Chapter 12 Chinese New Year running water

According to the usual practice, businesses in Jindi do not close their doors until the end of the year for the Chinese New Year, either earlier or later, not necessarily until New Year's Eve.But the opening of the market in the first month was agreed on the 11th.On the auspicious day of the opening of the market, all shops will naturally decorate with lanterns and festoons, and set off fireworks, so the streets are full of festivities, and the city is full of splendor, and the lively atmosphere of the New Year seems to have really evaporated.Then, the excitement became more and more prosperous day by day, reaching its climax on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month on the Lantern Festival.

Qi, Tai, and Ping counties, the base camps of Xibang Bank, opened on the 11th of the first lunar month, and the layout is particularly gorgeous.Inside, it is also famous for "the shed in Qixian County and the lamp in Taigu". "Shed" is a kind of large-scale production of "knotting", using bundles of colorful silks and satins to tie various auspicious patterns on the temporary archway for crossing the street.All the shops competed for splendor through their own "sheds", and the city was filled with brilliance. Taigu's lamps are overwhelming because of their exquisiteness.Different from the temporary large-scale production in Qixian County, although the lanterns in Taigu are only hung for a while in the first month, they are all made by skilled craftsmen.Large companies even purchase high-quality lamps from the capital and Jiangnan.At that time, there was a very precious six-sided glazed palace lantern. The lamp bone was made of nanmu, and the dragon head cloud pattern was carved carefully.This kind of palace lanterns, wealthy families only bought one or two pairs and hung them in the hall.The Taigu Company opened its market in the first lunar month, and it seemed that every family had to hang a few pairs of these glazed palace lanterns.Other kinds of ingenious and exquisite lanterns are of course also hanging out.When the lights are shining brightly, it can create an illusionary world and ignite people's dreams of abundance.

The year of gengzi leaps in August, which is traditionally a year of unrest.Therefore, on the 11th day of the first lunar month, when the business name opened as usual, they did not dare to be sloppy. On the afternoon of the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, Kang's Tiancheng Yuanpiao, Tianshengchuan Tea, Silk and Satin, and Liangzhuang, like other shops, had hung up colored lights.A pair of glazed palace lanterns hung out in Tianshengchuan, and a set of twelve zodiac lanterns.Although this set of simulated zodiac lanterns covered with bamboo bone gauze is old, but because of its lifelike shape, rats, cows, dragons and snakes are lined up one by one, which can be regarded as the old scenery of Tianshengchuan.Tian Chengyuan hung three pairs of six glazed palace lanterns, and an exquisite Kowloon lantern hung in the middle.This Jiulong lantern also has nanmu lamp bones and a glazed lampshade, but it is much smaller and more delicate than the glazed palace lanterns. It is named after nine dragon heads carved out of the lamp bones.At that time, it was considered a unique and expensive lamp.Three pairs of six palace lanterns, plus this Kowloon lantern, all have auspicious numbers of three, six, and nine.The size of the picture, that is, this auspicious.

As usual, when a firm opens the market, it is "opened" by the rich owner.And when the market opens, I like to rush early.Therefore, on the eleventh day, the Kang family has been busy since the third watch.Because the guard of honor entering the city on this day is the most solemn of the year.In this line, four luxurious carriages inlaid with copper and silver will be dispatched: the first one will be led by the accountant of the Kang family; the second will be the young master, usually the third master; South; the fourth car sits in the back of the old pavilion of Kang Hunan's close attendant.For each carriage, there are two handsome coachmen, and there is also a servant sitting in the outer shaft.In front of each car, there is a top horse as a guide.The top horse is strong and beautiful, covered in red and colorful, and has a string of bells around its neck. If it moves a little, it will be a piece of dingdong; Qingning silk gown, plus a black lambskin jacket.In front of the top horse, there are of course those carrying lanterns; on the left and right sides of the convoy, there are also those holding torches.

Kang Hunan also woke up shortly after the third watch.After getting up, I calmly practiced a set of Xingyi boxing before washing and dressing.Although there was an accident in Wu Ye's family last year, he successfully toured the south of the Yangtze River. After all, he felt that his spirit was smooth, so this year his energy is very good.Going to the opening of the market, there seems to be a kind of excitement, which is rare.However, he didn't wear the new outfit that Lao Ting had prepared for him. He still chose the old outfit he wore last year, and only bought a new squirrel cape to bring a little freshness.

After getting dressed, he walked out of the old courtyard. The five masters and their young masters were already waiting outside.Kang Hunan led all the male protagonists of the family to the main hall of Dexin Hall. There are three gods and master tablets in the hall: the gods of heaven and earth in the middle, Guandi God of Wealth in the left hand, and ancestors in the right hand.In front of the tablet, there is also a special sacred object: half a piece of old and damaged camel drawer.Camel drawers are mats woven from camel hair. When camels are carrying goods, they are first put on the camel's back to protect the body and are necessary for camel transportation.The half piece of camel drawer provided by the Kang family is said to be a relic of the ancestors when they pulled the camel and walked out of the mouth.For it, it is natural to show future generations, don't forget that it is difficult for the ancestors to start a business.Therefore, on the altar in front of this sacred object, there is an extremely rich offering.

Kang Hunan walked in with all the male protagonists, first offered three sticks of incense with his own hands, and then bowed down respectfully and kowtowed.After the ceremony, sit in front of the confession.The five masters and young masters came forward to kowtow and salute in order of seniority.Although this ceremony was held successively on the first, third, and fifth days of the next year, because the old man was in a good mood this year, everyone still took it seriously.The atmosphere is quiet and peaceful, making people feel that there will be good luck this year. After the ceremony, everyone followed the old man to the big kitchen and ate some breakfast.

At this time, it was nearly four o'clock.Kang Hunan got up and walked towards Yimen, and everyone naturally followed closely. Outside the gate of the ceremony, the guard of honor with chariots and horses has been prepared early.The most conspicuous thing under the lantern torch is the hot breath from all the horses.In the second watch of the new year, it is still cold. Kang Hunan asked the butler Lao Xia: "Can you send it?" Lao Xia yelled: "The train is starting—" He heard it vaguely, as if he was yelling: "Get rich——" Then, the firecrackers sounded, and a group of drums played at the same time.The horses were in a commotion, and the bells around their necks rang together.

Kang Hunan got into his car first, followed by the third master, then the accountant and Lao Ting.After the chariots and horses set off, the crowd and the drum troupe followed them to the entrance of the village. Before five o'clock, the chariots and horses entered Nanguan.The drum troupe hired by the name brand has already greeted them outside the city gate, playing happily.The chariots and horses didn't stop, they just gave some rewards to the drum troupe, and went straight into the city. According to the usual practice, Kang Hunan first went to Tianshengchuan tea house to offer incense.Before the carriages and horses arrived, Lin Qinxuan, the shopkeeper, had already led the company's friends and stood in front of the shop decorated with lights to greet him.From big shopkeepers to ordinary friends, today's dress is the most particular in a year: praying, showing face, ostentation, showing wealth, it seems that it is all at this moment.Although the tea house is no longer as good as the ticket shop, the shopkeeper Lin Da is still elegant and luxurious today, and everyone under his command is equally lavish and elegant.The old man came to the tea house to offer incense at the first stop, and asked them to grab a good early market. This is the greatest honor and comfort of the year.

The old club's party arrived and was welcomed into the living room of the Shangfang courtyard, where they offered incense and kowtowed to salute.After the ceremony, go back to the shop, take the old signboard that was prepared on the cabinet, and hand it to shopkeeper Lin.Shopkeeper Lin picked it up with a pole and hung it outside the door under the eaves, and the firecrackers suddenly sounded. At this time, it was still not five o'clock. Along the way, it was both quiet and fast, which really meant fighting. The tablet of the God Lord enshrined in Tianshengchuan's living room is almost the same as that offered in Caidong Dexin Hall, except that there is an extra tablet of the god of fire.Because businesses are most afraid of fire.The hanging old signboard is nothing more than a wooden signboard with the word "tea" engraved on both sides, hanging diagonally, and a red tassel hanging from the lower corner, which is actually quite ordinary.But because it has been hung for a long time, especially the word "tea" on it, which was written by Mr. Fu Shan, a famous scholar in the Three Jin Dynasties, it has become a sacred object of Tianshengchuan tea house.Every year after the closing of the city, the signboard is removed, cleaned, and replaced with a new red tassel.The market opens in the first month, and then grandly hang out.

Kanghu South is in good spirits this year, and Shengchuan Shangxiang will open in the next day. It is very cold, and the movement is more convenient than in previous years.However, he still didn't stay long in Tianshengchuan: he had to go to Tianchengyuan to offer incense.After the firecrackers were set off for a while, he cupped his hands and said to shopkeeper Lin Qinxuan, "Treasurer Lin, this year is all up to you." Lin Qinxuan also bowed and said, "Don't worry, old Dongtai." Kang Hunan clasped his hands again and said to his friends, "It's up to you guys!" After finishing speaking, he went out and got in the car. When he arrived at Tiancheng Yuanpiaozhuang, the shopkeeper Sun Beiming also led his friends to stand respectfully outside the shop door to greet him solemnly.The rules of offering incense and worshiping gods are the same as before, but they are much more relaxed: because the auspiciousness has already been obtained, there is no need to rush to take advantage of it.After offering incense and saluting, he returned to the shop, and there was no longer the listing ceremony like that of a tea house. Kang Hunan sat on a grand teacher's chair and watched his friends remove the door and window guards and light the firecrackers.Then, he said to the third master who had been following him all the time: "Go to the silk and satin village and the grain village to offer incense, I have to rest." The third master agreed, and then took the accountant with him, dispatched a guard of honor with horses and horses, and left in a pompous manner. After the opening of the market, the shop will hold a sumptuous banquet to celebrate.Kang Hunan also had to drink a cup of wine with his friends at the banquet to show that he relied on everyone to do business.Therefore, he first went to Sun Beiming's small account room to rest. Accompanied by Sun Beiming, he said, "Is old Dongtai in such good spirits this year?" Kang Hunan said: "During the new year, you made me feel sad, so you ironed the post?" "I mean, it's been a long time since I came back from the southern tour, and I still haven't rested. I'm still tired, and I always suspect that my muscles and bones are hurt." "Boss shopkeeper, you really feel sorry for yourself! We have not encountered mountains of swords and seas of fire during our southern tour. How could it hurt your bones? If you say that I am in good spirits, then I will teach you a method, which will surely relieve your fatigue. , rejuvenated." "What's the best way?" "Copying Buddhist scriptures. After returning from Shanghai, I copied a page of Buddhist scriptures every other day, and I didn't stop until the end of the year. Shopkeeper, you should try it too. Once you try it, you will know the beauty of it." "Is the old club really copying Buddhist scriptures?" "What are you talking about? I made a serious wish in Shanghai, so you are joking?" "Old boss, it's not that I'm being disrespectful, just making a wish to Buddha in front of those few pages of incomplete scriptures?" "Shopkeeper Sun, have you become an ordinary person? How can those few pages of incomplete scriptures be ordinary? They are scriptures written by people from the Tang Dynasty. Seeing the atmosphere of calligraphy in the Tang Dynasty, Yan Lugong and Li Beihai are so full of vigor. Even if the handwriting is not outstanding, it is Tang paper and Tang ink, which have been safe and sound for more than a thousand years in the world! How can it be so? Always So, compared to the Buddha statues in the temple, they are not inferior to them. After seeing the Buddhist scriptures for thousands of years, is it still considered seeing the Buddha?" "You didn't say that in Shanghai, did you? If I had known this, maybe I would have wished." "It's not too late now, just copy a page of Buddhist scriptures as soon as you see the sky. "Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra" and "Great Compassion Heart Dharani Sutra" are not long, so you can copy these two sutras first." "What kind of scriptures did the old club copy?" "These are also the two scriptures. Before copying the scriptures, you must wash your hands and burn incense." "I don't need to blaspheme the Buddha anymore. The font size is full of vulgarity, and I am busy all day long. Where is the place to write scriptures!" When he was in Shanghai last autumn, in order to curry favor with his former employer, Meng Laogang of Shanghai No. 1 tried to ask a friend to introduce him, so that Kang Hunan was able to see the "Tang Xian's Sutra Writings".This remnant page of the scriptures written by the Tang Dynasty was collected by Renhe Wei Jiasun of Zhejiang Province.At that time, a large number of Buddhist scriptures written in the Tang Dynasty in Dunhuang had not yet been discovered, so the five pages of remnants of scriptures in the collection of Renhe Wei were very precious.Celebrities who are fond of Jinshi calligraphy and painting all want to try to see them.When Kang Hunan and Sun Beiming came to Shanghai on a tour, they just caught up with the descendants of the Wei family who were invited by friends to bring this calligraphy to Shanghai.Meng's old gang knew that his old club was good at it, so they ran around and finally accomplished this beautiful thing, which made Kang Hunan so happy. The old meng gang naturally received extra praise.Seeing that his old owner cherished this thing so much, he said to the old man: "Since you like it so much, why don't you buy it? Just say a word, and I will try my best to make sure that the old man can bring this calligraphy with him when he returns to Taigu." Walk." Meng's old gang originally wanted to ask for further credit, but unexpectedly, the old boss glared at him and said: "You can't get this kind of thought, it's so beautiful! Besides, it's a Buddhist relic, not an ordinary gold and stone calligraphy and painting. Why don't you trade it in the market?" Disgrace to the Buddha!" ​​So, he made a vow immediately: After returning to Jin Dynasty, he would copy Buddhist scriptures to redeem disrespect. Mr. Meng's gang was really taken aback and hurriedly confessed. After coming down, Sun Beiming said to Mr. Meng: "This has always been the case, and the old man is not at ease anymore. That's why it's like this. Don't pay too much attention to it. In the future, you have to be more careful about fawning." All the way from Hankou to Shanghai, Sun Beiming discovered that Kang Hunan actually had a lot on his mind, and the free and easy, calm, and humorous appearance on his face seemed to be done on purpose.After more than a month in Shanghai, I was more often absent-minded.Sun Beiming did not dare to comfort him: The unlucky things that happened one after another were all related to his own ineffective management of the farm, so he was speechless.Returning to Taigu from Shanghai, Sun Beiming fell into the busyness of the old account again, especially the four-year closing account, which was reaching a critical juncture.Therefore, throughout the winter, I almost didn't see Kang's old boss again, and I don't know if he thought about it.However, the result of closing the accounts was unexpectedly good, and the profits in the past four years have created another bumper harvest. It seems that the mood of the old club has really improved. The old club has a good spirit and a good mood in the next year, and Sun Beiming feels at ease.Copying Buddhist scriptures and so on, it was because Lao Dongtai was in a good mood that he said that. During the four years from the 22nd year of Guangxu to the 25th year of Guangxu, although there were events affecting the overall situation such as the reform of 1898, the imperial court's ban on foreign exchange, and the establishment of the government-run commercial bank, the financial business of Xibang Piaozhuang still performed well.The Kang family's Tiancheng Yuanpiaozhuang made a total profit of nearly 500,000 taels in the four-year period.There are twenty-six financial shares and seventeen labor shares, forty-three shares in total. Each share of business can get a bonus of more than eleven thousand taels of silver.If the dividend per share exceeds 10,000 taels, it will be a good year in Tiancheng Yuanpiaozhuang. How can the Kang family be unhappy? Four years of combined accounts, that is the biggest festival of the bank.During the period of closing accounts, branch offices in various places have to collect the foreign debts, pay off the foreign debts, and then hand over the four-year surplus money to the Escort Bureau to escort back to the old Taigu branch.During that period, there was almost no place in the old shop that was not full of silver ingots. Needless to say, the storeroom, the account room, the dormitory, the underground, and the kang were all taken up by silver ingots. Many friends could not sleep on the kang for half a month and twenty days.At the same time, the owner's house, the branch villages in various places, the family members of the gang, and even the business community in the same industry are all eagerly waiting for the results of the closing accounts, which is like waiting for the results of the imperial examinations in the provincial examinations! According to the rules of the Kang family, the result of closing accounts is announced on the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month.At that time, Kang Hunan will lead all the young masters to the shop to listen to the big shopkeeper of Lingdong's four-year business, and then reward them for their merits.Shopkeepers and friends with good performance will be given more shares; those whose business has collapsed will be punished by reducing their shares.The ceremony is much more grand and grand than the opening of the market in the first month. Because the business in this period was so unexpectedly good, Kang Hunan also pardoned Sun Beiming's share reduction at the account closing ceremony in the twelfth lunar month. He said that he would not increase the shares of the treasurer Sun, which was already very wronged him.Except for Qiu Taiji, no share reduction was made to anyone.When such a big event happened in Zhuangkou, Tianjin, Kang Hunan also leniently ruled: use Liu Guofan's death to offset everything, and it will no longer be difficult for Tianjin to name others.Quanzhuang received an increase in shares, but it was unprecedentedly large.Dai Ying of the Beijing name and Chen Yiqing of the Han name both add nine per cent to their stock, which is only one per cent difference from the highest stock shopkeeper Sun Da. The results of the big wins in the past four years can be said to have made everyone overjoyed.Therefore, it is not surprising that the joy and joy lasted until the market opened in the first month. On the twelfth day of the first lunar month, Kanghu South held a banquet to entertain guests. The guest was Cao Peide, the head of the Cao family, the largest family in Taigu. Last winter, when Kang Hunan returned from Jiangnan, Cao Peide recruited several big families in Taigu to clean up the dust for him.He knew that Cao Peide and the others wanted to hear about the southern tour, and even wanted to find out: Did the Kang family really make a big move in business?At that time, Kang Hunan was worried, so he kept a low profile at the banquet, and repeatedly stated that he didn't have any grand plans, but just wanted to straighten out the rules.Everyone has also seen that just after he went to the south, something happened in Tianjin in the north.Isn't it a last resort, he will spare his old bones and suffer that crime?The more low-key they are, the more dissatisfied Cao Peide and the others will be.But he really couldn't get interested, so he said that the West is helping the generals.I can't even control my own brand name, how can I talk about the rise and fall of the Western Gang! When the results of closing accounts at the end of the year came out, Kang Hunan was finally relieved of his worries and refreshed.The banquet for Cao Peide this time is nominally to repay the kindness of years ago, but in fact, I still want to have a deep discussion with him about the future of the West Gang. Early on the morning of the 12th, the third master was ordered to drive to Beibei Village to pick up Cao Peide.Cao Peide is much younger than Kang Hunan, but slightly older than the third master.Seeing the third master coming to pick him up, I feel that the etiquette is enough.Without a long delay, he took his own carriage and followed the third master to Kangzhuang.He didn't take the young master with him, but called the shopkeeper Wu Da, the largest store in the Cao family, Lijindezhangzhuang, to accompany him. The account bank is also engaged in financial business, but unlike the ticket office, it only conducts lending business and does not conduct exchange.Xibang’s account bank operation was earlier than the ticket office, and the lenders were mainly merchants engaged in long-distance trafficking.Long-distance trafficking, long business cycle, borrowing becomes necessary.In addition, the Xibang Zhangzhuang also released accounts to some alternate officials to support them in seeking real vacancies.Therefore, the business of Xibang Zhangzhuang is also doing very well.The Cao family’s account bank mainly provides loans to merchants who trade with Russia through Kyakhta.The Cao family made a fortune early and monopolized the trading of curved silk in the north. Their financial resources are strong, and there are few companies in the Western Gang that can match them.Therefore, its account store is also a big name of Xiongshitianxia.In addition to Li Jinde, the Cao family also opened Yongtongwu and Sanjinchuan. These three accountants are all giants in the industry. However, after the rise of the ticket office, the account bank gradually showed its weakness.Account bank lending, although the interest rate is relatively high, but the cycle is long, and the capital support is too large.The bank’s exchange business doesn’t require much advances, but instead absorbs the remittances and uses them for their own turnover. Although the income from remittances is small, the amount is large and fast, making it easier to generate money.Therefore, many of the Xibang accounts have been converted into ticket numbers.But the Cao family was rich and powerful, and they were always unwilling to follow in the footsteps of other families. By this time in the year of Gengzi, they had not yet opened a bank.This time when he went to the Kang family banquet, Cao Peide called Li Jinde, the shopkeeper Wu, to go with him. In fact, he had an inexplicable thought: to test the Kang family, is it too late to open a ticket number? The young leader was obviously moved by Kang Jiatian Chengyuan's new achievements. Because he heard that Li Jinde's shopkeeper Wu Da would accompany him, Kang Hunan called Tian Chengyuan's shopkeeper Sun Da too.When the third master greeted Cao Peide and shopkeeper Wu Da and his party, Sun Beiming had already arrived ahead of schedule. In this way, besides the two guests Cao and Wu at the main table, there are three people on the main side: Kang Hunan, shopkeeper Sun Da, and the third master.There are five people at the table, which is not an auspicious number, and one more person should be added.Normally, Kang Hunan would invite Mr. He from the academy.Although he looked down on the Confucian scholars who entered the officialdom in his heart, on the big picture he always put this upright gentleman in front of him to decorate his etiquette.But after returning from the southern tour, he found that Mr. He was even more insane, so he didn't dare to invite him to this kind of banquet.The housekeeper, Lao Xia, suggested that the fourth master should also come to accompany the guests.It is inconvenient for the deaf uncle to come out, and the second master Wu has never been willing to come to be restrained like this, so of course it is the fourth master's turn.But Kang Hunan thought for a while, but proposed to call Liu Ye to accompany him. "Didn't he take part in the provincial examination competition this year? Call him, and let's get some credit from him." So, a sixth master was added, and a number of six was added. After a few polite words at the banquet, Cao Peide turned to the important point and said: "Old man, you really know how to fool us! When I just came back from Jiangnan years ago, I was still complaining, as if your Kang family's ticket office business was about to fail. It was only a few days ago. , to combine accounts to create such a golden mountain, isn't it intentional to envy us?" Seeing that the old man was slowly chewing a mouthful of mountain pheasant meat, the third master replied, "How can we put the little money our ticket shop earns in the eyes of your Cao family!" Shopkeeper Wu Da also rushed to say: "Listen to the tone of the third master: Earn such a small amount of money! If you pay back the account, it's only half a million yuan, and you can still pay that little money!" Shopkeeper Sun said: "Businesskeeper Wu is also crying poor with his boss? You Cao family are allowed to make a lot of money, but we are not allowed to make a little money? I have made a little more money in the past four years. Not to mention, seeing our old club go on tour, the law of heaven has to favor us." Shopkeeper Wu said, "It's easy to get money from your bank." The third master said: "It's easy to get money from the ticket office, but you Cao's family don't pay attention to it?" Cao Peide hurriedly said: "Third Lord, we have not underestimated the ticket office. Now that the ticket office has become a big issue, we blindly underestimate it. Isn't that stupid! We just don't have the ability to operate the ticket office." Shopkeeper Sun said: "Is there any business that your Cao family can't do?" Cao Peide said, "Ask shopkeeper Wu to see if he dares to open a ticket number?" Shopkeeper Wu said: "The account shop and the ticket shop are different after all. We are used to making money in the account shop, so we dare not intervene in the ticket shop. Even if we want to make money, it may be too late." Kang Hunan then intervened and said, "What's the matter? If your Cao family is willing to enter the ticket industry, then our Taigu Gang will really catch up from behind. If the Taigu Gang revitalizes, the Western Gang will also stop its decline. You guys The Cao family is an important town in the West Gang, so you haven't seen the decline of the West Gang?" Cao Peide hurriedly said: "How can you not see it? Kyakhta's trade with Russia is not as good as it used to be. The Russian old man ran in and took care of the goods and transported the goods. If we go to Kyakhta, will we not be affected?" A run on? So, the business of our bookstore is really not as good as before." Kang Hunan said: "Russian old man, I don't think you need to be too afraid of him. Our Kang family's old business, the tea goods going to Kyakhta, was also run on by Russian businessmen. The court asked the old man to enter the customs office. Goods, what can we do? It’s not fun to go to tea goods, but we can still get a ticket number! Your accountant’s business is not doing well, so it’s not easy to change the ticket number?” Manager Wu quickly asked: "I heard that last year the imperial court banned the exchange of official funds from Xibang bank accounts?" Kang Hunan smiled and said: "There are bans, but everything is human-made. After some clever tricks, the imperial court's ban was gradually loosened from province to province. Therefore, the court's embarrassment, There is no need to be afraid. The most fearful thing is that we, the West Gang, are self-sufficient and ruined by wealth! The reason why the West Gang has become what it is today is not only because it is good at taking advantage of the world, but also because it is good at making money and accumulating wealth better than others. Money, not being enslaved by money. How many businesses are still like dogs when they make a small amount of money. Once they make a lot of money, they become more and more sparse. After a few days of wealth, they are called money. Hu Xueyan in Hangzhou also No! Years ago in Shanghai, I heard people say that Hu Xueyan fell into the hands of foreigners, but in fact he fell into his own hands, so we can’t blame foreigners. Those who died in the Qin Dynasty were not from the Six Kingdoms. You get rich quickly, but you don’t have the power to manage it, and you don’t know it when you become a slave to a huge fortune. The bigger the wealth, the heavier the burden, so what if it doesn’t crush you to death!” Cao Peide said: "Hu Xueyan still has some talents, but he loves luxury too much." Kang Hunan said: "Once you are greedy for luxury, you have become a slave to wealth. There is no limit to luxury in the world. If you blindly pursue it, it is not enough to take your life. How can you care about achieving any great cause! But the wind of luxury, In our West Gang, it is also becoming more and more widespread. Especially the big and big wealthy owners, they can only enjoy themselves, they don’t know how to manage affairs, and they don’t care about changes in the world. If this continues, I’m afraid even Hu Xueyan is not as good. The West Gang is famous for its long legs, but the current wealthy owners , who is willing to go out to inspect the business and take a look?" Cao Peide said: "Last year, Mrs. Kang's trip to the south of the Yangtze River really shocked the West Gang." Kang Hunan said: "This is originally a faction of the Xibang, but it is a big fuss. It can be seen that the Xibang is about to take its name. Peide, your Cao family is the first household in Taigu, and you are the new master of the virtuous. .You should go on a tour outside the pass, with the ambition not to forget your ancestors, right?" Cao Peide readily agreed, "Okay, then I'll follow Uncle Kang's orders, and when the weather gets warmer in spring, I'll go outside the pass." Shopkeeper Wu asked: "Then I have to follow your Kang family's example and accompany our boss's on tour?" Cao Peide said, "I don't need your company." Shopkeeper Sun Da said: "Look at Mr. Cao's house, how open it is! As the leader, how can we leave the cabinet? But our old man must ask me to serve him." Kang Hunan said: "If you are a big shopkeeper, you have to go out to inspect the business. Shopkeeper Sun, you didn't suffer from this trip to the south of the Yangtze River, did you?" Cao Peide said: "Okay, when the time comes, the shopkeeper Wu will accompany me." Seeing Cao Peide listening to him like this, Kang Hunan naturally became more interested, and talked more openly about the future of the Western Clan, and he didn't even taboo disrespectful words to officials.Cao Peide still echoed again and again, very respectful.Kang Hunan suddenly remembered that when he first came out of the mountain to take charge, he sent shopkeeper Sun Da to set up a village outside the pass. After three years, he would not be accommodated by the Cao family. Proud: this is really something that makes him very happy.Therefore, Kang Hunan deliberately said to Cao Peide in an elder tone: "Nephew Peide, I think you are worthy of great responsibility. Not only will you be the virtuous leader of your Cao family, but you will also be the head of our Taigu Clan, and you must also have great ambitions to be the leader of the Western Clan!" Cao Peide quickly said: "Old Master Kang dare not say that! I am a mediocre person, how can I stand up to this kind of flattery? My life will not be ruined soon!" Kang Hunan said sternly, "If you don't even dare to have this kind of ambition, don't you think you are in vain as the heir of the Cao family?" Shopkeeper Wu Da said: "Looking at the current West Gang, there are not many people with the heroic spirit of Mrs. Kang. The leader of the West Gang, I don't think anyone else can do it except you." Kang Hunanzhen also sighed: "I am old, what kind of ambition is it to be like Peide and Chongguang at your age! You are still in your prime, and you are so shy? How many years has the Xibang ruled the world? Hidden dragons and crouching tigers in the name, the wealth owners are not as good as the next generation, so what are you waiting for if they don't decline!" The third master, who had been silent all this time, interjected at this moment and said, "Brother Peide, let's join hands and revitalize the Taigu Gang first, how about?" Cao Peide hurriedly said, "Of course it would be the best!" Kang Hunan snorted and said, "After talking for a long time, I'm still thrashing about in Taigu!" Shopkeeper Sun Da said: "Elevate the Taigu Gang to be higher than the Qi Gang and Ping Gang, isn't that the leader of the Western Gang?" Kang Hunan said: "It's up to you to make a fuss, don't be inferior to one generation after another, and you will succeed." In this atmosphere, Cao Peide asked about the new ticket number in detail, and the Kang family of course expressed their full support.On a whim, Kang Hunan actually said something like this: "The imperial court was useless, and instead gave our Xibang a lot of money-making business. The Sino-Japanese peace talks were defeated in the Sino-Japanese War, and the imperial court paid indemnities. Who would remit the indemnities from the imperial court to Shanghai and hand them over to foreigners? Our Xibang bank account! Big shopkeeper, tell them, what a deal this is!" Sun Beiming said: "The Jiawu indemnity was agreed to be 200 million taels of silver. How could the court have so much silver to pay? They also borrowed from Russia, France, Britain, and Germany. If they borrowed, they must be repaid. From the 21st year of Guangxu, the annual repayment The four countries borrowed 12 million taels, the Ministry of Households gave 2 million, and the remaining 10 million was distributed to the provinces and Jiangxi Customs. In recent years, the four countries have borrowed more than 10 million taels from each province and customs to Shanghai every year. Our West Bank has solicited ticket offices from all over the world. With this large amount of exchange business, of course our West Bank has earned a considerable amount of money. Therefore, the business of our Tiancheng Yuan in the past four years has been pretty good." Shopkeeper Wu said: "I said, the imperial court banned foreign exchange, and your business is still so good!" Sun Beiming said: "The imperial court did not ask us to remit the Beijing salary, and there is no prohibition on remittance of compensation." Cao Peide said: "Master Wu, let's get a ticket number as soon as possible." Not only did no one care about Kang Hunan's disrespect towards the imperial court, everyone clearly followed suit and showed disrespect as well. But at the banquet, there was one person who never said a word, and that was Liu Ye. On the thirteenth day of the first lunar month, Kanghu South set up a banquet to entertain Mr. He, the teacher of the family school. This is also the practice of the first month of every year.Kang Hunan despises Confucianism in his heart, but he is still unambiguous about the rules of respecting teachers.Otherwise, who in the clan still studies seriously?Master He Kaisheng, even though he was a little crazy, Kang Hunan always respected him very much and treated him with courtesy as a guest.In addition to entertaining distinguished guests on weekdays, Master He must be invited out to accompany him, and several times of special banquets will be held during the year.In the first month of the new year, of course it is indispensable. This year, Master He, Second Master, Third Master, Fourth Master, and Sixth Master were invited to the banquet this year, and they all attended the banquet as usual.After a few toasts, the second and third masters found an excuse and left the banquet early as in previous years.Fourth Master drank very little and didn't say much, but he sat quietly and left without making excuses.It was the old man who saw that he was sitting quietly and was bored, so he let go: "Master He, you see that the fourth child doesn't know how to drink, and he is not interested in seeking fame, so let him go down?" Of course, Mr. He couldn't stop him.Fourth Master hurriedly said some auspicious words to Master He, and then withdrew from the table.Of course Liu Ye had to accompany him to the end.It was like this every year, he accompanied the old man and entertained the old man. The Year of Gengzi was originally the year of the Zhengke Township Examination. Because this year coincided with Emperor Guangxu's thirtieth birthday, the imperial court specially added an Enke, and the original Zhengke Dabi was postponed by one year.Of course the Confucian scholars who were waiting to take the provincial examination were very happy. Therefore, at the banquet for Mr. He, this year's Enke has been discussed.In addition, the old man is in a good mood this year, and the atmosphere is more lively than in previous years.At least, I didn't quickly leave the topic of reading and scientific research, and gossip about inscriptions, calligraphy and painting, dock business and so on. Kang Hunan said straightly: "It seems that the sixth son is destined to be the master of Juren. The first time he rushed to take the exam, he added an Enke for you. Master He, do you think our sixth master will win the Enke this year or next year? Passed the examination?" He Kaisheng actually said: "That depends on the sixth master. If the sixth master wants to win the exam this year, it will be this year. If he wants to be in the middle of next year, it will be next year. Whether he adds Enke or not, he can't miss it." Kang Hunan asked: "Master He, Lao Liu's knowledge is really so good?" Master He said: "Master Liu is very talented, and if he can cope with the stereotypes in the imperial examination, he is not rich and surplus!" The sixth master said: "Master He dare not praise too much. Although I study Confucianism, although I work hard, it is still unsatisfactory." Kang Hunan asked the sixth master: "I see your appearance, it seems that you are determined to win?" The sixth master hurriedly said: "I can only do my best. Mr. He has repeatedly taught me not to be too obsessed with the imperial examination, but to be extra open. So, I pretended to be relaxed, but in fact, I was not at ease. .” Master He said: "Sixth Lord, put your heart in your stomach. If you don't win the exam, no one in Shanxi can win the exam." The sixth master said: "Master He, you are talking too much again. I didn't win the exam. This year, the provincial examination in Jin Province will also be opened to obtain a scholar. How can no one win the exam?" Kang Hunan said: "Master He said 'extremely let go', that is the words of gold and jade! If you can really let go, it is really not difficult to win the exam. In the twelfth year of Guangxu, the young master of the Qu family in Qixian County Qu Benqiao, won the first prize in the provincial examination, and showed his face to his family. You don't need to win the prize, you can win the exam. Our Kang family doesn't expect to be the champion of Jieyuan. enough." Master He said: "Why can't the sixth master win Jieyuan? As long as you follow my advice, you can be extra liberal. Sixth master, you will come back with a Jieyuan this year, and you will have a test in Beijing next year, and then you will come back with a champion. What's the matter?" hard!" The sixth master said: "Master He, as long as I don't lose the ranking, I will be lucky." Kang Hunan said: "Master He's meaning is to tell you to let it go. Back then, Master He was just a guest in a rural examination, and he didn't pay attention to the Confucian scholars or the exam questions. , and the result was easily won." Hearing this, Mr. He's eyes suddenly lost consciousness, and his voice changed a little: "Old Master, can you play to the Ming court and remove my reputation as a juror?" Kang Hunan didn't see that he was insane again, and asked: "Master He, what do you mean, you don't want to be a tutor for our Kang family?" The sixth master knew about it, and hurriedly said: "Master He, the students will offer you another cup of wine!" Master He ignored Sixth Master, just stared at Kang Hunan in a daze, and said: "Old Master, if you want to send me to be the old gang of Jinhao, what will happen to Wu Niang? Sun Beiming is the most mediocre!" Only then did Kang Hunan see that something was wrong, so he smiled and said, "Master He, did you drink too much?" Master He said harshly: "I haven't drunk it seriously! Old man, I'm talking serious!" Sixth Master hurried out and called the housekeeper, Lao Xia. Kang Hunan then told Lao Xia: "Help Master He down and serve him carefully." But Mr. He didn't get up, and said directly: "I haven't had a few sips of wine, and I still have serious things to say!" Lao Xia said bluntly: "Master He, please show some compliments, how can the old man have time to listen to your nonsense!" Kang Hunan immediately shouted sharply: "Old Xia, you can't be so rude to Mr. He!" He said, got up and walked over. "Master He, let me help you go back to the school. If you have anything to say, let's talk in the school." Hearing what the old man said, Lao Xia looked uncomfortable. 六爷也忙说：“我来扶何老爷回学馆吧！” 早有几个下人拥过去，殷勤搀扶何老爷。老夏毕竟老辣，见此情形，就趁机将几个下人喝住，自己抢先扶起何老爷。受到这样众星捧月似的抬举，何老爷似乎缓过点神，不再犯横，任老夏扶着，离席了。 六爷要扶老太爷回去，不想，老太爷却让他坐下，还有话要对他说。说时，又令下人一律都退下。独对老太爷，六爷不免有些紧张起来。 老太爷倒是一脸慈祥，问他：“你是铁了心，要应朝廷的乡试？” 六爷说：“这也是先母的遗愿。” “能不忘你母亲的遗愿，我也很高兴。可你是否知道，朝廷一向看不起山西的读书求仕者？” "why?" “我在你这样大年龄时，也是一心想应试求功名。你的祖父却劝我不要走那条路。我也像你现在一样，很惊奇。但你既是遵母命，我也不想拦你，只是将得失利害给你指明。” “我也不敢有违父亲大人的意愿。” “老六，你母亲生前对你寄有厚望，所以我也不强求你，只是将实情向你说明。我们康家是以商立家，我们晋人也是以善商贾贸易闻名天下。可你读圣贤书，有哪位圣人贤者看得起商家？士，农，工，商，商居未位。我们晋人善商，朝廷当然看不起。” “那我们山西人读书求仕，为何也被小视？” “人家都以为，有本事的山西人，乡中俊秀之才，都入商号做了生意；剩没本事的中常之才，才读书应试。所以，你就是考得功名，人家也要低看你一眼的！” “这是市井眼光，朝廷竟也这样看？” “雍正二年，做山西巡抚的刘於义，在给朝廷的一个奏片中，写过这样一段话：'山右积习重利之念，甚于重名。子弟俊秀者，多入贸易一途，其次宁为胥吏，至中才以下，方使之读书应试，以故士风卑靡。'雍正皇上就在这个奏片上留下御批说：'山右大约商贾居首，其次者犹肯力农，再次者谋入营伍，最下者方令读书。朕所悉知。习俗殊为可笑。'你听听，对山西读书人，巡抚大人视为中才以下，皇上干脆指为最下者！” “真有这样的事？” “谁敢伪造御批！晋省大户，都铭记着雍正的这道御批。” “父亲大人，那我从小痴于读书，是否也被视为最下者，觉得殊为可笑？” “朝廷才那样看。我正相反，你天资聪慧，又刻苦读书，如再往口外历练几年，能成大才的。” “父亲大人还是要我入商不入仕？” “我只是觉得你入仕太可惜，自家有才，却被人小看，何必呢？” “有真才实学，总不会被小看到底吧？” “渠本翘在他们渠家，算是有大才的一位。光绪十二年考中山西第一名举人，又用功六年，到光绪十八年才考中进士。顶到进士的功名，荣耀得很了，可又能有什么作为？不过在京挂了个虚职，赋闲至今罢了。本翘要不走这条路，在三晋商界早成大气候了，至少也成祁帮领袖。” “但西帮能出进士，至少也是一件光彩的事。” “我们西帮能纵横天下，不在出了多少进士举人，而在我们生意做遍天下。朝廷轻看西帮，却又离不开西帮。那些顶着大功名的高官显贵，谁不在底下巴结西帮？去年我到汉口，求见张之洞，不也轻易获准？我顶着的那个花钱买来的四品功名，在张之洞眼里一钱不值。他肯见我，只因为我们康家是西帮大户。但我毕竟老迈了，康家这一摊祖业，总得交给你们料理。你们兄弟六人，现在能指望的，只有你和你三哥了。我一向不想阻拦你走入仕的路，可去年你五哥竟为媳妇失疯，才叫我忧虑不已。本来还指望你五哥日后能帮衬你三哥，料理康家商务，哪想他会这样？现在能帮你三哥一把的，就剩你了。你要一心入仕途，你三哥可就太孤单了。” “父亲大人，我于商务，那才是真正的最下者。” “那么说，你还是要铁了心，应朝廷的乡试？” “如果父亲不许，我只得遵命。” “我不拦你。你要效忠朝廷，我敢拦你？那你就蟾宫折桂，叫我们也沾沾光！” 说毕，老太爷起身离席。六爷要扶了相送，被老太爷拒绝了，只好把下人吆喝进来。 六爷当然能看出，老太爷对他是甚为失望的。可他也只能这样，他不能有违先母的遗愿。十多年来，先母的亡魂不肯弃他而去，就是等着他完成这件事。一切都逼近了，怎么能忽然背弃！很久以来，先母已不再来显灵。但去年夏天以来，又闹了几次“鬼”。是真是假，众说不一。但他是相信的：先母终究还是不放心他，在大比前夕，又来助他一把。他怎么能背弃先母遗愿！父命虽也不可违，但六爷更不想有违母命。幼小丧母的他，长这么大，感到日夜守护着他的，始终还是先母。父亲近在身边，却始终那样遥远。 实在说，六爷对料理商事，真是没有一点兴致。 正月十四，康家主仆上下又聚于德新堂正厅，举行了一次年下例行的祭神仪式。仪式毕，康笏南向全家宣布了一个出人意料的决定： “我已老迈，一过这个年就七十二岁了，也该清闲活几天吧。从今年起，德新堂的商事外务，就交给你们三爷张罗了。家政内务，交给你们四爷料理。都听清了吧？” 这样的决定，连三爷四爷他们都没有料到，所以一时寂静无声。还是管家老夏灵敏些，见大家一时都愣着，忙说：“三爷、四爷，快给老太爷磕头谢恩吧。” 三爷这才慌忙跪下，可四爷仍愣着。老夏又过去提醒了一下，他这才跪下，和三爷一道给老太爷磕了三个头。 磕过头，三爷跪着说：“受此重托，为儿甚感惶恐，还望父亲大人随时垂训。” 康笏南说：“交给你，我就不管了。” 四爷忙接着说：“父亲大人，我是个无能的人，实在担当不起家政大任的。” 康笏南说：“你大哥耳聋，你二哥心在江湖，轮下来就是你了。你不接，叫谁接？” 四爷说：“三哥独当内外，也能胜任的。” 康笏南说：“咱家商号遍天下，你三哥初接手，也够他张罗了。你就操心家政，帮他一把。” 众人也一起劝说。没等四爷应承，康笏南就站起来，说：“你们也起来吧，我把祖业交待给你们了。内政外务，都有现成规矩，你们就上心张罗吧。” 目送老太爷离去，三爷面儿上还是平静如常，倒是四爷难以自持，一脸的愁苦。 三爷心里，其实也很难平静的。在没有一点预示的情形下，老太爷这样突然将外务商事交给了他，实在是太意外了。 当父亲过了六十花甲后，他就在等待这一天了。可等了十几年了，一点动静都没有。特别是去年，年逾古稀的老太爷成功出巡江南，仿佛永远不会老去。从江南归来，老爷子更是精神焕发。所以，他几乎不再想这件事。可你不想了，它倒忽然来临！ 父亲为什么忽然舍得将祖业交他料理？三爷想来想去，觉得还是因为自己听从了那位邱掌柜的点拨，少了火气，多了和气，有了些放眼大事的气象吧。这次从口外回来，合家上下，人人都说他大变了。老太爷一定也看出了他的这种变化。 要是早几年遇见这位邱掌柜，那就好了。 他在口外时曾暗中许下心愿，一旦主政，就聘邱泰基为票庄大掌柜。那时，他真是没有料到这样快就能接手商务。现在，他当然不能走马上任，就辞去孙大掌柜。目前在天成元票庄，孙大掌柜还是不好动摇的。但他倚仗邱泰基治商的意愿，那也不会改变。来日方长。 感奋之间，三爷就决定亲自去一趟水秀村，问候一下邱泰基的眷属。在口外时就听邱掌柜说，因为他的受贬挨罚，夫人很受了委屈。尤其自家一时羞愧，真的上了吊要寻一死，不是夫人机灵，他早没有命了。当时听了，三爷就想，等回到太谷，一定去问候一下邱掌柜的夫人。可回来后，只是围着南巡归来的老太爷忙碌，差不多将这件事给忘了。不过，现在去看望，也好。自己刚主政，就去邱家拜访，消息传给邱泰基，他自然会明白：对他器重依旧。 当然，三爷也明白，他拜访邱家这件事，也不宜太张扬。 所以，三爷等年节热闹过去了，到正月十九那天，趁往城北拜客的机会，才弯到水秀村。 但邱家的大门，敲了半天，才敲开。 开门的，是那个瘸腿老汉。他当然认不得康家三爷，但见来客气象不寻常，忙赔不是，说自家耳朵不太好使，开门迟了，该死。 跟着三爷的随从也不领情，喝道：“这是康家三爷，来见你们当家的，快去通报！” 瘸老汉一听是康家三爷，更慌了，嘴里却说：“我们当家的，在口外住庄呢……” “我们还不知道邱掌柜在口外？三爷是专门来看望你们内当家的，还不快去通报！” 瘸老汉这才一歪一歪跑进去了。不久，年轻的郭云生跑出来，跪了对三爷说：“不知三爷要来，我们主家夫人回了娘家，还没有归来。三爷快请进来吧！” 随从喝道：“娘家远不远？” 三爷忙止住随从：“谁叫你这么横，就不怕吓着人家？”然后和气地问郭云生：“后生，邱家谁还在？” 郭云生说：“就我们几个下人在。” 三爷又问：“管家在吧？” 郭云生说：“自邱掌柜改驻口外后，主家夫人就辞退了许多下人，亲自料理家事，没有再聘管家。” 三爷也早看见了邱家的一片冷清，就对郭云生说：“你家夫人既然不在，我们就不进去了。你转告夫人吧，就说我来拜访过。年前我刚从口外归来，见过你们邱掌柜。他安好无事，张罗生意依然出色得很，请夫人放心吧。我说的这些话，你能记住吧？” “记住了，三爷的盛意，我一定说给主家。三爷还是进去歇歇再走吧！” "No." 说毕，三爷就上了马车。他真没有想到邱家会如此冷清。宅院还是蛮阔绰富丽的，只是里面太凄凉了。邱家这样凄凉，是一向如此，还是因邱泰基受罚才失了生气？不论如何，日后他会叫邱家兴隆起来的。 三爷是去过孙大掌柜家的，那是何等气象！ 望着三爷远去了，郭云生才算松了口气。他赶紧跑进去，告诉了二娘。 原来邱家的主妇姚夫人是在家的，但她哪里会料到东家的三爷来访？所以，她慌乱异常，无法镇静下来，体面地出来迎接这样的贵客。郭云生只好跑了出去，谎称她去了娘家。幸亏郭云生现在已经老练些了，没露馅地应对了过去。 听了郭云生转达三爷的来意，姚夫人更连连询问：三爷真的没有生气？三爷真的没有起一点疑心？ 郭云生一再说：“三爷和气得很，客气得很，兴致也好得很！” “你不是表功说嘴吧？” “我难道不怕三爷？” 郭云生这样一说，姚夫人才稍微放心了些。 姚夫人暗中将郭云生纳入自己房中，果然如愿以偿，很快有了身孕。她仔细算计了一下，只是比男人离去的时间晚了一个月。一个月，那是太好遮掩了。所以，姚夫人确认自己有孕之后，只有惊喜，没有惊慌。她本来是下了决心的，即使一年半载后有孕，也要设法把孩子生下来。现在，几乎用不着费什么心机来遮掩，她当然只有惊喜。这样快就有了身孕，最好的遮掩之法就是公开了，叫世人都知道。因此，在别人什么都看不出来的时候，她已经在亲友间作了张扬，也捎信向口外的男人报了喜。 到正月，姚夫人已是身怀六甲，体态明显笨拙了，不过，她成天也是挺着这样的身体到处走动的。三爷来访，本来也无须遮掩，但姚夫人终于还是无法自持，有些乱不成阵了。大正月的，东家三爷专程跑来，就送来有关男人的那一番话，这更叫她心里翻江倒海，平静不下来了。 对于以商立家的人家来说，财东那可是比官家还要令他们敬畏。她的男人就刚刚领教了东家的厉害！而在她的记忆中，康东家还从没有哪位老爷少爷来水秀登过邱家的门！所以，一听说三爷来访，就先心虚了：她有何颜面来接待这样的贵客？三爷为何来访，是不是听到了什么传闻？及至听了三爷的来意，心里依然不踏实：三爷破天荒登一回门，就为了来说男人如何好？是不是知道了她的什么事？姚夫人哪里能知道，三爷刚当家，心气正高。更猜不出，三爷是把自家的男人，当做未来的大掌柜对待。三爷的突然来访，真使她惊慌了好几天。直到郭云生进城打听到三爷继位的消息，姚夫人这才松了一口气。 三爷新当家，自然要显摆一下。来看望一个受贬老帮的家眷，为表示这位少东家的宽宏大量，礼贤下士吧。可她哪能知道，倒给吓得心惊肉跳！ 自家受些惊吓倒不怕，万一吓着未出世的孩儿，那可了不得！终于想到这一层，姚夫人才真正平静下来了。为了这个未出世的男娃，她真是可以什么也不在乎！有了这个男娃，她也相信自家能巧为应对一切的。她真该听了云生的话，从容出来见三爷。不要惊慌太甚，小心伤了身子，这也是云生提醒了她！ 云生这个小东西，跟了她以后，好像忽然之间长大了。不仅把一切遮掩得那样好，人好像也变机灵了。尤其是他这样一个小东西，居然像有情的男人那样，真心细心地体贴她！男人的体贴，姚夫人得到的真是太少了。所以，郭云生对她的体贴，虽然有些像母子间那样，她还是感动不已。 这半年多来，日夜近侍在姚夫人身边的，就是云生了。那个伺候姚夫人的女仆，本来就带几分傻气，机灵不了，加上姚夫人的有意为难，遭斥责哪能少？越挨骂，越发怵，也越机灵不了。这时候，云生就趁机替她把事情张罗了。云生因机灵得到赞扬，这个傻丫头也不嫉恨，反倒很感激云生。当然，这个傻丫头更不可能猜到，其实主家夫人和云生是合计好了，这样来演戏。等到姚夫人公开了自己已有身孕，就干脆不叫傻女仆走近，叫她伺候好小姐就得了。伺候姚夫人的差事，就公开由机灵、细心的云生担当。这在邱家的几位仆佣看来，也没有什么奇怪。 白天没人觉得奇怪，夜间就更无人操心了。不用说，郭云生是夜夜都在姚夫人房里度过的。 起先，姚夫人引诱郭云生，只是为了生养一个儿子，托付晚年。引诱成功了，怀孕也成功了，她对云生的感情也不一样了。像大多偷情的商家妇一样，刚毅而有主见的姚夫人并没有成为例外，她同年轻的小仆云生也生出了浓烈的恋情。拥着这个小男人，不再有那可怕的孤寂长夜。度过了最初的惊慌和羞愧，也能从容来享受有男人的夜晚了。不再像以前苦熬三年后等回男人，先是为以前补偿，接着又为以后贪吃。相聚得越甜美，越叫人想到别离的可怕。现在，她终于可以一味沉醉其中，不再担忧那许多了。 因为云生