Although the latest news is that the Ming army has just entered Shanxi and is advancing slowly, the Qing government, which has already assembled its main forces in Zhili and the capital, is obviously not prepared to defend Shanxi or resist the Ming army's steady advance.
In fact, even businessmen like Fan Yongdou could see that the decline of the Manchu Qing Dynasty was becoming more and more obvious. First, they unfaithfully collected money to use for military expenses, even those who had made great contributions to the Manchu Qing Dynasty were no exception; now
Because of the severe shortage of troops, the only way to save the capital was by giving up the occupied areas. In the end, the capital was probably not saved, so they had to flee back to Liaodong in embarrassment.
Jiexiu is the ancestral home of the Fan family. It has been run for generations and is deeply rooted in the local area. The change of dynasties has not affected the Fan family. It has even ushered in opportunities for development and has become one of the eight imperial merchants and the most powerful.
One of them. But now, this ancestral home and this inheritance have to be given up.
Fan Yongdou sighed heavily and wrapped himself tightly in his mink fur. His son Fan Sanba walked in quietly, bringing with him a hint of chill.
"Father." Fan Sanba came up behind his father, hesitated for a moment, and whispered: "The Wang family has also left. There are many carriages and horses, and they have left the city."
"Hmm!" Fan Yongdou snorted, drooped his eyelids, pursed his lips, showing a trace of disdain. After a while, he said quietly: "What a bunch of idiots! How much can you keep if you bring all the gold and silver with you? When all is lost,
If the Manchus can't take care of themselves, will they still take care of them?"
Fan Sanba did not say anything. He had discussed this issue with his father before. He also had the same idea as the Wang family, Jin family, etc., taking all the gold and silver treasures with the Manchus to the outside of the customs. But Fan Yongdou saw further and thought
Since the Qing government ignored their integrity and forced them to donate stipends, the days to come were even more unpredictable. At this time, Fan Yongdou may have just remembered that he was a Han and could not be treated as a Manchu.
"It is natural for businessmen to pursue profits." Fan Sanba said with a bit of grievance: "In those days, our Fan family was not the only one who smuggled and sold goods? Shaanxi Sanbian, Xuanda Sanbian, Jizhen. Liaodong, there were heavy troops gathering in border forts everywhere.
, if there is no one to help, how can we get the goods out? If we say that we are guilty, who in the Ming Dynasty is not guilty? It’s just this, this reputation, the strength of the horse, our Fan family has also suffered from this. "
Fan Sanba's meaning is very simple. If he is just an ordinary businessman, it doesn't matter whether he had an affair or not. But now that the Fan family has the reputation of being an imperial merchant, that is something that the Ming court cannot let go. What else?
The Wang family, Jin family, etc. also had the same concerns and reluctantly fled with their money.
"That's not the case!" Fan Yongdou sighed and said thoughtfully: "The current Emperor Ming once said: Business has no borders, and businessmen have nationalities. Do you know what this means?"
"Father, how do you know this?" Fan Sanba asked doubtfully.
Fan Yongdou glanced at his son with some displeasure and said earnestly: "My father has been thinking about his future for a long time. If you can buy peace with money, even half of the Fan family's savings is nothing. Therefore, my father sent someone to inquire.
However, after collecting information, I found that this road is not feasible! If Emperor Ming's wishes are followed, even those small businessmen with no reputation, or others who have helped the Manchus, will be pursued for their crimes. No leniency will be granted.
ah!"
"But Emperor Ming also said that those who surrender and act righteously will receive preferential treatment!" Fan Sanba explained without giving up: "Isn't Wu Sangui innocent? He is still a prince."
"This is different." Fan Yongdou shook his head and said: "Although I didn't think too thoroughly, I know that Emperor Ming will not let us go. Moreover, it is not okay to take all the money and flee eastward.
Best idea ever."
Fan Sanba thought for a while and said tentatively: "My father asked the children to find a secret place to hide their money, just in case, right?"
Fan Yongdou nodded and said: "If you don't bet your treasure and leave more escape routes, it will not only be good for your father, but also for you, and for future generations! If -" After a pause, he continued: "
If the Manchus are completely defeated and cannot even gain a foothold in Liaodong, can the Wang family and the Jin family survive? Therefore, we have to leave a descendant here, remain anonymous, and hide among the people. In the end, whether the Ming Dynasty destroyed the Qing Dynasty or the Qing Dynasty
If we can rise again, our Fan family still has a chance to advance."
"I understand, kid." Fan Sanba understood everything now and was impressed by his father's sagacity.
Don't put eggs in one basket, although Fan Yongdou didn't know this sentence, but the method he took was of the same nature. As for the money, it was divided into two halves, half of which was carried eastward, and the other half was hidden locally and left behind for future generations.
Guard secretly. If those who fled east were destroyed, the Fan family would not be extinct, but would still have the resources to make a fortune. If the Qing Dynasty counterattacked again in the future, it would naturally be a better thing.
"The Manchus paid attention to us at first because we had the benefits of trade and smuggling, which was beneficial to them." Fan Yongdou said earnestly: "Later, the favor was given. Firstly, it was a thank you and made us work harder; secondly, it was also to win people's hearts. From now on.
Well, what's the point of leaving our homes and businesses behind and arriving in Liaodong? Birds are gone and bows are hidden, rabbits are dead and dogs are cooked. This is a truth that has never been easy for thousands of years."
"Father thinks long-term and thoughtfully, and the child has learned a lesson." Fan Sanba said sincerely: "Then let's step up preparations and set off in the near future!"
"Which way should we take?" Fan Yongdou looked at his son as if he was trying to compare, and asked: "The Jin family is taking the foreign trade route. Is it safe?"
Fan Sanba was about to blurt it out, but looking at his father's expression and thinking carefully, he couldn't help but shake his head and said: "The Mongols are unreliable, and the Manchus are weak at the time. Let's run away with our family. I know what will happen in the future."
If it is no longer of any use, he may be tempted to kill people and seize wealth. I think it is safer to go to the capital and go to Shanhaiguan."
"Yes!" Fan Yongdou nodded appreciatively, feeling pleased that his son could think it over carefully, "Then let's arrange it this way!"
After his son left, Fan Yongdou did not feel relieved because the matter was finalized. He looked at the beams and the furnishings in the house, and bursts of sadness filled his heart.
Although it is easier to bring gold, silver, and silk, the losses caused by moving are too great. The real estate and shops scattered in various places, the houses and mansions built by generations of people... These are all the hard work of the clan members for generations! Look, Fan Yongdou
Thinking, thinking, tears well up in my eyes, it's over, the Fan family is over, the efforts of many generations of ancestors, although I dare not say that they have all been in vain, will rise again, I don't know what year or month it will be.
I don’t know if this is possible anymore. (To be continued, please search Piaotian Literature, the novels will be better and updated faster!