serious man in the red chamber

Chapter 496 Southern Tour 3

In Yangzhou in autumn, the air is filled with the faint fragrance of osmanthus, and the osmanthus trees are covered with golden flowers. When the autumn wind blows, the fragrance of osmanthus is fragrant and refreshing.

The Slender West Lake in autumn is even more beautiful. The lakes and mountains complement each other like a beautiful picture, making people forget to leave.

The weeping willows on the long embankment are the most beautiful, and I am fascinated just after crossing the Hongqiao Bridge.

To visit Slender West Lake in Yangzhou, you must start from Dahongqiao. When you step into Slender West Lake, you will see a long embankment. At the north end of the long embankment is a small, exquisite and antique garden. On the lintel, the three large stone characters "Taohuawu" stand in front of you. Come.

The garden door clicked open.

A young man walked out with an old man on his arm. Looking carefully, he saw that it was Mr. Wang and Mr. Wang.

Mr. Wang, whose hair had turned gray, raised his head, looked at the door plaque, and then sighed deeply.

In the old days, Wang Xietang flew into the homes of ordinary people.

Taohuawu is still the breathtakingly beautiful Taohuawu, but it’s a pity that from now on, the surname is no longer Wang.

Mr. Wang glanced at General Shang Wang timidly, and then lowered his head.

Today's Wang family is no longer the head of the Salt Channel General Merchant who was in charge of the four provinces of Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan and Shandong. Every time he stamped his foot, Jiangnan was shaken.

Since Emperor Jianwu abolished salt production and brought salt under the exclusive control of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the salt merchants have completely come to an end.

At that time, overseas trade was gradually emerging, and Mr. Wang and his in-laws, the Xiao family, also established a fleet. They also made a lot of money over the years and established a second fleet.

Unfortunately, something unexpected happened. Two fleets of the Wang family were plundered by the British at the Cape of Good Hope. Not only were the goods and ships lost, but even the hired shipwrights did not return. Mr. Xiao’s son also died in the British Empire. human hands.

The heavy losses and huge compensation left the Wang Xiao family impoverished overnight. Mr. Xiao couldn't bear the pain of losing his son and committed suicide by taking poison.

The entire burden of the Wang and Xiao families was placed on Mr. Wang. The huge pressure did not let him down. He mortgaged Taohuawu to the Imperial Bank, borrowed [-] million imperial silver coins from the Imperial Bank, and established They formed a caravan to transport luxury items such as porcelain, silk, gold and silverware from the mainland to Tianzhu Province, Siam, Chenla and other places, exchanged gold and silver from local indigenous nobles, and then transported the local products back to the mainland. .

As the old saying goes, when a person is unlucky, a mouthful of cold water will stick between his teeth.

Early in the morning, Mr. Wang received a notice from the Imperial Bank. There was a riot in Tianzhu Province. The Wang family's caravan was looted by the rebels. The imperial army only rescued some people.

At this moment, an Imperial Bank official wearing a sixth-grade official uniform walked out of the courtyard.

Then, a large group of bookkeepers walked out of the garden gate with abacus under their arm and account books.

The official handed a written note to Mr. Wang and said, "Mr. Wang, this is your IOU."

"Thank you!"

General Shang Wang crossed his arms, took the IOU, folded it, stuffed it into his sleeve, and looked at the official.

The official continued: "We have made a detailed estimate just now, and we still need to make up for the difference of [-] yuan. If you feel that the price is low, you can file a reconsideration with the provincial bank in Jinling, and someone will be sent to verify it."

After finishing speaking, he took a written receipt from the clerk's office and handed it to Mr. Wang, "This receipt has been collected. If you have no objection, go to the branch to exchange it as soon as possible."

Mr. Wang was very generous. He took the note without even looking at it. He handed it directly to Mr. Wang and said to the official: "We have no objection. We will go to the branch to exchange it later."

The official said: "Okay." After saying that, he led the clerks away.

Looking at the huge copper lock on the garden gate, Mr. Wang slowly closed his eyes.

At this time, Mr. Wang lifted his arm and said, "Dad, go back."

Mr. Wang supported Mr. Wang and slowly left here.

"father!"

Mr. Wang's voice trembled, "Look!"

When General Shang Wang heard the sound, his whole body immediately trembled. In the distance, Jia Hu and Lin Sanzheng, who were in plain clothes, walked down the stone bridge. Behind them were a fat man dressed as an entourage and eight Yiluansi masters who were watching all the way.

Three steps lead to a peach, and five steps lead to a willow. The peach and willow trees complement each other and make people look at them endlessly and forget to leave.

While walking, Jia Hu suddenly stopped. There was a path paved with bluestones on the side of the long embankment, and the roadside was filled with various stalls.

Jia Hu glanced at Lin San, turned around and walked over, stopping in front of a calligraphy and painting stall.

The calligraphy and painting boss stood up quickly and smiled compensatingly: "Sir, may I ask if you want to buy calligraphy and painting?"

Jia Hu smiled: "Take a look first, then buy if it suits you."

The boss had a smile on his face: "Watch as you like, watch as you like." After saying that, he moved the stool and said, "Please sit down, please sit down."

Jia Hu sat down.

At this time, the little fat man came over with the people from Yiluansi. The boss was about to greet him, but Jia Hu stopped him: "No need to greet him, we are together."

The boss looked at the little fat man and others, and then at Jia Hu, as if he could see his extraordinary origins from his angular and calm face. The smile on his face became a little brighter, and he replied: " well."

Jia Hu looked at the boss: "I remember there were no stone roads here before?"

The boss: "Sir, this is a visit to the old place. There are many stone paths and streets like this in and around Yangzhou."

Jia Hu: "Oh, what's going on?"

The boss: "Speaking of which, we Yangzhou people are blessed by the train. Since the train was opened, transportation has become more convenient. Every spring and autumn, many people take the train to Yangzhou to enjoy the scenery. The newly appointed prefect discovered business opportunities, There is this stone path. As long as we pay some taxes, we can set up a stall here."

Jia Hu's eyes lit up and he asked again: "How is your new prefect? ​​Is your official reputation good?"

The boss smiled: "I can't say that I love the people like a son. I am quite fair and have done a lot of practical things for our Yangzhou people. Your Majesty is wise! Since the promulgation of the new law, no official has dared to collude with the gentry to oppress the people and commit corruption." After all, the knife in His Majesty’s hand is sharper.”

Jia Hu smiled and suddenly glanced at Mr. Wang and his son standing on the long embankment. He was startled at first, and then waved.

Mr. Wang walked over with General Shang Wang on his arm.

Two Yiluansi masters came forward and searched their bodies skillfully.

The boss was shocked. Although the Wang family was in decline, a skinny camel was bigger than a horse. The Wang family still had considerable influence in Yangzhou.

At this time, Lin San came over and said, "Your Majesty, we have begun to clear the lake."

After hearing this, Jia Hu glanced at Slender West Lake. Several official ships from Yangzhou Prefecture were clearing the boats on the lake. Officials of Yangzhou Prefecture, large and small, were also standing on the long embankment.

In addition to this stone road, the surrounding areas of Slender West Lake are filled with Forbidden soldiers wearing armor.

General Shang Wang walked to about five steps away from Jia Hu and knelt down, "Common people see the emperor, long live the emperor!"

Mr. Wang also knelt down and shouted long live.

The boss was confused. He never expected that the person sitting next to him was actually the emperor. His legs went weak and he knelt down.

The surrounding merchants and people did not expect the emperor to surrender in person, and they all knelt down.

Except for Lin San, the little fat man and several Yiluansi masters who still stood on guard, the crowd fell to their knees.

Jia Hu said to Mr. Wang, "Get up." He looked at the little fat man again.

The little fat man shouted in a high-pitched voice: "The Emperor has decreed, all the people, please get up."

(End of this chapter)