Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 854
No one in the Cao family agreed with Cao Ying taking Hangzhou back to Hangzhou to celebrate her birthday.

It's not because he is afraid that Sun Wencheng will stay with him. After all, he is an official in another place, and he wants to use the Cao family as a domestic aid in the court, so he dare not offend the Cao family.It's just that it's really a bit of a pain to go on the road in the twelfth lunar month of winter.

Especially in the name of "Heshou", he called his grandson back, maybe his son would also be called back.If he used his father-in-law airs to persuade his son and daughter-in-law to reconcile, Cao Ying would inevitably be in a dilemma.

"If you don't go, just say that Li'er has a serious illness and can't move." Zhao Jia's voice was still as loud as ever.Before Cao Ying could speak, the decision had already been made.

Thinking of An Shi who didn't distinguish between right and wrong, Zhao Jia couldn't get angry, and said: "It's appointed to be instigated by that old godly woman. It's a black heart to toss the child in the cold."

Mrs. Li also felt sorry for her nephews and grandchildren, and was reluctant to let them travel far away, so she said to Cao Ying: "Although a daughter-in-law should be filial and respectful, it is not a joke to travel thousands of miles away. Even if you want to take the children back to pay your respects, you have to wait." Let’s talk about it when spring comes. Prepare the birthday gift carefully, don’t let people find out if it’s wrong, it’s never good to gossip.”

Before Cao Ying could speak, Zhao Jia couldn't help it anymore, curled her lips and said, "Gossip? Whose gossip? As for the scandal Sun Jue did in the capital, even if someone talks about it, it's the big girl's turn."

At this time, Cao Ying hesitated.

The mother-in-law only returned to Hangzhou in September, and it has only been more than two months, and the father-in-law sent someone to pick him up, not just for "survival".

With the two elders behind her back, she asked Sun Jin, her uncle.

Sure enough, Sun Wencheng's move had ulterior motives.

Although Hangzhou is far away from the capital, it is a prosperous place after all. Jiangsu and Zhejiang are also places where scholars come forth in large numbers. There are hundreds of wealthy gentry in the capital.

Good things don't go out, bad things spread thousands of miles.

The news of Sun Jue beating his wife and whipping him and dismissing him from office also spread back to Hangzhou.

It was passed around, but everything was said.

Some say that Sun and Cao's family broke up, some say that Sun Jue questioned the crime, and some say that Sun Jue beat his son to death, and some say that he murdered his wife. There are various rumors, and Sun Jue has become a beast in clothes.

Sun Wencheng carefully worked as a junior in Hangzhou for 20 years, and the little word of mouth he had accumulated has been flooded by smears.

The rumors became more and more vicious, and even Sun Jue's younger brothers were affected.Whenever there are any rumors of bullying men and women in Hangzhou, outsiders will fall on Sun Jiazi.

Sun Wencheng's usual respectfulness has also become a "fake".

What is the foundation of the Sun family, and what is the foundation of the Cao family?In the early years, two generations of Cao Yin and his son managed Jiangnan for 50 years, and they communicated with the big families of Jiangnan gentry.

Although the Cao family has been away from Jiangnan for several years, there are still many old friends in Jiangnan.

Who doesn't know that the Sun family's current situation is due to the promotion of the Cao family.Now, before Cao Yin's body was cold, his niece was abused, how could he not make people's teeth cold.

The Sun family can't take off the hat of "ungrateful".

Tongue kills, and Sun Wencheng is not a thick-skinned person, so he couldn't bear it anymore and sent his second son to Beijing to pick him up.

As long as the daughter-in-law and eldest grandson appear in the Sun family properly, those vicious rumors will be self-defeating.

Cao Ying tossed and turned all night, and called her eldest son the next day. The mother and son didn't know what to say, anyway, they made up their minds and took a few Sun Li and Sun Chu back to Hangzhou; as for Sun Xian, because she was a daughter Weak and weak, afraid of being unable to bear running around, he was sent back to Cao's house for a temporary stay.

As for the Sun residence in the capital, the Liang family was appointed.

Because of this, Sun Xian was crying.

Speaking of which, how old is my concubine younger than her, and he can take him on the road, so how fragile is he?
Cao Ying didn't tell her daughter clearly, but Li Shi and Zhao Jia knew that this was because they were afraid that Sun Wencheng and his wife would interfere in their granddaughter's marriage.

Sun Xian is eleven this year, and in two years she will participate in the small election for the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

With the Cao family's contacts in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, how could Cao Yong be willing to let his niece go to Beijing as a court lady.It's just that for a little money, you can marry freely, which is more comfortable than others on the flag.

Although Zhao Jia was annoyed by her daughter's decision, she didn't stop her thinking that Sun Li would be fourteen next year.

She was thinking that her grandson was the eldest grandson of the Sun family, and this position should be firmly occupied.Sun Jue has no hope of becoming an official. If the weaving mansion is inherited by the descendants of the Sun family, it is better to fall on the grandson than to benefit others.

Although Cao Yong is not good against the cousin's decision, it is not good for their mother and son to follow the Sun family to the south.

He discussed with his two cousins, selected a few capable stewards from the eastern and western mansions, and together with the birthday gifts prepared by the Cao family, they escorted Cao Ying's mother and son back to Hangzhou.

As for him, he no longer cared about the tricks of the Sun family and the Li family.Because, in Zhang Yi's letter, there is news about Wei Xin.

*
If there is any news in the capital at the end of Kangxi's 58th year, there is nothing more than the "comeback" of the thirteenth brother.

In fact, it is not appropriate to say that it is a comeback, because the thirteenth elder brother is not on duty, and he is still "recovering from his illness" like in the past, but everyone knows that it is different.

In less than a month, the second concubine Yide had summoned the thirteen Fujin into the palace several times, and each time they were rewarded.

The two imperial physicians who are on duty in front of the imperial court are also resident in Thirteenth Prince's mansion, and treat Thirteenth Prince's serious illnesses.

All of a sudden, there was an endless stream of people "visiting" the Thirteenth Prince's Mansion.

Da Gege of Thirteenth Elder Brother's Mansion is already 17 years old. He has been burdened by Thirteenth Elder Brother and has been ignored by no one.Although Da Gege is a concubine, but because he is the first child, the thirteenth elder brother is also regarded as the palm pearl.

The thirteenth elder brother talked with Cao Yong several times, wanting to get married with his daughter, but dared not.Afraid that the clan would think of this daughter, she sent her to Mongolia.

He could only wait and see when he would ask for grace and officiate for his daughter.

Now, with the "comeback" of the thirteenth elder brother, Da Gege has become a favorite, and many people inquire about it.Even the 13-year-old Er Gege, some people began to want to cut off their marriage, which disturbed Shisan Fujin very much.

Brother Thirteen was recuperating his body while paying attention to the homework of his sons.For those "relatives and friends" who come up to build relationships, only housekeepers are sent to accompany them.

It is not impolite to say that he is "recovering from illness".

The emperor's father has already issued a verbal order that elder brothers above the age of six will go to study in the study room next year, and now they are preparing for this.

Today, there are only a few young princes in the upper study room, and the others are grandsons from various prince's mansions.

The thirteenth elder brother didn't "hope his sons would become dragons", and he didn't want his sons to behave too badly and be ridiculed by their cousins.So I took advantage of the effort I had a few years ago to check the homework of my sons.

On this day, it was Cao Yong who brought Wang Lusheng to the door.

The thirteenth elder brother naturally put away the rhetoric about recuperating from illness, and invited the two to meet in the living room.

Wang Lusheng borrowed 10 taels of silver from Cao Yong, plus the 50 taels of silver raised from fellow villagers in the capital, and had already completed the formalities with the Bank of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

He wanted to ship these silks to Guangzhou in the spring of next year, so he pleaded with Brother Sixteen and kept them in the warehouse until the new year was over before hiring a boat to go south.

The reason why he stayed in the capital was to wait for the silver to come from Shandong.

Now that the money has arrived, he has returned to his hometown for the New Year after paying back the misappropriated money.I came here today to bid farewell to Brother Thirteen.

The thirteenth elder brother felt guilty towards him because of the money matter. Hearing that he was leaving tomorrow, he hurriedly sent someone to send a message to Fujin to set up a banquet and practice it for him.

Among them, not only the face of Cao Yong, but also the face of the disciple Wang Quantai.

However, when Cao Yong came here today, besides accompanying Wang Lusheng, he also had other matters to discuss with Brother Thirteen.

"You want to go to Guangzhou?" Hearing Cao Yong's words, Brother Thirteen couldn't help being surprised: "How do you think of going there?" He said here, and he couldn't help frowning, and said: "It's not because I worry about my 30 yuan. Pibu? If it’s because of me that you’ve been tired to this point, don’t mention it again.”

Wang Lusheng was beside him, also surprised, and asked: "Master Cao, if I remember correctly, Master Cao will take more than a year to be a filial piety. If you don't worry about Master Thirteen, let me take you to Guangzhou next year. It's warm over there. , even if it is stored in the cloth village, it can be sold for a few months more than in the capital every year."

Cao Yong waved his hand and said: "You two misunderstood, it's not because of Xia Bu. It's just that Wei Xin is a little worried. Before he recovers, go over and have a look. You must get a letter."

A few days ago, Zhang Yi sent people back not only foreign goods, but also letters.It has been three years since Wei Xin went to the West on his father-in-law's boat.It was originally agreed to return this spring and summer.

Unexpectedly, after the Mid-Autumn Festival, there is no news.Some news came back, saying that the ship sank, and that it was looted by pirates. There are different rumors.

Sailing at sea is entrusting one's life to God. Zhang Yi had no idea, so he told Cao Yong about it.

In these years, although he and Wei Xin got together less often and separated more, Cao Yong was also somewhat grateful for this young acquaintance.

Cao Yong's life would not be so comfortable if Wei Xin didn't cook in Guangzhou and make a lot of money.

Thinking of Wei Xin's act of "entrusting the orphan" before going abroad, Cao Yong felt heavy in his heart.Just with Kangxi's "oral order", Cao Yong wanted to go to Guangzhou.

After Wei Xin came to Beijing, he met Brother Thirteen.Elder Brother Thirteen knows that he is Cao Yong's dependable arm, and he feels heavy when he hears the news that his life or death is uncertain.

"Wei Wuye is not very old, and I heard that people are extremely righteous. When I was in Guangzhou, I heard people praise him a lot. Quantai took a lot of care from him during the years in Guangzhou. What else am I thinking about?" I'll see you soon, thank him very much." Wang Lusheng said sullenly.

He is also from a seaside family, so he naturally knows the dangers of maritime affairs.

In the vast sea, whenever a ship encounters an accident, there is no way to call for help, and there is no other way to survive.

"If you leave Beijing, although it's not a big deal, Huang Ama can't hide it. It's hard to make an excuse for this, so go to Guangzhou. The friendship is important, but violating filial piety is not common sense. Have you thought about your excuse yet? "The thirteenth elder brother pondered for a moment and asked.

Cao Yong thought for a while, and said: "Since the opening of customs in Guangzhou, the money foreigners have earned from Daqing every year in these years is innumerable. We need to start with foreign goods from Guangzhou, not only to import, but also to increase export volume, to see if we can compete with foreign merchants for profits. I will go over and investigate this matter.”

The thirteenth elder brother heard the words, but disagreed, and said: "Huang Ama has transferred you from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, why do you meddle in the affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs? Xiao Cao, you have the talent to govern the world, so you should not be confined to the internal affairs. "

When Cao Yong heard the words, he couldn't help but smile bitterly.

What is the difference between the retainers of the emperor and the important officials of the court?Today is the peak of feudal imperial centralization, the era of the world.It's just that the official names are different, but in the eyes of the emperor, they are all the same.Maybe, the retainers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are more pleasing to the eye than the important officials of the court.

"I'm still Ding You, and it's not because I'm on an errand, but under this banner, I'm going to Guangzhou in a grand manner. If I can't find a good opportunity, I can count as fulfilling my holy order by letting go of those thirty pieces of cloth." Cao Yong said.

Brother Thirteen saw that he had made up his mind, so he stopped persuading him, and just said: "If you really go away, you have to make arrangements. Every time you go, you won't be able to come back for half a year."

Cao Yong nodded and agreed, and he had to ask Brother Thirteen to take care of him.

Originally, I wanted to entrust Elder Sixteen, but it was inconvenient for Elder Sixteen to stay in the palace, and every year he was accompanied by a retinue, so he was away from Beijing for many days.Therefore, he entrusted the thirteen elder brothers.

The thirteenth elder brother was naturally speechless, thinking of the two oriental women sent by the steward at home, he smiled and said to Cao Yong: "Since you are going south, then I don't need to arrange another person. For the sisters, please invite Xiao Cao Take it to Guangzhou on the way."

After hearing this, Cao Yong shook his head and said, "Master Thirteen, please forgive me. People's words are terrible. If people know, I will travel with two girls in my filial piety, and I'm afraid I won't be able to cleanse myself by jumping into the Yellow River."

After the thirteenth elder brother finished speaking, he also knew that he had made a slip of the tongue, and said: "It is true, I was negligent."

Let this matter go, and leave it alone.

Wang Lusheng asked Cao Yong when he was going to leave. Knowing that it was uncertain, he hurriedly said: "In that case, Mr. Cao will go with me. I have already booked a boat, and I will go down the canal after the first month of the lunar year."

Cao Yong said with a smile: "I just want to take your boat with the wind, so I don't have to worry about arranging it myself."

After a while, Thirteen Fujin sent people to the banquet, and the three of them talked about the southern customs and scenery, which made Thirteenth Brother feel envious
*
Although Cao Yong had already decided to go south, he was afraid that Mrs. Li would miss him, so he hadn't told his mother yet, thinking that he would mention it to his mother after the new year.

On his wife's side, he didn't hide it.

Chu Yu has been in the door for ten years, and is in charge of the accounts of the Cao Mansion, and knows Wei Xin's achievements over the years.Hearing the news of the disappearance of the ship, he was also anxious.

Cao Yong heart, looking forward to a miracle.Perhaps the ship was resting halfway, or Wei Xin had other encounters or something.However, you have to plan for the worst.

If something happened to Wei Xin, the land deeds and house deeds in Guangzhou would be kept in Cao Yong's hands.

Wei Xin's three sons are still young, so it's not easy for them to leave their hometowns and settle in Guangzhou.The same is true for the two daughters. Although the dowry house is in Guangzhou, they cannot marry there, without the protection of relatives.

If...it's really unfortunate...the real estate and real estate in Guangzhou have to be dealt with, and then they have to go to Wei's house in Jiangning.

Wei Xin's eldest brother and sister-in-law are afraid of their younger brother, how can they be considerate to their nephews and nieces.It's good for the old man and old lady to be alive, and they are protected by their grandparents; if the old man and old lady die, who will protect these children?

After all, they are all concubines, and they are insignificant in the family. Whether there is a aunt who decides, the future is unpredictable.

Cao Yong sighed, all these years, Wei Xin has been worthy of him, and he Cao Yong will definitely not let him down...

*
The front is getting farther, and the back is chasing, Xiao Jiu burst into tears and begged for a monthly ticket. .

(End of this chapter)