Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 273 Year End ([-])

Yizhou, Daotai Mansion, Pianting.

Today, Zheng Hu came from Jiangning to deliver New Year's goods, Cao Yong set up a banquet here to welcome him, and called Wei Hei and Cao Fang to accompany him.

After the food and wine were served, Cao Yong put a pot of hot tea on his hand, and asked the young man who was waiting on the side to fill up the wine for the three people sitting.

Hearing that he came back to Jiangning from Guangzhou Mansion in Laba, Cao Yong said: "In such a hurry, counting the days, you didn't rest in Jiangning, so you went north! Why bother, you just escorted a few cars and things It’s a time of peace, there’s no problem on the road, just send the others!”

Zheng Hu sneered twice, touched his head and said, "I originally planned to arrive in Jiangning at the end of winter, but I didn't realize it. I was delayed on the way, and I didn't arrive until the eighth day of the lunar new year! I came to Shandong from the north. In addition to saying hello to the master and sending New Year's goods, Tiger There are still two things that I need to ask the master to decide!"

After hearing Zheng Hu's words, Cao Yong nodded and said, "That's it, what's the matter, let's hear it?"

The other two at the table, Cao Fang is Zheng Hu's uncle and father-in-law, and Wei Hei is Cao Yong's confidant, neither of them are outsiders.Zheng Hu didn't hesitate, and said: "One time it was about a little girl. She will be 22 the next year, and she has reached the age to leave the cabinet. After picking the beads last winter, the little girl went to Guangzhou. Yes, I know. She has stayed by Xiao'er's side for the past year. This summer, some sons of Rizhao Wang's family went there to make a living and did business with our mansion several times. Afterwards, they made friends with each other. Somehow, he fell in love with him. The younger sister asked someone to propose a marriage. The younger one didn't know his details, and I didn't ask the master, and I haven't answered yet!"

Hearing Zheng Hu mentioned his sister, for some reason, the scene of the slightly stubborn woman trying to retract her hands into her sleeves appeared in front of Cao Yong's eyes, and he couldn't help being slightly startled.

Both Zheng Hu and Cao Fang looked at Cao Yong, seeing that he responded, and neither spoke.

Seeing that everyone looked a little uncomfortable, Wei Hei smiled and said to Zheng Hu: "You just talk about your own affairs when you come up, but Old Hei forgot to ask you, how is that boy Wei Wu? But he still doesn't ask for a wife. There are several Nanyang wives, are they handsome?"

Zheng Hu turned his head, looked at Wei Hei and said, "Master Wei, what you said, when it comes to Nanyang women, they are all black and thin, how can there be a Jiangnan woman with a water spirit? Fifth Lord is just looking for novelty, speaking of which he treats the A few oriental wives are even rarer!"

Wei Hei was also a figure in Fengyuechang in his early years, and he also saw a lot of women of all colors, but he only heard about Dongyang and Nanyang.I want to ask a few more questions, but seeing that Cao Fang is here, although he usually speaks without restraint, he is Zheng Hu's elder after all, so it is inconvenient for Zheng Hu to talk about Fengyue.

Dongyang and Nanyang people heard Cao Yong's surprise, and asked: "Over there in Guangzhou, there are Dongyang people and Nanyang people, so what about Westerners? Wei Xin, this boy, didn't think about getting a Western woman?"

Speaking of Wei Xin, he is really happy, he is the youngest son in the family, supported by four older brothers, he went to Guangzhou to help Cao Yong with his business, and lived a very comfortable life.

Cao Yong thought about worrying about himself and taking precautions against this and that when he had nothing to do, so he was very envious of Wei Xin's business life.

Zheng Hu said: "My master knows Wu Ye's disposition, but he didn't think about it! Later, there was a church member who brought his female relatives to land in Guangzhou, and Wu Ye eagerly went to see it, but he was taken aback and said straightly. It's like a Rakshasa, never mention it again!"

A few words made everyone laugh.

Cao Yong had a very good impression of Wang Lusheng at first, and even had some good feelings for the Rizhao Wang family, but he also knew that the clans in this kind of place have many children and different personalities, so it is not easy to comment casually, ask He said: "Sons of the Wang family, are they from the direct branch or the distant branch? You came to Yizhou, but you want to go to Rizhao for a while?"

Zheng Hu saw that Cao Yong's expression was as usual, and Fang said: "I have to ask the master to make the decision. If the master still insists on watching this marriage, then the tiger will go to inquire about it."

Cao Yong shook his head and said: "Talk about this irrelevant thing. With your brother here, how can I make the decision?" Speaking of this, he paused and said: "But since you ask me, I have to say In a word, it is about Miss Zheng's lifelong affairs, even if you are the elder brother, don't be too rash, always ask her what she means, and it is serious to choose someone she is satisfied with."

Zheng Hu nodded, and said: "My master is right. I know this truth, and I don't dare to make random decisions. That man is Wang Quantai. He was an official in the past. He was the chief executive of the guard. He said he had seen it before! Since he was also from a pearl-diversing family, he also had contacts with Grandma Tiger’s family in the past, so the younger sister could talk to him!"

"It's him!" Cao Yong was a little surprised, and couldn't help but uttered in surprise.He remembered this Wang Quantai, who was Wang Lusheng's nephew.He was the one who brought the officers and soldiers to check the burning pot in April.It is said that he is very brave. He brought people to seal the Shaoguo Zhuangzi of Prince Jian in Daxing Town.

Then, when he heard that he resigned due to illness, Cao Yong thought it was because he was afraid of revenge from Jian Wangfu, so he wrote to Wang Lusheng specially, telling them not to worry about it.

Wang Lusheng wrote back and said that it was not because of the errand, Cao Yong was still skeptical and uneasy for a long time.I really didn't expect that he went to Guangzhou, yes, the Wang family's pearls were also sold in Nanyang.

Knowing that it was him, Cao Yong felt relieved, and said with a smile: "Well, it is time to inquire carefully. It just so happens that the Wang family's annual ceremony is coming up recently. You can rest for a day. Later, I will write a letter to Wang Lusheng and prepare a return gift. You go to Rizhao. If there is anything you want to find out carefully, find someone to ask!"

Zheng Hu nodded in agreement, but the second matter was his own.Although he stayed in Guangzhou for two years, he still had some small money in his hands. He tossed about two small businesses, but he lost money and made money.

He wasn't a careful person at all, he just went there because he was bored in Taihu Lake for a long time, and he heard Wei Xin talk about it lively, so he went to see the world.The climate is not acclimatized, the local accent is hard to find, and it is extremely uncomfortable to stay there.If his sister hadn't gone, I'm afraid he would have come back last year.

Hearing that Wei Bai returned to his hometown, he moved to work as an errand around Cao Yong; when he arrived in Yizhou, he knew that Cao Yong was attacked last month, and he made up his mind to stay with Cao Yong.

Cao Yong sighed, although he gave Zheng Hu the certificates of citizenship of both brothers and sisters the year before last, but Zheng Hu still regarded himself as a servant of the Cao family, and most of the time he only supported Wei Xin.

Cao Yong didn't know it at first, but later he heard Wei Xin mention it in his letter, and he also wrote a letter to persuade Zheng Hu not to do this, but he didn't persuade him to change his mind.

Seeing that he insisted on this, Cao Yong couldn't say too much, and told him not to worry about his errands, and wait until the sister's marriage is done.While saying this in his mouth, he was thinking in his heart whether he should also donate some official vacancies to these people in his family, so that everyone can have a good time.

However, he suddenly remembered one thing, that is, the matter of Bihelou. He had promised the brothers and sisters of the Zheng family in the early years, no matter whether it was revenge or whatever, he was duty-bound.

When Zheng Hu heard Cao Yong mention it, he said that Yang Mingchang had died of illness, and he said that he didn't want to have anything to do with the Yang family or the Bai family, and he didn't have any thoughts about Bihelou.

It was the first time for Cao Yong to hear that Yang Mingchang was dead. Seeing that although Zheng Hu was wearing plain clothes, he didn't take a sip of the wine in the wine cup.

It's just this, it's hard for outsiders to say much, so Cao Yong called the boy and changed Zheng Hu's tea, a few people chatted for a while, and the chat was lively.

*
Inner house, principal room, hall.

Chuyu and Zijing faced the list and looked at these rare objects that Wei Xin bought in Guangzhou.Except for a few good ones, which can be kept as gifts for the Longevity Festival or for personal use, most of the others should be kept for future gift envoys.

Although Cao Yong and Chu Yu are far away in the capital, they always send people to the capital every season, and there are various festivals and birthday gifts, which cannot be sloppy at all.

This year's annual ceremony was sent to Beijing at the end of last month, and counting the days, it should be here.

After tidying up the things from the south, Chu Yu heaved a sigh of relief, smiled and said to Zijing: "These things came at the right time, or I don't know what gifts to send to the capital after the next year. , over and over again, but those things are not good, and it is not good to give it every year. There is also Huang Mafa Jiazi Wanshou, who originally thought about sending people to the south to buy it after the next year, but it is cheaper!"

Zijing said: "Isn't it? Every time I see my son-in-law ordering people to make those pottery willow weaves, the servants also follow suit, I'm afraid the people in the capital think that they are not polite! If you think we are neglecting, it is not good! Although Knowing how important the uncle is, the ones who are close to him are also gifts, but people's hearts are unpredictable, and I am afraid that they will pick me up!"

Chu Yu put down a western-style silver mirror in his hand, and said, "Yes! Although my brother-in-law treats people with sincerity, the ones he carefully selected may not be in line with his wishes. He wanted to persuade him, but he was afraid that he would be annoyed. In the palaces of the princes in the capital, although they look decent, there are not many rich ones, and most of them have eaten the grain in Yinnian. Fortunately, there are only a few families on the left and right, so even if you want to argue, you can't say anything bad!"

Chu Yu sent people to pack and carry down these large and small boxes, leaving only a few plain materials and a few boxes of rouge from the West, and said to Zijing: "Sister Zijing, these are all in our house. Let’s share it with the female relatives! Although it’s worthless, it’s foreign goods, rare items, more or less, it’s always interesting!”

Zijing nodded, and said: "The princess is right! Not to mention anything else, the two aunts in Mr. Zhuang's room and the two teachers and wives Han Lu, after all, are considered to be the female relatives of the guests. Prepare a copy!"

Neither she nor Chu Yu counted Mrs. Tian, ​​because they knew Mrs. Tian's identity, and in their hearts, Mrs. Tian was considered their own family.

Chu Yu thought about Mr. Zhuang's unusual status after all, and her husband was treated like a teacher, and it would be bad if he also sent it with Han Lu and his two masters. Gathering the four-color gifts according to the rules seems heretic! Besides the three of them, Tian’s younger sister and fifth younger sister needless to say, Jade Dragon and Jade Spider also have a share!”

Zijing agreed, but because of the mention of the jade spider, she had to ask, "What does the princess mean, is this jade spider not punished?"

Chu Yu sighed, and said: "Look at her being so ill now, how can she be punished? Yuqin came here specially and told the truth about Yuspider's illness. She knew that she was the one who was pulling Yuqin to gossip and make trouble. It's too scary! She is not a child, and she has lost her innocence, if she leaves the mansion, she will be even worse!"

Zijing hesitated for a moment, and wanted to persuade her again, but thinking of herself, she didn't say anything after all.

*
Rizhao, Wangjiazhuang.

Because whether it is the manager of the village outside or the accountant of the Zhuchang, they all come to settle the accounts at this time, so Wang Lusheng has been busy for several days.

Today, Wang Lusheng corrected the accounts for a long time. He just sat down in the hall and drank some hot tea when he saw the old housekeeper rushing in.

Wang Lusheng put down his tea bowl, and said impatiently: "Which Zhuangzi's people are here again? Damn, it's like going to the market for the master, and I won't let you rest for a while!"

The old housekeeper looked around nervously, and when there was no one around, he came to Wang Lusheng and said in a low voice, "Master, there are people coming from the mountains!"

Hearing this, Wang Lusheng couldn't help frowning, and muttered suspiciously: "It's the Chinese New Year now, why did they go down the mountain? Could it be that the Chinese New Year is coming, there is no meat to eat, and they come down to ask for money?"

The old housekeeper continued to report: "Master, it is none other than the second master Liu who came in spring, and privately sought out the old slave, saying that he had something important to discuss with the master!"

Wang Lusheng waved his hand and said, "Since he's here, let him talk in his study!"

The old housekeeper hesitated for a while, and persuaded: "Master, the Du family has been detained in Jinan Mansion for no apparent reason, shouldn't we also avoid it?"

Wang Lusheng stood up, walked a few steps on the ground, finally patted his forehead, and said, "No matter what, let's see you first! It's not good to just shut them out like this. They are not easy to get along with, and I annoy them." , and there is no good fruit to eat!"
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(End of this chapter)