Chapter 51 The forty-eighth chapter: Evil families buy disasters and spend a lot of money, bureaucrats and people use poison

Tian Jiyun has cleared the level of Xingxianhui, and the hope of the Swiss side is finally very good.It's just that Old En Wang's level, Rui Fang was anxious and couldn't think of a way.Because the Swiss side has always been a celebrity, he thinks nothing of the relatives and nobles of the Eight Banners.In the past, the Empress Dowager Cixi admired him very much, and he was Zhuang Zhongtang's disciple and Xiang Zicheng's ally, so the Eight Banners were relatives and nobles, so he had to give him three points.Although he pretended to be perfunctory towards Old En Wang, he actually refused to show sincere respect to him.Because of his kindness to Youlong and the protection of Xiang and Zhuang, Lao Enwang himself would not be this enemy.When the Empress Dowager passed away, Xiangzicheng was demoted, leaving only one Zhuang Zhongtang, and the power of the Swiss side had plummeted, so when the dismissal came, all the bannermen agreed.Unexpectedly, Zhuang Zhongtang died again later, and he didn't have a backer in the court, so if he wanted to curry favor with the old Enwang, how could he have time?So this time I planned to go out of the mountain, and it took a lot of trouble.At last, he had a keen mind, got into Tian Jiyun's door, passed the post office minister's pass, and passed it safely.Only Old En Wang couldn't think of a way.Ji Yun laughed and said, how could I forget what I said to Fourth Master yesterday?Only then did Rui Fang suddenly realize, clapping his hands and laughing unconsciously, he said, "Really, why am I so stupid? Old En Wang said it himself, asking you to do business for him, so you can get some oil and water to make up for the shortfall. Why did I forget?" Are you dead? Well, I don’t want to bother the two masters, so I beg you to work hard.” Ji Yun said: “It’s not too late, I’ll go right away, and you can listen to the sound when you come back.” After saying that, he went without delay.

He didn't come back until more than three days later.The Swiss side has been waiting impatiently.Seeing him come back is like getting a treasure.When they met, they opened their mouths to ask questions, but seeing Jiyun's frowning face, not a little bit of joy, his heart was half cold, and he swallowed the words he wanted to ask, so he couldn't open his mouth anymore, and just stared at Jiyun.Ji Yun sat down, coughed before opening his mouth, and then said: "My fourth master, is there any gap between you and the old prince?" Rui Fang was taken aback when he heard this, and said: " Where did this come from? How dare I offend the old man? When I was in Fengjiang, the mansion had three festivals and two lifespans, and I never dared to leave the scene. Even if I came to Beijing, I would give it to him first. Is there anything inconsiderate about the old man going to pay his respects?" Ji Yun sighed and said, "I heard what the fourth master said, you are a layman. You have made the frontier, and you only pay him three festivals and two lives for the old man. It's your big mistake, can you still say that you are not thoughtful?" These few words made Rui Fang's hair stand on end, and he hurriedly asked Ji Yun: "What must be done?" Ji Yun said: "The governors of all provinces are grateful In the palace, people stationed in Beijing must always go to inquire about the news. For example, if the mansion wants to buy something, the Beijing staff get the news, and quickly prepare it. The custodian sends it in, saying that it is a gift from a certain governor of a certain province to honor the old prince. Please accept it. The prince accepts it, and then the staff stationed in Beijing will report to the province. Sometimes the prince mentions someone, meaning he wants to use the money, and it costs 350,000. The Beijing staff will immediately get the letter Send it to the mansion, and then write a letter for reimbursement. If the amount is too large, you can go to the telegram to ask for instructions, and the other side will call back and tell you to call, and the Beijing staff will call it immediately from the bank. You don't need to be extravagant, it's the meaning of avoiding publicity. The fourth master has been sealing off borders for all these years, and he doesn't even understand the secrets of this, but he knows how to give gifts for three festivals and two birthdays, so it's no wonder that the old prince can't help you." Rui After hearing these words, Fang just shook his head and inhaled.Said: "I have been an official all these years, and I have been in vain. I am not as experienced as you! Please tell me, what does the prince mean to me?" Official seal, the boss is not happy, saying that a certain person has made a lot of money, but he has always been stingy. Now he can sit at home and enjoy the blessings. Why do he want to go out to be an official? I begged again and again, and the prince said: He wants to It will cost a lot of money to recover the charges and become an official. I heard this sentence, and I knew that the prince had already had a life, so it was finally easy to handle. Then I went further and asked: "Please tell the prince, how much do you have to ask him to take?" What about the money? The old prince pondered for a moment, and replied: "For your sake, tell him to take 600,000. From the 600,000, I will give you 10% and I will pay 540,000. This is the minimum." You don’t need to add soup to change water, and it’s troublesome to go back and forth. You go back and say to him: That’s it, you come to see me; if it’s not, you don’t have to run away in vain. I heard that the price is too high, so I have to go back I begged again and again, saying that the number the prince said was really not much. It's just that Mr. Rui has been idle for a year or two, and he usually spends a lot of money. I'm afraid he doesn't have so much money in his hand. I have to ask the Lord for extra grace, and then reduce it by one more. .Even the 10% that the prince rewarded me can be excluded. I just ask the prince to reduce a few more, so that this useless employee can be fulfilled. When he goes out in the future, he will never forget the benefits of the master, and he must have a special heart. I said a lot of things, but the prince just laughed and said that you have some special relationship with Rui, so you can help him in this way. To tell you the truth, I never want him to have any support. I only talk about the immediate transaction. Since you are interceding like this, and you have thrown away your own 60,000 yuan, how about it, I want a round number, 500,000 yuan. Going to another coin is also unsuccessful, and you don’t need to waste any more words. I listen After taking this breath, I knew that there was no room for action. I had to come back to discuss with the fourth master first, I never expected him to open his mouth like this. Whether to do it or not, please let the fourth master decide for himself." Rui Fang heard that the old Enwang wanted With so much money, I couldn't help hesitating, and said: "I was in Liangjiang Zhili. Although I had a few money left, I spent more than half of it on gold, stone, calligraphy and painting. The rest was bought in Huixian County, Henan Province. Zhuangtian, where do I have so much cash? To tell you the truth, only Zhengjin Bank has deposited me with 200,000 yuan, which is not even half of it, so where can I find a solution for the rest?" He lowered his head and thought After a while, he said: "Forget it! I still have the stocks of Guangdong-Hanchuan Railway, Shanghai China Merchants, and Hubei Hanyeping, totaling more than 300,000 yuan. If the full amount is taken out, 200,000 yuan can still be bet. It's just that doing it like this is about the same as ransacking the house." Ji Yun said: "Fourth Master, if you want to open up a little bit, there are people who have money. Even if you spend four to five million yuan now, you can get a restoration officer in front of you; In addition to the imperial envoy who supervises the railway, this trip can get at least 1.8 million yuan, which is the interest of the combination; when you arrive in Hubei and Sichuan, maybe the regent will let you go if he is happy. The governor, everything is going smoothly, and there is no certainty how much money you can make back. What is the four or five hundred thousand?" Rui Fang's heart was touched by a few words, and he sighed: "Okay, let's put all our eggs in one basket. But there is still one difficulty ,PlaceI don't have money and stocks, and I don't own them. "Ji Yun was surprised and said: "Why is Fourth Master's own money not in his own hands? Could it be that he has all bet on others? Rui Fang said: "You don't know, our family is headed by the sixth master, and all the gold and silver industries are in his hands."Mr. Liu is a master of economics, and he is impeccable, so I entrusted him with all the housework.Now that he wants to take out so much money from him, he will definitely not agree.It looks like, don't you waste your time? Ji Yun said: "As far as I can see, this matter is not difficult to handle."Liu Ye is also an official, he knows the promise of being an official very well.As long as you talk about the pros and cons without hesitation, I don't think Liu Ye will be stubborn. Rui Fang said: "I hope this is not good!"Let me talk about it later. "Ji Yun left, saying that I will listen to good music tomorrow.

The Rui side sent him away, and it was more than four days.Lying in bed by myself, tossing and turning, I just couldn't fall asleep.Suddenly thinking of being promoted and the governor of Sichuan being secure, he was very happy; suddenly thinking of four or five hundred thousand wasted money, he felt distressed and sad.In the square inch, it was like boiling a pot.After finally staying up until dawn, I just closed my eyes and fell asleep.After sleeping for a while, I woke up and had to hold a family meeting without delay.It turned out that there were three brothers in Ruifang, and he himself was the eldest brother, but he ranked fourth in the big ranking.His two younger brothers, the fifth is called Ruimian; the sixth is called Ruijin.He was originally from the first rank, and he was transferred from the Ministry of Industry to the government, transferred to the two divisions, and was recommended to be promoted to governor. It was smooth sailing at last.The two younger brothers are both born in a pen post style, the fifth is now a member of the Lifan Academy, Wailang, and the sixth is the head of the Du branch.Although his three brothers are from the same mother, their tempers are completely different.Ruifang is a celebrity school, who specializes in singing the wind and singing the moon, and showing off coquettishly.I also have the habit of painting on gold and stone, and the few money I earn are spent on these useless waste.Ruimian eats, drinks, prostitutes, gambles, smokes opium, does everything wrong, and hangs out with a group of hooligans all day long.What I do is just to hang an empty name.As long as he is asked to hold the money at home, he can do it at will.Only the sixth master, Ruijin, is a natural economical expert, and he is reluctant to spend even a single copper.Worked as an errand in the ministry and always went home for dinner.Sometimes when I am very hungry, I just ask the servant to buy two sesame cakes and two sticks of oily sesame flower, and send them with boiling water, which is considered a meal.If you want to ask him to eat in a restaurant for a few cents, you will die.The Swiss side saw him like this, so they handed over the property to him for management.He lived very frugally. Every day he only gave the cook eight shillings for food, and one sling of six hundred cash for joint production.There are more than forty mouths in the family, and each person can't even get two coppers. They can't eat anything except cabbage and tofu.Therefore, there is no one in the family who does not hate Ruijin.Only Ruifang's concubine and his son Ruiqi hated him very much.

This concubine in Ruifang came from a wrong place, but she gave birth to a son, and the eldest wife only gave birth to a young lady.That day, Xiangzicheng and Ruifang were very close, and they wanted to change their marriage: Ruifang betrothed his daughter to Xiangzicheng's sixth young master; Xiangzicheng wanted to betroth his fifth young lady to Ruiqi.Later, I found out that it was a concubine, and this Ruiqi was born obscene.As far as his qualifications are concerned, he is really extremely smart. He went to study in England at the age of seventeen.In the past six or seven years, I have graduated from the University of London. My English is very good, and my Chinese is not bad.After returning to the imperial court examination, he was ranked first in the examination, and the Jinshi awarded by the imperial court was sent to the postal department as an errand.Being an errand is just a name, spending time and drinking all day long, fooling around with a group of eight-banners and young masters.With money to spend, he stared at his father for it.Rui Fang was really afraid of him, he had to give as much as he wanted, and he didn't even dare to say no.What is the reason for this?Because Ruiqi came back from studying abroad and shouted about revolution all day long.He is also a member of the Tongmenghui, and he is a member of the same revolutionary party.His old man was an official of the Qing Dynasty, but he cursed the Qing Dynasty as nothing, and he was not considered a hero unless he overthrew Aixinjueluo.Rui Fang is worried all day long, fearing that he will cause trouble outside.He also said it well: As long as I have money to spend, I will not mention the word revolution; whenever there is no money, there will be revolution.Therefore, Ruifang was held hostage, and no matter how much money it wanted, he had to obey everything.When the word got out, Xiang Zicheng knew that he was not a man of talent, so he didn't bring up the matter of changing marriage.Rui Fang had no choice but to marry him in the Bannerman team.In the end, Xiang Zicheng always felt a little sorry in his heart, and I was sorry for Rui Fang.After inquiring how many nephews he had, I found out that there was a child in Ruijin's house, two years younger than Ruiqi, named Ruiyu, who followed the rules and was much better than Ruiqi.So he betrothed the fifth young lady to Ruiyu, which was regarded as an exchange of relatives.

Rui Fang's two wives are noisy all day long.The eldest wife said: "Although I don't have a son, I am the eldest wife who is married by the Ming Dynasty. I have to decide all the housework. Where can I find a wild woman who has no owner, and she will come home to act as a wife? What is a son? Is the son's surname Rui?" ?” The second wife heard this, how could she forgive her?Those who cried and shouted wanted to fight the Swiss side desperately.Said: "At the beginning you said that there was no wife in the family, so I married you. If you had a wife, you would not come to carry me with eight sedan chairs. My son was raised by you, but now I am angry. What is the surname Ruibu? Surnamed Rui? I have to ask you this matter. Is his surname Rui Rui? Tell me a fair word! If the surname is not Rui, I will immediately take this bastard on the road of Qingqiu, so as not to insult your good family with the surname Rui! If the surname is Rui, as the saying goes, a mother is more valuable than a son, and even the emperor's family has a rule. Who knows that Tongzhi was born by the concubine of the Western Palace, so why is Cixi the empress dowager? Since I gave birth to a son, I can't be considered a concubine .She is an old lady, and I am also an old lady. From now on, we have to make our names clear—I would rather die than be reconciled to being so confused and angry all my life. Speak quickly!"

The wife was arguing, but it happened that Ruiqi passed by his door, she ran out, pulled Ruiqi into the room, and cried, "Okay, okay, let's sing the father-son reunion today!" Pointing to Rui Qi, he asked, "My dear boy, tell me a fair word, is your surname Rui Rui?" Rui Qi didn't know why, and asked anxiously, "Auntie, are you crazy? There is no reason why you are making trouble. What is it!" The concubine heard that Rui Qi called her Auntie, and she became even more furious, and slapped Rui Qi twice in the mouth.Cursed: "Little bastard, bastard, you lead the boss to call me Auntie. Where are you from? You were conceived in October and breastfed for three years. I raised you so big, but you trampled on me." Here it comes! Why am I still living in this world?" Rui Qi was even more anxious when he was beaten, and stomped his feet and said, "Why do you beat someone! I don't call you aunt, what should I call you?" It turned out that Rui Qi was most afraid of being called him She is a concubine, so she pays tribute to her aunt and calls her mother very affectionately.Only for this mother-in-law, he would not even say a word easily, as if it was too far away.Now that Mao Mao has been grabbed by her, the boss is not happy in the first place; how can he accept it when he gets two slaps in the mouth?So they made a fuss, and the mother and son fought together.Rui Fang had no choice but to pull it himself, and then called the maid to help pull it away.

Rui Fang was already annoyed at being squeezed by his concubine, but now seeing Rui Qi being so arrogant, he became even more angry, and wanted to vent on his son.He came over and kicked Rui Qi's feet hard, cursing: "You don't even have a mother, you don't even have a mother, what do I want you to do? Come on, come on!" A crowd of servants came up.Rui Fang ordered: "Tie up this little bastard! I'll send him to the court and discipline him properly." The family members only agreed to do it, but no one was willing to do it.Ruiqi lay on the ground and said to his father: "Good old man, you don't have to send me away, I have to surrender myself! You were mobilized by the Revolutionary Party and became a traitor in Beijing. Sun Wen sent you 200,000 in cash , you exist in the Zhengjin Bank, I have known it for a long time. Let's sing about the family revolution, if you don't tell me to die, I can't tell you to live!" When Rui Fang heard this, he was afraid and angry , slumped on the chair, just panting, unable to speak a word.At the time when it was hard to separate, a savior came, and it was Li Huchen, who was arrested by the military patrol on the Swiss side for many years as mentioned above.He heard the uproar in the back house, and ran in just as Richie was talking nonsense.He didn't care about anything, ran over, dragged Ruiqi up from the ground, and left after dragging.Richie was still yelling and cursing, but he didn't care, and kept dragging him out of the gate.There was a carriage parked outside the door, it was for Ruimian to go to the Yamen.Li Huchen didn't ask any questions, he forced Ruiqi into the carriage, and he himself got into the carriage, and told the carriage driver: "Drive quickly, go to Xibaishun Hutong, Qianmen, Sanxi Qingyin Class." The carriage driver said anxiously: " No, no, this is to prepare the fifth master to go to the Lifan Court. When you send him back, the young master can sit down again. The villain dare not make decisions about this matter." Li Huchen said: "You go on your own, it doesn't matter. If the fifth master doesn't agree, the whole I'm here." The driver of the carriage still refused to move, Hu Chen got out of the car again in a hurry, grabbed the whip with his hand, and kicked the driver off, he sat on it, waved his whip, and flew like lightning, I ran down early.The driver was chasing after him, crying and shouting, but he couldn't hear him, so he had to come back cursing, not expressing it for the time being.

Besides, seeing Li Huchen taking Rui Qi away, Rui Fang took a long time to catch his breath, sighed, and said, "This is my retribution!" Unexpectedly, before he finished speaking, his concubine ran over again and bumped into him head, cursing: "Immortal, you deserve retribution. Is the retribution over? The son beat his mother, is this because of your family? We have to find a reasonable place to talk about it today. Your father and son are revolutionaries. You can't beat your mother to death." Rui Fang was most afraid of mentioning the word "revolutionary party" in his life, but he didn't know that his son didn't say it, but his aunt continued to say it, and she saw that it was a real murderer.Rui Fang had no choice but to kneel down to his concubine, kowtow, and begged: "My wife, please forgive me. My son is not a thing. I will discipline him and vent my anger. Don't look at anything else, look at me." This old man in his fifties can't live for a few more days, you just do your best to accumulate virtue, avoid a little grievance, and let me live for two more days." After saying that, he burst into tears.Seeing how pitiful he was, the concubine stopped fighting just now.This is the small picture of the Ruifang family.Only this one end, the rest can be imagined.So Tian Jiyun had to spend 400,000 to 500,000 yuan to exercise for him, and he didn't dare to make up his own mind.A family meeting must be held first, and all brothers and wives must pass, and then we can follow what Tian Jiyun said.

So I sent Jiyun away, fell asleep for a while, and sent Zhu'er, his little follower, to go and see the fifth and sixth masters, are you at home?Zhu'er turned around and came back, saying that Fifth Master and Sixth Master were all at home.Rui Fang said again: "You go to see the first wife and the second wife, but are they all at home? Didn't anyone go out to listen to the opera?" Zhu'er turned around and ran back again, saying that the first wife and the second wife were also at home.Rui Fang said again: "You go to see if the young master is at home?" Zhu'er was a little impatient at this time, stood still, and said, master, who else do you want me to see?Let's just say it all.Rui Fang said: "You bastard! If you walk a few more steps, you will feel wronged? Get out of here, and be careful not to break your dog's leg if you walk slowly!" Zhu'er pouted in anger, and came back and said to Rui Fang: "The young master is still in bed, not getting up." Rui Fang said: "It's so comfortable, you go and tell the fifth master, fifth wife, sixth master, sixth wife, first wife, second wife, and young master, too. Wake him up and say that the master is waiting for all of them in the hall of the garden, and there is something important to discuss, so don't delay. Hurry up and go." Zhu'er promised to go, but he muttered and gossiped : "This old man doesn't know why he is going crazy, and he has a meeting again. I don't even think about it, these wives in your family, what else do they know besides listening to operas and visiting temples? They are also worthy of discussing affairs!" , while going to inform.Rui Fang was waiting in the hall.

After a while, the sixth master and the sixth wife arrived first.Ruijin smiled and asked Ruifang: "You said that the fourth brother greeted us, what is there to discuss? Actually, if you see something wrong with the family affairs, just give your order and it will be fine. Why have a meeting?" Ruifang said: "Old man Six, you don't know, what I want to discuss is not about family affairs. You have to worry about family affairs, so I don't need to worry too much. I am about some important matter, and I don't have a clear idea, so I invite you all to come and consider together When Ruijin heard that it was not a family matter, his heart felt like a stone fell to the ground, knowing that his brother had no dissatisfaction with him being in charge of the family, so he sat down with his wife beside him.When he was young, the fifth master and fifth wife also arrived. As soon as Ruimian entered the door, he said aggressively to Ruifang: "Fourth brother, I know what you mean without a meeting. It must be too unfair to be the sixth son's home. The whole family complained a lot, and today we need to discuss a way to improve. Tell the truth to my brother, you have made a wrong idea a long time ago. If this family is handed over to my brother, I will keep it in harmony. No matter who it is, there is nothing to say .Isn’t Lao Liu here here too? Taking advantage of today’s good day, tell him to hand over all the keys to the booklet, so I don’t need to worry about my brother in the future.” Rui Fang sneered and said, “Old Fifth, please be quiet first. The family will be entrusted to you. Our family is not far away from the day of begging. I have a meeting today, not because of family matters, you don’t need cucumbers to put on the gourd rack.” The fifth child wiped his nose Hui Hui sat down beside him angrily, without making a sound.Ruijin just grinned.

The fifth wife was very unhappy at this time, pointed at Rui Mian and said with a sneer, "You want to be in charge again? The toad wants to eat swan meat, but he doesn't even take a look in the mirror! If you have any backbone, you should have left this place long ago." Home, where can't I rent two thatched huts? It saves me from being pissed off all day long. If you are a lifeless person, if I marry you, I will be unlucky for the rest of my life! I advise you, keep your stinking mouth shut and don't talk too much. Say a few words, don't show up in front of people." Ruimian was already upset, and after being taught by his wife, how can he obey?Immediately, he stared and scolded: "You bastard, unvirtuous thing, you dare to bully me! I am angry with my brother because I am a compatriot of the same mother. Where did you come from, you little woman? How dare you bully me in front of others?" Me. You said it was unlucky to marry me, and you won’t marry anyone else? There are a lot of lucky celebrities in this city of Beijing. You keep your eyes open to choose, and you marry whoever looks good. But there is one thing, I am afraid that if you like someone, they may not like you. No one will ask you, an old woman, to be a godmother, so you should give up." Ruimian talked nonsense to himself, but he couldn't guard against it. The Fifth Wife went up, slamming coldly, opening her bow left and right, with two big mouths, which made Ruimian's face completely red.Ruimian didn't want to accept it, so he immediately wanted to fight back and hit his wife.Helpless, he was smoky, and his body was already empty.This fifth wife is physically strong, and she is also a bannerman with all the natural feet. Let alone Ruimian, there are three or five in his case, and she is not the wife's opponent.That's why Ruimian wanted to go and grab her, but she grabbed her wrist and pushed hard, Ruimian made a fuss and fell to the ground.Rui Fang saw that it was too inappropriate, so he had to show his big brother's prestige and shouted loudly: "Are you going to rebel! I kindly invited you to a meeting, and you started arguing without saying a serious word. What are you looking like!" Follow Zhu'er's instructions to get the fifth master up quickly, and no one is allowed to say anything more. At this time, Rui Fang's second wife came in alone, and asked Rui Fang first: "What do you want me to do? I am not a person who can't be on the table, and I am not worthy of meeting with everyone." She said while talking. , walking forward with his head raised.Unexpectedly, Ruimian was lying on the ground, and before he got up, he tripped over his leg, and with a plop, the second wife fell onto Fifth Master.The whole room was recruited, and everyone laughed, and even the fifth wife who beat someone slapped her hands and laughed, and stopped being angry.Zhu'er hurried over, helped the second wife up first, and then helped the fifth master.The second wife blushed and asked: "Fifth Master, why don't you sit down and lie on the ground, what's the reason?" This Rui Fifth Master answered better, saying that second sister-in-law, don't ask, this is because I miss you the benefits of.When the second wife heard this, she was stunned and said, "Where did you start?" Ruimian said, "When you fight with my elder brother, you can make the old man kneel down. Don't tell me your siblings are not allowed to make me lie down when they fight with me?" Are you playing?" The two words caused everyone to roar with laughter. Rui Fang was so angry that he scolded his brother and said: "What kind of dung are you still spraying? There are many people in the world who don't want to be shameless. It's rare for you to be ashamed like you." Speaking of the curtain moved, Rui Qi slid into it. When he came in, the prisoner lost his face and got up from the bed.When Rui Fang saw it, he couldn't help getting angry.She stared and asked, "Why didn't your mother come?" Rui Qi said, "She's a little uncomfortable, and she can't attend because she asked for leave. She said it was something important, and appointed me to be the representative." Rui Fang snorted and said, "Where is it?" These new terms? Really annoying. Since she won’t come, I want to tell you: Our family’s life is already too big to accept. Although I have a little money, I can’t sit still and eat, sooner or later Yes. Now there is an opportunity to stand out. The Sichuan-Han Railway is causing trouble. The imperial court wants to send a high-ranking official to mediate, but no one is willing to go. The Minister of Post and Communications, Xing Xianhui, just thought of me and wanted to protect me. Open the restoration officer and simply release the railway supervisor. Before I promise him, I will discuss with all of you first. If you think you can go, I will try my best to carry it out; If you have any opinions, just speak up and don’t hide and hide.” Before Rui Fang finished speaking, his son Ruiqi spoke up first, saying: “This is a great happy event, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity , why didn’t father go? Go ahead and do it right away, don’t wait to walk behind and tell others to get there first, that would be bad luck! Such a coincidental opportunity, why don’t you discuss it?” Rui Fang shouted: “Stop talking! You Uncle, aunt, and aunt haven't even said a word yet, you're talking nonsense, you really deserve to be beaten!" Rui Qi was angry and fell silent.Rui Mian went on to say: "Qi'er's words are very reasonable, what did brother stop him? You are already in your fifties, take advantage of this opportunity, if you don't go out and scratch a few words, how long do you have to wait? Find Lao Xing today , you can enter the concert tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow will come out, and you can leave Beijing the day after tomorrow. It should not be too late, the sooner the better." After hearing this, Rui Fang just fell silent.The second wife went on to say: "It's a good thing for you to go out to be an official. There is no disapproval, but there is one thing I have to ask you first. You go out this time, but you still take me, or take the eldest wife? You have to say It’s explained, so we have room for discussion. Otherwise, today’s meeting will not be considered a success.” Everyone looked at her after hearing what the second wife said.Rui Fang sighed and said: "You really don't understand. Since I took office, when have I taken care of the eldest wife? Isn't it all because you are the wife of the palm seal? Even when I went abroad that year, I never left you behind. Why do you do this?" You don't need to worry about it now." Hearing what Rui Fang said, the second wife immediately showed a smile on her face, and said yes, the master still understands.If you go out this time, you must be lucky and return home full of rewards.Rui Fang ignored her and just stared at Liu Ye Rui Jin. Ruijin asked calmly: "Listening to what my brother said is indeed a good thing. But at your age, you still go out thousands of miles and take that risk. As the saying goes, Sichuan is a place that has long been opposed, and the people are extremely barbaric. I heard that this trend is very big, so why bother to endure this kind of hardship? Although the family doesn’t have much money, they will be able to survive. Brother Yi advises you, let’s see the limelight before talking.” Ruijin has not yet said. When it was over, Ruimian, Ruiqi and his nephew were all red-eyed.Ruimian said: "Lao Liu, don't say a few words. You don't pat your chest and think about it, what are you capable of earning money? It's so easy to hope that my brother will have such a rare opportunity. As younger brothers, we are just You should think of a way for him to get things done earlier. What do you mean by blocking his happiness? Oh! I understand, because you have hundreds of thousands of furniture, all of which are in your hands. I am afraid that after my brother leaves , we are fighting with you for power, and we are happy to keep him at home as a talisman, isn’t that what you mean?” Rui Mian finished speaking, and Rui Qi went on to say: “Uncle Wu, don’t say too much about your old man’s words. By the way. Why is the sixth uncle caring for my father? I’m afraid it’s in danger? It’s simply dominating the family property, and we are not allowed to intervene. My father earned it, and as a son, I have to share the money, so I can't let my uncle take it all alone." The two of them sang together, making Ruijin gasp for breath.After letting them finish talking, he stood up and said to Rui Fang: "Brother, did you hear me? I'm saving money, and I don't even spend a single coin. To maintain this family, don't show it. The gossip of his uncle and nephew seems to be that I have calmed down and put all the money into the hands of one person. Forget it, I won't care about it from now on." He took out two pocketbooks from his pocket, Three keys came, handed to Rui Fang with both hands.It is said that one of these two books is from the Zhengjin Bank; the other is from the Tianju Xingjin Store, and the principal and interest deposits are all on it.When you handed it over to me, one was two hundred and five thousand eight hundred and sixty yuan, and the other was seventy-four thousand nine hundred and twenty thousand taels; now, one is two hundred and forty-six thousand and fifty thousand taels, One is eighty-nine thousand seven hundred and forty-four taels.Finally, I have risen, and I am worthy of my brother.These three keys: one is to open the stock box; the other is to open the land deed and loan box;Brother, please accept all of them, and I will send all three boxes to your house later as a clear explanation.In the future, I would ask my brother to take care of it himself, or leave it to my fifth brother or my nephew. Anyway, brothers will never hear about it. Ruijin handed over these two things, and it was not really intended to release them, but to blackmail the Rui side, it was expected that the Rui side would give Rui Qi a reprimand, and still comfort him and tell him to take over.Unexpectedly, Rui Fang blatantly took all these treasures and put them in his arms.Ruijin felt greatly disappointed, and immediately turned pale with anger.Rui Mian and Rui Qi are two ghost spirits, they have already seen this kind of look, and they just laughed from the sidelines.The fifth wife and the second wife also took advantage of their wishes and smiled at each other.Only Mrs. Six was sitting there with ashen face, almost crying.Rui Fang observed it coldly, and naturally understood the reason.I said in my heart: I am so sorry to Master Liu.Just because I was in a hurry to wait for the money, and I didn't care about a lot, so I just told them clearly.Then he calmly said to everyone: "Liu Li manages this family with no selfishness. Although he saves everything, it is for the sake of the overall situation that he does not have any money in his private pocket. Just these two books Looking at the deposits, it proves that I am not partial to him. He handed over this today, and I should not accept it. It is just because there is a difficulty in it. The movement I mentioned just now was opened and restored, and the pass of Xingshangshu was reversed. It's easy to pass, only the old Enwang is against me. If I don't take care of him, I still can't do it, but I have to pay for him. Now Tian Jiyun is speaking for me, but I am a little more active. Only Because the value he wants is too great, and he is not allowed to subtract a cent, it really makes me difficult." Rui Fang just said this, Rui Jin interrupted and asked: "How much does he want?" Rui Fang said: "He opened his mouth. I asked for 600,000 yuan." Hearing this, Ruijin grinned and stuck out his tongue, saying that this is not bad, he is going to copy our house.Rui Fang said: "Thanks to Ji Yun's repeated asking for a reduction, and he sacrificed 10% of his own. Old En Wang still insisted on 500,000 yuan, and there is no need to waste any more time. What I mean is, I want to collect 400,000 in cash, and Tuo Jiyun takes it in. The old Enwang loves money as much as his life. When he sees this much cash, 80% of it can be passed. You all think, my idea is good. Is it?" At this time, Ruimian and Ruiqi were two uncles and nephews, and they hoped that Ruifang would take over this family and hand it over to them.Otherwise, Ruijin manages it themselves, and they can find ways to get money, and it will never be in Ruijin's hands, and there is no room for movement.Unexpectedly, when fallen leaves return to their roots, Rui Fang said such a set of words.The two uncles and nephews were greatly disappointed.Ruimian stopped him first: "Forget it, I still have so much money to go to sports. With this 400,000, it is enough for us brothers to be happy. Instead of giving it to the old Enwang, you should give it to me. I have the 400,000. I will definitely be able to It’s much more comfortable to make my brother happy than to be an official!” Rui Qi also agreed, saying that what Uncle Wu said was indeed right at all, so you old man should do it like this.Rui Fang sneered and said, "What are your uncles and nephews thinking about? Just now I heard that I want to go out to be an official, so I strongly agreed with it; now I heard that I want to take money, and they all oppose it. Do you have a clear purpose? At this time, Ruijin was already trembling with anger, so he blurted out: "Brother, you have to understand, brother is not a miser. If I eat, drink, whore, gamble, smoke opium, and squander money randomly, I will not give up any of it; if it is for sports Officer, if you can get back to your original job, don't say 400,000, it's 1.8 million. You don't feel sorry for me, you can do it yourself. If you don't have enough cash, you can use stocks to bet. It can still be done." Rui Fang never imagined that Liu Ye could say such a thing.Unconsciously, I danced with joy, after all, I am still the sixth child, and I can know the general situation!In the future, if my elder brother is let go of his foreign job, he will definitely take you out, and you will be the one in the accountant's office.You don't have to chat with them here, just go and pack my luggage for me. Ruijin got the order, and happily led his wife back to his own room.The second wife also had hope, knowing that sooner or later she would be able to go to other provinces with Rui Fang to enjoy the blessings, so she did not argue, she stood up slowly, and smiled at Rui Fang: "Since we have letters to go out, we have all the things we use with us. , or a mess of scattered piles, I have to pack it up earlier. Isn’t this meeting over? I’m leaving.” After saying that, he went back to his own room. At this time, in the hall, besides Rui Fang, there were only Rui Mian, Mrs. and Young Master, and the servants Zhu'er and Ma'er.Seeing that the sixth master, the sixth wife and the second wife had all left, Rui Fang just locked the three of them in the living room, and had to say a few perfunctory words in order to save face.因笑向瑞绵道：“老五，你也不用生气。常言说：有行者就有守者。将来我同老六到外边去，这看家的责任，便要完全托付于你。你要知道，这个责任较在外边尤其重大。你总要规规矩矩，帮着你嫂子过这份日子。至于你侄儿荒嬉无度，你更要随时管教他。”瑞方的话尚未说完，瑞绵早跳起来，说：“哥哥，你不用拿这冠冕堂皇的话来扣我。咱们打开壁子说亮话，你叫我当这家，你可把银钱全花光了，一个钱也不留，难道这一家大大小小上上下下，全喝西北风？这个家我不能当，你再另请高明吧。”瑞方笑道：“老五，你何必这样性急。我既然叫你当家，就有相当的办法，万不能叫你为难。”瑞绵忙追问是什么办法，瑞方道：“我所用的，不过是这两笔存款。再若不够，也只能搭一点股票。至于房子田地，那些个不动产，我是一处也不能让人。你算一算：咱们在北京的房产，就有三四十处，每处平均租二十块钱，一个月便有七八百元了；再加上河南的地租，每年还有上万银子。这两笔款，够你怎样过的，还至于叫合家老小喝西北风吗？”瑞绵被这一说，倒有点满意了。 瑞琦又站起来，突然问道：“父亲，你把家完全交给五叔，我花钱向谁要去？”瑞方发急道：“你爷儿两个，怎么啰唣不完了？每年这许多进款，难道没有你花的吗？你用多少，向五叔要就好了。”瑞绵忙摆手道：“不成不成，我如何供给得起？他在小班子里摆一台酒，便要花一千多。高了兴，一赏人便是三百五百。你给我这几个钱，还不够他一晚上花的呢！你把这个宝贝兑给我，不是活要命吗？”瑞琦也说得好：“父亲你听见了没有？五叔是只要银子，不要人。这样吧，索性我随你老人家到四川去。好在那一班革命党，全同我有交情。你要带我去，保管一切事全好办得多，也省得在家里手背朝下，向叔叔要钱花。你想这主意好不好？”瑞方一听更急了，说：“你是存心同我过不去呀！你随我出去，打算安心闯祸，好害死我，是这个主意不是？我豁出官不做，也不带你出门。你要怕没钱花，我兑给你两笔利息，每月有二三百块，还不够你用的吗？再不够，家里的东西，你随便出卖，就把书画字帖留着一件也不许动，其余你想出脱什么，自请随便。”瑞琦得了这句话，他也不再争了。心里说好好，等你走后，我先卖书画字帖——大概除去这个，也没有什么值钱的了。瑞方见他叔侄二人不再争论，便说你们去吧，我也要办正事去了。说罢便出了过庭，去寻瑞锦。弟兄二人，在密室中又商议了一回。然后由瑞锦拿着存折股票，到外边走了一遭，居然开了四十万元的一张支票，回家来双手奉与瑞方，说：“这一来，咱家可要算席卷一空了。哥哥拿这钱去，您自己得加细斟酌，如果没有把握，还是不办的好，为什么白白便宜人家呢？”瑞方接过来笑道：“老六，你只管放心。哥哥又不害精神病，为什么要白给人家钱？错非今日交钱，明日见上谕，我决然不能撒手的。”瑞锦道：“但愿如此才好。” 当日夜间，田际云又来了。瑞方将为难的情形，详细对他说知，这四十万已经是抄了家，再多一个也筹不出来了。务必请你多多美言，把老王爷哄欢喜了，一冲一撞，也许能够成功。我只要开复原官，得了优差，一定格外孝敬王爷，你脸上也有光彩。际云想了想，说：“这件事得要使一点手法了。如果直冲直撞，他答应了，固然是很好；倘然不答应，当面决裂，便没有挽回余地。这样吧，我先见侧福晋，求她允许了，然后再见王爷，当面交钱。老头子纵然不乐意，架不住侧福晋替我说话。他惧内的人，一定不敢驳回，这事就算成了。”瑞方鼓掌称妙，拍着际云的肩头，说老弟，此事若非你这般为力，决然不能成功。愚兄今生今世，也忘不了你的好处。际云惶恐道：“我的四爷，你怎么欢喜得胡说起来了？我们是何等之人，怎敢同你老人家呼兄唤弟？”瑞方笑道：“谁不知你是老王爷的义儿干殿下，我同你论弟兄，还许不配呢！”际云发急道：“四爷，你这是有意同我开玩笑了。咱们正事要紧，别打哈哈。我明天还是下午去先见了侧福晋，这事自然好办。”说罢便要告辞。瑞方说：“你把这支票带了去吧。”际云道：“我明天吃早饭时候，到这里来取，今天先不必拿。如此巨款，我家里人多手杂，倘然有点闪失，我卖老婆也还不起。”瑞方道：“你这人太小心了。”际云道：“小心无过失，银钱大事，不同旁的。”说着便起身告辞。第二天十一点，际云来取支票。瑞方留他吃早饭，自己陪着吃过了饭，连茶全没顾得喝，将支票接过来，放在票夹中，贴身带好，然后这才到恩王府去。 瑞方在家里静候好音，直候到掌灯时分，际云方才回来。这一次不像上回的垂头丧气了，笑吟吟的，满脸都是喜气。瑞方一见，便料到有九分成功。果然际云先深深请安，口里说恭喜四爷，贺喜四爷，三天以内，准见上谕，不但开复原官，还是督办铁路大臣。这一回总是连升三级，保管不出今年，总督一准到手。瑞方此时如同驾了云一般，拉住际云的手，不知说一句什么才好。此时瑞锦也从里间出来，际云又给六爷请安道喜。倒是瑞锦替他哥哥周旋，说：“难得你这样出力，不辞辛苦，将来我们弟兄如有寸进，必当格外酬劳。但不知老王爷那一边，可曾完全应允吗？”际云道：“今天这事，别提多顺当了。我一进府，王爷还不曾下朝，我先到后宅见侧福晋。她老人家正用午膳呢，见我来了，叫我也随着吃。我已经吃过早饭，又不敢违背老人家的意思，我只得勉强又吃了一点。一壁吃着，一壁同她老人家说这笔买卖。我是再三央求，无论怎样，得请王爷赏脸，将这支票收了。并声明瑞某人这是倾家破产，孝敬老王爷的，如能多凑一个，他也绝不敢可着四十的数儿送来。侧福晋听我说得这样恳切，到底是妇人家心慈面软，随对我说：'你就把这支票交给我吧，回头老头子回来，自有我对付他。他无论怎样发脾气，你就给他一个不理，我自有法子叫他收下。'彼时我巴不得有这一句，便立时将支票取出。侧福晋接过去，揣在怀里。少时老王爷回来，一见我的面，迎头便问：'你为何两三天不到我府里来？大半瑞某的事是取消了吧？'我忙回说，已经办妥，今天特来给爷送款。王爷追问款在哪里？我说已经交给侧福晋了。王爷此时很现出不悦的神气来，但是又不敢说我办得不对，只用眼望着侧福晋，追问倒是多少？侧福晋冷笑道：你这人真是贪得无厌，要多少就得给你多少？人家倾家破产，给你凑钱，差个十万八万的，你自当积阴功，闭闭眼也就过去了。何必争长论短，不依不饶呢？侧福晋这个雷头风，倒把老王爷拍笑了。说我何尝争多论少来着，不过是问一问，你就这样排揎我，也太沉不住气了。果然是现款，便差个十万八万的，我还能一定不依吗？侧福晋听她这样说，随从怀中将支票取出来，递给老王爷笑道：使人钱财，与人消灾。你赶紧替老瑞想法子，早早把旨意请下来吧。王爷把支票接过去，看了一看，便撂在旁边桌子上，向我点头笑道：你真成，错非侧福晋替他说好话，短一个也休想我答应。你回去对瑞某说吧，叫他在家里候信，不出三天，一定有旨意。我得了王爷这句话，心里如一块石头落地，连忙深深地请了两个大安，谢过王爷同侧福晋，方才告辞回来，给四爷报喜信。” 瑞锦拱手道：“多谢多谢！像你这样至诚，在如今的年头儿，真要算少有了。别看他们那做大官的，一个个全是滑头。没事的时候，你兄我弟，亲热得不得了；及至一旦人家失了势，不要说求他们想法子，连见一面都比登天还难。就以拉中堂说吧，谁不知道他同四爷是拜盟的兄弟？当年他在工部，跟四爷共事多年。那时候他家里很穷，本来他父亲（按：拉为柏中堂科场舞弊案中房官铭某之子，铭与柏同斩于市）遭了那场凶祸，他家从此就败落了，后代虽有做官的，始终并没缓过这口气来。到了老拉本身，益发不能过了。在部里干那份穷差，还不够他个人应酬的呢。彼时他花四爷的钱很不少，四爷并不曾向他讨过一个。如今他做了国务大臣，居然拿出宰相的派头来。四爷去见他，三回倒有两回挡驾。就是见了面，张口总是老王爷专权，他个人做不得主，无力照应朋友。其实四爷也并不曾托过他什么事。似这样的人，要比你田际云，人格还差得远呢。到底可佩服的，就是人家项四爷，无论在朝在野，对待朋友，总是一个样子。这回四爷回京运动官，还是他一力撺掇的。照人家这样，方才够朋友呢。” 瑞锦唠唠叨叨，说个不清，瑞方拦道：“老六，你还提这陈谷子烂芝麻做什么？拉同是什么人？也配同项四爷开比例！我们说正经话吧，事情总算借重际云的力量，九成是可以做到了。只是我们弟兄，难道白欠人家这个情吗？多多少少，也要对他有一份人心，才是交朋友的道理。”瑞锦道：“这是自然，也不用哥哥吩咐，我已经有打算了。”际云不待他说完，先问道：“六爷，你有什么打算，打算花多少钱？请你明白说一说吧。”他弟兄二人，听际云这样问，倒不觉一愣。心想，你为何这般急，难道怕我们送的少不成？瑞锦便回道：“万对不起！本应当多多送你一份，只因目下这四十万，已经力尽筋疲，多了实在筹不出来，仅仅就筹了一个整数，送你一万元，请你避委曲吧。”际云听了，哈哈大笑，说：“六爷，你太小看人了！我方才问你，并不是争多论寡，我是另含着一番意思——老王爷那一面自然是没得说了，可是兴尚书也不能白了人家。常言说，现官不如现管。眼见铁路的事，是应归他那部里管辖。将来摄政王就是开复四爷的原官，至于这铁路督办，总不能不同兴尚书商议一番。此时如不点缀一下子，将来问他时候，他不加可否，这事又临时变卦。你二位请想，我这话对不对呢？”瑞方不觉鼓掌赞成，说：“难得你心思这样周密，此事果然得办。但是怎样办法呢？”际云道：“这样吧，方才六爷不是说送我一万元吗？莫若把这一万元，买几样上好的礼品，给兴尚书送过去，比送干礼强。因为区区这个数儿，在他决不放在眼里，倘然误会了，反要说有意轻蔑他。如今只送他几样礼物，他既不能误会，又不能不收。然后四爷再去见见他，当面托一托。这是十足的面子，也不露一点痕迹，岂不是面面俱圆吗？”瑞方弟兄同声说道：“果然又圆满，又周到，就是这样办吧。不过拿谢你的钱，又移作他用。未免太对不起人了。”际云道：“但盼四爷早早高升，我们的日子长得很呢，何在乎这一时。” 瑞方见他这样至诚，便也不客气了，只同他商量，究竟送什么礼物好。际云道：“兴尚书是上了年纪的人，他的姨太太又格外加多，参茸滋养品，是一天不能去口的。送他两架上好的黄毛鹿茸，再配上四匣吉林野山人参，这两样礼，就得四五千块。其余的呢，可以送给小姐姨太太几样化妆品。他家的大小姐，是尚书最钟爱的。这位千金最讲修饰，她平日沐浴洗足，全要用整盆的香水，什么法国几百块钱一打的香水，几十块钱一盒的胰皂，她一买就是多少，可见消耗得极快了。如今只买上几千块钱的香水胰皂，叫盒子铺做成五色灿烂的绫匣，全装置好了，然后送过去。小姐姨太太见了，一定欢喜。她们在尚书面前，说几句好话，比我们力量大得多。四爷六爷，斟酌我的计划对不对呢？”瑞方说：“果然计划周密，这真是可着人心送礼，她们一定欢迎。就是这样办了，事不宜迟，我今天便将礼物备齐。等明天午后，你便辛苦一趟，先给送过去。等他收了以后，我再去拜访他谈一谈，这事便没有不成功了。”际云道：“既然这样，我要告辞了，明天再见吧。”瑞方还要留他吃晚饭，际云一定不肯，只好由他去了。 瑞锦对他哥哥说：“参茸无须再买，当日哥哥在江南，人家送的，还存着不少呢。内中有两架黄毛鹿茸格外的大，而且血色鲜明，的确是上好的货。只怕如今寻遍北京城，也未必再有这么一对。至于野山参，最近赵大哥从盛京送来的两匣，据说是章春林孝敬的，一律长成孩形，甚至连眉眼口鼻全有。听说他得的很多，因此至近朋友全送一点。这两匣是四对，可以分作四匣，不必再向外买了。饶省下几千块钱，还比买现成的作脸，为什么瞎费钱呢？如今只需买化妆品，我们直接向洋行去买，不犯上叫洋广货铺剥皮。礼和洋行的李老板同我最要好，我如今寻他去，一切全托付他办，当时也不必给钱，这些事就全妥当了。”瑞方连说好好，你看着办去吧。要紧别误了明天送礼，午前务必齐备才好。瑞锦答应着去了。 果然次日午饭前，参茸、化妆品，无不齐备。早饭后，际云到了。拿着瑞方的片子，两个家人捧着礼物，他坐马车随着一直送到兴宅。际云向来是自由出入，不用家人通报。他便直进小书房，托书童墨雨到里面去回话。少时兴尚书出来，他说明了来意，尚书也不推辞，便慨然收下。赏了家人二百块钱，又问了问瑞方运动恩王的情形。际云不肯实说，只说给侧福晋送一份厚礼，有她帮着说话，老王爷已经应许了。兴尚书点头说：“这样太便宜老瑞。”际云告辞，仍回瑞宅报告一切。瑞方知道礼已收下，心中益发踏实。当日晚间，一个人坐了马车，前去拜访。 兴尚书将他让至密室，二人见面，先寒暄了几句。瑞方接着说：“早就应当给老大哥来请安，只因一向在项子城家中，住了三四个月才回来。小弟本无意仕进，上次听说老大哥惦念着我，有意驱遣，我们本是故旧之交，理应效劳，因此特来先领教一切。”兴尚书笑道：“老弟太客气了，我们自己朋友，应当彼此帮忙。你早间还送了这样厚礼，我有心不受吧，又怕你着恼；受了吧，实在抱愧。后来际云一再说着，愚兄权且领下。以后我们弟兄，总是实实在在的，不要再破钞了。”瑞方道：“老大哥说这话，益发叫我惭愧。其实并不曾破费一个钱，也全是朋友送的。因为大哥上了年纪，这些药品还用得着，在小弟家里放着，也是无用。至于那些化妆品，是一位外国朋友送的，知道大哥的千金多，故此分一半给侄女们用。这点小意思，还值得大哥挂诸齿颊，未免笑话了。”兴尚书道：“听说老王爷那一边，很帮你的忙，这事就好办了。愚兄为这件事发了两个月的愁，总想请老弟走一遭，方才解决得了。除你之外，还想不出恰当的人来。其实这件事虽是愚兄建议，原动力还是由主座而起。有一天，摄政王爷在集灵囿小阁中召我闲谈，说起近年来国库空虚，大有司农仰屋之势，择公爷虽极力筹款，还是所入不抵所出。王爷彼时很抬举我，说你是著名的理财大家，当日李文忠全特别赏识你，说兴显徽才堪大用，是圣朝的刘宴，因此我记住了。如令派你总揽邮部，你难道看着国家这样穷，就不想一条致富的政策吗？我当时回奏：王爷不要性急，臣筹划已久，只是不敢遽然入奏，所怕的是办事之人无此魄力。一旦实行了，地方上难免出些反抗，当事人不能坚持到底，不但前功尽弃，而且臣本人还要担一种轻举妄动的罪名。因此，臣思之再三，不敢贸然上奏。摄政王爷笑道：'你这人太胆小了，我不是不明是非的人。果然认为可行，将来纵有反抗，也决然不至归罪于你，你怕的是什么呢？'我得了王爷这句话，方才大胆奏明，说如今世界交通，非从前闭关时代可比。最要紧的，是水旱两路全要有交通利器，能够缩千里为咫尺。然后工商各业才可以发达，国家的进款也自然要比从前加倍。因此，臣所主张的，第一便是铁路国有政策。果能将这一事做到，按着次序把路修齐，不出十年，臣敢保国库之中，每年可加增万万的收入。这事臣计之已熟，只是仓促之间，恐怕无人肯担此重责。王爷点点头，说你这话很有道理，但是先从哪一条路入手呢？我回奏：据臣调查，唯粤汉川这一条长线，造端宏大，将来的事业，也比它路胜强十倍。如今这条路已经粗具端倪，只可惜是一种官民合组的公司，而且民股比官股多，将来修成之后，当然是民股方面出的董事多，官股方面出的董事少，相形之下，人民可就格外占了便宜。所有督办以及大小职员，必定由民股选出，那时大权旁落，官家只能看着人家发财，再想过问，全有点不易了。只这一条路，政府每年就得少挣好几千万，岂不是最可惜的一件事吗？ " “我这几句话，居然打动了摄政王爷，他老人家，居然问我可有什么法子收归国有？是我回奏这事很容易办，只需王爷颁一道上谕，声明粤汉川铁路，收归国有，所有民股，一律由官府偿还。人民虽然吃亏，究竟还能收回原本，较比加捐加税，只有出路没有回路，总还强得多呢。所难的就是地方官须有一点魄力，无论人民怎样反抗，只有一概置之不理。等风头过去，自然也就好办了。王爷说：'人民还有反抗的理么？普天之下，莫非王土；率土之滨，莫非王臣。他们食毛践土，受朝廷数百年的深仁厚泽，一草一木，哪不是皇上家的？区区一点股款，就是不还，料想也没甚妨碍，何况如数偿还。他们感恩还来不及，怎能够反抗呢？'我说王爷圣谕一点不错，他们如果明白，决然不至反抗。不过是地理民风，各处不同。广东湖北，似乎没什么问题；唯有四川，民风强悍，尚未普沾王化。一旦这样办去，说不定或者有一些反动，只要为长官的能镇压得住，也不至有什么阻碍。王爷想了想，说：'四川总督现在是宋耳盈，在我们旗人队中，是最有威严、最有魄力的，我再给他去一封密电，叫他放开手做，料想必能胜任愉快。现在最为难的，是偿还民股，至少也要预备三千万现款。如今库空如洗，朝廷是担任不了；各省又赶上水旱蝗蝻，天灾流行，只怕也未必有这余力。你既为邮传部尚书，这筹款的责任，当然得由你担负，不知你可有什么成算吗？'我说这款的事，王爷自请万安，臣早已成竹在胸。休说三千万，便是再多一点，也不难克日办齐。王爷听说这样容易，倒有些诧异，说你就是善于筹款，也不能这样迅速，到底指的是哪一项呢？” 此时瑞方也插嘴问道：“不但王爷听了诧异，就连小弟我也有点莫名其妙，大哥你快点说吧。”兴显徽笑道：“说破了不值半文钱。你请想，咱中国既然没有，还能不去求外国吗？现放着有这长一条路线，想借多少万借不出来？何必搜寻国库？又何必仰给各省呢？”瑞方大笑道：“到底是大哥神机妙算。这样办去，果然一点不难。后来怎么样呢？”兴显徽道：王爷很赞成这样办法。过了没有三天，上谕就颁布出来，责各省进行。到处全好办，果然四川起了风潮，人民罢学、罢市、罢粮，种种胡闹，真乃自外生成。宋耳盈本来性情暴烈，人民这一挟制，他益发火上加油。何况又有王爷的密旨，叫他放开胆子去做，他还有什么顾虑。将为首反抗的几个绅士，一律逮捕了去，送入监狱。这一来，更把人民激变了。他们聚集了四五百人，到督署去请愿，保那几个被押的绅士。宋耳盈不但不准，反派他的卫队鸣枪示威。偏巧遇着这些卫队，全是川边一带的苗蛮，同禽兽差不多。得了大帅的令，以为打死人不偿命，胡乱一放枪，当时便打倒了十几个。幸而其余的人腿快，一看风头不顺，全没命地跑了，要不然，不定还得打死多少呢！他们当时虽然退了，却仍然不肯善罢甘休，又开大会，召集同志，不期而集，又有数千人。耳盈知道了，赶紧派兵去解散。哪知这些人更闹出新鲜花样来了，他们每人怀里抱着一个木牌，木牌上面，全写的是德宗景皇帝之位。因为当日创修此路，是德宗批准官商合办。他们以为翻这前案，便是违背了先帝的旨意，所以人人抱着木牌，放声大哭，声震郊野。闹得这些兵士，也不敢下手打人，恐怕打坏了木牌，担一条欺君之罪。只得回来禀报耳盈。耳盈正在踌躇之间，这些商民又聚了有一千多人，每人抱着一座木牌，直闯入总督衙门，又是哭又是喊，闹个不休。耳盈急了，便吩咐手下卫兵用大棍向外打。那些人却抵死不肯出门，直打得鬼哭狼嚎，连先帝爷的木牌，也打落了一地。后来太不可开交了，耳盈用缓军计，寻出几位绅士来，出面说和，应许：把人民反对的情形，入奏朝廷；从前被押的人，同上回用枪打死，及此次用棍打伤的人，一律开释。这些商民才都退出了总督衙门。哪知耳盈不过是暂救眉急，他何尝有服从民意的诚心。等那些人走后，他即刻调了四营巡防队，分驻在督署周围。又给北京拍来十万火急电报，诬赖四川人民造反。 当时把摄政王爷吓得手足无措，立刻召见内阁总协理，同我这邮传尚书。王爷拿电报给我看，意思间颇怪我多事。我当时回奏得好：“王爷不必过劳圣虑。这事据臣推测，并无多大妨碍。宋耳盈办事操切一点是有的，四川人民纵然反对，也还说不到造反两字，耳盈如此张皇，不过是为自己预占地步。王爷复电，叫他持以镇定，再将详细情形，电知中央，并须有正式奏