I heard. 他轉過臉，老天爺，高貴的二娘已將上身脫光了，雖是背對著他，那也像是一片刺目的白光他管不住自家，呼吸急促起來，但狗日的你說成甚也得管住自家！ 二娘，我的手太髒 那你不會先在盆裡洗洗。麻利些吧，想叫風吹著我！ 二娘的口氣和平時沒有兩樣，你千萬得管住自家。雲生努力平靜地走了過去，可老天爺，在臉盆跟前洗手，要走到二娘臉前了幸虧二娘移過身去，繼續背對著他，在擦前胸。 洗過手，二娘遞過濕手巾，他又不由出起粗氣來，狗日的，你說成甚也得管住自家！他撐著濕手巾，剛挨著二娘的脊背，只覺著是一片刺目的白光，簡直不會用勁了。 雲生，你手抖得那麼厲害，心裡又想甚？ 沒想，甚也沒想 麻利擦吧，想叫風吹著我呀？ 雲生真是在做一件太受苦的營生，喘著粗氣，流著汗，在心裡不斷罵自家狗日的，才終於平安交代了。 二娘洗腳時，居然叫他給脫鞋襪！還對他說，小東西你想看，就看，不用偷著看，往後二娘不責怪你了。他真是一邊求老天爺，一邊罵自家狗日的，才管住了自家。 洗漱完，雲生扶了二娘回屋，到門口，二娘沒打發他走，叫他扶了進屋。他只得扶了進去。 屋裡黑黑的，他問：點著燈吧？ 二娘說：不用，有月亮呢。 他就匆匆退了出來，慌忙收拾當院的洗漱家什。收拾完，便匆匆回到自己在偏院的住處。他不知道這個夜晚發生的是怎麼一回事，只是知道終於管住了自家。二娘真是把他當成她自家的娃，什麼也不再避諱他了，還是又在考驗他，看他還是不是饞貓？早就聽說，那些大字號愛考驗新夥計，故意把錢物放在你眼跟前，看你偷不偷。二娘也是在考驗他？ 狗日的，你總算管住自家了。 可二娘是那樣高貴美貌的女人，他哪能不饞呢！ 二娘那邊，只是遲說了一句話，就讓這個小東西跑了。說了半夜那種話，又赤身露肉叫他擦背洗腳，臨了叫扶她進屋，還說不用點燈，他就一點意思也沒看出來？真是一個憨蛋、傻瓜、不懂事、不中用、不識抬舉的小挨刀貨！她本來想再說一句話：你收拾了院裡的家什，先不要走，我還有句話要問你。還沒有等說出來，這個小挨刀貨他倒跑了！ 聽著雲生匆匆離去的腳步聲，姚夫人真是越想越氣。費盡了心機，以為謀劃得很出色了，可連這麼一個小奴才也沒套住！自家一向是那樣好強，尊貴，可做這件事，是連一些羞恥也不要了，居然引誘不了一個小下人！自家難道早已人老珠黃，連一個下人也打動不了？永遠過著這種孤單熬煎的日子，不老得快才怪呢。都是因為做了受不盡苦的商家婦！ 明亮的月光，透窗而入。姚夫人赤身立在窗前，淚如雨下。 Four 這樣的事，不做則已，一旦做起來，就很難停下了。 做了許多天引誘的遊戲，居然沒有成功，姚夫人的自尊受到了傷害，她當然不肯罷休。別的商家婦人都能做成這件事，她居然做不成，就那樣笨，那樣沒本事，沒魅力呀？而一步一步深陷到這樣的遊戲中，她也更難返回到原先那樣的苦守之中了。雲生這個小東西，簡直成了一個誘人的新目標，在前面折磨著她。這不似以往那種對男人的等待，是一種既新鮮，又熱辣的騷動，簡直按捺不下，欲罷不能。本來是想引誘這個小東西，現在簡直被他這小東西吸引了。 自家就那樣卑賤？ 雲生這小東西，也許真是個憨蛋，不該選了他這樣一個小挨刀貨！不成事，就打發了他拉倒，一天也不能留他。他就是痛哭流涕，搗蒜似的給你磕頭，也決不能留他！還想叫舉薦進商號，這樣的憨蛋，誰要你！你這個小挨刀貨，一心就想進商號 姚夫人左思右想，終於還是要把這件事做下去。 這天，她見了雲生，裝得平靜如常。沒有惱他，也沒有寵他，只是吩咐他，把二爺的賬房仔細打掃一遍。 邱泰基在家居住的時日，雖然極其有限，但他還是給自家安置了一處像模像樣的賬房。它就在姚夫人居住的上房院的西廂房。裡面除了賬房應有的桌櫃文具，還有一處精緻的炕榻。只是，這炕榻就像這間賬房一樣，一向很少有人使用。今天，炕榻上鋪墊的毛氈、棉褥，姚夫人都令揭起晾到院中，做了翻曬。 雲生在打掃這間賬房時，當然是很賣力的。他對這樣精緻的賬房，更是充滿了敬畏和羨慕，什麼時候，自家才能真的出入商號的賬房呀！所以，他是一點也沒有再胡思亂想。他以為，二娘已經寬恕了他了，他不會被攆走，一切又都如先前那樣正常了。 這天是十五，應該是月亮最明亮的時候。可是到了晚間，天上卻有了薄雲，明月沒有出來，只是天幕明亮一些。坐著乘涼的時候，感覺稍顯悶熱。會下雨嗎？幾乎一夏天都沒有下雨了。姚夫人見今晚的圓月沒有出來，心裡先有一些不快。在這種不快的心境中，她就渴望下雨。要陰天，那就是陰得重些，下一場大雨，雷鳴閃電，狂風大作，接著就暴雨如注。老天爺，你就下一場這樣的大雨吧。 但天上分明只是一層薄雲，天幕很明亮。一點兒風也沒有。 今晚，女兒也是過早地就睏了。蘭妮伺候女兒去睡的時候，打著哈欠，憨憨的，沒有一點異常。這些天來，這個憨丫頭照樣能吃能睡，也不出去串門，一點異常也沒有。還常勸二娘不要生雲生的氣，他不是有意要氣二娘。那你今晚就守著小姐，踏實睡你的覺吧。 又剩下她和雲生了，但她今晚似乎已經沒有心思再做藏而不露的引誘。小東西，他是一個憨蛋，你再做精心的引誘，那也是白費事！你是主，他小東西是僕，他只會聽你的吩咐，哪敢做那種非分越禮的巴結？有一種偷情的故事，商家婦總是引而不發，等待男人忍耐不下，發昏做出冒失舉動，她先驚恐，再盛怒，再痛不欲生，再無可奈何，再諒解了男人，最後才收下了這樣的私情。姚夫人本想仿照這樣的路數走，可遇著這樣一個憨蛋，哪裡能走得通？叫他做的事，只有得了你的命令，他才肯做。 只是，做這樣的事，怎樣能下命令？不管能不能下，姚夫人在今晚已經沒有耐心了。她不想再囉嗦了，成就成，不成就把這小東西攆走！她承認自己不會偷情，全沒有做這種事的智慧和機巧。她正經慣了，為了自己的男人，她早已經把自己造就成一個太正經的嚴守婦道的女人。想不正經一回，原來也是這樣的難。難，也要做一回。成也罷，敗也罷，反正要做一回。 姚夫人在今晚的失常，她自己可沒有覺察出來。 她只是焦灼不安地不想同雲生多說無關的閒話，也不想多熬時辰。和雲生只單獨坐了不大一會兒時候，就說今天要早歇了。在雲生伺候洗漱時，她比平時麻利，也沒有對雲生做過多的挑逗。 只是在雲生扶她進屋的時候，她說：今黑間，要歇在西廂房，上房有些潮，明兒天好，你把上房炕上的東西，也倒騰出來，晾曬晾曬。 扶她進了西廂房，雲生問：點燈吧？沒月亮，怪黑。 她說：不用點，點了招蚊蟲。雲生，你先去把當院的洗漱家什收拾了。收拾完不要走，我還有句話要跟你說。 姚夫人沒有一點停頓，一口氣將昨天就該說的話說了出來。雲生也沒有特別的反應，很平常地答應了一聲，就出去拾掇家什了。姚夫人站在窗前，焦灼不安地諦聽著雲生的動靜，只怕這憨蛋收拾完又會逃走。 說了不叫他走，他聽清了嗎？ 小東西，他算是長了耳朵！收拾完，他也來到窗前，隔了一層窗紙問：二娘，院裡拾掇妥了，還有甚吩咐？ 姚夫人慌忙從窗前退後，極力平靜地說：你進來，我有話跟你說。 小東西進來了。 你坐下吧，能瞅見椅子在哪兒吧？ 二娘，不用坐了，有甚事，你就吩咐。 叫你坐，你就坐。 Why. 姚夫人看見小東西在摸索著尋椅子。她進來一陣了，已經適應了屋裡的黑暗，能依稀看見暗中的一切。雲生剛進來，還是兩眼一抹黑。她給指點了座椅的方位，看他拘謹地坐下後，忽然就產生了一種很衝動的想法：在這小東西看清暗景以前，她先把一切都設置好。這個燃燒似的想法，不容多想，就迫她實行了：她一邊同雲生說話，一邊就將身上的衣裳，一件一件脫去了。隔了一張桌子，她坐在另一把椅子上，可她已經不著一絲衣物，只有暗光將她覆蓋，更有一股火，在周身燃燒。 雲生，我早有一件事，要對你說。 什麼事，不是要攆我走吧，二娘？ 盡說氣我的話，我會攆你走？我是想給你舉薦家好字號，總不能叫你一輩子伺候我。 伺候二娘一輩子，也願意。 小東西，淨說嘴吧？你就是真願意，我也不忍心。老伺候我，能有甚出息。這次，你二爺回來，本來就要叫他給你尋家字號，哪想他就出了這樣的事？我們也不像以前風光了。雲生，你沒有嫌棄我們吧？ 雲生慌忙離了座，跪到地上。 二娘，你這樣說，奴才就真該給攆走了。今生今世，我也不敢忘了二爺二娘的恩情！ 又說嘴吧？ 真話！ 那快起來，坐下吧。 小東西，他還什麼也沒有看出來嗎？ 雲生，等你二爺在歸化城安頓下來，我就寫信叫他給你尋家字號。他要還是丟了靈魂似的，我就出面給你尋字號。不覺你倒十七了，再不能耽誤你了。 雲生又撲通跪了下來，二娘，真的嗎？ 還不信二娘的話？ 信，信！不拘什麼字號，我都要長出息，不給二娘丟人！ 一說駐字號，就這樣上勁，這忽然叫姚夫人有些傷心。這個小東西，也和自家的男人是一路貨，把商號看得比女人重要！我已經把女人的一切，無有一點遮攔地亮給你了，你還沒有看見！小東西無論是坐著，還是跪了，都一直那樣拘謹著，不敢往她這裡看。居然會這樣憨？ 駐字號，我知道你會有出息。就怕你也會犯饞女人的大錯。 二娘，我決不會了。 你先聽我說！姚夫人忍不住，厲聲說了一句。 聽到這一聲，跪著的雲生，是把頭埋得更低了。 雲生呀，你沒有娶媳婦，還不知道女人是甚，怎麼會不饞女人？除非你是憨子傻子木石人！所以，我今天要教你做一件事，叫你知道什麼是女人，學會怎樣才能不饞女人。小東西，你抬頭看我！ 他抬起頭來了，但沒有一點異常的反應。難道還沒有看清？屋裡依舊那樣黑暗，月亮並沒有出來，可進屋已經有一會兒了，怎麼還看不清！哪有你這樣的憨蛋！ 小東西他終於驚叫一聲，伏到地上：二娘，二娘，我不能 你不能什麼？姚夫人厲聲問了一聲。 叫二爺知道，我活不成 雲生，我問你一句，你是想駐字號，還是想叫我把你攆走？ 當然想駐字號 那你就聽我的，敢不敢？ 敢不敢？ 那就敢吧 不敢，你這就走！ 敢，二娘 雲生，雲生，二娘是為你。你這麼大一個男娃了，連女人是甚還不知道，成天跟饞貓似的，你當我看不出來？這麼一副饞樣，哪家字號敢要你？二娘雖是過來人，身子不值錢了，若不是看你有出息，想疼你，能這樣不管不顧，叫你小東西開蒙解饞呀？ 二娘 小東西，想看，你還不快看！ 小東西，你怎麼就那麼憨，那麼笨，那麼膽小，已經這樣了，還不敢冒失一回，不敢過來摟住二娘，都這樣了，還得樣樣教你，你怎麼是這樣一個小憨娃！都這樣了，你不能再哭，你引誘這樣一個小憨娃，不能算可憐，那些七老八十的男人，他們不也喜歡討十五六的女娃做小嗎？不能光叫他們男人有理，什麼都是他們有理，你也學他們一回，討一回小。雲生，憨娃，二娘不是教你學壞，二娘是萬不得已了，就算你報答一回二娘吧，這事二娘不會叫任何人知道，不會壞了你的名聲。小東西，你抖什麼，你手腳也太笨，樣樣都得教給你，還不相信我能送你進字號？ 小東西，小東西，要知道是這樣，我何必還要費那麼大心思，謀劃了那許多計策，折騰了這許多天，早知這樣，我乾脆就對你說，小東西你報答一回二娘，二娘送你進字號，只怕你早就麻麻利利躺到二娘的炕上了！小東西呀，你也是把字號看得比女人重？還是年輕了好，年輕了壯，可還沒有怎麼呢，你就出了一身汗，我不嫌男人的汗味大，不嫌。 不，我沒有哭，我不是哭，不是哭，你想怎麼看二娘，只管看你的，想怎麼親二娘，只管親你的，我不是哭樣樣都得教你。 第二天，姚夫人想極力顯得平靜，可分明沒有做到。連那個傻蘭妮都問了幾次：二娘是不是病了？ 倒是雲生這個小東西，比她還裝得穩。見了她，有些羞澀，但沒有太失常。他的憨是裝出來的，還是把進字號看得太重了，不敢有閃失？ 天晴了，十六的明月要出來。 five 六月十六，邱泰基和那個新夥計郭玉琪，北上經太原、忻州、代州、山陰、右玉，已走到了殺虎口。 殺虎口也是出蒙通俄，尤其是通往歸化、包頭、前營烏裡雅蘇塔、後營科布多的大孔道，古邊地的大關口，俗稱西口。所以，殺虎口也是晉商的大碼頭。這裡，自然有天成元票莊的一間分莊。 殺虎口分莊的老幫伙友，已經聽說了邱泰基的事。知道這位一向得意，今日忽然遭貶的出名老幫，要路過本地，本來想很快意地看看他的落魄相，可及至等來了，卻叫人吃了一驚。 邱掌櫃居然是一步一步從太谷走到了殺虎口！一般山西人走口外，負重吃苦，一步一步將荒涼的旅途量到頭，那並不稀罕。可大商號的駐外人員，即使是一般伙友，也支有往來的車馬盤纏，何況是領莊的老幫。邱泰基徒步走口外，分明有痛改前非的心志在裡面，這太出人意料。 一向以奢華風流出名的邱老幫，現在哪還有一點風流樣，又黑又瘦，身被風塵，更把負罪之意分明寫在了臉上。若不是因為捎了總號的信件，要交給殺虎口莊口，他居然打算尋家簡陋的客棧，打一夜尖，悄悄就走了。 見是這番情狀，誰還有心思奚落他？ 這裡的呂老幫就設了盛宴招待他，他再三推辭，哪裡會依了他！ 邱掌櫃，我們都是長年在碼頭領莊，誰能沒有閃失？老東家大掌櫃已經罰了你，我們再慢待你，傳了出去，那成了甚了？我呂某還能在碼頭立足嗎？咱們吃頓飯，喝杯酒，算是你邱掌櫃給我們一個面子。 呂老幫把話說成了這樣，邱泰基感到更有些難堪了。 呂老幫，你這樣說，我就更無地自容了。我惹的禍，不是做瞎了一兩筆生意，是壞了咱天成元的聲名，真是罪不該赦的。西幫惟以聲名取信天下，咱天成元在商界又是何等盛名！ 叫我給抹了這樣一把黑，連累得老東台大掌櫃也坐不住了，那麼大年紀，冒暑出巡漢口，你說我的罪過有多大！還有什麼顏面見同儕呀？ 呂老幫就說：你罪過再大，也還是咱天成元的人吧？路過一趟，連自家字號的門也不進，這不是要壞我呂某的名聲？再說，還有跟你的這位郭掌櫃，初出口外，我能不招待人家？ 邱泰基總算入了席，但只是飲了三盅酒，怎麼勸，也不多飲了。邱泰基這樣，那個跟著的郭玉琪，也不多飲，場面真是很冷落。席間，呂老幫多所寬慰，邱泰基依然神色凝重。老東家和大掌櫃是否真要出巡江南，呂老幫早想問個仔細，但見邱泰基這種樣子，也不便開口。直到終席，呂老幫才問： 老東台和大掌櫃，真是要出遠門，下江南？ 早已經啟程了。他們是六月初三離開太谷，我們初四上路。現在，他們已到河南了吧。現在河南湖北，那是什麼天氣？唉，你說我的罪過有多大吧！ 已經啟程了？這裡的字號，還都不相信呢！都說，那是我們天成元放出的一股風，還不知是要出什麼奇招。現在，哪還時興財東老總出巡查看生意，還說是暑天就走，誰信？就是我們，也不敢信。真出動了？ 我親眼見的，還能有假？初三那天大早走的，我想去送，又沒臉去送，只是跑到半道上，遠遠躲著，望著他們的車馬走近，又走遠了。咳，我一人發混，惹得老東台大掌櫃不放心各碼頭掌櫃！ 邱掌櫃，你也不能一味這樣想。康老東台本來就是位器局大、喜歡出巡的財東。一生哪兒沒有到過？大富之後，不喜愛坐享其成，只好滿天下去跑，見人所未見，謀人所未謀。西幫的財東都要像他，那只怕我們西幫的生意早做到西洋去了。 只是，年紀大了，萬一 我看康老東家，倒不用我們多操心。老漢是成了精的人，災病上不了身的。倒是孫大掌櫃叫人不放心，這許多年，他出巡不多，這一趟夠他辛苦。叫他受點辛苦，也知道我們駐外的辛苦了，也好。 大掌