Chapter 117: Love

As early as a few years ago, Zheng Hu was very solid, but now he seemed taller and stronger than that time. When he saw Cao Yong come in, he stood up from his seat and greeted Cao Yong according to the rules: "The young Zheng Hu has seen the young master!"

Zheng Hu's real name is Zheng Hai. Because the name "Hai" was named by his father, he abandoned the name after he arrived at the Cao family and changed to Zheng Hu.

"Yeah!" Cao Yong nodded: "I saw Sister Ling just now and asked you. Xiaoman said that you had a kid before the New Year, but my 'congratulations' was a bit late!"

Zheng Hu smiled a little, took the teapot on the table, and poured Cao Yong a cup of tea.

Looking at the young man in the dilapidated temple who gritted his teeth and shouted, "If you want to kill, kill, and want a tiger to be a slave, I will talk about it in the next life." Cao Yong was quite touched. Only after he had been to the capital and knelt in front of Kangxi and the prince's clan, could he truly understand Zheng Hu's mood back then. What did he do? For the Cao family and for the profit of the pearl, he put the tiger in a cage.

Now, seeing Zheng Hu's regular and obedient appearance, it seems that he has been "teached". Cao Yong couldn't help feeling a little guilty and smiled and said, "I heard you were looking for me, but I don't know what's going on. I'm looking for you here too!"

"Young Master is looking for me?" Zheng Hu's face was a little more joyful: "Then, the young master said first."

Cao Yong nodded slightly and asked, "Do you remember what I said to you when I first met that year?"

"Young Master means?" Zheng Hu frowned and thought for a while: "Young Master means what I promised to help me take revenge ten years later?"

"Yeah!" Cao Yong responded, looking at Zheng Hu, his expression turned solemn: "It has been five years now. I heard that the Yang family's business has not been easy in recent years, and Bihelou is almost about to be annexed by the Bai family. You have become a father now, so you have started a family and started a business. Is your desire to take revenge still strong?"

Zheng Hu was a little confused. Obviously, he had not thought about this problem specifically before. After a long time, Fang murmured: "The young man doesn't remember what he looks like. Although he still blames that person when he thinks of his mother, it's strange, but he doesn't have the gritting hatred he used to."

Cao Yong was not surprised by Zheng Hu's reaction. At this time, people were influenced by Confucian traditions. Even if father and son were incompatible, they would have the idea of ​​killing their father. Zheng Hu was so angry that he was in a downturn in his life, so he naturally hated his father. Now, his life has settled down, and he has married and had children. After living a small life, how can he have time to talk about the father who had abandoned him for many years?

Over the years, Yang Mingchang also vaguely knew that his children had defected to the Cao Mansion. Because of the inaccuracy, he also took into account the face of the Bai family and denied the identity of the legitimate son and daughter, so he was not easy to search openly. In addition, he was also an old household in Jiangning City, so he naturally knew that the Cao family was not something that they were able to touch, so he had to leave it alone in the end.

When the Zheng brothers and sisters went to Taihu Lake, in order to keep the secret of cultivating pearls, they all used the Cao family's slaves. Near the pearl farm, they were allowed to enter and not be allowed to leave these years. Despite this, the key links of cultivating pearls are separated and are responsible for different people, and to prevent leakage. In the past few years, the Zheng brothers and sisters returned to Jiangning at a few times. Until the New Year, because Cao Yong thought about transferring the secret recipe for cultivating pearls, everyone's activities were broader. Perhaps it was for this reason that Zheng Hu and his biological father Yang Mingchang had no intersection.

Seeing that Zheng Hu seemed to have no idea, Cao Yong asked, "Do you know the May Pearl Conference?"

Zheng Hu nodded: "Well, I heard from the younger girl that she wanted to transfer the method of cultivating pearls to others." When she said this, she said hesitantly: "But I don't know why the young master remembered this. This is not giving the wealth to others! On the other side of the pearl field, the younger girl hasn't done anything in recent years. She just took some people to protect the hospital and put in some effort. The younger girl tried her best. Every year when she planted pearls, she even stopped the younger girl outside the door. She only had one or two hours a day, and she was busy for half a month."

Cao Yong thought that he had discovered that Zheng Woxue was a little abnormal at the dinner table. He seemed to have a particularly long sleeve, covering most of his hand. It seemed that she was trying to keep this secret method of cultivating pearls. The most critical bead-planting link was not just others, and she was injured by excessive lake water soaking and labor.

At this time, people regard any craft as the secret of the heirloom, and Zheng Hu's confusion is normal. Thinking of this, Cao Yong's idea of ​​a good way out for the Zheng brothers and sisters is even more prosperous. What is the difference between the two brothers and sisters in recent years?

After considering it, Cao Yong said, "I did this to stop you from living such a life. Even if the Zhuchang makes money there, we have to be on guard day and night, and we are not free like prison. What's the point? Besides, you have become a child and cannot live a secret life all the time. I remember you mentioned that if you had not been to the girl, you would have joined the army long ago, but I don't know what you have about your future now! Do you want to do business, or be a landlord to collect rent, or want to join the army? No matter what your ideas you have, as long as it is within Cao Yong's ability, I will definitely help you achieve it."

After hearing Cao Yong's words, Zheng Hu shook his head vigorously, stood up from his seat, and knelt on one knee in front of Cao Yong: "Young Master, Zheng Hu has nothing to ask for, only one thing. I hope the young master will agree to it because his younger brother and sister have been fulfilling their duties over the years."

Cao Yong glanced at Zheng Hu, nodded, and slowly said, "Except for taking the order as a concubine, I am not able to obey the same thing, and if it is within my ability, I will definitely not disappoint you."

Zheng Hu's face turned pale: "Why is this young man? Is it that the young girl still worthy of the young man's concubine? If we hadn't been the young brother and sister who had received the young man's kindness, how could the young man be willing to let her be a concubine?"

Cao Yong patted Zheng Hu on the shoulder: "Why do you want to be a concubine with others? I have met Ling Mei today, but she is a good girl with both good looks. Even if someone wants to hire her as a family member, we have to carefully choose and find someone who has good personal character and family affairs. Why do you have to be wronged and be a concubine with me?"

"But, little girl..." Zheng Hu wanted to say something else.

Cao Yong stopped him: "I have made a marriage in Beijing, I believe you have heard of it. The other party is a noble person. If she bullies your sister by relying on her identity, it will be life and death! You brothers and sisters have been dependent on each other for many years. Do you want her to end like this?" As he said this, he felt a little guilty towards the young fiancée whom he had never met. In order to extinguish Zheng Hu's thought of sending her sister to be a concubine, he had to "please" his future wife like this.

Zheng Hu had seen Yang Baishi's jealous face when he was a child. Of course, he knew that women were even more terrifying when they were vicious, so he became a little hesitant.

Cao Yong helped him up: "In early May, the pearl-picking families in various places will send their nephews to Jiangning. Then we will pay attention to whether we can find a good marriage for Ling Mei."

Zheng Hu originally mentioned it with shamelessness because the girl had no idea of ​​marrying outside, but Cao Yong had no intention of taking a concubine for a long time. Now, seeing that Cao Yong said this, he stopped talking.

On the fifth day of the April 19th, Wei Xin rushed back from Guangdong in a hurry.

Although he was only twenty-two years old, he had short beards on his upper lip, a long white silk robe with a green bamboo-patterned jacket. After washing away the image of a young gangster at the time, he looked mature and steady, and had a bit of the flavor of a Confucian businessman.

Cao Yong looked at him and smiled and joked, "I haven't seen you for four years, but you seem to have changed. This outfit is really good."

Wei Xin grinned and looked a little rude again, and said with a smile: "For the blessing of the young master, the young master is just a layer of human skin. The young master looks more and more majestic and extraordinary..."

Cao Yong waved his hand and said, "Forget it, it's okay if you don't open your mouth, but you're the slick shopkeeper Wei."

Wei Xin hurriedly stopped laughing: "I am used to fighting with people in the chamber of commerce. The young master is forgiven, but the young master sincerely praises the young master." Seeing that Cao Yong was not surprised, he regained his smile, took out a lacquered wooden box, and gave it to Cao Yong.

Cao Yong knew that it was a profit from Guangzhou Commercial Bank. When he opened it, he found a thick stack of silver notes. After a brief look, the minimum face value was 1,000 taels, which were tens of thousands of taels. Cao Yong was stunned: "This is..."

Wei Xin smiled and said, "I heard that the young man was given a marriage by the emperor. The young man thought he would have to use silver, so he collected all the profits from the recent trading sessions!"

Cao Yong thought about the expansion of houses at home in the second half of the year, Cao Yihe’s own wedding ceremony, etc., and the expenses in various places were indeed quite large, so he was not polite to him. He thanked him for his wishes and collected the silver notes.

Then the two talked about the business in Guangzhou, and some of the pearls produced in Taihu were also sold in Guangdong. Wei Xin talked about the general market, and then talked about the prospects and his own ideas. Afterwards, Cao Yong talked about the matter of preparing to transfer pearl breeding technology. Wei Xin also made suggestions on the details, and the two thought about it carefully.

When it was time for dinner, Cao Yong asked Wei Xin to go out to have a drink.

The two took Xiaoman, the Wei brothers and several others to the weaving house, and walked through the streets and alleys to the largest restaurant in the city. When they walked to Moquan Lane, the road ahead was blocked. It was a group of gangsters standing in front of a door cursing, and a group of people watching the fun were surrounded from a distance. Moquan Lane was not very wide, and it was blocked by these people.

Cao Yong was about to order the horse to leave the alley and go on a different road, but he heard Wei Xin laughing and said, "It's the Jiang family of Liuhe Money House! I don't know who they provoked, but the iron-armed Xie Laoliu came out to take charge!"

Wei Xinyuan was also a famous gangster leader in the north of Jiangning City. He was very familiar with these old local snakes. Cao Yong took a casual look and saw two acquaintances. Among the group of people standing straight in front of the door, there were two young men, one tall and one short, both in purple robes and yellow straps on his waist. However, they were the two young masters of the Duke of Zhenguo, who was making a big fuss in Beijing that day.

Cao Yong was very puzzled why these two guys would come to Jiangning from Beijing. Then he remembered that they were the two grandsons of Galli, the governor of Jiangnan. He didn't know where these two kids sang today and what to do. However, he was not interested in watching the excitement, so he refuted the horse. Wei Xin begged with a saliva face: "Young Master, wait a moment." As he said that, he turned over and dismounted and pulled a look around to watch the excitement.

After a while, Wei Xin came back and got on the horse, and smiled at Cao Yong: "It turned out that Liuhe Money House was given to Miss Jiang Er as a dowry by Master Jiang. Miss Jiang Er hired a son-in-law to come to the house. As a result, the son-in-law's life was short and he was gone before getting married. Miss Jiang Er became a wife. After Master Jiang Er passed away, Miss Jiang Er inherited the money house alone. Her uncles and brothers looked at her and wanted to take a bite."

He said, "Jiang Wenzheng and Jiang Wenxun are from their parents' rooms, and they are the ones in the twenties."

While speaking, the gate of Jiang Mansion suddenly opened. More than a dozen nurses guarding the courtyard came out one after another and stood in front of the mansion. Then, a middle-aged man dressed in a forty-year-old housekeeper came out. He hugged the crowd in front of the door and said aloud: "Dear Master, it's not the first time that he has been talking about right and wrong. What else is there to be unclear? Third Master and Fourth Master, you can't write two Jiang characters in one stroke. Do you have to force our yamen lobby to debate? All you lose is the face of the Jiang family!"

Jiang Wenzheng spat and cursed, "Bah! Jiang Jinbao, you are a slave in the Jiang family. It's not your turn to speak! Let Han Jiang get out! You can't write two words Jiang in one stroke. That's right, but Han Jiang's surname is Han now, why do you still occupy the Jiang family's property? Tell her to get out for you!"

Jiang Wenxun also shouted from behind: "Today we will invite two yellow belt masters to make decisions for us! Those who know the truth should get out quickly!"

The butler named Jiang Jinbao was indeed scared when he saw two yellow belts standing in the crowd. He said perfunctoryly and asked the servant to inform him.

On this side, Wu Mao and Wu Sheng came to Cao Yong and whispered: "Uncle, this person is the one who sells our horses."

Cao Yong looked at the housekeeper carefully and it turned out that he was the one who sold the horse that day. It turned out that he bought the horse from the Liuhe Money House that day. Cao Yong thought to himself that if we talked about the emergency rescue action that day, we should help them today. Well, let's see what happened.

After a moment, two rows of eight maids came out of the inner courtyard, all of whom were well-dressed and had a good appearance, and they attracted everyone's attention as soon as they came out.

Wei Xin kept smacking his lips: "Miss Jiang Er is a great beauty. The maids trained are all like water and green onions, and they are so seductive..."

Cao Yong glanced at him: "I heard your elder brother Wei Ren say that you have taken three or four concubines in Guangzhou, and you are still thinking about it? Wei Ren also asked me to write a letter to advise you to marry a regular house earlier and be safe!"

Wei Xin pursed his beard with his upper lip and smiled, "Young Master also knows his young personality, and he is the most impatient and restrained. He finally took off the old man's discipline. He was free for two years and had no need to ask a woman to make a fuss for me, right?! I'll be free for a few years... Alas, why did you lift the screen out? Hi, really, I want to take a look at Miss Jiang Er..."

What he said later was that the servants of Jiang Mansion carried six screens with more than one person embroidered eight horses, and opened them and placed them directly opposite the door in the courtyard. Someone carried the Eight Immortal Chair and placed them behind the screen. The eight maids stood on both sides of the screen.

At this moment, a low and mute female voice rang behind the screen: "The vain Han Jiang is polite."

When Cao Yong heard this, he was exactly the voice of the female family members in the carriage that day.

Jiang Wenzheng snorted: "Han Jiang, you are not showing your face and still call it polite? If you are really polite, please quickly transfer my Jiang family property. It will be difficult for you. Otherwise, you will not be able to eat it today!"

Miss Jiang Er seemed to be indifferent to his provocation, and her voice was silent: "Mr. Jiang San said something strange. Liuhe Money House was originally my mother's dowry, but now it is my dowry. When did it become the property of the Jiang family?"

The Jiang family members are thinking about this Liuhe Money House for a day or two, but Liuhe Money House is the largest money house in Jiangnan, so the background is naturally not simple. Miss Jiang Er’s biological mother is the daughter of a big salt merchant from Yangzhou and has a close relationship with the Jiangnan officialdom. Therefore, although these Jiang family members stretched their claws many times, they did not seek any advantage under Miss Jiang Er’s hands.

This time, Jiang Wenzheng accidentally had two yellow belts in the casino. He knew that they were the grandson of Gary, the governor of Jiangnan, and he felt like he had a treasure. He just thought that they were the backers, and regardless of whether their family was in the wrong, he came to the door with a big fuss, thinking that if the other party was afraid, he could make a fortune even if he couldn't get the money.

Miss Jiang Er suddenly laughed: "What Mr. Jiang San said is that my mother married into the Jiang family, and this industry belongs to the Jiang family?"

Jiang Wenzheng said: "That's right!"

Miss Jiang Er said again: "I marry the Han family and I am from the Han family."

Jiang Wenzheng was even more proud and said loudly: "That's right! Since you recognize it, you can quickly hand over the money house to the Jiang family!"

Miss Jiang Er said slowly: "Mr. Jiang San, this property is the dowry sent by my mother to me, and the documents are clearly written. If you say so, if I marry the Han family, this property will be Han. What are you here to ask for?"

Jiang Wenzheng was speechless for a moment and couldn't find a word to refute her. Seeing that it was not good, Jiang Wenxun shouted: "Third brother, why are you talking about with that woman? She can show off her verbal pleasure! Today, two young masters are making decisions for us. If she doesn't admit it, we will beat her until she thinks!"

Miss Jiang Er raised her voice and said, "Do you still dare to rob me in broad daylight? As you are a royal relative, you have to keep the word "law". If you touch the laws of the Qing Dynasty, you will still be unable to escape!"
Chapter completed!