Chapter 112: Crossing a Finger
“Since you know it’s a rumor, what’s the point of panicking!” Elder Taijun Ming screamed angrily, the old woman’s voice shrill from some kind of marvelous sense of humiliation, as terrifying as the tip of a knife slicing across the top of a porcelain tile.
The aunt and grandmother sitting beside her was shocked to the core and hurriedly and honestly sat back in her chair, never daring to say another word.
The Ming family old lady is jealous and ruthless, so that year’s Ming old master only married a total of three concubines, and now that generation of characters are only left with two women. Good in the Ming family thriving male, is now drinking in Jiangnan residence Xia Qufei does not count, there is interest in the two houses also have a total of six men, Ming Qingda eldest son of the long house, is now the master of the Ming family, and the oldest three old four, are born of this aunt, see their own mothers were old Taijun roar like this, the two hearts will not be how comfortable, but the old Taijun accumulation of prestige for a long time, who did not dare to argue anything.
Ming Qingda as the eldest son, when this situation naturally want to step forward to warmly explain two sentences, I did not expect the Ming old monarch is even the nominal master of the Ming family also do not pay much attention to the cold old face, said: “all give me to remember! That old seven of the Ming family, ten years ago, has already died, as for what Xia Dangjia in Suzhou city nowadays …… wants to use the rumors of ten years ago to make trouble, my Ming family can not tolerate him.”
Ming Qingda was refuted, but his face still hung a smile and said gently, “Mother, such a ridiculous rumor, naturally no one believes it. Just …… what if the court just wants to believe it?”
This sentence was very straightforward, Xia Qufei was Fan Xian’s pawn, and if the imperial court forces represented by Fan Xian just wanted to take this opportunity to bloodlessly incorporate the Ming family’s huge family fortune and strength, this situation was the most dangerous.
Old Taijun blinked her somewhat cloudy eyes and said in disgust, ”That official surnamed Fan says yes or no? Is it hard to believe that this court is not reasonable?”
Ming Qingda thought to himself, “When has the court ever been reasonable? Only before the court is on the side of their own family, so the world full of reason and the hardest fist, are their own Ming family, if there is a disagreement within the court, this family’s fist has endured the pain of self-cutting, this reasoning, I’m afraid that it is even more difficult to say.
He said with a bitter smile, “Please mother adults show.”
Xia Qufei ferocious, look at the appearance of today’s tender, with the silver money is very strong, and there is the support of the Lord of the Qinzhi, the Ming family how to deal with, always need to Ming Lao Taijun to draw up a statute.
Ming Lao Taijun in fact deep inside does not see as the surface of this kind of righteousness and domineering, she did not positively answer Ming Qingda’s question, just staring at the yard full of Ming family children, said in a chilling voice: “Today’s situation and the previous years are not the same, some days ago I let Lan Shi to go to each room to see you when the uncle of the uncle, so that you are honest … … …Today, I repeat, at this time, you must not bring any trouble to the Ming family, walk the birds at home, and drive all those lu hans who only wrestle out of the garden!”
“And this matter, no one is allowed to spread it! If I hear who is still chewing behind my back, beware I will whip your slips out!”
Elder Taijun Ming spoke with such urgency and anger that she actually coughed. Behind her, the big maid hurriedly gave her a gentle whack on the back, beside the eldest grandson Ming Lan Shi hurriedly and respectfully passed a bowl of tea over.
In the court of the Ming family sons and daughters all bowed down, do not dare to slightly disobey the old Taijun’s orders.
Ming Qingda glanced at his mother, wanting to speak.
Ming Lao Taijun laughed coldly in her heart, this son of his own to do things is the lack of decisiveness, this bad guy, always have to do it yourself, she shallowly drank a mouthful of tea, indifferently opened his mouth and said: “Tomorrow is the second day of the bidding, you all know, the Lord of the Qinzhi is rushing to our family, the back of the eight bidding in two batches of bundles, look at the appearance of the price will be too much higher than in previous years. Only one night’s time, and then go to the present to find the money bank to issue a ticket, I’m afraid it’s already too late, at this time you brothers go back, put together their own room of private money, and then hand over to the account office there.”
This sentence out, the court those Ming family’s gentlemen suddenly stupid eyes, do not allow themselves to walk the bird wrestling, that is only temporary boredom, who can also endure, but …… how also want to take those poor private silver to kilometers to fill? Every year, the internal library open bidding, the family will prepare enough silver, if that eight bid price money is ridiculously high, not to grab is, how do you need to be so desperate? The court will not set a ceiling, who will know how much silver to fill in?
These gentlemen are born with a golden spoon, but no inheritance, only know to enjoy the character of life, how to know the inner treasury bidding for the real meaning of the Ming family, behind the implied power struggle within the court, listening to the old lady this, subconsciously do not want to be down.
Ming family sixth master younger, usually like wrestling, bold and stronger, plucked up the courage to say: “Mother ah, we brothers, always can not participate in the business of the clan, are based on the monthly routine, each also has a large family to support, even if the deposit of some private money …… can be a little bit poor! The silver to fill in, I’m afraid …… it’s not much use, it’s better to ……”
The words have not finished, a teacup has been in front of him shattered, making a crisp sound!
Ming Sixth Master bluffed, his body shook, looking at the old Taijun’s look above, was so scared that his legs were soft, kneeling down.
Old Taijun looked at him with a ghostly chill and said: ”Poor silver? You think I do not know, these years you from the public in how many benefits? Your wives and uncles are now Suzhou city famous tycoon …… before I when I can not see, because you are after all Ming family flesh and blood, according to the ancestral rules and do not allow you to take over the business of the family, look at you poor, fishing some silver on fishing some silver …… But. I’m not sure what kind of situation we’re in now. Kneel down and listen to me!”
At these words, everyone, including Ming Qingda, knelt in front of the two tai shi chairs.
The old Taijun’s voice was as chilling as a viper’s letter, “The big tree collapsed, are you monkeys any good? I’ll say it plainly, if tomorrow’s bid doesn’t come down, even if our Ming family can hold out for a few more years, we’ll only be defeated into scattered dust in the end, at this time, we can’t be allowed to back out, we can only go in …… at this joint, you guys don’t think you still have to hide yourselves!”
Aunt Granny heartbreakingly looked at the son between the court, inclined to persuade: “Sister do not be angry, they know how to do.”
The Ming family’s sons in the courtroom were frightened, pounding their heads like garlic and admitting their mistakes.
“It’s good to know your mistakes.” Elder Taijun Ming slowly leaned back on the back of her chair, her eyes seemed to close slightly, and said, “Stay a while and you guys will go back, no matter what method you use, before tomorrow’s dawn, hand over the silver to the account office, two hundred thousand taels for each room, and one hundred and fifty thousand taels for the oldest six.”
When these words came out, the oldest two, the oldest four, and the oldest five did not have any opinions, although they were still heartbroken, but the oldest three quit, straightening his neck and saying, “Mother, why should Oldest Six only pay one hundred and fifty thousand taels?”
Old Taijun glared at him and said, “Old Sixth is the youngest, he’s been hanging out with Lord Guardian for the past two years, he likes to wrestle, and spends more silver, you being the older brother, why are you bothering with him?”
The oldest three nose sprayed thick air, defiantly said: “Could it be that I usually do not spend silver?”
In fact, everyone knows that this is Old Taijun’s heartache for her own young son, but this can be said by anyone, but not by Lao San, because Lao San is Aunt Granny’s own son. Aunt Granny saw that the situation was not good, and repeatedly gave Lao San a wink, but Lao San’s recent silver was really not while it lasted, and he refused to bow down.
Old Taijun became furious and scolded, “You just know how to spend silver in a green house, and you even bought those bitches back home, is there any reason to spend this silver?”
From the miserable encounters of Xia Qufei’s mother and son, it could be seen that this old Taijun had a very persistent aversion to a certain fetish for men.
“What about big brother?”
“I am the eldest house.” Ming Qingda knelt on the ground and looked at his brothers several people with a smile, saying, “Naturally, I have to do my part more, I will recognize half a million taels.”
Hearing that the elder brother had said this, the brothers could not say anything else. Ming garden family party immediately dispersed, the brothers rushed out of the garden to raise silver, although it is true that they have hidden a lot of private rooms, but to raise these numbers in one night, this difficulty is indeed a little big.
The Ming family’s oldest three followed his brothers outside on one side, crying poverty on the other side, counting on his brothers to help out, but at this time everyone was too busy to take care of themselves, and in the presence of Elder Taijun Ming’s strict orders, no one dared to beat a dead horse, where else would they be able to care for him!
“Time is too tight.”
Aunt Granny also went back to her own courtyard at this time, in the old daijun’s courtyard, there was only one team from the long house left, Ming Qingda slightly frowned and said, “This hand of Lord Qinzhi’s came so suddenly that he didn’t even give us much time to react.”
Elder Taijun Ming glanced at her son, sighed and said, “Today in the Inner Treasury mansion, your reaction was good, at least you fought for one more night.”
Ming Qingda smiled bitterly and shook his head, “One night is too short, and look at today’s Xia …… Qufei’s outburst, I’m afraid that there is still a lot of residual power, tomorrow’s battle, I’m afraid that the danger is extremely dangerous, even if the brothers can get the silver together, it’s only more than a million taels, and maybe it’s still not enough. ”
Ming Lan Shi in the side of the jaw listening to the eye, self-doubt said: “Father, in previous years, the eight standard in a row, 40% of the fixed silver is five million taels of share, this year we would have prepared more than 20%, which is coupled with uncles to raise a million taels, is not enough?”
Ming Qingda said with a bitter smile, “The biggest problem is that Lord Qinzhi knows full well that we are definitely going to take these eight bids, so Xia Qufei’s shouting price can be haphazardly shouted, and production and marketing are all internal matters for them, they are able to do it at a loss.”
Ming Lan Shi sighed, he is a smart person, will not go to ask why the Ming family must fight for these several bids, and regardless of the so-called potential problem, alone the Dongyi City that side, but also must require their own to take the eight bids, or else the Dongyi City a year in order to the internal library production of the price, I am afraid that the price to be far more than a few one million taels.
“Is there any news from Taiping Money Bank?” Elder Taijun Ming, who had been silent for a while, suddenly spoke.
Ming Qingda calmly replied, “They didn’t expect this situation either, and their preparations were a bit lacking. Xia Qufei’s silver is all transferred out from Taiping Chancery, and now they can only give us a promissory note, but they can no longer open a cash check. And tomorrow we must ask for a present ticket …… You also know that they also have scruples. Earlier their treasurer has already come and returned the word, at most they can still draw out another 300,000 taels for me.”
Ming Lao Taijun understands why this is the case, the money bank’s silver cheque deed is opened out, always need to be honored, Xia Qufei has already opened out a tremendous amount of silver cheques, relatively speaking, and then dare to open out very little, because the money bank has to ensure that there is cash silver can be paid out, which is about the money bank’s most vital credibility issue.
Of course, with the relationship between Dongyi City and the Ming family, if it is not in such a tense situation, the Taiping money bank can completely falsely open the silver bills, but the risk is too great, and this kind of tactic is too shoddy, once Fan Xian is offended hard, the inner treasury transit department can completely use the Xia family silver bills after the bidding is opened with the silver bills handed over by the Ming family, to play the most shameless move of the run on the bank.
So much silver …… Taiping money bank, even if it is a god, it is impossible to transfer to Suzhou in a short time.
If one comes, Taiping Chancery is even ruined.
Although Taiping money bank and the economic association of each country are extremely close, generally speaking, no country’s court inner palace will do such a ruthless thing, but this time to preside over the inner treasury to open the bidding is Fan Xian, is that the most fuzzy pulse, and act the most vicious and overbearing Fan Xian, Taiping money bank is killed do not dare to take such a risk.
The courtyard all of a sudden fell into a dead quiet, the Ming family three generations of characters at this time in the heart are beginning to be a little nervous. Is it really necessary to watch that Ming Laoqi tomorrow …… and snatch the business of the Ming family? Losing the right to market the inner treasury, the Ming family would be nothing more than a landlord with the most land, and could be slaughtered at any time.
This horrible fact made Elder Taijun Ming’s frown deeper and deeper, she suddenly thought of a name and coldly said, “These recent days, that Merchants Money Bank, is there anyone else coming?”
Ming Lan Shi shook his head, “They know that we are a big player in the Taiping Money Bank, and after trying a few times, about knowing that they couldn’t pull us in, they knew it was difficult and retreated.”
Ming Lao Taijun subconsciously nodded and said, “It seems …… that it is not as I imagined.”
Because the Taiping Money Bank account has been in charge in the hands of Ming Lao Taijun’s sake, Ming Qingda has always been a strong advocate of the relationship with the Merchants Money Bank, listening to his mother’s words somewhat loosened, his heart was happy, but on the face of the face quietly said, “It should be worth trusting. If there is really any problem, it shouldn’t be this kind of modus operandi.”
Elder Taijun Ming frowned, seemingly pondering a very difficult question, and only after a long time did she say, “Send someone to Merchants Money Bank, no, don’t send anyone, Lan Shi, you go in person, and see how many cash notes they can transfer out this night.”
“Yes, mother.” Ming Qingda smiled faintly, then hesitantly asked, “What should we do about Xia Qufei’s side?”
Elder Taijun Ming’s face chilled and said, “I don’t know that person, you don’t know him, none of our Ming family knows him, in that case, what response is needed? This matter you don’t interfere, don’t be used by Lord Qin to play …… on the subject Nowadays, Lord Qin wants our Ming family to react fiercely, we should be more and more calm.”
Ming Qingda bowed long to the ground and marveled, “Mother is wise.”
Ming Qingda had to go to deal with the affairs of tomorrow’s bid opening, to go to the account office to keep an eye on a few brothers, and Ming Lan Shi had to go into the city to look for that Merchants’ Money Bank that had been mysterious and rumored to have an Eastern Barbarians background as well, so he didn’t stay in the courtyard for much longer, and retreated out after saluting.
Elder Taijun Ming watched her son and grandson walk out of the small courtyard, her eyes suddenly changed from the sternness from earlier to the exhaustion at this moment, she somewhat feebly crossed her tail finger and knocked on the armrest of the chair.
The close big maid came to the old woman’s lips.
The old woman closed her eyes, her tail finger stayed cocked and did not put it down for a long time, nor did she speak, as if she was weighing something important.
Xiao Qi?
At this moment, the old woman’s tightly closed eyes, seems to emerge a dark picture, the picture of a full of foxy woman is under the body of a familiar man rolling over and taking pleasure, is in front of their own self-possessed and proud of the smile, the picture turned, that woman gave birth to a child, she held that young baby in the bright garden waving around, the sound of laughter like a silver bell… …floated and floated, all the way to the sky.
The old woman opened her eyes with a sudden burst of joy, her eyes were filled with an icy intent, her tail finger trembled with excitement, and she flexed slightly.
In this instant, she remembered a lot of things back then, such as the beautiful sight of blood flowers flying and blooming when those heavy staffs fell on that woman, that woman was sunk to the bottom of the well by her own birth, and the snowflakes that day floated and floated and floated all the way up to the sky, and that woman’s corpse had only long since become withered bones – the rats burrowed on it, only making The rats drilled on it and only made unpleasant noises, but could never make a silver-bell-like laughter, right?
After that old undead death, this home is their own say, that woman died, that woman gave birth to a child but not good to kill, after all, nominally is the flesh and blood of the Ming family, good in Qingda heart ruthless, every day with a whip, finally beat that child can not stand this humiliation and pain, in an early morning ran out of the Ming Garden.
Perhaps that child will never know, at that time he was behind the door indifferently watching him.
Perhaps that child will never know, he has already prepared a killer, waiting outside the Mingyuan to send him down the withered well and reunite with his mother.
But …… how did that child not die?
How did not die!
A trace of anger flashed through Elder Taijun Ming’s cold eyes, and the fingers that had been cocked and slightly flexed finally rested gently on the back of the chair, and at the same time, the slightly dry lips opened slightly, and said softly to the big maid attached to her lips, “Please Mr. Zhou.”
As Elder Taijun Ming finally made up her mind, her son and grandson were walking side by side.
Ming Lan Shi looked at his father with a face full of admiration and said, “Are you saying that Grandma will definitely go after that bastard?”
“What bastard thing?” Ming Qingda’s face was filled with a peaceful smile, “That’s your seventh uncle. Although he is now our enemy, he is always your own seventh uncle.”
Ming Lan Shi smiled to himself and suddenly frowned and asked, “Killing the seventh uncle will certainly bring this matter to a complete end …… but, how will the Lord Qin’s side react? Even if the Junshan Association is powerful again, but it can’t rebel.”
“Your grandmother is old.” Ming Qingda sighed, “From the very beginning of this matter, the technique she used was wrong.”
Ming Lan Shi shook his head.
Ming Qingda suddenly smiled and said, “But her mistake, does not represent the Ming family’s mistake …… If this time your seventh uncle is no longer that lucky, it doesn’t have to be all bad, you don’t worry too much, I have a measure.”
This Ming family’s ostensible master sneered in his heart, let that Junshan Society, which he could never control, hedge its bets with the Supervisory Yuan. Old and resourceful as he was, he naturally had a way to clean up this mess, he just didn’t know what kind of maneuver he would use.
“Sixth Uncle has curried favor again this time.” Ming Lan Shi suddenly scoffed and said.
Ming Qingda lovingly patted his son’s shoulder and enlightened, “The old man, always likes the youngest son the most …… Of course, it has to be her own.”
When the Ming family mess into a pot of porridge, at the same time this pot of warm porridge there are many rats in the tiger eye, each other exists to step on each other’s thoughts, the youngest of the Ming family’s that son of Ming Qingcheng, now the Jiangnan Water Walled Commander Xia Qufei, the shadowy Supervisor of the Supervisory Yuan four in the Jiangnan Inspection Division Supervisors, is standing in the city of Suzhou in the highest level of the building of the Jiangnan Residence.
He stood on the edge of the building, gently caressing the wooden railing, looking thoughtfully at a certain place outside the city, which used to be his home, a home that he had not gone back to for many years – Mingyuan.
Jiangnan merchants have ended the party, although we did not set any specific statute, but look at the Lingnan Xiong family and Quanzhou Sun family greedy eyes, Xia Qufei know, the Lord of the Tisch’s ploy has worked, tomorrow the Ming family not only have to face their own attack, but also have to face those similar to the Xiong and Sun families united in the attack, merchants always have to eat meat, hungry too panic, care whose meat you are?
Xia Qufei’s eyes narrowed slightly, Mingyuan is too far away, standing on the roof of the high Jiangnan residence, and there is no way to see the lights in its center.
Today, is his fluke in this world after surviving, live the most unrestrained exhaustive day, he finally in front of everyone’s face, proudly said his name, Ming Qingcheng.
Compared to this, the thrill of hitting people with silver, breaking away from his identity as a jianghu man, and standing on the stage of Qing Guo, all these things were nothing.
As long as he could say his real name, it was the same as slapping that vicious old woman from the Ming family, and this thrill of retaliation overshadowed everything, making Xia Qufei incomparably grateful to Fan Xian, and even when Fan Xian sent seven swordsmen this night, he didn’t have even a hint of an unpleasant feeling.
He was so intoxicated and saddened by everything that had happened today that this lord of the jianghu didn’t notice that a few strange people had appeared on the opposite side of the street.