Chapter 27 Return to Beijing to mend the sky
Mr. Xu, the magistrate of Taigu County, sent away Wen Ade of the Congregational Church, and then received an urgent document from Mr. Cen, Futai, the provincial governor:
Received a letter from the Ministry of Accounts stating: The peace situation has been decided, the great powers withdrew their troops, the holy car will return to Luan soon, and the market in the capital is extremely depressed.Circulation in the market depends entirely on the ticket number and furnace room for turnover.Twenty-six furnace houses in the jewelry market were burned last May and will now be completely repaired.In the west of Beijing, all the merchants have dropped out of business and returned to their hometowns since last summer, and no one has returned to Beijing so far.Shanxi Fuchen should quickly order the merchant to resume business in Beijing as soon as possible, so as to facilitate the government and the people.Today, Qi Taiping and other magistrates are specially ordered to quickly consult with all the merchants in the congregation, ordering them to go to Beijing to resume business as soon as possible, revive the market, and welcome the saint to drive back to Luan...
After reading the urgent post, Mr. Xu felt like his head was getting bigger. He had just offended wealthy businessmen all over the city in order to conclude a teaching case.
Mobilizing ticket dealers to return to Beijing to resume business is different from sending money. People feel that it is not profitable to return to Beijing now, and they can find endless excuses to shirk, let alone just suffered such a heavy humiliation!
But Shangfeng's decree cannot be disobeyed, and this is related to the return of the imperial court, and if it is not done well, it will be a matter of losing one's head.
Although Mr. Xu was apprehensive, he didn't dare to be negligent, so he had no choice but to put his face aside and meet with the big business leaders.In front of that old man Wen Ade, he has already lost all face.The imperial court has no face, where can this little county magistrate find face!
Remembering that the three shopkeepers had come to see him not long ago, he hurriedly wrote a courtesy note to the three and invited them to the yamen for a chat.There was a sentence on the post: "Before the teaching case, if you know that you have been wronged by the business community, please apologize in person."
Unexpectedly, the yamen servant sent back a post to report: the shopkeeper Kong Da, who is honest and honest, has gone to Xi'an to do business; It's day.
When Master Xu heard it, his head became even bigger: It seems that he really offended the business world to the end.Hiding and hiding, sick and sick, this drama sung by the business world is clearly coming from the county government.Could it be that these big shopkeepers have already figured out that sooner or later the government will come to invite them back to Beijing?
No matter what, Master Xu knew that he had no way out.Going forward, the first step is to surrender to the business community.He changed into casual clothes, asked the yamen servants to hire a small sedan chair for the people, and quietly went to Tiancheng Yuanpiaozhuang.
At this time, Sun Beiming had left the kang bed early and was discussing matters in the counting room.Suddenly a friend ran in in a panic and said, "Master Xu, the magistrate of the county, is here to visit you!"
Sun Beiming was taken aback: Although the magistrate of the county is not a big official, he never enters a business, for fear of losing the court's dignity; why did Mr. Xu come here in disguise?He was so surprised that he forgot to pretend to be sick.
The friend at the bottom hurriedly said: "Boss shopkeeper, hurry up and lie down on the kang!"
"Lie down on the kang?"
"Who doesn't know outside, the shopkeeper is sick in bed!"
Only then did Sun Beiming regain his composure, and hastily took off his shoes, got on the kang and lay down.
Just pretending to be safe in this room, Master Xu over there has already opened the curtain and entered.Sun Beiming pretended to be panicked, and wanted to get up and kneel down on the kang to greet him.Master Xu hurriedly said:
"Lie down, it's okay to lie down! My master heard that shopkeeper Sun is in trouble, so he came over to say hello."
Sun Beiming yelled at the friends below: "Show Mr. Xu a seat soon!" In fact, a friend had already moved the seat and waited.
Master Xu sat down and said, "Shopkeeper Sun, are you all right?"
Sun Beiming said: "After all, I am getting old. Recently, I have suffered from hemorrhoids again, and it is difficult to sit or stand. A few days ago when I went out in a sedan chair, due to the unbearable pain, I lost my body and fell from the sedan chair during the struggle, almost breaking my old bone. It fell apart."
Master Xu asked in surprise, "Is there such a surprise?"
Sun Beiming said: "That day, people all over the street saw the old man make a fool of himself."
"Shopkeeper Sun is a lucky person, so there is no serious problem?"
"After all, I'm getting old. Because of this matter, I'm so hurt, I really want to sue my old age and go back to my hometown."
Only then did Master Xu take the opportunity to ask a question, and said: "I think Shopkeeper Sun looks very good, and I hope he will get better soon. Right now, your name is facing a good time, and you can't do without Shopkeeper Sun."
Sun Beiming said plainly: "My number is not over yet, with bad luck and humiliation coming one after another, where is the good time?"
"Shopkeeper Sun, my master has just received an official document from Mr. Futai Cen: saying that the foreign army is about to withdraw from the capital, and the furnace room in the jewelry market that was burned last year is about to be repaired. The business community in the capital is eagerly waiting for your name. The ticket shop, return to Beijing to resume business, so that money can circulate. The household department has sent an urgent message to Mr. Futai Cen, urging the ticket dealers in the west to return to Beijing as soon as possible, revive the market, and welcome the saint to drive back to Luan..."
Only then did Sun Beiming understand the purpose of Master Xu's visit.No wonder, the magistrate is willing to condescend so much, it turns out he has received such a new life.Thinking of the helpless situation of the business community begging the county government a few days ago, Sun Beiming sneered in his heart: Mr. Xu, why didn't you look back a few days ago? Do you think you can't ask the business community anymore?I told you that I offended the business world in Taigu, and there was no good fruit to eat, hum, you just don't believe it!It's only been a few days, and I'm reporting it vividly.But there was no trace on his face, he pretended to be excited and asked:
"Master Xu, is there really such an official document?"
"How dare my master pass on the decree of Shangfeng!"
"That's really good news! Since the fall of the capital last year, I, the Western Merchant, have been looking forward to this day all the time. Especially our ticket shop, losing the Beijing name is tantamount to losing our eyes and ears."
Master Xu did not expect that shopkeeper Sun would be so eager to return to Beijing, and he felt much more at ease.Then he said: "The officials and people in the capital are all eager for the Western merchants to return. They can't do without us!"
Sun Beiming remained calm, turned the subject slightly, and said, "It's just that we suffered catastrophe in Beijing and Tianjin this time. The shops were destroyed, the money was gone, and the papers were gone. The villages and villages in the north also suffered huge losses. In addition Last year, I paid tribute to the imperial court who crossed the border, and this year I was repeatedly sent compensation by the government. The financial damage of my Western Clan is unprecedented in the hundreds of years since I started my business! I don’t know what happened to my family. I am Tian Chengyuan. The large room of the Liexi gang is probably not even as good as Zhongchang today. Whether to still set up a Beijing account has to be carefully discussed with the owner."
Only then did Master Xu hear some sharp blades, and hurriedly said: "Shopkeeper Sun, how could the household department and Mr. Futai Cen not know about the losses suffered by the West Gang? However, the wealth of the West Gang is well known to the world! Although this catastrophe is great, It is no problem for Xibang to overcome this difficulty."
"Other families may be like this. Especially the Qi Gang and Ping Gang, who suffered from hardships outside Beijing and Tianjin, were not burdened by the teaching case in their own home. We paid extra money and donated gardens than others, and we even wore sackcloth and filial piety. Huge humiliation! Even if we return to the capital, who will think highly of us?"
"Shopkeeper Sun, you all know the helplessness of Master Ben in handling the teaching case. The foreign religion is overbearing, and Shangfeng doesn't give much support. This official is suffering from both ends, and it's hard to tell the bitterness of it to outsiders! Fortunately, the Taigu business community endured the humiliation and made the overall situation come true. Only then will the teaching plan be concluded, and this difficulty will be overcome..."
"Master Xu, if you want to get over this difficult time again, you have to ask someone else. I, Tian Chengyuan, have really been reduced to a trumpet, not enough to return to Beijing to mend the sky."
"Shopkeeper Sun, my master also persuaded you to return to Beijing to open your business. I will truthfully report your difficulties."
"The biggest difficulty of my ticket dealer returning to Beijing is of course the lack of financial resources. Another major difficulty is that the account books of the Beijing account have been destroyed. Once the Beijing account is opened, they are responsible for your account, and there is no need to expect it back; but we are responsible for others. There must be swarms to ask for it. The situation is like this, how can we open the door? Therefore, there have been discussions in the business circles, hoping that the Ministry of Households can first issue an order: After our ticket dealers return to Beijing to resume business, there will be a grace period to allow the industry to cheer up a little After that, the old account will be settled."
"This discussion is very reasonable, I must report it truthfully!"
"For the details of this discussion, I hope that Master Xu can listen to Zhi Chengxin and other large-scale reports. There is really no agreement on whether our Tianchengyuan will set up a Beijing account in the future."
Looking for Zhixin?I still don't know where the big shopkeeper of Zhicheng Cheng is!Master Xu knew that shopkeeper Sun's words were hidden, but he didn't dare to get too angry, so he pretended to be confused and tried his best to comfort him with soft words.
Sun Beiming, who pretended to be sick, didn't give Mr. Xu any face at all.
After sending Master Xu away, Sun Beiming didn't dare to lie down anymore, so he quickly called a sedan chair and went quietly to Kangzhuang.
The news that Master Xu sent is really extraordinary!Since the fall of Beijing and Tianjin last year, it is true that I have been looking forward to this day every day.After the peace agreement was negotiated, the industry talked even more about returning to Beijing.However, they all thought that Western merchants would be allowed to return to Beijing to resume business only after the imperial court decided on the date of their trip back to Luan.Who would have thought that the Ministry of Finance would be in such a hurry?
After Sun Beiming arrived at Kang's house, he naturally met the old man first.
When Kang Hunan saw Sun Beiming, he pretended to be surprised, and asked, "Didn't the shopkeeper fall hard? Why didn't you just lie down and rest?"
Sun Beiming smiled and said, "When I was young, I also practiced Xingyiquan, and I could still withstand beatings."
Kang Hunan said: "After being beaten, it's not worth it! It's nothing more than a funeral for the foreign ghost, and you have to spend so much time hiding?"
Sun Beiming said: "Every family is hiding, why should we show that kind of limelight and not hide?"
"The other family can't think about it, and you can't think about it either?"
"Why can't you think about it?"
"Since abandoning the capital and fleeing last year, the imperial court has lost all the face of the world! Therefore, we have already lost face, and you have to waste your time. It is hiding, pretending to be sick, and finding a substitute. How much face do you have?"
"You can protect as much as you can!"
"It's a waste of time."
"Then willing to be humiliated?"
"Humiliation is also for the imperial court, and embarrassment is also for the imperial court!"
"If we want to say this, we are a little bit overwhelmed. However, we are almost at the end of it."
"Getting ahead soon? The government ordered us to return to Beijing to resume business?"
"Old Dongtai has really become a master, how can he guess so accurately?"
"Is this unclear? The draw is settled, the compensation has increased, and the teaching case has been settled. Next, it's time for the court to return to Luan. The capital is in a depression, so what?"
"Old Dongtai's eyes are too venomous, you have to see through everything first. I came to ask old Dongtai to make a decision. It is the matter of returning to Beijing and resuming business. The Ministry of Households has sent an urgent message..."
"This is a business matter, you can make up your mind, big shopkeeper."
"This matter is important..."
"Then you discuss it with the third child. I don't care about outside business or housekeeping. How long can I take care of them? No matter, no matter."
How can I ignore it!This time, the big hole in Beijing-Tianjin No. 2 has to be filled with a large sum of money. If your old man doesn't care, who can control it?But Kang Hunan didn't answer what Sun Beiming said.Sun Beiming had no choice but to give up, and was about to retreat to see the third master, but the old master dragged him to talk about the past and the present, and gossip.While anxious, Sun Beiming suddenly realized: At this critical juncture, Mrs. Kang wants to see the skills of the third master, right?
When Sun Beiming finally came out of the old courtyard, the third master had just rushed back from outside, sweating profusely.
Sun Beiming said: "The third master came back just in time, if I'm late, I have to make another trip."
The third master said: "I just heard that the shopkeeper has arrived, so I rushed back with my life!"
How did the third master know that he came to Kangzhuang?Sun Beiming asked, "The third master went to the cabinet? Why didn't I bump into the third master's carriage when I came?"
"I didn't go into the city, I just went to Longquan Temple to cool off the heat."
It seems that the old man secretly sent someone to call the third master back.He guessed right: this time, the old man wants to see the third master's ability.Sun Beiming hurriedly said, "Third Lord, take a bath and change clothes first, and take a breath before talking. Now that you're back, I'm not in a hurry."
How could the third master be so calm, he washed his face in a hurry and ran out.
Sun Beiming first explained the history of the county magistrate's visit in Weifu, and then said to the third master: "This is not a trivial matter, so we have to discuss it carefully with the master. Especially after the robbery of Beijing-Tianjin No. 2, the hole left is too big."
The third master said: "Such a big idea, of course the old man has to take it. Has the shopkeeper met our old man?"
Sun Beiming said: "I see, I have met, but the old man said that he has already ignored the business matters, and let the third master make up your mind."
The third master hurriedly said: "You don't know, big shopkeeper. How could I have such a big idea? Please ask the big shopkeeper to go in and persuade the old lady."
Sun Beiming said: "I didn't bruise my mouth! But your old masters didn't care about it, they just said: I am so old, how long can I take care of them? Don't care, don't care. Third master, I have to persuade you , go in and persuade me, I am powerless."
The third master said: "The big shopkeeper can't say anything, let alone me. Then the big shopkeeper makes an idea first, and I will report it to the old lady."
Hearing this, Sun Beiming felt that the third master was more sophisticated, so he said, "Third master, I'm not trying to excuse you. I'll take what the brand name should have; I can't talk too much about what the boss should have."
The third master said: "The big idea that the owner should take is to fill the hole, right? This is easy to handle. The old man has long let go of the words: Beijing, Tianjin and other places are affected by Zhuangkou. The business losses are related to the current situation and have nothing to do with the business , so no matter how big the hole is, it will be filled by the owner. The big shopkeeper also knows that in the way of doing business in the West, there is only one 'affordable'."
Sun Beiming didn't expect the third master to speak so happily, so he said: "Since the master has taken such a big idea, Beijing, Tianjin and Zhuangkou will resume business, so there will be no major difficulties."
The third master said: "Recently, the discussion among colleagues is to ask the Ministry of Accounts to give a grace period and temporarily close the old accounts. After the Beijing-Tianjin name has recovered, the old debts will be repaid. Otherwise, at the beginning of the resumption of business, we will be besieged by creditors. Even the door can’t be opened! After such a catastrophe, who is not in a hurry to spend money?”
Sun Beiming said: "This discussion is easy to handle. Just write a post and hand it over to the Yamen in Futai."
The third master said: "Who is going to write this post? Who is going to gather Xibang Tuan to second this post? Someone has to take the lead!"
Sun Beiming said: "Tai Gu Na Dezhi is honest and honest, he is the boss."
The third master said, "What about Qi County and Pingyao?"
Sun Beiming said: "They won't be idle either. If you contact them, I can see that the third master will come forward."
The third master hurriedly said, "I can't do it!"
Sun Beiming said: "How can an honest and honest financial owner be worthy of this job? The Cao family, the first household in Taigu, doesn't issue bills. If you don't come forward, who else can you call?"
The third master said: "Master Sun, you have to come forward!"
Sun Beiming said: "I have nothing to do. Taigu's business affairs are handled by the honest shopkeeper Kong Da, and I also have to help. I will return to Beijing soon, and there is a big business in my own shop."
Sun Beiming tried his best to encourage the third master to show up, and he also wanted him to show some skills to please Mrs. Kang.After all his life, Sun Beiming still can't figure out Kang Hunan's mind?
The third master saw that Shopkeeper Sun praised him like this, so he agreed and said, "Then I will run a few more times."
Sun Beiming said: "There is one more thing, and the third master has to make up his mind."
The third master asked, "what's the matter?"
Sun Beiming said: "Of course, when the Jinghao resumes its business, Dai Ying's old gang will have to lead the village. Other than him, no one else can afford it. But when the Jinhao resumes business, it will be a bit hesitant to send someone to lead the village. gone."
The third master immediately said: "The personnel arrangement of the old gang stationed abroad is the responsibility of the shopkeeper, I will never dare to talk too much!"
Sun Beiming said: "Sir, don't say such unreasonable things. After all, the business belongs to your Kang family. If you encounter difficulties, can you just let it go?"
The third master said: "I'm not out of touch. When it comes to the big joints of the current revival after a catastrophe, I have to rely on the big shopkeeper. I am young and shallow, and I can do errands. I dare not talk about other things!"
Sun Beiming felt very comfortable listening to these few words.He didn't intend to test the third master, he didn't understand the rules, and the position of the old gang of Jinhao really made him difficult.Especially after Wuniang was murdered the year before last, the Tianjin number had already frightened him.then said:
"Since the third master is out of sight, let me tell you about the difficulties of Jinhao first. Last year, Jinhao was the most looted, so I don't need to say more. The year before last, because of my old age, my fifth master and my wife were hurt by improper employment, so I don't need to say much. However, since the incident with Mr. Liu, the Mr. Zhuang, the leader of Jinhao, has not made proper arrangements. It was originally planned to transfer Wang Zuomei from Dongkou to Tianjin. Last year’s disasters were not minor. Dongkou’s resumption of business, I am afraid that no one but Wang Zuomei can take care of it. Jin’s resumption of business is no less difficult than Beijing’s. How can we get away from them?"
A person has jumped out of the third master's heart: Qiu Taiji from Xi'an.But he couldn't tell.I could only say: "Looking for the old gang of Tianjin account is such a big matter, the shopkeeper has to make up his mind! The accident in Tianjin the year before last, don't always take it to heart."
Sun Beiming showed a look of embarrassment, and said, "Now that Jin Hao is making this move, don't hold back!"
The third master said in a low voice: "If you are really in trouble, you have to ask the old man."
The third master is also seasoned.
The next day, the third master prepared a gift and went to Qi County to visit Qiao Zhiyong, the head of the Qiao family.The Qiao family is well-known for their generous donations to help the fleeing imperial court.If the West Gang really has any post to submit, it should be the most appropriate for the Qiao family to deliver it.
Seeing Mr. Kang, Mrs. Qiao asked, "Why doesn't your old man come?"
The third master hurriedly said: "My father has always been in a bad spirit..."
"Why, haven't you gotten out of the white matter?"
"Unfortunately, the old lady passed away early. After all, my father was in great pain. When I am old, I am even more afraid of being alone."
"It's really lonely. He came out for a walk early. Let me see, your old man is stuck at home. I don't know what clever tricks he has come up with!"
"My father is really not in a good spirit."
"You go back and sue him. I don't care if he is in good spirits or not. Anyway, I have to go to Qiaojiabao! You can't keep telling me to run to your Kangzhuang!"
"Be sure to convey Mrs. Qiao's kindness!"
"You sue him, I don't want to find out about his clever tricks, I just want to gossip with him. People like us who are old and immortal are hated by others. Both of them are old and immortal, and no one hates the other. The right thing to say thought."
Seeing old Mrs. Qiao chatting blindly, the third master couldn't help but said: "Seeing that the army is overwhelming outside, Mrs. Qiao is still chatting and laughing here. Needless to say, your Dade Tong and Dade Heng have already had a good plan to defeat the enemy."
Qiao Zhiyong asked with a smile: "Where is the army? Foreign army, or official army?"
"O army of debt collectors!"
"Are you saying that the Beijing account will resume business?"
"That's not true! Mrs. Qiao is good at planning for the near future and planning for surprise soldiers, so he must have a countermeasure."
"Haha, Mr. Kang, what are you doing to curry favor with me, an old man! What kind of clever trick did your old man come up with? Can you tell me a few words?"
"We have a clever trick, and we used such a long way to carry the gift box to beg you, old man?"
"Then take the gift box away as soon as possible!"
"The old man thinks I'm of a low seniority, so he doesn't want to talk to me?"
"No, go and call your old man! He's here, and I can call him by his nickname. Mr. Kang, I dare not call you by your nickname. "
"I'm afraid you can't remember my official name, let alone my nickname."
The third master could see that Mrs. Qiao was in a good mood today, and he just wanted to have a joke, so he stopped trying to get to the point, and just kept chatting and amusing with him.
After joking and joking for a while, Qiao Zhiyongcai finally asked: Is there any official document from the Taigu County Government Promulgating the Household Department, what are the plans of the Taigu colleagues, and what are the plans of your Kang family.The third master said that Taigu's colleagues wanted to submit a petition to the Ministry of Accounts, requesting that when Xibang returns to Beijing for business, the government can come forward to protect the market.
After Qiao Zhiyong heard this, he laughed again, and said, "It can be regarded as a hero who sees the same thing. Qi County colleagues also have this kind of discussion. The day before yesterday, the county government announced the urgent post sent by the Ministry of Households and Master Futai Cen. My colleagues in the gang actually came to surround me, an old man! They said that our Qiao family won the first prize last year when it helped the imperial court across the border. Now that the West Gang has reached a critical point, the Qiao family should come forward to negotiate with the government. If you don't come to Qiao's house, the first household in Qi County is the Qu's family in the city!"
The third master said: "Who told your Qiao family to win the jackpot! It should. The Ministry of Households borrowed you three hundred thousand taels of silver, can you not give you face, Mrs. Qiao?"
Qiao Zhiyong said: "It's really overthrown by everyone, even Mr. Kang, you want to bully this old man!"
The third master said: "This is flattering your Qiao family!"
Qiao Zhiyong said: "It doesn't matter whether it's flattery or bullying, anyway, I can't shirk it, so I have to accept orders. Besides, after all, I am pleading for the Xibang. The leaders of the Xibang ticket industry are in other people's Pingbang, Rishengchang or Wei. If they are willing to come forward , didn’t this old man just shirk it? Yesterday, I hurried to Pingyao.”
The third master said: "Look at Mrs. Qiao's expression today, Ri Shengchang and Wei Zihao also recommended your Qiao family to come forward to plead for Xibang?"
Qiao Zhiyong said: "Haha, Mr. Kang, is being the leader of the Western Gang so rewarding?"
The third master hurriedly said, "That's why Rishengchang and Weizihao are willing to come forward?"
Qiao Zhiyong said, "You guessed it's neither."
"What was the result?"
"Nobody has to show up."
"No one will show up?"
"You don't need to ask the government to protect the market, who else should you recommend?"
"There is no need to ask the government to protect the market?"
"Yes, there is no need to ask the government."
"I originally asked the government to protect the market, why didn't I ask the government all of a sudden?"
Qiao Zhiyong sighed, and said, "After all, he is the leader of the Western Gang! At this critical point, Rishengchang and Wei are better than us!"
It turned out that after Qiao Zhiyong arrived in Pingyao yesterday, he first met Guo Dounan, the big shopkeeper of Rishengchang.As soon as he asked the government to come forward to protect the market, shopkeeper Guo asked back:
"You Qiao's family borrowed the royal debt, so it won't be empty? Dade Tong and Dade Heng's holes in Beijing and Tianjin are so big, so it's worth asking the government to protect the market and avoid debts?"
Qiao Zhiyong hurriedly said: "This is not our Qiao family's own business, all the colleagues in Qi County have this intention."
Guo Dounan caught it and asked, "Your Qi gang can't repair the hole? Who would believe it? Let's just say that the Qu family is no worse than our wealthy Li family. Especially your Qiao family, who showed their wealth last year, why are you pretending to be poor this year?"
Qiao Zhiyong didn't care too much about Guo Dounan's bad words, Ri Shengchang has always been like this; he smiled and said: "The Qi Gang can't be compared with your gang, but it is still within our capabilities to fill the holes in Beijing and Tianjin. Right. Our concern is that at the beginning of the Beijing-Tianjin shop’s resumption of business, it was besieged by creditors every day, how could it be able to do business? Besides, the catastrophe of the West Gang was all due to the current situation. , in the future, the West Gang will be dragged down by paying reparations. The government must understand that our West Gang is not a cash cow for the imperial court!"
Guo Dounan said: "What you think is not bad. We have already discussed this in the Ping Gang. But after experiencing this catastrophe, what do we dare to expect from the imperial court, the Ministry of Households, and the lower officials? The root of all disasters Is it because the imperial court is incompetent? Call it a few pains, so what? It wrote such a hefty indemnity to the great powers. Tell me, even if the Ministry of Household Affairs can come forward to protect the market, we can't ask for it!"
"Why can't I ask for it?"
"The catastrophe of the collapse of the sky this time is a catastrophe that shocked the world, and the revival after the catastrophe will also attract the attention of the world. My West Gang does not rely on official protection or borrowing, but it can calmly make up for the collapse of the sky. Hole, keeping promises in today's troubled times. The reputation of the West Gang as "affordable" has not spread all over the world! As a result, the reputation of the West Gang will surely flourish like never before. With a great reputation, how difficult is it to revive it?"
"Treasurer Guo is talking about the true nature of the Western Gang. It's just that Beijing and Tianjin have been in depression for two years, and the government and the people are empty. Once we resume business, we will not be besieged by creditors holding tickets?"
"Surround it if you want. With such a siege, the Xi Gang will attract more attention in the capital."
"Being under siege, can you still shine?"
"That's not it! It's not that we don't recognize the votes and repay the debts, it's just that the money can't be transported. The whole capital is watching the West Gang continue to transport money to the brand all day long. Isn't that what it is?"
These few words of Guo Dounan really moved Qiao Zhiyong: Ri Shengchang's eyes are vicious after all, he can see the color in a crisis!However, Mrs. Qiao didn't show any signs of it, and just said: "You Rishengchang is rich and powerful, and you have a lot of money to transport to Beijing. We are just throwing pots and selling iron, how many days can we last?"
Unexpectedly, Guo Dounan actually clapped his hands and shouted: "Qiao Lao Dongtai, you are good at 'smashing pots and selling iron'! I will add another word: bankrupt."
"Smashing pots and selling iron, going bankrupt?"
"At that time, while taking a little effort to transfer money to Beijing and Tianjin, we will make a public statement: Our Xibang is selling iron and selling iron, going bankrupt to make up for the hole. The world has heard it, especially the officials and people of the capital. Who can not trust me, Xibang?"
Qiao Zhiyong came to his senses, and no longer mentioned the matter of begging the government, but instead talked about the measures of revival.Later, he went to pay a visit to Mao Honghan, the big shopkeeper of Wei Taihou.What the shopkeeper Mao said was almost the same as Guo Dounan, but his tone was more arrogant.
When Qiao Zhiyong came back and told the big family members of the Qi Gang, everyone felt a sense of enlightenment.
After hearing Mrs. Qiao's trip to Pingyao, the third master suddenly became enlightened.He didn't stay any longer, and hurried back to Taigu.
On June 28, Dai Ying received a telegram from his old account in Shanghai, ordering him to go to Beijing to discuss the resumption of work.Old Gang Dai was not too surprised, he reckoned that it was time to return to Beijing.On June 29 last year, he led his friends from Beijing to withdraw from the capital, and it has been a whole year now.
In May, the imperial court issued an edict to the world, and decided to return to Beijing from Xi'an on July 19.There was a lot of discussion in Shanghai, saying that the imperial court's edict was only for foreigners to see, and the two palaces might not be in a hurry to return to Luan.But Dai Ying concluded that the return of the imperial court to Beijing is not far away.
In the past seven or eight months since Dai Ying came to Shanghai, although Tiancheng Yuanhu's performance has also improved greatly, but there are not many good deals.The advantage of the Xibang ticket office business is the financial dispatch between the North and South Wharfs.There is chaos in the north, and only the south is left. No matter how capable you are, you can't find a place to use it.Therefore, when Dai Ying was assisting Shanghai No. Meng's old gang to do business, most of his thoughts were spent on investigating Western Bank.
After this catastrophe, he had already foreseen that Dongxiyang Bank's power in China would flourish in the future.Xibang has no plan to restructure the bank. Even if it gets through this difficulty, there will be no more good dramas to sing in the future.After personal investigation, Dai Ying realized that the reason why he couldn't talk about reforming old banks and financial owners in the past was because he didn't even understand what a foreign-style bank was.Ticket numbers and banks originally have similarities and differences, and they are not the same.Saying the difference is also saying the same, maybe it's easier to impress the old account and the boss.
When Dai Ying left Shanghai and returned to Beijing, he was only thinking about the restructuring of the bank, and he really didn't think about the difficulty of resuming the business of the Beijing bank.After all, he has been in the leadership of Jinghao for many years, and he has turned the tide with his wisdom in the face of danger, and he does not know how many times.It was stated in the old telegram that the friend on the Jinjing is about to go on the road, so just ask him to go directly to Beijing.He didn't have many worries in Shanghai, and he could leave as he said.
The only thing to consider is whether to go north and return to Beijing by land or by sea.The land route is actually a water route, renting a passenger boat, lightly paddling the fine waves, and pretending to go north by the canal is not a big crime, but it is too slow.By sea, you can go directly to Tianjin after leaving Shanghai, and the seagoing ships go faster.But when sailing on the sea, the wind and waves are unpredictable, and you have to suffer from many turbulences.He is not young anymore.
After thinking about it again and again, Dai Ying still chose the sea route: after all, it was a critical moment, and it would be better to arrive in Beijing one day earlier.
Fortunately, he chose the sea route!Because as soon as I got on the boat, I met Li Hongling, the old gangster of Wei Fenghou.
Dai Ying and Li Hongling are both old gangsters who have been stationed in Beijing for many years, and they have always been congenial.Since coming to Shanghai last year, I heard that Li Hongling has arrived in Xi'an, how could I expect to meet again suddenly on this sea ship!The surprise of the two of them can be imagined.So he hurried to find the boatman, and the two shared a cabin.
After settling down, Dai Ying asked Li Hongling: "Brother Zishou, have you been in Shanghai all this time?"
Li Hongling said: "I just arrived in Shanghai from Chuzhou, Zhejiang. After only a two-day rest, I boarded this ship. The old man urged me to return to Beijing as soon as possible. Brother Jing has been in Shanghai?"
"I came to Shanghai last winter. Come to think of it, you sent a young master to study at Zhao Hanlin's home library in Chuzhou, Zhejiang. Are you going to Chuzhou to visit the young master?"
"Brother Jing still remembers such trivial things?"
"Can this be considered a trivial matter? It's a big family in the Western Gang, and how many of them send their young masters to the Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces where Wenyun is prosperous?"
"You haven't seen my kid, I'm too weak, not a material for business, so I have to ask him to study."
"Since you came to visit the young master, why did you choose such an urgent time?"
"After the boxing chaos subsided last year, I went to Xi'an to help Zhang Luo's business. In the beginning of spring this year, the old account asked me to come to Jiangnan to inspect the pier. I wanted to go to Chuzhou for a long time, but I couldn't make it. I heard a few days ago The tie was settled, and the foreign army was about to withdraw from Beijing, Tianjin, and Zhili, so I knew that my ticket dealer in the west would soon return to Beijing. Then I hurried to Chuzhou. Within a few days of Chuzhou, the old account sent an urgent call to Hangzhou Sure enough, he came over."
"Our old account is also in a hurry! It seems that the household department must have issued an official document ordering Xibang to return to Beijing to open."
"But the auspicious day for the imperial court to return to Luan hasn't been decided yet, right? If the imperial court doesn't return to Luan, the capital will not be able to collect the capital. Can the capital be revived just by returning to Beijing with the money from the West Gang?"
"Brother Zishou, you and I have served the Ministry of Accounts for many years, how many of them know how to manage money! The Xibang is ordered to return to the capital, just to cover up the depression in the capital and welcome the emperor."
"But how can the business resources brought back by our West Gang cover up the depression of the capital? The current capital is destitute."
"How about I say that no one in the Ministry of Finance knows how to manage money!"
"Officials still need to manage money? Since they can use their power to amass money, take advantage of their power to plunder, and have nothing to do with money, then what's the point of managing money! When the court lacks money, it asks the provinces; when officials lack money, they ask the people. It’s all within reach.”
Dai Ying lowered his voice and said, "Brother Zishou, you've just hit the imperial acupuncture point."
Li Hongling hurriedly asked: "Is the court's fatal acupuncture point?"
"That's not it! This time, the catastrophe caused by the chaos of boxing and foreign affairs, where did the court suffer? It is on this acupoint: only know how to collect money and spend it, but don't know how to gather money and manage money."
"It's not bad. But the imperial court suffered a disadvantage, and they still don't have strong ships and guns, so they can't beat them."
"If you don't know how to gather money and manage money, how can you get a strong ship and a sharp gun? I have been visiting the Western Bank in Shanghai, and I have met a few foreigners. After getting acquainted, there will be less barriers to talking to each other. Speaking of the disaster of war, they also feel that Unexpected."
"Unexpected? Is it cheap and good?"
"I'm a businessman. They deserve to be nice to me? What surprised them was that the Qing court was so relentless and completely defeated. The speed of the fall of Tianjin and Beijing was especially unexpected! The capital of a country, unexpectedly It's like an empty city!"
"That's true. The imperial court raised so many officers and soldiers, but they didn't send heavy troops to guard the city, so they lost the capital in a daze."
"The foreigners said that they didn't send any heavy troops. There were only 10,000 to 20,000 troops in total, and they didn't formally form a coalition army. When the capital was captured, the Eight Kingdoms were still eight-part armies, each doing its own thing. It wasn't until winter was approaching that German Marshal Vadsi didn't come. Hua became the commander of the coalition forces."
"Although there are few foreigners, they have foreign guns and cannons."
"Brother Zishou, I thought so too. But the foreigners at the bank said: Strong ships and guns, foreign guns and cannons are powerful, but the military expenditure is also huge!"
"Are they laughing at the poverty of the Qing Dynasty?"
"My family is poor and weak, so it's hard not to be ridiculed by others. But these people are bankers, and they must first focus on money and finances when they look at the world. In his opinion, the great powers used strong ships and guns to attack China across the ocean. It all depends on the strong financial resources of the governments of various countries, and they can allocate military expenditures if they say to use military expenditures."
"The wealth of the country naturally makes it easy to spend money."
"But from the eyes of these foreigners, even if the Qing Dynasty is rich, the imperial court will not be rich."
"How could this be?"
"I didn't believe it at first, but after someone pointed it out, I suddenly realized it. It's really clear to the bystanders!"
"How do foreigners give pointers?"
"Brother Zishou, Kangxi was passed down as a Ming emperor, and left an iron edict of 'never adding a gift', you are not unfamiliar with it?"
"'Never added', of course I know..."
"This iron edict was established in the fifty-first year of Kangxi, and it has been nearly two hundred years now. Everything has changed in the vicissitudes of life. Only the land tax, money and food have not changed. How can the imperial court be rich?"
"The eyes of foreigners are venomous! But the imperial court did not add gifts, nor did it hide wealth from the people, and the people are still in distress."
"This is exactly where foreigners see the financial incompetence of the Qing Dynasty. The imperial court sticks to the iron edict of 'never increasing taxes', but it can't control the provinces, states and counties to increase taxes secretly, let alone control officials big and small. Private pockets. No matter how much wealth there is in the world, it is only gathered in the private houses of officials at all levels. The country is still poor, and the people are still poor. When a sudden national crisis occurs, the imperial court is not going to catch the blind!"
"This is really not bad at all! After more than a hundred years of prosperity in the Qian and Jia Dynasties, the Qing Dynasty was considered strong. But when the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom came together in the last years of Daoguang, the court could not raise military expenses. In a hurry, they forced the Western Gang to donate money to buy officials. !"
"Which year is enough to spend the Beijing salary collected by the Ministry of Households over the years? In normal years, it is still scarce. In case of war, don't be caught blind. Foreigners dare to ridicule the Qing Dynasty's finances as incompetent finances, because they have seen through the households that financed the money for the court. The Ministry of Finance only collects money and spends it, regardless of gathering wealth to make money. The Ministry of Households collects land tax, money and food from all over the world, just to support the imperial court, and does not care about the livelihood of the people in the world. Especially the industry and commerce, which are the easiest to make money, are regarded as humble occupations. It is incredible! Foreigners What is even more ridiculous is that the emperor always thinks that the wealth of the world, that is, the wealth of the court, does not leave savings all year round, and the national treasury does not have a solid foundation. When the country is in crisis, it is only temporarily collected the wealth of the world, how can there be time?"
"Could it be that the eastern and western powers have seen through the incompetent finances of the Qing Dynasty that they repeatedly commit crimes?"
“那几位洋人，是有此论。他们戏言：大清自诩为泱泱大国，初不以为然；后居华多年，才诚信斯言。大在何处？贵国官吏人数之庞大浩荡，实在是举世无双；而官吏的假公肥私之普遍、之贪婪、之心安理得，更是世所罕见！贵国朝廷若能以正当赋税形式，将举国官吏假公肥私的庞大收入，缴纳国库中，那大清就真成了当今一大强国。以如此殷实的国库作支撑，何愁抵御外敌来犯？以如此殷实的国库扶持农工商，又何愁民生百业不兴？民生百业兴，赋税便易征缴，国库也愈殷实。”
“人家这讥笑之言，倒也是实话。”
“东西洋列强的财政，都是如此运作。人家国库常保有可观的财力，用于养活政府及其官吏的花费，只占小头；大头用于扶持民生各业。如此天长日久运作下来，国家哪能不强大！”
“洋式财政虽能强国，却要断绝举国官吏的财路，谁愿意效仿！戊戌变法就殷鉴不远。”
“可大清财政不变，就永远给东西洋列强留下了一个致命的穴位。什么时候想欺负你，就朝这穴位来。点住这穴位欺负你，结果必定是赔款割地！越赔款越穷；越穷，你这穴位就越要命。”说至此，戴膺放低声音说，“若再来一次庚乱，恐怕清廷就无银可赔，只好举国割让……”
李宏龄忙说：“你我生意人，免谈国事吧。”
戴膺说：“我也不是爱管闲事。在上海，我本是想了解洋式银行的定制、规矩，人家却说你了解了也无用。我就问：怎么，我们华商就比洋商笨，学不来你们的银行？他们说：洋式银行须在洋式财政中才能立足。由此引出议论，评说国朝财政。”
“洋人当然不想让我们仿办银行。”
“这倒也是。这几位洋人一面数落大清财政无能，一面又说：这种无能财政于贵国无利，但于你们西帮却是最有利！”
“怎么能这样说？”
“他们说：朝廷户部不会理财，才使精于理财的西帮有了生财的海阔天空！本该聚到国库的银钱，却聚到你们西帮的银窖里了。”
“洋人眼睛是毒辣，可我们受的欺负，他们哪里知道？”
“我可是对他们说：朝廷这种无能的财政，于你们东西洋列强才最有利！这一次事变，你们只派了一两万人，用了一年多工夫，就挣走我们九万万两银子，这种好生意更是旷世罕见！”
“静之兄，你也不怕惹恼洋人老毛子？”
“我也是戏而言之。”
“还是不谈国事吧。”
那时代由沪赴京，海路虽比陆路快，但也依然得熬过漫漫旅途。这一路，大体上还算风平浪静，但也因此显出枯索单调来。
戴膺与李宏龄真也再没多谈国事大局：不是不敢多谈，实在是再无那种谈兴了。京号复业倒是议论得多，只是对这两位京号高手来说，也不存太多畏难忧虑。只要东家肯补窟窿，别的都好张罗。
到天津上岸后，戴膺想在津号停留一二日，便与李宏龄分手了。
津号前年出事，去年又遇如此浩劫，复业担子只怕比京号还重。也不知老号选了谁，调来津号领庄。
自塘沽登陆，沿途所见满目是劫后败象。进入天津城区，残状更甚。凡店铺被砸被烧的，狼藉依旧，几乎不见修复开业者。街面上连行人也稀少，许多边边角角，竟蓬勃生出蒿草来。明知遭了浩劫，但亲眼见了这一片疮痍，戴膺还是吃惊不已。
自家津号，劫状更惨。店铺除了房屋框架尚存，再无一处可见原貌，用一句“体无完肤”形容，实在不过分。作为票号老帮，戴膺很快看出了这体无完肤的含义：在津号被弃的这一年多时间里，真不知有多少人、多少次来此凿砸、翻找、挖掘，他们都想在这昔日的银号遗址寻宝淘金。他们一定也想看看，西帮票号内那神秘的银窖。大概也因此，被弃的津号虽已体无完肤，却未被放一把火烧毁。
这也算不幸中的万幸了。但将津号修复如初，不是一件小工程。
津号副帮杨秀山及其他伙友，都已经到达，暂住在附近一个客栈。
杨秀山见着戴膺，张口说的头一件事，就是他们这一班津号旧人刚到，就被闻讯跑来的许多人围住，几乎动弹不得。
戴膺就问：“那是些什么人，围你们做甚？”
杨秀山忙说：“我们的旧客户，老债主，都手持天成元的汇票、银折、小票，逼着要我们兑银子！”
对此，戴膺显然有些意外，几乎是自语，说：“这么快就来挤兑？”
杨秀山说：“他们一贫如洗，当然急着想兑出银子来。”
戴膺就问：“这些来要求兑银子的，是商家多，还是官吏多？”
杨秀山说：“只是一些零星的散户吧，大些的商号及官吏，还没动静。他们大概还不知道我们返津。”
戴膺便正色说：“杨掌柜，我看这些来打头阵的，说不定受了什么人的派遣，来试探我们，千万不敢大意！”
杨秀山一时不解其意，问：“受人派遣？受谁派遣？”
戴膺放低声音说：“叫我看，很可能是那些在我们字号存了私钱的官吏。他们的私钱，大都不便公开。所以，他们最心焦。”
杨秀山就说：“还是戴老帮眼力厉害。我们只顾应付，也未作细想。”
戴膺说：“杨掌柜，你们千万不要慌张！不拘任何人，凡是持票兑现的，一律热接热待！更要口气坚定，许诺人家一旦店铺修竣，复业开张，本号的旧票旧账一概兑现！”
杨秀山说：“我们也是这样说的，但许多人只是不信。”
戴膺断然说：“人家不信，我们更得这样做。我们敢回京津，就表明我们不怕算老账。想赖账，我们还会回来？一面不断给人家说这道理，一面加紧修复铺面，局面总会好转。”
杨秀山说：“但愿如此。过几天，新老帮到津后，也许更能稳住人心。老帮空位，也易让客户生疑的。”
戴膺就问：“新老帮？还是东口的王作梅要来津号吗？”
杨秀山说：“是调西安的邱泰基来津号任老帮。王作梅仍留东口。戴老帮还不知道？”
戴膺真有几分意外，说：“西安的邱泰基？我真是不知。我到上海，已经七八个月了。”
杨秀山说：“邱泰基倒是有本事的掌柜，只是……”
戴膺打断说：“东家、老号对邱泰基这样有本事的驻外掌柜，有过严责，贬罚不留情；有功也不抹杀，该重用还重用，甚好！由邱泰基来领庄津号，复业振兴，也是恰当人选。”
杨秀山放低声音说：“听说是康老东台点的将。”
戴膺说：“老东台一向不糊涂。天津码头不一般，你们还得多帮衬邱掌柜。”
杨秀山说：“我们也盼在新老帮料理下，一扫津号近年来的晦气！”
戴膺就问：“邱老帮几时能到？”
杨秀山说：“他从西安动身，比我们还早。不出几日，也该到了。”
戴膺说：“那我就多等一两天，看能不能见他一面。”
正说时，有伙友跑进来说：“客栈外，又围了不少客户。”
戴膺便站起来，说：“我出去见他们！”
邱泰基接到老号调令时，何老爷依然在西安。想起何老爷先前的预言，他是既惊喜，又惊异。
津号虽远不及京号显赫，但那是真正的大码头，也历来是西帮的重镇。所以津号老帮的人位，也一向为多数驻外老帮所向往。邱泰基自然也早想到天津卫码头露一手，可惜孙大掌柜总不肯将这个要位给他。前年受贬后，他本来已经断了一切高升的念想，只想埋头赎罪了，却忽然峰回路转。只一年，就从口外回到西安；在西安又只一年，竟要高就津号老帮，他怎么能不惊喜！
叫邱泰基感到惊异的，是何老爷的预言为何这样准确？来西安前，只怕何老爷真得了康老太爷的暗示。前年，他刚遭了老东台那样的严责，今年竟又受如此重用，实在叫人不敢相信。
这次老号的调令用电报发来，明令：“邱速赴津领庄，万勿延误，西号交程、何二位。”可见事情紧急。
程老帮要摆酒席欢送，邱泰基坚决阻止了：如此张扬，叫人知道了还以为他旧病复发。可不敢如此张扬！
程老帮也只好作罢。但何老爷却不肯答应：“邱掌柜，你可不能悄没声就走了！没忘吧，还该我五两大烟土？”
“五两大烟土？”
“看看，还没怎么呢，就翻脸不认人了？”
邱泰基这才想起来：何老爷预言他将做津号老帮时，曾以五两大烟土作赌。他就说：“何老爷，咱们的号规你也清楚。我邱某私人手里，哪来买五两大烟土的银钱？”
“你借债，还是典当，我不管，反正得给我五两大烟土！”
“我身无长物，拿什么去典当，谁又肯借债给我？这五两大烟土，等回了太谷再兑现吧。”
“我出来自带的烟土，已烧得差不多，眼看要断灶了。”
“你贵为老爷，是可以在字号举债的。”
两人正说笑，程老帮已令厨房炒了几个菜，灌了壶烧酒，摆到账房来。其时已入夜，程老帮说不是酒席，只算夜宵。邱泰基也只好就范。
程老帮与邱泰基相处这一年，深感这位出名的老帮并不难处。有本事，又不张扬，这就难得。实在说，号内一切大事难事，全凭人家扛着，但时时处处又总把他这个虚名老帮推在前头。这样有才有德的人，另得高位那是应该的。只是，他真有些舍不得邱泰基离开。
交情上的感伤不说，邱泰基一走，西号就失了顶梁柱！尤其当此朝廷欲走未走的关口，谁知还会出现什么样的难局？
所以，喝了几盅酒，程老帮就一味诉说这份担忧。
邱泰基心里明白，老号敢急调他走，是因为有何老爷在西安。电报上也点明了这层意思：“西号交程、何二位。”收到电报，邱泰基曾当何老爷的面，对程老帮说：“你看，老号也言明了，叫何老爷帮衬着张罗西号的生意。他再不能白吃白住，悠闲做客了。”当时何老爷喜形于色，只是嘴上说了句：“孙大掌柜岂能给本老爷派工？”这不过是虚饰吧。他来西安后，张罗生意都张罗得入迷了。程老帮竟看不出来？
邱泰基喝了几盅酒，也就当着二位的面，尽量把事情挑明：
“眼下的西号，依然比京号、津号要紧。在这吃劲时候，老号调我走，是因为有你们二位在。想必程老帮也早看出来了吧？何老爷屈尊来西安帮衬我们，是看了谁的面子？我看是天成元两位巨头！孙大掌柜先求了康老东台，康老东台才出面请何老爷出山的。何老爷，我推测得不差吧？”
何老爷先哈哈一笑，说：“邱掌柜，你想赖账，不赔那五两大烟土，才编了这种奉承话吧？程老帮，你不用听他的！”
程老帮说：“何老爷当年的本事，我当然知道。”
邱泰基见程老帮似乎还不十分开窍，便换了种手段：不再多说西号事务，而是就京津官场商界事，向何老爷诚心请教。他邱某还如此崇拜何老爷，你程老帮还不赶紧依靠人家？
真心说，忽然给压上重振津号的重担，邱泰基也很想向何老爷讨教的。
一说到张罗京津生意，何老爷就像新吸了大烟，谈兴陡涨，妙论不绝。所以，这次三人夜话，到很晚才散。
第二天，邱泰基即轻装简行，踏上了赴津的旅程。
戴膺在天津并未多住，便匆匆离津赴京了。津门的挤兑局面，令他想到京师也会很紧急。于是不敢多耽搁，打消了等待邱泰基的想法。
那天，戴膺出面会见围在客栈外的津门客户，真也叫他出了一身冷汗。无论他如何虔诚，如何对天许诺，如何从容镇静，那些客户只是冷冷看他表演，丝毫不为所动。他竭力表白了半天，人家始终不改口，就那一句话：“嘛时候能兑出银子？”
戴膺还提及前年津号也曾受挤兑，我们不是源源从京号调来银子，救了急吗？这次虽受了浩劫，但本号有财力补起窟窿，不会叫你们亏损毫厘的。西帮立身商界数百年，什么时候失信过？若不想守信，我们还回天津卫来做甚？
但任你怎么说，人家终是一脸冰冷，一股腔调：“说嘛也没用，还是快兑银子吧！”
戴膺不敢再逞能，重申许诺后，