Chapter 21 The 18th Chapter False imperial envoys took revenge and used tricks

Since Wang Tianchong inherited the leadership of the Red Gang, he knew that revenge would be easy from now on.I have to subdue Bai Lang first, and then I have the minion cave, and then plan a strategy.Full of thoughts, she told Miao Feng one by one.Feng Sheng was overjoyed, and said that it was indeed the case, not only your vengeance can be avenged, but the people of this county in Hua County have also escaped from the fire.Tomorrow, I will go to Wagang Mountain with you to be your adviser, and to dispel the resentment in my chest.The two discussed it and decided to get up at five o'clock the next day.Feng Sheng also borrowed a donkey, Tian Chong still rode Jia's donkey, the two left the city and headed towards Wagang Mountain.Unfortunately, there are few people along the road.When passing by Wagangji, Feng Sheng paid a special visit to Guo's house.A piece of tile-roofed houses, only four or five guards are deserted.There was Zhang Zhong, an old servant of Guo's family, who said to Feng Sheng: "The strongmen of Wagang Mountain come out to kidnap people from time to time, why do you, old man, throw yourself into the trap?" I still want to meet that robber king for a while, and advise him not to rob his neighbors." Zhang Zhong stuck out his tongue and said, "You are so bold! How many officers and soldiers dare not look at him directly, why do you have to tease the tiger's beard. Yi I advise you to forget it." Feng Sheng smiled.Zhang Zhong prepared meals for them when they were young, and the nephew and uncle still rode their donkeys straight to the mountain road when they were full.Fortunately, Wagangshan and Wagangji are only five or six miles away from each other.The mountain is steep on all sides, but extremely flat in the middle, so it is easy to guard, but very difficult to attack.There are seventeen or eight miles in the middle, a rectangular plain, which can accommodate a hundred thousand horses.Since Bailang took over the mountain, all the residents in the mountain are still cultivating the land and receiving food, and they don't do any harm.He also built several street markets to attract businessmen, and opened businesses here, and he issued passports, allowing them to come and go freely.The gates on all sides of this mountain are guarded by his soldiers. Anyone without a passport cannot go up the mountain.

Miao and Wang came on donkeys, and half a mile away from the north gate of the mountain, they saw four people crowding out from the gate, all in short clothes in green clothes, with knives stuck in their backs.Walk a few steps, meet the two of them, hold the donkey sideways, and said loudly: "What are you doing, why are you breaking into the stronghold? Explain quickly, or we will do it." Tian Chong turned over and jumped off. The donkey came and said with a smile: "We are friends of your great king, and we are here to visit him. I beg you four to make a report." One of them asked, "Since you are friends of King Bai, do you have passports? " Tian Chong laughed and said: "We are new here from afar, where do we have passports?" The man asked again: "I don't have a passport, but do I have a business card?" A big character, and a row of small characters across the side.Feng Sheng also took out a business card, but it was printed.The soldier looked at Tianchong's business card, seemed very surprised, looked him up and down again, and then said to Tianchong: "Are you, Mr. Wang, helping?" Tianchong smiled and said: "Not only To tell you the truth, I am Jia Tianfei's representative." The four soldiers immediately showed a cautious and respectful air when they heard this, and they all fell on the ground and kowtowed to Tian Chong, Call him grandpa.Do you know why?It turns out that in their red gang, the most important thing is the number of generations.For example, you are thirty years old and he is sixty years old, or you joined the gang early, or because your master has a long history, even if he is half your age, he still has to kowtow to you.Those who are older are called uncles, and those who are older than two are called grandfathers.Bai Lang's generations in the Red Gang are three generations behind Jia Tianfei, two generations behind Jia Wu Monk, and his soldiers are one generation behind him, so they read Tianchong's business card and called him grandfather .After kowtowing, he hurriedly led the donkey for Tianchong and Fengsheng, and asked them to rest in the barracks at the north gate for a while, and they immediately went up the mountain to answer.The two followed them into the north gate, and saw a large barracks inside the stone wall, there were more than a hundred rooms, all of which were built with rocks and were extremely strong.He led the two of them to a quiet room, the room was tidy, and only one servant who looked after the room hurriedly came to pour tea.Two of the four went to answer, but left two to chat with Miao and Wang.Tianchong asked him: "Why don't you see many soldiers guarding the north gate? Don't you four occupy these many rooms?" The two laughed and said, "Grandpa doesn't know, but there are people living in our room. The back eaves of the house are stone walls. There are bullet holes in the stone walls, and people inside the house can look out at any time. If someone comes to attack, they can defend themselves inside the house. Even if people outside the wall shoot with guns, they can't penetrate it. The stone wall is more than one foot thick. This huge project was built by the old patriarch Jia Tianfei. There is also a Jigong Mountain, which is the same as the project here. This is the birthplace of his old man back then." Tian Chong listened Unconsciously nodded and sighed, my master is really a master, it's a pity that the Qing court couldn't use him, it's useless to have a belly full of literary and military skills.The four asked and answered each other, and they talked for more than one hour, but the one who hadn't seen returned yet.Tianchong hurriedly asked: "How far is it from here to your great king's treasure?" The two laughed and said, "It's very far away. Our king lives in this mountain peak, not too far away from here, a full thirteen Half a mile away, and the path is rugged, it is not easy to go back and forth, and it will take two hours at the fastest. Fortunately, we are used to walking, if you are an old man, you may not be able to get there after walking for half a day." Tian Chong smiled slightly With a smile, I thought to myself that I am so weak, no wonder they look down on me.Who would have thought that I would use the snaking method, but I'm afraid it won't be used for even a moment.

While chatting and laughing, they suddenly heard the sound of drums and horns in the distance, and they all stood up and said, "Your Majesty personally received the grandfather, this drum horn is the military music in the mountains, and only distinguished guests are welcome here. Let's go and have a look, you two wait a moment." After saying that, he left the room and went to meet him.Feng Sheng said to Tian Chong: "Look at his small village, it has such a great system, why don't we go out and have a look." The two of them stepped out of the house, and saw forty or fifty people in the distance, and there were three mountains The sedan chair, rush here in a hurry.Seeing the two people who went before, they were sweating from running, and came to Tian Chong first, and asked An to reply: "My family's king came to pick up grandpa in person. When I was young, I fired a gun to salute. Grandpa, don't misunderstand, and sent me two to come. Come and find out." This sentence was finished, only to hear the sound of 呯呯, and fired a row of guns into the air.At this moment, Bai Lang jumped out of the sedan chair and walked forward.Tian Chong raised his eyes and took a closer look, and saw that this person was only in his twenties, with delicate features, white teeth and red lips, he looked like a scholar, without the slightest hint of violence.Wearing a yellow cloth military uniform, with a saber on his waist and a military cap on his head.Walking in front of Tianchong, bowed and stood at attention, and raised his hands respectfully.Tian Chong knew that this was the most respectful salute from the officer in the barracks, so he quickly couldn't return the salute.After this ceremony, Tian Chong hurried over to shake hands with him.Bai Lang smiled and said: "I didn't know that my uncle was coming, and I was guilty of not being able to greet him outside the village." Tian Chong didn't even dare to say anything, but introduced Feng Sheng, and shook hands.Bai Lang invited the two of them to go up the mountain in a sedan chair.Tian Chong said with a smile: "for more than ten miles, my uncle is too old to walk, so it's okay to invite him to sit in a sedan chair; it seems that your brother and I are young, so why bother to sit in a sedan chair? If we walk with each other, we can chat and chat. Wouldn't it be nice if we could take a stroll around the mountain scenery?" Bai Lang said with a smile: "Since the old uncle is willing to walk, my nephew is willing to accompany him." At this moment, Feng Sheng felt ashamed to take the sedan chair alone and preferred to walk with them.Bai Lang persisted in his refusal, so Gao Low put him into the sedan chair.The two sedan chairmen lifted up and flew away like flying.Here Wang and Bai walk up the mountain hand in hand.And after walking five or seven miles, I gradually entered a dangerous situation.All the soldiers in the same company are brothers and sisters.Only the two of them still did nothing and went straight up.Originally, there was an intention of a competition invisibly, and no one would give in to the other.When they reached the extremely dangerous place, Bai Lang wanted to help Tianchong, Tianchong smiled and said: "My brother, don't worry, don't say there is a way, even if there is a lonely mountain standing on a wall, Brother Yu will walk like walking on flat ground." Before he finished speaking, he turned sideways to get out of the middle path, pressed his hands on the stone wall next to him, and performed his snake-walking stunt.As if stuck to the stone wall, it meanders upwards, and it has walked more than ten feet in a blink of an eye.Bai Lang was so frightened that he dared not open his eyes, so he collected himself and walked up the mountain road.After walking for more than ten zhang, I arrived at Kuanping, but I saw Tian Chong sitting on it with a smile and beckoning to him.Bai Lang yelled and said: "The old uncle is really a god, but he scared the little nephew. I have never seen the second one in my life with such flying skills as you. You really deserve to be the disciple of the ancestor of Tianfei. " Tian Chong smiled, and took his hand to the cottage.

It turned out that it was rebuilt from a Bodhi Temple. The foundation of this temple is very large and there are many rooms. It was rebuilt by Bai Lang and it is very useful.The people living in the temple are all Bai Lang's cronies and little bosses, there are fifty or sixty people in total, and they all come out in shifts to welcome them.At this time, Feng Sheng's sedan chair has not been carried yet.Everyone waited outside the door for a long time, Feng Sheng arrived, and then entered the door together.There are seven rooms facing the street, and the mountain gate in the middle originally had the Four King Kongs, which had been thrown into the mountain stream long ago.Change the plaque on the Bodhi Temple to the Shelter Villa.Feng Sheng's praise for these four words is really wonderful.After entering the gate, the ancient cypresses in the courtyard are overcast, and there is a sense of seclusion.There are ten wing rooms on both sides, five on one side.The passage in the middle is paved with stones and is seven or eight feet long.Just arrived at the living room in the middle of him.There are five bright halls in the living room, and a horizontal plaque hangs inside, which is "Youdao hall".Feng Sheng knew in his heart that this hall name came from the allusion of "thieves have their own way".It shows that among this group of thieves, there are also well-educated people.In the five living rooms, the furnishings are extremely beautiful, all the furniture is made of nanmu rosewood; on the big mountain table, there are also ancient vases and tripods; on the walls are all famous calligraphy and paintings.Bai Lang asked the two of them to rest here for a while, and said with a smile: "This hall used to be the former site of Bodhi. At that time, Mr. Jia was very superstitious about gods and Buddhas because he was born in a monk, so he couldn't keep it. Later, my nephew occupied this mountain. Move all those puppets made of clay to the mountain stream, and then redecorate them, so that they can look like they are today." Tianchong said: "This shows that my brother has a high level of knowledge and insight, and is different from ordinary people." Bai Lang asked Jia's father and son how they are doing now.Tian Chong told him the above matter.Bai Lang said: "These two gentlemen live in seclusion, and no one has sorted out the affairs of the gang in recent years. The old uncle came here just to regroup. As for revenge, I will accompany you to Guangzhou sooner or later. That is My nephew's hometown is familiar with the geography. Gou Dengke was appointed as the magistrate of Zhili Prefecture in Guangzhou in the first month of this year. Since he took office, he has committed all kinds of crimes. Our land in Guangzhou has been scraped three feet away. If there is no such revenge, I will I can't tolerate him." The more they talked, the more speculative they became.From then on, Tianchong lived in Wagang Mountain, and advised Bai Lang not to rob his neighbors, which would hurt the loyalty of his fellow villagers.From now on, we will only try to get money from corrupt officials in this province, either by outwitting or by force, and we will never let him go.As for the merchants in this province, they must not hurt a single person.Bai Lang listened to him very much.Sure enough, within three months, all the merchants who escaped gradually returned home and resumed their businesses, and the Guo family also returned to Wagangji as usual.From then on in the village, Wang Tianchong was pushed to be the leader, Bai Lang was willing to be the second king, and Miao Fengsheng followed him as a staff officer.

Let's not mention this, but it is said that Gou Dengke has taken away Wang Gongsheng's vase since he falsely accused him of being a thief, and offered it to the commander-in-chief.Fu Shuai was very happy, and called him the number one cadre in Henan Province, and specially guaranteed him to be the magistrate of Zhili Prefecture, and he was still retained in the original province for supplementary use, and he was given the title of magistrate.Within three months, he was entrusted with the prefect of Xuzhou.It has been in office for more than a year, just in time for a vacancy in Guangzhou, and I invite you to teach it by enrolling in the imperial examination.This official Gou buys and buys in the Ministry, and actually approves it.In the first month of that year, I received the official business of going to the new post, and I brought my family members to come happily to receive the seal.The shortage in Gwangju was not bad in the first place, and in addition to Gou Dengke's high methods of knocking bones and sucking marrow, he actually got thirty to forty thousand gold in less than a year.Unexpectedly, he angered a gentleman in Guangzhou. His surname is Hu Mingshi Lu, a two-rank Jinshi, and he is currently in charge of the Rites.According to what the villagers said, Gou Dengke's various bad deeds, and even how he falsely accused him of being a thief in Hanoi County, all of them participated in a discount.After the zhezi, the emperor was invited to send another Beijing official to investigate and deal with it. It is not advisable to appoint the governor of Henan to prevent him from protecting corrupt officials and investigating without evidence.The empress dowager actually agreed, and specially sent the engineering handprint to Baozhen, the clan's clan, to go to Guangzhou to investigate secretly.This Baozhen is only twenty-seven years old this year, she is a poor-faced scholar, and she has never been outside the capital in her life.Now that I got this errand, I am overjoyed, and I want to take this opportunity to visit Henan.He took only two family members with him, left Beijing in micro-services, and went to Henan to investigate the incident.At this time, the Jinghan Road has not yet been repaired, so it can only go there in drought.But he refused to go to Guangzhou first, intending to go to Luoyang, Kaifeng, to visit the historical sites of the Five Dynasties and the Northern Song Dynasty.Along the road, there are many days of delay in sightseeing in the mountains.At this time, Gou Dengke had already heard about it, because there was a censor in the yamen of the Beijing Metropolitan Procuratorate, who was both from the same hometown and the same year as Gou Dengke.This person's surname is Yu and his name is Wanpeng. He is the most slippery person in the officialdom.He refused to join people easily, but he only listened to his colleagues, and if someone wanted to join a certain official, he secretly wrote a letter to report.Those who are going to be admitted must ask him to clear up the news.He will be a Lu Zhonglian, first explore the censor of Canren, and see if he is willing to ask for money.If he wanted money, he would intervene and ask the ginseng to come up with some money to settle the matter.For example, if two thousand silver is used to dismiss the case, he will get at least five or six hundred taels from it.Therefore, although he doesn't participate in others, he makes more money than participating in others.The censor of a colleague came to him when he was in a hurry and asked him to find a way to release a cannon first, and then he could draw in money.It seems that this kind of thing is even knocked by him, and it's done if he just gives a few.Because of his notoriety, Gou Dengke often wrote trusts to Yu Wanpeng to take care of him. If there is any rumor, he must write to him first so that he can try to manage it.At this time, Hu Shilu's memorial was handed over without anyone noticing, and Yu Wanpeng didn't even know about it.He didn't know until it was copied out and Baozhen was sent to investigate.It is too late to clear up at this time, even if it is Sports Baozhen, it is too late to write letters back and forth.Fortunately, he had a very close friendship with Baozhen on weekdays, so he made up his mind for Gou Dengke, first saw Baozhen off, and secretly entrusted him to take special care of him.He also promised to write a letter to Gou Dengke, and he must be rewarded heavily.Bao Zhen was originally a son of a rich man among the bannermen, he knew something, when he heard that he could get money, he was full of joy and agreed.After he left Beijing, he purposely wandered around Henan, so he could spare some time so that he could write to Yu Wanpeng and Gou Dengke to take care of him.

But Gou Dengke, since he followed Yu Wanpeng's letter, has frightened his true soul.A small Zhili prefecture actually sent an imperial envoy to investigate and deal with it. This matter became a big deal. Not only could the fame and fame be lost, but it might even be sent to the military platform.The good thing is that Wanpeng said in a letter that he has already healed his joints. As long as he spends a little more money, there will be a reason for another incident in the future, and it can be completely dismissed without any evidence.Can he still cherish money at this time?But if you want to keep your fame, you are lucky.Sooner or later, he only hoped that Lord Bao would arrive soon, so he would use flattery and flattery to buy a favorite first, and then ask his entourage or family members to discuss giving money.All day long, more than a dozen servants were sent to visit the traces of Mr. Bao in various hotels in Gwangju.The visit lasted more than ten days, and there was no shadow anywhere, which made Gou Dengke scratch his ears and cheeks anxiously, like ants on a hot pot.He also complained that the servants were useless, so he specially invited several of his friends to visit again.That night, when there was a lamp in the sky, I suddenly saw a friend named Guan Chong come in with a smile, and said to Gou Dengke: "My master, don't worry, the imperial envoy has arrived." Yes, he jumped up and pulled Guan Chong's wrist, and asked in a low voice: "Old Master, where is the imperial envoy now? Tell me quickly so that you can go to pick him up." Guan Chong waved his hand and said, "Master, Mr. Don't panic. This imperial envoy came here with an incognito name, and he is now living in the Tongtai store outside Ximen. There are seven or eight of them here, pretending to be silk sellers, and occupying a special courtyard in the store. The late student took a look at the shop. One of the guests is said to be the leader of the guests. He speaks Henan dialect, but sometimes reveals a few Beijing accents. This is obviously to cover up his eyes and ears. His subordinates call him the boss, and sometimes he Call him Ye. According to the word Ye, it is the name of the clan of the Bannerman. Mr. Bao is originally a clan, so it seems that it is absolutely true. I checked his store book again, and the name written in the store book was It’s the three characters of Zhenbaohe. My master, please think about it. There is no surname of Zhen in the removal of the banner. This is clearly the reverse of the two characters of Baozhen and changed to Zhenbaohe. I think there must be some reason for his half-dark attitude. Intention. My boss must not expose him easily, and we must slowly try to get close to him before we can talk." Gou Dengke nodded in agreement, and then asked Guan Chong: "How do you start?" Guan Chong said: "According to Wansheng, the owner first sent someone to tell the shopkeeper that all supplies must be particularly comprehensive. The state department sent them to the kitchen, and the two meals in the morning and evening should be extra rich. Wansheng also pretended to be a guest staying at the shop, and slowly communicated with him. Okay. When the truth comes out, I'll tell him right away. I won't be too abrupt when I tell my boss and go to pay a visit. This is the first half of the article. As for the second half of the money transaction, you have to keep an eye on the limelight. He said it easily. What I'm afraid of is that on the surface, he is unwilling to bear this tone. If he becomes stiff, it will be difficult to carry out in the future." Gou Dengke applauded and said: "The old master's clever calculation is really perfect. That's how we do it. " After saying that, he hurriedly called two confidant family members, and ordered so and so, and the family members agreed to go.Guan Chong also pretended to be a guest and went to stay at the hotel.The house I live in is just outside the gate of the courtyard.All the traces of people entering and leaving the courtyard pass in front of Guan Chong's door.After a day or two, everything became clear.The host, Zhen Baohe, is a white-faced scholar in his twenties, who speaks Beijing very fluently, and behaves exactly like a wealthy young man in a banner family.There is another one who is about the same age as him, but thinner than him. The big furniture calls him the third boss.In Guan Chong's eyes, this one is not Baozhen's brother, but must be Baozhen's relative.There is also a man in his fifties with thick features and big eyes. Everyone calls him Mr. Huang, who is in charge of money accounts.Guan Chongxin said, this person must be a close person in the imperial envoy's mansion, and it will be on him to open up the joints in the future.There were five other people, all of whom looked like long-term servants.

Regardless of the calculation, if I want to get his real background, I must first buy his family.It seems that there is one of the youngest among them, only seventeen or eighteen years old, with a very clever look.Guan Chong chatted with him from time to time, asking questions.He was always hesitant and refused to speak directly.On this day, Zhenbao and the third boss and Mr. Huang went to the city for a leisurely stroll. They also brought three servants, leaving only two housekeepers, and the boy was among them.Guan Chong took advantage of the momentum to pull the boy into the house, and gave him some fruit snacks to eat.Xiao Tong was also polite, chatting with Guan Chong while eating.Guan Chong asked his name, and the boy smiled and said, "My name is Zhao Xiaoshun, and I have served our master for five or six years." Guan Chong took advantage of the situation and asked, "Your master is an official, not a businessman, am I right? Zhao Xiaoshun smiled and said: "How about being an official, how about doing business?" Guan Chong said: "We are just chatting, because I think he has a great bearing, so I can guess." Xiaoshun nodded .Guan Chong took advantage of the momentum and said, "Your master is not only an official, he must also be a clan?" After hearing this, Xiao Shun showed a very surprised expression, and hurriedly said in a low voice: "I beg you sir, Qian Don't shout. If my father knows this and says I leaked it, I really can't afford the whip." Seeing this look, Guan Chong was overjoyed, and immediately put on a serious face and said: " You have to tell me the whole truth today, and I will never bring you up. If you don’t tell me, I will testify to your master face to face when I come back, saying that your housekeeper Zhao Xiaoshun told me that you belong to the Beijing clan. You can’t eat it Walking around." Zhao Xiaoshun was so squeezed that he almost burst into tears, and hurriedly said: "Mr. Guan, we have no grievances, why do you hurt me? Since you want to know the details, I will tell you the truth. : Our patriarch, his name is Baozhen, he is not only a member of the clan, but also the current engineer. He came here to investigate the incident, and the one who investigated it was the prefect of Guangzhou. Yizhi, it is called a secret investigation, and no publicity is allowed. Therefore, I came here in a detour. Today's visit to the city is a special private visit. No matter who you are, you are not allowed to leak information. Mr. Guan, you must keep your mouth shut. I, Zhao Xiaoshun, can't afford this, can't I? " Guan Chong said: "Since you are willing to tell the truth, I will not make things difficult for you. I also want to ask you two, who are the third boss and Mr. Huang from Mr. Bao?" Xiao Shun said: "The third boss is the master of the family. My cousin, Mr. Huang is the master copywriter in the house." Guan Chong said: "I will ask you something, if you can introduce Master Huang to my room for a talk, I would like to thank you ten taels of silver." When Shun heard about the money, he immediately responded with a smile on his face: "Yes, I can do this. Our master Huang is extremely peaceful, and he is willing to investigate clearly, not secretly. He often tells us that if Find out, not only will the master benefit, but all of us will also benefit from it." Guan Chong heard it, and it was in his heart.I said in my heart that my eyesight is not bad, and this matter will fall on this person.Then he poured rice soup into Zhao Xiaoshun for a while, coaxed the child away happily, and hurriedly reported everything to the Yamen.

Gou Dengke was looking forward to seeing through, seeing Guan rushing back, as if he had found a treasure, he hurriedly asked him how he was doing?Guan Chong told him Zhao Xiaoshun's words one by one, and made suggestions for him: "This matter must first get through with the surname Huang before it is easy to start. The owner can temporarily pay one thousand taels of silver for the purchase. Wait. The next few people have bought all of them, and the matter on the seat can naturally be solved. Don't begrudge the tip." Gou Dengke was obedient at this time, and immediately handed over one thousand taels of silver to Guan Chong.Ask him to proceed quickly, and don't let them go. If they leave, it will be difficult.Guan Chong agreed, and hastily turned back to the shop.Sure enough, the next day, Zhao Xiaoshun sent a letter saying that Master Huang would come to pay respects after lighting the lamp.Guan Chong waited respectfully, and sure enough, Mr. Huang came over when the time came.When we met each other, we first said many kind words.Guan Chong didn't dare to resist him, he took one bite at a time.I simply explained that I was a staff member of the State Department. Because I visited and learned that the imperial envoy came to the territory, I was ordered by my east to come here to serve.The two talked more and more speculatively, so Guan Chong asked him to explain Gou Dengke's willingness to pay filial piety to Mr. Bao on his behalf.Mr. Huang looked troubled.Guan Chong knew it in his heart, and immediately took out five hundred taels of cash, and said: "This is not a shy gesture, please accept it from the old man. After the matter is done, you must be more filial." Mr. Huang accepted it with a smile: "Thank you for your love. , temporarily stored with my brother. In front of me, my brother must be a wise man. But there is still a difficult problem, because I was born in a wealthy family, and a poor man from a different village. His eyes are big, almost the same size. He couldn't see the 10,000 or 20,000 silver. Besides, the empress dowager paid special attention to the case this time, and told him to investigate and deal with it in person. To be honest, if it is verified according to the original report, you Guidongzhi If you don’t care, you will have to bear the charge of being hanged after the fall. If you plan to understate it, you will be dismissed and go home. It is absolutely impossible.” Mr. Huang’s words had already frightened Guan Chong out of his shell, and he begged: “No matter what How about, I have to ask the old senior to do extra work. As for the matter of money, I have to do my best to take care of it, and Master Bao must not let Master Bao look down on him." Mr. Huang agreed and left.Here Guan Chong went to the city again overnight and reported this to Gou Dengke.After hearing this, Gou Dengke was so frightened that he almost spat shit. He rubbed his hands anxiously and said, "What kind of enmity do I have with Hu Shilu? Why do you hurt me like this?" This matter will be easy to handle. But money is an item, we have to pay more attention. As the saying goes, there are people who have money, whoever encounters such a bad thing, since I have been an official in the past few years, I have never done it. When the matter is over, we will think about it There is a way to make up for it." Gou Dengke said: "I have no choice but to think about it this way. Anyway, you still have to bother, but if you can save one, you must save one." Guan Chong said: "How can Wansheng spend money for the master, but with me Just do it with your strength." Guan Chong went back to the shop overnight.Mr. Huang was nowhere to be seen the next day, and he was so anxious that he wandered around the house.Another day later, I asked Zhao Xiaoshun to remind him.At night, Mr. Huang came, and he said to Guan Chong with a sad face: "I'm sorry, I almost got stuck on this matter. Thanks to the help of Mr. Wa, I have a little life." Guan Chong listened to his ups and downs. If you do, you are afraid and angry at the same time.My heart said that you have something to say but don't say it straight, but you want to go around and deliberately scare people, why bother?He didn't dare to show it on his face, so he had to ask with a poignant smile: "What's the matter?" Mr. Huang said: "Brother said it first, and hit a nail in the head. Later, he asked his cousin, Mr. Wa, to tactfully He said to him that we have no enmity with the same surname Gou, so why should he kill him? Is it not a good thing to be happy to make him some money and accumulate some bad skills? Hearing this, my Dong changed his mind a little. The third master Wo said, it’s impossible to get less money. Not only buying an official, but also buying a life, this is just a joke!" Hearing this, Guan Chong hurriedly asked how much he wanted.Mr. Huang said: "Don't be too busy, listen to me slowly. I said that this case will be divided into three cases. The first one is to buy life, dismissed and sent to the military station, and the leader is saved. It is 40,000 silver, at least One or two didn't work." Guan Chong listened, stuck out his tongue first, and asked a second time.Mr. Huang said: "The second case is to exempt the military platform. It is only dismissed, and another 20,000 yuan is added. The third case is dismissed and dismissed. No charges will be charged, and an additional 30,000 yuan will be added. The total is 90,000 silver, but you have to take it out. One hundred thousand, and the other ten thousand is for the attendants and housekeepers. Do you understand?” Guan Chong hurriedly replied, “Understood, but…” Mr. Huang hurriedly stopped: “But what? You won't succeed even for a single penny. Don't think it's asking for money, just pay back the money on the spot." Guan Chong said with a smile: "Don't worry, old man. Fortunately, you and I are both middlemen, and I will fully explain it to me when I go back. And ask him to agree as soon as possible. But the old man has to be extra persistent, how can he get out one hundred thousand silver. He has only been an official for three years, even if he lacks a job, he can't earn this amount. No matter how much he has, Wouldn't it be better to ask him to give out how much, save a little more in front of adults, and ask him to be more filial to the old seniors and the third master?" Mr. Huang said: "We didn't think much about it, and only gave 10,000. Everything is easy to talk about. I will try my best to do my best there, and if I can save others, why not do it?" Guan Chong expressed his thanks again and again.Mr. Huang went, and he immediately rushed to the county government office to report everything.Gou Dengke said anxiously: "He's going to die, and he doesn't have a hundred thousand silver. Just take my life, and he'll be the one who kills me, and he's the one who hangs me after autumn. I won't take any of the money." Guan Chong persuaded Said: "The master wants to open up a little bit, this matter is not without room for negotiation. How much does the master think of? Wansheng will go to work with Mr. Huang slowly. If you are in a hurry, it will be unsuccessful." Gou Dengke said: "I can only pay 30,000 yuan There will be no more." Guan Chong said: "This matter must be done thoroughly, no matter what, we must keep our reputation. For example, if we spend an extra 20,000 to 30,000 yuan, as long as we have this top of black yarn, if the money comes There are as many things as you want. What's more, Gwangju is short of beauty. If you are cruel, it will be completely recovered in a year. Why bother to make things stalemate with more arguments?" Gou Dengke's heart turned to anger and joy, and he added another 20,000 yuan verbally.Guan Chongxin said, this matter is easy to handle.Go back to the shop immediately and discuss with Mr. Huang.After spending a lot of lip service, the high and low 60,000 silver is a foregone conclusion, the upper seat is 50,000, and the lower is 10,000.The value is settled, and the money will be paid first after discussion, and Gou Dengke will hand it over in person.All the points here are correct, after passing Ping, one is not short, Mr. Bao came out in person, said thank you to Gou Dengke, and it will be considered as a complete receipt.

After everything was settled, six big boxes were eagerly carried to the shop.Putengke looked at it like a sharp knife piercing his stomach and gouging out his heart.The tears fell one by one, but they were helpless.Sitting in a sedan chair and holding a resume book, I went to Tongtai shop to pay a visit to Mr. Bao.At this time, all the guests living in the store were expelled, and the lights and colors were hung up, and it was changed into the palace of the imperial envoy.The 60,000 silver coins were all over Ping next to each other, and as expected, one tael was not bad, only then did I hear a word of invitation coming from inside.Gou Dengke hastily entered the Kuayuan, and Master Bao was already outside the curtain to greet him.I saw him wearing a leather jacket of blue Ning silk and pearl hair, and a double-breasted mandarin jacket with satin and pearl hair.At this time, the weather is at the end of September and the beginning of October, and it is not very cold yet.When Gou Dengke saw the imperial envoy, he didn't dare to look up, and walked up the steps with his head down.Zhao Xiaoshun raised the door curtain, and the imperial envoy asked him to come in first, how could he dare.Lord Gaodibao was in front, he was behind, walked to the main room, knelt down to attend the court ceremony, the imperial envoy also returned the salute.Then get up and let him sit down.The imperial envoy first said with a smile: "I am very grateful to you just now, thank you very much." Gou Dengke said: "The humble position should be filial, but it is too meager, and it is rewarded by the adults, which makes the humble position feel and ashamed." The imperial envoy said: "Too modest Brother came to Guizhou this time for the purpose of the Empress Dowager Lafayette. Before he left, he had repeatedly entrusted his elder brother to take care of him. Brother Fan has been in Henan for more than a month. All Xuzhou, Hanoi, Brother Fan I have gone through all the places under the old rule. I have made clear and unannounced visits, and the inside story is clear to my brothers. It is a habit of the common people to complain about the summer and the cold, and it may not be completely credible. Brothers will never say nonsense Please rest assured, brother, I will be extra considerate for you when the order is restored in the future. Not only will there be no remaining crimes, but also your reputation will be preserved." Gou Dengke heard this, and fell down on the ground again in gratitude, kowtowing again and again.It is said that he has received the grace of reinvention from the imperial envoy, and from then on he will support the longevity position for life.The imperial envoy hastened to help him up and said: "It's a joke." The two chatted for a while, and the more they talked, the more speculative they became.The imperial envoy promised to keep secrets in front of the Queen Mother when he returned to Beijing to face the emperor: "Within a year, you will be promoted to the Zhifu; within three years, you will be a supervisor." Gou Dengke was very happy when he heard this.I said in my heart that the 60,000 silver was well spent, and it turned out to be my chance for promotion.It can be seen that a good fortune is lost, and if one knows that it is not a blessing, the ancients were sincere and did not deceive themselves.The imperial envoy said to him again: "There is a Guangshan mountain more than ten miles away from your Guangzhou city. The scenery is very elegant. When I came here, I had a look at the mountain, but unfortunately I didn't get a glimpse of it. Brother, I want to be there. Prepare wine on the mountain to treat guests. The Qingyun Temple on the mountain is just at the middle peak, and you can have a panoramic view. I have sent someone to inform the monks of the temple to prepare the banquet. We will all go to the mountain together the day after tomorrow, so that we can relax our minds. Your brother will definitely agree. Gou Dengke bowed and replied, "Since my lord has such a taste, I would like to accompany you in my humble position." The imperial envoy was overjoyed and agreed to go together the next morning.On this day, Goudenkote specially prepared a lot of sedan chairs and horses, and came to the store to wait for the imperial envoys to go on a mountain tour together.When the imperial envoy saw him, he frowned and said, "It's an elegant thing for us to travel to the mountains. We need straw shoes and bamboo sticks. If we walk slowly or ride on a donkey, we have the demeanor of a famous person, which is enough to make us feel proud and happy. It is absolutely unacceptable to make trouble with officials sent to gallop along the road with Tai Zaoli. It is absolutely unacceptable. It is best for your elder brother to bring only the shogunate and a book boy. We hire a few horses Let’s ride the donkey, roam the mountains freely, and still be the true colors of our scholars, don’t you think so?” At this time, Gou Dengke was completely obedient, so he dared not say a word.

Sure enough, a few donkeys were hired, and everyone went there by donkey.But Mr. Huang and two attendants are missing.The imperial envoy said that they went to the mountain yesterday to make arrangements for everything.The imperial envoy and Mr. Wo have three long squads, Zhao Xiaoshun is also in it; Gou Dengke only brings Guan Chong, and a little book boy named Wuma. There are eight people in total.All the sedan chairs and horses were sent back.Before leaving, the imperial envoy said: "We are going to visit the mountains, and we are not allowed to come back that day, and it may be delayed for three days or two days. You people in the yamen must not go up the mountain in groups to defeat our Qingxing. "Everyone just said they were right and went their separate ways.Eight people rode donkeys, walking steadily, and came to Qingyun Temple in Guangshan.Sure enough, I didn't go back to Yamen that day.Fortunately, there are black and red masters who are responsible for drafting the case before and after the state department.If the officials don't come back, they are happy to be free and unrestrained.It's been three days and I still haven't come back.Gou Dengke's wife, Mrs. Zhu, was a little anxious, so she called the messenger in and asked, "Master, why didn't you return for three days when you went on a tour of the mountains? Why don't you go and have a look?" The imperial envoy once ordered not to ask Xun to go up the mountain, which will defeat them. Madam, please think, if we go to search privately, even the master will not be responsible." The wife scolded: "Nonsense! Don't be an official, just go It’s impossible to visit the mountains. You hurry to find the master and come back, just say that there is an urgent business in the yamen, and you can’t delay it for a moment. Come quickly, if you delay, when the master comes back, you will break your dog’s legs first.” Feng Sanwei sent二，答应一声，退下来骂道：“什么是有公事，只怕是母事罢咧。他想汉子想急了，却要敲我们的腿。偏不去，倒看她怎样奈何我们。”二人果然延迟了一日不曾前往。在他们意中，以为今天晚上，苟官必定回来了。哪知天至二更，仍然鱼沉雁杳。这一来不止太太着了慌，连合衙的人全有些诧异了。大家议论纷纷，有说知州是乐而忘返的；有说是喝醉了，病倒在寺中的；也有说不定一时高兴，又跑到什么地方去游逛的。依着太太的主意，要叫差人连夜去迎接。有那老成一点的，便拦道：“此时夜深了，惊师动众地连夜去接官，咱们老爷那种脾气，岂不叫他见怪。莫若等明日一早，索性多派几副轿马，连钦差一同接回来，也冠冕好看。要不然，老爷一个人，他决计不肯回来的。你们是不知应酬上司的难处，何况他是一位大钦差，又是一位好讲官礼的旗人，连抚台全得让他三分，何况我们小小州署。”太太听他这话很有道理，虽然心中不乐意，也无可奈何。

到次日早晨，管家郝升同差役冯三、卫二带了四乘小轿、六七匹骡子，直奔光山而来。到了山下，众农人看见，还以为上庙烧香来的，大家围拢着。差人把农民赶开，顺着盘道上山。这山很陡的，不容易走。冯三卫二在前面带路，郝升在后面督着。卫二道：“这山我有三四年没来过，不知菩提寺的僧人，还是那个老和尚吗？”冯三道：“老和尚前年就死了，听说新换的长老，是一个少年凶僧。明着是和尚暗着是帮徒，无恶不作。化了做官的钱，吃喝嫖赌抽大烟，随便高乐。可惜这个庙，被他糟蹋了。”二人随便闲谈，不知不觉已来到庙前。轿马等等，俱在寺外停住。卫二上去敲门。冯三道：“真真岂有此理！青天白日，闭着这牢门做嘛？”卫二敲了几下，不见有人出来开门，发急道：“天不早了，为何还睡着不起？这和尚可真自由了。”说罢又连声地敲，哪里有一点动静。卫二急了，搬了一大块石头，硬往山门上撞。撞了许久工夫，仍不见有人出来。冯三道：“这里面有了蹊跷了，我们也不必砸门了，多半是一座空庙。大家跳进院里，倒看一看情形如何？只怕出了意外，说也不定。”但是山门的墙又很高，空人怎能跳得进去。后来郝升出主意，将骡子拉至墙根下，站在驴子背上，把住墙头，翻身上房。在房上立起身来，向庙中看，冷清清何曾有一个人。冯三练过把式，身子轻便，走至前坡一纵身跳下来，又用手招呼卫二。卫二也跳下去。郝升站在房上，却不敢跳，只催他二人快些到房里寻查老爷是否在此庙中。二人先在临街的房里查视一周，里面空空落落，不但没一个人，甚至连一样家具物件全不曾看见，直然就是空房数间。二人出来，向郝升摆一摆手。郝升道：“没有人吗？”二人道：“岂但人呢，连一个苍蝇也不曾看见呀。”郝升道：“你们再到大殿看一看。”二人又进了大殿。少时出来，说道：“大殿里有人。”郝升道：“可有老爷吗？”卫二道：“不是老爷，是泥塑的观音菩萨。”郝升道：“呸！这是什么时候，你们还寻开心。等回来见着老爷，先敲折你的腿。”冯三道：“郝爷，你先别着急，容我们细细地寻。”说罢又往后边去了。去了许久工夫，方才回来，向郝升道：“前后一共二十几间房，全寻到了，并没有一个人的影子。老爷一定是未在这里。你如果不信，只好请你自己下来，再搜寻一遍。我们实在是没有法子了。”郝升在房上蹲着工夫大了，两腿已经蹲酸。忽然听见这两人的话，他心里一急一吓，两条腿哪里还做得主，一个翻筋斗，便直撞下来。幸亏冯三眼明手快，横着一抱一拖，无奈他身子很沉重，连冯三也撞了一个跟头。二人俱栽倒在地上，幸而是土地，栽得全不算重。喘息了片刻，卫二把他们扶起来。郝升道：“可吓死我了。”冯三道：“我的活老爷，你这是闹着玩的吗？幸亏我在眼前，要不然连脑浆全出来了。我还随着挨了一摔。”郝升道：“不用废话了，你们快领我寻老爷去吧。”二人领着郝升，又挨着屋子看了一遍，果然没有一个人影子。郝升仍不死心，又在后院僧人卧室中，仔细寻访。只有几只破箱笼，几件不成材的木器，还有木鱼钟鼓之类，其余却不曾见着什么。左盘右旋，看了好几遍，忽然从桌子底下发现一种东西，忙过去伸手拾起。仔细看了一看，不觉哎呀一声。冯三问道：“郝爷你看出什么踪迹来吗？”郝升忙举着这件东西，给他二人看道：“你们看这一顶帽子，乃是老爷头上所戴之物，里面尚有戳记。如今却扔在桌下，此中大有研究的余地。因为目前已到冬初，这一顶乃是暖帽，老爷平素又患头风之症，时刻不能离开帽子，如今却为何扔在地下？他纵然出去游逛，也万不能不戴帽子呀，这件事可怪得很了。”三人研究了半天，仍然不得线索，只得拿着这顶帽子，来至门前。郝升道：“我们真急糊涂了，你二人既然跳进来，为何不开门呢？平白却挨这一摔，岂非自寻苦恼。”二人听了，也自觉好笑。哪知到了门前，大失所望。原来这门是用石头块子砌住了的，一时如何能拆得动。冯三道：“这个案子更大了，内中一定有不可说的隐情。要不然，哪有堂堂钦差同本地父母官才从这里游过便砌门的道理。我们赶紧出离这庙，将山下的农民，带去几个，拷问拷问，也许得着一点头绪。”郝升道：“只好如此，我们这就走吧。”三人抬出两张桌子来，架在一处，登着桌子上房。外面有人接着，俱都跳至墙外。冯三卫二仍在前面引路。等下了光山，众农民又围拢上来，当时便抓了一老一小，带回州署拷问。据他们供称，在四五日前，曾有七八位衣服很阔的人，骑着驴上山。山上的和尚，还带着人下来迎接。又过了一两天，仿佛夜里听见有车走的声音，大家也没甚注意，便过去了。究竟是怎么一回事，庄稼人实在不知道。两人的口供，全是一样。州里本有一位州判老爷，姓张名九功，倒是一位老资格的佐贰。为人很精练很有阅历，可惜苟登科平素同他不和，因此州署的事，他向来不闻不问。有时候派他做什么，他便去做，不派的事，他也不打听。此次州官失踪，只得把他请进衙来主事。张九功将前后的情形，俱都问明，不觉顿足道：“坏了坏了，这怎见得是钦差？只怕是大篾片，用的是调虎离山计。你们也太糊涂了，为何事前也不告诉我一声。我如果会他两次，是真是假，不难一目了然。现在人已走了，叫我有什么法子啊？”郝升道：“我们老爷对于这件事严守秘密，连本署的人，若非心腹，还不叫晓得。三番五次地嘱咐我，别泄露一点风声，谁敢事先对张老爷说啊。”此时苟登科的太太哭哭啼啼，朝着张九功连连万福，求他赶紧寻找丈夫的踪迹。张九功连忙带着官人先到同泰店中，传店主人，问他这几人走后，可留下什么东西不曾？店主人道：“他们走后，将跨院的房子，俱都锁起来，吩咐不准擅开。说三五日仍旧回来。”张九功带着店家，把跨院门开开，将各屋的锁拧下，到屋里巡视一周。空空落落的，除去本店几件木器之外，要什么也没有。张九功又问他们：“游山以前，没有什么动静吗？”店主人道：“游山的前一夜，有一位黄师爷，说是到光山菩提寺中预备一切，曾用车子，拉了几件箱笼，其余并未看见什么。”张九功点点头，说我明白了。随后又到光山菩提寺中，带着几名差人，先把寺墙拆毁，然后进到里面，加细访查。在后殿中走了几遍，对差人道：“这殿中的地是空的，你们不信用脚跺着听一听便知道了。”大家侧耳潜听，果有嗡嗡的声音，便一齐回道：“老爷的明鉴，果然与众不同。”张九功道：“要破这起案子，只好在这地下寻求吧。”众差人听了，忙将地上的毡毯卷起，却是方砖墁地。又将砖刨起一块，底下却是木板。张九功道：“不必刨了，先寻这地窖的门要紧。”众人寻了半天，哪里有一点影子。张九功忽然灵机一动，吩咐差人将佛像推倒。这像原是个大肚弥勒佛，身体又宽又大。众差人站在他身后，用力一推，忽听哗啦一声，佛背上竟自裂开两扇门，倒把众差人吓了一跳。若问这门是否通达地窖，地窖内能否发现什么隐秘，且看下回分解。