Ordinary clear day

Chapter 109 Dark Change
After the second room finally got what it wanted, they began to transfer the belongings to the new house that had been prepared in advance. However, they were concerned about moving out after the mother's funeral, which might cause gossip, so the family temporarily stayed in the Earl's Mansion. Only wait for the old lady's hundred days before moving out.

Although Jinbao and his wife had many dissatisfaction with the second family, after signing the separation agreement, they restored the image of tolerant and fair parents in the past.Jinbao still cared very much about the studies of his nephews, and treated Xingbao very kindly. Nala would provide meat, vegetables, and rice to Taoyuan every day according to the old routine. I often invite Suo Chuoluo to gossip about family affairs.The people in the mansion saw it and were secretly convinced.

But Xingbao and his wife scoffed at these, saying they were just putting on a show.But the people in the clan heard the whole story, and they all praised Jinbao and his wife for their demeanor, and felt a little contemptuous of Xingbao and his wife who violated their parents' wishes and separated.When Xingbao and Suochuoluo heard about it, they felt even more resentful, so they stopped interacting with other brothers, and only lived in Taoyuan every day, like a mansion in a mansion.

Xingbao also sent people from his family to several restaurants and teahouses to identify them one by one, and selected those who were capable and loyal to him, and continued to use them. Those who were not good at work or were loyal to the big house, all were sent back to the Earl's Mansion.But there are many people and many things, so it is inevitable that some people will slip through the net, including Zhou Zhoulin's cousin-in-law and Jin's mother-in-law's niece and son-in-law.

Jinbao and his wife have gained a good reputation outside, and they are a little proud of themselves, but the few major sources of income no longer exist, and they also have a headache.The locations of the few shops I got are good. If I use it for business, it will definitely bring me a lot of money. But among the servants in the family who are good at business, almost all of them are attracted by the second house, and the rest are inexperienced. If it can't be done, it will lose money, isn't it bad?The couple spent a night together, and decided to rent out the shop, and they could collect 3000 to [-] taels of rent every year.The other several properties, namely two five-entry mansions and two three-entry mansions, are either rented or sold, and the profits are quite generous.

After such a calculation, Jin Bao felt that although he lost the most profitable restaurants and teahouses, his income was still considerable, not to mention that he could save a lot of money every year without Erfang, a big money seller, and his life was actually not as sad as he imagined.

He breathed a sigh of relief, remembering that his two younger brothers had always stood by his side during the separation process and helped him a lot. Among them, the third younger brother Zhang Bao even gave him 500 taels of silver in private. It took many months to support it, and now that it is beneficial, it should not be forgotten that they are.After Jinbao considered it, he decided to let the two younger brothers each choose a property.

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When Zhang Bao came back from his elder brother, his steps were brisk, with a smile on his lips.When he entered the house and saw his wife, he said triumphantly, "Look, when I gave the money to my eldest brother, you were worried that you would fall into a bottomless pit, but now you have a five-entry mansion in a blink of an eye, which is worth far more than the 500 taels." Woolen cloth."

Seeing his complacent look, Tong smiled and said: "Yes, master is wise and powerful. I'm a little woman, so I dare not compare with you. It's just that master is too complacent. The children are here. Be careful when they see you." joke."

Zhang Bao craned his neck to look into the room, and sure enough he saw several children sitting at the table, Duan Ning was holding Xian Ning in his arms, teaching him to write big characters, Shu Ning was also practicing handwriting beside him.Seeing how their father was just eating the turtle, they all snickered secretly, and even Xianning winked at his elder brothers and sisters.

Zhang Bao cleared his throat, put on a serious face again, walked in front of them, and said, "Are you practicing calligraphy? Very good, only after learning to write can you acquire knowledge..." He was about to continue the big reasoning, and a few The child's laughter grew louder, and he couldn't help but blush.

Tong smiled for him and said: "You said just now that we got a five-entry compound, but the one on Taipusi Street?" Zhang Bao shook his head and said, "It's the one in the outer city. The one on Taipusi Street is back. Gongzhong." Tong was a little disappointed: "Why do you want the outer city? The inner city can be rented to other officials." Zhang Bao smiled and said: "The fourth brother picked the third house near the Xi'an Gate. I picked a big house in the inner city, I was afraid he would have a thorn in his heart, now he picked a small house in the inner city, I picked a big house in the outer city, no one took advantage."

Duan Ning asked: "Ama, are we going to move to the outer city?" Zhang Bao smiled: "It's just picking a property, whether it's easy to rent or sell, what are we going to do when we move there? We still live at home, If someone is in charge of the house, everything can be saved. In the future, if you, Ama, and I get up and go out again, the house will not be left empty."

Duan Ning understood, and Shu Ning said: "Although there are fewer officials in the outer city, there are many wealthy households. Wujin's yard is not the largest, and it is easy to change hands." Zhang Bao nodded: "Indeed. But then The location of the yard is not very good, let’s leave it alone, send someone to take care of it in two days, and then slowly find a suitable buyer or tenant.”

Tong nodded and said: "Leave this to me. You just said that the fourth brother chose a small house with three entrances, why didn't he choose a bigger one? Isn't the one on Taipusi Street better? The imperial city is near."

Zhang Baodao: "Although the courtyard on Taipusi Street is large, there is nothing outstanding about it. Although the house he chose is small, it has an exquisite garden with a nice view, and it is only a few streets away from the fourth sibling's natal home. You also know that the four younger siblings have to live in her natal family's other courtyard in the suburbs of the city for several months every year. Firstly, it is because our family's manners are not to her liking. Being an aunt in her natal family is comfortable. The fourth brother didn’t want to be separated from his wife all the time, so he simply asked for an exquisite house so that the four brothers and sisters would no longer live outside the city. Besides, it is not far from Xi’an Gate, and the fourth brother passes through Xiyuan from there It is more convenient to go to the palace than to go from home. If the business is late, or if you want to go early the next day, he can also spend the night there."

Tong Shi nodded: "He is very thoughtful. The relationship between the fourth brother and the fourth sibling has become a little strange in recent years. It must be because of the separation all the year round. It would be great if we can live together often in the future."

Zhang Bao smiled and glanced at the children. Tong Shi was surprised that it was inconvenient to say these words in front of the two young children, so she smiled embarrassedly.

At this time, Wang's family came into the house and reported: "Mother Wu brought some mothers to greet my wife. Can my wife see you?" Tong said, "Lead them in." Then he turned to Zhang Bao and said: " You take the children to the study room. Brother Xian is learning the Three Character Classic, and he can already recite half of it, so you can explain the truth to him."

Zhang Bao promised: "Yes. What are those mothers looking for you for?" Tong smiled: "These mothers and daughters-in-law come here often, I will listen to what they say first, and then I will tell you later."

Zhang Bao took a few children to the study with a smile, and a few servants in their 50s and [-]s came in front of them. They were all decent deacon mothers. When they saw the master, they smiled and saluted them. Zhang Bao nodded and continued. go forward.

It was not until evening that Mrs. Tong told Zhang Bao the reason of the matter: "It was rumored that after the second bedroom moved out, the eldest sister-in-law would clean up the house and rearrange the deacons and servants. Those mothers all had relatives and relatives. The second room has something to do with it, and I was afraid that my sister-in-law would get rid of them, so I entrusted Mama Wu to ask me to say something nice."

Zhang Bao frowned and said, "It's better for you not to interfere in this matter. The elder sister-in-law is taking this opportunity to gain power, so let's not get involved." Tong said: "How could I not know this? It's just those mothers They're all old people in the house, so it's okay to say something nice to them. If sister-in-law really wants to treat those people, I won't stop them."

Zhang Bao nodded, and then smiled: "Speaking of which, Madam is becoming more and more respectable, these old mothers are all eye-catching, and the young masters in the house may not be able to see them, but now they are here Greetings to you, it is really embarrassing."

Tong smiled and pushed him, and then remembered another thing: "Now the eldest sister-in-law is in charge, why don't we tell her to let Xiaobao from the Guo family move in? Otherwise, little sister Liu will never see her son." " Zhang Bao thought for a while, then nodded: "Okay, after a hundred days, let him move in and live with his mother."

Mrs. Tong happily asked someone to invite Mrs. Liu to tell her the good news. Mrs. Liu cried again.She used to only see her child two or three times a month, but now she can finally live together.She was about to kneel down to kowtow to Zhang Bao and Tong Shi, but Tong Shi hurriedly helped her up and said, "I promised you at the beginning, and it should have been fulfilled long ago. Who knows that the master's promotion and family accidents have delayed until today?" You don't blame me for being a good person, but you still want to perform such a great gift, but how can I bear it?"

Xiao Liu shook her head and said, "I'm not a person who doesn't know what to do. Originally, I couldn't see my child until I died. Thanks to you, you brought me back to Beijing and let me see my child. Now I can live together. , you will also help him with his future in the future, this is a great kindness, and I will never forget it in my life."

Zhang Bao was most afraid of seeing her cry, so he hurriedly hid out. Tong had no choice but to persuade her to stop crying, and ordered someone to take her back to her room, only to find Zhang Bao in the study, and couldn't help laughing.

======================== I am the dividing line in late October ====================== =
The old lady's hundred days finally arrived.Jinbao specially invited people to perform ceremonies, and also invited people from the clan to eat vegetarian food.After dinner, one of the most respected uncles was invited to testify. Since then, Xingbao has separated from the Earl's Mansion, and will live independently in the future without interfering with each other. However, every time there are sacrifices or major festivals, Xingbao has to bring his family back to the residence to pay homage to the ancestors. For the marriage of the children, the head of the family needs to be notified, and the daughter and granddaughter are drafted, and Jinbao should also report to the banner to participate in the collar.Xingbao agreed one by one, paid homage to the ancestors, and moved to the new house the next day.

Then, Nala really started to rectify the servants and deacons in the mansion. Some of them were removed, and some new ones took over. Tong helped some of the deacons who had no serious mistakes to say a few good words, and Nala felt that it was nothing important. , they all agreed.

For a time, Tong's reputation greatly improved.It's just that she herself is very cautious, she puts Nala's first in everything, makes friends with Shen, and strictly restrains the servants in the courtyard, so not only does she not have any quarrel with Nala, but also has a better relationship with her.Nala also readily agreed to Guo Xiaobao's entry into the mansion, and even arranged for the child's maid and nanny.

Jin Bao, who came back to work in the Yamen, brought back news that the gossip that had been circulated in the past had come true. Chen Liangben was appointed as the governor of Jiangnan, and he will take over the three provinces in the south of the Yangtze River soon.On Zhang Bao's side, he also heard from Yuheng that Zhu Hongzuo, the governor of Guangdong, had moved to be the governor of Fujian. The current governor of Anhui, Jiang Youliang, would take over the governor's position.However, it has been half a year since Zhang Baoding and Dingyou, and the Ministry of Officials has arranged for a replacement, Yuheng comforts Zhang Baodao, and will definitely find a good job for him in the future.

Zhang Bao's mood was a bit complicated. He had already made the psychological preparation for recovery, but now he failed.But thinking about it carefully, he actually meant to rest for a few years, so he let go of his mind and lived a leisurely life.I teach my son homework every day, or read books, and occasionally go to Mr. Su for a hand-to-hand conversation. When I am interested, I even take out the tea sets and good tea collected in Guangzhou and play Kungfu tea.

One day, when the weather was fine, Zhang Bao remembered the courtyard in the outer city, and suddenly became interested. He wanted to go there to have a look, so he took Chang Gui and Wang Er, put on civilian clothes and rode out of the outer city.

Just passing by Xianyukou, he suddenly heard someone calling him: "Brother Zhang Bao, are you all right?" Zhang Bao stopped his horse and looked back, but it was the bearded Suchun Asu whom he hadn't seen for many years.There are two people behind him, one is a scholar with a white face and no beard, the other is also a bearded man, but the beard sticks out, which looks a bit like Zhang Fei in the folk painting.

(End of this chapter)