Anhui's commercial tax is not very low, 5 percent, but the province does not take a penny, and the messy bed board tax, dung donation, chariot and horse tax and other Manchu harsh taxes and miscellaneous taxes have been abolished. The business of Anqing City has become extremely prosperous, and businessmen from all over the country have gone to Anhui to do business and enjoy the rare peace in this troubled world. Although Chai Dongliang's tax ratio is low, the total amount of tax revenue is very large. In August 1912, the province's tax revenue reached a record-breaking 5.7 million silver dollars, equivalent to 3.7 million silver dollars. Gao Ming, secretary general of the Military Advisory Office, was almost unanimously elected governor of Jiangxi by the Jiangxi Provincial Council Bureau, and after submitting it to the Senate and the presidential palace, it was also approved immediately. In fact, whether to approve or not to approve is a matter of formality, and the day after the election of the Jiangxi Provincial Council was passed, Gao Ming went to take office.

Where did the members of the Jiangxi Provincial Council know who Gao Ming was, but the people of the Anhui Chamber of Commerce visited them like a stream and promised to set up an industrial park in Jiujiang, and all the members who voted for Gao Ming could have priority in buying shares. What has happened to the businessmen in Anhui who invested in the Wuhu Industrial Park, especially the Wu family, whose family property was only one million silver dollars half a year ago, and now it is worth more than 10 million. Jiangxi's parliamentarians' eyes were red, and they patted their chests and promised that Gao Ming would be made the governor of Jiangxi. The former acting governor Lu Kegong had already been exhausted by the newspaper's attack, and immediately announced his resignation after taking 300,000 silver dollars.

The disaster victims all over Jiangxi Province have become the biggest problem, Chai Dongliang once allocated two million silver dollars, only to barely appease, if there is no follow-up capital investment of tens of millions in the future, the chaos in Jiangxi can not be stopped at all.

The largest notebook in Anqing City, "Tianxiang Pavilion", has just opened less than half a year, but it has been famous throughout the province. Disciples from all over the country have spent a lot of money to come here just for a night's joy. The reason is very simple, the old bustard here is called Yanxi, and she is the widow of Sun Tiansheng, the former governor of Yangzhou. Yan Xi was originally a red man, and followed Sun Tiansheng to Yangzhou and became the wife of the governor for a few days. After the salt lord Xu Baoshan entered Yangzhou, Sun Tiansheng [***] died, and Yan Xi cut his cheek with a short knife in order to avoid being ruined by the bandits. After Chai Dongliang led his troops into Yangzhou, he gave Yan Xi a sum of silver to let her settle down. Yan Xi had nothing else to do, so he gave full play to his advantages and set up a notebook in Anqing City.

Chinese people are interested in the lives of officials in their bones, and Sai Jinhua held a high banner in Yanjing City under the banner of "Lady Zhuangyuan", and suddenly the business was very popular. Yanxi, the Governor's wife, is no exception, and eight out of ten Lady Ke came to the courtyard just to see this old bustard.

Many people sighed that Yan liked a face that was as beautiful as a flower, and on the other hand it was as hideous as a rakshasa, so they gave her the nickname "Half-faced Guanyin".

Zhang Taiyan does not accept concubines in his life but likes to go to the Ji Yuan to hang out, in his words, he loves to listen to the words of the Ji girl, he has been famous for Yan Xi for a long time, and he wants to go and see. Chai Dongliang and Gao Chuguan also accompanied him to the "Tianxiang Pavilion". In order not to attract attention, none of the Gurkha guards did not use, and the cars did not drive, they went by rickshaw, Fang Qingyu took a few guards in civilian clothes, and also followed behind them in a rickshaw.

The ghost slaves in the courtyard didn't know Chai Dongliang and them, and when they saw Zhang Taiyan's rags, his robe was full of holes in cigarette butts, and his body was smelly, so he was ready to drive him away, until Chai Dongliang threw a piece of foreign money over, and he welcomed them into the gate with joy.

The turtle slave led them upstairs, and after placing melon seeds, peanuts, fruits, candied fruits, hookahs, cigarette rolls, and other things, he earnestly asked them if they knew each other. Zhang Taiyan wanted to see Yanxi, and the turtle slave was also used to this kind of thing, so he smiled and apologized, saying that the old bustard Yanxi was about to give birth, and it was inconvenient to meet, so she would wait until she gave birth to the child and sat in confinement, and then came to accompany her.

When Chai Dongliang saved Yan Xi, she was already pregnant with Sun Tiansheng's child, and she was about to give birth. Zhang Taiyan had no choice but to give up, calling his life shallow and not seeing this legendary woman.

At this moment, the cries of several little girls came from next door, followed by the scolding of a young woman.

"What's wrong with being a bitch? What's so bad about being a bitch? Everyone scolded the courtyard as a fire pit, if there was no fire pit for the stinky man to vent the fire, this street would be so prosperous? How many men have come to us at home, and they are not ordinary faces? Look at those rich businessmen and rich people with heads and faces, and those councilors of the Council, which one is not a frequent visitor to the Qinglou? Besides, the ancients said that if you teach people bliss, you will have more than you can enjoy. Those women from good families must suffer from the three obedience and four virtues, and the door of being controlled by others does not go out of the second door, where can we be happy and happy? To do our business, we must be proficient in piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and the talented women of the Qinglou are women's virtues; The sound of the warbler swallow language, gentle and pleasant flattery, this is the woman's words of our line; Thousands of charming, so that the benefactor who comes to play is pleasing to the eye and called the woman's appearance; Pinlian's makes all kinds of miraculous skills, and can make men happy like fairies, which can be called women's skills??? Ordinary people in the world and those shrews who can't control their husbands and sons scold the streets, and they ignore them, as if they are listening to the barking of dogs???? You little prodigal hooves should learn a little bit for the old lady, if you don't obey obediently, be careful of your skin! ”

The two houses are only separated by thin walls, Chai Dongliang and the others heard it clearly, and immediately burst into laughter!

Zhang Taiyan leaned forward and closed, almost fell off the chair, covered his stomach and praised: "Good, good, what a Qinglou Side!" Shame on Confucius! ”

Chai Dongliang heard it clearly, although this word was vulgar, but the voice was as pleasant as a yellow warbler, it was the old bustard of the "Tianxiang Pavilion", the wife of the governor of Yangzhou, Yanxi!

Chai Dongliang smiled at the spray rice, it seems that spoofing classics is not the patent of the 21st century.

"Go, call me Yan Xi, who is scolding next door, and say that the old man in Yangzhou wants to see him!" Chai Dongliang said to the turtle slave with a smile.

The turtle slave was stunned for a moment, and then said respectfully: "It turned out to be my mother's acquaintance, I'll go and invite, a few masters will wait." ”

Gao Chuguan said with a smile: "If you learn all these four virtues, I'm afraid you will be invincible in the officialdom!" ”

Zhang Taiyan waved his hand again and again: "Where can officialdom compare to Qinglou?" The Qinglou is clear and the real price, she makes you happy when you pay the silver, in the officialdom, you have to be angry after you pay the silver, you can't compare, you can't compare, don't insult the Qinglou woman in vain! ”

The crowd burst into laughter again. It's just that Chai Dongliang and the others are all officials, and they can't help but be a little embarrassed after laughing.

After a while, I saw a woman with Liujia in her arms walking over with difficulty with the support of two little maids. When she saw Chai Dongliang, she was stunned at first, and then a smile appeared on her face.

Chai Dongliang and Yan Xi had met once, but at that time she had a slender waist, and to put it a little exaggeratedly, even if she swallowed a melon seed, it could make people think that she was pregnant. Now Yanxi, her waist is comparable to a bucket, her face is even fatter than a disc, and half of her hair hangs down to cover her broken cheeks.

If it weren't for the fact that half of the head covering her face betrayed her identity, Chai Dongliang wouldn't have dared to believe that the fat woman in front of him was Yan Xi.

"This morning, the magpie kept barking on the branches, and Yan Xi knew that there was a distinguished guest who wanted to go up, and after waiting for a whole day, he thought he was wrong, and he didn't expect that the governor was coming." Yan Xi said with a smile.

Chai Dongliang also smiled: "Mrs. Sun is still so good at talking. I haven't seen you for more than half a year, and your business has made such a big deal! ”

Yan Xi smiled bitterly: "I am also forced to insult my late husband's reputation, I am really ashamed!" The governor still calls me Yan Xi, it sounds kinder, and Mrs. Sun listens to it. ”

Chai Dongliang was secretly funny, no one in the world knew that Sun Tiansheng was born as a turtle slave, Yan Xi opened the Ji Yuan so big, Sun Tiansheng was afraid that he would be unable to close his mouth with a smile in the spirit of heaven. Where can we talk about any humiliation?

Yan Xi glanced at the turtle slave: "There is no eyesight for the price, and the guests don't know how to wait, how can you let the governor and a few guests sit empty?" Go and close the door, and let Cui Nong and Han Yan come out to accompany the guests. ”

Zhang Taiyan waved his hand and said: "Miss Yanxi doesn't have to work hard to move the crowd, we are here to visit Mrs., it is already a blessing to be able to meet Mrs. Xiang, and I was fortunate to listen to Mrs. Lady's teachings just now, it is really worth the trip!" ”

Yan Xi was stunned: "Teachings? How dare you do this? Then asked Chai Dongliang with a smile: "The governor hasn't introduced your friends yet, and Yan Xi doesn't know what to call them." ”

Yanxi's business is extremely moving, but her body is already bloated, Chai Dongliang always feels weird, and feels that such a pleasant voice should not come from the mouth of a fat woman.

"Oh, this is Mr. Xiang Yuan, this is Brother Ade, and this is Mr. Binglin. This is my little brother Fang Muchen. Chai Dongliang introduced them one by one.

Yan Xi greeted them one by one, and suddenly exclaimed, "Aren't you the world-famous Mr. Zhang Binglin?" ”

Zhang Taiyan laughed and said, "What is famous all over the world? It's not worth a name! But just now I heard Miss Yanxi teach those girls in the Qinglou, and Zhang benefited a lot! ”

Only then did Yan Xi understand that they had heard the words he had just scolded those chicks, and they couldn't help but blush.

Zhang Taiyan said with a smile: "If you have the four virtues, how can you not have the three virtues?" Just now, inspired by Miss Yanxi, I thought of a story that can be matched with Miss Yanxi's four virtues. ”

Gao Chuguan hurriedly said, "Please tell me about it, sir." ”

Zhang Taiyan picked up a cigarette roll from the table, Yan Xi wanted to light it for him with his own hands, he hurriedly shirked it, and in the end a little maid helped him light it.

"When the former Qing Dynasty was in time, it was just in time for the year of Dabi, there was a knife and pen official surnamed Zhao in Shaoxing, and he only had one son under his knees, named Zhao Xiuqi, which was the meaning of self-cultivation and Qi family. That Zhao Xiuqi has already won the lifting of people and wants to take the Jinshi exam. Before leaving, the sword and pen officer instructed, 'My son is skilled, and if he goes to the capital to take the exam, he will definitely go to high school, but do you know how to be an official?' Zhao Xiuqi was busy asking his father for secrets. The sword and pen officer solemnly said, "It has been half a lifetime since my father entered the public gate, and he has read all the officialdom." If you want to be proud in the officialdom, you must have three subordinates, do you know which three subordinates? ”

Zhang Taiyan's eloquence is excellent, and the story is told eloquently, so that everyone can't help but listen to it. Yu Qiaqing urged: "Mr. Binglin, don't sell Guanzi, please speak!" ”

Zhang Taiyan spat out a smoke ring and said with a smile: "The knife and pen official said to his son that the three subordinates of officialdom are: if the boss has something to say, you must obey it; The boss comes and goes, and you must follow; The boss is strategic, and you must blindly follow. Listen and follow everyone knows, but those who are still difficult will blindly obey. The kid first entered the officialdom, like a newborn calf, clinging to the difference between right and wrong, and it is inevitable that there will be contradictory opinions, which is a big taboo. You have to listen to yourself and blindly follow it.'"

Gao Chuguan shouted: "It's really a speech that breaks the ugliness of officialdom, it's good, it's wonderful!" ”

Zhang Taiyan laughed and said: "Yeshi Village Yan, it's not worth laughing at the Fang family!" ”

Chai Dongliang also listened to itchy, and hurriedly asked: "The story won't be so simple, right?" Let's talk about it! ”

Yan Xi also echoed: "The story of the gentleman is really good, and the slaves and maids are fascinated by it." ”

Zhang Taiyan likes to be poured rice soup, but the amount is not large, and he was touted by Yan Xi's two sentences, which made him float up at that time.

He took a puff of cigarette and continued: "Then Zhao Xiuqi asked his father again: 'What if you do three things? 'Zhao scribe said' always remember the three from, the official heart is happy, there are four things: the mountains and seas can be eaten, the gold and silver treasures can be obtained, the eight sides of the majesty can be played, and the soaring yellow and soaring will be obtained. Looking at the world, what kind of business can be so profitable? Zhao Xiuqi was overjoyed and said, "With this officialdom secret, the child should live up to his father's expectations, and his father and other children can be happy!" ’”

After listening to this, everyone couldn't help but wonder, isn't this what the officialdom of the Qing Dynasty looks like! When the boss is happy, even if he dies, he has to grin, and when the boss is unhappy, even if he just marries his daughter-in-law Xiao Dengke, he has to pretend to be a mourner.

Gao Chuguan shook his head again and again and said: "It's a good one to get three from four, it turned out to be a word that was obtained??? It's just a great misfortune to let such a person be an official! ”

Zhang Taiyan laughed and said: "The story is not finished yet, everyone can listen to it with peace of mind." ”

Everyone thought that they were done, and they were immediately interested.

Zhang Taiyan swallowed the clouds and spit out the fog, and said: "It is said that although Zhao Xiuqi obtained the secret of officialdom, but he didn't have time to show it, he entered the capital, and saw the prosperity of Yanjing for the first time, and was dazzled. In the end, he fell to Sun Shan, returned to his hometown without shame, and became a beggar in the capital. When his father heard this, he was so angry that he vomited blood and died. ”

Everyone shouted in unison: "Good, good, if such a person is an official, it is really harmful to the world!" ”

Zhang Taiyan stood up and respectfully bowed to Yan Xi: "If it weren't for the merits of the Qinglou woman, wouldn't Zhao Xiuqi be an official?" Another people will suffer! The Qinglou woman is a great achievement! ”

After Yan Xi's eyes rolled, she said with a smile: "Since the woman in the Qinglou has such a meritorious service, how about Yan Xi dare to ask Mr. Zhang Binglin to write a plaque?" Also shine on the lintel of the 'Tianxiang Pavilion'. ”

Zhang Binglin shook his head with a smile and said, "This 'Tianxiang Pavilion' is too vulgar, why don't you call it the 'Four Virtue Courtyard'?" ”

Yan Xi was stunned: "What does this mean?" ”

Zhang Binglin laughed and said: "I am proficient in piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and the talented women of the Qinglou are women's virtues; The sound of the warbler swallow language, gentle and pleasant flattery, this is the woman's words of our line; Thousands of charming, so that the benefactor who comes to play is pleasing to the eye and called the woman's appearance; Pinlian's makes all kinds of miraculous skills, and can make men happy like fairies, which can be called women's skills??? This Qinglou woman's virtue and speech skills are thousands of times stronger than the four of the officialdom, how can it not be passed on to future generations? ”

Yan Xi listened to him repeat his words completely, and he was able to do it word for word, and he didn't have the slightest contempt for the woman in the Qinglou, and he added a little respect to this disheveled and smelly Zhang Binglin.

(To be continued)