Chapter 40 Chapter Thirty-Nine

Today Ning Mi wore a light yellow shirt with pink trim, a vest with a big cloud head, and red bow shoes. Surrounded by his children and grandchildren, he came down to the Huguang Guild Hall. The newly completed Chongqing Huguang Guild Hall held its opening ceremony today. This guild hall facing south faces the Yangtze River and is not far from Chaotianmen Wharf.Local people, immigrants from other provinces and businessmen coming from north to south made the front of the hall noisy, lively and crowded.The sound of talking and laughing, shouting, and selling came one after another.There are clothes, silk, linen, folding fans, miscellaneous goods, monkey shows, shadow puppet shows, quilt shows, sugar figurines, bamboo whistles, wind blowers, Balang drums, mending pots, enamel bowls, For those who shaved their heads, some sold rush grass, sugar cubes, dried tofu, mustard mustard, and some sold Yeerba, yellow jelly, water bean curd, and dandan noodles.

Ning Xi looked at it and said, "Hehe, it's lively, it's so lively!" He walked into the hall with his children and grandchildren. But there are row upon row of verandahs and courtyards, antique colored carvings on the pink walls, and magnificent roofs of Xieshan style.In particular, the courtyard of the theatrical building is really recruiting, and many people waiting to watch the theater drink tea, eat melon seeds, smoke and talk and laugh.Fu Shengcai, who was wearing a brand-new robe and mandarin jacket, ushered in: "Ning Yi, you are here, welcome to you, a big investor in the construction of the guild hall!" Ning Yi smiled and said, "We are each other." The grand ceremony is still a while away, let’s go, I’ll show you around.” Said to the juniors around her, “Hurry up and get your seats.”

The juniors laughed and dispersed. Fu Shengcai led Ning Yi to look around the Wenxing Pavilion and Wangjiang Tower in the museum, and then led her to climb the stone ladder to see the King Yu who worshiped Dayu.Ning Xi walked into the spacious King Yu Palace, looked at the tall statue of King Yu, and was full of admiration.She knew about King Yu's water control. Shun succeeded Yao as the tribal leader. Seeing that Gun was not effective in water control, he killed Gun and sent his son Yu to control the water.Yu didn't just cover the land with water like his father did, but diverted the water into the sea by dredging the river, cured the flood, and succeeded the leader of the tribe.While watching, she talked to Fu Shengcai.

Fu Shengcai said: "You can do it, talk about the past and the present." She said, "I also listened to Shulin." Fu Shengcai praised: "The marriage between you and my virtuous brother Shulin, a local guest, has become a good story in Sichuan. Even Lord Qianlong also praised that the five directions are mixed and merged into one." She sighed, "Our marriage has suffered too much." "It's true. Uh, why didn't my brother Lin Xian come?" "He's so naive, he went with his grandson Sun Cong to Chaotianmen Wharf to watch the sailboats of the 'Long River Boat Gang'."

"Your second son, Guangsheng, is capable. He cooperated with Sun Shan to make the business of the 'Long River Boat Gang' more and more prosperous." "The juniors are all promising." "Ning Yi, you have traveled thousands of miles to Sichuan to buy property, and now your family business and population are prosperous." She nodded and sighed again: "Brother Sheng Cai, tell me, is there really something wrong with me, Ning Yi?" Fu Sheng was puzzled: "Why do you ask such a question?" She said: "The old patriarch of the Zhao family accused me, saying that I brought disaster to Lukong Village."

Fu Shengcai shook his head: "You are not wrong, the old Zhao family elder is confused, he should never blame you, he should praise you. Chief Qiao Jia has praised you many times to me, saying that you gave Lu Kongzhai It brought life and prosperity, it brought prosperity. The facts are there." "Thank you for looking at it this way." She said, remembering all the sufferings and disasters she had suffered, "Hey, God has created countless good people, and then ruthlessly destroyed good people. However, people's faith cannot be destroyed." "You're right. People's faith can't be destroyed. You, a person who has endured countless hardships, always have faith!"

"'There will be times when the wind and the waves cleave, hang the clouds and sail straight to the sea.' I like this poem by Li Bai very much." "That's why you always have a sense of pride, and you never stop..." The two said, and walked into the courtyard of the theater building. The theater courtyard is surrounded by tile-roofed wooden buildings, and the windows, walls, and pillars made of high-quality wood are gold-plated and silver-plated.Ning moved to see all kinds of carvings on the wall and wooden pillars, and sincerely praised: "Hehe, it is, the folklore of "Fengshen Bang" and "Twenty-Four Filial Piety." Fu Shengcai said: "No, if you look carefully, you can't finish it in a day. At this time, the courtyard that can accommodate hundreds of people is full of seats, and Sichuan opera is being performed on the stage.

Fu Shengcai led Ning Yi to the spacious tea house opposite the stage, and sat down on the side table, which was reserved for large investors.There was Xiaoer who brought a bowl of tea and melon seeds and put them on the table of the Eight Immortals in front of them.As soon as Ning Yi had a sip of tea, a beautiful young woman came over and bowed: "Greetings to Mrs. Chang!" Ning Yi smiled and said, "It's Mrs. Fu, please sit down quickly." The young woman was between her and Fu Shengcai Chair to sit down.She is Fu Shengcai's second wife, who was taken over by Ning Yi shortly after returning home from Chengdu five years ago.On the stage, the heroine Yingying flicked her sleeves and said: "Those who are expected to sing, should pity those who sigh." She sang with tears, "Whoever gets drunk in the frost and forest will always leave people in tears..." Ning Yi listened, Sore eyes and nose.Fu Sheng saw the heroine on the stage clearly, and was amazed: "Hey, it's my nephew and daughter-in-law Jiao Sidi. Hey, her figure and singing are still so good."

Looking at Jiao Sidi, the daughter-in-law who played the role of Yingying on stage, Ning Yi felt pain, pity and relief. His son Chang Guangru finally told Jiao Sidi about their beloved son Chang Zongwen being kidnapped by bandits. After hearing this, Jiao Sidi was heartbroken and thought of dying.She tried her best to comfort her: "Daughter-in-law, you can't avoid suffering and disaster in your life, you have to stand up to it. For the sake of Guangru and Zongwen, you must think about it and live well... "Jiao Sidi finally ate, but was depressed.She imitated Jiao Sidi's Sichuan opera lyrics and sang: "Abandoning donations has no return, and trying to add meals." She sang out of tune, which caused Jiao Sidi to smile tearfully: "Mom, I want to go to the theater troupe." After hesitating for a while, she still nodded: "Well, you are a famous actor back then. Mom agrees to you to go." Chang Guangru was not happy, so she persuaded Guangru, and Guangru acquiesced.Jiao Sidi often went to the troupe to sing operas to relieve boredom, and his mood gradually improved.

That day, she went to Ju'an Town in a carriage with Guangru and his wife and their children. When they saw the elderly Jiao Ling and Jiao Lishi, they were filled with sorrow and joy.She was sad that Guangru was robbed by them back then, and his mother and son were almost separated forever.She heard Guangru tell her how the two old men loved and nurtured him back then, and she is glad that her son who has suffered a lot is now a grown-up.Before leaving, Guangru told her not to blame the two old people.She said: "Son, they are also suffering people. They are childless and want to carry on the family line. As a mother, I will not blame them. As a mother, I should also thank them for their kindness in raising you." Guangru was emotional: "Mom, Thank you, son, your old mind can pretend to be the world!" When she saw the two old people, she saluted and thanked them, and the two old people felt guilty.Jiao Sidi sang Pang Sanchun's aria from the Sichuan opera "Three Filial Piety" for the two old people: "Hey, my dear son, that's what I said for my mother, how can I have the heart to beat my flesh and blood..." The two old people sang so loudly Tears welled up in my eyes, I couldn't get enough of Jiao Sidi and the children.Eighteen-year-old Jiao Chuan, who took the surname of Jiao Sidi, sat between the two old people.Jiao Ling caressed Jiao Chuan and said, "My Jiao family has no heirs, there are successors." Jiao Li said, "That's right, my Jiao family has Jiao Chuan." Seeing the two old people happy, she and Guangru and his wife urged They went to Daotai Mansion for the elderly, but the two old people still didn't go.They had no choice but to obey and visit and honor the two elders from time to time.

When she was talking to Mrs. Fu, she looked around for the juniors and saw many relatives and friends. Jiao Ling and his wife came, Master Cheng came, Chief Qiao Jia came, Pi Yougui came, and the old patriarch of the Zhao family also came. up.When I turned my head, I saw Chang Guangsheng and Chang Guanglian, who were also investors, sitting behind me.Looking at her daughter-in-law Li Xiaoya, who was concentrating on watching the play, she was filled with emotion.Xiaoya and Guangsheng relied on their own efforts to support the "Shushan Zhangzhuang" and gradually regained their vitality.It is a pity that Xuan Fukang, who has also invested in the capital, cannot come to this grand opening ceremony, and I feel sad.When she thought this way, Chang Guangliu, who was dripping with sweat, came: "Mom, my daughter is here." "Ah, well, mom is worried that you won't be able to make it." She said, letting Chang Guangliu sit next to her, This seat is reserved for Shulin. The summer after she went to Xindu to see Chang Guangliu, Chang Guangliu came to the "Changjia Tulou" and said that he was going to visit his parents in his hometown of Wangyueling in western Fujian.She let her go with Chang Guangsheng's fleet, first by water and then by land.Chang Guangsheng and Chang Guanglian were also allowed to accompany them, they are also Chang Weihan's biological children.It was very painful for her to make this decision, and she found the letter that Chang Weihan left her: "Ning Yi, I am ashamed to see you, I am sorry for you, our relationship is broken..." Looking at the letter, she was full of heart. So sad, I don't want their loving couple to suffer continuously, and now they go their separate ways.She knew that Guangsheng and Guanglian wanted to visit their biological father a long time ago, but they didn't go because they were afraid that she would be sad.She called the two of them together and said, "You and your younger sister Guangliu will go to Wangyueling, your hometown in western Fujian, to visit your hometown, visit your father, and visit your ancestors' graves." Chang Guanglian murmured: "Mom, you, Really let us go?" She suppressed the pain in her heart, and said, "Go, you all go, the kinship cannot be broken, you have to go and return safely." The three juniors bowed to her and bid farewell.Xuan Fukang was going to accompany Guangliu, but he failed because of a business deal.When the three of them arrived at Wangyueling, their hometown in western Fujian, they saw their father Chang Weihan. You! Oh, I am ashamed of you as my father, especially of Guangsheng and Guanglian's biological mother..." Hongyu watched from the side, tears pouring down.Hongyu called back Guangliu's four married sisters, and the family had a reunion dinner.Chang Weihan supported the sick body and sat at the head. The first glass of wine apologized to Ning Yi, and the second glass of wine wished Ning Yi and Zhao Shulin a happy marriage for a hundred years.In the evening, Chang Guangliu told his parents that his husband was the son of Xuan Guichang, and that Xuan Fukang was a good man.Chang Weihan sighed after hearing this, Hongyu was worried that his condition would worsen, and comforted him: "The first generation doesn't care about the personnel of the second generation, and Xuan Fukang is our savior of Guangliu." Both Chang Weihan and Hongyu I hoped that the three children would stay in their hometown in western Fujian, but all three declined, and went to visit their ancestors' graves, stayed for half a month, and returned in a hurry. Chang Guangliu's life was really hard. His husband Xuan Fukang's business was collapsed by the competition of "Zhao's firm", and he was heavily in debt.Zhao Si's boss came to press for debts, and the strong Xuan Fukang had to repay the debt with all his family wealth, and he could not afford to be seriously ill.When Zhao Si brought people to Xindu to take over their real estate, the real owners of "Zhao's firm", Zhao Qinping and Xuan Guichang, followed him.After they entered the house, they found out that the boss who crashed was actually Xuan Fukang, their own flesh and blood, and his life was already hanging by a thread.The couple wailed sadly and invited a famous doctor to treat him, but the son still passed away.When the son died, he stared at the two of them and said: "Man is doing it, the sky is watching, retribution..." After the son died, Xuan Guichang went crazy, shouting: "Man is doing it, the sky is watching, retribution, retribution... Haha, the Xuan family is extinct...burn, burn the money we cheated from the 'Shushan Zhangzhuang', burn it to make paper money for my son, burn, burn..." Zhao Qinping was sad and frightened, afraid of hating her daughter-in-law Tell the officer, throw her a bag of silver, let her bury her son Xuan Fukang, ask Zhao Si to hire a carriage, and take the lunatic Xuan Guichang to escape.What Zhao Qinping didn't know was that her daughter-in-law, who hadn't been pregnant for a long time, was already pregnant. Chang Guangliu was almost killed by his in-laws back then, and he hated them both to the bone. When he saw his in-laws leaving without saying goodbye, his clothes were wet with tears.After burying her husband, she burned incense and wept in front of his tomb, and after that, she came to seek refuge with Ning Mi.Ning Yi left her for a long time and treated her as his own daughter, only to find out that her mother-in-law was Zhao Qinping, and she never knew Mrs. Xuan Guichang's name. After asking about her appearance, she slapped her legs and said angrily, "It's her, it must be her." ! This vicious woman actually burglarized the 'Shushan Zhangzhuang' and murdered her benefactor!" Immediately called Li Xiaoya to go to the Chongqing government to report to the officials.The prefect of Chongqing respected Ning Yi very much, and the matter was not trivial, so he immediately ordered an investigation.He also followed Ning Yi's advice and urgently reported the matter to Chuandong Road and the provincial government.During the investigation, the matter alarmed the imperial court, and finally found clues, and found out that Zhao Si was indeed a Japanese. Mingli was doing so-called legitimate business in Sichuan as a Qing Dynasty man, but secretly he was working for his Japanese father, "Hondo". business" work. "Hondo Trading Company" was also a businessman and a thief. It smuggled wantonly in the Qing Dynasty, robbed it openly and robbed it secretly, and made huge profits.The "Changhai" ship of the Chang family was robbed for the first time when it transported goods to Taiwan. It was the people from the "Hondo Trading Company" who did it. The ship carried the goods that "Fukang Company" first went to Taiwan to sell.What makes people indignant and helpless is that both Zhao Si and his "Hondo Trading Company" have withdrawn to Japan, and the whereabouts of Xuan Guichang and his wife are still unknown.Ning Yi gritted his teeth and said with hatred: "The little Japanese bandits of the dog days dare to come to our land of China to rob us openly and secretly. I, the Chinese, cannot be bullied! The shameful Xuan Guichang and his wife even joined forces with the Japanese bandits and killed them." My own son deserves to be killed by heaven!" Saddened by the loss of his beloved son-in-law Xuan Fukang. Chang Guangliu gave birth to a son, and she wanted him to take her surname.Ning Yi said: "He is the flesh and blood of your husband Xuan Fukang, his surname should be Xuan." Chang Guangliu nodded with tears in his eyes: "Mom, why don't you give me a name?" She asked: "Xuan Fukang told you Is there any descendant of the Xuan family?" Guangliu said: "I said it, it's written by 'Great blessings, loyalty, filial piety, honesty, Dao follow the generosity and benevolence'." Ning Yi thought, and said: "Then it is called Xuan Zhongshi, and one must be loyal. "I thought, I have suffered enough in my life, and I don't want to, the younger generations have suffered more.Her mother, Liu Chun, once said to her father, Ning Degong, that since God has made people, they shouldn't make people suffer.Her father smiled and replied to her mother, whoever God likes will suffer.Hey, my father, who has suffered all his life, is optimistic enough. I think of the poem Yang Wanli, a Song Dynasty poet, that Shulin recited to her: "The wind blows up the sky and the waves lead, just smile and don't worry." On the contrary, people can't escape suffering, but people can. overcome suffering. Chang Guangliu, who had been a maid, endured hardships and was very diligent.She put her in charge of marketing.Guangliu did a good job, she came here after delivering goods in Longchang County. "Guangliu, have you sold that batch of goods?" Ning Yi asked. "It's sold, and there are merchants who want the goods." Chang Guangliu replied. When the mother and daughter were talking, Zhao Shulin came in a new dress, and Chang Guangliu got up to say hello, and each went to find a seat. At this time, the crowd in the arena was commotion, and they got out of the way. It was Mr. Zhao Gengdi, the procurator who was about to take office in the provincial capital, who had been promoted.The person in charge stopped the troupe and announced the opening ceremony of the Huguang Guild Hall.The drums and music blared, the firecrackers blared, and the voices of people were buzzing.The person in charge respectfully invited Mr. Zhao to speak, and brother Zhao Geng, who was wearing an official robe, stepped onto the stage. Both Ning Yi and Zhao Shulin watched their son take the stage. "... On the 24th day of Qianlong's reign, our Huguang Guild Hall in Chongqing was finally completed and opened. This is a major event worthy of celebration and a major event to be recorded in the annals of history! It is the result of active advocacy and funding of 80% of the immigrants from various provinces. Everyone’s seeing is believing. This guild hall combines the architectural style and cultural characteristics of southerners and Ba people. Bright and clean houses, bright theater buildings, lively teahouses, exquisite courtyards, beautiful flowers and plants, and magnificent temples, it is a huge guild hall integrating lodging, watching plays, talking about events, and offering incense..." Seeing his son talking eloquently, Ning Yi was very proud.Zhao Shulin chuckled: "You can speak well, I learned it all from me." Ning Yi stared at him and smiled: "You look proud." After the opening ceremony, Taozi, who was decorated with emerald flowers on her head and shoulders with pearls and dangling shoulders, came, and behind her was Laohan, the big housekeeper wearing a melon skin hat.Ning Yi stared at them and smiled: "The new clothes of you two are so beautiful!" Tao Zi smiled and replied: "Madam and Master are even more beautiful." Then he said, "You and I are both wearing our own grass cloth. The homemade clothes are of course beautiful." Ning Yi smiled knowingly, yes, the quality of the linen produced by her family is getting better and better, breathable, sweat-absorbent, crisp, and a wide variety.According to the weaving direction of the twine, it can be divided into plain cloth and ribbed cloth, by the thickness of the twine, it can be divided into coarse cloth, medium cloth and fine cloth, and by color, it can be divided into natural color, bleached, dyed and printed.The coarse cloth can be used as pockets, interlinings and tents, the middle cloth and fine cloth can be used as clothing materials, and it can also be embroidered and cross-stitched to make warm curtains, wall hangings, lampshades, tablecloths, chair cushions and towels.The fine and beautiful fine cloth is white and soft, known as "hemp silk" and "pearl rib". It is a fine linen cloth and has become a famous native product in Rongchang County.Lao Han cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Master, Madam, according to Madam's instructions, I have already ordered a meal in the Yanxi Garden, and I have notified the whole family." Ning Yi nodded and smiled: "Today is a rare and good day, and the whole family has a meal. Meal. Ah, yes, hurry up and invite Master Cheng, Chief Qiao Jia, Chief Zhao, Fu Shengcai and his wife, and Pi Yougui to join us." Laohan cupped his hands and walked away. The banquet garden was very lively, and the smiling boss personally served the dishes and served the wine. Because it was a family banquet, Zhao Gengdi, the envoy, did not dare to sit at the head.Ning Mi asked the old man Jiaoling to sit at the head, followed by Jiao Lishi, Master Cheng, Qiao Jiachang, Fu Shengcai and his wife, Zhao Shulin, her, Pi Yougui, Zhao Gengdi and his wife, Chang Guangsheng and his wife, Chang Guanglian, Chang Guangliu and so on.The patriarch of the Zhao clan invited him or not. After the people sat down, Ning Yi looked at the elders, peers, and grandchildren with a lot of emotion. Back then, she settled down in Lukongzhai with her children and took care of her daughter.It was the first time that her family of dozens of people had such a complete reunion dinner! She toasted to the elders and peers, and the younger generations toasted to her, and the atmosphere was warm. She was in a good mood and drank to her heart's content. Son Chang Guangru, Zhao Liyi, the eldest son surnamed Zhao, and Jiao Chuan, the second son surnamed Jiao, came to toast.Zhao Liyi is currently in charge of the "Zhao Family Courtyard", and manages the family well.Jiao Chuan went to Ju'an Township to accompany Jiao Ling and his wife, and opened the "Jiaojia Store", which not only sold meat, but also various commodities such as linen and folding fans.Looking at her two grandsons, she narrowed her eyes with a smile, and drank heavily, with tears of bitterness accompanying the wine.She still lacks her good grandson Chang Zongwen, who is the youngest son of her eldest son Chang Guangru with the common surname, and the eldest grandson of the Chang family.