Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 905
Seeing Elder Sixteen fiddling with the cigarette holder in his hand, Cao Yong couldn't help laughing, and said: "Master Sixteen has been playing with this emerald cigarette holder for half a month, and he hasn't played enough?"

Elder Sixteen raised his eyebrows, and said proudly: "Not enough, not enough, the cigarette holders of the Ministry of Internal Affairs must be spread all over the grasslands, let's think about new tricks!"

Seeing that Cao Yong was puzzled, Yidu stood by and said, "Furuo, it's only been less than half a month's work. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has already recorded this amount because of the cigarette holder business!" While speaking, he extended a slap and turned it over.

Although Cao Yong knew that there were many people using cigarette holders recently, he was also surprised when he heard this: "So many? Didn't they use the craftsmen from the capital? Are there still delays on the way?"

Seeing Cao Yong like this, Brother Sixteen became more and more proud, and his chin was raised high.

Yi Duli knew the friendship between Elder Sixteen and Cao Yong, and seeing that he had no intention of concealing it, he whispered: "It is said that it is a craftsman in Beijing, but in fact it is a craftsman from the Xinggong. Master Sixteen said, this The work is not considered fine. Don’t sell good ones first, and get used to their eyes, so the future prices will not be able to be sold. Use the ones here first, and when they are almost bought, the ones in the capital will be fine. When the time comes, the carvings will be excellent and there will be more styles, so they will not pay for the money a second time.”

These words are all to make Cao Yong look at Brother Sixteen with admiration.

Brother Sixteen felt a little embarrassed, looked up at the sky, and said, "It's really hot outside, so let's talk at the table."

Cao Yong personally led Elder Sixteen and Yi Duli to sit on the upper seat. For the sake of silence, this side is at the innermost side of the flower hall, separated from other seats by a screen.

There must be some guests who know Elder Sixteen and Yi Duli. Hearing that the two of them are coming, they come over to say hello.

At this moment, the sixteenth elder brother remembered that there was something he hadn't said to Cao Yong, so he called him over and said in a low voice: "I saw Fu Peng in the morning. You know that it's your birthday, and you will come here too. It was said He wanted to come with me, but somehow Hongming found out and said he wanted to come with Fu Peng."

Fu Peng is Cao Yong's nephew, and they are connected by blood. The number of times the uncle and nephew meet is limited, but they are really close to each other.

In addition, Bao Ya also read Fu Peng, so Fu Peng didn't come with brother sixteen, Cao Yong was a little disappointed.However, Cao Yong only had a headache when he heard the name of "Hong Ming".

Although Hongming was not knighted, as the son of the "Great General King", he was in the spotlight in Rehe for a while.

The Mongolian princes who came to the court, in addition to the filial piety prepared for the emperor, were the princes and elder brothers who followed them.Among the emperor's grandsons, Hongming is the only one.This kind of treatment is only comparable to Hong Xi's elder brother when he was a retinue a few years ago.

There are even Mongolian princes with their families who are already inquiring about Hongming's marriage.I heard that neither Zheng Fujin nor Side Fujin married, and they treated him even more warmly.

For this reason, these days, there are more and more Mongolian princesses bringing Mongolian Gege to pay their respects to Concubine De.

If it were someone else, knowing that this hot and popular emperor's elder brother came to celebrate his birthday, he must feel honored, but Cao Yong avoided it.

Seeing that Cao Yong was frowning tightly, because he could squeeze the flies to death, Elder Sixteen couldn't bear it, and said: "He is not a child, and he knows how to avoid taboos. Even if he comes, he won't stay for long, just bear with him Bear with it."

Cao Yong smiled bitterly, what else can he do if he can't bear it?
At this moment, I saw Wu Sheng coming quickly, and said: "Master, the elder brother is here, and the elder brother from the fourteenth master's residence is also here."

Bu Xiao said, this is the arrival of Fu Peng and Hong Ming.

Cao Yong stroked his forehead and went to meet the guests in person.

After arriving in the courtyard, I saw Fu Peng and Hong Ming coming towards me.Speaking of Cao Yong's side, Elder Sixteen often comes here, but every time he wears regular clothes.

Fu Peng and Hong Ming are dressed in gorgeous clothes, with golden belts glaringly around their waists, their status as nobles can be seen at a glance.

Looking at them with a few guards behind them, Cao Yong couldn't help but sigh.It's just that it's not the time to talk about this right now, he took a step forward to greet the two of them, but was held up by Hong Ming.

"Brother-in-law, you are not an outsider. What are you doing to make such a fuss? It makes Fu Peng uncomfortable." Hong Ming smiled very affectionately, as if Cao Yong was his own brother-in-law.

Fu Peng was originally a junior, the moment Cao Yong greeted him, he had already turned sideways to avoid him.

Hearing Hongming's words, he followed suit and said, "Yes, uncle doesn't need to be too polite. It's my uncle's birthday today, but my nephew is late." After speaking, he solemnly performed the ceremony for his nephew and said, "I wish my uncle a happy birthday. East China Sea, Shoubi Nanshan."

Fu Peng is as tall as his father and looks like his mother. Although he is only 14 years old, he has already caught up with Cao Yong in size, and his childishness has faded away, leaving the heroic spirit of a teenager.

Not to mention that Baoya was in so much pain seeing this nephew, even Cao Yong felt happy when he saw this nephew.

He nodded and said: "Auspicious words from brother Cheng, your aunt has been talking about it for a long time, and your aunt also sent people to the front yard to ask about it a few times. You should go see your aunt and your aunt first."

Fu Peng agreed, looked at Hong Ming who came with him, and said, "Second Uncle, my nephew first goes to greet the elders..."

Hong Ming waved his hand and said: "Go, go, and take me to say hello to the two princesses too. Just say that I will go to see Uncle Sixteen first, and then go to say hello to the two of you later."

Chuyu is his cousin, Baoya is his elder sister, everyone is of the same generation, even if they don't need to ask Ann to greet him, they should meet each other.It's just that recently because of marriage, Hongming met many female relatives, and he couldn't stand the long-winded words, so he disappeared as soon as he could.

After hearing the words, Fu Peng respectfully agreed, but he was relieved in his heart.

It has been more than half a month since Baoya arrived in Rehe, the aunt and nephew have only seen each other twice, and each time they meet each other in a hurry.In addition to wishing his uncle birthday today, Fu Peng also wanted to spend a few more words with his aunt.

If Hong Ming followed him, it would not be cheap for the aunt and nephew to talk more.

On Hongming's side, after giving orders to Fu Peng, he said to Cao Yong: "Uncle Sixteen has arrived, right? Before going out to the palace, I went to the Office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It is said that Uncle Sixteen came out with some subordinate officials."

Cao Yong signaled Wu Sheng to lead Fu Peng to the second gate, and then he replied Hong Ming's words and took this cheap brother-in-law to the flower hall.

Even if those officials from the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Internal Affairs who were eating dinner didn't know Hongming, they would take a few more glances when they saw the bright yellow belt around his waist.

There are clever ones, thinking they are clever, whispering to their fellows: "That is Mr. Cao's nephew, the elder brother of Pingjun Wangfu..."

"Huh? Didn't you say that Prince Pingjun's son was raised in the palace in the year when he danced the spoon? This one is not as good as the weak crown, so he is more than fourteen or five?" Another person wondered.

"It's just a young man who is prudent. If it weren't for the prince of Pingjun, how could he be so close to Mr. Cao?" The man at the front said: "It's really true to say that my nephew, Uncle Xiao, looks at his eyes, what else can I say? of……"

He swore on his head that Cao Yong and Hongming passed by and listened to it.

Hongming couldn't help laughing, holding the folding fan in his hand, neither shaking it nor not shaking it, looking at Cao Yong, wondering how he would introduce himself to everyone.

Cao Yong just pretended not to hear or see, but still looked as usual, and led Hongming to the upper table.

Although Hongming was embarrassed, he couldn't stop Cao Yong and told him that he was regarded as Fu Peng, and he needed to explain to others, so he had to follow Cao Yong in.

Finally, an official of the Ministry of Internal Affairs who knew Hongming saw him passing by, got up and saluted him, and called him "Second Elder Brother".

In this way, when others heard it, they had to say a few more words, such as "not the eldest son, but the second elder brother of the county prince's mansion", and "the second elder brother is from a concubine, not from the county king Fujin", and so on.

For a while, even He Hongming had an excuse, seeing how old he was.

"It is said that King Pingjun and Fujin Qinse are in harmony. It seems that he does not want the eldest son to block Fujin..." Many people guessed this way.

But they forgot that the clan is different from the common people.The important matters of children and heirs are all recorded by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The clan's mansion burns jade discs. The older is the older, the younger is the younger, and there is no distinction between the old and the young for the sake of the concubines.

Hong Ming's expression became more and more stiff, but Cao Yong almost couldn't help laughing out loud.

Unexpectedly, at this moment, he got a cheap "nephew".

It's really ignorant and fearless, if these people know, what they are whispering and talking about is not the "brother elder brother" of the county prince's mansion, but the emperor Sun Hongming who is in the limelight, and there are a few who dare to whisper.

Inside the screen, Elder Sixteen and Yidu were standing at attention talking lively.From the Mongolian prince, he had already obtained business opportunities, and wondered if he should ask the Ministry of Internal Affairs to increase production and sell cigarette holders to Russia.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs buys a large amount of leather goods and precious stones from Russia every year, and sells them tea, silk, porcelain, etc. It would be great if cigarette holders and cigarettes could be exchanged for more items from Russia.

Hearing about Russia, Yiduri's eyes lit up.

As long as it involves trade with foreign countries, there is nothing wrong with it.Although Yiduli is not short of money, he is not a saint either. How can he not be happy when he sees Feicha?
You know, the real "fat job" doesn't need to take the initiative to be greedy.In that position, eating filial piety everywhere, you can be full and decent.

When Cao Yong was the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he promoted bidding and "contracted" all foreign trade.Now, although he is no longer in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, there are sixteen elder brothers in charge, and this "bidding" is still going on.

Therefore, most of the foreign trade is in the hands of the imperial merchants below.

"Master Shiliu, since these cigarettes and cigarette holders are 'made in-house' by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs should take care of this business, so as not to make those merchants fatter, such a good idea by Mr. Shiliu Baixia." Yi Du hurriedly interjected. road.

"If the hands and feet of the person in charge are not clean, it will make people worry, and it will make people happy if they 'tender' out." Elder Sixteen said casually.

It's not that he can't trust Yiduri, but that cigarettes are involved, which are cooked under the name of Brother Jiu.

With Brother Jiu's greed, knowing this business opportunity, how can he obediently let it go?
Brother Sixteen did not want to compete with him, so he thought it would be better to go to "bidding" and "contract" the foreign trade of cigarettes and cigarette holders to those companies under the Ministry of Internal Affairs who take the foreign business route.

Yi Duli has to say more, Cao Yong has led Hongming to.

He has worked in the Ministry of Internal Affairs for several years, he knew Hong Ming, he hurriedly got up and said: "I have seen the second elder brother, please greet the second elder brother."

Hongming knew that he was the brother-in-law of the thirteenth elder brother, but the most indispensable thing in this capital city was this kind of relative.

If the father of Yidu Li's university scholar was still alive, Hongming could still be more polite, but now he just waved his hand and said, "Go down..."

Yi Duli has been in charge of the Minister of Internal Affairs for several years, but it is only an "administration", and his official position is still a doctor of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a fifth-rank official position, so naturally he will not be placed in Hongming's eyes.

He was also annoyed by being mistaken for Cao Yong's "nephew". He didn't notice that Yi Duli was sitting at the head of Brother Sixteen before he saw the ceremony, and he only regarded him as a member of the Ministry of Internal Affairs who was talking to Brother Sixteen. Officer, that's why he sent people down in a big way.

At this moment, Hong Ming has already turned to Elder Sixteen, and warmly called "Uncle Sixteen" to greet him.

Yi Duli was so underestimated, his face flushed red, he clenched his fists fiercely, and walked out.

Cao Yong was furious when he saw Hongming being so rude.

After all, it is raised in the palace, a bit clever, but also annoying.Although Yi Duli's rank is low, he is a guest of Cao's family at his age, so how can he be allowed to drink around?

Cao Yong took a step sideways, stopped Yi Duli, and said: "Uncle, please stay..."

Hearing the word "uncle", Yi Duli didn't recover from it. It was not until Cao Yong spoke again, brother Shiliu and Hongming stopped greeting, and they all looked at Yi Duli, that he woke up and understood this " "Uncle" is calling himself.

"Ah? Furuo?" Yi Duli was a little puzzled.

Although from Cao Song's point of view, it is common for Cao Yong to call "Uncle", but the two are officials in the same government, and Yi Duli is also a subordinate. On hand.

Although Cao Yong never left the word "adult" in his mouth, and he was respectful in private, but Yi Duli did not dare to pretend to be a senior.

Now, after being scorned by Hongming, but Cao Yong called "Uncle" twice, Yidu felt his eyes sour.

Cao Yong had already pulled his sleeves, pulled him down the table, and said: "I specially asked someone to prepare lotus white, and today I want to have a good drink with my uncle..."

Elder Sixteen was surprised when he saw that Hongming dismissed someone without politeness and ignored Yi Duli.You know, this Hong Ming is usually smart, why come to celebrate his birthday today, it seems to be full of heart?

Elder Sixteen was puzzled, so he looked at Hongming, guessing what happened.

He still didn't know that Hongming was treated as a cheap "nephew" and was downgraded by a generation, and he was annoyed in his heart.

Now, Cao Yong's crisp "uncle" twice reminded Elder Sixteen that it was wrong to think of Yi Duli, and hurriedly said: "Yes, Lao Yi, why are you going? Sit down, I still want to be with you Daoguan Cao Yong. The Lord gave up a lot of money to prepare his birthday gift, and he is distressed. Today we have to let Cao Yong spend money and spend money."

Cao Yong didn't see anything on his face, brother Sixteen had a close relationship with him, but he knew that he was annoyed.

Even Elder Sixteen spoke up, Yi Duli couldn't be more coy, he cupped his hands and forced a smile: "Since that's the case, I'd rather be respectful than obedient..."

Hongming realized later, and then remembered that Yiduli was not only an in-law of the Thirteenth Prince's house, but also an in-law of the Cao family...

(End of this chapter)