Chapter 10 Holy land nourishes vitality
The one who received the news of Liu Guofan's suicide on the Tianjin account was the most shocked person, the shopkeeper Sun Beiming.
Liu Guofan is one of his favorite old gangsters. Sending him to Tianjin Lingzhuang is not only for reuse, but also has a deeper purpose: to pave the way for sending him to Shanghai Lingzhuang in the future.Shanghai has become a national commercial center, but Shanghai has never had a strong old gang.
Liu Guofan's talent and courage are not bad, and his loyalty is especially commendable. He often writes some anecdotes and details heard outside, and some outrageous words and deeds of other old gang members into the letter and report to the head office.Sitting in the old bank and commanding dozens of Zhuangkou scattered all over the world, Sun Beiming certainly likes to read such newspapers.Other veterans, including Dai Ying from Beijing and Chen Yiqing from Han, seem to disdain to write this kind of letter.It's as if the old accounts are getting old and confused, and they need to point them out from time to time!Sun Beiming was naturally not very happy, after all, he was still the leader and the big shopkeeper.Therefore, Liu Guofan liked Sun Beiming very much.
But Liu Guofan seemed to have failed everyone's expectations, and when he was sent to lead the village in Tianjin, Dai Ying of the Beijing name did not quite agree.Dai Ying thought that Liu Guofan was a bit ambitious and lacking in talent, and his name was not an ordinary small Zhuangkou, so he might not be able to do it.Tianjin Wharf, the lower tip of the Nine Rivers, and the largest trading port in the north. Although there are many business opportunities, the business is not easy to do, and you must have great talents.Especially if you know current affairs and understand foreign affairs, you will succeed.Liu Guofan mostly lived in villages in the interior, and he hadn't made any astonishing achievements, so it might be inappropriate to suddenly send him to Jinhao to lead the village.
Of course, Sun Beiming would not change his mind just because Dai Ying had objections.He thought that Dai Ying didn't like Liu Guofan because he suspected that Liu Guofan had also entered into his "slander".In fact, Liu Guofan never said anything about Shopkeeper Dai.He still insisted on sending Liu Guofan to Tianjin, but he just told Liu Guofan to respect the treasurer Dai in Beijing.As for Dai Ying, he also saved face and confessed: Liu Guofan was not too hard-headed in receiving the Tianjin number, but it was difficult to make a big maneuver for a while because of the scheduling of the people in each village, so let him go to Tianjin temporarily.If there is a good player in the future, we will replace it.Wanwang wears the treasurer Dora Bata, and worries about the Tianjin account.After Liu Guofan arrived in Tianjin, Dai Ying only said that he was too greedy and reckless in business, and didn't say anything else.
How could Sun Beiming have thought that this unworthy Liu Guofan would cause such a disaster, it was completely ruined!Not to mention his own death, he also got Wu Niang of the boss's family involved, and his Tianjin account was also run on, and it was almost out of control.Sun Beiming has led the East for decades, and he has never done anything like this.Maybe I am really old and confused.This time Kang Lao Dongtai forcefully dragged him out for business tour, did he already feel dissatisfied with him?
Wu Niang was murdered, the old gang committed suicide, and the name was run on, all of which were no small matter.In particular, all these disasters are due to Liu Guofan's private accommodation.The old gang that I value so much dares to violate the iron rules of the Xibang name, and the eyesight of people is so bad?
After thinking about it again and again, Sun Beiming felt that he had committed a serious crime, and he no longer had the face to continue to lead the East.Furthermore, I am indeed old, and it is time to retire to the countryside and spend a few days of leisure.
Therefore, he solemnly submitted his resignation letter of apology to Kang Hunan.
After Kang Hunan left Hankou and toured around Yanglou Cave, a famous tea-producing area in southern Hubei, he originally planned to go south to Hunan and live in Changsha.If you have some hope, you should really go to Daozhou and look for the unpublished copy of "The Inscription of the Crane" in the collection of He's family.As long as the He family is willing to let go, the price he offered will definitely surpass that Duan Fang who is a vassal in Shaanxi.If the He family refuses to change hands, try to ask Yuan Tuo to see him.You have come from thousands of miles just to have a look, do you think you will refuse?
In Hankou, Chen Yiqing, the old gang of Hanhao, told him that Tian Laogang, who lives in Changsha, had already visited the He family in Daozhou.The He family gave back the courtesy they deserved.Of course, Tian Laobang was not too reckless, he only mentioned "not out of the water" in the gossip, and did not do any in-depth research.Of course, the He family will not easily reveal that they have this treasure, they just say that it is just a rumor from the outside world.
Chen Yiqing also said that he conspired with Mr. Tian's gang to buy that treasure.Kang Hunan listened to their plan, but he was unwilling to adopt it: it was called trickery, but it was really a plunder, and it was too immoral.Gold and stone inscriptions are originally elegant things, and they were obtained through plundering and plundering, so how can they be treated as sacred objects?He wanted to give it a try with his sincerity.
Unexpectedly, before leaving Yanglou Cave, news of Wu Niang's kidnapping came.Within a few days, there was another sad news of Wu Niang's murder.Afterwards, Old Gang Liu from Tianjin also committed suicide.There was a sudden thunder on the flat ground like this, how could Kang Hunan have the heart to go to Hunan to look for Gu Tuo!Even if in order to stabilize the morale of the army, he took the form of calm and continued to go south, Sun Beiming would not accompany him.Shopkeeper Sun was already restless, determined to go back to Hankou, and hurriedly took care of this very important matter.
Kang Hunan had no choice but to obey Sun Beiming, and returned to Hankou from Yanglou Cave.However, he tried his best to be calm as usual, as if he did not take the series of collapses in Tianjin too seriously.He even joked to Sun Beiming: "When these things happen, I can explain to you! Otherwise, I will drag you out and inspect the business, and nothing will happen. I just made you suffer so much hard work in vain, and you still don't scold me." ah?"
But Sun Beiming seemed to be a bit stupid, and couldn't hear the meaning of his jokes at all. He just kept sullen and said, "Old Dongtai, I should be scolded by you!"
Kang Hunan hurriedly said: "What did I scold you for? Did you kidnap the ticket, or did you kill shopkeeper Liu? It's only a small matter, and you just keep it in your heart and hang on your face. How does this look like your shopkeeper, Sun Da?"
"What happened in Tianjin is not a trivial matter. I have led the East for decades, and I have never had such a disaster."
"No matter the big or small things, as long as the business doesn't fail, the rest will be small things!"
"But Wu Niang..."
"Then I can't blame you, Mr. Sun, but I can only blame her for having too little luck in her life. Needless to say, this is just a little bit of a storm. If you, Mr. Sun, can't sit firmly on the Diaoyutai, that's a big problem."
Kang Hunan thought that Sun Beiming had been appeased.He is a big shopkeeper, not an ordinary person, so he can say what he wants, so there is no need to talk a lot of nonsense!I really didn't expect that Sun Beiming didn't come to life, but he solemnly submitted his resignation as an apology.Sun Beiming, Sun Beiming, you are really confused.If you want to apologize, you can't do it at this time!As soon as the run on the Jin account subsided, the big shopkeeper of your old account suddenly changed horses. It seems that your Tian Chengyuan is really rotten, empty-hearted, and just supporting a hollow shell, which will collapse when the wind blows.To make people so suspicious, it would be strange if the wave of runs did not come back again.When the wave of bank runs rises again, it will not be facing a Tianjin account, and there are dozens of bank accounts in Tianchengyuan, and they are afraid that they will not be able to escape.Maybe, the entire Xibang ticket industry will be affected.Back then, when Hu Xueyan's Fukang ticket shop in the Southern Gang collapsed, how much traction did the West Bang ticket shop receive!Sun Beiming, if you apologize alone, maybe you will bring down my Tian Chengyuan, you are really stupid.
The news of Tianjin's bad luck came one after another, and Kang Hunan certainly didn't take it seriously in his heart.He is a person who has become a master, can he not see the failure of his name?Especially Wu Niang's untimely death and Wu Ye's madness, how could he remain indifferent?It's just that they don't pay much attention to Wuye Wuniang, after all, they are from their own blood, so how can they allow others to harm them!When such a thing happened, no matter in the business world or in the rivers and lakes, the Kang family, as a rich man, would be humiliated.It's just that, in order to regain face for a while, to turn the world upside down, wouldn't that expose the failure of one's own family to the world?Kang Hunan is so old-fashioned, so he naturally knows that he must be calm and calm, showing that he is not chaotic in times of danger, and that he lifts the weight lightly. Even if you pretend, you have to pretend that you don't take it seriously.Let's talk about it further, since we regard the world as the boundary, make contributions and make achievements, and take righteousness and profit, how can there be no troubles!
Such a truth was self-evident for Sun Beiming in the past.Now, what happened to his brother?
Could it be that the failure of the brand name was really caused by this big shopkeeper?
But in any case, Kang Hunan would not ask Sun Beiming to resign.The shopkeeper Sun Da made a lot of contributions to the Kang family, even if he really got old and caused disaster due to negligence, he had to save enough face for him.Kang Hunan also likes Wu Niang very much, she is charming but not self-willed, let alone arrogant.But can ten Wu Niangs be exchanged for one Shopkeeper Sun?Even if Sun Beiming really wanted to retire to retirement, he couldn't do it at this time!To be responsible for your family for the rest of your life, and to kick them out if you make a slight mistake in old age is simply too immoral!The Kang family must not do such a thing.
But no matter how Kang Hunan tried to comfort him, shopkeeper Sun Da couldn't help it.Also, the big shopkeeper is not an ordinary character, so it is naturally difficult to simply dismiss it like this.How can it be achieved without spending some thought and using some means?
On that day, Kang Hunan seemed very leisurely, and proposed to see the Yangtze River.How could Sun Beiming have the heart to accompany him?He declined with a bitter face.He didn't force it either, but turned to Chen Yiqing's old gang and said, "Then shopkeeper Chen has to take me there? At Hankou Wharf, I'm not afraid of kidnapping, but I'm afraid of getting lost and not being able to find it."
In this way, can Old Chen refuse to follow?He quickly sent his friends to hire sedan chairs.
After the accident in Tianjin, Master Bao Shijing, who followed from Kang's family, followed the old man even more closely, never leaving every step.Hearing that the old man was going to swim the Yangtze River, he hurriedly called the two martial artists from the Escort Bureau, ready to accompany the careful guards.
Unexpectedly, the old man didn't ask them to follow him, not one of them, absolutely not.Bao Wushi didn't dare to be negligent, so he asked shopkeeper Sun Da to persuade him.
The old man didn't listen to Sun Beiming's words.
Bao Wushi also asked Mr. Chen to help him.Chen Yiqing smiled and said: "The old man didn't ask you to go, because he loves you, so don't go, just rest. Hankou is my territory, so you don't have to worry too much."
Therefore, when he left in the sedan chair, Chen Yiqing only called a young man from the cabinet and followed him to wait on him.
When we got to the riverside, although it wasn't cool, the old man was in a good mood.Looking at the majestic river going east, he sighed and said, "Shopkeeper Chen, do you remember the two lines of Lao Du's poem: There are love and tears in life, but is the river water and river flowers the ultimate?"
After hearing this, Chen Yiqing thought that the old man thought of the misfortune of Wu Ye and Wu Niang, and hurriedly said: "The old man thinks that the river is ruthless, so let's not look at it. I said that the Yangtze River is not worth seeing, except for water, it is still water. The old man always doesn't believe it." !"
"Why do I think Dajiang is worthless? The sky and water are connected, and the water and the sky are the same color. I just read the beginning, and you don't want to accompany me?"
"The old man is willing to watch, so we are willing to serve."
"It is always said that the benevolent enjoys the mountains, and the wise enjoy the water. It seems to me that the benevolent and wise will be so happy in such a beautiful place. Shopkeeper Chen, do you often come to the riverside?"
"We are all ordinary people, and I really haven't come to see the Yangtze River so specifically. You have seen it too, old man. We are old gangsters outside, and there are always things we can't finish all day long. How can we have much leisure time?"
"Don't complain to me! It's weird, I don't like mountains, but I like water. Especially when I see this vast river, I like to see it even more. I just want to bathe and burn incense and worship it."
"The old man has great wisdom, so he naturally enjoys the flood!"
"Then shopkeeper Chen, are you saying that I am not benevolent?"
"The old man lent me some courage, I don't dare to think like this!"
"Haha, all of you have suddenly become timid. Shopkeeper Chen, why don't you hire a boat and let's go down the river for a ride?"
"Listen to the old lady's orders. It's just that the river is too hot."
"You don't want to hire me a boat?"
"How dare you! Temporary hire, I'm afraid I won't be able to hire a clean one."
"I know you don't want to put me in the water, you're afraid of drowning me. Right?"
"The old man only thinks about our disadvantages."
"Can I wrong you? Tonight, I still want to come here to see the moonlight in the river. Shopkeeper Chen, will you bring me here?"
"Of course I obey."
The old man didn't really hire a boat, he was just talking about it for the sake of appearing in a good mood.After watching for a while and talking, Chen Yiqing proposed to find a tea house near the river, to sit down and have a sip of tea. If you want to continue watching, you can see the river.
The old man readily agreed.
I found a fancy teahouse, which was clean and elegant, and I could overlook the river from the window, but it was not cool enough.Fortunately, the old man didn't care too much. After sitting down, he drank tea while admiring the river view. He was still in good spirits, and he seemed very happy to talk about the past and the present.
After sitting like this for a while, Kang Hunan said to the boy who came to serve him: "You also go down to relax, I want to have a few words with your shopkeeper Chen."
When the boy heard this, he quickly glanced at Mr. Chen.
Chen Yiqing hurriedly said: "The old man loves you, so you can go down and play."
The boy backed away in a hurry.
Chen Yiqing was also not acting in a normal way. Seeing that his old club avoided many followers and asked him out alone, he knew that there was something to do.Now even his little buddy has been separated, so it can be seen that the guess is not bad.Although Chen Yiqing didn't think much of Liu Guofan, he didn't expect that he would make the situation of the Tianjin account like this, almost destroying the account.Thanks to the hard work of brother Dai Ying from Jinghao, the defeat was stopped.After this trauma, it is necessary to take major actions to revive Tian Chengyuan's reputation.But Shopkeeper Sun seemed to be a little bit unable to pull himself together, and only wanted to return to the old account as soon as possible.The big shopkeeper has always favored Liu Guofan, so of course he would lose face if something like this happened.It's just that the matter has been like this, no one has said anything gossip, and the old man didn't care too much, it should be cleared up first.
This year's business is not easy to do, and this kind of incident happened again in Jinhao. If the big shopkeeper doesn't cheer up, it's okay!Chen Yiqing didn't believe that the old man would really be indifferent and didn't care.But he never expected that the first sentence the old man said to him alone was:
"Shopkeeper Chen, Shopkeeper Sun told me that he wants to resign."
In all fairness, Chen Yiqing and Dai Ying felt that shopkeeper Sun had grown old in recent years, especially because the outside world was getting more and more estranged, and he was obviously out of date in the old leader.But now is not the time to retire!
So Chen Yiqing immediately asked in surprise: "Old Dongtai, is this really the case?"
"That's not it, it seems that I'm still determined."
"Old Dongtai, Master Sun must not abdicate now!"
"He is old and can't work anymore. We can't stop him from leaving, right? Before we came out this time, we agreed that we would go out together for the last tour, and we will retire together when we go back. He is no longer the big shopkeeper, we The housekeeping should also be handed over to the younger generation. This was originally agreed."
"If this is the case, that's another matter. However, the current situation has not changed much. I advise the two adults not to retreat easily. Once you retreat, the name will inevitably slip down. I really don't know where it will go. Where is it!"
"Shopkeeper Chen, you will scare us."
"Old Dongtai, I'm telling the truth!"
"When something like this happened to Kejin, Manager Sun became even more disheartened. He didn't even want to accompany me to Hunan and Shanghai, so he wanted to return to Taigu immediately and abdicate."
"You can't blame shopkeeper Sun Da for the Tianjin account, right? He blames himself too deeply."
"Liu Guofan is an old gang that he values highly, so he must always be negligent in employing people."
"The big shopkeeper thinks highly of him, and it's not that he's being told to act recklessly!"
"Shopkeeper Chen, what do you think of Liu Guofan?"
"I have never worked with shopkeeper Liu. From the sidelines, I just think he is not very talented. It is enough for him to go to Jinhao to lead the village. I really don't see him daring to do anything wrong. Up to now, his death is still a mystery." It's a mystery. He said he was doing something wrong, and he couldn't keep it, and he wronged him."
"I've also met shopkeeper Liu a few times. I wanted to hear some rare things when I was chatting with him, Lele, but he tried too hard to please you. Besides, he liked to talk too much about others. Rare and interesting things, but Not much to say."
"Shopkeeper Liu has this problem, so his popularity is not very good. In fact, people have their own temperaments, so there is no need to be demanding. Mr. Liu is still aggressive and courageous when he is in charge of business."
"You have to be brave, but you have to be resourceful. How is his business doing? I really haven't noticed it."
"Business manager Liu's business is often done in Zhongzhong. The business in Tianjin Wharf is not very easy."
"Haha, it turns out that his business is also very good? Let me tell you, he put so much effort into pleasing me! If you lead me to the manor and earn the money back, you are just pleasing me, and you put a lot of thought into doing nice things. What? He likes to criticize others, so he is afraid that others will be better than him, right?"
"Shopkeeper Liu has already committed suicide. No matter how serious it is, he will also commit suicide."
"Shopkeeper Chen, you are kind. If Shopkeeper Liu is as kind as you are, he wouldn't be cornered. However, I always tell people that only those who have real skills can be really kind. Our West Gang has always been famous for our kindness. , Where does this kindness come from? He has the real ability to run a business. How can a mediocre talent like shopkeeper Liu be entrusted with the heavy responsibility of the old gang, and even sent to a big wharf like Tianjin!"
"Shopkeeper Sun knows people, and has always been sophisticated. Maybe shopkeeper Liu has something special?"
"What's great about people is that they can please people!"
"Treasurer Sun has led the East for decades, can you say a few flattering words?"
Shopkeeper Chen, shopkeeper Chen, you can't just say no to Shopkeeper Sun Da!Kang Hunan was tempting, he just wanted to hear Chen Yiqing complain about Sun Beiming.Given Chen Yiqing's status in Tian Chengyuan, it would not be an exaggeration to complain a few words about Jinhao's mistake.But this shopkeeper Chen just doesn't go overboard.
In front of the boss, don't make irresponsible remarks about the name, this is the rule of the name.It is commendable and gratifying that a senior gang like Chen Yiqing can still abide by the rules so strictly.Why did Kang Hunan try so hard to make him show disrespect to Sun Beiming?It turned out that he wanted to ask Chen Yiqing to play a bad face in this play to appease Shopkeeper Sun.As long as Chen Yiqing used the Jin account to talk about things and brought out a few unpleasant words, it provided Kang Hunan with a weighty reason to reiterate his absolute trust in Sun Beiming.Even a general like Chen Yiqing complained about what happened in Jinhao, but I still tell you to be unambiguous.When necessary, you have to say a few words to shopkeeper Chen face to face.This time I asked Chen Yiqing out alone, because I wanted to find out about him.If you have a lot of grievances, that's fine; if you have something to say, just lure him to say it.Who would have thought that Chen Yiqing not only didn't complain at all, but even said good things for Sun Beiming!
It seems that Chen Yiqing is really a hero in the old gang, and Sun Beiming is also good at managing the village after all.Therefore, this play has to be sung, if it is not possible to sing secretly, it has to be sung openly.Kang Hunan said:
"It's not worth much to please. But it depends on who says it and who listens. Shopkeeper Chen, you don't like to listen to my old man saying something to please you?"
"The old man really likes to tell jokes."
"It's not a joke. You shopkeeper Chen and Jinghao Dai are the two generals who guard the north and south of Tian Chengyuan. If I don't please anyone, I can not please you!"
"Old master, are you also afraid that we will cause trouble?"
"I'm afraid that the two of you want to abdicate too! If that's the case, I'll have to bring the young and old of the Kang family with me. I beg you!"
"The old man is getting more and more funny. Where can we retreat? Who of us has entered the Kang family since childhood, was born as a Tianchengyuan man, and died as a Tianchengyuan ghost. Where can we retreat? Something happened in Tianjin, Sun Da The shopkeeper has already blamed himself too much, old man, you are not going to be worried, are you?"
"Shopkeeper Chen really hit my mind. What happened to Jinhao, I can bear it, but it caused Shopkeeper Sun to insist on suing the old man to abdicate, which gave me a headache!"
"At this kind of juncture, how can Shopkeeper Sun abdicate!"
"I'm just old and confused, and I'm not so confused! But I can't persuade him! So I want to ask shopkeeper Chen to help me."
"The old lady is teasing me on purpose, what can I do for you?"
"I want to ask you to sing a bitter trick with me. I wonder if shopkeeper Chen is willing to accept this grievance?"
"For the name, I'm not afraid of being wronged. I don't know how to sing about the old man's tricks?"
Kang Hunan then revealed the method he had planned: at least one day, the shopkeeper Sun Da was invited out, and the three of them had a meal alone.During the banquet, Chen Yiqing talked about Liu Guofan with the Tianjin name, showing his complaints and disrespect towards Sun Beiming.When Kang Hunan heard this, he was furious, and said that ten Wuniangs were not worth a big shopkeeper, and no matter how big things happened, he still had absolute trust in Sun Beiming.After returning to Taigu, you can retire, but you don't need to abdicate. If you don't do business, you will rest. You have to bear the title, stock, and money of Tiancheng Yuanda's treasurer.
To be honest, Chen Yiqing was a little disappointed after hearing this.This bitter trick is very similar to old master Kang's usual method, which puts benevolence and righteousness first.Showing benevolence and righteousness to shopkeeper Sun, and doing no harm to Chen Yiqing himself, putting on a bad face and receiving a few fake scoldings from the old man is not considered wronged, let alone flesh and blood.However, this method is too outdated.Shopkeeper Sun is not like ordinary old gangsters stationed abroad, let alone young friends, he still eats this kind of thing?
Therefore, Chen Yiqing deliberately said first: "The old man is really resourceful! I listened to the old man, and the bad face is just a few sarcastic remarks, and I don't know how to serve you with military law?"
Kang Hunan laughed: "If shopkeeper Chen wants to be punished, he can do it."
"As long as you can sing this play well, you won't be afraid of being punished. Grandpa, I'm afraid that shopkeeper Sun will see our tricks and won't do it! Shopkeeper Sun has been with the old lady all his life, and I still can't see that you often The means of using it?"
"Shopkeeper Chen, what good means do you have?"
"If you tell me, the old man has to use a new method."
"Then tell me about your new method!"
"Tell me, in this play, I will sing the red face, old man, you will sing the bad face instead!"
"Shopkeeper Chen, you are so smart! It's not difficult for you to put on a blush and say all you want to please. How can I sing with a blush?"
"The old man can just say one thing: Jinhao has such a thing, in order to explain it to the tribe, the shopkeeper has to be fined half a centimeter of his body."
"Punish shopkeeper Sun?"
"When something extraordinary like this happens, you have to take extraordinary actions. In the name of the Dong family, shopkeeper Sun Da is under you alone and above all of us. He has led Dong Dong for decades and has never been punished, right? Now he is suddenly being punished. Punishment, that’s no small matter! If it spreads to villages and villages everywhere, it will take a breath of air. Even the big shopkeeper is punished, who would dare to be disrespectful? If you can punish everyone, even if the big shopkeeper Sun is wronged, it’s worth it. Besides, Shopkeeper Sun has always been majestic, and he has never been punished before. If he is suddenly punished like this, he probably won't say abdicate again."
"Why?"
"Shopkeeper Sun insisted on abdicating this time because he blamed himself too much. Not only did the old man not blame him, but he praised him so much, he must blame himself even more! But once you punish him, he will lessen his self-blame and start a new life." Pay attention to the name business."
"What you said is somewhat reasonable, but I, Kang Hunan, punish the shopkeeper as a daughter-in-law, what kind of reputation will I get! I can't do things like this."
"The accidental loss of the Jin number is not only about Wu Niang alone, it is shocking, it affects the business! The old man is so strict in rewards and punishments, and the execution of the doctor will definitely become a new story spread in the West Gang."
"Whatever you say, I won't do that kind of thing either. Shopkeeper Chen, don't you want to make a bad face for me?"
"The old lady called me to play, so I will play."
"Then don't say anything else, just do what I want."
"Listen to the old lady's orders."
The old man refused to listen to the advice, which made Chen Yiqing a little disappointed.But the business belongs to the owner, so he can do whatever he wants.
The old man values benevolence and righteousness, and the name has benefited a lot.But governing business only by benevolence and righteousness will also harm oneself.When the old man first arrived in Hankou, he asked him to meet Fowles of HSBC.Originally, I asked the old man to open his eyes and see the Western rules of limited liability.Unexpectedly, this Fowles is too cunning, and he said ironically, praising the West Gang for respecting people, which made the old man fall for it.When I met Fowles a few days ago, this guy actually knew about the Tianjin number, and said it was too unexpected, shouldn't something like this happen to you West Gang?The fuss and fuss on that face might have been faked too.
Xiyang Bank respects limited liability, while Xibang Bank respects people and is unlimited.With limited liability, it can be made very precise; with unlimited human affection, it has to be generalized.If something happened to Western Bank, they would only pay the agreed limited compensation; if something happened to our ticket number, your boss would have to take care of it all, ruin the family, sell everything, and compensate others.That is external, internally, cooking is a matter of personnel, and human feelings are the top priority.Except for a few rules, when it comes to dealing with good and bad things, it all depends on the temporary temper of the boss and the old name.If someone is wise, rewards and punishments can still convince the crowd, but if he meets someone who is domineering and domineering, he will turn black and white, who can stop him?Competing with Western Bank with this qualification, how can it always win?
Ever since her old boss and big shopkeeper came to Hankou, Chen Yiqing has been busy talking to them about the advantages and disadvantages of the Chinese and Western financial industries.Helpless, the two elders didn't hear much.
This time, Chen Yiqing admonished the old man to change the outdated methods to deal with the disaster in Jinhao, so that shopkeeper Sun would be punished for "guilty". He also wanted to pave the way for imitating Western rules in the future.If the old man refuses to obey, you are also helpless.
On this day, according to the old man's instructions, he invited the two elders to a fancy restaurant, nominally to taste the newly-launched river crab.At that time, as early as August, it is a good time to eat crabs.
Sun Beiming knew that the old man liked to eat crabs, so he couldn't refuse.He urged the old man to return to Jin as soon as possible. The excuse of the old man's refusal to leave was that he would not leave until the autumn was cold.Among them, there is the meaning of eating river crabs for a few days during the Mid-Autumn Festival.I have been greedy for crabs all my life, dragged my old age, and finally came to the southern country, and returned without eating a few meals of autumn crabs, I am afraid that I will die with regret.In this life, he will never come to the southern country again!The old man said so tragically, even if Sun Beiming lost his appetite, he still had to come.
Before the banquet, Chen Yiqing sat and chatted about trivial matters, and Chen Yiqing didn't talk about Tianjin.But the old man didn't say a few words, and asked the storekeeper Sun: "Does the storekeeper Dai of the Jinghao have a new letter?"
The big shopkeeper said: "Yes, there are, most of them are about the business of the capital. On the other side of the Tianjin account, we still haven't found out who the kidnapper is."
"How is the situation in the capital?"
"Dai Ying reported that Sichuan and Guangdong have also been approved by the imperial court to resume the remittance of Beijing's salaries by our Western Gang. Together with Fujian, which has already lifted the embargo, the imperial edict's ban on remittances has been relaxed in the three provinces. Seems to be improving."
"The lifting of the ban in Fujian was made by us. Who made it in Sichuan and Guangdong?"
Chen Yiqing hurriedly said: "Guangdong is Rishengchang, Sichuan is Weizi, and they are all Pingyao Gang."
"We still have to tinker with it?"
Chen Yiqing said: "The Jianghai customs in Hankou is also expected to be allowed to lift the ban."
"That's shopkeeper Chen, you messed with it?"
"It's because of the honor of you two elders."
"You can say nice things."
"That's the truth. The two of you come to Hankou in person, who can not show some face?"
"The situation in the capital is getting better, and the wharves will be getting better too." At this moment, the old man turned to shopkeeper Sun and said, "Shopkeeper, can you also give me some face?"
Sun Beiming hurriedly asked: "Old Dongtai, where did you start?"
"Since the situation has improved, don't be in a hurry to abdicate, will it work?"
"What happened to Jinhao, I really feel ashamed to continue to lead the east. Besides, I am old, and I should go back to my hometown to enjoy some leisure."
It seems that the old man's bitter plan has already begun.But at the beginning, Chen Yiqing really didn't know how to intervene to play his white face.When I was worried, I saw that the old man ignored him and just talked to himself:
"In front of me, don't say that you are old, I am not older than you? If you want to always take the matter of Tianjin number to heart, how about I give you an idea?"
"I would like to hear from old Dongtai."
"Then you should issue a notice of guilt and send it to the Zhuangkou of Tian Chengyuan's docks in various places. If it is not enough, you can say that you will punish yourself by half a percentage of your body. If you have suffered the crime in this way, you will end this matter, no need Don't worry about it anymore. How?"
Sun Beiming was stunned when he heard this, as if he didn't know how to answer.
Chen Yiqing was also taken aback.Isn't this the idea he gave the old man?The old man refused straight away, unwilling to accept it, why did he accept it again?Of course it's good to adopt it, but it can't be thrown out suddenly without any foreshadowing, right?It seemed that he had to put on a blush, so he hurriedly said:
"The issue of the Jin account has not been found out yet, so I'm afraid it's wrong to ask the shopkeeper to take it upon me?"
Sun Beiming seemed to have just come to his senses, and hurriedly said, "I'm the leader. If something like this happened to the company, I should have suffered. It's just that..."
The old man said, "Just what? You don't want to pay a penalty?"
"I mean, a fine of half a percentage point is the same as no fine. Tell the old gang members below to watch it. It seems to be singing an opera. Who can I warn? If I want to punish myself, just like Qiu Taiji, I also fined myself two percentage points." shares."
Chen Yiqing said: "Who has ever been punished among the big shopkeepers in the Western Gang? Shopkeeper Sun dared to punish himself out of righteousness. Take it easy, wait until the Tianjin incident finds out."
Sun Beiming said: "Find out the clues, Wu Niang will not survive, and Liu Guofan will not be reborn. Since I am the leader, it is only natural that I have suffered from such a thing. It has been a while since the accident happened, and I don't want to. No more hesitation. If you want me to punish myself, it should not be less than 2%! If it is less, it will be the same as no punishment.”
The old man said: "Then let our boss punish you. This is the first time, and you will be fined half a cent. If you want to be punished twice, it will be increased to one percent, and the third time, it will be increased to two percent. It is only three times, and you will be fined three times." , we need to abdicate. In my opinion, this can be a new rule of the Kang family company, set down and passed on. What do you two think?"
Chen Yiqing said yes in her heart, but it was inconvenient to say it out of her mouth.
Sun Beiming said: "I think it's very good. It's just that this rule was established because of my past, and it will leave a bad name among future generations."
Chen Yiqing hurriedly said: "Where can you be infamy! Among the big shopkeepers of the Western Gang, you are the first person to blame yourself. No one can do nothing. If you have a fault and dare to sin yourself, it is also a virtue and a good name. Rishengchang's founder Shopkeeper Lei Lutai, he is not without fault, but he is so arrogant, how can he offend himself? His achievements and his reputation of being arrogant and domineering have been handed down together. You two giants, set up new rules for the big shopkeeper of the Western Gang , that will be a good story passed down to future generations."
The old man laughed and said, "Shopkeeper Chen, you don't have to praise us anymore. Shopkeeper Sun and I are not Mengtong, so I need you to coax me? Shopkeeper Sun, since you agree with this new rule, then if you want to abdicate , but I still have to work hard to get more food, and get me into trouble twice, right?"
Sun Beiming said: "If I cause this trouble twice again, I won't destroy your Kang family!"
The old man said: "It's ruined, and it deserves it. Who told me to choose your brother to lead the East! I have a head and a tail. Back then, when your brother first debuted, he went to Fengtian to open a new account. He lost two times. I also gave you a third chance. Now, if you want to retire, you have to pass my three tests."
Sun Beiming said: "What kind of three levels are you doing? If you cause trouble again and again, don't you want to destroy me?"
The old man said: "Then your brother insists on abdicating, isn't it to destroy me?"
Seeing that everything was perfect, Chen Yiqing hurriedly said: "My lords, there is no need to spoil anyone, let's start the banquet quickly, no matter how late, there will be no fresh crabs."
This meal of crab is very pleasant to eat.During the banquet, shopkeeper Sun did not say any more about abdicating.The old man suggested that the weather is getting cooler, so let's go to Suzhou and Shanghai.Sun Beiming also agreed, saying that the Shanghai account is too weak, which is always a problem for him, and it is necessary to go to Shanghai.
Afterwards, Chen Yiqing asked the old man, "Why did you adopt my idea again?"
The old man said, "You have a good idea."
"In advance, the old man said that the idea is good, but it can't be used. Why do you use it again?"
"I don't want to use it, why?"
"I want to know why the old man is so wise?"
"Shopkeeper Chen, you don't have to flatter me like this."
Of course, Chen Yiqing was very happy that her idea was adopted.It's just that the old man turned his idea into his usual means, and linked it with the benevolence and righteousness of the past.When it comes to the kindness of knowing you back then, of course the shopkeeper Sun Da can no longer be stubborn.
Having become a fine old man, he finally managed to stabilize shopkeeper Sun.But seeing the benevolence and righteousness between the two of them, don't expect any major changes in the future.
When Sun Beiming debuted, Kang Hunan had just been in charge of housekeeping.Therefore, he is hot-blooded and ambitious, and often puts aside the ancestral motto of "financial owners don't interfere with other affairs", and likes to point fingers at the Kang family's ticket shop and tea shop, and make irresponsible remarks.
It was during the Xianfeng period, and the Tiancheng Yuan ticket shop was climbing up a slope, and it was not crowded in the middle of the Xibang ticket offices.For example, there are only a dozen of Zhuangkou stationed abroad.There is not a shop of the Kang family outside the whole pass.The Cao family of Taigu's largest family, Beiyu Village, made their fortunes outside the pass, where the Cao family is very powerful.Although both belonged to the Taigu Township Party, Kang Hunan wanted to get involved outside the Guan.He kept teasing Tian Chengyuan's big shopkeeper: There are so many Taigu people doing business outside the pass, why not open a branch in Fengtian Mansion?Don't be afraid of the Cao family!
Don't be afraid of the Cao family, these words are arrogant enough.
The Cao family in Taigu started their business in Chaoyang outside the Guan at the end of the Ming Dynasty, and gradually opened their businesses all over Chifeng, Lingyuan, Jianchang, Shenyang, Jinzhou, and Siping streets.After entering the Qing Dynasty, it just took advantage of the trend to enter the customs and developed, becoming the earliest developed family in the Western Gang.During the Xianfeng period, the Cao family was in its heyday. It invested and opened various business houses scattered all over the country, as many as 640, employing more than 37,000 partners. The working capital mentioned is 10 million taels.西帮做生意尊人本，凭信誉，所以“架本”总是比“资本”大得多。但曹家的商业“架本”如此之巨，却也是惊人的。所以，年轻的康笏南说“不用怕曹家”，天成元的老总们听了，心里都发笑：我们凭什么能不怕人家！
但康笏南主张自家的票庄到关外设庄，也有他的见识：曹家虽然财大势盛，商号遍天下，但曹家却还没有开票号。在咸丰年间，曹家除了经营杂货、酿造、典当、粮庄这些老行业外，最大的主业是曲绸贩运。曲绸产地为河南鲁山及山东一些地方，其销路主要在口外关外，几为曹家所垄断。曹家生意做得这样大，资金流动也必然量大。曹家涉足金融生意的，只有账庄。账庄只做放贷，不做汇兑。所以，在关外开一间汇兑庄，不正好大有生意可做吗？
天成元的老总们都不信：曹家就那样傻，叫我们挣它地盘的钱？
康笏南就反问：曹家也不是天生的第一大户吧？它的先人也是卖沙锅起家吧？
字号推脱不过，就答应到奉天府设庄一试。
当时，孙北溟只是天成元驻张家口的一个跑街。跑街，用现在的职务比拟，就是那种在外头跑供销，揽生意的业务人员吧。张家口在那时俗称东口，是由京师出蒙通俄的大孔道，大商埠。孙北溟又是极为能干的跑街，已屡屡建功立业，顶到三厘身股。碰巧那年他正回到太谷歇假，听说要在关外奉天府设庄，就自告奋勇，跑到总号请缨。
总号对他，好像不是太中意。从用人惯例，受命到外埠开设新庄的，至少也需是驻外的副帮。孙北溟虽是一位能干的跑街，但忽然就到新庄口做老帮，总好像太便宜了他。所以，总号只是答应他：调往奉天新号做跑街，可以。
到新号还是照旧做跑街，何苦！孙北溟谋的是新号的老帮，至少也要是副帮。那时候他已经看出，东家刚出山主政的康笏南少爷，爱揽事。于是，他也把“号伙不得随便见财东”的号规，丢在一边，悄悄去拜见了康笏南。
孙北溟的一番雄心壮志，很对康笏南的心思。问答之间，也觉出此人口才、文才、器量、心眼，都还成。于是，当下就答应了向老号举荐，由他领头去奉天开辟新庄。
新主政的少东家出面举荐，老号的总理协理都不好驳回。可心里当然极不痛快。尤其对孙北溟，恨得痒痒的。说不动我们，竟敢去搬少东家，连规矩都不懂，还想受重用？只是，对往奉天设庄，这些老总们本来也没有太大信心，既然少东家举荐了人，干成干不成，他们也好交待了。于是，就同意了派孙北溟去奉天，做新奉号的新老帮。
西帮票号到外埠开设新分号，并不另发资本，只是携带了总号的图章，以资凭信，再发给路费和一些开办费，就齐了。孙北溟挑选了两名伙友，远赴奉天上任时，康笏南却特别管照柜上，要破例给孙掌柜带一笔厚资去。为甚要破例？因为关外七厅，没有咱家一间字号，最临近的就是张家口了，也不好接济。
老总们心里当然不愿意：孙掌柜你不是有本事吗，还要破例做甚！老掌柜们努了努，也只答应给携带两万两“架本”，交待路过天津时，从津号支取。
孙北溟对康笏南少东家，当然就更感激不尽。
可惜奉号开张一年，没有做成几笔生意，倒将那两万两“架本”给赔尽了。因为关外曹家的字号眼高得厉害，根本不把天成元这样的票号当回事。一开头，就这样放了瞎炮，孙北溟当然异常羞愧。这下可给赏识自己的少东家丢尽了脸，叫总号那几位老掌柜得了理，遂了意。东家和老号两头都不好交待，孙北溟只好写了自责的信报，一面求总号另派高手，取代自己，一面向少东家康笏南谢罪。他说自家太狗屎，扶不上墙，有负东家重托了，罚股，开除，都无怨言。
他可没有想到，康笏南的回信居然什么也没说，就问了一句：你还敢不敢在奉天领庄？要是敢，就叫老号再给你拨三万两“架本”。
放了瞎炮，把老本赔了个净光，少东家居然还这样信任他，他能说不敢再领庄吗？孙北溟感激涕零回了话：东家、老号若肯叫他将功补过，自己一定肝脑涂地，把奉号排排场场立起来。
康笏南果然说到做到，很快给孙北溟调来三万两银子。
使出吃奶劲，又扑腾了一年，好嘛，这三万两新“架本”，又叫奉号给赔光了。这下，孙北溟是连上吊自尽的心思也有了。只是，自己一死，更给少东家脸上抹了黑，叫人家说：看看你赏识的人吧，还没咋呢，就给吓死了。所以，他不敢死，只好再去信报，请求严惩自己：
辛苦挣下的那三厘身股，都给抹了吧，还不解气，就开除出号，永不叙用。
笏南的回话，依旧没说别的，只问：孙掌柜你还敢不敢领庄？要敢，再给你调五万两“架本”！
老天爷，连败两年，赔银五万，居然依旧不嫌弃，还要叫你干，还要给你调更大一笔本钱来！孙北溟真是感动得泪流满面，遥望三晋，长跪不起。这种情形，他是越发不能退后了。
退路，死路都没有了，就是想豁出去干，也没有什么可“豁”的了。孙北溟这才冷静下来。这种冷静，那是比不怕死，还要宁静。以前，就是太看重自己的死了，老想着不成功，就成仁，大不了一死谢东家。可少东家器重你，不是稀罕你的死，你就是死了也尽不了忠，只是给少东家抹了黑。做生意，那是只有成功，难有成仁。这样一冷静，一切想法都不一样了。
第三年，孙北溟领庄的奉号，终于立住了，止亏转盈，尤其为曹家字号所容纳。天成元也终于在关外有了自家的庄口。
破例重用孙北溟，打出关外，逼近曹家，成了康笏南主政后最得意的一笔。孙北溟也由此成为天成元一位最善建功的驻外老帮。奉号之后，他先后被改派张家口、芜湖、西安、京师领庄，历练十多年，终被康笏南聘为大掌柜。
康笏南与孙北溟之间，有这样一层经过几十年锤打的铁关系，谁背弃谁，那当然是不可能的。但康笏南采纳陈亦卿出的主意，叫孙北溟罪己受罚，那也是前所未有的。所以，孙北溟受到的震动，真是非同小可。但想想津号惹的祸，也就两相冲抵，平衡了。由此，孙北溟似乎被震得年轻了几岁，暮气大减，当年的胆魄与才具，也隐约有些重现出来。
激活了孙大掌柜，康笏南当然喜出望外。只是，自家和孙北溟毕竟老迈了，康家事业，终究还得托付于后人。在处理津号这场祸事中，京号的戴掌柜和汉号的陈掌柜，临危出智，应对裕如，日后都可做孙北溟的后继者。可自家的那位老三，呼唤再三，不见出来。
康家出了这样大的事，三爷始终不到场，日后他还怎么当家主政？
收到五娘被绑票的第一封电报，口外的归化庄口，一时竟猜不出是出了什么事。因为电报是太谷老号发来的，用的是暗语。暗示绑票的密语为：“脱臼”。因久不使用这个暗语，“五娘脱臼”是什么意思，很叫大家猜测了半天。
归号的方老帮，还有柜上的账房、信房，都是应该熟记电报密语的。可他们一时都记不起“脱臼”是暗示什么。生了重病，还是受了欺负？但重病、受欺负似乎另有密语。
方老帮请教邱泰基，他一时也记不起“脱臼”是暗示什么。不过，邱泰基到底脑筋灵泛，他提醒方老帮：既然大家对“脱臼”二字这样生疏，那会不会是电报局的电务生译错了电文？
方老帮一听，觉得有可能，就赶紧打发了一个伙友，去电报局核查。核查回来说，没错，就是该译成“脱臼”二字。
这两个字，一时还真把归号上下难住了。直到第二天，信房才猜测，这两个字是不是暗示绑票？方老帮和邱泰基忙将电报重念了念，嗯，换“脱臼”为“绑票”，这就是一封异常火急的电报了：
五娘遭绑票了？大家又不大相信。谁这样胆大，敢在天津欺负康家！江湖上，不论白道黑道，只怕还没人敢碰康家。那么是义和拳民？听说义和拳只和洋人和二毛子过不去，不会欺负西帮吧？西帮又不巴结洋人，五爷五娘更不是二毛子。也许是津号得罪了什么人？
但不管怎样，得按太谷老号的意思，速将这一消息转告三爷。前不久，刚刚得到消息，三爷在包头。
邱泰基就提出，让他去见三爷。方老帮想了想，就同意了。
邱泰基刚到归化时，就曾想去拜见三爷。方老帮也正为三爷热衷于“买树梢”，焦虑不已，很想让邱泰基去劝说劝说。可三爷到底在哪儿？那时就打听不清楚，有的说在后套的五原，也有的说应乌里雅苏台将军连顺大人的邀请，又到外蒙的前营去了。要在后套，那还能去拜见，要是真到了前营，可就难见了。由归化到前营乌里雅苏台，必须跟着驼队走，道上顺利，也得两个多月才能到。邱泰基到归化时，正是盛夏大热天，驼队都歇了。
驼运业的规矩，都是夏天歇业不走货。因为夏天的草场旺，是骆驼放青养膘，恢复体力的好季节。加上热天长途跋涉，对骆驼的损害太大，驼队也得负载过多的人畜用水，减少了载货量，不合算。
不靠驼队，邱泰基是无法去前营的。他只好待在归化，一面专心柜上生意，一面继续打听三爷到底在哪儿。由于三爷跟方老帮的意见不合，三爷显然有意冷落归号，他的行踪都不跟柜上说一声。方老帮不赞成三爷那样冒冒失失“买树梢”，也许是对的。可总跟三爷这样顶着牛，也不是办法呀。邱泰基就想从中做些斡旋，不过他一点也没声张。
现在他为人处事，已同先前判若两人了。
邱泰基到归化半月后，老天爷下了一场大雨。都说，那是今年下的头一场能算数的雨水。因为一冬一春，几乎就没有像样的雨雪，就是进了夏天，也还没下过一场透雨。这场雨时大时小，一直下了一天。雨后，邱泰基就赶紧打听：这场雨对河套一带的胡麻，有何影响。凡问到的人都说：那当然是救命雨，救了胡麻了！
胡麻有救，对三爷可不是什么好兆。他“买树梢”，买的就是旱。受旱歉收，年景不济，胡麻才能卖出好价钱。得了这场偏雨，若胡麻收成还可以，那三爷买旱，岂不买砸了！三爷要真去了乌里雅苏台，就先不说了，如果在前后套，或包头，那他多半要同字号联系。
邱泰基作了这样判断，也没有对任何人说。
方老帮见下了这样大的一场透雨，当然更得了理，埋怨三爷不止。邱泰基含糊应对，没有多说什么。
倒是真如他所判断，雨后不久，柜上就收到三爷的急信，叫为他再预备一笔款子，做什么用，也没说。信中说，他在包头。
看过信，方老帮更急了，就想叫邱泰基赶紧去包头，劝说三爷。
邱泰基却对方老帮说，不宜立马就去见三爷。因为刚下过大雨，三爷发现买旱买错了，正在火头上，你说什么，他也听不进去。
方老帮只好同意缓几天再说。
现在，有了五娘出事的电报，正好为见三爷提供了一个由头。于是，在收到太谷电报的第三天，邱泰基匆匆向包头赶去。
去包头前，邱泰基提议：赶紧以三爷的名义，给京津两号发电报，令他们全力营救五娘。三爷得报后，肯定要发这样一封电报，包头那边又不通电报，归号预先代三爷发了，没错。
方老帮当然同意，心里说：这个邱泰基，到底脑筋灵泛。
跟着邱泰基的，还是他从太谷带来的那个小伙友郭玉琪。方老帮本来要派个熟悉驼道的老练伙友，但郭玉琪非常想跟着邱掌柜去。邱泰基就答应了他。
那时的包头，虽然还属萨拉齐厅管辖下的一个镇子，但在口外已是相当繁华的商埠了。西帮中的两家大户：祁县的渠家和乔家，最先都在包头创业、发迹的。他们经营的商号，尤其乔家的复盛公商号，几乎主宰着包头的兴衰。这个原先叫西脑包的荒凉之地，诞生了乔家的许多传奇，以至流传下一句话来：“先有复盛公，后有包头城。”年轻的郭玉琪，对包头也充满了好奇，他当然想早日去那里看看。
包头离归化不过四百里路程。邱泰基和郭玉琪骑马出城后，便一直向西奔去。北面是连绵不断的阴山支脉大青山，就像是一道兀立的屏障，护着南面的一马平川。这一马平川，农田多，草原少，已与中原的田园景象没有什么不同。雨后的田野，更是一片葱茏。但大青山托起的蓝天，似乎仍然有种寥廓苍凉之感。
邱泰基年轻时就驻过归化，知道口外这夏日的美景，实在也是藏了几分凶悍的。他就对郭玉琪说：“这就是有名的河套一带了，你看与中原哪有什么不同？”
郭玉琪回答说：“邱掌柜，我看这里的天，比中原的要高，要远。”
“才到口外，你是心里发怵，认生吧？”
“我可不发怵，还想到更远的荒原大漠去呢。我听邱掌柜说过，到了那种地界，才能绝处出智，修行悟道。”
“既已到口外，那种机会有得是，以后你就是不想去，也得去。但修行悟道，也不光是在那种地界。像眼前河套这种富庶地方，也一样。你看着它跟中原也差不到哪儿，可它的脾气却大不一样。”
“邱掌柜，有甚不一样？”
“你见着三爷就知道了。”
“三爷？听方老帮说，三爷的脾气不太好。三爷的脾气，还跟这里的水土有关？”
“我跟你说过吧，口外关外是咱们西帮的圣地。西帮的元气，都是在口外关外养足的。西帮的本事，尤其西帮那种绝处出智的能耐，更是在口外关外历练出来的。山西人本来太绵善，太文弱，不把你扔到口外关外历练，实在也成不了什么事。”
“这我知道。从小就知道，不驻口外，成不了事。不过，听说三爷本来就有大志。他是东家，也用不着学生意吧。”
“驻口外，学生意实在是其次，健体强志也不最要紧。”
“最要紧的是什么？”
“历朝历代，中原都受外敌欺负。外敌从何而来？就是从这口外关外。为何受欺负？中原文弱，外敌强悍。文弱，文弱，我们历来就弱在这个'文'字上。可你不到口外关外，出乎中原之外，实在不能知道何为文弱！”
“文弱是那些腐儒的毛病。邱掌柜大具文才，也不至为这个'文'字所累吧？”
“不受累，我能重返口外吗？”
“邱掌柜，我实在没有这种意思！”
“我知道，跟你说句笑话吧。西帮在口外关外修行悟道，参悟到了什么？就是'文'之弱也。历来读书，听圣贤言，都是将'文'看得很强。'郁郁乎文哉'，成了儒，那就更将'文'看得不得了，可以修身、齐家、治国、平天下。所以想出人头地，世间只有一条路：读书求仕。可你也知道，西帮却是重文才，轻仕途，将'文'低看了一等。因为一到口外，'文'便不大管用，既不能御风寒，也不能解饥渴，更不能一扫荒凉。蒙人不知孔孟，却也强悍不已，生生不息。你文才再大，置身荒原大漠，也需先有'生'，尔后方能'文'。人处绝境，总要先出智求生，而后才能敬孔孟吧。所以是'人'强而'文'弱，不是'文'圣而'人'卑。是'人'御'文'，而非'文'役'人'。是'人'为主，'文'为奴，而不是'人'为'文'奴。”
“邱掌柜，你的这番高见，我真还是头一回闻听！”
“在中原内地，我也不能这样明说呀！这样说，岂不是对孔孟圣贤大不敬吗？将儒之'文'视为奴，御之，役之，那是皇上才敢做的事，我等岂敢狂逆如此？但在这里，孔孟救不了你，皇上也救不了你，那你就只好巴结自己了。”
“我可得先巴结邱掌柜。”
“想做一个有出息的西帮商人，光巴结老帮掌柜不行，你还得巴结自家。”
“我们都知道邱掌柜会抬举自家，自视甚高。”
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