The Royal Merchant of the Red Chamber

After having dinner with the two lords, it was almost midnight.After saying goodbye to each other, Xue Pan and Lin Mozhi stood at the entrance of the Fuyuan Hall and watched Prince Zhonglian and Prince Zhongrui go away, and then walked home.

Pedestrians on the street in twos and threes, very empty.As the temperature gradually rises as the ice and snow melt in early spring, people retreat from their heavy coats and put on slightly thinner jackets, which make walking much easier.

After a long silence, Lin Mozhi asked, "Pan'er, have you thought about Poppy yet?"

"Of course I've thought about it. I've got the purified prescription, and I can proceed directly. However, the opium can be prepared in a month or so. At that time, I can directly put the opium in the caravan for trading. It should be You can make a lot of money." Xue Pan said joyfully.

"This matter is of great importance. You will no longer discuss it with the Holy One?" Lin Mozhi said hesitantly.

Hearing this, Xue Pan raised his eyebrows suspiciously and asked, "What exactly is Mo Zhier going to say, why are you hesitating?"

Lin Mozhi sighed, and said, "I'm afraid that you will regret it in the future. The opium incident is too insidious. It will not only ruin a family, but also damage the interests of a country. There is no deeper pain than ours. I'm afraid You will not be able to face it after you see that kind of scene that harms the country and the people."

From previous lives to this life, Xue Pan was not a ruthless person.He does things as he pleases, and he will not use unscrupulous means to achieve his goals like himself.Thinking about opium now is just a simple venting of anger. If there are any serious consequences in the future, Lin Mozhi is afraid that he will feel guilty because of it.

Xue Pan's expression suddenly softened when he heard the words.After a long silence, he asked, "When did you wear it?"

Lin Mozhi blinked suspiciously.He asked, "Why are you asking this?"

"When I came here, the fishing and island incidents were in full swing, and the two countries had a stalemate for a long time on the issue of its ownership. In fact, everyone knew that the place belonged to our country Z, but because of various interest disputes and our own national strength The problem is that many people only hold a neutral attitude and don’t speak.” Xue Pan paused, then continued: “I thought at the time that if there was a chance, I would have to do something. It’s not a demonstration, it’s not empty slogans, I have to do something. Something practical. But I am afraid of suffering, tiredness and death. If there is a war, I will definitely not dare to go to the battlefield. This time I have the opportunity, although it is not in that time and space, and some things have not happened, but I have this at least Opportunity. I just want to teach some people who have done something wrong, what is there to regret?"

Lin Mozhi sighed softly, and persuaded softly: "You told me before that a dog bit you, can you bite back? They committed such an inhumane crime that day, if we are together today They, too, lose their position to condemn them."

Hearing this, Xue Pan said sullenly: "I am not good at reading, and I also remember that there is a saying in the "Three Character Classics" that it is the father's fault to raise or not teach, and the teacher is lazy if the teaching is not strict. As a teacher, if there is no wolf ambition of the ancestors, there will be no heinous evil deeds of the later generations. The cycle of cause and effect is better. What I did today was just a precautionary measure. I killed the jackal before it was developed. , is better than dealing with him after he has done evil. We will be the ones who will pay the bloody price at that time. Why do we threaten ourselves with the mistakes that others will make?"

"But there are thousands of ways to get things done, why do you choose the most extreme ones?"

"During World War II, the United States dropped two atomic bombs on country R, ​​which completely dispelled their resistance and arrogance. So until a hundred years later, the people of country R are still respectful to the United States and dare not disobey the slightest thing. What is the reason?"

Xue Pan paused, and said: "It's just a strong authority. Sometimes, only extreme means can make people remember the lesson deeply. Those who know what it means to offend my mighty man will be punished even if they are far away. Because They understand that if they yell at will without sufficient preparation, they will pay the price in blood. Therefore, they will not be disgusting people who jump up and down at every turn. I don’t have an atomic bomb now, but opium is also good. After all, Dongying Island still has Wouldn't it be a pity to waste a lot of gold?"

Lin Mozhi remained silent.

"When I was reading novels, I was surprised. You said that those big villains sensed the threat when the protagonist was not fully grown, so why didn't they just kill the protagonist directly? Instead, they waited until the situation became uncontrollable to recover in vain, and finally forced themselves to death. ?”

Lin Mozhi smiled with a rare sense of humor: "I guess it's also because of the protagonist's halo!"

"No matter what the reason is. I thought at the time that if I became a villain one day, I would directly destroy the threatening things. Whether it is a person or a country, in order to keep my relatives and my country alive, Happiness and Antai, if the enemy dies, he will die. I would rather live as lonely as snow than die vigorously."

Lin Mozhi was amused by Xue Pan's last words.Some grievances in my heart were also untied.

As the old saying goes, kindness to your enemies is cruelty to yourself.People who are not of our race must have different hearts. Even if this generation has a strong friendship, it is inevitable that the younger generation will become dirty.That being the case, why let the uncertain factors grow up and harm yourself?

In this time and space, in this era, the descendants of Yan and Huang in this world still maintain the glory and arrogance of the heavenly kingdom.They live a romantic life, peaceful and prosperous.They live in their own narrow circle, and they still maintain a simple and contemptuous but very friendly attitude towards all outside visitors.They don't know that revolutions are in full swing in many countries across the mountains and seas.Those wolves with insatiable desires aimed their eyes at this paradise.These robbers are accumulating all their strength, ready to rob this legendary paradise of gold.The crisis is coming, and if you want to maintain this style, someone has to pay.

In the past, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva made the great wish that hell will not be empty and that he would never become a Buddha.Although I admire it in my heart, I probably can't do it.I don't want to go to hell, and I don't want others to go to hell, but if there is only one person who wants to go to hell... a dead Taoist friend will not die a poor Taoist.

Buddha of Infinite Life.

After the knot was resolved, Lin Mozhi's thinking immediately became quicker, and he analyzed to Xue Pan: "The matter of opium sales is of great importance. I think you should discuss it with the Holy One before proceeding. After all, this kind of thing is double-handed. Even if a bladed sword can hurt the enemy, if it hurts the enemy ten thousand, it would be bad if it hurts itself eight thousand."

Xue Pan nodded and said, "You are right about that. I just happened to tell you about this!"

"Why, do you have a solution?" Lin Mozhi asked with a smile.

"In addition to opium, I also produced a lot of tobacco. I plan to sell tobacco in other places except those countries that want revenge. What do you think?" Xue Pan asked with a smile.

Lin Mozhi's eyes lit up, and he praised: "It's not bad, it's quite thoughtful."

"That's right, I'm here for revenge, not for the newspaper." Xue Pan boasted complacently: "On this point, I can still tell the difference."

Lin Mozhi nodded with a smile in agreement.

While talking, the two arrived at Zhongxinhou's Mansion.The two white jade lions in front of the gate have ferocious faces, reflecting a kind of lustrous light under the dim light of the lantern on the eaves, which is warm and comfortable.Xue Pan turned back, smiled and said: "It's been a long time since I came to my house, come with me quickly."

Lin Mozhi shook his head and smiled, "No, I still have things to deal with."

Xue Pan nodded helplessly, and muttered: "I don't know why you are so busy as a writer, you can't even see a shadow all day long."

Lin Mozhi teased disapprovingly: "Then am I a ghost now?"

"Lin Xiaoqian?" Xue Pan said with a wicked smile.

Lin Mozhi never said that he couldn't beat Xue Pan, so he had no choice but to shake his head and admit defeat.The two chatted a few more words before parting.

Xue Pan went all the way through the gate, Yimen, and the inner courtyard until he arrived at Ruirong Hall.The clever and clever little girl went in for simultaneous interpretation.When Xue Pan lifted the gorilla blanket and entered the flower hall, he found that not only the Xue family couple and Baochai, but also two brothers and sisters of his age were in the room.The male, Zhilan Yushu, is elegant and elegant, wearing a Confucian clothing with dark patterns of brocade and dark patterns.He looks slender and mature.The woman has a beautiful complexion, innocent and innocent, with a bright red flowered jacket on her upper body and a lotus-colored silk skirt on her lower body, making her look even more cute and cute.

Seeing Xue Pan's figure, the two immediately stood up, bowed and said, "I've seen the eldest cousin."

Xue Pan stared at it for a while, then suddenly smiled and said, "Are you Xue Biao?"

The boy nodded with a smile.A pair of bright eyes looked at Xue Pan, a little excited.

Xue Pan said with emotion for a moment: "I haven't seen you for a few years, and you are already this old."

Turning his head and said to the girl with a delicate and naive look: "Then you must be Baoqin! I remember that you were only five or six years old at that time, and you followed me all day long. Big brother, big brother's call. If you ignore it You're still crying. You've become a big girl in a blink of an eye."

The girl blushed a little with embarrassment, and shouted: "What year is that old calendar, big brother made fun of me."

Xue Pan chuckled, looked around, and Fox asked, "Why didn't you see Second Uncle, isn't he with you?"

Xue Baochai shook her head and said with a smile: "This time I went to Beijing for my brother's scientific research. My father will go to sea after the next year, so I can't come here in time."

"Scientific examination?" Xue Pan raised his eyebrows suspiciously, and asked, "Xue Biao, are you here to participate in Chunwei?"

Xue Biao laughed and said: "How is it possible, I am not even a Juren now!"

"Big brother, have you forgotten that when my uncle was granted the title of Marquis of Zhongxin, our Xue family is no longer a pure imperial merchant, but also qualified for the imperial examination. My brother has always loved reading, so he discussed with his father about preparing for the scientific examination. I’ll come to Beijing after a while.” Xue Baoqin said this, turned to Xue Zhizhang and said, “Father means that there are many learned Confucians in Beijing, let’s see if Uncle can help find a learned gentleman for my brother. Xiu Jin will definitely Not a problem."

Hearing this, Xue Zhizhang pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "It's very important to invite your husband. If your nephew and niece are not in a hurry, let me choose slowly."

"It's not urgent, I'm just bothering uncle." The two brothers and sister Xue Biao immediately bowed and thanked.

Mrs. Xue on the side smiled kindly: "It's okay. You can just live here and don't worry about anything else."

"Thank you, Auntie." The two Xue Biao brothers and sisters thanked again.

Xue Pan snorted at the side, and suggested: "Why don't you let Xue Biao go to Taibai Academy to study! Xue Biao's background is weak, just to study systematically, and there are many talents in Taibai Academy, so Xue Biao can go in and expand his network. yes."

The so-called Taibai Academy is a private school run by the Taibai Poetry Association.The students who enter the school are all talented young talents who are diligent and hardworking.Nine out of ten candidates in each imperial examination.It is a sacred place in the hearts of scholars.

Xue Biao has naturally heard of such a famous school.Immediately worrying about gains and losses, he said: "It would be good if I can enter Taibai Academy. It's just that I am blunt in nature and weak in foundation. I'm afraid people will look down on me."

Xue Zhizhang said with a smile: "It doesn't matter. The president of the Taibai Poetry Association is your elder cousin's master, Mr. Zhuang. Let your elder cousin talk to Mr. Zhuang, at worst, let you attend the audition first, and then accept it as an official after passing the examination. There is nothing wrong with the students. The reason for us to go in is to study, and the most important thing is to increase our knowledge."

Xue Biao nodded excitedly, immediately stood up and bowed to Xue Panchang, prostrating and said: "Then I will trouble you, big brother."

Xue Pan quickly helped him up, and said with a smile: "No trouble, no trouble, it's just a matter of one sentence."

After pouring out his time, he asked again: "Then why don't you see the second aunt? It stands to reason that the second uncle can't follow me to do some business, and the second aunt should also go to Beijing. Why did you two brothers and sisters come here by themselves?"

Xue Tada looked at each other, and said anxiously: "Mom is taking care of family affairs in the old house in Jinling. She said that the two of us went to Beijing to come to the uncle's house, not someone else's house. She said she was at ease. Let us Say hello to uncle and aunt."

Everyone was suspicious when they heard this.But after all, this is still other people's own business, and it's not easy for them to intervene.Mrs. Xue smiled and said, "We are all well, all are well. Is her aunt also well?"

"Mother is fine too..."

Baochai put down the teacup in his hand, walked up to Xue Pan and said with a smile, "The Ningguo Mansion issued an invitation to invite us to have tea tomorrow, brother, shall we come together?"

Xue Pan shook his head and smiled, "No, I've been very busy these two days. I don't think I'll be free until the Longevity Day."

Xue Baochai sighed softly: "My brother has also started to do errands. It's just that the errands are hard work, and my brother is careful about his body."

"Don't worry!" Xue Pan patted his chest and said, "My brother is in good health. And what I'm doing now is paid for errands, but it's actually a lot of nonsense. I'm having fun, not at all. Feeling tired."

Xue Baochai laughed and said, "It's as long as brother is happy."

After a few more gossips, Mrs. Xue began to tidy up the residence for the Xue Biao brothers and sisters.Originally, they wanted to take over the Hanyu Pavilion facing the southeast of the mansion and give it to the two brothers and sisters to live in. Unexpectedly, Xue Baoqin was innocent and clingy to Baochai since she was a child, so she insisted on living with Baochai.Mrs. Xue had no choice but to send Baoqin's salute and maid to Wutong Garden.

As a result, Xue Biao also said that he would live with Xue Pan.Everyone thought that maybe Xue Biao would go to Taibai Academy to study in a few days, and it was a bit lonely to live alone, so they agreed.

Xue Pan took Xue Biao back to Wenrou Township, and was about to order Hongxiu to pack up the west wing for Xue Biao to live in, when Xue Biao gently tugged at Xue Pan's sleeve, and said mysteriously: "Brother, can you Go to a quieter place, my father told me to bring you something." Xue Pan blinked his eyes inexplicably, looked at Xue Biao for a while, and then smiled: "Then come to my study! What are you doing? It's very mysterious."

The two filed into the study room, and retreated behind everyone.Xue Biao took out a piece of silk from his arms, put it on the table and spread it out.Xue Pan looked down, raised his eyebrows and said, "Wan Guokun's map, I also have this thing at home! Is this what Second Uncle asked you to bring me?"

Xue Biao said with a mysterious face: "Big brother, look here."

After finishing speaking, he stretched out his finger to a vast ocean in the picture, and said excitedly: "Father said that there are traces of inhabited territories in most areas of Wan Guokun's map. But this vast ocean is blank. Father travels overseas. Over the years, I have also seen a lot of exotic customs. I heard that sea adventures are popular in the Western Ocean now! My father wants to go to this place. If there is really an undiscovered territory... it will be a great contribution! When the time comes Let alone being a Marquis, even earning a king with a different surname is just around the corner."

Xue Pan looked at Xue Biao and pointed to the blank position that should be Oceania and almost choked on his saliva.He raised his head and asked in disbelief: "You mean that the second uncle's trip to sea this time is not an ordinary trade, but an expedition voyage?"

"That's right! Father has been preparing for this day for a long time!" Xue Biao said, deliberately lowering his voice, "Father asked me to tell you that now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, the emperor's prestige will not diminish. Unless the Holy Majesty Can create a world-class feat worthy of the emperor, otherwise, even if you sit on the dragon chair, it is just a puppet. Our Xue family has a prosperous relationship with the new emperor because of the dragon. The Holy One has great authority, so our Xue family can act better. If we really succeed this time... just imagine, what credit is greater than expanding the territory?"