The oil bottle of the Red Chamber

Now let's say that Chen Gui borrowed flowers to offer Buddha, and offered the only pack of "anti-wolf medicine powder" left in his hand to Zhao Bihe, the commander of the Jinyi Army, and offered the idea of ​​hunting dogs to find people in this way-although this action was aimed at arresting kidnappers. This matter may not be useful, but it shows that Chen Gui is quick-witted, not easy to show off, and intends to show Zhao Bihe's favor.

If in the past, a donated seventh-rank official like Chen Gui, even if he knelt in front of Zhao Bihe in the street and spit out golden lotuses with his tongue, he would definitely not be able to join Zhao Bihe and such a powerful third-rank official. the eyes of the staff.But today is different from the past, since both the Holy Majesty and His Royal Highness have a good sense of Chen Gui, this Chen Gui is not the kind of self-defeating, frivolous and arrogant person, and the flattering Zhao Bihe is quite satisfied, Zhao Bihe I am also happy to have a friendly relationship with Chen Gui.

I heard Chen Gui clasping his hands and saying earnestly: "So that my lord will know that those kidnappers are cruel and daring. Just now, they dared to threaten their lives in front of the saint and your highnesses. I am really worried. I just hope Only if the adults can arrest these desperadoes as soon as possible, the officials and their families can sleep peacefully."

Zhao Bihe glanced at Chen Gui with a half-smile.I just think this person is really smart and obedient.He helped him come up with ideas, not only did he not claim his merits and beg for cleverness, but he said it as if he begged himself to do things.These words made Zhao Bihe pleasing to the ears.So Zhao Bihe pondered for a while, then smiled and said: "You are right. Since these kidnappers are cruel and merciless, and you have ruined their good deed just now, they must hate you. Besides, you brought your family out today Going shopping, although I brought a few servants with me, I was injured and died. It is very useless. If this is the case... I will order a few Jinyi soldiers to escort your home. To prevent the bandits from making trouble at night. "

When Chen Gui heard the words, he didn't care what he thought, but his face was full of ecstasy, and he hurriedly bowed his hands in thanks.There was another load of flattery in his mouth.The complimenting Zhao Bihe stretched his eyebrows more and more, and smiled with his beard. He only felt that Chen Gui was a smart person.Originally, they only wanted to send two Jinyi soldiers to escort the members of the Chen family to Ying Jing'er, but now they sent a patrol team with as many people as they wanted—not as escorts, but as support for the scene.

Then Chen Gui accepted Zhao Bihe's love, and thanked him in his mouth without going into details.After arriving home, another group of Jinyi soldiers sat down and ate wine and glutinous rice balls.The little leader of the Jinyi Army refused, but Chen Gui persuaded again with a set of words: "Master Zhao, please escort me and my family to come, because I don't want those bandits to make trouble at night and harm me. And family members. That being the case, you adults have to stay - lest those gangsters come to you by following the clues, and the old, weak, women and children of our family, and the only few people who take care of the home at this time will all die. Death, injury, injury, there is no way to resist."

Speaking of this, Chen Gui paused again, because of a smile, he said: "Besides, it's freezing outside, and the northwest wind is blowing like a knife. I just prepared a few glasses of thin wine, and I invite you adults to eat a few bowls of glutinous rice balls. Ying Jing'er, it's all about going to get rid of the cold. Today is the Lantern Festival—or do you say that the adults despise humble homes and meanness, and don't allow expensive feet to step on low places."

It wasn't Chen Gui's resignation, it was actually Zhao Bihe who was the commander of the Jinyi Army, and the most humble official of the Jinyi Army who followed him was Cong Qipin's flag.Moreover, most of these small flags are from hereditary military households, with deep family background and deep roots, which are much better than Chen Gui, a small official who donated and has nothing to rely on.

After hearing this, the Jinyi soldiers also felt that Chen Gui's words were a bit interesting.Besides, it's freezing cold outside, no one wants to go out at this stall to arrest criminals.If there is no excuse, it's fine, and now Chen Gui handed over the ready-made excuse again.If they shouldn't, it's not that they are wholeheartedly serving the public, they seem to have no one in their eyes.At any rate, they are people who have registered in front of the Holy Majesty, they are not to be neglected.

Thinking of this, the General Banner of the Seventh Rank who was the leader couldn't help but smile, clasped his hands and said "Nevermind", and followed Chen Gui to the banquet to have a drink.After three cups and two cups, one party intends to make friends, and the other party intends to flatter, and the two groups become more affectionate and call each other brothers.

Not to mention how to push cups and change cups in the hall at the moment, the feast is sweet and hearty.It is only said that the members of the Chen family returned to the back house, and because of such an incident, not to mention Chen Gui and the second sister who met the emperor directly and had a few words with the royal family, and even the Chen family who kowtowed to the ground all the time. Everyone is honored with you, and they are very excited.To put it bluntly, today's experience was "even more exciting than what was sung in the opera".

Mrs. Chen even held her second sister in her arms, and praised the second sister for her eloquence, "You are courageous and careful, and you dare to argue in front of the emperor and the princes. It really gives your old lady a face." I haven't hurt you in vain all these years."

Hearing Mrs. Chen frivolously calling her "Old Lady", Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Chen frowned, and reprimanded in a deep voice: "That's just because the nobles see that the second sister is young and speaks childishly, so they don't want It's just a theory. In the future, you should be less excited and ruin the reputation of our Chen family."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Chen curled her lips secretly.Immediately restrained a lot.

Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Chen were also concerned about the servants who were injured or killed in Huajie, so they hurriedly recruited Chen Zhong, the head of the outer courtyard who was in charge of the family's affairs, to discuss how to arrange for those servants who were injured or killed.

After hearing this, Feng Shi and Chen Shi hurried to get up, and took Brother Rong and several sisters to hide behind the screen.Mrs. Chen smiled and said: "No need to be like this. He is in his fifties, besides, he is an old man in our family. You are young now, and you have not experienced many things. In the future, you must learn from it How to deal with it. If Mo Ruo stays and listens, it is always my own business."

It's just that Feng and Chen heard what they said.Return to sit again.

At that time, Chen Zhong had arrived, and he met Li outside first.Then he stood under the eaves of the corridor and answered.Old Mrs. Chen laughed and said, "Whoever is talking to you in the middle of the night, come in."

When Chen Zhong heard the words, he first kowtowed to thank him.Stepping in the door again, I can only smell a gust of fragrant wind, and from the corner of my eye, I can see the hairpins, bracelets and silks all over the room.Chen Zhong didn't dare to raise his head, so he just stood in the middle of the ground, lowered his eyebrows and lowered his eyes, and stood with his hands tied.

Old Mrs. Chen didn't take it seriously, and asked about those people who came back from Huajie.

This Chen Zhong is Chen Gui's most proud father who often accompanies Chen Li. All his ancestors worked as servants in Chen's residence, and he has won the trust and reuse of his master.Hearing old Mrs. Chen's question, Chen Zhong pondered for a while, got a glimpse of his deep meaning, and said: "If according to the old practice, the servants of the family fell ill and died, it is normal to reward three or five taels of money for burial. If it is shameful , there are also extra rewards from the master, that’s another story. But these people are different from others—at least they died for the master, and they are young, so it’s not easy to dismiss them casually.”

After hearing this, Mrs. Chen nodded and said, "That's right, that's the reason. We can't treat people badly for those who work for the master. What I mean is that each person will be given 50 taels of burial money, and then from these people's homes. Choose a few good ones from the children—it doesn’t matter whether they are male or female, just look at their character. The younger ones will be left to be manipulated by the young ones, and the girls will be evenly assigned to Sister Wan, the eldest sister, and the second sister. No matter how smart and well-behaved they are, they can also choose to go to the shop to learn some business management, this is teaching a man how to fish."

Hearing this, Chen Zhong smiled and said, "It's still the old man who has a delicate mind and considerate considerations. The little ones can't think of these things anymore."

When Mrs. Chen heard the words, he let out a sigh, because he said: "Those who are not comprehensive are just our masters, and we are doing our best."

Chen Zhong smiled and said: "It is this kind of heart that is invaluable. For those of us who have children, their lives belong to the master's family. If they meet a kind and compassionate master, even if they die, they are willing .If you meet someone who is cold-hearted and cold-hearted, who would dare to say anything if you only spend three or five taels of silver?"

After hearing the words, Mrs. Chen became even more silent.Asked how the banquet in the outer courtyard was going, Chen Zhong replied with a smile.Old Mrs. Chen quickly said: "Those who are injured should also be treated by a doctor. Don't be stingy with soup and medicine. Tell them to recover from their injuries and return to their original errands after they recover. Those who are not injured should also be rewarded heavily. If the family members are useful, they will do as they said just now. These people have gone through things, so they are more reliable than others, and they need to be reused now."

Chen Zhong only promised.Old Mrs. Chen ordered a few more words, and suddenly heard a lot of commotion coming from the front yard, as well as the sound of swords and soldiers clashing.Indistinctly, there were bursts of flames.At this time, the north wind was blowing again, and the fire was blown up two or three feet high by a gust of wind, making it even more frightening in the cold night.

When the female relatives saw it, they became more and more panicked.Old Mrs. Chen stood up abruptly, dragged Chen Zhong and asked, "What's going on outside?"