Chapter 30 Chapter 29 Declining the Official Bank

one The Xibang bank returned to Beijing and Tianjin to resume business, strictly abided by the ancestral precept that the big cave can afford to pay, opened up the savings in the old cellar, transferred huge silver to the OTC, cashed the old notes, compensated for the loss, and quickly activated the silver market.The strength of the West Gang once again shocked the world's business circles, and the reputation of the West Gang rose sharply, reaching a historical peak. It is also the ability of the West Gang to take advantage of the situation to make a surprise after going through disasters and dangers.And this time after the Gengzi catastrophe, the West Gang made their own reputation great, which naturally alarmed the official circles in Beijing and Tianjin.

In the year of Xin Chou, that is, September 27, the twenty-seventh year of Guangxu, Li Hongzhang, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Plenipotentiary of the imperial court, Minister of Beiyang and Governor of Zhili, died of illness in Beijing.At this time, the imperial court Luanyu who returned to Beijing only traveled to Xingyang, Henan.The imperial court ordered Wang Wenshao to take over as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Plenipotentiary, and Yuan Shikai, the Minister of Beiyang and Governor of Zhili, was appointed to succeed him. After Yuan Shikai took office in Tianjin, he soon heard about the actions of the Xibang in revitalizing Tianjin.At this moment, he was in the throes of becoming the Minister of Beiyang, so he proudly made a domineering decision: open a Beiyang official bank, and invite Xibang Bank to join in and run it for him.He personally named it Tianjin Guanyinhao.

Qiu Taiji, the old gang of Tianchengyuan's Jinhao, and the old gang of Tianjinhao, such as Rishengchang, Weizihao, Dadetong, Zhichengxin, etc., were called into Beiyang at the end of the spring of the 28th year of Guangxu. Minister Yamen.It never occurred to them that Master Yuan actually summoned them for this purpose, and no one was at a loss for a while, they could only think that the matter was of great importance and they had to ask the old account and the owner for an answer. But the Zhili Fantai who came forward to summon them, spoke rather harshly, saying that Master Yuan was in a hurry to urge them, and you must be ordered as soon as possible, so as to live up to the importance that Master Yuan attaches to the Western Clan.

No matter how important we are, we can't be the masters! According to the rules of the West Gang, for such a major event, even if the old gang has a good way to deal with it, they still have to consult the old account and the boss.So it's not all excuses. When Qiu Taiji returned to Tianjin, he hurriedly told the matter to Mr. He.Master He is in Tianjin at this time. Why did he also come to Tianjin?It turned out that shortly after the imperial court left Shaanxi and returned to Beijing, Mr. He also returned to Taigu together with Mr. Liu.But this trip to Xi'an has rejuvenated his passion for business management. How can he sit still when he comes back?So, I kept pestering the old man, hoping to let him go to the pier again.As for Kang Hunan, seeing that Mr. He has made great contributions in Xi'an this time, and knowing that he is still a treasured sword, he suddenly realized: Why not take Xi'an as an example, and use the order of travel to send Mr. He to Zhuangkou, where there is an urgent business. Co-organizing and supervising some business affairs?This can be compared to him as an imperial envoy!It is also a pleasure to send a master Juren to be an imperial envoy of our family.

Of course, on the surface, you can only be the imperial envoy of the old name, not the imperial envoy of the boss.Otherwise, Shopkeeper Sun will be suspicious.Kang Hunan told Sun Beiming about this idea, and he also agreed, thinking that it would be a pity that He Kaisheng, an expert in business management, would stay at home.However, Master Liu is about to take the exam, is it appropriate to let Master He go at this time?Kang Hu Nanlian said: Master He is here, he is also insane, can he concentrate on preparing for the sixth exam?Let him go.We have finally figured out a way to command Master Juren!

Of course, Mr. He was overjoyed by this imperial envoy.When asked where he wanted to go at the first stop, he blurted out Tianjin.It has been his dream for the past two years to be the old gang of Jinhao.Tianjin business is also excited, and after all, Qiu Taiji has just arrived in Tianjin.Kang Hunan and Sun Beiming agreed to send him to Tianjin. When they were in Xi'an, Qiu Taiji and Master He got along very well, and now they are reunited in Tianjin, of course they are very happy.Master He came to Tianjin this spring.Not long after I arrived, this happened to me. As soon as Master He heard the outline of the matter, he guessed what Yuan Shikai was thinking.But he was not in a hurry to say that now it is different from Xi'an, since he is an imperial envoy, he should not be too imposing and overwhelming.He just asked: What are the plans for the other tubas?

Yau Taiji said: We were all surprised and at a loss, we had to ask the old accounts, especially the owner. Master He said: This involves equity and personnel, of course it has to be decided by the old owner.But Mr. Qiu always has a lot of ideas, so you have to make an idea first and ask the old boss to make a decision, right? Mr. He has lived in Beijing for a long time, and he is familiar with the temper of such high-ranking officials, so he should know how to deal with them. I have been out of the rivers and lakes for many years, how can the old imperial calendar still work!Yuan Xiangcheng didn't care about his temper.

Who can guess his temper?In the year of 1898, he even dared to betray the emperor; in recent years in Shandong, he dared not listen to the Queen Mother! Exactly!We are mere civilians and businessmen, how can we serve him? I think so too.Business is not like an official order, success or failure is always in between.Of course he was happy if he made money; what if he lost money?What about paying again?He might chop off your head! Master He saw that Qiu Taiji had the same opinion as himself, so he asked: How does he plan to invite us to join this Tianjin official bank, have you said it? It is said that it is going to follow the method of Western Bank, and ask us to send out money and people.Out of the bank counts as a share, out of people, to manage the business for him.

We give money to people, and they act as shopkeepers. If they earn money, it belongs to them; if they lose money, blame us!I still can't see what he's thinking? When Qiu Taiji saw what Master He said, he said it bluntly: Then we have no choice but to refuse to obey orders?It's just that we refuted Mr. Yuan's face, how can we gain a foothold in Tianjin? Master He said categorically: The business community in Tianjin is the biggest one, and the officialdom is second.Besides, the revival of Jin City after the catastrophe cannot be separated from the West Gang.I estimate that none of the several large houses that Yuan Shikai wanted to serve would be ordered.You must refute him for the sake of face, but how to refute him, you can be particular about it.

Then let's quickly contact the other large companies? In my opinion, Mr. Qiu has to work hard for you, and go to the capital to meet Mr. Dai as soon as possible.Ask him to predict whether Yuan Shikai will be the Minister of Beiyang for a long time?Only when he has confidence in his future can he plan how to refute him.As for me, I will immediately report this matter to the old account and the financial owner, and ask them to make a decision as soon as possible. Master He is really thoughtful! The next day, Qiu Taiji set off for the capital. After arriving in Beijing, to Qiu Taiji's surprise, Dai Ying's old gang from the Beijing account asked, "Did you refuse?"

Qiu Taiji hurriedly said: How dare we make decisions on such a big matter? Dai Laobang categorically said: You should refuse on the spot! Reject on the spot? Yes, no matter what excuse you find, refuse it on the spot! Of the several tubas that went with me, none of them agreed at that time, but none of them refused. No matter what the other family is like, I should also refuse it! Qiu Taiji hurriedly said: I just came to Beijing and Tianjin, and I don't know how to do things, so I hope Mr. Dai can give me advice. Only then did Dai Ying sigh and said: Mr. Qiu, I can't blame you for this.There's one thing you probably don't know yet, right? which thing? In the year of Gengzi, when the two palaces were hunting west, they passed by Xugou, and Mrs. Kang met the queen mother and emperor in Dongtai Zeng. At that time, I was still in Guihua City outside my mouth, and I only heard about this incident, and I really don't know much about the details. At that time, I accompanied Mrs. Kang to Xugou.In the midst of your majesty, do you know what the Empress Dowager said the most to Mrs. Kang? what is it This is what Yuan Shikai wants you to do! The queen mother also wants to ask Xibang to open an official bank account for her? No!The Empress Dowager talked a lot about the misery she suffered when she escaped from Beijing, especially she didn't bring out the Beijing salary, and if she wanted to spend money, she had to ask others for it like a beggar!So, she said, when I return to Beijing in the future, I must open a bank account of the imperial court. Wherever I go, where the money is remitted, it is just like the bank account opened by you Shanxi people! The queen mother also knows the beauty of our ticket number? Anyway, it was this escape that made her look at us differently.She repeatedly said to Mrs. Kang: After Yu and the emperor return to Beijing, you will select some good money earners for me and open a bank for the court!You think, if the Queen Mother really wants to open a bank account, why not take away all the profits from our West Gang?How can it be our turn to solicit official money and Beijing salaries?Therefore, I was looking forward to the empress dowager returning to the palace to enjoy the high pomp again, and forgot about opening a bank account!Now, Yuan Shikai wants to open an official bank first, and the method is the same as that of the Queen Mother.When the news spread to the palace, can you not remind the queen mother to relive her old dream?If we don't reject Yuan Shikai outright, once the Empress Dowager orders us to grant her the Royal Bank Account, then we won't even be able to find an excuse!Since the West Gang is willing to serve Yuan Shikai, how dare they not serve the Empress Dowager with an excuse! I really don't know the details. If you don't know, you have no fault.Master He doesn't agree with serving Yuan Shikai, does he? Strongly disagree.I also strongly disagree.However, Yuan Shikai is the Minister of Beiyang after all, how to refute him, I want to listen to Mr. Dai's advice.From the perspective of Dai Laobang, can Yuan Shikai's tenure as Beiyang minister be long? Dai Ying said categorically again: no matter whether it lasts or not, you have to categorically reject him!After returning to Tianjin, no matter how the other family delays, you must reply as soon as possible: Tian Chengyuan cannot follow orders!There are two ready-made excuses, which can be cited: one is that the Gengzi catastrophe has just passed, and the bank is too short-lived to participate in the shares; You can be a servant, but not a master of business. Qiu Taiji said in a low voice: Master He is famous. Master He can't serve them either! Then listen to Mr. Dai.There will be no objections from the old account and the owner, right? I'll report to the old account and my boss.Blame it, it has nothing to do with you. After I return to Tianjin, I will do so immediately! Qiu Taiji had long heard that the old Beijing gang Dai Dai was brave enough to act boldly, but he was not greedy for merit or blame, and now he personally accepts it, which is really admirable.In Dai Ying's impression, Qiu Taiji was a very conceited person, but he has not been like this since he arrived in Tianjin.He could have discussed the Yujing account with letters and telegrams on the matter at hand, so he went there himself.This was beyond Dai Ying's expectation, and it made him feel more fond of Qiu Taiji. After the discussion, Dai Ying set up a very elegant banquet to entertain Qiu Taiji.During the dinner, the two talked very well. When Qiu Taiji returned to Tianjin, several other tubas had also been instructed: quickly decline Yuan Shikai, and they will not accept orders.The excuses are roughly the same as the two mentioned by Dai Ying.The veteran of the West Gang has never been so happy. Even if he refused, he was hiding his sword behind his smile, and the clouds covered the fog. What happened this time?In addition to Dai Ying's considerations, it is also because Yuan Shikai's popularity is too low that he avoids him for fear of not being able to make it, so how could he dare to form a joint stock with him! Therefore, Qiu Taiji and several other veteran gangsters of Jinhao respectively submitted invitations of decline to Beiyang Minister's Yamen.To their surprise, Master Yuan Shikai didn't seem to be angry, but instead kept sending people to lobby, and his tone was much more tactful. Even so, Qiu Taiji and the others are just trying to deal with it, and the old idea is still: refuse to obey orders. two On Beijing's side, a few days after seeing off Qiu Taiji, Er Fuzi, the little palace supervisor in the palace confinement, came to the door.The buddy at the cabinet thought he was here to deposit money, so he just waited on him attentively, not wanting to disturb the old gang. Unexpectedly, as soon as Er Fuzi sat down, he said: Please come out wearing the shopkeeper! A group of friends hurriedly said: Before our shopkeeper Dai finished speaking, Er Fuzi said sharply: No matter where shopkeeper Dai is, you have to hurry and invite me back! In a hurry? But no, it's a big emergency! Er Fuzi had never shown his power like this before, and the friends at the counter rushed in to ask Mr. Dai to help. Dai Ying came out, and before he could speak, Er Fuzi said: Shopkeeper Dai, hurry up, Director Cui is waiting at the gate of the palace!It's too late, no one can afford it! Dai Ying couldn't figure it out for a while, so he asked: Manager Cui? But Er Fuzi said: Come on, come with me, there is something good anyway! Dai Ying wanted to go in to change clothes, but Er Fuzi refused to let him, so he had to follow the palace eunuch quickly.When they arrived at the Shenwu Gate in the imperial city, Er Fuzi asked Dai Ying to stand and wait at a distance, and he ran in alone. Dai Ying has been in Beijing for decades, and this is the first time he has experienced such a scene: standing outside the gate of the Forbidden City and waiting!This is clearly what the royal family wants to do, what could it be?Er Fuzi only said that it was a good thing anyway, what could it be?Dai Ying thought about it nervously for a long time before he suddenly realized: I'm afraid the empress dowager thought about opening the bank account?When the old master met the two palaces in Xugou, it was Chief Cui who led them in.This must be the thing, but what a good thing!If the Empress Dowager really ordered Xibang to open a bank account for her, it would neither be able to categorically refuse nor agree to it, how should it be worded? Standing outside the palace gate for a long time, thinking for a long time, neither came up with a good plan, nor waited for any movement in the palace.Dai Ying was suspicious when he saw Er Fuzi running out, pulled him closer to the palace gate, and ordered him to kneel down.He knelt down and bowed his head for a while, before he heard a rough and sharp voice coming from afar: Are you the treasurer of Taigu Kangjia's Jinghao? Dai Ying didn't dare to look up, he just lowered his head and said: That's it. Did you hear that?why do not you talk?dumb? Er Fuzi hurriedly kicked Dai Ying, and said in a low voice: "Yes!" Dai Ying raised his head slightly and said loudly: The youngest one is Dai Ying, the shopkeeper of Taigu Kang's Beijing account!When he said that, he glanced forward, and the big palace supervisor surrounded by several small palace supervisors was standing inside the palace gate.I didn't see their appearance clearly, but I could only see that they were ten or twenty steps away. No wonder they had to speak loudly. Then listen carefully, the manager wants to pass on the old Buddha's oral instructions: In the Year of Gengzi, I will live a long life in Xi'an. It is a time of adversity, and it is rare for the Taigu Kang family to show filial piety!The gift money donated is considered a temporary loan by us, and it is not easy for others.Then pick a rare painting hidden in the palace, and send it out to the rich man Kang to look at for a few days to commend him for his loyalty.Can you hear me? Dai Ying hurriedly agreed loudly: I heard you clearly, thank the Empress Dowager for her grace! The yelling in the distance was still stern: If you hear it clearly, draw a bet and take the painting away.This is a collection of the imperial court, and it is priceless. Remember: don't show it to others, let alone destroy it and lose it. I still want it from you! Er Fuzi ran over, first brought a yellow leather bookcase, and stretched his hands, and another little palace supervisor brought a pen and ink, and asked Dai Ying to draw it.The page I turned was empty!The text was obviously folded at the front, and Er Fuzi squeezed it tightly again, making it difficult to read it.Dai Ying is a businessman, he hesitated habitually because he didn't see what was written in the paper.Just as he was about to beg Er Fuzi to unfold the first few pages in a low voice, another shout came from a distance: What's wrong, you can't write?Real shopkeeper, or fake shopkeeper? Dai Ying had no choice but to hastily write down his own name. Er Fuzi took the booklet and ran in, and in a blink of an eye he was holding a brocade box about a square meter in size.Dai Ying caught it and hurriedly shouted: Thank you Empress Dowager for your grace! After shouting, I realized that this brocade box is not light, and it still has some weight.Calligraphy and painting, this book does not have much weight.But such a square and square small brocade box is not the size for ordinary calligraphy and painting.What kind of rare calligraphy and painting are contained in it? Dai Ying was even more surprised by receiving the treasure at the palace gate like this today!The empress dowager who intimidates the world, but she never forgets a friend in need? Back at Beijing, Dai Ying only called Deputy Assistant Liang Ziwei into the internal accounting room, and explained in detail what happened just now.Liang Ziwei was also surprised when he heard this. The collection in the palace is priceless, what kind of painting would that be?Liang Ziwei couldn't help saying, let's take a look first? Dai Ying hurriedly said: We can't move!No matter how the palace sends it out, I will send it back to Taigu intact. Afraid of damage? I'm afraid I can't bear it!For such a valuable thing, we opened it, and if there is a mistake, it will not be clear.We'd better not move.Director Cui explained that it was only a temporary loan, and it will be taken back.Therefore, I have to send it to Taigu as soon as possible! When will the palace take it back? Is there a deadline? No deadline was mentioned. No deadline?Liang Ziwei paused and said, in my opinion, does the Empress Dowager want to repay the debt with this painting? Foreclosure?According to the verbal instructions passed by Director Cui, it seems that the Empress Dowager Xi borrowed money from us in Xi'an.How much money did you borrow, and you want to offset it with priceless things?Ziwei, do you know how much you borrowed from us? How would I know?When the two palaces were in Xi'an, Qiu Taiji was also in Xi'an.ask him? In my opinion, no one should be alarmed.The most important thing is to send the treasure to Taigu first!This is different from the usual silver adjustment, just explain to the Escort Bureau.Since this is a collection in the palace, how to send it back to Taigu safely would be careless! The two deliberated for a long time, and decided that Liang Ziwei would take the treasure in person and go back to Taigu.But Liang Ziwei was only carrying a false name, and the real thing was still secretly handed over to the Escort for escort.Telling the Escort, it can only be said that the inside of the box is an antique newly bought for Mrs. Kang.To be on the safe side, those handed over to the Escorts were also divided into real and fake pieces, which were escorted separately by two groups of Escorts.Therefore, the first thing Dai Ying told Liang Ziwei to do was to compare the appearance and size of the painting boxes, and secretly buy two back.Three painting boxes, one real and two fake, were escorted separately. In the middle of the search for the painting box, Liang Ziwei found out: this kind of painting box is for long scroll paintings. Scroll painting?There are very few people in the world who can see the long scrolls hidden in the imperial palace.But no matter how tempting it is, Dai Ying will never open it.But the more he knows the value of the things in the box, the more he feels that he should be escorted out of Beijing as soon as possible: long nights and many dreams!Who doesn't have anyone in this area of ​​the capital? Therefore, four days after receiving this treasure, Liang Ziwei and the two escorts left Beijing one after another. A few days after Liang Ziwei left, Dai Ying received an invitation from the Ministry of Accounts, saying that Mr. Lu Chuanlin, Minister of the Ministry of Accounts, wanted to personally summon the shopkeeper of the Western Gang to discuss important matters. This is also unprecedented! Dai Ying has been in Beijing for decades, but he has never been summoned by the Minister of the Household Department.The former Jinghao veterans have never heard of such an honor; if they had, it would have been a good story.To this day, although officials are inseparable from merchants, merchants still rank last in terms of status.Officials and merchants are always in the dark, and it is never convenient for them to be formally summoned in the Yamen.Especially for an important court official like Hubu Shangshu, ask him to summon you?Thousands of mountains and rivers are separated, so don't even think about it! In the year of Gengzi, when the two palaces fled to Taiyuan, Wang Wenshao, Shangshu of the household department, once summoned the old Jinghao Gang of the West Gang.At that time, Wang Wenshao was the co-organizer of the university, the military aircraft, and the minister of the household department. He was the most important minister in the imperial court.It was unprecedented for him to condescend to summon the shopkeeper of the Beijing name of the West Gang, but it was an extraordinary time, and the two palaces were extremely poor, so it was really a last resort for him to borrow money from the West Gang. This time Lu Chuanlin sent a post to summon him, but he was in the dignified capital! After Wang Wenshao took over as Minister of Foreign Affairs Plenipotentiary, Lu Chuanlin succeeded as Minister of the Household Department, and also traveled in military planes.Lu Chuanlin and Xibang have been in touch for a long time.He served as the governor of Shaanxi, Guangdong, and Liangjiang. He was good at and liked to manage money, so he had many contacts with Xibang and made use of each other.But based on this alone, he can openly summon the Western Merchants regardless of the dignity of the court?It's not that simple! Reminiscent of Yuan Shikai's actions in Tianjin, especially the empress dowager's borrowing money to go out of the palace, Dai Ying had a premonition that the imperial court must be planning something for the West Gang! He didn't dare to delay, and immediately went to Jiutiao, the grass factory, to meet Li Hongling, the veteran of the Ping Gang Weifeng's Beijing name. Li Hongling also just received the invitation from the Ministry of Household Affairs, and was wondering, seeing Dai Ying coming, he said: I guess you will come too! Dai Ying asked: Did you also receive the invitation from the Ministry of Household Affairs? Lu Chuanlin wants to have a meeting, but he won't just invite your family! You Ping Gang have always been close to Mr. Lu, how can he see us?Asking us to go is just to serve as your foil. Li Hongling frowned and said: Since the court summons, I'm afraid it won't be a good thing! Dai Ying asked: "From my brother's point of view, it's not a good thing. What could it be?" I'm afraid they have the same idea as Yuan Shikai! I was so worried too, so I rushed to see you! The two had just said these few words, and Liang Huaiwen, the veteran of the Beijing account of Rishengchang, the boss of the ticket industry, also ran over.After hearing the two people's guesses, he also said categorically: This is exactly what Lu Chuanlin came up with!He didn't want Laxi to help him open an official bank account, how could he give us courteous treatment? Dai Ying said, "Let me see, although Lu Chuanlin is high and powerful, I'm afraid he wouldn't dare to treat Western merchants so courteously, would he?" Li Hongling hurriedly asked: What do you mean, Lu Chuanlin also acted according to orders? It was inconvenient for Dai Ying to tell the story of the Empress Dowager borrowing the treasure to go out of the palace, so he had to turn a corner and say: This is about a court gift, how could Lu Chuanlin dare to be sloppy? Liang Huaiwen said: If the court also moved this kind of thought, how can we refuse? Li Hongling said: But we can't agree, can we?This is clearly seeking skin from a tiger. Dai Ying said: The old company and the wealthy owner will definitely not agree. Liang Huaiwen said: One of the excuses we made for rejecting Yuan Shikai was to emphasize that we are private and businessmen, and it is inconvenient to work in the officialdom.If the imperial court really wanted us, it would only issue a decree to grant the appointment of officials, and this excuse would be gone. Li Hongling sighed, and said: In the Year of Gengzi, Qi Banglu got rich too much!Dadeheng's family lent 300,000 yuan to the Ministry of Household Affairs, and Dadetong turned the old name into a royal palace. How can the imperial court not take the idea of ​​the Western Gang in such a publicity! Liang Huaiwen also said: Qiao's two major bank accounts, after all, they get up late, so they can't hold back! Dai Ying was afraid that he should blame the Taigu Gang if he went any further, so he hurriedly said, "Let me see, what shocked the court the most is our return to Beijing after the catastrophe, propping up the capital with huge silver in one go."After the catastrophe, the national treasury is empty, but your West Gang has a lot of money that can't be shipped, and it's coming to Beijing, whether it's the Ministry of Households or the Queen Mother, can you not be envious?But we are not like this, and it is difficult to come back to life after the catastrophe! The three of them discussed for a long time, but they didn't come up with a good solution.We had to agree to talk about it after meeting Lu Chuanlin.When meeting Lu Chuanlin, no matter what the discussion was about, he couldn't easily agree to it. He had to delay it by asking the old rich man for instructions. The three also agreed that before Lu Chuanlin summoned them, whoever secretly met with the officials of the household department who had a personal relationship, and if they heard important news, they would definitely inform each other. Unfortunately, such a thing did not happen.The summon date is too tight. three Sure enough, Lord Lu Chuanlin, Minister of Military Aircraft and Minister of the Ministry of Finance, personally summoned the shopkeeper of the Beijing Bank of the Xibang Bank, exactly as Yuan Shikai, the Minister of Beiyang, planned to invite the Xibang Bank to select financial experts to participate in the establishment of the Bank of the Household Department of the Qing Dynasty , And invite major bank accounts to invest in shares, and the government and businessmen will cooperate in this government bank. This bank of the Ministry of Accounts was established as expected, not only by the Ministry of Accounts.It is not the queen mother who speaks today's edict!Everything is as Dai Ying expected. However, on the day of the summoning, all the forty-eight ticket offices of the Xibang stationed in Beijing were invited.This is somewhat unexpected.Why is there such an equal treatment?After hearing Mr. Lu's idea of ​​setting up a household bank, everyone suddenly realized!It turned out that the Hubu Bank planned to collect a share capital of 4 million taels, of which the Hubu would contribute half of the capital and invite the Xibang Bank to join in the other half.Based on the forty-eight stock companies stationed in Beijing, each subscribed 50,000 taels of shares, and Xishang's 2 million taels of shares would be more than enough.A mere 50,000 taels of silver, isn't it easy for anyone in the West Gang? It's no wonder that Lu Chuanlin has a reputation for being good at managing money, and this wishful thinking is really well done.It's a pity that it's okay to please the Queen Mother in this way. It's too superficial to try to persuade the old Beijing gang of the West Gang. When Dai Ying heard about this plan, he saw through Lu Chuanlin's real intentions: Hmph, half of the 4 million share capital is paid by the household department, can it afford it now?For the rest of the life after the catastrophe of the imperial court, a lot of waste is waiting to be done, especially with the monstrous indemnity of 450 million, how can the Ministry of Households use this money to open a bank?Even if it is really possible to show it, I am afraid that I will rely on the official position and refuse to show it in real terms.When the bank opened, it must have been a fake name for the official stock, and it was only operated by the half of the commercial stock of Xibang!In a joint venture between officials and businessmen, the officials are the overbearing ones, and the businessmen are the ones who suffer the most. Dai Ying looked at his colleagues present, although all of them were calm, he had already noticed that most of them, like himself, had already seen through Lu Chuanlin's hidden trap.Therefore, he remained calm. Lu Chuanlin saw the shopkeepers sitting quietly one by one without any reaction, so he thought they were restrained by stage fright: after all, they were facing the lobby of the household department!So, he didn't care too much.He explained the plan of the Ministry of Accounts, and emphasized that this is an imperial order, that organizing the bank is based on an imperial order, and that inviting Xibang to join him is also an imperial order. After clarifying these two meanings, I don’t want to say more.Then, name the shopkeepers of Rishengchang and Weifenghou, and talk about how to act according to the order. Liang Huaiwen and Li Hongling pretended to be sincere and fearful, but their answer was only: immediately report to the general number and the treasurer, and respond to the order of the Ministry of Household Affairs. Lu Chuanlin didn't take a closer look, so he retreated boldly, less than half an hour later.The year before last, when Wang Wenshao, as the Prime Minister, summoned these shopkeepers in Taiyuan, he only heard a cry of poverty, unable to borrow money, extremely embarrassed, but also inconvenient and angrily retreated.Comparing the two, Lu Chuanlin is much more majestic and ostentatious today. But can he gain more than Wang Wenshao back then? After being summoned, because everything was expected, Dai Ying was not in a hurry to see Li Hongling and Liang Huaiwen again, but concentrated on writing a letter with his own hand and urgently sent it to the old shopkeeper Sun Da.In this matter, whether to follow the order or violate the order, it is always up to the old name and the owner to decide. The next day, after the letter was sent out, Liang Huaiwen sent a young friend to invite Dai Laobang to the dinner in the evening. At this time, Liang Lao Gang's banquet must be based on the decree of the Ministry of Household Affairs, but it would be a bit strange to place the banquet in Hanjiatan.Now is not the time to play with a prostitute!Perhaps, the officials from the household department were invited? In the evening, Dai Ying arrived at the residence of Mr. Han's family as promised.After entering, the mother-in-law was courteously fawning, but Liang Huaiwen pushed her away: I told you that today we have to discuss matters first, so don't bother me, don't you remember? Dai Ying saw that the person who arrived before him was Zhou Zhangfu, the veteran of the Beijing name of Qi Gang Dade Tong.Just as he was about to ask Liang Huaiwen what kind of banquet he was having today, Li Hongling also arrived.Liang Huaiwen said to everyone: Today I invite three people to come, although I am the host, but it is at the request of an adult, Qi Taiping's three gangs each invited one. Zhou Zhangfu asked, "Who is this lord?" Liang Huaiwen said: You will know when you come, everyone will recognize it. Dai Ying said: "It must be a senior member of the household department, right?" Li Hongling said: Elsewhere, we don't have time to entertain him right now! Without saying a few words, this senior official also arrived.At first glance, of course everyone recognizes it: it is Zhang Berne, the banker of the Ministry of household affairs.The West Gang solicits exchange rates from Beijing, so how can they deal less with the Bank of the Ministry of Households!The bank doctor was naturally very flattering, and it became a common occurrence to invite Master Zhang to eat flowers and wine in this kind of land.However, Zhang Berne's expression today was very serious and abnormal, which was not commensurate with this gentleman's status.Liang Huaiwen asked to set up a banquet first, but he also stopped him, saying: "Today, if you have something important to do, I will teach you all the shopkeepers. Talk first, and then drink, so as not to cause delays!" Li Hongling smiled and said: Master Zhang is scaring us again?Apart from organizing the bank, what else is important to us? Zhang Berne said: This is the matter! Dai Ying said: "My number has written a letter overnight, and I will send it out early this morning to report the ministry's decree to the old Taigu number."Since we have received the court's grace, how dare we neglect it? Zhou Zhangfu also said: If you want to be old and rich, you dare not neglect them. Zhang Berna sneered, and said: In this kind of land, you don't have to pretend anymore!I don't know you yet? Liang Huaiwen hurriedly said: Master Zhang, how did we offend you? Zhang Berna said: You can play for Mr. Lu, it is still useful, but for me, it is useless! Li Hongling also hurriedly said: Master Zhang, did Master Lu misunderstand us? Zhang Berna sneered again, and said: Master Lu believed in you very much, thinking that if he came forward to call like this, you would all respond together! Dai Ying said: Mr. Zhang also knows the rules of our West Gang. This kind of important matter must be decided by the old and rich.Our Beijing account, we can only try our best to appeal. Zhang Berna said: I am here to see you today, and I just want to tell you a few truths, and I also want to hear a few truths from you.This is not only for the sake of the court, for the sake of Mr. Lu, but also for the sake of you Xibang. Liang Huaiwen said: Mr. Zhang doesn't treat us as outsiders, so if you have any advice, just say it, and we will listen sincerely. Zhang Berna said: Then let me ask first, in your opinion, should the Xibang join the Bank of the Ministry of Households, or not? Zhou Zhangfu said: This is not an idea I can take. Zhang Berna said: I am not forcing you to overstep your authority and make decisions, I just want to hear your opinions!They are all elites of the Western Clan, who have been stationed in Beijing for many years, so they must have great foresight.If this matter is up to you to decide, how will you act? Li Hongling said: I have long wanted to transform the bank into a bank, but I have never thought of a joint venture between the government and the business.Officials are superior and businessmen are inferior, how can they be in one place? Dai Ying asked: Is it really the Empress Dowager's order to invite the West Gang to join the official bank? Zhang Berna said: Lu Chuanlin is a respectable person with only one head, how dare he pretend to entrust the queen mother's will!It's really the queen mother who appointed me to rely on you.During the court discussion, the queen mother said several times: We don't know how to open a money shop, let the Shanxi people handle it.Shanxi people are very good at running money shops and making money, I know it well.Qu Hongji, Minister of Military Aircraft, strongly seconded the proposal, saying: "The giant merchant on the right side of the mountain has set up bank accounts with the most precise methods, honest and simple people, and the most creditworthy!"Mr. Lu also said at the time: Sheng Xuanhuai has been running China Commercial Bank for several years, but there has been no major improvement, that is because he has not recruited good financial talents from the Western Bank!From the queen mother to the military aircraft, it is really a golden opportunity for the West Gang to value your financial ability so much! Liang Huaiwen hurriedly said: It is of course the great fortune of the Western Gang to be so highly valued by the imperial court.It's just that, compared with Western Bank, the system and methods operated by Xibang Bank have long been outdated.The Ministry of Accounts Bank imitates the Western Bank system, and we are actually very unfamiliar with it. Zhang Berna sighed and said: I really think highly of you!How many people turned a blind eye to such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?You run the bank, no matter how unfamiliar you are, you are better than Sheng Xuanhuai, right?In today's whole country, who can handle finance better than you?So, if you join the Bank of Hubu, isn’t it up to you to control it?Besides, the imperial government did not intend to replace the Xibang bank with the Bank of the Ministry of Households.Recognition of stocks, out of a person, can not hurt the muscles of any treasure.Your ticket number is issued correctly, but there is an extra bank of the household department as a backer, so what's wrong with it!Some of you also know that in the West, such as the Bank of the Ministry of Households, it is called the National Bank, or the Central Bank, which is the supreme!The queen mother and the military aircraft asked you to manage such a dignified official bank, how many of you are indifferent?I really think highly of you! Zhang Berna's words really moved two people present: Dai Ying and Li Hongling.It's just that they didn't show it. At that time, like the other two, they only pretended to echo Mr. Zhang, but did not make a substantive statement.It's not that they can't trust Zhang Berne, it's just that they can't make irresponsible remarks on such a big matter that is decided by the old account.This is the rule. Zhang Berna tried so hard to make a deal, of course because he had a good personal relationship with Lu Chuanlin and wanted to help him out.Lu Chuanlin's overconfidence in this matter worried him a lot.However, Zhang Berne also saw the historical opportunity, and really wanted to point it out to the West Gang. That night, the four veteran gangsters of Beijing were always reserved and did not tell the truth, which disappointed Zhang Berna.So after the banquet was over, he also left and did not stay in Hanjiatan for long. Last year in Shanghai, Dai Ying had inspected Western Bank calmly, so he had a deeper understanding of the power of the National Bank.Zhang Berna compared the Bank of the Ministry of Households to the Western National Bank, and he suddenly realized.What Zhang Berne said was right, this is a rare opportunity for the West Gang to reform. It is not a bad thing that the National Bank of the Qing Dynasty was founded and controlled by the West Gang.It will also be of great help to banks that will convert their ticket numbers in the future. Among the old Beijing gang, Li Hongling is the one who is most enthusiastic about restructuring the bank.So, the next day after meeting Zhang Berna, Dai Ying went to look for Li Hongling again. The two hit it off right away, and both agreed not to miss the opportunity in front of them. They should take advantage of the opportunity to receive the toast from the Empress Dowager West and the Military Aircraft Department, and enter the Bank of the Ministry of Households in a pompous manner.In today's world, it is unstoppable for the imperial court to run an official bank.Especially after the Gengzi catastrophe, the national treasury was empty and the finances were in dire straits, so it was even more urgent to set up an official bank.Knowing that the official bank is a source of profit for the Western Gang, but if you don't join, it will do it; since it is unstoppable, why not break into it and make it as beneficial as possible for me? Besides, now that the Western Gang is so reputable and famous, even the imperial court will reward you with a toast. We responded with a cold face, as if we don't even have the imperial court in our eyes. If we anger that woman, I'm afraid there will be endless troubles. However, Li Hongling and Dai Ying alone cannot control the overall situation of the West Gang.As the first step, they had to convince the veterans of Jinghao.After deliberation, the two listed three top, middle, and bottom strategies for dealing with the Ministry of Accounts Bank: the best strategy, of course, is to block its establishment, and the Xibang will still be the leader of the country's finance;The best policy cannot be achieved, and the worst policy is not advisable. Only the middle policy is left: assess the situation and adapt to it, participate in it, benefit yourself and protect yourself. It should not be too difficult to convince the veterans to take the middle policy.However, how to avoid the trap of Lu Chuanlin's government-business partnership?The two discussed for a long time, thinking that Xibang should hand over to the Ministry of Accounts and try their best to cut down on issuing bank subscription shares. The more seats it has, the better.In terms of distributing money and distributing people, insisting that one less and one more is not against the purpose, but also makes Lu Chuanlin's wishful thinking unsatisfactory, so it may be approved by everyone. With this idea, the two encouraged Liang Huaiwen to convene a peer discussion.Sure enough, most of the veterans of Jinghao agreed with Li and Dai's proposition.After the public discussion, they all immediately persuaded the old account and the boss with this proposition. Four Liang Ziwei took a fake painting box and returned to Taigu first.Because after he left Beijing, he took a trip on the Luhan Railway, that is, from Fengtai Lugou Bridge to Zhengding by train, and then he hired a standard car and went west to Jin.Therefore, he arrived a few days earlier than the bodyguards. Sun Beiming was startled by his sudden return.For safety's sake, Dai Ying did not inform the head office of the news in advance.When Liang Ziwei told the story of the Empress Dowager borrowing the treasure to leave the palace in the secret room, Sun Beiming was even more horrified and even asked where the treasure was.Liang Ziwei explained the maze of painting, and Sun Beiming wanted to report the matter to Kang Zhuang immediately. Liang Ziwei hurriedly said: Master shopkeeper, wait for the escort to bring the treasure back safely, and then alarm Mrs. Kang!The treasure is still on the way back to Jin Dynasty, so it is really inappropriate to announce it early. Only then did Sun Beiming say: Shopkeeper Liang is thoughtful.老太爺最喜歡金石字畫了，聽說後哪還能坐住？ 梁子威問：庚子年，西太后在西安過萬壽時，跟我們天成元借過多少錢？ 孫北溟說：現銀加銀票，總共六萬兩銀子呢！ 梁子威說：六萬兩？那這借出宮的，該是一幅很值錢的畫了。內府藏畫，雖號稱價值連城，但現在京中古玩市面，再珍貴的東西，標六萬兩銀子，那可是天價了！ 孫北溟說：值不值六萬，老太爺一看，就知道了。 梁子威這才忽然似有所悟，說：難道皇家大內也知道老太爺的嗜好？ 孫北溟沒聽明白梁子威說什麼，便說：更值錢的東西，大內也捨不得出借吧？既是借給我們開眼，值不值六萬，倒也不關緊要了。 梁子威就說：在京時，戴老幫就和我猜測過：此件宮藏古畫，只怕是給我們抵債的。雖明面上說借，卻未定歸還期限；借我們的六萬，更未提一個還字！ 孫北溟卻說：只要老太爺看著值，抵債就抵債吧。 梁子威感到，與孫大掌櫃說事，好像總是隔著一層什麼，難以說透。 在等待鏢師的那幾天，梁子威未走出老號一步：他還是怕將事情張揚出去。 五天後，終於將押寶鏢師平安等來。畫匣一交割，孫北溟就與梁子威一道，坐了字號自家的車馬，悄然往康莊去了。 康笏南聽完梁子威的稟報，精神頓時大振。先哈哈笑了一聲，才問：誰去宮門接的畫？ 梁子威忙說：是戴老幫去的。 哪座宮門？ 是神武門。 誰出來送的畫？ 聽說是崔總管。 崔總管？我見過他！在徐溝見兩宮時，就是他引的路。那太監手勁還真大，死死攥住你，就往進拽！聽說在西安，也是這個崔總管到咱們字號，訛了六萬兩銀子？ 孫北溟就說：就是他。老東台，你快啟封看看貨吧！從宮門接了畫匣，他們可是誰也沒敢動，原封給你送回來了。 康笏南又哈哈一笑，說：孫大掌櫃，你也沉不住一點氣？我問你：西太后借畫給我，你知道為了什麼？ 孫北溟說：京號他們估計，是為了抵債，抵在西安訛去的那六萬兩銀子。所以，才催你啟封，看東西值不值？ 康笏南就問梁子威：你們真這樣以為？ 梁子威說：只是一種猜測吧。或許，皇太后是真念著患難之交？ 患難之交？康笏南拉下臉來，哼了一聲。舉國跟著她受難受辱，還要領她的情？ 梁子威忙說：我們也不相信那堂皇之言！ 孫北溟就說：老東台，是不想叫我們看寶吧？那我們就回字號去了，這畫匣裡裝的是什麼，是金子，還是石頭，都與我們無關了。 康笏南說：孫大掌櫃，就你著急！ 孫北溟說：我們擔著責任呢！梁掌櫃這一路押寶回來，擔驚受怕，費盡心機。 康笏南就喚過老亭來，吩咐他去把三爺和六爺請來。今年三爺一直沒有外出，所以立刻就到了。但六爺卻未到，老亭回來說：六爺說了，他正唸書備考呢，要是生意上的事，就不來了！ 康笏南拉下臉說了聲：放肆，叫他來！ 老亭說：我告他，不是說生意的事。他說：那我和六娘一搭去 康笏南更沉了臉問：他說什麼？ 老亭說：要來，就和六娘一搭來。我說：老太爺只叫你一人，有緊要事！六爺還是說：那一搭去了，給老太爺問過安，六娘先回來就是了。 康笏南忙問：真都來了？ 老亭說：哪敢叫他們來？我說，那得先問問老太爺！ 康笏南一臉怒氣，說：快給我攆走！快給我攆走！ 老亭應聲出去後，孫北溟忙說：六爺小兩口新婚燕爾，如此相敬相投，也是康家福氣。老東台，你也不用太計較了。 三爺也忙說：父親有何吩咐，我代六弟領受就是了。 康笏南冷冷哼了一聲：跟他五哥一樣，沒出息！ 六爺的婚事，也是在去年九月辦的。汝梅出嫁，六爺娶親，康家連辦了兩件喜事。康家的傳統，是喪事排場，婚事簡樸。這兩件喜事，趕上動亂剛過，辦的也就更簡約。但婚後六爺和孫氏新娘，真是如漆似膠，形影不離。大家就驚奇，怎麼跟當年五爺五娘一樣呢？其實，六爺與孫小姐因有西安那一次秘密的浪漫之旅，回到太谷後不免相思得厲害，可又難以再秘密相會，熬到成婚，自然就格外親密些。這就是現代很普通的戀愛，但在那時代不是常有，所以像傳奇似的。這很使康笏南想起五爺五娘的下場，就不大高興。尤其這位新六娘，婚後不久，居然就和杜筠青一樣，三天兩頭進城洗浴，而六爺居然每次還陪了去！這就使康笏南更不高興，但又不便阻止。 這情形，孫北溟是知道的。康老太爺為此發火，在場的也只有他能說話，便說：老東台，你是不稀罕我們送來的大內藏畫，還是真怕我們沾光，分享了你的眼福？梁掌櫃，咱們還是先走吧？ 三爺忙說：老太爺是說我們呢！ 康笏南這才說：梁掌櫃，去仔細洗洗手，過來開封吧。 梁子威有些意外，慌忙說：我可不懂 孫北溟立刻說：你不動手，難道叫老太爺動手！ 康笏南忽然問：梁掌櫃，你說裡面是長卷？ 梁子威說：只是估摸。這種畫匣，是裝長卷的。 康笏南就命老亭往桌上鋪了軟氈，軟氈上又鋪了軟緞。這中間，已有僕傭過來伺候梁子威洗手。洗畢，老太爺就對他說：梁掌櫃，開封吧。 梁子威也只好捧起畫匣，輕放在軟緞上。然後，解開外面的錦緞包袱，這層包袱是京號加的；接著，解開了黃緞包袱，畫匣才全露出來。 屋裡頓時靜下來了。 梁子威正要去撕匣口的封條，康笏南過來擋住，說：我來。梁子威退後，康笏南命老亭倒了杯清水，含了一口，輕輕噴到封條上。片刻後，封條被完好揭起。他略挽了挽袖口，打開匣蓋。大家不由得都伸過頭來，見裡面還包著一層黃綾！康笏南小心掀開黃綾，才終於露出了畫卷，幾乎佔滿了畫匣的一粗卷畫。 康老太爺往出提畫卷的時候，更是極其小心。畫卷放到軟緞上，他叫三爺過來抻住卷頭，他自己慢慢往開推展。一邊展開，一邊低頭細看。 大家也早湊近了來看：畫似絹本，設淡色，幅寬一尺左右，長就不好估計了。畫捲上彷彿是一條街市，佈滿茶坊，酒肆，腳店，肉鋪，寺觀，其間行人車轎湧動，倒也逼真。只是，他們幾位實在也不大懂字畫，不知此畫如何寶貴，只覺展開在桌案上的，僅為極小部分，不免驚歎此長卷之長！以前，誰也沒見過這樣規模的長卷畫。 老太爺當然是懂畫的，大家就盯了看他，想從他的表情上尋得暗示。但老太爺一臉凝重，也猜不出什麼意思來。 畫還在慢慢展開，老太爺這邊往開展，三爺那邊往裡卷。誰也不敢說話，屋裡氣氛凝重異常。 大約展開到一半，老太爺忽然頹然坐下。What's going on here?大家吃驚不小，尤其梁子威，更嚇了一跳：出什麼差錯了？但又不敢開口。 孫北溟說：老東台，看累了吧？ 康笏南對老亭說：你們把畫展到頭，展到頭，小心些展！ 展到卷尾了，康笏南站起來看了看，並沒有什麼收藏者的跋語詩文，倒是有畫師的題款鈐印，但那是頗生疏的無名之輩。 他又頹然坐下了，帶著幾分怒氣說：宮中也藏這種東西！ 梁子威趕緊跪了說：老東台，有什麼差錯嗎？ 康笏南說：起來吧，沒有你的事！ 孫北溟就問：這畫不值六萬？ 康笏南就著老亭遞過的銅面盆，洗了洗手，又呷了口茶，才說：孫大掌櫃，出三萬，我就賣給你！ 孫北溟笑了，說：我又不識畫，要它做甚？太后真賜下一件不值錢的東西？ 康笏南冷冷說：什麼賜？她這是訛我們！這樣的東西，還說是內府珍品，只借給我們開眼，真把我們當成土老財了？ 孫北溟說：能說詳細些嗎？我們可都在雲霧山中！ 康笏南又冷冷哼了一聲，說：她還以為我也跟你們似的，什麼也不懂，只要是朝廷內府賜物，就價值連城了？我給你們說，這是一幅名畫的摹本，低劣的摹本！ 一直未說話的三爺，這才問了一句：摹的是什麼名畫？ 老太爺說：傳世的長卷中珍品《清明上河圖》，係北宋張擇端所作。入清以來，真跡即為內府收藏，世間再難見到。金元以來，摹本不少，其中亦有精品流傳。太后出借，當然也只會是摹本，但也不能拿如此低劣的摹本來戲弄人！ 三爺就問梁子威：路上沒出什麼差錯吧？ 梁子威忙說：沒出差錯！為保險起見，此畫接出宮，就未敢在京多耽擱，路途上還布了迷陣，一真二假，同時一道上路。 孫北溟說：你們在京也未開封驗看吧？ 康笏南斷然說：與京號無關！當場開封，你們也不識貨。 三爺就說：會不會是那位崔總管搗了鬼？ 康笏南說：不用多說了，這種事很像那位婦道人家的作為。梁掌櫃，你們京號辛苦了。此事到此為止了，你們還是費心張羅咱們的生意吧。 梁子威才鬆了口，說：謝老東台明察。京號生意，就請放心！ five 數天後，曹家忽然派人來請康笏南與三爺，說備了桌酒席，務必來一聚。康笏南問曹家來人：有什麼事嗎？來人也不大知道，說主家只叫轉達：貴府務必要賞光！ 康笏南覺得有幾分奇怪，也就帶了三爺，應邀去了。 一到曹家，就見當家的曹培德有些興奮。康笏南就說：貴府有什麼喜事吧？ 曹培德忙說：哪有什麼喜事！我是聽了你老人家的指點，也要開一家票號。起了一個字號名，叫錦生潤。想請教你們父子，此三字，在票號業不犯忌吧？ 康笏南一聽是為這事，倒也不失望，就說：做生意做到你們曹家這種境界，起個什麼名字都成！我早給你說了，曹家開票號，股本，信譽，碼頭，什麼都不缺，只選一個好領東，就全有了。叫什麼字號，實在很次要。 曹培德說：那從你們天成元借一個好手，來給我們錦生潤做領東吧？ 三爺說：曹家賬莊的金融高手還少呀？ 康笏南卻笑了問：你看上天成元的誰了？ 曹培德立刻說：京號的戴掌櫃！ 三爺也立馬說：你這是要砍我們的頂樑柱！還沒開張，倒謀了要拆我們的台？ 康笏南依然笑道：戴掌櫃過來做領東，你們曹家給頂多少身股？ 曹培德也笑了說：頂多少身股吧，你們捨得給我？戲言爾！錦生潤初入西幫票業，初入太谷幫，只望貴府天成元大號不要欺生。 康笏南正色說：西幫票業有規矩，無論祁太平三小幫之間，還是各字號之間，不傾軋，不拆台，危難時還要互相救急。爭搶生意，當然常有。但百多年來西幫一直信守：內讓外爭。 天下如此之大，各幫各號盡可自闢畛域，自顯奇能，取利發財的，無須自相火拚殘殺。曹家入票業，只會壯西幫聲勢，誰會欺負你們！ 曹培德起身作了一揖，說：有康老太爺這一席話，我們也放心了。為表謝意，請你們父子看一件稀罕的東西！ 一聽稀罕的東西，康笏南心裡就一動：難道曹家也得了皇家賜品？ 曹培德帶他們走進一間密室，除了一主二客，跟來的只有一個男傭。男傭進入裡間，一陣響動過後，就見搬出一個匣子。這匣子較那畫匣稍大，看男傭搬動的樣子，分明沉重異常。 曹培德就說：這是朝廷內府密送出宮，暫借與我們觀賞的一件珍寶。剛從京師押運回來不久。所以敢說是一件稀罕之物。 康笏南和三爺對望了一眼，便問：西太后也借你們曹家的銀錢了？ 曹培德聽了一驚，也問：難道你們康家也得了皇家賜品？ 康笏南一笑，說：先看看這是一件什麼珍寶吧！ 男傭卸去匣子，現出來的是一件金光閃耀的西洋自鳴鐘！形狀為西洋火車頭，鐘盤不大，嵌在司機樓兩側，但火車頭極其精緻，雖小，卻與真物無異。 曹培德說：出宮時聽宮監交代：此為西洋貢品，除了鐘錶機器，其餘全用金子鑄成，黃金、烏金、白金都有。運回來，我們用大秤稱了稱，五十斤還多！ 康笏南估計了一下，不大一件東西，就五十斤重，應該是金質無疑。他就問：西太后借了你們多少錢，竟拿此珍寶來抵押？ 曹培德說：人家說是借，不是抵債。要抵債，我也不願意！這麼件東西，值不值錢吧，太招眼！這種年月，擺在明處，不放心；密藏起來，還成什麼鐘錶？玩賞幾天，歸還內府，最好。 康笏南笑了笑，沒說話。 三爺就說：我看借你們曹家的銀子不會少！ 康笏南聽出曹培德不願意說出借御債的數目，便接了說：庚子年兩宮過境時，也沒聽說借你們曹家的大錢呀？ 曹培德說：是在西安借的。 康笏南就說：祁縣喬家也借過大錢給朝廷，不知賜了一件什麼東西給他們？ 曹培德說：聽說那是戶部出面借的，要歸還。再說，庚子年大德通老號被賜為行宮，太后皇上住了一夜，這已是厚賞了。我倒是聽說志誠信的京號，也從宮中接了一件稀罕的東西！ 康笏南就說：志誠信也有賜品？ 三爺也問：又是一件什麼稀罕東西？ 曹培德放低聲音說：我聽孔慶豐大掌櫃說，是一件叫穿陽劍的寶物。 三爺不由問了一聲：一把寶劍？ 曹培德一笑，說：此物只有二寸多長，粗細也僅似蘭花花梃，看似玉石般一件死物，平時卻須在小米中養著。說是男人遇有便溺不通，此物可由陽根馬口自行穿入，等它自行退出，溺道即通暢矣。 三爺說：真有這麼神奇？ 曹培德說：誰知道呢？不過孔大掌櫃還說，所謂通溺道，也許只是遮掩，說不定是治陽根不振一類。 康笏南立刻就說：原來如此！孔慶豐叫你親見了此物？ 曹培