Chapter 9 The Xue family has a daughter

Under the introduction, you can see the character cards. There are more than a dozen in total. If you are interested, you can take a look

In the palace, Zhu Jinghong began to prepare for tomorrow. The old residence of the Xue family in the north of Fucheng. The lobby is also busy at the moment.

The Xue family has been a family of officials for generations. It is quite famous in the local area, and ordinary people will never dare to provoke it.

However, in fact, since the death of old Mrs. Xue twenty years ago, the Xue family has been on a decline and has long lost its former glory.

Now that it has been passed to Xue Pan, even the position in the Household Department has not been settled. The Xue family appears to be glamorous, but in fact it is in crisis.

The most serious crisis for the Xue family is the alienation of the Xue family members themselves.

For example, in the main hall of the Xue family's ancestral home at this moment, the elders of the Xue family's clans gathered together and were already quarreling.

"We agreed to clarify the matter today, but now we are left here to hang out. What is this?"

"His mother and son sit back and watch the family for their own selfish purposes." The defeat is really cruel."

Seeing that everyone at the scene was talking more and more, an old man used a cane and after everyone was quiet, he said, "Okay, we have finally reached an agreement today. What are we talking about now? We are still a family."

"Second uncle, you think they are a family, but I'm afraid they may not have such intentions."

The old man called "second uncle", He is the younger brother of Grandpa Xue, who is now the highest and most prestigious in the Xue family.

"Stop talking, Pan'er will arrive soon, just explain the matter clearly."

After the death of old lady Xue, the children of the Xue family were not good at studying and were forced to start a transformation road.

Today, although each member of the Xue family has not given up studying, their focus has been on business.

Accustomed to living a life of ease and comfort, the Xue family in the Hefu has nearly a hundred children, but none of them has the qualifications of Xue Pan's father.

Just three days ago, the Director of Ceremonies issued an urgent order to the Xue family, asking them to purchase thirty cannons and a thousand cannon shells from foreigners.

In addition, the Xue family also needs to use internal funds to deposit silver and purchase 100,000 shi of grain for military supplies.

Suddenly, such an important task came, making everyone in the Xue family feel like they were facing a formidable enemy. If they failed to handle it well, they would be punished.

As imperial merchants, the Xue family's properties are spread all over Jinling, and they also have shops in other provinces. It is actually very easy to purchase items. The crux of the matter is money.

Food and weapons cost at least one hundred thousand taels of silver.

The amount of money left in the Xue family's internal funds is 120,000 taels in the books of the Supervisor of Ceremonies, which is enough.

But the problem is that the numbers on the books do not equal the actual situation.

Silver is a dead thing in the treasury. When the Xue family's business needs it, it will inevitably be used effectively.

So, the 120,000 silver actually belonging to internal funds are now only 63,000 taels.

Even if only the purchase requirements are considered, the gap is still 37,000 taels.

Where did the money go?

Some were turned into goods and displayed on the containers of the Xue family's shop, some became the fertile farmland of the Xue family outside the city, and some became antique calligraphy and paintings for display

To make up the shortfall of three thousand taels of silver, It is not too difficult for the Xue family, as long as they sell their goods and farmland.

But the problem now is that the time given by the Supervisor of Ceremonies is not enough at all, and the task must be completed in early June.

So today, the Xue family held a family meeting to call on the whole family to tide over the difficulties together. As the head of the clan, Xue Pan was the core figure in this discussion.

In such an important matter, Xue Pan happened to disappear. The most anxious person was Mrs. Xue, who was Aunt Xue in the original novel Red Mansions.

"Pan'er is such a naughty child. How dare he neglect the elders like this when things have been decided in advance?" Aunt Xue looked ugly and patted the table as she spoke.

"Madam, all the clan elders outside have begun to curse."

"What are they cursing?" Aunt Xue looked stern.

The maid described what happened in the front hall, which made Aunt Xue almost furious. She wanted to curse but couldn't.

Most of the losses suffered by the Xue family were related to other houses. Now that they were summoned to tide over the difficulties, these people instead accused her mother and son of seeking personal gain.

"Madam drinks tea"

"Get out" Aunt Xue scolded loudly.

Being forced to this point by the people in the mansion, even though Aunt Xue has a gentle personality, she can't control her anger at this moment.

The maid who was scolded by her was so frightened that she didn't know how to deal with herself. To make her master angry was like the sky falling for her.

"Everyone, please go down."

While the surrounding servants and women were silent, this gentle voice came from outside the door, making everyone present feel like they were being amnesty.

Everyone looked at the door and saw a slim girl standing at the door, with smooth muscles and bones, and elegant manners. Her lips are red without dots, her eyebrows are green without paint, her face is like a silver basin, and her eyes are like apricots. She has a straight character and a plump appearance.

This person is Baochai. She was embroidering and tracing flowers in her boudoir, but she came over to take a look when she heard the noise.

In the past few years, I have helped my mother take care of the housework, so I naturally know what is going on in the clan.

When all the servants left, Baochai walked to Aunt Xue and comforted her, "Mom, why do you have to get so angry? It's not a pity to be so angry."

"How can I do this?" I don’t know, but now everyone in the family, except you, doesn’t make me angry,” Aunt Xue said, holding her forehead.

In the years since her husband passed away, she has to raise two children and take care of the housework at the same time. The burden that should be shouldered by the man Chen has all fallen on the shoulders of this weak woman.

Now that the child is older, she expected her son to support her, but he still often caused trouble for her. On the contrary, her daughter understood the rules and helped her a lot.

Sitting next to Aunt Xue, Baochai said softly, "Mom, there is a shortfall of 37,000 taels of money. Each house in the clan can get it. They are making a fuss today just because they are too much.""I want some benefits."

"What is happening now is that every member of the clan shares the honor and disgrace. If it really goes beyond the upper limit, no one will have an easy time. If we are anxious, they will not be anxious." Baochai glanced towards the door. , quite a bit of contempt.

After hearing this, Aunt Xue was stunned for a moment, and after thinking about it, she found that it was indeed true.

"Mrs. The elders sent someone to spread the word, saying that if the uncle doesn't come again, they will leave." The voice of the servant came from outside the door.

Aunt Xue was about to speak, but she heard Baochai say, "Then you I told all the elders that my eldest brother has something to go out today, so the discussion will be postponed to tomorrow."

Hearing this, Aunt Xue was about to stand up, but was held back by Baochai.< /p>

After the boy left, Aunt Xue finally couldn't help but said, "Baochai, why are you messing around too?"

"Time waits for no one. If we don't make a decision today, "Boy, how can we afford to suffer if we really miss the mark?"

Baochai smiled slightly and asked, "Mom, we can't afford to suffer, don't we think those people can afford to suffer?"

"Don't worry, they won't leave. These people are more greedy than us. If the words just spread out, they will be more anxious than us."

"Really" Aunt Xue Doubtful.

"We'll find out later," Baochai replied lightly.

Baochai wasn't 100% sure whether things would develop as expected. She was just relying on her ability. Find the optimal solution within the scope.

Without Xue Pan, who can take charge, the mother and daughter can only wait quietly. Who knows that they are women?

However, not long after. Minutes later, another servant came to report, "Madam, several clan elders discussed it and said that if the uncle doesn't come back, it will be the same if the wife goes to discuss the matter."

Hearing this, Aunt Xue looked at Bao Bao Chai, there is a hint of joy in her eyes.

They have already made plans on how to show off their cards. Now that the clan elders have asked her to make the decision, Aunt Xue can naturally go to the meeting.