Chapter 21 war is coming

Xiang Jiuxiao, a famous actress in Qin opera, came to visit suddenly, which startled Qiu Taiji. At that time, it was inconvenient for actors to walk around like this.Although Qiu Taiji has friendship with Xiang Jiuxiao, he has never met him at the shop.But now, Xiang Jiuxiao has suddenly become a popular person in Xi'an, often enshrined in the ban, and sang operas for the Empress Dowager, even if Qiu Taiji wanted to see him, it was not as easy as before.There must be unusual reasons for today's unexpected arrival. Even though it was a visit in a humble service, Xiang Jiuxiao's ostentation was huge, and there were a dozen or so people just following him to serve.Seeing this situation, Cheng Laobang of Xihao was a little apprehensive, and pushed Qiu Taiji forward.Xiang Jiuxiao only talked to Qiu Taiji and ignored others.Qiu Taiji had no choice but to step forward and let Xiang Jiuxiao into the back room.At this time, the third master was not on the cabinet, and he wanted to order someone to call quickly, but he was afraid that Xiang Jiuxiao would not give the third master face and cause embarrassment, so he gave up.Looking at Xiang Jiuxiao's current expression, there are not many people in his eyes.

"Boss Guo has any orders. Send someone to say it, and it's over! You can't trust us, so you came here in person?" "Shopkeeper Qiu, I'm here to make amends to you, so I have to come." apologize?This surprised Qiu Taiji even more: what was hidden in the words would not be a trivial matter.He pretended to be panic-stricken and said, "Master Guo dare not scare anyone! If we have offended anyone, we can just scold him..." "Haha, shopkeeper Qiu, you also cheated on me?" "It's not an outsider! Boss Guo is now a nobleman. I heard that the princes and ministers who accompanied you are giving you face! We are still the same as before, so we are too ignorant..."

When speaking, Qiu Taiji saluted seriously. "Shopkeeper Qiu, the more you say you're out of touch, the more you're coming. I'm an opera singer, can I become a nobleman? I'm telling you secretly, who knows what will happen in the future if you worship in the forbidden place!" After all, he is an actor, and there are idlers waiting in front of him, so he just said such things.Qiu Taiji was really worried that he would say "A companion is like a tiger", so he quickly caught it and said: "Boss Guo's ability, I don't know yet? Thanks to the empress dowager's grace, you have already ascended to the sky in one step and become famous all over the world. What else do you want to do? I heard that Wang Guifen and Tan Xinpei, who are in the capital's enshrining ban, are all banned. Fifth-rank title. Maybe one day the queen mother is happy, and I will confer you too!"

"Shopkeeper Qiu, don't you know that it's so easy to go in and worship? Keep your head up all the time!" The more I was afraid that he would say such things, he said that he was really an opera singer, and he was not careful enough.Qiu Taiji hurriedly turned away and said, "Boss Guo, are you saying that you are going to make amends? Are you trying to scare people?" "It's really a pity that I didn't come. I was too talkative for a while, and I caused trouble for your account!" Qiu Taiji heard that something was really going on, so he calmly told the friends in front of him: Hurry up and ask the second men under Guo Boss to go out for tea.Upon hearing this, the following attendants all went out happily: it seems that they all took a sip.

After all the servants left, there were only two hostesses and guests left, so Qiu Taiji said: "Boss Guo, you won't be offended, right? You and I have been friends for many years. If you dare to say a few words of truth, don't know if you like it or not?" "How can you not like to listen? I came today, just want to talk to shopkeeper Guo!" When Qiu Taiji was in contact with Xiang Jiuxiao in the past, he didn't just praise him blindly, he liked to teach him a few words from time to time.Xiang Jiuxiao also liked to listen, because most of Qiu's teachings were reasonable and effective.Actors don't have many strategies in life, so if someone gives you some pointers on the important points, of course you are happy to hear it.Therefore, he regards shopkeeper Qiu as a military adviser, and his friendship is unusual.It was because of this relationship that Qiu Taiji wanted to remind him a few more words.Now, he is very popular, and if you blindly flatter him, I am afraid that he will look down on him.

"Boss Guo, if you are lucky enough to receive today's holy family, I am afraid that it is because your ancestors have accumulated great virtues, so you don't cherish it?" "Shopkeeper Qiu has something in his words! I'm worried all day long, why don't I cherish it?" "In the past, I dealt with the officialdom more deeply than you, and I saw the dangers of the officialdom more deeply than you. You can go in and out of the forbidden place, and you can see the holy face. On the one hand, you are extremely honorable, and on the other hand, you are really holding your head!"

"I know this better than you, didn't you just say it?" "You don't know how to cherish it, it's just the word 'speak'! How can you say such words so easily?" "Shopkeeper Qiu, don't I treat you as an outsider?" "We have been friends for many years, but there are still a bunch of servants in front of us!" "My servants, who would dare!" "Boss Guo, don't you seem to be talking with your head up? Don't say that someone wants to harm you, even if you accidentally spread your words, that's amazing! You don't like to guard the door when you talk like this, and the people under your hands don't like it." I'll learn from you, don't hold back your words, if you cause trouble someday, I'm afraid you will lose your breath for some reason!"

"Shopkeeper Qiu, what you said really scares me!" "Boss Guo, being with you is like being with a tiger. You have to keep these words in your heart all the time, but you must never hang them on your lips! If you are the first to be with you, you have to be strict with your mouth. You have to hide everything and you can't say it. Singing is eating. You are not used to talking, but you don’t dare to tell the truth even if you talk nonsense, stupid words, and grandson’s words! Not only can you not say what you want to say in your heart, but you must not say it lightly even when you see it! You can't talk about the things you saw in the forbidden room, and you can't talk about the things you saw before the princes and ministers. Misfortune comes from the mouth, especially in the officialdom."

"Treasurer Qiu, you are really close to me! So many people who flatter me are all asking me about the forbidden things in the palace, which song is sung, and whether the queen mother likes it or not. She really understands Qin opera, what is the queen mother?" Dressing, what is the emperor's dress, endless! Even the princes and ministers love to inquire. No one reminded me, the trouble comes from the mouth!" "Boss Guo is so successful, we can follow suit. Who wouldn't want to rely on such a noble person as you! If you can last long, won't we gain more glory?"

"But apart from shopkeeper Qiu, who among them is willing to think about me for a long time? It's all for a moment!" "Who doesn't want to know the situation in the forbidden palace? You just need to be careful. Especially those princes and ministers, you have to know how to talk to them, and you can't offend others. You have to be more careful." "Shopkeeper Qiu, you are so right, this group of adults are really hard to deal with! I came to make amends because of this group of adults." "I always say I'm sorry, what's the matter?"

"The few princes and ministers I can see often are all addicted to drama. After driving to Xi'an, they have nothing serious to do, and there is nothing to relieve their boredom when they are idle, so they are addicted to drama. It’s about listening to the Anhui troupe. In Xi’an, there is such an insignificant Anhui troupe led by Zhang Le. I was asked to listen to it twice, and then I was kicked out. An adult said to me: “Zhang Le is also considered to be in Xi’an.” Jiao’er? That’s also called Beijing opera? I’m not as good at singing as I am!’ I told them: Zhang Le didn’t have a mountain in the first place, and few people in Xi’an like to listen to Hui troupe opera.” Where is this going?What happened, I have been talking for a long time, and I am still at a loss!But Xiang Jiuxiao had this problem before, now that he has become a nobleman, can you tell him not to talk too much?Qiu Taiji had no choice but to interject: "Then they can love to listen to your Qin opera?" "They have only listened to Qin Opera for a few days, can you please listen to it? But the Empress Dowager loves it, so they can't follow suit? The Empress Dowager invited us into the palace, that's real singing. These adults called us into the mansion, that's not called singing a party! " "What's that singing?" "What are you singing, play with them! Some of them are really good at it. Every time, they have to make faces, put on clothes, and mess with us on stage. That's not singing, they are messing around, and they are just playing around with others. !" "So soon, they learned how to shout Qin opera?" "Where is it, people use Beijing opera, we use Qin opera, each sings their own tune! Shopkeeper Qiu, you have never seen that scene, you can laugh so hard." "Those people, don't you just want to have fun? It's just, Boss Guo, what trouble did you say..." "That's it. The Empress Dowager's longevity is in October. Don't shopkeeper Qiu know?" "I'm a small businessman, how can I know such a thing?" "The Empress Dowager's birthday is in October. In the past, what kind of ostentation was there when the Empress Dowager celebrated her birthday in the capital? This year, she took refuge in Xi'an. No matter what, she couldn't compare with the capital. Director Li, who was in front of the Empress Dowager, told me a long time ago, you sell some Work hard, prepare a few new plays, and try to please Lafayette on the day of Wanshou. I said, then I have to choose the ones that Lafayette likes to prepare, and I don’t know which ones to prepare? Director Li was unhappy, stared and said: "I have to teach you anything?" How dare I speak out again! When I came out, I told a prince about this matter, and the prince said: "Mr. Li is also in trouble. Who ever mentioned this before the Queen Mother?" Wanshou, the Empress Dowager has been silent for a long time, sad and sad, with a bad face." I asked: "What is the Empress Dowager thinking?" The prince said: "Even Director Li can't figure it out, who can know!"" Where is this going again!Tell him to keep his eyes open and talk less. Let's see, the more he talks, the more he talks, the more detailed he talks.There is really no cure for a villain who succeeds. "Boss Guo, you'd better talk less about those things in the palace, aren't you afraid that the walls have ears?" "This is all related to you, so I have to tell you. This prince, I won't tell you who it is. Anyway, it's in his house, just playing with tickets. He was unloading, and he suddenly asked me: "You and Shanxi?" Are you familiar with those shopkeepers in the ticket shop?" Shopkeeper Qiu, I really didn't hold back, so I opened my mouth and said, "There are still a few of them, and their friendship is not ordinary!" They followed up and asked, "There is a family named Kang in Taigu. The rich man is also an invoice shop. Is there a shop in Xi’an?’ I said, ‘Yes! Qiu Taiji hurriedly asked: "What is this prince doing asking about my account?" "I also asked at that time, and the prince said: 'It was the Queen Mother who was asking about it from Director Cui. How would I know?' Two days ago, I finally understood: Director Cui asked about your name because he wanted to borrow money for the Queen Mother. " "Borrow money from us for longevity?" "Shopkeeper Qiu, let me tell you the truth." Xiang Jiuxiao lowered his voice and said, "Director Cui borrowed money from you, and the longevity is just a name. In fact, it is to save more private houses for the Queen Mother to please her. Say more After this escape, the Empress Dowager is particularly obsessed with private money!" "You want to borrow money from us to save your own house?" "Or I panicked when I heard it. If I knew this, I wouldn't talk too much. A few more words caused you a lot of trouble. Manager Cui came to the door, and you dare not refuse to borrow it. If you borrow it, how can you return it?" Can I expect to pay back the debt? I have caused such a catastrophe, how can I stand up to shopkeeper Qiu!" After hearing the news, Qiu Taiji knew that he was going to be unlucky: he met the No. 1 Tianzi robbery!But this can't blame Xiang Jiuxiao, even if he doesn't talk much, people can find out about Tian Chengyuan.Don't look at who is robbing this!Xiang Jiuxiao should be grateful for sending a message first.just say: "Boss Guo, you are thinking too much. It is a great honor for us to honor the Empress Dowager, how can it be called trouble?" "Aren't you afraid that the queen mother will borrow money? Then I will feel more at ease." "In this year's market, with natural disasters and wars, how can we make business? My account is also empty and poor, and it is not what it used to be. But to honor the Empress Dowager, we dare not be ambiguous even if we sell everything!" Xiang Jiuxiao groaned for a while before getting up to leave, but Qiu Taiji was already very anxious. Qiu Taiji has heard from his peers: After the Queen Mother arrived in Xi'an, she became very greedy for money.Coupled with the fact that Deheng, the head of the Qiao family of the Qi gang, showed his wealth like that, it made the Queen Mother remember the West gang.It has only been a few days since I came to Xi'an, and I have already borrowed money from Xibang several times.But it was the Ministry of Households who came forward to borrow money, and the account was carried by the court. This time it was Tian Chengyuan's turn to borrow money, but it was the palace supervisor who came forward and the Queen Mother kept the accounts!The queen mother opened her mouth, who dares to refute it?But after letting go of this kind of royal account, who will I ask for money in the future? The queen mother opened her mouth to borrow money, and that would not be a small amount! So, as soon as Xiang Jiuxiao left, Qiu Taiji hurried to see the third master. The third master is a rich man, so it is naturally inconvenient to live in the shop after coming to Xi'an.But it is not easy to rent a more ostentatious house outside.Taking refuge in Chang'an in the two palaces is equivalent to moving the capital here, and the retinue is full of people, and the slightly more ostentatious mansion is not enough for them to fight for.Fortunately, Qiu Taiji has been operating in Xi'an for many years and has many connections. He actually rented a small courtyard for the third master in the crowded city, but it was far away from the shop.The third master is very satisfied and often invites Qiu Taiji to talk there. When Qiu Taiji arrived that day, the third master was having a drink by the fire. Qiu Taiji said: "Third Master, when is it time to eat?" The third master was very happy to see Qiu Taiji arriving unexpectedly, and said, "You came here because you smelled the wine, right? It was cold and stuffy in the afternoon, and no one came!" "This room is warm enough. It's so cold, how do you spend the winter outside?" "Eating mutton outside the mouth every day and drinking soju makes you feel hot! No, I asked them to cook a mutton casserole. Shopkeeper Qiu, I think you came here because you smelled the aroma of wine and meat. Sit down and have a drink!" "I have something urgent, come to see the third master!" "Hurry up, can I delay you from drinking two sips of wine?" "Third Master, it's such an urgent matter!" "Treasurer Qiu, how big do you think Xi'an's sky can be? The capital is lost, and everyone is crowded to Xi'an, how big can Xi'an be? Let's talk about it after drinking some wine!" Look at the third master, he doesn't look drunk.Qiu Taiji had no choice but to drink a cup of hot shochu first, as if swallowing fire.He can also drink shochu, but he likes to drink rice wine and rice wine on weekdays.In this year outside the mouth, soju is inseparable from entertainment, but I have not been addicted to it.Drinking too much shochu can easily cause trouble.The third master often hides from his mouth and drinks soju like a fool. He can't afford to accompany him because of the huge amount. Seeing that he seemed to be drinking medicine, the third master was unhappy, and said, "The shopkeeper Qiu doesn't want to drink with me, does he?" Qiu Taiji hurriedly said: "There is really an urgent matter, discuss it with the third master!" "The capital is lost, so what's the rush? Unless it's a foreigner who broke into Xi'an, it doesn't matter if you don't drink!" "Third Master, it's an urgent matter concerning our Tian Chengyuan!" "There is no need to worry about our own affairs. Drink first, shopkeeper Qiu, and you have another drink!" It looks like the third master is drunk, why are you talking drunk?In the urgent matter of going to the house on fire, the third master behaved like this, as if he was going against it on purpose.Qiu Taiji had no choice but to be patient, and drank another cup. "Shopkeeper Qiu, you eat mutton! You have to eat meat while drinking soju, and eat meat. If you don't eat meat, soju will knock you down." "I'm not afraid of eating mutton, but I'm afraid of drinking soju!" "Then you still have little experience outside the mouth! If you stay for two more years, you can't do without shochu." "Third Master, it's not what I want to return to Xi'an so soon." "Shopkeeper Qiu, don't worry about it! If I had known that the situation was going downhill, I would rather stay out of the mouth and try to be quiet!" "This time, the mouth is not quiet." "No matter how unsettled, the foreigners didn't get naturalized or Baotou! Shopkeeper Qiu, you always persuade me to go out of the mountains and go to the big wharf. It's good. It's just a good show. The whole court is defeated and the capital is gone. !" The third master really drank too much, how could he talk such drunken things?The third master is huge, and it is rare to get drunk.Is there something unhappy in your heart?After arriving in Xi'an, the third master was always excited, but not worried or depressed.A few days ago, I heard that the Empress Dowager West wanted to move her capital to Chang'an, so she settled here for a long time and never left.The third master was very dissatisfied with this, and closed the door and cursed a few times.This is unpleasant, but how can you always pretend to be in the third master's heart, and can't get rid of it?When you meet such an imperial court, you can't get over it, so what can you do! When the third master mentioned the imperial court, Qiu Taiji quickly caught it and said, "Third master, the urgent matter I mentioned was also caused by the imperial court..." "The court? What about the court?" Qiu Taiji briefly explained the news revealed by Xiang Jiuxiao. Before the third master had finished listening, he couldn't bear it any longer, snorted disdainfully, and said, "You are the supreme, and you can be ashamed to beg for food?" Qiu Taiji said: "The queen mother begs for food, how can I get rid of it if I don't have enough?" "When we passed by Shanxi in August, our Xibang had just sent them away. It's only been a few days, why are they here again? The Xibang has become your cash cow?" "I think I blame you for revealing your wealth that time. Especially the Qiao family in Qi County, who sold 300,000 yuan! You are so rich, can the court forget you?" "My old man is not far behind! Just to see the holy face, he also threw out tens of thousands..." It seems that the third master is really a little drunk, and he actually blamed the old man.Qiu Taiji hurriedly turned back and said, "Third Master, Director Cui who is in front of the Empress Dowager really wants to borrow money, shall we borrow it?" "No! No matter who comes, just tell him: We are also begging for food, so how can we lend you any money!" "Third Master, so I'm afraid I won't be able to dismiss you?" "Can't send it away, what is he going to do, want to grab it?" What happened to the third master today?Talking so violently, it seems that he has returned to the way he was when he was out of the mouth a year ago, and he is only looking to compete with you.He came to Xi'an, eager to make something up, and showed his hand to the old man, but when he encountered such a ruinous situation, he was full of anger everywhere, and finally couldn't bear it anymore?But no matter how hot you are, so what!After all, he is the head of the family for the first time, after all, he has been hiding outside the mouth for too long. Qiu Taiji calmed down and said: "Then listen to the third master and don't borrow it. The empress dowager comes in person, so we don't borrow it either! Come, let's drink!" Seeing what Qiu Taiji said, the third master softened his tone, and asked, "Shopkeeper Qiu, tell me, what will happen to them if we don't borrow it?" "Whatever it is, you're not afraid, Third Master anyway. Drink!" "I want to hear your opinion. If we don't borrow it, what will happen to the Queen Mother?" "What will happen? If you want to kill and cut, that's not a word! But if you want to kill or cut, we are not afraid!" "Treasurer Qiu, my life is too bad! After many years, I just took over the management, and I encountered such a once-in-a-lifetime situation. The beginning of the year was fine, and there was a lot of joy. Only a few days later, the overall situation collapsed. , It hasn’t stopped so far. Half of the business left by the ancestors has fallen! The old man has been in charge for more than forty years, and nothing has happened. I have only been in charge for a few days, and half of it has fallen! Am I the life of a prodigal?” The third master was really angry.But being so angry, she still showed tenderness.What can I blame you for such a catastrophe? "Third Lord, what is your fate? It's because your fate is too strong! As soon as you come out of the mountain, half of the country of the Qing Dynasty will be shaken down! Simply, if you cheer up and show off your power, let it collapse the remaining half That's it, save the empress dowager from begging and robbing us later." "Shopkeeper Qiu, you still have the heart to tell jokes!" "Third Master, I'm not joking! There was such a big disaster this year, and the empress dowager, who is in charge, didn't think it was a thing. She should go to the theater, live her life, and rob her. Third Master You are benevolent and righteous, and you are too pretentious. You just want to take this catastrophe on your own head. It seems that no one should blame you, but blame you for your fate. Let it hurt you! The Eight-Power Allied Forces are trying to punish the culprit, Queen Mother, Zaiyi, Gangyi, and Dong Xiangfu don't want to be the culprit. Only the third master wants to be the culprit, but do foreigners recognize you? Will punishing you relieve the anger of foreigners?" The third master stopped talking and was stunned for a long time before asking: "Shopkeeper Qiu, are you kidding me?" Qiu Taiji said: "I'm here to sober you up!" "I'm not drunk, why sober up? You're laughing at me." "I'm just laughing at the drunken words that the third master said." "What did I talk about drunk? I only talked about the current situation and the great cause of our ancestors. Who would talk about such serious things when drunk?" "I said yes, don't care if it collapses or not! Even if the whole Qing Dynasty collapsed, we have to do our own business." "What I'm worried about is also our business!" "Then cover it with water and earth, and let the soldiers come to block it. Third master, don't you dare to be too anxious, let alone destroy your own prestige first, and blame your own life when something happens!" "You put it lightly, something just happened! The capital fell, the court fled, half the sky collapsed, who has met it?" "Third Master, let me tell you that you just came out of the mountain and encountered such a catastrophe, which is giving you a good opportunity to show your great wisdom and courage! If you are safe and sound, how can you show yourself?" The third master seemed to regain his spirits, and said to the case: "Shopkeeper Qiu, this is what you said! Then tell me, how can we show our great wisdom and courage?" "Third Master, you are in a hurry again! Now, let's talk about whether to let go of this imperial debt?" "If you don't lend it to me, of course it won't work. Can you think of a clever way not to borrow it?" "Let me see, you don't need to bother with this kind of thinking. There is obviously one way to do this: borrow. How much you want, you have to lend to others. The Ministry of Finance borrowed money from us, and they can find an excuse to shirk it. The Empress Dowager If we rob in private, how can we shirk it! Even dare to refute the empress dowager's face, don't want to live?" "Then what is there to discuss!" "Borrowing, right and wrong. No matter how you borrow, there are articles to do. The queen mother has lived a long life, and we have filial piety, so we can't be filial in vain, right? We must reward us with some good business? Besides, we use the shortage of cash as an excuse, You can also lower the amount of filial piety: first write a large bank note and see if he wants it; if you don’t want a bank note, I’m sorry, my number of cash is really limited! Recently, there is a shortage of money in Xi’an, and no one thinks about it. If you want a bank note, the Empress Dowager said it clearly, can she want a bank note?" "Treasurer Qiu, since you have a score in your heart, you can rest assured that it will be yours." "Third Master, you have to make a big deal: the most, how much should we honor her?" "How much do you think is suitable?" "Let me see, if you want to borrow cash, it's less than 10,000 taels, and I'm afraid you won't be able to pay it; if you write bank notes, you can ask for more, up to 50,000. I guess they don't accept cash notes, so you might as well be more generous." "It's generous, isn't it too shabby? After all, it's a royal debt." "Just for such a shameful name, we dumped hundreds of thousands more, and we will not be able to live in the future. Besides, the cash on the cabinet is really tight." At that time, Xi'an was considered a big port.However, the imperial court was in a mighty state, and suddenly came, and Xi'an couldn't accommodate the huge expenses alone.Prices are soaring and money is scarce, that is inevitable.Although the major accounts of the Western Gang have semicolons in Xi'an, how can they support such a scene with their original scale?In addition, when the punches were raging, many ticket dealers hastily transported the deposits back to Qi Taiping's old bank for safety reasons.Now, the imperial court is stationed in Luan Xi'an, and all the capitals from all walks of life are sent here. Seeing a large number of business coming, they dare not solicit it.On the other side of the imperial court, they are waiting to use the cash. If you accept the money order but can't cash the money, isn't that bad luck?Therefore, although under the care of Cen Chunxuan in Futai, Shaanxi, Jiangnan's rice salary can be wooed by Dadetong, Tianchengyuan and other big names, but they didn't dare to take much.If you take too much, Xi'an can't cash it out. Qiu Taiji mobilized the old gang of Cheng, and called and sent letters to the old account repeatedly. There was a big business waiting to be done, and he hoped that some cash could be dispatched urgently.The reason is that the road is rough and the transportation is too dangerous.This is obviously an excuse: according to the credit bureau that issued the ticket, the road from Taiyuan to Xi'an is considered easy to travel at the moment.Qiu Taiji thought that he and Mr. Cheng were humble, so he asked the third master to come forward and ask, but there was no result.The third master got a little angry, and wrote to the old man to complain, and the old man wrote back and said: You should stop interfering in this matter. The third master was depressed, which had a lot to do with it.Hearing Qiu Taiji's shabby remarks, he thought that the shopkeeper Qiu wanted to use this sum of debt to force the old bank to cash out.If you think so, why don't you release more royal debts?just say: "I'm afraid that it will be too shabby and offend the queen mother. Although she is respected as the queen mother, I think she is also narrow-minded. We want to save money, but it is not worthwhile to offend the beauty of the sky, right?" "Third Master, you are generous again now! It's not like you don't know the background of the cabinet. They all come to borrow money, no one deposits money, only money orders, not silver. How can we pretend to be generous?" The third master had no choice but to let out a long sigh, and said, "Let it be up to you, drink!" A few days later, Cui Yugui, the second chief supervisor of the Palace Supervisor in front of the Western Empress Dowager, indeed visited Tianchengyuan's Xi'an branch in person.According to the plan at the time, the third master and Qiu Taiji came forward to support, but did not let Mr. Cheng show up. Director Cui's voice was sharp and rough, and he was not polite. When he came in, he asked, "Is this the name of Mr. Taigukang's family?" Qiu Taiji hurriedly pointed to the third master and said, "The trumpet is exactly that. This is the young boss of the trumpet..." Director Cui glanced at the third master, interrupted Qiu Taiji, and said, "Who is the one who met the Queen Mother in Xugou?" The third master hurriedly said, "It's my father." Director Cui still raised his face and said: "At that time, it was the Queen Mother who I brought him in to meet!" The third master said: "We have always kept it in mind." Manager Cui said: "Just remember it. It seems to be the Queen Mother's longevity, but there is no boundary in Xi'an! I'll borrow two money from you, and go back to celebrate the Queen Mother's birthday. Do you understand?" The third master said, "I understand." Qiu Taiji also hurriedly said: "The empress dowager lives long, we should also be filial! Eunuch Cui said sorry, we have committed a great sin." Cui Yugui glared at Qiu Taiji, and said, "I'm not talking about borrowing, but stealing? The queen mother has confessed that she borrowed money from the shop, credited it to her account, and returned it to him after returning to Beijing. Do you understand?" Qiu Taiji said, "Understood." Manager Cui stared even wider, and shouted: "Then why are you still standing there?" Qiu Taiji pretended to be panic-stricken, and said, "I don't know that Eunuch Cui will be here today, and I'm not prepared..." Director Cui's face was full of anger, and he asked sharply: "Why, Xiang Jiuxiao didn't come to tell you?" Xiang Jiuxiao came to deliver the message, so it turned out that he had communicated with Director Cui?I thought he didn't forget the old friendship and secretly sent a message.This actor really knows how to act!It's obviously a bandit robbery, but it's still pretending to be doing good deeds!Qiu Taiji was only surprised, but didn't answer for a moment. The third master hurriedly said: "Xiang Jiuxiao came, but he didn't tell us a certain date." Manager Cui sternly shouted: "Stop talking nonsense! Who is the shopkeeper? Write an IOU for Grandpa!" Qiu Taiji hurriedly asked: "I don't know how much I want to borrow?" Director Cui asked back: "How much can you lend?" Qiu Taiji said: "Xi'an Wharf is not big, and my account couldn't do much business in the first place, plus the scourge of fist chaos, what's more..." Manager Cui stopped again and said, "You're talking nonsense! How much can you borrow?" Qiu Taiji said: "If you want to borrow cash, there is only 10,000 taels in the deposit box; if you want to write bank notes, you can only have 50,000 taels." "Well, I'll lend you 10,000 taels of cash, and then write a money order of 50,000 taels, counting as 60,000 taels, and make up a lucky number!" I really didn't expect that this fierce-eyed Grand Prisoner would come and catch all of them, and all the money orders were collected!Originally, Qiu Taiji bluffed with a 50,000 money order, and only wanted to lend 10,000 to settle the matter, but how could he lose his wife and lose his army? As soon as Director Cui said this, Qiu Taiji and the third master were dumbfounded. After being robbed like this, Qiu Taiji was extremely frustrated: when faced with a big scene, his own means were so ineffective!After taking such a bad move, the third master was also implicated. The third master tried his best to comfort him: no one will be unlucky if he encounters the queen mother who robs him.Still think of a way to do more business. After discussing with Qiu Taiji and Cheng Laogang, the third master decided to return to Taigu and personally persuade the shopkeeper Sun.Xi'an is short of money, so it is a good time to do money business.Hurry up and get some cash, and you can get an upper hand.Recently, outside the city of Xi'an, you can see silver carts rushing from all over the place.Among them, although most of the official silver skids were escorted by officers and soldiers, there were also some merchant silver skids escorted by the bodyguard bureau.If you don't act, what a great opportunity you will miss!Now, money from all over the country is being transferred to Xi'an. Seeing that the business is booming, but you can't let go!Isn't this a crime? October of the lunar calendar is the time when the sky is cold and the ground is freezing. The third master is going to trek back to Jin Dynasty. Qiu Taiji is a little bit unbearable and wants to replace him, but his family does not have such a free body.Therefore, he said repeatedly that when he returned home, he had to explain clearly to Shopkeeper Sun that the 60,000 taels of silver lost by Xihao had nothing to do with Cheng Laobang, let alone your third master's business, and it was all due to Qiu Taiji alone. In addition, Qiu Taiji asked the third master to bring back a letter from home. Before the third master came back, the treasurer Sun Da of the Tiancheng Yuanlao had already received a letter from Xihao, which reported that he was robbed by the Queen Mother.Putting such a large amount of debt out, according to the rules, you have to report it to the old account in time, let alone a royal debt that is almost never repaid.In the letter, Qiu Taiji took the responsibility alone, and specifically stated that he had nothing to do with Cheng Laogang. Sun Beiming was very unhappy after reading the letter.After meeting the empress dowager and then robbing, of course it won’t work if you don’t lose your money, but you can’t get 60,000 for the robbery?At this time of year, what is sixty thousand!Even in a good year, how many years will it take you to make a net income of 60,000 in Zhuangkou, Xi'an?If you know this, why send you Qiu Taiji to Xi'an!Where have all your skills gone? In Sun Beiming's mind, this Qiu Taiji must have healed and forget the pain.Seeing that he was transferred back to Xi'an so quickly, he must have been overjoyed again.To curry favor with the officialdom has always been generous, but now to curry favor with the imperial court, that would be even more insane! But you don't even look at what year this year is! In normal times, it's really not too much to use this little money to curry favor with the court.But after the catastrophe happened in the year of Gengzi, it is no small money for a big name like Tian Chengyuan. Since the fall of Beijing and Tianjin, in addition to the total destruction of Beijing and Tianjin No. 2, Zhili, Shandong, Guanwai, and Zhuangkou outside the mouth were also almost destroyed.Either they were robbed, or they closed their doors and closed their businesses. Those who opened barely opened, and there was no business to do.The military disasters continued, the bandits arose, the postal routes were blocked, and the consignment routes were naturally cut off.In this crisis, most of the friends in Zhuangkou fled back to Shanxi for refuge.For Tian Chengyuan's family, nearly a hundred friends came back to seek refuge one after another.Kang Hunan sent a message: These friends must not be lost, and their Xin Jin must not be broken.The old man was very benevolent, but Sun Beiming became worried.There are so many people who don't make money, only spend money, how can the brand name stand it! Although this year is the first year of Tian Chengyuan's new account period, the business has not yet spread out, but the loss is unexpectedly heavy.In recent months, the accountant of the old account has been estimating the losses of the closed branches such as Beijing and Tianjin.Only the cash that was robbed, plus the accounts owed by various villages and others, the total number of hundreds of thousands of taels of silver would not be able to stop it!Because a lot of Zhuangkou's accounts were destroyed in the chaos, the deposits of others, that is, owed to others, you can't get rid of; but the money you lent, that is, owed to others, has no way to recover.Therefore, both owed and owed must be counted as losses.How will such a huge loss be repaid in the future?Forcing the owner to go bankrupt? With so many villages closing their doors and going out of business, it means that half of the country has collapsed, and the remaining half cannot do anything.When Dai Ying arrived in Shanghai, there was no good news.The bulk of business in Shanghai lies in the distribution of foreign goods.In the face of this year's foreign disaster, although the south has not been affected, the import of foreign goods at various wharfs has temporarily avoided the limelight, and there is not much effort.There is less flow of goods and less money, and ticket dealers do not have much exchange to do.Therefore, the business of Shanghai and Chinese brands is also very slow. Sun Beiming was worrying about this day and night, and suddenly he received a letter like Xi'an, how could he be happy? But, how can Qiu Taiji be punished now?He has already reduced his shares, demoted his job, and if he is punished again, will he be fined to go on the street?The old man may not agree, and the third master may be even more unwilling.Sun Beiming had already seen that the third master appreciated Qiu Taiji very much.Qiu Taiji's flattery with the imperial court was unreasonable, and the third master was right in front of him. But just keep silent and let this matter go?At this time of crisis, the majesty of the old account cannot be compromised! Sun Beiming thought about it, and decided to go to Kangzhuang to meet Kang Hunan.The empress dowager's borrowing of the royal debt is a matter of the sky, so I should tell Lao Dongtai about it. Braving the cold wind, he ran to Kang Zhuang and told his boss about Qiu Taiji's new deeds in detail. The old man actually listened with great interest and was not angry at all! The old man is also confused, forgot the year of this year?Sun Beiming couldn't help complaining again, saying that the size of the name was so tight, and Qiu Taiji was still so big, wouldn't it make things worse, that the size of the name would be in a desperate situation? The old man actually said: "When the empress dowager robbed us, he only gave us 60,000 yuan, which is very good! On the other hand, if the empress dowager asks for food from us, if he doesn't give us 60,000 yuan, I'm afraid he won't be able to send it away? I see, Qiu The shopkeeper Zhang Luo is not bad." What else could Sun Beiming say?I don't want to say anything. The old man has always been calm in times of crisis, and behaves like a master.But this year's crisis, he seemed to take it too lightly.Sun Beiming had long felt that during this year's catastrophe, Mrs. Kang had lost his composure.The most outrageous thing was to go to Xugou to meet the Queen Mother.This violated the taboo of the Western Gang: exposing wealth, especially in front of the court, is the taboo of taboos!The Qiao family in Qi County couldn't hold back, and lent 300,000 yuan to the imperial court as soon as they made a move, and made Dade Tong the empress dowager's palace for a while, and stole the limelight.In fact, he was a little dizzy!The Qiao family was late in running the bank, and the rich hadn't been around for many years, so it was fine if they couldn't hold their breath in front of the court.Mrs. Kang is a man who has become a fine person. He teaches others all day long to hide well, avoid exposure, and not to compete with officials.Why did he get dizzy at this critical juncture, he wanted to compete with the Qiao family, and threw out tens of thousands just to get a glimpse of the holy face! That's good, tell the Queen Mother to remember the Kang family, and use the name to rob you! Qiu Taiji's problem is that he is not good at hiding, and loves revealing too much!The old man is pampering him now. With the current situation in such a dire situation and the old man losing his temper like this, Tian Chengyuan's burden is really not easy to pick.Sun Beiming thought of quitting again. After returning to the old bank from Kangzhuang, he wrote a stern reply letter to Mr. Cheng of the West Bank: It is so daring not to ask the old bank for such a large sum of money lending! When the third master returned to Taigu, it was already November. After arriving home, it is natural to meet the old man first.However, he only briefly talked about the situation in Xi'an, and also mentioned the empress dowager's debt, so he didn't dare to go into details. Unexpectedly, the old man already knew about this matter, and the number of 60,000 was also known.三爷忙着解释说：“邱掌柜本来是使了手段，想少出借些，谁想那位崔公公竟如此下作，捞了干的，汤水也不留一滴！” 老太爷笑了，说：“你们也是太小气！太后张一回御口，你们就给六万？” 三爷这才放心了，说：“他们说是借，我们哪还能指望还？能小气，还是小气些吧。” 老太爷说：“就是不还，也不能白借！邱掌柜他很谙此道的。” 三爷说：“朝廷到了西安，满眼都是生意，只是我们无力兜揽。” “不用跟我说生意，生意你们张罗。朝廷想迁都西安，真有这一说吗？” “西安上下都在说这件事。听说刘坤一、张之洞、袁世凯这些疆臣重镇，也曾合疏上奏朝廷，主张迁都西安。太后也有此意，尤觉西安的古名'长安'甚好。可洋人哪肯答应？李鸿章每次由京电奏朝廷，都是催请回銮京师，说朝廷不回銮，洋人不撤兵。所以，一听说有李鸿章的电奏来了，太后就不高兴。看过电奏，更是好几天圣颜不悦！” “这个女人，就是圣颜大悦时，那张脸能有什么看头！这么无能无耻，偏安西安就能长治久安了？妇人之见！你忙你的去吧。走时，过去问候一声老夫人。” 三爷听了老太爷的这声吩咐，不免有几分诧异：以往，老太爷可没有这样吩咐过。 走进老夫人这厢，她已经在外间迎候了。三爷行过礼，见老夫人精神似乎要比往常好些。她问了一些外间的情形，也不过是随意问问罢。她还说了些夸嘉的话，如：“全家就数三爷你辛苦！”这也不过是客气吧。 三爷应付了几句，就告辞出来。他不能在那里多停留：这么多年了，她依然没有老去，还是那样风韵独具，丽质难掩……三爷当然不能多想这些。 全家就数三爷你辛苦。这种话，谁说过！ 第二天，三爷赶紧进城去见孙大掌柜。 孙大掌柜一开始就情绪不好，还没听三爷说几句，就追问邱泰基到西安后的所作所为：是不是又旧病复发？ 三爷忙作解释，说现在的邱掌柜跟以前相比，真是判若两人了。连侍奉西号的程老帮，也不敢含糊，凡事程老帮不点头，他不敢行动。 孙大掌柜冷笑了一声，说：“我才不信！一出手就是六万，程老帮他哪有这样的气魄？” 三爷忙说：“应付这笔御债，是程老帮、邱掌柜和我一道计议的。又不能得罪太后，又不想多损失，真是煞费苦心。总算谋了个手段：银票写得多些，虚晃一番，现银则死守一万的盘子，一两也不能再多。朝廷驻銮后，西安银根奇缺，银票兑现不了，没人想要。所以就以为太后不会要银票，哪能想到，人家干的稀的都要！” “别人想不到，他邱泰基也想不到？太后拿了我们天成元的银票，想要兑现，我们敢不给兑？” “当时情势紧急，我们实在是乱中出错了。” “我看还是邱泰基的老毛病犯了，只图在太后面前出手大方！” 三爷见孙大掌柜揪住邱泰基，不依不饶，什么事也说不成，就说：“孙大掌柜，这步臭棋实在不能怨邱掌柜，是我对他们说：'太后落了难，来跟我们借钱，不能太小气了。'邱掌柜倒是一再提醒：'这种御债，名为借，实在跟抢也差不多。她不还，怎么讨要？门也寻不见！'我说：'至尊至圣的皇太后，哪能言而无信？'力主他们出借了这笔御债。所有不是，全在我。” 孙大掌柜居然又冷笑了：“三爷初出山，不大知商海深浅，邱泰基他驻外多少年了，也不知道审时度势，替东家着想？” 已经将罪过全揽下了，孙大掌柜还是满脸难看，不依不饶，三爷心里窝的火就有些按捺不下。但他极力忍着，说： “不拘怨谁吧，反正柜上有规矩。这笔御债真要瞎了，该罚谁，尽可罚谁。眼下当紧的，还是张罗生意。我这次回来，就是想把西安的行市，告知老号。朝廷驻銮西安成了定局，还盛传太后有意迁都过来，所以国中各路京饷协饷正源源往西安流动。这不正是我们票家揽汇的大好时机吗？岑春煊就曾想将江南米饷的汇务，拨一大宗给我天成元承揽。可我们不敢多接：西号存银太少了。老号若能速调现银过去，正有好生意可做！” 孙北溟冷冷地说：“西号的信报我早看了。现在兵荒马乱，哪敢解押大宗现银上路？” 三爷就说：“我这一路归来，并没有遇着什么不测。出西安后，沿途见到最多的，正是运银的橇车。四面八方，都是往西安运银。” “就是路上不出事，老号也实在没有多少存银可调度。” 孙北溟这话，更给三爷添了火！今年是新账期起始，前四年各地庄口的盈余汇总到老号，还没怎么往外调度呢，就存银告罄了？分明是不想调银给西号！三爷咬牙忍住，说： “遇了这样的良机，就是拆借些现银，急调西安，也是值得的。” “这头借了钱，那头由邱泰基糟蹋？” 这一下，算把三爷的火气引爆了，他拉下脸来，也冷冷地说：“孙大掌柜，西安庄口借给西太后的这笔御债，算到我的名下，与你天成元无关，成不成？这六万银子，就算我暂借你天成元的，利息照付。你天成元真要倒塌到底了，替我支垫不起，我明儿就送六万两现银，交到柜上。只听孙大掌柜你一句话了！” 那料，孙大掌柜并不把三爷的发作放在眼里，居然说：“三爷，话不能这样说吧？西号的信报并没有言明，这六万债务系三爷自家出借，与字号无关。我是领东，过问一声，也在分内！” “我现在特地言明了，不算晚吧？” “按规矩，那得由西号报来！” “我就去发电报，叫西号报来！” 说毕，三爷愤然离去。 走出天成元的那一刻，三爷真想策马而去，飞至口外，再不回来！ 他是早已经体味到了：什么接手主理外间商务，不过是一个空名儿罢了！这个孙大掌柜哪把他这个主事的少东家放在眼里？自担了这个主理外务的名儿，他真没敢清闲一天，东奔西跑，冲锋陷阵，求这个，哄那个，可谁又在乎你！老太爷说他多管闲事，孙大掌柜嫌他不知深浅，言外之意，他也早听出来了：你担个名儿就得了，还真想张罗事儿呀！ 老天也不遂人意，他刚担了这样一个空名儿，就遇了个倒运的年景，时局大乱，塌了半片天！ 罢了，罢了，还是回口外去了，这头就是天全塌下，也与他无干！ 盛怒的三爷，当然不能直奔口外，只是奔进一家酒馆，喝了个酩酊大醉。 跟着伺候的家仆及车倌，哪里能劝得下，也只能眼看着三爷醉得不省人事，干着急，不顶事。还是酒家有经验，说这大冷天的，可不敢把人扔到车轿里，往康庄拉。人喝醉怕冷，大野地里风头硬，可不敢大意。 仆人们听了，慌忙向酒家借了床铺盖，把三爷裹严了，抬上马车，拉到天盛川茶庄。他们当然不能把三爷拉回天成元。 天盛川的林大掌柜见三爷成了这样，一边招呼伙友把三爷安顿到暖炕上，一边就问这是在哪应酬，竟醉成这样？仆人知道实情不能随便说出，只含糊应付几句，就求大掌柜代为照看一时，他们得赶紧回康庄送讯。 回来见了三娘，仆人不能不说出实情。三娘没听完就忍不住了，立马跑去见老太爷。可老太爷也没听她哭诉完，就说： “不就是喝醉了吗？醒过来，叫他以后少喝，不就得了！” 三娘不敢再说什么了，很明显，老太爷不想得罪孙大掌柜。她只好领了一帮仆佣，往城里赶去。 三娘到达前，林大掌柜已经打听出，三爷是在孙北溟那里怄了气。所以一见三娘，林大掌柜就说： “三爷也是太能委屈自己了。领东不把东家放在眼里，康家还没这种规矩吧？天成元是康家第一大号，先染上这等恶习，我们也跟上学？” 三娘听得心里酸酸的，可还努力平静地说：“林大掌柜你也知道，三爷他脾气不好，哪能怨别人？再说，他在口外惯下了喝烧酒的嗜好，太贪杯！” 林大掌柜说：“三娘你是不知道，孙大掌柜眼里有谁？我倒不是跟他过不去，是怕坏了你们康家的规矩！康家理商有两大过人之处，一是东家不干涉号事，一是领东不功高欺主。天成元功高，也不能欺负三爷吧！三娘，你们该给老太爷提个醒。” “外间大事，我们妇道人家可不便插嘴。我看，也不怨谁。三爷脾气不好，办事也毛糙，以后有得罪林大掌柜的，还请多包涵。” 林大掌柜也看出来了，他说的意思，三娘都记下了，只是嘴上点水不漏吧。他不再多说，忙引三娘去看三爷。 三爷依然醉得不省人事。三娘虽心疼不已，面儿上却没有露出多少来，只是说：“他贪杯，罪也只能自家受，谁能替他！” 三娘只略坐了坐，安顿仆佣小心伺候三爷，就离开天盛川，返回康庄。她是个精明的女人，见老太爷不想得罪孙大掌柜，也就不敢将事情太张扬了。 三爷醉卧天盛川的事，孙大掌柜自然很快听说了，但他也不后悔。反正干到头了，得罪了三爷就得罪了吧。这辈子，伺候好老东家也就够了，少东家以后有人伺候呢。一把老骨头了，伺候完老的，再伺候小的，实在力所不逮。 其实在孙大掌柜心底，他哪能看得起三爷四爷这些少东家！ 三爷这样跟他怄气，也好，他正可借此提出告老归乡的请求。所以，只隔了一天，孙北溟就又往康庄跑了一趟。 见了康笏南，孙北溟也没提三爷的事，只是说：“人老了真不经冻。今年也不知是天冷，还是更不经冻了，成天都暖和不过来，光想烤火，不想理事。” 那想，他没说完，康笏南竟说：“你是想说，人老了，料理不动号事了，该歇了，对吧？” “老东台真是眼毒！既看出来，那就成全了我吧，我实在是老得给你守不住天成元了。遇了今年这样的危难，更该起用年富力强的高手！” 康笏南居然说：“我也早有此意，新的大掌柜我也物色好了。只是，孙大掌柜你弄下的这个残局，人家不愿接手呀？” 孙北溟可没想到老东台会这样回答他，几乎语塞，半天才说：“老东台，眼下这残局也不是我一人弄下的吧？” “不是你弄下的，是我弄下的？” “今年年景不好，连朝廷也扛不住，失了京城。西帮同业中，又有谁家保全了，未受祸害？” “我也想怨朝廷呢，可人家能理我？你是领东，也只好怨你。反正天成元有一小半的庄口关门歇业了，原本全活的一个大字号，给你弄得残缺不全，人家谁愿意接手？新做领东的，谁不想接过一个囫囵的字号？就像娶新媳妇，谁不想娶个全乎的黄花闺女？” “字号没有难处，我这老朽也能张罗得了，还请高手做甚？” “孙大掌柜，咱们闲话少说，你想告老退位也不难，只要把天成元复原了，有新手愿意接，就成。” “老东台，你这不是难为人吗？朝廷乱局未定，我一人岂可回天！” “几十年了，孙大掌柜的本事，我还不知道？” 孙北溟终于听出来，康笏南是在跟他戏说。眼前，老家伙不会答应他退位的。于是，他想就轻慢了三爷，赔两句不是。但刚张口，就被康笏南岔开了： “闲话少说，我问你个正经事。孙大掌柜，以你看，朝廷会不会迁都西安？” “迁都西安？谁说的？” “我猜的。” “我看不会吧？迁都那么容易？再说，朝廷也穷得很，它哪有钱迁都？” “没钱，可以满天下搜刮。我看西太后是叫洋人吓怕了，她很想偏安西安。可洋人哪能答应她？这头一但定都西安，洋人握在手里的京师就不值钱了，还怎么讹诈你？这就像绑票，事主要是不在乎撕票，那绑匪不是瞎忙乎了？” “老东台看得毒辣。” 康笏南当然也看出来了，孙北溟对眼前时局真是糊里糊涂，难怪老三窝了那么大的火。可在眼前这样的乱局中，也真不能换马。换大掌柜是件大事，弄不好，就成了外乱加内乱了。而三爷的表现，也很令康笏南不满。即便是孙大掌柜糊涂，你也不能这样针尖对麦芒吧？再没有别的本事了，只会拿烧酒往死里灌自家？还是这样嫩！ 这天，康笏南留孙北溟吃饭，把二爷、四爷、六爷、何举人都叫出来作陪。席间，谈笑风生，好像什么事也没有发生。 三爷恢复过来后，也没有再提旧事。他只是向老太爷提出，想去江南走走，眼下生意全靠南边了。老太爷欣然同意，别的也没多说。 听说父亲要往江南，汝梅执意要跟了去。三爷居然也爽快答应了。 三娘说，眼看进腊月了，等过罢年再走吧。三爷没有答应。 父女俩启程那一天，天阴着，似乎会下雪。不过，一路走去，终于也未遇到一场雪。 三爷走后，康笏南就给全家发了一道训示：时事艰难，生意不振，全家需勤俭度日。往后，只初一、十五吃肉食，平日一律吃素。过年，无论老少都不再添置新衣。年下，除祭祖、开市之外，不能多摆酒席。原定腊月要办的两件喜事：六爷婚娶，汝梅出嫁，也推后再说吧。 三爷临走时，才想起邱泰基托他带回的那封家信，忙打发一个下人，送往水秀村。 姚夫人读到男人写来的新家信，心里自然又是翻江倒海。男人很诉说了一番思子之情，并为未见面的儿子起了个乳名：复生。寓意是，去年他失足受贬，几乎轻生，幸获夫人搭救，死而复生，才得此子。故以“复生”记夫人大恩，也记邱家新生。孩儿的大名，等下班回去时，再郑重起吧。 男人有这一份情义，姚夫人当然是感动不已。自去年受贬后，男人写回来的家信也变了，变得谦和向善，多情多义。只是，这个“复生”，很叫姚夫人听着刺耳：云生，复生，偏偏都带一个生！也许该复一信给男人，就说乳名已经起下了，还是请高人按八字起的。但想了想，还是作罢了。为了不叫男人扫兴，复生就复生吧。 离男人下班归来，还有一年半吧。这一届班期，真是过得异常快，也异常地惊心动魄。外间不平静，她自己的生活更不平静。 但她喜欢这样！她已经无法再回到以前那种死水一般的平静中了。 在这个寒冷而又纷乱的冬天，姚夫人却正暗暗享受着一种温暖和甜蜜。