Chapter 18 Chapter Seventeen: The Capital of Xi'an

one In mid-August, Qiu Taiji, who was far away in Guihua City, was preparing to follow a camel caravan to Uliasutai in Outer Mongolia.Because of the boxing chaos in the Guihua area, it finally subsided. After the cool autumn last year, Qiu Taiji wanted to go to Uliasutai.If you are relegated to the outside world, if you don't take a trip to Uliasutai, it will be in vain.Mr. Fang from Kegui advised him to wait for a year before going: You have not been here for a long time, and you have only been here for a few days. ?You are not young after all. Naturalized to Uliasutai as the Great Western Road of Tongmeng, four thousand miles away, passing through fifty-four stations, the camel caravan would have to travel for two to three months.Because there are 18 stops in the desert, camel households have to avoid summer, which consumes a lot of water.After the autumn coolness, we set off and walked halfway, and it was midwinter.

Qiu Taiji thought for a while, and had no choice but to listen to Fang Laobang's dissuasion.Besides, Mr. Kang had already left at that time, and Qiu Taiji had to clean up the mess of buying treetops for him.However, as soon as the first month of this year passed, he went with the camel team to Kulun, the capital of Outer Mongolia, and from Kulun to Qiaktu, a port connecting Russia.Although this north road is shorter than the west road, it takes more than 30 days to travel.So, by the time he returns to naturalization, fast forward to May.Seeing that summer is approaching, if you want to go west to Uliasutai, you have to wait for the cooler autumn.

But in the summer of the Gengzi year, the city of Guihua outside the mouth was not peaceful, and the anti-foreign storm caused by the big brothers of Boxer Boxing here was not small.The turbulent situation lasted until autumn. Of course, Qiu Taiji couldn't leave the shop and go west. Entering the leap in August, the situation finally calmed down.Qiu Taiji was finally able to make arrangements for his trip westward to Uliasu Terrace, when he suddenly received an urgent letter from the old Taigu account.When I was busy taking it apart to look at it, it was actually written by the shopkeeper Sun Da:

Khoo Tae-ki: A few days ago, the imperial court Luanyu left Taiyuan to continue hunting westward, and will soon be stationed in Luanxi'an.That city then became a temporary capital, and it was heard that there was a proposal to move the capital to Chang'an.Old Dongtai reads that you have sincerely repented in Guihao, and agrees that Laohao will reassign you to Xi'an.After arriving in Xihao, I will still be the deputy gangster, and I will do my best to solicit business and repay my boss.After seeing the words, set off for Shaanxi as soon as possible.Passing through Taigu, I promised to go home and stay for a few days.Specially hereby.

Sun Beiming Transfer him back to Xi'an?Qiu Taiji never dreamed of it.It's only been a few days since he was relegated to naturalization, and he was pardoned without making any achievements, even without going to Uliasutai? The current Qiu Taiji is really completely reborn.He was hardly excited about this transfer order that was like happy news, but he felt somewhat regretful.This time, it is very different from the feeling when I was young.The camel road is still desolate, but he no longer wants to wear the desolation, and put a rich and prosperous person behind.No matter where the business travel leads, it is equally difficult to avoid desolation and despair.I took a trip to Kyakhta in the spring, and went back and forth for more than two months. I have gone through untold hardships. How much business does Zhang Luocheng have?In the large docks in the mainland, this kind of business is really just a matter of raising a finger. Just set up a table of seaweed banquets and it will be done.However, the long business trip to Kyakhta in the north is really like old wine that has been stored for a long time, and it has to be tasted slowly to get the infinite taste.

Therefore, he especially wanted to take another trip to Uliasu Terrace. But Qiu Taiji knew that the transfer order of the old account must be obeyed.He also understands that his pardon is really due to the current situation.Today's imperial court suddenly fell into a desperate situation and stepped into such a desolate journey!How much can I do when I return to Xi'an? Of course, Mr. Fang, who had returned to his title, regretted that Qiu Taiji was leaving so soon.Although the time was short, shopkeeper Qiu still helped him a lot: the owner's third master finally persuaded him to leave.The third master's departure is still a long one!After taking over the Kang family's external affairs, the third master probably won't come to naturalize for a long time, it's embarrassing.

Qiu Taiji was naturally ashamed of Fang's old gang's compliment.When he was demoted, he would never forget that Fang's old gang graciously accommodated him. Qiu Taiji parted ways and was naturalized, and there was another thing that was hard to let go of, which was Guo Yuqi's disappearance.More than a year later, Guo Yuqi's whereabouts are still unknown.Mr. Fang said that it was probably an accident.But Qiu Taiji still asked Mr. Fang not to tell Guo Yuqi's family members the bad news within three years, let alone give up continuing to investigate Guo Yuqi's whereabouts.Going out of the mouth is originally a kind of difficult and dangerous journey, and accidents are also considered as the meaning of the question.However, miracles of sudden reappearance after being missing for many years are not without exception.In short, Qiu Taiji still hopes that the young and clever Guo Yuqi can miraculously return to Tianchengyuan one day.

Qiu Taiji always felt that Guo Yuqi's disappearance had a lot to do with him: although it was accidental to bring this young friend here, his teachings along the way were obviously overdosed.Guo Yuqi, who was out of the country for the first time, was motivated and eager for success. It was only a few days before something happened!Qiu Taiji really didn't know how to explain to Guo Yuqi's family. On the twentieth day of the eighth lunar month, Qiu Taiji set up a team of tall mules going down to Shanxi, left Guihua City, and ran towards Shahukou.Before he was about to kill the tiger, he was still looking forward to rushing back to Taigu as soon as possible to take a look at it.After only one year, I returned to Xi'an, which is always a good explanation for the wife.One thought that especially affected him was his son!Ever since his wife told him that he had a son, he has been thinking about it all the time.After a long time, he finally had a son, as if God had also seen his repentance.Now, he was given another chance to go home and take a look at his newly born son.

But when he came to Shahukou, Qiu Taiji suddenly changed his mind: he will not go home.Not long after repentance, want to indulge yourself?The old number has some sympathy, but what face do you have to accept it?Only by arriving in Xi'an one day earlier can we be worthy of the forgiveness of the boss and the old account. So at Killing Hukou, he set up another team of mules and headed towards Pinglu instead.This commercial route can go directly to Hongdong via Shenchi, Wuzhai, Kelan and Yongning.Compared with Shanyin, Daizhou, and Xinzhou, the official road to Taiyuan is much more difficult, but it is also much faster, especially when Qi Taiping is bypassed.After arriving at Hongdong, you can go straight to Pingyang, Houma, Jiezhou, Puzhou, and pass Tongguan to enter Shaanxi.

Even so, it took a month for Qiu Taiji to arrive in Xi'an. The old gang members of Tiancheng Yuan's Xi'an branch knew that shopkeeper Qiu would come back, and they were all looking forward to it.After Qiu Taiji was demoted, Lao Hao called Cheng Laobang who was stationed in Sanyuan to come to Xi'an to lead the village.Cheng Laobang is frugal and cautious, but his name has become much colder, and his performance is not as good as before.When the imperial court suddenly poured into Xi'an in a dark mass, Cheng Laobang was even more at a loss.The old account has already given instructions: don't solicit big business from the government, especially to guard against the imperial court's forced borrowing.After receiving such an instruction from the old account, Cheng Laobang had a headache first.Tian Chengyuan was already well-known in Xi'an.When the imperial court came to the door, he didn't dare not borrow it, and he couldn't borrow it. How could he respond to this coincidence!Fortunately, there was an urgent letter from the old account not long ago, saying that Qiu Taiji had been transferred back to the western account, and he and his friends breathed a sigh of relief.

However, Qiu Taiji, who finally arrived, surprised Xi Hao! The shopkeeper Qiu who came with the mule gang was almost the same as the tall boss, with rough clothes and a thick cloak, especially his face, which was black and red, just like old Baogong.There is no trace of Mr. Qiu's original romantic and handsome appearance! Mr. Cheng couldn't believe it. This was the famous shopkeeper Qiu. After greeting him a few words, he ordered his friends to wait on Shopkeeper Qiu to take a bath.Qiu Taiji hurriedly thanked him, but didn't ask anyone to wait on him.After bathing, Mr. Cheng wanted to hold a banquet to meet the wind, but Qiu Taiji refused to resign: Mr. Cheng, don't you want to harm me?Ask the kitchen to make me two bowls of mutton soup ramen, and that's it.Leaving for a year, only want the lamb noodle soup here! Cheng Laobang is a real person, seeing Qiu Taiji's insistence, he obeyed. After the meal, Mr. Cheng didn't bother to ask Qiu Taiji to rest first, so he invited him into his inner accountant and asked eagerly: Shopkeeper Qiu, you passed by Taigu, did you see shopkeeper Sun Da?What does the old account have to say? Qiu Taiji could only tell the truth: Mr. Cheng, in order to come to Xi'an as soon as possible, I didn't take the official road in Taiyuan, but turned on the Jinxi commercial road at the west entrance, and went directly to Hongdong. Mr. Cheng was a little surprised: You didn't pass by Taigu? Qiu Taiji asked: Did the old account tell me to go back to Taigu? How do I know?Shopkeeper Qiu, you were also ordered in a critical situation, and you want to come to the old account to make some special explanations. In the old letter, I was asked to come to Shaanxi as soon as possible.The old account has a special explanation, there will be a direct report to Cheng Laobang, right? The old account kept getting letters. Any special explanation? I told you not to be greedy, especially to guard against the court's forced borrowing.I heard that when the imperial court was in Taiyuan, it had borrowed huge sums of money from the West Gang. I've also heard it out of the mouth, it seems that Da Deheng, the leader of Qiao's family in the Qi gang, took the lead?The leader of Da Deheng is not stupid, how did he get caught? Where did you catch the big head?I heard that they were the ones who got the limelight.The imperial court wanted to borrow 300,000 yuan, and Dadeheng's family agreed. It was the first time for Qiu Taiji to hear such a statement, and for a moment he couldn't figure out what move the Qiao family was making.The Qiao family offered 300,000 yuan as soon as they made a move, and the court would borrow money from other families. Needless to say, it would not be easy to explain even if the promise was less.Tian Chengyuan is not a trumpet in Xi'an, even if he pretends to be poor, he must have a clever trick.However, he also heard that his old club once met the two palaces in Xugou.With such a reputation, the Ministry of Household Affairs should be more polite when they come to borrow money.Then, he suddenly understood: Maybe the Qiao family was so generous in lending money to the court because of self-protection?In this turbulent autumn, it is a good idea to spend money to buy peace. He asked Cheng Laobang: "Old Dongtai once had an audience with the Queen Mother and the Emperor. Do you know the details?" Mr. Cheng said: How can I know?It is only known from the old newspaper. If there are such things, we can take it easy.Mr. Duanfang, are you still serving as the governor of Shaanxi province? still.Before the imperial court entered Shaanxi, Master Duanfang was awarded the title of nursing governor, and he was expected to be promoted to the governor's office.But as soon as the imperial court arrived, they promoted Cen Chunxuan, who had made great contributions in escorting him, to Futai.I heard that Cen Chunxuan still had contacts with his master when he was in Taiyuan.But I went to see him twice, but I didn't see him.I'm really not as good as shopkeeper Qiu in currying favor with the officialdom. Cheng Laobang doesn't need to feel inferior.Those figures in the officialdom, as long as you don't think highly of them, you don't have to worry about playing them in your hands.Cen Chunxuan, who is currently serving as Futai in Shaanxi, is no longer the Cen Chunxuan who was escorting in Shanxi yesterday.But if you use another method, you can still play it in the palm of your hand. So when shopkeeper Qiu arrived, I felt at ease. Mr. Cheng, I'll try my best to collect it, it's only natural.But everything is at your command. Shopkeeper Qiu must not be restrained!If you restrain you, both the old account and the boss will blame me. Mr. Cheng can't say that!I am still wearing the guilt. See what you said!Let's not talk about it.Shopkeeper Qiu, there is a celebrity in Xi'an right now, you probably recognize him, right? who? Guo Baofeng, who sang Qin opera, had the stage name Xiang Jiuxiao. Ring Jiuxiao?Of course I do.He has long been a celebrity in Xi'an Liyuan. Now he is the queen's favorite! The queen's favorite? Not the queen mother's celebrity, I still mention him?Shopkeeper Qiu has heard of it. The Queen Mother used to be very addicted to theater, and she went to theater almost every day when she was in Beijing.Famous opera actors Wang Guifen, Tan Xinpei, and Tian Jiyun are enshrined in the inner court all the year round.This time I came out of the escape, bumping around all day long, with no rhythm to enjoy, which made the Queen Mother very depressed.It is said that in Taiyuan, when opera troupes were banned, there were even rumors of people playing strings, storytelling, and singing lotus flowers falling.After leaving Taiyuan, the same is true along the way. It is said that the troupe artists along the way went to the palace to worship, but they didn't like it.When Yujia entered Shaanxi and arrived in Lintong, Xiang Jiuxiao came to meet him.The queen mother heard that a famous actor of Qin opera was coming, so she passed it in and worshiped it that night.I didn't think about it, this made the queen mother very addicted to drama, and Xiang Jiuxiao was also a hit with a gun. Xiang Jiuxiao's voice is extremely high-pitched, and he has a unique skill in both joyful and bitter sounds in Qin Opera. In Lintong, the Empress Dowager ordered Xiang Jiuxiao to set up a theater troupe to worship in the ban.Seeing that the Empress Dowager liked Xiang Jiuxiao so much, those princes and ministers who followed him were addicted to drama, and they praised him especially.It has only been a few days since the two palaces arrived in Xi'an, and Xiang Jiuxiao has already become popular for half the sky! The imperial court doesn't even count the country's subjugation, and there is a severe drought in Guanzhong, so let's enjoy the drama first! Who said no!However, in order to deal with the imperial court, maybe this Xiang Jiuxiao is also worth wooing? Qiu Taiji thought about it, and said: I have known Xiang Jiuxiao before, and I will go to see him when it is necessary. Having said that, Qiu Taiji has seen that the situation in Xi'an is not easy to deal with. two The transfer of Qiu Taiji back to Xi'an was not proposed by the third master: it was the first words of Mrs. Kang.Of course, the third master was very happy when he heard the news.After he took over the foreign affairs, he never wanted to see Qiu Taiji for long-term planning.If it hadn't been for the fist chaos and foreign disasters, he would have gone to naturalization long ago.Now, the old man transferred Shopkeeper Qiu back to Xi'an, which happened to give them a chance to meet.If you go to Xi'an from outside the mouth, you must pass through Taigu. To be on the safe side, the third master specially asked shopkeeper Sun: he must make a note of money in the transfer order to shopkeeper Qiu, asking him to return to Taigu to stay for a few days.Shopkeeper Sun Da readily agreed. However, after waiting for more than 20 days, it was considered hopeless, and Qiu Taiji still did not come back. From Guihua to Taigu, take advantage of the time on the way, and it will take less than half a month.No matter how leisurely we walked, twenty days would be enough.It took less than twenty days for the two palaces to travel from Xuanhua to Taiyuan.What kind of way is the royal driver of the imperial court, Qiu Taiji can't walk more calmly than the imperial court, right? Sun Beiming was already a little unhappy, and said to the third master: This Qiu Taiji will not have a relapse, will he?The ostentation is out of line, and the government will confiscate it again? The third master hurriedly said: No, no.If he's so useless, why should we transfer him back to Xi'an? Sun Beiming said: He hadn't suffered outside the mouth yet, so he was transferred back, and his old illness might recur! The third master said: I don't think shopkeeper Qiu is stupid, can he not remember to hit like that?Master shopkeeper, what did you explain in your letter? Sun Beiming said: I have made a special note: passing through Taigu, I will allow you to go home and stay for a few days. The third master said: Then the shopkeeper Qiu is already at Shuixiu's house? Sun Beiming said: How dare he!Anyone who is stationed abroad, no matter whether he is a veteran or a young man, returns from other places, he must first come to the old account to settle the settlement before he is allowed to go home.This is the iron rule of the font size, can Qiu Taiji forget it? This is really an iron rule of Xibang Ticket Office.When expatriates leave the local colony after get off work, all luggage and items to be taken away must be publicly inspected on the cabinet: only daily necessities are allowed to be carried, and all other valuables, especially money, are illegally carried.After the inspection is clear, the items brought in will be registered on the cabinet one by one, written in a small booklet, and handed over to the person on the departure number to carry it.The booklet also states the amount of money to be paid.When we return to our hometown, we must first go to the old shop to hand in the papers, check our luggage, reimburse the expenses, and clear the accounts before we are allowed to go home.Offenders, of course, are not polite: expulsion from the account.In the ticket office, clean hands and feet are the most important thing. Of course the third master knew this rule, but he suddenly remembered that Qiu Taiji was finally happy with his son, would he be overly happy and run back to Shuixiu first? Shopkeeper Sun heard the reminder from the third master, and felt that it was somewhat possible: the shopkeeper stationed abroad had a son, and the good news was extraordinary.So he sent someone to Shuixiu to inquire. The result of the inquiry, of course, was fruitless.Not only did Qiu Taiji not go home, the Qiu family didn't even know that he was coming back. His woman kept asking: Is he really going to come back? Since he didn't come back, did something happen on the way?Even shopkeeper Sun Da and the third master began to be suspicious. Now Xi'an Zhuangkou is extraordinary, if Qiu Taiji is going to have an accident, Sun Beiming intends to send Dai Ying to deal with it for a while.After hearing this, the third master felt so desolate.Qiu Taiji hadn't had any accidents for a long time. He just wanted to entrust him with a heavy responsibility, but an accident happened?The third master can only believe that Qiu Taiji is also a capable shopkeeper stationed abroad, and it should be no problem to save the day and save the day.He insisted on waiting a little longer. After waiting for more than ten days, the old account sent telegrams to Guihua and Xi'an respectively.Xihao called back first: Qiu has arrived in Shaanxi.Call back after returning to the number: Qiu has been away for more than a month. It turns out that Qiu Taiji rushed directly to Xi'an. Only then did a stone fall from the third master's heart.It seems that the shopkeeper Qiu still puts the most important thing on business.He specifically reported the matter to the old man. The old man heard this and said, "Pass through the house and not enter?"Get a precious son and ignore it?Shopkeeper Qiu can still stand the relegation.Give me a few compliments. After such a small twists and turns, the third master wanted to see Qiu Taiji even more. Not long after that, the third master got the promise of the old man and set off for Xi'an. After the third master arrived in Xi'an, Qiu Taiji had already recuperated, and somewhat recovered his former style, but his face was still a little dark.The third master is always out of the mouth, seeing that Qiu Taiji has also suffered from the wind and frost over there and turned into a black face, he feels closer. Cheng Laobang of Xihao was a little nervous when he saw the third master coming to the cabinet in person.As for the third master, he was all interested in Qiu Taiji, and he was just barely coping with Mr. Cheng's gang.This made Cheng Laobang a little panicked.Of course Qiu Taiji saw it, he always put Cheng Laobang first when he said anything.Speaking of the situation of Xihao, it is also due to Zhang Luo of Cheng Laogang.But the third master still couldn't understand his intentions, and still praised him blindly. Qiu Taiji had no choice but to avoid Mr. Cheng, and privately said to the third master: You neglected Mr. Cheng and praised me blindly. Isn't this ruining me? The third master said: It's not that I praised you, it was the old man who asked me to praise you for him. Qiu Taiji said: The old man told you to boast, but you can't boast endlessly, right?What you are doing, it seems that I have committed an old problem again, being arrogant, so I have to show off myself! Only then did the third master say: Then it depends on your face, even Mr. Cheng will praise you! Qiu Taiji said: You can't just boast!You praise Mr. Cheng more than you praise me.Mr. Cheng always felt that he was not very capable. If you neglected others, how would you be able to lead the village in the future?Third Master, if you want to achieve a great cause, you have to make old gangs everywhere feel that you are capable, and make friends in all numbers feel that you are useful.This has to learn from your old man! The third master said: You are right!Then tell me, how do you make them feel that they are capable? Qiu Taiji said: The first point, no matter who you are, you can't just ignore them anyway.Think about it, someone with no skills can get into your Kang's bank? The third master said, "That's true." Qiu Taiji said: Let's talk about this old gang of Cheng, who has been in charge of the village for many years, can you say that he is incompetent?He just didn't see much of it.Before I arrived, he asked to see Cen Chunxuan of Shaanxi Xinfutai twice, but he didn't see him, so he thought that his family would not curry favor with the official circles.But within a few days, Mr. Cen summoned Mr. Cheng! The third master hurriedly asked: Why did you summon Mr. Cheng? Qiu Taiji said: We want Tiancheng Yuan to accept the payment. Shaanxi's grain rate? Court!After the two palaces arrived in Shaanxi, they felt that they were far away from foreign disasters, so they wanted to stay in Chang'an.In addition to urging the capital rates of various provinces, half of the rice transported by water in the south of the Yangtze River was discounted on the spot and delivered to Xi'an in cash;What we are asked to accept is the cash converted from Caomi. Half of the rice in Nancao is converted into cash, which is not a small sum.Isn't it just for our family? I heard that the first thing that the household department thinks of is Dade Heng and Dade Tong of the Qiao family.Dade Heng has no Zhuangkou in Xi'an.As for Dade Tong, in order to avoid boxing chaos, in June and July, the bank deposits in Zhuangkou, Xi'an, had just been transported back to Qi County, and the number was very empty.Therefore, although the Ministry of Household Affairs is very partial to Dade Tong, they dare not contract too much for a while.The money order for Jiangnan's rice rate has arrived, and you can't cash it in full amount here. Isn't that a joke with the court? The Kang family also helped the imperial court in Xugou, so they should have thought of us, right? Otherwise, can Cen Chunxuan summon us? How much did we promise? It was Mr. Cheng who went to see Futai.He promised very cleverly! How did Mr. Cheng agree? Cheng Laobang was in a difficult situation at the time.Because shopkeeper Sun Da has already instructed, don't be greedy for big business.But in the face of the court's errands, he can't shirk.He had no choice but to come up with a plan to delay the attack. Delay? He said to Futai: "The imperial court thinks of us so much, so I should do my best to serve you."As much as Tian Chengyuan can contract in Zhuangkou in the south of the Yangtze River, we will pay in time here, please rest assured, my lord. Isn't this a promise? What kind of delay? In Zhuangkou in the south of the Yangtze River, there are many promises and few promises, early promises and late promises, isn't it up to us to decide calmly? That's true. Cheng Laobang used this tactic to delay the attack, and wanted to come back to discuss the countermeasures with me, but I said that your move is very good.Since the imperial court entrusted us with such a big business, why not do it?Ask Jiangnan Zhuangkou to collect foreign exchange calmly, and our side will transfer the bank quickly, and the business will start.Third Master, look, can Mr. Cheng be considered incompetent? Shopkeeper Qiu, you still have good eyesight. Say me again!Third Master, shopkeeper Sun, I need to ask you to say something more.The big shopkeeper is not greedy, how can we transfer cash in a hurry? At Shopkeeper Sun's place, my words don't work very well.Shopkeeper Qiu, now the Western account is similar to the Beijing account. If you speak, the old account would not dare to underestimate it. We have already sent several letters to report back, and I don't know if the old account will agree. Then I will write a letter to the old man to see if he can help you? If the old man wants to talk, of course Shopkeeper Sun must listen.Third master, then we will urgently transfer money to Sanyuan, Laohekou, and Lanzhou.When the boxing chaos was severe, Xihao Cunyin did not call out hastily.Then transfer some money nearby, and start this business first. Look, as soon as shopkeeper Qiu arrived, the situation in Xihao came to life. Third master, after talking for a long time, you still want to destroy me? Alright, alright, Mr. Cheng is also responsible for the situation in Xihao!After that, the third master really treated Cheng Laobang differently. He was more respectful and no longer neglected.However, no matter what, the third master is still willing to stay with Qiu Taiji. Half a month after arriving in Xi'an, the third master invited Qiu Taiji to go out of the city to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda together.In the middle, when drinking tea in the meditation room of Ci'en Temple, the third master was so excited that he expressed his long-cherished wish: Shopkeeper Qiu, I want to hire you to be the big shopkeeper of Tian Chengyuan! Qiu Taiji was taken aback when he heard this: Third Master, are you making fun of me? The third master said seriously: I have meant this for a long time! When Qiu Taiji heard this, he was even more horrified, and immediately knelt down to the third master: "Third master, you have misjudged the person, I am not the material to take on the big responsibility!" The third master hurriedly came to help Qiu Taiji: Shopkeeper Qiu, I like it, don't worry about it! Qiu Taiji refused to get up: If the third master has this kind of vision, it will be difficult for you to be in charge. Shopkeeper Qiu, what do you mean by that?Obviously, the third master did not expect Qiu Taiji to say such a thing. Qiu Taiji said: "Tiancheng Yuan is full of talents, hidden dragons and crouching tigers, the third master only takes a fancy to me, such an unattainable talent, what kind of vision?" The third master said: I have this kind of vision! But Qiu Taiji said: If the third master has such a vision, I won't dare to get up! Only then did the third master ask: Shopkeeper Qiu, you don't see me in your eyes, do you? Qiu Taiji hurriedly said: I respect the third master, that's why. Then you get up first, let's talk calmly, will it work? Only then did Qiu Taiji get up. A year ago, Qiu Taiji would have been overjoyed and grateful when he heard what the third master said.But now Qiu Taiji is much more sober.To be the treasurer of Lingdong, although that is the highest ideal of a businessman in the West, but he knows that he is not worthy of it.In particular, now the old boss of Kang said that he handed over the foreign affairs to the third master, but in fact he is still in charge of the house?If Mrs. Kang knew that Qiu Taiji still had the unreasonable desire to be the leader, it would be a waste of time! Therefore, he always kept a distance when talking with the third master, and tried his best to persuade the third master to broaden his horizons and choose talents calmly.In particular, you can't speak out your own temporary opinions at will.To be a young marshal, you need to talk more and make less decisions. How could Qiu Taiji think: the more he is like this, the more the third master values ​​him! three Qiu Taiji's wife, Yao Shi, heard that the man had been pardoned, went back to Xi'an, and wanted to go home for a short stay, she was so shocked that she broke out in a cold sweat! Although she had announced the news of her childbirth to the man, but if the man suddenly returned unexpectedly, she would still be so frightened that she would reveal her secrets!The man came back suddenly after only one year, and did not send a letter beforehand. This was an accident that could not be dreamed of in the past. It is of course a good thing that the man was pardoned by his boss and returned to Xi'an.Such a good thing, why didn't he tell her earlier? What did you hear? No way?Won't. She had sent Yun Sheng away.Yun Sheng also walked away.It has been three months since this little thing left her. Mrs. Yao anxiously waited for the man's return, but every day in vain.Afraid of his return, and looking forward to his return, but he has not returned for a long time.This year is full of chaos, the emperor has come out to flee, so nothing will happen during the journey, right? She sent people into the city several times to inquire, but the news they brought back was the same: Shopkeeper Qiu will definitely come back, just wait. After waiting for more than ten days, what finally came was: Shopkeeper Qiu has arrived in Xi'an.He did not pass through Taigu. If you can come back and have a look, he won't come back! Mrs. Yao felt that bone-chilling chill again: everything remains the same. Maybe, she shouldn't have dismissed Yun Sheng so early? After the successful delivery in April, Mrs. Yao has been immersed in the excitement of having a child.Of course Guo Yunsheng was also very excited: Has he already become a father?When there is no one else, he often asks Mrs. Yao: Does the baby look like me? At times like this, Mrs. Yao is just happy, and always says casually: Who can I be like, but I am not like you! The baby can talk, what to call me? What do you want to call, what to call. Will you call me daddy? You are a cheap father! That was just a joke, Madam Yao really didn't care too much.But in Guo Yunsheng, he couldn't bear all the excitement, so he couldn't help looking at himself as a different person. At the beginning, he had an affair with Mrs. Yao, and he showed a little strangeness in a fluttering manner.Mrs. Yao quickly beat him: If you want me to love you often, you must be the same as before, and you can't let others see the slightest abnormality.If you can't do it, I'll drive you out, you worthless thing!Therefore, he has been restrained and cautious. Now, Guo Yunsheng couldn't hold it anymore.First, he started yelling at the other servants, as if he was the housekeeper, or even the master.Later, he also began to say some disrespectful words to the lady of the master's house, such as: You are not precious anymore after giving birth to a brother. How could he expect that this would cause big trouble! Miss Qiu's baby name is Shui Lian. Although she is only ten years old, she already has an aversion to Guo Yunsheng.In the past, my mother was unhappy, but she regarded her as a treasure, and put all her thoughts, all the joys and sorrows on her alone.But in the past year, my mother seems to have taken most of her thoughts away from her.To whom?She found out that it was assigned to the little manservant.When his mother was with him, it was obvious that she was no longer depressed, like a cloudy sky suddenly cleared up. He is just a servant, how can he be better than her?He is nothing more than a boy!She often heard her mother say that it is enough to have a boy, and it is enough for you to have a brother. The ten-year-old Miss Qiu could only understand it this way.Therefore, she developed an instinctive aversion to Guo Yunsheng who had lost her mother's love.Whenever his mother was happy with him, she always tried to spoil their fun.Unfortunately, they didn't care about her troubles, which made her even more hostile. Now that her mother really gave birth to a brother for her, the sense of loss is already great enough, and Guo Yunsheng said that about her again, how can she bear it? She started to sit all day long, not going out, not talking, not even eating! Lan Nicole, the maid serving the lady, was frightened and told Mrs. Yao quickly. When Mrs. Yao heard this, she also panicked and hurried over.But no matter what she asked, or how she asked, her daughter still sat there without opening her mouth.Mrs. Yao panicked even more, so she asked Lanny: Where have you taken Lianlian? Lanny said: Where did you go? Mrs. Yao couldn't help shouting sharply: "Where did you go, did you become like this?" Lan Ni said: I don't know what Yun Sheng said to Miss, which scared her like this. Did Yun Sheng scare him?What did he say? I was not in front of me, so I don't know what he said was ugly. You call him to me! When Lan Ni ran to call Guo Yunsheng, Mrs. Yao asked her daughter again: What did he say? Shui Lian was still sitting blankly, no matter how much she asked, she didn't open her mouth. Mrs. Yao couldn't help feeling suspicious: Maybe my daughter noticed something?Or did Yun Sheng reveal something to her?In the past, I may have been too careless with my daughter. At this time, Guo Yunsheng came in in a big way, and was about to speak, when Shuilian suddenly cried out in panic. Mrs. Yao repeatedly asked: What's the matter, what's the matter? Xiao Shuilian didn't pay any attention, just kept crying. Mrs. Yao had no choice but to send Guo Yunsheng away.As soon as he left, the daughter stopped crying.But when I asked her, she still didn't say anything.Mrs. Yao put her arms around her daughter, said many loving words, and tried her best to comfort her.Although the daughter has never said a word, her mood seems to be more stable. Mrs. Yao came out and asked Guo Yunsheng what he had said to the lady, but he still said proudly: "Didn't say anything?" Mrs. Yao had no choice but to sternly say to him: Yun Sheng, don't forget what I said to you: If you want me to love you often, you have to be the same as before, and you can't make others feel abnormal.If you can't do it, I have to drive you away! Yun Sheng still didn't care and said: I haven't forgotten. Mrs. Yao wanted to have a fit, but held back, and just said: It's fine if you don't forget. That night, Shui Lian still sat there, not sleeping.Mrs. Yao had no choice but to take her into her room and sleep with her.Unexpectedly, from then on, my daughter never left day and night!At night, I slept with her in the same room; during the day, I also followed her closely, almost inseparable!If she was not told to do this, she would just sit there again, neither eating nor sleeping. After calling her daughter such a toss, she and Yun Sheng really didn't even have a chance to talk. She could see that her daughter did it on purpose.Maybe I really shouldn't go any further.It turned out that it was just to give birth to a boy, not to raise a little man for a long time.Now that she has fulfilled her wish and gave birth to a boy, she should be satisfied.Even for this boy, he couldn't go any further. Mrs. Yao also heard from Lan Ni that Yun Sheng has been very arrogant recently, as if he has become half a master, and he is always yelling at everyone.This made Mrs. Yao even more uneasy.From now on, the more she loves this boy, the more arrogant Yun Sheng will be.If this continues, who knows what will happen? She was, after all, a decisive woman.After thinking for a few days, I made a decision: Yun Sheng must be sent away. She quietly wrote to the naturalized man, begging him to find a house for Yunsheng to live in.The current Qiu Taiji is not the same as before, when he received the letter from his wife, he hurriedly made arrangements.In his opinion, such a matter of naturalization is of course nothing.The recommender is the most important thing when accepting apprentices in the Western Gang, because the recommender has to bear the heavy responsibility of guarantee.Qiu Taiji came forward to recommend a guarantee, and soon got a job for Guo Yunsheng in Tianshun Changliang Village. He immediately wrote back to his wife, explaining the relevant matters, and specifically asked Yun Sheng to go on the road as soon as possible and arrive at naturalization in summer.Because at that time, Qiu Taiji planned to go to Uliasu Terrace after the cool autumn, and take advantage of the naturalization in summer, so that he could take care of Yunsheng. Mrs. Yao didn't say anything when she received the man's letter. Instead, she went to meet his parents without telling Yun Sheng.Tell them that he had already entrusted the head of the family to find a name for Yunsheng, but he was not going well outside, so it was delayed until today.She likes Yun Sheng's baby, but she can't delay the baby any longer.It's strange that he is promising, can she be willing to make him a servant for the rest of her life? Yun Sheng's parents were not overjoyed when Mrs. Yao said this?Immediately knelt down and kowtowed to thank. Mrs. Yao told them to go to Shuixiu to pick up Yunsheng within three or two days.The Liangzhuang on the other side of Guihua is still waiting for him to go.On the other side of Taigu, we will rely on the ticket dealer to find a veteran who will drop by and take Yunsheng out of the mouth.There is bitterness outside the mouth, but if a man wants to be successful, he has to leave the mouth. Being able to live in Liangzhuang outside the mouth, Yun Sheng's parents are extremely satisfied and grateful. When Mrs. Yao came back, she still didn't say anything to Yun Sheng.She didn't want Yun Sheng to feel that he was kicked out.When his parents came to pick him up, she said to him again: I am reluctant to ask you to go, but this matter has finally been sorted out, and I have to let you go, and I am feeling very upset. She did this half out of means, and half out of sincerity. When she received the man's reply letter and realized that Yun Sheng was really going to leave, the sudden surge of sadness in her heart was still difficult to suppress for a while.She just tried not to show it.For more than a year, Yunsheng really gave her sunny days.The long miserable night is gone. He is obviously younger too.He also gave her a son! It's all over, is it really over? But all of this is clearly irreversible. Would Yun Sheng be willing to leave?Now that the situation at home has become such a mess for his daughter, and she suddenly asks him to leave, will he suspect that he is driving him away? Within two days, Yunsheng's parents came here excitedly.To Mrs. Yao's surprise, Yun Sheng was even more excited than his parents when he heard the news!He didn't mean to be reluctant at all. This little thing actually looked down on everything else as soon as he heard that he was going out for business! Yun Sheng asked her excitedly: Why didn't you tell me earlier? She said: I am reluctant to ask you to go. Yun Sheng actually said: If I don't leave, I'm afraid I won't be able to learn business. She had no choice but to say coldly: I won't delay you. On that day, Yun Sheng was going to leave with his parents.Mrs. Yao still couldn't bear it, so she said to his parents: You go ahead and tell Yunsheng to stay for one more day and prepare some charcoal for me. Of course Yun Sheng's parents agreed. That night, Mrs. Yao successfully sent her daughter away.When Shui Lian heard that the Yun Sheng she hated was finally leaving, she thought it was her victory.In the end, the mother still turned to herself and drove the hateful servant away.So, her hostility towards her mother also disappeared.Mother wanted her to go back to live in her own house, and she readily agreed. 姚夫人也很分明地把女兒撤離的消息，傳達給了雲生。可是那一夜，雲生居然沒有來！她幾乎是等待了整整一夜，可這個負情的小東西居然沒有來！ 他是害怕被她拖住，走不成嗎？ 臨走，他居然也不來看看他的兒子？ 都是一樣的，男人都是一樣的。一聽說要外出為商，靈魂就給勾走了。 第二天，雲生走時，姚夫人沒有見他。 Four 雲生走後，那種突然降臨的冷清，姚夫人是難以承受了。這比以往男人的遠離久別，似乎還要可怕。已經走了出來的長夜，突然又沒有盡頭地瀰漫開，與雲生的一切，彷彿只是一場夢。雲生留給她的兒子，雖是真實的，但有了兒子以後，依然驅不散的這一份冷清，才是更可怕的。 不過，雲生走後，姚夫人一直沒有著手招募新的男傭。招一個男傭，頂替雲生的空缺，那是必需的。雲生後來，幾乎就是管家了。少了這樣一個男傭，裡裡外外真也不行。 但招募一個什麼樣的男傭，姚夫人還沒有準主意。 像雲生似的，再招一個嫩娃？那只怕是重招傷心吧。嫩娃是養不熟的，你把什麼都搭上了，他卻不會與你一心。 招一個忠厚的粗漢？她實在不能接受。 或者改邪歸正了，招一個憨笨些的，只當傭人使喚？姚夫人感到自己應該改邪歸正，只是並沒託人去尋憨笨的長工。 她還不能忘記雲生。 但是，當她得知了男人過家門而不入的消息，一種徹骨的寒意，把一切都驅散了。噴湧而起的幽怨，叫她對雲生也斷然撒手。你總想著他們，可誰想你呢？還得自己想自己。 姚夫人又帶著一種毅然決然的心勁，開始物色新男傭。這個新男傭，當然要如雲生那樣，既像管家，又是可以長夜相擁的小男人。他也要像雲生一樣年少。年少的，好駕御，也更好對外遮掩。但要比雲生更出色！ 邱泰基已重返西安，邱家顯見是要繼續興旺發達了。聽說邱家要僱用新的男僕，來說合的真不少。以前在邱家當過僕傭的，也想回來。但這中間，沒一個姚夫人中意的。做僕傭的，都是粗笨人。稍精明俊雅些的，都瞄著商號往裡鑽呢，誰願意來做家僕？但姚夫人不甘心。 她以雲生為例，向外傳話：來邱家為僕，出色的，也能受舉薦、入商號。即便這樣，也沒有張羅到一個她稍為中意的。 她這不只是選僕，還是選妾，哪那麼容易！ 於是，她就想先選一個做粗活的長工，再慢慢選那個她中意的年輕管家。因為雲生走後，許多力氣活，沒有人能做。這樣的粗傭，那就好選了，可以從以前辭退的舊人中挑一個。 可這個粗傭還沒有挑呢，忽然冒出一個來，叫姚夫人一下就心動了。 這是她娘家親戚給舉薦來的一個青年。個頭高高，生得還相當英俊，看著比雲生的年齡還大些，一問也才十七歲。只是一臉的憂愁，呆呆的，不大說話。 親戚說，這娃命苦。他的父親本也是常年駐外的生意人，本事不算大吧，家裡跟著尚能過小康光景。不料，在這娃九歲那年，父親在駐地遭遇土匪，竟意外身亡。母親守著他，只過了兩年，也染病故去。雖然叔父收養了他，可突然淪為孤兒，性情也大變。而嬸母又認定他命太硬，妨主，甚為嫌棄。到十三四歲，叔父曾想送他入商號學徒，嬸母卻不願為之破費。送去作僕傭，她倒不攔著：可見還是偏心眼。邱家是大戶，調理得好，這娃或許還能有出息，你們也算是他的再生父母了。 姚夫人看了聽了，就覺有七八分中意。就問這娃： 識字不識字？ 這娃怯怯地說：識字不多。 親戚說，發蒙後念過幾年書。他父母原也是指望他長大入商號的。 姚夫人說：那你過來，寫寫你的姓名。 在親戚的催促下，他怯怯地走到桌前來，拿起毛筆，惶惶寫下三個字：溫雨田。 姚夫人看這三個字，寫得還蠻秀氣，就問：算盤呢，會打吧？ 打得不快。 姚夫人正色說：到我們家，也沒多少累活做，只是要勤快，手腳要乾淨，知道守規矩。 溫雨田沒有說話，親戚忙問他：聽見了吧？ I heard. 姚夫人又說：再就是別這樣愁眉苦臉，成不成？ 他還是不說話。 姚夫人就問：你願不願來我們家？ 親戚忙說：他當然願意，不願意，我能領他來？ 姚夫人說：雨田，你自己說，願意不？ 他低了頭，低聲說：願意。 親戚就喝了他一聲：你不能說痛快些！ 姚夫人忙說：初來新地界，認生，也難免的。要願意，那就留下來，試幾個月吧。到年下，不出差錯，就常留下來。 親戚忙說：雨田，還不快跪下給主家磕個頭！ 這回，雨田倒是急忙跪下了，磕了一個頭，沒說話。 姚夫人說：快起來吧。我們家也沒那麼多禮，那麼多講究，以後就當是自己的家。 姚夫人留親戚吃了飯，叫他轉告雨田的叔父，說雨田在此受不了罪。工錢，也按通例給。親戚卻說，他可不能捎這種話回去：雨田找了這麼個好主家，有福享了，他嬸母能高興？只能說勉強留下試用，工錢還沒有，你主家也不好伺候呢。這樣說，他那嬸母才稱心。親戚還交代，留下雨田是當傭人使，當然不能太心軟，可也不敢太苛嚴。他心事太重，什麼都攢在心裡，對付不好，誰知他出什麼事？ 姚夫人只是按常理說：我花錢僱傭人，也不能當少爺供著吧？我該怎麼使喚，就怎麼使，他對付不了，你還給我領走！ 其實，姚夫人心裡已是十分中意這個雨田了，她甚至感到有些天遂人意，竟給她送來一個比雲生出色許多的小男人。才這麼半天工夫，她已斷定這個雨田比雲生出色。 留下雨田後，姚夫人很快又招回一個做粗活的舊男傭。因為她吩咐雨田要做的，是記賬，採買，跑佃戶，進城辦事。這全是管家該做的營生。 沉默寡歡的雨田，哪能想到主家會這樣器重他？初聽了，他真有些不敢應承，直說，怕張羅不了。主家夫人和氣地說，誰天生就會？我挑你，就是叫你學著幫我管家。以往，我自己管家，沒僱人，今年剛添了娃，忙不過來了。你識字，會打算盤，人也不笨，又長得排場，我看是當管家的材料。只要上心學，哪有學不成的？總比學生意容易吧！ 主家把話說成這樣了，他還能再說什麼？ 主家夫人還叫來裁縫，給他做了幾身夠排場的衣裳，單的、夾的、棉的，四季穿的都有了。這叫雨田更感意外：不是說試用嗎？怎麼一年四季的衣服都備下了？主家夫人說，跑外辦事，頂的是我們邱家的臉面，穿戴太寒酸，那可是丟邱家的人！夫人還說，你一個男娃，沒了父母，也不會張羅穿戴，我能忍心看著不管？你只要跟我們一心，這就是你的新家。 他聽得眼裡直湧淚珠。 剛到的時候，主家還把僕傭都叫來，交代她們：新來的這個男娃能寫會算，以後他要幫著我管家，你們要多幫襯他。主家有了這樣的交代，別人對他也沒欺生，真還夠幫襯他的。邱家的僕傭也不多，一個個都像厚道人。 主家那位十歲的小姐，似乎並不討厭他，常常跟著他，問東問西。 最常跟他在一起的，當然還是主家夫人。什麼都是她親自教，記賬算賬，外出採買，論價殺價，城裡哪些字號是老相與，佃戶又有哪些家，什麼都細細交代。不嫌煩，也不嫌他是生瓜蛋。跟他在一起，夫人好像慈母似的，一點脾氣都沒有。他的傻氣，只能逗笑她，惹不惱她。 雨田真沒想到，他來到的竟然是這樣一個叫人驚喜異常的新地界。主家夫人為什麼會對他這樣好？可憐他？還是以前同他的父母有舊誼？平白無故，誰能對一個下人這樣好？ 這幾年，在叔父家所受到的冷遇和虐待，已經叫年少的他不敢相信人了。 稍熟之後，雨田婉轉問過姚夫人。為什麼對他這樣好？夫人倒笑著反問他：怎麼，想叫我打罵你？那還不容易！她親切異常地給他說，她一直沒男娃，所以特別喜歡男娃。以前有個幫她跑外的小男傭，她就很疼他，教他認字，教他為人處事，待之如家人。後來還給他舉薦了商號，送去學生意了。也許是上天酬報她，今年終於得了男娃。 夫人還說，自家有了男娃，對他這樣的男僕，依舊是喜歡的。他長得這樣排場，偏又命苦，她由不得想多疼他。只要一心一意，這裡就是你的家。 成天聽這樣的話，雨田漸漸也沒有什麼疑心了，只是慶幸自己終於跳出了苦海。那或許是父母的在天之靈，拯救了他吧。 到邱家沒有多久，他就變得開朗些了，辦事也長進得快。主家夫人對他越來越滿意。 在姚夫人這一面，對這個雨田就不只是越來越滿意。她已經在作更長遠的打算。 雨田住熟以後，越發顯得要比雲生強：到底是出身不一樣。他不僅是生得英俊排場，腦筋也靈得多，處處透著大器。這樣一個俊秀後生，那必是嚮往外出從商的。何況他故去的父母，從小就寄予這種期望了。所以，從起頭時候，姚夫人就要斷了他的這種念頭：她希望這個雨田能長久留下來！剛進邱家門，就許以他學做管家，正是基於此種打算的。 給大戶做管家，那也是種排場的營生。 接受了雲生的教訓，姚夫人也不想急於求成了。慢慢來，叫他感到了你的親切，你的心意，你的疼愛，那也許能長久相守吧。 令姚夫人感到寬心的，是她的女兒也不討厭雨田。蓮蓮也願跟他在一道，問長問短。雨田對這個小女子，不冷淡，也不張狂，盡力遷就她。這就少了麻煩。以後更熟了，得及早要告誡他：小心不要惹下水蓮！ 姚夫人感到現在老練多了，能從容行事，不再那樣急於將這個小男人攬入懷中。但自從雨田進家後，她已不再覺著孤寂冷清，有這個俊秀的後生叫她惦記著，日子過得實在多了。 因為閏八月，秋後節令顯得早，到九月已是寒風習習，十七日就立冬了。立冬後一連數日，總刮北風，天氣冷得緩不過勁來。屋裡忽然要用火盆，姚夫人才想起今年還未採買新木炭。雲生走時，只是買了幾車劈柴，幾車煤炭。 雨田聽夫人這樣一說，就要進城去採買。姚夫人說，去年還剩有木炭呢，等天氣緩過來，再採買也不誤事。雨田等了兩天，見天氣冷得更上了勁，就坐不住，非要去辦這件事。姚夫人見他做事這樣上心，也就同意了。囑咐他，到了集市，只尋好炭，別太在乎價錢。看對了，叫賣家連車帶炭推到水秀來，咱給他出腳錢。 雨田答應著去了。到後半晌，他真押著一推車木炭，回來了。炭甚好，價錢也不貴。賣炭的直說：你們這位小少爺可真會殺價。姚夫人高興了，多付了一百文腳錢，算是皆大歡喜。 但到夜晚，雨田就發起燒來。他想了想，知道是晌午大意了。晌午在南關集市，喝過兩碗羊雜碎，辣椒加多了，喝得滿頭滿身汗水淋淋。也沒在乎，喝完又接著迎風亂跑，挑選木炭。 本來喝一碗就得了，也不至出那麼多汗，可當時嘴太饞，忍不住又喝了一碗。這可好了，得了報應。他外出，主家夫人倒總給帶些零花錢。起先，他不敢花。夫人說，太寒酸了，哪像給邱家辦事的？所以，他花錢喝羊雜碎，倒不怕，可喝得病倒了，那怎麼交代？ 這一夜，他時冷時熱，難受異常。心裡只是想，再難受也不怕，趕天明好了就成。但第二天起來，頭重腳輕，渾身軟軟的。他強打精神，想裝著沒病，可哪能呢！ 早起，主家夫人一見他，就驚呼：雨田，你臉色這樣難看，怎麼了？ 他忙說：咋也不咋。 但她已過來摸住他的額頭，更驚叫道：天爺，滾燙！傻娃，你這是病了，還咋也不咋！ 跟著姚夫人就呼叫來其他僕傭，扶他回去躺倒。一面叫廚房給他熬薑湯，一面又叫給他屋裡生個火盆。僕傭在忙活時，姚夫人就一直守在他身邊。她並沒有追問怎麼著的涼，只是不時摸摸他的額頭，嘆息道：看燒成什麼了，也不說，真成了傻娃了！ 自從父母去世後，再沒有人這樣心疼過他。雨田想到這裡，不禁淚流滿面。 姚夫人見他這樣領情，心裡也有些受了感動，一邊給他擦眼淚，一面說：快不敢哭了，以後跟我一心，你受不了委屈。 喝過薑湯，生起火盆，姚夫人又叫人給拿來一床被子，給雨田加上。還問他想吃什麼。雨田只是不斷地流淚，那樣感激她，依戀她。 這使姚夫人有一種說不出的動心動情。她感到雨田是與雲生不同，他比雲生更靈敏，更多情，也更叫人憐愛。她居然會這樣動心地惦記他。這樣的感覺已經很好，就是不將他攬入懷中，也踏實了。 她營造了一種戀愛，自己又成功地陷了進去。 five 立冬以後，戴膺離開太谷，取道漢口，趕赴上海去了。 戴膺的半年假期還未滿，但時局殘敗如此，他也無心歇假了。康老東家、孫大掌櫃隔三岔五的，也不斷召他去，議論時局，商量號事。但時局不穩，各地信報不能及時傳回老號，議論吧，又能議出什麼眉目來？ 回太谷這幾個月，儘管有朝廷行在過境，戴膺依然感到一種坐井觀天的憋屈。在京時，他就有想法：西幫票號要想長久執全國金融牛耳，各家大號須將總號移往京城才成。老號偏居晉省祁太平，眼瞅著與外埠莊口越來越隔膜。長此以往，老號豈不成為生意上的大桎梏？可這話，老號與東家都不愛聽。現在，京師陷落，這話越發不能說了。 康老東家在徐溝覲見兩宮後，對當今朝廷那是更少敬畏，更不敢有所指望。以老東台那毒辣的眼光看，西太后實在是一個太平庸的婦人。平庸而又不自知，即為無恥。位至尊，無恥亦至極。攤上這麼一個婦人把持朝廷，時局殘敗至此，那還用奇怪？老東台從徐溝一回來，就對孫大掌櫃說： 趁早收縮生意吧，大清沒指望了。 孫大掌櫃早有退意，再趕上今年這驚天動地的折騰，更想趁勢告老退位。聽老東台這樣一說，那當然很對心思。他就說：我看也是。趁早收縮，還能為康家留得青山。 戴膺卻有些不以為然。朝廷的無能無恥也不自今日始，親睹聖顏，倒睹得自家洩了氣？這也不像是西幫作為吧。西幫什麼時候高看過朝廷？所以，戴膺就對兩位巨頭說：現今生意也僅存半壁江山了，北方各莊口經此內亂外患，已收縮到底。江南莊口失去北方支撐，難有大作為，收縮之勢也早成定局。再言收縮，還能收縮到哪？總不能將遍佈國中的莊口全撤了，關門大吉吧？ 康老太爺竟然說：叫我看，西幫的票號也如當年的茶莊，生意快做到頭了。我們得趁早另謀新路。 孫大掌櫃就說：我看也是。新路須新人去走，我這老朽也做到頭了。 康老太爺說：不是說你。 戴膺說：另闢新生意，就不受朝廷管了？就能逃出時局的禍害？ 康老太爺說：收縮的意思，一為避亂，一為圖新。這樣無能無恥的朝廷，我看也長久不了了。經此拳亂洋禍，你還指望它中興？ 戴膺就想起在京時早有的圖新之議：將票號改制為西洋式的銀行。於是，就乘機對兩位巨頭說：此次洋禍，我看也不會輕易了結。除了照例割地賠款，朝廷只怕更得受制於西洋列強。洋人於我西幫爭利最甚的，就是他們的銀行。我們要圖新，現成的一條路，就是將票號改制為洋式銀行，師夷制夷，以求立於不敗。 老東台就問：銀行也是銀錢生意嗎？ 戴膺說：也是。only 老東