Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 1201
Cao Yi has already bowed down solemnly, Cao Yong's expression is concentrated, it seems that it is a tricky matter, otherwise he would not have waited for half a year with this attitude again.

"Talk to the study!" Cao Yong said.

It can make someone with Cao Yi's temperament feel difficult, Cao Yong hesitated, but he still patiently found a quiet place to talk.

Unexpectedly, Cao Yi's request was to ask Cao Yong to be a big matchmaker.

"Be a big matchmaker?" Cao Yong didn't know whether to laugh or cry, although Cao Yi, an old bachelor, had the idea of ​​marrying a wife, it was very strange, but he didn't make such a secret about good things.

Cao Yong glanced at Cao Yi a little funny, Cao Yi is a decade older than Cao Yong, 45 this year.

However, he has a strong physique, has a short beard, and usually likes to dress neatly, so he is less cheerful, and some people will believe that he is in his early thirties.

As early as ten years ago, when he decided to stay in the Cao Mansion, Cao Yin had asked about his marriage.

Cao Yi was used to being at ease, and he didn't want to be burdened by family affairs, so he politely declined Cao Yin's kindness and has been living alone ever since.

Cao Yi was a little embarrassed by Cao Yong's look, he said "hey" twice, and said: "Perhaps he is old, some don't like to run outside, and want to marry a woman to live a serious life."

He was already uncomfortable, Cao Yong couldn't make fun of him anymore, nodded, and said: "It's a good thing for the second priest to think like this. I'm sure I'll drink this matchmaker wine, but I don't know which lady fell into the eyes of the second priest?"

Cao Yi lost his previous agility, but looked at Cao Yong with a little caution.

Cao Yong knew something was wrong, but he didn't urge him, just quietly waiting for Cao Yi to speak.

Cao Yi gritted his teeth, looked straight at Cao Yong and said, "It's the second aunt of Rongyuan!"

Cherish autumn.

Cao Yong was taken aback, but this was really a bit of a surprise.

Seeing that Cao Yong didn't speak, Cao Yi thought he was annoyed, so he hurriedly said: "Don't do anything about the second aunt. It's because I met the second aunt by chance and I fell in love with her. If Master Cao blames it, I can only blame me for being rude." gone."

It is not surprising that he is so nervous.

After all, speaking of it, Xiqiu is Cao Yong's junior wife, an elder, and a widow.Although Cao Yi's proposal of marriage is not hindered in the legal sense, it seems a bit rude in terms of human relationship.

Although Mr. Zhuang has been dead for many years, just looking at Cao Yong's doting on Niu Niu and his care for the banyan tree, he knows that Mr. Zhuang is very important in his heart.

Cao Yong didn't think too much, he heard Cao Yi's words were very protective of Xiqiu, and asked curiously: "The second priest knows the same aunt?"

Cao Yi has been in the Cao Mansion for more than ten years, except for training the Nursing Academy, he just followed Cao Yong.

When Cao Yong went to Zhili, Hang Seng stayed in Beijing. Although there were guards around him, Cao Yong was worried and left Cao Yi with Hang Seng.

If it weren't for a coincidence, Cao Yi would have no chance to get along with the female relatives, let alone Xiqiu who is a widow.

Even Cao Yong himself could not see the two sides of their sisters all year round.

If Cao Yi really became lustful in the mansion and peeped at the women's family members in the mansion, it is not only a matter of his character, but also Cao Yong's ignorance of people.

Cao Yi sneered, and said: "I saw it a few times in the early years. When Qiniang was there, Miss Ping often played in the school grounds. The second aunt once gave food to the two little girls. I remember clearly, lotus leaf cakes with sauced meat , that taste is even better than that of Lao Ma's sauced meat. At that time, I thought, Mr. Zhuang is a blessed person, not only a good girl like Miss Ping, but also a skillful little teacher like Er Yiniang..."

Cao Yong thought for a while, during the years when Fang Qiniang temporarily lived in the Cao Mansion, Mr. Zhuang had passed away, and Xiqiu was already a widow.Even if Cao Yi was thinking about it at that time, it was not an offense to Mr. Zhuang.

The unhappiness in his heart eased a bit, he hesitated, and said: "Since the second priest is yearning for the second aunt, why didn't the second priest mention this when the father wanted to marry the second priest?"

He is not a pedantic person, and he has no objection to women's remarriage.

Sister Lianqiu was about the same age as him, but in her early thirties, and it was unbearable to have been on guard for so many years.

"Mr. Cao, don't misunderstand... Although I thought that the pasta made by Second Auntie was delicious in the early years, I didn't think much about it. I thought she was going to keep it for Mr. Zhuang, and I only respected it. I didn't mean to hear the second young master mention it. , Miss Ping wants to find a good family for Second Aunt, so I have an idea." Cao Yi said seriously.

He has never concealed his lust. These years in the Cao Mansion, the money he gets every year is also the first in the mansion, 20 taels a month, and he eats flower wine.

Cao Yong couldn't help being a little worried. Cao Yi was different from Wei Hei and Wei Bai. Although the Wei family brothers also came from the Jianghu, they entered the Cao family when they were teenagers, and their origins were clear.

However, Cao Yi only entered the Cao Mansion in his 30s. He only knew that Cao Yin accepted it, but no one knew his last name.

The reason why Cao Yong relied heavily was because he believed in his father's arrangements, and because Cao Yi had been a bit sexually insensible over the years, but he knew the severity, but he was not bad at all in the mansion's errands, and he never looked sideways at the maids and daughter-in-laws in the mansion.

Such a person can be kept as an offering, but not necessarily a good match for a woman.

Niuniu was raised in the inner house, even if she proposed to let her aunt remarry, she did not consider the relationship between a man and a woman, but saw that her aunt liked children more and more, and hoped that she would remarry with her own flesh and blood, so she said that.

"It's okay to be a matchmaker, but..." Cao Yong thought for a while, and said: "Although the second priest is not an unknown person in the mansion, the second concubine may not be able to handle the second concubine's name, but I don't know what the second concubine thinks. Just pass on the word."

Cao Yong didn't say it clearly, but Cao Yi didn't know his "big name" in the mansion.

It's just that if you act like a man, it's not easy to regret what you do.In the early years, I only wanted to be alone for the rest of my life, but I was not stimulated by Guo Yue's animal.

Guo Yue was one of the Tianzhi guards who stayed in Cao's family back then. He settled in Cao's family, restored his original surname, married a wife and had children. In just a few years, the family has added three boys.

In the early years, the big guys were the "brother-in-law" in the brothel, the confidant on the wine table, now a wife and children are hot on the kang, and they also bought land outside the city;

"Master Cao just told the second aunt that I sincerely want to be the head of the family and want to live a good life. There is no need to mention the past, and she will be the head of the family in the future." Cao Yi spent most of his life in the brothel and coaxed women. He came as soon as he opened his mouth, but now that he was serious, he was clumsy and said these two sentences over and over again.

Seeing his sincerity, Cao Yong nodded and said: "Understood, I will tell you the truth. These days of hard work, the second priest will go to rest first, and set up a table to welcome everyone in the evening."

Cao Yi went down in response, and Cao Yong went back to the inner house.

As soon as he walked to the gate of Lanyuan, Cao Yong heard bursts of laughter coming from the room.

It happened that Niuniu and Tianhui came together, met Cao Yong, and met each other. They followed Cao Yong and entered the yard together.

The two aunts and nephews also heard the news of Hang Seng's return home and came to visit.

In the upper room, Mrs. Li was sitting on the kang, holding Hang Seng in his hand, and was asking him about his itinerary for the past few months.

Chuyu was sitting on the chair, her eyes fell on Hang Seng, and she couldn't take her eyes off; Tianbao was leaning beside Hang Seng, with a bunch of gadgets at hand, such as wooden carved ponies, saddles the size of palms, and small riding whips tied with red tassels. .

Seeing Cao Yong come in, everyone stood up except Mrs. Hang Seng even knelt down on one knee: "My son has met his father, please rest assured."

There was excitement in his voice, and when he looked at Cao Yong, the corners of his eyes flashed.

Cao Yong helped him up, excited, and said: "Okay, okay, just come back."

Hang Seng left for half a year, didn't he never think about what would happen if Hang Seng was left in Mongolia?
If that's the case, it's hard to say when we'll see each other again after being separated by thousands of miles.

Now, seeing his son come back in good condition, how could Cao Yong not be moved by the rapid return from Guihua City to Beijing for his own sake?
Although Hang Seng didn't say anything, the joy of "Father is well and good" was written between his eyebrows and eyes.

The father and son looked at each other and smiled.

Seeing this, Mrs. Li laughed and said, "Look at these two gentlemen, they just keep smiling without complaining about their love. You can see that they are really happy."

At this moment, Hang Seng saw Niu Niu and Tian Hui behind Cao Yong, and hurriedly said: "I have seen my little aunt, I have seen my sister..."

Niuniu and Tianhui took a step sideways and met him.

After Cao Yong sat down on the kang, Niuniu and Tianhui went to Chuyu and sat down.

Hang Seng then succinctly recounted the trip to Mongolia that he had just mentioned to his grandmother and mother.

Listening to him mentioning the death of the old Khan, Cao Yong looked at him and said: "From tomorrow on, I'll change my clothes. No matter what, I must do my best."

Hang Seng stood up and answered, "Because I haven't consulted my father yet, my son is not good at self-discipline."

After all, he is still a descendant of the Cao family, and it would be disrespectful to directly wear mourning for the elders in Kalkha without the permission of the elders here.

Cao Yong shook his head and said: "You are getting older, and you can act accordingly in these things in the future, so you don't have to take too much into account."

Seeing Cao Yong's appearance of admonishing his son, Mrs. Li felt sorry for Hang Seng, and said: "It's not that you are the one who beat Xiao Shu, the children are well-behaved, and they are so sensible that it makes people feel distressed."

As Mrs. Li grew older, she loved the children more and more. Seeing Hang Seng's look pale, he left him to say a few more words, and then told him to go back to change and freshen up, so that he could take a rest and come back again.

However, Hang Seng refused to move, and said: "Old lady, my grandson hasn't seen Uncle Seven and Eldest Brother yet..."

"The two of their uncles and nephews went to Brother Song's house, you go back and rest first, let your mother order someone to call them back." Li Shi said lovingly.

Only then did Hang Seng confess his crimes to everyone, and he went back to Songyuan first.

Seeing that Cao Yong was wearing the big clothes he went out, Li Shi sent his son and daughter-in-law back to Wutong Garden, leaving Niuniu to talk to Tianhui.

After returning to Wutong Garden, Cao Yong changed into homely clothes, and sent people to the front yard to pass on Cao Zheng, a young man next to Hang Seng.

Cao is the second grandson of Cao Yuan, two years older than Hang Seng, and has been with Hang Seng since he was a child.

This time he went to Khalkha, and he followed suit.

When Cao Zhengying sent a reply, Zhang Yi, who was dressed up, came with him.

"I knew that the master was worried about the second master and would send someone to ask about it, so the younger one went to the front yard to guard, but I didn't expect to wait for him." Zhang Yi said.

"Second Lord spoke concisely. In front of the old lady, I don't want to ask too many questions. I'm afraid that he will report the good news but not the bad news. Let's just talk about the things on the road. What's the situation at King Khan's Mansion? You two should talk about it carefully." Cao Yong asked.

Although he just met with Hang Seng and father and son get along with each other over a cup of tea, Cao Yong still found the difference in Hang Seng.

On Hang Seng's face, the youthful carefreeness faded away, and there was a bit more forbearance.The fatigue between the brows and eyes is not just due to the rush.

"Over the Khan's mansion, the old Khan King Fujin has long passed away. The eldest son, Fujin, eats fast and recites Buddhism. Now the son's side Fujin is in charge. This side Fujin's father is an important minister under King Khan, and his family background is quite prominent. At this point, Zhang Yi paused, and said: "This side Fujin has a three-year-old elder brother under his knee."

Cao Yong couldn't help frowning as he listened, and asked, "Where did the second master suffer wrong?"

Zhang Yidao: "I have suffered a lot of grievances. The second master didn't want the master and wife to worry, so I told the younger ones several times not to come back and talk to the master. But the master and wife love the second master, and the younger ones can see it Where, how can I bear to hide it? Before the second master’s biological mother’s identity is difficult to tell, that side Fujin did not treat him poorly, and even asked a few young people from his natal family to accompany him, and introduced the second master as the eldest son of the concubine. , Second Master's status as a concubine is not because she lied, so the younger ones didn't say anything."

Speaking of this, he paused, and said: "I don't want to, the customs in Mongolia are different from the capital, and the concubines are more contemptible. The second elder brother who was born as a descendant was instigated by someone to beat the second master with a horsewhip. Naturally, the younger ones Stopped, Shizi caught up, grabbed the whip, and whipped the second elder brother. The second elder brother was ashamed and angry, rode away on the horse, fell off the horse, and broke his leg. Several family members of Fujin made a fuss in front of the elder brother, Let the son deal with the second master, and there was a lot of commotion. The son protects the second master, so naturally he will not punish the second master, those people kept crying, and finally it was Fang Fujin who came forward to appease him."

Cao Yong's expression became colder, and he said: "Since this is the second brother from the direct line, what about the eldest brother from the direct line?"

He knew that Hang Seng's biological father had a legitimate son, and that both of them were younger than Hang Seng.

The younger ones know how to come out and swing the whip, and the older ones will not be silent either.

"Eldest elder brother died of illness three years ago, now there are only two elder brothers and third elder brother left in the palace." Zhang Yi replied.

Three years ago, Cao Yong somewhat understood why Zhang Yi mentioned Fujin's three-year-old elder brother.

He squinted his eyes and said, "From your point of view, that side of Fujin is not easy? The elder son didn't say anything?"

Zhang Yidao: "The old people in King Khan's residence say that the side Fujin grows up to be like the son's elder sister-in-law, the former concubine of the son."

Cao Zheng said, "The Fujin on the other side is used to posturing, just a smile on her face. She greets the second master with greetings and cares, wishing to treat the second master as her own son, but she instructs her natal nephews five times and three times. He confronted the second master with words and deeds, saying that his biological mother was not known, and maybe he was a child born to a slave. Of course, the second master would not bear the harsh words, and went directly to the elder son and asked the elder son to speak. Before the elder son questioned the crime, Fujin cried on the other side Making trouble, asking people to beat some nephews, and pleading guilty in front of the second master in person, shed half a bowl of tears. The son was annoyed at first, but in the end he just said a few words softly."

Cao Yong couldn't help being angry, what the hell is this?

Loving the house and black, blinding Qingming, is the prince's own business, and it's not Cao Yong's turn to worry about it; but he can't bear to let the women around him make troubles and wrong Hang Seng.

The title of King Khan's son was promised by Hang Seng's biological father to Cao Yong. At first, Cao Yong thought it was just icing on the cake. In order to improve Hang Seng's status and make him prosperous and healthy for the rest of his life, he was optimistic.

Now, even if the son is fascinated by the beauty and wants to change his mind, Cao Yong will not allow it.

"Okay, I know all this. Since the second master is afraid that I will worry, you should pretend that you haven't told me. I have my own arrangements." Cao Yong said.

Zhang Yi and Cao Yun bowed in response, and retreated.

Chu Yu was heartbroken after hearing what happened to Hang Seng, and said, "The tricks of women in the house are all common in Beijing. Only in places like Mongolia where the people's wisdom is not yet developed can they bluff people. But it's a grievance. Hang Seng, have you ever been wronged like this?"

Cao Yong nodded and said: "Over the past few years, Mongolia has been sending things and sending people over. Before Hang Seng went to Mongolia, he also thought that he would have another family, but who would have thought that it would become a farce! "

Chu Yu said: "My lord, that side Fujin dares to plot against his eldest brother, not to mention that Hang Seng's name is not right. This time, it's okay, and finally returned safely... Khalkha, don't let Hang Seng go back... "

Cao Yong nodded and said: "The prince's mansion does not lack this son, but our Cao family does not have too many. It is good for Hang Seng to stay in the capital..."

When Tianyou and Changsheng came back, Zuo Zhu and Zuo Cheng also followed, and everyone went to Songyuan to see Hang Sheng.

Between uncles, nephews and brothers, I haven't seen each other for half a year, so I can't finish talking.

Seeing Hang Seng's flushed face and stronger body, everyone felt a little envious.

What they asked was mostly about the scenery of Mongolia, what they saw and heard during the journey, and they didn't mention a word about the prince of the palace.

I didn't see anything, I just felt that if I mentioned it, I would give half of my brothers and nephews to the Mongols, and I was somewhat unwilling.

Vast grasslands, rivers like jade belts, colorful wild flowers, jerboas on the roadside that are not afraid of people, and wolves with various legends.

Rough Mongolian knife, delicious sweet milk tofu, sweet and sour kumiss.The belts worn by grassland wrestlers, and the Mongolian long tune in the Taoma population.

The most worth mentioning is the wild horse on the grassland, which is so strong that it is said to be the descendant of Tianma.Even if it is not comparable to those legendary BMWs, it is not comparable to the horses trained in the imperial garden of the capital.

Hang Seng spoke with great interest, and everyone was fascinated by it.

After he finished speaking, everyone was filled with righteous indignation and complained around Hang Seng.

"We are not lucky enough to see the beauty of the grassland, so you should remember us too. Why come back empty-handed, let alone the Mongolian horses!" Zuo Zhu stomped.

Chang Sheng said: "Spike fangs to ward off evil spirits, if you can get back a string and hang it around your waist, you can go out and show off."

Zuo Cheng sighed: "There are also Mongolian knives, Mongolian knives. Mongolian princes have fiefdoms and people, and their families are wealthy. Their Mongolian knives are not only sharp, but gem-studded, gorgeous and rich. It's good to have one by your side. "

Everyone said all the good things, Tianyou didn't know what to say, he just said with some doubts: "Second brother is the most family-friendly, usually when he goes shopping, he doesn't forget to bring a few packs of small things to eat, why did he go so far?" far away, I only brought a few gadgets for Tianbao to play with, and forgot about the big guy?"

When he said this, everyone turned off their movements and looked at Hang Seng.

It's not that he blames Hang Seng for not remembering everyone, but he is afraid that something bad will happen to him in Mongolia.In that case, it makes sense to not be in the mood to buy gifts for everyone.

Everyone was staring at Hang Seng, he shook his head and said: "I haven't forgotten, I haven't forgotten, I have wolf teeth, Mongolian knives, and horses. They are all in the back, and I will be in the mansion in a few days. I am the one who is in a hurry." I was on my way, so I let people slow down the carriage... I only brought a few light gadgets with me on my horse, and I will give them to my little brother when I get back..."

In this way, the explanation made sense, and everyone couldn't help but jump for joy.

Spike teeth are small objects, only Changsheng specifically mentions them, and others don't pay much attention to them; Mongolian swords and horses are good objects for teenagers.

Although there are also Mongolian horses and Mongolian knives for sale in the capital, there are no attractions that Hang Seng brought back from Khalkha all the way.

The little brothers have met several times and have already figured out how to distribute them...

Because of Hang Seng's return, Chu Yu ordered the kitchen to prepare the table noodles, and the whole family wanted to welcome Hang Seng.

But as soon as the table was put on and Cao Yong took his seat, there was a report in the front yard, and someone from the palace summoned him.

Both Li Shi and Chu Yu were a little worried, but Cao Yong knew that it was probably because of the maritime trade agreement.

"It's a business matter. I heard the Thirteenth Lord mentioned something in the first afternoon. I thought I would call in tomorrow or the next day. I don't want to be here today. Don't worry." Cao Yong comforted.

Mrs. Li nodded, looked out of the window, and said: "Although the sky is still bright now, it will be dark after a while. Tell someone to carry the lantern and wait outside the palace gate."

The children all got up, Cao Yong didn't want to delay, he went back to Wutong Garden to return the clothes, and then went to the front yard to follow the little eunuch who came to call people into the palace...

*
Hall of Mental Cultivation, East Nuan Pavilion.

After a long time, Yongzheng still held the note written by Cao Yong and couldn't let it go.

"The land enclosure outside Beijing is already so powerful?" Yongzheng asked unwillingly.

He is not an emperor raised in a deep palace, of course he knows the danger of land annexation.

The dignitaries, officials and gentry all have privileges and do not pay taxes.When more and more civilians become tenants, the country's taxes will also be lost.

"Cao Yong has always been cautious in his actions, and he never targeted the target. The data he listed also shows the dangers of enclosure. In the past two years he has operated Zhili, he has increased Zhili's taxes by [-]%, but most of them are taxed by industry and commerce. He is very happy. After the water conservancy, there are more fields and forests registered in the local area, but the land price has risen, but the agricultural tax has been decreasing. There is no other reason, it is the gentry's land enclosure." The thirteenth elder brother said.

Yongzheng hesitated a bit and said, "Buying land and buying land is a custom for thousands of years. Are they really willing to spend money to support the country's trade with foreigners?"

Speaking of which, Elder Brother Thirteen had no idea, but he believed in Cao Yong's vision.

Back then, the Bank of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was also well-stocked. Although it is not as ostentatious as it was in the past few years, the dividends distributed to the palaces are doubling every year.

Cao Yong's plan to develop maritime trade is to kill two birds with one stone.It not only calculates the money of foreigners, but also lures the rich and powerful in the capital to absorb the money in everyone's hands and use it as the principal of sea trade.

It can not only alleviate the worries of land annexation, but also open up new sources of income for the imperial court. How can this statement not make people tempted...

*
Six thousand words, Xiao Jiu did it, ho ho! ! !

It's 29, and in the last three days, it's still on the seventh day. Xiao Jiu begs for the support of the monthly ticket.

(End of this chapter)