Guo Chuzi introduced the Xiang people to the family members in the mansion, and placed him in a wing to stay temporarily. Guo Chuzi also wanted him to go to the dyeing workshop. Wen Zhong understood his eagerness, but still advised: "
If Brother Guo urgently orders Sixing to go to the dyeing workshop to have a look, then everyone will suspect that Brother Guo's time is running out and panic will spread, which will be difficult to handle. Stabilizing the situation is the most important thing now, so this matter will be postponed for discussion." Guo Chuzi
Just gave up.
Wen Zhong returned to the gambling house and heard that Guan Qi was back, so he ordered him to inform Chen Tongpao of the news.
"Master Chen, that's a good thing." Guan Qi and Chen Tongpao said, "I went to Nanjing alone and didn't know what was going on there. But I heard that there was an actor named Cai Xianqing who was Wan Heshun's confidant, so I went there.
Worship him; who would have thought that he actually took my advice and said that he wanted to discuss it with Magistrate Ye, so I waited for a few days, and he came over happily and said, 'It's done'."
There was no trace of joy on Tongpao Chen's face. He just said: "Master Guan Qi, as shopkeeper Wen, has really worked hard for me. I will go to the Yamen immediately to find the prefect and prepare to go to Nanjing. You can go back."
stop."
This new government office is a small courtyard house, surrounded by old stone walls. The roof is covered with a layer of dust. Only the doors and windows are newly built, and the style is not as good as before. Chen Tongpao opened the door and entered.
After entering the study, he bowed to the magistrate.
"Chen Tongzhi, what can you do?"
"My lord," Chen Tongpao said, "the governor has taken Yangzhou into his hands. The Liu Party has advanced too far. I am worried about you."
The magistrate held his forehead and sighed sadly.
"I have a friend who is a high-ranking official in Nanjing... I think it is better to make friends with thousands of parties to limit the governor's ambitions."
"Are you going?" The prefect seemed reluctant.
Chen Tongpao smiled and said: "I'm afraid you won't be worried if someone else does it. Naturally, I have to go down."
The prefect looked him up and down: "Now is the time for you to take responsibility. You should stay in Jiangdu to defend against powerful enemies. Why go to Nanjing?"
"If your Excellency thinks so, then I won't force you...but there is still a clever idea."
"Tell me and listen."
"Now the position of chief envoy is vacant, and the imperial court has not expressed this. The old scholar and political leader has been dissatisfied with Liu's party for a long time. He can ask him to write a letter to appoint the chief envoy to take up the post. In that case, Liu Zhennian will be distracted by this.
In fact, Kuang Chang should also appease the local government and fight for it.
Point out the gentry to ensure that the chief minister takes office smoothly and does not dare to make any big moves. When he has no time to expand his power, the prefect uses the power of the capital to unite with other states and counties to prevent them from defeating them one by one. Even though the governor has the power of a province, he cannot stop them.
The Huiliu Party is now trapped."
The prefect was deeply convinced and clapped his hands and said: "Wonderful! This delaying strategy can be used." He wrote a letter and sent the Yamen servants to deliver it to the Academic Affairs Office on horseback. The Academic Affairs Office followed his opinion and wrote, "Jiangsu Province"
The Chief Secretary is still short of a chief executive, so it is advisable to send someone to fill the post, pending a decision from the court.
Guo Xiang people served his brother day and night, but Guo Chuzi's illness had become serious and difficult to recover from. After meeting the Xiang people, he was ready to die. During this period, he spoke a lot to the Xiang people. He said
:"we
Since I was kicked out of Nanjing after playing house, I have carefully supported the dyeing business without any negligence. Although the shopkeeper Wen is a loyal man, he is not a member of my family. Don't rely on him in everything, and be careful.
"
The Xiang people asked him again about his methods of managing the dyeing workshop. Guo Chuzi shook his head: "This industry must be explored by exploration, and the methods must be decisive, and you don't have to follow my methods. But I want you to remember a few things: First, if this businessman keeps doing it
My family can't hold their heads up if they go down there. If they meet an official
Don't let go of this opportunity; secondly, Chen Tongzhi must help him, this man is very shrewd, and if you follow him, you will have an infinite career; thirdly, my brother's life is not long, I only hope that when the Hunan people become successful, they will come back to give
My spirit bows once, and my heart is satisfied."
The Xiang man hurriedly kowtowed and gritted his teeth resolutely: "Brother, I will definitely remember what I said! In the future, I will teach you how to stand upright in the world, so you can rest assured."
Wen Zhong had been working in the gambling house all day, and at night he was still looking at the accounts by his bedside. Suddenly, a servant from the government came quietly. He put on his coat and asked urgently: "How are you doing, Master?"
The servant just shed a few tears and started to swallow: "Master, he... Master, he is about to die!"
Wen Zhong's eyes were as big as copper bells. He pushed the slave away recklessly, took two steps at a time, hurried downstairs, and yelled at the guys: "Don't sleep! Get up! Before Yuan Wai died, I
We have to meet him no matter what!"
The guys were woken up, jumped out of bed, and rubbed their eyes drowsily: "This is not a curfew..."
Wen Zhong couldn't hold his breath, so he immediately threw his arm and gave him a crisp slap in the face.
"When did this happen? You're so long-winded, go get your horses ready!"
The waiter covered his cheek. He didn't have time to put on his shoes, so he went into the stable barefoot and brought in a black horse.
"Light the lantern!"
Wen Zhong got on his horse, looked at the slow-moving man, and rubbed the bridle so hard that his palms were almost on fire.
"who?"
When Wen Zhong walked to the door of the mansion, two or three servants stopped him.
"Shopkeeper Wen Zhong." He responded impatiently.
"The master is in critical condition now, no one else is allowed in!"
Wen Zhong glanced at them, and without saying a word, he kicked open the door and rushed into the house.
"Brother Guo! Brother Guo!"
When he heard the cry of the virgin nearby, he suddenly broke out in a cold sweat. He hurriedly opened the door to the bedroom with his elbow, still stumbling under his feet, and threw himself in front of the bed with all his strength.
On the other side of the bed was Guo Chuzi's daughter-in-law, who was crying so hard that her face was withered and yellow.
"Where are the people from Hunan?" he asked, suppressing his grief.
"Xiandi...xian..."
Guo Chuzi shook his head and woke up again, coughing feebly.
Wen Zhong lowered his head and whispered: "It's me."
"Shopkeeper Wen, the success or failure of our family is all in your hands... take care of it! Take care of it!" Guo Chuzi raised his eyelids drowsily and saw the Xiang people appearing behind Wen Zhong, and smiled at this moment.
Then, he stopped struggling and let himself fall asleep.
Wen Zhong looked at him again. His face turned pale and his pupils lost their light, but his direction was fixed on Xiang Ren. Xiang Ren suddenly collapsed to the ground and stared blankly at the bed.
Wen Zhong didn't react at all, but the past situation of the two of them suddenly flashed in his mind, making his nose sore, as if a big tide was coming up. Wen Zhong lay on the bed, crying loudly, with tears pouring out, until finally,
Already close to losing his voice.
The people in Guoxiang were still stunned, their tears gradually drying up, before they got up and went to comfort Wen Zhong: "Brother Wen, my brother is gone and cannot be saved. He trusted you so much. Just remember his kindness."