Chapter 16 Chapter Fifteen

one At noon on August 13th, Sun Beiming, the treasurer of Tiancheng Yuanpiaozhuang, was just about to take a nap, when suddenly a friend rushed to report: The county government official sent an urgent order from the provincial government, and the treasurer wanted to pick it up in person. . An urgent order from the provincial government? Sun Beiming didn't dare to neglect after hearing this, and hurried out. Seeing the shopkeeper Sun, the yamen guard hurriedly said politely: I have to bother the shopkeeper, it is really a last resort.An urgent order came from the Yamen of Futai in the province, telling the shopkeeper to rush to Taiyuan tomorrow, and the masters of Futai and Fantai summoned him for urgent matters.

As he spoke, he handed over the official ultimatum. When Sun Beiming hurriedly unfolded the post to read, it turned out that Futai wanted to announce an urgent order to the imperial court for the so-called urgent matter. An urgent order from the court? Sun Beiming asked the cashier to pay the servants the reward, but the servants did not dare to accept it, and only said: The county magistrate wants to listen to the answer: the big treasurer will arrive in the province tomorrow.If you can't get such an answer, not only the little guy won't be able to pay the job, but even the county magistrate will not be able to answer the top.

The situation is so serious? A few days ago, I heard that the empress dowager and the emperor had bypassed the east entrance and entered Shanxi.The summoning from Futai and Fantai is nothing more than to run the emperor's errand, so let's borrow money from the West Gang.But to borrow money, you have to find the owner. They are the leading shopkeepers, and they can't take care of such big things. Sun Beiming asked, "Who else is there in Taigu who is ordered by the provincial government to meet?" The guard said: There is also the big shopkeeper of Zhicheng Chengxin Ticket Office, and there is no one else.

Only the shopkeepers of two ticket offices were summoned?Sun Beiming thought about it, and then replied that he would go to the province on time. The capital of the country fell, the two palaces fled, and the court situation suddenly became so dilapidated.Can the general situation be saved?In the past, judging the current situation was based on the letters and newspapers from various places, especially the narrative and secret reports of the Jinghao.Now the capital does not exist, the name of the capital has been destroyed, and the communication roads in various places are not smooth.Therefore, it is also good to go to see Futai and Fantai in the province.At least, it can also be found out whether the two palaces entered Shanxi, whether they were transiting or staying in Luan.

If it's just a transit, then you have to eat the big family of the West Gang.Although the imperial court escaped from disaster, the cost was enormous.If you want to stay in Luan in Jin, it will be different. All the money and food paid to the imperial court in the whole country will be sent to Shanxi, so the West Gang still has business to do. Taigu is only a hundred miles away from Taiyuan.But seeing that noon had passed, it was impossible to arrive before noon tomorrow without going through the night. As soon as the yamen servants left, Sun Beiming ordered his comrades to hire standard vehicles for the journey, and hired martial artists from the Escort Bureau to guard the road. At the same time, he also sent his assistant to Zhi Chengxin to invite the treasurer Kong Da to go with him.

The shopkeeper Kong Qingfeng, who is honest and honest, is a little younger, and he is willing to listen to the arrangements of the shopkeeper Sun. So, according to Sun Beiming's intention, when the sun was slightly westward, he hurried on the road.The county government wanted to send officers and soldiers to escort him, but the two shopkeepers declined.Although the current situation is chaotic, but with Taigu bodyguards following, no one dares to cause trouble, it is safer than officers and soldiers. In less than midnight, we arrived in Taiyuan smoothly.The two shopkeepers went to their own provincial numbers separately.

After Sun Beiming arrived at the provincial capital, he had neither appetite nor sleepiness. After washing up, he called the old gang of the provincial capital to ask: "Which play is this in the Futai Yamen, did you find out clearly?" Mr. Liu hurriedly said: "The matter is too urgent, and I haven't heard anything yet." Although the Taiyuan branch of the ticket shop is called a provincial title, it is close to the main office and its business is not important.The old Liu Gang of Tiancheng Yuan Province was transferred from the outlying trumpets. They are loyal and loyal, but they have never experienced any big scenes.Suddenly encountering such great chaos in the Gengzi Year, it is even more overwhelming.Therefore, he really didn't hear much about the urgent summoning of Piao Zhuang, the treasurer of Futai this time.

Sun Beiming asked again: besides the Taigu family, who else was summoned? It is said that there are nine families in total, two in Taigu, two in Qixian, and five in Pingyao.It must be the first nine big names in the Xibang ticket industry. Are all the shopkeepers summoned by Lingdong?Did you call Caidong? They are all big shopkeepers. If he asked again, he couldn't ask more about the situation, so Sun Beiming poured some soup and lay down to wait.I thought I couldn't fall asleep, but I fell asleep very quickly.After all, I am tired. Because the Futai Yamen is being urgently renovated to serve as a temporary palace for the merger of the two palaces; the Fantai Yamen is also used by princes and ministers, so the summoning is in the Huanghua Hall.

When Sun Beiming rushed to the Huanghua Pavilion, he saw the other seven giants from the Qi Gang and the Ping Gang.From the Qi gang came Liang Yaochen from the Qu family's Sanjinyuan, and Gao Yu from the Qiao family's Dade Tong; Qing's Lei Qishu. It is not common for the three gangs of giants to gather together, but the reason for this gathering is not yet clear, and everyone just exchanged a few words of greeting with each other, and their minds are all on the unknown urgent order of the court. It was early noon, but there was no summons, and everyone was even more anxious. Rishengchang is the leader in the ticket industry in the west, and everyone can't help but ask the shopkeeper Guo: Do ​​you know what the urgent order is?

Guo Dounan smiled wryly and said: How can I know?You can ask the shopkeeper Gao Da, he is the most familiar with the official circles of the capital. Gao Yu of Dade Tong also smiled wryly: I don't know where the capital's officialdom is now! Wei Taihou Mao Honghan snorted and said: Do you still need to guess?It's just asking us to double our donations to help the imperial court. Kong Qingfeng, who is honest and honest, said: If you donate silver, you have to call the rich man.We are leaders, can we take charge of donations? Liang Yaochen from Sanjinyuan also said: Donations in previous years were just under the order of the Taoist officials, and you are so anxious to call us to the province?

Mao Honghan said: Isn't this an extremely critical disaster?Futai and Fantai urge donations in person, and they are anxiously waiting to use them.Seeing that the two palaces are about to arrive, aren't you in a hurry? Guo Dounan said: In this disaster, our brand name loss is unprecedented.Rishengchangkong bears the reputation of being the boss of a ticket office. There is no benefit, but the tree attracts the wind, and when there is trouble, everyone will grab us first!We are exhausted, how can we still have the energy to donate? Sun Beiming smiled and said: You Rishengchang are also crying poor, then we should go begging for food. Lei Qishu of Xieqing said: If you want to cry about being poor, let's cry together!They all told about the tragedy of the Xibang brand in Beijing, Tianjin, Lu, Zhi, outside the mouth, and outside the customs. Li Menggeng, who is prosperous and long: This is the truth, not crying for poverty.Our own family is in dire straits, how can we have money to donate to buy useless official hats! Sun Beiming said: Master Guo, Master Mao, why don't you come up with an idea and we all follow suit? Everyone agrees.We are planning to summon them to court. Entering the main hall, there is only the chief envoy sitting on it, that is, Li Yanxiao, the master of Fantai.After the nine shopkeepers knelt down and saluted, the Lord Fantai immediately gave them a seat. Dispensers!Li Fantai cupped his hands and said, it's rude to invite you here like this.But the matter is urgent, so I have to wrong you.Your Majesty Futai was supposed to come to see you in person, but because of the urgent military situation, the foreign bandits have invaded Huolu and are approaching Jin Province.I have no choice but to entertain the shopkeepers by the official. Master Fantai spoke so politely at the beginning, which was beyond the expectation of the shopkeeper!The chief envoy of that era was a member of the provincial government who directly managed government affairs and finance, and his status was second only to the governor.Because they are in charge of finance, the vassals are generally familiar with the business world, especially in Shanxi, which is famous for its business.But the Fantai is a high-ranking local official after all, and its pomp and prestige, even in private, must be sufficient.It's a serious scene now, Master Li is so humble, how can it not be suspicious! The holy chariot is approaching, and the military situation is in critical condition. It seems that the West Gang is really going to be hit hard. The reason why I urgently called everyone here today is because I received an urgent order of six hundred miles from the military plane.The most relevant thing to this expedited decree is the ticket industry accountants of the leaders. Walking here refers to the place where the emperor is lucky.The six-hundred-mile emergency decree issued on the way to escape from the two palaces is most related to Xibang Dahao?When the shopkeepers heard it, they couldn't figure it out. Dear shopkeepers, the Shengjia of Lianggong has already visited Daizhou, and will visit Taiyuan in a few days. Have the two palaces arrived in Daizhou?This was the first time I heard definite news about the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, unexpectedly it was right around the corner.Everyone was amazed. This trip of the two palaces is not like a normal tour, the entire imperial court and even the whole country are following, so the need for it is unprecedented.Since the two palaces left Beijing, they have passed through the scorched land all the way, experienced chaos and severe drought, and most of them were unable to cope with such an emperor's mission.Although Xingzai Military Aircraft Department issued urgent orders to the provinces every day, urging them to release Beijing's salary to Xingzai to help the imperial court, but this is not easy! Li Fantai paused on purpose, but none of the shopkeepers dared to speak.Master Fantai had no choice but to continue: Now the road is not stable, and the news is often unreachable, and it is really difficult to send the huge amount of Beijing pay to the two palaces in time.In the past, all the provinces handed over the Beijing rates, and they all handed over to the Xibang ticket numbers of the leaders.Let me ask you a question: Since the Boxing Rebellion broke out, have your accounts stopped soliciting money? All shopkeepers turned their attention to Guo Dounan of Rishengchang: He is the boss, so he should speak first.But before Guo Dounan could say anything, the Weitaihou Mao Honghan had no scruples, and said eloquently: Master Fantai, it's not that we stopped the exchange, it's that the business can't be done!Beijing and Tianjin fell, and all the Xibang shops were looted, and no family was spared.Brand names in Zhili, Shandong, Henan, Shaanxi, Guanwai, and Kouwai have also suffered disasters, and the tragic loss makes people's hair stand on end!This is the worst catastrophe encountered by Xibang Ticket Industry since its establishment more than 100 years ago. Li Fantai hurriedly said: "The loss of the West Gang is so tragic, Master Futai and I must report the truth to the court!"The Jiangnan brands of each family are still attracting money, right? Mao Honghan still took the lead in endorsement: Xibang Huiye is dispatched from north to south.The northern brand is ruined, how much business can the Jiangnan brand still do?Besides, there was chaos everywhere, and the letter bureau couldn't get the tickets, so they had to stop the exchange. Since the Western Gang stopped remittances and the provinces paid the capital, they had to appoint commissioners to escort them.But the journey is far away and the current situation is unstable, so how can it solve the urgent needs of the two palaces!At this point, Li Fantai bowed his hands to pay tribute to all the shopkeepers: All the shopkeepers, this urgent order from the imperial court is to order the provinces to hand over the Beijing pay to the local Xibang ticket office, and rush to transfer it to Qi, Shanxi, etc. Tai and Ping old numbers.Then Qi, Tai, and Ping each took up the silver and handed it over to the imperial court.For this reason, the imperial court has appointed the nine masters of the Xibang present here, ordering you to open a remittance route, and immediately collect Beijing's salary to support the imperial court! It turned out that the imperial court called Xibang Chenghui Beijing Pay.Although everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but after thinking about it for a while, they also felt that it was not a good job.In the current chaos, it is difficult to dispatch money from different places.The Xibang agreed to accept the remittance of Beijing's salary, which is equivalent to agreeing to lend a huge amount of money to the court.At this point, everyone understands why the Lord Fantai is so low-key: the West Gang has contracted the capital salaries of various provinces, and after the arrival of the two palaces, Fanhao's expenses have been settled, and the Fuya Fan treasury in the province can breathe a sigh of relief.At this critical time, to run such a large imperial mission with only the strength of the province on the right side of the mountain, it is really worrying.What's more, Shanxi is suspected of conniving at boxing chaos. If you can't handle this imperial mission, Futai Fantai will not be off the top, but your head will be lost. Among the nine shopkeepers, who has become a master!Therefore, after seeing through the intentions of the officials, no one wanted to say anything, even Mao Honghan, who was rushing to speak, didn't say anything. Master Fantai then said: At this time of crisis, the imperial court can remember the speed and reliability of the Western Gang's remittances. This is not only the glory of your Western Gang, but also the glory of the whole mountain.Hope you all live up to your holy fate! Guo Dounan of Rishengchang had no choice but to say: The court is in trouble, and we should do our best to serve it, and we will not hesitate to die.However, after suffering such a catastrophe, the trust channel is not smooth, and it is rare and fast to get the ticket.Even if it is the same as before, that is the east gate of Shanxi. Now the two armies are facing each other, how can they get the ticket? Li Fantai immediately said: There is a saying in the military plane: wire transfer is the best. Guo Dounan said: The circuit is even more unblocked, Boxers only pick and cut the wires. Master Fantai said: Circuits everywhere are being repaired. Mao Honghan said: Our Xibang ticket office has lost half of the country in the Northland, and the old account is also very empty.Even if a money order comes by telegram, we can't afford it for a while!The Beijing rate remitted from various provinces is not a small amount. Li Fantai smiled: If I didn't know that you are rich in the Western Gang, wouldn't you be a feudal prince in Jin Province in vain!Shopkeepers, I will read the imperial decree on behalf of Master Futai, please kneel and listen! The shopkeepers had no choice but to kneel down. Master Fantai unfolded a roll of bright yellow posts and said: This is an urgent six-hundred-mile decree sent by the military plane yesterday: The minister of military aircraft sent letters to the governors of the provinces directly. In August of the twenty-sixth year of Guangxu, Xinsi issued an edict: Since the county was lost, the treasury money was gone. It takes a long time to find a solution.The provinces pay tribute to Beijing, always on the grounds that the journey is not smooth, and it has been a long time since they were unable to solve the emergency.Today, the governors of all provinces are specially ordered to hand over the Beijing salary to the Xishang bank as soon as possible to remit it to the provincial capital of Shanxi.Western merchants and old villages are mostly located near Taiyuan, so wire transfer is particularly convenient.According to the needs of my kindness, I have to wait for Kong Yin urgently, and I will hand over the banknotes to the Western merchants in order to make it quicker, and there should be no more prevarications and delays.From six hundred miles, the provinces were ordered to know it.Shanxi governor Yuxian ordered Xishang Dahao to quickly open the exchange road and collect Beijing's salary.This is it. After Li Yanxiao read out the imperial decree, he read the list of the nine major ticket numbers listed by the Military Aircraft Department, and sure enough everyone present was listed in it. two After listening to the imperial decree, even though there were all kinds of grievances in my heart, I couldn't say anything. But at this critical time, it is not a small matter to collect the whole country's Beijing salary for the imperial court.In addition, it is not easy for the nine big players in the ticket industry to meet together.Therefore, after being summoned, everyone intends to meet again in Taiyuan for half a day to discuss this unpredictable errand. Gao Yu, the treasurer of Dade Tong of Qiao's family in Qi County, rushed ahead of everyone and said: Compared with your big names, our Dade Tong is a new account.So, today's gathering will be hosted by us, can you appreciate this face? The Qiaojia Dade pass number was changed from a tea house to an exchange business during the Tongzhi period.Compared with other eight big font names, it is really a latecomer.However, it came from behind, with outstanding achievements, even the founders of Pingbang Rishengchang and Weizihao did not dare to underestimate it. The treasurer Gao Yu is indeed an expert in the ticket industry, he grabbed this pretext first, and the other family can only appreciate it. Therefore, it was agreed to find an elegant meditation room in Chongshan Temple for a half-day meeting.At noon, Dade Tong will entertain all of you at Qingheyuan Restaurant. The gathering at Chongshan Temple is obviously to avoid the eyes and ears of the world.Talking about the emperor's mission is unavoidable, and the words are unavoidable, which is not enough for outsiders to hear.Chongshan Temple is also a large temple in the provincial capital, and there are many high-ranking officials and celebrities among the pilgrims, so there are also several elegant and exquisite meditation rooms. The next day, Gao Yu brought a provincial veteran named Jia Jiying to Chongshan Temple early.This Jia old gang is the old gang with the provincial name of Dadetong and Dadeheng. He is only twenty-five or six years old, but he is extremely shrewd and capable, and he often has unique opinions when he encounters problems.The tall shopkeeper brought him here in order to treat all the big shopkeepers thoughtfully, so as not to offend anyone. As soon as Jia Jiying and Gao Yu arrived, everyone in the temple was very hospitable.Soon, a quiet and elegant meditation room was selected. The monk prepared the best black tea.Jin people have been in the brick tea business for hundreds of years, so the tea drinking habits in the province are mainly brick tea and black tea. The meditation room is quiet and the tea is fragrant.Before the other big shopkeepers arrived, Gao Yu first told Jia Jiying about the imperial court's emergency edict.Then, ask: Jiying, you see, when the overall situation is so miserable, what are the gains and losses of asking us to accept Beijing's salary? Jia Jiying hurriedly said: Manager Gao, are you testing me? Gao Yu said: "I can't answer this difficult question for a while. How can I test you?"Really want to hear your insights. In front of the tall shopkeeper, what insight can I have?The shopkeeper has been stationed in Beijing for many years, and I can't say much about the general situation of the court. look at you!I want to hear your opinion, but you don't want to talk about it.You are also an old gang, so you have no idea when such a big event is imminent?I don't have to listen to your opinion. If the shopkeeper wants to say this, then I will be presumptuous.At a time when the situation is turbulent and the situation is uncertain, I don't think it is unbearable for the imperial court to place such a heavy burden on the shoulders of our West Gang.It is more reassuring to ask us to accept the remittance fee from Beijing than to force us to lend a huge sum of money.No matter how urgent it was, it was because our foreign bank, Zhuangkou, had received the foreign exchange, and the old bank only withdrew the money and handed it in. It was nothing more than a temporary advance. Temporary cushion larger!Well, my shopkeeper Jia, you put it lightly!How long is this time: March and May, or three years and five years?How big is this bigger one: a hundred thousand taels, or a million taels?What if the situation gets worse?We have collected a huge amount of Beijing salaries in Zhuangkou, a foreign city, and we can’t adjust them for a long time. Once there is chaos, isn’t it like Beijing, Tianjin and Zhuangkou, repeating the same mistakes of being looted? Of course, the shopkeeper's concerns are not superfluous.But who can predict the general trend in the future?Besides, since the imperial court has suppressed it, it is inconvenient for our Xibang to refuse the remittance, right?Shopkeeper Gao Da, in my humble opinion, there is only one way to know the general situation in the future: calmly accept the emperor's errand from the imperial court, and quickly open our remittance route. My treasurer Jia, what do you mean? Treasurer Gao, the general situation we are concerned with should not only focus on the fleeing imperial court, but also the movements of the provinces, especially the provinces in the south of the Yangtze River that have not suffered from the chaos and foreign disasters.The imperial court's imperial decree urgently urging Beijing's payment is passed on, and how the provinces act is the best basis for predicting the future trend!The provinces moved after hearing the news, and they were very enthusiastic about paying us for remittance to Beijing, so there is still hope for the general trend; if the provinces receive the order, they find another excuse, still evade and delay, and do not pay us, it shows that the provinces have also lost confidence in the general trend.Therefore, we can collect foreign exchange calmly, without worrying about burning our hands: if we collect more foreign exchange, the general trend is good; if the general trend is not good, we will not receive much foreign exchange.The various places do not meet, and the imperial court can't blame us for the West Gang. When Gao Yu heard it, Chi Jie praised: "Jiying, what a great idea!"When you said that, I was also stunned. Jia Jiying hurriedly said: "Boss shopkeeper, your heart is as clear as a mirror."It seems that there is nothing wrong with my answer sheet? Jiying, you really made me understand.It turned out that not only me, Qi Taiping's three gangs, the nine dahao Lingdong shopkeepers, were all ignorant.We want to be like a mirror, and we have already gone back calmly, and we still use this gathering to talk a lot! The big shopkeeper, I also thought of this suddenly, it is really not worthy of praise. Not only do I want to praise you, but I also want to use your insight to call all the shopkeepers and tell them to remember you! Shopkeeper, don't dare to mention me in front of you! You don't have to worry about it. Shopkeeper Gao Yu has always been good at listening to the opinions of his subordinates. Whenever he finds a good idea, he will not steal it for himself, but will always show it in the account and record it as a merit.Jia Jiying had heard about it a long time ago, and today he experienced it himself.However, he didn't really believe that none of the nine shopkeepers in the industry really realized his own knowledge? Soon, the other eight shopkeepers arrived one after another.Gao Yu naturally greeted him attentively, but he was elegant and calm, and he was not in a hurry to say anything.When introducing Jia Jiying to everyone, he didn't praise him too much. During the gathering, the big shopkeepers were still courteous, and Guo Dounan, who had been thriving day by day, did not regard himself as the boss.Only Wei Taihou Mao Honghan was alone, showing a little domineering, but he was much more restrained than usual.The current situation is in dire straits, business has suffered a severe setback, who still has the mind to show off! Mao Honghan still didn't advocate soliciting this imperial errand, he said: Last year, business was good, but the imperial court issued a ban, forbidding us from the west to accept remittances from Beijing.This year, boxing chaos and foreign disasters, wars and horses are in chaos, and the world is not peaceful, but we are forced to take money!I don't know who got involved in the slander of our West Gang, who wants us to follow the general trend and lose! As soon as Sun Beiming heard it, he went on to say: Exactly!Last year, the imperial court's ban on foreign exchange really didn't trap us to death!Thanks to the great ability of old gangs from all over the country, they cleverly exercised the control and caress, and they loosened up one province after another. Kong Qingfeng, who is honest and honest, said: Then why don't we make it out of the law and call old gangs from all over the world to create a movement? Guo Dounan said: This year is an extraordinary time, not like usual.The empress dowager who fled is short of food and drink. No matter how much you exercise, the provinces will not be able to delay Beijing's salary. Liang Yaochen from Sanjinyuan said: Scholars, farmers, businessmen, scholars, farmers, businessmen, when they are respectable, they always start with scholars and end with merchants.Now it's a critical moment, and put us ahead! Lei Qishu of Xieqing said: The imperial decree has been issued, and it is futile not to want to take this emperor's post.The two palaces are about to arrive in Taiyuan, and they have nowhere to vent their anger after suffering all the way.If we refuse to remit the Beijing salary, then we will be dealt with harshly! Li Menggeng of Wei Shengchang also said: "Since the imperial court entrusted us with the task of remittance of Beijing's salary to our Xibang, the provinces are looking for excuses for delays, and they will inevitably try to trick us."If we don't try our best, we may all be punished. Guo Dounan said: "If you can't resist the order, it's also difficult to accept the order!"If there is really a large amount of money to be remitted from Beijing, we, Rishengchang, really can't come up with so much cash.At the beginning of the year, the bank was transferred to the south and the north, how could there be such a situation?Now the North Bank is robbed, the South Bank is trapped, and the old account is empty. Mao Honghan also said: If you want to pay the emperor's envoy, you have to ask the boss for a silver backing.The Beijing-Tianjin brand was robbed, and the owner was bleeding from distress, so he asked to go out and pay for the money?My leader really can't speak. Sun Beiming said: The shopkeeper Mao is so afraid of his boss, so how dare we go back to Taigu? Kong Qingfeng said: If you can't resist the order, you can't accept the order, so you have to think of a way, right? Fan Dinghan, who was very rich, said: I think there is only one way to receive the order.Resisting the decree is just talking. Mao Honghan said: Why can't I resist?Ask the old gangs from all over the place to act slowly, and find some excuses for lack of communication and poor telegrams. Sun Beiming also said: We shifted the responsibility to the letter bureau and the telegraph bureau, which is also a way to delay the troops. Fan Dinghan said: It is difficult for the private letter bureau to get through the communication channel for a while, but it can be messed up, and the official telegram is easy to get through.The two palaces have arrived in Shanxi, and the Tongjin telegram will not be blocked. Guo Dounan said: "The two palaces came to Shanxi this time on a west tour. I don't know if they want to stay in Luan and stop when they arrive in Taiyuan, or just pass by and leave after a few days of rest?" Sun Beiming said: Shopkeeper Guo, this is your point.Let me see, if the two palaces are temporarily stationed in Taiyuan, then we will have to take over the imperial errand even if we sell everything.If you're just passing by, it's a different story. Fan Dinghan said: "I heard the imperial decree yesterday, as if I was going to stay in Taiyuan.The provinces are clearly ordered to transfer Beijing's salary to the capital of Shanxi Province, isn't it just to live in it?If you just pass by, you will not issue such an edict.The source of Beijing's salary has been remitted, but the two palaces have left. How can such a thing happen? Kong Qingfeng said: "The order to remit Beijing's salary to Taiyuan is just to borrow money from our western ticket dealers."Qi Taiping is close to Taiyuan.Maybe you want to stay in Taiyuan, right? Mao Honghan also said: How can the two palaces be interested in such a land boundary as Shanxi? Li Menggeng said: The mountains and rivers inside and outside Shanxi are just a good place to take refuge.It is not too far from the capital, and it will be easy to return to Luan in the future. Sun Beiming said: If the imperial court is stationed in Taiyuan, then our Xibang will still have business to do.Only the whole country's Beijing payment is transferred to Shanxi, and some of the losses in Beijing and Tianjin can be recovered. Mao Honghan said: I dare say that the two palaces will not be stationed in Taiyuan! Li Menggeng said: Taiyuan is also a blessed place. Didn't Li Yuan and his son lived a Tang Dynasty here! Mao Honghan snorted and said: Can you compare with Datang? Guo Dounan hurriedly said: Manager Gao, why don't you say a word? Gao Yu said: I respectfully listen to your opinions. Guo Dounan said: Tell me your opinion too! Gao Yu said: I don't have any good ideas!Today, I rush to be the host and courteously, just want to hear your opinions. Mao Honghan asked: Master Gao, do you think the two palaces will be stationed in Taiyuan? Gao Yu smiled and said: Zhuluan, I'm still passing by, I really can't tell.The person who will serve you with me today is Jia Jiying, the provincial name of our Da Deheng.Although Jia Laobang is young, he often has his own opinions when encountering problems.Jiying, you have listened to the discussions of the big shopkeepers, and if you have any insights, please share them. Jia Jiying hurriedly said: All the shopkeepers are here, how dare I be presumptuous?It has been very rewarding to listen to your comments. Guo Dounan said: If you have unique opinions, you might as well talk about them. Gao Yu said, "Master Guo asked you to talk, so just talk."If you are tender, who will laugh at you? Jia Jiying hurriedly said: "The big shopkeepers praise me like this, and I don't dare to be presumptuous."However, I listened respectfully to everyone's arguments, and I became enlightened and felt at ease.This time the emperor's errand is difficult to answer, but with the support of all the big shopkeepers, it is not difficult to say, and it is not difficult.Our West Gang, after all, is outside the officialdom, and all the big shopkeepers make plans independently, and there are two ways to advance or retreat.This time, the imperial court asked us to accept the payment from the West Bank to Beijing. It was difficult, but the most difficult one was the imperial court.The westward tour of the two palaces was extremely difficult, and the capital salaries of the provinces were delayed and could not be delivered.Therefore, the joints of this matter are all in the governor's office of each province.If this urgent edict from the imperial court is passed on, will the provinces enthusiastically pay us the Beijing salary?They still don't move, we just want to take this royal job, but it's in vain.If the provinces are really eager to meet, why don't we gladly accept them!The provinces' active support to the imperial court shows that the general situation can still be saved, and it doesn't matter if we support a little bit more for a while. Gao Yu pretended to be surprised and said, "Jiying, since you have this insight, why didn't you say a word when I called you to discuss it last night?" Jia Jiying said: I was suddenly enlightened after listening to the discussions of the big shopkeepers. Guo Dounan said: Shopkeeper Gao Da, you little boss is a sensible person.What he said, I don't think there is anything to worry about.The joints of this imperial errand are indeed supported by the provinces.They still don't move, and we really can't help it. Li Menggeng also said: Whether the two palaces are located in Taiyuan or not depends on the movements of the provinces.If the provinces are actively helping, the imperial court may be stationed in Jinyang in order to return to the Luan capital as soon as possible.If the provinces have duplicity and ambiguous deeds, how dare the two palaces be trapped on the right side of the mountain? Some of the other big shopkeepers praised Jia Jiying, while others didn't think so.Especially Wei Taihou's Mao Honghan just sneered and didn't bother to comment.But to be honest, all the tycoons here have received some enlightenment, at least they have realized that they can still wait and see the general situation after receiving this imperial mission.They couldn't help but be a little surprised that there was such an insightful young veteran in Qiao's Da Deheng. It's just that no one among Qi Taiping's three gangs and nine leading tycoons realized that level, which was beyond Jia Jiying's expectation. In fact, the Xibang ticket shop has been prosperous for more than 100 years. The leader of the big shop is respected and powerful, and his family is rich. up. three All the way back to Taigu, Sun Beiming kept thinking: The provincial name of Qiao's Da Deheng hides such a talented young veteran, which is really unheard of before.Taiyuan Zhuangkou has never been considered important, but to release such a talent, what kind of masters should be released in Jinghao, Hanhao, Shanghaihao, Suihao, Dongkou, Xikou and other big Zhuangkou?No wonder the Qiao family's Dadetong and Dadeheng two consecutive numbers came from behind and were aggressive. Back in Taigu, Sun Beiming hastily made arrangements for the accounts room and letter room, and told them to contact Zhuangkou in various places as soon as possible, and sent an order: If there is a transfer of Beijing's salary, they can take it as much as possible;The meaning is obvious, play it safe and wait and see the general trend. After settling down, I should have gone to Kangzhuang first to tell Mrs. Kang about this trip to the provincial capital, but Sun Beiming couldn't bear it anymore, and sent a young man to call Dai Ying, the old gang of Jinghao, to come quickly. What are you calling Dai Ying for?How to deal with this imperial errand?no.Sun Beiming wanted to test his Beijing boss to see if he had Jia Jiying's talent.If Dai's old gang is not as good as this small old gang with a provincial name, Cheng Yuan will really be in trouble at home and abroad that day. Soon, Dai Ying hurried over. Seeing that he had recuperated for these days, although he had not recovered, Sun Beiming was still in much better spirits, so he said: Shopkeeper Dai, you look much better, but you are still thin. Dai Ying smiled and said: Don't worry, shopkeeper, I'll grow fat fast when I'm at home with nothing to do. After all, he has suffered a lot, so he should stop and recuperate.I really can't bear to invite Shopkeeper Dai to come today. Shopkeeper, are you still being so polite to me?If you have any orders, just say it. The matter is urgent, so I have to wrong you like this.At noon on the 13th, an urgent order came from the Futai Yamen in the province, telling me to go to Taiyuan overnight, saying that there was an urgent order from the imperial court to read. An urgent order from the imperial court? Yes, I also wondered at the time: We are not in the officialdom, how can the imperial court issue an imperial edict to us?After thinking about it, there must be something extraordinary, so I hurried there. Didn't they just summon our family? Taigu also has Zhichengxin, two Qibangs, and five Pingbangs, which are the top nine big names in the Xibang ticket industry. Just asking you to lead Dongda shopkeeper? yes.The court's decree will not be a trivial matter.For major events in the account, it has to be decided by the boss.But people only hear about us as leaders, not wealth owners. That is to ask our West Gang to urgently remit the remittance to Beijing, right? Sun Beiming quickly slammed and praised: Shopkeeper Dai, how did you guess so accurately? Dai Ying was a little surprised by the abnormal praise from the shopkeeper.However, he still said straightforwardly: Isn't it obvious that the imperial court took the Manchu civil and military officers to escape, and the journey was costly.How can I afford it just by running imperial missions along the way?Therefore, it is necessary to rely on emergency relief from the provinces.The imperial court's escape is uncertain, and if we don't rely on our West Gang to remit Beijing's salary, the provinces will not be able to help them if they want to.Master shopkeeper, the two palaces really entered Shanxi? On the 14th, I saw Mr. Li, Fantai, and he said that the two palaces had already passed Daizhou.Ten today? August 16th, yesterday was the Mid-Autumn Festival. Yesterday was August 15th?Yesterday in Taiyuan, Dade Tong Gao Yu hosted a banquet for all the shopkeepers, but no one mentioned the Mid-Autumn Festival!It's an emergency, and I really can't take care of anything.Today is the 16th, the two palaces may have already set off from Xinzhou, at the latest, they will arrive in Taiyuan tomorrow night! Now that the two palaces have arrived in Taiyuan, it is only natural for them to borrow money from the Xibang ticket office to remit Beijing's salary urgently. Shopkeeper Dai, you escaped from the capital and came back.The precarious state of the court, of course, you feel more empathy.At this moment when the general situation is hopeless and chaos is everywhere, if we are asked to accept Beijing's salary, isn't the Laxi gang jumping into the abyss? Master shopkeeper, from my point of view, it's really hard to see where the situation is headed.The imperial court has lost its capital and fled to Jin.But except for Beijing and Tianjin, all provinces have not been lost or in chaos.Therefore, looking at the general trend now, it all depends on the trends of the provinces. When Sun Beiming heard it, he felt even happier: Isn't what Dai Ying said the same as that Jia Jiying!However, Shopkeeper Sun tried his best to remain calm and said: Now, the communication channel is not smooth, who can find out the truth in each province? Dai Ying said: This foreign exchange acquisition is a good opportunity to find out the reality of each province!If the provinces actively meet and support the imperial court, the general trend is reassuring; if there are few exchanges and the court is put in danger and ignored, the general trend is not good.Therefore, I should gladly accept this imperial mission. It was exactly what Jia Jiying said word for word!Sun Beiming got a satisfactory result, but it was inconvenient to express it in words, so he said vaguely: It's just that the current situation is not stable, and the large amount of money is difficult to dispatch in different places.In case the sources of salaries from all over the country come from all over the country, the support of the old account will be too big. Dai Ying said flatly: The bigger the pad, the more worth it!The large support means that Beijing pays more; the more Beijing pay means that the provinces still have hope for the imperial court.Since the general situation is saved, we will have business to do in the future.At this time when the whole country is in trouble, the imperial court issued an urgent order to tell the world how to use our West Clan to remit their business and solve the crisis of the two palaces. What a demonstration of our West Clan!With this emergency, the imperial court will never ban foreign exchange from the Xibang again in the future.People all over the world will recognize the West Gang even more. In the event of a catastrophe, the imperial court will rely on us so much, who still doesn't trust us? Dai Ying's words are even more superior to that young and old gang.When Sun Beiming saw Dai Ying came up with such a brilliant idea, he blurted it out almost without thinking, and he couldn't help feeling a little bit self-deprecating.Although the other big masters of Lingdong were as dull as himself, Sun Beiming still strongly felt his old age.I'm old, I'm old, it's time to retire.Especially in the face of such extraordinary changes, I am really powerless. Sun Beiming said frankly: Shopkeeper Dai, what you said made me suddenly enlightened.It turned out that I was really worried when I took this imperial mission!If you don't pick it up, of course it won't work; if you pick it up, you're afraid you won't be able to support it.Hearing what you said, I am also at ease. Dai Ying didn't seem to notice the shopkeeper's mood, but said rather hastily: Shopkeeper, now is not the time to praise me.You called me today because you have an urgent matter for me to handle, right? Sun Beiming was a little puzzled: something urgent?The urgent task at present is to take on this imperial mission.I called you here just to hear your opinion. Shopkeeper, besides collecting foreign exchange, there is one more urgent matter that needs to be done immediately! What's urgent? Send me to Taiyuan, temporarily stationed in the provincial number!The two palaces are about to visit Taiyuan, and the imperial court is close at hand. I heard that the Minister of Military Aircraft and the Minister of the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Wang Wenshao, is also on his side.I'm an old gang member of Jinghao, even if I go to inquire about news, I'm better than others.Observing the situation and grasping the general situation, this is our top priority! After hearing this, Sun Beiming was stunned again: I should have thought of it, but I didn't think of it myself!He hurriedly said: Shopkeeper Dai, you are absolutely right!Mr. Liu, the provincial number, had never seen a big scene. Suddenly, the court was lucky, and he was left in a panic.Shopkeeper Dai is temporarily stationed in the provincial number, it would be great, but I really can't bear to interrupt your recuperation. This is the opportunity for me to make up for my past mistakes, so there is no need for the shopkeeper to think too much about it. Shopkeeper Dai, it's up to you! The two palaces were fortunate to send veterans from Beijing to station and make arrangements. This was a move that should be taken along with the trend, but Sun Beiming didn't see through it first.He felt even more desensitized, and he was really old. After sending Dai Ying away, Sun Beiming hurried to Kangzhuang to see Mrs. Kang.康笏南雖在年下宣佈退位了，將外間商務交三爺料理，但孫北溟依然還是將老太爺當東家。對新主事的少東家三爺，並沒有很放在眼裡。 這次見老太爺，三爺也在場，孫北溟忽然變了，對三爺也恭敬起來。他已有意退位，所以不想得罪少東家了。可三爺哪裡知道？ 康笏南張口就問：大掌櫃，去了趟省城，見著皇上沒有？ 孫北溟說：老東台已經知道兩宮臨幸晉陽了？ 康笏南哈哈一笑，說：你們誰也不給我送訊，我哪能知道！不過，掐算著他們也該來了。 三爺說：我們也得不到可靠的消息，儘是些花哨離奇的傳言。 康笏南瞪了三爺一眼，說：我不是說你，我說孫大掌櫃呢。 孫北溟忙說：老東台，你還真會掐算。八月十四，我在太原見著藩台李大人，他說兩宮行在已過代州，奔太原來了。走得再慢，明天十七，只怕也到了。 康笏南就說：上天也是有眼，偏偏就叫看不起咱山西人的大清皇家，也來山西逃難一趟！ 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。聖訓既以為山西人一不善文，二不喜武，那皇上太后跑山西來避亂，豈不也夠可笑！ 孫北溟也笑了，說：只怕是除了山西，也沒更好的地界去了。關外、口外，人煙稀少，浩浩蕩蕩的朝廷行在，誰來伺候供養？ 三爺說：只怕也受不了口外、關外那份苦焦！ 康笏南說：丟了國都，流落山西，這叫什麼事？亡國之兆呀！ 孫北溟就說：這次藩台把我們叫去，是叫我們緊急解匯京餉。皇差壓下來，不能不接，但在此敗落殘局中，收攬如此巨款，實在叫人不放心。 康笏南斷然說：孫大掌櫃，這是朝廷求到我們西幫頭上來了，得拿出些氣魄來！不就是攬匯嗎，不就是緊急支墊些銀子嗎？你們拿出些本事來，給咱辦好。櫃上銀錢不夠用，你跟我要。得叫天下人看看，在此危難之際，我們西幫可比那班文臣武將，比那些制台撫台中用得多！ 老東台的氣派比戴膺還大，這也有些出乎孫北溟的意料。自己真是老不中用了。借應對此非常局面，正好可提出讓位請求吧。於是，孫北溟就說： 當前局面非比平常，走錯一步，危及全盤。我實在是老邁了，支應眼前亂局，心力都不濟了。老東台，我請求過多次了，想告老退位，今次總該答應吧？換一賢才接手，正是可建立功業的時候。 三爺聽了，心裡倒是忽然一亮：孫大掌櫃退位，該輪到他挑選自己的大掌櫃吧？ 然而，康笏南卻厲色問：大掌櫃，你是說我的意思不可取？不該放手攬匯？ 孫北溟忙說：我不是這種意思！老東台氣魄，令我們膽壯腰硬。只是我老不勝力，已擔不起當前重任了。老東台早有話在先，要退位，你我一搭退。現在，你已退了，卻不讓我退？ 康笏南說：現在是大敵當前，怎麼能換帥？你孫大掌櫃英雄一世，不能就這樣臨陣逃脫，給嚇軟了，離位吧？ 孫北溟說：我的名分實在也不值什麼，還是東家的字號要緊。在此非常之時，我若再惹下穿幫塌底之禍，那才要身敗名裂了。 康笏南便一指三爺，說：現在是他主事，你想退位，問他！我主不了事了。 三爺一聽，就知道老太爺是要借刀殺人，他哪裡敢答應孫大掌櫃退位！便趕緊說：老太爺如此挽留，孫大掌櫃就收回退意吧。 康笏南跟著就問：現在京號的戴掌櫃在哪？ 孫北溟就說：兩宮即將到達太原，已將他派往省號了。 康笏南說：大掌櫃，看看，你寶刀未老呀！這一著，我剛想到，你已經先手落子了。 孫北溟忙說：這不是我 康笏南打斷他，毅然說：孫老弟，在你大掌櫃任上，給我再辦一件事，我就放你退位。 孫北溟忙問：辦一件什麼事？ 康笏南正色說：你給張羅一下，我要親眼見見兩個人。 孫北溟問：想見誰？ 康笏南說：能是誰？兩宮也！太后，皇上，當今位處至尊者，不就是這兩個人嗎？ 這話真似霹靂一般，孫北溟一時哪能對答上來？ 康笏南似乎也不理孫北溟，繼續說：這也是風雲際會，天緣作合。人家送上門來了，為何不見！ Four 戴膺是八月十七到達太原的。這天傍晚，兩宮聖駕果然也到了太原。 撫台衙門為做行宮，已於倉促中作了盡可能的修飾，也算富麗堂皇了。尤其是供太后和皇上御用的宮室，窗帷、茵褥，一應陳設器件，居然都與京中大內沒有什麼不同。據說西太后初見此情景，彷彿忽然回到宮中，大喜之後就是大怒：區區撫署，竟敢有此宮廷氣象？ 兩宮到時，駐守故關的撫台毓賢還沒有趕回來。他或許也不想趕回來面對聖顏。在山東山西兩做巡撫，毓賢早落下一個親拳仇洋的盛名，局面已殘敗如此，他大概也自知來日無多了吧。借軍情緊急，躲在前線，那也是最好選擇。所以，太后震怒的時候，只得由藩台李延簫應對。 李藩台當時似乎還未亂了方寸，趕緊作了巧妙的解釋：這一切御用物器，都是在嘉慶年間，為仁宗先皇帝巡幸五台所置辦，供行宮御用的。後來仁宗皇帝未曾臨幸，這一切御用物器便原封未動儲入藩庫。今兩宮臨幸，來不及置辦御用新品，只好將儲庫開啟。誰就能想到：收藏一百多年了，這些御用之物居然件件燦爛如新製，絲毫未見損毀。這實在是老佛爺和皇上洪福齊天！今日臨幸，已有百年前定，此當為一大吉兆，國朝將劫後復興，重現先帝時盛世。 行宮御用物品，也真是從藩庫中翻出的舊物。經李延蕭這樣一說，西太后當下就轉怒為喜，並沒有急於數落毓賢縱容拳匪的罪過，倒是很誇獎了幾句晉省皇差辦得好。 太原行宮既有京中大內氣象，受盡顛簸流離之苦的西太后，就自然要恢復宮廷排場了。太后一恢復排場，隨扈的王公大臣，也跟上講究起來。上至太后皇上，王公大臣，下至宮監宮女，還有護駕勤王的將士，兩宮一行有數千人之巨。這麼龐大的一個流亡朝廷，全照京中排場講究起來，山西藩庫怎麼能支應得了！ 可各省的京餉，依然杳無音信。只是在八月二十日，日昇昌老號收到湖南藩庫電匯來的十一萬兩京餉，除此之外，再沒有動靜了。 戴膺見各省是如此態度，對時局的憂慮加重了。但從宮監渠道打探到的消息，卻是西太后對太原行宮甚為滿意，已鋪派開，過起了京中的宮廷日子，看不出有急於啟蹕要走的樣子。 難道西太后真要在太原駐鑾，靜待收復京津？ 這天，戴膺在省號悶著無事，便去見蔚豐厚的李宏齡說話。 戴膺到達太原不久，西幫各大號的駐京老幫，也陸續來到太原。為把握時局，彼此少不了聚會計議，儼然將京師的匯業公所搬到太原了。不過，見面聚談的時候，還是敘說京中歷險的話題多。他們大多是在洋人攻陷京城後，才倉皇逃出來的，一提及其間經歷，似乎還驚魂未定，也就特別有談興。而京師發生此大劫難時，李宏齡正在太谷家中歇假。他未歷險，所以跟他說話，能集中於當前。戴膺也不願多說棄莊出京那段晦氣的經歷了。 今次又見著李宏齡時，日昇昌的梁懷文也在座。 戴膺就問：你們日昇昌又有京餉匯到嗎？ 梁懷文說：哪有呀！還是湖南那一筆。 李宏齡就說：各省才不著急呢。兩宮西巡，路途不靖，正給了那班制台撫台許多借口。 戴膺說：各省真就置朝廷於危厄而不顧？ 李宏齡說：官場那些把戲，你還不知道？各地上奏的折子，一定是雪片似的飛到行在，除了叩問聖安，表示殊深軫念云云，一準都要呈報：應貢的京餉漕糧，早已經押送上路了。因為遇了匪，或是斷了路，不能及早解到，焦急萬分，等等。至於京餉漕糧在哪，老天爺也不知道！ 梁懷文也說：六七月間，八國洋軍攻打津京，哪一省曾發兵援救了？袁項城統領精兵，又近在京津側畔，稍作策應，就能斷洋兵後路，可他隔岸觀火，一動不動。炮火已飛入紫禁城，太后皇上有性命之危，他們都不著急，現在只不過饑寒之憂，誰給你著急？ 戴膺說：國失京都，君主流亡，各省竟也袖手不管。他們是巴望著大清早亡吧？ 李宏齡說：他們哪會有亡國之虞！朝廷受洋人欺負，丟了京師，逃難在外，也不是頭一回了。咸豐十年，英法聯軍攻陷津京，朝廷棄都出逃，避難承德，結果怎樣？除了賠款割地，不是還成全了當今太后的垂簾聽政嗎？這一次，也無非是割地賠款，重寫一紙和約罷了。 梁懷文說：聽說佔著京津的西洋各國，已經傳來話，請兩宮迴鑾呢，說他們能確保朝廷平安。 李宏齡說：洋人也不傻。佔著一座空京城，跟誰簽訂和約呀！ 梁懷文說：聽說西太后已經幾次下急詔，調李鴻章北上，跟洋人談和。 戴膺說：要是這樣，那說不定，各省還另有心思呢，成心叫兩宮吃我們山西的大戶？ 梁懷文說：不是說不定，肯定就這樣。西太后逃難這一路，最寵幸的一人，是小小懷來縣令吳永。吳永是兩宮逃出京城多日後，第一個以官場規矩，恭迎聖駕的沿途官吏。所以西太后感動得不得了，就叫他隨扈打前站，辦宮門要差。聽說西太后有事就叫吳永，常把隨扈的軍機大臣也晾在一邊了。 戴膺說：我也聽一位奏事處的首領太監說，老佛爺叫吳永進去說話，常常一時半會兒出不來，軍機大臣候在外頭，乾著急，沒辦法。 梁懷文說：就這麼一位受寵的吳永，聽說太后已將他派往江南，催討京餉去了。為何捨得派吳永去？就為他體察太后這一路艱辛，比別人深切，給督撫們詳說西狩的悽惶狀，或許能激發了他們的天良。 李宏齡說：可見西太后也看清了，下頭的制台撫台，一個個都快喪盡天良了。只管他們苟且自保，才不理你朝廷悽惶不悽惶呢。 梁懷文說：我看西太后捨得放走吳永，還因為要暫駐太原，不走了。一路辦糧台，打前站，太后是誰也信不過，只信任吳永一人。若還要西行，能放走吳永？各省探知兩宮要駐鑾太原，就更不著急京餉了。 李宏齡就說：那我們真得趕緊求見一次王文韶。 戴膺問：求見王中堂，探聽消息？ 梁懷文說：哭窮！ 李宏齡說：王文韶是隨扈的協辦大學士，大軍機，戶部尚書。既到太原，我們西幫總得盡盡地主之分，設宴巴結一回。借此機會，也向他詳細陳說西幫受損的慘狀。 梁懷文說：現在各省京餉沒有影蹤，我們不趕緊訴苦，朝廷就該吃喝我們西幫了。 戴膺便說：二位所議倒真是當務之急。只是，能請得動這位中堂大人嗎？ 梁懷文說：戶部跟著王中堂來的，倒是有幾位相熟的郎中、主事。 李宏齡說：戴掌櫃有門路，也得用起來，一搭辦成這件事。 戴膺說：我打探多日了，戶部隨扈的大員中，我們真還沒太熟慣的。隨扈的宮監中，倒還有能說上話的。 梁懷文說：向宮監也得哭窮。他們把風吹到太后跟前，豈不更好！ 戴膺說：我們已經訴了不少苦。 梁懷文說：訴苦，還得加哭窮！ 李宏齡說：各省袖手不理，兩宮又駐鑾不走，那我們西幫就倒霉了。省裡藩庫，我們還不知是什麼底子？它支應不了幾天。藩庫一旦支應不起，就該逼著我們西幫支應。 戴膺說：各省真要這樣袖手不管，我們就得設法把兩宮支走？ 梁懷文與李宏齡相視一笑。 戴膺說：除了訴苦，哭窮，只怕還得借重勘輿之學。給王中堂進言，說今之太原，已非古之晉陽吉地，龍脈早斷了。帝王駐鑾，恐怕得慎加卜測吧。 就這樣，三位京號老幫秘密議論起驅鑾之策來。 可憐位處至尊的朝廷，這時居然落到誰都不想供養的境地，分明已到亡國的邊緣。西幫這幾位精英人物，也如此無情，倒不儘是太重利，實在是目睹官場的無情和無能，不願給他們做冤大頭。官場中食奉祿的大員小吏，平時誰不是把忠君報國掛在嘴邊，可到了這真需要忠君報國的要命時候，連個靠實的人影兒也逮不著了！隨扈的一班大員，除了排場不減，什麼好數也想不出來。各省高官呢，又口是心非，只顧打各家的算盤。西幫不食一厘官祿，倒給他們充大頭？ 哪會那麼傻！ five 戴膺正與京號老幫們秘密策劃驅鑾的舉動，孫大掌櫃忽然派人把他叫回太谷。 叫他回來，又有什麼急務嗎？ 原來，那天康笏南說要親眼見見太后和皇上，孫北溟還以為那不過是激憤之言，哪曾想老太爺是當真的？過了兩天，就派三爺來催問：張羅得如何了？孫北溟這才傻了。 老太爺真是要見當今太后和皇上？可安排覲見當今聖顏，他孫北溟哪有那種能耐！他問三爺：老太爺是說禪語，還是當真？ 三爺說：我看是當真的。老太爺失了一向的沉靜，時時催問，只怕兩宮起駕走了。 孫北溟說：我還以為老太爺難為我呢，故意不許我退位。三爺，我哪有那種本事呀？陛見天顏，也不是我們能張羅的事吧？ 三爺從容說：大掌櫃，京號的戴掌櫃在哪？他駐京多年，或許能有辦法。 三爺這一說，孫北溟才不慌了。於是，急忙打發人去叫戴膺。不過，孫北溟也再次感到自己應變失敏，真是老了。 戴膺回來，一聽是這樣的急務，就對孫大掌櫃說：這倒也不是太難的事，只要肯花錢，或許能辦到。兩宮困在太原，正缺銀子呢。only 戴膺將兩宮動向，尤其各省袖手，京餉無著，眼看要坐吃西幫的大勢，給孫大掌櫃說了。面臨這種情勢，西幫為自保計，只能哭窮，不敢露富。老太爺這麼張揚著覲見聖顏，不是想毀西幫嗎？別人想哭窮，也哭不成了。 孫北溟就說：戴掌櫃，你們所慮倒是不謬