Chapter 26 The twenty-fifth round Bao Wenqing met the old Ni Tingxi in Nanjing and recruited relatives in Anqing

It is said that Bao Wenqing went to the north of the city to find people and children to learn opera.When he reached the slope of the Drum Tower, he went up the slope and met a person going down the slope.When Bao Wenqing looked at the man, he was wearing a tattered felt hat, a ragged black silk gown, a pair of rotten red shoes, and a gray beard. He was about sixty years old.Holding a broken piano in his hand, a piece of white paper was pasted on the piano. On the paper were written four words: "Repair musical instruments." Bao Wenqing caught up a few steps, cupped his hands and said to him: "My father can repair musical instruments." Is it?" The man said: "Exactly." Bao Wenqing said: "So, Father Qu is sitting in the teahouse." Immediately, the two entered the teahouse and sat down, taking a pot of tea to eat.Bao Wenqing said, "What's your name, daddy?" The man said, "Ni, the humble surname." Bao Wenqing said, "Where is your mansion?" You can repair musical instruments, sanxian and pipa, can you repair them?" Old Ni said, "You can repair them all." Bao Wenqing said, "my surname is Bao, and I live in Shuiximen. I used to work in Liyuan. The musical instrument is broken, so I have to ask my father to repair it. Now I don’t know whether it is Qu Laodi who went to the house to repair it, or sent it to the old man’s house for repair?" Lao Ni said: "Brother, how many musical instruments do you have?" Bao Wenqing said "I'm afraid there are seven or eight pieces." Old Ni said: "If there are seven or eight pieces, it's not easy to get them. I'd better come to your house to fix them. It's only a day or two. I'll only bother you for breakfast. Come back home in the evening." Bao Wenqing said: "That's all right. It's just that the tea is not enough, so don't be offended by my father." Then he said: "When can I go to my father?" Old man Ni said: "I will not be free tomorrow. Come later." It was decided at the moment.A load of tuckahoe cakes was picked up at the door, and Bao Wenqing bought half a catty, and he ate it with Father Ni, saying goodbye to each other.Bao Wenqing said: "In the morning of the next day, I will wait for my father." Old man Ni promised to go.When Bao Wenqing came back and talked to his wife, he wiped all the instruments, moved them out and placed them in the guest seat.

In the early morning of that day, old man Ni came, had tea and snacks, and repaired the instrument with him.After repairing it for a while, the two children who were studying opera brought out a vegetarian meal, and Bao Wenqing ate it with Father Ni.In the afternoon.When Bao Wenqing came back from the house, he said to Father Ni: "It's too late to neglect my father. I don't have any good vegetables at home. It's disrespectful. I'm going to invite my father to sit in the restaurant. I lost the instrument. I'll make it up tomorrow." Father Ni said: "Why do you want to disturb me again?" The two of them walked out, went to a restaurant, and sat down in a secluded seat.The hall official came over and asked, "Are there any customers?" Father Ni said, "There are no customers. What dishes do you have here?" The hall attendant counted with his fingers: "Elbow, duck, yellow boring fish, drunk white fish , miscellaneous fried chicken, single chicken, white cut belly, raw roasted meat, Beijing roasted meat, roasted meat slices, fried meatballs, stuffed herring, boiled silver carp head, and a simple plate of white cut meat." Father Ni said: "Brother Let’s have a light plate for our own people.” Bao Wenqing said: “It’s disrespectful to have a light plate.” Because the hall officials were asked to bring the sold ducks to eat wine first, and then fried meat slices to bring rice.The hall official should go down.After a while, two jugs of wine and a duck were brought up.

Bao Wenqing got up and poured Father Ni a glass, sat down to drink, because he asked Father Ni, "I think you look like a gentleman, why do you do this thing of repairing musical instruments?" Then Old Man Ni sighed: " Brother, I can’t tell you! I went to school at the age of 20, and now I have been a scholar for 36 years. The bad thing is that I read these few rote books, and I can’t take it lightly or bear it heavy. Today, there are many children, so I have to rely on this craft to make ends meet. There is nothing I can do!" Bao Wenqing said in surprise: "So my father is from the school, so I am bold and ruthless. May I ask how many husbands my father has? The old lady has the same eyebrows " Old Ni said: "The old wife is still there. There were six children in the past, but now it's a big deal." Bao Wenqing said, "What's the reason?" When Old Ni said this, he couldn't help crying.Bao Wenqing poured another glass of wine, handed it to Father Ni, and said, "Father, what's on your mind, if you don't visit me, tell me, maybe I can share your worries." Otherwise, I will make your elder brother laugh." Bao Wenqing said: "What kind of person am I, dare to laugh at daddy? Dad just say it." Dad Ni said: "To tell you the truth, I am the sixth son, and I am dead. One, and now only the sixth youngest son is at home, and the four..." As he spoke, he restrained himself from speaking.Bao Wenqing said, "What's the matter with those four?" Father Ni was anxious when he asked him, and said, "Brother, you are not an outsider, so you don't expect to laugh at me. I'll tell you the truth. If you don’t have anything to eat, sell them to another mansion outside the state!” Hearing these words, Bao Wenqing couldn’t help but shed tears in his eyes, and said, “These four are pitiful!” Father Ni wept and said: "Not only those four are sold, but this small one will not be able to keep in the future, and will be sold to others!" Bao Wenqing said: "Father, why are you and your old lady willing?" Old Ni said: " Because of the lack of food and clothing, leaving him at home to starve to death is worse than letting him live."

Bao Wenqing was really sad for a while, and said: "I have a discussion about this matter, but it's not good to talk about it in front of my father." Old man Ni said: "Brother, if you have anything to say, why not just say it?" Just as Bao Wenqing was about to say something, he held back and said, "Don't say it. If you say this, I'm afraid I will offend you." Father Ni said, "That's unreasonable. No matter what you say, how can I blame you?" Bao Wenqing said: "Let me speak up boldly." Father Ni said, "Say it, say it." Bao Wenqing said, "Father, for example, if you want to sell this little gentleman to someone else, if you sell it to another state, then you will be with that man." I don’t see each other anymore. Now I’m in my forties, and I only have one daughter in my life, and I have never had a son. If you, old man, are willing to abandon your lowly behavior and adopt this young son to me, I will still give you twenty taels of money. Yin Zi and Lao Dae, I raised him as an adult. You can come to Lao Dae’s house on weekdays and festivals, and after Lao Dae’s affairs are settled, I still send him back to Lao Dae. Is this possible?” Lao Ni said : "If this is the case, my youngest son En Xing will follow his orders. Why don't I refuse? But since I have adopted you and have been tired of raising you, how can I still collect your money?" Bao Wenqing said: "Speaking of that, I must have sent twenty taels of silver." After finishing speaking, they ate again and agreed.After leaving the store, Father Ni went home while it was still dark.When Bao Wenqing came back, he told Naijuan what he had said, and Naijuan was also very happy.The next day, Father Ni came to mend his musical instruments early in the morning. He met Bao Wenqing and said, "I went back and told my old wife about what I discussed yesterday. She was very grateful. Now it's a deal. If you choose a good day, you will take the little one with you." It's easy to come and adopt." Bao Wenqing was overjoyed.Since then, the two have been called relatives.

A few days later, the Bao family prepared a banquet for Father Ni, and Father Ni brought his son to write the adoption papers. With Zhang Guozhong, who runs a yarn shop on his left, and Wang Yuqiu, who runs a wax shop on his right.Both neighbors have arrived.That document reads: Ni Shuangfeng, the successor document, will now have the sixth son, Ni Tingxi, who is only 16 years old. Because of the solar eclipse, the husband and wife discussed, and they are willing to adopt the name of Bao Wenqing and change their name to Bao Tingxi.Since then, when adults get married, they are all brought up by Bao Wenqing, and they are the same as the heirs.If there is an unexpected event, each obeys the destiny.If you want to have evidence now, make this adoptive document and keep it forever.On the first day of October in the 16th year of Jiajing.Adoption document: Ni Shuangfeng.By middle neighbors: Zhang Guozhong, Wang Yuqiu.

All drawn.Bao Wenqing took out twenty taels of silver and paid it to Father Ni.Bao Wenqing thanked everyone again.Since then, the two have been in constant contact. This Ni Tingxi changed his name to Bao Tingxi, very clever.Because Bao Wenqing was the son of a decent family, he refused to ask him to learn opera, so he sent him to study for two years and helped the head of the family run classes.At the age of eighteen, Old Man Ni passed away, and Bao Wenqing took out dozens of taels of silver to take care of his funeral, went to cry a few times by himself, and still asked his son to wear hemp and mourning to see Old Man Ni off.Since then, Bao Tingxi has been really effective.His mother said that he was the son of a locust and did not love him, but only her daughter and son-in-law.Bao Wenqing said that he was the son and daughter of a decent family, and it hurt more than his own.Every day I have tea and wine, I take him with me; when I do business, I accompany him, let him earn some money to add clothes, shoes and socks; and I plan to marry a wife for him.

That morning, when he was about to take Bao Tingxi out, he saw a man riding a mule at the door, got off the mule and came in.Bao Wenqing recognized Mr. Du's steward surnamed Shao in Tianchang County, and said, "Master Shao, when did you come across the river?" Steward Shao said, "I'm here to find Master Bao." Bao Wenqing bowed to him and called his son He also bowed, asking him to sit down, wash his face with water, and drink tea.While eating, he asked: "I remember that your grandma will be seventy years old this year. I think she came to set up a play? Your grandpa is in Fu'an?" Shao Butler laughed and said, "That's exactly why. The master ordered twenty plays. Master Bao, do you have a troupe in your family? If so, I will take over your troupe." Bao Wenqing said: "I have a small troupe in my family, so naturally I should serve it. I just don't know when I will leave " Shao steward said: "Leave at the moon." After finishing speaking, Shao steward asked the people with the mule to bring in the luggage, and the mule sent it back.Steward Shao took out a piece of silver from the quilt cover and handed it to Bao Wenqing, saying: "This is fifty taels of silver, Master Bao, you take it for now, and the rest will be paid by the leader." Wen Qing took the silver, and that night Renovate the banquet, eat big plates and bowls, and stay with housekeeper Shao to eat for midnight.The next day, Steward Shao went shopping. After shopping for four or five days, he hired a boss and went across the river first.Bao Wenqing also packed up, took Bao Tingxi to lead the team, and went to Tianchang Du Mansion to do a play.After working for more than forty days, I made a full one hundred taels of silver.Both father and son, have been grateful to the Du Mansion for their kindness along the way.In that troupe of more than a dozen young actors, the old lady of the Du Mansion each rewarded him with a padded jacket and a pair of shoes and socks.The parents of each family knew about it and were really grateful. They came to thank Bao Wenqing again.Bao Wenqing still led the team to act in Nanjing.

That day I went to Shanghe for a night show, and the show ended at five o'clock. Both the actor and the boxer came into the city. The father and son took a bath in the Shanghe bathhouse, ate some tea and snacks, and walked back slowly. When we arrived at the door, Bao Wenqing said: "We don't need to gather together. There is a man in Neiqiao, and tomorrow's show has been set. You and I will go and weigh his money as soon as possible." Bao Tingxi followed, and the two walked to the entrance of the square. , I saw a yellow umbrella, two pairs of red and black hats, a sunshade, and a big sedan chair coming from the opposite side.Knowing that it was a foreign government official, the father and son stood under the eaves and watched, letting the umbrella and red and black hat pass by.The sunshade came to the front, with the words "Main Hall of Anqing Mansion" written on it.Bao Wenqing was looking up at the sunshade, and the sedan chair had arrived.The official in the sedan chair was surprised when he saw Bao Wenqing.When Bao Wenqing turned to look at the official, it turned out that it was Mr. Xiang from Andong County, who had been promoted.Just after the sedan chair passed, the official asked the man in Tsing Yi to go to the sedan chair and said a few words. The man in Tsing Yi ran to Bao Wenqing and asked, "The Lord asked if you were Master Bao?" Bao Wenqing said, "I am The grand master was promoted from Andong County?" The man said: "Yes. The grand master's mansion is in the Zhangjiahe room at the gate of the Gongyuan, please meet Master Bao there." After finishing speaking, he ran away with a sedan chair .

Bao Wenqing led his son to the incense wax shop in front of the Gongyuan, and bought a manuscript with the words "Bao Wenqing knocks at the door".Walking to the door of Zhangjiahe's room, he knew that Grandpa Xiang had returned to his apartment, so he handed the book to the gatekeeper.Said: "I have a voice from Mr. Lao. I'm Bao Wenqing. I'm here to kowtow to Mr. Tai." The man at the door took the manuscript and said, "You wait and serve." Bao Wenqing sat on the bench with his son for a while, and sent them inside. The boy came out and asked, "on the door, my grandfather asked if Bao Wenqing had come?" The man on the door said, "here, here is the handbook." He hurriedly passed in the handbook.I could only hear the inside saying: "Please hurry up." Bao Wenqing asked his son to wait outside, and followed the gatekeeper in.Entering the river room, the magistrate was already in casual clothes, greeted him, and said with a smile, "my old friend is here!" It’s difficult for us to be with each other like this.” He repeatedly pulled him to sit down, and then he knelt down and begged to sit down, before he dared to sit on the next stool.Sitting down to the magistrate, he said, "Wenqing, it has been more than ten years since I left you. I am old now, but your beard is also much grayer." Bao Wenqing stood up and said, "My lord is promoted, I don’t know how young I am, and I’ve never been overjoyed.” Xiang Zhifu said: “Please sit down, I’ll tell you. I worked in Andong for two years, and then went to Sichuan as a magistrate and transferred to a second prefecture. Promoted here. What have you been doing since the death of Master Cui?" Bao Wenqing said: "The young one was born as an actor, so I have nothing to do when I go home. I still teach a small group to live." Xiang Zhifu said: "Who was that young man you left with just now?" Bao Wenqing said, "That's the youngest son. He was at the gate of the mansion and dared not come in." Asked the magistrate, "Why didn't you come in?" Called the man: "Get out quickly, Please, Mr. Bao, come in!" The next servant led Bao Tingxi in.His father told him to kowtow to the Tailord's head.Xiang Zhifu helped him up with his own hands, and asked, "Are you in your teens this year?" Bao Tingxi said, "The young one is seventeen years old this year." Beside his father.Xiang Zhifu said: "Wenqing, does your son also learn the business of an opera business?" Bao Wenqing said: "The young one never taught him opera. He studied for two years, and now he keeps accounts with the class." Xiang Zhifu Said: "This is also good. Now I have to go to the various superiors' yamen. You don't want to go. You have dinner with me. I have something to say for you when I come back." After that, he changed his clothes and got up. The sedan chair went.

Bao Wenqing and his son went to the housekeeper's room. Old Wang, who was in charge of the house, knew him at first, so they bowed to each other and asked his son to do the same.I saw that Father Wang's son, Xiao Wang, was in his thirties and had a beard all over his mouth.Father Wang was very pleased with Bao Tingxi, and took out a money bag with red satin and gold thread, which contained a silver coin, and gave it to him.Bao Tingxi bowed and thanked him, sat down and chatted some gossip, and finished the meal. Xiang Zhifu didn't come back until afternoon, changed into big clothes, still sat in the river room, invited Bao Wenqing and his son to come in and sit down, and said, "I'm going back to the yamen tomorrow, so I can't talk to you in detail." The servant took out a piece of silver in the room and handed it to him, saying: "This is twenty taels of silver, and you keep it. After I go, you clean up at home and entrust the team to lead. Come to my yamen with your son, and I have something to say to you." Bao Wenqing took the money, thanked the old man for the reward, and said: "The younger one will bring his son to the old man's yamen within half a month. Greetings." Then they left him to drink again.Bao Wenqing and his son went home to rest.The next morning, I went to the mansion to see off Mr. Xiang, and went home to discuss with my wife, and temporarily entrusted the team with his son-in-law to my uncle and teacher Jin Cifu.He packed his luggage and clothes by himself, and bought a few personnel things in Nanjing: headbands, soap, etc., and brought them to the housekeepers in the yamen.

A few days later, I took a boat at Shuiximen.When I arrived at the mouth of the pool, I saw two more people boarding the boat, sitting in the cabin and talking to each other. Bao Wenqing said that he would go to Xiang Taiye's yamen.Those two were the book office in Anqing Mansion, flattering Bao's father and son all the way, buying wine and meat for him to eat.At night, when the other guests fell asleep, they quietly said to Bao Wenqing: "There is one thing, just ask the uncle for approval, and I can give you two hundred taels of silver. Another thing, the county will come up with details, and only I beg you to refute it, this matter can actually give you three hundred taels. You, Mr. Bao, please make a plea in front of our elder master!" Bao Wenqing said: "I will tell you two fathers that I am an old actor, but a lowly person. , I was flattered by Mr. Tai and called to the Yamen, what kind of person am I, dare to intercede in front of Mr. Tai?" The two secretary offices said: "Mr. Bao, do you doubt that I am lying? As long as you are willing Speaking of this, I will exchange five hundred taels of silver with you first when I go ashore." Bao Wenqing said with a smile: "If I like silver, I dare not accept the reward of five hundred taels of silver in Andong County back then. I know I am poor, The meat must be made from the money earned from the bones. How can I take this money without telling the old man? Besides, if he is justified, he will definitely not give out hundreds of taels of silver to find love. If this side of the situation is approved If you want to make that side suffer, wouldn't it be a sinful virtue? According to my point of view, not only I dare not take care of him, but even the two fathers don't have to take care of him. Since ancient times, it's easy to practice in the Gongmen, you serve the old master Don't let everything go bad, the master is clear, and everyone must protect his own wealth and life." The two book offices were creepy with a few words, one was boring, and the other was nonsense, that's all. The next morning, when I arrived in Anqing, I threw a notebook on the gate of the house.Xiang Zhifu asked the magistrate to move his father and son's luggage to live in the study, eat at a table with his relatives every day, and take out a lot of silk and cloth to make clothes for his father and son inside and out.One day, Xiang Zhifu came to sit in the study and asked, "Wenqing, has your son-in-law ever married?" "I have one thing to say. If I say it, I'm afraid I'll offend you. If you're willing to agree to this matter, I've fulfilled my wish." Bao Wenqing said, "How dare you disobey my master's orders?" Xiang Zhifu Said: "It's my house manager named Wang. He has a little daughter who is very cute. His old wife really loves him. She takes him in the room. She combs her hair and binds her feet. She is sixteen years old this year. The son is from the same year. This surname Wang has been in my family for three generations. I have checked all the membership papers and rewarded him, and he is no longer the housekeeper of my family. After the annual exam is over, you will choose a miscellaneous position in classics and history. If you don't mind, then recruit this son to be his son-in-law. In the future, this official will be your son's uncle. Will you agree to this?" Bao Wenqing Said: "Grandpa's great kindness, the little one has endless feelings, but the youngest son doesn't know human affairs, so I don't know if Father Wang is willing to ask him to be his son-in-law?" He said to the magistrate, "I told him for him, he is very happy with you. Your son. You don’t need to spend any money on this matter, you just take a post tomorrow to pay respects to the surnamed Wang. I have prepared all the expenses for bed nets, bedding, clothes, jewelry, and banquets, and I will finish it for him and his wife. Good thing, you are just a ready-made father-in-law." Bao Wenqing knelt down and thanked the old man.Xiang Zhifu raised his hands and said, "What's the matter? In the future, I will still love you." The next day, Bao Wenqing took the post to pay homage to Father Wang, who also paid his respects back.At three o'clock in the evening, suddenly an official from the Fuyuan, a horse, and a second mansion, carried the sedan chair, and walked up to the hall, asking Mr. Xiang to come out.All the people in the yamen panicked and said: "It's not good, I'm here to pick up the seal!"