Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 856
In a blink of an eye, the first month passed and February entered, and the canal flowed.

Cao Yong and Cao Fu, two brothers, took the captain of the guard and accompanied more than [-] people, boarded the boat at Tongzhou Wharf, and went down the canal.

The boats are four big boats hired by Wang Lusheng's envoy from Xuzhou.Three cargo ships and one passenger ship.

Those silks and silks that were bid by the Ministry of Internal Affairs are fine goods. Although they are not afraid of being crushed or dropped, they are afraid of moisture and humidity, and cannot be placed in the open air, so each ship has a few.

Hundreds of thousands of horses were loaded into three ships.

Although the passenger ship was larger than the cargo ship, it looked not small.There are two floors of cabins below the deck, dozens of rooms.Some of the large cabins are as big as one or two rooms.

This is because Wang Lusheng specially arranged for Cao Yong to go with him.

In the several large passenger cabins, all the furnishings and beddings were replaced with new ones by the children of the Wang family.Wang Lusheng's care for Cao Yong can be seen.

When Cao Fu saw this, he sighed and asked his elder brother quietly: "Brother, if it's just that the elder brother ruled the country gentry in the past, this Wang Lusheng is too kind, don't you have any plans?"

Except for the fact that Yangzhou Wangfengzhuang is hard to tell, there is nothing to hide. Cao Yong talked about the Jiangning auction in the 49th year of Kangxi.

Only now did Cao Fu know the origin of the two families, which dates back to ten years ago, so he didn't say any more.

Cao Yong is actually not a picky person, but it is always good that the cabin is spacious and clean.

According to the plan, take the canal from the capital to Yangzhou; when you arrive in Yangzhou, go down the river, and then take the sea route to Guangzhou at the mouth of the sea.Even if the journey goes smoothly, it will take two or three months on the boat.

I can't blame Wang Lusheng for spending money to hire a big boat, for fear of treating the distinguished guests slowly.

Cao Fu went to Beijing with Cao Yin and his wife that year, and they traveled by land. This was his first time traveling by boat.After all, he was young and full of energy. During the few days when he was away from Beijing, he took his elder brother to the deck to enjoy the scenery every day.

However, the water surface was very windy, and Cao Fu was not used to boating, so he withered within a few days.

Cao Yong is rare and clean, he has the map he asked sixteen elder brothers to find.Although it is not yet precise, the southern provinces are already the outline of later generations.

Cao Yong was fine, so he opened the map, looked at the place marked Guangzhou, and then looked at Macau.

Sun's family in Hangzhou and Qingliang Temple in Jiangning, Cao Yong had a lot of thoughts in his heart, but he couldn't take care of them when he went, so he had to go to these places again on his return trip.

Cao Fu's seasickness became more and more severe, and he vomited whatever he ate except porridge.

Now, he doesn't talk about going to Guangzhou with his elder brother, and he agrees to let him go to Hangzhou to pick up Cao Ying's mother and son.Originally, he clamored to take his elder brother to Hangzhou, and then he also went south to Guangzhou.

Wang Lusheng's adoptive son Guo Quanyou stayed in the capital to escort the boat. He had been with Wang Lusheng for more than ten years.

Even Cao Fu, who was wary of Wang Lusheng, got along with Guo Quanyou very casually.

Those who followed Cao Yong were Cao Fang and his son, Wei Hei, Cao Jia, Cao Yi and others.

Accompanied by the slightly cold spring, a few days later, Cao Yong and others arrived in Xuzhou by boat.

The fleet stopped in Xuzhou for a day to replenish vegetables and water.

Wang Lusheng had already been waiting here, and booked a table at Hongyan Restaurant, the largest restaurant in Xuzhou, to welcome the Cao family brothers.

Although there is a chef on board and the ingredients are complete, I am tired of eating these days.Cao Yong naturally has a big appetite, and he sacrificed to the temple of the five internal organs.

Cao Fu has no appetite, and he has no energy.

Cao Yong saw that his cousin had lost weight in a few days, and his eyes were sunken. He couldn't bear it and wanted to arrange for him to travel by land from Xuzhou.

Cao Fu refused, and said straightly: "Don't you want to take a boat in this life? The more seasick you are, the more you have to sit. If you can't bear this pain, you will be a waste."

Seeing his cousin so stubborn, Cao Yong didn't say anything, but ordered someone to buy a lot of peppermint oil and prunes.

There is no seasickness medicine at this time, and these two things can play a role.

After passing Xuzhou, the cold spring gradually subsided, and Cao Yong didn't want to be bored in the cabin all day, so he asked people to put some chairs on the deck and set up a sun-shading shed. Drink tea and chat on the deck.

After staying on the deck for a long time, Cao Fu's symptoms of seasickness disappeared, and he started eating as usual.

Cao Yong's side is planning to go to Yangzhou.

Years later, I wrote to the Sun family in Hangzhou, saying that the Cao family would send people to pick up Cao Ying's mother and son in February.

Sun Wencheng also wrote back, mentioning that his daughter-in-law and grandson are all well, don't read things like that...

*
Hangzhou Weaving Mansion, inner courtyard.

Cao Ying's situation at this time is indeed not bad.She took Brother Sun Li with her and arrived in Hangzhou on the 27th of the twelfth lunar month.Then, it was preparations for the Chinese New Year and Sun Wencheng's birthday, and I was busy for a full first month.

Originally, she was still apprehensive, fearing that she would make trouble again when she met her husband.If the father-in-law and mother-in-law put on the spectrum of the elders, it would be annoying.

Fortunately, the worrying scenario did not appear.Sun Jue was still in Xuzhou and did not come back for his birthday.

Sun Wencheng still treats his grandchildren with the same kindness, and treats his eldest daughter-in-law the same as before.The housekeeper and daughter-in-law escorted by Cao's family, Sun Wencheng also asked someone to arrange them properly.

Only her mother-in-law, An Shi, looked at her like she was shooting a knife, but she didn't dare to neglect the eldest daughter-in-law.No matter how resentful she felt, she still obeyed her husband's arrangement, took her daughter-in-law with her, and socialized with the official women in Hangzhou.

With the return of Cao Ying's mother and son to Hangzhou, the rumors of the grandson and Cao's "righteousness" were self-defeating.

It wasn't bad, and Cao Ying couldn't be called good either.

Not only is the mother-in-law cold, but the sister-in-law and sister-in-law are not as close to her as before.On the surface, she is still from the Sun family, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

The estrangement and alienation already exist.

Cao Ying was bored staying at her in-law's house, thinking about taking her sons back to Beijing, but An's embraced her eldest grandson and refused to let go.

Sun Wencheng also advised his daughter-in-law to stay longer. After all, Sun Li is already fourteen, and he will have limited time to spend with his grandparents after he enters school and becomes an official.

Although Cao Ying was anxious, she saw that her in-laws really cared for her grandson, and her son smiled a little under the pampering of his elders, he was no longer like a little adult before, so he really couldn't bear to say anything.

It wasn't until Cao Yong's letter arrived and Sun Wencheng told his daughter-in-law that the Cao family would come to pick him up that Cao Ying's heart was at ease.

Today, she was planning a gift list for her brothers and sisters, thinking that her younger sister Cao Yi loved to drink Longjing, so she hurriedly ordered someone to go to the tea garden to order some Yuqian Longjing.

After the list was drawn up, Cao Ying remembered something, and asked the servant girl to weigh 200 taels of silver, and prepared several sets of rulers, and asked someone to call the daughters-in-law of the Cao family, and talked about returning to Beijing in a few days. .

When the daughters-in-law heard this, they all laughed a lot.

Although before coming out, the eldest grandma had already explained that everyone should reward her for doing her errands well, but it has been more than two months since she came out, and everyone is thinking about the capital.

After finishing talking with a few daughters-in-law, Cao Ying asked the servant girl to put up the ruler, took out another 50 taels of silver, and said, "It's hard for you to accompany me for the Chinese New Year. I wanted to buy some soil. Yi rewards everyone, but the capital is prosperous, and there is nothing lacking. This is a bit of a ruler, add clothes for everyone, plus ten taels of silver per person, and buy tea for everyone, don’t think it’s too little.”

Everyone bowed down to thank them, and thanked their aunt and grandma for their reward.

Among the servants of the Cao family who escorted her, Zhao An and his wife were the leaders.Zhao An brought these people out, and was extremely strict with his subordinates, fearing that the subordinates might make a mistake and ruin the Cao family's reputation.

After coming to Hangzhou for two months, everyone was detained in Zhizao Mansion, not daring to let them out.

Cao Ying thought for a while, then said: "Now is a good time to enjoy the scenery. If you don't take a look at the West Lake, it's useless to come to Hangzhou. I will discuss it with Steward Zhao and see if we can let everyone go out to get some air."

Everyone thanked them again, Cao Ying left only Zhao An's family and sent the others down.

She handed over the remaining 150 taels of silver to Zhao An's family, and said: "This is for the outside stewards. You hand it over to Steward Zhao. The stewards each have ten taels, and the servants have five taels each. Let everyone suffer in vain."

In addition to Zhao An, there are four stewards and ten servants who came this time.

Zhao An's family is the tortoise shell who was an old lady's maid in the early years and served Cao Yong for six or seven years, also called Hui Xin.She is about the same age as Cao Ying, and before Cao Ying came out of the pavilion, she was also acquainted with each other.

It is also for this reason that Cao Yong and Chu Yu chose their husband and wife to bring someone to send Cao Ying off.

After receiving the money, Zhao An's family asked doubts in their hearts: "Grandma, there are five stewards, 50 taels of silver, ten servants, 50 taels of silver, a total of 100 taels is enough. 150 taels, is it too much?" "

Hearing this, Cao Ying said with a smile: "Not much, the 50 taels of silver is my reward for you two. It's really not easy to leave a few children behind in the new year and go on the road in the freezing weather. Now your man is in the hands of the uncle. It's decent to face you, you are a good housekeeper, you shouldn't have to accept such a hard job and suffer this crime."

After hearing this, Zhao An's family got up quickly and said: "Look at what my aunt said, I killed my servants. It is our blessing to serve my aunt... I don't dare to accept silver. Blame us for being frivolous..."

Seeing that she was cautious, Cao Ying shook her head and said, "Sit down quickly, we have known each other since we were young, and there are so many rules that we are tired of watching. Earlier, my second sister and I thought that you would be by my uncle's side for the rest of our lives, but I didn't expect you to be a I have an idea. If I give it to you, I will take it. I can still afford a few dozen taels of silver..."

Having said that, it would be disrespectful if you don't accept it, Zhao An's family can only thank you for accepting it...

*
Seeing that his daughter-in-law was about to return to Beijing, An Shi became a little anxious. She wiped her tears in front of her husband with a handkerchief, and complained: "There is a good wife in the family, and the husband will not cause accidents. If the Cao family is not in a tight situation, the boss will not lose it." Dismissed from office, you can't return home. You usually pretend to be virtuous, but you're not jealous. The son can't come back, and you want her to take the grandson away? Master, Li'er is the eldest grandson of our grandson's family. ,What kind of?"

Sun Wencheng was also reluctant to part with his grandson. For more than a month, he secretly observed his eldest grandson and found that he was really a good boy with good conduct.

These two brothers are not only much better than their father when they were teenagers, but also a bit taller than Sun Wencheng's youngest sons.

His love for his grandchildren comes from the heart.It can also be seen that this daughter-in-law did not make a mistake, she looked a little soft, but after all, everyone is born, but she can teach children.

Not for anything else, but for the future of his grandchildren, Sun Wencheng could only endure the pain of parting.

"Nonsense! Let the children hear it carefully. What are you doing with that shameful evil? I would die early and be cleansed. I would rather not have this son!" Sun Wencheng became angry when he mentioned the eldest son, "If you don't take someone to the warehouse, Clothes and supplies should be prepared for grandsons and granddaughters. It’s not a good thing to be rude to your in-laws.”

An's face turned pale when she was scolded, and she muttered, "Are you going to give another gift? The gift was only given for more than two months a year ago..."

"Huh?" Seeing that she was still talking, Sun Wencheng stared at her and stopped his wife's nagging...

*
Cao Yong and others have already arrived in Yangzhou along the canal, and it is already early March.

The ancients said it well, the fireworks will go down in Yangzhou in March, and it can be seen that Yangzhou has infinite scenery in mid-spring.

Yangzhou is prosperous and the center of water and land transportation. It is one of the freight distribution centers in the south of the Yangtze River. There are children of the Wang family stationed here.

This time, Wang Lusheng didn't want to buy other goods because he had shipped three shipments of silk.But because the fleet still had to go by sea, in order to be safe, they had to go to the dock for repairs, so everyone went ashore in Yangzhou and stayed in the Wang Family Courtyard.

Cao Fu is used to life on the boat, and he still wants to beg his elder brother to follow him to Guangzhou to see the world.

Cao Yong never let go, one reason is that it is not easy for Cao Ying to wait at Sun's house for a long time, and the other reason is that Cao Xiang is the only one left in the east and west of the capital, and he still has to work in the yamen, and he can't take care of his family, which always makes people miss him.

After all, it will take some days to get to Guangzhou, so it is not bad to be able to return to Beijing a year ago.

Cao Fu was not a capricious person either, so he got off the boat honestly and went to Hangzhou to pick up his sister with a few long entourages after his entreaties failed.

The Wang family is one of the most wealthy families in Shandong, and Wang Lusheng is famous for his popularity.I heard that he was in Yangzhou, and many close friends came to visit him, treat him to dinner and so on.

Cao Yong was impatient to see people, so he didn't socialize with Wang Lusheng, and took people to the market for a walk when he was free, to see the cloth shops here and so on.

On this day, Wang Lusheng came back from a drink and brought two guests back, but they did not come to visit him, but to see Cao Yong.

The people who came were the leading figures in Yangzhou City, Cheng Mengkun, the head of the Cheng family, and his cousin, Cheng Mengxing, a former Hanlin who returned to his hometown to observe his filial piety.

Others Cao Yong impatient to see, but these two are to see.

After all, it was the patriarch of the Cheng family who was the most wealthy in the world. Cheng Mengkun could not see the slightest resentment on the face of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for losing the bid, as if there was no such thing.

After losing the bid that time, he begged Brother Sixteen to buy the failed dye.Today, those dyes are still stored in the warehouse of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and there is no intention of sending them back.

Cao Yong accepted his favor in his early years and was always polite to him, and the two exchanged polite greetings for a while.

Cheng Mengxing is a casual person, frowned and said: "Furuo came to Yangzhou, but he didn't know that he would meet his old friend. It's really sad. Could it be that I think I'm vulgar, so I can't be Furuo's friend?"

Cao Yong hurriedly said: "Brother Wu Qiao misunderstood, I haven't seen you for several years, and my younger brother even misses my brother, why don't you think about meeting each other? I just have to go to Guangzhou in a hurry, and I will visit Brother Wu Qiao when I come back. This time there will be no bother."

Cheng Mengxing glanced at Wang Lusheng, and said: "Anyway, I asked Mr. Wang Qi. Your ship will be repaired for a few days. Isn't this just a free time? I just came to invite guests with the cheek, and I will invite Fu Ruo to my place tomorrow. Take a look around the garden. If Furuo doesn't give me face, I won't leave today..."

He has already fulfilled his filial piety and lived in seclusion, but his talent and fame are more prominent than in the early years.

Even when Cao Yong was in Beijing, when he heard people mention Jiangnan Shilin, there was news of Cheng Mengxing from time to time.

Now, a great talent with a reputation in the south of the Yangtze River, acting like a rogue, makes everyone smile...

*
(End of this chapter)