The Royal Merchant of the Red Chamber

As for the Tiekan Temple, it was originally built by Ning Rong Ergong on that day.Nowadays, there are still incense fields and acres of donations to prepare for the old and dead population in Beijing, and they can be parked here cheaply.Among them, both yin and yang houses have been prepared, so that the souls can live there.

Now that the Qin family is in mourning, the men of the Jia family will stay at Tiekan Temple.After some rest, it was time to hold the lanterns.

Xue Pan was out of the friendship of his relatives—mostly for the sake of the emperor, he followed the crowd for a whole day, and consciously did a good job.Seeing that everyone has already stayed at the bed, he refused to wrong him any more, and went to Jia Zhen to comfort him with a warm face, and incidentally mentioned the matter of farewell.

Jia Zhen was so sad that she couldn't help herself, she took Xue Pan's hand and cried for a while before letting go.For many reasons, Jia Baoyu has always been by Xue Pan's side.Seeing that Xue Pan was leaving now, he didn't want to stay anymore.

Just looking back and seeing Qin Zhong who was crying silently, he couldn't bear to say goodbye.He had no choice but to secretly pull Xue Pan by the corner of his clothes and ask, "Can't I just leave?"

If it weren't for his pull, Xue Pan would have almost forgotten about such a person.Looking at Qin Zhong in the corner with shrunken hands and feet, a look of disgust flashed in Xue Pan's eyes.Xue Pan has always had a dislike for this Qin Zhong, who still has a leisurely love with the little nun at his sister's funeral.I think this guy is really heartless.It is obvious to all that the Qin family cared for him when he was alive, but now that his bones are still cold, Qin Zhong can actually let his passion and desire do that kind of careless thing.Xue Pan was afraid that he would spoil Baoyu, so he hurriedly said, "In that case, you should go back with me!"

At the end, he explained to Jia Zhen: "This Tiekan Temple is a place to stop spirits. It is not as clean as a home. Besides, there have always been different opinions about ghosts and gods. Baoyu has always been more arrogant. It's not good if you bump into anything. It's better to follow along." I'll go back!"

When Jia Zhen heard this, she took it for granted.After all, Baoyu has been nagging since he was born. If he really let him do something for such a trivial matter, I am afraid the old lady will not be happy.Then he waved his hands and smiled and said, "Brother Bao is rich in body and has the character of a daughter. How can you treat me like a group of men. It's better for brother Xue to bring him back, so as not to make it difficult for the old lady to explain."

After finishing speaking, he personally ordered the boy to prepare chariots and horses, and prepared to send him back.

Seeing this, Qin Zhong shouted eagerly: "Baoyu..."

Xue Pan frowned at the look of hesitating to speak.

Jia Baoyu himself is soft and muddleheaded, and he can't bear to be lenient to people with good looks.Seeing Qin Zhong's appearance, he felt that half of his bones were brittle, and hurriedly stepped forward and said calmly: "The deceased is gone, don't be too sad."

"Can't you stay with me?" Qin Zhong's eyes were a little red, and he looked at Jia Baoyu with hope.

Jia Baoyu looked back at Xue Pan with some embarrassment.

Xue Pan frowned, could only sigh, and said, "You can do whatever you want."

For Xue Pan, he will put the road that I think is good in front of you, but he will never decide for you.In the end, Jia Baoyu still couldn't resist Qin Zhong's offensive of tears, so he nodded repeatedly and agreed to stay with Qin Zhong in Tiekan Temple for one night.

When Xue Pan saw this, he just pulled Baoyu out while no one was paying attention, and ordered some words such as "Take the dead first, and don't do inexplicable things", and then got into the carriage and went back to Zhongxinhou's mansion.

Because of Qin Keqing's death, everyone in the Xue family was not very excited.It was rare to have a quiet dinner, and everyone had some conversations during the meal.Mrs. Xue just simply lamented the unlucky life of her beauty, on the contrary, Xue Zhizhang has added a sense of depression these days.Only Xue Baochai didn't know Qin Keqing well at first, and because she was busy preparing for her marriage, and also heard some rumors in rumors, she didn't look sad.From time to time, he comforted Mrs. Xue not to be too sad, and served her diligently, and her appearance was much more mature than that of the children in the past.Seeing it in his eyes, Xue Pan sighed again.

Let's just eat dinner, after drinking tea.Everyone dispersed, Xue Pan returned to Wenrou Township with his hands behind his hands, and after ordering the girls in the room to wash and undress, his tired body fell down on the bed spontaneously after a day of exhaustion.Close your eyes and you will have nothing to say all night.

The next morning, it was rare for Xue Pan to sleep late.After washing under the service of the maid, I ordered someone to call the steward in charge of stone, wood and luxury goods in Beijing to Wenrou Township while eating.Instruct everyone to collect the best gold, silver, copper, tin, earth, wood, bricks and tiles as soon as possible for later use.

Regarding Xue Pan's inexplicable orders that appeared from time to time, all the stewards accepted calmly.Only a little disagreement appeared when discussing the implementation strategy.

"It's not impossible to mobilize a large number of good-quality civil, wood, bricks and tiles from the south, but it's freezing cold, the distance is long, and the cost is high. Now it's a bit of a hasty mobilization. It is very difficult to block the news without being noticed by outsiders... To be honest, it is very difficult." The steward in charge of this aspect shook his head and sighed.Some didn't understand and asked: "With the financial and material resources of my Xue family, the materials stored in the store in Beijing are now enough to last until the end of next year. Why don't we wait until the beginning of spring and the road is ready before mobilizing?"

"If you want to be a successful businessman, the most important thing is to grasp the opportunity. You don't have to wait until the spring of next year. I am afraid that there will be big news at the end of this year. By then, all the companies will be ready, and the cost of raw materials may rise many times out of thin air. Two things I also lost the best business opportunity." Xue Pan said, and casually used the tea cover to shake the tea leaves, and said: "What I, Xue Pan, always don't like to be left behind. For example, today's matter, if If others take the lead, then I won’t do it.”

Everyone's heart trembled, and they quickly got up and said respectfully: "Please rest assured, sir, but in a month or so, the things ordered by you will definitely be done."

Only then did Xue Pan smile, wave his hand and say, "In fact, everyone's purpose is the same, it's just to make more money. If you work harder before the end of the year, everyone's year-end red envelopes will be richer, right? ?”

Everyone obediently agreed.Xue Pan gave a few more words of relief, and then released the stewards.

When they left Zhongxinhou's Mansion, everyone still sighed for a while.

"It's only been a year, and the majesty of the uncle has become more and more serious."

"This is the so-called close Zhu Zhechi. I heard that our uncle has a very good relationship with the Holy One. Presumably, the longer he stays with the nobles of the Tian family, the more solemn he becomes..."

Xue Pan didn't know what these people were talking about behind his back.After finally telling him what he was thinking about, the contented Xue Pan was just about to take off his clothes and lie down when he heard a report that a young master named Feng had come to visit.

Xue Pan raised his eyebrows suspiciously, and asked, "But Mr. Feng Ziying from General Shenwu's family?"

The boy who delivered the report shook his head and said: "It's not him, he's a young man who doesn't know him. He looks like a southerner."

"Native from the south, surnamed Feng?" Xue Pan was confused for a moment.But since the other party wanted to see him by name, he should recognize him.

Thinking of this, Xue Pan opened his mouth and said: "Let people go to the side hall so that you can receive them, and I will go out right away."

The kid responded and hurried down.

Xue Pan ordered Hongxiu to come over and dress him, while muttering inexplicably, "Southerners..."

While tidying up for Xue Pan, Hong Xiu casually said, "Isn't it the rich man from Jinling who was married by the uncle back then?"

Xue Pan's heart moved, and he asked, "You mean Feng Yuan?"

Hongxiu nodded, and said, "Feng is a freshman. He is from the south, and he knows the uncle. After thinking about it, he is the only one!"

Xue Pan looked at Hongxiu, and said with a teasing smile: "You still have a deep impression on him, don't you have a secret heart?"

Hongxiu sneered and said: "How is it possible, I just think that this young man is quite benevolent, and he actually married that little girl who was trafficked, and took her family over from a long distance away. It is a rare kindness People. I remembered it in a short time."

After dressing up, Xue Pan left the gentle village in a leisurely manner.Going along the Chaoshou verandah and directly into the side hall of the front yard, I saw a young gentleman dressed in Sichuan brocade sitting on a chair.Xue Pan took a closer look, and found out that he was the infatuated son Feng Yuan whom he met a few years ago.

I haven't seen him for a few years, but Feng Yuan is still the same.It's just described as more and more peaceful.The brows are full of happiness and harmony, and I think the little life is not bad.

Xue Pan twitched the corner of his mouth slightly, stepped forward and said, "Mr. Feng is doing well, how have you been these few years?"

Feng Yuan was sitting on the chair in a daze, when Xue Pan suddenly called out and jumped a little.Quickly got up and said: "Feng Yuan, the grass man, has seen the young master, and the young master is safe."

As he said that, he bowed down and knelt down.

Xue Pan hurriedly stepped aside, dragged Feng Yuan up from the ground with a smile and said, "There is no need to be so polite. We can be regarded as old acquaintances... By the way, I heard that you married that abducted little girl. Now How are you doing? Back then, I was too busy to attend your wedding banquet."

Feng Yuan said with a simple and honest smile: "If the young master hadn't been perfect, I wouldn't be able to get married with my wife. Feng Yuan will never forget the great kindness of the young master."

Xue Pan returned Feng Yuan to his seat, looked around, and said again: "I remember that there is a very loyal old servant beside you. He also came with you?"

Feng Yuan interjected: "He also went to Shenjing with us, and now he is making arrangements to accommodate his wife and eldest daughter. I am grateful for the kindness of the young master, so I come here to kowtow first."

Xue Panhu questioned: "Big girl?"

Feng Yuan said shyly, "It's my daughter, she's one year old this year."

Xue Pan said in surprise, "Really, that's great."

As he said that, he quickly winked at the maid who was waiting on the side, and told her to go out and tell people to buy gifts.

Feng Yuan said again: "The Caomin family can live so peacefully and beautifully, it all depends on the kindness of the little Marquis back then. However, the Caomin family is weak and soft-spoken, so they can't help the Marquis. This time when I come to Beijing, I have a chance to It is good to kowtow to the young master, if the young master can show his face, let the grass-roots buy a table to thank the young master for his kindness and express gratitude. That would be even better."

Xue Pan immediately smiled and said, "You want to treat me to a drink? That's the best. I like to eat and drink for nothing."

He made a joke, and said seriously: "But you just came to the capital, if you don't come to see me, it's fine. Since I'm here today, let me do my best as a landlord, and I will cleanse you first."

Feng Yuan was shocked and quickly got up to evade.In the end, he couldn't resist Xue Pan's stubbornness, so he blushed and responded excitedly.

Xue Pan's habit is that he doesn't like to invite people to drink during the day.So the two made an appointment to meet at Fuyuan Hall in the evening.Anyway, it is their own property, so there is no need to call and make a reservation in advance.Xue Pan simply sent someone to the inn to help Anzhi and Feng's family, while he kept Feng Yuan for questioning.

"I remember that you are not a businessman traveling all over the world. Why did you suddenly remember to come to the capital? Could it be to visit relatives and friends?"

But if you are visiting relatives and friends, you naturally have to live in the other party's home, so why stay in a hotel?

Sure enough, Feng Yuan laughed and said: "It's just that I want to accompany my wife around. I have already gone to Suzhou and Yangzhou, and I heard people say that the prosperity of central Beijing is incomparable to other places. It just so happens Caomin also wanted to develop in Beijing, so they took advantage of the years ago to walk around. This time, they will also take care of themselves when they come here."

It was quite fun.

Xue Pan nodded, and asked again: "What do you do with the two shops in Beijing? Tell me, maybe I can help you. I don't know."

Seeing this, Feng Yuan quickly declined and said: "I have already relied on the kindness of the young master a lot, how can I take care of the family affairs under the honor of the young master. I am very embarrassed."

Xue Pan waved his hand nonchalantly and said, "We are just talking casually. And I sincerely treat you as a friend, so why do you mind so much? Besides, my family started as a businessman, so maybe we are in a cooperative relationship. You might as well speak out and listen. , If there is no profit and only a loss, I will forget it."

Seeing what he said, Feng Yuan couldn't shirk it.Can't help but say: "It's not a big deal. It's just some building timber and the latest Western gadgets. My son also knows that my family has several forests in Jinling. Now the timber has grown, and the color is very good. .It just happened that a batch was shipped over, and they are going to be put in the shop after the spring of next year."

This is exactly how to send a pillow when you want to sleep!

Xue Pan was overjoyed when he heard the words, and said again and again: "What a coincidence, what a coincidence."

Feng Yuan was puzzled and asked why,

Xue Pan then told all the stewards in central Beijing to go south to buy stone, bricks and tiles this morning.Feng Yuan also thought that the coincidence was unbelievable, so the two lowered their heads to discuss, and within a few words, Xue Pan immediately bought the wood and Western machines brought by Feng Yuan at a price [-]% higher than the market price.In an instant, everything in Feng Yuan's hands belonged to Xue Pan.

Unintentionally planting willows and willows into the shade, Xue Pan's mood became better, and he asked immediately: "You said just now that you want to develop in Beijing. What kind of business are you going to do, and you have chosen the storefront. If not, I can help Bundle."

Feng Yuan was naturally grateful again.

Xue Pan decided to be a good person to the end, and when he learned that Feng Yuan had no place to stay in the capital, he directly ordered Yao Bin to send someone to find a house with a good location in the capital and give it to Feng Yuan.Feng Yuan insisted on not accepting it, so he had to return the money he bought to Xue Pan.Xue Pan didn't shirk, and waved his hand to signal Yao Bin to take it and put it on the account.

All affairs can only be completed within a day.When it was time to light the lamps at night, Feng Yuan looked at the land deed in the brocade box in front of him, secretly speechless.

When I first came to Beijing, I heard that Zhongxinhou's Mansion is now a celebrity around the Holy One, and they are in the limelight.Feng Yuan didn't take it seriously at first, but now, judging from the efficiency of this work alone, the power of the Xue family can be seen.

In the evening, Xue Zhizhang also came back.As usual, Feng Yuan kowtowed to thank him.

Xue Zhizhang still has some impressions of this good person and good deed that he also participated in.Immediately invite Feng Yuan to stay for dinner.Mrs. Xue, who was a little depressed because of Qin's death, also picked up Mrs. Feng's family with great interest. When she saw Yuxue's cute big girl wrapped in swaddling clothes, her eyes almost straightened.He sighed again and again: "I don't know when my family Pan'er will let me report to my grandson."

At dinner, it was natural that Zhen Yinglian ate with the female family members of the Xue family, while Feng Yuan drank with the Xue family father and son.Needless to say, there was no need to elaborate on the greetings during the period. After the dinner was over and the person was sent to the guest house for resettlement, Mrs. Xue discussed with Xue Zhizhang with her hair loose and said, "Pan'er is 16 years old after the new year. Can we discuss his marriage?" ?”

Xue Zhizhang smiled with great interest: "Why, did you get greedy when you saw Da Ya today?"

Mrs. Xue smiled at Xue Zhizhang: "Don't you want to be a grandfather?"

Xue Zhizhang was silent for a moment, and said: "Pan'er's marriage may not be decided by ourselves."

Mrs. Xue frowned suspiciously and asked, "What does the master mean?"

Xue Zhizhang sighed softly, and said: "The Holy Majesty has just ascended the throne, and the foundation is not too stable. Now at this juncture, every move of our Xue family attracts attention. If there is a slight mistake, the family will decline. In my opinion, Pan My son's marriage is still on hold for the time being, let's talk about it when the government is clear!"

Mrs. Xue heard the words, and said with some dissatisfaction: "The purpose of being an official in the court is not to glorify the lintel and honor the ancestors. Now even my son's marriage is tabooed, and he is not comfortable in Jinling."

Xue Zhizhang lightly patted Mrs. Xue on the shoulder, and persuaded: "Don't be impatient. As long as we try our best to help the Holy Majesty to secure a stable position, Pan'er's future doesn't have to be worried. When the time comes, there will be no women in the boudoir who will like him." ?”

Mrs. Xue thought about it for a while, and it was not the case.Only the higher the status of one's own family, the daughter who proposes to marry will have more choices.In Mrs. Xue's heart, her son must be worthy of the best, even if he marries a princess.Just wait and wait.There is a saying that a good meal is not afraid of being late!

Hearing this, Xue Zhizhang said with a smile that was not a smile: "You still want to marry the princess, how dare you think..."

The third watch drum was played outside, Xue and his wife stopped talking, closed their eyes and fell asleep in a daze.

After Qin's funeral, Xue Pan keenly noticed that the number of Rongguo Mansion's overt and secret inquiries into the palace increased.Walking around with four kings and eight males became more and more frequent.Jia Baoyu, who had no city mansion in his chest, complained in front of Xue Pan several times that Mrs. Wang often forced him to go to the Beijing Palace.Although Jia Baoyu admires the character and demeanor of King Beijing very much, the frequent visits and warm greetings make Baoyu, who already likes to hang out, feel overwhelmed.

Xue Pan couldn't help sighing secretly when he saw this amorous young man, and even secretly encouraged Baoyu to obey him.In the open, go to the Beijing Prince's Mansion to greet Shui Rong, but in the dark, he can wander outside for a period of time until returning to the mansion at night.Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Wang are the wives of the deep house, can they still follow Baoyu outside?

Baoyu got the advice and suddenly realized that it was just to perfuse Mrs. Wang's urging at first.It's been a long time, and I'm used to wandering outside. From time to time, I invite Feng Ziying, Wei Ruolan and other acquaintances to come out for a drink and chat, and the friendship will increase.This is an unintentional achievement, so there is no need to elaborate on it for a while.

On the one hand, Xue Pan instigated Baoyu to perfunctory, but on the other hand, he consciously drew a clear line between his own business and outside affairs and Rongning and Ningfu.He even added a new face named Lian Ying to his entourage.Because he did it secretly, and this person is really an inconspicuous little person, apart from his own family being a little weird, no outsiders noticed it.

Only Xue Pan and Zhaocai Jinbao, who are closest to him, knew that this company was transferred from the sticky pole under Tu Zhen's hands.

In Tu Zhen's view, Xue Pan's caution was unnecessary.After all, there are already many hidden threads around Xue Pan, and now he has taken the initiative to transfer a bright stake to his side, which feels like a waste of resources.It's just that Xue Pan couldn't stand Xue Pan's repeated pleadings, and Tu Zhen couldn't resist, but he couldn't laugh or cry several times in his heart.

As for this paralyzed colleague who suddenly parachuted into the air, Zhaocai and Jinbao also had a lot of slander in private.It's not because of other reasons, it's just that people are so fresh after all, and men are easier to get along with. If a new person comes, two old people who want to make money and treasure must invite each other to eat wine and so on.However, this paralyzed face ate and drank, but he was so bored that he didn't say a word.Only Mu's face followed behind everyone, as if behind the scenes.Although they were silent, it became more and more conspicuous in the hearts of the two of them.

It's just that the identities of the company are different. Although Zhaocai and Zhaocai are a little dissatisfied, they dare not go too far.He had no choice but to hold back his breath, pretending that this person didn't exist anymore.

While everyone was getting used to each other, Jia Zheng's birthday came.