Zhangjiakou is more than 300 miles away from the capital, Cao Hao, Tang Zhiyu and two subordinate officials of the Taifu Temple with their respective family members, a group of more than 10 people set off from the capital on the afternoon of March 28, and arrived at Zhangjiakou Station on the afternoon of March 30.

When everyone dismounted, Cao Hao and the others were fine, but Tang Zhiyu's body was already stiff, and he was out of breath and couldn't speak. The little servant he brought with him hurriedly helped him off the horse, and said very worriedly: "Master......

Tang Zhiyu gasped and got off the horse, his legs no longer together. Cao Hao watched from the sidelines, and he couldn't bear it.

Tang Zhiyu is a southerner, with a thin appearance, in his forties, and is from a professional background. At this time, people in their forties can call themselves "old", and his body bones are really not tossed.

There are four chief officials and adjutants of Taifu Temple, and Tang Zhiyu is also Cao Hao's thoughts. Lu Jingyuan is a decoration, so he only came to the yamen to drink tea and spend time, Tang Zhiyu is a Han official, and he stayed in Taifu Temple to preside over the government affairs of the subordinate officials, and it is difficult to say whether he believes it or not, and he will offend Yi Duli. Therefore, Cao Hao chose Tang Zhiyu to accompany him.

Now it seems that letting Tang Zhiyu ride a horse with him seems to be a little difficult for him.

Yicheng had already greeted him, and Zhang Yi stepped forward with the documents and explained the identities of everyone.

Because everyone was wearing regular clothes, Yi Cheng didn't expect that Cao Hao, the youngest among the people, was the chief official, and thought that Tang Zhiyu was. Originally, I thought that even if I was a third-grade official, I would not be rewarded if I was designated.

However, seeing Tang Zhiyu wearing a half-new and not old gown, and the damaged and somewhat faded official boots, the heat in Yi Cheng's heart decreased a little. It seems that he is still a "clean official". The more such an official, the more impatient the post station is to receive it, not to mention the reward, and to put on official prestige, it is not annoying.

Although he was full of slander in his heart, Yi Cheng still bowed forward, and said with a smile to Tang Zhiyu: "There are a lot of officials who have gone out of the mouth these days, and the upper room was full. The other adults, I'm afraid I'm going to ......," he said, looking at the others.

When he saw Cao Hao, the Yicheng was silent. Although Cao Hao is dressed ordinarily, the horses around him are first-class good horses. In addition, at this moment, Cao Hao was smiling, watching Yi Cheng and Tang Zhiyu talking, and Yi Cheng was a little bottomless.

"Other adults, I'm afraid I'm going to ...... Wait a minute, let Xiaoguan see if he can vacate two more upper rooms. Na Yi Cheng wanted to say that he would let other people live in a worse room, but when the words came to his lips, he changed his words vividly.

Tang Zhiyu nodded, pointed at Cao Hao, and said to Na Yicheng: "This is Lord Cao of the Taifu Temple, if there is a room, I will ask you to lead Lord Cao to freshen up." ”

Cao Hao saw that Tang Zhiyu was no longer able to stand firmly, and Tang Shun, the little guy who came with him, was only a half-grown teenager, so he asked Zhao Tong to help Tang Zhiyu and said, "It's better for Lord Tang to go and rest first, it's really hard to rush these two days." ”

Seeing that he had recognized the wrong person, he was afraid that Cao Hao would be unhappy, so he hurriedly came forward to flatter.

While they were talking, the crowd entered the station. Yi Cheng saw that six of the thirteen people in his group were the entourage of this "Lord Cao", and this "Lord Cao" was appointed to the third rank at this age, obviously with some status, not an ordinary official. Therefore, he was also happy, so that someone moved another upper room to house Cao Hao and Tang Zhiyu. The other two subordinate officers did not have this good luck.

Although it is late spring, the weather here is slightly lower than in the capital. After Cao Hao finished grooming, Xiao Man turned out a thicker vest and asked Cao Hao to change it.

This time, in addition to Xiaoman, Wei Hei, Zhang Yi, and Zhao Tong, there were two long-term followers who went out of Beijing with Cao Hao. Because Cao Hao was temporarily appointed as a servant Siqing, and the long-term entourage around him was not enough, the old housekeeper told Cao Hao and made up for two more.

Dinner has been delivered, and it is nothing more than roast chicken and sauced meat. After dinner, Cao Hao thought about Tang Zhiyu's situation. This is to Zhangjiakou, only half of the walk, and another 300 miles to the north is the Harani Dunjing Ranch.

It takes two or three days to ride a horse, and looking at Tang Zhiyu's situation, he may not be able to stick to the place. It really can't be done, let him ride slowly in the car, and ride a horse by himself to take the first step. Cao Hao thought about it, but he still felt that it was more appropriate.

Before Cao Hao went to find Tang Zhiyu, he saw Xiao Man come in with a Huanghuali Baibao inlaid lotus root worship box.

Cao Hao saw that the worship box was not a mundane thing, and asked, "Which adult gave it?" ”

Xiao Man shook his head with a smile and said, "Where is the adult, it is the house slave of King Jian's mansion." Ye has also seen it, it is the nephew of Steward Cui of the Zhuangzi of Daxing Town, whose name is Cui Fei. Last year, I followed his uncle to our yamen. Now he has been promoted to the steward of the palace, and he is transporting wine out of his mouth. I heard that the uncle was here, so I handed over the worship box. ”

Cao Hao remembered that Cui Fei was a young man in his twenties, so he said to Xiao Man: "I'll go and see Lord Tang, let him come over and talk in a while!" ”

Xiao Man answered, and Cao Hao went to Tang Zhiyu next door.

The food was placed on the table, and it looked like only two chopsticks had been moved, and a mouthful of rice had not been moved. Although the doors and windows were open, the turbidity in the room was not dispersed.

Tang Zhiyu's face was innocent and a little ugly. Cao Hao looked at Tang Shun with a slightly inquiring gaze.

Tang Shun replied: "My old man has stomach pain, and he vomited after taking a bite, and he just drank half a glass of boiled water to get better." ”

Tang Zhiyu waved his hand at Tang Shun and said, "What are you talking about, why don't you go and ask for hot water and make tea for Lord Cao." ”

Tang complied, and Tang Zhiyu invited Cao Hao to sit down.

Cao Hao saw that he was stiff and it was very inconvenient to walk, and said: "It takes three trips to the ranch, and the official will take people over first, and Lord Tang will change the car tomorrow, right?" ”

When Tang Zhiyu heard this, his face turned red, and he hurriedly shook his head and said, "The lower officials are not in the way, and they will not delay the adult's trip!" ”

Cao Hao said: "Don't misunderstand Lord Tang, it's not because the itinerary is not scheduled, let's go to the ranch, we don't know how long we will stay, don't be in a hurry." If Lord Tang is injured in a hurry, he will delay his errand when it is time to employ people. It would be more appropriate to change the carriage and nourish the spirit on the road! ”

Seeing Cao Hao's sincere face, Tang Zhiyu was a little speechless. Although he was a little unconvinced, he also knew that if he tossed two more times, his bones would be scattered. Therefore, he stood up and thanked Cao Hao solemnly.

Cao Hao saw that he was straightforward, and unlike other literati who were full of flattery, he also admired him very much.

Seeing that he couldn't sit still, and his forehead was covered with fine sweat, Cao Hao didn't sit for a long time, said a few official words, and then took his leave first.

When he returned to the room, Cao Hao asked Xiaoman to summon Cui Fei over. came with Cui Fei, and there was a middle-aged man in his thirties. Not only was Cui Fei dressed very brightly, but the middle-aged man who came with him was also wearing a silk robe, which was not something that ordinary people could wear.

Cui Fei had entered Cao Hao, and when he saw him sitting at the table, he immediately came up and said a thousand words: "The little one has seen Cao Ye, please say hello to Cao Ye!" ”

Although he is clever, Cao Hao is not a person who puts on a show, and stretched out his hand to help: "Get up quickly, I didn't expect to see you here!" Are you from Beijing or from Yizhou? ”

Cui Fei got up and said solemnly: "The little one came to Yizhou, and when I came, I heard my uncle mention it, saying that Cao Ye went to the capital to celebrate his birthday." I just heard that it was the adult of Taifu Temple, and the small one should only be the same name, and when I saw the Xiaoman brothers, I knew that Cao Ye was promoted! As he spoke, he introduced Cao Hao: "This is Chen Junan Chen Ye, the uncle of Brother Jiu, who happens to be also stocking goods here in Zhangjiakou." Knowing that Cao Ye was there, he begged the little one to meet Cao Ye. ”

Brother Jiu's uncle Chen Jun'an, although Cao Hao is the first time he has met, he has been a long-admired name. This person has a shortage of alternate governors, but he acts like a businessman.

In the capital, Chen Junan is a well-known "wealth collector". But if he looks down on the shop, it won't be finished until he gets it. There are not ten businessmen who were forced to go bankrupt and hang themselves and jump into the river. To put it bluntly, he still relied on the momentum of the Ninth Elder Brother, and he was a mad dog under the Ninth Elder Brother.

"Cao Eyu, I have admired my name for a long time, and it is really an honor to see it today!" Chen Junan clenched his fists and smiled.

Seeing Chen Jun'an looking at himself with a sinister eyebrow, Cao Hao's heart felt a burst of disgust. If he didn't know that the villain was difficult and too lazy to cause trouble, he really wanted to get rid of this "money-collecting expert" immediately. Therefore, he just nodded and said, "Since you are here, please sit down and talk!" ”

Cui Fei hurriedly said: "In front of Cao Ye, how can there be a villain's seat?" It's more comfortable for the little ones to stand and talk back! ”

Chen Jun'an's side, but he sat down in a daze, and said with a smile: "Everyone in Beijing says that Cao Eyu is the tea boy next to the God of Wealth, but he doesn't believe it. Speaking of which, isn't it worthy of a 'God of Wealth'? As he spoke, he lifted Erlang's legs and looked at Cao Hao, with a smug look on his face.

This was said rudely, Cui Fei was listening, and his face had changed. While looking at Cao Hao's expression, he whispered to Chen Junan: "Master Chen......"

Where did I offend this person, why can I feel that there is jealousy in his eyes? Although Cao Hao was annoyed in his heart, he smiled on his face and asked, "What kind of allusion is this, but this official has heard of it for the first time?" It's a boy again, and it's the God of Wealth, and it sounds weird and lively. ”

Chen Junan raised his eyebrows and replied: "Isn't that the case, it is said that Cao Eyu has opened his eyes since he was a child, and he has to meet nobles and know the tea site." Jiu Ye was still suspicious at the beginning, if I hadn't told him, I am afraid that he would really want to ask Cao Efu about the deal. It's just that people outside are not aware of trouble, and they just spread false rumors, where is it so easy to buy and sell? Not everyone can run it! If someone doesn't do what they can, it's just themselves who are ashamed! ”

Although he didn't know very much, Cao Hao also heard a little from Chen Junan's sour words. Dare to love is afraid that Cao Hao will rob him of his job and become the person that Brother Jiu relies on.

It's really a big joke, if you're full, will you follow those unlucky brothers? Cao Hao was secretly funny in his heart, not to mention anything else, when Yongzheng settled the accounts after the autumn, Brother Jiu's "arson and murder" would definitely not be able to escape.

Playing tricks in the capital, where is the act of smart people? I don't know how many pigtails have been grabbed in my hands, but this Chen Junan was dazzled by the silver, and the ninth elder brother thought that the eighth elder brother's throne was in the palm of his hand, so he dared to be so unscrupulous!

Speaking of which, I also want to thank this Chen Junan, if it weren't for him tabooing himself, I was afraid that Brother Jiu would have been entangled. It's just that this person is really not a good person, and if he doesn't provoke himself, it's fine; If he doesn't open his eyes, then he has to think of a way to eliminate harm for the people.

Speaking of which, it is only the fifty-second year of Kangxi, and the eighth elder brother will still be prosperous for many years, if the matter is revealed and a grudge is formed, there may be some trouble in the future. However, if the matter is handled well, the suspicion that the Cao family is clinging to the eighth elder brother will be broken, and it can be regarded as a disguised surrender in front of the fourth elder brother. Even if the Li family is on the eighth elder brother, it will not even affect the Cao family.

Thinking of this, Cao Hao had a little more smile on his face, and nodded to Chen Jun'an and said: "That's right, that's right, this official is an official of the imperial court, and he has read through the books of sages since he was a child, where will he do business?" ”

Although Cao Hao smiled warmly, Chen Junan couldn't help but feel a chill. He couldn't help but wake up in his heart, put down Erlang's legs, and looked a little respectful.

Cao Hao asked Cui Fei a few words, and then served tea and sent it off.

Chen Junan returned to the room, but he was a little uneasy in his heart, was it a little too much for him to be so presumptuous? He suddenly remembered that Cao Hao led people to surround the Tenth Elder Brother's mansion the summer before last, and his back couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. The Heshuo forehead in front of him, although he looks kind, is a screwed person who does not enter oil and salt.

The prince of the county is not in his eyes, he is really nothing as an alternate county order, if there is really trouble, I am afraid that the master will be eager to dispose of himself and have a relationship with the Cao family. Looking at the meaning of the master in Pingyue, he is very willing to be involved with the Cao family.

Walking around the house, Chen Junan was still a little uneasy, and asked someone to take the worship post and send it to Cao Hao's room in person, along with a hundred taels of gold as filial piety.

Although these ingots are golden and look very bright, they really don't put them in Cao Hao's eyes. Just looking at Chen Junan's posture of "if you don't accept it, you look down on it" and "if you don't accept it, you will kneel", Cao Hao was really too lazy to talk to him, so he asked Xiaoman to take it, and asked Xiaoman to take the silver seal as a reward.

Where is Chen Junan willing to accept it? Cao Hao looked impatient and said, "What's the matter?" You can honor the master, but the master can't reward you? Don't you look down on me Cao! ”

Chen Junxin scolded in peace, he really kicked his nose in the face, and this still set up the master's score? However, because of his scruples and fear that Cao Hao would hold a grudge, he accepted it very respectfully and thanked Cao Hao for his reward.

When he returned to the room, Chen Junan opened the silver seal and took a look, but he was bluffing. Although it is said that it is three light and fluttering silver tickets, the weight is really not light, one thousand taels, two five hundred, a full two thousand taels.

Now the exchange of gold for silver is one tael for sixteen taels, that is, the hundred taels of gold sent by Chen Jun'an, which is only 1,600 taels of silver.

He breathed a sigh of relief, kind of relieved. Although Cao Hao did not accept his filial piety, he did not blame himself, otherwise he would not reward himself.

He pinched the silver ticket, looked left and right twice, and couldn't help but ponder again. Even if Cao Hao didn't blame himself, he didn't have a reason to reward himself? Is it for the sake of the master, or is it loose hands and feet, or is it ...... Favor and appreciate him?

Although in the social exchanges, everyone looks at Brother Jiu's face and calls him "Master Chen", but how many of them can really look down on him? It was his own brother, and when he mentioned that he mentioned trading and making a living, he frowned, for fear of being smoked by the smell of copper, and his eyes were full of contempt that could not be concealed.

* Beijing, outside Xihua Gate, Jueluo Mansion.

Xitara wrapped his head, lay on the kang in the main room, looked at Cao Yi who was holding a medicine bowl by the kang and said: "Just ask the maids to wait, you don't have to guard it personally, if you are tired, don't make Eniang feel distressed!" ”

Cao Yi used a spoon to hold some medicinal juice, put it to his lips and tested the temperature, and when he saw that it was still a little hot, he put the medicine bowl aside, and said with a smile: "Only allow Eniang to love her daughter-in-law, so you won't want your daughter-in-law to be filial to Eniang?" The doctor has already said that it is just a change of seasons, and it would be good to use a few more doses of medicine! ”

The Xitara clan sighed and said, "Because of Eniang, I tripped you up, and I didn't send you off to the eldest lord and wife of the in-laws." Although it is an uncle and aunt, but looking at their affection for you, it is your own daughter, and that's it! ”

Cao Yi lowered his head and said softly: "Well, my father and mother are very gracious, and my daughter-in-law always remembers them in my heart, and I dare not forget them for a moment." ”

The Hitara clan nodded and asked, "By the way, didn't I say a few days ago that my in-laws' wife and your little brothers were going to enter Beijing?" Is there a place for Tuer to exert force? None of them are outsiders, don't be outsiders. Although our family can't compare to the Pingwang Mansion, running errands or something, you man can still do it. ”

Cao Yi said with a smile: "My daughter-in-law originally wanted to go to the palace and ask the second sister, but now that my brother and sister-in-law are staying in Beijing, they have begun to make people clean up the empty houses in the mansion!" ”

Outside the house, at the gate.

Seshtu came back from the escort camp early because his mother was not feeling well, but he didn't expect that as soon as he arrived at the door, he saw his eldest brother-in-law Zhong Hai standing at the gate with a cold face.

Seshtu hurriedly turned over and dismounted, and asked, "Brother-in-law, didn't you say that you went to the mouth, why did you have time to come here today?" ”

Zhong Hai looked at the four-grade official uniform on Seshtu's body, snorted coldly, and said, "What's the matter?" Does the counselor look down on this poor relative of the little one, and it is also an eyesore to look at? ”

Seshtu was squeezed so red that he said with a smile: "Look at what my brother-in-law said, my younger brother can be regarded as a brother-in-law, where is that kind of ungrateful person?" ”

Zhong Hai's face softened slightly, and he frowned: "Then I'll let you help introduce your brother-in-law, why did you drag it out until now?" It's just a relative, is the Cao family still trembling? ”

Seshtu said: "Brother-in-law, don't get me wrong, E-niang is not feeling well these days, and my younger brother didn't go to Cao's mansion." ”

Zhong Hai's face was better, and he said, "That is the case, why didn't you send a letter to your eldest sister earlier, and we should also come over to visit the old lady early!" ”

With that, the two entered the house.

When the Hitara clan heard that the eldest son-in-law was going to visit the sick, he only said that he was impatient and tossed, and did not invite him to the backyard; He also made Seshtu tell Zhong Hai that there was no need to let his daughter come back. After a few days, she was refreshed, and she missed her daughter and grandson, so she would send someone to pick her up.

Zhong Hai got up and listened to Seshtu's message, and then sat down again, and said to Seshtu: "Originally, I wanted to go out of Beijing today, but because some things were delayed for a long time, I decided to go out of Beijing tomorrow." I'm here to give you pocket money! Now your family is different from usual, and there are many favors and entertainments, so you always need more input! ”

Seshtu knew that his brother-in-law was an expert in business, and said with a smile: "My brother-in-law still loves me, and my brother is also worried!" It turns out that although there are not many people, and the family is barely enough to chew, but now that he has been promoted, he can't use it! If it weren't for the Zhuangzi that your brother and sister married, there would be a deficit on the books! ”

Hearing this, Zhong Hai shook his head and said, "How can a man support his family, how can he expect a daughter-in-law's dowry?" I didn't have to let the Cao family laugh, and it was not easy for the younger brother to straighten up in front of them in the future. I'll go to the mouth tomorrow to buy leather goods and help you bring them back. Doesn't my mother-in-law have a cloth shop, and it's good to sell leather goods in winter! ”

Seshtu was a little embarrassed: "Brother-in-law, ...... that money"

Zhong Hai said with a smile: "This is on my brother-in-law, so I don't have to worry about it." I just happened to have some private money, and it didn't go to the public middle school, but my brother should not forget to divide his brother-in-law's profits! ”

Seshtu heard what his brother-in-law meant, not just to help him make money, but that his brother-in-law also made some money from outside, so he replied with a smile: "It's all up to my brother-in-law's arrangement, we are not outsiders, brother-in-law just watch it!" ”

Zhong Hai picked up the tea, was about to drink it, remembered something, and said to Seshtu: "By the way, your tea garden, we don't need to say good tea, even other teas made of tea bricks are also good to take." You have a number in mind, and I'll bring it for you in the future, or you can make the steward follow. Mongolians love this, although the yamen is regulated, but it is not in the way to bring less every time! ”

Seshtu responded, Zhong Hai said everything he should have said, didn't stay long, and went back to prepare his luggage.

(To be continued)