Chapter 2 Red Top Merchant (1)

"Commander," Ghoshha said to Zeng Guofan, who was "playing a game of chess after dinner", "an official from Zhejiang is asking to see you. Please tell me, Commander: Do you see me or not?" Zeng Guofan was fighting a robbery; The robbery is related to the survival of the "southeast half", and it must be fought, but he finally threw himself up. "There's no reason not to see him. Tell him to come in." The officer was wearing tattered luggage; the weather at the end of September should have replaced him with a warm hat, but he was still wearing a straw hat with a bright blue hat on top, so he was a third-rank military officer.

"You Tianyong, General of Zhejiang Fubiao, please greet the commander." That You Tianyong took two steps forward, knelt down and kowtowed, a big hole was torn in the clothes on his back, exposing a yellow and black piece of flesh. "Get up, get up!" Zeng Guofan looked at his face, as if it had never been washed; his heart couldn't bear it, so he told Ghoshha to say, "Take the general to take a breath first, and then please come and talk after eating. " "Respond to the Commander's words," You Tianyong rushed to say, "I am under the order of the King Futai of my province, and I have to rush to Anqing within a time limit to deliver the official documents. Please look over them first." "Okay, okay! Give it to me. Get up and talk !"

"Thank you, handsome!" You Tianyong stood up, took two steps back slightly; leaned slightly, unbuttoned the skirt of his clothes, and took out an oiled paper bag hidden close to the flesh, it was thick, and it seemed that it contained more than a few sheets of paper and a letter. The oiled paper was torn, but when he unwrapped it, the large envelope, which was a foot long, was as good as new; Zeng Guofan received it in his hand, and found that it was not paper, but a piece of cloth or silk.Turn it over and look at the letter first. It reads: "Specially presented to Anqing Daying Zeng Zhitai Qin Jun Qi." Signed below: "Wang Youling's own handwriting."

Take it apart again, as expected, it is a folded snow-white Hangfang; when you shake your hand, you are shocked, the handwriting is black with red; there are several purple spots, which can be seen at a glance to be bloodstains - written by Wang Youling and Xue , there are only four large characters: "Waiting for great aid"; another line of small characters: "Wang Youling, the governor of Zhejiang, would like to lead millions of officials and people in the province to pray and beg." Zeng Guofan is a master of self-cultivation, and he takes the word "unmoved" as his goal; but at this time, his face has changed.

The Mu Youcai officer in the camp saw this thrilling picture: the unique request for help, and they were all moved. They stared at Zeng Guofan to see how he would deal with it.Zeng Guofan slowly rolled up the Hangfang painting and said to You Tianyong: "You have been traveling all the way, you have worked hard, and you should rest first." "Yes, thank you Marshal." You Tianyong replied solemnly: "Seeing the Marshal in a humble position is more comforting than anything else; I can't remember all the sufferings. I just hope the Marshal will send troops early."

"I have a reason." Seeing that he was unwilling to rest, Zeng Guofan asked him about the situation in Zhejiang, "When did you leave?" "The humble staff left Hangzhou on September 20th, when Yuhang was already occupied." You Tianyong replied, "It seems that Hangzhou is now under siege." "Hangzhou's city is very strong. I remember the saying of 'One Tongzhi' that there are ten city gates." Zeng Guofan read: "'Waiting Chao' can hear 'clear waves', and 'Yongjin' and 'Qiantang' set 'Taiping' '. During the reign of Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty, Xu Zhonghui, a scholar, wished that his descendants would never leave Qiantang, saying that there would never be a disaster of war. If you want to come to Hangzhou, you can keep it." You Tianyong has heard the poem he read, and he took ten from Hangzhou. The city gate, Houchao Gate, Qingbo Gate, etc. are all decorated with poems; as for the words of the people of the Song Dynasty, he has no idea.Just listening to the tone of voice, saying that Hangzhou can be defended, there is no intention of sending troops. You Tianyong was so anxious that he had to speak.

"Hangzhou's city is strong, which is good. But it won't last long." "Oh," Zeng Guofan asked, stretching his fingers and brushing his beard, "what's the reason? Tell me what you mean." "There is not enough food in Hangzhou——" Although Hangzhou is said to be rich, it has never had a family of rice.Zheximi City is located in Chang'an Town, a hundred miles northeast of Hangzhou; every year the landowners in Hangzhou collect rented rice, except for a family of rice, which is transported to Chang'an Town for sale, so there are no ten people in the city. Bread of the day.In the spring and summer of this year, rice prices soared when there was a shortage of crops. However, after the fall of Hangzhou in February last year and looting, the people who remained were struggling to survive. Where did they get the money to buy grain and store it?Originally, I wanted to wait for the new valley to appear and make a good plan to store grain, but who knew that the army was defeated like a mountain, and the fields were full of land, which made it easier for the Taiping army. "Ah!" Zeng Guofan sighed deeply, "It would be great if Zhang Yuliang and Li Dingtai in eastern Zhejiang are willing to resist for a while." He then asked, "The most important thing for defending the city is the abundance of food. Doesn't Wang Futai think of a way?" ?”

"Wang Futai is also trying to find a way. Last year, he issued a notice to attract businessmen to buy, and promised to exempt the places where he passed. But the road is not smooth, and rice merchants dare not come." You Tianyong said, "When you leave for a humble job, listen to It is said that Wang Futai is going to invite Hu Daotai to go to Shanghai to buy food and arms, but I wonder if the shipment has arrived?" "Which Hu Daotai?" Zeng Guofan asked, "Is it Hu Yuanbo?" "No. It's Hu Xueyan." "Oh, oh, it's him! I heard he's very capable?"

"Yes! Hu Daotai is very capable; in the city of Hangzhou, the big gentlemen flee and hide, all rely on Hu Daotai to come forward and borrow food and donations to maintain the army." Zeng Guofan nodded, thought about the situation in Hangzhou, and then asked: "Where is the south bank of the Qiantang River? Now the salary source in Zhejiang is in Ningshao; is this route smooth?" "Yes. It all depends on this road. but--." "Tell me! What's in the way?" "Returning to the commander-in-chief, crossing the Qiantang River, Xiaoshan, Shaoxing, and Ningbo are all under the control of Minister Wang; he is at odds with Wang Futai. The matter-." You Tianyong shook his head slightly, unable to continue.

Minister Wang refers to Wang Luqian, Minister of Training and Training.Zeng Guofan also knew him very well, and he had received a letter from him to complain, saying that Shaoxing and Ningbo prefectures raised 100,000 taels of silver every month and sent them to the provincial capital; but Wang Youling did not send a single soldier to cross the river.Listening to You Tianyong's words now, it seems that this is not the case.But no matter who is right or wrong, the generals are at odds, and the soldiers and the people are against each other, it is not a good sign.The situation in Zhejiang is really discouraging.

"Go down and rest." With Zeng Guofan's status, if there is something to do with him, he doesn't need to tell You Tianyong clearly, let alone explain to him, he just ordered: "You have a good sleep tonight, and you will pick it up tomorrow." Reply and rush back to Hangzhou immediately to report back. I will send people to prepare documents, horses, and money for you." "Yes!" You Tianyong stood up and greeted him, "Thank you, Commander." The ship running between Shanghai and Anqing is the Siming of the British Swire Company. The comprador on the ship is Xiao Jiaji. He was originally a rich man from Shanghai. Chun works as a teacher to learn English.Then he got to know "uncle" You Wu through his "mother-in-law" Grandma Qigu—he was called that way after Grandma Qigu's children, so he also had a relationship with the Cao Gang.However, like Hu Xue'an, he is a person who knows the inside story of the "threshold" deeply, but is an "hole" outside the "threshold". In order for Zeng Guofan to send Li Hongzhang to lead troops to aid Shanghai, the Siming made several trips to Anqing; when the incident was over, it was already late autumn, and Xiao Jiaji had to take time to see Gu Yingchun. Gu Yingchun was very proud, first cooperated with Hu Xueyan in the silk tea business, and made a fortune; when the situation in Jiangsu and Zhejiang changed drastically, the supply of silk tea was interrupted, and he switched to land management, because rich families who had fled the country flocked to the Shanghai Concession. Land prices have soared, and the wealth has become more prosperous.Moreover, it is close to the water, and it is convenient to choose the site and purchase materials, so a very exquisite house was built on the newly opened Erma Road; a family of three—the seventh aunt gave birth to a son; ten servants were used. . The relationship between their junior and junior has always been deep, so it is natural to talk about some gossip about the journey and the like first.After saying a few words, I heard Grandma Qigu's voice; then she appeared in front of them, with heavy make-up, a big face in a silver basin, the white one was extra white, the red one was extra red, and she was ostentatious with jewelry, making it even more unattractive. "Master is going out?" Xiao Jiaji stood up and greeted her. "Yeah, I have two relatives who came from afar and went to see the market in Shanghai. Going to foreign firms for a drive—" "Going for a ride in such a cold day?" Gu Yingchun interrupted her and said with a smile: "You are going crazy!" Gu Yingchun liked to catch the loopholes in his wife's words. Qigu's grandma was used to ignoring him, and went on to say: "Invite the guests to eat fancier at noon; go to the Western circus in the afternoon. It has not been decided yet in the evening. Do you want to go to the circus?" have a meal together?" "No need! Go home for dinner tonight. Crabs are good these two days, I'll go get a basket of crabs." "Yes!" Grandma Qigu was very happy, "I haven't had a good meal of crabs this year." Then she sighed Tone; "Robbered! The army is in turmoil, and the source of crabs has been cut off. These days, it's really tasteless to be a human being." "Okay, okay, don't be dissatisfied!" Gu Yingchun said, "You live in the barbarian field, you don't worry about clothing, you don't worry about food, and you say that being a human being is tasteless; what about the people who are trapped in the long hair? " "It's just because someone is trapped in the long hair. The news is unknown, life and death are unknown; it makes people worry about it, so it's tasteless to be a human being." As he said, his face was full of displeasure. "I don't care about that much anymore." Gu Yingchun said in a comforting tone: "Go for a walk and relax; come back to eat crabs at night." Grandma Qigu didn't say anything else, and left with her head down. Gu Yingchun couldn't help feeling sad, "The situation is very bad." He shook his head, "I'm afraid Hangzhou will be over within a few days." "Where is Mr. Hu?" Xiao Jiaji asked, "I don't know how it is in Hangzhou?" "No letter." Gu Yingchun suddenly shed two tears, "Such a good friend, seeing that he is trapped in it, he doesn't know the future Is there still a day to meet? Talking to your teacher's wife these two nights, I couldn't sleep all night. "" Good luck! "Xiao Jiaji comforted him and said, "I don't think Mr. Hu, no matter his appearance, temperament, or behavior, doesn't look like a person who was robbed.Besides, with Mr. Hu's vision and mind, how can he sit in a city of sorrow and be helpless? "These words are very useful, Gu Yingchun thought for a while, nodded and said: "I can't see that he is short-lived. " After dinner at Gu's house, the two teachers and younger brothers left in the same car; Gu Yingchun sent him to the shipping company, and then he went to his real estate shop and sent an "old shop assistant" to buy crabs; : As long as it is good, the price does not matter. With this sentence, things will be easy to handle.The old man was also very capable, waiting at the inland river wharf until a boat from Jiaxing brought over a dozen baskets of crabs; "One piece of silver is five qian, no matter how big or small; this basket is thirty-two, especially for self-denial, it counts as fifteen taels of silver." "Fifteen taels of silver, and you still say self-denial?" "If you want it, don't drag it down. You have to know that crabs are not expensive in Jiaxing, and you bought them all the way to Shanghai in exchange for your life; isn't it worth five cents a piece?" As he said, he was about to come to take back his stuff. The old secretary was not willing to let it go, but he couldn't pay the price according to the amount; he took out twelve taels of silver and stuffed it into the owner's hand; The crab was sent to Gu's house, and Qigu's grandma just came home; when I took a look at the crab, I saw a golden hair with a purple back, very strong and extraordinary, I took it and put it on a smooth Fujian lacquer round table, with eight legs standing upright and running rampant everywhere.The old steward watched and swallowed involuntarily.Grandma Qigu was kind by nature and knew how to be a human being. At that time, she said to the old steward, "I have bought too much. You can take a few to the shop and share with your colleagues to taste." When they came out, there were exactly five points and five balls, a total of ten, and they passed them over. The old Siwu refused to take it, but Grandma Qigu insisted on sharing it with everyone, so she had to take it back.Then he cooks himself and instructs the chef to steam the crab with perilla.Then I opened the box and found a set of silver tableware, small pliers, and a small hammer, which were extremely exquisite and lovely. While we were having a lively meal, I saw crowds of people, voices, and footsteps—Grandma Qigu was not afraid of the sky or the earth, but she was afraid of seeing such a situation, and suddenly her hands and feet became weak and her face turned pale; because her family When she was six years old, she was caught in a fire, and the situation at that time was like this. It has been almost thirty years, and the memory is not gone, and the lingering fear is still there. "Don't be like this," she shouted angrily and urgently, "what are you messing about?" Without finishing a sentence, I saw a manservant helping someone in; Grandma Qigu was even more alarmed, but it was all right, it was good to catch a glimpse of Gu Yingchun.He took a few steps forward, opened the door curtain with his own hands, and kept shouting: "Hold it up, hold it up!" Then he took the time to say something to Qigu's grandmother, "Quickly ask someone to bring a rattan armchair. !" Grandma Qigu, who was initially in shock, asked, "Who is it?" Xiao Jiaji flashed out from nowhere, and said, "Mr. Hu!" "Which Mr. Hu?" "Which one else? Uncle!" Grandma Qigu's heart was sour when she heard it; she rushed to the door to greet her, just in time for the servant to help Hu Xueyan to the door. "Uncle?" "Seventh Sister!" Hu Xueyan, who was full of thoughts and extremely haggard, forced a smile, showing his dark white teeth, "It's me." "Really little grandpa?" Qigu's grandma exchanged tears, "How did you make it like this?" "Where is the time to talk at this time?" Gu Yingchun urged impatiently: "Why don't you bring the rattan chair?" Grandma Qigu hurriedly turned around and instructed the girl to move a rattan chair and spread a mattress; the servants hurriedly supported Hu Xueyan to lie down, and she realized that Hu Xueyan had injured one leg. "Call the doctor quickly! Get ginger soup!" Gu Yingchun repeatedly ordered: "Make porridge!" The incident happened suddenly, Grandma Qigu messed up her marksmanship, but the Xiao family suddenly became calmer: "Master, let Mr. Hu sit down first." Hu Xueyan sat down there, and a girl brought a bowl of jujube and ginger soup. He was panting while drinking, his hands were trembling, and his legs were cramping. In the eyes of Grandma Qigu, his vision immediately blurred. "It's really useless!" Gu Yingchun said to his wife, "You can't eat too much at this time; you take out that stick of old mountain ginseng." This is because Hu Xueyan has not eaten a full meal for two months; he escaped all the way in a small boat, but because he had business on his body, he did not dare to show his face, and walked day and night through one "long-haired den" one after another. It is not easy to get food; even if there is, it is impossible to eat as much as you want, because the stomach is too weak, and it cannot be digested when you are suddenly full.It is said that every winter when a porridge factory is opened, a few poor men will die of greed on the first day; Grandma Qigu also understands this truth, and rushes to get the Jilin Laoshan ginseng from Ouchi, which has been treasured for a long time. , let Hu Xueyan chew and eat, and help maintain his vitality. "Uncle," Grandma Qigu looked at his injured leg and said, "Let me see your wound." As he said that, he was about to reach out to hold his feet, Hu Xueyan hurriedly shrank back.The injury was when I was interrogated by Changmao near Jiaxing, and I was slashed when I said something wrong; there was no medical treatment, no medicine, I found some incense in a wild temple to cover up, and I tore some cloth strips from the small gown and tied it tightly, and now it is festering , bloody and filthy, so Hu Xueyan didn't want her to touch it, "Seventh Sister, don't touch it." Hu Xueyan gasped after saying one sentence, paused and said two more words: "I'm hungry!" "I know, I know! The porridge is boiling." Grandma Qigu thought of a way, "I'll get something for my uncle to eat first." I went into the kitchen myself, scooped up a bowl of ready-made chicken soup, skimmed off the slick oil, tore a piece of candied meat, chopped it into a puree, and poured it into the soup; then I took a piece of milk cake made of rice flour, smashed it in the chicken soup and soaked it, It became a bowl of "paste", and I personally held it to Hu Xueyan. As soon as he smelled the fragrance, Hu Xueyan couldn't help swallowing again and again; when he received it, he wanted to swallow it all at once, but he thought that showing too much "greedy" would hurt the couple's heart, so he had to force himself Restrained, pretending to be gentle and calm, he ate spoonful by spoonful. He ate up a large bowl of paste, and he really didn't want to get enough; he said in a helpless voice, "Seventh Sister, the Wu Zang Temple is still rebelling." "Uncle," Gu Yingchun persuaded him, "Eat later! "Oh!" Hu Xueyan nodded, but his face was extremely disappointed.Grandma Qigu couldn't bear it, but she couldn't ignore his stomach, so she said, "Well, let's get something not bad to eat." So I packed a few plates of snacks, such as pine nuts, almonds, candied dates, and kumquat cakes, for him to "greed". At this time, the traumatologist arrived and examined the wound. He thought it was quite serious, and it would take half a month to recover. action. "This, this can't be done," Hu Xueyan said anxiously, "I must go back in three to five days at most." "What?" Grandma Qigu asked anxiously, "Uncle, you want to go back? Back to Hangzhou?" "That's right! In the city of Hangzhou, there are so many mouths waiting for me with their mouths wide open." "My uncle was entrusted by Wang Futai to come to Shanghai to buy rice." Gu Yingchun explained to Grandma Qigu: " This is a life-saving matter, so it is inconvenient for my uncle to delay; I have already sent someone to ask Brother Wu to discuss it. However," he turned to the traumatologist and asked, "Sir, please take care of it no matter what; it doesn't work What kind of expensive medicine, please think of a way, so that our little uncle can walk around within three to five days." "Really." At this time, Grandma Qigu also helped to plead, "Mr. Do good deeds; if our little uncle arrives one day earlier, there will be more people living in Hangzhou. This is a great thing to do. Mr. Langzhong, the patients you have seen in your life are no more important than this one .” The last sentence was very powerful, and the traumatologist was greatly moved. He looked at his wound left and right, smacked his eyebrows and smacked his lips for a long time, and said a word. "There is a way, I'm afraid the patient can't afford the pain." "It doesn't matter!" Hu Xueyan gritted his teeth and said, "I don't care about any pain, as long as I have a good morning!" "It's easy to say." The trauma doctor shook his head, "Looking at you, you are extremely weak; the pain is so severe that you will pass out. Let me think about it." He turned his face and asked: "Mr. Gu, Don't you know foreign doctors?" This remark reminded Gu Yingchun; he regretted endlessly—only because of Hu Xueyan's appearance, which was shocking; he was so dizzy that he couldn't think of asking for a western doctor, and now it is inconvenient to "seek another expert". "Yes!" He had no choice but to answer first. "Foreign doctors' opinions are slow to come: but they have two medicines that work well; can you go and ask for some painkillers." "Here," Gu Yingchun looked distressed. He knew that Western medicine is different from traditional Chinese medicine. He has never seen a patient before and refuses to give medicines casually; moreover, there are more than one kind of painkillers, which can be applied externally or taken internally. "Which one do you want to relieve pain?" The medicine must have a name." "I can't tell the name of the medicine; I can't figure out the babbling foreign language." The traumatologist paused for a while and made up his mind, "Forget it! If you waste time, you can also It's not the same thing, I'll do it first." So he took out a cloth bag from the medicine box, and when he opened it, it was bright and dazzling, and there were several knives and pliers of different sizes; then he wiped the wound with new cotton, and used the knife to remove the carrion.Gu Yingchun and Qigu's grandmother were frightened and sweated with him; at the same time, they had to calm down and think of words to comfort the patient. Qigu's grandmother kept saying like coaxing a child: "It doesn't hurt, it doesn't hurt, it will be over soon." All right." After all, it was cured, and it was properly bandaged with "Jiangxiang powder" to stop bleeding and relieve pain; the traumatologist himself breathed a sigh of relief, "It's finally okay, it didn't turn into tetanus." He said, "'The golden sores bleed too much. , whose pulse is weak and weak.' Now, you must take good care of it, and you must not be negligent." Then he said a lot of taboos, not working, not getting angry, not talking and laughing; and "taboo", salty, sour, spicy and hot wine, hot soup are not allowed, even hot porridge is also taboo. "Oops!" Grandma Qigu said, "I just drank a big bowl of hot chicken soup." "I've already drank it, why bring it up?" Gu Yingchun said, "Just be careful in the future." As soon as the traumatologist left, Gu Yingchun wanted to see a western doctor instead; Qigu's grandma disagreed, and Hu Xueyan said no, because he felt that the pain had eased, which proved that the traumatologist had some means, so it was not appropriate to change doctors. "I'm much more energetic." Hu Xueyan said, "It's important to do big things. Why isn't Fifth Brother here yet?" "Today is one of his apprentices' reunion, and he is having a wedding banquet. I have already sent someone to chase after him. Uncle," Gu Yingchun said, "If you have something to do, assign me first." "Okay!" He put his hand into his bosom, and after groping for a long time, he took out an oiled paper bag and handed it to Gu Yingchun. Opening the oiled paper bag, there are two soul-stirring blood letters written by Wang Youling. , so as to contain the long hair and reduce the pressure on Hangzhou. There is also a call to Xue Huan, Governor of Jiangsu, asking for payment and food, and at the same time attaching a memorial, asking Xue Huan to copy and send it on his behalf.It details that Hangzhou was besieged and starved of food, and it was blamed on Wang Luqian, the minister of regiment training stationed in Shaoxing, who colluded with the evil gentry, controlled the place, and regarded the danger of the provincial capital as the people of Qin regarded it as more; what is even more shocking is that he actually instigated the scoundrels to kill the officials— —On September 24th, Changmao fled to the south bank of the Qiantang River, across the water from Hangzhou to Xiaoshan, Ruxing prefect Liao Zongyuan sent gunboats to block him head-on; outnumbered, the officers and troops retreated.Wang Luqian and the people around Xiao Shao were usually at odds with the officers and soldiers, and had deep suspicions; at this time, they thought that the gunboat was collaborating with the enemy and came back to lead the way for Changmao, so Wang Luqian ordered to surround and capture alive. Liao Zongyuan got the report, knowing that it was not a frame-up, but a serious misunderstanding, so he hurried out of the city to suppress it.With a roar, the mob pulled Liao Zongyuan off his horse and beat him up. Wang Luqian stood by and praised him silently.This internal strife created an opportunity for the enemy; Changmao rushed forward and fell into Shaoxing without bloodshed.The day before Changmao entered the city, Wang Lvqian fled from Shaoxing to Ningbo with his family and luggage, and fled to Fujian via the sea road; and the grain road to Hangzhou was cut off.Naturally, Wang Youling wanted to participate in impeachment of Wang Luqian, and the wording was extremely severe; there was even a saying that "the minister died without looking at his eyes", it is conceivable that he has deep resentment towards Wang Luqian. "These two blood letters," Gu Yingchun asked, "how to deal with them?" "Send them to Xue Futai." "Okay." Gu Yingchun got up before he finished speaking, "I'll send it overnight." "That's not necessary. Send it early tomorrow morning; I still have something to say." "Yes! Tell me." "I want to ask you to meet Xue Futai." Although Hu Xueyan was weak, he still seemed very decisive in his low voice: "Mi, I will find a way by myself; for the boat that transports rice, I have to ask Brother Wu later, can I help you?" It’s best not to bother the government. However, he will send troops to escort me.” "Is this road open?" "There is an easy way to go, you don't understand; fifth brother knows, let's talk about it when he comes." Hu Xueyan said again: "There are still a few poems, please send them to Xue Futai; you said I couldn't because of my leg injury To meet him face to face and ask him what the tragedy in Hangzhou is like? Ask him to read these poems and he will know.” While talking, he groped in the skirt for a long time, and finally took out some extremely crumpled papers.Gu Yingchun put it on the table and smoothed it out for a closer look. The title is "Xinyou Hangcheng Chronicle Poem", and the author's name is Zhang Yinju.There are a total of twelve poems and seven masterpieces; each capital has annotations, and when you see the fifth poem, Gu Yingchun reads: "Yongrong Lingge gathers hairpins and trains, and the weather is clear in September and autumn; countless demons are startled, and the ten gates will be cut off from now on." Book. The note under the poem is: "On September 26, the thieves besieged the city with hundreds of thousands of people, and the ten gates were closed tightly. From then on, the newspapers were blocked, and the residents were like birds in cages and fish in cauldrons." After a while: "Today is the fifth day of November, and we have been around for forty days." "Forty days is not too much, but there has been a shortage of food for a long time; after the tenth day of the siege, people's hearts are in turmoil." Hu Xueyan sighed and said, "Just keep watching." Next look, write: Surrounded by ten city gates and ten sides, who is the minister who knows how to fight? Hu Zhou, the king of Wangsui in China, is said to be the division commander of Zhang Xun. The note is: "On the sixth day of October, Zhang Junmen arrived with Yuliang's aid and won the battle; that is, he sent Vice General Wen Bang into the city in the afternoon to see Wang Zhongcheng's age, and asked the city to move troops out overnight, so that he could contact Zhang Junmen. , To pass through the food road. Rao Junmen blocked the cloud from the side: "Tomorrow will always be in time." Unexpectedly, the puppet rebel Li Xiucheng built a wooden city overnight, so the salary road was cut off from Zhang Ying. And ten cities separated by Hao, also built earthen cities everywhere. When Zhang Junmen ordered Vice-General Kuang to enter the city to meet Zhongcheng, he took it upon himself to destroy the bandits, and the people waited on them, saying that the bandits would be wiped out." After reading this poem and the original notes, Gu Yingchun asked: "Who is Rao Junmen?" "Rao Tingxuan. This person saved the Guangxin Mansion and became famous by Mrs. Shen, but it is actually useless." Hu Xueyan sighed and said : "How many times have I persuaded Wang Xuegong, saying that he is very timid because of others. Wang Xuegong will not listen to me. Save Hangzhou depends on this opportunity; if you miss this opportunity, the gods will not be able to save you." "Where is Zhang Yuliang? Gu Yingchun asked again, "Everyone says this person is not good, what's the matter?" "You look down. There is an explanation below." The poem explains it like this: Huanhou is unparalleled in the world for his bravery, how can the flying cannon be willing to drop now? Thousands of horses don't hiss, the army weeps, and the stars fall down the Yangtze River like a bucket. "What? Died in battle?" "He died in battle." Hu Xueyan shook his head, "This person also delayed the important event. Jiaxing was defeated, and Jinhua Lanxi couldn't hold on, so Hangzhou was in danger. But, it's thanks to him." "The poem compares him to Zhang Fei, He said it well." "He was martyred in battle, so naturally we have to speak well of him." Hu Xueyan said sadly: "I advise Wang Xuegong to avoid it for a while. It's like pushing Pai Gow and shaking the stall. This dealer's luck is not going well; take a break and start over. Wang Xuegong refused, he said that he persuaded He Genyun at the beginning that it is his responsibility to protect the land, and he must not leave Changzhou lightly; now his words and deeds are inconsistent; how can he explain it?" "It seems that Wang Xuegong is a loyal minister." "Loyal minister?" Hu Xueyan sneered, "How much is a catty for a loyal minister? I think he—." His voice was choked with sobs.Gu Yingchun had never heard any angry words from Hu Xueyan, but he actually said that "loyal minister" was worthless, one can imagine the pain and indignation in his heart.It's just that he has no words to comfort him. "Let's eat first!" Grandma Qigu said, "It's a big deal, you have to be full before you can make up your mind. And my grandpa is really hungry too." "When it comes to Hangzhou, where can I eat?" Hu Xueyan raised her eyes tearfully, "Look at the last two poems." Gu Yingchun took a closer look, and the color changed drastically; Grandma Qigu couldn't help being surprised, "What's wrong?" She asked, "What did you say?" "Listen to me!" Gu Yingchun read it word by word. The people who gouged out the flesh did not come to mend the sores, and the hungry people struggled to eat it, which would be hurtful; one cavity of blood was three liters of blood, and it was forced to taste dragon liver and phoenix preserved. "What?" Grandma Qigu asked in shock, "Cannibalism?" Gu Yingchun didn't answer immediately, and read the notes word by word: "The soldiers plundered bravely, and the residents beat the gongs to capture them, and sent them to the place where Wang Zhongcheng of Fengshan Gate lived. Zhongcheng asked the truth, and the king ordered him to beheaded; the corpses were piled up beside the road. Soldiers fight for their hearts and livers to drink, and hungry people also fight to eat them. "Cannibalism" is usually seen in history books, and I have seen it for myself." With this passage, the people in the front and back of the hall heard it one by one. With a pale face, Grandma Qigu shook her head: "The world has changed! There is such a thing!" "I don't really believe it. Little grandpa really happened?" "Not only is it true, it's nothing surprising." Hu Xueyan panted with a dismal face, "People are so hungry that they can eat anything." Next, he talked about the situation of the shortage of grain in Hangzhou-this year, the west of Zhejiang was ripe, but at the time of harvest, the long hairs flooded in like a tide; A long-term siege.Otherwise, hundreds of thousands of long-haired people will not be able to support them, and the siege of Hangzhou will be solved by itself. Well-to-do families in the city of Hangzhou naturally had some food in stock; Shengdou Xiaomin felt threatened immediately, and the rice store had closed down before the city was closed.So Hu Xueyan initiated the establishment of a porridge factory, with a total of 47 places in the upper, middle and lower cities. Every day, Chen and Shen twice, cooking rice and one stone each time. Three or four times I returned empty-handed. Before long, the porridge factory had to be closed.But the official rice is still sold in Jikouping. When the rice is sold out, the beans are sold, and when the beans are sold out, the wheat is sold.Rich people have places to buy rice, and they exchange gold and opium privately with the Eight Banners soldiers in the banner camp for military rations.Soon, all the rice, wheat and miscellaneous grains were eaten up, and the southern medicinal materials, such as rehmannia, rice kernels, and sealwort, could be used as rice substitutes; Instead, it is food for the poor. Later, they ate chaff, leather suitcases, and spiked shoes—the spiked shoes were made of cowhide; duckweed, grass roots, and tree bark.People in Hangzhou are good Buddhas, and old ladies from wealthy families like to "free life"; there is a place called Xiaoyunlou, which specializes in raising free-living cattle, sheep, pigs and ducks, and naturally all of them are sold out. "The people in Hangzhou City are not human beings but ghosts; each of them is so thin that they have three holes on their faces, two holes are eyes and one hole is mouth. Duck egg shell', fluttering, untenable." Hu Xueyan took a breath, and said with difficulty: "It's like two people meeting on the road, talking weakly; talking, talking, one of them will fall down for no reason. Go down. The other one is going to help him; it's okay if he doesn't help him, but he gets dizzy when he helps him, and he falls down and can't get up. I don't know how many "fallen corpses" like this are there? Fortunately It’s winter, if it’s summer, the plague would have happened a long time ago.” “Then,” Grandma Qigu asked anxiously, “Where’s your residence?” "Life or death is unknown." Hu Xueyan said with tears: "As early as August, my old mother said that it would be better to avoid the country; the whole family was sent to Shangtianzhu under the North Peak, and the city was closed, so we don't know about it." "It must not matter." Grandma Qigu said, "The house is a family of good deeds, and the old lady likes to do good deeds. She is auspicious, so she must be safe." "Ah!" Gu Yingchun sighed, "The catastrophe!" It was eight o'clock at this time, a bunch of big crabs, steamed and cold, but I learned that in Hangzhou, known as the Buddhist land, there are people cannibalizing people, up and down, no one can eat.As the host, Grandma Qigu had no choice but to persuade her;Among those who were full, there was only one You Wu who came here after hearing the news, and he was naturally regarded as the guest of honor to eat his apprentice's wedding wine; during the banquet, he heard the news that Hu Xueyan had arrived, and was eager to get away, but he was still drunk with a lot of wine before he could leave. seat.Seeing him at this moment, the drunkenness went away, and he just stared at Hu Xueyan in a daze. "Uncle, how did you make it like this?" "Fifth brother, don't ask him anymore. It's a real hell on earth, and you're close to death. Let's discuss business now!" "Come inside, please." Grandma Qigu said, "I've made the arrangement for my grandpa." She arranged Hu Xueyan's bedroom in a small room next to Gu Yingchun's study; the window was papered white, with a huge brazier, and a Western copper bed with extremely thick quilts.At the same time, he prepared "solitary ginseng soup" and nourishing and easy-to-digest food; let him eat and talk at the same time. In fact, it was Gu Yingchun who spoke for him, "Fifth brother," he said, "the people in Hangzhou are going to starve to death, my uncle is entrusted by Wang Futai to come to Shanghai to handle rice; the more The better, the sooner the better." "The Zhejiang Fan treasury issued 20,000 silver; I can't bring the silver with me now, so I came here empty-handed." Hu Xueyan said, "I don't know what happened to my bank? Fifth brother, I have to settle this account later." "It's a small matter of money," Gu Yingchun said, "I'll pay for it." "You don't need to pad it," You Wu said, "Tongyu Village has a thousand shi of rice in the warehouse; you can get another thousand shi at any time, if it is not enough, you can find a way. The rice is always easy to handle, but how to transport it? " "If the canal is blocked, we will not be able to pass through the barrier of Jiaxing." Hu Xueyan said, "There is only one way, which is to take the sea route and pass through the Biezi Gate." Biezi Gate is located in Haining, where the Qiantang River enters the sea, and it was the first gate for preventing Japanese invasion in Hangzhou in the Ming Dynasty.You Wu is quite familiar with the canals, but the sea roads are very unfamiliar, so he said honestly: "I don't understand this. I need to find a way to find the sand boat." The Shachuan Gang took the sea route. From the discussion of Caomi shipping, the Cao Gang and the Shachuan Gang seemed to be at odds with each other.Now it is difficult to ask him to deal with the Shachuan Gang; Hu Xueyan was drinking the ginseng soup, still thinking about how to proceed, but Gu Yingchun spoke first. "Boss Yu of the Shachuan Gang, I also know a little bit; now that things have happened, I can't be presumptuous. I'll go!" After speaking, he stood up; You Wu pulled him and said slowly: "Don't be busy, let me think about it." Hu Xueyan was still very alert, and seeing what You Wu meant, he struggled to get up; Qigu's grandma hurriedly supported her and asked, "Uncle, what do you want?" Hu Xueyan didn't answer her, stood up and called out: " Fifth brother!" Then he knelt down. You Wu was shocked, jumped all the way, and said loudly: "Uncle, Uncle, what are you doing? You're tormenting me." Gu Yingchun and his wife both helped him up, when Grandma Qigu wanted to speak, he waved his hand and said, "I'm begging Fifth Brother for the people of Hangzhou!" "Uncle, why are you doing this?" You Wu had no choice but to say something cheerful: "As long as you say something, even if Boss Yu and I are inseparable enemies, I have no choice but to speak nicely to him." He and Boss Yu are indeed inseparable enemies - Boss Yu's name is Yu Fuhua, he lives in Qiaojiabin in Xiaonanmen, and he started his business by sailing the North and South Seas and made a lot of money.本来一个走海道，一个走运河，真所谓“河水不犯井水”；并无恩怨可言，但从南漕海运以后，情形就很不同了。尤五倒还明事理，大势所趋，不得不然，并非郁馥华有意想承揽这笔生意，打碎漕帮的饭碗；但他手下的小弟兄，却不是这么想。加以沙船帮的水手，趾高气扬；茶坊酒肆，出手阔绰，漕帮弟兄相形出绌，越发妒恨交加，常起摩擦。 有一次两帮群殴，说起来，道理是漕帮这面欠缺。但江湖事，江湖了；郁馥华听信了江苏海运局中几个候补佐杂的话，将尤五手下的几个弟兄，扭到了上海县衙门。知县刘郇膏是江苏的能员，也知道松江漕帮是“百足之虫，死而不僵”，不愿多事；同时古应春在上海县衙门也算是吃得开的，受尤五之托，去说人情。两下一凑，刘郇膏大事化小，小事化无；传了尤五到堂，当面告诫一番，叫他具了“不再滋事”的切结，将人领了回去。 这一下结怨就深了。在尤五想，连县大老爷都知道松江漕帮不好惹，网开一面；郁馥华反倒不讲江湖义气，不想想大家都是“靠水吃水”，一条线上的人。既然如此，两不往返；尤五特地召集所属码头的头脑，郑重宣布：凡是沙船帮的一切，松江漕帮，不准参预。有跳槽改行到沙船帮去做水手的，就算“破门”，从今见面不认。 郁馥华自己也知道做错了一件事，深感不安；几次托人向尤五致意，希望修好。尤五置之不理，如今却不得不违反自己的告诫，要向对方去低头了。 “为小爷叔的事，三刀六洞，我也咬一咬牙'顶'了；不过这两年，我的旗号扯得忒足，一时无法落篷。难就难在这里。” “五哥，你是为杭州的百姓。”胡雪岩说，“我腿伤了，没办法跟郁老大去办交涉——话说回来了，出海进鳖子门这一段，不要紧；一进鳖子门，反有风险，郁老大作兴不肯点头只有你去托他，他要卖你一个交情，不肯也得肯。至于你说旗号扯得太足，落不下篷，这也是实话；我倒有个办法，能够让你落篷，不但落篷，还让你有面子，你看怎么样？”“小爷叔，你不要问我，你说怎么样，就怎么样。其实我也是说说而已；真的没有办法也只好硬着头发去见郁老大。”“不会让你太受委屈。”胡雪岩转脸说道：“老古，我请你写封信；写给何制台——。” “写给何制台？”古应春说，“他现在不知道躲在哪里？”“这难道打听不到？” “打听是一定打听得到的。”尤五接口说道，“他虽然革了职，要查办，到底是做过制台的人，不会没人晓得。不过，小爷叔，江苏的公事，他已经管不到了，你写信给他为啥？” “江苏的公事他虽管不到，老长官的帐，人家还是要卖的。”胡雪岩说，“我想请他交代薛抚台或者上海道，让他们出来替五哥跟郁老大拉拉场。” “不必，不必！”尤五乱摇双手，“现任的官儿，我跟他们身分不配；这种应酬，场面上尴尬得很，多一事不如少一事。”古应春倒觉得胡雪岩的话，大有道理，便道：“冤家宜解不宜结，如有地方大员出面调停，双方都有面子，应该顺势收篷了。” “这还在其次，”他接下来讲第二个理由：“为了小爷叔的公事，郁老大的沙船是无论如何少不了的；不过风险太大，就算卖五哥你的面子，欠他的这个情，将来很难补报。有官府出面，一半就等于抓差；五哥，你的人情债不就可以轻得好多？” “老古的话，一点不错。”胡雪岩连连点头，“我正是这个意思。” 既然他们都这样说，尤五自然同意。于是胡雪岩口述大意，古应春代为执笔，写好了给何桂清的信；约定第二天一早分头奔走，中午都得办妥。至于运米的细节，要等尤五跟郁馥华言归于好以后才谈得到。 安顿好了两拨客人，七姑奶奶上床已交半夜子时了；向丈夫问好胡雪岩的公事，听说其中有写信给何桂清的这一段周折，当时就“跳”了起来。 “这是什么时候？还容得你们'城头上出棺材，大兜大转'！且不说杭州城里的老百姓，都快饿死光了；光是看小爷叔这副样子来讨救兵，就该连夜办事。”她气鼓鼓地说，“真正是，看你们男子汉，大丈夫，做事怎么这样子娘娘腔？”古应春笑了，“你不要跟我跳脚，你去问你哥哥！”他说：“不是我劝，五哥跟郁老大的过节还不肯解呢！”“等我去！”七姑奶奶毫不迟疑地，“等我去跟五哥说。” 不用她去，尤五恰好还有私话要跟妹夫来说；一开门就遇见，见她满脸不悦的样子，不由得诧异。 “怎么？跟哪个生气？” 古应春一听这话，赶紧拦阻：“七姐，你跟五哥好说。五哥有五哥的难处，只要你讲得有道理，五哥会听的。”“好，我就讲道理。五哥，你进来坐，我请问你一句话，是小爷叔的交情要紧？还是什么制台、抚台的面子要紧？”“你问这话啥意思？” “自然有讲究。你先回了我的话，我再讲缘故给你听。”“当然小爷叔的交情要紧。” “好！”七姑奶奶脸色缓和下来了，“我再问一问，杭州一城百姓的命，跟我们漕帮与郁老大的过节，五哥，你倒放在天平上称一称，哪一方来得重？” 尤五哑然，被驳得无话可说。古应春又高兴，又有些不安；因为虽是娘舅至亲，到底要保持一分客气，有些话不便率直而言，现在有了“女张飞”这番快人快语，足以折服尤五，但又怕她妻子得理不让人，再说下去会使得尤五起反感，希望她适可而止。 七姑奶奶长了几岁，又有了孩子，自然亦非昔比；此时声音放得平静了：“依我说，小爷叔是想替你挣面子，其实主意不大高明。” “这样说，你必有高明主意？”古应春点她一句：倒不妨慢慢说给五哥听一听，看看行不行得通？ " “要做官的出来拉场，就有点吃罚酒的味道，不吃不行——。” “对！”尤五一拍大腿，大为称赏，“阿七这话说到我心里了，小爷叔那里我不好驳，实实在在是有点这样的味道。”“江湖事，江湖了。”七姑奶奶又有些慷慨激昂了，“五哥，你明天去看郁老大，只说为了杭州一城百姓的性命，小爷叔的交情，向他低头，请他帮忙。这话传出去，哪个不说你大仁大义？” 尤五凝神想了一下，倏然起身，一句话不说就走了——他要跟妹夫说的私话，就是觉得不必惊动官府，看看另外有更好的办法没有？这话，现在也就不必再说了。 一到小南门内乔家滨，老远就看到郁家的房子，既新且大。郁馥华的这所新居，落成不久，就有小刀会起事，为刘丽川头尾盘踞了三年；咸丰五年大年初一，江苏巡抚吉尔杭阿由法国海军提督辣尼尔帮忙，克复了上海县城，郁馥华收复故居，大事修葺，比以前更加华丽了。 尤五还是第一次到郁家来，轻车简从，无人识得；他向来不备名帖，只指一指鼻子说：“我姓尤，松江来的。” 尤五生得劲气内敛，外貌不扬，衣饰亦朴素得很；郁家的下人不免轻视，当他是来告帮求职的，便淡淡地说了句：“我们老爷不在家，你明天再来。” “不，我有极要紧的事，非见你家老爷不可。请派人去找一找，我就在这里立等。” “到哪里去找？”郁家的下人声音不好听了。 尤五是极有涵养的人，而且此来既然已下了降志以求的决心，亦就容易接受委屈，便用商量的语气说道：“既然如此，你们这里现成的条凳，让我坐等，可以不可以？” 郁家门洞里置两条一丈多长的条凳，原是供来客随带的跟班和轿夫歇脚用的，尤五要坐，有何不可？尽管请便就是。 这一坐坐了个把时辰，只见来了一辆极漂亮的马车，跨辕的俊仆，跳下车来，将一张踏脚凳放在车门口，车厢里随即出来一名华服少年，昂然入门。 这个华服少年是郁馥华的大儿子郁松年，人称“郁家秀才”——郁馥华虽发了大财，总觉得子侄不得功名，虽富不贵，心有未足，所以延请名师，督促郁松年下帷苦读。但“场中莫论文”，一直连个秀才都中不上，因而捐银五万，修葺文庙，朝廷遇有这种义举，不外两种奖励，一种是饬令地方官为此人立牌坊褒奖，一种是增加“进学”，也就是秀才的名额。郁馥华希望得到后一种奖励，经过打点，如愿以偿。 这是为地方造福，但实在也是为自己打算。学额既已增加，“入学”就比较容易；郁松年毕竟得青一衿。秀才的官称叫做“生员”；其间又有各种分别，占额外名额的叫做“增生”，但不论如何，总是秀才，称郁松年为“郁家秀才”，表示这个秀才的名额，是郁家斥巨资捐出来的，当然有点菲蒲的意味在内。 但是郁松年倒非草包，虽不免纨绔习气，却是有志于学，彬彬有礼；当时已经在下人一片“大少爷”的招呼声中，进入屏门，忽然发觉有异，站定了，回身注视，果然看到了尤五。 “尤五叔！”他疾趋而前，请了个安，惊喜交集地问，“你老人家怎么在这里？” “我来看你老人家，”尤五气量甚宽，不肯说郁家下人的坏话，“听说不在家，我等一等好了。” “怎么在这里坐？”郁松年回过脸去，怒声斥责下人：“你们太没有规矩了，尤五爷来了，怎么不请进去，让贵客坐在这里？” 原先答话的下人，这才知道自己“有眼不识泰山”。自家主人跟尤五结怨，以及希望修好而不得的经过，平时早就听过不止一遍；如今人家登门就教，反倒慢客，因此而得罪了尤五，过在不宥，说不定就此敲碎了绝好的一只饭碗，所以吓得面无人色。 尤五见此光景，索性好人做到底了，“你不要骂他，你不要骂他。”他赶紧拦在前面，“管家倒是一再邀我进去，是我自己愿意在这里等，比较方便。” 听得这一说，郁松年才不言语，“尤五叔，请里面坐！”他说，“家父在勘察城墙，我马上派人去请他回来。”“好的，好的！实在是有点要紧事，不然也不敢惊动你老人家。” “尤五叔说哪里话？请都请不到。” 肃客入厅，只见华堂正中，悬一块蓝底金字的匾额，御笔四个大字：“功襄保赤”。这就是郁馥华此刻去勘察城墙的由来——当上海收复时，外国军舰在浦江南码头开炮助攻，从大南门到大东门的城墙，轰坏了一大片；朝廷以郁家巨宅曾为刘丽川盘踞，郁馥华难免资匪之嫌，罚银十万两修复城墙，而经地方官陈情，又御赐了这一方匾额。如今又有长毛围攻上海的风声；郁馥华怕自己所修的这段城墙，不够坚固；万一将来由此攻破，责任不轻，所以连日勘察，未雨绸缪。听郁松年说罢究竟，尤五趁机安了个伏笔，“令尊一向热心公益，好极、好极！”他说，“救人就是救己，我今天就是为了这件事来的。” “是！”郁松年很恭敬地问道：“尤五叔是先吩咐下来，还是等家父到了再谈？” “先跟你谈也一样。”于是尤五将胡雪岩间关乞粮的情形，从头细叙；谈到一半郁馥华到家，打断了话头。“尤五哥；”郁馥华是个中号胖子，走得上气不接下气，又喘又笑地说，“哪阵风把你吹来的。难得，难得！”“无事不登三宝殿，有件事来求你；正跟你们老大谈。” 郁松年接口提了一句：“是要运粮到杭州——。”郁馥华脑筋极快，手腕极其圆滑，听他儿子说了一句，立刻就猜想到一大半；急忙打岔说：“好说，好说！尤五哥的事，总好商量。先坐定下来；多时不见，谈谈近况。尤五哥，你的气色好啊，要交鸿运了！” “托福、托福。郁老大，今天我来——。” “我晓得，我晓得。”郁馥华不容他谈正事；转脸向他儿子说道：“你进去告诉你娘，尤五叔来了；做几样菜来请请尤五叔，要你娘亲手做。现成的'糟钵头'拿来吃酒，我跟你尤五叔今天要好好叙一叙。” 尤五早就听说，郁馥华已是百万身价，起居豪奢；如今要他结发妻子下厨，亲手治馔款客，足见不以富贵骄人，这点象熬不忘贫贱之交的意思，倒着实可感，也就欣然接受了盛情。 摆上酒来，宾主相向相坐；郁馥华学做官人家的派头，子弟侍立执役，任凭尤五怎么说，郁松年不敢陪席。等他执壶替客人斟满了，郁复华郑重其事地双手举杯，高与鼻齐，专敬尤五；自然有两句要紧话要交代。 “五哥，”他说，“这几年多有不到的地方，一切都请包涵。江海一家，无分南北西东；以后要请五哥随处指点照应。”说着，仰脸干了酒，翻杯一照。 尤五既为修好而来，自然也干了杯，“郁老大，”他也照一照杯，“过去的事，今天一笔勾销。江海一家这句话不假，不过有些地方，也要请老大你手下的弟兄，高抬贵手！”“言重、言重！”郁馥华惶恐地说了这一句，转脸问道：“看福全在不在？” 尤五也知道这个人，是帮郁复华创业的得力助手；如今也是面团团的富家翁。当时将他唤了来，不待郁复华有所言语，便兜头作了个大揖，满脸暗笑地寒暄：“尤五叔，你老人家还认得我吧？” “喔，”尤五有意眨一眨眼，作出惊喜的神气，“是福全哥，你发福了。” “不敢当，不敢当。尤五叔，你叫我小名好了。”“真的，他们是小辈；尤五哥你客气倒是见外了。”郁馥华接着转脸告诫福全：“你关照下去，江海一家，松江漕帮的弟兄，要当自己人一样，处处尊敬、处处礼让。尤五叔有啥吩咐，就跟我的话一式一样。”