Although the Wang family has property in Guangzhou Prefecture, except for those who need to manage business in the city, most of the direct descendants of the Wang family stay in Wangjiachong, which is ten miles north of the city.
There is the Wang family's clan. Over the years, the Wang family's development has made it no less than a small town. The merchants coming from the south and the north make the place extremely lively.
When Song Xing and Hu Tianchou came to Wangjiachong, it was drizzling, but this did not affect the prosperity and excitement here at all.
The ground paved with bluestone slabs reveals a deep dark blue color after being soaked by the rain. When walking on it, you can feel the slight moisture.
There are rows of houses on both sides of the street, including teahouses, wine shops, pawn shops, and foot shops. There are also many small vendors with big umbrellas in the open spaces on both sides of the street, continuing to do business in the rain. There are knives, scissors, and groceries on the stalls.
The street extends to the east and west sides. There are jugglers, surrounded by a group of people cheering, there are fortune tellers, and a pair of young people are sitting in front of the stall to tell fortunes.
On the sidewalk, there is a bustling flow of people, some are carrying burdens, some are driving ox carts to deliver goods, some are driving donkeys to pull trucks, and some are stopping in front of the stalls to choose the goods they like. The desolate scene seen on the road was completely different.
"It seems that the Wang family manages their territory quite well."
The two of them were walking along, feeling hungry, so they simply walked into a roadside noodle shop, ordered two bowls of Yang Chun noodles, and chatted while eating.
Hu Tianshui picked up a chopstick and put it into his mouth, and said vaguely: "Everyone in the world is interested in profit. Since ancient times, businessmen have lived the most prosperous lives, but what they eat and drink are ordinary people. There are even cruel people who drink their blood and eat their flesh."
"Compared with what they receive, what they pay for this country is too little."
Song Xing did not refute, because what Hu Tianshui said was true. A thousand-year-old family has a thousand-year heritage, but often does not have a thousand-year magnanimity.
When the dynasty collapsed, they changed their masters and continued to seek refuge. They still lived a life of superiority to others. This was their philosophy of survival.
Wangjiachong is built on the mountain. Halfway down the mountain, hundreds of large and small old-fashioned houses are built next to each other. The undulating terrain and the numerous buildings on the mountain are scattered in an orderly manner. You can vaguely see a western house. The church is situated in the midst of it.
Walking on the mountain road, looking back, you can still see hundreds of boats vying for water on the canal not far away, forming a string like swimming dragons.
Compared with the lively town at the foot of the mountain, the Wang family land built on the mountainside is much quieter. It covers an area of hundreds of acres and is dozens of times more grand than the Governor's Yamen of Guangzhou Prefecture.
The architectural layout of the Wang family has gone through several expansions in the Ming and Qing dynasties before reaching its current scale. It is a fortress, a city, and built against a mountain.
The courtyard is arranged in four levels from low to high, symmetrical from left to right, with a main road in the middle, forming a very regular "king" shape. At the same time, the auspicious shapes of various mythical beasts are hidden, which fully reflects the majesty of the official family and the regularity of the patriarchal etiquette.
Hu Tianchou and Song Xing came directly to the door, gave the door some money, and finally contacted Wang Yigu in a remote courtyard.
"Brother Zhongyuan, why do you have time to visit me?"
Wang Yigu is a middle-aged man who looks a little thin. His face has sharp angles, and it can be seen that he looked good when he was young.
He was dressed in a Western style, with short hair, heavy dark circles under his eyes, and seemed a little depressed.
It can be seen that Wang Yigu was happy from the bottom of his heart when he saw Hu Tianchou.
"Look at me, I'm sorry, please come in quickly."
Wang Yigu called the two people in. Although they were from the side branch, it was obvious that Wang Yigu was living a pretty good life. Ordinary people could not earn a piece of the magnificent buildings and decorations in their houses.
"After we said goodbye three years ago, I thought carefully about what you said, and the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Later I sent people to look for you, Brother Zhongyuan, but the landlord told me that you had left."
After ordering his servants to serve tea, Wang Yigu began to chatter to Hu Tianpo.
"In the era of war and chaos, I thought it would be difficult to meet again. I didn't expect that Brother Zhongyuan came to look for me today. It is really a blessing. This time, I have to stay here for a while."
After Wang Yigu finished speaking, he seemed to have just noticed that Hu Tianchou and the two were tired from work. He was confused for a moment and asked again: "Brother Zhongyuan, where does this come from?"
Only then did Hu Tianchou have the opportunity to speak: "I'm sorry, brother, I'm in trouble. I came here to ask for your help, Zixiao."
Zhongyuan and Zixiao are the names they used when they were students, and they have always called each other by their names.
Wang Yigu also had a vague guess about Hu Tianchou's identity, and when he saw him speaking like this, a look of clarity appeared in his eyes.
Wang Yigu immediately patted his chest and said boldly: "Brother Zhongyuan can rest assured to live here, but with the status of the Wang family, ordinary monsters and ghosts will not dare to harass you."
Wang Yigu's words are not bragging. The Wang family has been rooted in Guangzhou for thousands of years. It can be said that there are people from all walks of life. Even the people in the government, except for Shangguan who were transferred from outside, the grassroots cadres are basically here. Another income.
After all, Shangguan may only stay in Guangzhou for a few years. These government officials have been begging for food in Guangzhou for generations. They cannot do without the big network woven by the Wang family, so naturally they do not dare to offend the Wang family.
"Zixiao, there is no need to stay here for a long time. The Qing court is chasing us. If we stay here for a long time, it will inevitably bring trouble to your mansion. If possible, please Zixiao and we can be quietly brought into Guangzhou mansion."
When talking to the literate Wang Yigu, Hu Tianchou subconsciously became literate.
"It's easy. Tomorrow morning, I will personally escort you, Brother Zhongyuan, into Guangzhou Mansion. Even the officials will not dare to stop my car."
Wang Yigu agreed immediately. Seeing Hu Tianchou and Song Xing look at each other, he asked, "Who is this?"
"One of my nephews," Hu Tianchuu said.
Song Xing stood up and bowed to Wang Yigu with cupped fists. He did not speak from the beginning to the end, but carefully observed the person in front of him.
"It's a pity that I can't talk to Brother Zhongyuan Bingzhuye. In the past two years, I have read many Western works, and I deeply agree with some of the principles in them. I deeply feel that every sentence you said at the beginning was full of philosophy. China is now in the process of We are in an era of change and what a blessing it is to be a part of it!”
Speaking of this, Wang Yigu was full of passion, and his eyes shone with the light of ideals.
"I'm envious of you, Brother Zhongyuan, for being able to run for your ideals. Unfortunately, I live in an aristocratic family and I can't help myself with many things."
Hu Tianchou could only comfort him: "With this kind of thought, Zixiao, you are already better than most people."
Hu Tianchou from Laojianghu could naturally tell whether Wang Yigu was telling the truth or a lie at the moment, and he felt a little more relaxed.
Then Wang Yigu entertained Hu Tianchun and the two warmly. After they were full of wine and food, he asked someone to bring them clean clothes.
Wang Yigu's enthusiasm was a bit overwhelming. It was not until night that Wang Yigu had someone arrange a room for the two of them to rest before they calmed down.
After everyone left, Song Xing opened the door of his room and saw Hu Tianchou also opening the door and walking out.
Song Xing dodged and entered Hu Tianchun's room: "Uncle Hu, is this person reliable?"
"Wang Yigu is reliable, but the rest of the Wang family is not necessarily reliable. We will set off early tomorrow morning. The sooner we enter Guangzhou Mansion, the safer it will be."
"Understood. I'm going out to explore the road. If anything happens, I won't be blinded."
"Be careful."
There was no words all night, but early the next morning, Wang Yigu kept his promise and asked his servants to get out of the carriage and drive Song Xing and the two towards Guangzhou Mansion.
As for a car, as a side branch, he naturally doesn't have one.
And just after they left Yi Zhu Incense Time, in the largest courtyard of the Wang family's courtyard, the Wang family's chief steward hurriedly entered the courtyard and found Wang Hong, the contemporary head of the Wang family.
