Chapter 16 Take pains to meet the emperor's errand
At noon on August 13th, Sun Beiming, the treasurer of Tiancheng Yuanpiaozhuang, was just about to take a nap, when suddenly a friend rushed to report: "The county government official sent an urgent order from the provincial government, and asked the treasurer to go personally. catch."
An urgent order from the provincial government?
Sun Beiming didn't dare to neglect after hearing this, and hurried out.
Seeing the shopkeeper Sun, the yamen guard hurriedly said politely: "I have to bother the shopkeeper. It is really a last resort. An urgent order came from the Futai yamen in the province, telling the shopkeeper to rush to Taiyuan tomorrow. Master Futai and Fantai There is an urgent call."
As he spoke, he handed over the official ultimatum.
When Sun Beiming hurriedly unfolded the post to read, it turned out that Futai wanted to announce an urgent order to the imperial court for the so-called urgent matter.
An urgent order from the court?
Sun Beiming asked the cashier to pay the reward to the servant, but the servant did not dare to accept it, and only said: "The county magistrate must listen to the answer: the big shopkeeper will arrive in the province tomorrow. If you can't get such an answer, it's not just that the small one can't pay the job, Even the county magistrate can't confess to the top."
The situation is so serious?
A few days ago, I heard that the empress dowager and the emperor had bypassed the east entrance and entered Shanxi.The summoning from Futai and Fantai is nothing more than to run the emperor's errand, so let's borrow money from the West Gang.But to borrow money, you have to find the owner. They are the leading shopkeepers, and they can't take care of such big things.
Sun Beiming asked, "Who else is there in Taigu that the provincial government ordered to see?"
The guard said: "There is also the big treasurer of Zhicheng Chengxin Ticket Office, and there is no one else."
Only the shopkeepers of two ticket offices were summoned?Sun Beiming thought about it, and then replied that he would go to the province on time.
The capital of the country fell, the two palaces fled, and the court situation suddenly became so dilapidated.Can the general situation be saved?In the past, judging the current situation was based on the letters and newspapers from various places, especially the narrative and secret reports of the Jinghao.Now the capital does not exist, the name of the capital has been destroyed, and the communication roads in various places are not smooth.Therefore, it is also good to go to see Futai and Fantai in the province.At least, it can also be found out whether the two palaces entered Shanxi, whether they were transiting or staying in Luan.
If it's just a transit, then you have to eat the big family of the West Gang.Although the imperial court escaped from disaster, the cost was enormous.If you want to stay in Luan in Jin, it will be different. All the money and food paid to the imperial court in the whole country will be sent to Shanxi, so the West Gang still has business to do.
Taigu is only a hundred miles away from Taiyuan.But seeing that noon had passed, it was impossible to arrive before noon tomorrow without going through the night.
As soon as the yamen servants left, Sun Beiming ordered his comrades to hire standard vehicles for the journey, and hired martial artists from the Escort Bureau to guard the road. At the same time, he also sent his assistant to Zhi Chengxin to invite the treasurer Kong Da to go with him.
The shopkeeper Kong Qingfeng, who is honest and honest, is a little younger, and he is willing to listen to the arrangements of the shopkeeper Sun.
So, according to Sun Beiming's intention, when the sun was slightly westward, he hurried on the road.The county government wanted to send officers and soldiers to escort him, but the two shopkeepers declined.Although the current situation is chaotic, but with Taigu bodyguards following, no one dares to cause trouble, it is safer than officers and soldiers.
In less than midnight, we arrived in Taiyuan smoothly.The two shopkeepers went to their own provincial numbers separately.
After Sun Beiming arrived at the provincial capital, he had neither appetite nor sleepiness. After washing up, he called the old gang of the provincial capital and asked, "Which play is sung in the Futai Yamen, have you heard it clearly?"
Mr. Liu hurriedly said: "The matter is too urgent, and I haven't heard anything yet."
Although the Taiyuan branch of the ticket shop is called a provincial title, it is close to the main office and its business is not important.The old Liu Gang of Tiancheng Yuan Province was transferred from the outlying trumpets. They are loyal and loyal, but they have never experienced any big scenes.Suddenly encountering such great chaos in the Gengzi Year, it is even more overwhelming.Therefore, he really didn't hear much about the urgent summoning of Piao Zhuang, the treasurer of Futai this time.
Sun Beiming asked again: "Besides the Taigu family, who else should we summon?"
"I heard that there are nine in total, two in Taigu, two in Qixian, and five in Pingyao. They must be the leading nine in the Xibang ticket industry."
"Are all the shopkeepers called Lingdong? Did you call Caidong?"
"It's all the shopkeepers."
If he asked again, he couldn't ask more about the situation, so Sun Beiming poured some soup and lay down to wait.I thought I couldn't fall asleep, but I fell asleep very quickly.After all, I am tired.
Because the Futai Yamen is being urgently renovated to serve as a temporary palace for the merger of the two palaces; the Fantai Yamen is also used by princes and ministers, so the summoning is in the Huanghua Pavilion.
When Sun Beiming rushed to the Huanghua Pavilion, he saw the other seven giants from the Qi Gang and the Ping Gang.From the Qi gang came Liang Yaochen from the Qu Family Sanjinyuan, Gao Yu from the Qiao Family Dade Tong; Lei Qishu of Synergy Celebration.
It is not common for the three gangs of giants to gather together, but the reason for this gathering is not yet clear, and everyone just exchanged a few words of greeting with each other, and their minds are all on the unknown urgent order of the court.
It was early noon, but there was no summons, and everyone was even more anxious.
Rishengchang is the leader in the ticket industry in the west, and everyone can't help but ask the shopkeeper Guo: Do you know what the urgent order is?
Guo Dounan smiled wryly, and said, "How can I know? You can ask the shopkeeper Gao Da, he is the most familiar with the official circles of the capital."
Gao Yu of Dade Tong also smiled bitterly: "I don't know where the capital's officialdom is now!"
Mao Honghan of Wei Taihou snorted and said, "Do you still need to guess? It's just asking us to double the donation to help the imperial court."
Kong Qingfeng, who is honest and honest, said: "If you donate silver, you have to call the rich man. We are the leader. Can we take charge of the donation?"
Liang Yaochen from Sanjinyuan also said: "In the past, donations were only made by the Taoist government, and you are in such a hurry to call us to the province?"
Mao Honghan said: "Isn't this an extremely urgent disaster! Futai and Fantai personally called for donations, and they are urgently waiting to be used. Seeing that the two palaces are about to arrive, don't you rush?"
Guo Dounan said: "The loss of our name in this disaster is unprecedented. Rishengchangkong bears the reputation of being the boss of a stock company. There is no benefit, but the tree attracts the wind. When there is a disaster, everyone will rob us first! We have lost our vitality. , how can there be spare energy to donate?"
Sun Beiming smiled and said, "You Rishengchang are also crying poor, so we should go begging for food."
Lei Qishu of Xieqing said: "If you want to cry about being poor, let's cry together! Let's tell about the tragic situation of the Xibang brand in Beijing, Tianjin, Lu, Zhi, outside the mouth, and outside the customs."
Li Menggeng of Wei Shengchang: "This is the truth, not crying for poverty. Our own situation is almost beyond our reach, so how can we have money to donate to buy useless official hats!"
Sun Beiming said, "Master Guo, Master Mao, why don't you come up with an idea, and we'll all follow suit?"
Everyone agrees.We are planning to summon them to court.
Entering the main hall, there is only the chief envoy sitting on it, that is, Li Yanxiao, the master of Fantai.After the nine shopkeepers knelt down and saluted, the Lord Fantai immediately gave them a seat.
"Every shopkeeper!" Li Fantai cupped his hands and said, "it is impolite to invite you here like this. But the matter is urgent, so I have to wrong you. Master Futai should have come to see you in person, because the military situation is urgent, the foreign invaders have already invaded and captured The deer is approaching Jin Province, and the orthodox soldiers of the adults are guarding the gate of the old Guandong Tianmen. I have to entertain all the shopkeepers."
Master Fantai spoke so politely at the beginning, which was beyond the expectation of the shopkeeper!The chief envoy of that era was a member of the provincial government who directly managed government affairs and finance, and his status was second only to the governor.Because they are in charge of finance, the vassals are generally familiar with the business world, especially in Shanxi, which is famous for its business.But the Fantai is a high-ranking local official after all, and its pomp and prestige, even in private, must be sufficient.It's a serious scene now, Master Li is so humble, how can it not be suspicious!
The holy chariot is approaching, and the military situation is in critical condition. It seems that the West Gang is really going to be hit hard.
"The reason why you are urgently summoned today is because you have received an urgent order of 600 miles from the military plane. The most related to this urgent order is the ticket industry of the leaders."
Walking here refers to the place where the emperor is lucky.The six-hundred-mile emergency decree issued on the way to escape from the two palaces is most related to Xibang Dahao?When the shopkeepers heard it, they couldn't figure it out.
"Dear shopkeepers, the two palaces have now visited Daizhou, and will be in Taiyuan in a few days."
Have the two palaces arrived in Daizhou?This was the first time I heard definite news about the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, unexpectedly it was right around the corner.Everyone was amazed.
"This time the two palaces are not traveling like usual. The entire imperial court and even the whole country are following them, so the need is unprecedented. Since the two palaces left Beijing, they have passed through the borders of bitterness and chaos. Due to the severe drought, most of them are unable to support such imperial envoys. Although Xingzai Military Aircraft Department sends urgent orders to the provinces every day, urging them to send Beijing’s salary to Xingzai to support the imperial court, but this is not easy!"
Li Fantai paused on purpose, but none of the shopkeepers dared to speak.Master Fantai had no choice but to continue: "Now the road is not stable, and the news is often unreachable. It is really difficult to send the huge amount of Beijing pay to the two palaces in time. In the past, all the provinces handed over the Beijing pay, and they all handed over to the west gang tickets who lead the east. No. It’s extremely fast to take the ticket instead of the bank. Let me ask: Since the Boxing Rebellion broke out, have your accounts stopped accepting money?”
All shopkeepers turned their attention to Guo Dounan of Rishengchang: He is the boss, so he should speak first.But before Guo Dounan could say anything, the Weitaihou Mao Honghan had no scruples, and said eloquently:
"Master Fantai, it's not that we have stopped the exchange, it's that we can't do business! Beijing and Tianjin fell, and all the shops in Xibang were looted, and no one was spared. The shops in Zhili, Shandong, Henan, Shaanxi, Guanwai, and Kouwai were also destroyed. The catastrophe and the tragedy of the loss make people stand on end! Xibang ticket industry has been established for more than 100 years, and this is the most tragic catastrophe."
Li Fantai hurriedly said: "The loss of the West Gang is so tragic, Mr. Futai and I must report the truth to the court! The Jiangnan brands of each family are still collecting money?"
Mao Honghan was still the first to endorse: "West bank remittance business is all dispatched from the north to the south. The north bank is destroyed, how much business can the Jiangnan store do? Besides, there is chaos in all directions, and the letter bureau can't get tickets, so we have to stop the exchange."
"Since the Western Gang has stopped remittances, and the provinces have handed over Beijing's salaries, they had to appoint commissioners to escort them. But the distance is far away and the current situation is not stable. How can we solve the urgent needs of the two palaces!" At this point, Li Fantai handed over to all the shopkeepers Greetings: "Every shopkeeper, this urgent order from the imperial court is to order the provinces to hand over the Beijing payment to the local Xibang ticket number, and rush to transfer it to the Qi, Tai, and Ping Laohao in Shanxi. Then Qi, Tai, and Ping Laohao The Tai and Ping numbers will be handed over to the imperial court. For this reason, the imperial court has appointed the nine big names of the Xibang present here, ordering you to open a remittance route, and immediately collect Beijing's salary to support the imperial court!"
It turned out that the imperial court called Xibang Chenghui Beijing Pay.Although everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but after thinking about it for a while, they also felt that it was not a good job.In the current chaos, it is difficult to dispatch money from different places.The Xibang agreed to accept the remittance of Beijing's salary, which is equivalent to agreeing to lend a huge amount of money to the court.At this point, everyone understands why the Lord Fantai is so low-key: the West Gang has contracted the capital salaries of various provinces, and after the arrival of the two palaces, Fanhao's expenses have been settled, and the Fuya Fan treasury in the province can breathe a sigh of relief.At this critical time, to run such a large imperial mission with only the strength of the province on the right side of the mountain, it is really worrying.What's more, Shanxi is suspected of conniving at boxing chaos. If you can't handle this imperial mission, Futai Fantai will not be off the top, but your head will be lost.
Among the nine shopkeepers, who has become a master!Therefore, after seeing through the intentions of the officials, no one wanted to say anything, even Mao Honghan, who was rushing to speak, didn't say anything.
Master Fantai then said: "At this time of crisis, the imperial court can remember the speed and reliability of the Western Gang's remittance. This is not only the glory of your Western Gang, but also the glory of the whole mountain. I hope you will live up to your holy orders!"
Guo Dounan of Rishengchang had no choice but to say: "When the court is in trouble, we should do our best to serve it, and we will die. However, in this catastrophe, the trust is not smooth, and it is difficult to get tickets quickly. Even if it is closed as usual, that is The east gate of Shanxi, right now the two armies are facing each other, how can we get the ticket?"
Li Fantai immediately said: "There is a saying in the military plane: wire transfer is the best."
Guo Dounan said: "The circuit is even less smooth, and Boxers only pick and cut the wires."
Master Fantai said: "Electric circuits are being repaired everywhere."
Mao Honghan said: "Our Xibang bank has lost half of the country in the north, and the old account is very empty. Even if the money order is sent by telegram, we can't pay for it for a while! The Beijing salaries remitted from various provinces are not small. "
Li Fantai smiled: "If I didn't know that you, the rich of the Western Gang, would have become feudal officials in Jin Province in vain! All shopkeepers, I will read the imperial decree on behalf of Master Futai. Please kneel and listen!"
The shopkeepers had no choice but to kneel down.
Master Fantai unfolded a roll of bright yellow posts and said: This is an urgent six-hundred-mile decree sent by the military plane yesterday:
The minister of military aircraft sent letters to the governors of the provinces directly. In August of the twenty-sixth year of Guangxu, Xin Ji issued an edict: Since the county was lost, the treasury money was gone, and I respectfully honored the kindness of the west. It takes a long time to find a solution.The provinces pay tribute to Beijing, always on the grounds that the journey is not smooth, and it has been a long time since they were unable to solve the emergency.Today, the governors of all provinces are specially ordered to hand over the Beijing salary to the Xishang bank as soon as possible to remit it to the provincial capital of Shanxi.Western merchants and old villages are mostly located near Taiyuan, so wire transfer is particularly convenient.According to the needs of my kindness, I have to wait for Kong Yin urgently, and I will hand over the banknotes to the Western merchants in order to make it quicker, and there should be no more prevarications and delays.From six hundred miles, the provinces were ordered to know it.Shanxi governor Yuxian ordered Xishang Dahao to quickly open the exchange road and collect Beijing's salary.This is it.
After Li Yanxiao read out the imperial decree, he read the list of the nine major ticket numbers listed by the Military Aircraft Department, and sure enough everyone present was listed in it.
After listening to the imperial decree, even though there were all kinds of grievances in my heart, I couldn't say anything.
But at this critical time, it is not a small matter to collect the whole country's Beijing salary for the imperial court.In addition, it is not easy for the nine big players in the ticket industry to meet together.Therefore, after being summoned, everyone intends to meet again in Taiyuan for half a day to discuss this unpredictable errand.
Gao Yu, the treasurer of Dade Tong of Qiao’s family in Qi County, jumped ahead of everyone and said, “Compared with your big names, our Dade Tong is a new account. Therefore, today’s gathering will be hosted by us, everyone. Can you appreciate this face?"
The Qiaojia Dade pass number was changed from a tea house to an exchange business during the Tongzhi period.Compared with other eight big font names, it is really a latecomer.However, it came from behind, with outstanding achievements, even the founders of Pingbang Rishengchang and Weizihao did not dare to underestimate it.
The treasurer Gao Yu is indeed an expert in the ticket industry, he grabbed this pretext first, and the other family can only appreciate it.
Therefore, it was agreed to find an elegant meditation room in Chongshan Temple for a half-day meeting.At noon, Dade Tong will entertain all of you at Qingheyuan Restaurant.
The gathering at Chongshan Temple is obviously to avoid the eyes and ears of the world.Talking about the emperor's mission is unavoidable, and the words are unavoidable, which is not enough for outsiders to hear.Chongshan Temple is also a large temple in the provincial capital, and there are many high-ranking officials and celebrities among the pilgrims, so there are also several elegant and exquisite meditation rooms.
The next day, Gao Yu brought a provincial veteran named Jia Jiying to Chongshan Temple early.This Jia old gang is the old gang with the provincial name of Dadetong and Dadeheng. He is only twenty-five or six years old, but he is extremely shrewd and capable, and he often has unique opinions when he encounters problems.The tall shopkeeper brought him here in order to treat all the big shopkeepers thoughtfully, so as not to offend anyone.
As soon as Jia Jiying and Gao Yu arrived, everyone in the temple was very hospitable.Soon, a quiet and elegant meditation room was selected.
The monk prepared the best black tea.Jin people have been in the brick tea business for hundreds of years, so the tea drinking habits in the province are mainly brick tea and black tea.
The meditation room is quiet and the tea is fragrant.Before the other big shopkeepers arrived, Gao Yu first told Jia Jiying about the imperial court's emergency edict.Then, ask:
"Jiying, look, at a time when the overall situation is so miserable, what are the gains and losses of asking us to accept Beijing's salary?"
Jia Jiying hurriedly said, "Shopkeeper Gaoda, are you testing me?"
Gao Yu said: "I can't answer this difficult question for a while, how can I test you? I really want to hear your insights."
"In front of the tall shopkeeper, what insight can I have? The big shopkeeper has been stationed in Beijing for many years, and I can't talk about the general situation of the court situation, especially I can't say much."
"Look at you! I want to hear your opinion, but you don't want to talk about it. You are also an old gang, and such a big event is imminent, can you have no idea? I don't have to listen to your opinion."
"If the shopkeeper wants to say this, then I will be presumptuous. At a time when the situation is turbulent and the situation is uncertain, I don't think it is unbearable for the imperial court to put such a burden on the shoulders of our West Gang. Let us Chenghui Beijing pay, after all, is more reassuring than forcing us to borrow huge sums of money. No matter how urgent it is, it is our foreign town Zhuangkou that has received the remittance, and the old bank has only withdrawn the money and handed it over. It is nothing more than a temporary advance."
"The one-time support is bigger! Well, my treasurer Jia, you put it lightly! How long is this 'one-time': March and five months, or three years and five years? How big is this 'big one': hundreds of thousands of taels , or one hundred thousand taels? What if the situation worsens? We have collected a huge amount of Beijing salaries in Zhuangkou, a foreign city, and we can’t make adjustments for a long time. Once there is chaos, isn’t it like Beijing, Tianjin and Zhuangkou, repeating the same mistakes of being ransacked? ?”
"Of course, the shopkeeper's concerns are not superfluous. But who can predict the future situation accurately? Besides, since the imperial court has suppressed it, it is inconvenient for us to refuse the remittance, right? Gao Da shopkeeper, in my humble opinion, we must know the future situation , there is only one way: calmly accept the emperor's mission from the imperial court, and quickly open our remittance route."
"My treasurer Jia, what do you mean?"
"Treasurer Gao, what we are concerned about is not only the imperial court that is fleeing, but also the movements of the provinces, especially the provinces in the south of the Yangtze River that have not suffered from boxing chaos and foreign disasters. The imperial court's imperial decree to urgently urge the capital to pay is passed on. How each province will act is the best basis for predicting the general trend in the future! The provinces will move upon hearing the news, and they are very enthusiastic about paying us for remittance to Beijing, so there is still hope for the general trend; When we meet, it means that the provinces have lost confidence in the general situation. Therefore, we can accept foreign exchange calmly without worrying about burning our hands: if we collect more foreign exchange, the general situation is good; if the general situation is not good, we will not receive much foreign exchange. The different places do not meet, and the imperial court can't blame us for the West Gang."
When Gao Yu heard it, Chi Jie praised: "Jiying, you have a great idea! What you said made me suddenly enlightened."
Jia Jiying hurriedly said: "Boss shopkeeper, your heart is as clear as a mirror. It seems that my answer sheet is not wrong?"
"Jiying, you really made me understand. It turned out that it wasn't just me, Qi Taiping's three gangs, the nine dahaolingdong shopkeepers, were all ignorant. We wanted to be like a mirror, and we went back calmly, and used this gathering Talk about something!"
"Boss, I also came up with this out of the blue. It's really not worthy of praise."
"Not only do I want to praise you, but I also want to use your insight to call all the shopkeepers and tell them to remember you!"
"Big shopkeeper, don't dare to mention me in front of you!"
"You don't have to worry about that."
Shopkeeper Gao Yu has always been good at listening to the opinions of his subordinates. Whenever he finds a good idea, he will not steal it for himself, but will always show it in the account and record it as a merit.Jia Jiying had heard about it a long time ago, and today he experienced it himself.However, he didn't really believe that none of the nine shopkeepers in the industry really realized his own knowledge?
Soon, the other eight shopkeepers arrived one after another.Gao Yu naturally greeted him attentively, but he was elegant and calm, and he was not in a hurry to say anything.When introducing Jia Jiying to everyone, he didn't praise him too much.
During the gathering, the big shopkeepers were still courteous, and Guo Dounan, who had been thriving day by day, did not regard himself as the boss.Only Wei Taihou Mao Honghan was alone, showing a little domineering, but he was much more restrained than usual.The current situation is in dire straits, business has suffered a severe setback, who still has the mind to show off!
Mao Honghan still didn't advocate soliciting this imperial envoy. He said: "Last year, business was good, but the imperial court issued a ban, forbidding us from the west to remit Beijing's salary. I don’t know who got involved in the slander of our West Gang, who wants us to follow the general trend and fall!”
As soon as Sun Beiming heard it, he went on to say: "Exactly! Last year's imperial edict banning foreign exchange really didn't trap us to death! Fortunately, the old gangs from all over the country are very capable and skillful, and they loosen up province by province."
The honest Kong Qingfeng said: "Then why don't we make it up like the law, and let the old gangs from all over the world make a movement?"
Guo Dounan said: "This year is an extraordinary time, not like usual. The empress dowager who fled is short of food and drink. No matter how much you exercise, the provinces will not be able to delay Beijing's salary."
Liang Yaochen from Sanjinyuan said: "Scholars, peasants, businessmen, scholars, peasants, businessmen, when they are respectable, the scholars always lead and the merchants are at the end. Now it is a critical moment, and we are pushed to the front!"
Lei Qishu of Xiongqing said: "The imperial decree has been issued, and it is futile not to want to take this imperial errand. The two palaces will soon arrive in Taiyuan. They have suffered all the way and have nowhere to vent their anger. We refuse to remit the Beijing salary. , then don’t punish us severely!”
Li Menggeng of Wei Shengchang also said: "Since the imperial court entrusted us with the task of remittance of Beijing's salary, the provinces are looking for excuses to push back and delay, and they will inevitably attack us. If we don't do our best, we may be punished." .”
Guo Dounan said: "If you can't resist the decree, it will be difficult to accept the decree! If there is a large sum of money to be remitted from Beijing, Rishengchang really can't come up with so much cash. At the beginning of the year, when the bank was transferred south and north, how could there be such a thing?" Such a situation? Now the North Bank is robbed, the South Bank is trapped, and the old account is empty."
Mao Honghan also said: "If you want to hand over the emperor's envoy, you have to ask the boss for a silver backing. The Beijing-Tianjin brand was robbed, and the boss is bleeding from the heart, and then asked to pay for the money? I really can't say anything as a leader."
Sun Beiming then said, "The shopkeeper Mao is so afraid of his boss, so how dare we go back to Taigu?"
Kong Qingfeng said: "If you can't resist the decree, you can't accept the decree, so you have to think of a way?"
Fan Dinghan, who was very rich, said: "I think there is only one way to accept the order. To resist the order is just talk."
Mao Honghan said: "Why can't we resist? Tell the old gangs in various places to act slowly, find some excuses for lack of communication and poor telegrams, and we will also use excuses to delay, or we will have it!"
Sun Beiming also said: "We shift the responsibility to the letter bureau and the telegraph bureau, which is also a way to delay the troops."
Fan Dinghan said: "It is difficult for the private letter bureau to get through the communication channel for a while, but the official telegram is easy to get through. The two palaces have arrived in Shanxi, and the telegram to Shanxi will not be blocked."
Guo Dounan said: "The two palaces came to Jin on this western tour. I don't know if they want to stay in Luan and stop when they arrive in Taiyuan, or just pass by and leave for a few days?"
Sun Beiming said: "Treasurer Guo, this is the point of your question. Let me see, if the two palaces are temporarily stationed in Taiyuan, then we have to accept the emperor's errand even if we are just passing by. If we are just passing by, it will be a different matter. "
Fan Dinghan said: "Yesterday, I heard the imperial decree, as if I was going to stay in Taiyuan. It is clearly ordered that the provinces will transfer the Beijing salary to the Shanxi provincial capital. Isn't it just to live here? If you just pass by, you will not issue this kind of edict. The source of the Beijing salary The remittance arrived, but the two palaces left, how can there be such a thing?"
Kong Qingfeng said: "The order to remit Beijing's salary to Taiyuan is just to borrow money from our western ticket dealers. Qi Taiping is close to Taiyuan. Doesn't it mean that he wants to stay in Taiyuan?"
Mao Honghan also said: "How can the two palaces see such a boundary in Shanxi?"
Li Menggeng said: "The mountains and rivers inside and outside Shanxi are a good place to take refuge and live. It is not too far from the capital, and it will be easy to return to Luan in the future."
Sun Beiming said: "If the imperial court is stationed in Taiyuan, then we can still do business in the Xibang. Only the whole country's Beijing salary is transferred to Shanxi, and some of the losses in Beijing and Tianjin can be recovered."
Mao Honghan said: "I dare say that the two palaces will not be stationed in Taiyuan!"
Li Menggeng said: "Taiyuan is also a blessed place, and Li Yuan and his son lived a great Tang dynasty here!"
Mao Honghan snorted and said, "Can you compare with Datang?"
Guo Dounan hurriedly said, "Master Gao, why don't you say a word?"
Gao Yu said, "I respectfully listen to your opinions."
Guo Dounan said: "Tell me your opinion!"
Gao Yu said: "I don't have any good ideas! Today I rushed to be the host, courteously, just want to hear everyone's high opinions."
Mao Honghan asked: "Shopkeeper Gao, do you think the two palaces will be stationed in Taiyuan?"
Gao Yu smiled and said: "Zhuluan, I'm still passing by, I really can't tell. The one who will serve you with me today is Jia Jiying, the provincial name of our Da Deheng old gang. I often have unique opinions. Jiying, after listening to the discussions of the big shopkeepers, if you have any insights, talk about them.”
Jia Jiying hurriedly said: "All the shopkeepers here, how dare I be presumptuous? I have benefited a lot from listening to everyone's discussions."
Guo Dounan said: "If you have a unique opinion, you might as well talk about it."
Gao Yu then said, "Master Guo told you to tell me, so just tell me. If you are tender, who will laugh at you?"
Jia Jiying hurriedly said: "The big shopkeepers praised me like this, and I dare not be presumptuous. However, I listened to everyone's comments respectfully, and I was enlightened and at ease. All the big shopkeepers are supportive, it is not difficult, and it is not difficult. After all, we, the West Gang, are outside the officialdom, and all the big shopkeepers independently plan and plan, and there are two choices. Difficulties are difficulties, but the most difficult one is the imperial court. The west tour of the two palaces is extremely difficult, and the capital salaries of the provinces have been delayed. Therefore, the key points of this matter are all in the governors' offices of the provinces. The imperial court issued an urgent order If we go down, will the provinces actively pay us the capital? If they still don’t move, we just want to accept this imperial envoy, but it’s in vain. If the provinces are really eager to meet, why don’t we gladly accept it! The provinces actively support the imperial court, it will be clear The general situation can still be salvaged, and it doesn’t matter if we support it temporarily.”
Gao Yu pretended to be surprised and said, "Jiying, since you have this insight, why didn't you say a word when I called you to discuss it last night?"
Jia Jiying said: "I was suddenly enlightened after listening to the discussions of all the shopkeepers."
Guo Dounan said: "Treasurer Gao Da, you little old gangster is a sensible person. I don't think there is any need to worry about what he said. The joints of this imperial mission are indeed in the control of the provinces. They still don't move. , we really can’t do anything about it.”
Li Menggeng also said: "Whether the two palaces are stationed in Luan Taiyuan or not depends on the movements of the provinces. If the provinces actively help, the imperial court may be stationed in Jinyang in order to return to the Luan capital as soon as possible. If the provinces are duplicity and ambiguous, then the two How dare the palace be trapped on the right side of the mountain?"
Some of the other big shopkeepers praised Jia Jiying, while others didn't think so.Especially Wei Taihou's Mao Honghan just sneered and didn't bother to comment.But to be honest, all the tycoons here have received some enlightenment, at least they have realized that they can still wait and see the general situation after receiving this imperial mission.They couldn't help but be a little surprised that there was such an insightful young veteran in Qiao's Da Deheng.
It's just that no one among Qi Taiping's three gangs and nine leading tycoons realized that level, which was beyond Jia Jiying's expectations.
In fact, the Xibang ticket shop has been prosperous for more than a hundred years. The leader of the big shop is respected and powerful, and his family is rich. helped.
All the way back to Taigu, Sun Beiming kept thinking: The provincial name of Qiao's Da Deheng hides such a talented young veteran, which is really unheard of before.Taiyuan Zhuangkou has never been considered important, but to release such a talent, what kind of masters should be released in Jinghao, Hanhao, Shanghaihao, Suihao, Dongkou, Xikou and other big Zhuangkou?No wonder the Qiao family's Dadetong and Dadeheng two consecutive numbers came from behind and were aggressive.
Back in Taigu, Sun Beiming hastily made arrangements for the accounts room and letter room, and told them to contact Zhuangkou in various places as soon as possible, and sent an order: If there is a transfer of Beijing's salary, they can take it as much as possible;The meaning is obvious, play it safe and wait and see the general trend.
After settling down, I should have gone to Kangzhuang first to tell Mrs. Kang about this trip to the provincial capital, but Sun Beiming couldn't bear it anymore, and sent a young man to call Dai Ying, the old gang of Jinghao, to come quickly.
What are you calling Dai Ying for?How to deal with this imperial errand?no.Sun Beiming wanted to test his Beijing boss to see if he had Jia Jiying's talent.If Dai's old gang is not as good as this small old gang with a provincial name, Cheng Yuan will really be in trouble at home and abroad that day.
Soon, Dai Ying hurried over.
Seeing that he had recuperated for these days, although he had not recovered, Sun Beiming was still in much better spirits, so he said:
"Treasurer Dai, your complexion is much better, but you are still thin."
Dai Ying smiled and said: "Don't worry, the shopkeeper, I'm at home when I have nothing to do, and I will grow fat quickly."
"After all, I have suffered a lot, so I should rest and recuperate. I really can't bear to invite shopkeeper Dai here today."
"Boss, are you still being so polite to me? If you have any orders, just say it."
"The matter is urgent, so I have to wrong you like this. At noon on the 13th, an urgent order came from Futai Yamen in the province, asking me to rush to Taiyuan overnight, saying that there was an urgent order from the imperial court to read."
"An urgent order from the imperial court?"
"Yes, I also wondered at the time: We are not in the officialdom, how can the imperial court issue an imperial edict to us? After thinking about it, there must be something extraordinary, so I hurried to go."
"Didn't we just summon our family?"
"Taigu still has Zhixin, there are also two Qi Gangs, and five Ping Gangs, which are the top nine big names in the Xibang ticket industry."
"Just asking you to lead Dongda shopkeeper?"
"That's right. The court's decree won't be a small matter. It's a big deal, and that has to be decided by the boss. But people only hear about us, the leaders, not the rich."
"That is to tell our West Gang to urgently remit Beijing's salary?"
Sun Beiming hurriedly praised: "Master Dai, how did you guess so accurately?"
Dai Ying was a little surprised by the abnormal praise from the shopkeeper.However, he still said straightforwardly: "Isn't this obvious? The imperial court took the civil and military officials of the whole court to escape, and the journey was costly. How can they afford it only by running imperial errands along the way? Therefore, it is necessary to rely on emergency relief from the provinces. The imperial court fled. , the future is uncertain, if we don’t rely on our West Gang to remit the remittance to Beijing, the provinces will not be able to help them if they want to. Big shopkeeper, have the two palaces really entered Shanxi?"
"On the 14th, I saw Mr. Li, Fantai, and he said that the two palaces have already passed Daizhou. Today is more than ten?"
"August 16th, yesterday was the Mid-Autumn Festival."
"Yesterday was August 15th? Yesterday in Taiyuan, Dade Tong Gaoyu hosted a banquet for all the shopkeepers, but no one mentioned the Mid-Autumn Festival! The matter is urgent, and I really can't take care of anything. Today is the 16th, the two palaces I'm afraid we've already set off from Xinzhou, and we'll arrive in Taiyuan by tomorrow night at the latest!"
"Since the two palaces have arrived in Taiyuan, it is only natural to borrow money from the Xibang ticket number to remit Beijing's salary urgently."
"Treasurer Dai, you escaped from the capital and ran back. Of course, you feel more empathy for the precarious situation of the court. At this time of hopeless situation and chaos everywhere, it is not for Laxi to help you to go to the abyss. jump?"
"Boss, from my point of view, it's really hard to see where the situation is headed. The imperial court has lost its capital and fled to Jin. But except for Beijing and Tianjin, all provinces have not lost, nor are they in chaos. So, let's look at the general situation now." , It all depends on the trend of the provinces."
When Sun Beiming heard it, he felt even happier: Isn't what Dai Ying said the same as that Jia Jiying!However, Shopkeeper Sun tried his best to remain calm and said, "Now, with poor communication channels, who can find out the truth in each province?"
Dai Ying said: "This collection of foreign exchange is a good opportunity to find out the reality of each province! If the provinces actively meet and support the imperial court, the general situation is reassuring; if there are few exchanges and the imperial court is put in danger and ignored, the general situation is not good. So, please accept this imperial envoy with pleasure."
It was exactly what Jia Jiying said word for word!Sun Beiming was satisfied with the result, but it was inconvenient to express it in words, so he said vaguely: "It's just that the current situation is not stable, and the large amount of money is difficult to dispatch in different places. In case the sources of salaries from all over the capital come from all over the world, the old account's support will be too big gone."
Dai Ying said flatly: "The bigger the prop, the more worthwhile it is! The larger the prop, it means that Beijing pays more; the more Beijing pay, it means that the provinces still have hope for the imperial court. Since the general situation is saved, we will have business to do in the future. At this time when the whole country is in trouble, the imperial court issued an urgent order, telling the world how to use our Western Clan to remit their business and solve the crisis of the two palaces. What a demonstration of our Western Clan! There will be no ban on foreign exchange to the West Gang anymore. People in the world will recognize the West Gang even more, and the imperial court will rely on us so much, so who doesn’t trust us?”
Dai Ying's words are even more superior to that young and old gang.When Sun Beiming saw Dai Ying came up with such a brilliant idea, he blurted it out almost without thinking, and he couldn't help feeling a little bit self-deprecating.Although the other big masters of Lingdong were as dull as himself, Sun Beiming still strongly felt his old age.I'm old, I'm old, it's time to retire.Especially in the face of such extraordinary changes, I am really powerless.
Sun Beiming then said frankly: "Master Dai, when you said this, I suddenly became enlightened. I was really worried when I accepted the emperor's envoy! If I didn't accept it, of course it wouldn't work; if I did, I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to support it. Listen to what you said. , I am also at ease."
Dai Ying didn't seem to notice the big shopkeeper's mood, but he said in a hurry: "Boss shopkeeper, now is not the time to praise me. You asked me to come today because you have an urgent matter for me, right?"
Sun Beiming was a little puzzled: "Urgent matter? The current urgent matter is to take on this imperial errand. I called you here just to hear your opinion."
"Boss, apart from collecting money, there is one more urgent matter that needs to be done immediately!"
"What's urgent?"
"Send me to Taiyuan, temporarily stationed in the province! The two palaces are about to visit Taiyuan, and the imperial court is close at hand. I heard that the Minister of Military Aircraft and the Minister of the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Wang Wenshao, is also on his side. I am the old gang of Beijing, and I am going to打探消息，也较别人强。观察朝局，把握大势，这是我们的头等急务！”
孙北溟听了，又是一愣：该想到的，自己又没想到！他忙说：“戴掌柜，你说得极是！省号的刘老帮没见过大场面，忽然朝廷临幸，他只剩下发慌了。戴掌柜暂驻省号，再好不过，只是打断你休养，实在也不忍心的。”
“此正是我将功补过的机会，大掌柜无须多想。”
“戴掌柜，那就托靠你了！”
两宫临幸，派京号老手驻并张罗，这本是顺势应走的一步棋，孙北溟居然未先看破。他更感自己应变失敏，实在是老了。
派走戴膺，孙北溟才匆匆赶往康庄，去见康老太爷。康笏南虽在年下宣布退位了，将外间商务交三爷料理，但孙北溟依然还是将老太爷当东家。对新主事的少东家三爷，并没有很放在眼里。
这次见老太爷，三爷也在场，孙北溟忽然变了，对三爷也恭敬起来。他已有意退位，所以不想得罪少东家了。可三爷哪里知道？
康笏南张口就问：“大掌柜，去了趟省城，见着皇上没有？”
孙北溟说：“老东台已经知道两宫临幸晋阳了？”
康笏南哈哈一笑，说：“你们谁也不给我送讯，我哪能知道！不过，掐算着他们也该来了。”
三爷说：“我们也得不到可靠的消息，尽是些花哨离奇的传言。”
康笏南瞪了三爷一眼，说：“我不是说你，我说孙大掌柜呢。”
孙北溟忙说：“老东台，你还真会掐算。八月十四，我在太原见着藩台李大人，他说两宫行在已过代州，奔太原来了。走得再慢，明天十七，只怕也到了。”
康笏南就说：“上天也是有眼，偏偏就叫看不起咱山西人的大清皇家，也来山西逃难一趟！'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。'圣训既以为山西人一不善文，二不喜武，那皇上太后跑山西来避乱，岂不也够可笑！”
孙北溟也笑了，说：“只怕是除了山西，也没更好的地界去了。关外、口外，人烟稀少，浩浩荡荡的朝廷行在，谁来伺候供养？”
三爷说：“只怕也受不了口外、关外那份苦焦！”
康笏南说：“丢了国都，流落山西，这叫什么事？亡国之兆呀！”
孙北溟就说：“这次藩台把我们叫去，是叫我们紧急解汇京饷。皇差压下来，不能不接，但在此败落残局中，收揽如此巨款，实在叫人不放心。”
康笏南断然说：“孙大掌柜，这是朝廷求到我们西帮头上来了，得拿出些气魄来！不就是揽汇吗，不就是紧急支垫些银子吗？你们拿出些本事来，给咱办好。柜上银钱不够用，你跟我要。得叫天下人看看，在此危难之际，我们西帮可比那班文臣武将，比那些制台抚台中用得多！”
老东台的气派比戴膺还大，这也有些出乎孙北溟的意料。自己真是老不中用了。借应对此非常局面，正好可提出让位请求吧。于是，孙北溟就说：
“当前局面非比平常，走错一步，危及全盘。我实在是老迈了，支应眼前乱局，心力都不济了。老东台，我请求过多次了，想告老退位，今次总该答应吧？换一贤才接手，正是可建立功业的时候。”
三爷听了，心里倒是忽然一亮：孙大掌柜退位，该轮到他挑选自己的大掌柜吧？
然而，康笏南却厉色问：“大掌柜，你是说我的意思不可取？不该放手揽汇？”
孙北溟忙说：“我不是这种意思！老东台气魄，令我们胆壮腰硬。只是我老不胜力，已担不起当前重任了。老东台早有话在先，要退位，你我一搭退。现在，你已退了，却不让我退？”
康笏南说：“现在是大敌当前，怎么能换帅？你孙大掌柜英雄一世，不能就这样临阵逃脱，给吓软了，离位吧？”
孙北溟说：“我的名分实在也不值什么，还是东家的字号要紧。在此非常之时，我若再惹下穿帮塌底之祸，那才要身败名裂了。”
康笏南便一指三爷，说：“现在是他主事，你想退位，问他！我主不了事了。”
三爷一听，就知道老太爷是要借刀杀人，他哪里敢答应孙大掌柜退位！便赶紧说：“老太爷如此挽留，孙大掌柜就收回退意吧。”
康笏南跟着就问：“现在京号的戴掌柜在哪？”
孙北溟就说：“两宫即将到达太原，已将他派往省号了。”
康笏南说：“大掌柜，看看，你宝刀未老呀！这一着，我刚想到，你已经先手落子了。”
孙北溟忙说：“这不是我……”
康笏南打断他，毅然说：“孙老弟，在你大掌柜任上，给我再办一件事，我就放你退位。”
孙北溟忙问：“办一件什么事？”
康笏南正色说：“你给张罗一下，我要亲眼见见两个人。”
孙北溟问：“想见谁？”
康笏南说：“能是谁？两宫也！太后，皇上，当今位处至尊者，不就是这两个人吗？”
这话真似霹雳一般，孙北溟一时哪能对答上来？
康笏南似乎也不理孙北溟，继续说：“这也是风云际会，天缘作合。人家送上门来了，为何不见！”
戴膺是八月十七到达太原的。这天傍晚，两宫圣驾果然也到了太原。
抚台衙门为做行宫，已于仓促中作了尽可能的修饰，也算富丽堂皇了。尤其是供太后和皇上御用的宫室，窗帷、茵褥，一应陈设器件，居然都与京中大内没有什么不同。据说西太后初见此情景，仿佛忽然回到宫中，大喜之后就是大怒：区区抚署，竟敢有此宫廷气象？
两宫到时，驻守故关的抚台毓贤还没有赶回来。他或许也不想赶回来面对圣颜。在山东山西两做巡抚，毓贤早落下一个亲拳仇洋的盛名，局面已残败如此，他大概也自知来日无多了吧。借军情紧急，躲在前线，那也是最好选择。所以，太后震怒的时候，只得由藩台李延箫应对。
李藩台当时似乎还未乱了方寸，赶紧作了巧妙的解释：这一切御用物器，都是在嘉庆年间，为仁宗先皇帝巡幸五台所置办，供行宫御用的。后来仁宗皇帝未曾临幸，这一切御用物器便原封未动储入藩库。今两宫临幸，来不及置办御用新品，只好将储库开启。谁就能想到：收藏一百多年了，这些御用之物居然件件灿烂如新制，丝毫未见损毁。这实在是老佛爷和皇上洪福齐天！今日临幸，已有百年前定，此当为一大吉兆，国朝将劫后复兴，重现先帝时盛世。
行宫御用物品，也真是从藩库中翻出的旧物。经李延萧这样一说，西太后当下就转怒为喜，并没有急于数落毓贤纵容拳匪的罪过，倒是很夸奖了几句晋省皇差办得好。
太原行宫既有京中大内气象，受尽颠簸流离之苦的西太后，就自然要恢复宫廷排场了。太后一恢复排场，随扈的王公大臣，也跟上讲究起来。上至太后皇上，王公大臣，下至宫监宫女，还有护驾勤王的将士，两宫一行有数千人之巨。这么庞大的一个流亡朝廷，全照京中排场讲究起来，山西藩库怎么能支应得了！
可各省的京饷，依然杳无音信。只是在八月二十日，日升昌老号收到湖南藩库电汇来的十一万两京饷，除此之外，再没有动静了。
戴膺见各省是如此态度，对时局的忧虑加重了。但从宫监渠道打探到的消息，却是西太后对太原行宫甚为满意，已铺派开，过起了京中的宫廷日子，看不出有急于启跸要走的样子。
难道西太后真要在太原驻銮，静待收复京津？
这天，戴膺在省号闷着无事，便去见蔚丰厚的李宏龄说话。
戴膺到达太原不久，西帮各大号的驻京老帮，也陆续来到太原。为把握时局，彼此少不了聚会计议，俨然将京师的汇业公所搬到太原了。不过，见面聚谈的时候，还是叙说京中历险的话题多。他们大多是在洋人攻陷京城后，才仓皇逃出来的，一提及其间经历，似乎还惊魂未定，也就特别有谈兴。而京师发生此大劫难时，李宏龄正在太谷家中歇假。他未历险，所以跟他说话，能集中于当前。戴膺也不愿多说弃庄出京那段晦气的经历了。
今次又见着李宏龄时，日升昌的梁怀文也在座。
戴膺就问：“你们日升昌又有京饷汇到吗？”
梁怀文说：“哪有呀！还是湖南那一笔。”
李宏龄就说：“各省才不着急呢。两宫西巡，路途不靖，正给了那班制台抚台许多借口。”
戴膺说：“各省真就置朝廷于危厄而不顾？”
李宏龄说：“官场那些把戏，你还不知道？各地上奏的折子，一定是雪片似的飞到行在，除了叩问圣安，表示殊深轸念云云，一准都要呈报：应贡的京饷漕粮，早已经押送上路了。因为遇了匪，或是断了路，不能及早解到，焦急万分，等等。至于京饷漕粮在哪，老天爷也不知道！”
梁怀文也说：“六七月间，八国洋军攻打津京，哪一省曾发兵援救了？袁项城统领精兵，又近在京津侧畔，稍作策应，就能断洋兵后路，可他隔岸观火，一动不动。炮火已飞入紫禁城，太后皇上有性命之危，他们都不着急，现在只不过饥寒之忧，谁给你着急？”
戴膺说：“国失京都，君主流亡，各省竟也袖手不管。他们是巴望着大清早亡吧？”
李宏龄说：“他们哪会有亡国之虞！朝廷受洋人欺负，丢了京师，逃难在外，也不是头一回了。咸丰十年，英法联军攻陷津京，朝廷弃都出逃，避难承德，结果怎样？除了赔款割地，不是还成全了当今太后的垂帘听政吗？这一次，也无非是割地赔款，重写一纸和约罢了。”
梁怀文说：“听说占着京津的西洋各国，已经传来话，请两宫回銮呢，说他们能确保朝廷平安。”
李宏龄说：“洋人也不傻。占着一座空京城，跟谁签订和约呀！”
梁怀文说：“听说西太后已经几次下急诏，调李鸿章北上，跟洋人谈和。”
戴膺说：“要是这样，那说不定，各省还另有心思呢，成心叫两宫吃我们山西的大户？”
梁怀文说：“不是说不定，肯定就这样。西太后逃难这一路，最宠幸的一人，是小小怀来县令吴永。吴永是两宫逃出京城多日后，第一个以官场规矩，恭迎圣驾的沿途官吏。所以西太后感动得不得了，就叫他随扈打前站，办宫门要差。听说西太后有事就叫吴永，常把随扈的军机大臣也晾在一边了。”
戴膺说：“我也听一位奏事处的首领太监说，老佛爷叫吴永进去说话，常常一时半会儿出不来，军机大臣候在外头，干着急，没办法。”
梁怀文说：“就这么一位受宠的吴永，听说太后已将他派往江南，催讨京饷去了。为何舍得派吴永去？就为他体察太后这一路艰辛，比别人深切，给督抚们详说西狩的凄惶状，或许能激发了他们的天良。”
李宏龄说：“可见西太后也看清了，下头的制台抚台，一个个都快丧尽天良了。只管他们苟且自保，才不理你朝廷凄惶不凄惶呢。”
梁怀文说：“我看西太后舍得放走吴永，还因为要暂驻太原，不走了。一路办粮台，打前站，太后是谁也信不过，只信任吴永一人。若还要西行，能放走吴永？各省探知两宫要驻銮太原，就更不着急京饷了。”
李宏龄就说：“那我们真得赶紧求见一次王文韶。”
戴膺问：“求见王中堂，探听消息？”
梁怀文说：“哭穷！”
李宏龄说：“王文韶是随扈的协办大学士，大军机，户部尚书。既到太原，我们西帮总得尽尽地主之分，设宴巴结一回。借此机会，也向他详细陈说西帮受损的惨状。”
梁怀文说：“现在各省京饷没有影踪，我们不赶紧诉苦，朝廷就该吃喝我们西帮了。”
戴膺便说：“二位所议倒真是当务之急。只是，能请得动这位中堂大人吗？”
梁怀文说：“户部跟着王中堂来的，倒是有几位相熟的郎中、主事。”
李宏龄说：“戴掌柜有门路，也得用起来，一搭办成这件事。”
戴膺说：“我打探多日了，户部随扈的大员中，我们真还没太熟惯的。随扈的宫监中，倒还有能说上话的。”
梁怀文说：“向宫监也得哭穷。他们把风吹到太后跟前，岂不更好！”
戴膺说：“我们已经诉了不少苦。”
梁怀文说：“诉苦，还得加哭穷！”
李宏龄说：“各省袖手不理，两宫又驻銮不走，那我们西帮就倒霉了。省里藩库，我们还不知是什么底子？它支应不了几天。藩库一旦支应不起，就该逼着我们西帮支应。”
戴膺说：“各省真要这样袖手不管，我们就得设法把两宫支走？”
梁怀文与李宏龄相视一笑。
戴膺说：“除了诉苦，哭穷，只怕还得借重勘舆之学。给王中堂进言，说今之太原，已非古之晋阳吉地，龙脉早断了。帝王驻銮，恐怕得慎加卜测吧。”
就这样，三位京号老帮秘密议论起“驱銮”之策来。
可怜位处至尊的朝廷，这时居然落到谁都不想供养的境地，分明已到亡国的边缘。西帮这几位精英人物，也如此无情，倒不尽是太重利，实在是目睹官场的无情和无能，不愿给他们做冤大头。官场中食奉禄的大员小吏，平时谁不是把忠君报国挂在嘴边，可到了这真需要忠君报国的要命时候，连个靠实的人影儿也逮不着了！随扈的一班大员，除了排场不减，什么好数也想不出来。各省高官呢，又口是心非，只顾打各家的算盘。西帮不食一厘官禄，倒给他们充大头？
哪会那么傻！
戴膺正与京号老帮们秘密策划“驱銮”的举动，孙大掌柜忽然派人把他叫回太谷。
叫他回来，又有什么急务吗？
原来，那天康笏南说要亲眼见见太后和皇上，孙北溟还以为那不过是激愤之言，哪曾想老太爷是当真的？过了两天，就派三爷来催问：张罗得如何了？孙北溟这才傻了。
老太爷真是要见当今太后和皇上？可安排觐见当今圣颜，他孙北溟哪有那种能耐！他问三爷：“老太爷是说禅语，还是当真？”
三爷说：“我看是当真的。老太爷失了一向的沉静，时时催问，只怕两宫起驾走了。”
孙北溟说：“我还以