Chapter 21 Chapter Twenty

one Xiang Jiuxiao, a famous actress in Qin opera, came to visit suddenly, which startled Qiu Taiji. At that time, it was inconvenient for actors to walk around like this.Although Qiu Taiji has friendship with Xiang Jiuxiao, he has never met him at the shop.But now, Xiang Jiuxiao has suddenly become a popular person in Xi'an, often enshrined in the ban, and sang operas for the Empress Dowager, even if Qiu Taiji wanted to see him, it was not as easy as before.There must be unusual reasons for today's unexpected arrival. Even though it was a visit in a humble service, Xiang Jiuxiao's ostentation was huge, and there were a dozen or so people just following him to serve.Seeing this situation, Cheng Laobang of Xihao was a little apprehensive, and pushed Qiu Taiji forward.Xiang Jiuxiao only talked to Qiu Taiji and ignored others.Qiu Taiji had no choice but to step forward and let Xiang Jiuxiao into the back room.At this time, the third master was not on the cabinet, and he wanted to order someone to call quickly, but he was afraid that Xiang Jiuxiao would not give the third master face and cause embarrassment, so he gave up.Looking at Xiang Jiuxiao's current expression, there are not many people in his eyes.

If Boss Guo has any orders, send someone to say it, and it will be fine!Did you not trust us and came here in person? Shopkeeper Qiu, I'm here to make amends to you, so I have to come. apologize?This surprised Qiu Taiji even more: what was hidden in the words would not be a trivial matter.He pretended to be panicked, and said: Shopkeeper Guo dare not scare people!How can we offend, we should scold Haha, shopkeeper Qiu, you also met me? How can I see outsiders!Boss Guo is now a nobleman. I heard that the princes and ministers who accompanied you are very respectful to you!We are still the same as before, we are too ignorant

When speaking, Qiu Taiji saluted seriously. Shopkeeper Qiu, the more you say you are strangers, the more you come.As an opera singer, can I become a noble person?I'm telling you secretly, who knows what will happen in the future if you enshrine in the forbidden place! After all, he is an actor, and there are idlers waiting in front of him, so he just said such things.Qiu Taiji was really worried that he would say that a companion is like a tiger, so he quickly caught it and said: Boss Guo's ability, I don't know yet?Thanks to the empress dowager's grace, you have already ascended to the sky in one step and become famous all over the world, what else do you want to do?I heard that Wang Guifen and Tan Xinpei, who were enshrined in the capital, were conferred fifth-rank titles.Maybe one day the queen mother is happy, and she will seal you too!

Shopkeeper Qiu, don't you know how easy it is to go in and worship?Keep your head up all the time! The more I was afraid that he would say such things, he said that he was really an opera singer, and he was not careful enough.Qiu Taiji hurriedly turned away and said: Boss Guo, are you saying that you are going to apologize, are you trying to scare people? I really regret not coming.I talked too much for a while, and caused trouble for your account! Qiu Taiji heard that something was really going on, so he calmly told the friends in front of him: Hurry up and ask the second men under Guo Boss to go out for tea.Upon hearing this, the following attendants all went out happily: it seems that they all took a sip.

After all the servants left, there were only two hostesses and guests left, so Qiu Taiji said: Boss Guo, you won't take offense, will you?You and I have been friends for many years, dare to say a few words of truth, do you know if you like to listen or not? How can you not love to hear it?I came here today, just want to have a heart-to-heart talk with Shopkeeper Guo! When Qiu Taiji was in contact with Xiang Jiuxiao in the past, he didn't just praise him blindly, he liked to teach him a few words from time to time.Xiang Jiuxiao also liked to listen, because most of Qiu's teachings were reasonable and effective.Actors don't have many strategies in life, so if someone gives you some pointers on the important points, of course you are happy to hear it.Therefore, he regards shopkeeper Qiu as a military adviser, and his friendship is unusual.It was because of this relationship that Qiu Taiji wanted to remind him a few more words.Now, he is very popular, and if you blindly flatter him, I am afraid that he will look down on him.

Boss Guo, if you are able to win today's holy family, I'm afraid it's because your ancestors have accumulated great virtues, so you don't cherish it? Shopkeeper Qiu has something to say!I've been worried all day long, why don't I cherish it? In the past, I had more dealings with officialdom than you, and I also had a deeper understanding of the dangers of officialdom than you.You can go in and out of the forbidden area, and you can see the holy face. On the one hand, it is extremely glorious, and on the other hand, it is really holding your head! I know this better than you, didn't you just say it?

You don't know how to cherish, just in this word!How can you say such words so easily? Shopkeeper Qiu, don't I treat you as an outsider? We have been friends for many years, but there are still a bunch of servants in front of us! My servants, who would dare! Boss Guo, how can you speak with your head up?Not to mention that someone wants to harm you, but even if you unintentionally spread your words, that's great!If you don't like to guard the door when you talk like this, the people under your command will follow you. If you speak freely, if you cause trouble someday, I'm afraid you will lose your breath somehow!

Shopkeeper Qiu, what you said really scares me! Boss Guo, accompanying you is like accompanying a tiger. You must keep these words in your heart from time to time, but never on your lips!The first thing that Ban Jun said is that he has to be strict with his mouth, and he has to hide everything and can't say anything.Singing is a way of eating, and you are not used to idle talk, but you dare not tell the truth even if you talk nonsense, stupid words, and grandchildren's words!Not only can you not say what you want to say in your heart, but even what you see with your own eyes, you must not say it lightly!You can't talk about the things you saw in the palace, and you can't talk about the things that the princes and ministers saw before.Misfortune comes from the mouth, especially in officialdom.

Shopkeeper Qiu, you really know me well!So many people who flatter me all ask me about the forbidden things in the palace, which song is sung, whether the queen mother likes it, she can really understand Qin opera, what the queen mother dresses up, what the emperor dresses up, it's endless!Even those princes and ministers love to inquire.No one reminded me, misfortune comes out of mouth! Boss Guo is so successful, we can follow suit.Who wouldn't want to rely on such a noble person as you often!You can last long, don't we get more light? But except for you, shopkeeper Qiu, who among them is willing to think about me for a long time?It's all pictures for a while!

Who doesn't want to know the situation in the forbidden palace?You just have to be careful.Especially for those princes and ministers, you must be able to talk to them, but you must not offend others, and you must be more open-minded. Shopkeeper Qiu, you are so right, this class of adults is really hard to deal with!I came to make amends because of the disturbance made by these adults. I always say that I am sorry, what is the matter? The few princes and ministers I can see often are all addicted to drama.After I came to Xi'an with my driver, I didn't have any serious business, and I didn't have anything to relieve my boredom when I was idle, only the entertainment was left.People in the capital listen to Hui opera troupe, and in Xi'an, there is such an insignificant Hui opera troupe led by Zhang Le.He was called to listen to it twice, and then he was kicked out.An adult said to me: Zhang Le is also considered a role in your Xi'an?That is also called Beijing Opera?I haven't sung well yet!I told them: Zhang Le didn't have a mountain in the first place, and there are not many people in Xi'an who like to listen to Hui troupe opera.

Where is this going?What happened, I have been talking for a long time, and I am still at a loss!But Xiang Jiuxiao had this problem before, now that he has become a nobleman, can you tell him not to talk too much?Qiu Taiji had no choice but to interject: Then they can love to listen to your Qin opera? They have only listened to Qin opera for a few days, can you listen to it?But the queen mother loves it, so they can't follow suit?The Empress Dowager called us into the palace, it was a real show.These adults call us into the mansion, that's not called a church meeting! What is that singing? What to sing, play tickets with them!There are a few of them who are really good at this. Every time they have to slap their faces, put on their clothes, and mess with us on stage.That's not singing, it's a mess, it's all about playing with others! So quickly, they learned how to shout Qin opera? Why, people use Beijing opera, we use Qin opera, each sings its own tune!Shopkeeper Qiu, you have never seen that scene, you can laugh to death. Don't those people just have fun?But, Boss Guo, what did you say caused the trouble? That's it.The Empress Dowager's longevity is in October, shopkeeper Qiu doesn't know, does he? How can I know such a thing as a small businessman? The Empress Dowager's birthday is in October.In the past in the capital, what kind of ostentation was there when the Queen Mother celebrated her birthday?This year I took refuge in Xi'an, no matter what, I can't compare with the capital.Director Li in front of the Queen Mother told me a long time ago that you should work hard and prepare a few new plays, and on the day of Wanshou, I will please the Lafayette.I said, I have to choose the one that Lafayette likes to prepare, and I don’t know which ones to prepare?Manager Li was not happy, he stared and said: I have to teach you everything?How dare I speak out again!When I came out, I talked about it with a prince, and the prince said: Mr. Li is also in trouble.All this time, whoever mentioned longevity in front of the queen mother, the queen mother would be silent for a long time, sad and sad, with a bad face.I asked: What is the queen mother thinking?The prince said: Even Manager Li can't figure it out, who would know! Where is this going again!Tell him to keep his eyes open and talk less. Let's see, the more he talks, the more he talks, the more detailed he talks.There is really no cure for a villain who succeeds. Boss Guo, you'd better talk less about those things in the palace, don't you be afraid that the walls have ears? This is all related to you, so I have to say it.This prince, I will not tell you who it is.Anyway, it was at his house, just playing tickets, and was unloading, he suddenly asked me: Are you familiar with those shopkeepers in Shanxi ticket shop?Shopkeeper Qiu, I really have nothing to say, so I just opened my mouth and said: there are still a few of them, and our friendship is extraordinary!People followed up and asked: There is a rich man named Kang in Taigu, who is also an invoicing company. Is there a name in Xi'an?I said: Yes!The trade name is Tian Chengyuan, and the shopkeeper has a good relationship with me.Look at me, I opened my mouth and said everything! Qiu Taiji hurriedly asked: What is this prince doing asking about my account? At that time, I also asked, and the prince said: It was Cui, who was in front of the queen mother, asking me, how would I know?Two days ago, I finally understood: Manager Cui inquired about your name because he wanted to borrow money for the Empress Dowager's longevity. Borrow money from us for longevity? Shopkeeper Qiu, let me tell you the truth.Xiang Jiuxiao lowered his voice and said, Manager Cui borrowed money from you, and it is just a name for longevity, but in fact it is to save more private houses for the Queen Mother to please her.More to say, after experiencing this escape, the Queen Mother is particularly fascinated by private money! Want to borrow money from us to save a private house? Otherwise, I panic when I hear it.If I knew this earlier, I wouldn't talk too much.A few extra words have caused you a lot of trouble.Director Cui came to the door, you dare not refuse to borrow, how can you expect to repay the debt if you borrow it?Having caused such a catastrophe, how can I stand up to shopkeeper Qiu! After hearing the news, Qiu Taiji knew that he was going to be unlucky: he met the No. 1 Tianzi robbery!But this can't blame Xiang Jiuxiao, even if he doesn't talk much, people can find out about Tian Chengyuan.Don't look at who is robbing this!Xiang Jiuxiao should be grateful for sending a message first.just say: Boss Guo, you are thinking too much.It is a great honor for us to honor the Empress Dowager, how can it be called trouble? Your account is not afraid of the Queen Mother borrowing money?Then I feel more at ease. In this year's market, with natural disasters and wars, how can we make business?My number is also empty and sleepy, not what it used to be.But to show respect to the Empress Dowager, we dare not be ambiguous even if we sell everything! Xiang Jiuxiao babbled for a while, then got up to leave, but Qiu Taiji was already very anxious. two Qiu Taiji has heard from his peers: After the Queen Mother arrived in Xi'an, she became very greedy for money.Coupled with the fact that Deheng, the head of the Qiao family of the Qi gang, showed his wealth like that, it made the Queen Mother remember the West gang.It has only been a few days since I came to Xi'an, and I have already borrowed money from Xibang several times.But it was the Ministry of Households who came forward to borrow money, and the account was carried by the court. This time it was Tian Chengyuan's turn to borrow money, but it was the palace supervisor who came forward and the Queen Mother kept the accounts!The queen mother opened her mouth, who dares to refute it?But after letting go of this kind of royal account, who will I ask for money in the future? The queen mother opened her mouth to borrow money, and that would not be a small amount! So, as soon as Xiang Jiuxiao left, Qiu Taiji hurried to see the third master. The third master is a rich man, so it is naturally inconvenient to live in the shop after coming to Xi'an.But it is not easy to rent a more ostentatious house outside.Taking refuge in Chang'an in the two palaces is equivalent to moving the capital here, and the retinue is full of people, and the slightly more ostentatious mansion is not enough for them to fight for.Fortunately, Qiu Taiji has been operating in Xi'an for many years and has many connections. He actually rented a small courtyard for the third master in the crowded city, but it was far away from the shop.The third master is very satisfied and often invites Qiu Taiji to talk there. When Qiu Taiji arrived that day, the third master was having a drink by the fire. Qiu Taiji said: Third Master, when is it time to eat? The third master was very happy to see Qiu Taiji coming unexpectedly, and said: You came here because of the smell of wine, right?It was cold and stuffy in the afternoon, and no one came! It's warm enough in this room.It's so cold, how do you spend the winter outside the mouth? Eating mutton outside the mouth and drinking soju every day makes my body hot!No, I asked them to stew a mutton casserole.Shopkeeper Qiu, I think you came here because you smelled the aroma of wine and meat, so sit down and have a drink! I have something urgent, come to see the third master! Hurry up, can I delay you from drinking two sips of wine? Third master, it's really a big emergency! Shopkeeper Qiu, what do you think is the sky in Xi'an?The capital is lost, and they are all crowded into Xi'an. How big can Xi'an be?Let's have a drink first! Look at the third master, he doesn't look drunk.Qiu Taiji had no choice but to drink a cup of hot shochu first, as if swallowing fire.He can also drink shochu, but he likes to drink rice wine and rice wine on weekdays.In this year outside the mouth, soju is inseparable from entertainment, but I have not been addicted to it.Drinking too much shochu can easily cause trouble.The third master often hides from his mouth and drinks soju like a fool. He can't afford to accompany him because of the huge amount. Seeing that he seemed to be drinking medicine, the third master was unhappy, and said: Shopkeeper Qiu doesn't want to drink with me, right? Qiu Taiji hurriedly said: There is really an urgent matter, discuss it with the third master! The capital is lost, what else can be urgent?Unless it is a foreigner who broke into Xi'an, other things, it doesn't matter if you don't drink! Third master, it is an urgent matter concerning our Tian Chengyuan! There is no need to worry about our own affairs.Drink first, shopkeeper Qiu, you have another cup! It looks like the third master is drunk, why are you talking drunk?In the urgent matter of going to the house on fire, the third master behaved like this, as if he was going against it on purpose.Qiu Taiji had no choice but to be patient, and drank another cup. Shopkeeper Qiu, eat mutton!When drinking soju, you have to eat meat with a big mouthful.Don't eat meat, soju will bring you down. I am not afraid of eating mutton, but I am afraid of drinking soju! Then you still have less experience outside the mouth!If you stay for two more years, you can't do without shochu. Third master, it's not what I want to return to Xi'an so soon. Shopkeeper Qiu, needless to say!If I had known that the current situation would take such a sudden turn for the worse, I would rather stay out of the mouth and try to be quiet! This time, the mouth is not quiet. No matter how unruly it is, foreigners have not been naturalized or Baotou!Shopkeeper Qiu, you are always persuading me to go out of the mountains and go to the big wharf for a walk. The third master really drank too much, how could he talk such drunken things?The third master is huge, and it is rare to get drunk.Is there something unhappy in your heart?After arriving in Xi'an, the third master was always excited, but not worried or depressed.A few days ago, I heard that the Empress Dowager West wanted to move her capital to Chang'an, so she settled here for a long time and never left.The third master was very dissatisfied with this, and closed the door and cursed a few times.This is unpleasant, but how can you always pretend to be in the third master's heart, and can't get rid of it?When you meet such an imperial court, you can't get over it, so what can you do! When the third master mentioned the imperial court, Qiu Taiji quickly caught it and said: "Third master, the urgent matter I am talking about was also caused by the imperial court." Court?What about the imperial court? Qiu Taiji briefly explained the news revealed by Xiang Jiuxiao. Before the third master had finished listening, he couldn't help it anymore, snorted disdainfully, and said, "You are the most honored, and you can be ashamed to beg for food?" Qiu Taiji said: "The queen mother begs for food, how can I get rid of it if I don't give it?" When passing through Shanxi in August, our West Gang just sent them away. It's only been a few days, why are they here again?Has the West Gang become your cash cow? In my opinion, I complained about exposing my wealth that time.Especially the Qiao's family in Qi County, who paid 300,000 for a single move!You are so rich, how can the imperial court forget you? My old man is not far behind!In order to take a look at the holy face, I also threw out tens of thousands It seems that the third master is really a little drunk, and he actually blamed the old man.Qiu Taiji hurriedly turned back and said: Third Master, Director Cui who is in front of the Empress Dowager really wants to borrow money, shall we borrow it? Do not borrow!No matter who comes, you tell him: We are also begging for food, how can we lend you money! Third Master, so you're afraid you won't be able to dismiss him? Can't send it away, what is he going to do, want to grab it? What happened to the third master today?Talking so violently, it seems that he has returned to the way he was when he was out of the mouth a year ago, and he is only looking to compete with you.He came to Xi'an, eager to make something up, and showed his hand to the old man, but when he encountered such a ruinous situation, he was full of anger everywhere, and finally couldn't bear it anymore?But no matter how hot you are, so what!After all, he is the head of the family for the first time, after all, he has been hiding outside the mouth for too long. Qiu Taiji calmed down and said: Then listen to the third master and don't borrow it.The empress dowager comes in person, so we won't borrow it either!Come, let's drink! Seeing what Qiu Taiji said, the third master softened his tone, and asked: Shopkeeper Qiu, tell me, what will happen to them if we don't borrow it? Whatever it is, you are not afraid of the third master anyway.drink wine! I want to hear your opinion, what will happen to the queen mother if we don't borrow it? what will happen?Want to kill want to cut, that is not a sentence!But we are not afraid of killing or cutting! Shopkeeper Qiu, my life is too bad!After suffering for so many years, just as I took over the main job, I encountered such a once-in-a-lifetime situation.The beginning of the year was fine, full of joy, but only a few days later, the overall situation collapsed, and it has not stopped until now.Half of the business left by the ancestors fell!The old man has been in charge for more than 40 years, and nothing happened. I have only been in charge for a few days, and half of the hula la!Am I the life of a prodigal? The third master was really angry.But being so angry, she still showed tenderness.What can I blame you for such a catastrophe? Third master, how can your life be bad?Life is too strong!As soon as you come out of the mountain, half of the country of the Qing Dynasty will be shaken down!Simply, if you cheer up and show off your power, let it collapse the remaining half, so as not to save the queen from begging and robbing us later. Shopkeeper Qiu, you still have the heart to tell jokes! Third master, I'm not joking!This year, there was such a big catastrophe, and the empress dowager, who was in charge, didn't think it was a big deal. She should go to the theater, live her life, and rob.Third master, you are benevolent, but also too conceited. You just want to take this catastrophe on your own head, as if no one should blame you, but blame you for your hard life.The Eight-Power Allied Forces are trying to punish the culprit, but the Queen Mother, Zai Yi, Gang Yi, and Dong Xiangfu don't want to be the culprit.Only the third master wants to take over as the culprit, but do foreigners recognize you?Can punishing you relieve the anger of foreigners? The third master stopped talking and was stunned for a long time before asking: Shopkeeper Qiu, are you kidding me? Qiu Taiji said: I am here to sober you up! I'm not drunk, why sober up?You are kidding me. I just laughed at the drunken words that the third master said. What did I say drunk?I only talk about the current situation and the great cause of the ancestors. Who would talk about such serious things when drunk? I said yes, don't care if it collapses or not!It is true that the Qing Dynasty has completely collapsed, and we have to do our own business. What I am worried about is also our business! Then the water will come to cover it, and the soldiers will come to block it.Third master, don't you dare to be too anxious, let alone destroy your family's prestige first, and blame your family's fate as soon as something happens! You put it lightly, something just happened!The capital fell, the court fled, and the sky collapsed in half. Who has met it? Third Master, let me tell you that you just came out of the mountain and encountered such a catastrophe, which is giving you a good opportunity to show your great wisdom and courage!If you are safe and sound, how can you be revealed? The third master seemed to regain his spirits, and said to the case: Shopkeeper Qiu, this is what you said!Then tell me, how can we show our great wisdom and courage? Third Master, you are in a hurry again!Right now, let's talk about whether to let go of this debt? If Mingli doesn't lend it, of course it won't work.Can you think of a clever way to not borrow? Tell me, don't worry about it.In this matter, there is obviously one way: borrow.How much you want, how much you have to lend to others.The Ministry of Finance borrowed money from us, and they could find an excuse to shirk it.The queen mother came to rob in private, how can we shirk it!Dare to refute even the Empress Dowager's face, don't want to live anymore? Then what is there to discuss! Borrowing, right and wrong can't be borrowed.How to borrow, there are articles to do.The Empress Dowager has lived a long life, we are filial, but we can't be filial, right?Gotta reward us with some good business, right?Furthermore, we can use the shortage of cash as an excuse to lower the amount of filial piety: first write a large-denomination bank note and see if he wants it; limited!Recently, money in Xi'an is in short supply. No one wants bank notes. The Empress Dowager said, can she want bank notes? Shopkeeper Qiu, since you have a score in your heart, you can rest assured that it will be yours. Third master, you have to make a big deal: at most, how much should we honor her? How appropriate do you think? Let me see, if you want to borrow cash, it is less than 10,000 taels, and I am afraid that you will not be able to pay it; if you write bank notes, you can use more, up to 50,000.It is estimated that they do not accept cashier tickets, so you might as well be generous. It's generous, isn't it too shabby?It is a debt after all. We just dumped hundreds of thousands of dollars for such a poor name, and we will not be able to live in the future.Besides, the cash on the cabinet is really tight. At that time, Xi'an was considered a big port.However, the imperial court was in a mighty state, and suddenly came, and Xi'an couldn't accommodate the huge expenses alone.Prices are soaring and money is scarce, that is inevitable.Although the major accounts of the Western Gang have semicolons in Xi'an, how can they support such a scene with their original scale?In addition, when the punches were raging, many ticket dealers hastily transported the deposits back to Qi Taiping's old bank for safety reasons.Now, the imperial court is stationed in Luan Xi'an, and all the capitals from all walks of life are sent here. Seeing a large number of business coming, they dare not solicit it.On the other side of the imperial court, they are waiting to use the cash. If you accept the money order but can't cash the money, isn't that bad luck?Therefore, although under the care of Cen Chunxuan in Futai, Shaanxi, Jiangnan's rice salary can be wooed by several big names such as Dadetong and Tianchengyuan, but they didn't dare to take much.If you take too much, Xi'an can't cash it out. Qiu Taiji mobilized the old gang of Cheng, and called and sent letters to the old account repeatedly. There was a big business waiting to be done, and he hoped that some cash could be dispatched urgently.The reason is that the road is rough and the transportation is too dangerous.This is obviously an excuse: according to the credit bureau that issued the ticket, the road from Taiyuan to Xi'an is considered easy to travel at the moment.Qiu Taiji thought that he and Mr. Cheng were humble, so he asked the third master to come forward and ask, but there was no result.The third master got a little angry, and wrote to the old man to complain, and the old man wrote back and said: You should stop interfering in this matter. The third master was depressed, which had a lot to do with it.Hearing Qiu Taiji's shabby remarks, he thought that the shopkeeper Qiu wanted to use this sum of debt to force the old bank to cash out.If you think so, why don't you release more royal debts?just say: I was afraid that it would be too shabby and offend the Queen Mother.Although she is respected as the queen mother, I think she is also narrow-minded.We want to save money, so it's too uneconomical to offend Tianyan, right? Third Master, you are generous again now!It's not like you don't know the bottom of the cabinet. They all come to borrow money, no one deposits money, only money orders, not silver, so what should we pretend to be generous? The third master had no choice but to sigh a long time, and said, "Let it be up to you, drink!" A few days later, Cui Yugui, the second chief supervisor of the Palace Supervisor in front of the Western Empress Dowager, indeed visited Tianchengyuan's Xi'an branch in person.According to the plan at the time, the third master and Qiu Taiji came forward to support, but did not let Mr. Cheng show up. Director Cui's voice was sharp and rough, and he was not polite. When he came in, he asked: Is this the name of the rich man Taigukang? Qiu Taiji hurriedly pointed to the third master and said: The trumpet is exactly right.This is the trumpet's young master Director Cui glanced at the third master, interrupted Qiu Taiji, and said: Who was the one who met the Queen Mother in Xugou? The third master hurriedly said: "It's my father." Director Cui still raised his face and said: At that time, it was the Queen Mother who I brought him in to meet! The third master said: We have always kept it in mind. Manager Cui said: Just remember it.It looks like the Empress Dowager's longevity, but what is the boundary of Xi'an?I'm here to borrow some money from you, and I'll hold the Queen Mother's birthday when I go back.Do you understand? The third master said: I understand. Qiu Taiji also hurriedly said: Longevity to the Empress Dowager, we should also be filial!If Eunuch Cui said borrowed money, we would have committed a serious crime. Cui Yugui glared at Qiu Taiji, and said: I don't mean to borrow, but to rob?The Empress Dowager explained that she borrowed money from the shop, credited it to her account, and returned it to the family after returning to Beijing.Do you understand? Qiu Taiji said: Understood. Manager Cui stared even wider, and shouted: What are you still doing in a daze? Qiu Taiji pretended to be panic-stricken, and said, "I don't know that Eunuch Cui will be here today, and I'm not prepared." Director Cui's face was full of anger, and he asked sharply: "Why, Xiang Jiuxiao didn't come to tell you?" Xiang Jiuxiao came to deliver the message, so it turned out that he had communicated with Director Cui?I thought he didn't forget the old friendship and secretly sent a message.This actor really knows how to act!It's obviously a bandit robbery, but it's still pretending to be doing good deeds!Qiu Taiji was only surprised, but didn't answer for a moment. The third master hurriedly said: Xiang Jiuxiao has been here, but he didn't tell us a certain date. Manager Cui sternly shouted: Stop talking nonsense!Who is the shopkeeper?Write an IOU for Grandpa! Qiu Taiji hurriedly asked: How much do you want to borrow? Manager Cui asked back: How much can you lend? Qiu Taiji said: Xi'an Wharf is not big, and my account couldn't do much business at first. Manager Cui stopped again, and said: Talk nonsense!How much can you borrow? Qiu Taiji said: If you want to borrow cash, you only have 10,000 taels in the deposit box; if you want to write bank notes, you can only have 50,000 taels. Well, I will lend you 10,000 taels of cash, and then write a money order of 50,000 taels, counting as 60,000 taels, and make up a lucky number! I really didn't expect that this fierce-eyed Grand Prisoner would come and catch all of them, and all the money orders were collected!Originally, Qiu Taiji bluffed with a 50,000 money order, and only wanted to lend 10,000 to settle the matter, but how could he lose his wife and lose his army? As soon as Director Cui said this, Qiu Taiji and the third master were dumbfounded. three After being robbed like this, Qiu Taiji was extremely frustrated: when faced with a big scene, his own means were so ineffective!After taking such a bad move, the third master was also implicated. The third master tried his best to comfort him: no one will be unlucky if he encounters the queen mother who robs him.Still think of a way to do more business. After discussing with Qiu Taiji and Cheng Laogang, the third master decided to return to Taigu and personally persuade the shopkeeper Sun.Xi'an is short of money, so it is a good time to do money business.Hurry up and get some cash, and you can get an upper hand.Recently, outside the city of Xi'an, you can see silver carts rushing from all over the place.Among them, although most of the official silver skids were escorted by officers and soldiers, there were also some merchant silver skids escorted by the bodyguard bureau.If you don't act, what a great opportunity you will miss!Now, money from all over the country is being transferred to Xi'an. Seeing that the business is booming, but you can't let go!Isn't this a crime? October of the lunar calendar is the time when the sky is cold and the ground is freezing. The third master is going to trek back to Jin Dynasty. Qiu Taiji is a little bit unbearable and wants to replace him, but his family does not have such a free body.Therefore, he said repeatedly that he must explain clearly to Shopkeeper Sun when he returns home that the 60,000 taels of silver lost by Xihao is not related to Mr. Cheng's business, let alone your third master's business, it is all due to Qiu Taiji alone. In addition, Qiu Taiji asked the third master to bring back a letter from home. Before the third master came back, the treasurer Sun Da of the Tiancheng Yuanlao had already received a letter from Xihao, which reported that he was robbed by the Queen Mother.Putting such a large amount of debt out, according to the rules, you have to report it to the old account in time, let alone a royal debt that is almost never repaid.In the letter, Qiu Taiji took the responsibility alone, and specifically stated that he had nothing to do with Cheng Laogang. Sun Beiming was very unhappy after reading the letter.After meeting the empress dowager and then robbing, of course it won’t work if you don’t lose your money, but you can’t get 60,000 for the robbery?At this time of year, what is sixty thousand!Even in a good year, how many years will it take you to make a net income of 60,000 in Zhuangkou, Xi'an?If you know this, why send you Qiu Taiji to Xi'an!Where have all your skills gone? In Sun Beiming's mind, this Qiu Taiji must have healed and forget the pain.Seeing that he was transferred back to Xi'an so quickly, he must have been overjoyed again.To curry favor with the officialdom has always been generous, but now to curry favor with the imperial court, that would be even more insane! But you don't even look at what year this year is! In normal times, it's really not too much to use this little money to curry favor with the court.But after the catastrophe happened in the year of Gengzi, it is no small money for a big name like Tian Chengyuan. Since the fall of Beijing and Tianjin, in addition to the total destruction of Beijing and Tianjin No. 2, Zhili, Shandong, Guanwai, and Zhuangkou outside the mouth were also almost destroyed.Either they were robbed, or they closed their doors and closed their businesses. Those who opened barely opened, and there was no business to do.The military disasters continued, the bandits arose, the postal routes were blocked, and the consignment routes were naturally cut off.In this crisis, most of the friends in Zhuangkou fled back to Shanxi for refuge.For Tian Chengyuan's family, nearly a hundred friends came back to seek refuge one after another.Kang Hunan sent a message: These friends must not be lost, and their Xin Jin must not be broken.The old man was very benevolent, but Sun Beiming became worried.There are so many people who don't make money, only spend money, how can the brand name stand it! Although this year is the first year of Tian Chengyuan's new account period, the business has not yet spread out, but the loss is unexpectedly heavy.In recent months, the accountant of the old account has been estimating the losses of the closed branches such as Beijing and Tianjin.Only the cash that was robbed, plus the accounts owed by various villages and others, the total number of hundreds of thousands of taels of silver would not be able to stop it!Because a lot of Zhuangkou's accounts were destroyed in the chaos, the deposits of others, that is, owed to others, you can't get rid of; but the money you lent, that is, owed to others, has no way to recover.Therefore, both owed and owed must be counted as losses.How will such a huge loss be repaid in the future?Forcing the owner to go bankrupt? With so many villages closing their doors and going out of business, it means that half of the country has collapsed, and the remaining half cannot do anything.When Dai Ying arrived in Shanghai, there was no good news.The bulk of business in Shanghai lies in the distribution of foreign goods.In the face of this year's foreign disaster, although the south has not been affected, the import of foreign goods at various wharfs has temporarily avoided the limelight, and there is not much effort.There is less flow of goods and less money, and ticket dealers do not have much exchange to do.Therefore, the business of Shanghai and Chinese brands is also very slow. Sun Beiming was worrying about this day and night, and suddenly he received a letter like Xi'an, how could he be happy? But, how can Qiu Taiji be punished now?He has already reduced his shares, demoted his job, and if he is punished again, will he be fined to go on the street?The old man may not agree, and the third master may be even more unwilling.Sun Beiming had already seen that the third master appreciated Qiu Taiji very much.Qiu Taiji's flattery with the imperial court was unreasonable, and the third master was right in front of him. But just keep silent and let this matter go?At this time of crisis, the majesty of the old account cannot be compromised! Sun Beiming thought about it, and decided to go to Kangzhuang to meet Kang Hunan.The empress dowager's borrowing of the royal debt is a matter of the sky, so I should tell Lao Dongtai about it. Braving the cold wind, he ran to Kang Zhuang and told his boss about Qiu Taiji's new deeds in detail. The old man actually listened with great interest and was not angry at all! The old man is also confused, forgot the year of this year?Sun Beiming couldn't help complaining again, saying that the size of the name was so tight, and Qiu Taiji was still so big, wouldn't it make things worse, that the size of the name would be in a desperate situation? The old man actually said: When the empress dowager robbed her, she only took 60,000 yuan, which is very good!On the other hand, if the empress dowager begs for food from us, if she doesn't give us 60,000 yuan, I'm afraid she won't be able to send it away, right?In my opinion, Zhang Luo, the shopkeeper of Qiu, is not bad. What else could Sun Beiming say?I don't want to say anything. The old man has always been calm in times of crisis, and behaves like a master.But this year's crisis, he seemed to take it too lightly.Sun Beiming had long felt that during this year's catastrophe, Mrs. Kang had lost his composure.The most outrageous thing was to go to Xugou to meet the Queen Mother.This violated the taboo of the Western Gang: exposing wealth, especially in front of the court, is the taboo of taboos!The Qiao family in Qi County couldn't hold back, and lent 300,000 yuan to the imperial court as soon as they made a move, and made Dade Tong the empress dowager's palace for a while, and stole the limelight.In fact, he was a little dizzy!The Qiao family was late in running the bank, and the rich hadn't been around for many years, so it was fine if they couldn't hold their breath in front of the court.Mrs. Kang is a man who has become a fine person. He teaches others all day long to hide well, avoid exposure, and not to compete with officials.Why did he get dizzy at this critical juncture, he wanted to compete with the Qiao family, and threw out tens of thousands just to get a glimpse of the holy face! That's good, tell the Queen Mother to remember the Kang family and point out that they are here to rob you! Qiu Taiji's problem is that he is not good at hiding, and loves revealing too much!The old man is pampering him now. With the current situation in such a dire situation and the old man losing his temper like this, Tian Chengyuan's burden is really not easy to pick.Sun Beiming thought of quitting again. After returning to the old bank from Kangzhuang, he wrote a stern reply letter to Mr. Cheng of the West Bank: It is so daring not to ask the old bank for such a large sum of money lending! When the third master returned to Taigu, it was already November. After arriving home, it is natural to meet the old man first.However, he only briefly talked about the situation in Xi'an, and also mentioned the empress dowager's debt, so he didn't dare to go into details. Unexpectedly, the old man already knew about this matter, and the number of 60,000 was also known.The third master hurriedly explained: The shopkeeper Qiu originally used tricks and wanted to lend less, but who would have thought that Eunuch Cui would act like this, scooping up dried ones without leaving a drop of soup! The old man laughed and said: You are too stingy!Once the queen mother opens her mouth, you will give 60,000? Only then did the third master feel relieved, and said: They said it was a loan, how can we expect to pay it back?You can be stingy, let's be stingy. The old man said: Even if you don't pay it back, you can't borrow it in vain!Shopkeeper Qiu knows this very well. The third master said: When the court arrived in Xi'an, it was full of business, but we couldn't afford it. You don't need to tell me about business, you are opening up business.Is it true that the imperial court wants to move the capital to Xi'an? Everyone in Xi'an is talking about it.I heard that Liu Kunyi, Zhang Zhidong, and Yuan Shikai, who were important townships in the frontier, also made joint petitions to the court, advocating moving the capital to Xi'an.The Empress Dowager also has this intention, especially the ancient name of Xi'an, Chang'an, is very good.How can foreigners agree?Every time Li Hongzhang played the imperial court by Beijing Electric, he urged the capital to return to Luan, saying that the imperial court would not return to Luan, and the foreigners would not withdraw their troops.所以，一聽說有李鴻章的電奏來了，太后就不高興。看過電奏，更是好幾天聖顏不悅！ 這個女人，就是聖顏大悅時，那張臉能有什麼看頭！這麼無能無恥，偏安西安就能長治久安了？婦人之見！你忙你的去吧。走時，過去問候一聲老夫人。 三爺聽了老太爺的這聲吩咐，不免有幾分詫異：以往，老太爺可沒有這樣吩咐過。 走進老夫人這廂，她已經在外間迎候了。三爺行過禮，見老夫人精神似乎要比往常好些。她問了一些外間的情形，也不過是隨意問問罷。她還說了些誇嘉的話，如：全家就數三爺你辛苦！這也不過是客氣吧。 三爺應付了幾句，就告辭出來。他不能在那裡多停留：這麼多年了，她依然沒有老去，還是那樣風韻獨具，麗質難掩三爺當然不能多想這些。 全家就數三爺你辛苦。這種話，誰說過！ Four 第二天，三爺趕緊進城去見孫大掌櫃。 孫大掌櫃一開始就情緒不好，還沒聽三爺說幾句，就追問邱泰基到西安後的所作所為：是不是又舊病復發？ 三爺忙作解釋，說現在的邱掌櫃跟以前相比，真是判若兩人了。連侍奉西號的程老幫，也不敢含糊，凡事程老幫不點頭，他不敢行動。 孫大掌櫃冷笑了一聲，說：我才不信！一出手就是六萬，程老幫他哪有這樣的氣魄？ 三爺忙說：應付這筆御債，是程老幫、邱掌櫃和我一道計議的。又不能得罪太后，又不想多損失，真是煞費苦心。總算謀了個手段：銀票寫得多些，虛晃一番，現銀則死守一萬的盤子，一兩也不能再多。朝廷駐鑾後，西安銀根奇缺，銀票兌現不了，沒人想要。所以就以為太后不會要銀票，哪能想到，人家乾的稀的都要！ 別人想不到，他邱泰基也想不到？太后拿了我們天成元的銀票，想要兌現，我們敢不給兌？ 當時情勢緊急，我們實在是亂中出錯了。 我看還是邱泰基的老毛病犯了，只圖在太后面前出手大方！ 三爺見孫大掌櫃揪住邱泰基，不依不饒，什麼事也說不成，就說：孫大掌櫃，這步臭棋實在不能怨邱掌櫃，是我對他們說：太后落了難，來跟我們借錢，不能太小氣了。邱掌櫃倒是一再提醒：這種御債，名為借，實在跟搶也差不多。她不還，怎麼討要？門也尋不見！我說：至尊至聖的皇太后，哪能言而無信？力主他們出借了這筆御債。所有不是，全在我。 孫大掌櫃居然又冷笑了：三爺初出山，不大知商海深淺，邱泰基他駐外多少年了，也不知道審時度勢，替東家著想？ 已經將罪過全攬下了，孫大掌櫃還是滿臉難看，不依不饒，三爺心裡窩的火就有些按捺不下。但他極力忍著，說： 不拘怨誰吧，反正櫃上有規矩。這筆御債真要瞎了，該罰誰，盡可罰誰。眼下當緊的，還是張羅生意。我這次回來，就是想把西安的行市，告知老號。朝廷駐鑾西安成了定局，還盛傳太后有意遷都過來，所以國中各路京餉協餉正源源往西安流動。這不正是我們票家攬匯的大好時機嗎？岑春宣就曾想將江南米餉的匯務，撥一大宗給我天成元承攬。可我們不敢多接：西號存銀太少了。老號若能速調現銀過去，正有好生意可做！ 孫北溟冷冷地說：西號的信報我早看了。現在兵荒馬亂，哪敢解押大宗現銀上路？ 三爺就說：我這一路歸來，並沒有遇著什麼不測。出西安後，沿途見到最多的，正是運銀的橇車。四面八方，都是往西安運銀。 就是路上不出事，老號也實在沒有多少存銀可調度。 孫北溟這話，更給三爺添了火！今年是新賬期起始，前四年各地莊口的盈餘匯總到老號，還沒怎麼往外調度呢，就存銀告罄了？分明是不想調銀給西號！三爺咬牙忍住，說： 遇了這樣的良機，就是拆借些現銀，急調西安，也是值得的。 這頭借了錢，那頭由邱泰基糟蹋？ 這一下，算把三爺的火氣引爆了，他拉下臉來，也冷冷地說：孫大掌櫃，西安莊口借給西太后的這筆御債，算到我的名下，與你天成元無關，成不成？這六萬銀子，就算我暫借你天成元的，利息照付。你天成元真要倒塌到底了，替我支墊不起，我明兒就送六萬兩現銀，交到櫃上。只聽孫大掌櫃你一句話了！ 那料，孫大掌櫃並不把三爺的發作放在眼裡，居然說：三爺，話不能這樣說吧？西號的信報並沒有言明，這六萬債務係三爺自家出借，與字號無關。我是領東，過問一聲，也在分內！ 我現在特地言明了，不算晚吧？ 按規矩，那得由西號報來！ 我就去發電報，叫西號報來！ 說畢，三爺憤然離去。 走出天成元的那一刻，三爺真想策馬而去，飛至口外，再不回來！ 他是早已經體味到了：什麼接手主理外間商務，不過是一個空名兒罷了！這個孫大掌櫃哪把他這個主事的少東家放在眼裡？自擔了這個主理外務的名兒，他真沒敢清閒一天，東奔西跑，衝鋒陷陣，求這個，哄那個，可誰又在乎你！老太爺說他多管閒事，孫大掌櫃嫌他不知深淺，言外之意，他也早聽出來了：你擔個名兒就得了，還真想張羅事兒呀！ 老天也不遂人意，他剛擔了這樣一個空名兒，就遇了個倒運的年景，時局大亂，塌了半片天！ 罷了，罷了，還是回口外去了，這頭就是天全塌下，也與他無干！ 盛怒的三爺，當然不能直奔口外，只是奔進一家酒館，喝了個酩酊大醉。 跟著伺候的家僕及車倌，哪裡能勸得下，也只能眼看著三爺醉得不省人事，乾著急，不頂事。還是酒家有經驗，說這大冷天的，可不敢把人扔到車轎裡，往康莊拉。人喝醉怕冷，大野地裡風頭硬，可不敢大意。 僕人們聽了，慌忙向酒家借了床鋪蓋，把三爺裹嚴了，抬上馬車，拉到天盛川茶莊。他們當然不能把三爺拉回天成元。 天盛川的林大掌櫃見三爺成了這樣，一邊招呼伙友把三爺安頓到暖炕上，一邊就問這是在哪應酬，竟醉成這樣？僕人知道實情不能隨便說出，只含糊應付幾句，就求大掌櫃代為照看一時，他們得趕緊回康莊送訊。 回來見了三娘，僕人不能不說出實情。三娘沒聽完就忍不住了，立馬跑去見老太爺。可老太爺也沒聽她哭訴完，就說： 不就是喝醉了嗎？醒過來，叫他以後少喝，不就得了！ 三娘不敢再說什麼了，很明顯，老太爺不想得罪孫大掌櫃。她只好領了一幫僕傭，往城裡趕去。 三娘到達前，林大掌櫃已經打聽出，三爺是在孫北溟那裡嘔了氣。所以一見三娘，林大掌櫃就說： 三爺也是太能委屈自己了。領東不把東家放在眼裡，康家還沒這種規矩吧？天成元是康家第一大號，先染上這等惡習，我們也跟上學？ 三娘聽得心裡酸酸的，可還努力平靜地說：林大掌櫃你也知道，三爺他脾氣不好，哪能怨別人？再說，他在口外慣下了喝燒酒的嗜好，太貪杯！ 林大掌櫃說：三娘你是不知道，孫大掌櫃眼裡有誰？我倒不是跟他過不去，是怕壞了你們康家的規矩！康家理商有兩大過人之處，一是東家不干涉號事，一是領東不功高欺主。天成元功高，也不能欺負三爺吧！三娘，你們該給老太爺提個醒。 外間大事，我們婦道人家可不便插嘴。我看，也不怨誰。三爺脾氣不好，辦事也毛糙，以後有得罪林大掌櫃的，還請多包涵。 林大掌櫃也看出來了，他說的意思，三娘都記下了，只是嘴上點水不漏吧。他不再多說，忙引三娘去看三爺。 三爺依然醉得不省人事。三娘雖心疼不已，面兒上卻沒有露出多少來，只是說：他貪杯，罪也只能自家受，誰能替他！ 三娘只略坐了坐，安頓僕傭小心伺候三爺，就離開天盛川，返回康莊。她是個精明的女人，見老太爺不想得罪孫大掌櫃，也就不敢將事情太張揚了。 三爺醉臥天盛川的事，孫大掌櫃自然很快聽說了，但他也不後悔。反正幹到頭了，得罪了三爺就得罪了吧。這輩子，伺候好老東家也就夠了，少東家以後有人伺候呢。一把老骨頭了，伺候完老的，再伺候小的，實在力所不逮。 其實在孫大掌櫃心底，他哪能看得起三爺四爺這些少東家！ 三爺這樣跟他嘔氣，也好，他正可借此提出告老歸鄉的請求。所以，只隔了一天，孫北溟就又往康莊跑了一趟。 見了康笏南，孫北溟也沒提三爺的事，只是說：人老了真不經凍。今年也不知是天冷，還是更不經凍了，成天都暖和不過來，光想烤火，不想理事。 那想，他沒說完，康笏南竟說：你是想說，人老了，料理不動號事了，該歇了，對吧？ 老東台真是眼毒！既看出來，那就成全了我吧，我實在是老得給你守不住天成元了。遇了今年這樣的危難，更該起用年富力強的高手！ 康笏南居然說：我也早有此意，新的大掌櫃我也物色好了。只是，孫大掌櫃你弄下的這個殘局，人家不願接手呀？ 孫北溟可沒想到老東台會這樣回答他，幾乎語塞，半天才說：老東台，眼下這殘局也不是我一人弄下的吧？ 不是你弄下的，是我弄下的？ 今年年景不好，連朝廷也扛不住，失了京城。西幫同業中，又有誰家保全了，未受禍害？ 我也想怨朝廷呢，可人家能理我？你是領東，也只好怨你。反正天成元有一小半的莊口關門歇業了，原本全活的一個大字號，給你弄得殘缺不全，人家誰願意接手？新做領東的，誰不想接過一個囫圇的字號？就像娶新媳婦，誰不想娶個全乎的黃花閨女？ 字號沒有難處，我這老朽也能張羅得了，還請高手做甚？ 孫大掌櫃，咱們閒話少說，你想告老退位也不難，只要把天成元復原了，有新手願意接，就成。 老東台，你這不是難為人嗎？朝廷亂局未定，我一人豈可回天！ 幾十年了，孫大掌櫃的本事，我還不知道？ 孫北溟終於聽出來，康笏南是在跟他戲說。眼前，老傢伙不會答應他退位的。於是，他想就輕慢了三爺，賠兩句不是。但剛張口，就被康笏南岔開了： 閒話少說，我問你個正經事。孫大掌櫃，以你看，朝廷會不會遷都西安？ 遷都西安？Who said that? My guess. 我看不會吧？遷都那麼容易？再說，朝廷也窮得很，它哪有錢遷都？ 沒錢，可以滿天下搜刮。我看西太后是叫洋人嚇怕了，她很想偏安西安。可洋人哪能答應她？這頭一但定都西安，洋人握在手裡的京師就不值錢了，還怎麼訛詐你？這就像綁票，事主要是不在乎撕票，那綁匪不是瞎忙乎了？ 老東台看得毒辣。 康笏南當然也看出來了，孫北溟對眼前時局真是糊里糊塗，難怪老三窩了那麼大的火。可在眼前這樣的亂局中，也真不能換馬。換大掌櫃是件大事，弄不好，就成了外亂加內亂了。而三爺的表現，也很令康笏南不滿。即便是孫大掌櫃糊塗，你也不能這樣針尖對麥芒吧？再沒有別的本事了，只會拿燒酒往死裡灌自家？還是這樣嫩！ 這天，康笏南留孫北溟吃飯，把二爺、四爺、六爺、何舉人都叫出來作陪。席間，談笑風生，好像什麼事也沒有發生。 三爺恢復過來後，也沒有再提舊事。他只是向老太爺提出，想去江南走走，眼下生意全靠南邊了。老太爺欣然同意，別的也沒多說。 聽說父親要往江南，汝梅執意要跟了去。三爺居然也爽快答應了。 三娘說，眼看進臘月了，等過罷年再走吧。三爺沒有答應。 父女倆啟程那一天，天陰著，似乎會下雪。不過，一路走去，終於也未遇到一場雪。 三爺走後，康笏南就給全家發了一道訓示：時事艱難，生意不振，全家需勤儉度日。往後，只初一、十五吃肉食，平日一律吃素。過年，無論老少都不再添置新衣。年下，除祭祖、開市之外，不能多擺酒席。原定臘月要辦的兩件喜事：六爺婚娶，汝梅出嫁，也推後再說吧。 five 三爺臨走時，才想起邱泰基託他帶回的那封家信，忙打發一個下人，送往水秀村。 姚夫人讀到男人寫來的新家信，心裡自然又是翻江倒海。男人很訴說了一番思子之情，並為未見面的兒子起了個乳名：復生。寓意是，去年他失足受貶，幾乎輕生，幸獲夫人搭救，死而復生，才得此子。故以復生記夫人大恩，也記邱家新生。孩兒的大名，等下班回去時，再鄭重起吧。 男人有這一份情義，姚夫人當然是感動不已。自去年受貶後，男人寫回來的家信也變了，變得謙和向善，多情多義。只是，這個復生，很叫姚夫人聽著刺耳：雲生，復生，偏偏都帶一個生！也許該覆一信給男人，就說乳名已經起下了，還是請高人按八字起的。但想了想，還是作罷了。為了不叫男人掃興，復生就復生吧。 離男人下班歸來，還有一年半吧。這一屆班期，真是過得異常快，也異常地驚心動魄。外間不平靜，她自己的生活更不平靜。 但她喜歡這樣！她已經無法再回到以前那種死水一般的平靜中了。 在這個寒冷而又紛亂的冬天，姚夫人卻正暗暗享受著一種溫暖和甜蜜。 她對新招來的溫雨田，疼愛無比，溫情有加，雖然時時就在眼前，卻依然有種惦念拂之不去。而這個英俊、靦腆的雨田，又是那樣有情義，對她的每一份疼愛，分明都能感知！這就叫她更惦念他了。 雲生當初，簡直就像是木頭！ 雨田既然管賬，姚夫人就叫他住進了那間男人在家時才啟用的賬房裡。這間賬房，就在她深居的裡院。她住正房，賬房在西廂房。她放出去的理由，是為了奶小娃方便，小娃一哭，她在賬房也能聽見。其實，她是為了叫雨田離她近些。 離這樣近，也是她常到賬房去。雨田到正房見她，還是不叫不到。她已經這樣疼他了，雨田依然一點也不放肆。特別是有人在場，他更是規矩守禮。這也使姚夫人很滿意：他真是懂事。 在沒有別人在場的時候，雨田倒是很願意跟姚夫人說話，他想說的話原來也很多。尤其外出辦事回來，會把所見所聞很詳細地說給姚夫人聽。姚夫人又總是聽得很有滋味，該誇的時候誇他，該逗的時候也逗他。這種時候，雨田會很快活，姚夫人當然也很快活。 有時候太快樂了，雨田總要問那句話：夫人，你為什麼待我這樣好？ 姚夫人聽多了，總是嗔怪他：淨說傻話！想找個黑心的，你就走。即使這樣，他還是斷不了問那句話。有一次他又這樣問，姚夫人脫口說： 你的先母託夢給我了，求我待你好些。我既答應了，就是想罵你兩聲，也不敢呀！ 本來不過是玩笑話，雨田卻聽得發了愣。 那天雖冷，太陽卻好。姚