Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 104 Father
Although it's only the second day of the twelfth lunar month, and it's early in the morning, but because of the snow yesterday, the weather is extremely cold today.Cao Yong galloped on the horse, only felt that the cold wind was like a sharp blade.There are few people on the official road, only Cao Yong and the brothers of the Wei family.

Originally planned to rest at Xiaotang Mountain Villa for a day today, and then set off for Beijing tomorrow.However, at noon, the capital mansion sent someone over, saying that the master had arrived in Beijing, and Mr. Zhuang asked him to return to the mansion quickly.

Cao Yong told everyone why, and said that he would go back to Beijing first, and everyone can play freely here, and return to Beijing tomorrow.After playing for two days, everyone had already enjoyed themselves, so they all decided to return today.

Cao Yong was in a hurry to go back to see his father, so he entrusted the convoy to Seishtu and Ning Chun, and he took the Wei brothers to go ahead.

It is sixty miles from Xiaotangshan to Andingmen. Even if they are riding fast, Cao Yong and the others have been gone for more than an hour.

When I returned to Cao's Mansion, it was already Shenchu ​​(three o'clock in the afternoon).

As soon as he entered the gate of the mansion, the old housekeeper Cao Zhong greeted him.Cao Yong hurriedly asked: "Where is the master?"

"I just finished dinner, and now I'm talking to Mr. Zhuang in the study. Did the uncle change his clothes first, or go directly to say hello?" Seeing that Cao Yong's face was a bit haggard, the old housekeeper couldn't help but feel a little worried: "What's wrong with you, sir? Look at it." It’s even lower than it was two days ago!”

"It's okay, I'll greet my father first, and then change clothes!" Cao Yong simply tidied up his collar and cuffs, and went to the front hall.

Waiting outside the door of the front hall was Cao Yuan, the steward next to Cao Yin.He is the eldest son of Cao Fu, the chief steward of the southern mansion, Cao Fang's elder brother, and Xiao Man's uncle.Forty years old, a little fat, seeing Cao Yong approaching, hurriedly greeted Qian Qian: "Slave, send my greetings to the lord!"

"What are you doing with these false rituals? Master is inside?" Cao Yong stretched out his hand to help him, and was very polite to him.

Cao Yuan replied in a respectful voice: "Go back to the old man, if the old man is inside, do you need a servant to inform you?"

"Well!" Cao Yong nodded: "Let's report, I'll pay my respects to my father!"

The voice at the door had already spread to the study, Cao Yin heard it, and asked loudly: "But Yong'er is back? Come in!"

Cao Yong entered in response.The moment he saw Cao Yin, he immediately felt heartbroken.

It has been less than a year since the father and son separated in March, but Cao Yin has gray hair and a thin face, but it is quite different from the past.If it weren't for his straight back and sharp eyes, it would be hard for people to connect the old man in front of him with Cao Zhizao, who has been talking and laughing about Jiangnan officialdom for decades.

After Cao Yong came forward to greet Cao Yin, Mr. Zhuang withdrew.

Cao Yin asked Cao Yong to sit down, and asked a few words casually, but they were all things mentioned in previous family letters.Cao Yong asked about his mother's body and some recent developments with Jiangning's mansion.Then, there was a silent silence.

Thinking of his younger brother who died young, Cao Yong felt a little more sympathy for Cao Yin.This stubborn old man is used to showing his father's strictures in front of his eldest son, but now he doesn't know how to get along with his son.At the same time, Cao Yong couldn't help but review himself. Since he was a child, he didn't behave like a child. He still cared for his mother, but he really didn't get close to his father a few times.

It was Cao Yin who broke the silence. He looked at his son slightly, coughed a few times, and then said: "The tea garden has been handed over to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. What happened in September. I originally wanted to ask you My opinion, but since your little brother passed away, I understand that the only important thing is to save my life. I am old, and now I only have a son like you. As long as you can be safe, I have nothing else to do What I want." In the end, it was very lonely.

Cao Yong had no greed for the tea garden, and he knew that his father wanted to hand it over, so he didn't have any reluctance. He just thought of the debt of the Cao family, and couldn't help asking: "Father, if you hand over the tea garden, what will you do?" On the other side of the deficit..."

Seeing that Cao Yong didn't seem to care too much, Cao Yin's expression became softer, and he frowned: "Long Live God knows our family's difficulties, and specially gave grace, allowing our family to operate for another three years, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs for three years." The rear sent people to receive it. In addition, 20 taels of silver were allocated to buy the tea garden. If you look at the income from the previous two years, even if you can’t pay off all the deficit after three years, there will not be much left!”

Having said that, both father and son heaved a sigh of relief. The debts of several million are like a sharp sword hanging over their heads, and now they finally have some hope.

The atmosphere is no longer as quiet as it was just now. Cao Yong thought of Pearl from the tea house. Seeing that Pearl is about to benefit, the income will be considerable even if it is not as good as that of the tea garden.It's just that it hasn't attracted the attention of the world at the moment. If it becomes known in two or three years, is it still necessary to surrender like this?Unknowingly, he expressed his confusion.

Cao Yin was not very worried. He smiled and comforted Cao Yong and said, "Pearls are very different from tea gardens. Salt tea and the like are related to the national economy and people's livelihood. Holding them for a long time is a violation of the court's taboo. But Taihu Pearl No matter how good it is, it's just a quick thing, and it can be better than Dongzhu? Our pearls are not very useful, but they are just boudoir accessories, so we don't need to take care of them. And our Cao family, buy a couple of them There is nothing wrong with owning a property. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about it, Yong’er!” Having said this, he paused again, and glanced at his son: “It’s just that this method of raising pearls is a top secret, and no outsiders can get it. .The daughter of the Zheng family..."

After listening to Cao Yin's words, Cao Yong naturally understood his intention, which was nothing more than accepting Zheng Woxue so that the method of raising pearls would not flow out.However, the artificial cultivation of pearls does not have too much technical content. No matter how the Cao family prevents them, as long as the scale of cultivation of pearls expands, the outflow is inevitable.As long as the Cao family's pearls are on the market and attract the attention of experts, there will naturally be someone with a heart.

Thinking of these, Cao Yong suddenly thought of a once-and-for-all solution, which is technology transfer.Inviting large pearl-digging families from the north and the south to transfer the technology to ten families at one time for eight years, isn't it just to earn all the benefits of pearl cultivation in the next few years in a short period of time.Becoming one of the many pearl farmers, although the profits in the future will be thinner, but it will not be so eye-catching, and it will not be a target.

Cao Yong said his thoughts to his father, Cao Yin looked at his son, pondered for a long time.Although it didn't work out, he could tell that his son's method was indeed a good way to eliminate the disaster.Seeing that the Long Live Lord is getting old, if the new emperor ascends the throne, the Cao family may not have the status it is today.When the time comes, holding a profitable industry in your hands, it is hard to guarantee that you will not be jealous.I really didn't expect that my son, at such a young age, would be so transparent about the world.Cao Yin didn't know whether to sigh or be happy, his son has become a responsible man.

Through this long talk, both father and son felt a lot closer to each other.From the very beginning when Cao Yin mentioned Cao Shun who died young, neither father nor son mentioned it again.After chatting about deficits and official affairs, Cao Yin also specifically asked about Cao Song's studies and Cao Yi's health.Obedient to the meaning of the words, after meeting with Kangxi this time, he will take his daughter back to the south.

*
When Cao Yi, Cao Song and others returned home, it was already dark.

According to what Cao Song said, it was everyone who rushed to the city at the gate of the city.

Two siblings, Qi Qi went to greet Cao Yin, and they were shocked when they saw Cao Yin's skinny appearance.Cao Song was okay, he was a boy after all, and he was careless, thinking that his uncle was tired from the journey.Cao Yi couldn't help it, and shed tears.Cao Yi knows Cao Yin's love for his youngest son.Although she was a little mentally unstable after the accident in August, she still remembered the situation when her father was bedridden after hearing the bad news.Thinking of the scene at that time, and seeing her father's old age, how could she not feel guilty?
Cao Yi was not the only one who felt guilty and blamed himself. Cao Yin looked at his daughter with more concern: "Speaking of which, I was still the father. I was sick at that time and didn't take care of you, which made you feel wronged. You go north Yue, your mother misses you very much. Although your elder brother is here in the capital, there are no elders after all, and it is not easy for you to be a girl. After seeing the Long Live God as a father, you can go back to Jiangning with me!"

Cao Yi responded with tears in his eyes, both joy and sadness in his heart.The happy thing is that his father still recognizes him as his daughter, and he will be able to go home to see his mother; the sad thing is that he will leave the capital and be separated from his brother, and he will not see Bao Ya, Yong Jia, Mrs. Jue Luo and others.

*
Shifuma Street, Pingjun Palace.

Cao Jiashi was a little surprised when she learned that Bao Yagege had returned. It was late at night, so why did she hurry back.Thinking about my sister-in-law's temper, she was afraid that she would argue with someone again, and she didn't know about her father's arrival in Beijing until she asked.

Seeing that her sister-in-law didn't know about this, Baoya was a little surprised: "Didn't you say you arrived in the morning? Why, didn't you send us a letter from the mansion?"

Cao Jia smiled wryly and nodded. As her father, he was the most rigid and polite. He was afraid to avoid suspicion, so he didn't want to walk around with the palace.Although she really missed her father, she was really afraid of seeing him.Otherwise, if her father follows the etiquette law and wants to meet her with a big gift, how can she, as a daughter, bear it?
Seeing that my sister-in-law didn't speak, Bao Ya thought of something and asked casually, "Sister-in-law, what does 'Ewha has Siyuan and Ye' mean?"

"'Pear blossoms have love and leaves'? This is the first sentence of "Jiang'an Pear Blossoms" written by Bai Juyi, a poet of the Tang Dynasty. It is the poet who sees the pear blossoms and leaves, and misses his family." This poem has the meaning of missing his wife. Cao Cao It's not easy for Jiashi to explain in detail.Because she knew that my sister-in-law was the most impatient to read, she couldn't help being a little curious, and asked, "Why do you think of asking this?
"We drew lottery last night. Sister Zijing drew orchids, sister Yongjia drew lilies, and I got pear blossoms. There is this sentence on the lottery, and there are four words, what's the matter? Baoya frowned, and thought for a while: "Ah, yes, it's the word 'Zuochuangchunmu'. Solution!"

Influenced by his father Cao Yin, Cao Jia liked to read poems and books since he was a child, and kept his hands on the scrolls. He thought that whether it was "spring evening at the window" or "pear blossoms have thoughts and fate and leaves", they were not auspicious words. She smiled and said: "Pear blossoms are naturally white and tender, but they don't suit our Ge Ge's appearance."

Bao Ya smiled and nodded: "I think that's what I mean! Sister-in-law, you don't know, it was very lively yesterday! Five or six people got flower lottery, but there were no Cao Yong, Cao Song and the third sister. I'm still waiting." Watching Cao Song smoke peonies!"

*
Valiant Earl's Court, Inner Court
Wan Jiha and his wife, Princess Fuhui, have finished washing and are ready to tidy up and settle down.Suddenly someone from outside reported that the second master and the girl had returned.

Princess Fuhui was taken aback, and waved to let the two maids who removed her hair and jewelry back down, walked to the edge of the kang, pushed Wan Jiha who was already lying down: "Hey, did you hear that? The children are back!"

Wan Jiha was already in a half-drowsy state, closed his eyes and said, "Well, tell them we're going to sleep, and ask them to come back tomorrow morning to say hello!"

Princess Fuhui was angry and impatient, and pushed him hard twice, only to be shaken until Wan Jiha opened his eyes, and Fang annoyed: "Are you confused? I mean Yongsheng and Jia girl are back!"

"Huh...huh?" Wan Jiha finally came to his senses, and frowned: "It's the second day of junior high school, you're back so early?"

"Isn't it!" Princess Fuhui muttered, "I thought they could stay for a few more days, and when they left, they said they would come back in the third or fourth year of junior high... Could it be that they had a problem with someone?" Unable to sit still, he stood up and said, "I'd better go and ask, it's fine, don't get involved in trivial matters..."

Wan Jiha hurriedly called to his wife: "What are you in a hurry for? What time is it? Everyone has returned, and you just ask what they found, can you still send them back?"

Princess Fuhui heard what her husband said was reasonable, but she was still very unwilling. After walking around the ground twice, she finally sat on the edge of the kang and sighed.

For the Cao family, Princess Fuhui didn't pay much attention to her at first, but after listening to her husband's analysis, she paid more attention to the Cao family.In the past two days, she remembered that when her husband was in Jiangning as the commander in chief, he had visited Zhizao Mansion several times. It was indeed a first-class good family. It is comparable, and Cao Yong's appearance and character are not mentioned, and it is also possible to have such a son-in-law.When things get serious, it is inevitable that you will start to worry about gains and losses.

Wan Jiha patted Madam's hand, closed his eyes again, and said in a vague voice: "Sleep, Madam! I will ask tomorrow. Go to sleep, ah!" He turned over and fell into a deep sleep.

Princess Fuhui is pretentious, how can she sleep?Tossing and turning until the second watch, I fell asleep in a daze, but I woke up again not long after, and it took several times to survive until dawn.After breakfast, she came to her daughter without waiting for her son and daughter-in-law to come to say hello.

Yongjia had just finished his breakfast, and the table hadn't been removed yet, seeing Princess Fuhui coming in, all the maids and women in the room were in a hurry to say hello.Yongjia also wanted to get off the kang, but Princess Fuhui held her down.

Princess Fuhui smiled and said angrily: "Don't move, watch your arm carefully." On the table, I saw four small dishes of vegetarian dishes such as mushrooms and tofu skin, a plate of chestnut noodles, and a bowl of duck meat and japonica rice. The porridge smelled a little meaty, and she hadn't moved much yet, so she couldn't help frowning: "How do you eat this? You eat so little, and you don't have a good appetite?"

Yong Jia hurriedly replied: "Don't worry, Er Niang, I have eaten too much wine and meat these days, and I am a little bored. In addition, I was a little hungry when I came back last night, and I went to bed after eating something, but I had accumulated food, and I was also tired in the morning." I can't eat anything!"

Princess Fuhui nodded: "It's fine." He waved someone to remove the table, then sat next to his daughter, took her hand, and asked with a smile: "Did you have a good time these two days? Your second brother But he is naughty, how can he get along with them? There is nothing awkward, right? "

Yongjia glanced at his mother: "Er Niang always thinks that the second elder brother is a child, and she is already so old, what's so awkward?"

Princess Fuhui smiled: "Well, it's good that there is no trouble..." As he spoke, he changed the topic, "Then why... you came back yesterday? You are bored in the mansion all day, poor see you, it's rare to relax for two days If you play well, you can play for two more days..."

Yongjia saw her mother say such words, her eyes and smile were full of deep meaning, she couldn't help feeling ashamed and annoyed, she pulled her hand out and bowed her head in silence.

Princess Fuhui didn't realize it, and took her daughter's hand to ask this and that, but she didn't ask anything.

After a while, when the deacons and daughter-in-laws from all walks of life came to have something to do, Princess Fuhui's accompanying room came to invite her.She had no choice but to let her daughter go and go back to the main room to do housework.

After dismissing the people who received the license, Princess Fuhui took the time to call Yongjia's maid, Xiaoxi, and asked her how the girl was doing these two days, and why she came back early.

Xiaoxi replied: "It's the capital where the master of the Cao family visited yesterday. The Cao manor delivered a letter, so uncle Cao rushed back first. Several masters and young ladies discussed it and came back together."

Princess Fuhui was taken aback when she heard that Cao Yin was going to Beijing, hurriedly dismissed Xiaoxi, and hurried back to the inner room to talk to Wan Jiha.

Wan Jiha put down the teacup in his hand, pondered for a moment, and said: "Sheng Jia went to Xiaoling, and Cao Yin is expected to rush over to see him in two days. Well, I will send the next invitation to Cao's residence."

Princess Fuhui hasn't reacted yet, and still asks what the next post said.

Wan Jiha picked up the teacup, flipped off the tea leaves with the bowl lid, and said leisurely: "Our sons and daughters have been quarreling at his estate for many days, and we should return the table in a reasonable way. By the way, we will wash the dust for Cao Yin."

(End of this chapter)