Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 19
The next day, Cao Yong got up early as usual, exercised his muscles and bones in the school grounds, went back to his room for breakfast, and then went out to school.As he grew up in recent years, he thought it was boring to ride a car, so Cao Yong began to ride a horse to school.Gu Na was already waiting at the door. Seeing Cao Yong coming out, the two of them walked forward together.Cao Yong's bookboys Ximo and Nongmo have grown into teenagers, and Gu Na's two schoolboys rode behind the two masters.

"Cousin wants to start the pearl business?" Gu Na asked with some certainty.

When Cao Yong heard this "cousin", he thought of the phrase "I have countless cousins, there is no big deal, and I don't come to the house". Gu Na just refuses to be friends with each other on the basis of peers.

Hearing Gu Na's question, Cao Yong replied with a smile: "You figured this out overnight?" He neither admitted nor denied it, seeing that Gu Na was still thinking hard, he shook off his whip and rode his horse to the front.

There are a few older ones missing in the ethnology, and a few younger ones are added, leaving only three or two people of Gu Na's age.During the lunch break, Cao Yuan called someone to call Gu Na to the backyard study, Cao Yong and Cao Song looked at each other, it seemed that the old man was going to be long-winded again.

Cao Yuan was not as pleasant as before, but rather annoyed, when he saw Gu Na coming in, before he could say hello, he scolded his head and face: "Too unmotivated, really too unmotivated!"

Gu Na was confused by the scolding, and looked at Cao Yuan puzzled.

Cao Yuan snorted coldly and said: "This year is the year of the township examination. You didn't go back to study hard after school, but wandered around with brothers Cao Yong and Cao Song. I heard that they were still fighting in Beicheng a few days ago. Who taught you?" You are so miserable!"

"Sir!" Gu Na frowned slightly, not knowing how to explain.

Cao Yuan began to present the facts and reason, all in order to make Gu Na understand that he is different from the Cao family brothers, he has no family father to rely on, and only by relying on the imperial examination can he get ahead.

Gu Na had been taught a few times before, knowing that if he refuted, this gentleman would talk more, so he bowed his head as a sign of obedience, and listened to Cao Yuan's words for half an hour, but it was just that the man had to bear the responsibility of revitalizing the family. It's a heavy responsibility, take a test for fame and so on.

In the ethnology, Cao Yong looked at the classmates around him, and then looked at the "Spring and Autumn" in his hand, thinking whether his ethnology career should come to an end.In the past four years, I have been familiar with the Four Books and Five Classics, and I dare not say that I am the number one scholar in the exam. If I am a child student, I should be able to handle it.Last year, 13-year-old Gu Na easily won the first place in the children's examination, becoming a young talent.

Although Cao Yong was somewhat curious about the examinations of the Qing Dynasty, he did not join in the excitement.A child from an ordinary family, a scholar at the age of ten, can win the title of "child prodigy", improve the status of the family and so on.Coming from an aristocratic family, he doesn't need to add icing on the cake, and he keeps the principle of "shooting the top bird" firmly in his heart.Nobody cares if someone from a rich and powerful family comes out of a dude or mediocrity, but if Nalan Rongruo, the son of Mingzhu, is born with both civil and military skills, it will be a different kind.So what about the alternative, it's not that the world doesn't tolerate it, and it ends in depression.

Seeing that Gu Na had been away for a long time, Cao Song grumbled bitterly: "How long will this school last? This old man has become more and more strict in recent days!"

Cao Yong looked at himself, a brother who was sleepy after memorizing two sentences, and felt strange. Seeing that his father and uncle were both elegant people, who would Cao Song, who likes martial arts, follow?Could it be that this is the legendary inheritance of the generation after generation, after all, the ancestors of the Cao family started with military exploits.

Seeing Cao Yong's frowning look is really pitiful, Cao Yong said: "The third child should enter school next year."

"Yeah, the third child is about to start school!" Cao Song continued, and his spirits were already flying high during the conversation: "Could it be that we can still be classmates with the third child, then my brother and I can go to school until the end of the year!"

Cao Yong ignored Cao Song, thinking about the news of the Zheng family.Brother and sister Zheng Hai and Zheng Woxue were born in a family, and they have their own knowledge. In recent years, they have also made a living by working as middlemen in the bead market.His younger sister is even more discerning about beads, and can identify one or two beads through the mother clam.It's not that the two brothers and sisters are young and have no support in Jiangning, so they can only be squeezed by the jewel merchants, and life has always been tight.

After Gu Na came back, he took the afternoon class again.A few of Cao Yong went out of ethnology, and after dismissing the book boys and servants, they rode to Lin Xiazhai on horseback.Because Lin Xiazhai was having guests, Cao Yong went directly to the guest room in the side yard.

The brothers and sisters of the Zheng family had been waiting for a long time, and they greeted Cao Yong with some apprehension.Zheng Woxue was still dressed in men's clothing, feeling very uncomfortable in front of the young masters, she took a step back and stood behind her brother.

After entering Linxiazhai, Cao Songtong scratched his head like grass had grown on his body, and refused to settle down for a moment.Cao Yong waved his hands directly after seeing it, and said with a smile: "Go to the back kitchen, let's satisfy your hunger, and Gu Na will also follow the past to see and see."

Cao Song jumped up from his seat in joy, and pulled Gu Na's sleeve: "Hurry up, lest my brother regret it!" You know, Lin Xiazhai's back kitchen is a forbidden area, and you can't enter it at any time.

Seeing that Cao Yong sent Cao Song and himself out, Gu Na knew that he had something to say to the Zheng brothers and sisters in private, so he let Cao Song pull him out.As soon as he arrived at the side door, he saw Cao Fang walking quickly with a few servants, it seems that he got the news and came to see the master.Gu Nadao: "Biao Shu is talking, Cao Fang will take me and Second Uncle to the back kitchen first, this is what Uncle Yong promised!"

After listening to Gu Na's words, Cao Fang knew that there must be some confidential matter inside, so he ordered the servants behind him to close the door of the side yard, and no one was allowed to enter or leave, and then led Gu Na and Cao Song to the back.

Not to mention how surprised Cao Song and Gu Na were when they saw the layout of the back kitchen, but when they saw the newly made nine-turn morning dew, they couldn't turn their eyes away.In the half-palm-sized jade bowl made of Hetian white jade, there is a layer of finely ground smoothie, on which are pushed thumb-sized balls of various colors.Red orange yellow green blue blue purple black and white, a total of nine colors, one for each color.On the various colored balls is a translucent white jade spoon.

Seeing Cao Song's eyes widen, the two chefs, Master Yu and Master Tian, ​​felt a sense of sympathy. When they made the nine-turn dew for the first time yesterday, they were as shocked as Cao Song.

Cao Song carefully picked up the white jade spoon, put a small ball into his mouth, besides the faint fruit, there was also a slight bitter fragrance. "Bitter!" Cao Song was very surprised. Looking at such a delicate thing, he thought it was a dessert. When he ate the second ball, it tasted of another kind of fruit, with a touch of sweetness.

Gu Na tasted it carefully, but Cao Song couldn't wait, he ate the rest in two bites, and stretched out his hand for another.The two masters of Yu Tian suddenly frowned: "Oh, my good second master, it took a few hours, and only three copies were made, one was sent to the old lady in the mansion, and two copies were given to the two masters." Try it out, where else is there!"

Cao Song is not a fussy person, so he patted Yu Tian's two masters: "Come on, I know you have worked hard, but don't forget what delicious food you will have in the future, just leave a copy for you, and then don't push it away." Said that you are busy and not free!"

Yu Tian's two masters replied: "As long as you, Uncle Yang, send a message, even if the servants are too busy, they must first take care of you!"

Cao Song was satisfied, but Gu Na heard that Yu Tian's two masters meant that they didn't seem to listen to anyone except his cousin.I really don't know what kind of tricks that uncle used, he really knows how to win over people.

The two masters of Yu Tian used to be imperial cooks, and they were sent to the south of the Yangtze River by Kangxi more than 20 years ago to serve the old lady.In recent years, due to getting old, the affairs of the weaving mansion have been passed on to the children, grandchildren and apprentices to take care of them, and they can grow old in Jiangning with peace of mind.I don't know why Cao Yong thought of two, so he came to the door in person, invited two master chefs to come out of the mountain, and became the chef of Linxiazhai.Lin Xiazhai's business is booming, and it is said that it is more or less thanks to the honor of the two chefs. The noodles made by the imperial chef, no matter how powerful and rich you are, you can't eat it casually.

When Cao Song and others returned to the side courtyard, Cao Yong had finished explaining to the Zheng brothers and sisters. Seeing that Cao Fang had also come, he inquired about the recent meal ordering arrangements. He knew that one day would be empty in five days, so he mentioned Cao Yan's banquet. Let Cao Fang arrange it carefully.

Cao Song was still talking about the delicacy of the Jiuzhuan Morning Dew, but Gu Na noticed that the eyes of the Zheng brothers and sisters were shining, and the excitement was suppressed on their faces. Thinking in his heart, it seemed that his cousin had already made arrangements.

Gu Na is a young and intelligent young man, whether it is knowledge or dealing with people, he is much better than his peers. Although he is humble on the surface, he always has a bit of arrogance in his heart.However, in the past few years in Zhizao Mansion, his self-confidence has gradually worn down, because he can't understand Cao Yong at all.Cao Yong doesn't talk much, doesn't show off, and is lazy, but he seems to be smarter, more modest, and even more confusing than him.

After explaining Cao Yan's affairs, Cao Yong said to Cao Fang: "Your son is eight years old, I will tell Uncle Fu in two days, let him serve in the study, learn some books, and find a good background in the future. Let your father and son be busy in the Cao family for several generations!"

Cao Fang heard this, and quickly knelt down: "Thank you for your kindness, little master. This slave will definitely do its part and be loyal to my little master."

Cao Yong waved his hand and took Cao Song and Gu Na out.

On the way back home, Cao Yong's heart sank gradually.The entire Jiangning City was immersed in the celebration of Shengjia's upcoming arrival. The pier has been overhauled since last year.Although the road from the pier to Zhizaofu was repaired a few times ago.But in order to show respect, it was still planed according to this, and then the bluestone slab of the letter was replaced.The houses on both sides of the road have already been demolished.

In order to protect Shengjia's safety in Jiangning, the Imperial Forest Army has already sent people to search the whole city together with Jiangning local government officials, and all the local hooligans with a little bad deeds will be put in prison.Thinking about it now, if Wei Xin and Zheng Hai were not subdued by Cao Yong and accepted as long-term followers, they might also be on the arrest list.As for the beggars in the streets and alleys, they were also driven out of the city by the yamen servants because they were unsightly.

The closer you get to the weaving mansion, the more people and horses and carriages, and the comings and goings are as lively as going to a temple fair.Cao Yong and the others were riding on horses when they heard someone shouting from behind: "Make way, make way, the governor's yamen tolerance!"

Cao Yong reined in the horses and avoided the side of the road, only to hear the sound of horseshoes, it turned out to be a cavalry team of more than 100 people, and they were dressed as soldiers of Fubiao.The cavalry guarded three or four carriages and came galloping.

Cao Yong has seen similar scenes. These days, there are several similar convoys, and their destinations are Zhizaofu.

At the gate of the weaving mansion, the sedan chairs of various officials stopped for a while, and the motorcade stopped at the side gate just now, Cao Fu and a group of stewards were looking at the servants' boxes.

(End of this chapter)