in spring

Chapter 244 Sudden Arrival
In the evening, after dinner, the Lu family and his wife were talking in the house. Hu Fei quietly pulled Chunying to the edge of the mulberry field in the backyard.

The backyard has been cleaned up, and next to the mulberry field is a newly built shelf, with a few wooden benches and a low wooden table under it. At this time, the surface is covered with snow, cold and wet, and it is not a good place to sit. Son.Next to it was a pile of firewood that was nearly a person's height, and next to the firewood were scraps of wood left over from the grape trellis. Mother Lu muttered just the day before yesterday that she asked her husband to build a chicken coop and buy a few chickens to raise for the New Year.

Chunying clapped her hands together, looked at the bench in embarrassment, turned her head to Hu Fei and said, "Why did you come outside and say it? It just snowed in the morning, and the accumulated snow has not yet dried up. It's strangely cold. The wind is blowing, and after a while it will be cold." It can freeze people to death."

Hu Fei smiled, and stretched out his hand to hold hers: "Is it warmer?" Chunying froze for a moment, feeling that the warmth in his palm was still slightly wet, and she didn't know if it was the sweat from nervousness, her heart was sweet, and her face He couldn't help getting hot, and his voice dropped an octave: "What are you doing? Be careful that your parents see..." She wanted to break away from his hand, but seeing that he was holding it tightly, although she was shy, she didn't insist anymore.

Hu Fei looked at her with a smile, held her hand, and put it on his cheeks: "I just drank two glasses of wine, and my face is hot, can you touch it?" Chun Ying spat at him, and hurriedly withdrew her hand Come, but the warmth on his face seemed to stay on her fingertips.

Chunying calmed down her heartbeat for a while, and then gave Hu Fei a look: "You dragged me out specially to tell the good news, right? Is there anything that you can't talk about in the room? Tell me quickly!"

Hu Fei smiled and said: "This matter is only an internal decision, and it can't be leaked out for the time being. I said it because it was you. Aunt Lu Shulu couldn't hear it, but when I was in the house, I couldn't avoid the elders, and I couldn't go to your room." There is no choice but to come here. There are courtyard walls and mulberry trees, so people outside can’t hear or see.”

"The more you talk, the more outrageous it becomes! If you have something to say, talk about it!" Chunying gave him an angry look, and Hu Fei hurriedly surrendered: "Okay, okay, it's cold outside, let's talk about it and get it over with."

He glanced around, and then leaned into Chunying's ear and said, "I got a letter from a friend in the palace today, and the emperor decided to use me! But instead of managing the fleet, I'm assisting Nanyang shipping affairs!"

Chunying was overjoyed at first, and then a little confused: "What do you mean...assisting in shipping?"

"It's a long story." Hu Fei said, "I heard that it's because the emperor recently felt that the Nanyang fleet is in the hands of the major families, and that all transactions are made by themselves. The power is too great, and he is worried that someone will borrow Due to the financial situation, the price of Nanyang goods is affected, which disturbs people's livelihood, and some merchants even take advantage of the situation to intervene in the government. Therefore, they plan to open a special overseas department to manage Nanyang shipping. What kind of goods come back, who to sell them to, how much they sold, etc., must be registered one by one, and every time they sail, they must be accompanied by a palace envoy. The chief officer is the inner eunuch next to the emperor. Several people who are familiar with Nanyang affairs came to help. At my age and qualifications, it is far from enough, but those who are familiar with Nanyang customs are all private individuals of various families, and I know one or two friends in the palace, so I will Take me to recharge."

Although he said that he was a pretentious person, he could see that there was quite a color between his brows. While Chunying was happy for him, she couldn't help complaining: "So, you entered through the back door? Be careful when the emperor sees you." You, say that you are too young, you must be here to fool people, if you are kicked out, then you will be ashamed for eight lifetimes!"

Hu Fei snorted twice maliciously: "You're kidding me? Tell you to try my strength!" After speaking, he stretched out his hand and scratched Chunying's armpit.Chunying couldn't help laughing, and hurriedly hid while begging for mercy: "It was my fault, good brother, please forgive me!"

Lu Yougui's loud cough came from the room, Chunying and Hu Fei both fell silent, snickered at each other, hurriedly stood up straight again, and straightened their clothes.Chunying gave Hu Fei a blank look: "Look, it's all your fault! My father heard it, what do you mean..."

Hu Fei gritted his teeth when he heard it, and wanted to stretch out his hand to scratch it again. Chunying hurriedly jumped two steps away, and begged softly: "Okay, okay, I won't joke anymore, let's be serious." Clearing her throat, she tentatively approached After taking a step back, he lowered his voice and said, "Is the emperor planning to take over the power? Didn't I hear that the Nanyang fleet was built by Tai... Emperor Taizong's special decree to allow several big families to build it? I remember when Miss Huo Jiabiao asked When the control of the fleet was returned to the royal family, there seemed to be some kind of seal, which was bestowed by Emperor Taizong himself? Now the emperor is said to be unfilial by his brothers even for rehabilitating the sufferer who was wronged by the former emperor, and now he still wants to accept Nanyang ships Wouldn’t the major families object to the control of the team? What if the Emperor Taizong’s will was brought out, such as the ancestral family law, what should the emperor do if the emperor takes back the order? Liang Taishi’s group is still there, and he is like this rest assured?"

Hu Fei looked at Chun Ying with some surprise: "It's hard for you to think of this, but the emperor has already thought about it. Now some of the Nanyang fleets have changed owners, and the remaining few are powerful in the court. Not many, even in your Mansion of the Marquis of the Qing Dynasty, there are only a few nominal official positions, and the positions of important ministers are not available, and most of them are loyal to the emperor and dare not speak openly. Now that the emperor is full-fledged, he is no longer like It used to be like that. Besides, the fleet that originally belonged to the Huo family has not yet decided on a person in charge. There are several families fighting, and two of them are the cronies of King Ke's mansion and the in-laws of the Liu family. They are all popular with strong strength and great backing. I heard that the empress dowager insisted that the fleet be handed over to these two families. The rest of the family may have a chance on the surface, but in fact it has long since failed. Hu Neijian in the palace told I said that in the 24th yamen, many of them are in charge. Even if the emperor handed over the fleet to his own people, he would be emptied, and it would be even more difficult to speak in the future. Therefore, just in case, we must Let’s take a drastic drudgery! Even if they really win the fleet, they won’t be able to make any money! But the details are still under discussion, and there is a strict order not to spread it! Don’t let any rumors out.”

Chunying Zheng nodded emphatically, and breathed out again: "The emperor thinks so, and it makes sense. Although a vassal king like King Ke has no territory and lives in Beijing, it seems safe, but if their family gets control of the fleet , secretly transported the family property, women's family and children overseas, and if they failed in Beijing, they boarded a boat and ran to find a larger and fertile island in a warm climate in Southeast Asia to recuperate. If you don’t come back to make trouble, you may also send troops to harass the coastal areas. If it is worse, you will collude with Japanese pirates, or pretend to be pirates, plunder civilian ships and merchant ships, stop other fleets going to Nanyang, kill people, wipe out traces, and rob property. Isn't it troublesome?"

Hu Fei gasped when he heard this: "I didn't expect this! Hao Chun'er, thanks for reminding me, when I go back, I will tell Neijian Hu to be careful and not hand over the fleet to King Ke's Mansion and Liu Don't hand it over, I'm afraid they may not really value that little money!"

Chunying pursed her lips and smiled, feeling somewhat happy in her heart, but soon remembered another thing: "You said that you have the opportunity to join this overseas department to assist shipping... Let me ask you, what office does this overseas department belong to?" ? Could it be the 24 Yamen?!" That is the eunuch organization!

Hu Fei was shocked: "How come?! This is under the Ministry of Household Affairs! But it is not under the command of the Minister of the Household Department. There are special eunuchs in charge, and they only obey the emperor..." After thinking about it, he felt helpless, "Okay Well, it sounds like they are under the 24 yamen, but several of the assistants appointed by the emperor are outside the palace, and there are also officials from the household department. I was chosen by the emperor. I was born as a son of the emperor merchants. I was familiar with gold, silver and other treasures since I was a child. in."

Chunying was puzzled: "What does this have to do with Western Oceans? Isn't it in charge of Nanyang Shipping?"

Hu Fei said patiently: "I have been to Nanyang a lot, and things are not as rare as in the early years. In the past, I used the products there as treasures, and brought back a few boats of pearls and corals, but sold them at a low price. The emperor heard that the West is rich, so he planned to buy it." Send a fleet to investigate. I heard that when Emperor Taizong used to be, there was also a Zheng Neijian who went there and left a lot of records. But this is the old imperial calendar. In order to find someone who understands Western characters, the inner The prison guards went to various temples to find monks who could understand Sanskrit, and only then did they find out about two disciples from aristocratic families who understand Buddhism."

Chunying was confused: "Sanskrit? Isn't that..." Immediately she realized: By the way, the Western Ocean is now the Indian side, and she remembered it wrong.

Although it is not the modern "Western Ocean", it is far enough away. Chun Ying solemnly told Hu Fei: "You must not get involved! After walking for several years, I finally came back. The sea is not safe now, and I don't know." What storms and waves will you encounter, you..." whispered, "Don't make people worry..."

Hu Fei smiled, and held her hand: "Don't worry, I won't be that stupid. What are you going to do in the west? I stay in Beijing to be the assistant to the assistant, and there are ranks. I will wear an official uniform tomorrow." When I meet my elder brother, he has to kowtow to me! Just to prevent people from looking down on me, I have to buy a property as soon as possible, lest people laugh at me as a low-level businessman." Since returning to Beijing, he has been He has never opened a shop to do business formally, and few people know about what happened when he was down and down. When he buys land, he will not be ashamed to join the company as a squire or the son of an imperial merchant.

But Chunying thought of another thing.If Hu Fei had an official position, wouldn't her marriage with him... be troublesome?She is still a servant... If she gets married first and then gets promoted, that's a different story.She took a careful look at Hu Fei, hesitating whether she should remind him, but...with Hu Fei's temper, what if he really gave up this opportunity for himself, what should he do?She had heard some rumors from Shi'er, and knew that when she was punished in the wife's courtyard that day, Hu Fei took a big risk to save her. While she was moved, she was also a little worried that he would be impulsive.

This opportunity is rare for Hu Fei, right?He will be able to raise his eyebrows in the future.He has done so many things for himself, should he talk too much?She really didn't want to be Hu Fei's stumbling block...

Hu Fei saw that there was some strangeness on her face, and hurriedly asked, "What's wrong?"

Chunying hesitated to speak, but suddenly heard her father shouting in the house: "It's dark! Isn't it cold outside?! The yard will be cleaned up tomorrow!" Hu Fei hurriedly whispered in her ear: "Let's go in, don't you dare Keep it secret, this matter will not be finalized until at least April or May next year. If the news leaks, there will be many variables."

Chunying's thoughts changed, and she decided not to mention it for the time being, to see how the situation goes.Anyway, in the beginning of spring, there is a chance to leave the government. If things go well, there is no need to ask this question.

In order to buy land, Hu Fei wandered around the surrounding area for several days to find out who had land for sale, but unfortunately he couldn't find any satisfactory land in the Daxing area.Chunying persuaded him to go to a further place, and he will arrive soon after riding a horse anyway. Majuli and Dongdian Village are lively, and there may be suitable farms.Hu Fei then went there.

Chunying lived in the village, and in winter, when she was free, she would gather with girls and daughters-in-law, nestling on the kang and doing needlework.Shi'er also often asks her to visit her home.

The house in Zhuangtou has two entrances. It is big and spacious. In addition to Shi'er's family, Aunt Wang also bought two little girls to help with the work, and hired an old couple to serve Uncle Wang.Although the family is slaves, their lives are no different from those of landlords.

Chunying has been living quite comfortably recently, with hot tea and delicious snacks, she and Shi'er are the only two in the room, she doesn't have to worry about others gossiping, she can freely make new cotton jackets and leather boots for Hu Fei.At most, Shi'er was joking with her, but he wouldn't say it out loud.Aunt Wang is busy all day long gathering the girls, daughters-in-law and women in the village to make shoe soles and sew cotton-padded jackets, so that when she returns to Beijing to deliver new year's goods next year, she can hand them over to the steward of the Hou Mansion—this is also an obligation of the farmers in Zhuangzi. Well, these are usually issued to low-level servants to wear.Because they are newbies, Aunt Wang has no time to take care of them.Chunying can even gossip aloud with Shi'er about the Hou Mansion, or scold the master a few harsh words.

Shi'er told her a piece of news: "Yesterday, an aunt of mine came to visit us. I heard from her that the second master's family in the Dongfu may be coming back, and it will not exceed a year at the latest! I don't know if they will stay in the capital by then. As an official, if their family stays, they may have to change the head of the village."

Chunying said: "Their family came back a few years ago, and they didn't make a sound, did they? As long as Uncle Wang does a good job and doesn't lose money from the Second Master's family, they may not change people. Even if they do, your family will return home Just find another job here."

Ten'er sighed: "I'd rather stay here! After I go back, I don't know when I've offended the master. I heard that the rules in the East Mansion are looser, and the second wife is kind. Although the second old lady I have a rigorous temperament, but I never beat and scold servants easily. It's a pity that I didn't have a good time and advanced to the Marquis's Mansion as an errand, so I had to suffer from this."

Chunying smiled and said: "If you are really envious, why don't you wait until their family comes back next year and ask someone to tell you to change the owner. Anyway, your sister is there, isn't she?"

Shi'er smiled wryly and shook his head, suddenly a little girl came and said in a panic, "A little brother came up ahead, saying that he... said he was looking for Sister Lu..."

Shi Eryi frowned: "Let's make it clear, who is looking for her? Even if it's not a lady from a rich family, there is no man coming to look for it, so there is a reason to go and see her immediately!"

"No...not..." The little girl was a little scared, "He said... He said that the third young master of the Hou Mansion wanted to find Sister Lu..."

"Huh?!" Chunying and Shi'er looked at each other, hurriedly climbed down the kang, and ran to the door.

(End of this chapter)