The bear child of the Red Chamber, Jia Cong

The carriage slowly drove into a bamboo forest in the south of Nanchang City.There is an old house hidden in the depths of the path in the forest, and the peach blossoms and green bamboos form an interesting contrast.A middle-aged man got off the carriage and walked into the house slowly.The maid in the house came forward to greet him and led him all the way to the back garden.An old silver-haired woman was instructing two gardeners to trim a rose hedge.The man stepped forward and bowed to salute: "Auntie."

The old woman glanced at him: "How is it?"

The man said: "The Xie family was defeated." He then told the story of Su Tao's auction of Zhuzi Street's shop today.

The old woman thought for a moment, then asked: "In your opinion, who are the officers Zhang and Officer Liu?"

The man said: "In the beginning, the two shops were both auctioned by the two of them. It was obvious that they were children. Su Tao's wife's surname is Zhang, and that Zhang must be his niece. Li Dalang said that two days ago, Mr. Liu asked to see Su Tao. ,Su Tao ordered someone to go to find Mr. Jia later but couldn’t find him, so he went to see him first. It turned out that Mr. Jia happened to go to the toilet. After he came out, Yang Tugen looked at Mr. Jia and smiled, saying that his nurse had come, and then told him Liu The high officials and the yamen servants sang about reconciliation on the street. Mr. Jia was shocked and said that he hadn’t found any excuses. Daoist Zhenming suspected that the high official Liu was an assassin and fought with him.”

The old woman ordered the gardeners and maidservants to retreat, turned around and walked to a hexagonal pavilion in the garden, saying: "This official Liu is very smart. He doesn't even know what a steam mill is. He only listened to a few words from the yamen servant If you say that, immediately climb up the pole, acting like a nurse."

"Aunt see?"

The old woman smiled lightly and said, "Since he is from the capital, he must know the details of Su Tao. His timing is too coincidental."

The man cupped his hands: "My nephew is dull, please tell me clearly."

The old woman said: "Su Tao has been in office for more than half a year, but Xie Jing has dismissed him, and his parents are in name only. Most of the people who waited and watched the changes at first voted for Xie's family. Who knows that the wind will change suddenly. Su Tao is a junior, with twenty A soldier with a gun and a gun came out suddenly. On the day he came, he directly attacked Xie's house and closed the entire Zhuzi Street. After a few days, he opened the court to ask questions, and now he is openly auctioning Xie. It can be seen that the family stayed on the sidelines for the first six months and was investigating behind their backs. That Liu man was joining Su Tao on the first day of Su Tao's trial. My wife guessed that he had been waiting in Nanchang Mansion for many days. "

Now, the two of them have walked into the pavilion.The man moved the armchair for the old woman, and said: "Since that's the case, why didn't he go to Mr. Su earlier? He can help you earlier."

The old woman shook her head and said: "He is not a local, what can he help? He can help any Rongguo Mansion. Since Mr. Su already has a charter, he just waits by the side and picks a suitable spot to paste it. This person Pinched the earliest point."

The man sat opposite: "Then we?"

The old woman said: "The Xie family must have a countermeasure, let's pinch a little bit." Nai asked, "I asked you to buy grain, did you buy it?"

"Bought it."

"Food is the foundation of all people, so it's best not to do anything." The old woman said with a smile, "The Xie family's first move will most likely be on food."

The man nodded.After a while, he said: "In this way, the Xie family is doomed?"

The old woman sighed: "The Seventh Prince is gone, and the Rongguo Mansion is behind the Su family. What can the Xie family use to compete with others? Zuo is just reluctant to part with so much profit, and it's all about breaking the net."

The man said: "It's just that the Xie family has a deep foundation."

The old woman looked up at him: "Are you still afraid that the Xie family will make a comeback?"

"My nephew thinks that although the Su family is aggressive, it's just relying on a few green forest people with high martial arts skills."

The old woman asked: "The Xie family's foundation is deeper than that of Prince Yizhong who is a thousand years old?" The man shuddered.The old woman said coldly, "The only ones who can buy firearms without being princes are Wang Ziteng, the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, and Jia Lian, the prefect of Taiwan. Now there is Su Tao. Even if King Yan's troops don't have time to take care of Su Tao's affairs, the prince Teng is Jia Lian's biological uncle. It is not difficult for the Rongguo Mansion to help Su Tao borrow some soldiers from Lingnan. Besides," she looked up at the flowers and trees outside the pavilion, "the master who can suppress a room full of green forest people, It's hard to find even one of them. Su Tao was able to find 'several' of them."

Men should "yes".Then he said: "One more thing. Er..." He hesitated for a moment, "Yanhe...follow me today." The old woman frowned.The man lowered his head slightly, "I look at him...as if I'm looking at that official Zhang."

"No!" The old woman shouted.

The man pursed his lips: "Nephew thinks that although his status is a bit embarrassing, he is worthy of Su Tao's niece."

The old woman snorted, "My niece? That's the daughter of Su Tao's direct relative!"

The man was shocked: "What?!" He immediately argued, "Impossible! Even if Su Tao wants someone to bid for the babysitter, there's no point in letting his daughter go."

"What if she wants to go by herself?"

The man was stunned for a moment: "She is a boudoir lady, what does she do as a nursery? Besides, Mrs. Su is a famous Confucianist, so let her go if she wants to go?"

The old woman said with a cold face: "Su Tao's eldest daughter grew up in the capital since she was a child. Su Lao Hanlin is used to it, and the Rongguo Mansion takes money to hold her. She lives more freely than a princess. Even her father doesn't have a gun in his hand. She even dared to climb on the roof of the government office. Su Tao can't control her courage and temper. Su Tao has been unable to control her since she arrived in Jingzhou. Have you met the person who came back from Jingzhou? I don't know her How to break off the marriage?"

A hint of guilt flashed across the man's face: "The marriage of Deng's family in Jingzhou...isn't it a sign of incompatibility?"

"Crack!" The old woman clapped the table and said flatly, "You haven't personally seen the person who came back from Jingzhou."

The man bowed his head and dared not speak.The old woman pointed at him for a long time, then sighed: "That's all..." The man's head lowered even more.The old woman shook her head and said, "Go back and call that person to meet him, and ask him exactly how Miss Su's divorce ended. If Yan He really fell in love with her..." The man nodded repeatedly.The old woman thought for a moment, "Mr. Zhang bought the Young Dragon House?"

The man was stunned for a moment, and immediately replied: "Yes."

"Who bought the Splendid Mantang on the opposite side?"

"Splendid Mantang photographed by Luo Taiping himself."

The old woman nodded: "You go to Luo's house to give a generous gift, no matter how much money you have to buy Jinxiu Mantang, and let Yan He manage it." The man glanced at the old woman.The old woman said, "For a character like Miss Su, the marriage must be decided by herself. If Yan He has the ability to ask for it, it's fine if he doesn't."

The man said again: "Look at my nephew, Mr. Liu is obviously interested in Mrs. Liu... Miss Su."

The old woman said: "He is better than him in martial arts, family background, and mind. No matter how much our family wants to help him, we can't help him. Yanhe will give him everything he wants." She smiled, "It's hard for a woman to guess. In case he Is it finished?"

The man immediately asked: "What is the origin of the surname Liu?"

"Where does my wife know." The old woman said, "Anyway, the family has good eyesight. No matter what family background, it is better than peace." The man sighed quietly.The old woman said again, "Tell Yan He that 'Mr. Zhang' is Mrs. Su Tao's niece." The man's eyes moved, and he bowed his head in response.

The man said goodbye and left.The next morning he came back again and told the old woman, "The Xie family is so impatient. Starting today, the prices of rice shops all over the city have increased tenfold."

The old woman was eating tea, and said with a smile, "I'm not in a hurry. The longer the delay, the easier it will be for the Su family to deal with it, and the harder it will be for the Xie family." But she thought for a moment and said, "Prepare our food, wait a little bit."

The man said: "Yan He means to take out the food right now and help Mr. Su."

The old woman said leisurely: "I can't eat hot tofu in a hurry, and the steel whisker is used on the blade. At this moment, ordinary people still have more than rice in their rice jars. After a few days, the people became restless, and some people went to the gate of the government to make a fuss. Wu The food trucks from Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi haven’t arrived yet, so let’s do it again.” The man hesitated for a while, and finally answered “Yes”.

In the afternoon, Su Cheng sent a few people to Chulongzhai to clean up the shop.On the opposite side, a boy came from Jinxiumantang, saying that his new boss asked to see Boss Zhang on something urgent.Su Tao was discussing with Jia Cong and others how to deal with the soaring price of rice. Su Cheng stood beside Chen Ruijin with her father's murderous eyes.Hearing that the owner on the opposite side asked to see him, he was stunned: "The owner on the opposite side is an old man named Luo?"

Liu Xiaoqi hurriedly said: "That person is not a good thing at first glance, don't go! Let's discuss important matters."

The visitor said: "People told me that their boss took down the shop from the Luo family, and just completed the paperwork this morning."

Chen Ruijin said: "It's obvious that I deliberately wanted to buy it across from your shop."

Jia Cong said: "Since this is the case, why don't you buy it at the auction?" He ordered someone to check if someone came to handle the transfer documents of Jinxiu Mantang this morning.

All of a sudden the pawn came back and said, "At [-]:[-] this morning, Luo and Lao came to do the paperwork. The Luo family just took pictures of the Jinxiu Mantang on Zhuzi Street yesterday, and today they sold it to the Lao family."

Jia Cong asked, "What is the history of these two families?"

Su Tao said: "They are all local squires, and they all bought shops yesterday. The Lao family is much bigger than the Luo family, and is very popular. There are rumors in the market that the Lao family has relatives with high-ranking officials in Beijing, but no one knows which one it is." , They have never used any power." He paused, "It would be a great thing for their family to help me."

Jia Cong rubbed his chin: "This business is done in a weird way."

Because Su Tao was here, Su Cheng was very honest today, hiding behind Chen Ruijin to avoid her father, and suddenly said: "I think that relative of a high-ranking official in Beijing is real."

Chen Ruijin asked, "How can you see it?"

Su Cheng said: "After the auction ended yesterday, Liu Xiaoqi and I sang together in the front yard, obviously we have taken refuge with my father." Her father gave her a glare.Su Cheng laughed, "Splendid Mantang is just across from our shop. Although it seems a little silly, isn't this what it means? My father and Xie's family have just started fighting, so it's obvious that there is a lot of interest in seeing the wind so quickly. People with good eyesight. Well, such a family can be said to be a high-ranking official in the capital."

Chen Ruijin smiled and said: "Although Cheng'er is joking, there must be a reason why they are in a hurry to buy Jinxiu Mantang. Why don't you go and see him."

Liu Xiaoqi hurriedly said, "I'll go with you!"

Su Cheng frowned and before he could speak, Jia Cong hurriedly said, "What are you going to do? The owners of two shops are talking about business, why are you joining in the fun as the owner of the third shop?" while scratching him with his eyes.

Liu Xiaoqi said: "I'm curious what he wants to say to Mr. Zhang."

Chen Ruijin said: "Of course Cheng'er will know when he comes back." Nai looked at Su Cheng, "You go."

Su Cheng agreed, stood up, saluted her father, and walked away graciously.Su Tao looked at her and let out a long sigh, then shook his head and remained silent.

At that moment, Su Cheng arrived at Xiaolongzhai, went inside and walked around, then sent a young man to the opposite door to ask, "When is it convenient to visit." After a while, the young man came with a young man.This person is about twenty-five or six years old, with a handsome appearance and an elegant demeanor, he looked at Su Cheng and bowed his head: "Mr. Zhang."

Su Cheng smiled back and bowed: "Master Lao."

Lao Dong's family also smiled, and said: "I think Mr. Zhang is a straightforward person, so he won't go around the corner." Nai said in a low voice, "I just got the news that the rice shops all over the city will be closed tomorrow, and a single piece of rice will not be sold. "

Su Cheng was slightly startled: "Not for sale? The price has increased tenfold today."

Lao Dong's family said: "I only sell today for one day, starting tomorrow, I would rather not do business than sell. I don't know what other tricks will be used later."

Su Cheng took a breath, smiled lightly and said, "Look at how anxious they are. If you want to die, you have to see how strong the net is."

Lao Dong's family said: "Our family has prepared rice grains, but my brother and I haven't been able to convince our ancestors yet."

Su Cheng looked at him and smiled brightly: "It's all right. The four generals who were in trouble in the capital calmly came over, what are a few small merchants?" Nai cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Mr. Lao, for the report. You don't have to worry about it, Mr. Su has his own way."

Lao Dong's family was about to say something, but seeing her smiling brightly, they were stunned for a moment and didn't say anything.Su Cheng didn't realize it was funny, and gave another deep salute.Lao Dong's family just woke up now, and hurriedly returned the gift.He said in his mouth: "Don't worry, Mr. Zhang, our family's food will be released in a few days."

Su Cheng said: "Don't force it, the old man has his own ideas. Besides, it can't wait a few days for the whole city to run out of food. It must be resolved tonight, so they can't do it."

Lao Dong's family wondered: "How to solve it? The food in the shop is in the hands of others, and it is true that there is no food in the official warehouse."

"I don't know yet. One night is enough to come up with a solution." The corners of Su Cheng's lips curled up, revealing two rows of white teeth in a smile, "The solution is something people thought of." A little dazed, he hastily made a long bow to cover his past, and hurriedly said goodbye.

After he left, Su Cheng immediately rode back to the magistrate's yamen.Laodong's family stood at the entrance of Jinxiu Mantang and watched her disappear in a flash. After thinking about it for a long time, he hurried back to his house.He hurriedly found his cousin and said, "If our food is going to be used to win Mr. Su, we have to take it out today and buy it at a low price."

His cousin glanced at him, and slowly shook his sleeves: "What's the hurry? Didn't you tell the girl from the Zhang family to report the letter?"

"I'll report it!" Mr. Lao paused, and repeated what he and Su Cheng had just said.

The cousin was stunned: "Let's solve it tonight? What can they do? It's hard for a clever woman to cook without rice, and far away water can't save near fire."

"I don't know." Mr. Lao said after concentrating for a long time, "Miss Zhang's expression clearly shows that she has a plan. Since she said that there is a way, there must be a way. Brother, since Mr. Su made a move, Xie's every move It’s all in vain.” The cousin took a hissing breath.Mr. Lao's family persuaded, "I'm afraid we can only do so until tomorrow morning. By tomorrow, those food preparations will be for nothing—Master Su will no longer need them."