Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 20
The night outside the window was getting darker, and Cao Yong sat in a daze at the desk in the west room of Qiujiju.The dinner is still in Chun Ruitang, but he can't remember what he ate, it's not because he is forgetful, but because he doesn't know what to eat.He thought it would be more than ten or twenty years before the defeat of the Cao family, but the silver cart that stopped in front of Zhizao Mansion this afternoon reminded him of another thing, and that was the death of Cao Yin.

I remember seeing Cao Yin on the Hongxue Forum in my last life, it seems that Kangxi died of malaria in 51 years, and there are still seven years left.Before he died of illness, Cao Yin's body was straddled, because he was exhausted physically and mentally in order to pay back the deficit of the national treasury.According to various novels and unofficial records, the Ministry of Households pursued the deficit of the national treasury before the prince was abolished, at the latest in the 47th year of Kangxi, which is three years from now.Thinking of these things, no matter how calm Cao Yong's personality is, he can't stand on the sidelines.Although the family relationship with Cao Yin and his son is weak, he can't just watch Cao Yin's tragic death, and then feel at ease that this is history and there is no way to change it.

When Cao Yong was thinking of a way to solve the Cao family's predicament, he heard someone say: "Master, if you are tired of reading, eat two lychees." The voice was soft, and it was Cao Yong's maid, Huixin, who brought an agate plate over. , with a few peeled lychees on it, and two small bamboo sticks next to it.

Cao Yong stretched out his hand to hold a small bamboo stick, signed the lychee for a while and put it in his mouth. The lychee was juicy and small, with a fragrance on his lips and teeth: "It's very fresh, have you tried it with Anxiang? This year's launch is half a month earlier than every year, and the size is also big. "

Before Hui Xin could speak, An Xiang, who came in to deliver tea, said, "There are only a few small dishes in total, about a dozen. My sister and I just have a look. I heard that it was only delivered to the house at noon. The concubine from Guangzhou laughed and said, It is used to welcome the holy driver."

"As long as you talk too much, it seems that we are greedy." Hui Xin blamed with a smile.

An Xiang pouted: "It's not because of my sister. My sister loves to eat lychees the most. Every year we have no shortage of lychees in our room, but this year there is no such thing as my sister!"

Seeing that the lamp was dimmed, Huixin picked up the lampshade, twisted the lantern flower with small scissors, and said with a smile after tidying it up: "What a child, what do you say? It's a joke to the old man. Now this is so rare that even the old lady The few girls in the yard didn’t get assigned, so we have nothing to complain about.”

Because it was night, both Hui Xin and An Xiang took off their waistcoats.Hui Xin was wearing a light green lake-colored jacket with a green skirt tied underneath. Her 16-year-old figure already showed the gracefulness of a girl.Oval face, Danfeng eyes, the corners of the eyes are slightly down, no matter when you look at it, you are always smiling.Huixin not only has a delicate appearance, but the most valuable thing is her gentle and considerate temperament, and she takes care of Cao Yong's daily life properly.

When watching "A Dream of Red Mansions" in his previous life, although Cao Yong didn't like Qingwen's pungentness, he also didn't like scheming.It just so happened that among the maids she met in this life, Hui Xin and Cha Jing happened to match up with those two, and she didn't like them very much in her heart.In the post-contact, the honest Hui Xin was left behind, and the quarrelsome citrine was sent away.After all, he is not the Baoyu in the book, he has no love with the maids in the room, and there is no rivalry with sister Lin and sister Bao in the house.Hui is careful, quick to do things, and doesn't talk much, which is most in line with Cao Yong's wishes.An Xiang is two years younger than Hui Xin, she was trained by Hui Xin, and learning from Hui Xin in everything makes people feel at ease.It's just that this girl is sometimes too sincere. In her eyes, Hui Xin, the elder sister, is probably more important than the master.

Looking at other story books, the personal maid is one of the protagonist's wives. Although he is a man, he really can't think of any bad thoughts when facing the two little girls he watched growing up.Thinking about it, Cao Yong didn't feel that his body was getting hot, and he thought of the scenes of being entangled with women in his previous life, but when he thought of his small body, which was only eleven, his mind cleared up again, and then he heard Hui Xin say: "Mr. ,uncle!"

"Well, how?" Cao Yong withdrew his mind and asked.

Hui Xin picked up a piece of paper on the left top of the desk, and handed it to Cao Yong: "The girl called Pin Hua to send it after dinner, and she said it was needed for a banquet in a few days, let the uncle see if there are enough people." It’s easy to add and subtract.”

The girl in Huixin's mouth refers to Cao Yong's sister Cao Yan, who told Cao Yan about the reservation before dinner, and the list was sent after the meal, it seems that it was planned early in the day.

Cao Yong looked at the list in his hand, all of them were familiar names. Needless to say, the piano, chess, calligraphy and paintings around Cao Yan, as well as the vanilla and fragrant tea around Cao Yi (both chajing, renamed after Cao Yi), Xifu The two beside Cao Ying, the two in the old lady's room, the two in Li's room, and even Cao Yong's here are not left behind, and An Xiang's name is impressively listed.Fortunately, Cao Yan knew that Hui Xin was inseparable from seeking her own residence, so she left one for Cao Yong.

This Cao Yan knows how to employ people, so she uses them in every house, but she doesn't pretend.Thinking about it this way, Cao Yong seems to have just woken up from a big dream. He is a family.

"Master, it's all right, the girl will be waiting for an answer tomorrow!" Hui Xin asked.

Cao Yong nodded, stood up, and pointed to the lychee on the table: "You and Anxiang, eat it quickly, peel the skin, it will not be fresh after a long time, I will go to the master's place!"

Seeing that Cao Yong got up to leave, Huixin hurriedly stopped him: "Master, if you want to go, you have to change your clothes first!"

Only then did Cao Yong realize that he was only wearing a middle coat, which was okay in his own room, but it was disrespectful to wear this suit to see his father.While talking, Huixin and Anxiang find out a suit of probably new clothes and put them on for Cao Yong.This is neither frivolous nor too serious, just right.

The chiming clock in the study hall rang "Dangdang", Cao Yong looked at it, and it was already four quarters of Xu time, which was eight o'clock in the evening.Because of the recent pick-up, Cao Yin was busy in the study until midnight every day, so Cao Yong went directly to the study to find him.

From afar, I saw a few servants waiting at the door of the study, and there were people in the room.Cao Yong knew that Cao Yin was discussing matters, so he stayed in the corridor for a while.He didn't walk over until the people at the door of the study dispersed.

Seeing Cao Yong coming, the boy at the door hurriedly said hello: "The master is here, and the servant will inform you!"

"Yong'er?" Cao Yin asked with some doubts when he heard it in the room.In recent years, Cao Yong has always been indifferent to him as a father, let alone actively looking for him, how can he not be surprised.

"Yes, father, the son came to greet his father!" Cao Yong said at the door.

Greetings at night, of course Cao Yin didn't believe it, knowing that his son had grown into a young man since he was kidnapped that year, he must have something to do when he came to look for him at night, he looked at the bookshelf, hesitated for a moment, and then said : "Well, come in!"

"I've seen my father. My father has worked hard recently, so I need to take care of myself!" Cao Yong entered the study and saluted politely.

Cao Yin was a little helpless, what could he do, inside and out, he had to make up his own mind on many things.Looking at Cao Yong who looked like a little adult, he felt a little regretful. If his son had been born ten years earlier, he would definitely be his right hand now.

Although Liuli has a baby in her stomach, she doesn't know if it's a boy or a girl. What will happen to the Cao family in the future depends on the son in front of her.Thinking of this, Cao Yin's eyes became more loving: "Come here at night, is there anything Yong'er can ask for as a father?"

Cao Yong thought for a moment, his face was a little more solemn, and a little more difficult.

Seeing his son like this, Cao Yin was very curious, not because he was boasting, but his son has been the most worry-free in the past few years. Although he is young, he has arranged his studies and life properly. No matter what difficulties you encounter.

"Father, my son just started studying, and there is something he doesn't understand." Cao Yong pondered for a long time before he spoke.

Although there are a lot of things in his hands, it is rare for his son to show his childlike attitude in front of him. Cao Yin is also willing to explain his doubts. Sitting behind the desk, he asked: "What's the matter? Tell me!"

"Yes!" Cao Yong responded and began to talk: "In a certain month of a certain year, the new emperor of a certain country ascended the throne, and everything was complicated. There were countless places that needed silver in the whole country. At that time, the annual tax was 6000 to [-] million taels of silver. But when the new emperor needs money, he realizes that there are only two or three silver coins left in Ku Yin, and the rest is the deficit of officials at all levels." Having said this, he glanced at Cao Yin.

Cao Yin's face sank like water, and he listened carefully to Cao Yong's narration.Cao Yong continued: "The new emperor ordered the recovery of the shortfall, and found that an old general was short of millions of taels of silver. The old general's shortfall was too great. His crimes can be punished, but his feelings are pitiable. He was the first emperor in his early years. Several birthday celebrations were spent. The law of the country can't tolerate it. The old general sold pots and sold iron to pay off the shortfall, but for some reason the shortfall came out again, and in the end he just ransacked the house. Withered poplar, used to be a singing and dancing venue'. Is this old general loyal? Not loyal? If loyal, why did he end up in such a bleak situation; if not loyal, he did this to disregard the safety of his family and grandchildren!"

Cold sweat broke out on Cao Yin's head, he looked at Cao Yong and said, "Why don't you understand?"

Cao Yong still took his time, and said in detail: "My son doesn't understand two things, why the old general still hasn't cleared the deficit, even if he pays it back today, he will leave it tomorrow, this is one of them."

"Why hasn't he cleared the shortfall?" Cao Yin seemed to be talking to himself.

"Yeah, why is that so? This old general's family has guarded the place for many years, and he is the most loyal to the country. Even political enemies can't slander his loyalty." Cao Yong followed Cao Yin's words, neither humble nor overbearing: " Why does the old general know the truth of 'repaying debts', but still borrows from the national treasury every year, this is the second thing my son doesn't understand."

There was silence in the room, and both father and son became silent.After a while, I heard Cao Yin's tired voice: "It's late at night, you go back to resettle first, let Wei father think about it, and see if he can clear up my son's doubts."

"Yes, father, the son has gone back!" Seeing that Cao Yong had said everything he needed to say, he went out in response, unable to tell whether it was heavy or light in his heart.

When Cao Yong left, Cao Yin was very tired, with an indescribably depressed expression.Hearing a sound from the bookshelf, Zhuang Chang, the chief staff officer of the Weaving Mansion, came out from the secret room behind the bookshelf: "I didn't expect the eldest son to have such insight!"

Cao Yin's face was full of desolation: "I knew the truth of 'prosperity and decline', but I didn't expect that Cao's family looked like a beautiful flower, but it was already in a dead end."

Seeing Cao Yin's expression, Zhuang comforted him: "Long Live Lord is the most lenient to his subjects. Brother Dong Ting don't need to worry too much about the shortfall, there is always something to make up for."

Cao Yin smiled wryly and shook his head: "How could it be so easy? The previous two shortfalls were close to 200 million taels, and this time the loss was no less than a million taels. Even if it is a classic house sale, it may not be enough!"

Zhuang Chang knew that the previous grand occasions were sent by treasury banks from all over the country, and the money was spent like water, but it was all counted on Cao Yin's account.The "death situation" that Cao Yin is worried about can be inferred.Cao's family lived in the south of the Yangtze River for decades, and it is reasonable for the new emperor to feel intolerant after he ascended the throne.Isn't there a saying, "One emperor, one courtier"?But the Cao family has been in charge of the Jiangnan Tongzheng Department for more than 40 years, and is regarded as a confidant by the Long Live Lord, and he is especially dependent on it, and he withdraws wherever he wants.

(End of this chapter)