Chapter 26 Chapter 25 Shame and Humiliation

one Since the old lady's funeral, the third master has never traveled far.According to filial piety, a filial son has to stay in mourning for three years.Mrs. Du has no offspring, and the third master wanted to hold a funeral for her, but the old master did not tell her. During this period, he never stopped visiting the shops in the city.Arriving at Tiancheng Yuanlao, one can't help but pay attention to the newspapers in Xi'an.This Xiang Xihao always reported that the peace bureau agreed, the imperial court was going to return to Kyoto, and the government was going to go back to Luan on a mission, and we had good business to do.Since there is good business, why just report but not do it?After thinking about it, the third master finally realized that it must be because the western account has reported repeatedly, but the old account has been refusing.

But he has nothing to do with the old storekeeper Sun Da.After much deliberation, I can only test the tone of the old man: the only one who can convince shopkeeper Sun is the old man. Since the military disaster receded without any risk, the peace situation has become increasingly clear, and the old man seems to have recovered as before.When the third master came into the old man's courtyard to see him, he was playing with rubbings of ancient steles. Before the third master could speak, the old man asked: Are you talking about Xi'an? exactly The third master was not very surprised, he speculated that shopkeeper Sun Da had already discussed this matter with the old man.That being the case, there is nothing left to hope for.Shopkeeper Sun didn't want to complete Xihao, the old man already knew, so what else can he say?

You and I don't need to worry too much about the matter in Xi'an. What master is there to talk about it? Mr. He?Who is Mr. He? The third master was really confused for a while, and he didn't even think of Master He in the family hall. There are a few more masters!Don’t you know that Mr. He from the family hall took his sixth son to Xi’an? know is know, just Just what!Master He used to be a good player in Beijing, and Zhang Luoxi's business was just a matter of passing it on. Of course, the third master also knows what master He used to do.The old man let him go to Xi'an at this time, so there was another deep meaning.Kexihao's difficulty lies not in the incompetence of the old gang, but in the refusal of the old gang.Can Qiu Taiji fail to see the business opportunities under his nose?It's just that the treasurer Sun can't be said.Master He went to Xi'an, will shopkeeper Sun look at him differently?So the third master boldly said:

Right now, Xi'an is also like Kyoto. Mr. He Zhang Luo Jingzhong Commercial Affairs, of course, is familiar with the road.I'm afraid that the old number will still see him as an idler and ignore his high opinion. Hearing what the third master said, the old man actually laughed, put down the rubbings in his hand, and sat down. You still underestimate Master He!How could he only focus on Xi'an since he started to make a move?Here is a letter from him, you can read it. The third master took a piece of letter paper from the old man and looked at it carefully: Honorable Master Rentai:

Accompanying Liu Ye to Xi'an this time is originally for idle business, not related to business.It's just that after traveling, I took a cold look at the market here, and saw business opportunities everywhere!Yu has been out for many years, and he is afraid that his hands and eyes in business management will be useless, so he suspects that what he sees is nothing but a dream.Write out the letter by hand, please Lao Rentai to distinguish the truth from the truth.If what you see is true, Xihao and Laohao must have already captured it, so it is a foolish talker.If it's really an illusion of stupidity, just talk about Bo Lao Rentai and smile.

Then, I briefly mentioned that the imperial court is about to return to Luan, the government is eager to prepare for the big errand, and the high officials in the court are worried about the transfer of private money to Beijing. Isn't this just calling me to come out to solicit big business? Because the third master already knew about the business opportunities Mr. He mentioned, so he didn't feel anything clever after looking at Bi Xin.Then he said: No matter how good the business opportunity in Xi'an is, the old account has to send a message to make it available, right? The old man sneered and said: Still can't see what Master He's means?

Master He's method? Stupid! Willing to listen to teaching. The beauty lies in the letter.Mr. He clearly wrote this letter to me, but secretly he wrote it to Shopkeeper Sun.This letter was sent from Xihao to Laohao. According to the rules of the font, Laohao must first read it and then forward it.Therefore, even though I was the one who looked up in the letter, Shopkeeper Sun read it before me.Mr. He wrote in the tone of an outsider, not hurting the face of the old company, but also encouraging him to revisit the business of the Western company, isn't it a wonderful pen! I see. Although the third master felt that some of them were ingenious, but given the current status of master He, what would Shopkeeper Sun pay attention to?So not too surprised.

I know what you're thinking: it's just a trick! I didn't underestimate Mr. He, but I was afraid that shopkeeper Sun would ignore Mr. He's kindness. Then guess how this letter was sent to Kangzhuang? The old account sent a reliable partner to deliver it? Shopkeeper Sun personally delivered it. Deliver it in person? He's not confused yet.After reading this letter, one can understand that Mr. He's trip to Xi'an was not on business. Only then did the third master really understand: Mr. He was sent to Xi'an by the old master, so it is naturally inconvenient for Shopkeeper Sun to treat him lightly.That being the case, why did the old account still not move?The third master said:

With a father who is so strategic, we don't need to worry too much.The draw is set, the imperial court is about to return, and the Beijing-Tianjin No. 2 resumption of business, the treasurer Sun has already started to make arrangements, right? Your question is not confused.The resumption of business on Beijing-Tianjin No. 2 is what you should worry about!On the other side of Xi'an, you don't have to worry. The Beijing number was not available, and the West number could not open the Beijing-Shanhui Road.I dare not accept large remittances, and it is difficult for Xihao to lend money to officials.

Third child, you are young, how come you look like shopkeeper Sun and have no courage at all?Shopkeeper Sun delivered the letter that day, and it was you who said that the Beijing name is hard to recover, and the collection of foreign exchange should be slow, as if a living person is about to be suffocated to death!When encountering such a situation in the early years, he had already sent a message to Xihao: You just let go of Luoxi'an's business, and you don't need to worry about Jinghao!Now I dare not even say a word. The resumption of business in Beijing, Tianjin and Zhuangkou is no small matter

Even if you say the same, there is really no one to count on! The robbery status of No. 2 is very serious, they are all connected, especially the account books, there is no piece of paper, after all After all what!How can the billing number not have a Beijing number? The imperial court's return to Luan has not yet been decided, so it's not easy to make a fuss, right? I'm afraid it will be even more difficult to wait for the imperial court to return to the capital!Don't worry about the resumption of business in Beijing and Tianjin.Shopkeeper Sun still has to rely on you to cheer him up!How difficult can it be to resume business in Beijing and Tianjin?It's nothing more than filling holes.The hole in Beijing and Tianjin is caused by the current situation and has nothing to do with the operation of the name. This hole is filled by our boss.With this bottom in your heart, what else is there to make trouble for? The third master still wanted to say a few words, but the old master had already driven him away, so he had no choice but to quit. The third master originally came to urge the old man to talk to the old storekeeper Sun, why did he seem to be on the same side with the old shopkeeper Sun, and became afraid of the resumption of business on Beijing-Tianjin No. 2? In fact, the third master did this intentionally: since the old master has made it clear that shopkeeper Sun is not brave enough, of course he can't take the opportunity to pour out a lot of grievances.If so, wouldn't it be too small? Furthermore, the resumption of business on Beijing-Tianjin No. 2 is indeed not a trivial matter.The peace has been agreed, the imperial court is going to return to Luan, this kind of news spreads in Qi Taiping, the first priority of the major bank accounts is the resumption of business in Beijing and Tianjin!Last year Gengzi was in trouble, Beijing and Tianjin fell, and every family in Zhuangkou of the Xibang Bank was ransacked.But if the store is destroyed and the money is gone, the losses are considerable after all, and if the account books and bills are not kept, it will be regarded as a bottomless hole.Especially for the Beijing account, there are too many old accounts accumulated, and most of them involve the dignitaries in the officialdom. If they lose their accounts, how can they deal with it?Those who have borrowed money, people can pretend to be confused and never show up again; those who have saved money, and those who have held money orders, must be anxious to see you resume business, and don’t rush to run!After going through such a catastrophe, even the imperial court can't rely on it. Who knows that your West Gang is still trustworthy, whether your vitality is hurt or not?If you return to the capital under such circumstances, who will let you go lightly! Thinking about that scene, I dare not be careless. Therefore, there is a kind of discussion among colleagues in the ticket industry: this catastrophe is unprecedented, and it is also affected by the current situation. The West Gang should publicly discuss a paper and submit it to the Ministry of Accounts, requesting Beijing, Tianjin and Zhuangkou to resume business. Old accounts, regardless of whether they are owed or owed to others, will be cashed later, so as to calmly clean up the accounts and raise funds for remediation.Otherwise, as soon as it opens, it will be besieged by creditors, and it will be impossible to carry out any actions. The third master also agrees with this proposal.However, this kind of matter must be promoted by the top figures of the West Gang before it can be discussed publicly.But so far no giant has paid attention to this discussion.The third master wanted to mention this matter to his old man: if father is willing to come forward, and then contact the three or five giants of Qi Gang and Ping Gang, the matter will be promoted.So when I met the old man, I specifically emphasized the difficulty of resuming business in Beijing and Tianjin, and I also wanted to pave the way for this.Unexpectedly, just laying the groundwork for a few sentences, before getting to the point, it was thrown out. The old man asked him to worry about the resumption of business in Beijing and Tianjin, but he didn't want to listen to his long-winded words, and even accused him of being stupid: obviously he didn't rely on him very much. Even if he raised a matter of public discussion, the old man would laugh it off. The third master thought of Mr. He: why not convey this proposal to Mr. He in Xi'an first, and then let him reach the old man?A detour around Xi'an might yield some results. The third master is also very excited to learn Master He's tricks like this. But he had no close friendship with Master He, so he had to write a letter to Qiu Taiji, asking Qiu Taiji to convey his intention to Master He.The tone of the letter was ordinary, without any hint of conspiracy, it was just sent without handing over the name, and delivered directly to the private letter bureau. Just after finishing this matter, I suddenly received an order from the county government: the chief officer of the American Congregational Church who handles teaching plans will come to Taigu on the eighth day of June, and I would like to invite you, Mr. Kang, to come out of the city to welcome you. . During the Boxing Rebellion last year, several Congregationalist priests were killed. This is a settlement.The so-called greeting is nothing more than an apology and humiliation, right?Of course the old man can't bear this humiliation. two During the peace talks with foreigners, the German and French allied forces had been besieging Shanxi, so of course Shanxi had to be hit extra in the peace talks.What Germany and France told Cen Chunxuan in Futai, Shanxi was: There are too many teaching cases in Shanxi, and the peace must be discussed separately, otherwise the troops will not be dismissed.Cen Chunxuan was afraid that Jin Province would fall, and it would be difficult to explain to the court, so he had to agree to another discussion. The result of the other discussion was that in addition to the Xin Chou Twelve Items Treaty, Shanxi paid an additional 2.5 million taels of silver; this additional compensation must be paid off on the day when Germany and France withdraw their troops!In order to urgently raise the compensation for the strike, ticket dealers in the province alone were paid 500,000 taels of silver.At that time, because they were afraid that the war would enter Jin Dynasty and affect their ancestral property, each family had endured humiliation and bankrupted their fortunes.Kang Jiatian Chengyuan is a big name in the ticket industry, how can there be less bleeding? It was too much for the boxers to kill foreign priests, but because of this crime, the crusade was first launched and the huge sum of money was claimed later, so it has not been evened out?What's more, the government had already hunted down and killed the murderers among the boxers, and the number of boxers who survived was many times more than the murdered foreign priests!The priests and civilians who were murdered in Taigu have been buried grandly by the Provincial Bureau of Western Affairs.The compensation has been paid, the fine has been paid, the life has been paid, and the ceremony has come. Now those who come to handle the teaching case don't know what else to do, but to give such courteous treatment, the government really frightened the foreigners. After receiving the order from the county government, the third master and the fourth master discussed it and decided not to inform the old man.The old man is old and has lost his wife soon, so it is easy to make excuses.The fourth master meant that he should take the place of the old master to answer the errand, and no one from the Kang family would show up, so he might not be able to explain to the government.But the third master insisted that no one should come forward, because there are ready-made reasons: the old man is old and his body is not in good shape, so he can't go out;Wouldn't it be disrespectful to greet foreigners in filial piety! The third master dismissed the housekeeper, Lao Xia, and went to the county government to ask for leave.Unexpectedly, the county government refused to allow it.It is said that foreigners have different customs, and there is no three-year mourning system.He also said that the chief executive who came this time is Wen Adeh who first came to Taigu to preach more than ten years ago.He is very familiar with the big family in Taigu, how can he explain if the Kang family doesn't show up? The third master was still very angry when he heard what Lao Xia said: it is common sense to do as the Romans do.How can foreign priests come to Taigu and disregard our gift?In the body of mourning, even the imperial court can not serve him, and he is allowed to resign and return to his hometown. The foreigner is bigger than the imperial court? Lao Xia hurriedly persuaded: I think the gentlemen of the county government have no other choice, and I am afraid that the big households will not make excuses, and the scene is too deserted.Only when the disaster of war is over, do not dare to offend foreigners. The fourth master also said: "It's not convenient for us to be too difficult for the government."I'm going to answer a business trip, and you don't need to come forward.These days, even the imperial court tolerates foreigners, and we can no longer be very particular about old etiquette. But the third master still said: Don't worry, wait until I go out to inquire about it.Especially the Cao family, let's see who he sends to come forward, let's make up our minds. Before the third master went out to inquire, the old master summoned him.After entering the old courtyard, the old man immediately said: If you don't want to go, I will go on the eighth day of June. Who has told the old man about it?When I thought about it, I knew it was Lao Xia.Lao Xia's most loyal, of course, is the old man. we don't want to go Needless to say, I will tell you that I will go on the eighth day of June. The third master hurriedly said: I will go, I will go!How can I ask my father to go on a hot day? You are afraid of shame, I will go. I go. After the third master finished speaking, he hurriedly withdrew.Only then did he calmly think about it: Is he guilty of recklessness and showing off again?Maybe the fourth brother is right, the court is not afraid of shame these days, so what else can we pay attention to! He said to the fourth master and Lao Xia: "On the eighth day of the sixth month, I will go to answer the errand for the old man."But the fourth master still insisted on him going: I take the name of housekeeping, so I can account for it when I go, and the third brother doesn't have to worry about it. After arguing, the fourth master still insisted, and the third master stopped fighting. On the eighth day of the sixth lunar month, it was the day of the Great Dog Days, and Mr. Liang, the county magistrate, prepared an official guard of honor. He led nearly a hundred entourages and squires five miles out of the city to meet the foreign priest Wen Ade by the Wuma River.Fourth master came back and said, the gentlemen in official uniforms really didn't die from the heat, the mending clothes were soaked through. Fourth Master also only said that the weather was hot, but as for the scene, the officials and gentlemen of the county yamen were too flattering, and the accompanying gentry and celebrities were silent or did not mention it. The third master didn't ask any more questions, just asked: "Who has gone to the Cao family?" The fourth master said: Cao Peide has gone. Cao Peide is gone? However, it was the Cao family.The other big households were similar to us, and only sent a head to respond to errands, and not many serious heads came out. The Cao family is the first household in Taigu, so it's not easy to shirk it.But Cao Peide's willingness to come forward was beyond Sanye's expectation: he is still not deep in the city? Not long after Wen Ade arrived in Taigu, he actually sent someone to express his belated condolences to Mrs. Du's unfortunate death.More than ten years ago, when Wen Ade first came to Taigu to open up a new missionary site of the Axiom Society, he met Du Changxuan and his daughter Du Yunqing.Du Yunqing's youthful, noble voice and smile are still there, but he is actually dead? The person sent by Wen Ade to Kang's house to express his condolences was none other than Kong Xiangxi, who escaped from the besieged Gospel Church last year.After he escaped, he moved to Tianjin and joined Wen Ade, who presided over the North China Congregational Church.Returning to Taigu with Wen Aderong this time, it is naturally a different scene. However, during this visit, Kang Watnan did not see him.When the third master saw him, he was also very cold.He was just running errands for foreign priests, but he still wanted to associate Mrs. Du with foreign priests. How could the third master give him a good face?At that time, Kong Xiangxi was just an unknown local kid after all, and if he hadn't learned from foreign religions, the third master probably wouldn't have seen him. However, within a few days, it was reported that Wen Ade had used several ruthless moves to investigate the teaching case, and it seemed that the moves were all aimed at the business world. The first tactic was to ask for compensation as foreigners are used to, asking Taigu to pay the Congregational Society twenty-five thousand taels of silver.This compensation is in addition to the court compensation and the province's additional compensation!Foreigners have tasted the sweetness of compensation. From top to bottom, from the military to the church, they are all pawned with money, and the amount is increased layer by layer. The second trick was targeting wealthy businessmen, forcing the Meng family in the city to donate the garden of the Meng family as a cemetery for the dead priests!The Meng family in the city is also one of the most wealthy and prominent families in Taigu, and they made their fortune very early. Their ancestors built the garden of the Meng family in the Harem Palace outside the east gate, which has always been an exquisite and beautiful private garden in Taigu.This garden not only pays attention to the pavilions, mountains and stones, but also covers a large area.The Congregational Society actually wants to plunder it as a cemetery. Isn't this trying to humiliate the wealthy Taigu who established their families through business?Wen Ade dared to make such an outrageous request, and the only excuse was that when there was a fist riot last year, some sons of the Meng family made friends with the boxers and condoned the riot.How can the disciples of the Meng family control the boxing chaos of last year!In fact, the foreign religion just wants to take the first share of the beautiful garden. The third move is even more damaging: it is proposed to hold a grand funeral for the foreign priests and local believers who were killed; at that time, from the county magistrate to the villagers sent from the villages, there will naturally be rich businessmen and celebrities among them. You have to wear hemp and mourning to go to the funeral.This will humiliate the whole county and the business community!In the funeral of foreigners, is there also the custom of wearing hemp and filial piety? It was widely rumored that Kong Xiangxi, the local boy who ran errands for Wen Ade, had a lot of ideas in it. When the third master heard the news, he lost his composure again.He rode his horse and rushed to Beili Village to see Cao Peide. Cao Peide also looked sad.He said that not long after he came back from the Meng family, the Meng family invited him to discuss countermeasures. After discussing for a long time, there was really no good plan to come up with. The third master showed an angry look on his face and said: Such a big garden is nothing, if you don't give it to him, can he take it away? Cao Peide said: "Wen Ade said on the other side that if you don't offer a garden, you will arrest the children of the Meng family."You also know that Meng Ruzhen, who is in charge of the family, is a person who loves his children and grandchildren very much, and he is afraid when he hears this. During last year's boxing chaos, I never heard how the Meng family's children came out to make trouble?The siege of the Gospel Church, were there any children from his family present? According to Meng Ruzhen, she just went to watch the fun and didn't show much limelight.The disciples of the Meng family also befriended a celestial master Zhang from Zhili, and once invited this celestial master to practice kung fu and descend from the gods in his garden, just for the sake of excitement. That Tianshi Zhang, I have taught him before.That time when we chased Tian Chengyuan with a knife and wanted to kill Wei Luyi of the Congregational Society, I asked me to stop him.This Zhang Tianshi looks scary, but in fact he is not a fist, just a madman.How sinful is it to befriend such a mad celestial master, and you have to pay for a garden?According to this kind of compensation method, it is not enough to pay for the whole Taigu! Who told you this kind of reasoning?Now that he is a master, he deliberately wants to occupy that garden, so he still has to find an excuse? So hand it over? Of course the Meng family didn't want to donate, but if the government didn't make the decision, how could his family be able to bear it? Wen Ade is just a foreign monk, why is the magistrate so cowardly? The imperial court has written a letter of surrender. How can a small county magistrate be dignified?The twelve paragraphs of the peace treaty, that's not the letter of surrender drawn up by the imperial court!Besides, Cen Futai also wanted to finish the lesson plans in a hurry, and he was patient with the foreign churches, so Wen Ade naturally wanted to push forward. Bullying the Meng family like this is also showing our business color, right? In the twenty years since the Axiom Society came to Taigu, our business community has never offended them. But we are also cold and turn a blind eye to others. Merchants and foreign religions are both sacred and secular, and each has its own business, so it is common sense to keep them at a respectful distance.How did we curry favor with the local gods, Buddhas and Taoism? In Qi Taiping, it is difficult to spread its teachings because our merchants do not think highly of it.The Axiom Society has been in Taigu for almost twenty years, how many people have joined the church?Let me see, Wen Ade really has a deep meaning in holding on to the Meng family this time. Cao Peide hurriedly asked: What is his deep meaning? Taking advantage of the fact that the imperial court has been subdued this time, first give Taigu merchants a disarm, so that they can preach in the future.If they dared to bully the Meng family in Taigu, who would dare to look down on them in the future? The third master is right!That being the case, why don't our business community give him enough face first, maybe we can save the Meng family? I also have this intention.The ruthless moves Wen Ade made were clearly aimed at the Taigu merchants.The first move is to pay compensation, but we will pay the bulk?Needless to say, occupying the garden of Meng's family, they directly took the merchants' swords.Asking gentry and celebrities to wear hemp and filial piety is even more insulting to businessmen!Besides us, who are the gentlemen and celebrities in Taigu!Since they challenged him first, we just ignored it, fearing that Wen Ade would be even more angry. Third master, I have an idea, but it's inconvenient to say it. At such a critical juncture, what are you still worried about?Speak! The important task of unblocking Wen Ade, I think it must be the third master. There are so many giants in the business world in Taigu, what merit and prestige do I have to take on such an important task?Dude stop making fun of me. Third Master, this is not a joke.The former wife of your mansion, Mrs. Du, has personal relationships with the priests of the Congregational Church; your Tian Chengyuan has always collected money for them; especially during the boxing chaos last year, the third master stepped forward and rescued their Wei Luyi.With these few things, if the third master goes to see Wen Ade, will he give you some face? A few days ago, Wen Ade also sent a little believer surnamed Kong to Kangzhuang to express his condolences to Mrs. Xian.With the little face given to our Kang family, how can we save the Taigu business community? Third master, as long as he treats him with courtesy, you can tell him your interests: you have gained power, and you bully the merchants like this, what good will it do for preaching in Taigu in the future?Don't foreign religions respect forgiveness?In this earth-shattering change, if your teaching can bestow forgiveness on the world, it will surely win the admiration of Taigu officials and people, and the business community will take the lead in supporting your teaching.Then the camera told us our price: if we don’t occupy Meng’s garden, and don’t make people from all walks of life wear sackcloth and filial piety, the Taigu business community is willing to pay more compensation! After hearing this, the third master thought it was worth a try, so he said: For the Taigu business community, I would like to take this life! Futai, Fantai, and the Western Affairs Bureau in the province should also run around to clear it up, and ask the higher-ups to stand in the way.But the third master discussed with Cao Peide for a long time, and they gave up: asking for nothing. Back in Kangzhuang, the third master meditated and felt deeply that if he wanted to live up to his fate, he would have to resort to some means.But there is not a single resourceful person around.Shopkeeper Qiu is far away in Xi'an, Mr. He, who has to look at him with admiration, is also in Xi'an, and Mr. Dai, the Beijing name, goes even farther to Shanghai.I have to go to see the shopkeeper Lin Da of the tea house again? If Mrs. Du was still alive, what a world of maneuvers would be! Recalling last year when the boxing chaos started, the old lady came here on purpose and told the third master to come forward and contact all walks of life to prevent the boxing chaos.He also said that he has general talent, and he can take advantage of this to show his achievements.The old lady also said something that he will never forget: Quan Kang's family only counts the third master, you have worked hard. Thinking of Mrs. Du, the third master immediately sent someone to call the maid Du Mu.Du Mu has been serving the old lady personally. She should know how the old lady interacted with the Congregational Society during her lifetime. After Du Yunqing's death, although Du Mu still stayed in the old home, he only did some rough work and couldn't get to see the old man anymore.So, when he heard that it was the third master who called, Lao Ting let her out. Du Mu ran over in a hurry, a little nervous because he couldn't figure out why she was called. The third master told her the truth, he just wanted to ask about the old lady's relationship with foreign priests, but it was by no means pursuing anything, but wanted to use the old lady's old friendship to negotiate some matters with the Congregational Society. But Du Mu still said: Let me see, the old lady doesn't like foreign priests at all!For so many years, I haven't been to their Gospel Church once, but their Mrs. Leihoude often comes to curry favor with the old lady.Every time she came to flatter her, the old lady always said something that was neither salty nor bland, and she didn't like to talk to her. With whom else besides this Mrs. Lehoud? I can't remember clearly earlier, since I served the old lady, the only one who came to fawn on her was this Auntie Lehoud.The old lady doesn't like to talk to me, why does she always come to curry favor?Because the old lady is enlightened, kind-hearted, and responsive to requests.Last year when the Boxing Rebellion broke out, Auntie Laihaode ran over in a panic and asked the old lady for help.The old lady said: I don't know martial arts, how can I stop practicing boxing?Aunt Yang said: The Kang family has a great reputation in Taigu, who would not be afraid to show up?The old lady said: In that case, then I will temporarily join your foreign religion and serve as a cover for you for a few days. The third master was taken aback, and hurriedly asked: "Madam has been in the Congregational Church?"Why haven't I heard of it? Du Mu said: I didn't make it later. Why didn't you make it? They didn't dare to enroll the old lady into a religion. Why not? I don't know.Anyway, after the old lady agreed to join the church, Auntie Leihaode didn't come again.Within a few days, the Gospel Church in the city was besieged. Did the old lady mention joining a religion before? From the very beginning, I don't like it at all, so why would I want to join their foreign religion!Why does Aunt Laihaode often come here to curry favor? Isn't it because she wants to win the old lady into teaching?The old lady has never been with her. So this time, the idea of ​​joining a foreign religion is really to save them? But no, the old lady is too kind. The third master asked some more about the situation, and only counted the weight of this matter.With this incident under pressure, the third master did not go to see the shopkeeper Lin Da of the tea house. three Wen Ade lives in the post house of the county government, and the guards are strictly guarded, just like the pomp of a high-ranking official on the peak.However, the third master handed over the post and went in, and immediately saw the kid surnamed Kong running out. Mr. Wen Ade was very happy to hear that Mr. Kang came to visit.Third Master please please! The third master came here today for a request, so he was too indifferent to Kong Xiangxi, so he asked a few casually as he walked: Which village are you from? Chengjiazhuang, Chengjiazhuang in the west of the city. Was the ancestor an official or a businessman? My father studied Confucianism all his life, but his literary luck was not good. Now he is the treasurer of the school teacher Zhicheng Chengxin Ticket Shop, and is our family father. The honest shopkeeper Kong Da is your master?The shopkeeper of Kongda is very famous! Our family is our own, so we don’t have much contact The third master wanted to look at this kid surnamed Kong differently, but saw him dodging shyly.Just about to ask again, I have arrived at the guest house where Wen Ade lives. This is the main room in the main courtyard of the post house, and the furnishings inside are even more luxurious: it is really treated like a guest. Wen Ade looks like a Westerner, with high nose and sunken eyes, curly beard and hair, like a monster.The only thing is, her face is rosy and enviable.This old man has wrinkles all over his face, but his face is as ruddy as a boy's. I don't know that Mr. Kang came to visit, but I am far away from welcoming him! As soon as we met, Lao Maozi looked pleasantly surprised, not sure if it was true or not.However, his Chinese can be understood, so the third master felt relieved: he was very afraid that the boy surnamed Kong would be the interpreter and play tricks. Here is Mrs. Du, on behalf of Mrs. Wen Ade, who came to thank Mr. Wen Ade!When the third master saluted, he tried his best to appear respectful. Please sit down, please sit down.I remember that Mrs. Du was young, beautiful, and in good health. Why did she die so young?What kind of emergency did you have? When the old lady was seriously ill, I was in Shanghai and Hangzhou, and my condition was not clear.It is said that it is a strange disease, just lethargy. Lethargy?What other symptoms? I wasn't home at the time, so I don't really understand. Mr. Kang, Mrs. Du was also killed by the boxers! Wen Ade actually said this categorically, and the third master was very displeased.But I held back and said calmly: My lord, Mrs. Xian only ascended to heaven this spring. Know.But I also remember that Mrs. Du believed in our Western medical skills, and often asked for justice when she was sick.If it wasn't for the Boxers' rebellion, the medical center of the Taigu Congregational Society would definitely be able to cure Mrs. Du's illness.Dr. Sang Aiqing, who died in the Boxing Rebellion, had excellent medical skills.If not killed, why worry about saving Mrs. Du's noble life?Boxers are heinous! The old man made a move here, but the third master really didn't expect it.He also had no choice but to say: That's what the adults said.Before the old lady was alive, she also took good care of your Congregational Church.Mrs. Lehoud has something to do, so she loves to ask our old lady.Why?The old lady responds to every request! I know, I know. Your Excellency may not know about the old lady's great act of righteousness, right? What act of charity? Last year when the Boxing Rebellion broke out, Mrs. Lehoward came to our Kang family again to ask for help.The old lady did not shy away from the risk, but still agreed generously.In order to strengthen the prestige of the Congregational Society, the old lady decided to join your foreign religion immediately!In Taigu, with our old lady of the Kang family standing among them, who would dare to easily provoke foreign sects? There is such a thing? Facing the spirit of the old lady in the sky, how dare I speak nonsense? Wen Ade turned back and asked Kong Xiangxi: Have you heard of this? Kong Xiangxi said: I heard Mrs. Laihaode say it. Wen Ade asked: Then why didn't you join the religion? Kong Xiangxi said: At that time, the crisis was becoming more and more serious day by day, and the Gospel Hall was very busy, and I was afraid I couldn't take care of it. The third master immediately said: Our old lady donated a fourth-rank official position in the imperial court. According to the rules, the old lady cannot join foreign religions.But to save you, I resolutely acted in this righteous act, sacrificing my life to protect the teaching, what a kind heart! Wen Ade hurriedly said: Mrs. Du has done such a righteous act, we will never forget it, and neither will the Lord. The third master asked: Wei Luyi still remember? Wen Ade said: Why don't you remember!He was a great pastor, and he was killed. What a crime the Boxers are! I rescued Wei Luyi with my own hands. Kang Sanye rescued Wei Luyi? You ask him if he knows?The third master pointed to Kong Xiangxi. Kong Xiangxi hurriedly said: There is such a thing.Everyone knows that the third master bravely retired from Tianshi Zhang. Wen Ade asked: What's going on? The third master pointed to Kong Xiangxi again and said, "Tell him to talk." Kong Xiangxi hurriedly said: Let the third master tell, I just heard about it, and I can't tell you in detail. The third master said: "That time when I went to the city, I was entrusted by the old lady to take care of the affairs of fist chaos."While Tian Chengyuan was planning with shopkeeper Sun Da, he heard that the counter in front was going to kill someone.He ran out quickly, and saw that Tianshi Zhang from Zhili had stopped Wei Luyi and raised his knife to chop him.Fortunately, I have practiced Xingyi Quan, so I hurriedly jumped in front of Zhang Tianshi and separated Wei Luyi! Wen Ade asked: What weapon did you use at that time? The third master said: "Run out in a hurry, where are the weapons?"Just bare hands. Wen Ade turned around and asked Kong Xiangxi: Bare hands, invulnerable? Kong Xiangxi said: The Xingyi boxing practiced by Kang Sanye is a real martial art, which is different from the Yihe boxing of boxers.People in Taigu love to practice Xingyiquan, self-defense, guarding the courtyard, and escorting darts, all of which are effective. The third master said: My martial arts are very ordinary, only enough for self-defense.But at that time, when I saw the way Zhang Tianshi held the knife, I knew that he was a fool with little skill.Just as he was about to shake his fist at Mingli and kick him secretly, kicking the big knife away, he suddenly thought about it and felt that it is not appropriate to embarrass him too much.I'm just a dumbass, it's too annoying, and it's troublesome to get mad at you.So, at that time, I just put on a fighting posture and didn't move him.He raised his knife to chop again, but I just smiled and didn't move.This smile really frightened him, and he held up the knife, not daring to cut it off.After a short stalemate, Zhang Tianshi retreated with his saber in hand. Wen Ade asked: "Where is Wei Luyi, has he left?"Will the boxers chase him again? The third master said: How dare Wei Luyi go?He had already been led into the backyard by his buddies on the cabinet and hid.Afterwards, he didn't dare to go back alone, so we sent a martial artist to send him back to the Gospel Hall. Wen Ade said: Thank you Kang Sanye for his righteous rescue!If all the business circles in Taigu were like Mr. Kang, all the pastors in my congregation would not be in trouble. When the third master heard this, he hurriedly said: Your Excellency, you must not say that. Taigu business circles have been in contact with foreign businessmen for a long time, and they have always been friendly to each other.Therefore, since your Congregation came to Taigu, our business community has been very friendly.Not only our Kang family, who is not responsive?Last year's Taigu boxing chaos was really instigated by boxers from other places and connivance by the higher authorities.Although the business community is trying its best, how can it control the general trend?In the turmoil, we have suffered unprecedentedly! Wen Ade lowered his face and said: You are troubled, go to your government to complain.I am only here to investigate the teaching case. Anyone who has harmed my priest will be punished without mercy. The third master really didn't expect that this old man would lose his face even though he chose to say nice things!In fact, Wen Ade gradually revealed a kind of arrogance like an imperial envoy, and the third master had already endured it for a long time.Now he could bear it no longer, and said bluntly: My lord, you have misunderstood, did I come to you to complain?In Taigu, only officials complained to our merchants, we never complained to the government!Recently, the county government came to complain to our business community again.Your axiom will ask for compensation, they are worried!Before the Boxing Rebellion, your Congregational Society often came to our business community to complain, ask for help, and borrow money. Why did we ever bother you? Wen Ade heard that his tone was wrong, but he still had a sullen face and asked: What do you mean by that? Since the adults asked, I will explain it clearly.In the next day, firstly, I would like to thank you on behalf of the old lady, and secondly, on behalf of the Taigu business community, I would like to ask: After your congregation finishes the teaching case, you will never leave Taigu again, right? What's the meaning? After completing the teaching plan, I took the compensation and left, never to come to Taigu again: Is this your plan? Wen Ade was a little annoyed, and said loudly: Presumptuous!Who said we had such plans? The third master smiled and said: We in the business world only look at things with business eyes.In the eyes of our merchants, the three major tricks that adults use when they come to Taigu to handle teaching plans are clearly a one-shot deal. One-shot deal?Wen Ade turned around and asked Kong Xiangxi: What is a one-shot deal? Of course Kong Xiangxi could hear the sharp edge in San Ye's words, but he didn't dare to say it clearly, he was at a loss for words and didn't know how to explain it. The third master smiled again and said: Don't you understand the one-shot deal?That is, the two parties in the transaction, in order to fight for the petty profits of a business, did not hesitate to forge a deep hatred, and never communicate with each other ever since! Wen Ade shouted angrily: Presumptuous! Kong Xiangxi also chimed in and said: Mr. Wen Ade came to handle the teaching plan, and he acted in accordance with the terms of the court's negotiation. The third master immediately glared at Kong Xiangxi: You are not a foreigner, can you take your turn to talk? Wen Ade said sharply: We strictly enforce the teaching plan, just for the sake of future career.Unexpectedly, Mr. Kang also wanted to exorcise Qiu Yang! The third master changed his smile and said: I never thought that Mr. Wen Ade would be so ungrateful!If I, Kang, hate foreigners and religions, why don't I sit and watch Master Zhang angrily behead Wei Luyi?I risked my life to rescue your priests, and you rewarded me with a hat of exorcising foreign religions for my lord? Wen Ade said coldly: You are not hostile to foreigners, why do you criticize the general manager? The third master did not give in, and said: What I said just now is not my own opinion, but the unanimous opinion of the Taigu business community and even the villagers of the whole county: the Axiom Society wants to vent their anger, get some money, and run away! Wen Ade did not relapse, and still said coldly: Handling cases is strict, which is the style of the general office.If such a tragedy happened in Taigu, if we don’t deal with it more strictly, it will be difficult to gain a foothold in Gui County in the future, right? The third master sneered, and asked back: "Axiom will do things like this, and you want to preach in Taigu in the future?" Wen Ade couldn't bear it again, and said sharply, "You are the one who criticizes the affairs of our religion!" The third master still sneered and said: Taigu's business circles and expensive clubs have never violated the river water.若不是貴會趁此次危難，訛詐商界，我們也無暇多管你們的閒事！ 發生如此慘案，我會六位偉大的教士全部遇難，怎麼是訛詐？ 貴會教士被拳匪殺害，我們也是甚感悲憤的。可因為這一類教案，你們東西洋十多國，出兵犯華，已殺害了多少中國人！以至京師陷落，朝廷逃亡，我晉商在京津的字號，悉數被搶劫。這一切，居然還是抵不了你們被害教士的命！為求議和，朝廷答應賠款四億五千萬兩銀子；山西更倒霉，在四億五千萬之外，還得另賠二百五十萬。這四億五千萬另加二百五十萬，是賠給誰呢？與貴國無關，與貴公理會損失無關嗎？ 怎麼能說無關？但每一樁教案，都務必具體查辦！ 那照大人行事風格，查辦每一樁教案，豈不是還得額外再賠一次款，再割一次地嗎？以此法查辦全國教案，豈不是要再多賠一個四億五千萬，再割走幾個行省？ 孔祥熙忽然插進來說：三爺，賬不能這樣算。 三爺立馬怒斥道：你一個太谷子弟，不學算賬為商，卻來給洋人跑腿！你懂什麼叫算賬？ 文阿德忙壓住三爺說：本總辦只是公理會神職人員，僅限查辦本會教案，與賠款割地何干？ 三爺說：殺害貴會教士的拳民，官府早緝拿法辦，抵命的人數，幾倍於遇難教士。省洋務局也將六位教士隆重安葬。因這樁教案，太谷商界已被省衙重課了十多萬賠款。不久，朝廷的四億五千萬分攤下來，我們不知還要被重課多少！太谷因出了此樁教案，還將被禁考五年！可這一切處罰賠償，對你們似乎都不算數？查辦才幾天，就又索要賠款，更有甚者，還要霸佔孟家花園！這不是額外賠款割地是什麼？ 文阿德還是冷冷地說：兩萬賠款，是賠福音堂之損失。孟家花園，只是做死難先賢的墓地而已 三爺知道這位老毛子難以說動，早不想多費口舌，但一口怒氣嚥不下去，竟慷慨直言，說了這許多。悶氣既出，也想收場了，就放緩了口氣說： 文阿德大人，你來華多年，大概還沒聽說過中國民間的一句俗話：得理且饒人。我聽老夫人生前也說，皈依基督的洋教，最崇尚的是寬恕，饒恕，仁愛，是普愛天下每一個人。貴會如執意照大人風格查辦教案，恕我直言，那必定要自斷後路！在這場塌天大禍中，貴會因蒙難而如此報復，與基督教義真是相差了十萬八千里！太谷人重商敬商，大人這次又偏偏與商界過不去，竟敢拿富商孟家開刀！在太谷與商家過不去，那將意味著什麼，大人就沒想嗎？ 文阿德沉著臉，只冷冷說了一句：你豈配說偉大的基督！ 三爺笑了笑，說：我是不懂基督，但你是基督的使者，你的所作所為就在昭示什麼叫基督！拳亂以前，貴會來太谷傳教十七八年，得教徒僅百人而已。何以會如此冷清？就因太谷敬商不敬教。今結怨商界，以後貴會只怕連冷清亦不可得！山東、直隸為何教案頻仍，激起如此烈火似的拳亂？以前我不甚明瞭，今觀文阿德大人來太谷數日的所作所為，算是明白了！ 文阿德惱怒地喝問：你想煽動新的拳亂？ 三爺大笑一聲，反問道：基督令你靠什麼傳教？寬恕，仁慈，普愛眾生，還是恃強凌弱，趁火打劫，貪得無厭？ 說畢，行禮作別，揚長而去。 Four 就在康三爺失去控制，激揚舌戰文阿德的時候，太谷第一大票號志誠信的孔慶豐大掌櫃，也正在為此事謀劃對策。因為志誠信的財東員家，聽說要沒收孟家花園，也慌了，生怕殃及自家田產。 這時的志誠信雖仍為太谷第一大票莊，但其財東員家已露敗相。員家當家的，已經是不理商、也不懂商的一代人，只是會坐享商號的滾滾紅利。這一代員家弟兄中，又沒有特別出類拔萃者，可以壓得住台。於是兄弟間無事生非的故事，就不斷上演了。老九和老十因小小一點分利不均，就釀成驚天動地的一場訴訟，生生靠銀錢鋪路，一直把官司打到京城。兩邊比賽似的扔掉的銀子，市間傳說有百萬兩之巨！即便富可敵國，也經不住這樣敗家吧？ 遇了庚子、辛丑這樣的亂局，員家就沒了主心骨，一切都得仰仗字號的領東大掌櫃。這真是兄弟鬩於牆，又怯於禦外，內外都不濟。 孔大掌櫃把東家幾位爺安撫回去後，自然得考慮如何禦外。洋教倒是尋不到借口，來霸佔員家田產，但這次對太谷商家的羞辱，孔慶豐也是怒不可遏。給公理會賠幾個錢，倒也罷了。竟然要拿孟家開刀，還要太谷商界有頭臉的人物，披麻戴孝給洋鬼送葬！西幫立世數百年，還未受過這樣的奇恥大辱！志誠信是太谷排行在前的大字號，這場羞辱也得首當其衝了。 但孔慶豐畢竟是商界成了精的人物，外面上沒露出多少痕跡。 這天，字號的協理，也即俗稱二掌櫃的，又在孔慶豐跟前提起孔祥熙。說不妨把這後生叫來，讓他給文阿德掏掏耳朵：公理會如此糟蹋商界，以後還想不想在太谷立足了？ 孔慶豐見又提孔祥熙，終於忍不住，勃然大怒了：你又提這孫子做甚？他與我何干？ 二掌櫃忙說：我又不是當本家提他！眼看公理會要糟蹋商界，能跟文阿德那個老毛子說上話的太谷人，就數這個孔祥熙。他既然想高攀大掌櫃，何不教他做件正經事？ 誰認他是太谷人？他是美國人，不是太谷人！ 大掌櫃，外辱當頭，還是以西幫尊嚴為重吧。孔祥熙一個毛小子，何必跟他太計較了？ 太谷商界再沒本事，也不能去求這孫子！你們求這孫子疏通洋人，也不能由我出面！他滿世界跟人說，志誠信的孔大掌櫃是他本家爺，我這一出面，不等於認了他？我這孔門跟他那股孔門，八竿子打不著。他投洋不投洋，我也不能認他！ 你們天下孔門是一家，都認孔聖人。 他孫子投身洋教，早背叛了孔門！ 孔慶豐這麼與孔祥熙過不去，實在也不是自眼前始。 孔慶豐祖居太谷城裡，孔祥熙則祖居太谷西鄉的程家莊，本來也是八竿子打不著的兩支孔門之後。城裡孔家，老輩雖也算不上太谷的望族，家勢可比程家莊孔門興旺得多。到孔慶豐做了志誠信的領東大掌櫃，其家族已躋身太谷大戶之列，孔祥熙父子卻仍掙扎在鄉野寒門。孔父習儒落魄，靠鄉間教職營生，又染了鴉片毒癮，家境可謂一貧如洗。所以，兩孔家隔了貧富鴻溝，分屬兩個世界，即便同宗同姓，實在也沒有來往。 孔祥熙從十歲起，投身公理會免收學資的福音小學堂，在太谷孔氏中間，並沒有引起太大注意：那時他太卑微了。五年後，孔祥熙以福音小學堂第一名優等生畢業，公理會要保送他去直隸通州的潞河書院深造，這才引起孔氏眾族人的非議。潞河書院是美國公理會最早在華北辦的一所教會中學，為的是在華人中培養神職人員。可晚清時代，尊孔依然是國朝大制，即便在商風熾烈的太谷，孔姓也依然被視為天下第一高尚姓氏。孔聖人之後，竟要皈依洋教，賣身去司夷邦神職，這豈不是褻瀆孔門，背叛祖宗，大逆不道嗎？ 譴責最烈的，當然是程家莊的孔氏族人。但他們一樣地位卑微，孔家父子哪肯聽從！孔父因習儒潦倒，見兒子能有出路，也顧不上孔聖人的面子了。尤其孔祥熙，他從教會學堂得到的智慧和讚賞，比虛榮的孔姓不知要實在多少倍。所以，少年孔祥熙竟對族人放言：不讓姓孔，我正好可取個西洋姓名！ 這更了不得了。程家莊的孔氏只好來求孔慶豐。孔慶豐是太谷孔姓中最顯赫的人物，借其威勢，或許能壓住孔祥熙父子。當時孔慶豐並不想管這種閒事，他哪想認這許多窮本家？但經不住這幫人的磨纏，就答應叫來說後生兩句。 一聽是志誠信的孔大掌櫃召見，孔祥熙趕緊跑來了。可還沒等問幾句話呢，這位正做西洋夢的少年，竟興頭昂然，眉飛色舞，給孔大掌櫃講解起中國人供偶像、拜祖宗、女纏足、男嗜毒的害處來。孔慶豐連訓斥的話都沒說一句，就將孔祥熙當生瓜蛋攆了出去。一個十五六歲的後生，誰敢這樣對他孔大掌櫃說話？僅僅是那種講解的口氣，孔慶豐就惱了。 這孫子既然連祖宗都不要，你們還要他做甚！ 這是孔慶豐第一次知道孔祥熙，第一次就厭惡之極。 此後，孔祥熙當然是執意去了通州潞河書院。在那裡，因為他有中國這個高尚的姓氏，似乎也得到了校方的格外垂青：孔聖人之後皈依公理會，這是基督在中國的一個小小勝利吧。 到庚子年，孔祥熙在潞河書院也將近五年了。京津拳變一起，書院不得不遣散避亂，孔祥熙也只好躲回太谷。哪想到，沒幾天太谷的拳亂也起來了。他被圍福音堂，幾乎丟了小命。 這次跟隨文阿德重返太谷，孔祥熙很有一點大難不死、衣錦還鄉的感覺。但作為一個太谷人，在心底裡還是想攀附孔慶豐這樣的富商：他畢竟是被商風熏大的。何況在西洋人眼中，商人並不卑賤。所以，他不計前辱，還是到處跟人說：志誠信的孔大掌櫃是他本家爺。 這話傳到孔慶豐耳中，先還只是勾起淡去的厭惡。後來就傳說文阿德使出的幾手狠招，孔祥熙起了不少作用。這一下，孔慶豐除了怒不可遏，真替孔門臉紅了。在此情狀下，堂堂孔大掌櫃怎麼可能出面去求一個叛祖侍敵的狗東西！ 孔慶豐在志誠信，雖也至高無上，他還是善聽屬下進言的。可這一次，二掌櫃費盡口舌了，大掌櫃依然是毫不鬆動。 其實協理的意思，也並非要孔大掌櫃低下頭去求孔祥熙，更不是叫他去認這個本家子孫，只不過給孔祥熙一點面子，不妨叫桌酒席請一次，以便正經陳說在太谷得罪商界，會有什麼後果。說不定，孔祥熙還正是因為你這個同姓大掌櫃，看不起他，才偏使壞，糟蹋商界。這關乎西幫尊嚴，商界名聲，不能只顧跟這麼個不肖晚輩嘔氣的。 但好說歹說，孔慶豐還是不見孔祥熙。二掌櫃只好提出，那就由他代大掌櫃出面請一次。孔慶豐勉強同意，但不許太抬舉那孫子！ 這位二掌櫃姓劉，在商界也是位長袖善舞的人物。他本想再聯絡幾位大字號的協理，把招待的場面弄大點。再一想，覺得也不妥：孔祥熙這後生的心病，分明在孔大掌櫃這廂，扯來別的大頭，也不見得管用。於是決定，只以志誠信的名分來宴請，並從財東員家搬一位少爺出來做東。酒席呢，擺在飯莊中排場大的醉樂園。這也算把面子給足了。 員家少爺一輩，也是些平庸子弟，志誠信的掌櫃們很容易搬動。 孔祥熙那頭，也果然如劉掌櫃所料，志誠信的帖子送過去，很爽快就答應下來。 可孔祥熙如約來到醉樂園，卻未見孔慶豐大掌櫃在座。劉掌櫃早有準備，沒等孔祥熙問出話來，已搶在前頭說： 這桌酒席，本來是孔大掌櫃做東的。可我們東家聽說了，也要出來作陪。大掌櫃見東家肯出面，當然也覺臉上有光，就說：東家既出面，那就做東吧，我們字號的掌櫃欣然作陪。東家一聽，又不忍叫大掌櫃陪坐副座：大掌櫃輩分大呀。就改由這位四少爺出來作陪，還叫大掌櫃主持席面。四少的年紀、輩分，都跟捨兒你相當。 捨兒是孔祥熙的乳名。劉掌櫃事先特意打聽來，就為以此稱呼能給孔祥熙一種本家的感覺。 這時，員四少爺就照劉掌櫃事先吩咐，站起來對孔祥熙說：咱們頭回見面，不要見外。又轉臉對劉掌櫃說：捨兒既不是外人，也不用太拘老禮了。 劉掌櫃才接住說：捨兒你是不知，我們大掌櫃可是最重禮數的人！說即便是四少出面，也不能亂了主臣呀？財東為主，字號為臣，這是商家大禮。有東家出面，無論長幼，大掌櫃還是不便主席。我看兩頭都為守禮，謙讓不下，就出了個主意：反正捨兒你也不是外人，這頭一次，就成全了四少，由他做東，我作陪；等過幾天，再選個好日子，由大掌櫃和東家一道出面做東，宴請一次文阿德大人。所以，今天就這樣了。到時候請文阿德大人，捨兒你還得出力！ 劉掌櫃這樣一圓場，孔祥熙也沒有怎麼計較，忙應酬了幾句客氣話。他畢竟是頭一回出入富商大戶的這種交際場面。 席間，劉掌櫃一面慇勤勸酒，一面只是扯些閒話，在洋人書院讀什麼書，吃什麼茶飯，睡火炕不睡，在潞河想不想家，快二十歲的後生，也該說媳婦了，有提親的沒有，如此之類。跟著，問起西洋人娶親如何娶，過生日如何過。 孔祥熙哪還有防備，早來了興頭，有問必答。論及洋人習俗，更是眉飛色舞，侃侃而談。 於是，劉掌櫃輕輕提起葬禮：捨兒，那西洋人辦白事，也與我們很不同吧？ 當然，西洋人的葬禮，也甚是簡約。接著詳細說起西洋人葬禮中，教會如何做主角。 劉掌櫃耐心聽完孔祥熙的解說，才又不經意地問：那西洋人辦白事，並不披麻戴孝？ 當然，穿身黑禮服就算盡孝了。 擱我們這兒，哪成！辦白事，不見白，不哭喪，哪成！ 中西習俗不同，叫我看，還是西洋人的婚喪習俗比咱們文明