The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

next day

After having breakfast at Lin Mansion, Daiyu accompanied Baoqin and went out. The greeting card was handed over to Aunt Xue yesterday. The two of them slowed down a little on the road, and it happened to be Sishi when they arrived at Lixiangyuan.

Aunt Xue is not surprised that Baoqin will come. However, she was very surprised by Daiyu's appearance. I didn't expect that the second-fang's niece and the daughter of a second-rank official would have such a good relationship. Aunt Xue really couldn't understand the second-fang's current situation.

Aunt. Aunt.

Two pretty and dignified girls bowed in front of them and said hello. Aunt Xue quickly grabbed them and said pleasantly: It's so good, so good. I didn't know you two were such good handkerchiefs. Counting my family, they happen to be your three sisters. It's fate. She saw Bao Qin wearing men's clothes again, and asked hurriedly, You kid, why are you dressed in such a weird way.

Baoqin smiled and said nothing, only looked at the surrounding furnishings, and hurriedly ordered Chunyan to put the gifts on the table, This is the gift that my father and mother asked me to bring from Yangzhou. In the smaller box, I brought the gift from Beijing. I saw something interesting and bought it specially for my aunt and sister to play with.

Xue Ai prepared so many gifts that Chunyan moved them again and again. Not long after, there was a pile on the table. How could he not be dumbfounded by Aunt Xue and others if he behaved like this?

Lixiangyuan is just a separate courtyard, and its furnishings are only ordinary in Jia's house. Baoqin scanned the circle subtly and found that it was even worse than the Xue family's old house in Jinling.

From this point of view, the situation of the Xue family in the Jia Mansion is mediocre. Bao Qin sighed in his heart, and really couldn't understand Aunt Xue's intention of going north to visit her relatives.

The girl's thoughts are ever-changing, and others will never be able to tell. But Baochai had other thoughts. Thinking of the happy days she and Bao Qin had in Jinling when they were children, she really didn't want Bao Qin to take a closer look at the details. He hurriedly said: Mom, you should ask the two sisters to sit down first.

Ah, yes, look at me... Aunt Xue was still surprised by Chunyan's moving things again and again, and then she realized what she was doing. Busily calling Daiyu and Baoqin to sit down. He took Baoqin's hand again and asked Erfang in detail about his life in Yangzhou.

I learned that Xue Biao passed the examination as a scholar and was preparing for next year's provincial examination. Aunt Xue sighed and couldn't help but think of her son. Xue Pan, this idiot, told him yesterday that Bao Qin would be a guest, but today he just went out to hang out by himself. It was really annoying and gave him a headache.

Aunt Xue chatted with the juniors again before leaving on the pretext of preparing to eat, which was regarded as leaving space for the three sisters. Seeing that her mother was gone, Baochai had time to sit next to Baoqin, and looked her cousin up and down with her beautiful eyes.

Qin'er...

After all, they had lived together since childhood. As soon as Baochai opened his mouth, the feeling of strangeness that they had not seen for many years was gone. Bao Qin was also in a dilemma, so she held the other person's hand and replied: Sister.

We haven't seen each other for almost ten years. Baochai sighed, his face full of emotion. She has such a tolerant temperament, even though her heart is full of turmoil, her face always has a light and normal color. It was meeting her childhood cousin that made her a little emotional.

Well. Bao Qin looked at Baochai, paused for a moment, and then asked, Sister, how have you been doing these years? She remembered that Baochai was a person with an out-of-the-box temperament when she was a child. A fuss that attracts bees and butterflies. How did Sister Bao, who was so vivid, become the Bodhisattva she is now?

Okay, I'm fine. Where's my sister?

It's okay for me and it's okay for my family.

Look at me, I forgot to pour tea for you two.

Seeing Baochai about to get up, Baoqin quietly looked at Daiyu. They came today to persuade Baochai, if they really like Baoyu, that's all. If it is because of the orders of the elders, there is no need to bet your life.

The two of them were confused when they cared about each other, and they both admired Baochai as a person and only hoped that the other would live well in the future. It is said that It is easy to get priceless treasures, but it is rare to find a lover. But judging from Sister Lin's description last night, Bao Qin felt that Bao Yu was not a good match. She couldn't write two characters Xue in one stroke, and she didn't want her cousin to regret it.

Ying'er, who was waiting on the side, felt that the second room's visitor today was an unkind person. Baoqin and Chunyan came to the door with such large and small packages, just to show off their good life and to laugh at their big house? !

Feeling angry in her heart, Ying'er glanced at Chunyan who was just watching. He hurriedly went up and took the teapot from Baochai's hand, and said, neither softly nor hardly: Miss, you can just ask me to do this kind of thing. If you do it yourself, if word spreads, people may say that our family has no rules. …”

When Baoqin heard this, he felt terrible. I haven't moved around in so many years, but I didn't expect that there is still a gap between the first and second bedrooms. It seems that the more gifts their father gives them, the more sensitive and suspicious they will be, and they will tend to think the worst of others...

Baochai also heard it, and when he thought about his mother leaving in a hurry just now, he felt worried in his heart. Before she could say anything, Aunt Xue's laughter came from outside.

What a coincidence today, sisters Yingchun, Tanchun and Xiangyun also come to play with you. As Cai Cai spoke, Aunt Xue had already opened the curtain and walked in with a pleasant look.

Seeing that two well-dressed ladies from the Duke's Mansion were driving behind her, Baoqin quickly stood up to greet her. What was originally a harmonious family gathering suddenly turned into a chat between sisters.

Six young ladies were sitting together, surrounded by Baoqin and Baochai. Shi Xiangyun looked at the two of them from the side and said curiously: I have always heard from Sister Bao that her sister's appearance is better than mine. In the past, I only thought it was a modest word, but now I know that it is true and not even a lie. .”

Baoqin smiled and was busy being polite. Shi Xiangyun already liked her a little bit when he saw her dress. In addition, he and Baochai played very well on weekdays, and they even leaned forward to chat in front of Baoqin.

Daiyu on the side pulled Tanchun and asked in a low voice: Third sister, why are you here?

I don't know either. Tan Chun replied in a low voice, I was still reading in the room before, and Madam suddenly sent someone to tell me that Sister Bao has a distinguished guest here and asked me to come and meet her. It's very lively.

When Daiyu heard this, she knew what was going on. Thinking again about what he and Bao Qin had planned, he felt unhappy for a moment. She has finally seen what the dirty tricks of the back house are. She really wants to compete for the limelight everywhere and compete for a scene in every place.

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The group of them had lunch in the courtyard. Seeing that it was not the place to talk, Baoqin found an excuse and asked Baochai to go out to Lixiang Garden.

These three people are also interesting, crowded in the same carriage, and all dressed up as men. This was Baochai's first time doing this, and it felt both fresh and exciting, as well as a bit restless and familiar. She couldn't suppress her curiosity on the way and asked her two sisters about their intention to leave.

Lin Daiyu smiled and said nothing. Instead, Bao Qin took her cousin's hand and comforted her: Sister, wait a moment. I have few acquaintances in the capital. I'll trouble my sister to accompany me and be a cheering spectator for my sister.

Baochai had no choice but to follow them around. After leaving Rongguo Mansion, the carriage circled around the city, passed Chongwen Gate, and arrived at the Jingshi Daily store in the outer city.

When Baoqin led the people out of the car, there were already many accompanying Xue family servants standing here. They followed the young lady all the way north and south, and they were the most reliable family to have children. As soon as the lady's toes touched the ground, they were already surrounding her, covering Bao Qin.

Baochai was even more puzzled when he saw this behavior. However, Baoqin and Daiyu didn't say a word, and just walked slowly towards the house. On the way, I bumped into a shopkeeper who was coming to greet the guests. When he saw Bao Qin in the head, he smiled and said, Are you Mr. Xue from Yangzhou?

That's right. Bao Qin held the folding fan and cupped her hands, and then sat down at the other party's invitation.

As soon as the two parties sat down, Bao Qin spoke up and went straight to the point, talking to the shopkeeper about his purpose. Baochai listened for a while and then realized that her cousin wanted to advertise Qiupu Street in Yangzhou in the newspaper. Without further ado, the shopkeeper was startled by the aura of Baoqin's words.

Five hundred taels, we want the front page of the Jingshi Daily for a month. Except for our words Yangzhou Qiupu Street, nothing else is allowed to appear on the front page.

What a big deal this is. Are all Yangzhou people so rich now? Five hundred taels at the first opening? ? ? The shopkeeper couldn't understand that nowadays, the advertisements in Jingshi Daily only cost a few dollars or one tael. These five hundred taels are worth the income of many families.

Baochai couldn't understand either and just looked at Baoqin who was calm and composed. My cousin is still waiting for the shopkeeper's reply.

Good tea. Let's say a scene first as a response. The shopkeeper weighed the pros and cons in his mind. Although he was in charge of the affairs of the shop, he still had several bosses with strong backgrounds behind him. Thinking that there were too many doors in the capital, he worried again, I wonder what Mr. Xue wants to do?

Just come... Bao Qin smiled slightly, We are looking for workers in Qiupu Street, Yangzhou. Each person has five taels of silver per month.

That's it?! The shopkeeper was shocked and couldn't understand what Bao Qin was doing. He thought that the Yangzhou people were going to publish some shocking long article, and he was going to let the people in the capital see how powerful it was.

Yes, that's it. Bao Qin picked up the fan, kept tapping it on his palm, and said casually, I wonder if the shopkeeper can do it for me?

Suddenly, a big stupid businessman comes and the meat delivered to his door is free of charge. The shopkeeper turned around in his mind and said again: This price...

Six hundred taels.

As soon as Baoqin opened his mouth, he added a hundred taels. This move really shocked the others who heard it. The shopkeeper was afraid that Bao Qin would take the money to another newspaper shop, so he hurriedly said excitedly: Okay, okay, since Mr. Xue is so sincere, I am also willing to make it easier.

When the three of them walked out of the shop, Baochai was still feeling dizzy. She has seen silver, and the Xue family's previous wealth, even if it was a thousand and twenty thousand taels, was just a blink of an eye. She didn't expect that Baoqin would be willing to spend six hundred taels for just a small thing. Not to mention that Bao Qin could spend so much money so easily, which really refreshed my old understanding of Bao Qin.

But neither she nor Daiyu expected that Baoqin would take them to several other newspaper shops in the capital one after another. Just like before, I used the same price to buy a month's worth of articles from various newspaper stores.

After burning one thousand seven hundred taels in one breath, the three of them sat back in the carriage and headed along the road to the capital. Lin Daiyu sat in the car and said with a little excitement: Sister Qin, did we really spend more than a thousand taels of silver just now?

Lin Mansion's three-in-one courtyard only cost more than a thousand taels. With such skill, Qiupu Street in Yangzhou spent such a large sum of money. Even she watched it with excitement and excitement.

Bao Qin's vision was already extraordinary. She took Chen Heng's explanation and relayed it directly to Dai Yu: Money left in your hands is useless after all. Money spent is money. We want to make a big splash this time. You can't give up money. Spend one or twenty taels to buy a small corner, and even if you go up there, most people won't notice it.

She raised her hand, played with the fan, making an upward and downward fanning motion, holding the pearl of wisdom in her hand and said: We want everyone in the world to know Qiupu Street, and we want everyone in the world to know that Qiupu Street is in Yangzhou.

As soon as he heard this, Baochai knew that Baoqin would never do it just once or twice. Thinking of the grandeur of the person behind him, although she couldn't understand the purpose of this matter, she still said: Since we want everyone in the world to know, why not write down what is sold on Qiupu Street. Write it in more detail. , wouldn’t it be more effective?”

Sister Baochai is really smart. Seeing that Daiyu also had this question, Baoqin continued to explain: It just wants people to guess and think. When they see this sentence, their first reaction will definitely be to think about Qiupu Street. Whatever they do, they can still earn five taels of silver a month. When they had this idea, Qiupu Street left an impression on them.

This idea is not what I thought of. She added, looking at Daiyu and smiling again. The latter immediately understood and said strangely: I knew he was my elder brother. He, like his father, likes to figure out people's hearts the most.

Haha, who told him to always say that shopping malls are like battlefields?

The two people took Chen Heng and said they were happy. Baochai on the side was bored after hearing this. She could not understand these Yangzhou people more and more. This doubt remained until I got off the bus.

Seeing that this was the dock outside the capital, Baochai, who had just stood still, couldn't help but look at Baoqin curiously, as if asking why he was here again.

Sister, wait a minute, finish this matter, and I will take you back home. Baoqin straightened his clothes, put away his fan, and walked forward quickly with his hands behind his back. In front of her was the Jingshi Pier, which was extremely crowded and noisy.

Yangzhou merchants appeared out of nowhere. They spoke with similar accents and were talking and negotiating with the boatmen here. After a while, a servant who went to deliver a message came back with several merchants from Yangzhou. Baoqin asked as soon as the two parties met.

How did things go?

Not bad, we have ordered seven more ships. Mr. Xue, people from Shanxi are also here. They have news soon... It should be the Shanxi merchants in Yangzhou who have given the news. Shanxi merchants are also engaged in the salt industry in Yangzhou. They Compared with Huizhou merchants, they are more low-key and united.

When he heard that someone was coming to rob the boat, Baoqin was very happy and said hurriedly: It doesn't matter, it will be more lively if there are more people. Are the Huizhou merchants here?

It's coming, it's coming. I just heard from the front that there is also a caravan coming from Fujian.

Before and after the Ming Dynasty, Shanxi merchants, Hui merchants, and Fujian merchants were well-known throughout the world. Compared with them, the Yangzhou businessmen led by Xue Jia and Qiupu Street are just rising stars. The world-famous businessmen from the three places have such a keen sense of smell. I have only heard a few rumors, but recently they gathered in the capital, ready to get a share of the Northland's soup.

The more, the better. Baoqin laughed. She didn't care that these people appeared and took away their benefits. Chen Heng taught her a lesson. The foundation of Yangzhou lies in Qiupu Street and its nearly 100,000 skilled craftsmen. As long as nothing happens to Qiupu Street and them, all business will eventually flow back to Yangzhou.

The Northland is rich in resources and treasures. The vast territory contains many unknown treasures and opportunities. This cake is far bigger than anyone thought, enough for everyone to sit down and eat slowly.

Listening to their words, Baochai concentrated on the river. Here the sails of the ship are fluttering, and figures running around and shouting are passing between the dock and the ship's plank. Among them were many young women who were busy doing things, with excitement on their faces. One or two duckweeds are dotted among the green leaves, adding a bit of brightness to the bustling pier.

The rising sun rises over the river, and the blue waves spread across the sky and the earth. Baochai, who was involuntarily panicked, looked at Baoqin who was busy. From time to time, businessmen who had negotiated to get off the ship would come and chatter with Baoqin. They both talked very quickly, and they didn't look down on each other just because Bao Qin was a woman. After talking about the matter in a few words, these businessmen turned around and disappeared. It seemed that he was afraid of being too late and lost some money.

Infected by the emotions of these people, Baochai became excited for some reason. She hadn't left the mansion for a long time, thinking that all the excitement in the world was in Rongguo Mansion. The scene in front of you of the boatmen shouting their trumpets as they go out to sea is truly magnificent.

After being busy at the dock for another half day, Baoqin, who was doing some errands, pulled Daiyu and Baochai into the carriage back to Rongguo Mansion. On the way, Daiyu didn't feel tired at all, and took Baoqin to inquire about Chen Heng's intentions. While the two were chatting and laughing, Baochai was the only one who remained silent.

Finally, when we arrived at the gate of Rongguo Mansion, Baochai was about to get out of the car. Bao Qin suddenly said to her cousin: Sister.

Um?

Someone once told me that a daughter's family does not have to stick to one house. The vastness of the world can accommodate the ambitions of men and women. My sister's talents are much better than those of my younger sister. I heard that These words must be more than what I gained. (Note 1)

Baoqin added, When I was a child, I often heard my sister say that there is nothing in the world that cannot be used. Now that I think about it, I still feel that my sister is as talented and courageous as any man. I hope that my sister will not let herself be held back by secular ethics. A person will live forever. Wouldn't it be better to just be at ease?

Yes... Baochai glanced at Daiyu and said in an inexplicable tone, Did Sister Lin's brother say that?

Yeah. Baoqin smiled, and she looked outside the car curtain - the family name of Rongguo Mansion. The front door of Zhongming Dingshi House is very different. Sister, sister and sister Lin can only be sent to you.

Sister Bao, take care. Daiyu also said, no matter what happens in the end, she and Bao Qin have done what sisters can do.

After Baoqin and Daiyu left by car, Baochai went all the way back to Lixiang Garden, hurriedly reported to Aunt Xue, and then turned back to Hengwu Garden. Maybe I was a little tired after shopping a lot today. Baoyu happened to come to play with her, and Baochai ordered Ying'er to block the person out. I stood in front of the window, looking at the flowers in the yard, and couldn't help but be lost in thought.

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In the past few days, a strange thing suddenly happened in the bustling capital. The heads of several newspaper shops were suddenly surrounded by the words 'Yangzhou Qiupu Street'. The people in the capital, who had not been disturbed by new news for a long time, suddenly became interested in inquiring. I can't help but grab the people around me and ask about things on Qiupu Street.

This matter has not diminished with the passage of time, but has been fueled by the repeated sales of newspapers. The people in the capital couldn't understand the intentions of the Yangzhou people. They just thought that Yangzhou was rich, which was indeed a lie. He was actually willing to spend this unjust money and do some thankless and useless work. Yangzhou people are really stupid and have too much money.

But the Yangzhou people, including Du Yunjing and others, have been very bright recently. My hometown has made such a big splash in the capital. When they meet people and talk to each other, they are all very magical. As for the gossip, then what do you care about?

The excitement in the city was naturally spread to the palace by interested people. When Li Zhi learned about this from Li Xian, he knew that it must be Chen Heng who had done something good. His younger brother is not flexible enough, and he definitely doesn't have the flexibility to adapt to changes when running errands.

So, all the merchant ships at the capital's wharf have been ordered away?

Holding several newspapers from the city in his hand, Li Zhi sat in his seat with a bit of joy on his face.

Li Xian is a calm person. In recent years, he has often watched the political affairs. Knowing that the ministers in the court would not give up, he hurriedly said: Father, over there at the canal work on the river...

The food and clothing of millions of water workers depended on it. Li Zhi shook his head. This matter could have been mentioned to Dayong in the past. He then said, Since it was that kid who caused the trouble, call him back to confront me.

Perhaps he was worried that Chen Heng, with his junior qualifications, would be unprepared for this matter and would suffer a loss if someone made things difficult for him when he came back. He then said to his prince: In your own name, write a private letter to Chen Qing. Just say: If he is in poor health, I will allow him to take a temporary leave and recuperate in Shenzhou.

What he said was nothing more than telling me to tell Chen Qing that if you are confident about settling this matter, you will come back. If you are not sure, just pretend to be sick and hide for a while.

Father, if you want to go astray, just say so. Why bother? Li Xian had no choice but to say: I understand.

Go, go. Li Zhi was so happy that he didn't bother to pay attention to his son's frown. After calling his prince out, he sat down in his seat and read through the secret book Li An wrote to him.

The content on the booklet is full of literary talent, and naturally it was not written by Ang Lee himself. You can see the sentence A group of sails race across the sea, and this thing reaches Penglai. It monopolizes the essence of Changbai, and swings the beauty of the North Sea. It holds the sun and the moon, and carries the three mountains. The seagulls flatten the blue waves, and the green mud builds the immortal platform.

He was still excited by the scenes described in the article, and wished he could go to Shenzhou and Qingniwa to see if he was serious about creating a new sun and moon weather.

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It was already mid-September when Chen Heng received the prince's secret letter. It’s okay if you don’t collect it, but if you collect it, it will be two letters. The first letter was from Li Zhi, and Chen Heng read most of it. So I focused on the second expedited message, which said that Gu Zaiyong requested His Majesty to summon him to Beijing for questioning on the grounds that the canal work on the river was causing trouble.

Hold on. Chen Heng fell into deep thought after reading the letter. Wen Yu couldn't help but asked curiously, What's wrong?

I'm afraid I have to go back to Beijing early. Chen Heng smiled and didn't pay much attention to this little thing.

But are you in trouble? Wen Yu had no choice but to ask loudly when he encountered a craftsman driving piles next to him.

Don't worry. When you go back tonight, prepare what I told you and let me take them back to Beijing tomorrow. Chen Heng covered his ears in pain. Wen Yu's loud voice sounded like thunder when he spoke.

They are not in Shenzhou now, but are patrolling the dock called Qingniwa. It is said to be a wharf, but in fact it is just a small fishing village that prospered because of fishing. It is far less prosperous and lively than Dalian in later generations.

But such a small fishing village now has thousands of skilled craftsmen gathered. They are working hard to expand a larger commercial port on the original dock to receive more merchant ships. As long as the repairs are okay, it won't affect the merchant ships that come and go to unload their goods. Chen Heng led the old masters to discuss for a long time, and then came up with a method that was half for repair and half for use.

Then what should we say now? Liu Xianglian became more energetic when she heard that she was going back to Beijing. Should we continue patrolling? Or should we go back and pack our luggage first? After all, Qingniwa is not the capital or Shenzhou. What fun is there in a small fishing village? of. That is to say, it has been booming recently because of its superior terrain.

Chen Heng rolled his eyes at this boy and knew that he was in love with the prosperity of the capital, Let's talk after reading this.

Ha... Liu Xianglian scratched her head, smiled and followed Chen and Wen through the dusty pier.

Note 1: It’s Bao Qin’s extra story, but I haven’t written it yet. Hahahahahaha, take some time to make up for it.