Chapter 17 Chapter 16 Breaking the Precedent Through the Ages

one Dai Ying heard that the Cao family had captured Cen Chunxuan's cavalry alive, so after thinking about it for a while, he decided to meet Cao Peide. In Taiyuan, Dai Ying had already inquired clearly, after the Western Empress Dowager sent her beloved Wu Yong to Huguang to demand Beijing's salary, this Cen Chunxuan had already taken care of all the errands in the palace.The person who came to Cao's house to kidnap was actually a soldier under Cen Chunxuan's subordinates. Didn't this just give the Xi Gang a chance to clear up Mr. Cen? In fact, besides the Imperial Forest Army of Shenji Camp and Shenhu Camp, the guards accompanying King Laiqin were mainly the Jingying Wuwei Army under the command of Ma Yukun, the admiral of the Nine Gates.When he was in Taiyuan, Dai Ying also visited Ma Junmen.Speaking of the difficulty of escorting and leading troops along the way, Ma Junmen also vomited bitter experience.The road was desolate, and there was no money for the soldiers. When they were in a hurry, the soldiers went out to loot everywhere.Sometimes, the imperial tributes prepared for the Queen Mother by counties along the way were robbed.Therefore, the Empress Dowager was extremely annoyed by this, and repeatedly ordered that all soldiers who dared to go out to rob would be killed without mercy.Killing is killing a lot, but looting is still unstoppable.It was only after entering Yanmen Pass that the ground became richer and the supply of imperial missions along the way gradually increased, so it was easier to bring soldiers.

After listening to Ma Yukun's complaints, Dai Ying also asked: Now that Taiyuan is surrounded by a large army, will there be bad soldiers running out to disturb the people, especially going to our Qi Taiping to rob? Ma Yukun said categorically: Seeing that the emperor's envoys here are doing well, the queen mother issued a special order: if there are soldiers who bravely disturb the people, they will be severely punished.He also said that Ma Yukun, no matter who the soldiers were, would be executed immediately if they violated the law. Dai Ying had heard these words, so he felt that using the kidnapping case of Cao's family could be used as an article for Cen Chunxuan: hide this matter for him, don't make it public, don't report it to officials, and if you don't believe him, Cen Chunxuan won't take any favors?If Cen Chunxuan is cleared up, at least he can cry more for the Xibang in front of the Queen Mother.Also, Cen Chunxuan also has a great way to handle the matter assigned by the old man.

But it seemed too abrupt for him to meet Cao Peide suddenly.So Dai Ying asked the third master to accompany him.He said to the third master: After Cen Chunxuan has been cleared up, it will not be difficult for the old master to see the queen mother or emperor. When the third master heard this, he naturally readily agreed. Dai Yingzhen did not expect that Cao Peide treated him with more respect than the third master.Because Cao Peide intends to turn his own account shop into a ticket office, he naturally admires the Kang family, the well-known shopkeeper of the Beijing account.It's just that Dai Ying doesn't quite understand the meaning of this layer.

Dai Ying saw that the young head of the Cao family was not difficult at all, so he expressed his thoughts frankly: Taigu Wujie captured the kidnappers for your Cao family, and it was a beautiful job!In particular, Master Che Er and the others were unarmed, but the kidnappers were riding a horse with a knife, and they were able to take it down quickly. There are good stories about the martial arts of the masters. The third master said: This time, Master Che and the others are outsmarting by design, not hard-on-tough. Dai Ying said: If you have both wisdom and courage, your fame will spread far and wide.But it was Cen Chunxuan's cavalry who were captured alive, which is not a good thing!

Cao Peide hurriedly asked: Shopkeeper Dai, how can we know that the kidnappers will be his soldiers?I still don't quite believe that the soldiers and horses escorted by King Qin actually do this kind of banditry for a living. Dai Ying said: Cen Chunxuan's soldiers and horses were brought over from Gansu, and they were originally wild.Escorting this journey, eating and drinking less, and not looting is the day's fault. Cao Peide asked, "I've never heard of this Cen Chunxuan before. Why is he suddenly escorting the emperor?" The third master also said: I heard that the guards were the Beijing camp soldiers and horses led by Ma Yukun. Where did Cen Chunxuan come from?

Dai Ying said: This Cen Chunxuan was originally a feudal lord in Gansu.In June, when foreigners captured Tianjin and threatened the capital, Cen Chunxuan asked to take troops to Beijing to defend the imperial court.Lord Tao Gongmo, the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu, knew that Cen Chunxuan was a person who likes to show off and was not good at leading troops to fight, so he didn't want to allow him to go.But the name is upright, and if you don't allow it, you can't stand it.Master Tao had no choice but to grant him, but he only allocated three battalions of infantry and three battalions of cavalry, a total of only two thousand people, and he was paid fifty thousand taels of money.Cen Chunxuan took these troops and rushed to the capital.It took time for soldiers and horses to march to Zhangjiakou through the Mongolian grassland, and it was too fast.He flew into Beijing himself first.When your majesty saw it, the queen mother scolded immediately when she heard that she had only brought two thousand soldiers: It's a joke!

The third master smiled and said: Two thousand soldiers and horses, just want to block the foreigners and relieve the danger of the capital? Cao Peide said: Let me see, this Cen Chunxuan is still somewhat loyal and brave.Why don't those who command heavy troops and are good at fighting do not solve the crisis in the capital? Dai Ying said: Those who are capable will not be caught; those who are not capable will all come to surround you, so what if you are not unlucky!The Queen Mother was already upset, so she asked again: Where are your two thousand soldiers?Cen Chunxuan could only tell the truth: I have arrived in Zhangjiakou, and I will be in Beijing soon.Such a small amount of soldiers and horses came here to ask for credit before they were brought?The queen mother was even more disgusted, and immediately said: You soldiers and horses, stay in Zhangjiakou and guard against old Russians, you don't need to go to Beijing.

Cao Peide said: Such a loyal minister came, but he was driven away. Dai Ying said: Don't tell me, this Cen Chunxuan is really lucky.Before he left the capital, the capital fell.He escaped from the capital together with the two palaces, and if he was not asked to escort him, he would have to escort him too. The third master said: What kind of luck is this?The capital fell, maybe he brought bad luck. Dai Ying said: The troops Cen Chunxuan brought with him all the way westward were not worth mentioning, but the 50,000 taels of military pay he brought was a big deal in the first few days.The empress dowager and the emperor fled from the capital in a hurry, and the escorts escorting her were considered mighty, but they didn't bring out even one tael of the capital's salary from the imperial treasury.So in the first few days, the food, drink and expenses of this mighty group of people were all barely supported by the little military salary brought by Cen Chunxuan.The Queen Mother heard about it and praised Cen Chunxuan greatly.Later, he simply asked him to work with Wu Yong to undertake the big mission of Qianlu Liangtai.Look, isn't this good luck?

Cao Peide said: This good luck is also bought with loyalty and bravery.Shopkeeper Dai, the gang of kidnappers captured by Master Che and the others, if they are really under Mr. Cen, they should be sent back to the camp and let him deal with them, right? Dai Ying said: I'm afraid he won't recognize it. The third master said: Why doesn't he recognize it? Dai Ying said: This is to smear his face, is he willing to admit it?After being stationed in Taiyuan, the Empress Dowager repeatedly issued decrees not to allow the soldiers to go out to disturb the people. Cao Peide said: "Then we will pretend that we don't know it's his soldiers, and just hand it over to the officials."

Dai Ying said: "If you hand over an official, you must be killed immediately."If it was really Cen Chunxuan's cavalry, if he was killed like this, he would definitely not be able to spare us when he found out. The third master said: Then we captured these bastards alive, did we capture them wrong? Dai Ying said: The two rich men don't know that Cen Chunxuan is really a difficult person, and now he is favored by the Empress Dowager, and he is very popular.If this matter is not handled properly, I really don't know what trouble it will cause! Cao Peide said: Shopkeeper Dai, you have been stationed in Beijing for many years, how should you deal with it?

Dai Ying hurriedly said: Cao Dongtai, what can I do?It's just that I have just lived in Taiyuan for a few days, and I have heard some news, so let me give you some advice.What we caught, even if it was the Jingying soldiers led by Ma Yukun, was easier to deal with than this.The third master has friendship with Ma Junmen, so he can talk about anything.Even if there is no such personal relationship, Ma Junmen is easy to deal with.After all, he is a capable military general, how can he look like this Cen Chunxuan! The third master said: "The villain is not easy to mess with if he succeeds." Dai Ying said: Cen Chunxuan was already somewhat arrogant and domineering, but now he is favored by the Empress Dowager, monopolizing the power of the palace, and even more domineering, unrestrained and violent to the point of frightening people!It is said that he used all kinds of coercion and power over the officials of the prefectures and counties along the way to manage the grain and Taiwan, and insulted him to the fullest.After Shengjia arrived at Xuanhua Mansion, the county magistrate of Tianzhen received an urgent report telling him to prepare to pick him up immediately.A small county in the north of Saibei, suddenly running such a big imperial mission, just preparing food and drink for thousands of people, is enough for it to hum. The third master said: Tianzhen, I have been there.In the face of a severe drought like this year, what food and drink can there be?Xiao Mai can't harvest a few, and the mutton is also afraid that it will not be fat. Dai Ying said: Cen Chunxuan wants to think like the third master, that's good!Tianzhen poured all the efforts of the county, and finally managed to get everything ready, but the Queen Mother stayed in Xuanhua for three consecutive days and did not get up on time.Tianzhen can't wait for Shengjia to come. Besides, many poultry foods have changed their taste.When the holy car suddenly came under pressure, how could there be time to temporarily re-purchase it?This Cen Chunxuan, when he heard that the food smelled rotten, called the county magistrate to insult him, and immediately forced him to replace it with fresh food.The county magistrate said that the queen mother and the emperor's imperial meals have been prepared as much as possible, and it is too late for the rest.Cen Chunxuan was not willing to listen, he just said: Want to be lazy?It depends on how many heads you have!Under this threat, the county magistrate knew that he could not explain, so he committed suicide by taking poison. Cao Peide said: When you run an imperial errand, you probably always hold your head. The third master said: The imperial court is so unlucky, why should people like Cen Chunxuan be reused?He is domineering and domineering, why not scare foreigners! Dai Ying said: Bullying the weak and fearing the hard is a common problem in officialdom.It's just that Cen Chunxuan is not easy to mess with. Cao Peide said: Look, shopkeeper Dai, what should we do with the dozen or so kidnappers we caught? Dai Ying said: Cao Dongtai, I really have no good plan.Although Dai Ying had countermeasures, it was inconvenient to say at this time: Don't make too much noise.For now, don't make it public.I'm afraid that if I don't handle it properly, I will annoy Cen Chunxuan. If he deliberately indulges his soldiers to harass Taigu, or persuades the Queen Mother to beat our West Gang, then he will be in big trouble.I'll go back to Taiyuan right away, and make further inquiries to see how this move should be played.There are many capable shopkeepers in your house, please ask them to find a way. Cao Peide said: We have quite a few names, but there are not a few outstanding Beijing names.I'll just listen to shopkeeper Dai, cover up this matter first, don't report it to the officials, don't make it public, and wait for your good plan. Dai Ying hurriedly said: "Cao Dongtai wants to say this, I really dare not do anything wrong!"Just do your best, what is a good strategy? Cao Peide said: Shopkeeper Dai is welcome.Let me also ask by the way: Is it too late for a new check-in number? The third master said to Dai Ying: At the end of this year's new year, Brother Cao mentioned that he wanted to change their account shop into a ticket shop.The old man agreed very much, saying that the Cao family also opened the Piaozhuang, so our Taigu Gang will not be what it used to be! Dai Ying hurriedly said: Our old man is right.Check-in number, whether it is sooner or later, depends on who handles it.If your Cao family wants to do it, isn't that easy? Cao Peide said: Shopkeeper Dai, I don't want to hear your compliments, I really want to teach you! Dai Ying said: I am telling the truth.You have no shortage of capital, no shortage of shopkeepers, and all major docks in the country have your Cao family name, especially the Cao family name is so famous that everyone can trust: these are all complete, and the ticket number is not a ready-made thing! Cao Peide said: Shopkeeper Dai has to wait and see, I dare to make up my mind.It's just that, just in time for this year, natural disasters and man-made disasters, there is no shortage of them.Shopkeeper Dai looks at the general situation in the future, is there still hope? Dai Ying said: Cao Dongtai is full of heroic spirit, I also want to hear your insight on the general trend! Cao Peide said: I live in the countryside and watch the sky from a well, how can I have any insight!Shopkeeper Dai has always been in the capital, so I really want to hear some good opinions. Dai Ying said: "Suddenly, a catastrophe like this year happened, and no one dared to predict the current situation."Last year today, who would have thought that the situation would be so defeated?Just in May and June of this year, who would have thought that the imperial court would abandon Beijing and flee?So for the general trend in the future, even Kong Ming's rebirth, I'm afraid I dare not predict it.If it is said that the Qing Dynasty still has the hope of turning into a decadent ZTE, no one will believe it.However, this year's changes, despite the combination of internal strife and foreign aggression, are still the most severe.Compared with the Hongyang Rebellion, only Beijing and Tianjin were lost, and other land boundaries were not that important.In particular, the provinces in the south of the Yangtze River have hardly been affected. The third master said angrily: It is a shame and a shame that the capital falls! Dai Ying said: The foreigners only wanted to humiliate the Qing Dynasty, not destroy it.The purpose of insulting you is to make you obediently pay compensation and cede the land; if you are destroyed, who will you sign the peace agreement with, and who will you ask for compensation and cede the land?So, let me see, the result of this catastrophe is nothing more than writing another peace agreement, paying compensation and ceding the land.If your Cao family wants an invoice number, you can just open it up as usual, but it will be opened a few days later. Cao Peide said: I think so, the situation is just like this.Shopkeeper Dai, we are new to the ticket industry, you old accounts won't cheat, right? Dai Ying said: If you dare to bully your Cao family, you must have great ability.The Cao family is not like the current imperial court, anyone dares to bully it! The third master said: After such a court, all the money has been paid to foreigners. How much business do we have to do! Dai Ying said: "Scholars, farmers, businessmen, we are at the bottom, whether the imperial court is strong or not, I don't care about it!"Even if you want to take care of it, they won't ask you to take care of it!Jump out of officialdom to see the world, in times of prosperity and chaos, there is always business to do. two After Dai Ying walked back to Taigu for so many days, he unexpectedly missed the meeting with Wang Wenshao, the co-organizer, minister of military affairs, and secretary of the household department. On the second day after Dai Ying left Taiyuan, Wang Zhongtang summoned more than a dozen big-name veterans of the Beijing gang among the Xibang ticket offices.But this summoning was not at the request of the West Gang, but on his own initiative.Moreover, the summoning was extremely urgent, and the order was sent in the morning, and it was received in the next day.It was too late for Tian Chengyuan to invite Dai Ying back, so Mr. Liu had no choice but to go by himself. Wang Wenshao, as the prime minister, urgently summoned the shopkeepers of the Xibang ticket office, not because he came to the Xibang's hometown and wanted to show courtesy to a corporal. The reason was really simple: he wanted to borrow money from the Xibang. After arriving in Taiyuan, the Queen Mother lived comfortably and had no intention of leaving.However, the capital salaries of all provinces have disappeared without a trace, and there has been no remittance.Those governors, the memorial was written so movingly, everyone said that the remittance had already started and was about to start, but where did the money go?Ask them to hand over to the Shanxi ticket dealer, and the bills and wire transfers have been completed, but there is still not much movement.The Shanxi feudal treasury is about to run out, and the Fuyuan feudal secretary is already complaining.Only then did Wang Wenshao follow the advice of some subordinates of the household department and borrow money from Western merchants in the name of the imperial court. In the past in the capital, it was not uncommon for the household department to borrow money from west bankers. Please go up, and the queen mother agrees. Originally, Wang Wenshao wanted to invite the big moneyholders of the western merchants to treat them with generous gifts and righteousness, and perhaps it would not be difficult to borrow huge sums of money.But Li Yanxiao, the Shanxi feudal lord, said that Qi Taiping and those rich men don't care about such things.They have seen many things like official persuasion for donations and borrowing money.Invite them here, apart from hearing them cry poor, you can't expect anything else. Wang Wenshao proposed: Then please invite the big shopkeeper of the Western Merchants? Li Yanxiao said: The big shopkeeper of Lingdong is also in the same tune as Caidong, so it's hard to talk about it.Not long ago, I had just summoned them and read out the imperial decree, asking them to accept the remittance fee, but it seemed aggrieved and quite unhappy. Then who do you see? Li Yanxiao's suggestion: If you want to meet, just meet the shopkeepers of the Beijing accounts.This group of people is the most capable and enlightened among Western businessmen.They have been stationed in Beijing for many years, they have foresight, they have a plan, they are reasonable, and they will never refute Master Zhongtang's face.Right now, most of them are in Taiyuan, ready to call. Can they be masters? Li Yanxiao said: The status of the shopkeeper of Jinghao is unusual.When it comes to major external affairs, the richest treasurer often listens to them. Wang Wenshao adopted this suggestion and urgently summoned the veterans of Jinghao. But after seeing the shopkeepers of the Beijing name, Wang Wenshao quickly discovered that they were not as reasonable as Li Yanxiao predicted.No matter what you say, whether it's the festival of loyalty, the great grace of the emperor, or the majestic household department will never repay the loan, these shopkeepers will always just cry and complain like that!If they were in the capital, he would have kicked them out of the Yamen a long time ago.But now that he is fleeing, it is really inconvenient to have an outbreak in the face of danger. As the prime minister of the imperial court, now he also feels the feeling of being poor and short-sighted. Wang Zhongtang is really sentimental! Li Yanxiao, who accompanied him to the meeting, was able to hold his breath. The shopkeepers were crying and complaining, and he was still beating and drumming: it was not easy to meet Mr. Zhongtang once. Tell me about any grievances and disasters you have suffered.Master Zhongtang will definitely play the imperial court and let you decide! Wang Wenshao was dissatisfied with Li Fansi's attitude at first: You have become a good person!Later, thinking about it, maybe Li Yanxiao was more sensitive to the temper of the Western merchants, let them complain first, and comfort them more, and then borrow money when they are calm.Therefore, Wang Wenshao had no choice but to be patient and let the shopkeepers cry and complain. Of course Wang Zhongtang and Li Fansi didn't know that it was pre-planned by the old Beijing gang to cry for poverty.Whether they want to hear it or not, they all do this. The old gang had already discussed that they would have an audience with Wang Zhongtang, and they would be the first to cry poorly.But before he had time to ask for an interview, Lord Zhongtang urgently summoned them first!Hearing this news, everyone knew that the situation was not good: the imperial court took advantage of the West Gang sooner than expected!Wang Zhongtang was willing to condescend to see them and was so anxious to see them, nothing good would happen. As soon as we met, it was as expected: I opened my mouth and wanted to borrow money from Xibang! Although it was inconvenient to talk about it at that time, everyone knew how to deal with it: crying poorly, we must not open this hole!It is said that it is borrowing money, and the interest is written as usual, but now it is not as usual, even if it is not bad, and the repayment is nowhere in sight, it is tantamount to defaulting.Give Wang Zhongtang face and lend money today, it will be like a levee bursting, and a torrential flood will surely come.Besides, even if the West Gang can support the imperial court in exile, scholars, farmers, businessmen, and businessmen, they don't have that status! These veteran gangsters of the Beijing name are indeed more mature, shrewd, and wise than the big shopkeepers. Facing Mr. Zhongtang, they have no stage fright at all, nor are they cold. Liang Huaiwen of Rishengchang was obliged to take the lead.After listening to Wang Wenshao's polite and domineering opening remarks, he said: It is both an honor and a fear to be summoned by Lord Zhongtang today.Although we have been in Beijing for many years, we are often sheltered by the Ministry of Household Affairs. Looking up at Master Zhongtang is like looking at the sun and the moon. How can we be blessed to be so close together?The imperial court toured Shanxi, and we, the West Clan, felt even more honored. We were discussing how to honor the Queen Mother and the Emperor.Mr. Zhongtang's excuse today is to blame us for being too slow in filial piety, right?It's not that we are ignorant, it's really because we can't get the amount we got together at the moment! Li Hongling, who was rich and generous, went on to say: Master Zhongtang, it is a pleasure to meet you today. You shouldn't say anything disappointing, but the catastrophe in Beijing and Tianjin in June and July still makes people feel hairy and terrified!On July 20th, we learned that the capital had been captured by the barbarians, so we hurriedly set up the deposit bank under the name of Jing and fled outside the city.As soon as they arrived at Zhangyi Gate, they were looted by bandits. More than a dozen sleigh carts and a small hundred thousand taels of silver were all gone in a blink of an eye.The account books brought out were also lost in the chaos!Most of the business of the Beijing account is large, no matter whether it is owed or owed, it is hundreds of thousands or hundreds of thousands.The bottom account is completely destroyed, and the settlement in the future has to be slaughtered by others.The robbery of Jinhao was even worse, and I couldn't bear to repeat it.In addition to Beijing and Tianjin, Zhuangkou in Zhili, Shandong, Guanwai, and Kouwai also suffered heavy losses, and most of them closed their doors.The owner and shopkeeper have been worrying a lot recently, and they are planning to save money and sell their property to deal with the crisis in the future.Xibang has experienced hundreds of years of turmoil in the business world, and this is truly the greatest catastrophe unprecedented! The two tubas started like this, and the other old gangs naturally followed up with a wow. Li Yanxiao, the Shanxi feudal lord, encouraged the veterans to complain, really wanting to please them first, and then begging them to give Wang Zhongtang a face.But these veteran gangsters complained about their sufferings, but they didn't stop.Listening to that voice, it seems that it is their Western merchants who are in urgent need of help, not the imperial court!He really didn't know how to clean up the situation, and it was extremely awkward to sit there. Wang Wenshao had grown impatient for a long time, and finally interrupted the shopkeepers, and said coldly: I will report the grievances suffered by your accounts truthfully.However, in the face of national crisis, who can not be wronged?Now that the court is facing difficulties, if you do your best, it is natural to be commendable for your loyalty; Liang Huaiwen still calmly said: Lord Zhongtang, since I heard that the imperial court was lucky enough to visit Taiyuan, our West Clan is preparing a gift of filial piety, but it has only been raised for many days, and the amount is really not enough!The West Gang has recited a rich name in vain, although it is already a waste of money, but with such a sum, it is really afraid that the Holy Spirit will be displeased and the world will laugh at it. Li Yanxiao asked: How big is your number? At this time, Jia Jiying, the provincial leader of Dade Heng, suddenly took up the conversation and said: "Master Zhongtang, Lord Fantai, I don't know how much money the Ministry of Households needs to borrow urgently?" Wang Wenshao and Li Yanxiao didn't expect someone to ask such a question, so they were at a loss for words.Wang Wenshao saw that the shopkeeper who asked the question was very young, so he found the topic and said: Which shop does this young shopkeeper belong to? Jia Jiying said calmly: "Dade Heng, Caidong is Qiao's family in Qi County." Wang Wenshao asked again: What is your name? My surname is Jia and my first name is Jiying. Also stationed in Beijing? The young one is the provincial shopkeeper of Da Deheng, because my shopkeeper in Beijing is not in Taiyuan, so the young one is fortunate to meet the adults. How old are you to be a shopkeeper with a provincial number? The youngest is twenty-five years old, and has ten years of experience as a ticket number. Wang Wenshao said: "This shopkeeper Jia, you ask us the amount of the loan, do you ask casually, or can you make the decision?" Jia Jiying said frankly: Master Zhongtang, shopkeepers stationed abroad have the right to self-determination in case of trouble. This is also the rule of our West Gang.Besides, lending is also a business within the provincial code, and the small ones have the right to ask for it. When Wang Wenshao heard this, he whispered a few words to Li Yanxiao, and then said: Shopkeeper Jia, I am a court minister, so talking is no joke.In order to meet the urgent needs of the court, the household department needs to borrow at least 300,000 taels. No one at the scene expected that Jia Jiying would say calmly: If it is only this amount, our Da Deheng family will be able to fulfill it. Wang Wenshao and Li Yanxiao looked at each other in surprise: Can you believe what this young shopkeeper says? Li Yanxiao quickly made a solid statement: Shopkeeper Jia, there is no joke in the army.Facing Master Zhongtang today is like facing the current Holy Majesty!If there is any deceitful words and deeds, you are not the only one who will be convicted, even your big shopkeeper and the rich man will not be able to escape! Jia Jiying said calmly: What the little one said is by no means a joke. When Wang Wenshao heard this, he suddenly laughed and said, "Okay, today you Xibang sang it for me. What kind of play is it?"First he cried poorly, and finally showed his hand: three hundred thousand taels of silver, still a small amount that cannot be given away!I don't think the money I borrowed is too little today, so I just hand over the money to the bank's account department as soon as possible. Seeing that Wang Zhongtang finally had a smiling face, Li Yanxiao breathed a sigh of relief, and said: Master Zhongtang, I have something to say beforehand: Xishangzhang is reasonable after all, and his loyalty is commendable. Wang Wenshao just said: show tea to all shopkeepers!He stood up by himself and withdrew. All the elders hurriedly said their goodbyes. But Jia Jiying unexpectedly showed such a trick, how can the shock of the old Beijing gang be appeased?Didn't they agree to cry for poverty together? Why is Da Deheng so prominent by himself? This summoning was at the yamen of the feudal lord.Therefore, it is inconvenient to discuss when we are free. Liang Huaiwen returned to Rishengchang Province, and just changed his clothes when Li Hongling followed.Liang Huaiwen didn't even give up his seat, so he said: Da Deheng is a stunned young man!Doesn't he know what we mean? Li Hongling said: How can I not know! I know, can I do this?When we cry about being poor, he reveals his wealth! Yes, I was also taken aback at the time: How could such a shrewd young man suddenly become a raw egg? Such a big matter is not all like being stupid.Does the Qiao Family Da Deheng have other plans? But didn't Zhou Zhangfu of Dade Tong cry and complain like us? Ask me to see, it's really hard to tell! Just as he was talking, Zhou Zhangfu came along with Jia Jiying. As soon as he came in, Zhou Zhangfu said: Are the two bosses angry?No, I quickly brought Jiying to you!If you want to fight or scold, it's up to you. Liang Huaiwen said coldly: "Your Qiao family's brand name is in full swing, and you are rich and powerful. How dare we make irresponsible remarks!" Li Hongling also said: If your Qiao family wants to curry favor with the imperial court, we will not stop it!It's just that when everyone agreed at the beginning, they cried poorly.It can be seen that Wang Zhongtang, we keep our promise and cry for poverty, but you do the opposite, showing off your wealth and showing off your wealth!You flattered the imperial court and put us in a place of infidelity? Jia Jiying hurriedly said: The younger generation is ignorant and superficial, impulsive, and just said that.The original intention was to save the siege, and I really didn't mean to hurt my colleagues. I hope the two bosses will forgive me! Zhou Zhangfu also said: Jiying made such a move, I was also very shocked at that time!When I came back, I asked him: Is it the boss's intention that you act like this, or is it the order of the shopkeeper?He said that it had nothing to do with the big shopkeeper of the owner's house, but he made this rash move on the spur of the moment. Liang Huaiwen said: Hmph, on a whim, I sold 300,000 yuan!Or your Qiao family is rich and powerful.The imperial court has tasted the sweetness, and continues to fight the autumn wind like this. Who else can afford to accompany it? Li Hongling also said: I heard that you, a young veteran, are highly valued by your shopkeeper Yan.But with today's move, can he explain to Shopkeeper Yan? Jia Jiying said: At that time, I really didn't think that much.It's just that the seniors of the West Gang are crying and complaining, Wang Zhongtang is sitting helplessly, Li Fansi is almost begging, begging us to give Wang Zhongtang a face, the two are at a stalemate, and they are a little bit unable to get off the stage.I thought, since the tragedy of the robbery of the West Gang has been fully described, it would be inappropriate not to give Mr. Zhongtang a face.The West Gang has old rules, not to have any grudges with the officials.This is facing the imperial court, so what's the benefit of helping the imperial court because of this?That's why I made that rash move.If I can't explain to Shopkeeper Yan, I have no choice but to be punished. Zhou Zhangfu said: Ordinarily, if you lend money to the court, you don't have to be afraid of his refusal, let alone in this time of trouble! Liang Huaiwen said: "It's not because I'm afraid that the court will renege on its debts, but because I'm afraid that the court will stay in Taiyuan in this way, relying on Xiangxi to beat the autumn wind and live a leisurely life."Doesn't that drag us down? Jia Jiying said: In my opinion, the imperial court is unlikely to ask us to borrow money again. Li Hongling asked: How can I see it? Jia Jiying said: This time it is almost begging, who has the face to come again?The supreme and holy court begs from merchants in such a humble way, don't they feel ashamed?At least Wang Zhongtang will not come again.As a prime minister, he would rather demand Beijing's salary more severely than beg for the merchants of the West. What Jia Jiying said made Liang Huaiwen, Li Hongling and Zhou Zhangfu all feel a little bit surprised, and they all felt a little bit of reason.However, Liang Huaiwen still said: If the court wants to know its shame like this, it will not be so defeated, and it will go into exile in Taiyuan! three When Dai Ying returned to Taiyuan and heard about the summoning, he didn't take Jia Jiying for being so prominent.However, he also felt that this summoning came suddenly, since the military minister of the imperial court had already said a word of loan, it was really impossible to not lend a tael of silver;Three to five hundred thousand, this is the amount he told Mrs. Kang, I don't want Wang Zhongtang to report it, but it is also such an amount! Dai Ying felt a little proud of himself for making a good estimate.Unfortunately, even if he was present at the time, he did not dare to monopolize such a sum of money.For the imperial court, this is a small number; but for a firm, it is really enough for you to hum.It is said to be a loan, but who knows whether it is a loan or blackmail!Da Deheng of the Qiao family really doesn't care about this sum of money? Hearing about this incident, Dai Ying originally wanted to see Li Hongling and ask him in detail, but he gave up.Let's meet Cen Chunxuan first.After seeing Cen Chunxuan, maybe I can ask with the camera: Is the Queen Mother happy or angry when I borrowed the 300,000 yuan from the Xibang? Dai Ying accepted Cao Peide's entrustment to deal with the gang of Cen Chunxuan's soldiers, in order to be able to meet this palace favorite. When he was in Taigu, when Dai Ying came back from Cao's house, he went to the main office and asked, "Has Zhuangkou, Lanzhou come back for vacation?"Shopkeeper Sun asked the counter to check, and there were indeed, but it was only Mr. Lan's accountant.The accountant stationed in Zhuangkou abroad, after the old gang and the deputy gang, is commonly known as the third shopkeeper, but there are not many foreign affairs managers. Dai Ying hurriedly sent someone to ask the accountant back to the main account, and asked, "Have you had any contact with Cen Chunxuan, the head of the clan?" The accountant surnamed Kong said: How can there be no relationship?How can you get big business if you don't curry favor with the masters of Fantai? Dai Ying asked, "Have you seen this Cen Fantai?" The accountant said: I haven't seen it, but it's common for our old Wu gang. Dai Ying said happily: That's good! He ordered the accountant to write a letter to Cen Chunxuan in the name of Lanhao Wu's old gang: condolences, old words, congratulations on his being favored by the court, and a few more words of flattery; in particular, it must be clearly stated, hear and listen to Mr. Cen When the attendants came to Sanjin, I was even more grateful for the many blessings from the past, so my name is a little bit of the landlord's gift, and I have specially prepared a soil ritual, which is not a respect, and so on. After writing this letter, I took Mr. Kong, the accountant, and hurried back to Taiyuan.On the way, the accountant once asked: "I don't know what kind of soil instruments have been prepared?"Dai Yingcai said: What kind of soil instrument, just go to Taiyuan and write a silver note of three thousand taels. After arriving in Taiyuan, Dai Ying saw that the cashier Lan Hao was very nervous, obviously he hadn't seen many big scenes.After thinking about it, he decided to pretend to be the accountant by himself, and Mr. Kong followed behind as an ordinary friend of Lanhao.If you ask about the old things in Lanzhou, please remind me quickly. On this day, when he brought Mr. Kong and a banknote of three thousand taels to ask to see Cen Chunxuan, Dai Ying was not sure.But what was unexpected was that not long after the post was handed in, the guard ran out in a panic, and said to Dai Ying very fawningly: "Your Excellency, please come with me, both of you!" At this time, Dai Ying thought that the friendship between Lan Hao and Cen Chunxuan was really extraordinary, so it was a way of saving face. After seeing Cen Chunxuan and submitting the letter from Mr. Wu, Mr. Cen did not open it, but said excitedly: Haha, I was about to inquire about you, but you found it yourself!Which company are you from? You haven't even figured out which brand name, so you still have friendship? Dai Ying took a closer look at this Cen Chunxuan, he was only in his forties, but he had a bushy beard.Not tall in stature, but quite aggressive.Such a person may not be difficult to deal with. Dai Ying hurriedly said: "My name is Tian Chengyuan, and my owner is Taigu Kang's family." Cen Chunxuan asked again: whose name is Dadeheng? Dai Ying said: It is the name of Qiao's family in Qi County. Cen Chunxuan said: In the past two days, the Empress Dowager has talked a lot about this great virtue, and also about your Xibang Money Shop. When Dai Ying heard this, he thought it was Jia Jiying from Dade Heng who had caused the trouble, so he hurriedly asked: Sir Cen, does the Empress Dowager have any orders for us Western merchants? Cen Chunxuan smiled and said: What is the decree, I praise you for making money!The queen mother said, we knew it would be so difficult to spend their money, so we opened a few money shops ourselves, so that we would ask them like beggars for urgent needs! Where is this Kwasi Gang?Obviously curse them! Dai Ying panicked, and hurriedly said: Lord Cen, it's not that our West Gang is too stingy and reluctant to honor the imperial court, it's because we have suffered too much from the fist chaos. Cen Chunxuan said puzzled: The Empress Dowager didn't say that you Western merchants are stingy, but that the governors of the provinces are too cruel, and it is too difficult to ask them for Beijing's salary, just like a beggar!Your Da Deheng bank loaned 300,000 yuan to the imperial court as soon as you sold it, and you said that you were afraid that you would not be able to get it out, which made the queen mother very sad! sad?Dai Ying couldn't help asking. Don't be sad!It is usually said that the emperor's kindness is mighty, but at this time of crisis, no one can rely on the big officials of the frontier, civil and military officials!Asking them for Beijing salary every day, but no one pays any attention!On the contrary, your Xishang shop lent the imperial court 300,000 yuan.So the queen mother scolded them: You have one pass in one province, and several pass in several provinces. How can you not compare to a shop opened by someone from Shanxi?The queen mother said that she knew that Shanxi people would do business, but what kind of business is this big Deheng, so rich?Wang Zhongtang said that the billing company specializes in money business.After hearing this, the queen mother said that when she returned to Beijing in the future, the imperial court would also open a money shop, save some private houses, and have a cushion for emergencies.Listen, isn't this a compliment to you? Dai Ying breathed a sigh of relief.But Jia Jiying's generous move made the empress dowager know that the West Gang is too rich, and the previous cry of being poor was useless.The Queen Mother knew that the West Gang was rich and generous, so if she didn't leave in Luan, it would be really troublesome. Dai Ying tried his best to calm down, and said: To be praised by the Empress Dowager is really the highest honor of the Western Gang.When Mr. Cen served as the governor of Gansu, he gave a lot of protection to Zhuangkou in Lanzhou.Therefore, the treasurer and treasurer of my account heard that Mr. Cen was here with him, so he specially sent someone down to express his thanks to Mr. Cen.It is not a respect to prepare a soil instrument. After finishing speaking, he handed over the bank note. Cen Chunxuan immediately tore off the cover, and when he saw that it was a bank note, he laughed: Is this a local product from Shanxi? Dai Ying hurriedly said: "This ticket is written by my own account, but it works everywhere in the world. It's not out of the ordinary to use power as an instrument of soil." Cen Chunxuan said: Well, I will accept it. Dai Ying went on to say, "My treasurer and treasurer, I have admired Mr. Cen for a long time. Today, Mr. Cen's visit to Taiyuan is also a god-sent opportunity."They had long wanted to pay a visit to Mr. Cen, but would it be convenient? Cen Chunxuan said: What's the inconvenience?I also want to get acquainted with you Xibang Xianggun.The queen mother still cares about you, can I not?But, if you want to see me, come earlier.Recently, the Empress Dowager has been intending to go to Xi'an. If it is not early, she may get up and leave someday! The imperial court wants to leave for Xi'an? Most likely.The imperial court lives in Shanxi, and the provinces are not enthusiastic about helping them, so why do they still live there!The queen mother said that we have borrowed money from the Shanxi money shop, and we are in trouble, so let's go to Xi'an.Living in Shanxi all the time, I thought we had food and drink, and no one cared about it. The two palaces are going to Xi'an, and Xibang can breathe a sigh of relief!This is good news.According to the calculations, the two palaces have been stationed in Luan Taiyuan for almost twenty days, and this is the first time they heard the news that they are going to get up and leave.前些時，聽說晉省東大門故關一帶，依然軍情緊急，德法聯軍圍攻不撤。隨扈的王公大臣慌惶議論，如驚弓之鳥。兩宮意欲赴陝，只怕也有幾分是被嚇的，遷地為良，走為上策罷。 戴膺不動聲色，說：要真是這樣，那我還得趕緊回太谷，告訴老東家和大掌櫃，叫他們及早來拜見岑大人！ 由太原往西安，經不經過你們太谷？ 出太原經徐溝、祁縣，往南走了，不經過太谷。岑大人，在下還有件事稟報。戴膺這時才將綁票案輕輕帶出來。 說吧，什麼事？ 幾日前，在太谷逮住一夥綁票的歹人。這伙歹人，竟冒充是大人麾下的兵勇！我們深知岑大人為人，一聽就知道他們是想借大人威名，以圖自保。 岑春宣就問：是給誰逮著的，縣令？ 我們還沒有報官呢，只是請鏢局武師將他們逮住。一聽他們嚷叫是岑大人麾下兵勇，更暗暗捂下了。這幫歹人本是冒充，可張揚出去，也怕有損大人威名。 狗雜種們，只想壞本官名聲！ 這伙歹人既敢冒充大人麾下兵勇，那我們就把他們交給大人，由大人嚴懲吧？ 成！我即刻就派兵馬去，將雜種們押回來，便宜不了他們！ 能看出，這伙兵痞就是岑春宣手下的。戴膺這樣處置，岑春宣顯然也算滿意。 兩宮將往西安的消息，戴膺最先告訴了李宏齡。 李宏齡聽了，當然也鬆了一口氣。這也算是驅鑾成功了吧。但細想想，大德恆那個賈繼英，冒失使出的那一著，似乎還管了些事。他就說： 大德恆使出的那一手，真是冒失之舉？ 戴膺說：我當時又不在場，哪知道呢？不過聽岑春宣口氣，他們這一手還真驚動了朝廷。 三十萬兩銀子呢，何況是在這種時候。這位賈繼英，以前也沒聽說過呀？ 我也只聽說過幾句，二十來歲，就成了省號老幫，很受他們閻大掌櫃器重。可沒聽說做過什麼漂亮的生意。這次忽然就這樣出手不凡？ 一個年輕後生，就敢主這麼大的事？我看他們的閻維藩大掌櫃，一定早有交代。 I think so too.喬家大字兩連號的領東，高鈺、閻維藩，都不是平常把式。 兩宮既往西安，可見迴鑾京師還遙遙無期吧？時局無望，我們西幫也只好這樣窩著，喬家又能出什麼奇兵？ 兩宮離晉後，西幫能有何作為？戴膺和李宏齡計議良久，依然感到無望。 喬家大德恆的閻維藩大掌櫃，的確不是平常人物。兩宮停蹕太原後，他對平幫日昇昌、蔚字號一味哭窮的對策，很不以為然。 儒學道統歷來輕商。大清以來，口外安靖，江南發達，至康熙年間國中商業本已大盛。可那位器局小又自負的雍正皇帝，趕緊來了一個重定四民之序，只怕商家財大了氣粗，忘了自己是四民之末。雍正對善商賈的晉人，更是低看一等。現在大清朝廷狼狽至此，逃來山西避難，乞求西幫接濟，閻維藩就覺得這是老天爺有眼，賜下一個千載難逢的良機：總是商求官，什麼時候官肯屈尊求商？這一次，還是朝廷跑到西幫家門口來求乞！享受朝廷的求乞，千載難逢，你們居然就捨得推拒掉？ 閻維藩將這一份快意，悄悄給老財東喬致庸說了，喬老太爺拍案叫道：對我的心思，對我的心思！朝廷怪可憐的，求上門，就拉一把，不敢太小氣！ 拉一把至尊至聖的朝廷，那是什麼樣的感覺，又是什麼樣的享受！ 所以，閻維藩就跟大德通的高鈺大掌櫃商量好，在面兒上跟西幫各號保持一致，該哭窮，就跟著哭，但有機會，一定要拉一把朝廷。為了不太得罪同業，閻維藩就叫年輕的賈繼英相機出面。 賈繼英巧為應對王中堂，不露痕跡地拉了朝廷一把，引得朝野爭說大德恆，消息傳回祁縣，閻維藩和高鈺滿意之極。 他們親自跑到喬家，向老東家報告了這個消息。 喬致庸雖已年邁，但豪氣不減，聽了這個消息自然是大感痛快！他連問閻維藩：賈繼英這個後生，他眼下在哪？ 閻維藩說：正在太原省號忙呢。 喬老太爺就說：趕緊把他叫回來，我得當面誇獎他幾句！小小年紀，辦了一件大事。我得當面誇獎他幾句！ 閻維藩說：我們這樣拉了一把朝廷，字號名聲大震，省號哪能清閒得了？這種時候，他只怕分身不得吧？ 高鈺也說：整個朝廷都在太原，省號老幫真離不開。 喬老太爺口氣不由分說：人家後生把大事給你們辦了，日常小事就不能攤給別人張羅？叫回來，趕緊給我叫回來！ 閻維藩也只好答應了。 賈繼英應召回到祁縣時，帶回了朝廷將往西安的新消息。閻維藩和高鈺聽了，更感欣慰：你們一哇聲哭窮，也沒把朝廷哭走，我們露了露富，倒把朝廷羞走了。 賈繼英說：聽說朝廷本來就是要移鑾西安的。 閻維藩冷笑了一下說：哼，誰不會給自家尋個台階下！ 喬致庸聽到朝廷要離晉往西安去，並沒有拍案讚歎，只是在凝神尋思什麼，彷彿沒有聽清似的。 閻維藩就故意問：老東台，朝廷既往西安，也不知能駐鑾多久？ 高鈺也說：朝廷既往西安，只怕得及早把京號的周老幫派往西安去。 但喬致庸似乎仍未聽見他們說什麼，半晌，才突然問賈繼英： 朝廷去西安，經過咱們祁縣吧？ 賈繼英忙說：那是必經之路。出太原南下，第一站在徐溝打尖，第二站必停蹕咱祁縣。 喬老太爺這時忽然又拍案說：繼英後生，我再交你一件大事去辦！ 賈繼英說：聽老太爺吩咐，只是怕擔待不起。 我看你能擔待得起！喬致庸站了起來說，朝廷去西安，既然在咱祁縣打尖過夜，繼英你就去張羅一下，叫他們把行宮設在咱們字號。不拘大德恆，大德通，都比他縣衙排場。太后皇上路過一回，不叫人家看看西幫的老窩是啥樣，也太小氣吧？ 把朝廷行宮設在商家字號？一聽是這樣一件大事，不光賈繼英，連高閻兩位大掌櫃，也給驚得目瞪口呆了。這怎麼可能呢！按朝制，不用說太后皇上了，就是過路的州官縣官，要宿民宅，也要微服私行才成。兩宮雖是逃難，也是浩浩蕩蕩過皇差，怎麼可能將行宮設於商號！ 賈繼英一時不知該如何回答，只是愣著。 閻維藩、高鈺兩位，也不說話。 喬致庸見他們都愣著，哈哈一笑，坐了下來：看看，把你們都嚇住了！繼英後生，你以為我在說昏話吧？ 賈繼英忙說：不是，不是。 喬致庸笑問：那是太難辦，難於上青天？ 閻維藩說：老東台豪情萬丈，令我們敬佩。只是，有朝制在那放著，誰敢違背？這事，實在不由我們左右。 喬致庸又笑問：那由誰左右？ 閻維藩說：當然是朝廷。 喬致庸更哈哈笑了，說：連這也不知道，那我真老糊塗了。這件事，要難也難，要易也易，就看你怎麼辦了。我不是上了年紀，真親自往太原張羅去了。高大掌櫃，你也給嚇住了？ 高鈺忙說：可不呢，真給嚇蒙了。 喬致庸就問：看來，高大掌櫃有辦法了？ 高鈺笑了，說：我哪有辦法！我只是問一句：這件事非辦不可，還是可辦可不辦？ 喬致庸斷然說：當然是想叫你們辦成！這是千載難逢，開千古先例的一件事。 高鈺說：既是這樣，不拘辦成辦不成，我們也得盡力去張羅了。 喬致庸笑說：你們辦不成這件事，就趁早不用在我們喬家當掌櫃。 Four 回到城中字號，高鈺和閻維藩兩位大掌櫃仔細商量了半天，仍覺喬老東家交辦的這件差事，實在是太棘手了。西幫拉攏官吏，一向有些過人的手段。高鈺駐京時，也是長袖善舞，很交接了一些京官，內中甚至有一位皇室親王。可直接巴結太后皇上，那真是連想也沒想過！至尊至聖的太后皇上，與卑賤的商家之間，隔著千山萬水呢！ 但是，能叫兩宮聖駕入住西幫商號，那也真是開千古先例的大舉動！這個大舉動，實在也太誘人了。要能辦成，西幫的先人也會在冥冥之中，出一口粗氣。天下商家更當刮目看西幫。 兩位大掌櫃商量再三，謀了一個方略：以今歲大旱，縣衙支絀，百姓困窘為理由，喬家大德通、大德恆情願包攬朝廷過境的一應皇差，以讓祁縣官民得以應對饑荒，休養生息。若聖駕行宮能設於民宅，以示與民同甘共苦，那朝廷盛德必流布天下。其間點明，敝商號其實也是很富麗堂皇的。 這是一個很高尚的義舉。加上大德恆先前的仗義，或許朝廷會恩准？ 於是，大德恆的閻維藩帶了賈繼英，趕往太原，再求見一次王文韶大人。王中堂是朝廷近臣，他肯領情，那才能將老東家的意願，傳達給西太后。 這一次求見，倒是沒費多大事，很快就受到召見。但中堂大人聽明白了閻維藩的意思後，當即就拉下臉，厲詞駁回。竟想將民間商號設為當今聖上的行宮？這不是僭越犯上，膽大妄為嗎！朝廷起居行止，都得合於大禮，豈是你們商號的富麗堂皇可以替代？還是趁早收起這非分之想吧。想孝敬朝廷，多捐助縣衙，辦好皇差，不就得了。 可能念著大德恆前次的仗義，王中堂沒有細加追究，只是冷臉斥責了幾句，就退堂了。 回到省號，閻維藩和賈繼英都覺此事已經完全無望了。老東家叫他們張羅的，這是一件什麼事！看王中堂那架勢，幾乎要拿下問罪了。所以，他們也不再另作圖謀，只是商量如何向老東家交代。 大德通的京號老幫周章甫，過來詢問謁見王中堂的情形，聽說是這樣的結果，倒沒有吃驚。 He said: 王中堂就是那樣一個死板人。對我們西幫，尤其刻薄！去年他入主戶部後，自家不會理財，倒先拿我們西幫開刀，一道禁匯令，真弄了我們一個措手不及。正順手的生意，忽然變得疙疙瘩瘩。所以，前次他出面借錢，誰家也不想給他面子。看看，我們給了他面子才幾天，就拉下臉來，不認人了！ 閻維藩說：我看他也是不敢應承這樣的事。 周章甫說：王中堂搬不動，我們再另尋門路。他越這樣難為我們，我們倒越要盡力成就這件事！ 賈繼英就問：周掌櫃，你有新的門路嗎？ 周章甫說：我看，咱們也得去巴結巴結這個人。 閻維藩忙問：誰？ 周章甫說：岑春宣。 賈繼英就說：要能拉攏到這個人，真還有幾分指望。只是，周掌櫃有門路嗎？ 閻維藩還沒有聽說過岑春宣，就問：此公是誰？ 周章甫說：這個岑春宣，是兩宮西巡的前路糧台，獨掌著宮門大差，與宮監總管李蓮英結為一氣。拉攏住這個人，或許還真能把我們的意思傳給太后。我聽太谷天成元的戴膺說，他們剛見過這位岑大人，甚好巴結，寫張銀票遞上去，就得了。 閻維藩忙說：那我們就趕緊巴結這個人吧！ 經一番計議，決定他們三人一道去見岑春宣。因為一時朝野爭說大德恆，頂了大德恆的大名求見，或許更容易獲准吧。 果然，這位岑春宣很容易就見到了。一見面，便連連問：你們真是大德恆的？ 周章甫忙答應：蒙大人這樣厚愛，敝號閻大掌櫃特意來參拜大人。 閻維藩也忙說：在下是大德恆的領東大掌櫃，久仰大人威名。今大人隨扈來晉，幸蒙賜見，無以回報，只備了一份土儀，不要笑話。 說著，將一個裝有銀票的信封呈了上去。 岑春宣接過來，又隨手撕去封皮，看見是兩張銀票，共寫銀五千兩，就哈哈笑了：你們山西的土產，倒是特別！ 閻維藩就說：敝號自寫，又處處可用，權當土產吧。大人隨扈遠行，攜帶也方便。 岑春宣又哈哈笑了。 賈繼英就問：岑大人，聽說朝廷聖駕將南下臨幸西安？ 岑春宣先看著賈繼英，反問：這位年輕掌櫃，是不是借錢給王中堂的那位小掌櫃？ 賈繼英慌忙伏身跪了說：正是在下。 周章甫也忙說：岑大人日理萬機，還這樣惦記著問我們？ 岑春宣說：不光是我，太后還念叨你們這位年輕掌櫃呢！ 閻維藩、周章甫聽了，也慌忙伏身跪下了。 起來吧，起來吧。岑春宣快意地招呼著。太后很稀罕你們，說你們怎麼就那麼會掙錢？ 閻維藩起身坐了，說：那是外間的訛傳，我們實在不過徒有富名罷。但朝廷有難，我們就是砸鍋賣鐵，也得孝敬。 於是，閻維藩將他們的意圖，委婉而又無誤地說了出來。 真是出乎意料，岑春宣聽完，立刻就誇獎不止，連說那祁縣的這份皇差，就交給你們大德恆、大德通辦了。他是堂堂前路糧台，這事他就能做主。 也許岑春宣答應得太痛快了，閻維藩他們都不大敢相信，但又不敢表示有所懷疑。應酬了幾句，周章甫才忽然有了主意，從容說： 岑大人，那我們就趕緊回祁縣張羅這項皇差了。離並前，還想謁見王中堂，在王大人面前，是否提及此事？ 岑春宣就說：拉倒吧，不必跟他說了！他知道了，也做不了主，還得上奏太后。出京這一路，跟他要餉沒餉，要糧沒糧，他說話，太后才不愛聽呢。好事經他一說，不定就黃了。你們不必跟他說，更不必跟別人說。我這就跟宮內的李總管說去，一二日內，準給你們一個稱心的回話！ 岑春宣越這樣容易拉攏，越不敢叫人相信。只五千兩銀票，就叫這位岑大人百依百順，連聖上的行宮也出讓了？老練的閻維藩和周章甫，都以為這位岑大人不過是在信口開河，或是在虛以應付。過兩日，他傳來話，說太后責罵了他，實在沒法成全，你又能把他怎樣？所以，他們只說了幾句含糊的謝辭，不再細加叮嚀。 但賈繼英卻正經問：岑大人，我們何時能聽到喜訊？ 岑春宣斷然說：我不是說了？一二日內，準給你們一個稱心的回話！ 兩天後，岑春宣果然將賈繼英召來，說：小掌櫃，你得早有個預備！太后在祁縣臨幸你們商號時，可要傳你說話。 賈繼英忙問：太后真同意將行宮設在敝號？ 岑春宣揚起臉，厲聲說：什麼話！難道我假傳聖旨？ 賈繼英慌忙跪下拜謝。 岑春宣得意地細說了見太后情形，說太后本來就很想看看山西人開的票號，一聽你們的意思，正合了她的心思。當下就又誇獎起大德恆來，說各省要都像大德恆這麼大義盡忠，她和皇上只怕也落不到這種地步了。還說，王中堂一班近臣聽說後，極力勸諫，反對將朝廷行宮設在商號。太后才不聽他們的，冷笑了問：自出京以來，我跟皇上在哪沒有住過！出京第二夜，露宿荒野，哪有什麼行宮？你們不就只尋來一條板凳，叫我跟皇上坐了一夜嗎？那合不合朝制？合不合大禮？太后這樣一說，王中堂他也不言聲了。 賈繼英相信了岑