Chapter 28 Chapter Twenty-Seven

one Fast forward to August, Sun Beiming, the treasurer of Tiancheng Yuanlao, received a letter personally written by Mr. He in Xi'an. The letter said: Not long ago, the emperor and the queen mother issued imperial decrees and Yi decrees, exempting money and food from the states and counties along the three provinces of Shaanxi, Henan, and Zhili that Huiluan stationed in.The Empress Dowager also issued another decree to reward the people of Shaanxi with one hundred thousand taels of money.It seems that the auspicious day of returning to Luang chosen by the imperial court will not be postponed any longer.In addition, Mr. He also informed that recently, Xihao has received a large amount of private funds from North Korea and China officials Huijing, and Wangjing has already prepared for it.

After Sun Beiming received this letter from Master He, he immediately handed over the first batch of 100,000 taels of cash to the Escort Bureau for escort to the capital.Another 100,000 taels will be shipped to Tianjin.He picked the number of 100,000 taels, not because he intended to compare it with the queen mother, but because it was necessary for the resumption of business in Beijing and Tianjin. Although the owner has already said that it wants to fill the hole in Beijing and Tianjin, the old bank has not mobilized much of the bank since the account was closed the year before last, and there is still room to support Beijing and Tianjin.Besides, the owner's capital increase is not in vain.When the accounts are combined, it is to share profits.Therefore, Sun Beiming made arrangements first by himself, so as not to alarm the rich man.

But within a few days after the 200,000 taels of silver was used as a dart, the honest shopkeeper Kong Qingfeng paid a sudden visit.Sun Beiming knew that this was unusual, so he immediately let him into the back room. Kong Qingfeng didn't care about being polite, so he asked: Is your Beijing account open? Sun Beiming said: Yunjing's money has just started to dart, and when the money arrives, it will open.What's wrong? We opened a few days earlier, and the one hundred thousand taels of silver in Tiaojing lasted for less than three days before being sold out.But those who come to ask for redemption with tickets are still like a tide!Is this situation okay?

Kong Qingfeng, who had always kept secrets, showed a bit of panic. Sun Beiming was also a little uneasy when he was infected, but he still said: The capital city has been sleepy for a year, just like the long-dried fields.After a while, all the accounts of the West Gang will open, so it will always be stable.Pingbang has a few big names, and they haven't opened yet to lend money, right? Rishengchang and Wei brand names have already opened for business, and the run on is even worse! Are they also being run on? Didn't your Beijing letter mention the crisis in Beijing? I also mentioned it.I thought they exaggerated the clamor, trying to force the old account to transfer more money to Beijing.

I am also afraid of their alarmist talk, so I came to ask about your account. About the situation of Pingbang and Qibang, you should also inquire about it, right? I have sent people to Qi County and Pingyao.If the Beijing-China run cannot be stopped, it may spread to other terminals as well.Especially in the north, after such a catastrophe, how could they be destitute! The Kang family had already said that to fill the hole in Beijing and Tianjin, they would pay as much as they wanted.Your name, Caidong Yuanjia, even listened to your shopkeeper Kongda's orders, how much you want, and how much you give.

Kong Qingfeng sighed, and said: Today's Yuan family, how can it compare with the Kang family!There are only some children who can only enjoy blessings and cannot suffer adversity. How can they be relied on when they encounter such a big pass?We all rely on the size of the name. Sun Beiming said: You have a solid foundation of integrity and integrity, and you can handle it without disturbing the rich. This trend is unusual, and it is definitely not something that one family can handle!Your account is also a large one, and it has not opened yet, so it is easy to make Beijing suspicious.

What doubts arise? I suspect that your account will not be able to resume business, and your bank deposits will be lost.A big name like Tian Chengyuan has lost his vitality, how many people in Beijing will trust the Xibang bank? Haha, how could such a thing happen!Our old club, Kang, is still ambitious, so how can we be willing to lose our Beijing name!Once the Beijing name is lost, the Zhuangkou in other places can't stand up anymore. I still have the face to sit here?Our Beijing number is just too damaged and time-consuming to repair. Shopkeeper Sun, I still don't know your background?I mean, since the capital run is on, any sign of trouble may turn into a huge wave!Not to mention your big name like Tian Chengyuan, even if a Xibang trumpet goes down, it might cause some catastrophe.In the financial industry, one family has always collapsed, and one family has been brought down!When Hu Xueyan's Fukang ticket shop collapsed, how many were pulled down?Our West Gang has also been implicated.So, now is the very time for our West Gang to help each other.Kong Mou came today, not to urge you to open the Beijing account, but to get my brother to come forward together, and quickly facilitate a meeting of Qi Taiping's three gangs, and decide on several countermeasures to help each other.At least the Xibang Piaohao family cannot fail. If there are really powerless supporters, all families have to work together to help.

Shopkeeper Kong Da, Mr. Kang and I have also discussed this matter.With you coming forward today, of course we will do our best to help.It is urgent for the West Gang to hold a meeting. The two discussed how to contact the two gangs of Ping and Qi, and then said goodbye in a hurry. After sending Kong Qingfeng away, Sun Beiming felt that he was in a cold sweat. As early as more than ten days ago, Dai Ying of the Beijing account sent letters and newspapers every day, urging the old account to transfer to Beijing as soon as possible.Because the Beijing Huiye Office has made a public discussion: since the Xibang has returned to Beijing, it should open as soon as possible. The longer the delay, the more suspicious the city will be.Jingzhong has many doubts about whether the imperial court can return to Luang in August, which greatly affects the mood of the people in Beijing.Amidst all the doubts, the delayed opening of the Beijing account is really giving people a handle and causing doubts to gather.

Qiu Taiji from the Jin account also kept sending letters and newspapers to urge him, saying that the city of Jin had the most doubts about me, Tian Chengyuan, and that it would be the best policy to open up before other houses. The more Beijing-Tianjin No. 2 urged, the more Sun Beiming didn't want to make an early decision: At this time, why should we show that kind of limelight?In the Western Gang, we don't need to be ahead of the Ping Bang, especially Rishengchang and Weizihao.In the Taigu Ben Gang, there is no need to be ahead of Zhixinxin. Although Sun Beiming lacked the drive to fight for hegemony, he still had a bit of distrust for Qiu Taiji in his heart, which even concealed the pain of the kidnapping case of Jinhao the year before.It was almost an imperceptible and irresistible emotion: he didn't want Qiu Taiji to make a big splash in Tianjin.

The transfer of Qiu Taiji to Jinhao was indeed the general ordered by Kang's old boss, and his tone was very tough, it seemed that Qiu Taiji could not save Jinhao.The old man even said something like this: If the shopkeeper can't trust Qiu Taiji, then can he trust me?Send the old man me to Tianjin to be a veteran gang for a few years, will it work?There's no need for Qiu Taiji to go to Tianjin, I'll go, can it work? Sun Beiming has led the East all his life, and he has never seen Kang Hunan intervene in the name of the name like this! What else can he say?Seeing the attitude of the old man, if he doesn't agree to send Qiu Taiji to Tianjin, he will really be resigned as the treasurer of Dongda.Sun Beiming really wanted to retire and return to his hometown, but he couldn't leave his account like this, could he?

He agreed, but just said something in passing: If it wasn't for the incident of the green sedan chair the year before last, I would have sent him to Tianjin as well.When the old man heard this, he said, "It's better to send me to Tianjin!"I'll go, don't send Qiu Taiji! According to Kang Hunan's wishes, Qiu Taiji went to Jinhao, and Sun Beiming naturally felt a little bit pimple.Because of this factor, it also affected the decision on the Beijing account. It seemed that the Beijing-Tianjin two teamed up so quickly to make things difficult for him.This is a kind of suspicion of the elderly, but in a financial turmoil like the Xin Chou Nian, it is likely to lead to a catastrophe.After all, Sun Beiming is a veteran who has fought in the financial business world all his life. After hearing Kong Qingfeng's shout, he was really enlightened and broke out in a cold sweat! At this time, he also realized that the old Dongtai so forcibly selected Qiu Taiji to go to the Jinhao, and it turned out that there was a deep meaning: Jinhao's old gang is not strong, and the resumption of business fails, which may bring down the Jinghao.It's unimaginable once the Beijing number falls! The Tiancheng Yuanjing Store has not opened for a long time after falling behind other large ones, so it has already made Beijing suspicious?No wonder Dai Ying was so anxious The more Sun Beiming thought about it, the more he couldn't sit still, and felt that he had to go to Kangzhuang immediately.The crisis situation in Beijing had to be known to the owner, otherwise, he would not be able to afford it if things changed. As soon as I ordered my friends to hire a sedan chair, I saw the third master rushing over. The third master came in and said: Master Sun, the capital is in danger, you know it? Sun Beiming said: No, I'm going to Kangzhuang to inform my boss about the situation in Beijing!The third master already knows? The third master said: Qi Gang sent someone from the Qiao family to Kangzhuang.Their Dadetong and Dadeheng were both run on in Beijing.Hundreds of thousands of silver were released without even a sound! Sun Beiming said: Just now the shopkeeper Kong Qingfeng, who is honest and honest, also came here, and their Beijing account is also like this, and the run is like a tide.We have discussed it, and we must immediately contact the Qi and Ping gangs to realize the three gangs' meeting as soon as possible. The third master didn't wait for Sun Beiming to finish, so he took out a post, unfolded it, and said: I'm afraid it will be too late for the three gangs to discuss.No, this urgent post sent by the Qiao family is a few emergency rules jointly written by Guo Dounan of Rishengchang and Mao Honghan of Wei Taihou, and the three gangs of Qi Taiping are required to strictly abide by them! While accepting the post, Sun Beiming said: Ri Shengchang and Wei Zihao joined forces?It's frightening to hear! The third master said: At this critical juncture, if the two families don't work together to protect the gang, how can they be the leader of the West Gang? Sun Beiming hurriedly said: I also think so.Guo Mao and the two big heads have joined forces, which shows that the crisis is unusual. Expand the post, it is dedicated to the Taigu Gang: The prime ministers of Taibang's wealth owners all learn from each other: Recently, the capital's silver market has been in a turbulent run, and the crisis is abnormal.The payment is tight, not just one or two families, all those who help me in the west are under heavy pressure.This is a drag on the current situation and has nothing to do with my West Gang actions.But if I am a little careless, my century-old treasure will be endangered!Guo Mao was stupid, and he also felt the critical juncture of Qi Taiping's three gangs joining forces to protect the market.I should invite the deacons of the three gangs to discuss the countermeasures together, but I am afraid that the time will not wait for me.Guo Mao had no choice but to take the liberty to make the following judgments: first, anyone who has a Beijing account that has not resumed business should open it as soon as possible, and must not withdraw the family; , All votes must be cashed, and no refusal is allowed; firstly, all the rich and old companies have to sell iron and go bankrupt, and they have to pay enough money for the Beijing account. It should be known that once the Beijing account is not paid, our West Gang will be affected in all docks; One day, once those who are unable to support them are strong enough, every family must rescue them as soon as possible, and they cannot stand still, and no family must collapse. For the above four items, colleagues from the Wanwang Tai Gang and the Ping and Qi gangs guarded together.In addition, there are also signs of a run on the Jinzhongyin market. If it follows in the footsteps of Beijing, it is also hoped to follow the above paragraph to deal with it Sun Beiming is a veteran in the ticket industry, of course he knows that the several models proposed by Guo and Mao are all indispensable.It's just that the first one seems to be the first to bear the brunt of it!I really didn't expect that after he hesitated for a while, he would be criticized by the whole gang. However, Sun Beiming had no grievances at this time, but felt guilty.After reading the urgent post, he said to the third master: It is also the luck of the West Gang that Guo and Mao acted resolutely.It's just that I'm old and slow, and I can't adjust the bank quickly to support the early opening of Beijing-Tianjin No. 2 The third master hurriedly said: each family has its own temper, one day earlier, one day later, so what?We'll get it done without compromising the overall situation. Sun Beiming said: This time is extraordinary!All the big accounts in the Western Gang are scrambling to restore the Beijing account first, but I dragged Tian Chengyuan down to make the Beijing city suspicious of my account. The third master interrupted and said, "what's the doubt?"How much you want, how much you have, what doubts do you have!Two days ago, the old man said to me: learn more from shopkeeper Sun Da, and be calm when things happen. Sun Beiming said: That's old Dongtai in a hurry! The third master said: If the shopkeeper keeps blaming himself like this, I will be in a hurry! Only then did Sun Beiming say: Don't talk too much about frustration.The silver ingots transferred to Beijing and Tianjin have been gone for three days.As soon as the money arrives, the business can be opened on the 2nd. The third master asked: How much money did you send to Beijing and Tianjin? Sun Beiming said, "One hundred thousand taels were distributed to each."Looking at it now, it is less. The third master said: Then let's send out another batch quickly!Before the first one hundred thousand taels were cashed out, the latter batch arrived.Such a continuous flow can be regarded as a kind of counterattack. Sun Beiming immediately said: Very good!Third master, I'll make a fuss right away, and send one hundred thousand taels of silver to the capital! The third master said: The situation is so critical, the old account can't be too empty.I'm going back to Kangzhuang right now, starting with 400,000 taels, the shopkeeper of Jiaotong University will be transferred! Sun Beiming said: The old account still has surplus silver, and there is no need for the owner to make up for it.Besides, I was also planning to transfer from the south to the north.In the past year, there has been a lot of silver in Zhuangkou in the south. The third master said: Master shopkeeper, maybe I can't hold my breath, I think I still dare not transfer the South Bank to the North.The crisis in the Beijing-Tianjin silver market will soon spread to the south.There was a storm over there, even if we rescued the emergency, we still couldn't quench our near thirst. Sun Beiming said: The third master's concerns are not wrong.If Nanyin is not transferred, I still have room to maneuver. The third master said: Big shopkeeper, there is no need to say more.I'll go back to Kangzhuang to start the silver, you hurry up and arrange the darts!At this juncture, it's better to hurry up sooner rather than later.The old man has already let go: this time, there is no need to write interest on the money used to fill the hole in Beijing and Tianjin, and the original amount can be recovered in the future.This is emergency! Sun Beiming said: Let's discuss whether to write profit or not. The third master explained that he would first show Kong Qingfeng, who is honest and honest, the urgent post of Pingbang Guo Mao, and then inform all colleagues in Taigu.After that, I hurried back to Kangzhuang. two The third master hurried back to Kangzhuang, and before dusk, he went to see the old man. But Lao Ting came out to stop him and said, "Third Master, it's not a coincidence that the old man is sleeping." sleeping?It's past noon and it's still early in the night. What kind of sleep is this?The third master said: "There is an urgent matter. I want to report to the old man. Shouldn't I wake it up?" Lao Ting said: Recently, the old man didn't sleep well at night, last night it was even worse, he hardly closed his eyes.up until now, just fell asleep The third master said: Let's talk about it.It's just that the capital city is in critical condition recently, and the old man will always tell me whenever he wakes up that I need to see you urgently. Lao Ting fully agreed. The third master withdrew from the old house and waited anxiously.This is to get the silver from the silver cellar, and it cannot be done without going through the old man.What a coincidence that the old man just fell asleep!The old man's insomnia at night recently may have something to do with the crisis in Beijing and Tianjin.The old man has never experienced anything, and this time he is also worried, which shows that the situation in Beijing and Tianjin is serious and abnormal.When Beijing and Tianjin fell last year, the old man didn't seem to be so worried, did he? Waiting until late at night, there was still no movement in the old courtyard.The third master had no choice but to wait no longer: at this critical juncture, the old man slept peacefully like this, whether it was a blessing or a curse, he was really helpless.Everything has to wait until tomorrow. The third master decided to go to sleep, but he didn't feel sleepy at all.Needless to say, the situation in Beijing and Tianjin made him restless.This has always made him very excited, and there is another thing, that is, Qiu Taiji went to Jinhao to lead the village.This was a major personal arrangement that he had thought about but could not propose.Not only did the old man propose, but he was so tyrannical, which really surprised the third master. unexpected surprise! However, after all, the third master is a little more sophisticated, and he didn't let his surprise show any traces. There was shopkeeper Dai on the Beijing account, and Qiu Taiji on the Jin account. No matter how dangerous the situation was, it was still reassuring.Is it related to Qiu Taiji's status that the old account is so slow in supporting Beijing and Tianjin?Shopkeeper Sun didn't want to send Qiu Taiji to Tianjin.However, at this critical juncture, let's pretend to be confused: shopkeeper Sun can't be offended. Thinking of this, he burst into a few unstoppable yawns.Just about to wash up and go to sleep, a servant suddenly came in and said: Lao Ting wants to see the third master. The third master hastily picked up a white poplin gown and ran out. The old man is awake?He asked while wearing a long shirt. But Lao Ting came closer and said in a low voice: Please, Third Master, change into black clothes. The third master didn't understand what he meant, so he said, "Old Ting, what are you talking about?"I didn't catch it. Lao Ting dismissed the other servants and said in a low voice: Please change into black clothes before coming out. why?The third master has already discovered that Lao Ting is wearing all black. You will know when you come out. The third master came out dressed in black, and the outside was so dark that he couldn't see his fingers.Only then did he realize that it was the beginning of the month.In the dark, he still found that Lao Ting did not take him to the old courtyard, but came to the backyard and approached the screen wall blocking the side door.Only then did the third master suddenly realize: this is to open a secret silver cellar that usually does not move.In the spring, when the old man confessed his family fortune to him, this was one of the nine secret silver cellars. It seems that the old man is not slow, and wants to raise a huge amount of money to support Beijing and Tianjin. Lao Ting whispered to him: Go see the old man. The third master tried his best to look into the darkness, and vaguely found four or five people nearby.The only one sitting on the chair should be the old man. As soon as he approached, he heard the old man's extremely deep voice: "Stop and watch." As soon as the old man finished speaking, the four figures moved. Gradually, the third master was able to roughly see everything in front of him: it was four strong domestic servants, who were quickly tearing down the flower pond at the foot of the shadow wall.The area around the flower pond was originally built with green bricks, and it was disassembled almost silently.The passionflowers that were blooming in the pool were removed in clusters after removing the soil beside the pool: they were all planted in pots and buried shallowly by the soil. After removing the flowerpot, the four servants leaned down again and scraped the remaining pond soil with their hands: they don't need shovels and shovels, obviously because they are afraid of noise. At this time, my eyes are used to seeing it, and I no longer feel that the surroundings are too dark, but the silence of the dark night seems to be getting heavier and heavier, and the third master is afraid that the silence will be suddenly broken.Looking around, apart from the starry sky, it is the night watch lights in the tower above the house. The scene remained the same, and so did the silence. When several servants carefully moved the stone slabs under the flower pond, they made a slight noise. It was the first time for the third master to experience this scene, and his heart tightened involuntarily.But there was no response from the old man.He also breathed a sigh of relief. Remove the slate, and the mouth of the cellar is revealed: a black hole like the mouth of a well.The secret cellar entrance, is it so simple to hide? At this time, the old man gave Lao Ting something, it should be the key to the silver cellar.After receiving it, Lao Ting quickly went down to the entrance of the cellar and disappeared.After the old pavilion came out, two servants went down to the cellar, and the other two stayed on top to respond. One started to lift up the silver ingots as if drawing water from a well, and the other carried them to the warehouse. It took nearly two hours for this silver trip.Because it was almost dawn, I stopped.Stop and restore the flower pond at the mouth of the cellar, and then call it a day. From the beginning to the end, the old man sat upright and did not leave, and of course the third master did not dare to move.Lao Ting was not idle, and was at the entrance of the cellar scrambling to help.There was another person who first stood behind the old man, started to take out the money and then left. It was the accountant of the family, and he was obviously in the warehouse to collect the money. After the work was over, the old man followed to the warehouse, and the third master advised him to catch up on sleep first, but the old man said: I have had enough sleep in the first half of the night.If you didn't sleep, you had to suffer.After daybreak, you have to go to see shopkeeper Sun Da and tell him to rush to the capital to transport silver. The third master originally planned to do the same, so he agreed repeatedly.Just as he was about to leave, the old man stopped and said: Don't rush to leave, you will see these people too.People worked hard all night and didn't say a word of condolence?Lao Ting, call them in! While talking, I saw four middle-aged men coming in.Needless to say, these are the domestic servants who paid for the money just now.Looking at them under the light, the third master naturally felt stronger, but none of them looked familiar.Busy said: Everyone has worked hard! None of the four said anything, only Lao Ting said: "Third Master is also working hard." The old man said: The third master will accompany you to eat today, I am tired. The four retreated.The old man was also supported by the old pavilion and went back to the old courtyard.At this time, the accountant came over and said: Third Master, most of this batch of silver is official silver from the early years of Guangxu.There are a few more packets of Mexican Eagle Ocean. The third master said, "Does it have to be handed over to the furnace room for recasting?" The accountant said in a low voice: I think the old man has a purpose in picking up this batch of money. What is the intention? This batch of silver is transported to Beijing as it is, and the city of Beijing will know that we have moved the bottom line and sincerely save the market. Then play darts as they are? nature. That night, the Kang family took out 200,000 taels of silver ingots from the silver cellar here.Since then, it has been played for three consecutive nights, with a total of 600,000 taels of silver. The old man said to the third master: Raise soldiers for a thousand days, and use them for a while.I see now is the time to use the army.We have prepared enough soldiers and horses, and it depends on how the shopkeeper and old gang of the shop will deploy troops and generals to capture the enemy.You should explain clearly to shopkeepers Sun Da, Jinghao Dai, and Jinhao Qiu: no matter how dangerous the run is, we can keep up with the money; no matter how big the hole is, we can afford to pay! With the courage of the old man, the third master certainly doesn't have to worry about anything.During these three days, he persuaded shopkeeper Sun Da to send two batches of bank funds to Beijing and Tianjin one after another.For shipments to the capital, each batch is 200,000 taels; for Tianjin, each batch is 100,000 taels. three The business of the Escort Bureau is naturally booming as each number transfers money to Beijing and Tianjin in such an urgent manner.But not long after Kang's family began sending out bodyguards one after another, news came that Taigu bodyguards had been robbed.This not only made the Kang family anxious, but also shocked the business circles and martial arts in the three counties of Qi Taiping. Because Taigu bodyguards were robbed, this is too rare. The bodyguard bureaus around Qi Taiping did not decline much after the rise of the ticket office.With the ticket number, although the tickets can no longer be sold in different places, the transaction volume has also increased dramatically.At the end of the month, the end of the season, and the end of the year, there is still a large amount of money transferred.Especially Qi Taiping, the money he earned from the various wharves had to be transported back to the old company one after another.Of course, this kind of money transfer would not work without a reliable escort agency. The bodyguard agencies in Qi Taiping area, because of their high income, can attract martial arts masters to serve as bodyguards.The Xingyi boxing martial arts circle in this area has a large number of famous teachers, and it is also because it has a good future in the martial arts world. No matter whether it is guarding the escort or guarding the courtyard, there are stable and decent jobs.With a job and the need to use martial arts in actual combat, martial arts will naturally become more sophisticated.Practicing martial arts, wandering around the world, fighting everywhere, and striving to be the first in the world with all his heart, that is just a literati who writes martial arts novels, so as to make a dream of a champion.When I woke up from my dream, I still learned martial arts and sold them to the emperor's family.A Xingyi boxing martial artist sells his martial arts to merchants in exchange for a price, and has become a full-time martial artist, but he can calmly cultivate his own temperament.This is gossip. At that time, the bodyguard bureau passed the ground along the way, which was commonly known as the rivers and lakes.That is to step on a familiar path through worshiping mountains, buying, and even contesting and conquering with high-strength martial arts.The Qi Taiping Escort Agency, because the escort masters are good at martial arts, and frequently walk the darts, and there is no familiarity, so in their arena, generally no one dares to rob the darts easily.Especially because their financial resources can keep up, what should be managed is handled generously, and there are very few mistakes in major darts.Over time, Qi Taiping's bodyguards became known as invincible in the world. In the early years of Xianfeng, due to the fear of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom going northward, the Xibang's ticket offices and account houses in Beijing closed down early and returned to Shanxi.That time the West Gang brought tens of millions of taels of silver back from Beijing, and even triggered a silver shortage in the capital, which is the so-called financial crisis today.How can these tens of millions of silver be safely transferred between Beijing and Jin?Mainly relying on Qi Taiping's own bodyguard agency.Bank transfers and darts between the Beijing and Jin Dynasties were already important and frequent, and they have long since become the most reliable way of the world.Therefore, tens of millions of taels of silver were rushed across the border, and almost nothing happened.It is not too much to say it is a miracle; it is not too much to say that the Qi Taiping Escort should have done such a beautiful job. Last year, Beijing and Tianjin suddenly fell, and they fled all over the city. It was too late for each number to rely on their own bodyguard agencies.This time the Western Gang withdrew from Beijing to Jin, and suffered unprecedented losses.The Western Gang was damaged, and the Jin Provincial Bodyguard Bureau also felt that their faces were dull. Recently Qi Taiping's Escort Bureau Martial Arts reorganized the world, just wanting to restore the former reputation.Therefore, in order to open up the old way, a lot of effort has been made. Originally, the darts were already unimpeded, why did the dart robbery suddenly happen? If he dared to rob Taigu Bodyguard, he would not be an ordinary thief. The capital city is in dire straits, but the darts are being blocked again. Isn't this the sky's going to destroy our West Gang? When the third master heard that Taigu bodyguards had been robbed, his hair stood on end.He decided that his family's money had been robbed.Although I don't feel sorry for my family's money, but I feel that the darts are blocked, and I have been busy these days and nights!I can't imagine what the situation will be like for my own Beijing account, which was late in opening, and now that I can't get enough money. He asked fourth master and Lao Xia not to dare to tell the old man the news.Then he rode a fast horse and galloped into the city. Seeing Li Changyou's master in the bodyguard bureau of Guangyitang, the third master immediately asked: "Which god is this, who dares to rob Taigu bodyguards?" Master Changyou smiled and said: Don't worry, Third Lord.If you know which god it is, you can still make him become Taoist?Several spies were sent to inquire.The third master said: Master Changyou, do you think I can not be in a hurry?On the other side of Beijing and Tianjin, the water is flooding Jinshan, and we are waiting for the rescuers on this side.Why did he kill such a god on the way? Master Changyou said: We have just passed through the troubled times, so we are not sure about the rivers and lakes anymore.Of the two batches of goods from your Kang family, the first batch should have passed without being blocked; the latter batch may be blocked in Shouyang, but it will not be robbed. After hearing this, the third master felt a little more at ease, and hurriedly asked: Whose bodyguard was robbed? Master Changyou said: Although it is not the dart of Guangyitang, it is always the dart of Taigu!Since he robbed a family, he dared to rob another family.Taigu Wujie held his breath! The third master said: Who can not hold his breath!If there is anything that needs to be done by the business community, you can talk. Master Changyou said: When the business world was in a tight situation, our martial arts world missed it, and we couldn't hold back our face. The third master said: The business world and the martial arts world are originally a family, so there is no need to talk about outsiders! Master Changyou said: "Third Lord, please be patient for a day or two."The darts can't get through, so we in the martial arts world are in a hurry.I have already gone to invite Master Che, and we need to discuss a quick solution. After hearing this, the third master hurriedly said goodbye. Not long after sending off the third master, the second master of the car really rushed over.He obviously didn't believe that anyone dared to rob Taigu's escort.Dare to rob Taigu's bodyguard, that is to dare to fight with the Xingyi fist of his Che's sect.It's been so many years, and there are really few people who dare to hit the door like this.So when he saw Li Changyou, he asked: Was Taigu Bodyguard really robbed? A few days ago, a messenger from Shouyang said that there was a robbing dart outside the Dongtian Gate, and it was Taigu's dart who robbed him!Several darts who took the darts stopped at Shouyang and dared not go any further. There is such a thing?Whose house was robbed? Details are not yet known.Guangyitang, Gongyitang, and Xingyitang's big bodyguard bureaus all sent their horses to investigate. As soon as Master Che heard this, he stomped his feet and said, "If something like this happens, can you still sit in Taigu and wait for the spies to come back?"Wait until the spies return, then discuss the countermeasures, and then summon the soldiers and horses to run to the East Heaven Gate, everything is wrong!In particular, the news of Taigu's bodyguard's miss had spread all over the Jianghu.Hurry up and greet a group of masters, let's go to Shouyang first! Go to Shouyang first? It's even better if you can go straight to Niangziguan!The closer you are to the front, the better it is. Then listen to the master!I'm going to contact the escort agencies. Changyou, I will also go to Shouyang with you. How can the master be dispatched!The master dispatched, too flattering these thieves who robbed the way. The thief dares to rob Taigu Bodyguard? Maybe it's still a bunch of raw melon eggs. Just think about the good!Even if you underestimate the enemy so much at you, I have to go too! Li Changyou couldn't convince Master Che Er, so he had to contact the Escort first. When the head of the security agency listened to Master Che's call, he seemed to suddenly wake up: I panicked the other day.Waiting for the spies to run back and forth is really going to be a waste of time.But the bosses also disagree with the second master of the car. When the master of the car is dispatched, it is too eye-catching. It seems that Taigu bodyguards are really going to lose, and even the old master is brought out.Master Che still sits in Taigu. Master Che Er had no choice but to give up.He called Li Changyou to a secluded place, gave a secret explanation, and taught him some strategies he had used before. In the evening of that day, Li Changyou and a dozen or so Xingyi boxing masters and dozens of ordinary fighters rode to Shouyang on horseback. Kang Erye heard that Taigu Wujie was going to Shouyang to clean up the rivers and lakes, so he also rushed to the city.But how could the boss of the escort agency ask him to go? It was still dark when a group of martial artists from Li Chang arrived in Shouyang.They didn't have time to catch their breath, so they looked for Taigu's bodyguard who was blocked here. These bodyguards have found out the robbery case outside Dongtianmen, and sent people back to move troops.Seeing that Li Chang had this group of masters, he thought that the reinforcements had arrived, but he was surprised at such a speed.When the origin was clarified here, everyone praised Master Che again: Master Che seems to have figured out that Shouyang is urgently waiting for reinforcements!But Li Changyou did not relax after asking about the situation of the enemy ahead. It turned out that outside the Dongtian Gate in Jin Province, that is, in the deep mountains on the Jingxing side of Zhili, there was a gang of bandits hiding.The leader of the bandit is none other than Pan Xisan, who spread rumors and caused chaos when the German, French and foreign bandits besieged Dongtianmen this spring.At that time, this person was a villager in Yuxian County who practiced martial arts and had some martial arts skills, but his conduct was bad.Taking advantage of the critical moment of Niangziguan, he colluded with a group of soldiers and ruffians in the official army, and spread the foreign army everywhere.They just wanted to create a little chaos and take the opportunity to rob.Unexpectedly, the rumors they spread caused an avalanche effect. In Pingding and Yuxian counties near Niangziguan, even the magistrates of the counties abandoned the city and fled, and ordinary people even fled with their families.The tide of fleeing and fleeing spread to Shouyang and Yuci, and even the Qitaiping area was terrified.Although Pan Xisan had robbed a lot of property, after the situation stabilized, he was wanted by the government, so he had to flee to the deep mountains of Jingxing.Recently, seeing the frequent traffic of bid cars on the official road, I ran out to rob them. The bodyguards found out that Pan Xisan's group only consisted of a dozen or so people, and none of them were too skilled in martial arts.But this group of people has several foreign guns in their hands!They succeeded in robbing the darts because they fired a few shots and hit one of the escorts in the calf, bleeding profusely. The other martial artists also panicked for a moment. With foreign guns in hand, it's really hard to deal with.No matter how good your martial arts are, you can't get in front of him! Where did this group of strong men get foreign guns?Do they have the ability to rob foreign troops?Li Chang inadvertently asked. A bodyguard said: According to our inquiries, the vicinity of Dongtianmen was besieged by German and French foreign troops for several months, and many long and short foreign guns were lost to the local people.Pan Xisan and the others either snatched it from the people or bought it. Another bodyguard said: Master Changyou, we might as well buy a few shots! Li Changyou said: "Buy it, who of us can play with it?" Pan Xisan and the others didn't invite foreigners to practice, did they?I think they are just making noises to boost their courage, and they are just playing around! After hearing what this martial artist said, Li Changyou suddenly realized, and hurriedly asked: Are those bodyguards who were robbed still in Shouyang? still.Those who hurt their legs were so swollen that they dared not walk. Li Changyou hurried to see them. These are the martial artists of Heyitang Escort Bureau.Heyitang is not a big escort agency in Taigu, and they didn't bet too much money that time, so the formation seemed weak.The first time Pan Xisan robbed a dart, he chose their soft bully. Li Changyou looked at the bodyguard's injured leg, and said that the bone was not injured, so he should quickly pull out the poison.Then I asked about the situation when the robbers fired foreign guns. Several people said that when they heard the first sound, they thought it was a whip whip, but they felt strange and not afraid.The robbers were lying on the side of the road halfway up the hill, yelling to put down the money they bought.We just laughed, thinking they were sheep herders, yelling to relieve our boredom.He also yelled at them: "Grandfathers are betting on silver, and if you want to collect the robbery money, come here and get it!"Then there was another crack of the whip, but no one was hurt, neither was the animal.We laughed and scolded those bastards again, and they whipped the whip again.Going back and forth like this for a while, suddenly hurt my eldest brother's leg. After seeing the blood, we realized that these bastards were firing foreign guns! Li Chang asked in a hurry: Are the foreign guns placed densely? To be dense, all of us will be injured, and the animals will also be injured!Every half a day, it will be played once, and every other half day, it will be played once, and it is very sparse. How many times did it take to hurt you? Ah, I played it for a while, at least a dozen times, right? Li Chang stopped asking.He was not present when Taigu's Yihequan besieged the Gospel Hall last year.I heard people say that there are only three short foreign guns in the Gospel Hall, but if they fired one shot, one boxer outside would die.So it's just a dead person, unable to attack for a long time.The shopkeepers who came back from the Beijing account also said that before the fall of the capital last year, the government army attacked the Xishiku Church of foreigners.Foreign guns are powerful, if you fire a shot from a distance, it can kill you.Pan Xisan and the others had foreign guns in their hands, why did they fire more than a dozen shots, only to hurt a calf here, without even bringing down a single animal? It can be seen that these robbers can't wield foreign guns either! Li Changyou concluded that Pan Xisan and the others were not good at using foreign guns, so he felt at ease.Referring to Master Che's explanation, he quickly came up with a plan to capture the bandit. At the moment, he summoned all the Taigu bodyguards who were stranded in Shouyang to form a team with the martial artists and boxers he brought. After a brief explanation, he immediately set off and headed east to Pingding. All the silver darts escorted to the capital were also transported together.Therefore, it is not possible to travel too fast.When it was dark, they drove nearly a hundred miles and finally arrived at Pingding City. According to Master Changyou's instructions, the bodyguards settled down separately before resting. When they set off early the next morning, the bodyguards had already been divided into two: the four bodyguards still dressed as usual, put a small amount of silver darts, inserted Taigu bodyguard flags, and walked in front.The rest of the bodyguards and boxers of the brigade have been disguised as porters carrying charcoal, their faces and hands have been smeared with coal black, and the horses they ride are also disguised as pack horses of the Gaozu Gang.The escorted silver ingots were also put into the charcoal pack, and only the charcoal blocks were camouflaged on the upper layer.They divided into groups of four or five, and followed the four bodyguards one after another. There are many coal kilns in this area, and this kind of mules and caravans carrying charcoal can be seen everywhere. The mountain roads in this area are also more rugged, and it is not suitable to travel in a hurry because of the charcoal caravans.However, we traveled eighty or ninety miles that day, and finally arrived at Guguan, the most dangerous pass of Dongtianmen, when it was dark. Li Chang didn't explain much, he just ordered everyone to have a good meal and a good night's sleep.Because tomorrow we will fight against the robbers. On this day, I traveled another fifty or sixty miles, and it was not until half an hour later that I finally got out of Dongtianmen and entered the territory of Jingxing.The mountains here are still steep, and even the official road is rugged and difficult.The road was empty, and no pedestrians, vehicles or horses were seen. The bodyguards all raised their spirits and prepared to meet the enemy. But it has been silent.They kept looking towards the hillside, but there was no movement among the green trees and weeds. 這一帶正是前幾天遭遇劫鏢的地界。劫匪不出來，是徑直往前，還是誘敵出來？前頭鏢師令趕牲靈的馬伕，借吆喝牲口，給後頭傳出暗號。 李昌有就跟在後頭，有幾十步遠。聽到前頭的暗號，也用暗號回應：停下來，歇一歇。 前頭鏢師們停下來，故意大聲說笑。後頭馱炭的馬幫也陸續歇下來。喧囂聲開始在山間迴盪。 但仍然沒有什麼動靜。 他們只好繼續往前走。進入一個山谷後，依然平靜無事，大家已經鬆了心，以為不會遭遇劫匪了。這麼興師動眾，白跑一趟，也叫人掃興。 前頭的鏢師正這樣想呢，就突然聽見一聲鞭響。響聲在寂靜的山谷間顯得極其清脆，並迴盪著，傳往遠處。他們立即意識到，這是劫匪放的洋槍。 劫匪終於出來了！ 按事前昌有師傅的交代，他們故作驚慌狀，勒住牲口，欲掉轉頭往回逃跑。跟著就又傳來一聲槍響，一位鏢師趕緊佯裝中彈，倒在路邊。其他鏢師馬伕只顧吆喝牲口往回逃跑，更顯得一片慌亂。又響了兩槍，有一頭馱鏢的騾子，這次真中了彈，狂奔了幾步，倒下來，鏢師、馬伕有三四人，也乘機躺倒在地，剩下的鏢師馬伕，逃跑了幾步，未等劫匪再放槍，也陸續倒地趴下。 以現在的眼光看，這些鏢師的表演色彩也太明顯了，洋槍才響了幾聲，就打倒了四個鏢師、五六個馬伕、一頭騾子？從另一面說，他們也太英勇，竟敢在槍彈飛舞之下，從容做這種表演！但這番演出，在當時可收到了預期效果。 就在他們做這種表演的同時，跟在後頭的馬幫，也顯出驚慌狀，喝住牲口，匆忙將煤炭連同馱具一道卸下，只牽了馬向後逃去。他們做出了馬幫遇匪時應做的反應：丟棄貨物，保馬保人。 這邊潘錫三一夥匪徒，見鏢師、馬伕都給放倒，馱著銀鏢的騾馬也站住不跑了，跟在後頭的馱炭漢們更倉皇四散，以為他們又一次劫鏢成功，興奮異常。誰還去管放了幾槍，該打死幾人？ 他們從山坡隱蔽處，奮勇躍出，吼叫著衝了下來。只是，攏住馱銀子的騾馬，喜滋滋翻開馱具看時，裡面裝的怎麼也是炭塊？ 劫匪們正在驚奇，已有數十人騎馬衝過來，不用說，這是李昌有率眾鏢師拳手，衝殺過來。 剛才他們佯裝驚慌，卸下馱具，正是為了騎馬衝來。 與此同時，佯裝倒地的幾個鏢師也躍身而起，持械鬥匪。 結果是可以想見的，潘錫三一夥匪徒被悉數擒拿。鏢師這邊無論武藝、人數都佔優勢，又設了這樣一個誘敵計謀，當然該拿下的。劫匪那邊，的確也不怎麼會舞弄洋槍，而且在衝下山時，早得意忘形，洋槍都就地撂下，只提了刀械一類跑下來。手中沒有洋槍，他們哪是鏢師對手！ 成功擒匪後，凡押有銀鏢的，就繼續往京師趕路。與李昌有同來的武師，有幾位護著鏢隊，又往前送了一程，到獲鹿。李昌有與其餘武友，押了潘錫三一夥，返回東天門。 這次打掃鏢道，活兒做得算漂亮，也就很快在江湖間傳開。此後，西幫由晉省急調巨銀接濟京津，再未受阻。 Four 但就在井陘鏢道受阻這幾天，京師銀市竟因此又起驚濤。 本來，西幫票號在京師復業伊始，就陷入擠兌風潮中。幸虧各號未十分慌亂，一面緊急由老號源源調巨銀來，一面誠懇安撫客戶，雖為守勢吧，還算能守得住。尤其鏢局押銀一到，便悉數兌出，漸漸給了京市一點信心：西幫似有兌現實力，只是千里運銀，快捷不了。 加上西幫的大小京號，不但全都復業，而且在擠兌風潮中還沒一家倒下。這也給京人多了信心：西幫真要傾家蕩產、砸鍋賣鐵，不負客戶？ 可此時京號老幫們都清楚，擠兌風潮還沒有一點衰頹的跡象！多少現銀兌出去了，持票求兌者依然蜂擁而至。這麼多銀子，就是丟進江海中，也能聽到不小的響聲吧？丟進京市，真是連一點響聲都沒有！ 這次擠兌之迅猛、慘烈，京號老幫中的精明人物也不曾料到。 票號領袖日昇昌、蔚字號，原還想在這次危局中出彩，但撐到此時，也心裡沒底了。京師的銀市到底水有多深？張羅了一百多年金融生意，現在竟吃不準了？這不能不叫人害怕。經歷這一年浩劫，京城銀市是枯竭見底了，但眼下市面也還未見復甦，生意也不大好做，放那麼多銀子進去，也流通不起來吧？ 擠兌風潮中，最見聲勢的，果然還是小額銀票。金額雖小，持票者卻甚眾，天天來堵門的，大多是求兌小票的。票號本來也不大做小額金融生意，哪能料到平時為了方便官場，隨手開出的這種臨時便條，竟掀起如此驚濤！小票，小票，西幫歷年在京師發出多少小票，真是誰也說不清楚。但各號已有約定，對小票一定要優先兌付，不敢大意。西幫小票失信，必然積怨京師官場，非同小可啊！可惜努力這許多天了，京人依然持小票爭兌不止！人們還是對西幫財力有疑？ 就在危局正處於這種微妙時刻，傳來西幫銀鏢被劫的消息！激起驚濤，一點也不意外。 京晉之間鏢道不通，西幫兌現的諾言還何以實現？甚至有流言稱：此劫鏢案，說不定還是西幫與江湖串通了編出的故事。他們不是財力不濟，就是太心疼銀窖裡的銀子，才編出了這樣的故事，敷衍銀市。此類流言腿太長，說話間就跑遍京城，擊碎了人們的微弱信心。於是，驚濤拍岸，誰又能阻擋得了？ 這驚濤再起時，天成元京號的處境，就更加嚴峻。 由於老號的遲疑，天成元京號本來就因晚開張而出師不利。雖經戴膺老幫極力張羅，被動局面也未轉過來。 開張前，按照戴膺謀劃，已悄然散出消息：天成元京號廢棄一年，銀窖竟未被尋出，真是隱秘之極。裡面密藏的銀錢賬簿，完好無損。這消息，真還如預料的那樣，一時滿城傳遍。這本來是利好的開業局面，但老號就是遲遲不調銀過來！同業中的別家大號，都爭搶似的先後開張，戴膺也只能乾著急，沒法跟進。 這麼利好，卻遲遲不開門，又要出什麼奇招？連蔚豐厚的李宏齡，也跑來打聽了。戴膺能說什麼？只好含糊其詞。 客戶可就不耐煩了，連連追問：存銀、賬簿既無損，為何拖延不開業？戴膺又能說什麼！只好說，為尋銀窖，鋪面給損壞得太厲害，修復費時。 但這樣能敷衍多久？沒過幾天，剛散佈出去的利好消息，就變成了災難：什麼銀窖完好無損，還是唱空城計！天成元京號未開張，就被擠兌的怒濤堵了門。 後來第一批十萬兩銀子終於押到，緊跟著還有四十萬兩，將分兩批運到。這雖有些後發制人的架勢，但京市反應卻甚冷淡。銀子嘩嘩兌出，擠兌之勢仍然強勁。This is not surprising.金融生意全靠信用，稍有失信，加倍也難挽回。何況又是在這種非常時候！ 更叫戴膺震驚的，是第二批二十萬援兵前腳到，後腳就傳來鏢道受阻的壞消息！字號已將四十萬兩現銀即將源源運到的準訊，鄭重發佈出去。話音未落呢，倒要打一半的折扣。這不是成心叫你再次失信嗎？ 真是人算不敵天算！天不助你，你再折騰，也是枉然。 戴膺仰天長嘆，真是心力交瘁了。他在京師領莊幾十年，還是頭一回面對這樣的危局。現在是京師票業全線危急，你想求救，也沒處可求！祁太平三幫雖然有約，不能有一家倒閉，可現在誰家能有餘力救別人？ 戴膺倒還沒想過天成元京號會倒，但已經不敢有力挽狂瀾的自詡了。 就在此時，副幫梁子威領著一個人進來見他。 戴老幫，這位是德隆泉錢莊的蔡掌櫃。梁子威介紹說。 蔡掌櫃忙施禮，說：戴掌櫃，我是常來貴號的，只是難得見您一面！德隆泉是小字號，受惠於貴號甚多。今日來見戴掌櫃，只是表達一點謝意。 戴膺真記不得見過這位蔡掌櫃，看他這番慇勤樣子，還以為是來拆借銀子，心裡頓時有些不耐煩：也不看看是什麼時候！不過，面兒上倒沒露出什麼，只說：蔡掌櫃，不必客氣。 梁子威似乎有些按捺不住，搶著說：蔡掌櫃是來還銀子的！ 還銀子？還什麼銀子？戴膺不由得問了句。 蔡掌櫃就說：去年貴號棄莊前，你們梁掌櫃將兩萬兩銀子，交付我這間小字號。我與梁掌櫃是多年交情，也沒推辭。梁掌櫃雖有交代：陷此非常險境，這兩萬銀子不算拆借，你可隨意處置。但我還是當做老友重託，做了妥善隱藏。不想，京城局面稍微平靜後，這兩萬銀子還真頂了大事！ 頂了大事？頂了什麼大事？戴膺又不由得問了一句。 京師陷落後，市面當然是蕭條之極。繁華不見了，京人還得吃飯穿衣哪！不花大錢，小錢畢竟不能少。到去年冬天，市間的小商小販很不少了。敝號也就悄然開張。為何敢開張？就因為有貴號的這兩萬兩銀子壓底！從入冬到臘月，敝號真做了好生意。今年一春天，也做了好生意。京市銀根太奇缺了！ 戴膺明白是怎樣一回事了，忙說：蔡掌櫃，不該你來謝我們，是該我們謝你！去年京師陷落前，那是何等危急的時候，蔡掌櫃肯受託藏銀，我們已是感激不盡了。我當時就有話交代敝號伙友：櫃上存銀就是分贈京城朋友，也比被搶劫去強得多。蔡掌櫃，眼下京師銀市仍危急得很，哪能叫你還這筆銀子！等日後從容了，再說吧。 蔡掌櫃說：正因為貴號這樣危急，梁掌櫃也沒來討要過一回，我才更坐不住了！ 梁子威說：我們戴老幫有吩咐，這筆銀子是我們主動送出，今天再危急，也不能去討要。 戴膺說：眼前危機，是時局引發，家家都如此的。 蔡掌櫃卻說：我雖是張羅金融小生意，也知銀市脾氣。這兩萬兩銀子，用於貴號兌付，頂不了什麼事。但在這擠兌堵門的時候，我們反倒押銀來還債 戴膺沒等蔡掌櫃說完，就長嘆一聲，說：蔡掌櫃，那我們就更應該謝你了！你這是及時雨！ 蔡掌櫃忙說：對你們這等大字號，我這能算幾點雨！只是多年受惠，略盡一點力吧。 戴膺說：在此危急時候，幾句議論的話流傳開，說不定也會改變局面的！ 梁子威插進來說：戴老幫，先不要謙讓客氣了，運銀子的橇車還在門口等著呢！ 戴膺又一驚，忙問：銀子已經運來了？ 梁子威說：可不是呢！ 戴膺一聽，就鄭重給蔡掌櫃作了一揖，說：蔡掌櫃的仗義，我們是不會忘的！ 蔡掌櫃說：戴掌櫃快不要見外，還是我們求貴號的時候多！ 三位走出天成元京號鋪面，門外圍的客戶依然不少。兩輛運銀的橇車，更被人們圍住。戴膺出來，也沒有多張揚，只是指點伙友們往店裡搬運銀子。蔡掌櫃見戴膺這種做派，也取了低調姿態，對圍觀者的問話，只做了極簡練的回答。但那回答，卻是畫龍點睛之語： 以後還得靠人家，不敢得罪！ 要在平時，蔡掌櫃說的也不過是句大實話。那時代，錢莊雖也是做金融生意，但與票號比，規模就小得多。它的主業，起初是做銀錢兌換，也就是銀錠與銅錢之間的兌換，後來雖也經營金融存貸了，但生意也僅限於本埠範圍。所以它沒有外地分號，金融吞吐量也就有限了。 錢莊資本小，遇到較大用項，就常找票號拆借。而票號主業，是做異地碼頭間的金融匯兌，銀款來往量大，週期也長。常有閒資，也就放給錢莊、當鋪，及時生些利息。在這種依存關係中，當然是錢莊弱小，票號強大。 但在這金融危機嚴重的時候，票號受的壓力也就比錢莊大得多。此時蔡掌櫃說這樣一句話，也就比平時值錢得多：在擠兌堵門的時候，生意不錯的德隆泉錢莊，還依然巴結天成元，敏感的銀市決不會熟視無睹的。 繼德隆泉錢莊後，又有幾家錢莊、當鋪來幫襯天成元。 跟著，鏢道打通的消息傳來，二十萬銀子又押到，天成元所受的壓力才終於減緩下來。 戴膺和梁子威也終於鬆了口氣。 不久，西幫各家京號開始源源不斷收到西安匯票。這些匯票，都是即將回京的那班隨扈權貴匯回來的西巡收成。按說，這麼一大批匯票新到，西幫的兌付壓力會更大。奇怪的是，這批匯票一到，京市的擠兌風潮竟很快消退了。 到這時，京號老幫們更明白了：站在暗處攪動這場擠兌風潮的，不是別人，正是那些留京的官宦之家。在去年的塌天之禍中，他們親睹京師大劫，能不擔心歷年暗藏在西幫票號的私囊？西幫一返京，他們自然要做試探：私銀還能不能支出來啊？所以擠兌風潮中，興風作浪的主要是小票：小票大多在官宅。現在，得知西安隨扈的權貴們信賴西幫依舊，他們才終於放下心來了。 不過，以現代的眼光看，西幫京號在辛丑年所遭遇的這場金融危機，實在也是難以避免。遭受這樣的擠兌，不是它的信譽出了問題，而是因它的金融地位引發。那時京師還沒有一家官方銀行，更沒有現代意義上的央行。一國之都，經歷庚子年那樣的大劫，要復甦，需要多少貨幣投入！官方既無央行，戶部又無力管這樣的事，壓力便落在民間的金融商家身上。西幫票號勢力最大，受壓自然首當其衝了。 西幫遵照賠得起的經商理念，打開祖傳的秘密銀窖，源源往京師投放現銀，雖然意識不到是在行使央行之職，卻將自家的信譽推上了巔峰。 five 京號穩住陣腳，戴膺這才想起津號。就問有沒有津號的信報，信房說：有幾封，已及時交給戴老幫您了，還沒有拆閱呀？ 戴膺忙在案頭翻找，果然，放著幾封，竟未拆看。這一向竟慌亂如此，戴膺自己也