Chapter 2 Mo Xueyan

Kangzhuang was originally not called Kangzhuang, but Motou.Because there was a big family, surnamed Kang, but his family's house occupied more than half of the village, and it lasted for a hundred years, so the village gradually called Motou Kang's Village.Later, the whole Taigu commonly called it Kangzhuang, and Motou became even more obsolete. The Kang family is of course very proud of this, and they take it for granted as an evolution.But Kang Hunan, the head of Kang Jiade Xintang, always felt that this was a bit domineering, at least in terms of feng shui in this area, it was not respectful enough.

Dexintang is actually the hall name of Kang Hunan's own family.At that time, the wealthy businessmen in Jindi liked this kind of elegance very much. When a child grows up, marries a wife, and establishes a family, he will be given an elegant hall name, just like giving their business name an auspicious one. The name is the same. The word "Dexin" is said to be taken from the sentence "Wealth is a great cause, and daily innovation is Shengde" in "The Book of Changes".It has been 50 or 60 years since the name of Dexin Church was established on Kanghu Nanding.Fifty or sixty years ago, when he was just an adult, it seemed that not many people called Motou like that anymore.However, when Kang Watan interacted with outsiders, whether he was an official figure or a business colleague, he always insisted on calling himself Motou Kang Watan.He did this to maintain a respect for the grinding head.

The courtyard houses of the Kang family grandly occupied more than half of Kangzhuang, and the majority of them was Dexin Hall.The huge mansion in Dexintang is made up of about 360 rooms.But in such a big mansion, there is only a gate tower that is not high, three or four more cramped watch towers and overlooking towers, and the rest are not much higher than the neighbors' houses, and there is no one that is overwhelming. tall building.That seems to be a kindness left by the Kang family to Motou. The main gate of Dexin Hall is neither high nor gorgeous, and a lower floor is placed on the gate of the round arch, which is just a symbol.The door opening is very spacious, and there is no restriction on entering and exiting carriages, horses and sedan chairs.On the two thick black lacquered gates, a pair of couplets painted in gold characters on red ground, with only three characters on each side:

There are no banners, and there are no plaques such as "Doctor's House" and "Wu Guerrilla" that are commonly seen on the doors of ordinary wealthy families.The door opens to the south, and the front of the door is also open, and the Phoenix Mountain can be seen in the distance. Entering the main entrance, there is a tall rockery blocking it.The momentum of this rockery is like moving a section of cliff.The upper part is flat, dotted with a small gazebo, and there are winding stone steps beside it, which can be climbed up.The front is steep and abnormal, the more it goes down, the more it sinks in, until it becomes a cave.

Around this strange rockery, there is a small garden-like courtyard surrounded by a circle of verandas.The east and west hatchbacks each have a moon gate.Zhengbei is the Yimen Gate of Dexin Hall, commonly known as the Ermen Gate.Important guests, that is, get off here. On the ninth day of May in the 25th year of Guangxu, almost all the men, big and small, from all the houses of Dexin Hall gathered behind the rockery and in front of the Yimen.They were obviously waiting to greet important guests. Of the six masters of Dexin Tangzi's generation, two are not at home.One is the third master, Kang Chongguang, who has been inspecting shops in Guihua City outside the mouth, and has been gone for almost a year.In the spring, I followed a naturalized camel team to Uliasuta, the former camp of Outer Mongolia.It is said that they will go to the commercial road from Kulun to Qiaktu, so there is no return date yet.The other is Kang Chongyao, the fifth master, who took Wu Niang to visit Tianjin Wharf at the end of spring.

The four at home have all arrived.Because when the butler, Lao Xia, passed on the old man's words to them, he said that the old man would also go to greet the guests in person, and everyone must come.He also said that the old man had to wear the supplementary official clothes today, and the famous old man would naturally not be able to wear ordinary clothes.This made the atmosphere somewhat unusual. Who is going to come? Lao Xia didn't say anything.The old man didn't ask either.They just got dressed and came out in silence. Grandpa Kang Chongyuan suffered from ear problems when he was young, but he was not cured and became deaf.He was not born deaf-mute, and he could still speak after he was deaf, so it was still possible to donate an official to him, but the old man kept shaking his head and refused.After he became deaf, he liked to study "Yi", and he has studied it for thirty or forty years, and he may have seen everything through.Today the Eldest Master came out, still dressed normally, with a calm expression on his face.

The second master, Kang Zhongxian, was not in good health when he was young, and he was very weak.Kang Hunan asked him to practice Xingyiquan with the martial masters in the guard house.Originally, it was to make him keep fit, but he became obsessed with Xingyiquan martial arts, and he lost interest in reading and doing business.Now in Taigu's martial arts world, Er Ye is also a somewhat famous boxer.If you donate an official to him, you will donate a fifth-rank military merit.He felt very restrained by the outfit worn by the official generals, as if his martial arts had been abolished, and he stood there stiffly all the time.

The fourth master, Kang Chongyun, was very kind and caring, so he learned medicine and often gave medicine to the villagers.He has the false title of chief minister, so he also put on his official uniform and hat, and waited there quietly. The sixth master, Kang Chonglong, is the youngest. He has already passed the college examination and is preparing for the provincial examination next year.Not to mention Dexintang, even the entire Motou Kang family, since entering the Qing Dynasty, there has not been a single person who has achieved fame in the right way.The sixth master really wants to win a serious recruit back in the autumn of next year.He didn't know who came to disturb him again today, and his face was full of displeasure.

In addition to these four masters, those who came out to welcome the guests included Mr. He Kaisheng, the school teacher of the Kang family hall, Master Bao, the boxer at the Dexintang Nursing Academy, and of course the housekeeper, Lao Xia, and a group of servants who followed the gentlemen. .The gentlemen didn't speak, and others didn't dare to speak.The servants moved even more quietly, which made the atmosphere even more unusual. Who is going to come?No one knew, and no one wanted to ask. They didn't really ask questions until Kang Hunan, who was dressed up, came out and stood behind the rockery and in front of the Yimen just like everyone else.

The official title donated by Kang Hunan is the supplementary way of Hualing's fourth-rank title.If he came out in such an official uniform today, he must be welcoming the officials.To greet officials in the officialdom, they should at least go to the entrance of the village to welcome them.But the old man dressed up and came out, but he also stood here and did not move. Everyone could see that the old man's face was very serious today, as if he was angry. Who is that mad at?How can you be so angry when you are about to welcome the official guests in such a grand manner?Is it angry with the official who is coming?Then why invite him?This is not like the old man's usual style.

Lao Ting, who has been serving Kang Hunan personally, brought a chair and asked him to sit for a while.He is determined not to sit. The atmosphere was even more terrifying. Fortunately it was a sunny day.The bright sunlight shone on the rockery, which seemed to soften the strangeness.The branches and vines hanging from the top of the rockery hang green; the pool of lotus at the foot of the mountain is not only full of graceful and graceful leaves, but also three or five new buds stand out.The sky is clear and high. In such a beautiful time, what happened? Finally a servant ran over from the rockery.Before he could open his mouth to report, Lao Xia hurriedly asked: "come yet?" "Here we come, we come, the chariots and horses have already entered the village." He was sitting in a chariot and horse, not a big sedan chair, so what kind of official would he be?Maybe it was a private visit from a senior official?However, Kang Hunan still had an angry face at this time, and the anger seemed to be even worse than before.It became increasingly difficult for everyone to guess what was going to happen. Kang Hunan, dressed up and furious, moved to a place close to Yimen, and stood still with his hands down.Lao Xia greets He Juren and goes past Kanghu South Station.After that, the Eldest Master, Second Master, Fourth Master, and Sixth Master followed in turn and stood still.Finally, Master Bao, Lao Xia and Lao Ting.The welcoming queue lined up lined up was not a small scene, but it was so silent that it was scary. Outside the gate, the sound of carriages and horses was soon heard, the majestic sound of carriages and horses. The carriages and horses stopped and did not enter the gate. Except for Kang Hunan, probably all the people who greeted the guests all stared at the rockery at this time: Who is going to come? First came the sound of footsteps that were too thin, not shouting and embracing, but chaotic footsteps, but lonely, as if there was only one person.Not even a servant? It was just a person, a very ordinary person in ordinary clothes, who appeared on the side of the rockery.Is he the one who greeted you so grandly?Before everyone saw this very ordinary visitor clearly, they suddenly saw the old man bowed, arched his hands, and shouted in a very loud voice: "Received the title of Hualing Fourth Grade to use Daokang Hunan, here I am waiting for Lord Qiu to drive me!" The old man signed up for this very ordinary visitor with such a resonant voice, just as everyone was surprised, when he saw Master Qiu suddenly prostrate on the ground, and the moment he jumped down, it was as if he had been kicked suddenly by someone, or as if he had been kicked by someone suddenly. A ladle of water was suddenly thrown on the ground. The old man still bowed and bowed, and said in a loud voice: "Master Qiu, please get up quickly, you don't need to kneel down for me. You're getting too big, it's time for us to kneel down for you!" "Old Dongtai, Kang Lao Dongtai—" Mr. Qiu, who fell on the ground, was already dripping with sweat. "Master Qiu, you have a lot of ostentation. You must go out, you must have brocade clothes, and you must have prostitutes at banquets. You have a lot of ostentation." "Old Dongtai—" "Master Qiu, why don't you come in your green sedan chair today?" Master Qiu, who was lying on the ground, was already trembling, and anyone could see it. "You are pompous, so you are pompous. You like to sit in a green sedan chair, so you can sit!" "Kang Lao Dongtai——" "If you want to frighten the magistrates and county magistrates on the other side of Laoshan, you can do so. How many of the magistrates and county magistrates on the other side of Laoshan greet you as if they were up front?" "Is Lintong welcoming you?" "Is Tongguan welcoming you?" "We've arrived on the ground in Shanxi, you should report a letter early, and I'll meet you, Mr. Qiu!" "Old Dongtai, old Dongtai—" Kang Hunan threw down the string of words that made people both puzzled and frightened, turned around and left angrily.Lao Ting followed closely and left.Lord Qiu, who was prostrate on the ground, looked up, panicked beyond description.After being stunned for a moment, he crawled on his knees and knees like that, and went to chase Kang Hunan. The butler, Lao Xia hurried over and said, "Shopkeeper Qiu, you don't have to do this, just get up and go!" But the shopkeeper Qiu didn't seem to hear, he still crawled forward in a panic along the stone-paved corridor. Lao Xia turned around and said: "Masters, let's go, let's go!" and followed to greet the crawling shopkeeper Qiu. The masters really haven't seen such a scene, where will they disperse?They didn't know what kind of play it was. The young sixth master asked: "Master Qiu, Shopkeeper Qiu, who is he?" He Juren said: "It's not Qiu Taiji, the old gang of your family's Tiancheng Yuanpiao Bank stationed in Xi'an Zhuangkou." The second master said: "It turned out to be a small shopkeeper of our own family stationed abroad. No wonder the old man was scared like that. It's so pitiful. The old man frightened a small shopkeeper like this and asked us to accompany him. Why? " He Juren sneered and said, "I don't know about that." Ask Master Bao again."I don't even know," he said. This poor man is none other than Qiu Taiji, the old gangster of the Xi'an branch of Tiancheng Yuanpiaozhuang.It is the habit of Western businessmen to call the semicolon managers stationed in foreign ports the old gang.The old gang is like the boss commonly known in the south.It's just that this Qiu old gang is not such a poor person in his Zhuangkou.He was famous for his elegance, luxury, and above all his often unconcealed arrogance.This time he was so ridiculed by his old club because his extravagance and arrogance were a bit out of line. Qiu Laobang is the kind of person who is elegant and handsome, talented and intelligent, and his writing is not bad.He is also very good at communication, whether in business or officialdom, he is good at dancing everywhere.Where he leads the overseas branch of the village, the profits are always at the top.When he was stationed in Zhuangkou, Kaifeng, he almost exchanged posts with the feudal lords in Henan, and almost all the official funds of the province's treasury passed through Tian Chengyuan. How could the profit be small?When he was leading the estate in Shanghai, he was able to attract Sichuan customers to Shanghai to do business that they had always done in Hankou.In the past three years, he led the village in Xi'an, and his profit actually surpassed that of the Zhangjiakou sub-village.At that time, Zhangjiakou was a large passageway from the capital to Mengtonger, the Great Pass, commonly known as Dongkou.It is also the traditional Dazhuangkou of Tianchengyuan. It's just that shopkeeper Qiu loves luxury too much.Kang Hunan said that he "must go out in public, wear brocade clothes, and have prostitutes in banquets", which is not too much.He enjoys luxury and has his reasons.He can make big business, you are not elegant and luxurious, how can you associate with officials, celebrities and celebrities?However, like all Xibang firms, Kang's Tiancheng Yuanpiaozhuang also has extremely strict rules.Friends stationed in foreign docks, from general clerks to deputy gangsters, are divided into several grades, and there are strict regulations on how much clothing, what food to eat, and how much pocket money can be paid each year.Although there are no rules for social entertainment expenses in business, there must be detailed accounts.In fact, the friends of the Shanxi bank were able to enjoy clothing, food, and pocket expenses at that time. They were still high-class in the business world, and they were quite the envy of other types of businesses.Especially the old gang in the leading village, they are particular about their daily life, diet, carriage and horse clothes, and they don't look shabby when they go in and out of high society.Shopkeeper Qiu is too much, his extravagance often makes some officials feel ashamed. One of the most stringent rules of the Xibang firm is that no matter whether the old gang or the young man stationed abroad, they are not allowed to bring their family members with them, they are not allowed to take concubines and young children outside, and they are not allowed to spend time with prostitutes.Violators will receive the most severe punishment, which is expulsion from the account.The establishment of this regulation is of course to give Western merchants a reputation as an upright gentleman, but the deeper intention is for the safety of their business.Western merchants who have already expanded their business, have semicolons all over the world.You hand over tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of capital to a few friends and open a village thousands of miles away. If he brings his family or has a good woman there, the risk of fleeing the money will always be there. exist.Since the Qing government allowed Shanxi bank accounts to release official funds, in order to solicit such big business, many bank accounts were also loose about inviting customers to eat flowers and wine.In terms of status, only entertainers are used to entertain customers, and the personnel of this account are not allowed to get involved, but how can you be clear about having a banquet together?Of course, the elegant and handsome Qiu Lao Gang is also very familiar with this, and has done a lot of big business.But also because of this, he seems to have obtained a special license to go in and out of Xianggong's place, even the brothel and willow alley. Qiu's old gang is so extravagant and extravagant, and it's extravagantly coquettish, can the old gangs in other docks not know?They often complained to Sun Beiming, the head shopkeeper.It's not that shopkeeper Sun doesn't know, but Qiu Taiji is a good hand in business, it's a pity to take him into law immediately; it's hard to change his temperament if he asks him to correct himself.For the time being, the big shopkeeper can only keep mobilizing him, changing the dock every three years, so as not to keep him in one place for a long time.In particular, he cannot be sent to big villages like the capital, Hankou, Suzhou, and Foshan. But this Qiu Taiji, he returned to Taigu after get off work from Xi'an Zhuangkou this year, and he caused trouble on the way again. Because this account period of his leadership of the village, he has made a lot of profits, and he is proud of the spring breeze.After leaving Xi'an, I hired a big green wool sedan chair carried by four people, sat in it grandly, and made a big article about returning home.In front of the sedan chair, there are still people leading the way on horseback, which seems to be the pomp of official errands. In that era, there was a distinction between high and low between officials and people. Even in the officialdom, there were extremely strict regulations on what kind of official and what kind of sedan chair to sit on.Four people carried a big green sedan chair, which is an official car that only senior civil servants of the third rank or above should sit on.He's a private businessman, and he's swaggering through the market, isn't that a cowardly thing to do! Passing through Shaanxi, entering Shanxi, all the way to prefectures and counties, all the way to post stations, I don't know how he dealt with the past, and nothing happened.After passing Pingyang, Huozhou, and Hanhouling, they have entered the ground of Taifen, and they are almost home, but there is trouble.It turned out that before crossing the Hanhou Ridge, Qiu's old gang had a cup of tea at the post station in Renyi Town, that is, they had some refreshments and rested their feet.The Yi Cheng of this small post station is a novice who has just been appointed. He believes that he is a high-ranking official based on the pomp of Qiu's old gang and his own demeanor.In addition to hospitality, he also hurriedly sent someone to inform the Lingshi County Government that there was an official from Shangfeng crossing the border in disguise. After the county magistrate of Lingshi got the report, he hurriedly made preparations to flatter him, prepared a guard of honor, and led a group of entourage out of the city to meet him.The one who waited so hard to come, but it was our old gang of Qiu, who didn't know each other, you said that the county magistrate turned his nose in anger!Although the business atmosphere in Jin Province is fierce, in terms of officials, scholars, peasants, workers, and merchants are still in an iron-like order of superiority and inferiority. No matter whether you are Tian Cheng Yuan or Di Cheng Fang, merchants are the merchants who are at the bottom.It would be a big disgrace to send out guards of honor in the government office to welcome a private merchant. The magistrate was furious, and immediately took down Mr. Qiu's gang. When the news reached Taigu Tiancheng Yuan Headquarters, Sun Beiming, the treasurer, first laughed in his heart: Now, there is a way to cure you, Qiu Taiji. Lingshi is a small county not far from Taigu, and Tiancheng Yuanpiaozhuang did not set up a village there.However, the Kang family's Tianyilong silk and satin village has a village in Lingshi.Sun Beiming personally wrote an apology letter to the county magistrate of Lingshi, full of humility and fear.He also wrote a bank note of Tianchengyuan as a respect for the Dragon Boat Festival to honor the county magistrate, and indicated that it could be withdrawn at any bank of Tianchengyuan or Tianyilong at any time.Then, the shopkeeper named Tian Yilong hurriedly sent someone to Lingshi Zhuangkou, ordering the old gang there to rush to the county government office.In a few days, Lingshi sent back a message that the county magistrate would not give face to shopkeeper Sun, nor would he accept Jiejing, saying that he wanted to send Qiu Taiji to the Fenzhou government. It seems that the magistrate is really angry.It doesn't really matter if he is sent to the Fenzhou government, Tian Chengyuan is very familiar with the official circles of Fenzhou, so it is easier to talk to him.It's just that in this way, the shit that Qiu Taiji made will be publicized, which is not good for Tian Chengyuan's reputation. Sun Beiming was about to make another plan to clean up the shit as soon as possible, when Kang Hunan's words came from Kang Zhuangde Xintang: "Treasurer Sun, you have worked hard. Hurry up to Lingshi and present this letter of mine to the county magistrate. If you are busy and cannot leave the cabinet, then I will go there." This is very clear, the old Dongtai wants him to go there himself.What kind of letter do you want to present in such a grand manner?The letter was not sealed either, so Sun Beiming took it out and looked at it. Apart from being polite, there was only one sentence: "Please act impartially and punish Qiu severely. He is a bastard and should have been severely punished long ago." In Lao Dongtai's words, there seems to be dissatisfaction with him, right?He should have been severely punished long ago, but that doesn't mean that he, Mr. Sun, has indulged this bastard Qiu for too long! The shopkeeper Sun Beiming didn't dare to hesitate, and hurriedly set off for Lingshi. When he was approaching Lingshi, he suddenly realized that after this trip, after submitting Kang Lao Dongtai's letter, the county magistrate would release him.The letter was written by Mrs. Kang himself, and delivered from a long distance by his big shopkeeper. He didn't plead for mercy, but urged you to punish severely. You have given enough face, and the reason has been taken, and he has more steps to go down.His disposition at the beginning was too hasty, and he didn't pay much attention to the county magistrate. He put a bank note there first, how could he step down? Sure enough, when the letter was handed over, he was released.The magistrate said: "If you want to punish severely, you should punish severely yourself. I know the virtuousness of Senior Kang." "We will never forget the great master's kindness." Before leaving Lingshi, he told Tian Yilong's old gang who led the village here to send the bank note to the county magistrate when there was a festival. When Qiu Taiji saw that shopkeeper Sun Da came to rescue him in person, he thought it was a special value.Therefore, I didn't feel ashamed, I just said that I should remember the kindness of the big shopkeeper. Sun Beiming hurriedly said seriously: "Shopkeeper Qiu, don't you dare to say that, I came to Lingshi under the order of Mrs. Kang! If you want to thank, you go to thank Lao Dongtai, don't dare to thank me!" Hearing this, Qiu Taiji felt even more proud, and said, "Of course I have to thank Old Dongtai. This county magistrate is too new to the world." Sun Beiming snorted coldly, and said in his heart, Qiu Taiji, Qiu Taiji, you're shrewd, so you were just a little shrewd, and now you can't see anything.All the way back to Taigu, he didn't talk to that bastard Qiu again.All the way, Sun Beiming was thinking about how to severely punish this bastard. Back in Taigu, Qiu Tai basically wanted to rest for a few days before going to apologize to Mrs. Kang.Unexpectedly, the second day after he arrived home, Dexintang sent someone to invite him: "If shopkeeper Qiu can go away, please make a hard trip on the ninth day of the ninth day. Mrs. Kang wants to see you. If you can't leave on the ninth day of the ninth day, shopkeeper Qiu, please set a date. These are the original words of the old man Kang." Then the ninth day.No matter how insolent Qiu Taiji is, he dare not set a date for his old club. There is a general taboo in Xibang firms, that is, below the head shopkeeper, from the assistant manager, commonly known as the second shopkeeper, to old gangs and ordinary friends from all over the place, it is not advisable to casually go to see the rich man.In the business circles of Jin Province, people such as the general manager and the big shopkeeper of the shop are also called Lingdong.Because the financial owner handed over the business name to the big shopkeeper, who has full power to manage and manage the business, and the owner does not interfere with the specific number.The people below go to Cai Dong to make irresponsible remarks, what's the matter?However, Kang Watnan has a hobby. He likes to listen to news and anecdotes from various docks.Therefore, when employees stationed in other cities came back from get off work, he would pick one or two and invite them to sit around, not getting involved in any business, just chatting about the sea and the sky.There are veterans and ordinary friends who are invited.It is an honor to be invited by the old club to chat, no matter who it is.Qiu Taiji has always been an old gangster who is often invited by the old Dongtai to chat.This time such a trivial matter happened, the old club not only personally rescued him, but also invited him to chat, which shows that he is not in the same regard as usual. Who doesn't like someone who can make money! Poor Qiu Taiji came to Kangzhuang leisurely with such a mood.How could he have expected that what was waiting for him would be such a scene! He almost fainted. After Kang Lao Dongtai left angrily, he knelt and crawled all the way, chasing after him, but Lao Dongtai still refused to see him.He just lay at the gate of the old courtyard where the old man lived, and couldn't get up on his knees for a whole day.He has been used to enjoying blessings all year round, how can he stand up to this long kneeling!Everyone kneeled a little out of shape, and they didn't influence their old club. At noon, Mrs. Kang sent someone to bring a kneeling mat.He had already heard that the old lady was young and open-minded, but he did not expect to be so kind. But how dare he kneel on that mat! The housekeeper Lao Xia was also benevolent and came to persuade him several times. Shopkeeper Qiu should go up first, go back first, and talk about it later.He also sent someone to bring him water and food, and persuade him to eat and drink. How can he eat and drink! Seeing that the sun was setting, Qiu Taiji was in despair.He kowtowed three times to the gate of the old man's house before he got up with difficulty and staggered out of Dexin Hall. The carriage I hired when I came here has long since disappeared.Lao Xia wants to send his owner's carriage to take him off, how dare he sit in it!Old Mrs. Kang said that he "must be a father when he goes out".He staggered out of Kangzhuang, stumbled and walked towards the county seat.Afraid of accidents, Lao Xia sent a servant to follow him secretly. It is May, and the days are already very long. From the setting sun to the night, there is a long dusk in between.Kangzhuang is only a dozen miles away from the county seat.But when Qiu Taiji staggered to Nanguan, it was already dark.He didn't go into town, and he didn't hire a car to go home.His family is still in Shuixiu Village in the north of the city.He found a small inn in Nanguan and stayed. Stay here, how can I sleep! The more he recalled what happened today, the more frightened he felt: it is very likely that he is no longer a member of Tian Chengyuan.From the age of fourteen, when he entered Kang's family Tian Chengyuan, to the age of thirty-four this year, he has been in this company for twenty years.That's it, all over? Early the next morning, Qiu Taiji rushed to the main office in panic. The shopkeeper Sun Beiming saw him immediately.All of a sudden, shopkeeper Sun was also a little surprised to see that he was completely out of shape, such a handsome and suave person turned into this. Qiu Taiji knelt down with a plop. "Shopkeeper Qiu, get up quickly, get up quickly. If you have anything to say first, did you see Lao Dongtai?" Shopkeeper Qiu was already in tears. "It's still necessary, shopkeeper Qiu, get up, get up, if you have anything to say, tell me first, what did old Dongtai say about you?" It took a long time for Qiu Taiji to tell the scene of Mrs. Kang taunting him. After hearing this, Master Sun remained silent. "Boss shopkeeper, what do you think Lao Dongtai means? I can't eat Tian Chengyuan's rice anymore?" "Boss, only you can save me, only you!" Sun Beiming looked stern, and still did not speak. "Boss shopkeeper, I know I'm not good enough, I know I've made things difficult for you, since I've served Tian Chengyuan for 20 years, big shopkeeper, I just ask you to tell me, can I still be saved?" Sun Beiming sighed, and said: "Shopkeeper Qiu, Shopkeeper Qiu, I have always regarded you as a smart, talented, and caring person. Why can't you hold that little credit and that little profit in your stomach?" , What a small situation! You only win a few small money, and you have to sit in a green sedan chair! Chen Yiqing's old gang made arrangements in Hankou, what kind of situation? Dai Ying's old gang made arrangements in the capital, that is another one What kind of situation is this? What kind of situation is it that I am in the old account? You take a green sedan chair, so what should we sit in? You have been in Tianchengyuan for 20 years, and I just found out today that you have not learned the true meaning of Tianchengyuan. This ability has not been passed down to my Tiancheng Yuan True Inheritance!" "Boss shopkeeper, this time, I just realized that I am worthless, that I have tarnished the reputation of my boss, and I have even failed your high expectations, big shopkeeper." "Get up, get up and talk." Qiu Taiji still insisted on kneeling and refused to get up. Sun Beiming sternly said, "Get up! How did you become like this?" Qiu Taiji just stood up. "sit down." Shopkeeper Qiu cringed, not daring to sit down. "sit down!" Although he sat down, he still flinched. In Qiu Taiji's impression, the shopkeeper Sun Beiming always had such an elegant, quiet, tepid, and light-hearted look. It was the first time he had seen such a stern expression like today.Can he not be afraid of tension?But the shopkeeper was willing to see him, and even told him to sit down and talk, which aroused a little hope in him. "Let me see, you have got too many bad habits in today's officialdom! You are good at interacting with the officialdom, that's your skill. But with your skill, what do you want? It's for business, not for the glory of the officialdom What's the point of the officialdom? You're such a small shopkeeper, why don't you just win over him? That lord in Henan Province, if I hadn't blocked you, you would have exchanged posts with him. He You are an official of the imperial court, a high-ranking official, who are you, and why is he willing to sworn worship with you? The officialdom is always unpredictable, this lord will be promoted tomorrow, you are honored, and our name will be honored; if he is dismissed tomorrow and ransacked the house Is your sworn brother not to be troubled? Is our name to be troubled? You are so smart, but you just don’t think about these joints! You won’t be convinced if you say you haven’t received my Tiancheng Yuan’s true biography.” "Boss, I'm already like this, how dare I be so arrogant!" "Shopkeeper Qiu, your deadly joint is not empty, it's because you don't understand the word 'Tibetan'." "The word 'Tibetan'?" "To be honest, no matter in the officialdom or in the business world, the word 'Tibet' is a big joint. Generally speaking, what is hidden in the officialdom is clumsiness, stupidity, treachery, and greed. There are too many of them. They are loose inside, and they like to show off their faces. But those virtuous heroes in the officialdom often have to restrain themselves, hide their talents, hide their wisdom, hide their talents, and hide their talents. You are a businessman, learn from it. Those mediocre officials are so public! My West Gang can achieve such a situation in business, with business all over the world, business names all over the world, manage the wealth of the world, and take the benefits of the world, because we have understood the word "Tibetan". Zangzhi, Hiding cleverness, hiding wealth, hiding power, hiding our big means and big weapons. It is said that we are rich and powerful, and my western gang has gathered the wealth of the world. If we don’t speak a word of Tibetan, the momentum is amazing! Not only will it scare away people all over the world, If you make people in the world jealous, I am afraid that the imperial court will not tolerate us." "Boss, I'm too shallow." "You have violated the big taboo of my West Clan. My West Clan hates the word 'exposed' the most, and it is most taboo to compete with officials. Everyone in the world says that Anhui merchants are extravagant, while Shanxi merchants are frugal. Our Shanxi merchants can achieve such a situation." , is more than just a word of frugality. Thrift means possession. The money business of banknotes is rich in profit and quick in wealth accumulation. Everyone in the world can see it. Everyone wants to emulate it, but it has always been monopolized by our Western Gang. Monopoly, why? I am the only one who is good at hiding. During the Xianfeng period, Hu Xueyan in Hangzhou, making friends with officials and doing business, his talents, methods, sophistication, and flair, I am afraid that they are all under your shopkeeper Qiu. let's go?" "Boss, stop laughing at me." "He, Hu Xueyan, thinks very highly of himself. He actually imitated the system of my Xibang ticket office and opened a Fukang ticket office. He also called it the Nanbang ticket. His family is only in Fukang. Fukang hasn't made any trouble yet, so Hu Xueyan bought an official red hat to wear, and then a yellow mandarin jacket from the imperial court to wear, lest people in the world would not know his hand. Duan is good, the scene is big, what are you waiting for if Fukang is not down! Shopkeeper Qiu, where were you when Fukang was down in the sixth year of Guangxu?" "It's only been a year since I entered Tianchengyuan. However, I also heard that Fukang was down, and the market was shaken, which dragged down many companies." "Not only is it a drag on others, but it also greatly damages the reputation of our West Bank bank. The imperial court issued an edict for a while, not allowing private bank accounts to remit official money. Hu Xueyan also loves luxury and women. Shopkeeper Qiu , I think you want to learn from Hu Xueyan, right?" After hearing these words, Qiu Taiji fell to his knees again. "Boss, after listening to your teaching, how can I still do that in the future!" "Shopkeeper Qiu, let's not talk about the future. I really can't tell you whether you will eat at Tianchengyuan in the future. I have been serving Kangjiade Xintang for decades. I am afraid of actions like the old Dongtai's." Only seen it a few times." "Boss shopkeeper, what does Lao Dongtai mean by that? He is extremely angry and his kindness has been broken, right?" "Shopkeeper Qiu, I really can't tell you. However, I have done my best today. If you are willing to listen to me and understand the word 'Tibetan', no matter where you eat in the future, you will benefit endlessly." .” "Boss, apart from Tian Chengyuan, I have no place to stand!" "Let's not talk about the future. Shopkeeper Qiu, you go home and take your vacation. In the past three years, you have led the estate in Xi'an, and you still have a lot of credit. When you come back from get off work, I will tell you to take enough rest during the half-year period. You just start Hui Shuixiu, take your vacation." Qiu Taiji still wanted to speak, but shopkeeper Sun Da ordered to see off the guests in a decisive tone. Although he returned to Shuixiu by hiring a car, Qiu Taiji's out-of-shape appearance still frightened Mrs. Yao. "God, what happened to you, have you become like this, have you been robbed?" The duty of the overseas staff of Xibang Company is three years.During the three years, apart from the permission to come back to attend the funeral of the parents, there is no exception to ask for leave to return home.Even for a capable old gang like Qiu Taiji, it takes three years to go out to work.After these three years, I can go home and take a half-year vacation.Mrs. Yao finally survived the class for another three years and hoped for the man to come back, but she found something unusual. First came a letter saying that by the end of April, I would always be home.This year, I always spend the Dragon Boat Festival at home.But April is over, and the Dragon Boat Festival is over, and I waited until the seventh day of the lunar new year before I came back.Seven days late, just seven days late, if you miss the Dragon Boat Festival, just miss it. If you come back safely, you don't care about anything. When the man comes back, the biggest festival in three years will be celebrated! She has been married to Qiu Taiji for sixteen years, but this is only the fifth time she has waited for him back, and it is only the fifth time she has celebrated a woman's big festival.She is satisfied with her man, 10,000 percent satisfied.He was born handsome, so shrewd, and he can warm women, making you endlessly attached to him!For sixteen years, the man brought back more and more wealth to the family.The Qiu family that she has supported for many years now is considered a big family in Shuixiu.A woman, what kind of man do you want!It's just that I've been married to him for sixteen years, and the time I spent with him was his five vacations, five and a half years.It is this extremely precious half a year, and the travel period to and from the road must be deducted.Where he goes is always a distant pier, with endless mountains and endless wind and rain.How many precious days he has left on the long journey just like that.Those five and a half years, even if one day adds up, it is only two and a half years, only two and a half years.Sixteen years later, she and her man have only been married for two and a half years!The remaining thirteen and a half years were just thoughts, memories, prayers, and hopes for the man, endless and miserable, which was longer than ten sixteen years! A three-year period has become longer than a three-year period. He finally came back, and then left suddenly, this man became more and more unreal every time.It seemed that he had never been her man, but just a kind of imagination, a dream of hers.In the real long night, she will always be alone, facing the waning moon and guarding the cold bed alone. "Businessmen value profit more than parting." How many times she wanted to tell him, don't leave, don't earn any more money, let's stay together and live a poor and humble life.How many times did she want to rush out of the empty room, under the crescent moon, listen to the dog barking, and embark on a journey to find her husband.你驻的码头就是在天涯海角，就是有九九八十一难，也要寻到你！ 但男人终于又回来了，第五次又回来了，那就什么也不说了，什么也不重要了。就算是一场梦吧，也要先紧紧抓住这场梦。 还是那个俊美、精明，会温暖女人的男人。男人，男人，你路途上怎就多走了七天？你多走了七天，我们就又要少做七天的夫妻。你没有生病吧？但你一定劳累了，你也太辛苦了，辛苦了三年。男人，你太辛苦了，我来温暖你吧，我已经成了一团烈火，你再不回来，我就把自己烧干了。男人，男人，我来温暖你，我来温暖你，你也是一团烈火吧？ 他也是一团烈火。可他似乎有些心不在焉。 又等了你三年，这归来伊始，春夜初度，你就心不在焉？ 邱泰基在外的风流事，姚夫人已经听到过一些传言了。那是嫉妒邱泰基的几个驻外老帮，故意散布给她听的。她不想轻信，他要真有这事，字号为什么不管他？但在凄苦的长夜，她就相信了，相信他一定是那样了。她哭泣，愤恨，叫长夜有了波澜。白天，她又不再相信。到后来，她也想开了，男人就是真有那种事，那就有吧。男人也有他的凄苦。现在，男人已经按时回来了，他心不在焉，就心不在焉吧。他心不在焉，是做贼心虚，心觉有愧吧。 没良心的，我就装着不知道。 姚夫人已经把男人的反常宽容了。 第二天，男人被老东家请去，这本也有先例。只是，这一去就是彻夜不归。姚夫人估计，男人不是在康家就是在老号，喝酒喝多了，宿在了城里。给老东家请去，还能出什么事！ 但在那一夜，她始终没有放下心来，一直谛听着，希望有男人晚归的动静。什么也听不到，依然是空寂的长夜。他好像根本就没有从西安回来。昨夜相拥到的温暖，依然是她的一个梦吧。辗转难眠中，姚夫人也把男人的心不在焉，这样火急被老东家叫走，叫去又竟夜不归，联系起来疑心过。但她想象不出男人会出什么事。 老东家和大掌柜，真会因为他在外有花柳事，就把他撵出字号？撵出字号，那就在家相守了做贫贱夫妻。 姚夫人怎么也想不到，只一天工夫，男人会这样脱形失神，像整个换了一个人！ “你是遭劫了，还是叫绑票了？” 男人神情恍惚，什么也不说。 姚夫人惊骇不已，死命追问了半天，邱泰基才说：“什么事也没有，酒席上喝多了，夜晚没有寻回家，在野地里醉倒了。什么事也没有。” 只是醉酒，不会这样。姚夫人知道一定出了什么事，她不是糊涂的女人，男人这种样子，分明是把魂灵丢了。 到底出了什么事，谁把他的魂灵摄去了？她死活问不出来。 邱泰基很难把数日来发生的一切，告诉自己的女人。正如日中天的时候，只几天工夫，就跌入绝境，他怎么能说出口？ 对于西帮商人来说，已经做到驻外老帮这个位置，一旦被总号辞退，或者被东家抛弃，他的前程也就几乎断送了。像邱泰基这样的商界人才，生意高手，他被康家的天成元票庄辞退，肯定会有其他的大票庄聘用的。但无论他另就谁家高枝，也永远是外来户，永远被视为“庶出”。西帮商号的从业者，从一般的伙友，到那些身当重任的领庄高手，几乎都是“亲生”的。都是从十四五岁入号学徒，一步一步磨，一步一步熬，练就才干，露出头角，建功立业，当然更铸就了对商号的忠诚。那是深深烙下了某一商号特殊徽记的人生过程，很难过户到新的字号。邱泰基这样能干，但他熬到驻外老帮，也用去了十年。十年用年轻生命所作的铺垫，做十年老帮所建立的功业，都是很难过户的。 尤其是晋商所独有的“身股”制，把邱泰基在天成元的二十年，已经作价入股，每个账期结账，都能分得十分可观的红利。可他一出号，自己的身股也便化为乌有。他大半生的努力，大半生的价值，都要一笔勾销了。 “身股”，又称“劳股”、“人力股”，它与“财股”或“银股”相区别。那时代的西帮商号，差不多都是实行这种由“财股”与“身股”组成的股份制度。“财股”，就是东家投资于商号的资本金，“身股”则是商号的从业者，包括总经理、大掌柜，直到一般伙友，他们以自己的劳绩、功绩入股。“身股”与“财股”同等，分红利时，一份身股与一份财股，所得是一样的。而且，“身股”分盈不分亏，不像“财股”，亏盈都得管。但是，财股可以抽走，身股却无法带走。你一旦离号，身股也就没有了。 天成元票庄，有康家的财股二十六份，德新堂占了二十一份，康家其他族人占有五份。它另有身股十七份，为号内数百多员工所分别享有。身股最高的，当然是大掌柜孙北溟，他拥有一份。总号的账房、协理，京师、汉口那种大码头的老帮，他们的身股一般有七八厘，即一份股的十之七八。普通伙友，要在号内熬够十年，又无大的过失，才有希望享到身股，而这种由劳绩换到的身股，都很低微，不过半厘一厘而已。要再加股，全靠功绩。 西帮商家都以四年为一个账期，也就是四年才结一次总账，分一次红，论一次功。所以你即使总能建功，那也是四年才加一次股。每次加股的幅度，也仅一厘半厘。邱泰基算是最善建功的好手了，积二十年之劳绩、功绩，他也只享有五厘身股。 但这五厘身股，也够了得！ 天成元票庄一向经营甚佳，四年一个账期下来，一份股的红利常在一万两银子上下。五厘身股，那就能分到五六千两银子的，一年均到一千数百两。而邱泰基一年的辛金，也不过二十两银子。辛金，即今之薪金吧。西帮将之称做“辛金”，以辛苦之“辛”当头，也是与“身股”制有关。票号中辛金都不高，只是一点辛苦钱而已。初驻外的伙友，虽能以掌柜称之，一年的辛金也不过几两银子。要想多得，就要创建功绩，获取“身股”。邱家能在水秀成为大户，全靠他这不断增加的身股。他在号内号外，商界官场，江湖故里，能成为有头有脸的人物，也全靠顶着这几厘身股。 拥有身股，在晋省被俗称为“顶了生意”。一个山西商人，在字号“顶了生意”，无论多少，那也如儒生科考中举，跳过龙门，顶了功名一样。 邱泰基在天成元顶到的功名，已经仿佛一方大员。一旦革职，那将永不叙用。另事新主，辛金可能会不菲，但功名不会给你。要得到新的身股，即使从头开始去熬，恐怕也难以如愿了。 何况孙大掌柜说，他犯了西帮商家大忌，他是胡雪岩做派，谁家还敢再重用他？ 早过而立之年，却要去重做一个无功名、吃干辛的普通伙友，他还有何颜面立于同侪中！ 半生功名，就这样毁于一旦，号内号外那些一向嫉妒于他的同仁，将会何等快意！ 还有官场那些大大小小的知交挚交，他们又会怎样耻笑他！ 邱泰基是个很自负的人，他无论如何接受不了这种突变。中断了他在商海里建功立业，博取功名的进程，那实在就是摄走了他的魂灵。何况这系于魂灵的人生进程，又是那样羞耻地被中断了。 在失去了魂灵的灰暗日子里，邱泰基没有忧郁多久，就想到了死。 只是这死，也不是很容易。 用他二十年博取回来的财富，已经把自家的宅院建设得堂皇一片，房舍多多了。可他很难寻到僻静的一隅，可以从容去死。在这偌大的家宅里，雇用了太多的仆人！他们无处不在，仿佛专门在看守着他。这也是他太爱浮华的报应。夫人本不想要这许多仆佣，她说，光是调教这许多下人，就要劳累死人了，真不知谁伺候了谁。可他坚持大户要有大户的排场。现在好了，你想死也难得其所。 尤其是夫人，对他看守更严，简直是时刻不离左右。每一次久别远归，她虽也是这样，依恋在侧，不肯稍去，但都不像这回，看守之严，简直密不透风。她多半已经看出了一切，看出了他要寻死。 “夫人，我不是太绝情，是太对不住你。我被逐出天成元，再去别家字号做一个吃干辛的老跑街，你怎么在水秀做人？我苟且在外，由你在家遣散下人，变卖家产，那不是对你的大辱吗？你就放了我吧。” 可夫人怎么会放他！ 在这样失魂落魄的情境中，邱泰基一向的精明似乎也全丢失了，他居然不能寻得一死。 十天后，天忽然大热，邱泰基染了下痢，不断往茅厕跑。因跑得太频繁，看守他的下人才麻痹了。 每当他如厕，总跟着个小仆，名为伺候他，实是看守他。昨天，他对小仆说：“你可搬个板凳来，放在厕外。我肚里要来得太频，就在厕外坐坐，不往回跑了。我入厕时，你在外也可坐了板凳，稍为歇歇。你也跑累了。” 小仆果然搬了板凳来。 板凳放了一天，夫人居然也没有疑心。 今天午时前，他如厕时，对小仆说：“我觉肚里好些了，午晌要睡睡，你也乘机歇歇吧。” 炎热的晌午终于使所有的人都睡倒了，包括他的夫人。邱泰基终于等到了死的机会。他悄然来到茅厕间，踩了那个板凳，费了不少劲，才将自己的腰带系到梁上。 然后，就毅然悬挂了自己。 在悬挂的那一刻，他只是觉得自己得意一生，享用了那样多人间奢华，最后却不得不在这样一处肮脏不净的地方，作为了结，稍有遗憾。 可惜，他刚刚完成了悬挂，就听到夫人惊天动地的喊叫。 过了午时，姚夫人在落入困顿前，习惯地伸过手去，什么也没有摸到。可她的手就停在空处不动了。她已经太困乏，夜夜都要不断把手伸过去，摸摸男人在不在，不敢松心一刻。但此刻，她没有摸到男人，却一时没有反应。好像已经睡过去，越睡越深了，忽然就一激灵，坐了起来。 她发现男人不在，又看见屋里的女仆，正坐着打盹。她慌忙就跑出去了，一路都是死一样的寂静。跑到茅厕，外面并没有守着下人。 她冲了进去，挨千刀的，终于出了她最怕出的事！ 姚夫人惊天动地地失声喊叫起来，却没有惊慌得乱了方寸。她扶起板凳，跳跃而上，一把抱住男人的小腿，就像举起整个世界一样，用了神来之力，那么成功地把男人举了起来，摘了下来。只是在男人的全部重量都压到了她的柔软之身时，她才同男人一起，从那个死亡之凳上跌落下来。 闻讯赶来的仆佣们帮着她，又掐人中又呼叫，终于使男人出气了。 男人，男人，这是为什么？你到底为什么要这样？ 没有死去的邱泰基，更像是个完全丢失了魂灵的人。他什么都不肯说，什么也不想说了。 姚夫人也更显现了她的勇敢和刚烈。她把男人捆绑起来，派人看守，自己雇了辆马车，风风火火进了城。 在那个时代，妇道女流是不宜出头露面的，出入天成元那样的大商号，即便是本号的家眷，也几乎不可能。但姚夫人并没有央求族中男人代她去探问真情，而是自己出面了。她能进入字号吗？ 她来到天成元票庄的后门，披了一件带来的孝袍，就当街跪了。 字号的茶房，立即就报告了孙大掌柜。 孙北溟问明是邱泰基的夫人，竟也立刻召见了她。 听了姚夫人的哭诉和询问，孙北溟对她说：“夫人，我看你倒有些咱天成元的做派，你就再把你家掌柜捆几天，行不行？” 姚夫人还能说不行？她说：“只要能救他，怎么都行！” 孙北溟说：“要救他，还得去搬老东家。” 孙北溟打发走姚夫人，就雇了一顶小轿，往康庄去了。 他真是没有想到，邱泰基居然选了这一条路走。平素那样一个精明机灵的人，怎么就看不出来？天成元要是想把你开除出号，孙某那天还给你说那许多肺腑之言做甚！客套几句，夸奖几句，宽慰几句，不就是了。往后，你是“藏”，还是“露”，是做胡雪岩第二，还是做一个西帮俊杰，孙某人也不必操那种闲心了。康老东台要是恩情断绝，他一个七十岁的老汉了，哪还会有那一份好兴致，披挂官服，兴师动众，给你演那一场戏！ 实在说，孙北溟是有些偏爱邱泰基。他做下这种狗屎事，即使老东家真不想要他了，孙北溟也会设法说情，千方百计将他留在天成元的。何况在用人上，康老东台从不强求字号。但既做下了这种狗屎事，不受制，也不成。孙北溟只是想叫邱泰基熬煎半年，然后降一二厘身股，派往边远苦焦的庄口，再历练几年。可现在，这混账东西把事情弄成了这样，张扬出去，岂不是天成元逼死了自己的老帮！早知会这样，还不如不往回救，由官府处置就是了。 多亏有那样一个勇敢刚毅的女人，这东西没有死成。 邱泰基居然选择了死，这的确叫孙北溟大失所望。一个可造就的西帮商人，他不仅在外面要懂得一个“藏”字，内里更要有似姚夫人那样一分刚毅，置于绝境，不但不死，还要出智出勇。你内里狗孙，还有什么可藏！邱掌柜，真没有想到你这样狗孙。我们天成元就是把你开除了，你就没有路走了？你要能赌一口气，三十多岁从头做起，去拉骆驼，走口外，那你才有望成为西帮俊杰！在邱泰基身上，孙北溟已经不想再做什么文章了。及早将字号的处罚，对他说出就是了。邱掌柜，你也不必死了，不必让你有智有勇的女人看守你，捆绑你了。我们不会开除你，但要减你的二厘身股，等歇够你的假，就在肃州、库伦、科布多，挑一个庄口，上班去吧。 孙北溟去康庄，是要向康笏南说一声，毕竟是几乎出了人命。康东台那出戏，演得重了，邱某人不是那种可负巨重的人才。对他不必抱厚望，也不必太重责。他的女人，倒比他强。当然，他还另有大事，要和东家商量。 出南门，过永济桥，穿过南关，就沿了那条溪水，一直南去。野外田园一片青绿，风也清爽许多，孙北溟的心情也轻松起来。 他好久都没有出城来一享悠闲宁静了。春天，就想上一趟凤凰山，往龙泉寺进香，一直就没有去成。京号的戴老帮也几次来信，说今日京师早已不似往日京师，风气日新月异，老号怎么忙，也该来京巡游一次。上海更应去，去了上海，才能知道外间世界，今天已成什么样。 票庄生意，全在外间世界。他虽已老迈，出去走走，还累不倒的。但出游一趟眼前的凤凰山，尚且难以成行，远路风尘地去巡游京沪，岂是那么容易。柜上那些商务，说起来吧，那是要时刻决策于千百里之外，动辄调度万千两银钱。可对他孙北溟来说，这是做了一辈子的营生了，好张罗的。叫他最头疼的，还是近年的时务。 时务不大好把握了。去年京师的维新变法，风雨满天，光是那一条要开设官钱局的诏令，就叫西帮票商心惊，那要削去他们多少利源！刚说要各地庄口收缩生意，预防不测，变法又给废了。不变法，时局就安静了吗？谁也看不清。朝局动荡，致使去年生意大减。今年初开市，正要振作了张罗生意，朝廷忽然发了一道上谕：不许各省将上缴京饷交票号汇兑。解汇京饷官银，已成票家大宗生意，朝廷禁汇，岂不是要西帮的命吗？但上谕谁敢违，你也只得收缩静观。 再者，近年山东直隶又是教案不断，拳民蜂起，动不动就是攻州掠县，不知是什么征兆。晋中民间练拳习武的风气也一向浓厚，此间会不会效法山东直隶？晋省多喜爱练形意拳，而风行于山东直隶的，听说是八卦拳，又叫义和拳，好像不是同宗。 远处，凤凰山顶那座古塔，已依稀可见。可微风中，好像渐渐多了灼热的气息。去年天雨就不多，一冬一春又一点雨雪都未见。这平川的庄稼还算捉住了苗，可大旱之象已日重一日。 时局晦暗不明，天象又这样不吉利，今年生意真还不知做成什么样子。世事艰难，生意艰难，他是越来越力不能胜。教导邱泰基时，他虽也推崇绝处出智勇，可自家毕竟老迈了。要是有邱泰基那样的年龄，他还会怕什么？ 孙北溟闭了眼，那个近年来挥之不去的念头，又跳了出来：什么时候能告老回乡？他是早想告老引退，回家课孙，过一个清闲的晚年。只是，康笏南不肯答应，总说：“等我几年，我也老了，要引退，咱俩一道引退。” 可他哪能等得了康老东家！康笏南七十岁了，身边还守着那样一位年轻的老夫人，竟不显一点老态。真像乡间市里所说：康家的这位老太爷，只怕是成精了。 见到康笏南时，他正在自己的小书房，把玩一片元人碑拓。 康笏南的小书房，在老院中一处单独的小庭院，那里存放着他喜爱的古籍、字画、金石碑帖。康笏南嗜金石如命，除了像孙北溟这样的人物，他是不会在这里会见客人的。 见康笏南又那样沉迷于碑拓间，孙北溟就说：“你自家过神仙一样的日子，却哄着我，叫我等你。越等，你越年轻，我越老。等你放了我，我只怕是有福也享不动了。” 康笏南没有抬头，只说：“孙大掌柜，你也想巴结我，说我越活越年轻？我年轻个甚！年过古稀了，还能不老。你要说享福，那不在年少年老。不是有几句话吗？人生世间，如白驹之过隙，而风雨忧愁，辄三之二，其间得闲者，才十之一耳。况知之能享者，又百之一二。于百一之中，又多以声色为乐，不知吾辈自有乐地。悦目初不在色，盈耳初不在声。明窗净几，焚香其中，佳客玉立相映，取古人妙迹图画，以观鸟篆蜗书，奇峰远水，摩挲钟