Chapter 17 Chapter 14 Meeting an old friend in the same bed and having a nightmare

You Daozhang Jingzong clearly knows that his own father is outside the door, since he refuses to recognize him, he should be a little bit ashamed, lest he come out and be held back by his own father and shout, wouldn’t it be a joke, how dare he be arrogant Strutting around, walking out like no one else, could it be that he really treats his father as nothing?Everyone should know that things in the world are going through tough times, and those who come will come slowly.When Jingzong was a few years old, his parents loved him like a pearl in the palm of his hand, and he was afraid of crooked if he stuck it on his head, and afraid of melting in his mouth, so he was willing to be a slave to his son.Sometimes Jingzong lost his temper when he was not well served, crying, cursing, and lying on the ground.Not only did his parents not dare to restrain him, but they were humble and soft-spoken, trying to make him happy in different ways, which made him feel better.Sometimes I really can't coax him to turn around, so I can only pass the face over and ask him to slap him a few times with his small hands to let him out, and then he will be at peace.When he grew up and studied, Shantong still had a heart to hope that his son would become an official. He usually regarded Jingzong as an official, and he had to follow his will in every move and dared not disobey him.Even when eating, let him sit up. No matter what kind of food, if he doesn't put down the chopsticks, he dare not taste it first.When his son came back from his study tour, he almost knelt down to see him off.Please think about it, everyone, Zhang Jingzong still has the impression of his parents in his mind, but he only sees Shantong as an old servant and Xu as an old lady.So although Shantong was outside the door, he didn't care about it, and walked out graciously, preparing to get in the car and go to the yamen.He didn't want to go to the porter's room, Shantong lifted the curtain and came out, just blocking his way.When Shantong saw him, he was shot by his prestige, trembling and unable to say a word.When Jingzong saw it, he immediately frowned, opened his eyes wide, and asked Comrade Shan: "You old man, what are you doing in Beijing?" Shantong wiped his tears and said to Jingzong, "Since you left, The business is also closed, and this year there was a severe drought, so the grains were not harvested. Our old couple was hungry all day long, so I wanted to come to you. Anyway, you give me a few hundred silver, and I will never look for you again It's gone." He choked up so much that he was about to cry.Jingzong snorted through his nose and said: "This is a strange phenomenon of Chinese people. I don't want to make a living on my own. I only know how to ask people for money with the back of my hand down. A mouth is a few hundred taels, and it's too easy to see money. You old man, even though you have no higher education, you can’t look after our fat horses and light furs as officials, and you can’t support yourself and your wife with your own body? People in the Qing Dynasty want to If you are like you, how can you have a strong day. So when I think of the state affairs, I worry about it. It is you people who can't stand on their own. You can only distribute profits, but you can't make profits. It is really a serious disease of the country." Jingzong Station There was a lot of discussion in front of the door, but Shantong could only keep talking, not daring to answer a single word.Waiting until Jingzong finished posting his comments, he continued to plead: "What you said is true, but you need some capital to make a profit! You should cherish the old and the poor, and help me with some capital, and I will take it home. I will raise pigs and grind tofu with my old woman, and seek a way out, and I will never forget your benefits in this life.” Jingzong frowned, took out his boots from his pocket, opened it, took out a foreign note of ten yuan, and handed it to Kindness.Shantong answered, "Ten yuan will be enough for the travel expenses back home. How can I make a living capital? You have to give me at least one hundred and eighty taels, and it's not in vain for me to come all the way." Said that Jingzong was really anxious, stomped his feet angrily and said: "No wonder foreigners can recognize money when they say that people in China. You do the math. First one is five taels, and this is another ten yuan. Whoever gives you this much money for nothing, you still have money. If you want to argue, do you think I owe you something? You have to know that the civilized world today is not as good as it used to be. Father and son are not a problem. A father who asks his son for money loses a civilized citizen Qualifications. Giving one to ten sons can only be regarded as charity, and there is no obligation at all. Even if you have not received civilized education, it should not be too difficult. I have always valued charity above all. It depends on you It's poor, now I make an exception and give you another twenty yuan, you should be lucky, don't bother me any more." After saying that, he took out another twenty yuan note from the boot strap and handed it to Shan Tong, He turned his head and went out to get in the car.While getting in the car, he greeted Shantong: "Hurry up and go home, don't delay in Beijing, I can't keep you here overnight." Poor Shantong stared at his son, only grinning Crying, unable to say anything.Chen Fu couldn't see it, so he still persuaded him to go to the porter, poured tea for him, and advised him to go home quickly, there is no need to delay here, an extra day of delay is just a day's worth of chewing.Look at this air, he will never give even if he asks for one more money, so why bother yourself?By this time, Shantong had completely cut off hope.I can only listen to Chen Fu's words, and prepare to take the night bus back to Tianjin that day, and then I can catch the Jinpu bus to go home tomorrow morning.Chen Fu sent Shantong to the station that night, bought a ticket for him, and sent him to the train. Shantong went there gratefully.

When Chen Fu came back, he said goodbye to Jingzong.Jingzong asked him why he left. Chen Fu said: "Today my father came to look for me in the house. He didn't like me serving people outside. He wanted to call me home and serve him sooner or later. He was happy in his heart. So I I have to take a long vacation to go home to support my relatives." Jingzong said displeased: "It's too worthless to ask for leave because of serving father." Chen Fu said: "A villain is a person with a father, and a word from a father is an order. Those who don’t have a father regard their father as worthless. Because we are human beings, not Xiaoxie. If a person does not have a father, he is almost the same as a Xiaoxie. Although a villain is a servant, he is willing to be a human being, and he is not willing to be a human being. Xiaoxie, so I ask the master for leave to go home and serve my father." Chen Fu said so, but looked at Jingzong with a smile on his face.Unexpectedly, even though Jingzong had a third of his energy, his conscience had long been ashes.Therefore, he didn't care about what Chen Fu said, he just cared about the salary.Said that since you resigned, I can't give you this month's salary.Chen Fudao: "Master Mingjian: there are only two days left in this month. Could it be said that these twenty-eight days can be done in vain?" Jingzong was asked by Chen Fu, and he couldn't answer for a long time.Then he said angrily: "Since you know that there are two days to go, you should resign after two days. Since you have missed two days of work, how can I give you a month's wages?" Chen Fu said: "In this case, please pay the day Forget it." Jing Zong said: "According to the day, you have to get half of it. If I give you fourteen days' money, it is a special kindness. If you want to stay in someone else's house, you can't give it for a day." Chen Fu saw him like this, Knowing that it is useless to fight, he agreed.After receiving one yuan and forty cents, he turned around and left without looking back. He went straight out of the gate and sighed: "I have left your snake and scorpion den!"

Press Chen Fu not to mention.Besides, old man Zhang Shantong took the night train back to Tianjin and arrived at the terminus at twelve o'clock in the day.After getting off the bus, I carried my luggage on my back, went out of the station gate, walked forward with my head down, and suddenly heard someone shouting from behind: "Isn't that brother Zhang walking ahead? Go slowly, why don't we go together?" Hearing someone calling at the same time, he quickly stopped and looked back: there were two people, old and young, the young one was Sun Neyan, and the elder one was Neyan's father, Sun Jupu.Shan Tong hurriedly greeted him: "So it's Brother Jupu. Are you here today?" Jupu replied: "Exactly." At this moment, Na Yan rushed over, made a deep bow to Shan Tong, and asked: "How is Mr. Zhang? Are you always here today? Why haven't you met my father?" Tong Shan said, "I've been here for four or five days, and I'm back from Beijing." He said naively, "Since the old man When you come to Tianjin, why don't you go and find me, isn't it convenient to live in my shop?" Tong Shan said, "I don't know where your shop is, and besides, I'm in a hurry to go to Beijing, so how can I have time to visit the folks?" Neyan said He said: "My nephew's bank is on Gongbei Street, just cross the old iron bridge. Now that we have met, let's go to the bank with my father." He called three rickshaws without bargaining. , three people sat down, and after a short time, they pulled to Gongbei Street.Na Yan said, get out of the car together.Shantong raises his eyes to watch, it is the trillion-dollar Xingyin Bank.Nervously called the door, the apprentice understood the question and opened the door.The three of them went in and paid for the car.The apprentice took the luggage of the three of them.Nayan led the two of them to his room, turned on the light, and saw that the room was extremely clean.The apprentice slapped him in the face, and ordered dinner in a naive manner.When I was young, the meal was served, and two old men sat on it, and Neyan accompanied the prime minister.While eating, Shan Tong asked about Na Yan's current situation.Neyan said: "My nephew has been in this bank for sixteen years, and now he has been promoted to the deputy manager. This business is very developed. When my nephew first came here, I only had 20,000 yuan in capital, and now it is worth 400,000 yuan. As a deputy manager, he has full powers, because the manager is just a name, he has other things to do in the foreign firm below, and he only visits it a few times a month." Shantong asked him how much profit he could make a year and how much he was paid every month.Ne Yan said: "Not much, 20 yuan per month, and bonus shares at the end of the year, about 1,700 to 800 yuan. We are in this bank business, and we can buy stocks, stocks, and do whatever we want. But look Your vision is far and near, if you can see it firmly, you can find an extra 1,800 yuan a year, and it will be very easy. Therefore, my nephew can always earn 3,000 yuan a year." Shan Tong was very envious when he heard this, Then he asked Jupu, "Why did you come to Tianjin this time?" Jupu laughed and said, "It's a long story. In recent years, my son's business has been very good. According to him, I want to bring our old couple to Tianjin to enjoy In the past few years, I brought his wife along with him. I am very disapproving of this proposal: one is that the homeland is hard to move, and the other has only a little money, so I can't help such a toss. A few acres of land is more cost-effective than coming to Tianjin. My son dared not go against my will, so he never moved after three years. Isn’t there a drought this year? My son thought that I must be depressed at home, so I wrote several times asking me to come I went to Tianjin for a few days to relax and relax. I thought that since the child has such filial piety, it is better not to be too rigid. So I replied to him and told him that he would arrive today, so he went to the station to pick him up. I accidentally met Brother, we deserve to meet for a few days. You don’t have to rush away at all, let’s go home together when we have enough shopping.”

Shantong listened to Jupu's words, every sentence pierced into his heart, he almost didn't shed tears, so he could only vaguely agree.Neyan asked again: "My elder brother Jingzong has been working as a copywriter in Tianjin for three years, and he still has a little money left. He only went to Beijing ten days ago. When he arrives in Beijing, the left and right ministers of the Ministry of Army will definitely look forward to it. When he was in Tianjin, he kept making deposits in this account, and I paid him interest on the basis of one cent, so we two brothers have a very good relationship. This time, when the old man is in Beijing, why don’t he stay for a few more days and go shopping? How can he go on the same day? Just come back, my elder brother Jingzong, will he let you go?" Shan Tong's eyebrows were straightened when he asked this, and he couldn't say anything, so he had to make up a lie, saying: "Your elder brother Jingzong went to Hubei on a business trip. I don't like his aunt. Instead of being angry in Beijing, why don't I go home, and it won't be too late for me to look for him when Jingzong comes back." Na Yan said: "Your old man simply stay in Tianjin for a few more days, sooner or later He can't come back yet. Send him a letter and tell him to pick you up in Tianjin when he comes back. Wouldn't it be less troublesome than coming back home?" Shantong promised, "My nephew's words are right. , but I live in Tianjin and have been harassing you for a long time, so I feel uneasy, I think it’s better to go home.” Before Na Yan could answer, Ju Pu hurriedly said: “You are too polite. It is often said that distant relatives are not as good as close neighbors. More than a thousand people came to Tianjin. Now that we met, it's not a big deal for you to live in his shop for a few days. Besides, if you leave in such a hurry, let your young master know. Don't you blame our father and son for not having any sense of fellowship. Do you think I am right?" Shan Tong was speechless by Ju Pu's words, just like a dumb man who has eaten Coptis chinensis, bitter in his stomach, but unable to speak out. He could only reply indifferently: "Since your father and son are so righteous, I'll do it. As for the son, there's no need to worry about him. He's too busy with his business, how can he have time to take care of me." Na Yan laughed and said: "No matter how busy he is with his business, as long as he knows that the old man is coming, he has to come to look for you. When looking for you, he will definitely not be able to fly to me. You old man just wait patiently."

After the three of them ate, the apprentice made tea and narrated a few words about homework.Neyan put the two of them in a room with extremely clean bed curtains and bedding.Shantong was tired all day and midnight, and at the same time angry, ashamed and annoyed, all kinds of blood rushed to his heart, he tossed and turned, but couldn't sleep.In the midst of being confused, I suddenly saw Chen Fu and Li Gui coming in together, and greeted him deeply, saying: "My lord, my lord, I have a special carriage to meet you, old man, please go quickly." Shan Tong Dazedly following Chen Fu and Li Gui out of the store, he saw a sedan chair-style carriage parked in front of him.The two got into the car with support, and it didn't take long, as if they came to a huge house.In front of the door is resplendent and magnificent, with the words Zhang Gongguan written on it.When the car arrived at the door, seeing that Jingzong had come out to wait, he personally helped the old man out of the car and led him to the back hall.There is a chair in the hall, and his father is asked to sit down, and he bows when he accepts his head.He said: "Father is above, forgive the child for being unfilial." At this time, Shantong didn't know whether he was happy or sad, shocked or afraid, but he got down by himself, lifted his son up with his hands, and said without hesitation: "You are an official, don't hurt my old man by doing this great gift." At this time, it seemed that Mrs. Ru, who respected Zongzong, also came out to meet her father-in-law.There are forty or fifty male and female servants in the family, all of whom come to see the old man and dance with joy.Just when he was about to talk to his son, he saw Jingzong escorting an old woman from the back room.Looking carefully, it was his wife Xu.Looking at the back, the daughter-in-law Pu also came out.There is also a grandson who is eight or nine years old, lively and jumping, holding his mother's skirt and asking, "Where is grandpa?" When the good fellow saw him, he was even more happy like riding a cloud, and hurried forward to ask his wife, "Where are you?" When did this old lady come?" Xu smiled and said, "I arrived the day before yesterday, why didn't you know? It was Jingzong who came home in person and brought us three, our mother-in-law, daughter-in-law and grandson, to enjoy the blessings in Beijing together. You old man has no chance Running around all over the street for no reason made Jingzong very anxious. He managed to find out where you were, and sent a car to pick you up immediately. I have such a good son. From now on, I don’t have to worry about it. I will just wait for my old age. !” At this time, the whole family is reunited and a big feast is held.Shantong and his wife sat on the table, and Jingzong and his wife brought their grandson and aunt to accompany them on both sides.From then on, Shantong enjoys the happiness of the old man in a daze all day long. He eats rich food, wears embroidered clothes, and takes a car when he goes out.I don't know how many days have passed, but Jingzong is promoted day by day.Today I see that the crown is white, tomorrow I will change it to a blue one, and later on I will change it to a red one.As for gold and silver treasures, three and five carts are brought into the house every day, countless.Shantong has nothing to do, and only manages money for his son.In my heart, I planned to have such a son, so it was worthwhile to curry favor with him.Being so rich, not to mention that one life or two generations can't eat enough, even for thousands of years, he can still be regarded as a rich man.

On this day, Jingzong said to his father: "At present, there is a big fortune. If it is made, you can get three million yuan steadily." Due to a kind of diplomacy, our country is about to fall out of peace with the dwarf country. After the breakup, the two countries will go to war. My child has a very close friendship with the prime minister of the dwarf country. He trusts me. He was willing to give three million silver dollars as a reward. Because the matter is very important for the child, he has not dared to agree easily. Tete came home to discuss with his father. How old is your old man? , I have some experience, may I do this well or not?" Shantong immediately said with a smile on his face after hearing this: "Such a big fortune is really rare, why not do it?" Jingzong said: " The boy also thinks the same way. But there is one concern. If the news spreads, he will be accused of treason and beheaded. What should we do then?" Shan Tong thought for a while and smiled: "I have A clever plan, just do what you need to do, and when the foreign money is over, you will report to Ding You that I am dead. The whole family will take the money and flee to the dwarf country, buy land and property, and enjoy the glory and happiness of the whole life. His prime minister is good friends with you, but also owes you this kind of love, our whole family has gone, we must treat it differently, isn't it much better than being an official in Beijing!" Jingzong applauded his father's words and agreed, Immediately follow suit.Within three days, the three million bank check had already been in his hands.

The father and son were discussing how to report Ding You; how to transport all the family's possessions out of Beijing; how to board a ship from Tianjin and go straight to the dwarf country; .All kinds of arrangements are very confidential.Seeing that it could be successful, unexpectedly it was fully disclosed by a foreign newspaper.There was a commotion in the city of Beijing, and it was spread to ten and ten to hundreds, and everyone knew that Zhang Jingzong was a traitor.The Attorney General was the first to file a public prosecution for treason.The government secretly sent people to monitor.It is not easy to escape now.Shantong was very frightened when he heard the news.Unexpectedly, Jingzong was not very afraid, and said to his father: "Our Chinese officials, none of them are traitors. But they have no ability, no way, and can't catch them, so they blatantly accuse others. Now as long as this Take out one-tenth of the huge sum of traitors, share it with them, keep the smoke and fire out, and everyone keeps their mouths shut, and they don't say a word." Shantong felt a little relieved after hearing this.It was flickering, as if Jingzong had spent 200,000 yuan to cancel the prosecution of the General Prosecutor's Office.The rest of the officials, more or less, all sent gifts to them.Since then, as expected, there has been nothing to say.So the father and son rejoiced, thinking that the great disaster would be wiped out from now on.I don't know that the government is easy to offend, but the people are difficult to deal with.There are some societies, chambers of commerce, labor unions, and peasant associations. These four conferences gathered tens of thousands of people and held a meeting at the Temple of Heaven to declare Zhang Jingzong's crime of treason.Some of the most vehement students discussed with the businessman, saying that such a treacherous traitor should be sentenced to death, his property should be seized, and his young and old should be killed.Nowadays, judges accept bribes, and national laws are not good enough. We, the people, have to enforce the law for the country.This motion was proposed, and the audience unanimously approved it.Immediately, three hundred strong men were selected, armed with knives, guns and sticks, and came straight to Zhang Jingzong's private house, surrounded by a wind and rain.At this time, when the family members heard the news, they were all terrified and pale.Jingzong commanded his family to quickly lock the gate and block it with stones.But the sound of knocking on the door is like beating a drum, and the words of cursing are unbearable.The whole family, old and young, were so frightened that they hugged each other and cried together.At the critical moment, suddenly there was a bang, as if the sky had collapsed, the gate had been smashed open by the crowd, shouting and rushing in, and in a blink of an eye they had arrived at the back hall.At this moment, Shantong was so frightened that he fell on the ground and couldn't stand up.I saw the first two people, all clinging to the steel knife shining like a snow-white film, broke into the back hall, and shouted: "Where is the traitor Zhang Jingzong? Come out and die!" Jingzong lay behind Shantong, trembling, what Dare to answer.Only Shantong knelt on the ground, kowtowed to the leader and begged: "Grandpa Wang, you want gold and silver, and there is plenty at home. Please take it yourself, just to save my family's life." The leader sneered: "You are full of farts. We are all patriotic and good men, and none of them are bandits. What kind of king are you calling? We are here this time, and we don’t want your family’s plants and trees, only the head of the traitor. If you don’t point it out, even you will be killed Die." Shantong still kowtowed and begged, and everyone searched the houses.After a short time, Jingzong's mother, wife, and his concubines were all searched out, and all of them were tied with ropes to their arms, and led to the back hall, where they lined up and knelt on the ground.When Shantong saw it, his heart was like a knife piercing a sword.It so happened that Jingzong was hiding behind him at this time, and suddenly wept, and was heard by the leader, who snatched it up and picked it up, scolding fiercely: "You traitor, you still have today! You still want to hide and not come out, Let's set up a temporary court today to inquire about your crimes." After saying that, he arranged a few chairs and arranged them in the middle, and selected a few elders from among them as judges, sat on the chairs, brought Jingzong over, and faced Kneel down.One of them first asked: "How much silver did you get in total for betraying the country this time? Come up from the actual method." Jingzong replied tremblingly: "The prisoner actually got three million silver dollars for betraying the country this time." Said: "Well, for three million foreign dollars, you sold this big China. The price is too low." The people of the country are fighting, but I beg you to forgive the lives of my whole family." The leader scolded: "Bah! Don't be shameless, shameless, and a thief who is worse than a dog. You still think that the three million is in your name, you can Take it out to help pay? You really have lost your conscience." The people on the left and right said: "I don't have time to reason with him. Please sentence him for the crime and execute it as soon as possible. Can this kind of person make him pollute the world for a long time?" The leader pronounced the verdict: "Zhang Jingzong, a traitor, should be executed immediately." Pull it outside the door of the back hall, kneel down on the steps, and wait for the execution.At this time, the whole family was so frightened that they were about to cry, and they couldn't cry anymore.He also heard the leader say: "Bring that old man and old woman here, and ask him, who is he a traitor?"The leader asked, "Who are you two traitors?" Shantong replied tremblingly, "I...my name is Zhang Shantong...I am his father, and she...she is his mother." The leader sneered He said: "The good son you raised needs to be educated from an early age. Why are you willing to betray the country? Even if your adopted son is not educated, even if it is a crime of treason, you should be in the same sentence as him. They are also tied up and executed together. Death penalty." Shantong wanted to sue at this moment, but they had no choice but to tie him up and lead him to kneel outside the hall.The leader asked Jingzong's wives and concubines again, and he was extra merciful, saving her from death, and drove them out of the gate immediately.Then ordered to execute the execution, Shantong was heartbroken at this time.I saw a ferocious man, holding a steel knife, pulling Jingzong to Shantong's eyes.Shantong couldn't bear to watch it, but he couldn't help it.But seeing this person, holding the knife with both hands and falling down, the lightning flashed, red blood splashed everywhere, and Jingzong's head rolled in the dust.Shantong's heart, following his son's head, is about to burst out of his mouth; his internal organs are like opening an oil and salt shop, and he doesn't know whether it is sour, spicy, bitter or salty; the hair on his head immediately declares Independence; the pores all over the body were immediately liberated; the tears went the wrong way and all came out of the nose; the eyeballs were attracted by the magnetism and could not move at all.At this moment, a woman's head was seen rolling on the ground.It was none other than his wife Xu.At this moment, Shan Tong put his heart to one side, wishing to have the knife for breakfast, so that he could meet his wife and children in the open.But I felt that there was a person behind him, pointing his fingers on his neck, followed by a gust of cold wind, whizzing over his ears, as if feeling cool, his body and head had been separated, and he yelled loudly, and stretched out his hand , I kicked my foot, felt someone shake it with my hand, and shouted in a low voice: "Brother, wake up! Big brother, wake up, are you stuck? Wake up quickly."

Shantong opened his eyes and saw that the lights in the room were half-bright and half-extinguished alone. Sun Jupu sat beside him, took his hand, and asked with a smile: "Why is the elder brother dreaming? Oh, get up, is it in a dream?" Can someone still bully you?" Shantong's sleepy eyes were blurred, and he still recognized it as a dream, and asked Jupu, "Who are you? Have you ever seen my son Jingzong with my old wife Xu Shi?" This question, He made Jupu applaud and laughed, and then taunted him: "You probably want your son and your wife and you're crazy, right? Open your eyes and see what kind of place this is, where is there Jingzong's clean bucket, old wives and young wives? It's dawn, get up quickly, don't make jokes." At this time, Shantong woke up a little bit in his heart, felt ashamed, sat up with his clothes on, smiled and said to Jupu, "brother, don't Make fun of me. I had a nightmare just now, and I almost didn’t scare to death. Fortunately, it’s a dream. If it’s true, it would be a sham.” Jupu hurriedly asked him what dream he had, but Shantong didn’t want to tell the truth, he only said the kingdom of dwarves He rebelled and went to Beijing. His whole family, old and young, were all robbed by soldiers.Jupu said: "The dream is in your heart. You have never seen your son in Beijing this time, and you are worried about it, so you have this dream. Stop thinking about it." As he spoke, he stretched out his hand to pour a cup of tea from the thermos, Handed it to Shantong and said, "Brother, take a sip of tea, and your mind will naturally clear up." Shantong took it and drank it.Jupu said: "It's still early in the day, let's sleep for a while, and then get up, so as not to disturb all the people in the bed."

Shan Tong lay down again, tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep again.Looking back on the situation in the dream, it is as vivid as it is now.I secretly planned to say that fortunately it was a dream. If this is true, I would not be too embarrassed.I also think that Jingzong is a man with a cold nature, even if he treats his biological parents like this, he still knows what a country is.Things like this traitorous thing will last for a long time, and it may not be impossible to do it.To leave him far away is one way to avoid evil and seek good fortune.As the saying goes, if you lose your fortune, you will lose your fortune.Or maybe the heavens pity me and can't bear to make me suffer from my son's troubles, that's why the father and son didn't recognize each other.I will go home from now on.Fortunately, despite the drought this year, the family still has two or three hectares of fertile fields, which will surely be harvested next year, and they will not be left without food and clothing. Why must they enjoy the blessings of their sons?Later, I thought that my daughter-in-law, Pu Shi, is really a virtuous and filial woman, she should never have protected her son and forced him back to her natal family.I heard that my grandson is already eight years old this year.When I go home this time, I will go to the door to thank you, and I will still bring Er Xi back, and the family will be reunited.As for his son Jingzong, it is not impossible to sever ties from now on, as long as there is no one like him.Shantong thought about it, and the sky was already bright.Neyan opened the door and came in, walked to his father's pillow with light steps, seeing that Jupu was still closed, he didn't dare to speak, and walked out of the room lightly.Seeing this scene, Shantong felt envy, admiration, and regret in his heart.What I envy is that Jupu has raised such a good son and enjoys the blessing of old age. This life is not in vain; Silent, with such a pure and filial meaning, it can be seen that people are good or bad, not because of how much they study; what I regret is that I have only one son Jingzong under my knees. Working at home as a farmer, he definitely wouldn't be so bad.Although his nature is too thin, it is possible that he can become a good person if he can study for a few more years from the bamboo year.They had to be sent overseas and received a lot of new education without father or king, which simply added fuel to the fire.Now that it's done, if I try to change him again, I'm afraid I won't have this hope in this life.Thinking about it carefully, isn't it my own fault, who else can I blame?Thinking of this, I unconsciously shed a few more sad tears.Then I came back to the dream, and I put aside my regret and sentimentality.

He didn't say that Shantong was thinking wildly, but said that Jupu woke up and saw the sun on the window, so he quickly put on his clothes and called Shantong to get up together.Neyan looked outside the door, and when he saw his father get up, he opened the door and walked in, and asked with a smile, "Did the two old people sleep well?" Pu said: "Go and prepare some snacks. I'm hungry when I wake up." Na Yan said: "All the snacks are ready. Please come over and bring them up." The two put on their clothes and got off land.The store clerk has brought facial water, two basins, two towels, and two portions of pancreatic soap, and the two of them clean their faces and rinse their mouths.The apprentice served two plates of steamed stuffed buns, one with meat stuffing and the other with red bean paste.Another two bowls of bean curd paste, and a large plate of sesame seed oil.Jupu laughed and said: "This year we have a drought in Shandong, you see he regards our two brothers as victims of the disaster, it's like giving relief." "Dim sum is eaten here. They always put the big plates and big bowls on top. It's not a rule. It's not the principle of respecting the elderly. After my son tells them, I will use small dishes and small bowls." Jupu laughed and said: "I don't blame you. Because I was hurt by the scene, I thought of the disaster victims in our hometown. Wouldn't it be the happiest thing for someone to prepare snacks for them like this? We are full, and we have to think about it." The starving compatriots are better." Shan Tong said: "My God, rich people can follow your intentions, brother, and most of the drought will be gone." The three of them were eating snacks, and Jupu ordered Nae Said: "I have nothing to do. I will investigate the victims in Zichuan County. How many people are living in Tianjin. How much money do you give each of them. If you are willing to go home, buy a ticket for him so that they can go back and reunite with their families. Even if it costs 1,800 yuan, since this year's business was done in vain and did not make any money, why do we men have limited financial resources? If we can take care of their high-ranking and wealthy families, they have thousands of houses and tens of thousands of hectares of land, and hundreds of thousands of acres of land in the bank. Wan cash, don’t say Zichuan is not Zichuan, don’t worry about him, even if Shandong is not Shandong, don’t ask, we just have to spend money to save the countless victims, which is what I want.” Jupu said One sentence, one word yes.Shan Tong sighed: "When a person becomes an official, he doesn't even recognize his own parents, and he doesn't care about the victims of the disaster. According to my opinion, an official will know his boss when he goes out, and his wife when he enters the door. Besides , there is no one he recognizes." Ju Pu smiled and said, "Brother has never been an official, how can you guess the psychology of being an official so thoroughly?" This sentence stopped Shantong from asking.He was thinking of Jingzong, and said a few emotional words, but when he was asked by Jupu, his face flushed and he couldn't answer.It was Neyan who answered for him: "Old man Zhang's words are just a moment of emotion. I guess my brother Jingzong, even if he is an official, will never behave like this." In Neyan, these few words are still consciously kind. In order to explain, I don't know that Shantong listened to it, and it was more sad than scolding him.The father and son of Jupu saw that the same side is not as good as the other side, so he must have unspeakable difficulties in his heart, and it is not easy to ask, so he had to use other words to divert it.Nervously said: "Uncle Zhang came back for dinner, let's go to the theater with Yan Yan. Shangtianxian is not far from the north of this palace, just a few steps away, and I have already packed the box. Today, Xiao Lianfen was in this garden the first day It was "Mountain of Shepherd", with "Reunion in the Shepherd Circle", which is his best play. The syllables are really sad and evocative. There is also Feng Zimei's "Testing Mother" with "Hui Ling", which is done in one go, better than Bai Wen Kui is much stronger. If you don't believe me, the old man will be satisfied after listening to it." Shan Tong said: "Why should my nephew spend so much money on socializing?" Ju Pu said: "If there is any cost, you have to be polite again, you really deserve to be punished. "After dinner that day, Na Yan accompanied the two of them to the theater.After staying for seven or eight days, Shantong insisted on going home, no matter how much he stayed, he couldn't stay anymore.Na Yan had no choice but to personally send him to the station and book a ticket for him.Shantong was very grateful, held Neyan's hand, and said in tears, "My nephew treats me with affection, even my own nephew, may not be so sincere. I wish you a prosperous career and a happy family." Neyan said: "What did the old man say? We are young people, so it should be so." The two broke up and drove away when they were young.

Shantong came to Jinan, got off the bus, hired a rickshaw, drove it all the way to Zhijinshi Street in the city, and got off in front of Cao's house.Looking up, I was surprised.But I saw that the two doors were sealed with white paper, and there were a few white paper notes stuck on the wall outside the door, which were written about the funeral of Cao's house. day.Shantong paid the fare and wondered in his heart, "When I came, both my uncle and aunt were well and healthy, how could there be a funeral in half a month?"While thinking, he knocked on the door.The servant You Sheng came out, saw that it was Shan Tong, hurried up to greet him, took the luggage over and asked, "Did Master Zhang just arrive?" Shan Tong nodded, and then asked him, "Who is your master who passed away? You Sheng said: "On the fourth day after your old man left here, the old lady suddenly fell ill. After a day and a night, she went back to the west. My grandpa is in a hurry about this matter. I sent a urgent telegram to the young master." , so far not only has no one returned, but there has not even been a call back. The second young master is a student who has not graduated, how can he take care of the funeral? You are always here at the right time, help our grand master to do it." Shantong heard that his aunt故去，虽然是远房的，昔日却待他很厚，因此很动感情，哇的一声便哭了进去，一直哭到棺前，伏地大恸。此时曹翁正在屋里伤心发愁，忽听有人哭进来，以为必是玉琳回来了，连忙跑出来看，不觉大失所望，原来不是玉琳，却是善同，到底连自己也招哭了。彼此哭了一阵，曹翁止住悲声，善同兀自号啕不止。What is the reason for this?因为他嘴里哭着姑母，心里却想起儿子来，所以越想越酸，越哭越恸。曹翁忙过来解劝道：“贤侄起来吧！人已经故去了，你就是哭三天三夜，也哭不活啊。快起来帮着我商量一切，难得你回来，倒是我的助手。你二兄弟年纪太轻，可把我累坏了。”善同起来，随着曹翁到屋里净面喝茶，一面问他姑母倒是何病故的。曹翁叹道：“你姑母平日身体并不弱，只因过胖，所以常有气喘的毛病。那一夜因为到院中去烧香，烧完了回来，才一上台阶，不知被什么滑了一个跟头。儿媳丫鬟等，忙把她扶进屋里。哪知这一跤摔上了痰来，赶紧请医生来看，据说是真中风已经入脏，不能救治了。勉强求人家开了一个方子，药煎好了，牙关闭得紧紧的，怎样也灌不进分毫。挨到第二天正午，便断了气。你那二表弟玉琅在家，玉琳却在湖北，当天便给他拍去一电。不料过了十天，不但人未回来，连一封回电也没有，真真要把人急死。你想他是长子，他不回来，这个殡怎能出得去？老侄既然来了，你替我想个主意吧，我的方寸是乱了。”善同也发急道：“大表弟太荒谬了，父母大丧，非同别的事，怎么得着信还不快来奔丧，难道还有比这事再重要的不成。别是电报拍错了，不曾接着吧？”曹翁摇手道：“不能不能。他前一个月来信，说住在汉口张美之巷第八号，清清楚楚的，怎能够错呢？再说他此次到湖北，是庄宫保调去的，派为汉口外交局总办。汉口电报局，一天不定有他多少封电报，焉能有送错的道理。”善同道：“既然如此，姑丈何不派一名专差到汉口去叫他。他是回来不回来，自然可以讨个实在消息，岂不比这样熬等强吗？”曹翁道：“你这话倒也有理。”便立时将尤升喊过来，给了他三十块钱盘费，写了一封信交给他。叫他明日早晨先到天津，由天津到北京，再由北京坐京汉车，直赴汉口。寻着大少爷，无论他有多重要的事情，也务必把他叫回家来，不得有误。尤升一一答应了。次日便起身奔天津去了，暂且按下不提。 却说曹玉琳因何不奔母丧，这其中也有一个原因。原来南洋大臣庄官保，由两江总督又调署湖广总督。到任之后，见湖北的人才不及江南众多，便想起杨修、顾黾两个人来。特给项宫保去了一套公事，调这两个人到湖北差遣任用。项宫保因为这两人法律精热，办外交离开他们不得，硬留住不放，却把曹玉琳一个人派了去，聊以搪塞。庄宫保虽然心中不乐意，也无可奈何。及至见了玉琳，却十分赏识。你道这是因何？原来庄宫保生平最喜爱俊俏男子。凡在他署中候补当差，只要生得有宋玉之美、子都之姣，他便刮目相待，总尽着派你优缺优差。要是脸子不好的，你无论有多大学问，多大才干，也休想有出头之日。因此一般脸子好而又想做官的，无不趋之若鹜。曹玉琳生得五官秀美，体格丰满，不亚如傅粉何郎。庄宫保一见面，便十分欣喜，始而派在署内充当文案。不时地陪着宫保赋诗饮酒，弹琴下棋，形迹十分亲密。外边便造许多谣言，硬说曹玉琳是臧仓、弥子瑕、邓通、董贤之流。其实堂堂宫保，也未见得做这样污秽不堪之事。到底众口铄金，积毁销骨，惹得宫保手下一班弄儿，如张豹等全都侧目而视，愤愤不平。大家暗地商量，颇有不利于孺子的打算。这个风声，传到宫保耳中，生怕闹出事来，于自己名誉不好，便下了一个札子，委他为汉口外交局总办。这乃是本省中一个优差，多少红候补道全钻谋不能到手，曹玉琳却安稳得了。 从前这个局子叫洋务局，庄宫保嫌这名字太不雅驯，因此改为外交局。其性质是汉黄德道的一个咨询机关，凡与外人办理通商传教，及一切交涉，全要先会同他。他可以代表督抚，主持各事。一年净交际费一项，可以报销三四万金。所以各候补道，多有拿出一两万银子，运动这个差事的。前任的总办姓孔，名叫令名，是曲阜人氏，两榜进士出身。由现任黄州府过道班，过班之后，便派了这个差使。当了不足三个月，庄宫保到任，他禀见了一次，宫保看他很讨厌。因为孔命名生得五官丑陋，既黑且麻，又自恃少年科甲，兼为圣裔，举止言谈，很放肆不循规矩。庄宫保见了，心中大不痛快，时刻想把他撤换，只是没有相当的人。后来被曹玉琳奉承欢喜了，又为避声气起见，便委了他这个差使。曹玉琳赶紧上去谢委，磕过头，便对宫保说：“大帅委学生这样优差，实在感激不尽。但是学生的意思，总愿意在大帅左右，得以朝夕受教。如今到汉口去，不能昼夜侍奉，追随几杖，心中倒不觉黯然。”宫保道：“我何尝愿意你远去，不过目前有一点难言的苦衷。你暂时先到汉口，俟等过几个月，有了机会我一定调你回来。”玉琳恋恋不舍地告辞而去。其实他心里何尝不愿意，却故意假造作，所为是希荣固宠。及到了汉口，接差之后，他不肯住在局子里。因为局中人多眼杂，诸多不便，特在张美之巷，租了一所宅子。前有客厅，后有卧室，有马号，有厨房，宽敞华丽，十分称心。他的夫人江氏，从前随他在天津，此次也随来湖北。只生了两个小姐，却没有男孩。依着玉琳的意思，早想讨一个小老婆，只是江氏这一关通不过去。江氏说：“我又不是不会生养，怎见得就不能得子？况且你我今年才三十三岁，正在壮年，何愁无子？你要为求快乐讨人，只管明说，不必拿着子息借口。”曹玉琳本来惧内，又被夫人迎头一拍，居然拍回去了。但是日久天长，他那惧内心，究不敌他那好色心重。偏巧事又凑巧，江氏到汉口，因为不服水土病了，请先生吃了几剂药，也不大见好。虽然不至卧床不起，到底男女居室人之大伦这一篇文章，是做不得了。玉琳寂寞寡欢，便要闲中生事。他自到汉口，所有本埠的衙署局所，自然全要拜到。无意中却遇着一位同学，是大兴县的王金海，现充汉口牙厘局总办。他自回国后，捐了一个试用道。指省湖北来的时候，拿着北京某军机一封荐信，说他新旧兼通，少年有为，前任总督便委他为汉口牙厘局总办。及庄宫保到任，禀见的时候，宫保见他秀骨珊珊，大有美人风度，便格外垂青，仍叫他好好当差，并未撤他的任。此次与曹玉琳无意相逢，两人握手谈心，好不欢洽。金海为人，风流自赏，专好的是嫖娼。他自到汉口，没有一天不在小班中摆酒。所请的，除去各局所总会办，便是各银行票号的老板、各洋行的大班。自见着玉琳，又添了一位嫖界大将。当日晚间，便约他到德国租界，望江里三号芙蓉仙馆，去吃酒打牌。 你道汉口的官场，为何可以这样随便？其中自有一种原因。因为汉口是纯粹商埠，其性质与上海相同，绝非天津可比。天津是以省会而兼商埠，总督在此驻节，阖埠的官员，全要惧怕他几分，谁也不敢明目张胆地狂嫖滥赌。至于上海汉口，可就大大不同了。本埠的官儿，只有一个道台，算是顶大了。然而各局所林立，局所中的总会办，也全顶者一个道台职衔。有时候还许来一个京卿，便是道台的上司。所以官场中没有重心，大家便可以自由随便。此次曹玉琳虽然挂一个内阁中书衔，却是京职，与道台彼此无辖。汉黄德道去拜会他，全要教弟帖。因此玉琳的局面，是很不小。他从前在济南上学时候，就专好偷着去嫖妓，后来到日本东京，那歌妓院中也时有他的踪迹。及至在天津就差，一者督署中要避耳目，二者江氏管得很严，所以面子上是很安分的。及至来到汉口，架不住朋友撺掇，便不时地随喜。恰值江氏病了，阃令又宽松了许多。玉琳嫖兴大发，天天晚上，必在小班中吃酒。回来对江氏说，局中公事太忙，好在不敢公然外宿，所以江氏也不甚疑惑他。自头一次应王金海之约，到芙蓉仙馆吃酒，金海替他介绍一个美人，名叫柳娘，乃是汉口的花魁，曾选过状元的。柳娘来了，玉琳一见，便色授魂与，加了八个字批语，是袅娜风流，清华富丽。要论柳娘长的容貌，实足当此八字，毫无愧色。金海替他引见说：“这位曹大人，是新升来的外交局总办。你好好地应酬，不会亏负你的。”柳娘虽系女子，却是绝顶聪明。一见曹玉琳仪表轩昂，衣服华丽，满脸的官气，早明白他是一个政界人物。继而听说是外交局总办，料定必然是一位道台大人。连忙抖擞精神，款移莲步，满面春风地问道：“大人是新到任吧？侬从前没有会过，到底一见如故，又仿佛在哪里会过一般？”玉琳尚未答言，金海凑趣道：“你是神女，他是楚襄王，你们在巫山会过，一定认得。只可惜是梦里，不是白天罢了。”柳娘笑道：“这一说，王大人不成了圆梦的宋玉了吗？”玉琳鼓掌道：“答得真好。只这一句，就可见你是一位雅人了。”柳娘笑道：“什么聋人哑人的，但求大人不笑我们粗野，那就好极了。”大家说笑，少时客已到齐。有厘金局总办孟传光，巡警局总办马占龙，洋关税务司总文案易多献，汉黄德道的幕府魏家俊，汇丰银行老板梁尚友，江轮公司老板萧得培。大家入座饮酒，觥筹交错，大鏖酒兵。吃过饭后，便开了两桌麻将。八圈打罢，曹玉琳赢了三百几十块钱，一块未留，一总儿全给了柳娘。柳娘拉他到自己下处，在英租界香山里，并约大家同去。内中有去的，有不去的。到了柳娘下处，三楼三底，只她自己一人，有两个娘姨、两个大姐。屋子收拾得真可比神仙洞府。玉琳应许明日在此请客，当面约大家同来，众人全答应了。从此玉琳的足迹，无日不到香山里，与柳娘会晤。家中瞒着他夫人，只说局子里公事太忙，目前有一种交涉，十分难办，天天夜里要开秘密会议。有时太晚了，便不得回家。其实却是住在柳娘下处。如此将有一个月工夫，两人的热度，已经达到沸点，一个愿娶，一个愿嫁，已经是定而不移了。不料，这一天晚上，玉琳正在柳娘处摆酒，他的长班高升，忽然呈上一封电报，嘴里还说是由济南来的。玉琳听了一愣，随将电报接过，揣在怀中。大家散了，他自己翻译。翻完了，皱一皱眉，把这电报撕成数片，团一团，扔在字纸篓中。柳娘在旁边看了，也不好动问。等玉琳睡了觉，自己蹑足潜踪地从字纸篓中，把碎电取出来，慢慢地拼在一处，仔细阅看。不阅还罢，这一阅，把个柳娘气得粉脸焦黄，银牙咬碎，低低地骂了一声禽兽，从此遂完全变了她的初心。要知所为何事？且看下回分解。