20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 255 The ancestors are supreme

The spring breeze is raging and the greenery is getting thicker.

Three days later, it was an evening when swallows were flying low.

The ant colony in the corner of the wall was dark and restless, and the air was gloomy and damp, muffling the sounds of children playing in the streets.

After a day of doing good deeds and worshiping gods and Buddhas, Mr. Qiao finally returned home to his mansion near dusk.

"Master, you are back!"

The old concierge held both hands, nodded and bowed to greet him.

Mr. Qiao got out of the carriage, straightened his clothes, and asked, "Did that boy named Jiang not come here again in the past two days?"

"No, I haven't been here since that night." The concierge said with a flattering smile, "Don't worry, sir, if you still dare to come, I will coax him away immediately, haha."

Second Master Qiao sneered and thought to himself: It’s really better to ask for help than to ask for help from yourself!

"By the way, the neighbors in the surrounding area haven't been gossiping lately, right?"

The old man thought for a moment and shook his head firmly: "No, even if I talk about the master, they are all good things. I praise you for donating money to charity halls and raising money to renovate temples and Taoist temples. If there is anything bad to say about it, it is nothing bad at most. Say a few words about Rooster Tower, no, say a few words about the church."

Second Master Qiao relaxed a little and asked a few more questions before crossing the threshold and walking into the yard.

Entering the dining room, Madam has been waiting for me for a long time.

The two of them sat opposite each other on the small square table. Within a moment, the servants were bringing the food one after another.

Simple, four dishes and one soup, a combination of meat and vegetables.

Mr. Qiao sat upright, put his arms on the table, took his wife's hand, and recited the prayers one by one.

The servants and servants should not even think about running away, they must all sit in a circle and chant along with them.

It is said that once you have converted to God, you cannot have any other beliefs, but Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism have all gone back to the mainstream. One of the three is missing, and there is no shortage of Jehovah.

After worshiping God, worship Buddha again.

Mr. Qiao only focused on eating vegetarian dishes, but he never forgot to add meat to his wife.

As soon as I picked up a piece of trembling and shiny pork belly, I immediately took a sip with the tip of my chopsticks. After I picked up a bowl of clear and fragrant hen soup, I quickly borrowed the spoon and took a mouthful of rice.

Leave that oil-stealing flower behind!

"Shu Ning, you should eat more. If your body and bones get better, you will naturally have children."

These words are obviously aimed at continuing the incense and passing on the family line.

Mr. Qiao's beliefs were too mixed, and his behavior seemed extremely chaotic, making him more like a man who had no taboos.

If you want to spread your branches and prosper your family, you can just take in more concubines. It’s not like your family doesn’t have the conditions.

But Second Master Qiao seemed to have identified Shu Ning.

The priest's admonition to be monogamous is one thing.

On the other hand, Madam has something to say - I want to pass on the family line to you, but you have to cooperate!

If you don’t get into the hot quilt that you’ve covered yourself with, who can blame you?

Having said that, it is not unreasonable for someone from a well-known family to value the mother and the son.

Over the years, Shu Ning has also felt more pressure. Every time he talks about this matter, he can't help but nod and frown.

It's the same today, even more distressing than usual.

Second Master Qiao felt something strange. The head of his chopsticks was hanging in the air, but he asked, "Shuning, has something happened?"

Shu Ning nodded and said hesitantly: "Master, the payment for the batch of medicine sent to Fengtian a few days ago has not yet arrived."

"I thought it was such a big deal!" Mr. Qiao breathed a sigh of relief and said with relief, "It's common to have payments for goods, it's early today and late tomorrow. Shopkeeper Ma and Shopkeeper Xie are both decent people. , can’t be wrong.”

He was prejudiced against the bastards, but he was always willing to take a high look at doctors who practiced medicine and sold medicine.

After all, as the old saying goes, if you don't have a good appearance, then you have a good doctor.

One saves the country, the other saves the world, both are on the stage.

Shu Ning said worriedly, "It's not that it's too late, but Shopkeepers Ma and Xie said they haven't received the goods at all and can't remit the money."

"Nonsense!" Mr. Qiao immediately put down his bowl and chopsticks, "It's not the first day of business. When has there ever been a problem with the medicine I gave them?"

"But they just said they didn't receive it. What can I do?" Shu Ning said helplessly.

Just as Mr. Qiao was about to speak, his mind suddenly moved, he paused, and his expression suddenly darkened.

"I know, that kid named Jiang must be causing trouble!" Mr. Qiao's voice was a little hoarse, "This is the method of those low-level gangs, cheating, abducting, stealing, and using all possible means!"

Shu Ning suddenly lost his appetite, his lips turned slightly white, and he asked worriedly: "Then what should we do? I have inquired, that Jiang Lianheng is indeed quite powerful in Fengtian. We have offended him this time, no matter what Will it be dangerous?"

"What danger can there be?" Mr. Qiao said with disdain, "What a bullshit force, he is just a local ruffian. We are here, and the official situation is smoother than him. I still don't believe it. He dares to use a knife on me in Yingkou. gun."

"But, what about the business? Our medicines not only have to go to Fengtian, but also to Jilin. They also have to pass through him. What if he withholds all the goods-"

"Hmph! Shu Ning, you think too highly of these scoundrels. I don't believe he dares to steal a line once. The South Manchuria Railway is run by Japanese people. If it really makes a big fuss, he won't do it. Good ending!"

"That's what I said." Shu Ning added, "But even if it happens once or twice, it's still a loss!"

"That's true!" Mr. Qiao thought for a moment, then said, "If that doesn't work, we can also use iron trucks to transport the medicine. The higher the price, the higher the price will be. But the money must be paid by the people who buy the medicine."

Shu Ning was still a little worried: "Master, the business has been going on for more than a year. If things suddenly change, people may not agree."

"Don't agree?" Mr. Qiao glared, "If they don't agree, they won't be able to receive the medicine!"

Shu Ning did not dare to refute again.

But the truth is obvious. The Qiao family has offended Jiang Lianheng, and Hongwan is passing through Fengtian. The freight is not safe, and no one wants to take this risk.

Looking for better and more reliable carriages to transport goods will increase the cost of transportation.

Who would be willing to let others foot the bill for the problems created by the Qiao family?

What's more, Mr. Qiao's family is not the only one who wants to take advantage of Tenghongwan. As time goes by, buyers will have to look for other sources of goods. When the time comes, they will only be able to lower their profits, which in turn will cause bleeding for the Qiao family.

However, in Mr. Qiao's view, this kind of statement can only be made by other buyers, but it is not the turn of Shopkeeper Ma and Shopkeeper Xie to make irresponsible remarks.

It is true that Mr. Qiao has a prejudice against Jiang Lianheng, who was born in Jianghu.

But in the final analysis, he wanted to squeeze Jiang Lianheng out of the business in order to cooperate with Hengrui and Rongan pharmacies.

The more Mr. Qiao thought about it, the angrier he became, and he couldn't help but sigh.

"The world is getting worse, the world is getting worse! Now, such scoundrels dare to show their teeth to my Qiao family. If this happened in the past, it wouldn't be more, thirty years ago, no, even twenty years ago, ten years ago When he saw my elder brother before, he had to kneel down to say hello!"

What's the use of talking about this now?

It’s useless, but I can’t help but say it.

Shu Ning asked tremblingly: "Master, what about the payment for this time——"

"The incident happened suddenly, so let's forget it this time!" Mr. Qiao couldn't save his face, "There isn't much medicine this time. I, the Qiao family, can't afford to haggle over such a small thing with others. But, next time, Be sure to negotiate with them first next time!"         Qiao Qimin wanted both business and family status, and even Shu Ning felt awkward when he said it.

"By the way, Shu Ning." Second Master Qiao then ordered, "Tomorrow, take the time to go to the docks and warehouses to see if there is anyone suspicious. I will go to the Dongyang people on Xinshi Street to ask about the situation. If we think of other shipping methods, we will split up."

"Am I going again?" Shu Ning was a little timid, "The last time I found someone to attack Jiang Lianheng, I was the one who went there...I, I'm a little scared."

"Hey! What are you afraid of! I've set up the line for you. Just go and show your face. It's good to be like before!" Second Master Qiao scolded, "If it weren't for Shopkeeper Ma Shopkeeper He Xie’s people haven’t moved for a long time, so I don’t have to find someone to deal with the boy named Jiang.”

Seeing that Madam's face was pale, Mr. Qiao couldn't help but soften his tone.

"Shuning, you have to understand me. I am the face of our Qiao family, and the reputation of our ancestors cannot be lost to me. You are from the family, and few people know you. I will arrange for someone to send you off tomorrow. Just go there and ask.”

This is the division of labor between the couple.

Second Master Qiao is responsible for setting up the line, and Shu Ning is responsible for conducting negotiations.

That's why he can be so low-key.

Originally, everything was going according to plan without any disturbance—until the variable Jiang Lianheng appeared!

Asking about Mr. Qiao and Hong Wan all over the street, isn't this "smearing" the Qiao family!

In fact, he didn't want to be like this. Women's families with serious family backgrounds were very particular about not leaving the front door or stepping outside the second door.

Although the world has changed and women can now enter factories, Mr. Qiao still feels that his face is disgraceful, but he also disdains those who work in the world, and the person he trusts the most is still the wife in front of him.

Shu Ning pondered for a long time, sighed deeply, and finally said softly: "Okay, it's all for the sake of the family's reputation. Then I'll do it tomorrow, and you should be more careful."

Second Master Qiao nodded happily.

The couple ate the vegetables and rice in silence, but neither of them had the appetite to eat anymore.

After taking away the food, Mr. Qiao went back to his room, closed the door tightly, sat cross-legged on the bed, and practiced two sets of waist-lengthening Taoist exercises.

By the time he exhaled the turbid air from his body, the sky had already disappeared outside the window.

The night was gloomy and gloomy, with stars and moon twinkling. A tree branch by the window, with its newly sprouted branches and leaves, turned into a shadow with teeth and claws, swaying left and right on the table below the window.

It’s time to pay our respects to our ancestors, sects, gods, Buddhas and God.

Mr. Qiao stood up and left the house, holding a lantern in his right hand and protecting the lampshade with his left hand. Still, he could not stop the spring breeze from raging and the candlelight swaying.

He first pushed open the main room where the god was enshrined, knelt on the futon, and recited "Immeasurable God", "Amitabha", "Amen", etc. all over the place.

When he stood up, his expression suddenly froze, and he felt that the rows of statues of gods and Buddhas, as if their mouths had been opened, were all leaning down to mock him wantonly.

The electric lights shone down from the roof, and the faces of the three statues seemed even more obscure.

The shadow on Lao Jun's forehead blocked his eyes, and there was a hint of joking at the corner of his mouth.

It was normal for the Buddha to smile with his eyebrows lowered, but a row of teeth was vaguely exposed.

The Virgin held the Holy Child in her arms, her head tilted, and everyone looked at him askance.

Second Master Qiao suddenly felt cold all over and took two steps back in panic.

Dazzled?

Second Master Qiao calmed his mind, strengthened his courage, and hesitantly took another step forward - once again, he saw that it was definitely not a dazzle!

Everyone is really staring at him!

Mr. Qiao's heart immediately reached his throat. He couldn't swallow or spit out, and it was stuck in his throat. He was in a dilemma, so he hurriedly rushed out of the main room.

When I locked the door, I felt my heart finally beating again.

As usual, it was quiet at night and there was no one else in the yard.

Mr. Qiao quickly ran to the ancestral hall, running faster than the wind.

He pushed open the door violently, but he fell to his knees with a "pop".

"The ancestors and ancestors are on high... The ancestors and ancestors are on high..." He clasped his hands and prayed repeatedly, "The ancestors and ancestors are on high, bless Qimin and bless the Qiao family..."

I mumbled and muttered for a long time, and when I opened my eyes again, it was a national curse!

I saw that the main hall, like a staircase, was enshrined in densely packed black ranks. For some unknown reason, they were trembling back and forth like chickens pecking at rice.

"Oh my God!"

Mr. Qiao suddenly stood up. At that moment, the two door panels closed with a bang. He was so frightened that he quickly opened the door and ran away.

Qiao Qimin was so frightened that he became so virtuous, but he still refrained from shouting, for no other reason than that he was afraid of losing the face of the head of the family.

He took three steps and two steps at a time. When he reached the door of the main house, he finally found a soothing excuse for himself.

"Yes, the wind! It must have been too strong, blowing! I am the only child of the Qiao family, how could my ancestors scare me!"

Just saying it's okay and asking him to go back and have a look is absolutely impossible.

At least, wait until tomorrow morning.

Second Master Qiao took a few deep breaths, opened the door and entered the house.

As usual, the wife was lying on the bed waiting for him. Seeing that he was a little panicked, she couldn't help but ask: "Master, what happened?"

"No, it's nothing!" Second Master Qiao swallowed and scolded, "You keep asking 'what's the matter' all day long, and you don't expect anything to get better!"

Shu Ning was a little suspicious, but didn't say anything more. He just patted the quilt and said, "It's okay. Come up and sleep."

Mr. Qiao was lucky enough today. He immediately locked the door, took off his clothes, got into bed, and got very close to his wife, but he didn't have any unnecessary thoughts.

Blow out the lamp and pull out the wax, but this night, there is still no peace.

Second Master Qiao tossed and turned, always feeling hairy on the back of his spine, and he couldn't even close his eyes completely until the middle of the night.

While I was tossing and turning and making pancakes on the bed, I don't know exactly what time it was, I suddenly heard a loud "clang" sound outside the house, as if a big wave was coming, and the couple woke up immediately.

"Master, did you, did you hear any noise?" Shu Ning gathered the quilt in front of his chest, "There seemed to be a sound in the yard just now."

"Ah... yes, yes, I heard it too." Mr. Qiao's face was as pale as paper.

"How about you go out and take a look?"

"No, no need." Second Master Qiao choked on his spit for no apparent reason, "Just let the servants see it."

"Boom boom boom!"

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a sudden knock on the door, and the couple immediately huddled together.

"Who?"

-

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Additional updates: 5

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　I just got the news that my grandfather has passed away. I may have to do odd updates in the past two days. I will try my best.

　　Thanks to _Mumu_ for your reward support!

　　Boss atmosphere!

　　

　

(End of this chapter)