The ancestors of the Tao family were big merchants, and those who were good at business became officials. After entering the officialdom, their family business became even bigger, and they became one of the richest families in Guangzhou and even the entire South. The maritime business was only a part of their family's industry. There were seven or eight fleets in the family. Although there were not many people who could understand the map of the world and could copy it, they would not be unable to operate without one. According to what the chief steward Tao said, if the map of the world was not too important to the Tao family, in order to keep it secret, the Tao family would not have planned to take the person back after sending him out.
Pei Yan smiled and said, "Let's finish copying the Yutu first."
For the Yu family, it is hard to find someone who can copy the painting of Mi Yu. But for him, it is easy to find.
He "asked for help" from Tao An, with the intention of attracting the Tao family to participate in the auction, and what Tao Dazong said hit the mark. However, in addition to notifying the Tao family, he also had someone leak the news to his second senior brother, Jiang Hua, the Minister of Works and the Grand Academician of Dongge.
Jiang Hua's eldest daughter-in-law is the daughter of the Wu family in Huzhou.
The Wu family made their fortune by relying on water transport.
There are also five or six fleets at home.
He had to wait until the Wu family arrived before he could see the situation and decide whether to agree to the Tao family.
Pei Yan was vague, and Chief Steward Tao would definitely think too much.
He wondered if Pei Yan thought he was not qualified to discuss this matter. Then he would have to ask Tao Qing, the current head of the Tao family, Tao An's brother, to come to Lin'an City in person.
Of course, before that, he had to see the map first to confirm whether it was indeed a new route from Guangzhou to Daqin as Pei Yan said.
He exchanged glances with Tao An's staff who came with him. Tao An's staff came forward to introduce themselves and get in touch with Pei Yan. Feeling that Pei Yan had a good impression of them, they left the two copying masters and went back to rest.
The two masters had experience in sailing and could tell the authenticity of the map at a glance. The only thing they couldn't be sure of was whether the route marked on the map was really safe.
By the evening, Chief Steward Tao received the exact news, and he immediately arranged for the person who had followed him secretly to deliver the letter to Tao Qing.
Lin'an City is the Pei family's territory. As long as Pei Yan is interested, he will be able to immediately know if a stranger comes. Moreover, he has also sent people to keep an eye on the Tao family.
Not to mention just letting Tao Qing know about this, he now wished he could ask Chief Steward Tao to secretly send back part of the map so that the Tao family could send a fleet to test the voyage.
When the noble families know that this map is not only real but also safe for sailing, then it will be a good time to offer a price.
He therefore instructed Pei Man: "You can let them pass the first part of the map back to the Tao family, but don't let them get the rest."
Pei Man nodded repeatedly, his eyes shining with interest, which was very different from the impression he usually gave people.
Pei Yan smiled and said, "Are you bored?"
Pei Man smiled and said, "I'm not bored, but there's nothing to do in Lin'an City. I feel like my knife is getting rusty."
Isn't it boring?
Pei Yan smiled and said, "You will be too busy soon."
Pei Man knew that Pei Yan would definitely invite many powerful families to participate in the auction, but Pei Yan's invitation list had not been finalized yet, and the business cards had not been sent out yet. He felt that he should still have some time to prepare. Who knew that as soon as he came out of Pei Yan's study, Hu Xing walked in excitedly.
When two people meet, they can't help but say hello.
Pei Man asked him, "What's wrong with you?"
It was like Chinese New Year, my face was glowing with joy.
Hu Xing did not want to hide the secret from Pei Man. Firstly, Pei Man was the chief steward, commanding all the servants inside and outside the Pei family. Secondly, Pei Man was very capable. It had only been a few months since he took office, but he had already made all the servants in the family, big and small, inside and outside, obedient. Even if he didn't tell Pei Man, people who wanted to curry favor with Pei Man would tell him. So why should he go against Pei Man and seek his own death?
He wanted to stay in this position for a long time, and it would be even better if he could pass it on to his son.
"They are from the Wu family in Huzhou." Hu Xing said excitedly, "The eldest master of their family came to give us a New Year's gift in person. From the tone of his voice, there is also a gift for our third master."
The eldest master of the Huzhou Wu family is the head of the Wu family.
The Third Elder replaced the eldest branch as the head of the Pei family. The other branches of the Pei family seemed to accept it and none of them made trouble. But in Hu Xing's opinion, those branches might have endured it out of respect for Old Lady Pei. Who knows what they are thinking privately? Maybe after the mourning period for Old Lady Pei is over, they will start arguing over the ceremony of removing the mourning clothes. Especially since the Li family's main branch separated from Li Duan's branch a few days ago, who dares to say that there is no work of the Pei family? Who dares to say that this is not the other branches of the Pei family testing Pei Yan?
This is the first Spring Festival since Pei Yan took over the Pei family. Of course, the more families who come to send New Year gifts at this time, the better. The more prominent they are, the more it shows that Master Pei San is capable and well-connected. If it is a wealthy family like the Wu family in Huzhou that has never had any dealings with the Pei family before, it would be even better - this is Pei Yan's own favor, and has nothing to do with the Pei family. If it weren't for Pei Yan, how could the head of the Wu family come out in person to send New Year gifts to the Pei family?
He has taken refuge with the Third Elder.
He is now tied to the third elder's car. They will rise and fall together.
Of course, the more families like the Wu family of Huzhou come, the better.
Pei Man knew what Hu Xing was thinking without having to guess. He smiled and said, "Then go and inform the third elder quickly, so as not to keep the eldest elder of the Wu family waiting for a long time." Then he passed by Hu Xing and went about his own business.
Hu Xing couldn't help but touch his head.
Pei Man is a bit cold!
Did I do something to offend Pei Man?
But this was not the time to think about these things, and Hu Xing happily went to Pei Yan's study.
Pei Man turned around and went to meet A Tiao, who came from the Yu family to give him a New Year gift.
The reason why Ah Tiao was able to meet Pei Man was not because he was lucky and happened to meet Pei Man, but because Pei Yan attached great importance to the Yu family. People like Pei Man who served Pei Yan naturally followed his wishes and attached importance to the Yu family.
Pei Man met Ah Tiao in the lobby in front of the small side hall and asked her in detail about the Yu family's New Year gift.
Those who were waiting in the small side hall for the Pei family's steward to register the gift list could not help but be very envious and started to talk about the Yu family. There were also those who were not used to the Yu family's sudden "outburst", but they did not dare to criticize the Yu family in front of the Pei family. They held back their resentment and could not control their mouths when they left the Pei family: "I heard that the eldest daughter of the Yu family is very beautiful, and many young men want to go to their family to be a son-in-law. I don't know what Mr. Yu is choosing? Or does he have other plans?"
Because they are all well-known managers in their respective families, even if they are unhappy in their hearts, they will not be like those country women who dare to say anything out loud.
Naturally, someone with the same idea took over the conversation and said, "I heard that the eldest daughter of the Yu family dared to wear the clothes of a servant and still manage the family affairs. If I had a nephew, I would definitely not marry such a girl!"
"That depends on whether your nephew has the ability to marry her." Someone joked, "The Yu family said that the girl must stay at home to find a husband. Didn't you see that the second son of the Li family is not suitable?"
"Who knows whether he is unwilling to marry the girl off or he has no choice and cannot get her married off! I see that the girl is very brave and acts very powerfully. Those are not the means that ordinary girls can have." Those who had some hidden ideas dispersed with laughter.
The Yu family had no idea that Yu Tang was being criticized.
Ah Tiao pointed to one of the brocade boxes and said specifically: "This was found by our old man in an antique shop. He said it was very interesting and gave it to the third old man to help him pass the time or as a copy of some rice paper or something." The other things were just some chicken, duck, fish, meat, tea, wine, and candies, which were similar to what neighbors usually gave as gifts, nothing special.
Normally, the Pei family would not have the time to send gifts back to families like the Yu family. They would write down the gift list and return the gifts at a similar price on the spot, or send some rice or noodles, and sometimes even give a red envelope. But for the Yu family, Pei Man thought it would be better to send someone to send gifts back, so he smiled and made a separate account for the gift box. In the evening, he personally delivered the gift box to Pei Yan's room.
Pei Yan had washed and changed into his daily clothes. He was wearing a sable coat and was leaning on the couch, listening to the little boy A Ming calling out names from a thick gift list.
Ah Ming was wearing a scarlet brocade cotton jacket. He had a round, chubby face, like a boy giving away money, which made people feel festive just by looking at him.
Seeing Pei Man coming in, Pei Yan motioned for Ah Ming to stop and asked, "What's the matter?"
The New Year is approaching, and people come to Pei Yan for instructions every day.
Pei Man had spent an entire afternoon in the bungalow with a heated floor. When he entered Pei Yan's room, which didn't even have a brazier, the heat in his body suddenly dissipated and his fingertips felt a little cold.
"This is a gift from the Yu family." After handing the box to Pei Yan, he put his hands in his sleeves, then called Ah Ming with some pity and said, "You can go down! I will serve you here first."
Pei Yan had a bad temper. He would have nosebleeds when there was a heating pad in the house. He could not stand the smell of charcoal, so in winter he could only use leather and cotton to keep warm. The people serving him had to suffer the cold as well.
Ah Ming thought Pei Man wanted to say something to Pei Yan in private, so he nodded repeatedly, bowed to Pei Yan, handed the gift list to Pei Man, and ran back to his room where he had lit the floor heating to keep warm.
Pei Yan liked the climate with distinct four seasons, but he did not stop the people around him from enjoying the four seasons like spring. While taking the brocade box and asking "What is this", he opened the brocade box, revealing a bronze door knocker.
"What is it?" Pei Yan raised his eyebrows, took it out and looked at it in the light.
Pei Man conveyed Ah Tiao's words.
Pei Yan quickly discovered the secret of the beast-shaped door ring.
"It's quite interesting!" He casually placed the door ring on the small table beside him and said, "This is probably a little toy from the previous dynasty. The Yu family is quite thoughtful."
He has liked these things since he was a child. He has a lot of things like this in his hands, many of which are more delicate and interesting than this one. There is nothing special about this door ring. However, since it was given by someone else, he would not throw it away.
Just put it in the study as a paperweight.
Pei Yan said to Pei Man, "I asked Hu Xing to arrange for the Wu family members to stay in the eastern guest rooms. I will host a banquet for them tomorrow, so you can prepare it. If the Tao family members want to find out something, don't stop them."
Except for the two copying masters, the people of the Tao family lived in the guest rooms on the southeast side, separated from the people of the Wu family by a flower garden, so it was very convenient for them to ask questions.