Lu Ming

Chapter 538 Talk ([-])

Among the rich and noble families in Guangzhou City, the Zongfu undoubtedly belongs to the second-grade mansion gate.

The first patriarch of the clan, as early as the Jiajing period, won the Jinshi as a poor scholar, and it was logical to change the lintel.Since then, the family has become more and more prosperous, and the descendants have been immersed in the way of scientific research for generations.After more than a hundred years, although the Zong family has not produced any famous ministers and Confucianists, it has never cut off the supply of scholars. It is a scholarly family in the standard sense, the residence of Confucius and Mencius.

During the reign of Chongzhen, the Zongfu, which specialized in the study of saints, still stood in the city of Guangzhou.There are current Jiangxi Taoist officials in his mansion, as well as the current Gansu county magistrate, and there are also scholars who sit at home, so the so-called official family is also.

Coming from such a land of Confucianism and Mencius, I also know that I don't have any fame, and I can't be successful if I don't have a literary talent. However, I am the seventh young master of the clan's family, Zongben, who is a concubine, so life is a little bit stressful.This is probably why Zongben stood in front of the mansion today, took a deep breath, and did not enter until he had done enough mental preparation.

Stepping up, Zong Ben stepped into the mansion through the side door amidst the doorman's greeting.

Inside the ancestral mansion, which occupies a vast area and many courtyards, there are naturally people coming and going.At the end of the Ming Dynasty, the economy collapsed and the population expanded. A large number of unemployed people had nowhere to go, so they had no choice but to devote themselves to the rich and powerful as servants to seek food and clothing.In this way, wealthy families will naturally form a culture of slavery, because the cost of slavery is greatly reduced.

As the seventh young master in the Zongfu, even if he is a concubine, Zongben will always meet servants who salute him along the way.At this time, Master Zong was naturally acting in his true colors, and all of them gave gentle smiles, which seemed to be a peaceful atmosphere.

However, things cannot be seen on the surface, but on the details.When a person who appeared to be in charge saluted Zongben, then straightened up and walked away without waiting for his response, Zongben's true status in the Zongfu was vaguely seen.

The program of slaves bullying their masters has been staged every moment since the feudal society, and it is not the case in ancient and modern China, Tang, Song, Yuan and Ming Dynasties.Better than Zhang Pu, the leader of the first opposition party in the late Ming Dynasty and the leader of the Fushe, who was also born out of a concubine, so when he was young, he was still ridiculed by his family's servants, "What can you do if you are a child?"

Young master Zong turned a blind eye to the scene just now, because he has been used to it since childhood.

In this way, he came all the way to the atrium of the mansion, and met his clan brother Zong Han in the main room.

The existing core clan members of the Zongfu are divided into two branches.Among them, Zong Han is not only the oldest, but also the eldest son of the eldest son who is in charge of the affairs of the clan. He wears a scholar's hat on his outside belt, which is far beyond the comparison of Zong Ben, the second-best son with no fame.

After entering the door of the main room, Zong Ben waited until the two servants who reported the matter had left, then got up from the lower chair, stepped forward respectfully, and bowed deeply to Zong Han who was sitting at the top: "I have seen you, brother."

"The seventh brother is here. Well, there is no need to be polite, sit down."

He wears a square flat top scarf and a blue toga.Zong Han is over fifty years old, with a thin face and a gray goatee on his chin.Probably because he scolded all kinds of people all the year round, Zongben's clan brother had a cold and hard face, which belonged to the serious kind.

"I haven't seen you for a long time, brother is well."

Although the two present are of the same generation, in terms of age, Zong Han is more than 12 years older than Zong Ben, so he looks much older.

"Well, nothing happened at home. It's you, I haven't seen you for ten months, but what happened in Haojingao?"

As mentioned earlier, Zongben's job is a shopkeeper of a commercial firm.So where is his business?It is not in Guangzhou City, nor in the docks outside the city, but on Macau Island.

This commercial firm in Haojingao can be said to be the fundamental place for Zongben to settle down.As early as ten years ago, Zongben, who was squeezed out by his tribe at that time, resolutely brought a little capital raised by himself to open a business firm on a small island occupied by foreigners.

However, although Zongben said that he couldn't enjoy it in the clan, once he left the house, the clan's brand name could still be used.So while using the banner of his family to set up the Daming goods source to open up smuggling channels, he managed carefully in Macau. Over the years, he has made a name for himself.

"Hehe, I want to teach my elder brother to know that not only was there no trouble last year at Haojing's place, but there was even more hair growth."

Zongben's current status is roughly equal to that of an expatriate independent shopkeeper in a public-private partnership with the family.He travels between Macau and Guangzhou for most of the year, returning to Fuchu to pay his account every once in a while.

The reason why Zongben returned home today is obviously to do the year-end report: due to the shipping schedule in Macau, Zongben usually does the accounting after the New Year.

While reporting the good news, Zong Ben took out a few yellow paper slips from his sleeve pocket, and handed them to the elder brother above him with both hands.

"Last year, there were a lot of Tibetan merchants in the port, and most of the goods accumulated on the cabinets were cleared. Hehe, there is still a small 4 taels of silver, which is much more than in previous years. It is considered a prosperous year."

"Yes, Not Bad."

After reading the accounts on the yellow paper, even though Zong Han had a face full of honesty, he also showed a slight smile at this moment.

"Hehe, thank you, big brother." Zongben took a step forward after saying modestly in Chinese style, pointing to the next slip from the side, and said: "The rest of the southern goods on the cabinet have also found their buyers. Now I have only been here for a few days." The account can be written off after the person sends it. At that time, except for [-]% of the payment for the goods this year, according to the old rules, the rest can be sent back to the government."

"Well, good, really good!"

When Zong Han finally glanced at the cash income figure below, he smiled a lot more.

Zong Ben saw the eldest brother nodding repeatedly, so he hit the iron while the iron was hot and said another good thing: "It is also thanks to the elder brother's care over the years that I am in the situation I am today. After a few days to pay the money, the elder brother can send Zong Fu to the cabinet, and the younger brother will return it here." Eldest brother kept a copy of himself, and some rare items from Yizhou, let Zong Fu bring them back together."

Having said that, Zongben stretched out his finger and gestured a taboo number.

"well!"

At this moment, Zong Hanzong, a scholar who was originally aloof, finally put down his airs completely, and patted the back of Zong Ben's hand: "Sit down, sit down, and enjoy tea."

When Zong Ben finally took a sip of tea, Zong Han first praised his brother with a smile on his face: "Lao Qi, if the family talks about the way of merchants, you should be the leader."

"Where is it, big brother is awsome."

After exchanging a few words in business, Zong Han probably felt that he had given Xiaoqi enough face this time, so his Taoist attributes took over his body and mind again. After thinking about it, Zong Han said another thing: "However, this Yizhou goods are useful, Yizhou people, you are not easy to deal with."

Zong Ben was a little puzzled when he heard the words: "Oh, how do you say that?"

"Oh, it's not your fault that you have little knowledge and don't understand things."

Zong Han put on the appearance of Chunchun's elder brother teaching his younger brother: "That guy in Yizhou is a traitor, taking advantage of the downturn in our Ming Dynasty's fortunes, he used ingenious playthings to make a way, hooked up with the scum of the court, and occupied my heartland outside Guangzhou. , entered the hall and entered the house. The bandit leader Cao, who stole power, not only held an important position in the army, but also privately occupied Yizhou, this is like a Tang Dynasty town!"

"The thief is powerful now, and let him be rampant for a while. However, since ancient times, the Han Dynasty has always been incompatible with the thief. When the imperial court frees up its hand in the future, this feudal town will eventually be removed. When the heavenly soldiers arrive, the other generations will be ashamed! "

"Ah!" Zong Ben was speechless when he heard this.

Zong Han was very satisfied with the expression of the scumbag younger brother, so he continued: "My Zong family is a scholar, and my son has received the emperor's grace. When it comes to such big things, you must have a clear mind and a foresight. You In the past, I didn’t study the knowledge of sages, and spent a lot of time hanging out with those merchants, I’m afraid I didn’t understand the righteousness.”

At this time, Zong Han's tone became colder: "I am supporting you today because I am afraid that you will be confused and lose sight of the general situation, and get too involved with those thieves. You need to know that Tianweihuanghuang, if you don't understand the overall situation, you will be confused. Day, hum, the Zong family can't save you!"

When Zong Han said the last sentence, his voice was already stern.

"My brother would like to be taught." Zongben stood up and bowed.Of course he had to put on an obedient and teachable attitude at this time. Could it be that he wanted to tell his elder brother that he had a few intimate conversations with Cao thief at the meeting before?
Seeing the good attitude of the scumbag, Zong Han felt relieved.Next, he probably felt that the scene was a bit awkward due to his own painstaking efforts, so Zong Han twisted his beard with one hand, looked at the atrium outside the door, and recalled the past with a gentle face: "If you went to Haojing back then, the clan There must be quite a few people in the midst of questioning. After all, the mansion is a scholarly family, and the nephew of the family went to hang out with the barbarians. What does it look like? Do you want the sage's instruction?"

"Lao Qi knows, I know." Zong Ben looked grateful at the moment: "If the elder brother hadn't released it back then, and allocated some public money as the capital, the younger brother would definitely not have what he is today."

"Well, just remember." Zong Han asked others to remember things, but he has long forgotten how he sat back and watched Zongben run away from home with the mentality of dismissing a bereaved dog: "Uncle died early, you were young and no one raised you If there is no control, you must always introspect yourself, so as to avoid missteps and mistakes."

"Brother, you should reflect on yourself." Zongben didn't know how many times he bowed his head and accepted the teaching today.

This is the end of Zong Han's "caring discipline". It seems that this is his unique way to "thank" his incompetent clansmen.

If it was a normal day, even if Zongben returned home to report on his work, it would be a matter of business and a quick decision. Who would be patient to listen to his elder brother/old master Zong Han's preaching.Not to mention that the accounts that Zongben provided this year not only left enough income for the government, but also promised Zonghan a sum of money and goods from Yizhou.

There is a reason for Zong Ben to stay low today and endure all this.

The next moment, Zongben, feeling the harmonious atmosphere of the scene and realizing that his elder brother was in a good mood, first lowered his head and took a long breath, showing a resolute expression on his face, then he raised his head, with a smile on his face, resolute in his eyes, and cupped his hands against Zong Han said: "There is one more thing to ask the eldest brother to agree to."

"Oh, it's okay, let's talk about it."

"I wonder if my mother's tomb can be moved into the ancestor's tomb?"

(End of this chapter)