[Under the starting point 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 lobby of the Xue family's old residence in the north of the city was also busy at the moment.
The Xue family, a family of officials for generations, is quite famous in the local area, and ordinary people would never dare to mess with 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 his position in the Household Department has been lost. The Xue family looks 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, 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?"
"The three of him, mother and son, sit back and watch the family decline for their own selfish purposes. It's really cruel..."
Seeing that everyone at the scene was talking more and more, an elderly man used his cane and said after everyone was quiet: "Okay, we have finally reached an agreement today, what are we talking about now? After all, we are still a family!"
"Second uncle, you treat them as a family, I'm afraid they may not have this intention!"
This old man known as "Second Uncle" is the younger brother of Grandpa Xue. He is now the highest and most prestigious in the Xue family.
"Stop talking, Pan'er will be here soon, just explain the matter clearly!"
After the death of old Mrs. Xue, the children of the Xue family were unable to study well and were forced to embark on a road of transformation.
Up to now, 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 Hefu has nearly a hundred children, but none of them are as famous as Xue Pan's father.
Just three days ago, in order to replenish weapons nearby, the Director of Ceremonies issued an urgent order to the Xue family, asking them to cooperate with the relevant civil and military offices to purchase thirty cannons and two thousand shells from foreigners.
In addition, the Xue family also used internal funds to store silver and purchase 100,000 shi of grain for military supplies.
Such a heavy task came all at once, making everyone in the Xue family feel like they were facing a formidable enemy.
This matter is being watched over by the Supervisor of Ceremonies and Jin Yiwei, as well as the Patrol Censor Yamen. The doctor of the Ministry of War, the Jingying Ying and the Du Si Yamen are also involved in the matter. If it is not handled well, the Xue family will be severely punished.
As an imperial merchant, 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 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.
Therefore, the 120,000 silver actually belonging to internal funds are now only 63,000 taels.
Even considering only purchasing needs, the gap is still 37,000 taels.
Where did the money go?
Some became goods and were displayed on the shelves of the Xue family's shop, some became the Xue family's property outside the city, and some became antique calligraphy and paintings for display...
It is not too difficult for the Xue family to make up the shortfall of more than 30,000 taels of silver. All they have to do is sell off 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.
On such an important matter, Xue Pan happened to disappear, and 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 were 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 scolding?" 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 families. Now that they were summoned to tide over the difficulties, these people instead accused her mother and son of seeking personal gain.
"Tea, madam!"
"Get out!" Aunt Xue yelled 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, get down!"
When 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 graceful girl standing at the door, with smooth muscles and bones, and elegant manners. Her lips are red without any spots, her eyebrows are green without paint, her face is like a silver basin, her eyes are like apricots, and her appearance is plump.
This person was Baochai. She was embroidering and painting flowers in her boudoir, but she came over to take a look when she heard the noise.
In the past few years, Baochai has helped his mother take care of the housework, so Baochai naturally knows what is going on in the clan.
When all the servants left, Baochai walked over to Aunt Xue and comforted her: "Mother, why do you need to get so angry? It's not a pity to be so angry that your body is broken!"
"I don't know this, but now in the family, who among the people in the family doesn't make me angry except you?" Aunt Xue said, holding her forehead.
In the years since her husband passed away, she had to raise two children and take care of the housework at the same time. All the burdens that should be borne by men fell 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 in a soft tone: "Mother, there is a shortfall of 37,000 taels of money, and each house in the clan can get it. Today they are making a fuss... just to get more benefits!"
"What's going on now, all members of the clan share weal and woe, it's really going to be too much... Everyone should not have an easy time. If we are anxious, they won't be anxious?" Baochai glanced towards the door with a bit of contempt. .
After hearing this, Aunt Xue was stunned for a moment, and after thinking about it, she found that this was indeed the truth.
"Madam, the clan elders sent someone to deliver a message, saying that if the uncle doesn't come again, they will leave..." A young man's voice came from outside the door.
Aunt Xue was about to speak when she heard Baochai say: "Then tell the elders that my eldest brother has something to go out today, so we can change the discussion to tomorrow!"
Hearing this, Aunt Xue tried to stand up, but was held back by Baochai.
After the boy left, Aunt Xue finally couldn't help but said: "Baochai, why are you doing such nonsense!"
"Time waits for no one. If we don't make a decision today, how can we afford the consequences if we really miss the mission?"
Baochai smiled slightly and asked, "Mom, we can't afford it, but can those people outside also afford it?"
"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 was dubious.
"We'll find out later!" Baochai replied lightly.
Baochai is not 100% sure whether things will develop as expected. She just finds the optimal solution within her ability.
Xue Pan, who can take charge, is not here, so mother and daughter can only wait quietly, because they are women.
However, within a few minutes, another servant came to report: "Madam, several clan elders have 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 Baochai with a hint of joy in her eyes.
They had already made plans on how to show off their cards and silver coins. Now that the clan elders have asked her to make the decision, Aunt Xue can naturally go and take charge.
Just when she was about to agree, Baochai said again: "Go and tell them that this matter is important... It's better to wait until the eldest brother comes back to discuss it!"
