[Red Mansions] The big maid struggles daily

Madam Zhu was not without worries: "This kind of thing is unheard of, and it has never happened since ancient times. The emperor followed the example of the Han and Tang Dynasties when he set up a selection department to select beautiful women from local officials and common people's families into the palace. As soon as he left Beijing, there would be turmoil in various places, comparisons, criticisms, extortion of bribes, false accusations... A single hair would affect the whole body. This was the case when the emperor was in charge of selection, and it was the same when the imperial concubine was out of the province. Rushing to get involved, it's really not good. A prudent move."

Zhu Xiu has never experienced the chaos caused by the emperor's selection of beautiful women in the world, so she is still a little ignorant of her words.Uncle Cheng, on the other hand, already knew the meaning of these words: the rafters decay first, the same is true for being an official, and the same is true for doing business.Those who can get the news one step earlier, whether they are officials from the DPRK and China or wealthy businessmen, must rely on them. It is different from my family, who have masters behind them.And now that people have always been cautious about their bodies, suddenly they made a system that has never existed before. There must be a purpose, and it is definitely not just to show benevolence and filial piety.

What's more, while I was preparing, I have already noticed that many imperial merchants have already secretly made moves, such as Taihu stone, wood, antiques and other large transactions, the purchase price in this place has quietly increased.My sister is afraid that she will be blinded by gold and silver, and will take food from the tiger's mouth.

Uncle Cheng patted his niece's head and said with a smile, "I take what my sister said."

Zhu Xiu personally offered tea to Mama and Uncle with doubts in her eyes.

Uncle Cheng chuckled softly: "Whether it's the southern tour or picking various places, to put it bluntly, it's all the royal money to fill the emperor's hole. The Zhen family picked up the driver four times and owed several million in the shortfall." , All the transfer money comes from the national treasury, and weaving is also one of the best among the fat jobs... The emperor has a good name, so even the eighth and ninth grade officials are proud to borrow money from the Ministry of Households, so as to praise the emperor Compassionate courtiers, kindness and holiness reputation. But today is different, strict and simple, not only took the lead in repaying the owed money, but also presided over the recovery of the owed money. Words spread. When Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taishang were emperors, it was the royal silver that nourished all the officials, but now, I am afraid that everyone will be lost, and the wealth of these officials’ families will be taken out..."

"Cough!" Nanny Zhu covered her mouth with a handkerchief and coughed.It's enough to stop at the point, the more you talk, the more outrageous it becomes.

Uncle Cheng hurriedly stopped talking, and Zhu Xiu figured it out as soon as he turned his head, the treasury was empty, and the emperor changed his method to squeeze the moths that were fattened by the previous dynasty into the pot to squeeze out the oil.Well, the water here is deep, and Zhu Xiu was startled. Competing with the royal family for profit is no joke.

"Okay, we didn't want to wade into the water, it doesn't matter. It's just a couple of sips of soup after eating meat. Besides, when the matter is a foregone conclusion and it spreads, wealthy businessmen from all over the world will definitely move after hearing the news. It doesn't stand out in the slightest."

Uncle Cheng hurriedly comforted his niece, and then smiled at Mammy Zhu: "With my father and the old man around, if we really don't make any movement, it will make people murmur. Besides, what we make are small objects, curtains, curtains, tables and chairs, etc. That's all. Sister, don't worry, I haven't invited any of the most famous weaving and embroidery masters. We don't want to touch such Kesi skills as Yuzhen and Kesi, which are used by the royal family. Those things that are worth a lot of money burn hands. I still don't understand the reason ? The things we operate are simpler and thinner, but the demand is huge, and how many houses are needed to eat them. Our family is just a small fish in it, earning a lot of hard-earned money."

Having said that, Mammy Zhu was also relieved.

Uncle Cheng took his niece and said, "It's a matter of hoarding these things in advance, but you can attract everyone to come here. Xiu'er, our nephew and uncle put together, you often have some unique and novel ideas... "

Zhu Xiu had thought about it a long time ago, and immediately said like a cobbler: "We used to buy and sell parts, or made them according to the size. According to my uncle, if the houses in the other courtyard are built, they must be There are hundreds or thousands of requests, and it would be time-consuming and labor-intensive if you measure the size temporarily... So, there are two things: one is that the uncle collects raw materials for the cloth, and when each house measures the place, the uncle first chooses customers to come to talk with, and at first During the project, we will draw the drawings first, and if we have the drawings, we will have the dimensions, and the two parties will save effort and benefit after signing the contract; the second is to complete the complete set, whether it is curtains or enclosures, or bed lintels, table curtains and hanging screens, etc. The desk screens and so on are all matched according to the style. Elegant, rich, unrestrained, tactful, these are the styles that people like at the time. Uncle knows much better than me. You can also make albums according to different styles for people to choose..."

Uncle Cheng laughed loudly: "Okay!"

The previous one is normal, there are several big shopkeepers in various merchants, and the competition at this time is nothing more than contacts, word of mouth, and grasp of the temperament and preferences of buyers and principals.But the latter one is indeed a bit novel, and it solved one of his problems.

You must know that the homes of high-ranking officials and nobles all have sewing rooms, and it is rare for them to buy these finished furnishings made of cloth. It is only occasionally, and they are specially customized. Uncle Cheng knows that this time, those who built other homes will not wait. But because they were worried that the style would not meet the wishes of each family, they could only hoard cloth and not start work.The curtains and curtains are easy to say, you can start the deed according to the size, but other things such as enclosures and screens have to be made according to the layout of the house. For the sake of style and beauty, each family will not agree first, but wait for it to be roughly completed. After choosing and deciding, the peers will compete on the number and speed of the embroiderers, as well as the raw materials.But if there is a complete set of albums, it will be very convenient for each family to choose after the completion. There are all kinds of them, which not only make people feel very convenient, but also prevent those people from drawing all over the sky, and the styles are all chosen by themselves. range.What's more, bringing this booklet to the door is also conducive to signing the contract at the beginning, no, it saves a lot of effort.

Zhu Mama also said: "Isn't this the same set of jewelry that the gold and silver shop buys? It can be guaranteed to be within the scope of what the craftsmen in the shop can make. It’s true that no one uses these in the embroidery shop.”

"That's right, if you make a book like this, you can not only save the finished product for later use, but even if you can't use it up this time, it will be easy to sell in the future." Uncle Cheng smiled. It is serious, and even if someone imitates it later, we have established a firm foothold."

What Uncle Cheng didn't say was that because the adoptive father of Ding Haishenzhen was half-retired at home, and people left for tea, even if there were apprentices brought out by the old man, they were always separated by a layer; Standing up and looking for something to rely on is the right thing to do - today's emphasis on practical affairs, in recent years many imperial merchants' extravagant and greedy families have not caught the eye, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs has been secretly selecting and looking for new candidates. It's a long-term plan to give yourself an inconspicuous job and put on an official skin.It happened to be famous this time, so it was a matter of course that he was selected, and the road was easier.

Uncle Cheng had decided in private that no matter how much profit he made this time, he would hand over half of it to the internal treasury. At that time, he would only say that it was the proper meaning of being selected as an imperial merchant.Buying a share of incense and fire will never lose money. Even if you lead an inconspicuous and poor job in the future, you will not be underestimated. Anyway, I don’t want to use the job to give myself money.It's just that there are too many twists and turns here, so I will tell my sister and niece after the matter is over, so as not to hang my heart in vain.

Zhu Xiu still didn't know that her uncle had thought so much at this moment, she thought to herself, but she was used to four-piece suits or nine-piece suits in her previous life.In this life, every time I see the layout of the Rongguo Mansion, I have rummaged through the warehouse for a long time, temporarily matching all kinds of bedding, curtains and fences, not to mention the troublesome ones, and sometimes making it awkward and ugly, and the maids are waiting to be scolded .If there is a complete set of matching, how many things will be saved.

-

For some unknown reason, Jia Yuanchun did not wait until the day of Jia Zheng's birthday after the winter to be enshrined, nor was he conferred with the rest of the concubines in the current Sixth Palace of Dafeng. Day alone concubine.

When Jia Mu heard that Jia Zheng ordered Lai Dafei to send back the letter: "Our eldest lady was promoted to Fengzao Palace Shangshu, and a virtuous concubine..." She burst into tears of joy, and couldn't help saying: "Yuan'er is really good luck, and there will be someone in the end." This day!"

Mrs. Wang was also in tears, and the corners of her lips were raised high. Ever since she knew Yuan Chun Chengen, the whole family was looking forward to this day.Who knows that there has been no movement for several months, and others are guessing anxiously. Only she knows that Yuan Chun will definitely be able to succeed. As expected, this step has reached the sky, skipping the nobleman and concubine, and directly conferring the high-ranking concubine.It is still a separate Jinfeng, which shows how much the emperor's grace is thick, how much he loves and values ​​Yuanchun!

"Sister, can you rest assured? I knew it! The big girl must be blessed! The royal family values ​​it so much, and she will give birth to Lin'er in the future... Oh, but it's amazing, you just wait to enjoy the blessing!" Aunt Xue On the side, he hurriedly held Mrs. Wang's hand, and smiled happily.

Doesn't this just speak to Mrs. Wang's heart? Mrs. Wang wiped her tears and nodded repeatedly.

Xiangyun, Baochai and Sanchun were all smiling, and the members of the family were even more chattering and flattering.

Daiyu congratulated Mother Jia and Mrs. Wang together with her sisters, and just after they sat down, Zhu Xiu gently pulled Daiyu's sleeve while serving tea in person, and secretly pouted at the nanny.

Daiyu turned her face slightly, the two nuns usually teach and accompany her, how can she not see that although the two nuns are smiling at this time, one is stiff and the other is fake, they are all like the smiles painted on their faces .

Mammy Zhu served tea to cover it up, and then forced a smile and said, "Old lady, for such a happy event, the ladies must go to thank you. Maybe this word will come from outside in a while, why don't you put on your makeup and get ready?"

Grandmother Jia clapped her palms and laughed: "That's very true! I'm so confused by liking it. After all, Nanny is an old man in the palace. Thanks to you for reminding me." She immediately ordered her servants: "Quick! Go to the East Mansion and tell you all. Grandma You, hurry up and dress up according to the style, we will have to go to court in a moment to thank you!"

Jia Amnesty, Jia Zhen and others also got the letter, and they all changed into court clothes in a hurry, waiting to serve Jia Mu and others to enter the court in sedan chairs.

Xue Baochai said with a smile, "Old ladies and wives have business to do. Let's not disturb here. Why don't you come and talk in our yard." Spacious, not disturbing Mother Jia and others' business, but also receiving new letters at any time, is not exactly what everyone wants.

Daiyu laughed and said: "Uncle's family is so happy, I just have to tell my father, so I won't go."

Baochai hurriedly took her hand, and said with a smile: "When can I write this letter? I have tribute ink and clay gold paper. Sister Lin can try it. Let's talk together to relieve boredom. What do you have at home?" Interesting."

Baoyu also echoed repeatedly. "Now my sister is getting more and more reclusive, and it's rare to see her. Sister Bao's place is decorated elegantly and interestingly. We'll set up a table there at noon, and we'll have a drink and play together. Wouldn't it be nice to have a good time?"

Daiyu pursed her lips and smiled, then gently pulled out her hands, "Second brother and sister Bao go. I haven't been well since the seasons changed, and now I'm taking medicine and meals according to the doctor's orders, and there are many restrictions. I stirred everyone's excitement. In the afternoon, if I feel better, it will be the same when I come here again."

Baochai and Baoyu begged again and again, but Daiyu insisted on this, so she had to call everyone over and let Daiyu go back to Luocuiwu by herself.

Arriving at Luo Cuiwu, Mammy Zhu's tense shoulders relaxed, and Zhu Xiu hurriedly poured hot tea to calm her down.

Everyone sit down and dismiss others.Mother Chen was in doubt, and said after a long while: "I don't know if I'm being careless. This is a happy event, but why do I feel that this day is not right! May is a poisonous moon with many taboos. This Dragon Boat Festival is the most poisonous day, why did you choose such a day? Could it be that the Tian family is honored, so there are no taboos?"

Daiyu and others are still young, so they haven't thought of it yet, and now they hear this, and they are also puzzled.

While giving her mother a light hammer on the neck and shoulders, Zhu Xiu shook her head and said, "The more noble, the more complicated this etiquette."

Daiyu also said: "From ancient times to the present, the imperial court regards May as the month of death, and it is not suitable for officials to take office this month."

Everyone questioned Nanny Zhu with their eyes, and after half a cup of tea, Nanny Zhu said with difficulty: "Whether it is the former court or the harem, the day of canonization always comes when the Qin Tianjian predicts auspicious days, and there is absolutely no reason why there are no taboos. "

As he spoke, his voice became deeper and deeper, with a hint of trembling: "Besides, you think carefully about titles, Concubine Xiande... Concubine Xiande! Throughout the dynasties, from the noble concubine down to the last one, she promised to choose a servant. It’s one word. It’s the same for today’s harem position.”

"Two words, only posthumous title."

As soon as these words came out, there was silence in the room, only the sound of everyone's breathing.

It wasn't until Xingyue and Taoyue, who were personally guarding the door, sent back the servants who came to ask when the meal would be served, and the voice came in, that they regained their senses.

Nanny Chen's fingers trembled slightly, her smile was uglier than her crying, and she asked: "The master is at a critical moment, we must not go back to the south at this time, what should we do, move out and go back to our house?" Rao Nanny Chen Human beings are understanding, and my heart becomes flustered. The first reaction can only be to take care of myself first.

Maybe it's because she thought about it for a long time, but she calmed down, shook her head and said, "No one can guess what's on the mind of the Tian family. If it's an honor, it would be too abrupt and offending for us to ask to go at this time; if it's a misfortune, we can't go back." , the meaning of the above can only be passed down if you see through it and don't tell it. Once you show up, we will suffer first."

After pondering for a while, finally revealed the matter of visiting relatives, and said in a low voice: "It is said that Concubine Yun wants to visit relatives. If it really does, with the affairs of this mansion, it will definitely make a lot of trouble. We can stay here temporarily, but You must not get involved, you must find a way to avoid it before it spreads. Not only the girl, but the Lin family can't get involved!"

Nanny Chen hugged Daiyu and hurriedly asked, "What are you worried about?"

Nanny Zhu pulled Zhu Xiu to sit beside her and nodded.Zhu Xiufang said: "Second Wife borrowed money from the court several times, and borrowed a few sums of money from Xue's family, not only from Xue's family, but also from the Dongfu and Wang's families. It didn't matter to us in the past, but later..."

Grandma Zhu sneered and said, "It must be an honor for the relatives and friends of the mother to visit the relatives. Let each family work together to build a family visitation place. If you want old relatives, donate money and efforts, if you ignore them, maybe you will come to ask for them."

Daiyu twisted her crescent eyebrows, she was also in a dilemma. The second aunt is an elder, and now she is taking care of her family. If she really came to ask her, it would be difficult to refuse, so she couldn't help asking: "This family has never been seen before, but I believe it?"

Everyone knows that Madam Zhu has lived in the court for many years, and she is well-informed about the news. If she is not sure, according to her character, she will probably not say it, but she still expressed a glimmer of hope.

Grandma Zhu sighed: "Probably, at the latest, but there should be a decree after autumn."

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Note: "Our eldest lady was promoted to Fengzao Palace Shangshu, plus Xiande Concubine" to lead to Dream of Red Mansions.