The Royal Merchant of the Red Chamber

The Lantern Festival has passed, and business is gradually on the agenda.The first thing to bear the brunt is the banking and banking issues that were discussed and discussed for a long time last year.Fortunately, there are many bank accounts under the Xue family bank, and the shopkeepers who have been trained for more than a few months were released, and after another auspicious day was selected, more than 40 branches of the Xue family bank opened at the same time. Countless eyeballs.There is also the power of the imperial court as the backing, but in just over a month, the Xue family bank has earned 3000 million taels of silver, and it has made a profit of 30 yuan in handling fees due to the smooth transportation between the north and the south.It amazed the people who watched with cold eyes.

For a time, there are those who are jealous, those who are envious, and those who follow the trend, so there is no need to list them in detail.Let's say someone can't sit still.

In the study room of Prince Zhongrui's mansion, Tu Huang waved a paper fan and thoughtfully said: "Didn't the emperor say about arranging barbarian captives last year, and it has been delayed until now due to the delay of the bank account and age. Xue Pan's effort Should there be time?"

"Whether he has time or not is up to that one." Tu Juan held the teacup and took a sip leisurely, and said casually: "He must be very strict with the money bag now, you'd better not touch his bottom line You know we are relying on others now!"

Speaking of this, Tuju couldn't help sighing.Thinking back to the time when Prince Zhonglian and his party members were all over the government and the public, they could do everything with their fingers, how glorious it was.Now, even every move has to be considered whether it is beyond the rules and whether it will arouse the suspicion of others.Such a frightening life is really tiresome.

Tu Huang and Tu Ju have been friends since they were young, how can they not know what Tu Ju is thinking.Accompanying you sadly for a while, forced a smile and said: "Don't worry, fifth brother, I know what's in my heart. If you want to come here, you also know that I like to do business, and the contact with the money bag is just to discuss and learn from it. In the worst case, I will also benefit from it." Sixty percent of it turned over to the national treasury is better than dying now..."

After speaking, I consciously kept silent.Looking at the self-deprecating Tu Teng and sighing softly, isn't it just about dying now?

The dignified fifth prince was adopted to a prince.How can there be such a thing throughout the ages?What's more, after arriving at Prince Zhongyu's mansion, the peers in the mansion also lost the intimacy and harmony of the past, and vaguely moved away from him.Although the greetings are still the same on weekdays, but the apprentice can feel that they are afraid, afraid that he will snatch the title of Prince Zhongyu.If he hadn't bribed the emperor's favorite concubine and Li Deyu to help him say a few good words to give him the title of Prince Zhonglian, I'm afraid his life would have been even more difficult.After all, power touches people's hearts, and in the face of this kind of struggle, what kind of affection is eternal.

No wonder the common people said that there is no father and son in the Tian family, and if one move fails, it is simply a difference between cloud and mud.

He let out a sad sigh.In fact, from beginning to end, his ambition is not that big, it's just that he was afraid of being bullied and isolated since he was a child, and he desperately wanted to be recognized by others.But he was still too naive.He only saw the emperor as his father, but forgot that the emperor was first and foremost an emperor.He only saw the emperor's appreciation for his quick and easy work, but ignored the strong vigilance and vigilance behind this appreciation... In front of the imperial power, any emotion is the most illusory thing, which can be used, framed, But it can't be taken seriously.

It's a pity that now he can see clearly, but his heart is dead.

Tu Huang got up and stepped forward, gently hugging Tu Teng's thin body.After being silent for a while, he said in a low voice: "Fifth brother, why don't we help that one! I watched the past few years with cold eyes. Although that one had a hard life, at least he had two points more genuine temperament than the father. As long as we Don't make trouble, he can accommodate us if he thinks."

As the saying goes, if the name is not right, the words are not right.The emperor’s drastic action has made Tuju completely lose the chance of seizing the heir. If he insists on going his own way, he will be committing a rebellion. His ancestors and clan will not tolerate him, and even Prince Zhongyu’s mansion, which took him in, will be in trouble.The biggest advantage of Tujue's competition for the reserve is his close relationship with Qingliu and the clan.With just a few light words from the emperor, most of the forces he had painstakingly managed were disintegrated.Should he praise "Ginger is still old and spicy"?

Seeing Tujuan's disappointed face, Tu Huang could only hold his body tightly for comfort.After the failure to compete for reserves, everyone was given up.It's just that his mother's family is powerful, and his mother and concubine can always talk in front of the emperor, so the snobbish kid dare not do anything to him.And Lao Qi's family is more powerful than him, so don't worry.Therefore, the pain that should have been borne by the three people was basically borne by the fifth brother alone.But it would be a lie to say that it has no impact at all.

Needless to say, he himself only loves doing business.Lao Qi dreamed of going to the battlefield since he was a child, but now that Lao Shi, who is several years younger than him, has returned victoriously, he has no chance.If things go on like this, I'm afraid there won't be any in my lifetime.Elder Twelve and Eleven are about the same age, and they are also proficient in martial arts and military art. Now, apart from going to the south of the Yangtze River every year, they don't even have the chance to leave the capital.If it goes on like this, I'm afraid they will be completely useless.The first to bear the brunt is Fifth Brother.

Tu Huang was worried, how could he not know.It's just that he can't do it if he wants to stay low and be a little boy to curry favor with the fourth child in order to survive.

Seeing this, Tu Huang persuaded him softly: "It's not like being low-key. Now that the fourth child is being crushed to death by the father, anyone with a discerning eye can see it. His imperial decree is not allowed by the father. I'm afraid even I can't even get out of the palace. I don't believe that he can bear this with his arrogance. Let's surrender, not to mention anything else, he can control one-third of the power in the court in an instant. This is still suppressed by the father. In the hands of the loyal and honest party members, it may not be impossible to restore the heyday of loyal party members."

After pondering for a while, he said sadly, "If I hand over these people, I will really have nothing."

"How is it possible? We didn't give it to him for nothing." Tu Huang sneered, "Naturally, he must reciprocate. Not to mention anything else, as long as Fifth Brother can show his ambitions, Seventh Brother, Twelve Brother, just kill the enemy on the battlefield as fast as you can."

Tuju frowned and asked, "What about you?"

Tu Huang looked indifferent, "I just love money. This is his weakness. I'd rather find him for his purse."

Tu Jue murmured and said, "We're all fine, it's just Xiao Twelve...I'm afraid he won't be able to turn around so easily."

Tu Huang was also silent for a moment.Tu Zheng's knot with Tu Zhen has been there since he was a child, it's not so much the instigation of Concubine De, it's more about Tu Zheng's jealousy and inexplicable expectations for Tu Zhen.An elder brother who has never been by her side since she was a child, should have been the closest two people, but turned out to be strangers by accident.

Tu Huang still remembers that when the little Tu Zheng came to Brother Wu crying and asked why Tu Zhen ignored him.In fact, they all knew it, because the empress dowager who was still a queen at that time was also by Tu Zhen's side... But who can say such words clearly!Whether it is really confused or pretending to be confused, everything is too clear will always bring some harm, even ordinary people are like this, let alone their royal family.It's a pity that the old twelve is a serious person who needs to understand everything.And it's not surprising that a life like his in the palace would lead to bloodshed.

This is not to say that anyone intentionally made things difficult for him, most of them were himself and himself.

When the topic came to this point, it was a bit heavy, and he said in vain for a moment, "Let me think about it again!"

So Tu Huang nodded obediently, and there is no need to elaborate on the topic of the two tacitly ending the topic.

As for Xue Pan, since he talked about "A Chinese Ghost Story" at the Lantern Festival Banquet, he has also become a three-point director.At home, I was tossing about that group of small dramas all day long, and I didn't know that the "A Chinese Ghost Story" had caused an uproar outside.

Although everyone has watched "Strange Tales from a Liaozhai Studio" earlier.But that kind of words are a bit dry in the end, compared with Xue Pan's vivid narration and singing, it is really more than a little bit pale.Now that Xue Pan's storytelling at the Lantern Festival Banquet in Rongguo Mansion has spread, everyone has turned over the storybook again by coincidence.Many far-sighted theater troupes began to rehearse the stories in "Strange Tales from a Liaozhai Studio".In the restaurants and teahouses in the streets and alleys, storytellers also began to talk about this.All of a sudden, "Strange Tales from a Liaozhai Studio" suddenly became popular.At the same time, Lin Mozhi's "work" of "envy only mandarin ducks and not immortals" has also spread, causing many boudoir girls to fall in love with each other.

After a while, I suddenly heard that Xue Pan was also rehearsing "A Chinese Ghost Story" at home, and the rehearsals were obviously the small operas bestowed by the Holy Majesty.Everyone couldn't help but look forward to it.Among them, people who think they are powerful, powerful and respectable have sent invitations to the Xue family or directly approached the Xue family, and they are ready to have a sneak peek after the play is released.And those families with lower family status also began to contact people Xue Pan knew well. Among them, Liu Xianglian, who had always been fond of romance, found Jia Baoyu's head.

After Jia Baoyu got the entrustment, he found Xue Pan with great interest, and said with a smile: "I have a friend here who likes Fengyue drama very much. Now that my elder brother is preparing for "A Chinese Ghost Story", I feel itchy for a while, and I also hope You can do your best in it.”

Xue Pan heard the string song and knew the elegant meaning, and said with a narrow smile: "You are talking about Liu Xianglian!"

Jia Baoyu smiled shyly and said, "What do you think, big brother?"

"Of course that's good. I'm worrying that no one will compose the music! Although the musicians in the troupe are very skilled, they are restricted by the frame and really can't produce the effect I want. If Liu Xianglian can I really want to thank him for getting it out." Xue Pan said happily.

Jia Baoyu was also very happy, and quickly said: "Then I will let him come here."

"Okay." Xue Pan nodded.In just one stick of incense, Jia Baoyu brought Liu Xianglian in.

After everyone met, Xue Pan said straight to the point: "Has Erlang heard the "A Chinese Ghost Story" I sang before?"

Liu Xianglian nodded and smiled, "I've heard it before, and I was shocked for a while, so I asked Baoyu to take the liberty to visit."

"You are Baoyu's brother, and Baoyu is my brother. We brothers don't have to be so formal when we talk." Xue Pan exchanged a few casual greetings, and said, "I just want to feel like this. It's not the opera you sang first, it's actually a kind of song and dance..."

In fact, according to Xue Pan's idea, he wanted to arrange a musical.So now the group of people in the troupe won't let them sing, everyone is practicing singing and dancing.Fortunately, they have practiced their bodies hard since they were young. Although this tossing is a bit troublesome, it is not too difficult.It’s just that in the class, some people who are self-styled and don’t like to change complain in private.However, due to Xue Pan's dignity in front of the Holy Master, most of them dare not say anything publicly.After all, they knew their identities, and they were nothing more than a low-level actor. Who could offend the loyal and loyal Hou Xue family for their own sake?

Of course, there are many people who want to please Xue Pan for this matter, so that they can rise to the top.It's just that Xue Pan's request was too tricky, and some scores were quite different from the current popular standards. Even if everyone tried their best to cater, they still had more than enough energy.

Xue Pan knew that this was the difference in the so-called knowledge structure.To change this point, in addition to requiring the performer to be proficient in skills, it also requires a lot of character background of the performer.It is necessary to be unconstrained by old customs but also open-minded. Only this point, these musicians and actors who are used to rules and regulations in the court cannot do it.

And Liu Xianglian is different.He was originally a child of an aristocratic family, and he dared to put on a play, which proved that this person's character would never be restricted by ordinary conventions.Moreover, Liu Xianglian is already proficient in rhythm, and her knowledge is not bad.With his help, the following things will be much easier to handle.

At that moment, Xue Pan shared his thoughts with Liu Xianglian in detail.And wrote to Liu Xianglian the few songs that had been selected earlier: "These are just some songs that I thought of, but after a scene, I am afraid that I will need more. I only hope that Erlang can compose more similar songs. , the main thing is to be able to string together the whole drama."

Liu Xianglian pondered for a moment, then asked: "The song and dance drama you mentioned just now...does this song have to match their dance steps?"

Xue Pan's eyes lit up, and he said with a smile, "If that's the case, it couldn't be better."

Liu Xianglian nodded in agreement.Don't mention it yourself.

Besides, there was so much commotion in their room that even the palace was alarmed.After the emperor abdicated, he had a lot of leisure every day.However, I am used to the daily affairs, and it is extremely uncomfortable to suddenly relax.Even if Tuzhen is cautious in every step, he will return when everything happens, and he will not be able to dispel the disappointment in his heart.Su Xingtu Zhenji knows how to figure out people's hearts. Since the emperor abdicated, all kinds of enjoyment have followed quickly, making the emperor indulge in pleasure for a while, and he has no mind to think about it.

Therefore, Xue Pan's actions this time attracted the attention of the emperor.Knowing that Xue Pan wanted to do some singing and dancing, he specially sent a skilled dancer from the palace there.He also told him that after the play was rehearsed, he would have to see it in person.

The orders of the superiors, even if it is a whim, the people below must go all out to prepare.Invisibly, the pressure on the troupe has increased.Now, apart from those flattering musicians and actors, the rest of the people also felt a sense of crisis.All of them worked cautiously and fully cooperated with Xue Pan's whimsical ideas.

Originally thought that the progress could be sped up now, but unexpected problems appeared again.

"Stop—" Xue Pan rolled up a script in his hand, and shouted to stop with the posture of a director.Looking at the bewildered heroine on the stage, she said: "You have to be affectionate and affectionate. You must know that the role you are playing is a female ghost who seduces people with sex. Why are you so coy? And you sing That's not right, you are not singing an opera now, you are singing a tune, you have to be tactful, gentle, and don't draw a long note, understand?"

The female actress's pretty face was flushed, and the corners of her eyes were a little moist, and she said anxiously: "But this word is too straightforward, I can't sing it out."

"Alas!" Xue Pan scratched his head in a state of agitation, looked at the actress who was about to cry and waved his hands, "You should rest for a while!"

Before she could finish her sentence, the actress hurried backstage in a panic.On the stage, Liu Xianglian, who played the role of Ning Caichen, jumped down and persuaded softly: "Don't worry, just let her get used to it."

Xue Pan raised his eyebrows, and asked without any hope: "Do you think she is okay?"

Liu Xianglian could not help but remain silent.The movements and rigidity can be let go after getting used to it gradually, but the singing is the fatal problem.After getting used to the original singing style, it would be too difficult to change it.The more excellent an actor is, the harder it is to change this point, after all, some things are already deeply rooted in his bones.Even he took a long time to pull it over.This is also due to the fact that he not only loves to sing, but also loves to sing.

Xue Pan couldn't help but sighed. "Two months later will be the Emperor's Longevity Festival. The Emperor said, I hope to see this play on the Longevity Festival!"

Liu Xianglian blinked her eyes, and said hesitantly, "How about... let's change people!"

"Who should I replace?" Xue Pan raised his eyebrows, looked at the group of people below, and said, "These people all sing like this, and they act coyly, and they can't let go at all."

Liu Xianglian pondered for a moment, then suddenly said: "You must have heard the rumors about me. I have always liked Huamian Liusu, and I know quite a few young men who sing songs in the market. Some of them are skilled and open-minded. Yes, it's just..."

Xue Pan's eyes lit up, he clasped his hands together and said with a smile, "That's right, why did I forget this."

He asked again: "What candidates do you have now?"

Liu Xianglian said with a smile: "There is one candidate. This person's name is Yun'er, and she is a nobleman from Jinxiangyuan. She has a beautiful face, skilled skills, and bold words. Let alone our lyrics and music, they are just two points more than this." , she can sing it too."

Xue Pan's heart moved, he felt as if Yun'er had heard about it before, but he forgot what year and month it was.He just smiled and said, "If it's true, we might as well meet."

Liu Xianglian nodded and said with a smile: "there is another acquaintance of mine, Xiaodan named Jiang Yuhan. His singing skills are also very good, and it is no exaggeration to say that he is famous all over the world. Therefore, everyone calls him Qiguaner. I heard him sing "A Chinese Ghost Story" a few days ago, and it was very good."

Xue Pan frowned when he heard the words, and said, "Isn't this official Qi the one from the Zhongshun Palace, so there shouldn't be any trouble!"

Liu Xianglian shook her head and smiled and said, "That's not true. After all, this time I'm going to make an appearance on the Longevity Festival. If it can be done, Prince Zhongshun will have face. To tell you the truth, this is what Qi Guaner found me in private two days ago Come up and beg me to speak for him."

That being the case, there is nothing taboo about it.

Xue Pan immediately smiled and said, "Then you can find a time, let's make an appointment to have a chat!"

Liu Xianglian said with a smile: "I don't have any problems here, I can make an appointment with these people at any time. To put it bluntly, it only takes one sentence, but a cup of tea is all it takes."

Xue Pan pondered for a moment, then said firmly: "If that's the case, let's do it this afternoon!"

While talking, I heard a servant come over and report that the Second Master Bao of Rongguo Mansion and Feng Ziying, the eldest son of General Shenwu's Mansion, came to visit.

So Xue Pan ordered a musician and dancer to continue rehearsing, while he put on his clothes and went to the flower hall to entertain guests.

After seeing each other, it turned out that these two were also bored at home and came to watch the fun.Knowing that the two of Xue Pan were going out, they were unwilling to be lonely and wanted to follow.Xue Pan and Xue Pan have nothing to do, so in the end it became four people traveling together.