Chapter 12 Chapter Eleven

one According to the usual practice, businesses in Jindi do not close their doors until the end of the year for the Chinese New Year, either earlier or later, not necessarily until New Year's Eve.But the opening of the market in the first month was agreed on the 11th.On the auspicious day of the opening of the market, all shops will naturally decorate with lanterns and festoons, and set off fireworks, so the streets are full of festivities, and the city is full of splendor, and the lively atmosphere of the New Year seems to have really evaporated.Then, the excitement became more and more prosperous day by day, reaching its climax on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month on the Lantern Festival.

Qi, Tai, and Ping counties, the base camps of Xibang Bank, opened on the 11th of the first lunar month, and the layout is particularly gorgeous.Among them, Qixian's sheds and Taigu's lamps are famous. The shed is a large-scale production of knotting, using bundles of colorful silks and satins to tie up various auspicious patterns on the temporary archway for crossing the street.All the shops competed for splendor through their own sheds, and the city was filled with brilliance. Taigu's lamps are overwhelming because of their exquisiteness.Different from the temporary large-scale production in Qixian County, although the lanterns in Taigu are only hung for a while in the first month, they are all made by skilled craftsmen.Large companies even purchase high-quality lamps from the capital and Jiangnan.At that time, there was a very rare six-sided glazed palace lantern. The lamp bone was made of nanmu, and the dragon's head cloud pattern was carefully carved.This kind of palace lanterns, wealthy families only bought one or two pairs and hung them in the hall.The Taigu Company opened its market in the first lunar month, and it seemed that every family had to hang a few pairs of these glazed palace lanterns.Other kinds of ingenious and exquisite lanterns are of course also hanging out.When the lights are shining brightly, it can create an illusionary world and ignite people's dreams of abundance.

The year of gengzi leaps in August, which is traditionally a year of unrest.Therefore, on the 11th day of the first lunar month, when the business name opened as usual, they did not dare to be sloppy. On the afternoon of the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, Kang's Tiancheng Yuanpiao, Tianshengchuan Tea, Silk and Satin, and Liangzhuang, like other shops, had hung up colored lights.A pair of glazed palace lanterns hung out in Tianshengchuan, and a set of twelve zodiac lanterns.Although this set of simulated zodiac lanterns covered with bamboo bone gauze is old, but because of its lifelike shape, rats, cows, dragons and snakes are lined up one by one, which can be regarded as the old scenery of Tianshengchuan.Tian Chengyuan hung three pairs of six glazed palace lanterns, and an exquisite Kowloon lantern hung in the middle.This Jiulong lantern also has nanmu lamp bones and a glazed lampshade, but it is much smaller and more delicate than the glazed palace lanterns. It is named after nine dragon heads carved out of the lamp bones.At that time, it was considered a unique and expensive lamp.Three pairs of six palace lanterns, plus this Kowloon lantern, all have auspicious numbers of three, six, and nine.The size of the picture, that is, this auspicious.

As usual, the opening of a firm is done by the wealthy owner.And when the market opens, I like to rush early.Therefore, on the eleventh day, the Kang family has been busy since the third watch.Because the guard of honor entering the city on this day is the most solemn of the year.In this line, four luxurious carriages inlaid with copper and silver will be dispatched: the first one will be led by the accountant of the Kang family; the second will be the young master, usually the third master; South; the fourth car sits in the back of the old pavilion of Kang Hunan's close attendant.For each carriage, there are two handsome coachmen, and there is also a servant sitting in the outer shaft.In front of each car, there is a top horse as a guide.The top horse is strong and beautiful, covered in red and colorful, and has a string of bells around its neck. If it moves a little, it will be a piece of dingdong; He wears a Qingning silk robe and a black lambskin mandarin jacket.In front of the top horse, there are of course those carrying lanterns; on the left and right sides of the convoy, there are also those holding torches.

Kang Hunan also woke up shortly after the third watch.After getting up, I calmly practiced a set of Xingyi boxing before washing and dressing.Although there was an accident in Wu Ye's family last year, he successfully toured the south of the Yangtze River. After all, he felt that his spirit was smooth, so this year his energy is very good.Going to the opening of the market, there seems to be a kind of excitement, which is rare.However, he didn't wear the new outfit that Lao Ting had prepared for him. He still chose the old outfit he wore last year, and only bought a new squirrel cape to bring a little freshness.

After getting dressed, he walked out of the old courtyard. The five masters and their young masters were already waiting outside.Kang Hunan led all the male protagonists of the family to the main hall of Dexin Hall. There are three gods and master tablets in the hall: the gods of heaven and earth in the middle, Guandi God of Wealth in the left hand, and ancestors in the right hand.In front of the tablet, there is also a special sacred object: half a piece of old and damaged camel drawer.Camel drawers are mats woven from camel hair. When camels are carrying goods, they are first put on the camel's back to protect the body and are necessary for camel transportation.The half piece of camel drawer provided by the Kang family is said to be a relic of the ancestors when they pulled the camel and walked out of the mouth.For it, it is natural to show future generations, don't forget that it is difficult for the ancestors to start a business.Therefore, on the altar in front of this sacred object, there is an extremely rich offering.

Kang Hunan walked in with all the male protagonists, first offered three sticks of incense with his own hands, and then bowed down respectfully and kowtowed.After the ceremony, sit in front of the confession.The five masters and young masters came forward to kowtow and salute in order of seniority.Although this ceremony was held successively on the first, third, and fifth days of the next year, because the old man was in a good mood this year, everyone still took it seriously.The atmosphere is quiet and peaceful, making people feel that there will be good luck this year. After the ceremony, everyone followed the old man to the big kitchen and ate some breakfast.

At this time, it was nearly four o'clock.Kang Hunan got up and walked towards Yimen, and everyone naturally followed closely. Outside the gate of the ceremony, the guard of honor with chariots and horses has been prepared early.The most conspicuous thing under the lantern torch is the hot breath from all the horses.In the second watch of the new year, it is still cold. Kang Hunan asked the housekeeper Lao Xia: Can it be delivered? Lao Xia yelled loudly: The train started, vaguely listening, as if shouting: Get rich Then, the firecrackers sounded, and a group of drums played at the same time.The horses were in a commotion, and the bells around their necks rang together.

Kang Hunan got into his car first, followed by the third master, then the accountant and Lao Ting.After the chariots and horses set off, the crowd and the drum troupe followed them to the entrance of the village. Before five o'clock, the chariots and horses entered Nanguan.The drum troupe hired by the name brand has already greeted them outside the city gate, playing happily.The chariots and horses didn't stop, they just gave some rewards to the drum troupe, and went straight into the city. According to the usual practice, Kang Hunan first went to Tianshengchuan tea house to offer incense.Before the carriages and horses arrived, Lin Qinxuan, the shopkeeper, had already led the company's friends and stood in front of the shop decorated with lights to greet him.From big shopkeepers to ordinary friends, today's dress is the most particular in a year: praying, showing face, ostentation, showing wealth, it seems that it is all at this moment.Although the tea house is no longer as good as the ticket shop, the shopkeeper Lin Da is still elegant and luxurious today, and everyone under his command is equally lavish and elegant.The old man came to the tea house to offer incense at the first stop, and asked them to grab a good early market. This is the greatest honor and comfort of the year.

The old club's party arrived and was welcomed into the living room of the Shangfang courtyard, where they offered incense and kowtowed to salute.After the ceremony, go back to the shop, take the old signboard that was prepared on the cabinet, and hand it to shopkeeper Lin.Shopkeeper Lin picked it up with a pole and hung it outside the door under the eaves, and the firecrackers suddenly sounded. At this time, it was still not five o'clock. Along the way, it was both quiet and fast, which really meant fighting. The tablet of the God Lord enshrined in Tianshengchuan's living room is almost the same as that offered in Caidong Dexin Hall, except that there is an extra tablet of the god of fire.Because businesses are most afraid of fire.The hanging old signboard is nothing more than a wooden signboard with a tea character engraved on both sides, hanging diagonally, and a red tassel hanging from the lower corner, which is actually quite ordinary.But because it has been hung for a long time, especially the tea character on it, which was written by Mr. Fu Shan, a famous scholar of the Three Jin Dynasties, it has become a sacred object of Tianshengchuan tea house.Every year after the closing of the city, the signboard is removed, cleaned, and replaced with a new red tassel.The market opens in the first month, and then grandly hang out.

Kanghu South is in good spirits this year, and Shengchuan Shangxiang will open in the next day. It is very cold, and the movement is more convenient than in previous years.However, he still didn't stay long in Tianshengchuan: he had to go to Tianchengyuan to offer incense.After the firecrackers were set off for a while, he cupped his hands and said to shopkeeper Lin Qinxuan: Shopkeeper Lin, this year is all up to you. Lin Qinxuan also bowed and said: Don't worry, old Dongtai. Kang Hunan clasped his hands again and said to his friends: I also rely on you guys! After finishing speaking, he went out and got in the car. When he arrived at Tiancheng Yuanpiaozhuang, the shopkeeper Sun Beiming also led his friends to stand respectfully outside the shop door to greet him solemnly.The rules of offering incense and worshiping gods are the same as before, but they are much more relaxed: because the auspiciousness has already been obtained, there is no need to rush to take advantage of it.After offering incense and saluting, he returned to the shop, and there was no longer the listing ceremony like that of a tea house. Kang Hunan sat on a grand teacher's chair and watched his friends remove the door and window guards and light the firecrackers.Then, he said to the third master who has been following him: You go to the silk and satin village and the grain village to offer incense, I have to rest. The third master agreed, and then took the accountant with him, dispatched a guard of honor with horses and horses, and left in a pompous manner. After the opening of the market, the shop will hold a sumptuous banquet to celebrate.Kang Hunan also had to drink a cup of wine with his friends at the banquet to show that he relied on everyone to do business.Therefore, he first went to Sun Beiming's small account room to rest. Accompanied by Sun Beiming, he said: This year, old Dongtai is in such a good spirit? Kang Hunan said: "During the new year, you made me feel sad, so you ironed it?" I mean, it's been a long time since I came back from the southern tour, and I still haven't rested, I'm still tired, and I always suspect that my muscles and bones are hurt. Shopkeeper, you really feel sorry for yourself!During our southern tour, we didn't encounter mountains of swords and seas of fire. How could it hurt your bones?You say I am in good spirits, then I will teach you a method, which will surely relieve your fatigue and rejuvenate you. What's the best way? Copy Buddhist scriptures.After returning from Shanghai, I copied a page of Buddhist scriptures every other day, and I did not stop until the end of the year.Shopkeeper, you can try too.Once you try it, you will know the beauty of it. Did the old club really copy Buddhist scriptures? What are you talking about?I made a serious wish in Shanghai, you are joking? My old boss, it's not that I'm being disrespectful, just making a wish to Buddha in front of those few pages of incomplete scriptures? Shopkeeper Sun, have you become a layman too?Those few pages of scriptures are not ordinary!It was a scripture written by a person from the Tang Dynasty. Although it was written by Wuming Yuan, it was written vigorously and densely, full of eight sides. It can be seen that the calligraphy atmosphere of the Tang Dynasty, Yan Lugong and Li Beihai are so full of vigor.Even if the handwriting is not outstanding, it is Tang paper and Tang ink, which have been safe and sound in the world for more than a thousand years!How can this be so?Always touch the Buddha's spirit.Therefore, compared with the Buddha statues in temples, the sanctity is not inferior.After seeing the thousand-year-old Buddhist scriptures, isn’t that considered seeing the Buddha? You didn't say that in Shanghai, did you?Had I known this, I might have wished. It's not too late now, just copy a page of Buddhist scriptures as soon as you see the sky. The "Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra" and the "Great Compassion Heart Dharani Sutra" are not long, so you can copy these two sutras first. What scriptures did the old club copy? Also this two.Before copying the scriptures, you must wash your hands and burn incense. I don't have to blaspheme the Buddha anymore, the font size is full of vulgarity, and I am busy all day long, where is the place to write scriptures! When he was in Shanghai last autumn, in order to curry favor with his former employer, Meng Laogang of Shanghai No. 1 tried to ask a friend to introduce him, so that Kang Hunan was able to see the "Tang Xian's Sutra Writings".This remnant page of the scriptures written by the Tang Dynasty was collected by Renhe Wei Jiasun of Zhejiang Province.At that time, a large number of Buddhist scriptures written in the Tang Dynasty in Dunhuang had not yet been discovered, so the five pages of remnants of scriptures in the collection of Renhe Wei were very precious.Celebrities who are fond of Jinshi calligraphy and painting all want to try to see them.When Kang Hunan and Sun Beiming came to Shanghai on a tour, they just caught up with the descendants of the Wei family who were invited by friends to bring this calligraphy to Shanghai.Meng's old gang knew that his old club was good at it, so they ran around and finally accomplished this beautiful thing, which made Kang Hunan so happy. The old meng gang naturally received extra praise.Seeing that the old owner cherished this thing so much, he said to the old man: If you like it so much, why don't you buy it?As long as I say a word, I will try my best to make sure that the old man can take this calligraphy with him when he returns to Taigu. Meng's old gang originally wanted to take further credit, but unexpectedly, the old gang gave him a look and said: Don't be so thoughtful, it's so beautiful!What's more, those are Buddhist objects, not ordinary gold and stone calligraphy and paintings. If you enter the market for trade, don't you want to insult the Buddha!So, I made a wish right away: After returning to Jin Dynasty, I copied Buddhist scriptures to redeem disrespect. Mr. Meng's gang was really taken aback and hurriedly confessed. When he got down, Sun Beiming said to Mr. Meng: This has been happening one after another, and the old man is not at ease anymore.That's why, don't worry too much about it.In the future, you have to be more careful about fawning. All the way from Hankou to Shanghai, Sun Beiming discovered that Kang Hunan actually had a lot on his mind, and the free and easy, calm, and humorous appearance on his face seemed to be done on purpose.After more than a month in Shanghai, I was more often absent-minded.Sun Beiming did not dare to comfort him: The unlucky things that happened one after another were all related to his own ineffective management of the farm, so he was speechless.Returning to Taigu from Shanghai, Sun Beiming fell into the busyness of the old account again, especially the four-year closing account, which was reaching a critical juncture.Therefore, throughout the winter, I almost didn't see Kang's old boss again, and I don't know if he thought about it.However, the result of closing the accounts was unexpectedly good, and the profits in the past four years have created another bumper harvest. It seems that the mood of the old club has really improved. The old club has a good spirit and a good mood in the next year, and Sun Beiming feels at ease.Copying Buddhist scriptures and so on, it was because Lao Dongtai was in a good mood that he said that. During the four years from the 22nd year of Guangxu to the 25th year of Guangxu, although there were events affecting the overall situation such as the reform of 1898, the imperial court's ban on foreign exchange, and the establishment of the government-run commercial bank, the financial business of Xibang Piaozhuang still performed well.The Kang family's Tiancheng Yuanpiaozhuang made a total profit of nearly 500,000 taels in the four-year period.There are twenty-six financial shares and seventeen labor shares, forty-three shares in total. Each share of business can get a bonus of more than eleven thousand taels of silver.If the dividend per share exceeds 10,000 taels, it will be a good year in Tiancheng Yuanpiaozhuang. How can the Kang family be unhappy? Four years of combined accounts, that is the biggest festival of the bank.During the period of closing accounts, branch offices in various places have to collect the foreign debts, pay off the foreign debts, and then hand over the four-year surplus money to the Escort Bureau to escort back to the old Taigu branch.During that period, there was almost no place in the old shop that was not full of silver ingots. Needless to say, the storeroom, the account room, the dormitory, the underground, and the kang were all taken up by silver ingots. Many friends could not sleep on the kang for half a month and twenty days.At the same time, the owner's house, the branch villages in various places, the family members of the gang, and even the business community in the same industry are all eagerly waiting for the results of the closing accounts, which is like waiting for the results of the imperial examinations in the provincial examinations! According to the rules of the Kang family, the result of closing accounts is announced on the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month.At that time, Kang Hunan will lead all the young masters to the shop to listen to the account of the four-year business from Lingdong's big shopkeeper, and then reward them for their merits.Shopkeepers and friends with good performance will be given more shares; those whose business has collapsed will be punished by reducing their shares.The ceremony is much more grand and grand than the opening of the market in the first month. Because the business in this period was so unexpectedly good, Kang Hunan also pardoned Sun Beiming's share reduction at the account closing ceremony in the twelfth lunar month. He said that he would not increase the shares of the treasurer Sun, which was already very wronged him.Except for Qiu Taiji, no share reduction was made to anyone.When such a big event happened in Zhuangkou, Tianjin, Kang Hunan also leniently ruled: use Liu Guofan's death to offset everything, and it will no longer be difficult for Tianjin to name others.Quanzhuang received an increase in shares, but it was unprecedentedly large.Dai Ying of the Beijing name and Chen Yiqing of the Han name both add nine per cent to their stock, which is only one per cent difference from the highest stock shopkeeper Sun Da. The results of the big wins in the past four years can be said to have made everyone overjoyed.Therefore, it is not surprising that the joy and joy lasted until the market opened in the first month. two On the twelfth day of the first lunar month, Kanghu South held a banquet to entertain guests. The guest was Cao Peide, the head of the Cao family, the largest family in Taigu. Last winter, when Kang Hunan returned from Jiangnan, Cao Peide recruited several big families in Taigu to clean up the dust for him.He knew that Cao Peide and the others wanted to hear about the southern tour, and even wanted to find out: Did the Kang family really make a big move in business?At that time, Kang Hunan was worried, so he kept a low profile at the banquet, and repeatedly stated that he didn't have any grand plans, but just wanted to straighten out the rules.Everyone has also seen that just after he went to the south, something happened in Tianjin in the north.Isn't it a last resort, he will spare his old bones and suffer that crime?The more low-key they are, the more dissatisfied Cao Peide and the others will be.But he really couldn't get interested, so he said that the West is helping the generals.I can't even control my own brand name, how can I talk about the rise and fall of the Western Gang! When the results of closing accounts at the end of the year came out, Kang Hunan was finally relieved of his worries and refreshed.The banquet for Cao Peide this time is nominally to repay the kindness of years ago, but in fact, I still want to have a deep discussion with him about the future of the West Gang. Early on the morning of the 12th, the third master was ordered to drive to Beili Village to pick up Cao Peide.Cao Peide is much younger than Kang Hunan, but slightly older than the third master.Seeing the third master coming to pick him up, I feel that the etiquette is enough.Without a long delay, he took his own carriage and followed the third master to Kangzhuang.He didn't take the young master with him, but called the shopkeeper Wu Da, the largest store in the Cao family, Lijindezhangzhuang, to accompany him. The account bank is also engaged in financial business, but unlike the ticket office, it only conducts lending business and does not conduct exchange.Xibang’s account bank operation was earlier than the ticket office, and the lenders were mainly merchants engaged in long-distance trafficking.Long-distance trafficking, long business cycle, borrowing becomes necessary.In addition, the Xibang Zhangzhuang also released accounts to some alternate officials to support them in seeking real vacancies.Therefore, the business of Xibang Zhangzhuang is also doing very well.The Cao family’s account bank mainly provides loans to merchants who trade with Russia through Kyakhta.The Cao family made a fortune early and monopolized the trading of curved silk in the north. Their financial resources are strong, and there are few companies in the Western Gang that can match them.Therefore, its account store is also a big name of Xiongshitianxia.In addition to Li Jinde, the Cao family also opened Yongtongwu and Sanjinchuan. These three accountants are all giants in the industry. However, after the rise of the ticket office, the account bank gradually showed its weakness.Account bank lending, although the interest rate is relatively high, but the cycle is long, and the capital support is too large.The bank’s exchange business doesn’t require much advances, but instead absorbs the remittances and uses them for their own turnover. Although the income from remittances is small, the amount is large and fast, making it easier to generate money.Therefore, many of the Xibang accounts have been converted into ticket numbers.But the Cao family was rich and powerful, and they were always unwilling to follow in the footsteps of other families. By this time in the year of Gengzi, they had not yet opened a bank.This time when he went to the Kang family banquet, Cao Peide called Li Jinde, the shopkeeper Wu, to go with him. In fact, he had an inexplicable thought: to test the Kang family, is it too late to open a ticket number? The young leader was obviously moved by Kang Jiatian Chengyuan's new achievements. Because he heard that Li Jinde's shopkeeper Wu Da would accompany him, Kang Hunan called Tian Chengyuan's shopkeeper Sun Da too.When the third master greeted Cao Peide and shopkeeper Wu Da and his party, Sun Beiming had already arrived ahead of schedule. In this way, besides the two guests Cao and Wu at the main table, there are three people on the main side: Kang Hunan, shopkeeper Sun Da, and the third master.There are five people at the table, which is not an auspicious number, and one more person should be added.Normally, Kang Hunan would invite Mr. He from the academy.Although he looked down on the Confucian scholars who entered the officialdom in his heart, on the big picture he always put this upright gentleman in front of him to decorate his etiquette.But after returning from the southern tour, he found that Mr. He was even more insane, so he didn't dare to invite him to this kind of banquet.The housekeeper, Lao Xia, suggested that the fourth master should also come to accompany the guests.It is inconvenient for the deaf uncle to come out, and the second master Wu has never been willing to come to be restrained like this, so of course it is the fourth master's turn.But Kang Hunan thought for a while, but proposed to call Liu Ye to accompany him.Didn't he take part in the provincial examination this year?Invite him to come, and let us have some of his glory. So, a sixth master was added, and a number of six was added. After a few polite words at the banquet, Cao Peide said to the important point: "Master, you really know how to fool us!"When I just came back from Jiangnan years ago, I was still complaining, as if your Kang family’s bank account business was about to fail, and after only a few days, you managed to combine accounts to create such a golden mountain. Didn’t you mean to envy us? The third master saw that the old man was slowly chewing a mouthful of mountain pheasant meat, so he continued to answer: "The little money our ticket shop earns, how can you put it in the eyes of your Cao family!" Shopkeeper Wu Da also rushed to say: Listen to the tone of the third master: earn such a little money!One return to the account, only half a million, and a little money back! Shopkeeper Sun said: Shopkeeper Wu is also crying poor with his boss?Just allow your Cao family to make a lot of money, and not allow us to make a little money?I have earned some money in the past four years, which is considered a reward from heaven. Not to mention the hard work of old gang members from all over the world, seeing our old club go on tour, the heaven has to favor us. The shopkeeper Wu Da said: It is easy to get money from your bank. The third master said: It's easy to get money from the ticket office, but your Cao family doesn't take it seriously? Cao Peide hurriedly said: Third Master, we did not underestimate the ticket office.Now that the ticket number has become a big thing, we blindly underestimate it, isn't it silly!We just don't have the skills to check in. Shopkeeper Sun said: "Is there any business that your Cao family can't do?" Cao Peide said: You can ask shopkeeper Wu to see if he dares to open a ticket number? The shopkeeper Wu Da said: After all, the account bank and the ticket office are different.We are used to Zhang Luo in the accounting office, so we really dare not intervene in the ticket office.I just want to make a fuss, but I'm afraid it's too late. Only then did Kang Hunan interject and say: What are you late for!If your Cao family is willing to enter the ticket industry, then our Taigu Gang will really come from behind.If the Tai Gang is revitalized, the West Gang will also be revived.Your Cao family is an important town of the West Gang, so you haven't seen the decline of the West Gang? Cao Peide hurriedly said: How can you not see it?Kyakhta's trade with Russia is not as good as before.The Russian old man ran in and took care of the goods and transported the goods. If we go to Kyakta, will we not be run on?Therefore, the business of our account shop is really not as good as before. Kang Hunan said, "Old Russian, I don't think you need to be too afraid of him."The old business of our Kang family, which sells tea goods to Kyakhta, was also heavily squeezed by Russian businessmen.The imperial court asked Lao Maozi to enter the customs to handle goods, what can we do?It's not fun to go tea goods, we can still get a ticket number!The business of your bank account is not easy to do, and if you transfer the ticket number, isn't that a smooth sailing thing? Shopkeeper Wu hurriedly asked: I heard that the imperial court had a ban last year, forbidding the transfer of official money by the Xibang bank? Kang Hunan smiled and said: There are bans, but everything is human-made.By coincidence, the imperial court's ban gradually loosened one province after another.Therefore, there is no need to be afraid of the embarrassment of the court.The most fearful thing is that we, the West Gang, are willing to fail and be harmed by wealth!The Xibang can become today's climate, not only because they are good at taking advantage of the world, but they are better at generating and accumulating wealth than others, and more importantly, they are also good at using money instead of being enslaved by money.How many merchants still look like dogs when they make small money, but once they make a lot of money, they become more and more sparse, and within a few days, they are called money flattened.Hu Xueyan in Hangzhou is not like this!Years ago in Shanghai, I heard people say that Hu Xueyan was planted in the hands of foreigners, but in fact he was planted in his own hands, so we cannot blame foreigners.Those who died in Qin Dynasty were not the Six Kingdoms.Hu Xueyan has a smart mind, good means, and quick fortune, but he is unable to keep money, and he doesn't know that he has become a slave to huge wealth.The greater the wealth, the heavier the burden, so what if it doesn't crush you to death! Cao Peide said: Hu Xueyan still has some talents, but he loves luxury too much. Kang Hunan said: Once you covet luxury, you have become a slave to wealth.There is no limit to the luxury in the world, blindly chasing after it, it is not enough to risk your life, how can you care about achieving any great cause!But the wind of luxury is also gradually permeating in our West Bank.Especially the big and big money owners, they only enjoy themselves, they don't know how to manage things, and they don't care about the changes in the world.If things go on like this, I'm afraid even Hu Xueyan will be worse than him.Xibang is famous for its long legs, but now who is the rich owner, who is willing to go out to inspect the business and take a look? Cao Peide said: Last year, Mrs. Kang's trip to the south of the Yangtze River really shocked the West Gang. Kang Hunan said: This is the Western Gang's sect, but it's a big fuss. It can be seen that the Western Gang is about to use its name in vain.Peide, your Cao family is the first household in Taigu, and you are the new owner of the virtuous.You should go on a tour outside the customs, with the ambition not to forget your ancestors, right? Cao Peide readily agreed, "Okay, then I'll follow Uncle Kang's orders, and when the weather gets warmer in spring, I'll go outside the customs." Shopkeeper Wu asked, "Then I have to follow your Kang family's example and accompany our boss's on tour, right?" Cao Peide said: I don't need your company. Shopkeeper Sun Da said, "Look at Mr. Cao's house, open up more!"As the leader, how can you leave the cabinet?But our old man must ask me to follow the waiter. Kang Hunan said: If you are a big shopkeeper, you have to go out and inspect the business.Shopkeeper Sun, you didn't suffer from this trip to the south of the Yangtze River, did you? Cao Peide said: "Okay, when the time comes, the shopkeeper Wu will accompany me." Seeing Cao Peide listening to him like this, Kang Hunan naturally became more interested, and talked more openly about the future of the Western Clan, and he didn't even taboo disrespectful words to officials.Cao Peide still echoed again and again, very respectful.Kang Hunan suddenly remembered that when he first came out of the mountain to take charge, he sent shopkeeper Sun Da to set up a village outside the pass. After three years, he would not be accommodated by the Cao family. Feeling proud: this is really something that makes him very happy.Therefore, Kang Hunan deliberately said to Cao Peide in an elder tone: Nephew Peide, I think you are worthy of great responsibility, not only to be the virtuous leader of your Cao family, but also to be the head of our Taigu Gang, and have great ambitions to be the leader of the Western Gang! Cao Peide quickly said: Mrs. Kang dare not say such a thing!I am a mediocre person, how can I stand this kind of flattery?I don't need to lose my life soon! Kang Hu Nan said sternly, "If you don't even dare to have this kind of ambition, wouldn't you be in vain as the descendant of the Cao family?" Shopkeeper Wu Da said: Looking at the current West Gang, there are really not many people with the heroic spirit of Mrs. Kang.The leader of the West Gang, I don't think anyone else can do it except you old man. Kang Hunanzhen also sighed: I am old, I want to be like Peide and Chongguang at your age, what is this ambition!How old are you, are you shrinking like this?How many years have the Western Gang ruled the world, but they hide dragons and crouching tigers in their names, and the wealth owners are not as good as one generation after another, so what are you waiting for if they don't decline! The third master, who had been silent all this time, interjected at this moment and said, "Brother Peide, let's work together to revitalize the Taigu Gang first, how about that?" Cao Peide hurriedly said: Of course it couldn't be better! Kang Hunan snorted and said: After talking for a long time, I am still thrashing around in Taigu! Shopkeeper Sun Da said: If you lift the Taigu Gang higher than the Qi Gang and Ping Gang, isn't that the leader of the Western Gang? Kang Hunan said: "Let's make a fuss, don't be inferior to one generation after another, just do it." In this atmosphere, Cao Peide asked about the new ticket number in detail, and the Kang family of course expressed their full support.On a whim, Kang Hunan actually said something like this: The imperial court was useless, and instead gave Zaibang a lot of money to earn a living.The Sino-Japanese War was defeated, China and Japan negotiated peace, and the imperial court paid compensation.Who will remit the imperial court's indemnity to Shanghai and deliver it to foreigners?From our West Bang ticket number!Shopkeeper Sun, tell them what a deal this is! Sun Beiming said: The Sino-Japanese War indemnity was agreed to be 200 million taels of silver.How can the imperial court have so much money to pay?It also borrowed from Russia, France, Britain and Germany.Even if you borrow it, you have to pay it back.From the 21st year of Guangxu, 12 million taels of loans were repaid to the four countries every year, 2 million from the Ministry of Households, and the remaining 10 million were distributed to the provinces and Jianghai Customs.In the past few years, each province and each customs remittance to Shanghai borrows more than 10 million taels from the four countries, and most of them are solicited by bank accounts in various places in our West Bank.With the addition of this large exchange business, of course, our Xibang has earned considerable remittances.Therefore, the business of our Tianchengyuan in the past four years has been pretty good. The shopkeeper Wu said: I said, the imperial court banned foreign exchange, and your business is still so good! Sun Beiming said: The imperial court did not ask us to remit Beijing salaries, and remittances were not prohibited. Cao Peide said, "Master Wu, let's get a ticket number quickly." Not only did no one care about Kang Hunan's disrespect towards the imperial court, everyone clearly followed suit and showed disrespect as well. But at the banquet, there was one person who never said a word, and that was Liu Ye. three On the thirteenth day of the first lunar month, Kanghu South set up a banquet to entertain Mr. He, the teacher of the family school. This is also the practice of the first month of every year.Kang Hunan despises Confucianism in his heart, but he is still unambiguous about the rules of respecting teachers.Otherwise, who in the clan still studies seriously?Master He Kaisheng, even though he was a little crazy, Kang Hunan always respected him very much and treated him with courtesy as a guest.In addition to entertaining distinguished guests on weekdays, Master He must be invited out to accompany him, and several times of special banquets will be held during the year.In the first month of the new year, of course it is indispensable. This year, Master He, Second Master, Third Master, Fourth Master, and Sixth Master were invited to the banquet this year, and they all attended the banquet as usual.After a few toasts, the second and third masters found an excuse and left the banquet early as in previous years.Fourth Master drank very little and didn't say much, but he sat quietly and left without making excuses.It was the old man who saw that he was sitting quietly and bored, so he let go: Mr. He, you see that the fourth child can't drink, and he is not interested in seeking fame, so let him go down? Of course, Mr. He couldn't stop him.Fourth Master hurriedly said some auspicious words to Master He, and then withdrew from the table.Of course Liu Ye had to accompany him to the end.It was like this every year, he accompanied the old man and entertained the old man. The Year of Gengzi was originally the year of the Zhengke Township Examination. Because this year coincided with Emperor Guangxu's thirtieth birthday, the imperial court specially added an Enke, and the original Zhengke Dabi was postponed by one year.Of course the Confucian scholars who were waiting to take the provincial examination were very happy. Therefore, at the banquet for Mr. He, this year's Enke has been discussed.In addition, the old man is in a good mood this year, and the atmosphere is more lively than in previous years.At least, I didn't quickly leave the topic of reading and scientific research, and gossip about inscriptions, calligraphy and painting, dock business and so on. Kang Hunan said straightly: It seems that the sixth son is destined to be a master of Juren, and he added an Enke for you the first time he rushed for the exam.Mr. He, do you think our sixth master will win the envoy exam this year, or next year? He Kaisheng actually said: That depends on the sixth master.If Liu Ye wants to win the exam this year, it will be this year, and if he wants to be in the middle of next year, it will be next year.Whether you add Enke or not, you can't miss Liu Ye's success in the exam. Kang Hunan asked: "Master He, the sixth son is really so good at learning?" Mr. He said: Mr. Liu is very talented, and he is not rich enough to deal with the stereotypes of the imperial examinations! The sixth master said: Master He dare not praise too much. Although I study Confucianism, although I work hard, it is still unsatisfactory. Kang Hunan asked the sixth master: I think you look like you are determined to win? The sixth master hurriedly said: I can only do my best.Master He has repeatedly taught me not to be too obsessed with the imperial examination, but to be extra open.Therefore, I pretended to be relaxed, but in fact, my heart was not at ease. Master He said: Sixth Master, just put your heart in your stomach.If you fail to win the exam, no one in Shanxi can win the exam anymore. The sixth master said: Mr. He, you have said too much again.I didn't win the exam. This year, the Shanxi Province Township Examination will also be opened to obtain a scholar.How can no one be elected? Kang Hunan said: Master He is very open-minded, it is the words of gold and jade!If you can really let go, Zhongju is really not difficult.In the twelfth year of Guangxu, Qu Benqiao, the eldest son of the Qu family in Qi County, won the first place in the township examination, Xie Yuan, and showed his family's face.You don't need to solve the yuan, you can do it if you can.Our Kang family doesn't have the extravagant hope of being the number one scholar, it's enough to be a decent candidate. Master He said: Why can't the sixth master win the prize?As long as you follow my advice, you can be extra liberal. Sixth Master, you will come back with a Jie Yuan this year, and you will have a test in Beijing next year, and then come back with a champion, so what's the problem! The sixth master said: Master He, as long as I don't fail, I will be lucky. Kang Hunan said: Master He means that you should let go.At that time, Mr. He was just a guest in the provincial examination, and he didn't pay much attention to the Confucian scholars or the examination questions, so he easily passed the exam. Hearing this, Mr. He's eyes suddenly lost his focus, and his voice changed a little: Mr. He, can you play the Ming court and get rid of my reputation as a juror? Kang Hunan didn't see that he was insane again, and asked: Master He, what do you mean, you don't want to be a tutor for our Kang family? The sixth master knew about it, and hurriedly said: "Master He, the students will treat you to another cup of wine!" Master He ignored Liu Ye, just stared at Kang Hunan in a daze, and said: "Old Master, if you want to send me to be the old gang of Jinhao, what will happen to Wu Niang?"Sun Beiming is above mediocrity! Only then did Kang Hunan see that something was wrong, so he smiled and said: Master He, did you drink too much? Master He said fiercely: I haven't drunk it seriously yet!Granny, I'm serious! Sixth Master hurried out and called the housekeeper, Lao Xia. Kang Hunan then told Lao Xia: "Help Master He down and serve him carefully." But Mr. He didn't get up, and said directly: I haven't had a few sips of wine, and I still have serious things to say! Lao Xia said bluntly: "Master He, let's show some compliments, how can the old man have time to listen to your nonsense!" Kang Hunan immediately shouted sharply: Lao Xia, you can't be so rude to Master He!Said, got up and walked over.Master He, let me help you go back to the school hall.If you have anything to say, let's go to the academy and talk about it. Hearing what the old man said, Lao Xia looked uncomfortable. The sixth master also hurriedly said: Let me help Master He go back to the school! A few servants had already rushed over to help Mr. He attentively.After all, Lao Xia is old and hot, seeing this situation, he took the opportunity to stop a few servants, and helped Master He up first.After receiving such praise from all the stars, Mr. He seemed to be relieved a little, and he stopped committing violence. He was supported by Lao Xia and left the table. The sixth master wanted to help the old man go back, but he didn't want to, but the old man asked him to sit down and had something to say to him.When he said that, he ordered all the servants to retreat.Facing the old man alone, the sixth master inevitably became a little nervous. The old man had a kind face and asked him: Are you determined to pass the imperial court's provincial examination? The sixth master said: This is also the last wish of my late mother. I am also very happy to remember your mother's last wish.可你是否知道，朝廷一向看不起山西的讀書求仕者？ Why? 我在你這樣大年齡時，也是一心想應試求功名。你的祖父卻勸我不要走那條路。我也像你現在一樣，很驚奇。但你既是遵母命，我也不想攔你，只是將得失利害給你指明。 我也不敢有違父親大人的意願。 老六，你母親生前對你寄有厚望，所以我也不強求你，只是將實情向你說明。我們康家是以商立家，我們晉人也是以善商賈貿易聞名天下。可你讀聖賢書，有哪位聖人賢者看得起商家？士，農，工，商，商居末位。我們晉人善商，朝廷當然看不起。 那我們山西人讀書求仕，為何也被小視？ 人家都以為，有本事的山西人，鄉中俊秀之才，都入商號做了生意；剩沒本事的中常之才，才讀書應試。所以，你就是考得功名，人家也要低看你一眼的！ 這是市井眼光，朝廷竟也這樣看？ 雍正二年，做山西巡撫的劉于義，在給朝廷的一個奏片中，寫過這樣一段話：山右積習重利之念，甚於重名。子弟俊秀者，多入貿易一途，其次寧為胥吏，至中才以下，方使之讀書應試，以故士風卑靡。雍正皇上就在這個奏片上留下御批說：山右大約商賈居首，其次者猶肯力農，再次者謀入營伍，最下者方令讀書。朕所悉知。習俗殊為可笑。你聽聽，對山西讀書人，巡撫大人視為中才以下，皇上乾脆指為最下者！ There is such a thing? 誰敢偽造御批！晉省大戶，都銘記著雍正的這道御批。 父親大人，那我從小癡於讀書，是否也被視為最下者，覺得殊為可笑？ 朝廷才那樣看。我正相反，你天資聰慧，又刻苦讀書，如再往口外歷練幾年，能成大才的。 父親大人還是要我入商不入仕？ 我只是覺得你入仕太可惜，自家有才，卻被人小看，何必呢？ 有真才實學，總不會被小看到底吧？ 渠本翹在他們渠家，算是有大才的一位。光緒十二年考中山西第一名舉人，又用功六年，到光緒十八年才考中進士。頂到進士的功名，榮耀得很了，可又能有什麼作為？不過在京掛了個虛職，賦閒至今罷了。本翹要不走這條路，在三晉商界早成大氣候了，至少也成祁幫領袖。 但西幫能出進士，至少也是一件光彩的事。 我們西幫能縱橫天下，不在出了多少進士舉人，而在我們生意做遍天下。朝廷輕看西幫，卻又離不開西幫。那些頂著大功名的高官顯貴，誰不在底下巴結西幫？去年我到漢口，求見張之洞，不也輕易獲准？我頂著的那個花錢買來的四品功名，在張之洞眼裡一錢不值。他肯見我，只因為我們康家是西幫大戶。但我畢竟老邁了，康家這一攤祖業，總得交給你們料理。你們兄弟六人，現在能指望的，只有你和你三哥了。我一向不想阻攔你走入仕的路，可去年你五哥竟為媳婦失瘋，才叫我憂慮不已。本來還指望你五哥日後能幫襯你三哥，料理康家商務，哪想他會這樣？現在能幫你三哥一把的，就剩你了。你要一心入仕途，你三哥可就太孤單了。 父親大人，我於商務，那才是真正的最下者。 那麼說，你還是要鐵了心，應朝廷的鄉試？ 如果父親不許，我只得遵命。 我不攔你。你要效忠朝廷，我敢攔你？那你就蟾宮折桂，叫我們也沾沾光！ 說畢，老太爺起身離席。六爺要扶了相送，被老太爺拒絕了，只好把下人吆喝進來。 六爺當然能看出，老太爺對他是甚為失望的。可他也只能這樣，他不能有違先母的遺願。十多年來，先母的亡魂不肯棄他而去，就是等著他完成這件事。一切都逼近了，怎麼能忽然背棄！很久以來，先母已不再來顯靈。但去年夏天以來，又鬧了幾次鬼。是真是假，眾說不一。但他是相信的：先母終究還是不放心他，在大比前夕，又來助他一把。他怎麼能背棄先母遺願！父命雖也不可違，但六爺更不想有違母命。幼小喪母的他，長這麼大，感到日夜守護著他的，始終還是先母。父親近在身邊，卻始終那樣遙遠。 實在說，六爺對料理商事，真是沒有一點興致。 Four 正月十四，康家主僕上下又聚於德新堂正廳，舉行了一次年下例行的祭神儀式。儀式畢，康笏南向全家宣佈了一個出人意料的決定： 我已老邁，一過這個年就七十二歲了，也該清閒活幾天吧。從今年起，德新堂的商事外務，就交給你們三爺張羅了。家政內務，交給你們四爺料理。都聽清了吧？ 這樣的決定，連三爺四爺他們都沒有料到，所以一時寂靜無聲。還是管家老夏靈敏些，見大家一時都愣著，忙說：三爺、四爺，快給老太爺磕頭謝恩吧。 三爺這才慌忙跪下，可四爺仍愣著。老夏又過去提醒了一下，他這才跪下，和三爺一道給老太爺磕了三個頭。 磕過頭，三爺跪著說：受此重託，為兒甚感惶恐，還望父親大人隨時垂訓。 康笏南說：交給你，我就不管了。 四爺忙接著說：父親大人，我是個無能的人，實在擔當不起家政大任的。 康笏南說：你大哥耳聾，你二哥心在江湖，輪下來就是你了。你不接，叫誰接？ 四爺說：三哥獨當內外，也能勝任的。 康笏南說：咱家商號遍天下，你三哥初接手，也夠他張羅了。你就操心家政，幫他一把。 眾人也一起勸說。沒等四爺應承，康笏南就站起來，說：你們也起來吧，我把祖業交代給你們了。內政外務，都有現成規矩，你們就上心張羅吧。 目送老太爺離去，三爺面兒上還是平靜如常，倒是四爺難以自持，一臉的愁苦。 三爺心裡，其實也很難平靜的。在沒有一點預示的情形下，老太爺這樣突然將外務商事交給了他，實在是太意外了。 當父親過了六十花甲後，他就在等待這一天了。可等了十幾年了，一點動靜都沒有。特別是去年，年逾古稀的老太爺成功出巡江南，彷彿永遠不會老去。從江南歸來，老爺子更是精神煥發。所以，他幾乎不再想這件事。可你不想了，它倒忽然來臨！ 父親為什麼忽然捨得將祖業交他料理？三爺想來想去，覺得還是因為自己聽從了那位邱掌櫃的點撥，少了火氣，多了和氣，有了些放眼大事的氣象吧。這次從口外回來，閤家上下，人人都說他大變了。老太爺一定也看出了他的這種變化。 要是早幾年遇見這位邱掌櫃，那就好了。 他在口外時曾暗中許下心願，一旦主政，就聘邱泰基為票莊大掌櫃。那時，他真是沒有料到這樣快就能接手商務。現在，他當然不能走馬上任，就辭去孫大掌櫃。目前在天成元票莊，孫大掌櫃還是不好動搖的。但他倚仗邱泰基治商的意願，那也不會改變。來日方長。 感奮之間，三爺就決定親自去一趟水秀村，問候一下邱泰基的眷屬。在口外時就聽邱掌櫃說，因為他的受貶挨罰，夫人很受了委屈。尤其自家一時羞愧，真的上了吊要尋一死，不是夫人機靈，他早沒有命了。當時聽了，三爺就想，等回到太谷，一定去問候一下邱掌櫃的夫人。可回來後，只是圍著南巡歸來的老太爺忙碌，差不多將這件事給忘了。不過，現在去看望，也好。自己剛主政，就去邱家拜訪，消息傳給邱泰基，他自然會明白：對他器重依舊。 當然，三爺也明白，他拜訪邱家這件事，也不宜太張揚。 所以，三爺等年節熱鬧過去了，到正月十九那天，趁往城北拜客的機會，才彎到水秀村。 但邱家的大門，敲了半天，才敲開。 開門的，是那個瘸腿老漢。他當然認不得康家三爺，但見來客氣象不尋常，忙賠不是，說自家耳朵不太好使，開門遲了，該死。 跟著三爺的隨從也不領情，喝道：這是康家三爺，來見你們當家的，快去通報！ 瘸老漢一聽是康家三爺，更慌了，嘴裡卻說：我們當家的，在口外住莊呢 我們還不知道邱掌櫃在口外？三爺是專門來看望你們內當家的，還不快去通報！ 瘸老漢這才一歪一歪跑進去了。不久，年輕的郭雲生跑出來，跪了對三爺說：不知三爺要來，我們主家夫人回了娘家，還沒有歸來。三爺快請進來吧！ 隨從喝道：娘家遠不遠？ 三爺忙止住隨從：誰叫你這麼橫，就不怕嚇著人家？然後和氣地問郭雲生：後生，邱家誰還在？ 郭雲生說：就我們幾個下人在。 三爺又問：管家在吧？ 郭雲生說：自邱掌櫃改駐口外後，主家夫人就辭退了許多下人，親自料理家事，沒有再聘管家。 三爺也早看見了邱家的一片冷清，就對郭雲生說：你家夫人既然不在，我們就不進去了。你轉告夫人吧，就說我來拜訪過。年前我剛從口外歸來，見過你們邱掌櫃。他安好無事，張羅生意依然出色得很，請夫人放心吧。我說的這些話，你能記住吧？ 記住了，三爺的盛意，我一定說給主家。三爺還是進去歇歇再走吧！ no. 說畢，三爺就上了馬車。他真沒有想到邱家會如此冷清。宅院還是蠻闊綽富麗的，只是裡面太淒涼了。邱家這樣淒涼，是一向如此，還是因邱泰基受罰才失了生氣？不論如何，日後他會叫邱家興隆起來的。 三爺是去過孫大掌櫃家的，那是何等氣象！ 望著三爺遠去了，郭雲生才算鬆了口氣。他趕緊跑進去，告訴了二娘。 原來邱家的主婦姚夫人是在家的，但她哪裡會料到東家的三爺來訪？所以，她慌亂異常，無法鎮靜下來，體面地出來迎接這樣的貴客。郭雲生只好跑了出去，謊稱她去了娘家。幸虧郭雲生現在已經老練些了，沒露餡地應對了過去。 聽了郭雲生轉達三爺的來意，姚夫人更連連詢問：三爺真的沒有生氣？三爺真的沒有起一點疑心？ 郭雲生一再說：三爺和氣得很，客氣得很，興致也好得很！ 你不是表功說嘴吧？ 我難道不怕三爺？ 郭雲生這樣一說，姚夫人才稍微放心了些。 姚夫人暗中將郭雲生納入自己房中，果然如願以償，很快有了身孕。她仔細算計了一下，只是比男人離去的時間晚了一個月。一個月，那是太好遮掩了。所以，姚夫人確認自己有孕之後，只有驚喜，沒有驚慌。她本來是下了決心的，即使一年半載後有孕，也要設法把孩子生下來。現在，幾乎用不著費什麼心機來遮掩，她當然只有驚喜。這樣快就有了身孕，最好的遮掩之法就是公開了，叫世人都知道。因此，在別人什麼都看不出來的時候，她已經在親友間作了張揚，也捎信向口外的男人報了喜。 到正月，姚夫人已是身懷六甲，體態明顯笨拙了，不過，她成天也是挺著這樣的身體到處走動的。三爺來訪，本來也無須遮掩，但姚夫人終於還是無法自持，有些亂不成陣了。大正月的，東家三爺專程跑來，就送來有關男人的那一番話，這更叫她心裡翻江倒海，平靜不下來了。 對於以商立家的人家來說，財東那可是比官家還要令他們敬畏。她的男人就剛剛領教了東家的厲害！而在她的記憶中，康東家還從沒有哪位老爺少爺來水秀登過邱家的門！所以，一聽說三爺來訪，就先心虛了：她有何顏面來接待這樣的貴客？三爺為何來訪，是不是聽到了什麼傳聞？及至聽了三爺的來意，心裡依然不踏實：三爺破天荒登一回門，就為了來說男人如何好？是不是知道了她的什麼事？姚夫人哪裡能知道，三爺剛當家，心氣正高。更猜不出，三爺是把自家的男人，當做未來的大掌櫃對待。三爺的突然來訪，真使她驚慌了好幾天。直到郭雲生進城打聽到三爺繼位的消息，姚夫人這才鬆了一口氣。 三爺新當家，自然要顯擺一下。來看望一個受貶老幫的家眷，為表示這位少東家的寬宏大量，禮賢下士吧。可她哪能知道，倒給嚇得心驚肉跳！ 自家受些驚嚇倒不怕，萬一嚇著未出世的孩兒，那可了不得！終於想到這一層，姚夫人才真正平靜下來了。為了這個未出世的男娃，她真是可以什麼也不在乎！有了這個男娃，她也相信自家能巧為應對一切的。她真該聽了雲生的話，從容出來見三爺。不要驚慌太甚，小心傷了身子，這也是雲生提醒了她！ 雲生這個小東西，跟了她以後，好像忽然之間長大了。不僅把一切遮掩得那樣好，人好像也變機靈了。尤其是他這樣一個小東西，居然像有情的男人那樣，真心細心地體貼她！男人的體貼，姚夫人得到的真是太少了。所以，郭雲生對她的體貼，雖然有些像母子間那樣，她還是感動不已。 這半年多來，日夜近侍在姚夫人身邊的，就是雲生了。那個伺候姚夫人的女僕，本來就帶幾分傻氣，機靈不了，加上姚夫人的有意為難，遭斥責哪能少？越挨罵，越發怵，也越機靈不了。這時候，雲生就趁機替她把事情張羅了。雲生因機靈得到讚揚，這個傻丫頭也不嫉恨，反倒很感激雲生。當然，這個傻丫頭更不可能猜到，其實主家夫人和雲生是合計好了，這樣來演戲。等到姚夫人公開了自己已有身孕，就乾脆不叫傻女僕走近，叫她伺候好小姐就得了。伺候姚夫人的差事，就公開由機靈、細心的雲生擔當。這在邱家的幾位僕傭看來，也沒有什麼奇怪。 白天沒人覺得奇怪，夜間就更無人操心了。不用說，郭雲生是夜夜都在姚夫人房裡度過的。 起先，姚夫人引誘郭雲生，只是為了生養一個兒子，託付晚年。引誘成功了，懷孕也成功了，她對雲生的感情也不一樣了。像大多偷情的商家婦一樣，剛毅而有主見的姚夫人並沒有成為例外，她同年輕的小僕雲生也生出了濃烈的戀情。擁著這個小男人，不再有那可怕的孤寂長夜。度過了最初的驚慌和羞愧，也能從容來享受有男人的夜晚了。不再像以前苦熬三年後等回男人，先是為以前補償，接著又為以後貪吃。相聚得越甜美，越叫人想到別離的可怕。現在，她終於可以一味沉醉其中，不再擔憂那許多了。 因為雲生也一樣沉醉了，他一再說，他已經不想去住商號，只想這樣永遠伺候她。 你是說嘴吧？ 我說嘴，二娘就永不舉薦我，不就把我留住了？ 饞貓似的，我才不想留你。 攆我也不走！ 你就不怕？ 我情願為二娘死！ 又說嘴吧！ 二娘這樣待我，真是死也請願！ 姚夫人知道雲生不是說嘴。能不能把他長久留在身邊，那真難以卜測，但他有這樣一份心，姚夫人也很感動了。她慶幸自己沒有看錯人。尤其那樣快就如願以償地有了身孕，她對雲生就更喜歡不盡。她甚至相信，自己夜夜相擁著這樣一個大男娃似的男人，足月之後，一定會生一個男娃。所以，