The Jade of the Red Chamber

On the [-]th, the second township examination.After Lin Zhenyu washed briefly outside the basin with water, he stuffed some dry biscuits, and then went out of the dorm and stood quietly in front of the door. At the end of the day, the examiner was still carrying the wooden box, and put the rolls one by one from the window. In the case, after a while, the bell rang, and all the scholars entered the dormitory, saying that they entered the hall, and the second exam began!

At this time, the smell in the dormitories was already very bad, and the weather was hot, with flies and insects flying around, and many scholars were writing hard while covering their noses.Lin Zhenyu is very happy, thanks to his experienced father, caring mother and good friends!Only by myself can I prepare so comprehensively.Lin Zhenyu lit a handful of dried moxa while thinking about it. Artemisia argyi is the best kind of moxa. It is easy to ignite, has less smoke and a great fragrance, and is good at repelling mosquitoes and miasma. After a while, Zhenyu's cellar overflowed with Lightly fragrant.Lin Zhenyu put a piece of lemon balm leaf (that is, mint) in her mouth, and went to answer the test calmly.

On the [-]th, the second-to-last day of the provincial examination, Lin Zhenyu took a hard bite of pancakes soaked in water. A lot of crumbs fell from the pancakes, and Zhenyu silently held the hard dry pancakes, which could be used as murder weapons. Continue to chew hard.Because of the hot weather, the scholars can only prepare more salty noodle pancakes, which are the most resistant to damage. Everyone will look disheveled after a few days. The guards carried them out of the tribute courtyard.

On the [-]th, the last day of the undergraduate course, the appearance is not according to the time. As long as you finish answering the paper, put the reel and draft paper on the case, and you can be invited to come out after a brief inspection by the inspector.The guard gathers a number of people who have completed the scroll to open the gate once, which is called "playing cards".After release, the door is closed again.Generally, the first card is placed before noon, the second card is placed in the afternoon, and the third card is placed in the evening, and then the door is no longer closed.At the beginning of Xu, the field was cleared.

At noon, Lin Zhenyu arranged the roll of draft paper, put everything back into the test basket, wiped her face with the last bit of water, and reported to the inspection officer.The inspector looked at the pale but energetic scholar, nodded, well, at least there is no need to send guards to fight him out...

Lin Zhenyu was surrounded by a group of people and went back to the house. Shui Yang had ordered people to prepare fragrant soup, Zhenyu had a big wash, had a good meal, and fell asleep.

At noon the next day, as soon as Zhenyu opened her eyes, she found that Shui Yang was sitting on the edge of the bed and looking at him worriedly. "What time is it?" Shui Yang took out a delicate pocket watch from his arms and said, "It's three quarters in the afternoon." "Hey!" Zhenyu was startled, "I've slept for so long, no wonder I feel so hungry!"

"Hehe" Shui Yang pulled Zhenyu up with a smile, turned back to the outer room and said, "Come in."

An old man with white beard and hair came in, followed by Ma Shou who was holding a medicine box. Ma Shou smiled and said, "Master, you are awake!"

"Is it better?" Shui Yang asked. "If you go back to the master, this son is already well, just make up for it!" Shui Yang nodded, and waved him to go down.

"What? Am I still sick?" Zhenyu wondered, he felt that he probably just didn't eat well and couldn't sleep well.

Shui Yang smiled and said, "It's just for reassurance." Ma Shou said with a smile: "Thanks to Master Shen! We are not so considerate anymore. Yesterday the uncle fell asleep and fell asleep. Master Shen came to his house a long time ago. The doctor waited, felt the pulse of the uncle, and said that the uncle was exhausted from exhaustion, and he would be healed after a sleep, and now, isn't this all right!"

Zhenyu looked at Shui Yang with eyes full of smiles, and said warmly: "Thank you!" Shui Yang looked at those bright black eyes, paused, and his ears turned red...

Zhenyu was detained by Shui Yang in the mansion and made up for it, and he was released after a few days.

In the private room on the second floor of Zuixianju, Gu Qingzhi held the jade cup and said with a smile: "But it's over, I don't want to taste the taste there anymore." After drinking the wine, he said: "I think it was better when I came to Chunwei There are many, at least there are no mosquitoes, and the food is not easy to spoil." Lin Zhenyu and Xi Shuangyou laughed.But I heard Jin Kang say quietly: "Chunwei? February? The house in the Gongyuan - but it is ventilated on all sides... It is still 'ice'-well-water!" Qingzhi screamed and couldn't get up from the table.Lin and Xi laughed.

"Well, I heard that all the beauties in the Jiuyan Pavilion in the capital are charming and talented." After a while, Qingzhi laughed again, "Brother, take you to take a look?" Everyone left him.Jin Kang's family education is very strict. Mr. Jin was born in Hanlin, and he pays the most attention to etiquette and demeanor, not to mention the Xi family. Shuangyou is the only one of the three generations of Xi's family who is talented and expected to be admitted to the Imperial Academy. Mr. Xi can't wait to put his eyes on him. If there is slack, Master Xi will be recruited... As for Zhenyu, he is the youngest of the four, and Qin Lou and Chu Guan have never seen him before.

Shuangyou lightly picked up the wine glass, relaxed and said: "There is still more than a month before the release of the list, and this leisurely time is a little uncomfortable." Jin Kang smiled: "That's right, why don't we play around the city?" Zhenyu Qingzhi took a closer look at his fan, and said, "Well, I'd like to look for something exquisite and spiritual." Then he said sadly: "Isn't it possible to go back to the Double Ninth Day? Celebrate Fuyu's fourth birthday to him." Terrible, I wonder if I will be sad?" Jin Kang said with a smile: "It is rare for you to spoil and love younger sisters and younger brothers like this." Qingzhi glanced at him: "You recruited him again! Who doesn't know that Zhenyu always talks about his younger brothers and younger brothers? It doesn't stop!" Shuangyou said with a smile: "It's Xiao Fuyu's birthday, we brothers should give him some delicate gadgets."

"I want to set up two shops in the capital city. After coming here, I see that although the house here is repaired, it is also dilapidated. If you will come to the capital city in the future, it is better to renovate and renovate it. If you have a shop, you can take care of it. There are some things. It's also cheap." The other three sat up straight and listened to Zhenyu.Zhenyu pointed to the three of them and said: "You are talented, needless to say. If you succeed in the future, a family like ours will never let you out to be a small official. Hanlin or Liubu is a must. Shuangyou must be in the uncle's house." It's not a long-term solution, Qing Zhi also needs to buy a good house. Although Jin's family has another courtyard, the human relationship is expensive, and they can't sleep in a shack with their salary? Besides, although the family will provide for it, if they have their own Wouldn't it be better to earn more money?" All three were convinced.

Shuangyou asked: "But there is a charter?" Qing Zhi said: "Could it be that Zhenyu wants to bring us into the group? That's a great thing!" Jin Kang said: "This time I came to Beijing, my family gave me a lot of money, almost nothing It's cheap." Xi and Gu Lianlian nodded.They have been in the shop of jade for a long time, Qing Zhishan is more fond of painting, Shuangyou loves horses, Jin Kang loves seals, the three of them often lose their favorite things because of money, and their monthly silver is not the same. Although the family rewards are generous, they are not worth the thousands of dollars for a famous painting, a horse, and a seal of the former dynasty.Seeing that Zhenyu buys things, she has never cared about money, so she is naturally envious of Zhenyu's own income.

Lin Zhenyu had already planned to set up some shops in the capital, not to mention that she would become an official in the future, even because of the Jia Mansion it was necessary.His mother is weak, and he and his father tried everything to no avail. If... In order to firmly grasp the in-law relationship of Lin Hai, a second-rank official, the Jia family will definitely take their brothers and sisters to visit their relatives. They have some shops of their own. It's also comfortable to eat, isn't it!

Before coming to the capital, Jia Min gave Lin Zhenyu two land deeds in private. She knew that her son was not short of money, but Beijing was no different than other places. The land deeds of the two shops that her father gave her in private were given to her son, so there is a guarantee in case of emergency.This land deed is the private house of Rong Guogong's youngest daughter, and even Mrs. Jia doesn't know about it.

Zhenyu said: "The bustling streets and densely populated cities of this capital are better than those in the south of the Yangtze River, and the people in the middle of the capital are more wealthy. The things in the capital are luxurious, while the things in the south of the Yangtze River are exquisite. Compared with the past, the things in the south of the Yangtze River are more beautiful. And rare. If there are one or two shops that sell some exquisite and spiritual things, especially the Jiangnan cloth embroidery is much better than that in the capital, then it is no problem that this shop is prosperous." The eyes of the other three said.

Xi Shuangyou asked: "The capital is expensive, and it is even more difficult to find a good shop. The price is high. How much silver do you need?" There are as many as two, but there is still a price but no market." The three of them were worried again.

Zhenyu smiled and said: "I have the title deeds of two shops in my hand, which I rented out to other houses before. When I first came to the capital, I asked people to come to discuss it. These few days have been vacant." The three were overjoyed.Discuss again in detail.Lin Zhenyu wanted each of the four to take [-]% of the shares, but the other three refused, saying: "I have already taken advantage of you, so I can't do that."

In the end, the four of them agreed that there would be two shops, one for fabric embroidery, and one for pearl hairpin jewelry. Lin Zhenyu said that one shop was huge, and that one could be separated to make some rouge and gouache. This daughter's business?" Zhenyu said with a smile: "Don't you hear that women's money is the best money?" Four people hold shares: Zhenyu three points, the other three each share two points, and the remaining one share is used to make money. Invite shopkeepers, embroiderers, craftsmen and other miscellaneous things.Zhenyu said with a smile: "Out of my three points, I want to give one point to a good friend, but don't worry, he will no longer care about the business of the shop, and has nothing to do with our contract, but sometimes use his name as a first Use it, if I don't let him know as a shop, that person will be angry."

Jin Kang said: "Is it the one who bought shares in your Jiangnan shop? Wouldn't it be better if all of us gave him a share?" Both Xi and Gu agreed.Zhenyu hurriedly waved his hands and said: "That's not necessary. He would like nothing more to share him with me, but the capital is deep. When we first came here, his family is powerful, so let's borrow his name." He laughed again: " I have known him since we were young, and he has never been short of money, he just likes to participate in my affairs, and he doesn't care about these things." He sighed and said: "When I was young, I was afraid that he would look down on this 'business' business and set up a shop. He kept it from him, but he got very angry with me, and later he took a stake in my shop."

Qing Zhi said with a smile: "It's not surprising, there are many people who are not ashamed of this business, and some poor scholars say 'insulting the sages', but which aristocratic family doesn't have some property? It's not that we take care of it ourselves, someone else will fight it Literally, the person who came forward is nothing more than our entourage butler." Jin Kang smiled: "Very, very! What about gold, silver and dung, is it possible that you have to be so noble that you starve yourself and your parents, wife and children to be considered 'gentle'? "

Zhi Shuangyou was careful, thought for a while, and asked hesitantly: "Zhenyu, you said he has shares in all your shops? Then..." Lin Zhenyu knew that this was because her friend was worried about her, and Jin and Gu also agreed. Hearing something was wrong, Gu Zhenyu was worried. "Don't worry, he also gave me some shares in the workshop industry in the south! He is a bit cold, and he comes from a good family background. He is extremely difficult for outsiders. Since he took me as his best friend, he always wants to protect me. That's all. Don't worry about him anymore!" Only Zhenyu didn't say that Shuiyang's properties in the south were two private mines and a large piece of Zhuangzi's land that his brother gave him.

Shuangyou smiled and said, "It's my villain's heart." Zhenyu said, "This is what a close friend said, and I can't take it anymore!" Everyone who said it laughed.Zhenyu didn't mention his friend's name, and the three of them didn't mention it either, presumably they were Master Lin's family friends in Beijing.

After a momentary agreement, Xi Shuangyou sighed: "This is a great help. My old man said earlier that if he passes the exam next year, he will hand over to my uncle to walk the walk. At least there will be a shortage of some six parts. He must grow up The capital is already in the city, and this way, my worries are all over. I don’t have to be crowded with my uncle’s family. Although his family is big, there are too many people, and my cousins ​​are very troublesome. I don’t want to join the family anymore. went in."

Zhenyu said: "When the shop is opened, it is serious to set up a few good villages. If you don't make eye contact or attract criticism, if you get married and start a business in the future, this is a proper industry that can support you." Jin Kang said: "What you said is that we Most of the property in the family’s business is Zhuangzi, and most of the shops are private property in the hands of men and wives.” Speaking of official career, Lin Zhenyu only said that he will not pass the examination next year, and he will leave it at that time. .Everyone understands that Zhenyu is really small, even if he passed the general examination, he might not be able to use it.

Since then, craftsmen from all walks of life have gathered together, gold, silver, copper, tin, earth, wood, bricks and tiles are all available, and there are things such as arranging scenery, and there is also a system of calling for mountain shapes under the Shuiyang Gate, which will soon be repaired according to Lin Zhenyu's general requirements After that, Lin Zhenyu just came to visit him when he had nothing to do, and discussed with him the most important things.

Half a month later, Lin Zhenyu called all her friends to come and see, and saw that the two shops were not far apart, and they were both on Tongtuo Street.There are four or five large commercial streets in the capital city. Tongtuo Street is the favorite place for the sons and daughters of aristocratic families and the purchasers of high-end families. The capital city is more open than the south, and some wives and wives wear veiled hats and come here by car. .A few years ago, the shops on Tongtuo Street had nothing to sell. It was lively but not noisy, and the road could run parallel with four or five carriages, so it was a good place to go.Of course, the items sold in every shop here are top-grade and expensive.

The layout of the shop is very luxurious and elegant, with carved railings and painted buildings, large windows inlaid with glass, various kinds of precious flowers and plants, exquisite decorations, exquisite elegant rooms on the second floor, and pavilions for entertaining distinguished guests in the backyard. The three of them, Gu and Gu, were thinking about writing additional money to Lin Zhenyu.

Lin Zhenyu asked the three of them to sit down, Xi Shuangyou found that there were two silk cloths tied by the window, he was puzzled, and asked: "What is this?"The three of them discovered that it was originally a gauze curtain, which was dense and bright, very clear, with silver threads embroidered with butterflies and flowers on the top, and azurite strings with beads hanging on the bottom, delicate and beautiful.

Zhenyu smiled and said: "This shop only sells women's things. Those wives in the north can often go out, even those young ladies, if they are loved by the family, they will occasionally have the opportunity to go out. When the curtain is covered, the outside can’t see the inside clearly, and the light is permeable.” He said again: “Of course, if it’s a lady, someone will welcome you to the elegant room upstairs or the pavilion in the backyard. But don’t forget, Mr. The compradors who are in charge of these rouge, powder, cloth and jewelry are also women, and there are rich households who do not have strict rules, and small households with surplus property to add dowry. More clever." Hearing the words, the three of them were dizzy, and only sighed: "Such an exquisite mind! Thinking of these..."

After joking for a while, Lin Zhenyu said: "It's all packed here, just wait for the goods to be placed." Jin Kang said: "The boat for transporting the fabric has arrived in Zhili, and it can be transported tomorrow morning." The governor of Yangzhou is in charge of the government of a province, and Mrs. Jin's natal family is from a noble family in Gusu, and she will follow her to handle it. The big textile businessman came together, selected several companies, and signed a contract. It is easy to solve the problem. The problem of supply.

As for the Zhuchai jewelry store, it is a bit difficult to manage.The four of them sent people around to collect agate amber, red sapphire and jadeite as raw materials, and Zhu Zhenyu said that his friend had a pearl factory in the South China Sea, and he also had a share there, so there was no need to go to him. purchase.In the south of the Yangtze River, he begged for high-priced craftsmen with good craftsmanship.Therefore, the jewelry store will not be able to open these days.

The four sipped tea, quarreled for a while, and decided on the names of two shops: "Jinxiufang" and "Zhenbaoxuan", which are simple but easy to remember, and they use "Tong" and "Tai" more than other shops. Names such as "He", "Mao", "Rui" and "Chang" are more elegant.

In the unitary hour, the golden crow falls to the west, and the red clouds move lightly.Zhenyu was saying goodbye to her friend, but she heard the door slamming behind her, and someone came in. Zhenyu said, "The shop is not open yet." Turning around and seeing Shui Yang, she smiled and said, "Aren't you busy today? Why are you here at this time? "He smiled and said to his friend: "This is... Shen Yang!" Pointing to his friend, he said: "Xi Shuangyou, Gu Qingzhi, Jin Kang." The net worth details of several friends are now checked.The three of them were a little stunned, they didn't expect to be such outstanding characters.After everyone exchanged some pleasantries, Shui Yang said to Lin Zhenyu, "Go home." Zhenyu said goodbye to her friend.Shui Yang nodded slightly to several people, then led Zhenyu's hand into the carriage.

The three people came back to their senses until the horses and horses were gone, one said: "I don't know that Shen Yang is such a beautiful person." The other said: "He is really cold, but he looks very good with Zhenyu." The other said : "I don't like this kind of character the most! If you listen to music and enjoy incense with him, you can't be reduced to a foil?!" The other two disdain: "Hey!"