Chapter 18 Xi'an
In mid-August, Qiu Taiji, who was far away in Guihua City, was preparing to follow a camel caravan to Uliasutai in Outer Mongolia.Because of the boxing chaos in the Guihua area, it finally subsided.
After the cool autumn last year, Qiu Taiji wanted to go to Uliasutai.If you are relegated to the outside world, if you don't take a trip to Uliasutai, it will be in vain.Mr. Fang from Kegui advised him to wait for a year before going: You have not been here for a long time, and you have only been here for a few days. ?You are not young after all.
Naturalized to Uliasutai as the Great Western Road of Tongmeng, four thousand miles away, passing through fifty-four stations, the camel caravan would have to travel for two to three months.Because there are 18 stops in the desert, camel households have to avoid summer, which consumes a lot of water.After the autumn coolness, we set off and walked halfway, and it was midwinter.
Qiu Taiji thought for a while, and had no choice but to listen to Fang Laobang's dissuasion.Besides, Mr. Kang had already left at that time, and Qiu Taiji had to clean up the mess of "buying treetops" for him.However, as soon as the first month of this year passed, he went with the camel team to Kulun, the capital of Outer Mongolia, and from Kulun to Qiaktu, a port connecting Russia.Although this north road is shorter than the west road, it takes more than 30 days to travel.So, by the time he returns to naturalization, fast forward to May.Seeing that summer is approaching, if you want to go west to Uliasutai, you have to wait for the cooler autumn.
But in the summer of the Gengzi year, the city of Guihua outside the mouth was not peaceful, and the anti-foreign storm caused by the big brothers of Boxer Boxing here was not small.The turbulent situation lasted until autumn. Of course, Qiu Taiji couldn't leave the shop and go west.
Entering the leap in August, the situation finally calmed down.Qiu Taiji was finally able to make arrangements for his trip westward to Uliasu Terrace, when he suddenly received an urgent letter from the old Taigu account.When I was busy taking it apart to look at it, it was actually written by the shopkeeper Sun Da:
Transfer him back to Xi'an?Qiu Taiji never dreamed of it.It's only been a few days since he was relegated to naturalization, and he was pardoned without making any achievements, even without going to Uliasutai?
The current Qiu Taiji is really completely reborn.He was hardly excited about this transfer order that was like happy news, but he felt somewhat regretful.This time, it is very different from the feeling when I was young.The camel road is still desolate, but he no longer wants to wear the desolation, and put a rich and prosperous person behind.No matter where the business travel leads, it is equally difficult to avoid desolation and despair.I took a trip to Kyakhta in the spring, and went back and forth for more than two months. I have gone through untold hardships. How much business does Zhang Luocheng have?In the large docks in the mainland, this kind of business is really just a matter of raising a finger. Just set up a table of seaweed banquets and it will be done.However, the long business trip to Kyakhta in the north is really like old wine that has been stored for a long time, and it has to be tasted slowly to get the infinite taste.
Therefore, he especially wanted to take another trip to Uliasu Terrace.
But Qiu Taiji knew that the transfer order of the old account must be obeyed.He also understands that his pardon is really due to the current situation.Today's imperial court suddenly fell into a desperate situation and stepped into such a desolate journey!How much can I do when I return to Xi'an?
Of course, Mr. Fang, who had returned to his title, regretted that Qiu Taiji was leaving so soon.Although the time was short, shopkeeper Qiu still helped him a lot: the owner's third master finally persuaded him to leave.The third master's departure is still a long one!After taking over the Kang family's external affairs, the third master probably won't come to naturalize for a long time, it's embarrassing.
Qiu Taiji was naturally ashamed of Fang's old gang's compliment.When he was demoted, he would never forget that Fang's old gang graciously accommodated him.
Qiu Taiji parted ways and was naturalized, and there was another thing that was hard to let go of, which was Guo Yuqi's disappearance.More than a year later, Guo Yuqi's whereabouts are still unknown.Mr. Fang said that it was probably an accident.But Qiu Taiji still asked Mr. Fang not to tell Guo Yuqi's family members the bad news within three years, let alone give up continuing to investigate Guo Yuqi's whereabouts.Going out of the mouth is originally a kind of difficult and dangerous journey, and accidents are also considered as the meaning of the question.However, miracles of sudden reappearance after being missing for many years are not without exception.In short, Qiu Taiji still hopes that the young and clever Guo Yuqi can miraculously return to Tianchengyuan one day.
Qiu Taiji always felt that Guo Yuqi's disappearance had a lot to do with him: although it was accidental to bring this young friend here, his teachings along the way were obviously overdosed.Guo Yuqi, who was out of the country for the first time, was motivated and eager for success. It was only a few days before something happened!Qiu Taiji really didn't know how to explain to Guo Yuqi's family.
On the twentieth day of the eighth lunar month, Qiu Taiji set up a team of tall mules going down to Shanxi, left Guihua City, and ran towards Shahukou.Before he was about to kill the tiger, he was still looking forward to rushing back to Taigu as soon as possible to take a look at it.After only one year, I returned to Xi'an, which is always a good confession to my wife.One thought that especially affected him was his son!Ever since his wife told him that he had a son, he has been thinking about it all the time.After a long time, he finally had a son, as if God had also seen his repentance.Now, he was given another chance to go home and take a look at his newly born son.
But when he came to Shahukou, Qiu Taiji suddenly changed his mind: he will not go home.Not long after repentance, want to indulge yourself?The old number has some sympathy, but what face do you have to accept it?Only by arriving in Xi'an one day earlier can we be worthy of the forgiveness of the boss and the old account.
So at Killing Hukou, he set up another team of mules and headed towards Pinglu instead.This commercial route can go directly to Hongdong via Shenchi, Wuzhai, Kelan and Yongning.Compared with Shanyin, Daizhou, and Xinzhou, the official road to Taiyuan is much more difficult, but it is also much faster, especially when Qi Taiping is bypassed.After arriving at Hongdong, you can go straight to Pingyang, Houma, Jiezhou, Puzhou, and pass Tongguan to enter Shaanxi.
Even so, it took a month for Qiu Taiji to arrive in Xi'an.
The old gang members of Tiancheng Yuan's Xi'an branch knew that shopkeeper Qiu would come back, and they were all looking forward to it.After Qiu Taiji was demoted, Lao Hao called Cheng Laobang who was stationed in Sanyuan to come to Xi'an to lead the village.Cheng Laobang is frugal and cautious, but his name has become much colder, and his performance is not as good as before.When the imperial court suddenly poured into Xi'an in a dark mass, Cheng Laobang was even more at a loss.The old account has already given instructions: don't solicit big business from the government, especially to guard against the imperial court's forced borrowing.After receiving such an instruction from the old account, Cheng Laobang had a headache first.Tian Chengyuan was already well-known in Xi'an.When the imperial court came to the door, he didn't dare not borrow it, and he couldn't borrow it. How could he respond to this coincidence!Fortunately, there was an urgent letter from the old account not long ago, saying that Qiu Taiji had been transferred back to the western account, and he and his friends breathed a sigh of relief.
However, Qiu Taiji, who finally arrived, surprised Xi Hao!
The shopkeeper Qiu who came with the mule gang was almost the same as the tall boss, with rough clothes and a thick cloak, especially his face, which was black and red, just like old Baogong.There is no trace of Mr. Qiu's original romantic and handsome appearance!
Mr. Cheng couldn't believe it. This was the famous shopkeeper Qiu.
After greeting him a few words, he ordered his friends to wait on Shopkeeper Qiu to take a bath.Qiu Taiji hurriedly thanked him, but didn't ask anyone to wait on him.After bathing, Cheng Laobang wanted to hold a banquet to meet the wind, but Qiu Taiji refused to resign: "Cheng Laobang, don't you want to harm me? Ask the kitchen to make me two bowls of mutton soup ramen, and that's it. After leaving for a year, only Think of the lamb noodle soup here!"
Cheng Laobang is a real person, seeing Qiu Taiji's insistence, he obeyed.
After the meal, Mr. Cheng didn't bother to ask Qiu Taiji to rest first, so he invited him into his inner accountant and asked eagerly:
"Shopkeeper Qiu, you passed by Taigu, did you see Shopkeeper Sun Da? What does the old account have to say?"
Qiu Taiji could only truthfully say: "Mr. Cheng, in order to come to Xi'an as soon as possible, I didn't take the official road in Taiyuan. I turned on the Jinxi commercial road at the west entrance and went directly to Hongdong."
Mr. Cheng was a little surprised: "Did you pass by Taigu?"
Qiu Taiji asked: "The old account instructed me to go back to Taigu?"
"How would I know? Shopkeeper Qiu, you were also ordered in a critical situation. If you want to come to the old account, you have to make some special confessions."
"In the letter from the old account, I was asked to come to Shaanxi as soon as possible. The old account has a special confession, and there will be a letter directly to Cheng Laobang, right?"
"The old account keeps getting letters."
"Any special explanation?"
"I told you not to be greedy, especially to guard against the court's forced borrowing. I heard that when the court was in Taiyuan, it borrowed huge sums of money from the West Gang."
"I heard it out of the mouth. It seems that Da Deheng, the leader of Qiao's family in the Qi gang, took the lead? The leader of Da Deheng is not stupid, why did he get the head of it?"
"Where did you get the big head? I heard that they were the ones who got the limelight. The court wanted to borrow 300,000 yuan, and Dadeheng's family agreed."
It was the first time for Qiu Taiji to hear such a statement, and for a moment he couldn't figure out what move the Qiao family was making.The Qiao family offered 300,000 yuan as soon as they made a move, and the court would borrow money from other families. Needless to say, it would not be easy to explain even if the promise was less.Tian Chengyuan is not a trumpet in Xi'an, even if he pretends to be poor, he must have a clever trick.However, he also heard that his old club once met the two palaces in Xugou.With such a reputation, the Ministry of Household Affairs should be more polite when they come to borrow money.Then, he suddenly understood: Maybe the Qiao family was so generous in lending money to the court because of self-protection?In this turbulent autumn, it is a good idea to spend money to buy peace.
He asked Cheng Laobang: "Old Dongtai once had an audience with the Queen Mother and the Emperor, do you know the details?"
Cheng Laobang said: "How can I know? I only know about it from the old newspaper."
"If there are such things, we can take it easy. Sir Duanfang, are you still serving as the governor of Shaanxi Province?"
"Still. Before the imperial court entered Shaanxi, Mr. Duanfang was granted the title of Nursing Governor, and he was expected to be promoted to Futai. But as soon as the court arrived, he promoted Cen Chunxuan, who had made great contributions to escorting him, to Futai. It is said that Cen Chunxuan and his master were still in Taiyuan. There are contacts. But I went to see him twice, but I didn't see him. I'm really not as good as shopkeeper Qiu to curry favor with the officialdom."
"Cheng Lao Gang doesn't need to be inferior. As long as you don't think highly of those people in the officialdom, you don't have to worry about playing them in your hands. Cen Chunxuan who is currently serving as Futai in Shaanxi is no longer the Cen Chunxuan who was escorting in Jin yesterday. As the saying goes One moment, another moment. But if you use another method, you can still play it in the palm of your hand."
"So as soon as shopkeeper Qiu arrived, I felt at ease."
"Mr. Cheng, I'll try my best to collect it. That's a matter of course. But everything is at your command."
"Shopkeeper Qiu, don't be restrained! If you restrain you, the old account and the owner will blame me."
"Cheng Laobang can't say that! I'm still wearing a crime."
"Look at what you said! Let's not talk about this. Shopkeeper Qiu, there is a celebrity in Xi'an right now, you probably recognize it?"
"Who?"
"Guo Baofeng, who sings Qin opera, has the stage name 'Xiang Jiuxiao'."
"'Xiang Jiuxiao'? Of course I recognize him. He has long been a celebrity in Xi'an Liyuan."
"Now he is the empress dowager's favorite!"
"The Queen Mother's celebrity?"
"It's not the Queen Mother's celebrity, I still mention him? Has Shopkeeper Qiu heard of it? The Queen Mother used to be very addicted to theater. When she was in Beijing, she went to the theater almost every day. The famous Beijing opera actors Wang Guifen, Tan Xinpei, and Tian Jiyun were enshrined in the inner court all the year round. This time, the empress dowager was very depressed after fleeing, bumping all day long, with no rhythm to enjoy. It is said that in Taiyuan, when the opera troupe was banned, there were even rumors that people played strings, storytelling, and sang lotus flowers. Yes. After leaving Taiyuan, it was the same all the way. It was rumored that the troupe artists along the way went to the palace to worship, but they didn’t like it. When Yujia entered Shanxi and arrived in Lintong, Xiang Jiuxiao came to meet him. The queen mother heard that a famous actor of Qin opera was coming, so she passed the news that night Worship. I didn't think about it, this made the queen mother very addicted to theatre, and Xiang Jiuxiao was also a hit and became famous."
"Xiang Jiuxiao's voice is incomparably high-pitched, and the joyful and bitter tones in the Qin opera have unique skills."
"In Lintong, the Empress Dowager ordered Xiang Jiuxiao to form a theater troupe to worship in the forbidden area. Seeing that the Empress Dowager likes Xiang Jiuxiao so much, those princes and ministers who follow him who are addicted to drama also praise him. Two It's only been a few days since Gong arrived in Xi'an, and Xiang Jiuxiao is already popular!"
"The imperial court doesn't count on the ruins of the country, and there is a severe drought in Guanzhong, so let's enjoy the drama first!"
"Who says it's not! However, in order to deal with the imperial court, maybe this Xiang Jiuxiao is also worth wooing?"
Qiu Taiji thought about it, and said: "I have known Xiang Jiuxiao before, when it is necessary, I will go to see him."
Having said that, Qiu Taiji has seen that the situation in Xi'an is not easy to deal with.
The transfer of Qiu Taiji back to Xi'an was not proposed by the third master: it was the first words of Mrs. Kang.Of course, the third master was very happy when he heard the news.After he took over the foreign affairs, he never wanted to see Qiu Taiji for long-term planning.If it hadn't been for the fist chaos and foreign disasters, he would have gone to naturalization long ago.Now, the old man transferred Shopkeeper Qiu back to Xi'an, which happened to give them a chance to meet.If you go to Xi'an from outside the mouth, you must pass through Taigu.
To be on the safe side, the third master specially asked shopkeeper Sun: he must make a note of money in the transfer order to shopkeeper Qiu, asking him to return to Taigu to stay for a few days.Shopkeeper Sun Da readily agreed.
However, after waiting for more than 20 days, it was considered hopeless, and Qiu Taiji still did not come back.
From Guihua to Taigu, take advantage of the time on the way, and it will take less than half a month.No matter how leisurely we walked, twenty days would be enough.It took less than twenty days for the two palaces to travel from Xuanhua to Taiyuan.What kind of way is the royal driver of the imperial court, Qiu Taiji can't walk more calmly than the imperial court, right?
Sun Beiming was already a little unhappy, and said to the third master: "This Qiu Taiji, won't he have a relapse of his old illness, will he? If he is out of line, he will be detained by the government again?"
The third master hurriedly said: "No, no. If he is so useless, why should we transfer him back to Xi'an?"
Sun Beiming said: "He hasn't suffered outside the mouth yet, so if he is transferred back, his old illness may recur!"
The third master said: "I don't think shopkeeper Qiu is stupid. How can you not remember to hit me like that? Big shopkeeper, how did you explain it in your letter?"
Sun Beiming said: "I made a special note: You will be allowed to go home and stay for a few days when you pass through Taigu."
The third master said: "Then shopkeeper Qiu is already at Shuixiu's house?"
Sun Beiming said: "How dare he! Anyone who is stationed abroad, no matter whether he is a veteran or a young man, returns from other places, he must first come to the old company to settle the settlement before he is allowed to go home. This is the iron rule of the company, and Qiu Taiji can forget it. ?”
This is really an iron rule of Xibang Ticket Office.When expatriates leave the local colony after get off work, all luggage and items to be taken away must be publicly inspected on the cabinet: only daily necessities are allowed to be carried, and all other valuables, especially money, are illegally carried.After the inspection is clear, the items brought in will be registered on the cabinet one by one, written in a small booklet, and handed over to the person on the departure number to carry it.The booklet also states the amount of money to be paid.When we return to our hometown, we must first go to the old shop to hand in the papers, check our luggage, reimburse the expenses, and clear the account before we are allowed to go home.Offenders, of course, are not polite: expulsion from the account.In the ticket office, clean hands and feet are the most important thing.
Of course the third master knew this rule, but he suddenly remembered that Qiu Taiji was finally happy with his son, would he be overly happy and run back to Shuixiu first?
Shopkeeper Sun heard the reminder from the third master, and felt that it was somewhat possible: the shopkeeper stationed abroad had a son, and the good news was extraordinary.So he sent someone to Shuixiu to inquire.
The result of the inquiry, of course, was fruitless.Not only did Qiu Taiji not go home, the Qiu family didn't even know that he was coming back.
His woman kept asking: "Is he really coming back?"
Since he didn't come back, did something happen on the way?Even shopkeeper Sun Da and the third master began to be suspicious.
Now Xi'an Zhuangkou is extraordinary, if Qiu Taiji is going to have an accident, Sun Beiming intends to send Dai Ying to deal with it for a while.After hearing this, the third master felt so desolate.Qiu Taiji hadn't had any accidents for a long time. He just wanted to entrust him with a heavy responsibility, but an accident happened?The third master can only believe that Qiu Taiji is also a capable shopkeeper stationed abroad, and it should be no problem to save the day and save the day.He insisted on waiting a little longer.
After waiting for more than ten days, the old account sent telegrams to Guihua and Xi'an respectively.Xihao called back first: Qiu has arrived in Shaanxi.Call back after returning to the number: Qiu has been away for more than a month.
It turns out that Qiu Taiji rushed directly to Xi'an.
Only then did a stone fall from the third master's heart.It seems that the shopkeeper Qiu still puts the most important thing on business.He specifically reported the matter to the old man.
The old man heard this, and said: "Passing through the house but not entering? Having a precious son and ignoring it? Shopkeeper Qiu can still stand the relegation. Give me a few compliments."
After such a small twists and turns, the third master wanted to see Qiu Taiji even more.
Not long after that, the third master got the promise of the old man and set off for Xi'an.
After the third master arrived in Xi'an, Qiu Taiji had already recuperated, and somewhat recovered his former style, but his face was still a little dark.The third master is always out of the mouth, seeing that Qiu Taiji has also suffered from the wind and frost over there and turned into a black face, he feels closer.
Cheng Laobang of Xihao was a little nervous when he saw the third master coming to the cabinet in person.As for the third master, he was all interested in Qiu Taiji, and he was just barely coping with Mr. Cheng's gang.This made Cheng Laobang a little panicked.Of course Qiu Taiji saw it, he always put Cheng Laobang first when he said anything.Speaking of the situation of Xihao, it is also due to Zhang Luo of Cheng Laogang.But the third master still couldn't understand his intentions, and still praised him blindly.
Qiu Taiji had no choice but to avoid Mr. Cheng, and privately said to the third master: "You neglected Mr. Cheng and praised me blindly. Isn't this ruining me?"
The third master said: "It's not me who praises you, it's the old man who asked me to praise you for him."
Qiu Taiji said: "The old man told you to boast, but you can't boast endlessly, right? What you do, it seems that I have committed an old problem again. I am arrogant, so I have to show off myself!"
Only then did the third master say: "Then look at your face, even Mr. Cheng will praise you!"
Qiu Taiji said: "You can't just praise! You should praise Mr. Cheng more and less about me. Mr. Cheng always felt that he was not very capable. If you neglected others, how would you lead the village in the future? Third master, you want to succeed Great cause, you have to make old gangs from all over the place feel that they are capable, and make friends from all numbers feel that they are useful. You have to learn from your old masters!"
The third master said: "You are right! Then tell me, how do you make them feel that they are capable?"
Qiu Taiji said: "The first one, no matter who you are, you can't just ignore it anyway. Think about it, can someone with no skills get into your Kang family's ticket office?"
The third master said, "That's true."
Qiu Taiji said: "Let's talk about this old gang of Cheng. He has been in charge of the village for many years. Can he be said to be incompetent? He just didn't see him very often. Before I arrived, he asked to see Cen Chunxuan, Xinfutai, Shaanxi twice, but he didn't Seeing this, I thought my family would not curry favor with the officialdom. But within a few days, Mr. Cen summoned Mr. Cheng!"
The third master hurriedly asked, "Why did you summon Mr. Cheng?"
Qiu Taiji said: "We want Tiancheng Yuan to accept the payment."
"Shaanxi's grain rate?"
"The imperial court! After the two palaces arrived in Shaanxi, they felt that they were far away from foreign disasters, so they wanted to settle down in Chang'an. In addition to urging the capital of the provinces to pay, they also discounted half of the rice transported by water from the south of the Yangtze River on the spot, and handed it over to Xi'an in cash. The other half will still be transported by canal and water, and will be transported to Xuzhou, and then transported by land to Xi'an. What we accept is the cash converted from grain rice."
"Half of the rice in Nancao is converted into cash, which is not a small amount. Isn't it just for our family?"
"I heard that the first thing that the household department thought of was Dadeheng and Dadetong of Qiao's family. Dadeheng has no Zhuangkou in Xi'an. As for Dadetong, in order to avoid fist chaos, it just opened the Xi'an Zhuangkou in June and July. The bank deposits at the mouth were transported back to Qi County, and the account was very empty. Therefore, although the household department is very biased toward Dade Tong, they dare not take too many orders for a while. The money order for Jiangnan's rice rate has arrived, and you can't exchange it here. , isn’t that a joke with the court?”
"The Kang family also helped the imperial court in Xugou, so they should have thought of us, right?"
"How about, can Cen Chunxuan summon us?"
"How much did we promise?"
"It was Mr. Cheng who went to see Futai. He promised very cleverly!"
"How did Mr. Cheng agree?"
"Mr. Cheng's gang was in a difficult situation at the time. Because the shopkeeper Sun Da had given instructions not to be greedy for big business. But facing the court's errands, he couldn't shirk. He had to come up with a plan to delay the attack."
"A plan to slow down the troops?"
"He said to Futai: The imperial court thinks of us so much, so I will try my best to repay you. We will pay as much as Tian Chengyuan can in Zhuangkou in the south of the Yangtze River in time. Please don't worry, my lord."
"Isn't this a promise, what kind of delay is it?"
"In Zhuangkou in the south of the Yangtze River, there are many promises and few promises, early promises and late promises, isn't it up to us to decide calmly?"
"That's true."
"Mr. Cheng used this strategy to slow down the army. He wanted to come back and discuss with me the countermeasures. I said that your move is very good. Since the imperial court entrusted us with this kind of big business, why not do it? Ask Jiangnan Zhuangkou to calmly collect money, We quickly transferred the money here, and the business started. Third Master, look, Cheng Laobang can be regarded as incompetent?"
"Shopkeeper Qiu, your eyesight is better."
"Talk about me again! Third Master, I need to ask you to say something more to Shopkeeper Sun. The shopkeeper is not greedy, so how can we transfer the cash in a hurry?"
"Shopkeeper Sun, my words are not very effective. Shopkeeper Qiu, now the Western account is similar to the Beijing account. If you speak, the old account does not dare to underestimate it."
"We have already sent several letters to report back, and I don't know if the old account will agree."
"Then I'll write a letter to the old man to see if he can help you?"
"Of course the old man wants to talk, shopkeeper Sun must listen. Third master, then we will transfer money urgently to villages such as Sanyuan, Laohekou, and Lanzhou. When the fist was chaotic, Xihao deposit silver did not have to be transferred out in a hurry. Bring some money nearby, and start this business first."
"Look, as soon as Shopkeeper Qiu arrives, the situation in Xihao will come to life."
"Third Master, after talking for a long time, you still want to destroy me?"
"Okay, okay, Mr. Cheng is also responsible for the situation in Xihao!"
After that, the third master really treated Cheng Laobang differently. He was more respectful and no longer neglected.However, no matter what, the third master is still willing to stay with Qiu Taiji.
Half a month after arriving in Xi'an, the third master invited Qiu Taiji to go out of the city to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda together.In the middle, when drinking tea in the meditation room of Ci'en Temple, the third master was so excited that he expressed his long-cherished wish:
"Shopkeeper Qiu, I want to hire you to be Tian Chengyuan's big shopkeeper!"
Qiu Taiji was taken aback when he heard this: "Master, are you making fun of me?"
The third master said seriously: "I have wanted this for a long time!"
When Qiu Taiji heard this, he was even more horrified, and immediately knelt down to the third master: "Third master, you have misjudged the person, I am not the material to take on the big responsibility!"
The third master hurriedly came to help Qiu Taiji: "Shopkeeper Qiu, I like it, don't worry about it!"
Qiu Taiji refused to get up: "If the third master has this kind of vision, it will be difficult for you to be in charge."
"Shopkeeper Qiu, what do you mean?" Obviously, the third master did not expect Qiu Taiji to say such a thing.
Qiu Taiji said: "Tiancheng Yuan is full of talented people, hidden dragons and crouching tigers, the third master only sees me as an uncultivable talent, what kind of vision is it?"
The third master said: "I have this kind of vision!"
But Qiu Taiji said: "If the third master sees this way, I won't dare to get up!"
Only then did the third master ask: "Shopkeeper Qiu, don't you see me in your eyes?"
Qiu Taiji hurriedly said: "I respect the third master, that's why I am like this."
"Then you get up first, let's talk calmly, will it work?"
Only then did Qiu Taiji get up.
A year ago, Qiu Taiji would have been overjoyed and grateful when he heard what the third master said.But now Qiu Taiji is much more sober.To be the treasurer of Lingdong, although that is the highest ideal of a businessman in the West, but he knows that he is not worthy of it.In particular, now the old boss of Kang said that he handed over the foreign affairs to the third master, but in fact he is still in charge of the house?If Mrs. Kang knew that Qiu Taiji still had the unreasonable desire to be the leader, it would be a waste of time!
Therefore, he always kept a distance when talking with the third master, and tried his best to persuade the third master to broaden his horizons and choose talents calmly.In particular, you can't speak out your own temporary opinions at will.To be a young marshal, you need to talk more and make less decisions.
How could Qiu Taiji think: the more he is like this, the more the third master values him!
Qiu Taiji's wife, Yao Shi, heard that the man had been pardoned, went back to Xi'an, and wanted to go home for a short stay, she was so shocked that she broke out in a cold sweat!
Although she had announced the news of her childbirth to the man, but if the man suddenly returned unexpectedly, she would still be so frightened that she would reveal her secrets!The man came back suddenly after only one year, and did not send a letter beforehand. This was an accident that could not be dreamed of in the past.
It is of course a good thing that the man was pardoned by his boss and returned to Xi'an.Such a good thing, why didn't he tell her earlier?
What did you hear?
No way?Won't.
She had sent Yun Sheng away.Yun Sheng also walked away.It has been three months since this little thing left her.
Mrs. Yao anxiously waited for the man's return, but every day in vain.Afraid of his return, and looking forward to his return, but he has not returned for a long time.This year is full of chaos, the emperor has come out to flee, so nothing will happen during the journey, right?
She sent people into the city several times to inquire, but the news they brought back was the same: Shopkeeper Qiu will definitely come back, just wait.
After waiting for more than ten days, what finally came was: Shopkeeper Qiu has arrived in Xi'an.He did not pass through Taigu.
If you can come back and have a look, he won't come back!
Mrs. Yao felt that bone-chilling chill again: everything remains the same.
Maybe, she shouldn't have dismissed Yun Sheng so early?
After the successful delivery in April, Mrs. Yao has been immersed in the excitement of having a child.Of course Guo Yunsheng was also very excited: Has he already become a father?When there is no one else, he often asks Mrs. Yao: "Does my baby look like me?"
At such times, Mrs. Yao is just happy, and always says casually: "Who can I be like, but I am not like you!"
"The baby can talk, what do you call me?"
"What do you want to call, what do you call?"
"Will you call me daddy?"
"You are a cheap father!"
That was just a joke, Madam Yao really didn't care too much.But in Guo Yunsheng, he couldn't bear all the excitement, so he couldn't help looking at himself as a different person.
At the beginning, he had an affair with Mrs. Yao, and he showed a little strangeness in a fluttering manner.Mrs. Yao quickly beat him: If you want me to love you often, you must be the same as before, and you can't let others see the slightest abnormality.If you can't do it, I'll drive you out, you worthless thing!Therefore, he has been restrained and cautious.
Now, Guo Yunsheng couldn't hold it anymore.First, he started yelling at the other servants, as if he was the housekeeper, or even the master.Later, he also started to say some disrespectful words to the lady of the master's house, such as: "You are no longer precious after having a brother."
How could he expect that this would cause big trouble!
Miss Qiu's baby name is Shui Lian. Although she is only ten years old, she already has an aversion to Guo Yunsheng.In the past, my mother was unhappy, but she regarded her as a treasure, and put all her thoughts, all the joys and sorrows on her alone.But in the past year, my mother seems to have taken most of her thoughts away from her.To whom?She found out that it was assigned to the little manservant.When his mother was with him, it was obvious that she was no longer depressed, like a cloudy sky suddenly cleared up.
He is just a servant, how can he be better than her?He is nothing more than a boy!She often heard her mother say that it is enough to have a boy, and it is enough for you to have a brother.
The ten-year-old Miss Qiu could only understand it this way.Therefore, she developed an instinctive aversion to Guo Yunsheng who had lost her mother's love.Whenever his mother was happy with him, she always tried to spoil their fun.Unfortunately, they didn't care about her troubles, which made her even more hostile.
Now that her mother really gave birth to a brother for her, the sense of loss is already great enough, and Guo Yunsheng said that about her again, how can she bear it?
She started to sit all day long, not going out, not talking, not even eating!
Lan Nicole, the maid serving the lady, was frightened and told Mrs. Yao quickly.
When Mrs. Yao heard this, she also panicked and hurried over.But no matter what she asked, or how she asked, her daughter still sat there without opening her mouth.Mrs. Yao panicked even more, so she asked Lanny:
"Where have you taken Lianlian?"
Lanny said, "Where did you go?"
Mrs. Yao couldn't help shouting sharply: "Where did you go, how could it be like this?"
Only then did Lan Ni say, "I don't know what Yun Sheng said to Miss to scare her like this."
"Did you scare Yun Sheng? What did he say?"
"I'm not in front of me, so I don't know what he said that was ugly."
"You call him here!"
When Lan Ni ran to call Guo Yunsheng, Mrs. Yao asked her daughter again: "What did he say?"
Shui Lian was still sitting blankly, no matter how much she asked, she didn't open her mouth.
Mrs. Yao couldn't help feeling suspicious: Maybe my daughter noticed something?Or did Yun Sheng reveal something to her?In the past, I may have been too careless with my daughter.
At this time, Guo Yunsheng came in in a big way, and was about to speak, when Shuilian suddenly cried out in panic.
Mrs. Yao asked repeatedly: "What's the matter, what's the matter?"
Xiao Shuilian didn't pay any attention, just kept crying.
Mrs. Yao had no choice but to send Guo Yunsheng away.As soon as he left, the daughter stopped crying.But when I asked her, she still didn't say anything.Mrs. Yao put her arms around her daughter, said many loving words, and tried her best to comfort her.Although the daughter has never said a word, her mood seems to be more stable.
Mrs. Yao came out and asked Guo Yunsheng exactly what he had said to the lady, but he still said proudly, "Didn't you say anything?"
Mrs. Yao had no choice but to sternly say to him: "Yunsheng, don't forget what I said to you: If you want me to love you often, you have to be the same as before, and you can't make others feel abnormal. If you can't do it, I will I have to drive you away!"
Yun Sheng still didn't care and said, "I haven't forgotten."
Mrs. Yao wanted to have a fit, but held back, and just said, "It's fine if you don't forget."
That night, Shui Lian still sat there, not sleeping.Mrs. Yao had no choice but to take her into her room and sleep with her.Unexpectedly, from then on, my daughter never left day and night!At night, I slept with her in the same room; during the day, I also followed her closely, almost inseparable!If she was not told to do this, she would just sit there again, neither eating nor sleeping.
After calling her daughter such a toss, she and Yun Sheng really didn't even have a chance to talk.
She could see that her daughter did it on purpose.Maybe I really shouldn't go any further.It turned out that it was just to give birth to a boy, not to raise a little man for a long time.Now that she has fulfilled her wish and gave birth to a boy, she should be satisfied.Even for this boy, he couldn't go any further.
Mrs. Yao also heard from Lan Ni that Yun Sheng has been very arrogant recently, as if he has become half a master, and he is always yelling at everyone.This made Mrs. Yao even more uneasy.From now on, the more she loves this boy, the more arrogant Yun Sheng will be.If this continues, who knows what will happen?
She was, after all, a decisive woman.After thinking for a few days, I made a decision: Yun Sheng must be sent away.
She quietly wrote to the naturalized man, begging him to find a house for Yunsheng to live in.The current Qiu Taiji is not the same as before, when he received the letter from his wife, he hurriedly made arrangements.In his opinion, such a matter of naturalization is of course nothing.The recommender is the most important thing when accepting apprentices in the Western Gang, because the recommender has to bear the heavy responsibility of guarantee.Qiu Taiji came forward to recommend a guarantee, and soon got a job for Guo Yunsheng in Tianshun Changliang Village.
He immediately wrote back to his wife, explaining the relevant matters, and specifically asked Yun Sheng to go on the road as soon as possible and arrive at naturalization in summer.Because at that time, Qiu Taiji planned to go to Uliasu Terrace after the cool autumn, and take advantage of the naturalization in summer, so that he could take care of Yunsheng.
Mrs. Yao didn't say anything when she received the man's letter. Instead, she went to meet his parents without telling Yun Sheng.Tell them that he had already entrusted the head of the family to find a name for Yunsheng, but he was not going well outside, so it was delayed until today.She likes Yun Sheng's baby, but she can't delay the baby any longer.It's strange that he is promising, can she be willing to make him a servant for the rest of her life?
Yun Sheng's parents were not overjoyed when Mrs. Yao said this?Immediately knelt down and kowtowed to thank.
Mrs. Yao told them to go to Shuixiu to pick up Yunsheng within three or two days.The Liangzhuang on the other side of Guihua is still waiting for him to go.On the other side of Taigu, we will rely on the ticket dealer to find a veteran who will drop by and take Yunsheng out of the mouth.There is bitterness outside the mouth, but if a man wants to be successful, he has to leave the mouth.
Being able to live in Liangzhuang outside the mouth, Yun Sheng's parents are extremely satisfied and grateful.
When Mrs. Yao came back, she still didn't say anything to Yun Sheng.She didn't want Yun Sheng to feel that he was kicked out.When his parents came to pick him up, she said to him again: I am reluctant to ask you to go, but this matter has finally been sorted out, and I have to let you go, and I am feeling very upset.
She did this half out of means, and half out of sincerity.
When she received the man's reply letter and realized that Yun Sheng was really going to leave, the sudden surge of sadness in her heart was still difficult to suppress for a while.She just tried not to show it.For more than a year, Yunsheng really gave her sunny days.The long miserable night is gone.
He is obviously younger too.He also gave her a son!
It's all over, is it really over?
But all of this is clearly irreversible.
Would Yun Sheng be willing to leave?Now that the situation at home has become such a mess for his daughter, and she suddenly asks him to leave, will he suspect that he is driving him away?
Within two days, Yunsheng's parents came here excitedly.To Mrs. Yao's surprise, Yun Sheng was even more excited than his parents when he heard the news!He didn't mean to be reluctant at all.
This little thing actually looked down on everything else as soon as he heard that he was going out for business!
Yun Sheng asked her excitedly: "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"I hate to ask you to go," she said.
Yun Sheng actually said: "If I don't leave, I'm afraid I won't be able to learn business."
She had no choice but to say coldly, "I won't delay you."
On that day, Yun Sheng was going to leave with his parents.Mrs. Yao still couldn't bear it, so she said to his parents: "Go ahead, ask Yun Sheng to stay for another day, and prepare some charcoal for me."
Of course Yun Sheng's parents agreed.
当天夜里，姚夫人成功地将女儿支走了。水莲听说她憎恨的这个云生终于要离去，就以为是自己的胜利。母亲到底还是向着自己，把这个可恶的佣人撵走了。所以，她对母亲的敌意也消失了。母亲希望她回自己屋里去住，她很痛快地答应下来。
姚夫人也很分明地把女儿撤离的消息，传达给了云生。可是那一夜，云生居然没有来！她几乎是等待了整整一夜，可这个负情的小东西居然没有来！
他是害怕被她拖住，走不成吗？
临走，他居然也不来看看他的儿子？
都是一样的，男人都是一样的。一听说要外出为商，灵魂就给勾走了。
第二天，云生走时，姚夫人没有见他。
云生走后，那种突然降临的冷清，姚夫人是难以承受了。这比以往男人的远离久别，似乎还要可怕。已经走了出来的长夜，突然又没有尽头地弥漫开，与云生的一切，仿佛只是一场梦。云生留给她的儿子，虽是真实的，但有了儿子以后，依然驱不散的这一份冷清，才是更可怕的。
不过，云生走后，姚夫人一直没有着手招募新的男佣。招一个男佣，顶替云生的空缺，那是必需的。云生后来，几乎就是管家了。少了这样一个男佣，里里外外真也不行。
但招募一个什么样的男佣，姚夫人还没有准主意。
像云生似的，再招一个嫩娃？那只怕是重招伤心吧。嫩娃是养不熟的，你把什么都搭上了，他却不会与你一心。
招一个忠厚的粗汉？她实在不能接受。
或者改邪归正了，招一个憨笨些的，只当佣人使唤？姚夫人感到自己应该改邪归正，只是并没托人去寻憨笨的长工。
她还不能忘记云生。
但是，当她得知了男人过家门而不入的消息，一种彻骨的寒意，把一切都驱散了。喷涌而起的幽怨，叫她对云生也断然撒手。你总想着他们，可谁想你呢？还得自己想自己。
姚夫人又带着一种毅然决然的心劲，开始物色新男佣。这个新男佣，当然要如云生那样，既像管家，又是可以长夜相拥的小男人。他也要像云生一样年少。年少的，好驾御，也更好对外遮掩。但要比云生更出色！
邱泰基已重返西安，邱家显见是要继续兴旺发达了。听说邱家要雇用新的男仆，来说合的真不少。以前在邱家当过仆佣的，也想回来。但这中间，没一个姚夫人中意的。做仆佣的，都是粗笨人。稍精明俊雅些的，都瞄着商号往里钻呢，谁愿意来做家仆？但姚夫人不甘心。
她以云生为例，向外传话：来邱家为仆，出色的，也能受举荐、入商号。即便这样，也没有张罗到一个她稍为中意的。
她这不只是选仆，还是选“妾”，哪那么容易！
于是，她就想先选一个做粗活的长工，再慢慢选那个她中意的年轻“管家”。因为云生走后，许多力气活，没有人能做。这样的粗佣，那就好选了，可以从以前辞退的旧人中挑一个。
可这个粗佣还没有挑呢，忽然冒出一个来，叫姚夫人一下就心动了。
这是她娘家亲戚给举荐来的一个青年。个头高高，生得还相当英俊，看着比云生的年龄还大些，一问也才十七岁。只是一脸的忧愁，呆呆的，不大说话。
亲戚说，这娃命苦。他的父亲本也是常年驻外的生意人，本事不算大吧，家里跟着尚能过小康光景。不料，在这娃九岁那年，父亲在驻地遭遇土匪，竟意外身亡。母亲守着他，只过了两年，也染病故去。虽然叔父收养了他，可突然沦为孤儿，性情也大变。而婶母又认定他命太硬，妨主，甚为嫌弃。到十三四岁，叔父曾想送他入商号学徒，婶母却不愿为之破费。送去作仆佣，她倒不拦着：可见还是偏心眼。邱家是大户，调理得好，这娃或许还能有出息，你们也算是他的再生父母了。
姚夫人看了听了，就觉有七八分中意。就问这娃：
“识字不识字？”
这娃怯怯地说：“识字不多。”
亲戚说，发蒙后念过几年书。他父母原也是指望他长大入商号的。
姚夫人说：“那你过来，写写你的姓名。”
在亲戚的催促下，他怯怯地走到桌前来，拿起毛笔，惶惶写下三个字：温雨田。
姚夫人看这三个字，写得还蛮秀气，就问：“算盘呢，会打吧？”
“打得不快。”
姚夫人正色说：“到我们家，也没多少累活做，只是要勤快，手脚要干净，知道守规矩。”
温雨田没有说话，亲戚忙问他：“听见了吧？”
“听见了。”
姚夫人又说：“再就是别这样愁眉苦脸，成不成？”
He still doesn't speak.
姚夫人就问：“你愿不愿来我们家？”
亲戚忙说：“他当然愿意，不愿意，我能领他来？”
姚夫人说：“雨田，你自己说，愿意不？”
他低了头，低声说：“愿意。”
亲戚就喝了他一声：“你不能说痛快些！”
姚夫人忙说：“初来新地界，认生，也难免的。要愿意，那就留下来，试几个月吧。到年下，不出差错，就常留下来。”
亲戚忙说：“雨田，还不快跪下给主家磕个头！”
这回，雨田倒是急忙跪下了，磕了一个头，没说话。
姚夫人说：“快起来吧。我们家也没那么多礼，那么多讲究，以后就当是自己的家。”
姚夫人留亲戚吃了饭，叫他转告雨田的叔父，说雨田在此受不了罪。工钱，也按通例给。亲戚却说，他可不能捎这种话回去：雨田找了这么个好主家，有福享了，他婶母能高兴？只能说勉强留下试用，工钱还没有，你主家也不好伺候呢。这样说，他那婶母才称心。亲戚还交待，留下雨田是当佣人使，当然不能太心软，可也不敢太苛严。他心事太重，什么都攒在心里，对付不好，谁知他出什么事？
姚夫人只是按常理说：“我花钱雇佣人，也不能当少爷供着吧？我该怎么使唤，就怎么使，他对付不了，你还给我领走！”
其实，姚夫人心里已是十分中意这个雨田了，她甚至感到有些天遂人意，竟给她送来一个比云生出色许多的小男人。才这么半天工夫，她已断定这个雨田比云生出色。
留下雨田后，姚夫人很快又招回一个做粗活的旧男佣。因为她吩咐雨田要做的，是记账，采买，跑佃户，进城办事。这全是管家该做的营生。
沉默寡欢的雨田，哪能想到主家会这样器重他？初听了，他真有些不敢应承，直说，怕张罗不了。主家夫人和气地说，谁天生就会？我挑你，就是叫你学着帮我管家。以往，我自己管家，没雇人，今年刚添了娃，忙不过来了。你识字，会打算盘，人也不笨，又长得排场，我看是当管家的材料。只要上心学，哪有学不成的？总比学生意容易吧！
主家把话说成这样了，他还能再说什么？
主家夫人还叫来裁缝，给他做了几身够排场的衣裳，单的、夹的、棉的，四季穿的都有了。这叫雨田更感意外：不是说试用吗？怎么一年四季的衣服都备下了？主家夫人说，跑外办事，顶的是我们邱家的脸面，穿戴太寒酸，那可是丢邱家的人！夫人还说，你一个男娃，没了父母，也不会张罗穿戴，我能忍心看着不管？你只要跟我们一心，这就是你的新家。
他听得眼里直涌泪珠。
刚到的时候，主家还把仆佣都叫来，交待她们：新来的这个男娃能写会算，以后他要帮着我管家，你们要多帮衬他。主家有了这样的交待，别人对他也没欺生，真还够帮衬他的。邱家的仆佣也不多，一个个都像厚道人。
主家那位十岁的小姐，似乎并不讨厌他，常常跟着他，问东问西。
最常跟他在一起的，当然还是主家夫人。什么都是她亲自教，记账算账，外出采买，论价杀价，城里哪些字号是老相与，佃户又有哪些家，什么都细细交待。不嫌烦，也不嫌他是生瓜蛋。跟他在一起，夫人好像慈母似的，一点脾气都没有。他的傻气，只能逗笑她，惹不恼她。
雨田真没想到，他来到的竟然是这样一个叫人惊喜异常的新地界。主家夫人为什么会对他这样好？可怜他？还是以前同他的父母有旧谊？平白无故，谁能对一个下人这样好？
这几年，在叔父家所受到的冷遇和虐待，已经叫年少的他不敢相信人了。
稍熟之后，雨田婉转问过姚夫人。为什么对他这样好？夫人倒笑着反问他：“怎么，想叫我打骂你？那还不容易！”她亲切异常地给他说，她一直没男娃，所以特别喜欢男娃。以前有个帮她跑外的小男佣，她就很疼他，教他认字，教他为人处事，待之如家人。后来还给他举荐了商号，送去学生意了。也许是上天酬报她，今年终于得了男娃。
夫人还说，自家有了男娃，对他这样的男仆，依旧是喜欢的。他长得这样排场，偏又命苦，她由不得想多疼他。只要一心一意，这里就是你的家。
成天听这样的话，雨田渐渐也没有什么疑心了，只是庆幸自己终于跳出了苦海。那或许是父母的在天之灵，拯救了他吧。
到邱家没有多久，他就变得开朗些了，办事也长进得快。主家夫人对他越来越满意。
在姚夫人这一面，对这个雨田就不只是越来越满意。她已经在作更长远的打算。
雨田住熟以后，越发显得要比云生强：到底是出身不一样。他不仅是生得英俊排场，脑筋也灵得多，处处透着大器。这样一个俊秀后生，那必是向往外出从商的。何况他故去的父母，从小就寄予这种期望了。所以，从起头时候，姚夫人就要断了他的这种念头：她希望这个雨田能长久留下来！刚进邱家门，就许以他学做管家，正是基于此种打算的。
给大户做管家，那也是种排场的营生。
接受了云生的教训，姚夫人也不想急于求成了。慢慢来，叫他感到了你的亲切，你的心意，你的疼爱，那也许能长久相守吧。
令姚夫人感到宽心的，是她的女儿也不讨厌雨田。莲莲也愿跟他在一道，问长问短。雨田对这个小女子，不冷淡，也不张狂，尽力迁就她。这就少了麻烦。以后更熟了，得及早要告诫他：小心不要惹下水莲！
姚夫人感到现在老练多了，能从容行事，不再那样急于将这个小男人揽入怀中。但自从雨田进家后，她已不再觉着孤寂冷清，有这个俊秀的后生叫她惦记着，日子过得实在多了。
因为闰八月，秋后节令显得早，到九月已是寒风习习，十七日就立冬了。立冬后一连数日，总刮北风，天气冷得缓不过劲来。屋里忽然要用火盆，姚夫人才想起今年还未采买新木炭。云生走时，只是买了几车劈柴，几车煤炭。
雨田听夫人这样一说，就要进城去采买。姚夫人说，去年还剩有木炭呢，等天气缓过来，再采买也不误事。雨田等了两天，见天气冷得更上了劲，就坐不住，非要去办这件事。姚夫人见他做事这样上心，也就同意了。嘱咐他，到了集市，只寻好炭，别太在乎价钱。看对了，叫卖家连车带炭推到水秀来，咱给他出脚钱。
雨田答应着去了。到后半晌，他真押着一推车木炭，回来了。炭甚好，价钱也不贵。卖炭的直说：你们这位小少爷可真会杀价。姚夫人高兴了，多付了一百文脚钱，算是皆大欢喜。
但到夜晚，雨田就发起烧来。他想了想，知道是晌午大意了。晌午在南关集市，喝过两碗羊杂碎，辣椒加多了，喝得满头满身汗水淋淋。也没在乎，喝完又接着迎风乱跑，挑选木炭。
本来喝一碗就得了，也不至出那么多汗，可当时嘴太馋，忍不住又喝了一碗。这可好了，得了报应。他外出，主家夫人倒总给带些零花钱。起先，他不敢花。夫人说，太寒酸了，哪像给邱家办事的？所以，他花钱喝羊杂碎，倒不怕，可喝得病倒了，那怎么交待？
这一夜，他时冷时热，难受异常。心里只是想，再难受也不怕，赶天明好了就成。但第二天起来，头重脚轻，浑身软软的。他强打精神，想装着没病，可哪能呢！
早起，主家夫人一见他，就惊呼：“雨田，你脸色这样难看，怎么了？”
他忙说：“咋也不咋。”
但她已过来摸住他的额头，更惊叫道：“天爷，滚烫！傻娃，你这是病了，还咋也不咋！”
跟着姚夫人就呼叫来其他仆佣，扶他回去躺倒。一面叫厨房给他熬姜汤，一面又叫给他屋里生个火盆。仆佣在忙活时，姚夫人就一直守在他身边。她并没有追问怎么着的凉，只是不时摸摸他的额头，叹息道：“看烧成什么了，也不说，真成了傻娃了！”
自从父母去世后，再没有人这样心疼过他。雨田想到这里，不禁泪流满面。
姚夫人见他这样领情，心里也有些受了感动，一边给他擦眼泪，一面说：“快不敢哭了，以后跟我一心，你受不了委屈。”
喝过姜汤，生起火盆，姚夫人又叫人给拿来一床被子，给雨田加上。还问他想吃什么。雨田只是不断地流泪，那样感激她，依恋她。
这使姚夫人有一种说不出的动心动情。她感到雨田是与云生不同，他比云生更灵敏，更多情，也更叫人怜爱。她居然会这样动心地惦记他。这样的感觉已经很好，就是不将他揽入怀中，也踏实了。
她营造了一种恋爱，自己又成功地陷了进去。
立冬以后，戴膺离开太谷，取道汉口，赶赴上海去了。
戴膺的半年假期还未满，但时局残败如此，他也无心歇假了。康老东家、孙大掌柜隔三岔五的，也不断召他去，议论时局，商量号事。但时局不稳，各地信报不能及时传回老号，议论吧，又能议出什么眉目来？
回太谷这几个月，尽管有朝廷行在过境，戴膺依然感到一种坐井观天的憋屈。在京时，他就有想法：西帮票号要想长久执全国金融牛耳，各家大号须将总号移往京城才成。老号偏居晋省祁太平，眼瞅着与外埠庄口越来越隔膜。长此以往，老号岂不成为生意上的大桎梏？可这话，老号与东家都不爱听。现在，京师陷落，这话越发不能说了。
康老东家在徐沟觐见两宫后，对当今朝廷那是更少敬畏，更不敢有所指望。以老东台那毒辣的眼光看，西太后实在是一个太平庸的妇人。平庸而又不自知，即为无耻。位至尊，无耻亦至极。摊上这么一个妇人把持朝廷，时局残败至此，那还用奇怪？老东台从徐沟一回来，就对孙大掌柜说：
“趁早收缩生意吧，大清没指望了。”
孙大掌柜早有退意，再赶上今年这惊天动地的折腾，更想趁势告老退位。听老东台这样一说，那当然很对心思。他就说：“我看也是。趁早收缩，还能为康家留得青山。”
戴膺却有些不以为然。朝廷的无能无耻也不自今日始，亲睹圣颜，倒睹得自家泄了气？这也不像是西帮作为吧。西帮什么时候高看过朝廷？所以，戴膺就对两位巨头说：“现今生意也仅存半壁江山了，北方各庄口经此内乱外患，已收缩到底。江南庄口失去北方支撑，难有大作为，收缩之势也早成定局。再言收缩，还能收缩到哪？总不能将遍布国中的庄口全撤了，关门大吉吧？”
康老太爷竟然说：“叫我看，西帮的票号也如当年的茶庄