Chapter 9 Red Top Merchant (6-2)

If it weren't for the deep friendship, this sentence would be ironic.However, Grandma Qigu still reminded him, don't think you are out of the way; once the fire burns, you may be thrilled and unable to control your body. As soon as she came, she said: "You will get burned; I will also be implicated. In a word, no matter what Sister Ah Qiao says, don't pay attention to her!" It turned out that Qigu's grandma thought of an idea when Hu Xueyan wanted to buy a house, and decided to use this opportunity to stimulate Aqiao sister, so that she could get angry and get rid of her.However, there may be great disturbances, so a special warning is issued.

The purchase of the house went quite smoothly; the house Mr. Qin introduced was located on Sanma Road near the famous Huajin Lane. Although it was a riot, the house was grand and deep, and the gate was closed tightly to isolate it from the hustle and bustle of the city. .Hu Xueyan was very fond of it, and the asking price was not expensive, only Yingyang 2,500 yuan; so the deal was made on the same day.Grandma Qigu was very enthusiastic, "Grandpa," she said, "give me another thousand yuan; I will take care of everything. You go and do your own thing for these three days; come and see me on the fourth day. What's it like?"

"What else is there to say? But, Seventh Sister, it's too much trouble for you!" Hu Xueyan knew her temper, so it was enough to say something polite.If she felt that she was too tired and uneasy, sending someone to share the work for her would make her unhappy, so she gave her a thousand silver dollars and ignored it.Taking advantage of these three days, I made a set of accounts in my own bank and asked about the business, but I actually did something.On the third day when I came home from Fukang Bank in Jixianli, I saw Aqiao's head was smooth and smooth, her lips were painted, she must have been dressed up; but she was wearing homely clothes. I don't know if she was going out or from outside. return?

"I just came back. I went to see Grandma Qigu." Sister Aqiao said, "The house on Sanma Road is so beautiful!" The tone was very calm, but in Hu Xueyan's ears, it seemed that he was accusing him of hiding her taste; therefore, he was a little embarrassed. "Grandma Qigu asked me: Is the house good? Of course I said yes. She asked me if I wanted to live there; how would I answer her? I said: I don't have such a blessing." Hu Xueyan originally wanted to answer: I'm afraid I don't have this blessing.When the words came to his mouth, he suddenly shrank again; he replied in a casual tone: "Living in this so-called 'along house' in the barbarian field, what kind of blessing is it? In the future, Hangzhou will be restored, and a Zhuangzi will be built on the West Lake; Planting a cave of heaven and earth, really needs to be cultivated in the previous life."

Sister Aqiao remained silent, and sat in front of the dressing table to take off her hair and jewelry; Hu Xueyan was served by the girl, took off her mandarin jacket, put on slippers, and sat in front of the window drinking tea. "I see," Sister Aqiao said suddenly, "I'll fix the afterlife!" "We'll be husband and wife in the next life." Hu Xueyan blurted out. Sister Aqiao's color changed drastically—in Hu Xueyan's mind, since she refused to marry the concubine of the Hu family in this life, she had no choice but to hope that she would be monogamous in the next life and live forever.But Miss Aqiao misunderstood!

"I was wondering why Grandma Qigu said those things? Sure enough, you have changed your mind! You can say it yourself if you have something to say, why bother to beat around the bush?" Hu Xueyan knew he had made a slip of the tongue.However, I really can't blame myself; I had already asked Grandma Qigu that day, what if Sister Aqiao forced her to ask about her whereabouts?how to answer.Grandma Qigu thinks that "everything remains the same, nothing has changed", so she won't ask.Looking at it now, the situation is different!Now that the new house has been seen by her, the "change" has already begun, and she will keep asking in the future; she can't make her resentful like this moment every time she asks.

It seems that we still have to use our own brains to deal with it!He said this to himself; and immediately observed her attitude very carefully.Why didn't she think about it for herself, her refusal to live with the old woman was unnatural and strong, but she kept accusing him of changing his mind?Could it be that she herself had the intention to go down to court, but she just couldn't say it out loud, and she deliberately tried to blame and persecute her like this; she wanted to put the responsibility for the breakup on him? This is an idea that seems almost absurd.Hu Xueyan asked himself: Are you really a villain at heart?not necessarily!Sister Aqiao had also fallen in love with He Guiqing at the beginning, but later on, no matter what she said, she always betrayed her heart; moreover, she betrayed her heart when He Guiqing was in trouble.From this point of view, it seems too naive to regard her as a "gentleman".At this thought, he himself felt his heart hardened; he said in a voice that was not very emotional, calm and almost indifferent: "I have nothing to say. If you are willing to practice in the next life, of course I can only hope to be a husband and wife again in the next life." .”

"You mean, you don't want me in this life?" Sister Aqiao turned her face around, stared at him and asked. He averted his eyes, "I didn't say that, but—" He didn't say any more. "Speak! Manly man, don't hesitate to speak!" Meeting his tone and tone, if she was willing to be wronged and settle the matter, she would shed tears at most and would not ask questions. Since she asked, she would not hesitate to ruin her face.Hu Xueyan felt that it was enough to understand her attitude; at this moment, there was no need to get angry with her—it's better never to get embarrassed, come and go!

So he smiled and said: "We are not three-year-old or two-year-old children, so why bother to teach people jokes like this?" "Hmph!" Sister Ah Qiao sneered, but she still turned her face and took off her makeup in the mirror.Hu Xueyan felt very bored.This feeling has never been felt before; he doesn't spend much time at home, so when he comes home, whenever he sees Aqiao's shadow, he feels that this is the most comfortable home in the world, and he refuses to go out again as a last resort. But at this moment, I thought of where to go for a walk; even if it was just a stroll on the street.As soon as this thought moved, I couldn't restrain it; I stood up and said, "I have to go out for a while." After saying this, I felt apologetic, so I asked, "What do you want to eat? I'll bring it back for you."

Sister Aqiao just shook her head, as if she didn't even bother to say anything.Hu Xueyan felt chills running down his back; he walked straight away, wearing the pair of sandals and the mandarin jacket, and went downstairs. Walking out of the gate, I was at a loss; Ah Fu, the "sedan car class", came over and asked, "Where is the master going? I'll call someone." There were four people in the sedan chair class; because Hu Xueyan had said when he came home that he would not go out tonight, so the three people who lived in Fukang Qianzhuang had all left, and only Ah Fu was left at home.

"No need!" Hu Xueyan waved his hand and walked out of the alley. Walking around in a daze, feeling sluggish; thinking about something interesting, but it's Sister Aqiao who can't let go of it.Looking forward to the beautiful eyes and smiling sweetly, those shadows are all in front of my eyes; Wu Zhen's soft words, as beautiful as a warbler, also ring clearly in my ears.Suddenly, Hu Xueyan felt deep remorse; he turned around and left, and his steps were extremely fast. When I got home, I saw that the door on the wall of the stone storehouse had been closed, and I knocked on the copper ring a few times, but it was Ah Fu who opened the door; Hu Xueyan stepped into the door and went upstairs. "Where's grandma?" He pointed to the dark bedroom and asked the girl Suxiang who came out from another room. "Grandma is out." "Where?" "did not say." "When did you leave?" "As soon as the master left, grandma said to go out." Su Xiang replied, "I asked, but grandma scolded me: mind your own business." "Then, how did you get there?" Hu Xueyan asked: "Why didn't you ask me to follow?" "Grandma didn't want me to go; she said she would be back in a short time. I said: Do you want to hire a sedan chair? She said that she would arrive by herself." The alley entrance will hire them." Hu Xueyan was greatly disappointed and full of doubts. He originally wanted to tell Sister Aqiao: "Everything remains the same, nothing has changed"; no matter what Mrs. Hu said, he decided to maintain this outer room.Unless Sister Aqiao is willing to choose someone else, he will never change her mind.All these hot thoughts are now sinking into the abyss.And I feel that Aqiao's whereabouts are deeply suspicious; Suxiang is her close-fitting girl, and she always goes out with her, but she leaves it behind, so it can be seen that the place she is going to is a place that Suxiang can't go to, or in other words, She even wanted to hide it from Suxiang. Realizing this, there was unspeakable bitterness and depression in my heart; I stood in the living room, speechless for a long time.This made Suxiang a little scared, and asked timidly: "Master! Are you eating at home? I'll take care of the kitchen." "I'm not hungry!" Hu Xueyan asked, "Where's Ah Xiang?" "Xiang, go out." "Out! Where?" "I want—" Suxiang said hesitantly, "I want to ask Ah Fu." This demeanor was also quite suspicious, Hu Xueyan couldn't help getting angry; but he calmed down in a flash, "Your name is Ah Fulai!" he said. It wasn't until Ah Fu was called back that he found out that Ah Xiang was "Bai Xiang" in a small grocery store nearby.There were two old couples in that grocery store, and there was only one seventeen-year-old daughter; Hu Xueyan had also seen it, and she was born like "Wuxi Da Fu", with a round and fat face, and she often smiled.Ah Xiang fell in love with something, and just waited for Hu Xueyan to go out, so he went to the grocery store for a while; it was his family's unpaid meal clerk and street walker. "Master wants to call him, I'll call him back." "No need!" Hu Xueyan felt better after hearing this piece of "news", and simply left Sister Aqiao to take care of Axiang's business, "According to this, it's quite interesting! What's the name of the daughter of that family?" "Following," Ah Fu said with difficulty, "it's the same as grandma's nickname." It turned out to be Aqiao, "That's really a coincidence!" Hu Xueyan smiled with interest. "I told Ah Xiang, when you call someone, don't call them by their first name directly; that's against grandma's taboo. It's not good to be a servant, and you have no rules." This is the opinion of people who are knowledgeable about books and etiquette. Hu Xueyan was both surprised and happy when he didn't want to appear on the sedan chair with two muddy legs; but it was Ah Xiang who asked the question. "Why doesn't he call people by their nicknames?" Hu Xueyan asked, "Could it be called elder sister, younger sister? Isn't that too embarrassing." "Yeah! That's too nasty. Ah Xiang told me that he and others don't call each other's names at all, and both of them are 'hello'. When mentioning it in front of her parents, Ah Xiang said' Your eldest lady'." "That's wonderful!" Hu Xueyan thought to himself that between a man and a woman, they would call each other "Hi" and know each other by voice, which is definitely not a general relationship; what he just didn't know was: "How do her parents treat Ah Xiang?" "Her parents are very fond of Ah Xiang." "How do you call it quite satisfactory?" Hu Xueyan asked: "Could it be that he is treated as a 'hair-legged son-in-law'?" "It's almost that interesting." "Since this is the case, you should come out to meddle in business and have a glass of wedding wine with him!" "Ah Xiang was bought by the master, and everything should be up to the master; how dare we meddle in this nosy business, and besides, we can't do it anymore .” "how?" "We have to--" Hu Xueyan understood, nodded and said, "I see. You call Ah Xiang back for me." In less than a cup of tea, Ah Xiang was found.His face was awkward, a little embarrassed; obviously, he had heard what A Fu said on the road, and he knew what was going on. "Are you ten years old?" "Seventeen." "Seventeen!" Hu Xueyan hesitated, "It's too early." He paused and asked again: "How old is 'their eldest lady'?" This address to Aqiao was imitated by Axiang; it was a joke, but it sounded like ridicule. Axiang was embarrassed and said in a low voice, "Two months older than me, I was born in September. Yes, her birthday is July seventh." "I even know people's time!" Hu Xueyan couldn't help laughing; but in order to maintain his dignity, he couldn't help but ask with a smile: "What's the family name?" "Wei." "How does Boss Wei treat you?" Hu Xueyan said, "Isn't he going to give you his daughter? Don't be embarrassed, tell me the truth." "Of course I'm telling the truth to the master." Ah Xiang replied: "Boss Wei didn't say anything; the proprietress revealed it. She said: The old couple only have one daughter, and they are reluctant to part. If you want to marry her daughter, you have to marry her." "What do you say?" "I'm pretending to be confused." "Why?" Hu Xueyan said, "Is it because you don't want to marry into the Wei family?" "It's useless if I would. I changed my surname to the master's family name, why should I change my surname to Wei?" "You can be considered conscientious." Hu Xueyan nodded in satisfaction, "I have a reason." This is of course a good thing!Ah Xiang was full of joy, but he was still thin-skinned. He knew it was an excellent opportunity, but he didn't dare to ask for it, so he "knocked around" and settled it. He didn't speak but felt stiff and uncomfortable, so he accosted and asked: "I'm afraid the master hasn't eaten yet? I'll take care of them!" Then he shouted: "Suxiang, Suxiang!" Su Xiang flashed out from the lower room, without looking at A Xiang; walked in front of him, muttered in a low voice: "Screaming like a soul!" Then she went to Hu Xueyan and asked, "Master called me?" Seeing it in his eyes, the master suddenly realized; no wonder he asked her where Ah Xiang was?She looks a bit lazy to answer!It turned out that Ah Xiang and Wei Ah happened to be on good terms, and she was jealous. According to this, Luohua has intentions, but running water is ruthless; Ah Xiang has failed her. Thinking of this, she feels aggrieved for Suxiang.But until now, there is no reason to intervene indiscriminately and disturb the situation that has already been done, only to pretend to be puzzled; find something to send Su Xiang to do it. "I'm not eating at home anymore." He told Ah Xiang: "Go to Boss Zhang right away and tell him that I'll treat him to a drink. What's the name of the hotel at the entrance of the alley?" "It's called Wang Baohe." "I'm waiting for him at Wang Baohe. Hurry up and ask him to come right away." "Yes!" Ah Xiang agreed loudly as if he had been ordered by a general, and hurried downstairs.As soon as he left, Hu Xueyan finished drinking a cup of Suxiang's tea and went out.Walking to Wang Baohe, he looked in. Boss Wang came out with sharp eyes, bowed his back and greeted repeatedly: "Master Hu, why are you free? Are you looking for someone?" "No! Come to your place for a drink." Boss Wang suddenly felt flattered: "Please! Please! It happens that the private seat is free. It's a coincidence that Mr. Hu came." The so-called elegant seat is a protruding abbot's place, and a table is matched with a table of eight immortals; there is also a shrine on the table, in which there is a god card of "the position of the family members of Wang Shizhaomu".Seeing this display, Hu Xueyan felt more nostalgic; as if he was in a small hotel near Yanqiao, Hangzhou, remembering those days when he and Fatty Zhang went to get drunk. "Master Hu, I will open a pot of authentic Shaoxing Huadiao; try it, old man." "It's up to you." Hu Xueyan asked, "What appetizers do you have?" "The razor clams are just on the market. There are whip bamboo shoots; they are very tender. Then there is the sauced duck and bad chicken." "I have brought them all. I want two other things, 'single-legged crab' and fried stinky tofu." "Single-legged crabs" are germinated beans, which are necessary for hotels of all sizes; deep-fried stinky tofu is difficult. "At this time, the burden is over." Boss Wang said, "Is there any?" He said stubbornly, "You are called a person, and you have to go two more steps to find it. You must buy it!" "Yes, yes! I will definitely buy it, I will definitely buy it!" Boss Wang promised repeatedly, and asked a young apprentice to look for it everywhere, and specially said: "Go and come back soon." So, Hu Xueyan drank alone first.For a table of wine and dishes, he took only one sprouted bean; what he chewed was not the bean, but the taste of Han Weichenguang's bitter pleasure.There is an indescribable feeling of longing that is both bitter and comforting in my heart. When he raised his eyes, he suddenly realized that Fatty Zhang was standing in front of him with a smile; only then did he realize that he was lost in thought.Concentrated and asked: "Did you eat?" "I was eating wine, Ah Xiang came." Fatty sat down and asked: "Today is a leisurely day; actually thought of coming here for a drink?" "It's not leisure, it's boring." Fatty Zhang had never heard such discouraging words from him, so he couldn't help opening his eyes wide and wanted to ask: But the hot wine smelled bad, so he didn't care about talking and wanted to drink first. "Good wine!" He took a sip and smacked his lips, "I'm on my way to Shaoxing Huadiao." "No matter how good the wine is, it's not as good as the soju we ate in Yanqiao." "Ouch!" Fatty Zhang looked up, "It's a bit like the 'pure number' hotel we often go to." "I don't know what's going on now?" Hu Xueyan sighed slightly; he raised his face and drank a bowl. "You can't drink this wine like this! You'll get drunk." Fatty Zhang stopped drinking and said with a sad face, "Why are you unhappy?" "Nothing! I kind of miss Hangzhou, and I kind of miss the old days. Lao Zhang, 'A poor friend should never be forgotten, and a poor wife should never go to court'; come, I respect you!" I don't know how he felt when Zhang got fat?Looking at him anxiously, he said, "Eat less, eat less! Take your time." Fortunately, Hu Xueyan is a broad-minded person with a very good wine ethics; after two bowls of wine, he only wants to be happy.Thinking of Ah Xiang, he immediately asked, "Old Zhang, there is a grocery store in front, the owner's surname is Wei, do you recognize him?" "We are colleagues, why don't we know each other? You asked him, there must be a reason?" "He has a daughter, also named Aqiao, with a round face, which is suitable for a man. You always know him well?" " Hearing this, Fatty Zhang got excited, sat up straight with vigor, opened his eyes and looked at Hu Xueyan, nodded, and replied slowly: "I know you very well. Come to my shop." "Why?" "Her old man buys goods and comes to me to open positions; she always comes." "In this way, his grocery store is also pitiful." "Yeah, it was originally a small business." Fatty Zhang said, "That's the best thing he can do. If it's rich, I don't care about copper, potassium and silver; parents may not be willing." "What are you willing to do?" Hu Xueyan didn't understand him if. "Ask you! Didn't you say she looks like a man?" Hu Xueyan was stunned for a moment, and suddenly understood; he spurted out a sip of wine, and quickly turned his face away, choking and laughing at the same time.Make a fat man Zhang Er King Kong confused. "Oh, Zhang, you've always liked to think you're smart; where are you thinking?" "You," Fatty Zhang muttered, "don't you want to find a young man who can raise a son?" You do it." Then, Hu Xueyan told Fatty Zhang about the relationship between Axiang and Aqiao. "Okay!" Fatty Zhang said happily, "This matchmaker will definitely not have 'chunmei pulp'!" "Chunmeijiang" is a common saying in Hangzhou. Matchmaking makes a couple of resentful couples. Both men and women resent the matchmaker. When there is a dispute, the matchmaker is ordered to negotiate.When Lao Zhang said this, it meant that he was also very satisfied with this marriage; it made Hu Xueyan feel more comfortable and satisfied with the matter.Happily, the conditions were relaxed again. "Talk to Boss Wei, it's okay to marry, but not to change the surname. Since his daughter is suitable for men, I'm not afraid that he doesn't have many sons. In the future, he can choose a cigarette that can match their Wei family. As for Ah Xiang, I'll call him He is also in the grocery business; I will lend him a thousand silver dollars for capital." "Since this is the case, there is no need to talk about betrothal money or not. The dowry, banquet, everything is arranged by the man's family; after worship, the two families will become a family. Boss Wei does not spend a penny, and there is a son-in-law who takes care of them. He should be satisfied with such a cheap and good deed. Look at me, it will be a success as soon as I talk about it tomorrow; immediately choose a day to hold a happy event." "Then please. I will seal the red envelope of thanking the matchmaker, and wait for you to get it." "Thank you matchmaker! Can't you help me less?" Speaking of this, the little apprentice brought a large plate of fried stinky tofu; Hu Xueyan didn't have time to say, and ate three pieces in a row, looking like he was gobbling it, which made the talkative Fatty Zhang want to speak again. "See if you don't eat other dishes, but germinated beans and stinky tofu are delicious!" Hu Xueyan nodded, stopped chopsticks and replied: "My old brother Ji Heling told me a story: Once upon a time there was a A poor scholar went to live in a temple and became friends with an old monk. The old monk often dug some taro and simmered it in hot ashes; , became prosperous, and became a high-ranking official. Returning home, thinking of the taste of simmering taro, I went to visit the old monk and wanted to taste it. After a taste, he said it was not delicious. The old monk answered him: the taro has not changed, but you have changed. Yes! Today I want to eat germinated beans and dried stinky tofu, which seems to mean that.” "I see! You still remember that when we 'set a bowl' at Chunhao, we always served these two things with wine." Fatty Zhang then asked: "Now that you have tasted it, is it the same as before?" "yes." "That's rare!" Fatty Zhang laughed at his insincere words, "Did the shark fin and sea cucumber take advantage of your mouth?" "You're mistaken. I'm not saying they're good! They weren't good before, and they're not good now." "I don't understand this! Why eat it if it's not delicious?" Fatty Zhang said. "I don't know how many times I've eaten it before. I've never heard you say that sprouted beans and stinky tofu are not good." "It doesn't taste good, don't need to say it; find a way to get something delicious to eat. Empty words are useless at all; instead, people won't want to suffer!" Fatty Zhang was stunned by these few words. He stared blankly at him for a long time before he began to speak: "Old Hu, we haven't known each other for three or five years; I didn't know your true nature until today. No wonder! You It makes sense for me to climb from a student business to today's big boss; I went from being a big boy in a bank to opening a small grocery store, and it makes sense." Fatty Zhang, who had always been smiling, suddenly felt very emotional, and his face turned depressed.Hu Xueyan understood his dissatisfaction from his complaints; he was naturally very sad after years of adversity and poverty. He really wanted to comfort him.So thinking of the plan discussed with Liu Bucai and Gu Yingchun, he soon contacted Xiao Zhang from Hangzhou and Sun Xiangtai from Jiaxing, and planned to sell Yangguang groceries on a large scale, so Fatty Zhang would also join in a share?Of course, the stock capital is paid for him by himself; as long as he helps; in any case, it is more promising than keeping a small grocery store. The words are already about to be spoken, so it's not appropriate to think about it; Fatty Zhang doesn't keep his mouth shut, and this plan to sell foreign goods is effective, so it's not appropriate for him to hear about it.To help him, it is better to think of another way. After thinking about it for a while, I had an idea, "Old Zhang," he said, "I also know that you are wronged now. But the times are not right, so I have to guard it for a while. My bank, you know, the old roots in Hangzhou are broken. , there will be no source of running water! It is also a situation where we are struggling. There must be hope; we must work hard. Are you willing to come and help me?" "You and I can't talk about whether you are willing or not. But, Lao Hu, I'm really sorry, I'm so disappointed in the rice in the restaurant; think about it, my former boss, I worked hard for him like that, and when it came to the end, If you didn't do me a big favor, I would have been involved in the lawsuit. Since then, I have been punished and will never eat money! I run a small business, no matter what, I am still a boss." Speaking of here , Fatty Zhang felt that he had slipped his words; he quickly added: "As for you, the situation is of course different. But I have punished you with a curse, and I will not help others to run a restaurant; Hu, thousands of words and one sentence: Is that right to you!" After speaking, he raised his glass to express his apology. "I can't eat this glass of wine. I have a few words to ask you. If you punish the curse, do you want to help others run a bank?" "yes." "That is to say, not to be a buddy for others?" "Yes!" Fatty Zhang replied heavily. "Then, Lao Zhang, you have to figure it out first, I didn't ask you to be Fukang's buddy." "What are you doing?" Fatty Zhang asked in amazement. "Being a shareholder is equivalent to being your own boss! In this way, you won't be able to answer any curse you want to punish." "Be a shareholder!" Fatty Zhang was moved, "However, I have no capital." "I will lend you the capital. I will transfer 10,000 silver and count it as your share; if you manage the affairs, you will get another salary." Hu Xueyan said, " I have also figured out a way out for you in your small grocery store; give it to Ah Xiang, and he will naturally go to his father-in-law. Look, isn’t this a logical thing?” Such a condition, such a friendship, normally speaking, Fatty Zhang should promise nothing; but he is still hesitating, because first, he has been hit in the bank business, and he is indeed a bit chilled; second, making friends is a change of heart. My heart, but since Hu Xueyan is so loving, I have to think about it even more. If after taking over, I am not sure to open up the situation, rectify the internal situation, and let my good friends down, it is better to say goodbye now, so as to preserve the friendship. Of course, he couldn't say no to it, and he was reluctant to say no; after thinking about it, he said, "Let me take a look first." "Look? You don't need to read it!" Hu Xueyan said: "The situation in Fukang is not as lively as it was when Wang Xuegong was alive, so naturally it looks worse. Compared with the counterparts in Shanghai, to be honest, it is not as good as it is. It’s really more than enough. Fukang has never been short-lived, and the accounts that have been lent out are all reliable; several big depositors are also very rich, and they will not all withdraw money at once. The problem is that I can’t put all my energy on it; The guy I invited was honest and not in good health, so he was lifeless and did not improve. Of course it will be different if you go. When I come to come up with two ideas, please do it with one hand and work together to win Fukang. This signboard is painted so that it shines golden." According to this, it is possible to do it; but, "What is my status in Fukang?" He said, "You know the rules of the bank." According to the rules of the bank, the power is in the hands of everyone, and shareholders are not allowed to intervene; Hu Xueyan had planned, and replied without hesitation: "For me, you are the shareholder; for Fukang, you are the owner. You don't work for others, you work for yourself." Fatty Zhang expressed his satisfaction with this explanation, and resolutely replied: "Then it's a deal. You come up with the idea, and I will do the work; you are the one who comes out on the outside, and I am responsible for the inside." "Excellent! That's exactly what I meant—." "Come on slowly." Fatty Zhang thought suddenly, and asked impatiently, "Where's the old man?" "You don't have to worry about that. He is not in good health, and his son has already made his debut; he works as a 'combado' in an American foreign firm, and he has long been persuaded to go home and enjoy the blessings. He has resigned several times because I treated him well. , I don’t let him go, so I’m embarrassed to leave. Now that you can take over, he really wishes for it.” Fatty Zhang felt relieved, "I'm afraid I'll lose his job!" He sighed again, "My boss is bad; I can't let him scold my boss behind his back." "Do you think I'm that kind of person? "Hu Xueyan asked, "Old Zhang, once a gentleman says something, it's hard to follow; from now on, we are considered a partnership! Let's talk about business experience; what should we do?" This time, Fatty Zhang was stopped.He was born as an apprentice in a bank, and he worked step by step as a member of the group. When talking about internal management, it depends on the actual situation; when talking about external development, he must first understand the market.If he wanted to come up with an idea out of thin air, he would be blinded. After thinking for a while, he said: "The current price of silver fluctuates greatly; if the information is well-informed, the interest will not be small between the exchange in and out and the transfer of hands." "Of course. It's up to you to do it yourself, there's no need to discuss it." Hu Xueyan said: "What we need to discuss is to set a long-term perspective and see that after three years, the overall situation will be certain. " "This—" Fatty Zhang laughed, "I don't have this ability anymore." Hu Xueyan has always been the most active when talking about business, and when he was slightly drunk, he became even more interested, "It's rare to be free today, so let's make a good plan." He asked: "Old Zhang, you are familiar with the rules of Shanxi bank. right?" "The lines are like mountains; the banks and ticket offices seem to be in the same industry, and they do things differently." Fatty Zhang dared not tell the truth in front of Hu Xueyan, "Besides, the ticket offices are not as powerful as those in the south of the Yangtze River; I really have no chance to see their inside stories. ""We are a bank, and the only strong enemy is Shanxi Bank. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle; so I usually pay attention to this aspect. Now, let me tell you something first." According to Hu Xueyan's understanding, the Shanxi bank was originally mainly engaged in the operation of exchange; and the capital was the center.In the past few years, there have been turmoil, roads have been difficult, and public funds have been transferred to Beijing, which has caused many inconveniences; therefore, the ticket office has invisibly acted as an agent for some of the tasks of the Ministry and Provincial Treasury.There are also giant merchants and officials in various provinces who think that the most stable place in the world is the capital; so they remit more cash to the capital, which is actually a deposit.The purpose of these deposits is not to make profits, but to preserve capital, so the interest is extremely light. "If you have a deposit, you have to find a way. The position is bad, and the big ingot will not make a small ingot." Hu Xueyan said, "Shanxi bank in recent years has been popular in lending money to Beijing officials, which is called 'Lending Beijing Loans'; The IOU of 10,000 taels, the real payment is 7,000—" "What?" Fatty Zhang interrupted loudly, "What kind of debt is this? It's worse than usury!" "You say it's worse than loan sharks, but the borrowers are willing to borrow it; anyway, the wool comes from the sheep, and the common people are unlucky!" "how?" "Think about it, what do you get to repay your debts when you are an official? Naturally, the common people will pay for him. For example, someone released your Zhejiang feudal lord, took care of it in Beijing, and paid for it when you took office; , Which one does not need money? So I first borrowed a Beijing debt; when it comes time to find a way to transfer a sum of money to repay it, and then slowly make it up; if you don’t use your brains on the common people, wouldn’t you be in a deficit?" "Is there no risk in this way of doing things! For example, if you don't accept your debt when you arrive?" "No. First, there is a guarantor; the guarantor must also be a Beijing official. Second, there is an IOU; The court submits the submission, and the censor attends, and the debtor will lose his official position. Third, there are people who help the bank, and no one is allowed to repudiate the debt. Why, a group of poor Hanlin usually rely on debt to survive; I hope to be released to be an examiner, a student of politics, and accept the "Zhi Jing" from the students to repay the debt; after repaying and borrowing, the life can still be lived. If someone defaults on the debt, the bank will unite and say that the official is not Credit will never be borrowed from now on; the poor Hanlin will of course panic and will help the bank to collect debts." Hu Xueyan paused and said: "In terms of risks, there is only one thing; new officials take office, something happens halfway, or dies, or loses money." Officer. But it also depends on the situation. If the guarantor is stubborn, he will still bear it on his shoulders." "No wonder!" Fatty Zhang said, "In the past few years, Qi, Tai, and Ping have set up semicolons in various provinces. It turns out that there are such benefits!" He eagerly said, "Why don't we learn from others?" "Here!" Hu Xueyan drank a glass of wine, "That's exactly what I mean." What Hu Xueyan meant was to make two loans in the same way as the ticket number.The first one is for officials.Due to the difficult roads between the north and the south, and the different times, in recent years, officials have been transferred and promoted, and many of them have not followed the routine; the so-called "referral to the ministry" system has not been abolished, but it has been handled in various ways; There are all the senior officials who have been in the feudal department and Gaosi, presided over the money, valley and justice of a province, but have never been to Beijing.If they are released from Beijing to fill vacancies, they can naturally borrow Beijing debts; if they are promoted in the south of the Yangtze River, for example, the county magistrate of Jiangsu, and the magistrate of Hubei, it will be "impossible" without a sum of money to settle down!Hu Xueyan intends to follow the example of Beijing Debt and help these people. "Of course there are risks. But you have to make up your mind to make up for the shortage. Since the founding of Likin, I don't know how many people have made a fortune; like this kind of tax differential, one day earlier, one day more benefits, No matter how high the interest rate is, he will still borrow; and he will not be in debt. Our approach is to make more money from these accounts to make up for the debt. Let’s make it clear first, we are 'robbing the rich and giving to the poor' How to do it." "Stealing from the rich and helping the poor!" Fatty Zhang read it a couple of times, nodded and said, "I understand the truth. What about the second item?" "The second item of loan is to the inland gentry families who fled to Shanghai. Most of these families lived on rent collection in their original places. They carried a birdcage to make tea in the morning; slept in the bath pond in the afternoon; A bowl of', and go home drunk. Three hundred and sixty days a year, at least three hundred days. This kind of person, compliment him, say he is a young master; It's not that the ancestors accumulated virtues and left behind a lot of furniture, so they must be "reaching out to the general". When fleeing from disaster, there was always some cash in hand, and it would not be "in trouble" for a while; In the wild barbarian field, so in the past few years, there are quite a few famous young masters who are about to beg for food!" This is not an exaggeration, Fatty Zhang has encountered a few; the most miserable situation, even rely on their wives and daughters to make a living.Therefore, Hu Xueyan’s words deeply sympathized with him; but he didn’t take it seriously when he lent money to these people. “It’s easy to help the poor!” "No." Hu Xueyan said, "You have to open your eyes to look at it; Changmao's life is almost at an end! Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces were liberated, and those who fled returned home, and there were large tracts of land that Changmao couldn't take away; they suffered for a day or two. In 2010, he is still the young master. How could he be reckless?" "Ah!" Fatty Zhang took a deep breath, "I haven't thought of this level yet. According to what you said, I have a way." "you say!" “叫他们拿地契来抵押。没有地契的，写借据，言明如果欠款不还，甘愿以某处某处田地作价抵还。” “对！这样做法，就更加牢靠了。” “还有！”张胖子跟胡雪岩一席长谈，启发良多，也变得聪明了；他说：“既然是救穷，就要看远一点。那班大少爷出身的，有一万用一万，不顾死活的；所以第一次来抵押，不可以押足，预备他不得过门的时候来加押。” 这就完全谈得对路了，越谈越多，也越谈越深；然而仅谈放款，又哪里来的款子可放？张胖子心里一直有着这样一个疑问，却不肯问出来；因为在他意料中，心思细密的胡雪岩，一定会自己先提到，无须动问。 而胡雪岩却始终不提这一层，这就逼得他不能不问了：“老胡，这两项放款，期限都是长的；尤其是放给有田地的人家，要等光复了，才有收回的确期，只怕不是三两年的事。这笔头寸不在少数，你打算过没有？” “当然打算过。只有放款，没有存款的生意，怎么做法？我倒有个吸收存款的办法；只怕你不赞成。” “何见以得我不赞成？做生意嘛，有存款进来，难道还推出去不要？” 胡雪岩不即回答，笑一笑，喝口酒，神态显得很诡秘；这让张胖子又无法捉摸了。他心里的感觉很复杂，又佩服，又有些戒心；觉得胡雪岩花样多得莫测高深，与这样的人相处，实在不能掉以轻心。 终于开口了；胡雪岩问出来一句令人意料不到的话：“老张，譬如说：我是长毛，有笔款子化名存到你这里，你敢不敢收？” “这——，”张胖子答：“这有啥不敢？” “如果有条件的呢？” "What conditions?" “他不要利息，也不是活期；三年或者五年，到期来提，只有一个条件，不管怎么样，要如数照付。” “当然如数照付；还能怎么样？” “老张，你没有听懂我的意思，也还不明白其中的利害。抄家你总晓得的，被抄的人，倘或有私财寄顿在别处，照例是要追的。现在就是说，这笔存款，即使将来让官府追了去；你也要照付。请问你敢不敢担这个风险？” 这一说，张胖子方始恍然，“我不敢！”他大摇其头，“如果有这样的情形，官府来追，不敢不报，不然就是隐匿逆产，不得了的罪名。等一追了去，人家到年限来提款，你怎么应付？” “我晓得你不敢！”胡雪岩说：“我敢！为啥呢？我料定将来不会追。” “喔，何以见得？你倒说个道理我听所。” “何用说道理？打长毛打了好几年了，活捉的长毛头子也不少；几时看官府追过。”胡雪岩放低了声音又说：“你再看看，官军捉着长毛，自然搜括一空，根本就不报的，如果要追，先从搜括的官军追起；那不是自己找自己麻烦？我说过，长毛的气数快尽了！好些人都在暗底下盘算；他们还有一场劫，只要逃过这场劫，后半辈子就可以衣食无忧了。”“是怎么样一场劫？” “这场劫就是太平天国垮台。一垮台，长毛自然变成'过街老鼠'，人人喊打，在那一阵乱的时候最危险；只要局面一定，朝廷自然降旨；首恶必惩，胁从不问，更不用说追他们的私产。所以说，只要逃过这场劫，后半辈子就可以衣食无忧。” 谈到这里，张胖子恍然大悟。搜括饱了的长毛，要逃这场劫有个逃法，一是保命，二是保产。大劫来时即令逃得了命，也逃不了财产。换句话说，保命容易保产难；所以要早作安排。 想通了，不由得连连称“妙！”但张胖子不是点头，而是摇头，“老胡，”他带着些杞人忧天的味道：“你这种脑筋动出来，要遭天忌的！” “这也不足为奇！我并没有害人的心思为啥遭天之忌？”“那末，犯不犯法呢？”张胖子自觉这话说得太率直；赶紧又解释：“老胡，我实在因为这个法子太好了。俗语说的是：好事多磨！深怕其中有办不通的地方；有点不大放心。”“你这话问得不错的。犯法的事，我们不能做；不过，朝廷的王法是有板有眼的东西，他怎么说，我们怎么做，这就是守法。他没有说，我们就可以照我们自己的意思做。隐匿罪犯的财产，固然犯法；但要论法，我们也有一句话说：人家来存款的时候，额头上没有写着字：我是长毛。化名来存，哪个晓得他的身分？” “其实我们晓得的，良心上总说不过去！” “老张，老张！”胡雪岩喝口酒，又感叹，又欢喜地说：“我没有看错人，你本性厚道，实在不错。然而要讲到良心；生意人的良心，就只有对主顾来讲。公平交易，老少无欺，就是我们的良心。至于对朝廷，要做官的讲良心。这实在也跟做生意跟主顾讲良心是一样的道理，'学成文武艺，卖与帝王家'，朝廷是文武官儿的主顾，是他们的衣食父母，不能不讲良心。在我们就可以不讲了。” “不讲良心讲啥？” “讲法，对朝廷守法，就是对朝廷讲良心。” 张胖子点点头，喝着酒沉思；好一会才欣然开口：“老胡，我算是想通了。多少年来我就弄不懂，士农工商，为啥没好奸士、奸农、奸工、只有奸商？可见得做生意的人的良心，别有讲究；不过要怎么个讲究，我想不明白。现在明白了！对朝廷守法、对主顾讲公平，就是讲良心；就不是奸商！”“一点不错！老实说一句：做生意的守朝廷的法，做官的对朝廷有良心，一定天下太平。再说一句：只要做官的对朝廷讲良心，做生意的就不敢不守法。如果做官的对朝廷没有良心，要我们来对朝廷讲良心，未免迂腐。” “嗯，嗯；你这句话，再让我来想一想。”张胖子一面想，一面说：“譬如，有长毛头子抓住了，抄家；做官的抹煞良心，侵吞这个人的财产，那就是不讲良心。如果我们讲良心呢？长毛化名来存款，说是应该充分的款子，我们不能收。结果呢？白白便宜赃官；仍旧让他侵吞了。对！”他一拍桌子，大声说道：“光是做生意的对朝廷讲良心，没有用处。我们只要守法就够了！” “老张啊！”胡雪岩也欣然引杯，“这样才算是真正想通。” 这一顿酒吃得非常痛快；最后是张胖子抢着做的东。分手之时，胡雪岩特别关照，他要趁眷属未到上海来的这两天，将钱庄和阿祥的事安排好；因为全家劫后重聚，他打算好好陪一陪老母，那时什么紧要的大事都得搁下来。 张胖子诺诺连声；一回到家先跟妻子商议，那爿小杂货店如何收束？他妻了倒也是有些见识的，听了丈夫的话，又高兴，又伤感；走进卧房，开箱子取出一个棉纸包，打开来给张胖子看，是一支不甚值钱的银镶风藤镯子。 做丈夫的莫名其妙，这支镯子与所谈的事有何相干？而张太太却是要从这上头谈一件往事，“这支镯子是雪岩的！就在这支镯子上，我看出他要发达。”她说，“这还是他没有遇到王抚台的时候的话；那时他钱庄里的饭碗敲破了。日子很难过。有一天来跟我说，他有个好朋友从金华到杭州来谋事，病在客栈里；房饭钱已经欠了半个月，还要请医生看病；没有五两银子不能过门，问我能不能帮他一个忙？我看雪岩虽然落魄，那副神气不象倒霉的样子；一件竹布长衫，虽然褪了色，也打过补钉，照样浆洗得蛮挺括，见得他家小也是贤慧能帮男人的。就为了这一点，我'嗯顿'都不打一个，借了五两银子给他。” “咦！”张胖子大感兴趣，“还有这么一段故事，倒没听你说过。钱，后来还你没有？” “你不要打岔，听我说！”张太太说：“当时雪岩对我说：'现在我境况不好。这五两银子不知道啥时候能还；不过我一定会还。'说老实话，我肯借给他，自然也不打算他一时会还，所以我说：'不要紧！等你有了还我。'他就从膀子上勒下这只风藤镯子，交到我手里：'镯子连一两银子都不值。不能算押头；不过这只镯子是我娘的东西，我看得很贵重。这样子做，是提醒我自己，不要忘记掉还人家的钱。'我不肯要，他一定不肯收回，就摆了下来。” “这不象雪岩的为人，他说了话一定算数的。”“你以为镯子摆在我这里，就是他没有还我那五两银子？不是的！老早就还了。” "when?" “就在他脱运交运，王抚台放到浙江来做官，没有多少时候的事。” “那末镯子怎么还在你手里呢？” “这就是雪岩做人，不能不服他的道理。当时他送来一个红封套，里头五两银子银票；另外送了四色水礼。我拿镯子还他，他不肯收；他说：现在的五两银子决不是当时的五两银了；他欠我的情，还没有报。这只镯子留在我这里，要我有啥为难的时候去找他，等帮过我一个忙，镯子才肯收回。我想，他娘现在带金带翠，也不在乎一个风藤镯子；无所谓的事了，所以我就留了下来。那次他帮你一个大忙，我带了四样礼去看他，特为去送镯子。他又不肯收。” “这是啥道理？”张胖子越感兴味，“我倒要听听他又是怎么一套说法？” “他说，他帮你的忙，是为了同行的义气；再说男人在外头的生意，不关太太的事。所以他欠我的情，不能'划帐'；镯子叫我仍旧收着，他将来总要替我做件称心满意的事，才算补报了我的情。” “话倒也有道理。雪岩这个人够味道就在这种地方，明明帮你的忙，还要教你心里舒坦。闲话少说，我们倒商量商量看，这爿杂贷店怎么样交出去了”张胖子皱着眉说，“麻雀虽小，五脏俱全；人欠欠人的帐目，鸡零狗碎的，清理起来，着实好有几天头痛。” “头痛，为啥要头痛？人欠欠人都有帐目的，连店址带货色'一脚踢'；我们'推位让国'都交给了人家，拍拍身子走路，还不轻松？” 张胖子大喜，“对！还是你有决断。”他说，“明天雪岩问我盘这爿店要多少钱？我就说，我是一千六百块洋钱下本，仍旧算一千六百块好了。” 这套说法完全符合张太太的想法。三四年的经营，就这片刻间决定割舍；夫妇俩都无留恋之意，因为对“老本行”毕竟有根深蒂固的感情在，而且又是跟胡雪岩在一起。相形之下，这爿小杂货店就不是“鸡肋”而是“敝屣”了。