In the evening, Zhuang Huchen returned to Rong Bao Zhai after finishing his errands, and Yun Sheng leaned over: "Shopkeeper, Lord E has been looking for you several times." ”

Zhuang Huchen was a little surprised: "He is looking for me?" ”

"I've been waiting for you all afternoon, so let me tell you." Yun Sheng pouted, "Lord E, that down-and-out, just mention it." ”

"Not really, right?" Zhuang Huchen was skeptical.

"Maybe I'm just looking for you to borrow money to eat."

"Will you come here?" Zhuang Huchen still didn't believe it.

"I'm looking, hanging!" Yunsheng is very sure.

After a moment of silence, Zhuang Huchen said: "If this is the case, after two days, when I am busy with this stubble, you can go to the mansion of Lord E's and tell him that I will invite him to dinner in Hongxing Building." ”

"Paying off the Lord's Mansion? The house is sold, and now the Lord lives in a large compound on Nanheng Street. ”

Zhuang Huchen was taken aback: "Yo, I really didn't expect this." ”

A few days later, after receiving a message from Zhuang Huchen, Erqingni waited at the door of Hongxing Building early, wearing an old gray robe, hunched at the waist, his eyes glazed, and a scroll in his armpit. Zhuang Huchen walked over from a distance, and Erqingni greeted him: "Shopkeeper Zhuang, you can come." ”

Zhuang Huchen was stunned, but he didn't immediately recognize Erqingni: "Yo, Lord E, why are you like this?" ”

Erqingny sighed: "Alas! ”

"Let's go, let's talk while eating."

The two entered the Hongxing Building, sat down in a corner, and the cousin came over: "Two gentlemen, what are you doing?" ”

Zhuang Huchen didn't think twice: "Mud-wrapped stove chicken, stir-fried eel, this has to add coriander powder, and then a fried three coriander." Zhuang Huchen asked Erqingni: "What else do you add?" ”

Erqingni shook his head: "No, that's enough." ”

The cousin sang the dishes ordered by Zhuang Huchen again, and turned to leave. Erqingni's eyes turned red: "The shopkeeper of Zhuang, that is, you haven't forgotten me, now, I am silent every day, the earth should not be, and the trees are scattered!" ”

"What's wrong with you?"

"I can't think of wow, Daqing Kingdom, it's over when I'm done!"

Zhuang Huchen asked tentatively: "The Great Qing Kingdom is over, you won't be like this, right?" ”

"I was deceived by Aunt Seven."

"You've been treating her well, why did she cheat you?"

Erqingni sighed again: "Alas! As soon as the Qing Kingdom is over, there will be no income......" Halfway through the words, the cousin brought the food, and Erqingni couldn't resist the temptation of the food: "Zhuang shopkeeper, I'm not welcome." ”

Before the words fell, a chopstick fried shredded eel had been stuffed into his mouth, he chewed it to his heart's content, and closed his eyes intoxicated.

"How did you get deceived?" Zhuang Huchen is still waiting to hear the following.

Erqingni ate a few bites tightly, and then he freed his mouth: "There is no income at home, so there is only something to sell." ”

"Those things in your house are enough to sell for a while." Zhuang Huchen knows this.

"If it weren't for Aunt Seven's bad work, where would I be able to get here? Things were sold back and forth, and she got the deed of my big mansion, and she hooked my original personal attendant Saburo to sell the house secretly. ”

"Didn't you sell it yourself?" Zhuang Huchen's face was full of surprise.

Erqingni's eyes did not take off the dishes on the table: "If you know that this is the case, it is better for me to sell it myself." ”

"Such a big house, didn't you get any money if it was sold?"

"When I sold it, I didn't even know the shadow! When they were sold out, they took the silver tickets and a lot of valuable things, and the people ran away! Erqingni's eyes were red again.

"Yo, that's true!" Zhuang Huchen never expected it.

"Shopkeeper Zhuang, didn't I tell you, where the tree fell and scattered! In addition to these two things that are not things, people outside the family are also stealing and taking, and there are fewer and fewer valuable things. Erqingny's tears flowed.

Zhuang Huchen comforted: "Can you don't pay the price, stay in the green mountains, are you afraid that there will be no firewood?" ”

"I'm not here, but I'm still here, and I'm still alive? Hmph, even if you think about it! With that, Erqingni picked up the scroll on the table and unfolded it for Zhuang Huchen, "Shopkeeper Zhuang, this is a good thing, if you like it, I'll give it to you, how about it?" ”

Zhuang Huchen looked at the scroll carefully: "Shen Zhou's "High Mountains at Dusk", the painting is a good painting, but it is ......" Zhuang Huchen wanted to speak and stopped.

"You say, it's out of the way."

Zhuang Huchen was a little apologetic: "My shop doesn't accept celebrity calligraphy and paintings, and there is no business." ”

Erqingni was disappointed, and tears began to roll in his eyes again: "Shopkeeper Zhuang, let me tell you the truth, right now, in addition to you still looking down on me, you can still invite me to eat in Hongxing Building as before, and other relatives and friends are far away." Erqingny's tears flowed again.

"You can bargain."

"Alas! If you can't get this painting, who will I give it to? My eyes are black, and people are scared! Erqingni rolled up the picture, "It's worthless again, throw it away in vain!" ”

Looking at Erqingni's pitiful appearance, Zhuang Huchen couldn't bear it in his heart: "Lord E, didn't I say dead, if you can trust it, give me the painting first, and I'll take it back and ponder." ”

Erqingni hurriedly handed it over: "Trustworthy, trustworthy." With the painting settled, Erqingni turned his attention to eating again: "Hongxinglou's mud-wrapped stove chicken, you still say that the taste is authentic, and it is unique in Beijing......

Erqingni's painting unfolded on the case in the north house of the backyard of Rong Bao Zhai, Zhang Xi'er and Wang Renshan gathered around the table and watched intently, Zhuang Huchen sat on the side, he asked Zhang Xi'er: "What do you think?" ”

"I look good, but I can't see the way out, the shopkeeper."

"If you can't see the way out without getting started, won't you be fine?" Zhuang Huchen asked Wang Renshan again: "What about you, Renshan?" ”

"I think it is Shen Zhou's real handiwork, you see, this is Shen Zhou's unique 'short strip', starting and closing the pen is not wrapped in the front, although the level of the pen is not much, it can be cut well."

Zhuang Huchen was quite surprised: "Do you know how to draw? Haven't you heard it mentioned before? ”

Wang Renshan smiled: "My father likes calligraphy and painting, and he can draw a few strokes, I just learned a little bit of fur, but don't listen to me, you have to find someone who understands this painting." ”

"That's it." Zhuang Huchen nodded.

"Shopkeeper, there are always people coming to the shop these days and asking if they accept calligraphy and paintings." Zhang Xi'er refilled the tea for Zhuang Huchen.

"I'm also thinking about this, doing business, it's also this time and that time, although our Rong Bao Zhai has always been a paper shop in the south of the country, but now the limelight has changed, and we have to follow the limelight."

Wang Renshan pondered: "You mean, let's add new business?" ”

"Yes, now is a good time to receive celebrity calligraphy and paintings, the Qing Dynasty is gone, this time, the things in the palace have begun to flow out, the princes and ministers of the previous dynasty, like Lord E, have no income, and they will have to live by selling things in the future."

Zhang Xi'er thought for a while: "Isn't it faster for us to collect antiques?" ”

Zhuang Huchen shook his head: "No, the water in the antique industry is too deep, and if you can't get it, the boat will capsize." ”

"Then the celebrity calligraphy and painting won't capsize?"

"I have a little bit of a background in celebrity calligraphy and painting, but don't expect this to make a fortune first, someone sent it, and it hit it, and the price is high, and you don't want it."

Zhang Xi'er frowned: "In our shop, except for you and Renshan who know something, I and the guys don't understand, what should I do?" ”

Zhuang Huchen took a sip of tea: "To do this, you have to have a good mentality, starting from Ming'er, I will first teach you some things related to celebrity calligraphy and painting." ”

In the afternoon, Zhuang Huchen came to Beizi Mansion with a scroll, Xu Lianchun opened the door, and saw that it was Zhuang Huchen, his eyes rolled, and he immediately nodded his head, looking extraordinarily courteous: "Yo, Zhuang shopkeeper, you are a rare guest, please come inside." Xu Lianchun let Zhuang Huchen into the study: "Shopkeeper Zhuang, you sit down for a while, and I will invite Bei Ziye to go for you." ”

In the courtyard, the servant walked to the study with tea, Xu Lianchun walked over, opened the lid of the teapot and took a look, and ordered: "Change the tea." ”

"Steward Xu, it's not a big person here, isn't it the shopkeeper of Rong Bao Zhai?" Employing people is not impressed.

Xu Lianchun's eyes widened, and he scolded in a low voice: "You know a fart!" Right now, the shopkeeper of Rong Bao Zhai is the God of Wealth in our house, go quickly, and be quick with your hands and feet. ”

Bei Ziye walked in enthusiastically: "Shopkeeper Zhuang, we haven't seen each other for a long time!" ”

Zhuang Huchen stood up: "Master Pei, your body is still so tough. ”

"Hey, no heart and no lungs, fool around! The shopkeeper of the village, you sit. Bei Ziye sat down opposite Zhuang Huchen.

Zhuang Huchen asked, "What are you busy with these days?" ”

"Busy with what? The Qing Kingdom is over, what else do I have to do? Bei Ziye looked helpless.

"Then you can't just sit idle all day long, can you?"

"Hey, teasing the birds at home, I'm bored, go out and listen to a play, isn't that all, what else can I have fresh?"

Zhuang Huchen was secretly happy in his heart, and he remained silent: "Master Pei, you came out and went in the palace as a child, and your relatives in various prefectures, there are no less famous calligraphy and paintings, right?" ”

Bei Ziye nodded: "It's not a little look, don't say it, when I was young, I was serious for a while, and I didn't work hard." ”

"And now?"

Bei Ziye approached Zhuang Huchen and lowered his voice: "I'm sitting and eating the mountain, who still has the heart to get that!" ”

Zhuang Huchen unfolded Erqingni's painting: "Do you give me a palm? ”

Bei Ziye looked at it with interest: "Shen Zhou's "High Mountains at Dusk", I have seen this painting, the first was my little Erqingni in Shanxi according to the inspection envoy according to the envoy according to the envoy, Shanxi governor gave it to him when he celebrated his birthday, I don't know if he sent it away, hey, Zhuang shopkeeper, how did it get into your hands?" ”

"Why don't you tell you more when it comes to me, do you think, how much silver is it worth?"

Bei Ziye was puzzled: "What are you doing?" ”

"Someone wants to sell, I'm not sure if it's true or a delusion, please give me a palm."

Pei Ziye looked at it carefully: "It's genuine, that's right." ”

Zhuang Huchen asked rhetorically: "How can you be so sure that it is not fake?" ”

Pei Ziye hung the painting on the wall and took a few steps back: "Shen Zhou's smudge is natural, without any artificiality, the whole work is vivid and clean and hearty, and it is generous!" It's not so easy to imitate Shen Zhou's paintings. ”

"What if the person who cheated learned all the tricks of Shen Zhou?"

Bei Ziye smiled: "Zhuang shopkeeper, then this fake person can become a family of his own, and he doesn't have to go to great lengths to imitate Shen Zhou." Our Chinese painting pays attention to brushwork, everyone has different habits of holding the pen and brushing, the height of the brush, the oblique, the light, heavy, slow, urgent, and then there is the cantilevered elbow or the cantilever, where is the position of the wrist, the point and line of the painting and the pause are very different. ”

Zhuang Huchen nodded frequently.

Pei Ziye continued: "Self-contained painters, their brushwork characteristics, are slowly formed after years of accumulation, which is fused with the painter's temperament and personality, which can not be learned, the fake person deliberately copys, at most play a good look, not to reach the god-like." ”

Zhuang Huchen was very admirable: "Master Pei, I have found the right person, you don't rub sand in your eyes, you can know if it's really fake at a glance." ”

Bei Ziye waved his hand: "Don't say that, there are many doorways here, I just have seen a lot of authentic works, and it is relatively easy to distinguish the authenticity." ”

Zhuang Huchen had a showdown: "Lord Pei, I came today to discuss something with you, in the future, Rong Bao Zhai will take a look at what good calligraphy and painting he gets, and ask you to take a look, distinguish between the true and the false, and do not prevent you from playing birds and listening to the play, how much remuneration is appropriate for you, you first offer a price." ”

"This ...... You can discuss with Steward Xu. Bei Ziye happily agreed.

In the Huiyuan Pavilion, Song Huairen was carefully examining a painting, Chen Fuqing walked in through the back door, sat on the Taishi chair, and said unhurriedly: "Huairen, I negotiated with Mr. Jin last night, and he promised to help us." ”

Song Huairen was overjoyed when he heard this, and he diligently made tea for Chen Fuqing: "Mr. Jin is the president of the Chinese Painting Research Association, as long as he is willing to help us put the lines of those painters on us, you can do the rest!" ”

Chen Fuqing was skeptical: "Don't be too happy, those who paint, I look at each one with a big temper, how can it be so easy to fiddle with?" ”

"Why are we fiddling with people? He is still his uncle, let's help him sell paintings, take a lead in the middle, and he earns a lot of money, this is called mutual benefit, isn't this the best of both worlds? ”

Chen Fuqing turned his head and saw Li Moyun walking into Rong Bao Zhai, and muttered absentmindedly: "The best of both worlds......"

Song Huairen followed Chen Fuqing's gaze and said casually: "This guy has the idea of Rong Bao Zhai again." ”

Chen Fuqing became alert: "Do you know him? ”

"No, no, I don't know." Song Huairen hurriedly denied it.

Chen Fuqing understood everything in his heart, he put down the tea bowl in his hand, and looked at Song Huairen: "Huairen, I know the bottom of Li Moyun, I don't care what you do when you are in Maoyuan Zhai, you can't come here in my Huiyuan Pavilion." ”

Song Huairen realized that what he had just said was gone, and he replied respectfully: "I know." ”

"I think, let's put aside the matter of contacting the painter for a while, I have a ready-made deal here, and you will go to Huizhou in two days." Chen Fuqing changed his mind.

Song Huairen's brows furrowed: "Big man, this is just a bit of an eyebrow, I think it's better to do it as soon as possible." ”

"What's the hurry, and no one is competing with you to grab it, let's talk about it later." Chen Fuqing stood up and left.

Song Huairen looked at his back and scolded in his heart: Stupid, stupid!

Li Moyun is in his thirties, his origin is unknown, just like a grass seed blown by the wind, I don't know when he began to take root in the Liuli Factory, and he poured antique calligraphy and painting. He was tall and extremely thin, wearing a light gray robe with a scroll under his arm, and floated into Rong Bao Zhai like a shadow.

Yun Sheng greeted him: "Sir, what do you want?" ”

Li Moyun didn't pay attention to Yun Sheng, but walked straight to the west wall where celebrity calligraphy and paintings were hung, and Yun Sheng had no choice but to follow behind him. After about a bag of cigarettes, Li Moyun carefully looked at each painting, shook his head regretfully, held his long voice, and asked slowly: "Rong Bao Zhai is also a big shop, claiming to also do celebrity calligraphy and painting, why haven't you seen good things?" ”

Yun Sheng didn't like to hear this, but he still patiently agreed: "What is a good thing in your eyes?" If you don't like it, I can take you inside. ”

"Let's go, let's take a look inside."

Yunsheng took Li Moyun to the east house in the backyard of Rong Bao Zhai and called Zhang Xi'er. Zhang Xi'er invited him to sit down and asked politely, "Sir, do you want to write or paint?" Like whom? ”

Li Moyun put the scroll under his arm on the table: "You are the big guy Zhang Xi'er?" ”

Zhang Xi'er nodded: "I am." ”

"Then I've found the right person." He looked around and lowered his voice, "You...... Talking counts? ”

"Whose calligraphy and painting do you want, I will sell it to you, and I will collect the money and you will take the calligraphy and painting, does this have anything to do with whether talking counts?" Zhang Xi'er's tone changed.

Li Moyun didn't care, he set almost: "I understand, the rules of daring to love Rong Bao Zhai are different from those of Huiyuan Pavilion, but, big man, I see that you are an honest person, I am just willing to deal with honest people, how about we make a deal?" ”

"You...... What do you mean? Zhang Xi'er's face was full of suspicion.

Li Moyun opened the scroll: "Look at this painting." ”

Zhang Xi'er reacted: "You want to sell paintings?" Earlier. ”

Li Moyun lowered his voice again: "Everyone will sell it at a good price, and I will give you the benefits, and I will do this with the shops of Liuli Factory." ”

"This ......"

Li Moyun approached Zhang Xi'er: "I have a lot of good things in my hands, let me tell you this, if you want, let's use the reputation of Rong Bao Zhai to toss ourselves, the money is a lot of money, Huiyuan Pavilion's Chen Da guy is not less profitable, people are not rich in foreign wealth, horses do not eat night grass and do not fat, just the little hard money you earn in Rong Bao Zhai, which life can make a fortune?" ”

Zhang Xier was noncommittal.

Li Moyun put away the scroll: "You think about it carefully, come to me when you figure it out." He left a business card on the table.

The early years of the Republic of China was a turbulent era, just when the shops on the glaze factory tried their best to figure out a new way to make money, on June 14, 1917, the Yangtze River parade made Zhang Xun lead 5,000 "pigtail army" into Beijing, President Li Yuanhong was forced to order the dissolution of the Congress, on July 1, the "pigtail army" controlled the road to the Forbidden City and some important places and facilities such as telecommunications bureaus and stations, Zhang Xun telegraphed all provinces across the country, announcing that he had "asked the emperor to restore", and asked all provinces to immediately "obey Zhengshuo and hang the dragon flag".

When the bannermen in the capital heard the news, they immediately cheered and rushed to tell each other. Erqingni burst into tears, he struck the chime and burned incense, and knelt down in the direction of the Forbidden City: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you are finally back......" and more people were surprised that the little emperor suddenly returned to the dragon chair.

That morning, a team of "pigtail army" drove by in Liulichang, and the guys came out of the shop to see the excitement, Chen Fuqing walked a few steps to catch up with Zhuang Huchen in front: "Hey, Zhuang shopkeeper, it's fresh, the emperor has been gone for several years, why did you come out to comb the braided officers and soldiers again?" What kind of play is this? ”

Zhuang Huchen shook his head, didn't answer, he hurriedly walked towards Rong Baozhai. Entering the shop, Zhuang Huchen frowned and instructed Yun Sheng: "Hurry up and find the braids in the back." ”

Yun Sheng thought that he had misheard, and his eyes widened: "Shopkeeper, what did you say?" ”

"I'll tell you to go back and look for braids!" Zhuang Huchen repeated impatiently.

"Where can I find this? It's long gone. Yun Sheng thought for a moment, "Why do you want to braid?" ”

Zhuang Huchen sat down: "Yesterday, the emperor invited him back again, changed the sixth year of the Republic of China to the ninth year of Xuantong, and the Yellow Dragon Flag was hung again, where can I do it without braids." ”

"Isn't that a problem for us?" Yun Sheng pursed his lips.

Zhuang Huchen was thinking about an idea, and Zhang Xi'er ran in panting: "Shopkeeper, it's not good, Lord E's leading the pigtailed soldiers to our place." ”

"Huh? E-sama is shaking again? You'll have to get ready. Zhuang Huchen led everyone to get busy.

After a while, a team of pigtailed soldiers surrounded Erqingni and Zhang Xun dismounted at the door of Rong Bao Zhai, Zhang Xun glanced at the plaque hanging high on the lintel, and walked into Rong Bao Zhai.

Zhuang Huchen dragged a temporary fake braid made of hemp rope behind his head and hurriedly greeted him: "Your Excellency, please." ”

Zhang Xun looked around in the shop: "I heard that the imperial pen and dragon ink made by the emperor before were all imported from Rong Bao Zhai?" ”

Zhuang Huchen nodded: "That's right, you...... Want to use something? ”

"I don't need anything, it's for the emperor, and I will do it according to the old rules, and I will send someone to the palace immediately."

"Yes, sir." Zhuang Huchen replied respectfully.

Erqingni approached Zhuang Huchen: "Lord Zhang is a big celebrity in front of the emperor, the emperor has just returned to the palace, and the affairs have not yet been heard, Lord Zhang is on it, and at a glance, there is no imperial pen and dragon ink, where is this done?" You can't break the rules, so Master Zhang came over in person. ”

Zhang Xun walked around the shop, and when he was leaving, he found the fake braid dragged behind Zhuang Huchen's head, and he stretched out his hand to pull it off: "Shopkeeper, you ...... braids."

"Improvised improvisation." Zhuang Huchen was very embarrassed.

Zhang Xun threw the fake braid on the ground fiercely, and said sternly: "It's okay to make do with the braids, the official won't pursue you, but you can't make do with the emperor's imperial supplies, otherwise, the consequences are clear to you." ”

A cold sweat broke out on Zhuang Huchen's face: "Don't dare, don't dare, Lord E testifies that Rong Bao Zhai sells this brand." ”

Within a few days, Zhuang Huchen rushed out the emperor's stationery supplies according to the old rules and sent them to the palace. He was still thinking in his heart: It's good now, and the business in the palace will be connected again, and Rong Baozhai's business will be prosperous again in the future...... But who would have thought that the development of things was not as simple as Zhuang Huchen thought. On July 12th, Zhuang Huchen was walking on Qianmen Street, suddenly there was a dense gunfire behind him, he quickly dodged and jumped to the steps of a restaurant next to him, only to see a team of pigtailed soldiers fleeing in a hurry, not far behind, the cavalry of the government army chased up, and the Yellow Dragon Banner that the pigtailed soldiers fell to the ground was trampled by the cavalry of the government army at will, and the dust flew up on the road...... Zhuang Huchen was stunned for a while, and he didn't wake up for a long time.

In a teahouse on the second floor across the road, Erqingni hung his head: "Alas, the good days haven't started yet, and they're gone!" ”

Bei Ziye had a bitter face: "We don't have that creation, so we don't have to worry about it." Bei Ziye turned his head and found Zhuang Huchen: "Hey, isn't that the shopkeeper of Rong Bao Zhai?" ”

Bei Ziye was just about to poke his head out to say hello, but was stopped by Erqingni: "Don't call him, I also took Zhang Xun to Rongbao Zhai, and got a lot of good stationery supplies for the emperor, and he didn't even give the silver, saying that he owed it first, and now it's all pleats, alas, how can I see people in the future." I can't live with the shopkeeper of the village...... "Erqingni beat his chest and burst into tears.

Zhang Youlin has been paying close attention to the changes in the situation, and as he expected, the farce of the emperor's restoration ended hastily after only 12 days, and the days returned to the previous state, as if it had never happened. However, after this change, Zhuang Huchen suddenly aged a lot, and his waist was also stiffened. Zhang Youlin knew in his heart that this blow was very heavy for the master, he had been in business in Liuli Factory for decades, and he had not lost such a large amount of silver, so after eating at noon that day, Zhang Youlin specially went to the shop to chat with Zhuang Huchen and give him relief.

Zhang Youlin walked into the north house in the backyard of Rong Bao Zhai, and he looked at Zhuang Huchen in surprise: "Master, do you still have this fake braid?" ”

Zhuang Huchen looked uneasy: "Youlin, I'm afraid in my heart, what if the emperor comes back one day?" ”

"No, isn't Zhang Xun only making a fuss for twelve days? No one can go against the tide of history. Zhang Youlin sat down opposite Zhuang Huchen.

"I hope so, you say, can you still get back the silver for the things sent to the palace?" Zhuang Huchen has been pondering this matter in his heart.

"Who are you looking for?" Can Erqingni afford the money? When Duan Qirui came back with his soldiers, Zhang Xun hid in the Dutch embassy, and now he has long since disappeared. ”

"Then no one arrested him?" Zhuang Huchen still has a glimmer of hope.

"It is said that Zhang Xun's original wife Cao has a very good opinion on Zhang Xun's enthusiasm to restore the imperial system, but Cao can't control Zhang Xun, she knows that there is no good end to such trouble, so she sent a reliable person with 300,000 taels of silver tickets to Guangzhou to meet Mr. Sun Yat-sen, on the one hand, to support the national revolution with this move, on the other hand, to apologize for Zhang Xun's reckless behavior, leaving a way back for the descendants of the Zhang family."

Zhuang Huchen shook his head: "No wonder no one is pursuing it, alas, it's still the bad luck of opening a shop, who did we provoke?" Isn't this a blind account? ”

"Master, don't take it too seriously, where is there no loss when you do business? Who let us catch up? Forget about it before it's too late. Zhang Youlin was relieved.

Zhuang Huchen had a bitter face: "Youlin, I don't think as much as you do, hundreds of taels of silver were thrown away in vain?" He looked up to the sky and sighed: "Alas! I can't swallow this breath......"

Zhang Youlin refilled Zhuang Huchen's tea: "Master, forget it, the silver has been thrown away, it's useless for you to feel distressed, this is how to change the dynasty, no one can control their own fate, even the little emperor of Xuantong, not to mention us ordinary people?" I see, the crisis of Rong Bao Zhai has just begun, what can be done? Just passed a hurdle, and another one came in front of you, just like this one by one, this is life! ”

That day, the master and apprentice chatted for a long time, and it was not until the time of the lamp that Zhang Youlin got up and left.

Song Huairen is a shrewd person, since he was thinking about doing a calligraphy and painting business, he has been fighting with Li Moyun, and Li Moyun really needs a helper like Song Huairen.

At noon that day, Li Moyun invited Song Huairen to a tavern in Nancheng, and after three glasses of wine, Li Moyun frowned: "You say that the evil door is not the evil door?" Rong Bao Zhai's big guy hasn't come to me, so I wondered, is there really anything in this world where silver is not hot? ”

Song Huairen took a slice of sauced beef and stuffed it into his mouth: "Don't worry, he's hanging you, you should be like Chen Fuqing, and you will take the bait at once?" ”

"Huairen, you look down on Chen Fuqing so much, why do you want to go to Huiyuan Pavilion?"

Song Huairen thoughtfully: "Huiyuan Pavilion? It was just a springboard for me. Let's not talk about this, big brother, you asked me out, what's the matter? ”

Li Moyun's expression was mysterious, and he lowered his voice: "I have been thinking about it for many days, and I have found a way to make a fortune. He whispered in Song Huairen's ear for a while, and a wicked smile appeared on Song Huairen's face. Li Moyun poured wine for Song Huairen: "Brother, as long as you cooperate, this matter will be done, come, have another drink." ”

Song Huairen picked up the wine glass: "Don't let Chen Fuqing know about the relationship between the two of us, he has a lot of thieves, and he is always guarding against me." ”

"If I were Chen Fuqing, I would have to guard against you, who would make your brain spin fast. Don't worry, I know all about it. Li Moyun thought for a moment, "However, if Chen Fuqing is always guarding against you, this matter will not be easy to handle." ”

After a moment of silence, Song Huairen's eyes rolled and he thought about it: "Otherwise, let's fight Rong Baozhai's idea?" ”

Li Moyun pondered for a moment and nodded: "It's okay, it doesn't matter who he is, as long as he gets the money." ”

The two clinked glasses, and Song Huairen drank it all: "This is easy to do, wait for me to find a chance." ”

After drinking with Li Moyun, Song Huairen rushed back to Liulichang. When he was about to arrive at the door of Huiyuan Pavilion, Song Huairen saw Zhuang Huchen stumbling, his walking posture was not quite right, he was thinking about whether Zhuang was drinking too much somewhere, whether he wanted to go over to help, only to hear a "plop", Zhuang Huchen fell to the ground. Song Huairen hurriedly grabbed a few steps, and with the help of passers-by, he picked up Zhuang Huchen and walked towards Rong Baozhai.

Everyone set up a temporary bunk in the north house in the backyard of Rong Bao Zhai, Song Huairen put Zhuang Huchen on the bunk, and Yun Sheng ran to invite Dr. Yue.

Zhuang Huchen's eyes were closed, he was already unconscious, Yue Mingchun took the pulse, didn't say anything, he prescribed a prescription for the guy to grab the medicine, and gave Zhuang Huchen acupuncture, until the sun was in the west, Zhuang Huchen slowly woke up, and he got up and left.

Zhang Youlin sent Yue Mingchun out and thanked him vigorously: "Doctor Yue, thank you, I've caused you trouble......

"Mr. Zhang, you are always so polite, shopkeeper Zhuang, what do you say," Yue Mingchun pondered for a moment, "He got this illness from a sullen breath, and he couldn't get it in his heart, and after a long time, he got sick." ”

Zhang Youlin knew in his heart that it was all those hundreds of taels of silver, alas, why couldn't the master think about it so much. He anxiously asked, "How long does Shopkeeper Zhuang have to rest?" ”

Yue Mingchun looked at him: "You are the owner of Rong Bao Zhai, I won't hide it from you, he can wake up, even if this level is over, but it is difficult to recover to the way before, physical strength and energy will be greatly reduced, Rong Bao Zhai such a big shop, I'm afraid it can't be supported." ”

After listening to Yue Mingchun's words, Zhang Youlin felt as if he had been hit with a stick on his head, and he didn't slow down for a long time.

Blessing is incomparable, disaster is not a single line, Zhang Li heard that Zhuang Huchen was sick, and he was in a hurry, coupled with the external cold, he couldn't afford to be sick. Seeing their mother getting weaker day by day, Zhang Youlin and He Jiabi were anxious. Zhang Li knew that time was running out, and she kept talking about two major things that she had not done, and if she didn't do these two things, she would not be able to turn a blind eye.

Zhang Youlin and He Jiabi thought about it, and only guessed one thing, which was about the two calligraphy and paintings, but the other one, they couldn't figure it out. These days, Zhang Li kept inquiring about Qiuyue and Ivan, at this time at the height of the October Revolution in Russia, Zhang Youlin was also worried about them, he had sent three telegrams to St. Petersburg in a row, but all of them were lost in the sea, and there was no reply.

In the morning, after breakfast, Zhang Youlin came to his mother's sickbed with a stack of newspapers and asked softly, "Mom, are you better?" ”

Zhang Li opened his slightly closed eyes: "I heard that Russia is in turmoil?" ”

Zhang Youlin smiled slightly: "You are quite well-informed when you are lying at home, and the statements in the newspaper are different. Zhang Youlin turned out a copy of the "Morning Bell" newspaper: "This article spoke highly of this revolution in Russia, saying that the victory of the Bolshevik Party this time was a victory of the Russian proletariat and the working people, and a great innovation in the world." ”

"What Vic Party?" Zhang Li didn't understand.

"Bolshevik Party."

"Bolshevik Party, proletarian ......" Zhang Lishi's eyes suddenly widened, "Is Ivan a propertied class or a proletarian?" ”

Zhang Youlin's expression was gloomy: "Of course it is the propertied class, the real Russian aristocracy, the object of the revolution." ”

"Isn't that a problem? Russia has been revolutionized, what happened to Ivan and Akizuki? ”

"I haven't heard from them all this time."

"You want to ask, Mom wants to see them." Zhang Li looked at his son earnestly.

Zhang Youlin was quite surprised, his mother is a very sensible person, he has never had a problem with him in his life, Russia is thousands of miles away, and the current situation is in turmoil, where to find them? Zhang Youlin frowned, he was a filial son, he weighed it in his heart for a long time, in order not to disappoint his mother, he had to agree verbally first.

Zhang Li seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and she asked again: "Is the shopkeeper Zhuang getting better these days?" ”

Zhang Youlin shook his head: "There is no improvement, I have already submitted my resignation, I will go over and take a look later." ”

"Alas, age is unforgiving, try to make him good medicine." Zhang Li thought for a while, "If he resigns, who will he hand over this mess in the shop?" ”

"I'm worried about this, Mom, what do you think of Zhang Xi'er?"

Zhang Li pondered for a moment and said: "Zhang Xi'er is honest, but he doesn't have a big idea, and he is not the material for the shopkeeper." ”

"I think so too, but now there is no suitable person, there is really no way, so I can only let him do it first." Zhang Youlin tucked the corners of the quilt for his mother.

"Isn't that Wang Renshan quite shrewd? Why didn't you think about him? ”

"It's not that I haven't thought about it, but his qualifications are still shallow, and I'm afraid he won't be able to convince the public, unless he does one or two beautiful things himself."

Zhang Li sighed: "Alas, Mom is useless, I can't help you......"

The two were chatting, He Jiabi was holding the medicine bowl, and Xiaolu walked in with her. He Jiabi served her mother-in-law to drink traditional Chinese medicine, and Xiaolu snuggled in Zhang Youlin's arms: "Dad, my homework is done, and my mother said that you will take us to see Grandpa Zhuang." ”

After drinking the traditional Chinese medicine, He Jiabi added water to her mother-in-law's empty cup, and Zhang Youlin stood up: "Mom, you rest for a while, let's go." ”

"Bring good children to Huchen!" Zhang Li watched them walk out of the room, she recalled Zhuang Huchen's loyalty for more than 20 years, and worked tirelessly for Rong Bao Zhai, day and night, tears couldn't help but welled up in the corners of her eyes.

In order to take care of a little shop, Zhuang Huchen did not move home, he rented a yard near the Liulichang and settled down temporarily. On this small street, Li Moyun met Song Huairen who came over, he stood and frowned: "Brother, what's wrong with that?" ”

Song Huairen smiled with a smile on his face: "The shopkeeper Zhuang has rested for a while, so we don't have to worry, one day I will send you a message, you go directly to Zhang Xi'er." ”

Zhang Youlin happened to come out of Zhuang Huchen's residence, Song Huairen saw it at a glance, he immediately stopped, nodded, and hurriedly walked away.

"Then I'll wait." Li Moyun shouted at Song Huairen's back.

Zhang Youlin looked at Song Huairen who was far away, glanced at Li Moyun with the corner of his eye, He Jiabi led Xiaolu to follow him, and asked curiously: "Youlin, what are you looking at?" ”

"I think it's very strange, why did the Song guy from Huiyuan Pavilion look panicked when he saw me? There seemed to be something going on with him and the man. Zhang Youlin replied in a low voice.

He Jiabi glanced back at Li Moyun's back: "Who is that person?" ”

Zhang Youlin shook his head: "I haven't seen it, this illness of the shopkeeper Zhuang will affect the whole body, Jiabi, I have a feeling of wolf smoke." ”

Xiaolu's eyes widened and looked around: "Dad, where is the smoke?" ”

"Good son, let's go home." Zhang Youlin took Xiaolu's other hand, and the three of them slowly walked towards the street. On the way back, Zhang Youlin kept looking preoccupied.

Li Moyun has been eyeing Rong Baozhai these days, and he can't wait to come to Zhang Xi'er as soon as he gets the letter. Li Moyun walked into the north room in the backyard of Rong Bao Zhai with a scroll, he clasped his hands into fists, and smiled all over his face: "Congratulations to the big guy for being promoted to the shopkeeper." ”

Zhang Xi'er looked at him: "Mr. Li, you won't just run to Rongbao Zhai to give me Daoxi, right?" ”

"Since I met you last time, I have been waiting for you to come to me, but I haven't seen the following, my brother admires, admires!" Li Moyun complimented.

Zhang Xi'er was lukewarm: "When a guy has the rules of being a buddy, if you are the shopkeeper, can you allow the guy to make a fortune by himself through your shop?" As the old saying goes: Do not do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I advise you, don't fight Rong Bao Zhai's idea again. ”

Li Moyun didn't wait for Zhang Xi'er to give up his seat, and sat down by himself: "That's, that's, my brother's character is not picky, brother, I admire it." He unfolded the scroll on the table: "I'm here today to show you something good." ”

What Li Moyun brought was an old landscape painting, Zhang Xi'er had never seen it, he looked at it carefully, and he didn't have any score in his heart.

"How? If you look good, I'll give it to Rong Bao Zhai. Li Moyun secretly looked at Zhang Xi'er.

Zhang Xi'er raised her head and remained silent: "The rules in our shop, all valuable calligraphy and paintings, you have to ask an expert to give you a palm, and you can only accept it when you see it." ”

"I know this, if you want it, I'll stay."

Zhang Xi'er pondered for a moment: "Then I'll stay first, and I'll give you a receipt later." ”

After getting this painting, Zhang Xier asked Zhang Youlin to go to Beizi Mansion together. In Bei Ziye's study, Zhang Xi'er unfolded the painting scroll, and Bei Ziye only glanced at it, and blurted out: "Lan Ying's "Landscape Map". ”

Lan Ying was the leader of the martial arts painting school in the late Ming Dynasty, he was good at calligraphy and painting, and was good at landscapes, flowers and birds, plum and bamboo, especially famous for landscapes. Pei Ziye hung the scroll on the wall and pondered it intently.

There is also a guest in Pei Ziye's study, he is Mr. Wang Guowei, a master of Chinese studies. Zhang Youlin and Wang Guowei saluted each other, and the two chatted.

"Mr. Wang, I heard that you are now a five-rank court official?" Zhang Youlin asked with interest.

"The emperor has abdicated the throne, what kind of five-grade court officials, but he is just studying with him in the palace." Wang Guowei didn't seem to be in a high mood.

"Oh, walking in the south study, this is not bad, passing on your research experience of Chinese culture to the emperor can be regarded as benefiting the country."

"I was born at the wrong time!" Wang Guowei let out a long sigh, "You say, how can China not have an emperor?" ”

"Without the emperor, haven't you taken care of this day?" Zhang Youlin pointed to Bei Ziye, who was immersed in appreciating the paintings, "Look at this Bei Ziye, isn't he also quite intoxicated?" ”

Wang Guowei shook his head: "I can be intoxicated for a while, but I can't be intoxicated for a lifetime." ”

"Why do you want a lifetime, can you be intoxicated for a while? Play here, have fun there, don't you add up to a lifetime? ”

Wang Guowei did not agree with Zhang Youlin's attitude towards life in a timely manner, he muttered: "Life is only like a wind before the wind, happiness is sporadic, sorrow is also sporadic, all of them are a little bit of ...... in the river."

Zhang Youlin smiled faintly: "Mr. Wang is a person who lives in another realm. ”

The two chatted with each other, and Bei Ziye greeted Wang Guowei: "Mr. Jing'an, you can also take a look, this painting is a little interesting." ”

Wang Guowei walked over and took a closer look: "Well, it looks like Lan Ying's early works." ”

"Early works? Is there anything special about that? Zhang Xi'er asked respectfully.

Wang Guowei cleared his throat: "The so-called early works refer to Lan Ying's works from her twenties to fifties, the style of the works in this period is beautiful, mainly with fine brushes and color paintings, and the traces of imitation of the ancient families are more obvious, with Dong Yuan, Juran, Mi Fu, 'Yuan Sijia', and Huang Gongwang is even more serious. ”

"In the composition, there is a clear sense of space between the trees in the near background and the mountains in the distance, reflecting that Lan Ying was deeply influenced by literati painters such as Dong Qichang." Bei Ziye added.

Zhang Xi'er pondered: "What do you mean by the two masters, this painting is genuine?" ”

"I think it's the real thing." Wang Guowei's tone was affirmative.

"Don't be busy, let me think about it again." Bei Ziye took a few steps back, and he stared at the scroll, as if he still had some questions.

At this time, Xu Lianchun walked in with Pu Xinshe, and Pu Xinshe gave Wang Guowei a gesture: "Mr. Wang, I'm sorry, I'll keep you waiting." ”

Pei Ziye pointed at Zhang Youlin: "You don't know each other, do you?" Come, let me introduce you to you, this is Pu Xinshe, the grandson of Prince Gong. Pei Ziye pointed to Zhang Youlin again: "This is Mr. Zhang Youlin, the owner of Rong Bao Zhai." ”

Pu Xinshe smiled and gave Zhang Youlin a smile: "Mr. Zhang, your riding skills can be described as exquisite, I thought you were a general, but I didn't expect it to be the owner of Rong Bao Zhai." ”

Zhang Youlin also smiled and returned the salute: "Where, where, I'm just playing casually, which makes Mr. Pu laugh." ”

Bei Ziye was a little surprised: "Dare you know?" ”

Zhang Youlin replied: "I have seen it on the racecourse outside the Xibian Gate. ”

"I remember that there was a beautiful young lady with you back then." Pu Xinshe was deeply impressed by Pan Wenya.

"You're talking about Miss Pan, that's my fellow sister, who has returned to the United States early."

"Your junior sister is a talented country...... Pu Xinshe wanted to ask something more, Zhang Youlin had already said goodbye: "Master Pei, you still have something, we won't bother." Zhang Youlin said to Pu Xinshe again: "I always heard Bei Ziye mention you, and I have admired your painting name for a long time." ”

"Little meaning, since Mr. Zhang likes it, I'll send someone to send you one in two days."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Pu, we'll meet later."

Bei Ziye sent Zhang Youlin and Zhang Xi'er, at the door of the study, Zhang Xi'er asked Bei Ziye to stay, he pointed to the scroll in his hand and asked again: "Do you think, that's right?" ”

"I don't think eight or nine is far from ten."

"Then I'll take it?"

"Take it." Pei Ziye looked at Zhang Youlin, "Now Rong Baozhai is going to get rich again." ”

"That's also thanks to you, I'll ask the guy to send the honorarium when I go back."

Bei Ziye waved his hand: "Don't be busy, the two of you will walk slowly." ”

Zhang Xi'er returned to the shop, Wang Renshan was waiting with his eyes open, and he asked eagerly: "Shopkeeper, what did Bei Ziye say?" ”

Zhang Xi'er was happy: "Bei Ziye said that it is a genuine work." ”

"Is it the real thing?" Wang Renshan frowned.

When Qiu Yue suddenly appeared in front of Zhang Youlin, he was stunned, he didn't say anything for a long time, and then two lines of tears burst out of his eyes: "Sister Qiu Yue, I thought I would never see you again in this life!" ”

"Youlin, we escaped after nine deaths!" Qiu Yue also burst into tears.

Zhang Youlin and Ivan hugged tightly: "I've always been worried about you. ”

"It's horrible, it's a nightmare!" Ivan's gaze was gloomy, and he had not yet shaken off the shadow of this great change.

The three telegrams sent by Zhang Youlin, Qiu Yue and Ivan, were not received, because they were already on their way back to Beijing with their two children. After the beginning of the October Revolution, aristocrats like Ivan bore the brunt of the confiscation of all their family property, they lost their source of livelihood in St. Petersburg, and at the suggestion of Qiu Yue, the family traveled a long way and returned to Beijing.

Knowing that Zhang Li was seriously ill, Qiuyue's family went to the bedroom to visit. When Zhang Li saw them, his spirit was lifted, and he recited the words in his mouth: "Buddha and Bodhisattva bless, Buddha and Bodhisattva bless, finally look forward to you!" ”

When everyone heard this, they all felt inexplicable. Qiu Yue beckoned her sons Peter and Levoff to the hospital bed, the two mixed-race children were very handsome, beautiful, and endearing, Qiu Yue whispered a few words in Russian, and they immediately understood, and called "Grandma" in blunt Chinese, and the youngest son Levkov also lay on Zhang Li's cheek and kissed her. Zhang Li's Sensei was so happy, with a smile on her face that she hadn't seen for many days, she took the children's hands, looked at this, looked at that, and said in a loud voice: "It's good to come back, it's good to come back!" ”

Zhang Youlin asked Ivan: "Are you still leaving?" ”

Ivan shook his head: "I hope to find a suitable job and settle down in Beijing." ”

Zhang Youlin was overjoyed, and almost knocked over the tea bowl served to the guest in He Jiabi's hand: "Great, since my uncle and cousin passed away, there are fewer relatives in the family, and sometimes I can't even find someone who can speak from my heart, this is good!" ”

He Jiabi also smiled, she handed the tea bowl to Ivan and Qiuyue: "Look at the young forest, you can live here steadily, don't worry about money." ”

At the mention of money, Ivan couldn't help but look gloomy. The rich family property he once owned has been wiped out in this stormy revolution, and even the family's travel expenses back to Beijing were barely scraped together by selling the jewelry in Qiuyue, how to live in the future. Whether he can find a suitable job soon, he is at a loss.

Zhang Youlin took out a silver ticket from his pocket and stuffed it into Ivan's hand: "Brother-in-law, Beijing now is very different from when you left, let's find a job slowly, don't be in a hurry." ”

"Youlin, I'm causing you too much trouble." Akizuki was apologetic.

"Yo, Sister Qiuyue, aren't we your mother's family? How did you get a life in Russia? ”

Peter took a piece of candy in his hand and stuffed it into Zhang Youlin's mouth: "Uncle, sweet." ”

"Look, my nephew still doesn't treat me as an outsider!" Zhang Youlin took Peter into his arms.

Zhang Youlin was immersed in the joy of reuniting with Qiuyue's family after a long absence, and Zhang Li took out a key from under the pillow: "Youlin, open the cabinet, and take out the Nanmu box in the bottom drawer." ”

Zhang Youlin was stunned for a moment, then took the key, took out the rectangular nanmu box containing two calligraphy and paintings, and put it next to his mother's pillow. Zhang Li stroked the box and looked at Qiu Yue with a smile: "Qiu Yue, I have been keeping this calligraphy and painting for you for many years, today you will pick one and take it away." ”

Qiu Yue hurriedly excused herself: "Auntie, didn't we talk about it before?" This calligraphy and painting...... I can't ask for it. ”

Zhang Li's face stiffened: "I am an elder, I have the final say in this matter." ”

He Jiabi gave Qiu Yue a look: "Sister Qiu Yue, you can pick one to save my mother from worrying about it." ”

Qiuyue looked at Zhang Youlin again, and Zhang Youlin opened the Nanmu box: "Sister Qiuyue, my mother is a person who remembers her promises, since she promised my grandfather, she must do it. You just snuggle up to her. ”

Qiuyue had no choice but to pick up one and unfold it, it was "Willow Bird Picture". Zhang Youlin closed the lid of the box with a smile: "Then the "Xiling Holy Mother Post" will belong to me." He was just about to take the box back, but Zhang Li stopped: "Don't be busy. She summoned Ivan to the sickbed, took out a small embroidered red satin purse from the mezzanine of the Nanmu box with trembling hands, and stared at Ivan: "Mr. Ivan, there is something...... Our Zhang family owes you more than 20 years...... I'm ashamed. ”

Ivan was surprised when he heard this: "I don't understand what you mean. ”

"Back then, Songzhu Zhai was changed to Rong Bao Zhai, the money of the Hua-Russia Daosheng Bank...... Mr. Ivan, let's be honest with you, this is the biggest unfortunate thing I have ever done in my life, for so many years, it has become a piece of my heart, don't take this matter, I don't look blind, our Zhang family has been treating people with sincerity for several lifetimes, and has never done anything lacking in morality, but come to me......" Zhang Li was already in tears, and he couldn't go on.

Ivan suddenly realized: "That's true." ”

Zhang Li wiped his tears: "It was our Zhang family that affected you back then, I apologize to you, Mr. Ivan, our Zhang family is sorry for you......" Zhang Li struggled to sit up, Ivan and Qiu Yue hurriedly helped her up.

Ivan said softly: "Don't be like this, I'm Ivan a down-and-out person now, the Zhang family can take in our whole family, it is our benefactor, we can't be grateful." ”

"Auntie, it's been more than 20 years, why are you still mentioning it?" Qiu Yue put a quilt on Zhang Li's back.

Zhang Li sat firmly, and she handed her purse to Ivan: "This is a little bit of our Zhang family's heart for you." ”

Ivan's face was full of suspicion, he glanced at Qiu Yue, opened his purse, and it turned out to be 200,000 taels of silver tickets. Ivan was surprised: "So much money? ”

Zhang Youlin woke up like a dream, and then he understood what the big thing his mother had been talking about was, he looked at Ivan: "Brother-in-law, take it, although it was out of helplessness at the time, but after all, it was a loss of credibility and did something to trap people." ”

Ivan hesitated: "This ......"

"If you don't take it, my mom will think you won't forgive her."

Ivan's hands trembled, and tears rolled down his cheeks......

After the two major events in his heart, Zhang Li let go of all the fates, recited the Buddha's name with one mind, and sought to be reborn in the Western Elysium, which is also the highest pursuit of a devout Buddhist believer. Zhang Youlin accompanied his mother day and night, and a few days later, one evening, he suddenly smelled a strange fragrance in the room, Zhang Li looked at his son with a smile for the last time, and muttered to himself: "Amitabha Buddha came to pick me up, Amitabha Buddha came to pick me up......" When this strange fragrance slowly dissipated, Zhang Li had closed her eyes peacefully, and finished her fifty-eight years of bumpy life with an open heart.

In accordance with Zhang Li's last wishes, the funeral was simple, and all her personal belongings were donated to the Charity Association for the relief of homeless victims.