Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 177 Crisis ([-])

After listening to Cao Yong's words, the thirteenth elder brother did not respond immediately, but looked at Cao Yong, wondering what he was thinking.

Cao Yong smiled bitterly, shook his head, stretched out his hand to cover the box containing pearls, and said: "I'm too presumptuous, it's because I was in a hurry and didn't think carefully, the Thirteenth Lord has only opened the mansion for a few months, There must be nothing left over!"

Or hearing that Cao Yong’s experience just now was too tragic, and the disappointment and helplessness shown at the moment is unbearable, Zhao Jia can’t help but look at the thirteenth elder brother, wondering in his heart, his father has always been the most loyal Yes, in the past, he would have responded readily, why didn't he say anything today?

A bit of embarrassment appeared on Cao Yong's face, he forced a smile, got up and said: "This...it's not too early, I should go back!"

Alas, borrowing money is really not an easy job, he slandered in his heart, as if he was embarrassed to wait for the two to reply, he bent over to bid farewell and then turned around, as if he wanted to disappear immediately, and he was not "careful" Sighed slightly.

"Wait a minute! How much do you need?" Just as Cao Yong turned around to leave, the thirteenth elder brother who had been silent for a while finally asked.

Cao Yong immediately turned around, with a hint of joy on his face: "A total of 15 taels is needed. My father has some, and I have some savings here. There is still a shortfall of 5000 taels!"

"Why do you need so many?" Brother Thirteen and Fujin both lost their voices.The husband and wife looked at each other, both a little embarrassed.According to the statute, the prince's branch of the Ministry of Internal Affairs allocates a total of 23 taels of money and food, but the mansion, farm, and some supplies have to be converted into it, and the remaining money is not much.

Cao Yong couldn't help lowering his head and said: "Because it's not easy to raise pearls, and it's a lucrative industry, so the money is really a lot! Originally, I wanted to borrow it temporarily from Tongchun Wangfu and Pingwangfu, but my father-in-law and brother-in-law are eager He Suifu, there is really not much money that my sister can use!"

"How much money do we have in our house?" Brother Thirteen asked Zhao Jia.

Mrs. Zhao Jia thought for a while, and replied: "In the spring, there are still nearly 5 taels. In the past six months, the exchange of favors and the expenses of the people in the mansion have used up 7000 to 5000 taels, and there are less than [-] taels left!"

"This is a bit too bad?" Elder Brother Thirteen frowned.

Cao Yong rubbed his hands together: "Yeah, let's just forget about it! My father also mentioned in the letter that if we really can't get it all together, we can let go of the property. With the salary and money, we won't be hungry!"

"No, no!" Brother Thirteen shook his head and said, "Although I don't know the market price of Nanzhu, this box of pearls is worth 8000 taels. I heard that your family is still in the red, and there is basically no property in the south. , the place in the north is also sold out. Although you have two villages under your name, they were gifted by the sage to the sixteenth elder brother. It is worthwhile to produce this box of beads a year!" Having said that, he pointed to the seat and said, "Don't worry, I'll see if there is any other way!"

Cao Yong sat down in response, and said: "Or I will send someone to Rehe to send a letter to see, but the side of Prince Ping's Mansion is okay, and it should be able to squeeze out 2 to [-] taels; my father-in-law's side is a bit difficult. A few Little Elder Brother and Little Gege are getting older, and this wedding money is a huge expense!"

Elder Brother Thirteen made some calculations in his mind, and said to Zhao Jia: "Don't we have two shops in our house? Ask people to collect money in these two days, let's get together 5 taels!"

When Zhao Jia heard this, he paused first, then nodded with a smile.

Cao Yong hurriedly waved his hand: "How can this be done? Although it is difficult on my side, it can't be like this. What if the Thirteenth Lord needs money here? On my side, it will be early next year at the earliest. Some money, and... and I'm afraid I'll have to pay it back for three or two years!"

"You are impolite when you speak, but now I want to borrow you, but you act like this! You...you..." Brother Thirteen said with a hearty smile: "Let's stop talking so much nonsense, why thank me, thank you Yours, it’s boring! Think about it, this can be regarded as the origin, if you don’t think about it and help me find the medicine, I’m afraid my two legs will be useless! Right now, you can talk to me, but you don’t think I’m a Outsider, how can I help? Why not! If you keep rambling on, it will be boring!"

After hearing this, Cao Yong solemnly thanked him, said no more, left and returned home first.

After Cao Yong left, Brother Thirteen stopped smiling and sighed.When Zhao Jia was worried about Cao Yong's remaining money, he persuaded him: "Master, it's really impossible. Let's talk to the fourth brother and help Cao Yong borrow more!"

The thirteenth brother shook his head: "There is no need to do anything extra, I understand that Cao Yong is just like his father, he is really cautious, not only does he not have the idea of ​​clinging to the prince, but he is even more afraid. Although it is me and the fourth brother My son saved him, but he treats me differently from my fourth brother. Looking at it this way, he is a good person, at least he is not snobbish, and he did not look down on me because of my dire situation!"

Zhaojia laughed uncontrollably: "That's right, I see it the same way. It's not that I'm partial to my relatives. It's just that the Cao family's family education is good, and Ping Wang Fujin is also a person who can't fault me!"

Elder Brother Thirteen looked at Zhao Jia and said: "In the second half of the year, we will be tight, and we will have less human relations. Aren't you the most tired of dealing with those? Let's close the door and be safe and secure. Live your own life!"

"Hmm!" Zhao Jia knew about Brother Thirteen's suffering, but he didn't show it at all, and smiled very naturally and comfortably.

*
Cao Yongfang heaved a sigh of relief when he got out of the thirteenth elder brother's house, and made up this nonsense on the spur of the moment, and almost made a mistake.Fortunately, King Pingjun and King Chunjun were outside the Great Wall, so the words were rounded.

Back in the mansion, Cao Yong went directly back to Wutong Court.

There were some fabrics and half-made clothes for children on the kang, and Chu Yu was having a great time fiddling with them, when she saw Cao Yong coming back, she said with a smile: "My son-in-law, someone from the palace came to announce the good news at noon, this morning Added a little elder brother, mother and child are safe! The latter will send a car to pick up Chuyu back, and watch the ceremony for the younger brother's "washing three"!"

Cao Yong nodded: "It's really good news, it's just that the ceremony of 'washing three' is not needed?"

Chu Yu smiled and said, "Chu Yu saved this, but she was happy, and wanted to fix the full moon ceremony as soon as possible!"

*
Cao Mansion, front yard, Wei Hei's residence.

Mr. Zhuang sat in the chair with a serious expression on his face.Wei Hei's face was livid, he bit his lip tightly, and clenched his fist tightly.

Wei Bai's eyes flickered, he looked at Mr. Zhuang, then at Wei Hei, and after a while he forced a smile on his face and said, "Sir, brother, isn't this thing over? Who can find out if the gods don't know it or the ghosts don't know it?" Can't come out?"

"Bullshit!" Wei Hei slapped the table, stood up, pointed at Wei Hei and said, "You...you bastard, you dare to take any idea!" At this point, Mr. Zhuang coughed twice.

Wei Hei thought that Mr. Zhuang had something to say, so although he was full of anger, he still stopped talking first, and looked at Mr. Zhuang with a little doubt.

Mr. Zhuang pouted towards the door, Wei Hei frowned and said, "Who is it, get out, what are you doing so sneakily?"

After a while, a little girl Fang came out tremblingly with her head lowered. It was Xiao Hong from Wei Bai's yard.

Wei Bai scolded unhappily: "If you don't take good care of grandma, why did you come to this yard?"

Xiaohong was so frightened that she quickly knelt down on the ground: "Go back... back to Second Master's words. Just now, when Nanny Feng saw Second Master go back to the mansion, she talked to Grandma. Grandma waited for a while, but she didn't see Second Master go back. Seeing that the second master is in the yard by the uncle's side, I sent my servants to invite the uncle and the second master to have dinner!"

Wei Bai carefully looked at Mr. Zhuang and Wei Hei, knowing that the matter was not over yet, he waved his hands and said, "I see, I'm going to discuss the business with the uncle, let your grandma use it first!"

Xiaohong responded, got up and backed out.

When the footsteps gradually faded away, Wei Bai smiled all over his face, clasped his fists to Mr. Zhuang and Wei Hei and said, "Old Bai knows that he was wrong, please forgive me if you forgive me, please forgive me if you forgive me!" Wasn't it because of Big Brother's injury, even if Young Master knew about it, I believe he wouldn't blame Lao Bai!"

Although Wei Bai knew he was wrong, there was no regret on his face.Wei Hei couldn't bear it anymore, raised his arm and slapped him hard.

Wei Bai was unprepared, and when he saw the slap came down, he was just stunned, so he was hit hard, and he couldn't help taking two steps back.

When Mr. Zhuang saw Wei Hei making a move and wanted to stop him, but it was too late, he couldn't help but annoyed: "Speak up if you have something to say, don't do it again!"

Wei Bai only felt his ears "buzzing" and his mouth was salty. He wiped the corners of his mouth with his hand, and it turned red. He said with puzzlement and grievance: "Brother?"

Wei Hei lost his parents since he was a child, and has been dependent on his younger brother for many years. The two have never had a quarrel, let alone a fight.He looked at his red and swollen palm, and was speechless for a while, until Wei Bai opened his mouth, Fang asked in a low voice: "Brother, do you still remember what Master said when he was dying?"

Wei Bai nodded: "It's been less than ten years, how could I have forgotten it? The old master said that adopting us was just a coincidence, and he didn't ask us anything else, just to help him repay the kindness of the son's family!"

"Grace?" Wei Hei sneered and said, "You still said you remembered, are you repaying your kindness? This is debt collection, this is life-threatening! Others are dead or disabled, that's all, more than 30 lives, It’s time for you to dissipate your anger! You’re so meddlesome, and you gave medicine to the prince, do you want to kill yourself?”

Wei Bai was still dissatisfied, straightened his neck and said, "The others are nothing but idiots. Isn't this the prince who is behind the scene? Why should he be spared? He didn't cut his head with a single knife. It's cheap for him!"

Mr. Zhuang shook his head and sighed lightly: "You are reckless, you are reckless!"

Wei Hei laughed back angrily: "Okay, what can you, Second Master Wei, do? No one cares about it, right?"

Wei Bai raised his head and said: "I dare to act, even if the matter is exposed, I will use my life to pay for it, I am afraid of a ball!"

Wei Hei nodded: "You think you are a cat or a dog. What do they want you to do with your life? You are promising, and you play well. Don't mention that there are more than a hundred people in the mansion in the capital, it is the master of the southern mansion, Ma'am, they will also accept your love!"

Wei Bai scratched his head: "Impossible, our young master is the son-in-law of the county king, and the young lady is the princess, can the emperor punish them? Besides, I did it alone, and the young master didn't know about it!" Although he Saying so, but he didn't know what to do.

Wei Hei took a deep breath and said to Mr. Zhuang, "Sir, how can this be properly arranged?"

Mr. Zhuang pondered for a moment, then looked at Wei Bai again: "Are you sure that there is nothing wrong with this matter from the beginning to the end? You have to think about it carefully, and you must not be careless. If this matter is really leaked, Maybe the Cao family will collapse completely!"

Wei Bai scratched his head, thought again and again: "There should be nothing wrong with it, the medicine will cause diarrhea after taking the medicine, which is somewhat similar to the symptoms of the epidemic, but it's just diarrhea once or twice!"

Mr. Zhuang shook his head: "At that time, the palace was surrounded, and there were imperial physicians on duty. Even if you only had diarrhea once, because of the symptoms, it was the same as the current epidemic. If you want to come, the imperial physicians dare not be sloppy. Although they may not see anything, but I can't tell if I noticed something abnormal. What about the medicine? Where did you get it?"

Wei Bai laughed "hehe" twice: "This, Lao Bai can't remember!"

Seeing that both Mr. Zhuang and Wei Hei were staring at him, Fang Fang thought hard for a while, and said, "Old Bai just remembered, this was bought by a few buddies before he married his wife last year. It was originally intended to make trouble in the bridal chamber. Teasing Lao Bai. Let Lao Bai know in advance, so he put it away! This object is very common, you can find it in brothels and boats!"

Mr. Zhuang felt a little relieved: "Fortunately, I am not afraid that it is ordinary, the more ordinary it is, the less trouble it will be!"

Wei Bai thought he kept it a secret, so he couldn't help asking curiously: "Sir, my brother and I haven't mentioned this matter, how did you know about it?"

Mr. Zhuang said: "The young master impulsively surrounded the county palace and let you go to revenge. This matter is too loyal. I am afraid that something will be wrong, so I ask people to watch the movement over there, but it is not right! I just thought about it. Is it right, so I asked you to come over and ask, I didn't expect it to be so!"

(End of this chapter)