Chapter 23 Chapter 22 Ancestral Industry and Precepts

one A few days after the old lady's funeral, a terrible news came: Dongtianmen in Jin Province had been breached by German, French and foreign invaders, the officers and soldiers were defeated, and Pingding and Yu counties had been looted by deserters.A few days ago, the rebels had entered Shouyang, the gentry and the people fled in droves, and He County was panicked.Yuci, which is adjacent to Shouyang, is also in panic, and they are planning to flee. Yuci is close to Taigu.If there is chaos in that county, it will be Qi Taiping who will suffer next. The third master got the news first, and immediately came back to see the old man.Before he could say a few words, the two big shopkeepers, Sun Beiming and Lin Qinxuan, also arrived one after another, and the critical atmosphere was suddenly clouded like dark clouds.

Ke Kang Hunan was depressed, and it seemed that he hadn't gotten over the grief of the widow.Hearing that the three of them were shouting that the situation was critical, he said weakly: "How should we deal with it? The two big shopkeepers should go and plan together with the third child."Whether it's a blessing or a curse is up to you.It is unnecessary for me to keep my old bones. Whoever wants it, I will give it to him. The two shopkeepers hurriedly consoled him, but Kang Hunan didn't listen to the persuasion, and said directly: "Go, go, you go plan."I was annoyed when I heard this kind of chaos in the world of mortals.Go, go, don't dare to miss your big event.

Since Kang Hunan said so, the two big shopkeepers were inconvenient to disobey, and they said a few words of comfort, and then retreated. The third master hurriedly followed, led the two to the front living room, and yelled at his servants to serve him attentively.As soon as the two sat down, the third master cupped his hands and said: "The old lady is newly mourned, and the old man is not in good spirits, so he met this crisis.The rise and fall of the Kang family all depended on the two big shopkeepers!I'm new to business, and I'm not very sensible. If I offend you two, I hope you will forgive me.Especially shopkeeper Sun, I was disrespectful years ago, and I hope you will forgive me!

Whether he will come or not, the third master will make an apology like this, which is beyond Lin Qinxuan's expectation.But he didn't speak first, and wanted to tell shopkeeper Sun Da to answer first.Shopkeeper Sun seems to have lost his usual prestige today, seeing that the third master gave himself face first, he answered: Third Master, don't worry too much!Who doesn't know that the third master is chivalrous and courageous?So when I talked to the third master, I just went straight to the point.Third Master, don't worry too much! Only then did Lin Qinxuan say: We're all one family, a little small, otherwise, don't mention it soon!Let's talk about the immediate crisis first.

The third master said: Then listen to the advice of shopkeeper Sun Da first! Sun Beiming was so much more modest today because he was a little frightened by the sudden change in the situation.Troops were approaching, looting everywhere. When he heard such rumors, the first thing he thought of was the catastrophe that happened to Beijing-Tianjin No. 2 last year.Although the Beijing account was lost, shopkeeper Dai remained calm in the face of danger. He cleverly spread out the silver in the cabinet, showing the style of a master.He really didn't expect that the old account would suddenly face such a crisis!It seems that it can be done without chaos in the face of danger, but no matter how clever it is, it doesn't scratch at all!The old bank's deposit of silver is not a small amount, how can it be dispersed?If the old account was robbed like the Jin account, his old bones would become redundant waste, so he came here in a hurry, really a little guilty and timid.Seeing that the third master respectfully asked him to speak first, he had no choice but to say:

Third master, how can I have a good opinion?Since last year, the current situation has been chaotic, business cannot be done, and a lot of silver deposits in Tiancheng Yuanlao have been stranded.The most urgent task is to move the old giant silver out of the cache! Shopkeeper Lin Da said: In the Taigu business world, Tian Chengyuan is very important!If you move the giant silver to get the number, won't it cause chaos in the city? Sun Beiming said: Of course, the silver deposits in the account must be removed secretly. Lin Qinxuan said: How can Juyin Mobile be kept very secret? Sun Beiming said: Without this kind of ability, how can you issue a ticket number?

Lin Qinxuan said: Our tea house does not have this ability.How to remove the tea goods secretly, I hope the treasurer Sun Da will not hesitate to give pointers! Sun Beiming said: How much are those tea goods in Kudi worth?Just move the silver and ledger out of the cache and you're done. Lin Qinxuan said: What about the boss?How will the owner's wealth be removed?After moving out, where can it hide? Sun Beiming said: The master has his own way. Lin Qinxuan said, "According to Master Sun's wishes, wouldn't it mean that disaster is imminent and everyone should escape for their own lives?"That being the case, what else do we plan?Just take the money and flee!

The third master hurriedly said: what shopkeeper Sun said is also a matter of urgency.In the future, the military disaster can only be removed and hidden first, to keep some money and count some money. Lin Qinxuan said: Third Master!In my opinion, you must not respond in such a hasty manner.Before the military chaos came, we took the lead in the chaos and caused chaos throughout the city. How can this be like the Kang family? Sun Beiming said: Then sit and wait? Lin Qinxuan said: In the middle of winter last year, when the third master Nanxing was away, the military situation at Zijing Pass and Longquan Pass in the north was also in critical condition.The old lady was not flustered, and invited Cao Peide from Benyi and Qiao Zhiyong from Qixian to discuss calmly and come up with a good plan.After the discussion, Cao Peide went to see Ma Yukun, found out the real situation in the army, and had a good idea.Afterwards, the Kang family, the Cao family and the Qiao family remained calm as usual. It was time to do business, and it was time to celebrate the Chinese New Year. There was no sign of fleeing in panic.People's hearts and the market will stabilize.

The third master said: So you have experienced a thrilling adventure? Lin Qinxuan said: No way!At this time, the third master should also discuss urgently with the big family of Taigu first, and plan a countermeasure together.After all, this kind of military disaster cannot be resisted by our family.Ma Junmen is still stationed in Shanxi, and the third master has friendship with Ma Junmen again, why not go to see Ma Junmen first? Hearing what Lin Qinxuan said, the third master had some ideas in his mind.But he didn't dare to neglect Shopkeeper Sun, and continued to respectfully ask for advice on countermeasures.In the end, he said: At this critical juncture, the Kang family depends entirely on the two big shopkeepers!As long as the two sit calmly, our whole family will not be flustered.

After seeing off the two big shopkeepers, the third master ordered a fast horse, flew up and swung his whip, and went to Cao's house in Beili Village. Cao Peide, the head of the Cao family, also received the same news, and was about to go to the government to inquire about the authenticity, when he saw Kang Sanye rushing to visit.It seems that the situation in Taigu is really critical. Cao Peide hastily welcomed Mr. Kang into the living room, tried his best to calm down and said: Mr. Kang is a rare visitor, and he finally came to see him once. Why are you so flustered?Come to fight the fire?

The third master said: "It's really more urgent than going to the house on fire. Haven't your manor heard of it?" Cao Peide said, "Does it mean that Dongtianmen fell?" The third master said: No, it seems that the rout soldiers are coming to loot Taigu! Cao Peide said: Your old man has seen a lot, and he has a big weapon, and he has always been calm in times of crisis.The third master is so anxious today, could it be that the situation is really bad? The third master hurriedly asked: "Dear brother, is there another secret report?" Cao Peide said: Where can I get a secret report?No, I am about to go to the city to ask the government for the authenticity! The third master said: What can the county government know?We should go and pay respects to Master Ma Yukun!To stop the defeated army and counter the foreigners, only Ma Jun can do it. Cao Peide said: I heard that Ma Junmen has received the imperial edict and is going to move to Zhili to guard it.The imperial court had long since appointed Mr. Ma as the admiral of Zhili.Previously, Marshal Song Qing, the admiral of Sichuan who guarded Shanxi together with Ma Junmen, also led the Sichuan army to move to Henan by order. The third master said: No wonder the foreign bandits are so rampant!The guards of the Jin Dynasty have been transferred out one after another. Is the court going to abandon Shanxi? Cao Peide said: I dare not give up.Shanxi is the barrier of Xi'an, how can Shejin protect Shaanxi?I am afraid that the heavy division is transferred away, thinking that the draw will be achieved, and the defense of other provinces can be taken care of. The third master said: I talk about the draw every day, where is the draw?The imperial court moved out the heavy troops stationed in Jin, but the foreign bandits surrounded Jin not only did not withdraw, but took the opportunity to break through and enter!The imperial court is so weak, I don't think there will be a draw! Cao Peide said: Since the capital was lost last year, he has been defeated by others, how can he be strong? The third master said: I don't think the foreign bandits are heavenly soldiers and generals.It has been more than half a year since the attack on Jin in the autumn of last year, before breaking through the East Tianmen. Cao Peide said: Don't tell me how many garrisons the imperial court sent to Shanxi! The third master said: Then we have to see Ma Junmen as soon as possible, and weep blood on behalf of the elders of Sanjin to keep him!At this critical time, Ma Junmen must not leave.Once Master Ma leaves, the chaos in Shanxi will be irreversible! Cao Peide said: The third master has friendship with Ma Junmen, and this important task belongs to the third master! The third master said: "Your mansion is the first household in Taigu. How can my dear friend shirk?"I would like to accompany my dear friend to meet Ma Junmen! Cao Peide said: Well, let's go to Ma Junmen together!It's just that we are rich and famous, so we can't go to see him empty-handed, right?Not to mention donating military salaries, at least you need to show a little intention to reward the soldiers, right? The third master said, "what's the difficulty?"When you see Ma Junmen, you can say this as much as you want, and you will be rewarded soon! Cao Peide said: It's not difficult to be like the third master.In the twelfth lunar month of last year, the military situation at Zijing Pass and Longquan Pass in the north was critical, and your old Mrs. Jiakang and Mrs. Qiao of Qixian County were also afraid of being looted by the defeated army, and they were extremely worried.I was entrusted by the second elder to meet Ma Junmen.Mr. Ma was very forthright, he said frankly that there is no need to worry too much, saying that he and Song Qing will go to the border to fight against the bandits.I was very comforted at that time, and said that the New Year was approaching, and Qi Taiping's business community would collect some small gifts to reward the soldiers, but the year was not good, so I was afraid that it would not be a respect.Of course Ma Junmen was very happy to hear that, so he swore: Jin Province will never be lost. The third master said: what my dear brother does is reasonable. Cao Peide said: At that time, the two old masters also praised a few words.Zhang Luo's reward was also provided by the two elders.Unexpectedly, this move has attracted a lot of criticism!The third master also heard about it, right? The third master said: I came back from the south, just in time for the old lady's funeral, so I really have no time to look around.What's your objection?Really haven't heard of it yet. Cao Peide said: The most powerful one is that Qiao Jiakang's family wants to reveal their wealth again! The third master said: The wealth and fame of the West Gang is not hidden and exposed!At this time of crisis, if you still keep your money and don't reveal it, wouldn't you want to create grievances and cause trouble? Cao Peide said: Who said no?But there are quite a few people who haven't seen through this layer.I'm afraid that if you reveal your wealth, you will attract officers and soldiers to eat the rich, but if you don't want to keep your wealth and cry for poverty, it will cause disaster!Your old Mrs. Kang and Mrs. Qiao originally wanted to facilitate an emergency meeting of Qi Taiping's business community to discuss a joint insurance policy.But after a long time, there were not many responders.It is to share some small funds, and to express the intention of laboring, but there are also many brands that are unwilling to do so.It's still your grandpa Jiakang who is very resourceful, and if he says he won't bleed, don't force it.At worst, our Cao, Qiao, and Kang families can afford to reward officers and soldiers!Mrs. Qiao also had tricks. He made a show of asking craftsmen to make a military plaque, and everyone who contributed money would have their names engraved on the plaque. The third master asked: Can this method work?The net is afraid of revealing the rich, who would like to leave a name? Cao Peide said: You guessed wrong, this method really works. The third master asked, "what's the reason?" Cao Peide said: Those who are not named on the plaque are afraid that the officers and soldiers will have a grudge, and they will be picked on to bully them. The third master said: That's how it is.Then it was like a cloud of responders? Cao Peide said: Not really.Although there are quite a few names that are willing to work together with our three families to send plaques, they are limited after all.Ping helps a few large companies, and others start a new one and work on their own.The Qi Gang and the Tai Gang also have a few other groups, which act on their own.Let's not stick to a few stocks, anyway, at the end of last year, Qi Taiping's business circles mobilized their troops to appease the scourge approaching the door. The third master asked: The foreign bandits who broke through the barrier were also blocked back? Cao Peide said: Lingqiu and Wutai both have heavy troops stationed there, and German, French and foreign bandits dare not rush into Jin territory.The imperial court also issued urgent orders, ordering to resist the foreign invaders and not to lose the Jin Dynasty.However, a group of officers and soldiers who were defeated from Longquan Pass fled and robbed all the way, and they were not restrained until Yangqu.It is only one step away from Taiyuan, the provincial capital! The third master said: Regardless of foreign bandits, officers and soldiers, they are all scourges of our business! Cao Peide said: To resist such scourges, we can only rely on our wisdom, not strength. two Kang Sanye and Cao Peide just sent people to inquire about Ma Yukun's whereabouts, when Taigu suddenly stationed many officers and soldiers.When I asked, it turned out to be the soldiers and horses commanded by Ma Junmen.It turned out that the officers and soldiers of the Ministry of Horses were about to detour to Lu'an and Zezhou to go out of Jin to Zhili, when they heard the news that Dongtianmen had fallen. The alarm was also suspended, and the troops and horses under their command were transferred from the north of Taiyuan to Xugou, Yuci, Taigu, and Qixian, and spread out to the south.In Taigu alone, six battalions of heavy troops arrived, four battalions were stationed around the Chengguan, and two battalions were stationed in Fancun, a large town. Firstly, when they heard that the troops from the Ma Department had been stationed, the third master and Cao Peide breathed a sigh of relief: relying on the Ma Junmen, the situation in Qi Taiping would not be in chaos.But after thinking about it for a while, I feel strange: the place where the military situation is critical is to the east of Yuci, from the old Guandong Tianmen to Shouyang;What does this mean?Do we want to let the enemy go deep, close the door and fight dogs on Qi Taiping's line, and fight a decisive battle? If so, Qi Taiping will suffer even more!Together in war, what else can be preserved? Realizing this level, San Ye and Cao Peide broke out in a cold sweat.Fortunately, they found out that the big tent of Ma Junmen was set up in Qi County, and the two hurriedly flew to Qi to ask for an interview. Ma Yukun was very face-saving, and when he heard that it was Mr. Kang, he immediately called him in. As soon as the third master and Cao Peide were seated, Ma Yukun laughed and said: Are you scared? The third master hurriedly said: Master Ma's soldiers and horses have been stationed in Taigu, what are we afraid of? Cao Peide also said: We are here to pay tribute to Mr. Ma on behalf of Taigu's elders. Ma Yukun laughed even more, and said: Look at your faces, how can you hide it from me? Seeing Ma Junmen like this, the third master didn't restrain himself, and said directly: We are just plain-headed grassroots. How can we not be afraid of such a disaster of war suddenly!Dongtianmen has natural dangers to rely on, and it is guarded by heavy divisions, but it was also broken by foreign bandits? As soon as the third master finished speaking, Ma Junmen suddenly became angry and said loudly: Was Dongtianmen broken by foreign bandits?It was all this Cen Futai who gave up! Only then did the third master hear that Ma Junmen was angry at Cen Chunxuan, the new governor of Shanxi. Although he was relieved, he couldn't say anything more.Ma Junmen seemed to have no scruples at all, and kept yelling at Cen Chunxuan. It turned out that after Cen Chunxuan was transferred from the governor of Shaanxi to the governor of Shanxi in February, his first priority was to negotiate peace with the German, French and foreign troops who besieged Shanxi.For this reason, at the beginning of his tenure, a new Western Affairs Bureau was established, and Shen Dunhe, who was proficient in English, was hired from Zhangjiakou to be the supervisor of the Western Affairs Bureau and preside over the peace talks. Shen Dunhe was originally from Zhejiang. He had studied abroad in England and studied law and politics at Cambridge University.After returning to China, he was hired by Liu Kunyi, the governor of Liangjiang, and went to the general office of the Wusong Port Opening Bureau, and was recommended as a registered envoy minister.Later, he was dismissed because of the Wusong Fort case, and was sent to the east entrance of Beidi as a crime of exile.After the fall of Xia Jingshi, a group of foreign bandits also invaded Dongkou.Because Shen Dunhe was proficient in English, he was appointed to negotiate with the foreign invaders.After his persuasion, the foreign bandits actually withdrew from the east entrance!This matter was reported to Xi'an, and the imperial court specially ordered him to return to his original position. Of course Cen Chunxuan heard about this in Xi'an, so as soon as he took office in Shanxi, he hired Shen Dunhe, who was good at negotiating peace, under his command. Entering the Xinchou Year, that is, the twenty-seventh year of Guangxu, the original eight countries of the East, West and the West, Gabi, the West, and the Netherlands, a total of eleven countries allied forces, and the Qing court had initially signed twelve peace treaty outlines, except for Beijing and Tianjin. Outside Zhili, the foreign troops also withdrew from various places one after another.Only the German and French troops besieging Shanxi refused to retreat.The commander-in-chief of the German army, Waldsee, was also the commander-in-chief of the coalition forces. The Qing court did not dare to be careless if Germany and France were so encircled and did not withdraw.When the foreign army captured Beijing and Tianjin last year, this Vadsi was still in the future, and he came to take up the post of commander-in-chief only in the autumn.Although he became the commander-in-chief, he didn't have much military exploits in the invasion of China, so he was very aggressive in attacking Jin Province, and wanted to quickly earn some military exploits to convince the public.Li Hongzhang, Minister of Peace and Plenipotentiary, repeatedly negotiated with Germany and France, but to no avail.The other party's minister actually prevaricates this as a military secret of Vashuai! The imperial court mobilized heavy troops from all over the country to defend Jin, but there were still critical military situations, and the Empress Dowager was very disturbed.In a fit of rage, Xiliang was vacated, and Cen Chunxuan was given the title of Head Pin Ding Dai and Minister of the Ministry of War, and was transferred to serve as the governor of Shanxi.So Cen Chunxuan knew that the best way to please the Empress Dowager was to negotiate a peace with the German, French and foreign troops as soon as possible to relieve the siege of Shanxi.Shen Dunhe, who is proficient in Westernization, was hired to accomplish this. But just by being proficient in Western affairs, you can retreat the heavy German and French troops?It is too naive to think.Germany and France have encircled Jin from the northeast for several months, especially after spending a severe winter in the border mountains. How could they be willing to listen to a few good words and then give up their troops?Shen Dunhe retreated from the enemy at Dongkou, actually relying on heavy bribes.The small group of foreign bandits who sneaked in there, after several days of looting, had already had a lot of money, and it was easy to persuade them to leave if they were given heavy bribes.Now that the army is under pressure, how to pay bribes? Shen Dunhe negotiated several times, perhaps with great profit, and the German army that besieged Dongtianmen in Jin Province has not responded. Only the French army sent a note: The defenders of Jin Province retreated into Shanxi before they could negotiate a peace. Why did the French army make such a request?It turns out that Dongtianmen at the junction of Shanxi and Zhili is composed of Guguan, Jiuguan and Niangziguan.Although there are natural dangers that are easy to defend and difficult to attack, these passes are all on the top of steep rocky mountains, and there is no way to station a large army and lack of water.Therefore, Liu Guangcai, the commander-in-chief of Datong who guarded Dongtianmen, scattered his troops and horses among the valleys inside and outside Dongtianmen, near the river.Gravity artillery positions were built on the pass, and the valleys were filled with brigades of reinforcements and logistical food and ammunition, relying on each other to make the pass defense unbreakable.Most of the camps stationed outside the pass belonged to the Jingxing area under the jurisdiction of Zhili.The German, French and foreign troops who had been in Huolu and Jingxing for a long time were blocked by the Jin army all over the valley every time they tackled key problems.Now, the French army is asking the Jin army to retreat into the Jin territory. It really wants to break the natural danger of Dongtianmen! Therefore, Ma Junmen and Liu Zongbing strongly insisted that they must never agree to the French army's request.Jingxing does not belong to the French land, so why order our army to withdraw? However, in order to promote the negotiation, Cen Chunxuan invited the Xi'an Military Aircraft Office, and agreed to the retreat of Liu's defenders to Jin.It is only required that when our army retreats, the German and French troops also retreat at the same time. The French army saw that I was willing to retreat, so they sent a new note: The French army had no intention of going west, and now they are retreating with your two armies.Your garrison must first withdraw from Jingxing before peace can be negotiated.Otherwise, Germany and France will march westward together! The French army is obviously pushing an inch, and it is becoming more and more unreasonable.But Cen Chunxuan still reported to the Military Aircraft Office, saying that in order to avoid leaving an excuse for the foreign army, he still agreed with our army to retreat first.The Military Aircraft Department also approved it. Liu Zongbing and Ma Junmen couldn't stop them, so they had to prepare to withdraw their troops.On the Jin side of Dongtianmen, there are mostly dry rocky mountains that are not suitable for garrisoning troops. Most of the soldiers and horses must retreat to the vicinity of Pingding and Yuxian Chengguan, which are far away from the pass.This is almost tantamount to giving up Dongtianmen. Just when Liu Zongbing was forced to Zhang Luo to withdraw his troops, 5,000 French troops and 8,000 German soldiers left Beijing by train and headed south to urgently reinforce the German and French troops stationed in Huolu and Jingxing.The intention of the foreign bandits could not be more obvious: first lure our army to retreat, and then gather heavy troops to break through the barrier and enter! Li Hongzhang, the Minister of Peace in Beijing, learned that Germany and France had increased their troops to the west, so he sent an urgent telegram to Cen Chunxuan, informing him that he was negotiating with Germany and France on this matter. Invaded Jin Province.Hope to be on guard, dare not be careless. But Cen Chunxuan actually said: Even if the foreign army comes to invade, we can no longer start a war.In order to achieve a peace plan as soon as possible, my defeat will cause delays, and my victory will also cause delays.Anyway, you can't fight the foreign bandits! When Ma Yukun said this, he was already furious: the enemy has already broken through, and our army is defeated without a fight. After the settlement, the situation is chaotic, and Cen Futai has not been seen to die! The third master boldly asked: Even if the defeat is unavoidable, it is not the turn of Mr. Cen to die, right? Ma Yukun sneered and said: No one told him to die, but he boasted that he was going to die.He insisted on ordering General Liu to withdraw to Dongtianmen. I said that it would be easy for Liu Department to withdraw first, but it would be difficult to resist the foreign bandits who rushed to chase and kill them.This Lord Cen generously promised: If there is such a danger, Xuan Wei will go to the enemy camp and reason with him.If he doesn't listen, Xuan Gan is willing to die to prevent him from going to war!Now the foreign bandits have broken through the pass and entered, killing and looting all the way, but Mr. Cen has not been seen going to the enemy camp to stop the battle with death! Cao Peide suddenly knelt down to Ma Yukun and said: Since the situation in Jin Province is so critical, the wealth and life of the mediocre grassroots and our ancestral property are all tied to Ma Junmen!The one who can turn the tide today is none other than Ma Junmen The third master also knelt down and said: The elders of the three Jin Dynasties all hope that Ma Junmen will quickly send troops eastward to fight against the foreign invaders!Our Xibang is also willing to donate more military pay to help adults fight against foreigners Ma Yukun hurriedly called the two to get up, and said: If you want to do this, you have misjudged me!Don't I want to wave my troops to meet the enemy?It's just that there has been an edict first, ordering the headquarters to move to Zhili.Up to now, no new purpose has been accepted, so we can't act rashly.The newly deployed troops are on the line from Xugou to Qixian, which is the route to withdraw from Jin Province.Suspending the start today is Baojin.Once the foreign bandits have invaded this far, our troops will wait for work at leisure, and we will rush to wipe them out!You can rest assured that there is no need to panic. Hearing what Ma Junmen said, the third master and Cao Peide became more and more uneasy: wait for work with ease, rush to wipe them out, even if this is the case, the war is still in Qi Taiping's territory.At the beginning of the war, I really dare not expect to save anything! The third master couldn't help sighing and said, "The wars in other places have subsided a long time ago. Why do the foreign bandits have such a hard time with Shanxi?" Cao Peide also sighed: foreigners hate Yuxian, and Yuxian has been dismissed and investigated long ago. Why are they still unwilling to negotiate peace with Jin Province? Ma Yukun smiled and said: You two should know the reason most. The third master and Ma Yukun looked at each other blankly. They were really confused, so they begged Ma Junmen for advice. Ma Yukun said: You two are really riding a donkey and counting donkeys!The foreign bandits refused to let go of Jin Province, isn't it because your province is a piece of fat?If you wait for such rich businessmen and rich houses to be everywhere, even looting will be lucrative!Invade Jin Province, and after the looting is over, additional compensation will be paid to the court.Since Jin Province is a rich province, will the additional compensation be less?Foreigners are not stupid. They have been around Jin for more than half a year and have gone through hardships. What are they trying to do? Hearing what Ma Junmen said, the third master and Cao Peide broke out in a cold sweat. The third master said blankly: "Do foreigners know the wealth of Jin Province?" Ma Yukun said: How can foreign firms and merchants not know the details of your Western Gang?Besides, there are also the Christians following the foreign bandits, they don't know anything! Cao Peide said: "Fortunately, there is Ma Junmen guarding the land of Jin today, so the sky will not mess with Jin, right?" Ma Yukun really said high-spiritedly: Don't worry, you two, there are handsome soldiers and horses here. Once the foreign bandits penetrate into Jinzhong, they will become turtles in the urn! Ma Junmen said so impassionedly, it is difficult to explain the panic of the third master and Cao Peide: it seems that Ma Junmen still wants to use the Qitaiping area as a battlefield to resist the foreign forces.Regardless of victory or defeat, war is inevitable.The soldiers and horses of the horse department refused to send their troops eastward, because there was an imperial decree, how could they be persuaded by the affection of the third master and Cao Peide?Therefore, the two of them could only compliment Ma Junmen as much as they could, and retreated in panic as before. three Liu Guangcai, the general guarding Dongtianmen, withdrew most of his troops back to the old pass and the old pass on the first day of March.By the fifth day of March, the German, French and foreign troops gathered heavy troops and rushed to the pass. This urgent military telegram was sent to the military aircraft office in Xi'an, and the handling was nothing: on the one hand, he sent an order to Li Hongzhang to quickly negotiate with the German and French ministers;As for whether to fight against the enemy, it is unclear!There is a big worry in the imperial court: once the war starts, the peace will be disrupted, so what's the deal?But if Jin Province is lost again, Xi'an will be hard to keep, and the draw will have to be renegotiated. When the Military Aircraft Department was in a dilemma, Wang Zutong, the supervisor of Shaanxi Province, gave a memorial and came up with an idea for the court: Since stealing the armistice agreement, our army has complied with the agreement and has not moved lightly.But when the foreign soldiers invaded Yi, they did not restrain themselves a little.Bauhinia and Huolu were harassed successively.When the draft contract was adjourned, Liu Guangcai was forced to retreat, not to bother a single soldier, and to occupy the fortress of Jingxing.Near Fulan entered the Jin region and seized our Yanguan. The Taihang is a natural danger. If you lose it, the Pingding area is in danger, and the whole province of Taiyuan will also be shaken.Husband retreats from one side to the other, misleading me in many ways, unable to refuse, but relying on words to fight, it is already a very difficult thing to do, if you keep your mouth shut and touch your tongue, let them invade, do not compare with each other, and use this to seek peace and peace Insurable? On the right side of the mountain, the rich and powerful merchants are coveted, and they will eat the fat, which is bound to come.At present, most of China's rights and interests are invaded by foreign countries, and Shang Laixi's business name is in rapid circulation.If they are all searched, not only will they lose huge profits, but they will also impoverish the salary sources of the provinces, which is actually an obstacle to the overall situation.And all countries followed suit, looting everywhere in Yinhou, Yiyuhudi!The foolish official thought that if the localities were disturbed after the discussion, it is advisable to check and estimate the exact amount of losses and deduct them from the compensation. Whether the minister's ignorance is right or not, I beg the empress dowager and the emperor for the holy lesson.Sincerely. Wang Zutong's idea of ​​deducting compensation is certainly not a brilliant move, let alone a noble act, but the Military Aircraft Department appreciates it.On the day of seeing Wang Zutong's memorial, he sent an edict to Li Hongzhang on behalf of the court: According to the decree: the foreign soldiers are good at forcing the Jin territory, and they have passed the old pass, which is not in accordance with the previous agreement.Now I hear disturbances everywhere, even if I don't want to go west, I still stress and debate.If it still seems to be extorting silver and looting treasures in Beijing, Tianjin and Zhili, it will have to be paid off in the indemnity in the future.This is it. You can't justly declare to meet the enemy and fight back, but you have to say something hard, right?Deduction of compensation is really an appropriate argument!However, the implication of this edict is that Jin Province is about to be abandoned. The military aircraft department sent out this telegram on the tenth day of March. At that time, not only Pingding, Shouyang, and Yuci, but also the provincial capital of Taiyuan and Qitaiping area, rumors had already spread, people were panic-stricken, and the trend of fleeing was almost unstoppable. The third master and Cao Peide met Ma Yukun, and before rushing back to Taigu, they went to Qiao Zhiyong's house in Qi County to meet senior Qiao Zhiyong.Speaking of seeing Ma Junmen passing by, Mrs. Qiao said that he and several big families in Qi County had already paid a visit to Master Ma.But looking at Mrs. Qiao's demeanor, he didn't seem to be anxious, and it was not much different from usual. The third master asked: Did Ma Junmen give you some reassurance? Qiao Zhiyong smiled and asked: Ma Junmen is not the son-in-law of the Qiao family, why would he favor us? Cao Peide said: We are a little puzzled because we see that the old man is fine.Qi Taiping is in danger, you are sitting firmly on the Diaoyutai, you know it well, how can you calm down like this? Qiao Zhiyong asked the third master: Is your old man panicked too? The third master said: "The old lady is newly mourned, and my father is still in grief. He just says that the sky is falling and he doesn't care." Qiao Zhiyong said: That's it, your old man didn't panic, and still blamed me? The third master was still puzzled, and said: "My father, can you be considered not panicked?"Misfortunes never come singly in our Kang family. The old lady was newly mourned and met with such a military disaster. My father is unable to take care of it, and neither can I! Cao Peide said: In such a crisis, who can easily deal with it?Mrs. Qiao has a long history, is rich in knowledge, and has many strategies. I hope you can give me more advice to tide over the difficulties together! Qiao Zhiyong said: How can I be different from you if I live a few more years?There are no surprise soldiers to go out, and no surprise plans to do. If the defeated army comes to rob and the foreign soldiers come to kill, they can only resign themselves to fate.If you want to break through this layer, there is no need to panic.It's useless to panic! The third master said: Mrs. Qiao still refuses to speak out.Are we just waiting to be killed? Qiao Zhiyong said: The imperial court has a heavy army from all over the world, but it is still defeated by the foreign bandits.We don't have a single soldier, how can we fight against the foreigners? Cao Peide said: Then we have only one way to escape as soon as possible? Qiao Zhiyong said: For a small family, a shoulder pole; for an ordinary family, a few carriages, and the whole family fled.How do we escape?Once on the road, mighty and mighty, it becomes the target of robbery!Although there are many people who are fleeing now, most of them are from small or medium-sized households.In my opinion, we big players must not act rashly.In Qi Taiping, every move of our big merchants is bound to move the whole city.At that point, before the enemy arrives, there will be chaos first, and it will be out of control. The third master said: The old master still tells us to sit and wait for death? Qiao Zhiyong said: In the old man's humble opinion, the current governor of Jin, Cen Chunxuan, may not dare to hand over Jin Province to the foreign bandits.The imperial court granted him the title of Head Pin Ding Dai and Minister of the Ministry of War. Could it be that he was asked to switch and welcome the invaders? Cao Peide said: I heard from Ma Junmen that Cen Futai would rather die than start a war, that's why Dongtianmen lost. The third master also said: The foreign bandits have broken through for many days, and Jin Province will fall into the enemy's hands. It will only be a matter of time! Qiao Zhiyong said: We have to listen to Ma Junmen's words.But you didn't hear it?Ma has a lot of disdain for Cen!When we went to see him, Ma Junmen yelled at Cen: he acted recklessly because of his talent, he didn't listen to my words, he just withdrew the guards of Dongtianmen, and caused this disaster.I asked Ma Junmen: Why don't you lead your troops out of Shouyang to retreat from the enemy?Ma Junmen actually said: "Just wait for the foreign bandits to enter Jin and capture the provincial capital, and after Cen is taken captive, please see how easy it is to rescue him from Shuikecheng!"Listen, Ma Junmen stood still, so it was because Cen Chunxuan wanted to look good!Did I tell you this? The third master said, "it's not so clear." Cao Peide said: "You two fight, and we are the only ones who suffer!" Qiao Zhiyong said: At that time, I asked Ma Junmen: The mountains and rivers inside and outside Jin Province are not easy to get in, and it is also difficult to get out; the German, French and foreign bandits who broke through the East Tianmen, dare to go in alone? The third master hurriedly asked: "How does Ma Junmen answer?" Qiao Zhiyong said: He said that foreigners use soldiers in a different way, and it is hard to say if they are reckless and deep.My old man does not understand the art of war and military affairs, but let me see that the foreign army is not so reckless.Even if you go deep into the Jin territory, you must step by step and leave a back road that can enter and exit.The base camp of the foreign army is in Beijing and Tianjin. It is thousands of miles away from Beijing and Tianjin to Taiyuan, and it also crosses the natural danger of Taihang. How many troops are needed to occupy it all the way?Therefore, we don't have to panic too much and mess ourselves up. The third master said: We withdraw our troops all the way to surrender to the enemy, and they don't need many troops! Cao Peide also said: Before the arrival of the foreign army, the defeated official army is like a scourge! Qiao Zhiyong said: Recently, we received an urgent report from Jia Jiying, our provincial name, saying that he just visited Cen Futai, and he knows that Master Cen has sent heavy troops to Shouyang to suppress and loot the army. The third master said: This is still good news. Cao Peide said: The bullets of the defeated army are suppressed, and the foreign bandits follow in! Qiao Zhiyong said: If the foreign bandits really come, they can only destroy their wealth and protect their foundation, right?I heard Jia Jiying say that Shen Dunhe of the Bureau of Western Affairs negotiated a peace in Dongkou, and it was nothing more than daring to spend money!Send the foreign bandits tens of thousands of taels of silver, a thousand sheep, a thousand horses, a hundred cattle, a hundred camels, more than a hundred fox furs, and more than a thousand sheep furs. The third master asked in surprise: We are also like this. Isn't that humiliating and surrendering? Cao Peide also exclaimed: Since last year, our West Gang has gone bankrupt! Qiao Zhiyong said: In addition to losing money, the only thing I can do is ruin my life.Last year's boxers went all the way, what was the result?Now that the imperial court has been surrendered, what else can we do? The third master and Cao Peide thought about it, and felt that this was the only way to go.The court officials and army are powerless to resist the enemy, and they are bent on negotiating peace, so what if the merchants are not humiliated!It's just that if you lose your money, can you keep your foundation?I really didn't dare to think deeply. How to stop the current wave of fleeing, the three of them discussed for a long time, but there was no good plan, they just contacted big households and big companies, tried their best to stay stable, and did not dare to act rashly. On the way back to Taigu, Sanye and Cao Peide saw a steady stream of family members fleeing.If this trend spreads for a few more days, the situation will really get out of hand!So, while riding on the road, the two agreed: After arriving in Taigu, the third master will go to see the leader of the martial arts world, Che Ershifu, and ask the escort to send a capable man to go to Dongtianmen to find out the truth; Cao Peide will go to the county government to meet the official , affirming that the merchants are willing to work with the government to seek a strategy for the safety of the people. When the third master arrived at the house of the second master Che in Guanjiabao, Li Changyou and other masters of Xingyi Quan were there. The third master bowed to all the martial artists one by one, and then briefly talked about the situation when he met Ma Yukun.Everyone scrambled to ask: Where have the foreign invaders attacked?Has Shouyang been broken? The third master said: Ma Junmen refused to report the military situation on the East Road in detail, but only said that it was possible for the foreign invaders to go deep into Taiyuan recklessly and capture Taiyuan. Everyone also asked: "The foreign invaders are approaching, why did the army of the horse tribe stay still?"The third master only said: Ma Junmen has not received the order to send troops to meet the enemy. Li Changyou then said: We are discussing, judging by the posture of the officers and soldiers, we definitely don't want to fight against the foreign bandits!The flat-headed grassroots fled one after another, because the officers and soldiers could not rely on them.But we are people who practice martial arts, do we also act like ordinary people, abandoning our hometown and fleeing? Master Che Er also said: Last summer, Yihe boxers started to kill foreign sects, but most of our Xingyi boxing brothers did not participate.There are not many enmities with foreign religions in Taigu.Several priests were killed, which was also a bit excessive.Today the foreign army is attacking, just to investigate the teaching case, that's all.Such as indiscriminate killing of innocent people, rape and rape, we Xingyiquan brothers can no longer just sit idly by! The third master panicked and asked: Master Che, do you also want to have a boxing meeting? Li Changyou said: We will not be like Boxer Boxing, where we will kill foreigners whenever we see them.In the martial arts world, courtesy comes first and soldiers come later.When the foreign army came, we lurked in the dark and watched quietly.If he doesn't do evil, we won't make it difficult for him; but if there is any evil deed, we should record it clearly, and then secretly find an opportunity to punish it severely!If the brigade commits evil, the chief of the army should be assassinated first. The third master said: How is this different from boxing? Li Changyou said: Boxing clubs are a mob with nothing but power, not powerful.We don't fly flags.The foreign army is in the open, we are in the dark, invisible and invisible, only let the foreign bandits know the power of Xingyiquan! The great righteousness of the martial artists moved the third master.But this is similar to the boxing club after all, once it is known to the government, how can it be allowed?The government is timid to fight against the foreign bandits, but will the Yan Mie Quan be relentless?The boxer's assassination of foreign bandits will inevitably expand the war, and Qi Taiping will be caught in the fire and water.But the third master knew that if he stepped forward to stop the martial artists' righteous deeds, it would not be effective.Therefore, he didn't say much, but according to the original purpose, he asked the two masters, Che and Li, to send experts to Pingding and Yu County on the East Road to find out the real military situation of the foreign invaders in Jin. Master Che Er said: "Spy has been sent out, and if there is a report back, I will definitely tell you."The third master has new news, and I hope to communicate in time.The third master repeatedly agreed, and echoed a few words with the discussion of the martial artists, and left in a hurry. Seeing that it was getting late, the third master had no intention of going back to Kangzhuang.How much anxiety weighs on my heart, who can I talk to when I get home?In the past, the old man was responsible for major events, so it was difficult for you to intervene too much.Now, the old man seems to have collapsed, even ignoring such a critical war disaster.It really seemed that Mount Tai was suddenly overwhelmed, and the third master couldn't bear it.He couldn't help thinking of Qiu Taiji again.There is still one less resourceful person by my side, shopkeeper Qiu is far away in Xi'an, and the capable shopkeeper Dai in Beijing is also far away in Shanghai. 天成元老號的孫大掌櫃，那當然不能指望。 現在，只有去見茶莊的林大掌櫃。能不能謀出良策，先不論；只是說說心頭想說的話，眼下也惟有林大掌櫃了。 於是，三爺吩咐跟隨的一個小僕，回康莊送訊，自己便策馬向城裡奔去。 林琴軒見少東家摸黑趕來，還以為出了什麼事。慌忙問時，才聽三爺說：跑騰了一天，還沒有吃頓可口的茶飯。我是跟你們討吃來了。灶房還沒封火吧？ 林琴軒放下心來，說：三爺想吃什麼，儘管吩咐！灶火還不便宜？ 三爺說：不拘什麼吧，清淡些，快些，就成。 林琴軒說：總得燙壺酒吧？ 三爺就說：不喝了。今日太乏累，能喝出什麼滋味？不喝了。 林大掌櫃說：喝口酒，才解乏！難得三爺來一趟，我陪三爺喝一壺。 三爺說：既受林大掌櫃抬舉，那就燙壺花彫吧。 三爺哪能喝花彫！我這裡有幾罈汾州杏花村老酒，林大掌櫃轉臉朝身後一夥友說：快吩咐灶房，先炒幾道時鮮的菜，燙壺燒酒，麻利些！ 三爺剛洗漱畢，酒菜已陸續端來。與林大掌櫃這樣燈下對酌，真還不多，可三爺喝著老酒，品出的卻儘是苦味。他將見馬軍門、喬致庸以及車二師傅的經過，簡略說了說，感嘆跑騰一天，未遇一件如意事！ 林琴軒忙說：三爺也不必太心焦了，大局如此，亦不是誰能左右得了。岑撫台既已派重兵彈壓壽陽潰兵，這畢竟還是好消息。局面不亂，才可從容對敵。 三爺說：洋寇眼看攻殺過來，如何能不亂！ 林琴軒說：叫我看，洋寇還不至輕易攻殺過來。 三爺問：何以見得？ 林琴軒說：只要馬軍門統領重兵駐守晉省腹地不動，我看洋寇也不敢貿然進來。岑撫台想成就議和，只怕也會不惜多讓利權，換取洋寇退兵。任洋寇攻殺進來，佔去省府，那還叫議和嗎？丟了晉省，西安危急，朝廷如何能饒得了他？太后賞他一個頭品頂戴來山西，也不是叫他來喪土降敵吧？ 三爺說：但洋寇也不是那麼好哄吧？既千辛萬苦攻破東天門，哪能輕易罷兵？聽馬軍門說，洋夷用兵，是另外一路，很難說的。 林琴軒說：我們跟洋夷也做過許多生意了，他們可傻不到哪兒！晉省地形，他們不會不顧及。深入進來，就不怕斷其後路，成甕中之鱉？所以叫我看，大局還是和多戰少。洋人攻入晉境，無非多加些賠款，也就成了和局。 三爺說：真如林大掌櫃所說，那還讓人放心些。 林琴軒說：喬老太爺說得很對，我們大戶大號千萬不能妄動！我們一動，誰還敢不動？到那一步，局面可就不好收拾了！ 三爺說：眼下大戶大號倒是都沒動，可外逃潮流不還是日甚一日？照這樣下去，過不了幾天，大戶大號也要慌！ 林琴軒說：大字號表面未動，暗底裡誰家敢靜坐不動？我跟伙友們也在底下張羅呢！ 三爺說：所以我說，不用幾天，不拘洋寇攻來沒攻來，祁太平局面必將大亂！百姓傾城蜂擁逃難，駐守的官軍豈肯閒著？他們早視祁太平是肥肉。一想今後幾日情景，就叫人心驚肉跳！ 林琴軒說：聽三爺說，曹培德正與官衙共議安民之策？ 三爺說：正是。就怕謀不到良策！岑撫台頂著兵部尚書的頭銜，尚不敵洋人，縣令出面說話，誰又肯聽？ 林琴軒說：三爺，我倒有一安民之策！ 三爺忙問：大掌櫃有什麼良策，快說！ 林琴軒說：目前局面是人心惶惶，官府貼佈告，不會有人信；可稍有傳言，都信！所以，設法散佈一些能安定人心的傳言，說不定還管用。 散佈些安民的流言？ 這也算略施小計吧。 三爺立馬振作起來：林大掌櫃獻出的這個小謀略，可是今天最叫他動心的了！在馬軍門、喬老太爺及車二師傅那裡，都未曾聽到類似的奇謀。自家這位大掌櫃，真還不能小看。 林大掌櫃，這個計謀甚好！只是，何種流言才能阻擋鄉民外逃？ 林琴軒說：叫我看，不在編出什麼傳言，而在誰編、編誰！ 三爺忙問：我沒明白，大掌櫃說的什麼意思？ 林琴軒倒反問：三爺你說，現在鄉民還敢相信誰？ 三爺竟一時不該如何回答：也真是 林琴軒笑了，說：傳言官軍能抵擋住洋寇，最沒人信！說我們大字號得了密報，議和將成，洋寇將退，只怕市間也是半信半疑。現在惟有一家，鄉民尚敬重不疑。 誰家？ 即三爺剛拜見過的形意拳武師們。 車二師傅他們？ right.車二師傅、昌有師傅他們，武藝高強，德行也好，在江湖中的名望誰不知道？傳言他們已有對敵之策，鄉民也許會駐足觀望，暫緩出逃的。但凡有一點指望，誰願背井離鄉！ 三爺點頭說：車二師傅他們出面，勢必應者如雲。只是，如此一來，會不會將他們的形意拳，傳說成義和團似的拳會，惹官府疑心？ 林琴軒忽然就擊掌說：三爺，你和曹培德就不會居中說合，叫縣衙將形意拳編成鄉勇？新編鄉勇，不說抗洋，只說對付潰兵流匪。如能說成，再勸武師們率眾來城裡公開操練演武。 其時，我們商界前往慰勞，縣衙也去檢閱。有了此種氣象，不用多置一詞，鄉民也會傳言紛紛，駐足觀望的。 三爺一聽，也擊掌說：林大掌櫃，明日一早，我就往縣衙獻上你的計謀！事到如今，我看縣衙也別無良策了。 至此，三爺才來了酒興。對林大掌櫃，他也更刮目相看了：林大掌櫃的才具，當在孫大掌櫃之上吧。 Four 隔日，在城裡東寺旁的空場上，真聚集了二百來名鄉勇，在形意拳武師的統率下，持械操練。間或，爆出幾聲震天動地的喝叫，傳往四處。聞聲趕來觀看的民眾，也就越聚越多。 在場邊，車二師傅、昌有師傅幾位武林領袖，康家習武的康二爺、曹家習武的曹潤堂等幾位大戶鄉紳，以及縣衙的幾位官吏，正在神色凝重地議論時局軍事。聲音很高，語意明瞭，並不避諱圍在身後傾聽的一般民眾。 他們的話題，多集中在如何對付潰兵流匪上，言語間，對將至的兵匪甚是不屑，又議論了一些擒拿兵匪的計謀。這叫擠在一邊旁聽的鄉民，聽得很順心，很過癮。 這中間，也對洋寇來犯，稍有議論。武師、鄉紳們都煞有介事主張：對洋寇須智取，不能硬碰硬。洋寇到時，可殺豬宰羊先迎進來，再擺酒席大宴之；席上只備燒酒，務必悉數灌醉。 等洋寇醉死過去，可往洋槍槍管、洋炮炮筒內澆入尿湯；一過尿湯，洋槍洋炮就失靈了這類降敵方法，更令鄉民聽得興味高漲。 後來，知縣大人駕到，檢閱了鄉勇操練，聽了武師、鄉紳的退敵之論，誇獎一番。縣令剛走，幾家大商號又來慰勞。 第二天，在北寺附近也有一隊鄉勇在操練，情形與東寺相差不多。 於是，官衙、武林、商界聯手平匪禦敵的種種消息，就由民眾口口相傳，迅速傳遍全縣城鄉。民心果然稍定，外逃風潮開始減緩。 這幾天，三爺也一直住在城裡的天盛川老號，各方奔忙，一直未回康莊。見局面有了好轉，正想痛快喝一回燒酒，就有僕傭來傳老太爺的話：趕緊回來！ 匆匆趕到家，就聽四爺說：這幾天已將年少的男主和年輕的女眷，送出去避難了。六爺及各門的小少爺，三娘、四娘及汝梅以下的小姐們，都走了。 三爺一聽，就有些急：他四處勸說別的大戶不可妄動，自己家眷倒紛紛出逃了。他問是誰的主張，四爺說當然是奉老太爺之命。不過，都在夜間潛出，又都化了裝，沒多少人知道。 三爺能說什麼，只在心裡說：夜間出逃的並不少，怎麼能秘密得了！ 康笏南聽到東天門失守，洋寇攻入晉境，官家潰兵將至的消息，心頭有些像遭了雷擊：這是上天對他的報應嗎？ 因為杜氏的喪事剛剛辦完，就傳來了這樣可怕的消息。以他的老到，當然知道這消息意味著什麼：康家的祖產祖業面臨著滅頂之災！太谷真遭一次兵禍，康家的老宅、商號必然成為被洗劫的重頭目標，康家幾代人、歷幾百年所創的家業，就將毀於一旦 這樣的兵禍，不光在他一生的經歷中，就是在祖上的經歷中似乎也不曾有過吧。咸豐年間鬧太平天國，危急時大清失了半壁江山，都以為戰禍將至。外埠字號撤了回來，老宅、老號的家產、商資也做了匿藏準備。結果，是虛驚一場。那次戰禍，起於南方，亂在南方，這邊慌是慌，畢竟離得遠，逃難也能從容準備的。 這一次，兵禍就在家門口，說來就來了，天意就是不叫你逃脫吧？ 去年朝廷有塌天之禍，危情不斷，但於太谷祖業終究也只是有驚無險。眼看議和成了定局，怎麼兵禍忽然又降臨到家門口？ 這分明是上天的報應！ 如果不送走杜氏，就不會有這樣的兵禍吧？ 分明是報應 康笏南面對突臨的兵禍，就一直擺不脫這樣的思路。越這樣想，他就越感到心靈驚悸，精神也就垮了下來。他把應對危機的重擔，那樣草率地撂給了三爺，實在也是不知所措了。 這在康笏南，可是前所未有的！ 不論在家族內部，還是在康家外面的商業王國，康笏南一直都是君臨一切的。他畏懼過什麼！家事商事，就像三爺所深知的：別人就是想插手也很難，他哪裡會把主事權輕易丟給你？ 康笏南給失寵的老夫人這樣辦喪事，也不是第一次。以前，他可沒有這樣驚悸過。他老謀深算，事情辦得一點紕漏都沒有。日後就是鬧幾天鬼，他也根本不在乎。但這一次似乎有些不同。治喪期間，好像人人都動了真情，為杜氏悲傷，卻不大理會他，彷彿他們已經看穿了一切。所以在未知兵禍臨頭前，他已有些心神不定，恍惚莫名。 老夏和老亭一再說：沒有一點紕漏，誰也不會知道真相。他不相信這兩個人，還能相信誰？也許他自己衰老了吧？人一老，心腸就軟了，疑心也多了？ 或者，他真應該受一次報應？ 時局一天比一天可怕，康笏南也一天比一天感到軟弱。他自認逃不過報應，也只好預備捨身來承受，但祖業還得留給後輩去張羅。所以，他不敢再拖延，決定向三爺交代後事。 對老三，他依然不夠滿意，可還能再託靠誰？ 三爺見到老太爺，大感驚駭：就這麼兩天，老太爺好像忽然老了多少歲！精神萎靡，舉止發癡，人也像整個兒縮小了他當然不知道父親內心的驚悸，依然以為父親是丟不下新逝的杜老夫人。 父親對杜氏有這一份深情，也難得了。 三爺一到，康老太爺就把所有僕傭打發開，氣氛異常。 父親大人，你得多保重！三爺先說。 康笏南無力地說：我也活夠了，不用你們多操心。外間局勢如何？ 三爺忙說：局面已有好轉。近日商界、武林與官衙聯手，已止住外逃風潮，民心稍定。 潰軍和跟在後頭的洋寇呢，也止住了？ 聽說岑撫台已派出重兵，到壽陽彈壓潰軍。退守樂平的大同總兵劉光才，也出來除剿亂兵。 洋寇呢？洋寇攻到哪了？ 還得不到洋寇的準信，只聽說岑撫台在極力議和。 既已攻破東天門，人家能跟你議和？叫我看，洋寇不攻下太原，決不言和。這一兵禍，那是逃不過了。 父親大人，依我看，戰與和，還各佔一半。馬軍門的重兵，尚在晉中腹地駐守著，洋寇也不敢輕易深入吧？ 東天門也有重兵鎮守，還不是說丟就丟了？不用多說了，這場劫難是天意，別想逃過去。 父親大人，既如此危急，那你也出去躲躲吧。由我與二哥、四弟留守，盡力應對就是了。 老三，今日叫你來，就是向你交代後事的 三爺一聽這話，慌忙跪下說：父親